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LOWEK (JAKAl)A IlEPOllTS. 
 
 DECISIONS DES TRIBUNAUX 
 
 DU BAS-CANADA. 
 
 SEIGNIORIAL 
 
 aiJESTïorv^ 
 
 A COMPILATION 
 
 Cnntnmiii!» llio Sfic;Tiii.rnl Act nf lH,j t. thc nniriuliiiciit to ihc Hciemoriul Aei. (illS51.Uie 
 
 (}ui-'ii)ii< .-uliiniMi (1 |iy i;i|. Aiioniry ( i(>iirral l'ir I.ower Ciiuada, tlit; CiiiiiiiiT-f.Jiicstiiiiu 
 
 ''ul iiiîii( il liv dr. li . Sfi'Mi .1-:. llu' l'idrcciliiiir^ a:i:| lU'ci-i. m- df thu Spécial Courl 
 
 '■.',;-i,im;i il M,iu r liu^ aulhiinly cit' Ihr Sfi^ninriiil Act i l' IS.M, ilir l'Ieadinuk 
 
 aii'l .Mciiii'ii .H l'I tlii: Ailvdi alts. aiul lliu ( )l'.-orvaliuii.- of Uic Judi^'cs A;i.'. . Stc. 
 
 KuiTOKH : MM. LELIEVKE kt AN(îEKS. 
 
 VOLUME A 
 
 IMIINTEl), 
 
 PaRTLV AT (iUElîEC" n\ A. COTK, A'-!) l'AUTfA' \ ." MoNTiiDA !, 
 IIY DUVERNAY iittOTilKHS. 
 
 \Sn(]. 
 
1 
 
 2 
 S 
 4 
 5 
 6 
 
lA 1! I. I 
 
 Oi th<> ( oiiteiiK oC (hi!4 ihHi VoIimiic^ 
 
 
 HUSl' SKUlKS. 
 
 Seigiiiorial Act of 18.") 1 
 
 Act lo aiiioiid llic Si'i^iiioiial Act ol' IM^) t 
 
 Prot'CL'dinii^s oIiIk; Spécial Court, constitiitcd un- 
 (1er llic !UillK)rity ottlu! Scigniorial Act of KSôl.. 
 JiuIgnicMit oftlie Spécial Court upon tlio Questions 
 
 of tlu; Attorney (Jenoral 
 
 Judgiiieiit of tlic Sj)Ocial Court upoii tlie Countcîr- 
 (^ucstions of llic Seii,aiiors, John Pany-iiiati, Sir 
 Kdninnd Filmer, Lady Marie-Louise Cliartier, de 
 Lothinière, Lady Marie-Charlotte de Lotbinière, 
 John Malcohu Fraser et .leau Roch Uolland.... 
 Suunnary of ihe Judi(nient of the Spt;cial Court 
 held Ululer the authority of tluî Seii^niorial Aet of 
 1851 
 
 l'.\<; 
 
 y... 
 
 1 
 
 a 
 
 ;).'} 
 
 a 
 
 Il 
 
 a 
 
 m 
 
 a 
 
 90 a 
 
 \2(j a 
 
 SECOND SERIES. 
 
 Opinion of Sir L. H. LaFontaine, Bt. 
 
 (Translated by M. Mciver, Esq.) 
 
 Page. 
 \. Preliminary Observations 1 a 
 
 2. Part first. — Jeu de Fief. 8 a 
 
 3. Part second. — Cens et Rentes 150 a 
 
 4. Part third. — Réservations 270 « 
 
 5. Part fourth.— Mill Banality 292 a 
 
 6. Part fifth.— Waters 344 a 
 
 7. Part sjxth. — Of the nature of the power attributed 
 to the Govcrnor and to Intendant by the first of 
 the two arrêts of the Gth July 1711, on the refusai 
 
 of any particular seignior to concède .17,> a 
 
ANXO DFXIMO-OCTAVO 
 
 VICTOR \Â] iii:(;iiNA:. 
 
 CAP. III. 
 
 An Aot for tlic abolition of fcudal riglils and dut les in 
 LowtT Canada. 
 
 [Assc/ilcd la ly/Zt Drccinbcr, 185 l.J 
 
 WIIEIIRAS il is expédient to abolisli ail fciidal rii,dit.sProambio. 
 and diities in Lowcr Canada, wliether bearinj^ iipon 
 the Critsitdirc or \\\Mm ihe Seii^mior, iind to seeiire lair com- 
 pensation to the latler l'or every lucrative rii,dit \vliicli is now 
 jegaily liis, and which lie will lose by sncli abolition ; And 
 whereas in considération of the greut advantages which mnst 
 resuit to the Province iVoni the al)olition of the said feiidal 
 rights and duties and the substitution of a free tenure for 
 tliat under which the property subject thereto hatli heretoforc 
 becn held, it is expédient to aid the Camtaire in the ré- 
 demption of the said charges, more especially as regards 
 those which while they press most heavily on indastry and 
 enterprize, cannot, from their very nature, be otherwise madc 
 immediately redeemable without grievous hardship and in- 
 justice in many cases : Be it t hère fore enacted by the 
 Queen's Most Excellent Majesty, by and with the ad vice 
 and consent of the Législative Couneil and of the Législative 
 Assembly of the Province of Canada, constituted and as- 
 sembled by virtue of and under the authority of an Act 
 passed in the Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great 
 Britain and Ireland, and inlituled, An Act to re-tinilc the 
 Provinces of Upper and Loiver Canada., and for thu Govern- 
 ment of Canada., and it is hereby enacted by the authority 
 of the same, as follows : 
 
2a 
 
 ActjBV c. 12, I, TliP Act p;iHS«îtl in tho «'iglitli year (»f lier IVIiijcsfy'» 
 Rcign, iiUiliilcd, An Act tlw hcttcr la /avili tatv nplional com- 
 mutation of thc tcnurc of /amis vn roture /'« thc stigniorics 
 and /icfsj in Lnircr Canada^ info thaï, of franc-alcii roturier y 
 and lli(! Act passod in tlie Iwellili year of lier Majcsty's 
 
 Ami 12 V.e.-lO lteif,Mi, and intilulcd, An Act to amnid thc Art jinssrd in thc 
 ei<^hlh year of lier M(tjr slips Jld'j^n, intilulcd, " An Ad thc 
 " hctlcr to facililutc o/itional connuululion of thc. tcnurc of 
 " lands en roture in thc sciii;niorics and ficfs, in Lowcr Ca- 
 " nada, into that of franc-aleu roturier ^'''^ shall be and tliey 
 are liereby repealed in mo far as ref,'ard.s llie neigniories to 
 vviiich this Aet applies : but deeds of commutation grantcd, 
 
 l' jpoiilud lia 
 rflj^iirls floi- 
 (;niorie8 to 
 wliicti this Act 
 extuud». 
 
 or otlier lliings donc under tliem, sliall remain in full force 
 and hâve the same ellect as if tlie said ActM liad not been 
 repealed. 
 
 DETERMINATION Ob' TIIK rilICE TO BE I>AID BY SEIGNIOR ANU 
 CENSITAIRE FOR THE COMMUTATION OF THE TENUKE OF 
 THEIR PROPERTY. 
 
 Oorernor to ap- II. It sliall be lawful for tlic Govcrnor to appoint Commis- 
 Bioners^"*""*"' ''^'^"'^''^ undcr tliis Act, and, from tiine to time, to remove 
 ihem and to appoint others in the phice of any removed, 
 or dying, or resigning office ; and each of the said Commis- 
 sioners shall, before entering upon the duties of his office, 
 take and subscribe, beftn'e a Judge of the Superior Court, 
 the following oatli : 
 
 Thoir oath of 
 office. 
 
 " I, , swear that I will faithfully, and without 
 
 " partiality, fear, favor or afTection, perform my duly as 
 " Comraissioner under the Seigniorial Act of 1854." 
 
 Remumration. HI. The said Commissioners shall rcceive for their ser- 
 vices under this Act, and for their ncccssary expenses and 
 disbursements, such compensation as shall be allowed to 
 them respectively by the Governor, and no other lees or 
 émoluments whatsoever. 
 
3 a 
 
 IV. Kiicli of llic siiitl C'oinmissioniMs sliall nnd iriay act as CimmiMionoM 
 sucli iii any |)art()i l^owiT Canada, and llicy r^hall w. au.;n^H.'i;{iiiiiri«i a«- 
 to cacli ollicr, so tliat any onc ol llicni, u nci'd hc, may t't^'i- ruipocilveiy 
 liniie and coMipIcte tlir vvork bc^^Min hy any otlicr ol" dirin ; 
 
 l)(i1 subjcct t(i tins provision llie (iovernor may, froni timc lo 
 tinic, assii^Mi llic sci^Miiory or sfi^Miiorirs in and lor wliicli 
 ♦•acli ot' tlicm fsliall ac-f. 
 
 V. It sliall 1)0 tlie (luly of cach of die 8ai<l ConnnissioncrsThoy «hall 
 to value tlu; soveral ri<,dit.s licrcinallcr incntioncd, wididui» of ea«:h 
 
 1 I • • I • I I II I • 1 I • VL'ii'iiiciry, 
 
 rrgard lo l'acli scii^'iiiory, wliicli sliali bc asMiijjncd to liini showint? 
 as aforesuid by tlic Govcrnor, and lodraw np, in labuiar l'orni 
 in triplicato, a schcduki of such sidgniory, slicwing : 
 
 1. The total value of thc seii^niory, tliat is to sav, of ail tlic Tho total vaiuo 
 
 11 ■ . . I ■ I , c ■ .11. "f iho seigni- 
 
 proj)crty and liK-rative nglits whicn liie Seignior holds asory ; 
 
 sueli, wlu'llier as Seii,'nior dominant of any fief ludd of hini 
 
 as sucli Seiqnior, or otluîrwise, inclnding in sueli total value, 
 
 llie value of tlie rights of tlic Crown ; 
 
 2. The value of thc rights of the Crown in ihe soigniory,The yniue of 
 intduding the vvXxxg oi \\\g droit de quinl^ and ail othcrvaluabletuo CrVwn the- 
 rights of ?hc Crown thcrcin as Seignior(/o^;2(î"/?rt«/, or by reason"^*""' 
 
 of any réservation in the original granl of the soigniory, and 
 any dillerenee between the absolute value in franc alcu rotu- 
 rier of ail uneonceded lands, walers and water powors in 
 the seigniory, and appertaining thcreto, and tho value of the 
 seigniorial rights therein, as lliey may be aseertained by the 
 décision of the Judges, under llic provisions hereinaflcr men- 
 tioned. 
 
 3. Thc value of the lucrative ri":hts of tlie Soiafnior ^/om/- And of thoao 
 
 ° , of any otlier 
 
 nant^ of whom the seigniory for which the schcdule is madeseignior domi- 
 may be held, if the seigniory be an arrière-fief ; """ ' 
 
 4. The ycarly value of the seigniorial rights upon each Tho ycariy 
 land, that is to say, cach parcel of land originally conceded seigniorial 
 as a separate lot, or actually owned at the time of making[ôt;''^ °° '"^ 
 the schedule by a separate person ; entering severally, — the 
 
4 a 
 
 yearly value of the luds et rentes^ — tho ycarly value (if any) 
 of Ihc droit de banalité, and of the exclusive riglil to build 
 mills in the seigniory, a.s di.stinguishcil froin the riglit lo the 
 water powers, if such rights be recognised by the décision 
 of the Judges who are to cnquire of the saine as horcinaftcr 
 provided, but not otherwise,— the yearly value of the cens et 
 renies and other fixed rights, and of any other légal charges 
 to which the land may be subject ; but the droil de retrait 
 shall not be deemed a lucrative right ; 
 
 Tho estent of 5. The extcnt of such land according to the title of the 
 eachioti ^^y^^^^ if produced, and whether it is held for agricultural 
 purposes, or is a mère emplacement or building lot ; 
 
 How tiie cliar- Q j^ determining seigniorial charges to which each land 
 
 ^hairveTtor- is subjcct, the Commissioner shall be guided by the title of 
 
 "''°^'^' the owner from the Seignior, subject to the décision of the 
 
 Judges hereinalter mentioned, if such décision shciH in any 
 
 Aniitsoxtent; way Hmit the rights of the Seignior under the said title ; and 
 
 in the absence of the title of the owner, the Commissioner 
 
 shall détermine the extent of the land and the seigniorial 
 
 charges to which it is subject by such books, plans, procès- 
 
 vcrbatix, or other secondary évidence as lie may be able to 
 
 procure ; 
 
 ilow each lot 7. Each land shall be described in the schedule by the 
 cribcd''i'n 'uiô number, and concession, under which it stands in the land- 
 seheduie : ^.^jj ^f ^j^^ Sciguior, (or if it bear no svu;h description therein, 
 then by the best brief désignation the Commissioner ean 
 assign to it,) and the name of the owner as it appears on the 
 land-roll, and in default of information on any of the said 
 points, the Commissioner may describe it in such manneras 
 he may think most convcnient, provided lie assign to each 
 land a separate and distinct number ; 
 
 Coinmutea 8. The Commissioner shall also inelude in the schedule 
 
 Kntorèr *° ail lands in regard to which the seigniorial riglits hâve 
 
 been commutcd, and write opposite theretothe word " com- 
 
 muted " only. 
 
5 a 
 
 \\, In order to delermine tlie valn<3 of tlic soigniorial Oonemi ru'es 
 rii^htsi on lands lield e)irulun\\\\^i Comniissioner sliall observe 
 tlie following ruics, naniely : 
 
 1. The amount of tlie cens ci rcnlcft and annnal charges Cens et rmtcs 
 shall be taken as the yearly value thereof; and if any snch ehàrgcs. 
 rents or charges bc payable in grain, fowls or ollier j)rovi- 
 
 sions or fruits of tlie earth, tlieir average value shall be com- 
 
 [)Uted according to the average priée of articles of the same 
 
 kind, taken from the books of the merchants nearest to the 
 
 place, or ascerlained in any other nianner the C'ommissioner 
 
 shall think most équitable ; to establish sucli average year, Averago ycur 
 
 the fourteen years imniediately i)receding the period at 
 
 wliich the valuation is madc, shall be taken, the two highest 
 
 and the two lowesl shall be struck out, and the average year 
 
 shall be established on the ten remaining years ; the value 
 
 of )')ersonal labour (corvées) shall be eslimated in the same 
 
 manner ; 
 
 2. In order to establish the yearly value of the casual Casu.ai rights. 
 rights, an average year of their value shall be computed for 
 
 each of the two classes of lands hereinafter mcntioned, upon 
 
 the ten years imniediately ])receding the passing of this Act, 
 
 and the amount of the valaation of the said average year 
 
 shall be the yearly value of the said casual rights for ail the 
 
 lands in ihe seigniory of the same class ; and the Coumiis- vaiueof/w/sc^ 
 
 sioners in estimating the yearly value of the luds et î-"^''?^^-'»" cu"/,^?ai°°ian(i's 
 
 in any seigniory, shall distinguish tliose accruing on lands "^■'"^ onempia- 
 
 •f ^ •' ^ ^ ^ ^ céments to te 
 
 held as emplacements or building lots or for other than agri- distinguished. 
 eultural purposes, whieh shall form one class, from those on 
 lands held for agricultural purposes, whieh shall form ano- 
 îher class ; and the Commissioner shall apportion the yearly ii<,wapportion- 
 value of the lods et ventes on each class, uj)on the lands be- 
 lunging to that class, charging each land witli a portion 
 thereof proportionate to ils value wilh regard to lands held 
 as emplacements or building lots, or for other than agricul- 
 tural purposes, and proportionate to its extent with regard 
 
6 a 
 
 As to rente 
 reprcsonting 
 luds c rentes 
 undordecilof 
 commutation. 
 
 Droit de bana- 
 lité. 
 
 to lands held for agricultnral purposes : and any rente ex- 
 pressly cliarged in any deed of partial commutation nnder 
 thc Acts hereby repealed, as an indeinnity to be paid by thc 
 Censitaire instead oï /ods et ventes^ sliall bc held to rcprcsent 
 ihe value of thc right to lods et ventes on thc land rcferred to, 
 and shall be entered and dcalt with in ail respects accor- 
 dingly ; 
 
 3. In order to establish the yearly value of thc droit de ba- 
 nalité and thc exclusive right of having mills in the sei- 
 gniory, (independcntly of thc right to the water po'>^xn•,) if 
 any such rights be recognized by tlie said Judges as afore- 
 said,the Commissioner shall cstimate thc probable decrease 
 (if any) in the nctt yearly income of the Seignior from his 
 mills, to arise from the lossof such right, and the said sum 
 shall be deemed thc yearly value of such right, and shall be 
 apportioncd upon the lands subject to the said right in pro- 
 portion to their extent ; 
 
 oibor rigbtg. 4. Any otlicr rights shall be valucd according to the re- 
 venue or profits which may hâve accrued therefrora to be 
 ascertained by the Commissioner in such manncr as he shall 
 deera most équitable, and shall be charged upon the Ir.nds 
 subject ihereto respectivcly ; 
 
 Yearly value 5. The yearly value of each class of rights upon each land, 
 beclnvô£*%hall become arm^e conslitvée charged upon the same as 
 Miluêi^n thc compensation payable to thc Seignior thercof, and the 
 total amount of such rentes ecnslituccs on any land, aftcr the 
 déduction to be made therefrom as hereinaftcr provided, 
 shall be payable to the Seignior yearly, at the time and 
 When payable, place whcre the cens et rentes on such land are now payable, 
 unless it bc otherwise agreed bctween the Seignior and the 
 Censitaire, and shall accrue from the day on which notice 
 of the deposit of the schedule of the seigniory shall be given 
 in the Canada Gazette, on which day the présent cens et 
 rentes and other annual charges upon the land shall cease 
 
 each land. 
 
la 
 
 to accrue ; and both tlioy and \hc rc?itf.'i conflit iuccs, undoi'Astobroken 
 this Act, shull accrue ratcably for any broken period less ''"'"'''' 
 a yesr, during which they mny exist ; 
 
 G. The value of ihc rights of tlie Seignior dominani invuiuoofthc 
 any arrière:// rf, shall froni the capital o( n rente consiUuée'^,t\'£,^l,l,,i 
 payable ycarly by llie seignior of the arrière-Ile f, on the dav''\^°."'° '^^^'' 
 
 ' ' •/ tîil 01 <i vente 
 
 of the date of the publication in the Canada Gazette oixhc constituée ^o.y- 
 notice of the deposit ofthe schedule ofsuch arrière-fuf, and" '°'° 
 accruing from the day ofsuch publication; but out of the 
 moncys coming to the Seignior of the arrière-Jlef, from the 
 Provincial aid hereinafler mentioned, a sum bearing the nis sharc in 
 same proportion to the whole of such monies as the value Jy^J"""'' fy^~ 
 of the rights of tho Seignior dominant in such arrière-ficf^'^^- 
 bears to the value set upon the seignorlal rights of the 
 Seignior servant in such arrièrc-fief, shall belong to the 
 Seignior domimant^ and his said rente constituée shall be 
 diminished by the amount ofthe ycarly interest, at six per 
 cent per annum, of the sum so coming to hirn out ofthe said 
 Provincial aid ; 
 
 7. And, in estimating the value ofthe casual rights of the casuai rights 
 Crown, in relation to each seigniory, the Commissioner shall Jl'^^'^^.J^^j" 
 be guided, as nearly as possible, by the same rules as are 
 hereby prescribed for the détermination ofthe ycarly value 
 ofthe casual rights of the Seigniors. 
 
 iiiiuen- 
 in- 
 
 VIÎ. Before beginning to prépare the schedule for any Notice by the 
 seigniory, the Commissioner cnlrusted \\\\\\ that duly, shall Se cT"" 
 give public notice ofthe place, day and hour, at which he°^j^ ""'^ 
 will begin his inquiry ; and such notice shall be made by 
 placards and publications in the english and frcnch lan- 
 guagcs, at the door of every parish church in such seigniory, 
 during four consécutive sundays, at the conclusion of divine 
 service in ihe forenoon, or by placards in both langages, 
 posted, during four consécutive weeks, in the most frequcnted 
 place in any seigniory in which thcre shall be no church. 
 
8a 
 
 i[c ra.iy enter VIII. It shall be lawful for ihe Commissioner to enter 
 nwpunïoVes of upon ail lands situate in ihe scigniory ihe schecliile wliereof 
 thy innuiry. -^^ j^^ |j^. madc by hirn, in order lo rnako such exainination 
 thereofas may be necessary, withuut liis being subject 
 in respect thereof to any obstruction or j)rosecution, and 
 with the riglit to command tlie assistance of ail Justices, 
 Peace Olfieers and otliers, in order to enter and make such 
 exarnination, in case of ojiposition. 
 
 Powersoftho IX. Tlic said Comniissioners, and eacli of ihem sepa- 
 
 ..htitiningin- rately, shall liave full powcr and authonîy to examine on 
 
 formation ^^^j^ ^^^^ person \vl)o sliall aj)peur before them, or any of 
 
 tliem, either as a party interested or as a wilness, and to 
 
 sumrrion before ihern, or any of them, ail persons whom 
 
 they or any of lliem may deem it expédient to examine 
 
 upon the matters subject to their considération, and the facts 
 
 which they may rcquire to ascertain in order to carry this 
 
 Act into eflect, and to rcquire any such person to bring 
 
 with him and produce before them or any ofthem any book, 
 
 paper, plan, instrument, document or thing rnentioned in 
 
 such summons, and necessary for the purpose of this Act : 
 
 PuQishment ofx\nd if any person so summoned shall refuse or neglect to 
 
 s™) appêarappear before them, or before the Commissioner who shall 
 
 before tiiom or ^ summoucd liiin, or appearing, shall refuse to answer 
 
 to givo intor- ' i i i u' 
 
 mation. ^^y lawful question put to him, or to produce any such book, 
 
 paper, ))lan, instrument, document or thing whatsoever 
 which may be in his possession, and which he shall hâve 
 been required by such summons to bring with him or to pro- 
 duce, such person shall, for every such refusai or neglect, 
 incur a penalty of not less tlian ten nor more than fifiy 
 pounds currency, payable to lier Majesty, to be recovered 
 with costs upon sammary plaint by such Commissioner 
 before any Judge of the Superior or Circuit Court, and, in 
 default of immédiate payment, shall, by warrant of such 
 Judge, be apprehended and committed to the common 
 gaol of the District for a period not excecding one calendar 
 month. 
 
9 a 
 
 X. Whcnever llie Commissioner, chargcdwitli tlie makingVaiiio nmy i^e 
 
 ,. , , , , ,- . ■ I 11 1 !• • • ,1 ^ ^1 ostiiuatoil by 
 
 ot the sclicdule (<1 a scigniory, sliaii be ol o[)inion lliat llie(;.r/)cw.s- if 
 rules prcscribed in tliis Act Ibr detenninini^ any value wliic-li Jij'^JI,',',-!','^^^ 
 lie is liercby rcquired fo détermine, do not fonn an équitable Cmaiiairc^. 
 basis for detennining the same, or wiien the Seigni(jr, or 
 not less than twelve Censitaires of the seigniory, shall eall 
 upon the said Comaiissioner in writing, withina period not 
 exceeding eight day.s, after the day fixed for tiie commen- 
 cement ci the incjuiry by the Commi.ssioner, requiring that 
 experts ho u\-)po'\n{cà \o détermine the value of tlie i^eigni- iiowsucii 
 orial rights therein, ihe said Commissioner shall call a p^ihlic ijo'appointed. 
 meeting of the Censitaires of the seigniory, at such place 
 therein, and on such day and at snch honr, as shall be spe- 
 cified in the public notice thereof, which he shall give in 
 ihc manner preseribed by this Act, with respect to tjie com- 
 mencement of his inquiry, for the purpose of appointing 
 two experts^ one of whom sliall be appointed by the Scignior, 
 f»nd flie other shall be elected by the majority of the Censi- 
 taires présent at such meeting; and in case the Seignior or 
 his agent, shall not be présent at the said meeting, or being 
 présent, shall refuse or neglect to appoint an expert^ the 
 said Commissioner shall appoint one on behalf of the Seig- 
 nior, and such expert shall hâve the same powers as he 
 would hâve had if lie had been appointed by the Seignior, 
 and in the event of the Censitaires refusing or neglecting to 
 appoint an expert on tlieir behalf the Commissioner shall 
 in like manner appoint an expert to act for them. 
 
 2. The two experts so appointed shall hâve and exercise Powersof 
 the same ])o\\ ors with resj)ect to the valuation of the seigni-"^"^'^ *' 
 orial rights as could be cxercised by the Commissioner xhey shnii not 
 himself, except that they shall not in any case be bound l^y [ho'fo^egVk'' 
 lhe rules aforesaid ; and the said \\xo experts ^\\^\\ a{)pointruios. 
 a third expert^ but in case the two experts shall not agrée 
 upon the person to be the third expert^ then any Judgc of the Third ex^cw. 
 Superior Court in the District in which the seigniory or the 
 greater part thereof lies, shall, on the application of eitlicr 
 
10 a 
 
 expert^ aftor throc clear days' notice to the other, appoint 
 Tho value fixcdsuch tlilrd expcrl : and the sums fixed bv any twoof such 
 
 by tho experte ' . , „ , ...,., 
 
 tobeentcred expn'ls ^^ X\\c jc^xij valuo ol tlic seigniorjal rignts respec- 
 "'''tively, shall b(î taken by llie Commissioner as the value the- 
 reof, and shall bc appoitioncd by himin the manner hercin- 
 bclbre j)rescribed, upon or amonq the lands subject to such 
 rights ; and the Commissioner shall mention in the sche- 
 dule that the value was determined by expertise. 
 
 Solo expert 
 uiay be clioen 
 
 o. 
 
 Providcd tlial, when the Seignior and the Censitaires 
 
 shall agrée to appoint and eleet, or shall appoint and elect 
 
 one and the same expert, such sole expert shall hâve the 
 
 saine jiowers as the tliree experts would hâve had, and his 
 
 Commissioner décision shall be final : And providcd aiso, that the Com- 
 
 œay bo sole or . . , • i • i i • i , ^ . 
 
 third expert, missioncr may be appointed either third expert or soie expert. 
 
 Caso o{ experts. 4. In tlic cvcnt of ouc of tlic said experts ây'mg.) becoming 
 prôvuiod for. incapacilatcd, or refusing to act, the appointmcnt or élec- 
 tion of another in his stead shall be proceeded witii in the 
 manner above prescribed, excopîing that it shall not bc ne- 
 ccssary to call a public meeting of the Censitaires for the ap- 
 pointmcnt of an expert in the stead of the person rcpre- 
 senting the Seignior ; but if the Seignior refuse, or neglcct 
 during eight days to appoint another expert, after liaving 
 been roquired so to do by the Commissioner, the Commis- 
 sioner shall appoint an expert on behalf of the said Seignior. 
 
 And !«• tho 5. If the Commissioner be appointed third expert or sole 
 
 be the c.r;je;7. cxpcrt, tlicii II lic be prcvcutcd Irom acting by any cause, 
 
 the Commissioner who shall be dircctcd by the Governor to 
 
 continue the proceedings in the seigniory, shall bc third 
 
 expert or sole expert in the place of the former Commissioner. 
 
 Feosoî expe. 
 
 Commissioner 
 •".jepted. 
 
 6. The said experts shall be enlitled to receivc, out of the 
 funds providcd by this Act, sucii fées as the Commissioner 
 shall dcem propcr to tax, providcd lliat they do not exceed 
 the sum of lifteen shillings for cach day of necessary atten- 
 dance. And the said fccs shall be paid by the Ileceiver Ge- 
 neral upon the certificate of the Commissioner. 
 
llrt 
 
 XI. Thcsaid Commissioncr, immcdiatelyaftcrthc makingN.tico that 
 01 the sclK'dule ol a scigniory, sliall give ciglit days' public ready for ins- 
 notice, in the manncr prescribcd by tho sevcnth section of^'^'''"^"' 
 this Act, tiiat siich schedule will remain open for the ins- 
 pection of the Seignior and the Ccnsilaircs of the soigniory 
 during the thirty days foJlowing the said notice ; and during inspection, and 
 tiiat timc, the Commissioner may correct any error and supply erîo«!'*'° "' 
 any omission which may be pointed eut to him by any party 
 interestcd, or which shall corne to his knowlcdge in any 
 other manner, but he shall not alter any value determined 
 by expertise without the consent of the majority of the experts 
 or of the sole expert ; 
 
 2. The proprictor or possessor of the scigniorv mav anncar, ^^''^ /"^ ^^' , 
 
 . . . ' ' o ^ J i i ' j)(;ar toilemnnu 
 
 either in pcrson or by his agent, before the Commissioner corrections. 
 for the purpose of having any error correctcd which mav 
 hâve crept into the said schedule ; and for the lilce purpose 
 the Censitaires of the seigniory may api)car before the said 
 Commissioner by their agent to be appointed by a majority 
 of the Censitaires of the seigniory présent at a meetino- 
 called for that purpose by any three or more of the Censi- 
 taires thcrcof, eight days' public notice thereof having been 
 previously given in the manner prescribcd in the seventh 
 section of this Act ; 
 
 3. But no schedule shall be completed until the Judges^'ciiciuie not 
 of the Spécial Court shall hâve given judgmcnt upon the Sa untiTLt- 
 Questions to be submitted to them as hereinafter mcntioned ; SldS' 
 and in the event of any of the décisions pronounccd by the 
 said Spécial Court, being reversed or altered upon appeal to 
 the privy Council, the Commissioners forraing the Court 
 of Revision of schedules hereinafter mcntioned shall alter 
 and amend the schedules accordingly ; 
 
 XII. It shall be lawful for the Governor, by letter undcrFourrcvising 
 the signature of the Provincial Secretary, to sélect, from the f^bo^BeÊte" 
 Commissioners so to be appointed, four of their nurnber, of 
 whom any three shall form a Court for the revision of sche- 
 
12 a 
 
 Thrcetosit. dules nv.idc uiider tliis Act,an(l in liko mannor, from time to 
 lime, to rt'inove tliein and to appoint othcrs in tlic place of 
 any so removed, dying, resigning ollicc or bcing incapa- 
 citated to act ; 
 
 T>vo may do- 2. Tlio décision of any two of tlie Commissioncrs so sc- 
 "''*"' Jeeted, ^\ lietlier tlie olhers be présent or not, on any malter 
 
 relating 1o tlic révision of any scliedule niade iinder tljis 
 
 Act, sliall be final ; 
 
 Thoy may re- 3. In Hialving sucli révision, tlie Commissioners slmll pro- 
 
 quiro oviJcnco. ^^^,^j sunuiiarily, but tliey may order any évidence to be 
 
 adduccd which tliey may tliink recpusite to enable tliem to 
 
 pronounce a correct décision, and for tliat purpose sliail 
 
 hâve tlie saine powers as in making a schcdide ; 
 
 4. No Cornmissioner so sclected shall sit in revision of 
 
 Not to rcviso 
 their o 
 .Iules. 
 
 their own scho- ^^^ schcdule iTiadc by him ; 
 
 whcnand 5. And no revision of any schednle shall be allowcd, un- 
 
 urvbo'"ob-''°"less api)licationbe made for tlie same within fifteen days 
 tained. ^^om tlie expiration of thc lime, allowed under tlie eleventh 
 
 section of this Act, for the correction thereofby tlie Commis- 
 sioner by whom it was made; and every such api)lication 
 shall be made by a pétition, prcsented on behalf of the parly 
 interested to the Governor, specifying the objections made 
 to snch schedidc and the amendments demanded, and pray- 
 ing for thc re vision thereof ; 
 
 iiow scheduiea G. Upon tlie rcceipt of any such pétition, the Provincial 
 rè'dto''thcm for Secret ary shall refer the same to the Commissioners forming 
 revision. ^j^^. Court of Révision aforesaid, wliose duty it shall be, after 
 
 havinir îïiven elî^lit days' notice in the manner provided by 
 the sevenlh section of this Act, to proceed to revise ihe schc- 
 dule therein mentioned, and if tliey find any error ; 1o correct 
 the same, in so far as, but no farther than, it shall hâve been 
 so specialUy objeeted to ; but ihey shall not alter any value 
 determined by expertise without ihe consent of the majority 
 of the experts or of the sole expert ; 
 
13 a 
 
 7. Tho said Court of Reviï^ion may awanl and tax i'ostsCo,f9ngiiinst 
 
 ...... , ,1 liiirty w:intoiily 
 
 again^l any party who inay m thoir opinion liavr (Icinanded rpnuiring a re- 
 or oj)|)os('(l tlic révision of tlii; scIumIiiUî witliont reasonable ^'°'""' 
 cause, and sncli cosls may hc rccovcrcd on tlu' (;crtilicale of 
 any one of thc said Commissionrrs as a dcbt ihw l)y tlie party 
 against whom ihoy sliall liave bocn awardcd, to llie party 
 in whosc favour thcy hâve bcen taxed. 
 
 XIII. As soon as thc schcduh; of a sci2;niorv sliall bc ''^' "'i'^'' ci c.mi- 
 
 '^ - pletum nmi (io- 
 
 complclcd in the manner hcrcinbrforo providcd, thc Corn- ii">it "f -iiic- 
 missioner, wlio shalliiavc inade it, shall transmit a triplicatc, Re(tivor(jio- 
 thcrcof to thc Rcoeiver General of this Province ; hc shall "'"^''" 
 dcposit another triplicatc in the olTice of the Supcrior Court TiipHi^atos 
 in the District in which thc scigniory is situatc, orif sucliot' 
 scigniory bc situatc in two Districts, then in thc oilicc of 
 thc said Court in ihat District in which the gicater part of 
 such sciqniory is situatc ; and shall rctain thc othcr tripli- 
 catc in lus hands until it shall bc othcrwise providcd by law ; 
 and hc sliall givc public notice of lus having so dcpositcd 
 thc saine, in the terras of the form A, anncxcd to lus Act, 
 or in othcr terms of like impcjrt, in thc cnglish and french 
 languages in the Canada Gazette^ or othcr ncwsjinpcr recog- 
 nizcd as the officiai gazette of the Province, and in at Icast 
 one ne\vspa])cr published in thc District in wliich such sci- 
 gniory or Ihc greater part thercof is sitiiate, or if therc bc no 
 newspaper published in such District, such notice shall be 
 so published in thc nearest District whcrcin one or more 
 ncwspapers are j)ublishcd. And thc Clcrk of the Supcrior Copies ami cs- 
 Courl shall furnish copies of or extracts from such schcdulefuruishéd!" 
 duly ccrtified in the usual form, to any person applying for 
 thc samc, and may dcmand thrce pence currency for every 
 lumdrcd words or figures in any such co])y or extract ; andFeo thoroibr. 
 hc shall also furnish one copy of every such schcdnlc on 
 dcmand to the Scigniorof the seigniory to which it relates, 
 and the costs thercof shall bc paid out of thc funds i)rovided 
 by this Act; and ail such copies and extracts, whclher inTheiriegai 
 wordsor figures, shall be deemed authentic, and shall serve 
 as prima facie proof of ail mattcrs therein set forth. 
 
M 
 
 a 
 
 ABOLtXrON OV FEUDAL llIGHTS AND DUTIES. 
 
 Upon tlie pu- 
 lilii-iitiiii) ut' tlio 
 notit'fe of (Icpo- 
 ait of tlio scliu- 
 dulo of a ?ei- 
 fçniory, iill 
 iandu tliorein 
 to l)u liolil in 
 frunc-uUu. 
 
 And tho Soi- 
 gnior to ))0 freo 
 froin (juint, Ac. 
 to tLu Crown. 
 
 No soigniorial 
 rigbt or duty 
 to reinnin or be 
 establitlicd. 
 
 Proviso : Sei- 
 gniors net to 
 concède bcfore 
 ihe schodule is 
 completed. 
 
 XIV. Upon, from and afler ihe date of llic publication in 
 tlio Canada Gazelle^ or otiicr ollicial gazette as aforesaid, 
 of a notice of the deposit of tlie sclicdule of any .scigniory 
 as aforesaid, cvery Censitaire^ in sucli seigniory shaJI, by 
 virliic thcrcof liold iiis land in franc-aku roturier^ fr(;c and 
 clearof ail ccm^ lods et ventes^ droit de /janalitc, droit de 
 retrait, and ollicr fcudal and scigniorial duties and charges 
 \vliatev(;r. excej)! the rente constituée which will be substi- 
 tulcd for ail scigniorial duties and charges; and cvery Sci- 
 gnior shall lliereafter liold his domain and the unconceded 
 lands in his seigniory, and ail water power and rcal estate 
 now belonging tohim in franc-aleu roturier, by virtue of this 
 Act, and the same and the rentes constituées payable to hiiii 
 undcr this Act by his Censitaires, or by any Seignior of 
 Avliose fief or seigniory lie his the Seignior dominant, shall 
 be held and enjoyed by him free and clear of ail quint, 
 relief or other feudal dues or duties to the Crown or to any 
 Seignior dominant of whom his fief or seigniory is now 
 held ; subject always, both as regards Seignior and Censi- 
 taire, to the provisions of this Act : Nor shall the Seignior 
 as sucli, after the said time, be subject to any onerous obli- 
 gation towards his Censitaires, or be entitlcd to any honorary 
 rights, nor shall any land be thereafter granted by any Sei- 
 gnior to be held by any other tenure than franc-aleu roturier, 
 or subject to any mutation fines or other feudal dues; Pro- 
 vided always, that no Seignior shall concède or alienate any 
 part of the unconceded lands in his seigniory, until after 
 the notice of the deposit of the schedule thereof has been 
 given as aforesaid, and any such concession or aliénation 
 shall be null and void. 
 
 Certain powers XV. But no right, wliich any Seignior may hâve acquired 
 Und°fo"r mifis, by aiiy Icgal Stipulation entered into before the passing of 
 mad^ToV/èr Uie^^*^^ ■^'^^' ^^ ^"^ dccd subsequcut to the deed of concession, 
 deod of conces- to take any land for the purpose of using the water power 
 
15 a 
 
 adjoinin*^ llic saim; and bclon^'in*,' (o sucli Scii^nior, on 
 puying for sucli land tlio lull value tliereol'and of ail impro- 
 vemenlH tliercon, sliall cease by rt-ason ol' the pasi?iin<j; of 
 ihis Act, but Ihu sanie f^liaJl retnain in full force : Provided '''''^^'■";' """'"■ 
 ahvays, lliat flio owner ol any land adjoining watcr power, inRii wator 
 8() a('(iuir('<i by tlic ScMgnior, and not tlicn u.scd by liiiri, may, in:ma it in ocr- 
 ât any time, after tlie expiration of oneyear froni tlie [)as.sing''"" ^'"*"' 
 of tliis Act, demand llio riglit to use sucb watcr power frotn 
 the Seignior, on pnying liirn ihe fuU value of such riglit, 
 wliich value, if not agrced upon, sliall be fixed by arbitra- 
 tors, one to be named by the owncr of such land, another 
 by the Seignior, and the third by the ollicr two, or if thcy 
 disagree, ihen by a Judge of the Superior Court or of the 
 Circuit Court, and the award of any two of thcm shall bo 
 conclu^ive ; and upon payrnent or tender to the Seignior 
 of the value awarded, the owncr of such land shall hâve the 
 right to use such water power in the rnanni^r mentioned in 
 the demand thercof and in ihe said award. 
 
 DETERMINATION OF THE LEGAL RIGHTS OF TIIE SEIGNIOR AND 
 
 CENSITAIRE. 
 
 Xyi. And in ordcr to avoid, as far as may be possible, Questions to be 
 unnecessary expense, uncertainty and delay in the valuation'h!;"';îo?„^y 
 of the several rights aforesaid, and in the completion of the H^^f,'"' 4' 
 
 1,1/.,... "'O Judges fur 
 
 schedules ol the seigniories respectiveiy, and ail errors as<i«.t«'"™'"'ng 
 to matters of law on the part of the Commisioners underriïhtT"^^ 
 this Act, Her Majesty's Attorney General for Lower Canada, 
 shall, as soon as may be practicable after the j)assing of this 
 Act, frame such Questions to be submitted for the décision 
 of the Juges of the Court of Queen's Bench and of the Su- 
 perior Court for Lower Canada, as he shall deem best cal- 
 culated to décide the points of law, which will, in his opi- 
 nion, corne under the considération of the said Commis- 
 sioners, in determining the value of the rights of the Crown, 
 of the Seignior, and of the Censitaires, and he shall file a To be fiied. 
 
\Ga 
 
 Tlicy «hall 1)0 
 Iiuliliahud. 
 
 C()j)v "f siicli (inestions in tlic Ollici' ol' iIk; said (Jonrt of 
 (iucen's IJi-ncli, and causo a copy tlicrfol' to hv IransiiiittcMl 
 hy post to cacli of llie .Jiulgcs ol" llic saiil Courts ; 
 
 2. The said Questions sliall tlien bu publislicd ut least 
 once a week, durinjjf six conseeutive weeks, in llie Canada 
 dazfllr^ willi a notice to ull eonecrned tliat tliey liave been 
 liled as aforesaid, and are subniitted l'or tlie décision of the 
 said Judgcs ; 
 
 Thpyphaiibo 3. The said Jiidgrs shall take the sîiid Questions intocon- 
 ":'}*'•'' '."^'"^""Tsiderat ion, and shall liear the Atlornev General, or Solieilor 
 tiecideiion ns Général, and sueli eonnsel as such Allorney General or Soh- 
 
 tiOOD «M IXIhniblu. . ^ , , . 1.11, • . '^lil 
 
 eilor General niay deeni it advisable to associate witli tlienri, 
 at as early a lime as may be j)ra1icable, afler the expiration 
 of thirty days froni ihe last publication of the said Questions 
 in the Canada Gazctlc ; and it shall be the duty of the said 
 Jud"-es to iîive the considération of the said Questions and 
 the hearing thereof sueh preeedenee over other tnatters bel'ore 
 tluïm, and to adopt sueh other rueasures \vith regard to theiu, 
 as wili ensure a décision thereon at as early a period as inay 
 bc conveniently praeticable ; 
 
 Sei^;nior^. may 4. Any Sciguior may, at any lime, before the end of the 
 Kloni'an.i said period of thirty days aller the last publication of the 
 propositions, gj^jj Questions, or with leave of the said Judges at any time 
 before the hearing thereon, cause an appearanee to be filed 
 for him in tho 0(Uee of the Court of Queen's Bench, in the 
 matter of the said Questions, and having caused sueh ap- 
 pearanee to be so filed, shall bc entitle to be heard by his 
 counsel upon such Questions, and may submit any Supple- 
 mentary or Counter-Questions and may append to every 
 such Question, a statement of the proi)osition, or propo- 
 sitions lie iutcnds to maintain with regard thereto ; but no 
 more than five counsel shall bc heard on the part of ail the 
 Seigniors so'appearing, except by spécial permission of the 
 Court, and if more claim to be heard, the Judges shall dé- 
 cide belwcen them whieh shall be heard ; 
 
 Nomber of _ 
 counsels limit- 
 ed. 
 
17 fl 
 
 5. 'l'Iif Crusildùrs of any s(>i«,'ni()ry, adiiig l)y tlicir a^'cnt An.iK. mny 
 to l)(î <'l((ic(| iti llic luanniT providcil !)y llic elcvcntli section 
 of lliis Act, iiiiiy iiUo, in likc rimnncr iind within a likc ddiiy, 
 cati.sc MM iippr.M »n(!(.! to l)(' filcd for tlifin in liic oflict; of tlic 
 suid Court, and, ha', ini,' so donc, sliall l)c ciitilN-d to l)c licani 
 hy tlicir coiit)Ncl. upoii llic Questions lilcd hy tlic Attorncy 
 Ocn-ral a-^ wdl as iipr>n any (Questions or Propositions (ilcil 
 by any S(;iij[ni t, and laiiy siibniit Sii|)plctncntary or Conn- 
 tcr-C^iicstions or Propositions to tliu«iC of du? Crown or of any 
 Seignior ; but no inorc than livo oounscls ?«li(dl bc hcard on Numtior «r 
 thc part of ail tlic Cnisitairr.s, iinlcss by thc spécial p^r-;;'^'""'"""'" 
 mission of tlic Court, and if more i laim to be hcard, thc 
 Court sliall di'(Mdc bctwccn tlicin wiiich shall bc hcard ; 
 
 G. No publication or scrvict; of any such Snppicnientary CopinR of ooun 
 
 /•1 i-, ■ II ■■ iiii 1 tt!r-(iuo>itiiini4| 
 
 or Conntcr-l^ucstions or l'ropositions sliall bc ncccssary, but .vc. to i>o fm- 
 thc saruc sliall be printcd, and, wlicn tliey arc iilcd, at l<-îi«t paîueV" "" 
 lifty copies tliereof sliall bi- dclivcrcd to tlu; C'icrk of Appcals, 
 who sliall givc coj)ics to thc Attorncy (îcncral and to the 
 advocates aj)pearing for Scigniors or Censitaires ; 
 
 7. Froin thc expiration of tlu; said thirty days after thciiow tho quw- 
 last publication ot tlu; said (Questions, tlit; iiiattcr sliall bc i^nrj, ac 
 doah witli by thc said Juili^cs, as if an apjK'al wcrc pcnding 
 
 and inscribcd and ready for hearing, in vvhich th(; said Qucs. 
 tioîis had ariscn for décision, but no case, or plcadings, or 
 tither procceding than such as are herein prcscribed, sliall be 
 requircd prcviously to such hearing ; no teclinical objection 
 of proc(>dure sliall be enterlained, and if any question arise 
 as to the |)roceedings in any maltcr not provided for by this 
 Act, the Judges sitting shall instante)' make such ordcr 
 tlierein as shall scem most équitable and convenient ; 
 
 8. The çlecision and opinions of the said Judges shall be Form of Uoci 
 motivées and delivered as in a judgment on a case in appeal" "*' 
 
 in which ail the Questions had arisen and were put in issue, 
 but without any furthcr sentence in favor of the Crown, the 
 Seigniors or the Censitaires^ whether as to costs or other- 
 wise ; 
 
ISa 
 
 l'rovi-o. 
 
 Effect of dei - Q 'pi^g décision so lo be prnnnancfd on cncli ol' ilir s;;i(l 
 Questions and Propositions sliail timide tlie ("ouini; ->ionfrs 
 andllie Attorney General, andsliall, in anyaetual cioc Uieie- 
 after to arise, be lield to liave l)een a jiidgnient in appeal 
 en dernier ressort on tlie point raised by snch (Question, in 
 a like case, tlioiii^h betwecn other parties ; Provided always, 
 tliat it shall be compétent to llie said Judi^es lo render se- 
 
 i'nvi?o: in paratc dccisions npon any particular cineslion or (iiieslions ; 
 
 whnt caso nn ' , 
 
 iiiipeai shall And j)rovided also, t^fiat if, as tt) any sueli décision, tliero 
 be any dissenlient Judge, eitlier parly may, uitliin one 
 month, by snmmary pi tiiion dnly nolified to tlie odiers, 
 ap])eal frorn such décision lo lier Majesly in Her Privy 
 ^ Council ; but othcrwise, tlicre sliall be no appeal IVoui any 
 
 such décision ; 
 
 Spécial Session jq 'pj^ç Govcmor may, at anv timc and from tini(> totime, 
 
 U> bo huld for . . ." . 
 
 the punioses of by proclamation, direct a Spécial Session of the said Judges 
 to be lield at tlie City of Québec or at the City of Montréal, 
 and to commence on the day lo be named for that ])urpose 
 in such proclamation, which shall be issued at least twenly 
 clear days before the commencement of such SocH'ial Ses- 
 sion ; and to any such Speci;;! Session ail tiie provisions of 
 the Act constituting the said Court of Queen's li(>ncli, and 
 of the law with regard to tlie ordinary terms of the said 
 Court [Appeal side) shall apply ; execpt that, at every such 
 Spécial Session, nine of the said Judges shall be a Quorum : 
 and the Questions to be proposed under tins Act, and no 
 other business, shall be taken up at such Session ; and 
 such Spécial Session shall continue mit il no further matter 
 orprocecding relating to this Act shall be before the said 
 Judges, who shall at such Session form a spécial Court for 
 
 Proviso. the purposes of this Act ; Provided ahvays, that if, for the 
 
 purpose of holding any term, either of the Court of Queen's 
 Bench or Supcrior Court, it becomc necessary to suspend 
 the sittings of such Spécial Session, the Judges shall ad- 
 journ such Sjiecial Session to the lirst convenient day after 
 
 Adjournmont. the close of such term ; and the said Sj)ecial Court may. 
 
 Quorum. 
 
 Darntion. 
 
10 a 
 
 (1 
 
 ici 
 
 ujUr heanni? a'I piirtics on tlie varions malters snhmitlcd tOj,,,,,,,,,^^,^ * 
 thorn, a(li(*'irn, lor tlic pnr|)ose of rcndfrinjjf judgnicnt only, 
 any dav tlifrcnflcr, on ;ind aller wliich day, thcy niay adjonrn 
 for tlK like purpose ; and such adjoiirnineiits for rondorinir 
 jiidgnu'nt may bc lo any day durinç; or bctwccn any ternis' 
 of t?io said Court of Quoen's Hencli or Supcrior Conrt ; And Proviso : 
 providrd also, that it sliall bo luwfnl for llie Govcrnor, by J;'^;,";/;';,;;'^^,';; 
 any proclamation diri'ctinîsr such Spccial Scssiijn, to sus-s'u-'pe'^'^e'i' *c, 
 
 •' ■ " ' 1 p I • 1 '"■ Assistant 
 
 pend or po8tponc any tcrin or termH ol citlier of the said Jmipes ^p- 
 
 Courts, or to ftlt<'r llic duration lliereof; and also to name ^^"" ° ' 
 
 anv Circuit Jndc'e or Jud2:es, or lîarrister or Barristers of at 
 
 least tcn years' standing at tii(> Bar of Lower Canada, to bc; 
 
 and act as Assistant Judges of thc said Courts, or of eilher 
 
 ox" thcm, dnring the pondcMicy of any sucli Sj)(M;ial Session, 
 
 and of al! adjournnients lliereof, and for such terrn of tim<.' 
 
 before or afior as he luay deern necessar}' ; and cvery person 
 
 so named shall, for the term of such ap])ointment, hâve ail 
 
 the powers of a Jndgo of the Conrt whereof he shall hâve 
 
 been named an Assistant Jndge, except tlie powers givim 
 
 by this Act. The presiding Jndge at every such spécial WhoFhaii 
 
 session shall be the Cliief Justice "of the Cmirt of Queen's^;;;J;^^;,';;;i 
 
 Bench, if présent : if absent, the Chief Justice of the Snpc- 
 
 rior Conrt, and in the absence of both Chief Justices, the 
 
 Senior of the Puisné Jndges of iIkî Court of QueenN Bench 
 
 then présent 
 
 ter 
 
 lid 
 
 for 
 
 the 
 
 n's 
 
 nd 
 
 ad- 
 
 fter 
 
 ay, 
 
 PROVINCIAL APPROPRIATION FOR RKLIEF OF CKNSITAIRKS ANU 
 EXPENSES OF THîS ACT. 
 
 XVII, The enH)laments and disbursenients of the Com-Expcn^e 
 
 uuiier tl 
 Lmv ]iaiij. 
 
 missioners who shall be a|)])oinled under this Act, with ijie ""''"-'^ ''"" ^^^ 
 
 exj)enscs to be incurred under the sanie, siiall be paid out 
 of the Consolidated Revenue Fund of this Province, by War- 
 rant of the Govcrnor : and a snrn, not exceeding in the whole Fumi for other 
 what shall remain of the aniount hereinafter liinited afler'^"^''"''^'''"' **''''' 
 deducting tlierefrom the said émoluments, disbnrsements 
 and expenses, may likewise be paid out of llie said Fund for 
 the purposes of this Act : and it shall be lawful for the Go- 
 
20 a 
 
 l'rc'vi.-'O : 
 total auiount 
 litniteil 
 
 Money mny vemor in Counoil to cause any sum or snms not oxceedin" 
 
 be raiaeil by _ •' '-' 
 
 dcbcnturtij. in tlio whokî the sum rcquircd for dcfraying the expenditure 
 aulliorized by this Act, to he raised by dcbenturcs to bc 
 issued on tlie crédit of the said Consolidated Revenue Fund, 
 in sucli forin, bearing sucli rate of interest, and the prin- 
 cipal and interest whereof sliall be jiayable out of the said 
 Fund at such timcs and places as the Governor in Couneil 
 shall think most advantageous for the public interest : and 
 the moneys so raisedas aforesaid shall make j)art of the said 
 Consolidated revenue Fund of this Province : Provided 
 always, that the total arnount of moneys It) be paid, whe- 
 ther in money or debentures, under this Act, shall not ex- 
 ceed by more ihan one hundred and fifty ihousand pounds, 
 the sum of which the average yearly proceeds of the other 
 sources of revenue hereinafter mentioned (upon an average 
 of the last five years) would be the yearly interest at six 
 per cent per annum added to the value of the Crown's rights 
 in the seigniories aff'ected by this Act. 
 
 Spécial appro- XVIII. Thc moucys arising from the following sources of 
 
 from certain rcvcnuc, shall be and are hereby specially appropriated to 
 
 sources. make good to the said Consolidated Revenue Fund, the 
 
 amount which may by taken out of llie same for the purpose 
 
 of paying the sums charged upon it under the next prece- 
 
 ding section, that is to say : 
 
 AU moneys arising from the value of the rights of the 
 Crown, from droits de quint and other dues, in or upon the 
 seigniories of which the Crown is Seignior dominant, and 
 which are to be commuted by this Act as such value shall 
 be fixed by the schedules of the said seigniories respectively, 
 and ail arrears of such dues ; 
 
 AU moneys arising from the revenues of the seigniory of 
 Lauzon, or from the sale of any part of the said seigniory 
 which may hereafter be sold, and ail arrears of such re- 
 venues ; 
 
 , AU moneys arising from auction duties and auctioneers' 
 
 Crown rights 
 in Peigniories. 
 
 Lftuïon. 
 
 Anction daties 
 
 licenses in Lower Canada ; 
 
21 a 
 
 |Of 
 
 re- 
 
 Ail monoys arisini,' in Lowcr Canada from lioensos toSh>p ;.oeti?es. 
 sell spirituons, vinous or* f(^rmcn1cd liquors by retail in 
 platM's otlicr llmn [)laee.s of public enterîainmcnt, connnonly 
 callcd sliop or store liconses ; 
 
 Ail inoneys wliich >liall arise from tavcrn licenscs in Tavem iii^pn- 
 Lowcr Canada, afler tlu; présent charges on tliat Fond sliall^.asL,,.' 
 Iiave been paiJ off, except liowever, sucli portion oftliat 
 Fiind as sliall Ijc levied in tlic townsliips. 
 
 Anci separalo acconnts slmll bc kept of ail nioneys arisinij^oparat* ac- 
 Irom tUe sources ol revenue atoresaid, and ol tlie moneys kept with :i 
 dJsbur^ed undcr tlii< Act, allowing interest on both sides al ap°proi'rijiti<m 
 the ilieii curreiit rate on provincial debentures, to tlie end !;'" ^ ^''^^ 
 
 1 ' Canada piir- 
 
 lliat if tlie siiiiis payable ont of the Consolidated Revenue poses. 
 Fiiiid lituler tliis Act, sliall excecd in the whole the total 
 ainount of the sums arising from the sources of revenue so 
 si)ocially appropriated and any interest allow^ed thereon as 
 aloresaitl, a sum equal to such excess may and the same 
 sliall b(; set apart, to !)e appro]iriated by Parliament for soino 
 local purpose or purposes in Upper Canada. 
 
 XIX. The Spe(;ial Fiind constituted as aforesaid for the now tho mnnoy 
 purposes of this Act, sliall, afler dcducting the expenses in- j|r;^f,g^pî^;^f]''"," 
 curred under this Act, be appropriated in aid of the Censi- '^P'I^'^'^J^ i'"* 
 iaircs m {\io scvcral seigniories, in the ibllowing manner : ^'"■'■«■'' 
 
 2. The sum to be established as the value of the rights of v^aïuo of 
 the Crown in each seigniory as aforcsaid, and the difFercnce in each sei- 
 botv, ci-n the ab^olute value in franc-alen roturier o{ ail un-^",!^^-^/,^,^'' 
 conccded lands, walcrs and walcr jiowers in the seii>-niorics ^^'"(''■'C"'' 
 
 _ _ ' ^ thorcin, >n 
 
 and llie value of tlie Seigniors' rights therein, shall be ap- 'O'iuction of 
 
 . ^ T . • I p 1 /'-< ■, • r I • ■ • coinraiitation 
 
 propriated m aid ol tlie Ce/iSi f aires ol sucli seigniory in rc- (ur lods et 
 diu'lioii of the rentes constituées repn-senting the /ods f^^""''' 
 ventes or other mutation fines thercin, by an equal per 
 ccntage of réduction on each such rctite ; 
 
 .3, The rcmaindiT of the said Sjiceial Fund shall bc appor-i^omainaor 
 
 ,,,„.„ , , , ... iimong ail th« 
 
 îioned by the Ileceiver General (amongst the scveral scigni-Beignioriep in 
 
22 a 
 
 i.-u;.<jrtii.n to orics to wliicli lliis Acl extends,) giving to cacli an equal 
 
 tlio chargua on , , r> i • i 
 
 eauh. ptT centage on tlic lolal araounl»ot tlic f;onstitu1t;u rcnts es- 
 
 tablished by tlie scliedule of cach sncli seigniory, afler 
 
 i(f)w (ho iii.i doductingthe value of tlie Crown's righfs therein ; And the 
 
 i)!ic(j/^"' surn as apportioned to cach seigniory sliall be applicd by 
 
 ihc Rccciver General in the followin'^ ordcr, whicli shall bc 
 
 the order of charges thereon : 
 
 To rodciniitinn Ist. To the rcdcmption of so much of the saiu rentes cons- 
 
 orcaimuutation . • i . 
 
 luonuy of luds tiiuevs represcntjng the luth tl ventes or other mutation fines 
 in the seigniory as may remain after the réduction made by 
 the application of the value of the Crown's rights as afore- 
 said, by an equal per centage of réduction on such reniain- 
 ing rentes in each case ; 
 
 Of b&naiity ; 2dly. To thc rédemption of the rentes constituées represent- 
 ing the banality in tiie seigniory, by an equal per centage of 
 leduction on each such rente ; 
 
 Of cens et 3dly. To the rédemption of the rentes constituées representing 
 
 ingî'V pe'/*^ 'the cens et rentes and other charges on lands held for agri- 
 
 arpont; cultural purposcs in the seigniory, by an equal per centage 
 
 of réduction on each such rente constituée^ exceeding the 
 
 rate of one penny lialf penny per annum, per arpent ; 
 
 RoiQotionof 4. The réduction of ^nch renies constituées '!ihn\\B.\\vi\y^hc 
 
 rente in any . . , . , i- i ,v i i 
 
 oase; Jn proportion to the capital sum applied to ellect sucii réduc- 
 
 tion, thc réduction being equal to the légal inleresl of such 
 capital ; 
 
 .^uni «ppir- 
 iidiioil to bo- 
 long to thc 
 Seisniora. 
 
 5. The sums so ai)portioned for oach seigniory shall belong 
 to the Seignior thereof, subject always to the right of ttie 
 Seignior dominant, and shall be deah wiîh in every respect, 
 as moneys paid in rédemption of the rentes constituées men- 
 tioned in the scheduh; of such seigniory, sulrecl to tl,e 
 spécial provisions hereinaûer made. 
 
23 a 
 
 APPLICATION OV MONKYS AHISING FROM THE REDEMPTION OF 
 sr.IGNIORIAL RIGHTS, &C. 
 
 XX. Evt'iy j)ro|)rielor t)l';i sci^'iiiory, wlioslwill liavo williiii OiT^'^itions to 
 liis HioNrauce aiiollicr or soveral fiefs, (iinloss tlie value ofliisp ronn hlivinj; 
 riglils lias been cntered in iIk; ^clicdiile tlicrcoC,) and evcry |,^^'"i'^."" ''"" 
 pcrson liavinii[ an liyjiothct'ary daim on any scii^niory ihe 
 schednle relative to wliicli sliali be deposiled in tlie ollice of 
 
 ilio Cleriv of tlie Superior Court in tlic J)i8tri(;t in wliicli sncli 
 seiiïniory or part tliereof is situated, mnst, for llie préservation 
 ofliis privilèges, witltin six niontlis froni tlie date of tlie 
 notice in tlie Canada ihiziilc of tlie deposit of tlie scliedule 
 of siicli seigniory, file an opposition to tlie distribution ofall 
 nioneys arising- or \vliieli iiiay arise froni thc rédemption of 
 tli(ï seii^miorial riii;lits in svicli seigniory ; evcry siicli oppo- p^-ypt an<i 
 sition shall be liled in the said oiîico and liave ellect for '^'^''i'};'" "^ 
 tilirty years, iinless sooner witlidrawn, or by jndgmenl of 
 tlio Court dismis^cd; and if any sucli op[)osition be re- 
 newed witliin a less tiiiie tlian thirty years, tlie opposant 
 shall only be entitled to tlie eosts of one single opposition; 
 and wliiie sucli oppositic^n sliali so rcinain in force, any 
 Ccnsilairv wlio shall pay thc enpital or rédemption moncy, 
 of thc r('n(c consliluce to the Scignior, shall do so at his peiil, 
 and on pain of being liable to any sueli opposant forany loss 
 he may tlicreby sustain. 
 
 XXI. AU minors, intcrdicted pcrsons and married womcn, what parties 
 cven in tue case oi dower not yet ()])en {non encore o?<t'tT/,) |ositions to 
 and ail wlio hâve entailcd or contingent rights, by thein-JJ.I^^iegL^''^''' 
 selves or their tutors, curators, husbands or otlicrs, who may 
 
 act for them, shall be also required, for the préservation of 
 tluMr privilèges, to ï\\v. their op])osilion to the distribution of 
 ail sueh moneys in thc manner j)rovided in thc next prc- 
 cccding section ; but tutors, curators, husbands or others 
 wlio sh;ill liave neglected lo file such oj)j;ositions shall, 
 neverllu'less, continue to b(! ii'spoiisible towards tlie ]icrsons 
 undcr their charge or aiitliority ft^r any loss which inay 
 resuit from their négligence in the said bchalf. 
 
24 a 
 
 In dcfauit of XXir. If, aftcr llie cxpiralion of six montlis, froin ilic date 
 
 Soignor mny ol tlu! liKst |)iil)licat lon jii lli(î Canudu ihizclle of tlic notice 
 
 «h'i"roof'tho '*y ^''^' •i'^'<'<'iver (Jcneral of thc (Irjjosit of llio sc-licdiilc oftlif 
 
 i>idJ, Ao. scii^miory inwliieli sncliland is situated, thc possessor of snch 
 
 sci^rniojy prodnce to llie H('cciv(>r General a eerlifieate, 
 
 £,'rantedby the Clcrk of llie Snperior C'onrf for tlie District, 
 
 in whicli llie schedule relativ(> to sneli scii^miory, or a tripli- 
 
 cate thcreof, is deposited, slating tliat tliere is no opposition 
 
 to tlie j)ayment of llie rédemption nioneys in sucli seigniorv, 
 
 the said lleecîiver General sliall pay to tli(î said Seignior, on 
 
 liis giving a duplieate reeeipl thereof, llie amoiinl of any 
 
 moneys corning lo sueh Seignior oui of tlie Sj)ecial Fund 
 
 hereinbefore rnentioned, witli interest tliereon, at six per 
 
 cent per annnm, to be comjHiled from thc date of the said 
 
 Ami the capital notice, and tliercafter llie Seignior shall hâve fui! rio-hl to 
 
 iif tlio renies • 1 • /• I ^ 
 
 cun-ntiucs. reeeive tlie priée ol tlie rentes conslituécs in liis seigniory 
 directly froni the Censitaires, and lo dcal willi such refîtes 
 as lie shall sec lit. 
 
 llow muney 
 in Receiver 
 GeneraTa 
 hands shall bo 
 (loalt with in 
 case of oppo 
 sitiuu filed. 
 
 Corporations, 
 (ntoig, ,tt»., 
 t'iniiowered to 
 
 XXIff. \Vli(>never thc Reeeiver General shall hâve as- 
 ccrtained tluî ainount of money coming to any Seigni()r ont 
 of the Spécial Fund hereby ajiproprialed in aid of tlie Censi- 
 taires, and there shall be an opposition filed as aforesaid lo 
 the distribution of such money, the Reeeiver General shall 
 deposit a eertiiicate of thc said amounl in the hands of the 
 Clerk of llie Suj)erior Court in thc District whcrein the sche- 
 dule rela1i\e lo llie said seigniory, shall hâve been dei)osited ; 
 and the said Court shall make the distribution of the said 
 moneys amonglhe opposants, according to the order of their 
 hypothees, and the préférence of llieir respective j)rivilcFc,s; 
 and the Reeeiver General shall pay the saine to the Clerk of 
 the Court to be disiributed aeeording to such order, but the 
 interest on any sum coming to a Seignior, and in the Re- 
 eeiver Gencral's hands, shall always be payable to such 
 Seignior. 
 
 XXIV. Ail persons holding in inortmain, corporations, 
 tutors, curalors and administrators possessing lands hold en 
 
25 a 
 
 roture^ or pnrsons liolding cntaik'd lands, tlio rrw^^.v ajw.v^ï-pa^ocr the ra- 
 
 , 1-11 <i r'i*' '^^ rente» 
 
 tuecs upon wliicli may be rodcemcMi witli aiivantan;e to Ihosc runatUm'cs 
 wliomlhoy reprosont, may eflbct tlic rédemption o( nnyrcnte^'^ on is et 
 constituée under the provisions of tliis Act by jiayini^ llic 
 priée of rédemption ont of the moneys of those wliom they 
 represent : Provided that tutors, curators and usid'riietaary pp>vigo 
 proprietors [usufrinticrs) and holders of enlailed landî^, 
 observe tlie formalilies required by law in the aliénation of 
 the persons whose rii^hts shall be represented by thern ; but 
 persons holding in mortniain and corporations shall not be 
 rrquired to observe any other formality in or before the ré- 
 demption of any such rente constituée than those prescribed 
 by tliis Act. 
 
 XXV. And it shall be lawful for the several religions or r^oiii^ion!" com- 
 
 I . . 1 . . 1 1 )• • • ' n r inunities hold- 
 
 eeclesiastieal communities, iioldmg m mortmain nefs oring seigniorici 
 seigniories in Lower Canada, to Jnvest, from tiuie to lime as "'^|f„|"J,i('ion 
 lliey sliall see fit, in any lands or tenements in this Provinec', '"''^'y '" ''®*' 
 or in any public or private securities in this Province, whicli 
 they shall deem the most advisable or advantag(!ous to tlieir 
 respective communilies, any sumsof money thaï may acerne 
 to tluMii from the rédemption of any rente coHslit//ée crcii\('d 
 iinder this Act, or out of the Spécial Fund appropriated by 
 this Act. 
 
 DESTINATION AND LEGAL CHARACTEU OF PnOPERTIES AND 
 RIGIITS HEREAFTER TO REPRESENT SEIGNIORIES. 
 
 XXVI. In respect of ail rights acquired in, to or upon, any a« rospocts 
 seigniory, belore tlie publication m the CanadaG'tzi (te ol the »,pf„ro tho 
 notice of the Receiver General of thedeposit of t!ic sdiedule :'i';'|:i^£ S' 
 t)f any seigniory in liis hands, and for the préservai ion wlic- ''"?', "' ' ^'^J 
 
 , , . . whi -h ('i ,)Osi- 
 
 re(jf an opposition shall hâve been lih;d within >i.\ monlhs H'uls :h;i!i bo 
 irom the date ot the said publication, ail lands and xvd.\con<uiiucs 
 rights wliich, at and immcdiately before the passing of this'^^.|(,, r^l^l'^^ 
 Act, were held by the Seignior as part of his s('ignit)ry, ail -""'«"' •■;' 
 rights seeured to him_under the schedule thereof, ail rentes 
 nnder ihis xYct to be created, ail moneys to arise from the 
 redemj)tion of any such rfwit'S, or to be received by ihe Sei- 
 
PriyileROti for 
 ^oouniig siuh 
 rtntet- 
 
 26 a 
 
 Junior ont of îlie aid i:^r;in1od l)y lliis Act lo iIkî Crnsif aires 
 towards iIk; r(.'domi)ti()n of sciiijnioriiil rii,dits, dutics and 
 ducs, and ail proporlit's and riglits so by snch Soi<,Mii()r ac- 
 ([iilrcd ;is to rcprcscnt snch rnoncyp, sliall hv licld and talccn 
 as llionLdi attachcd to tlic domaine ot" sneli seig-niory, and as 
 represcnthiif sucli scigniory ; bnt in respect of ail riglits thc- 
 As rcRarcL^ rcaftcr to accrue, or for tlie préservation whereof no o[)po- 
 
 olbor rights . , , ,, , , m i ■ i . i i i c • i ii i 
 
 ihe sfiid rcntcK sition shall liavc been hled witliin tlie delay atoresaid, ail sueli 
 tuictpropcrtios. liinds, riglits, rentes and moneys, shall bc held and taUen to 
 be, and shall l)e to ail intenfs soparatc and indepciulent pro- 
 perties and riglits ; anti it shall not bo recpiisite thaï any 
 person, in order to iho holding, recovery or nnforcenienl of 
 any thereof should (|iialify hiinself as being, or as ever 
 liaving been, a Seignior. 
 
 XXVII. AU rentes constituées lo bc created under this Act, 
 shall hâve the same privilèges ex causa as the riglit of the 
 haiileiir de fonds ^ and the like préférence over ail otiier hy- 
 jjutliecary cl.iims afl'ecting the land, as any seigniori.'l dues 
 upon or arising ont of such land would hâve had previous 
 lo the rédemption of the said dues, without any registration 
 x,) iiijr •t:.iin in !'ny Regl.>try office to that end ; but the creditor shall 
 re^iM to ho"^'' ^^''^ \vd\Q. tlic riglit to rccovcr more than five years' arrears 
 roeoverabio. <-,{• ^^^y such rent ; and in default of moveables ont of whieh 
 the amount of any judgment for such arrears, though amoun- 
 ting to less than ten pounds currency, may be levied, exé- 
 cution may issue against such land after a delay of one 
 ycarfroin the date of such judginent, and not sooner. 
 
 In what cases XXVIII. Evcry rcntc comtituée^ establishcd by virtue of 
 «hifiibe "^ "this Act, sluiU always be redeeniable by consent of the 
 i^dsomabic. owner of tlie land and of the Seignior, in cases wherc the 
 Seignior lias the riglit lo the capital iliereof for his own use, 
 iUid not otherwise ; but if the seigniory be cntailed (vw/av- 
 tituêe) or held by a tutor, cnrator or usufructuary proprietor 
 [asufruitif r)^ and an o])position be filed and then in force, 
 the rente and arrears only shall be received, subjecl ahvays 
 to the excejition in the next following section, wiiicli shall 
 apply to ail cases of rédemption of such renies. 
 
 o 
 t! 
 il 
 d 
 il 
 
27 a 
 
 XXIX. Proviikul Jihvavs, tli;it il .sliiill iu>t bc lawfiil to ■^'■'li (-«"f" 
 redccm ;uiy suc'li rente cofixtitiojn cxccpt l)y tlic c'()ns«'nt ot cinnimbio in 
 
 K-' St'iijjnior liaviiii^ tlio ri'^lit to tlio capital llu'icof lor lus |,,,i,„,y ,,i „„,,,. 
 own use, at any otlicr timc, in any ycar, tlian tlm day *>r» !^!^',a'^ry ''" 
 vvhicli .siu;li re/ife is payable ; Hiit provick'd also, lliatal any 
 tiine aiid wlictlior llio SfiL'nior liave or liavo ot llic riii;lil "".'^ "'". 
 i<) ilic (capital ol" tlic renies constt'hoJf s untlcr lliis Act, for his m"no.v simii 
 
 •.1111 1 ri/' 1 ^ ... • • ''" 'l'"^"' **'*'* 
 
 own lise, it sliiill bi" lawiul lor llie Censitaires in any soi- 
 
 ii^iiiory to rcilrciu by onr paynicnt ail llic said rentes eons/i- 
 
 trcfs dicn rouiainini^ intlic seij^'niory, and, in sucli case, llic 
 
 rr<l.>iiipti()n moncy sliall bc paid lo tlic Sci<,niior, il' llicre bc 
 
 tli* '1 no opposition filcd as aforcsaid and in force; and 
 
 il iIh ce bc siicli opposition, llicn it sliall be j)aitl to tlic 
 
 JvTfivcr General, and sliall Ixî dcalt witli in ail rcspct-ts as 
 
 mont y Cdinin:,' to tlic Scignior ont of llie Spécial Fond ap- 
 
 p.opriated in aid of tlie Censitaires ; and tlie payin^^ of such 
 
 n deiiiption money sliall always bc one of tlie piirposc-; for 
 
 W'Iiich iiioncy niay bc raiscd on tlic crédit of tlie Cun^<- 
 
 li iatcd Municipal Loan Fund for Lower Canada, iiiKui- 
 
 any law in fon c for raising moncy on tlic crédit of ;uc!i 
 
 fund: and llie rédemption moncy undcr tliis section si; ill •'" -y may 
 
 always be tlie capital sum of wliicli \\w renies redeemed l'iei l'or tiiii 
 
 1111 1 1 I 1 • 1 1 1 Piir(t"i-'o <in tho 
 
 sliall be (Hjual to tlic Icgal intcrcst, unless anollu^r rate b(icroiiit of tim 
 
 I „ 1 .1 ^ , •, • 1 t_' • • i • .1 municipal lonu 
 
 agrced upon by tlic Censitaires m\a -a Seignior navjng llic cyn^ ' 
 riglit to such rcdcmption money, for liis own use. 
 
 MISCELLANEOUS l'ROVlSIO.VS. 
 
 1(! 
 
 or 
 
 c. 
 
 XXX. No sale undcr writ of exécution (/>ar décret) sliall Vé'^rct not to 
 
 jnirco Ftîi- 
 
 liavc tlic eflect ot libi-rating any immovcable property tlien «îiioriui ri^rhii 
 or ïlicn^toCore licld à titre de erns^ and so sokl, froiii any of ,'.,„,,/, 7,,,;,,' 
 tlie riglits, cliarges, conditions or réservations cstablisluîd 'r'"'^'"^"""" 
 in rcspcctof such immovcablc propcrty infavor oftiic Scignior, 
 due before tlie complelioii of tlie schcdule of tlic scignioiy 
 in \ liicli such propcrty lies, or froiii any rei/le eonstitiiêe 
 payable tlicrcoii undcr such schcdule, but evcry such iimiKJ- 
 
28 « 
 
 vc.'iblo properfy shall hr considiTed as huving boon sold sub- 
 jc'ct tlicrcaftcr fo ail siicli riglits, (;liari,'('s, conditions or ré- 
 servations, wliitliout its hoini,' neecssary l'or tlic Scdi^mior to 
 niak(! an opposition for tho said [)urj)oso bcfore llio sale. 
 
 Opposition fur XXXI. If not witlistaud ini^' tlic provisinn.^ of tliis Act, any 
 
 rcn/c tu lie nul! *'PP"^'^"*" "/"^ ''•" '■'"'''A''^' 'x' Hiadc licrciiltcr lor llic préser- 
 vation of any of tlie righfs, ehar'jes, conditions m- rtîscr- 
 vations mentioned in tlie next precedinfj section ol ihis Ac', 
 sucli opposition sliall not liave tliu (dlect ol stayin^i; tlm sale, 
 and tlie Opposant sliall not be entitled to any cosis tliereon, 
 but it sliall be retiirned into Court by tlie Slierilf alter the 
 sale, to be dealt witli as to law laay appertain. 
 
 Sei'iiiior's 
 privilope for 
 iirrear.-i licforo 
 cotritiiiitiitidu 
 uiuintuiiieit. 
 
 XXXII. Tlie Seignior of whorn any land tlie lenure ol 
 wliieli shall be commnted under tliis Act, was lie.'d, sliall 
 be maintained, in his privilei^^es and liypotliecs on tlic laiid, 
 for the payiH(>nt of ail arrears of seii^niorial righis lawtiilly 
 due at the time of such commutation. 
 
 CKRTAIN LANDS DECLARKD TO BE AND ÏO HAVE BiCEN HOLDEN 
 IN FRANC-ALEU ROÏURIEU. 
 
 Lands heretn- XXXIII. Ail lauds ^vhich any Seignior lias, l)y any act 
 
 for» coininutcd / ,\ ii- •<• i . r xi i i 
 
 toijchuMin yic'c) ov deed jn writiiig herctolore execiited, released or 
 
 franc aku. agveed lo l'clcase from ail si'ignioriai rights in considération 
 
 of the paymenl of any snm of nione\ r of any annual rent, 
 
 are hereby declared to be and to hâve b'-eii, IVoiii the day of 
 
 the date of every such act {aclv) or deed, free from ail such 
 
 Rentes \m\'>-'- seigniorial rights and holden \n frai/c-a/nt rof/rn'cr ; but the 
 
 miiy iio rc- C.ommissioners, lor the purposc ol making the schedules cl 
 
 seigniories in whicli any snch lands are situated, '^liail derd 
 
 with ail such land as if ihey were now held en roture, and 
 
 wluMi the same are liable to an annual r(>nt, shall establish, 
 
 and specify in the schedulc, the capital of every such rent, 
 
 in order that the same may be redeemed by the person liable 
 
 tlierefor, in ihe same manner as any renie constituée esta- 
 
 blishcd bv tliis Act. 
 
 «lecmcj, &e. 
 
29 a 
 
 XXXIV. AU lands linon whic-li iiiortniniii iu-m din d» /.vrorfuin ii.n<iH 
 
 ' un vs luth 
 
 iVindrmniU) \\\\\v. bccu puul lo :>iiv SiMirn i, und v ifli nioriiiiain due* 
 
 1 , Il 11'' , \\\sy\ I" • n paiil 
 
 hiivo not ofcn sold or corKUMlcd siiico siicli j viiient to ;ir-, i„ i „i, 
 ti(*H lioldini,' otlicrwiscî tlian in inorlmuin, are licrrby oc-' ^ 
 
 clurcd to be and lo liuve becn, l'roiii llic day of llio date of 
 HUcli paynirnt or of any act {(wU') or tirrd in writini,', hiii- 
 dini,' llic owncr to pay llio siarne, releanod froinall scigniorial 
 du(.'s and duties and licld vn franc aleu-roliiriir^ but ^ubjeel 
 to tlie paynicnt of a renie constiluéc ucjual to tlio crns and 
 rent h'gally due lliereon. 
 
 INTEUI'HKTATION ANI> KXTE.NT OK TUIS ACT. 
 
 XXXV. And, for tlio interprétation of tliis Aet — He itArtnotto tx 
 
 I riii . c ,\ • ■ i',i • t i 1 11 . 1 toiiil ti) certiùu 
 
 enacted, J liât non(! ol the provisions ol tins Aet sliall oxten(i5„ij,ni„rios. 
 
 lo tlie wild and uneoneeded lands in sei^niiories lield l)y llie 
 
 Crown in trust for the Indians, nor to the seigniories held 
 
 by the Ecclesiasties of the Seininary of St. Sulpice of Mon- Soit^niory of 
 
 Ireal, nor to eitlier ot the hels Nazareth, Saint Augustin,,jc v;t guipice, 
 
 Saint .Joseph, (yjosse and Lagauchetière, in the City anci '"'.! 'll'Ji'j'"^ j, 
 
 County of Montréal, nor to any olhcr «rm'/*6'//p/ dépend ing 
 
 upon {relevant de) any of the said seigniories, nor to the sei- 
 
 gniories of the late order of Jesuits or other seigniories heldcrown and Je- 
 
 by the Crow^n and not above mcntioned, nor to the seigniories!!;"^^^'* ^"''î"'" 
 
 held by Ihe Principal Ollicers of lier Mujesty's ()rdnan(;e, nor 
 
 to any lands held en franoaleu noble and granted under and j,,'i,"r'iuj'^ 
 
 by virtue of the Act of the Parliament of ihe late Province of 
 
 t /-i 1 1 • I 1 • 1 !• 1 T. • C FT- Ccrtiiiii lands 
 
 Lower Canada, ])asscd m the third year ol the Reign ol Hisin shurrington. 
 lato Majesty King George the Fourth, and intituled : An Act , , , „ ., 
 
 ■ . ... Aet. of L. C. 3 
 
 for the relief of certain Censitaires or grantees ofLa Salle and Oeo. 4, c. 14 
 others therein mcntioned, ponsessing^ Inrids laithin the limits of 
 the tovmship of Sherrington : Provided always, thaï the Go-Proviso: 
 vernor in Council may if he shall see fit, grant to the Cf «- grl^'nYêqLuY 
 sitaires of the Crown seigniories the revenues whereof belons:li'"'".5°f ^ . 
 to the Province, (including the seigniories of the laie order Crown seigniu- 
 of Jesuits), upon commutation of t/ieir lands, equaladvan- 
 tages and relief as are hereby granted to the Censitaires of 
 seigniories not excepted from the opération of lliis Act. 
 
'M) a 
 
 A.t, ni.f to XXXVF. \i)tliini,' licrcin containcd sliall «(Il et thc rii.'hi 
 
 A., to, (»r tlir rccovcry ut, any aiicars <n tiri^'nional durs ac- 
 
 ciiicd l)('ior(! tli(! passiiiii; <>f'tliis Act, or sluill ^'ivc any [«^rson 
 
 wlioitisocvcr any riijjlit ol' action ior tlic rccovcry ol' nioncy of 
 
 otlicr vaMic paifl l)y liiiri or liis prcdccessors in tlic forin of 
 
 rciits or otlicr scij^Miiorial ducs, or for tlic rccovcry of daitiaî^t'S 
 
 wliicli lie inay jirctcml to claini fortlic privation of any rijj;lit 
 
 of Avliicli li(! may (k'cm tliat lie lias hcen illc^'ally dcprivcd 
 
 by liis Scififnior, unlos.«t Ijc would liave? Iiad sucli ri^dit of 
 
 : ,..1. 't action if tliis \rA liad not becn passcd ; iior<<liall any thing 
 
 ",',iMi> I ii' ' 'fi diis Act l)c constriu'd lo Wcakrn or fo -npport any cluim 
 
 ihcy Bti.,.i ht), f Sciirnior or ofanv Ctnsitains lo itiiy ri<i:lit claiiucd by 
 
 . t tiii' Aot. or for tlicrn rcspcclivcly, fit tlit* licarinij; on tlic (questions and 
 
 propositions to l)i; snbniitlcd und(>r lliis Ad to llie Jiidgcs 
 
 for tlicir décision, but the sarrie sliall bc (Iccided by tlic law 
 
 as il stood iininediatejy bcfore the passincif of thi.s Act. 
 
 Intory)rpt(ition 
 of words ; 
 
 S'cigniory ; 
 
 '^clgnlO^ ; 
 
 Censitaire ; 
 
 Scigniorial 
 rights ; 
 
 XXX VIT. Tlie Word " scigniory," whcrevcr it ocoms in 
 tliis Act, sliall be eonstnicd as mcaninif any part of a liof, 
 ar/7Vn.'-/<'./*»r scigniory licld by a siniiflc individnal, or by u 
 corporation, or held by scveral persons in eoriiinon {/mr in- 
 divis) as well as tlic wliole of a //V/, urrièr(-fief\ or scigniory, 
 except in such parts of tliis Act in whicli llic words " arriire- 
 ficf'' and " .vai,'7«'(;r/y " are madc uso (^f io liisiinguish the 
 jief dominant from llie fief servant ; and tic word " Scignior" 
 shall be construed as nicaning any roporiiion, or any sole 
 proprictor, and ail persons wlio are pro])iic;(»rs in eominon 
 {jnir indivis) of any part of a //V/', arm're-//^/ or seigniory, as» 
 well as any person or corporation, bcing sole proprictor, 
 and ail persons, pro|)rietors jointly and par indivis of the 
 \vholo of any such/fV/, arrière-fief\ or seigniory : ihc words 
 " Seignior" and " Censitaire " sliall apply lo the owner of 
 any rente constituée ereated under this Aet, and the person 
 charged therewitli, respeetively, as well as to the owner of 
 and person clmrged witli the rights and duties representcd 
 by such rente; the words " seignicrial rights," whenever 
 they occur in this Act, «hall include and bc construed as 
 
31 a 
 
 iiK'liiîliir^' ail ri^'lils, dulics, cliar^'iîs, oblii^ation-^, îin<I mu'- 
 ^niitrial or IVmuIîiI «lues wlial^ocvcr ; tli)* wcrtl " laid "' sliall l^'»"'! 
 un-an aiiy l<»t, picrc <»r parci-l of laiid, and sliall iiclud'; tlii.' 
 huildin:,'^ UiiTfon consinu-icd, and al! ils apixTlftiaiici-s. 
 
 XXW'III. Tlii" firi^'islaturc réserves llie rii,'lit of inakin<'i'iK»i« <<">•"«"'' 
 any provision, doclaralory or oïlierwise wliu-n iiiay Ix; loiind thuriin.!o<if in 
 neressary for tlic purpose of fiilly earryin^' ont llic inicnt ,,f'"i<'"""«''"'"''' 
 dii> Ad ; wliieii inlenf is declured to be, — lo abojisji as soon ii< lutont «le- 
 ;• piaclii-ahlc, ail feudal or seii,niiorial riglits, diiiifs îiiuI' 
 ducs, ^llllsIitntin^'llK'^dore rtmfis co/islilttét s of e«|iial value, — 
 to u;iaiit to tlu' ScM^nior a l'air indeninily, and n<» more, l.ir 
 ail the lucrative rij^dits wliieli llie law *,'ives liiiii, and \vhi< li 
 lliis Act will abolisli, — to preservi; tlie riglits of tliird parties, 
 unli's.s sueli rii,dits bc lost by llieir ovvn neglectt or lâches ; — 
 and to aid the Censitaire ont of tliu Provineiîd Funds in llie 
 rédemption of tliose seigniorial eliarges wliieli inlfifi re nio>t 
 injuriously witli liis intlependencte, industry and enterpris(! ; 
 n\u\ e\ery enaetiiienl and provision of this Act shall reeeivc; 
 the mobt libéral construction possible with a view to eiisure 
 tlic accoiiiplishinenl of llie intention of the Législature, as 
 hereby declared. 
 
 XXXIX. The " Interprétation Act " shall apj)ly » tins Act. intorprciatiim 
 
 Act to iippljr 
 
 XL. This Act shall bo known, cited and rel'erred to, as si,< rt tltie 
 *' The SeJo-niorial Act of 185 1." 
 
 WA. This Act .shall apply lo Lower Canada only. 
 
 ExtoQt of Act 
 
 FORM A. 
 
 Public notice is hereby given thnt the schedule {of the firj\ 
 arrière //'/or of t/ie sei'^niorji) of {name of fuf^ arrière- fief or 
 sciçcniorji) sjiewing Ihe renies eonslitnéea into which the 
 feudal and seigniorial ri^hts, ducs, charges, oliligationp and 
 rents duc and payable upon each land in such (//>/, arrière- 
 
32 a 
 
 /if'f oT sci'mniorij) arc convertcd, is comploted, and lliat a tri- 
 plicalc tlitTcol' has beon deposited in iho office ot llic Re- 
 ccivcr General, and anothcr in ihc olficc of ihc Supcrior 
 Court in tlie District of and thatthe tliird rcmains 
 
 in the possession of tlic nnder.>?igncd. 
 
 {Ilere give the name of Uie localily in ivhich thc Commissioner 
 is sittini^, and the date.) 
 
 A. B. 
 
 Commissioner under the Sei- 
 gniorial Act of 1854. 
 
ANNO DECIMO-OCTAVO 
 
 V I C T O R I .^ Il E G I N iE . 
 
 CAP. III 
 
 An Act to amend the Seigniorial Act of 1851. 
 
 [Assentcd to 30ih May, 1854.] 
 
 WIIl']R,EAS it is expédient to apiend T/ie Seigniorial VTcamhie. 
 Art of 1854, so as to facilifate ihe opération thercol': 
 Be it tlierefore enacted by the Queen'-- ?iIost Excellent Ma- IS V o. 3. 
 jesty, by and with the advice and eon: ;iit of the Législative 
 Councii and of the Législative Asseinl ly of the Province of 
 Canada, constituted and assembled b\ virtue of and under 
 the authority of an Act passed in the Parliament of the United 
 Kingdom of Great Britain and Ircland, and intitnled, An 
 Act to re-unite the Provinces of Upper and Loicer Canada, 
 and for the Government of Canada, and it is hereby enacted 
 by the authority of the sarae, as follows : 
 
 1. Notwitiistanding any thing in the twenty-eighth and /?«'«''': 
 
 coa^ti 
 
 , . .' ' , ,. î -Il '"'<-' in seignio- 
 
 ♦ wenty-ninth sections or in any other part ol the said Act ries, in respect 
 contained, any constituted rent [rente constituée) established*'ijiongareme!i' 
 by virtue thereof in any seigniorv. in relation to which an "^*>' *'o rodee- 
 
 •' J o V . ^ ^ med, anj bow 
 
 opposition shall hâve been filed under any of the provisions 
 of the said Act, may, at any tinie, be redeenied by payment 
 to the Receiver General of the capital thereof witji interest 
 computed up to the date of such rédemption : 
 
 2. And the Receiver General shall dispose of ail sncli mo- 
 neys as follows : 
 
SX a 
 
 ifdio oppo i- 
 
 tion be fininlcd 
 i.'i il substitu- 
 tion. 
 
 Proviso : 
 Court inay, on 
 pétition, ordor 
 the mcney to 
 bo laiil out in 
 the purchiisc of 
 rcal e?tato to 
 lie Iielii on tho 
 siimcconilitions 
 to whidi tho 
 money itpolf 
 was suliject. 
 
 ff lliey accrue iii a seigniory, in iTlalion to wiiicli opj)0- 
 siiion lias Ijcen niade on iho gronnd llial such seigniory i"^ 
 cntaili'd [substituée) or lield by a cnralor, tulor or ollicr per- 
 son holding in trust for otlicrr;, and not as absoluto pro- 
 j)rietor [jure propriclario,) the Recciver General sliall, on 
 t!ie day in each ycar, on which llie rente would liave bccome 
 due il' il had not been redeemed, and so long as such entail 
 (siit/sfilt/t/oft) or tenancy in trust {l'utéirommis) shall subsist, 
 pay to the ])erson entitled to the revenue of the seigniory, 
 interest upon the capital ol" ail sucii rtntes at the rate ol six 
 per ccntinn prr animm^ and lie shall pay tho cnpital thereof 
 at the expiration of the substilation, or tenancy in trust, to 
 such person as shall hv. designated by tlic Judgment of the 
 Court before which such oj)])osition shall hav(; been made : 
 Provided always, ihat il shall be lawful for the said Court, 
 on pétition of such curator, tutor or othcr |M^rson holding in 
 trust for olhers, at any tinie, before the ex|)iralion of the 
 substitution or tenanc^y in trust, to order that such caj)ilal, or 
 any portion thereof, shall be, by such curator, tutor or other 
 jjerson, laid out and invested in real or immovcable propcr- 
 ty to be designated in the order, and thereupon, it shall be 
 lawful for the Receiver General to pay the surn mentioned in 
 such order to the person or party therein designated as the 
 vendor of such real or immoveable property, or as otherwise 
 entitled to receive the priée thereof, and thereafler such real 
 or immoveable property shall be subject to ail such and the 
 samc trusts [fidéicommis) or enlails (substitutions) as the 
 seigniory, in resjiect to which the same was so ordercd to be 
 acquired as aforesaid. 
 
 And if upon 
 
 hypothecury 
 claiins. 
 
 And if they accrue in a seigniory, in relation to which such 
 Oj)position lias been made by reason of hypothecary claims 
 thereon, and not upon the grt)und of the same beingentailed 
 or lield in trust as aforesaid, the Receiver General shall deal 
 with such nioneys in the same manner as wilh money accru- 
 ing to the Seignior out of the Spécial Fund appropriated by 
 said Act in aid of Ûie Censilaires. 
 
35 a 
 
 3. And in cvcrv scii^iiiorv, llio Sciiriiior Axheix'ol'sliall havc; inniher soi- 
 ihe rii,'lil to irccivc tlie capihil oltlu.' rciitis rottslil/icrs to !)(' ;„7,„iY.= 'f(,h;u 
 establi.slird iindc ,1k' said Acf, sucli rrnd's may bc rcdeeniod, [:!,f|'^'yL!aVi'" 
 wilhont lliL' consent of ilic Sci'Miior, l)v i)avni('nt oCtlie capital "'''''i ^^ ^'^■ 
 llirreol" to tli(> Scii^nior or lo iiis agent, eitlicr on llie tiay on 
 whicli .sueh /■' ;;fc sliall anniially heconie dne, or on any ono 
 of the seven days inmicdiatcly lollowing ; and wlicMiever tlic 
 capital oi' any sncli rcf/ff sliall liave been duly tendered to 
 any such Seignior or to liis agent, on any one of the said 
 days, and the sanie, or a receipt thercfor, sliall lmv«.' been 
 refused, snch rc/de sliall bcconie redeemable at any tinie 
 thcreal'lcr. 
 
 % 
 
 II. And wlicreasthc objects, for wliich Seii'niors imder the ^'" lettres de 
 
 "' ' " _ terrier tu lie 
 
 cxisting law are peniiilied to obtain lellrcs de terrier for thei'ercafteris^uod 
 
 , . in seigniories ti) 
 
 purpose of lurming a ncw terrar [papier Icrricr) or land-which the said 
 
 Il '111 1 • 1 ^ ,\ n • Act applies. 
 
 roll, wiU bc secnred in a nianner less oncrous to tlie Censi- 
 taires by the provisions of the said Seigniorial Act of 1851,in 
 se far as sucli objects are reconcilable witli ihe intention of 
 the Législature in passing the said Act : iherefore the right 
 of Seigniors, in Lower Canada, to obtain such lettres de ter- 
 rier in or for any seigniory to \\liich the said StMgniorial 
 Act of 1854, as ainended by this Act, extends, is hereby aboi- 
 ished, and the Act of the Législature of Lower Canada, pas- 
 sed in the forty-eighlh year of the Rcign of King George the 
 Third, and intilnlcd, An Act ichick deeltires in irltom is vested Act nf l c 
 
 . ' , , ^ . 48 0. 3, c. 6, 
 
 the poiver oj grantin'^ des lettres de terrier in this Provtnce,ïe\)Oii\cd as io 
 in so lar as regards every such seignjory, is hereby repealed.gniorieg, 
 
 ich 
 |ms 
 led 
 le al 
 Iru- 
 by 
 
 III. And whereas, under the said Act, no mutation fine will Récitai 
 be payable on any mutation of land in a seigniory subjcctto 
 its provisions, or of sii(;h seigniory itself, occurring after the 
 publication of the notice of the deposit of the schcdule there- 
 of, and there is thereforc a strong temptation to defer muta- 
 tions uutil afier sueh publications, or to conceal the fact of 
 their being made beforc it, to the grcat inconvenience and 
 loss of ail parties ; And whereas some lime will elapsc be- 
 
36 a 
 
 No mutation 
 fine t<i lu! liorc- 
 •after luiviililc 
 in si'if;tiiorif3 
 to which tlio 
 Hiii.l Act iip- 
 ])lio.< ; infèrent 
 un tlic sum Ici 
 whioh lio uiiiy 
 bc entitlc'l out 
 of tho provin- 
 cial ai'l tu the 
 Censitaire, to 
 bo payable to 
 the iS'cignior 
 instead ilie- 
 reof and ap- 
 proxiiuiitc cs- 
 tiniîito to bo 
 madu iintil the 
 schedules aro 
 prcpared. 
 
 fore t!i(î sclicdiiles of ail tho soigniories ctui hc cornjjliicd ; 
 And wluMras the npprojjriation in liidofllu' CcHsildirva^ niade 
 bv llii' said Ad, \vas inadc w itli llic inicnt tliat il slionld tako 
 oflbct iiiiinediavely, and nnlil il is payable, llif iuU'rrst npon 
 loan nccessïary lo raise iho snni n^piinul, is s.avtîd to tlio 
 Province : lie it iherefore enaelcd, Tliat no loih cl ventes, 
 (/n/'f/f, relief or ollier nnilalion linc, sliall accme iipon any 
 mulalion which shall take place aficr llic pr.ssinjr of this 
 Act, in any fief or scirrniory lo which tho said Si'i'^niorial 
 Act of 1851, as amcndcHl by this Act, cxtciids or applies, but 
 instead thcreof ihe Rcccivcr General shall crédit the Fund 
 appropriated by llie said Act in aid of tho said Censitaires, 
 wilh interost, from tlio passing of this Act, on tho total arnounl 
 of tho appropriation, and the rente constituée payabhî by any 
 Soigniorto his Seignior doiiunant shall accrue from the pas 
 sing of this Act ; And if the scliedules of ail the soigniorics 
 be not depositcd by the first day of Januarj-, onc thousand 
 cight liundrod and fifty-six, so that tlio said Fund can be 
 finally devidod among tliein, the Conmiissioners, iindorthe 
 said Act, or any one or niore of thom aulhorizod for that pur- 
 pose by Instructions from the Governor through the Provin- 
 cial Sccretary, shall, forthwith, make an apj)roximatc estimate 
 of the share ihereof coming to each Seignior or Seignior 
 dominant, totho best of their ability and according to the 
 best information they can obtain, and the intorcst from the 
 passing of this Act on the share coming to each Seignior 
 dominmit, shall be paid to him on tho first day of January 
 and July, until his share shall be finally at^certaincd, when 
 the amounî so paid shall bcdebitod to him, and lie shall be 
 creditod with the intorcst from the })assingof this Act on lus 
 share as so ascertained, and the difl'orence shall be balanced 
 by crediting or debiting him, as the case inay rcquiro, in his 
 account with the Receivor General in respect of such share, 
 with a sum equal to such differonce ; and for tho purpose of 
 making such approximate estimate as aforesaid, the said 
 Commissioners may require and reçoive from ihc several 
 Seigniors such stalements, attestedon oalli beforc a Judge of 
 
37 a 
 
 the Superior Coirt or a Circuit Jndge, as thcy shall considor 
 cxpe(li(;nt for lin.' piirposo : Provided alwavs, fhat llie suiii l'iovifo : n.^ to 
 |)aid by tlie licceivor Uencral as inltM'csl under tlie section, r. c. 
 shall be takini into aceount in asccrtaining tlic surn to which 
 Upper Canada mriy be entitled for local [)urposes under sec- 
 tion nineteeii of tlie said Act. 
 
 IV. Tin; right of retrait conventionnel, wliieh the Seignor T^rimit nm- 
 was allowed to stipulate solely for the pnrpose of securing tOuUoiL-hed. 
 him the payaient of mutation fines, is hereby abolished. 
 
 V. The Reeeiver General shall, from timc to lime, place iiceciverCio- 
 
 1 • 1 1 , i- .1 T-\ 1 • . 1 ncral inny in- 
 
 any moneys m lus hands as part ol tlie Hund appropnated vcst monoy.H 
 by the said Act, and not then reqnired for the purjjoses ^lif'i'c- |j'.''J'h'ô''Jàid A^cf 
 of, at inlerest in any Chartered Bank, or invest the same in""''""t iiu">o- 
 
 ■•111 1 1 1 x^ il'ately requir- 
 
 provineial dehentures or deujcntnres guaranted by the Pro-ei. 
 vince, and shall tipP^J ^''^ interest thereon tovvards inaking 
 good that allowed under the Act. 
 
 VI. And for the avoidance of doubts, Be it declarcd and noubts a? to 
 
 . . • 1 » oTtain powors 
 
 enacted, lliat any Commissioner, under the said Act, may of theCoinmis- 
 
 „ »• • 1 1 ^1 .1 .• 1 Fionurs romov- 
 
 give any notice required by the sevenlh section or byanyçj 
 other jiart thereof, wifh respect to any seigniory or seignio- 
 ries, and another or v)thers of thein may afterwards act in any 
 way under the said Act witli respect to sucli seigniory or 
 seigniories ; and generally each Commissioner who shall 
 act with respect to any seigniory, shall be lield to be the 
 Commissioner assigned to act in and for the same under the 
 fourth section ci the said Act, unless the Governor shall 
 liave otherwise directed and ordered. 
 
 )f 
 
 VU. 8o much of the said Seigniorial Act of 1851, as The saia Aot 
 
 • 1 I (• • ••111 1 11 f^l'iill ajiply to 
 
 provides that none ol its j)rovisions shall apply to any lands ooittiin lunds 
 held on fniJic-alcu, nol)'e, anrl granted under and by virtue of "* t^llcrrlngt on 
 the Act of the Parliament of the late Province of Lower Ca- 
 nada passod in the third year of the Reign of His late rvlajes- 
 ly King George the Fourth, and intituled. An Ad for f/it re- 
 lief of certain Censitaires or Granlces of La Salle and others 
 
38 a 
 
 thcrcîn minlioned possessing' lanih vîlhin ihn Toininhip of 
 Sherritifçton^ sliall bc* and is licrehy ivpealrd, and thc said 
 Act shall a|i|)ly to llu; said lands ; but inasniucli as tlic déci- 
 sion of thc Si)ccial Court lobe conslilutod undrr tlio sixtoenth 
 sec-lion of llie said Sei,i,miorial Aet of 1^51, caniiot aH't-cl ihe 
 said lands, llierefore tlie scli('did<> relatinii: llicveto nriy bc 
 completed and deposiled williout waiting for llie decisou ot 
 the said Sjjccial Couvl. 
 
 sheduiesmay VIII. Not witlistaud in:ii[ auytliinqin llie said Scii^uiorial 
 !ho' Cr'iwn'sci- Act of 185-1, sclicd ulcs iiiay, if die Governor sliall see fit so 
 fo"ri,mvinda? ^" ^^'^'^^^t, be mado under llie provisions theroof for llie sei- 
 1 urpoFcs. guiories held by ihc Crown, and the revenues whereof belong 
 to the Province, includingthe seigniories of the late order of 
 Jesuits, in like inanner and under the same provisions as for 
 other s(!igniories (omitting such particulars i>s cannot apply 
 to Crown seigniories), and with like power to ilie Commis- 
 sioners ; Provided tliat no ])art of the appropriation in aid of 
 the Ccj/si/jiiirs inade by the said Aci, shall be applied te- 
 wards the redeini)tion of seigniorial riglits in such Crown 
 s^Mguiories, nor shall any such schedule be deposited in the 
 manner jirovided in the thirteenth section of the said Act, or 
 operate any compulsory commutation of tcnure, or substitu- 
 tion of any rente conslilucc for the seigniorial rights and dues 
 Efl.ct and use in sucli seigtiiory ; l)nt thc Governor in Council may, if he 
 .'f such schc- gec fil, allow the Censitaires in the said seigniories, upon 
 commutai ion of thcir lands, equal advantages and relief with 
 those which Censitaires in other seigniories shall be found to 
 obtain under Ihe said Act, and llie schednles mad(' under 
 this section shall serve as the basis for cullivaling the extent 
 of such advantages and relief to be so allowed to the Ce7isi- 
 taires m the said Crown seigniories. 
 
 Errorsin JX. And wlicrcas some errors hâve crept inio the french 
 
 lSc.^S"t, version of the said Act which it is désirable to correct : Be 
 
 coireetcd. j^ euactcd, that in thc said french version, for the words " tel 
 
 que désigné;' in the eight Une of the fourlh paragraph of the 
 
39 « 
 
 fifth section of tlic said Aot, ilio words '■'- comme vlan I. (listincV 
 shall bc suhstitiitfd ; — and lor tlie words " quinze joura (Va- 
 vis''\ in tilt! fourlli line of ihe .sixtli |)arngraj)li of llu' twelftli 
 section, tlic \vordi<' '■'■ liidt jours (/Viiv'.v" shall be substitutcd, — 
 tlie lines hercin rcfcrcd to beingthosc in ihe first ollicial édi- 
 tion of tlie said Acl j)rintod by tlic Quccn's Printcr. 
 
 X. Aftcr any sciicdulcs shall havc bccn coniplcted and de- .^oiieJuics ani 
 
 1 11 • 1 » i • I 11 1 • 11 • nr< ccciliiig^ 
 
 posited nnaertlie said Act, it shall not ne impcachcd or its ,.oinpiot(;.i un- 
 ertect impaired for any inlbrmality, error or defect in any ^"^' ,\",t,'"^"'hg 
 j)rior proceeding in relation to il, or in any tliing required l^^y ''"^iTeTfor"" 
 ihe said Act to be donc before it was socompleted and depo- wuniof l'orm, 
 sited, but ail siicii prior procecdin^>; and ihings shall be held 
 to hâve been rightly and formally hud and donc, nnless the 
 contrary exprcssly appear on the face of sucli schcdulc ; and 
 liie same rule shall apply to ail proccedings of the Commis- 
 sioners nnder the said Act, so that no one of ihem, when 
 eomjjleted, shall be inipeached or (jucstioned for any intor- 
 iiiality, error or dc^feet in any previous proceeding, or in any 
 thing tlicrefore donc or omitted to be donc by the Coinmis- 
 sioners or any of thcm. 
 
 XI. For the purposes of the said Act, every person occupy- 
 ing or possessing any land in any seigniory witli the permis- 
 sion of the Seignior, or froin whom the Seignior shall hâve 
 received rentes or other seigniorial dues in respect of such 
 land, shall be held to be the pro[)rietor thereof as Censilairc. 
 
 XII. Any person who shall in any manner intenupt, ob- 
 struct, iinpede or molest a Commissioner nained under '' The 
 Seigniorial Act of 1854," or any person acting under his in- 
 structions, in the exécution of his duty in any matler ci)n- 
 nected witli the carrying into efïect of the said Seigniorial 
 Act of 1854 or of this Act, or shall in any mannerdeter, pre- 
 vcnt or liinder, by lorce, thrc^ats or otherv/ise, any such Com- 
 missioner, or person acting under his instructions from per- 
 forming any duties assigued to him by and under either of 
 the said Acls, shall be liable to be imprisoned for every such 
 
 Certain porsona 
 
 lanJs wilh 
 C'insont of Sci- 
 pni 11' to lin 
 'loeiueil Censi- 
 taires. 
 
 i'orHiins tiri|:iw- 
 t'ully imiictlint; 
 in luiy way the 
 0>;ocution ot' 
 11" siiil Act, 
 hi'w to lie de-lit 
 «i-h and pu- 
 nislied. 
 
40 a 
 
 snchofTensc for a pcriod not exceeding two montlisi, and i( 
 
 shall bc lawful for any one Justice; of llie Pcace to commit 
 
 any person convicted beforc lum,on thc oatli of one crédible 
 
 Coavi.;tiun not witness, of any sucli ofience ; and no conviction, order, war- 
 
 î-or^waT.?''^ runt or othcr inatter made or purporting to bc made undor 
 
 foriu, Ao jjjjg ^^.^ j^Ij^h ijg quashed for want of form, or be removed, 
 
 ])y ccrliorari or otherwise, into any of lier Majesty's Courts 
 
 of record for want of sucli form. 
 
 Short titie of XIII. In citing orrefcrring to this Act in any Act or pro- 
 iLis Ad. ceeding whalsocver, it sliall be sufficientto refer to it as thc 
 
 " Stigniorial Anuiiilnunt Acl fV'lB55," by wiiich title it^hall 
 
 be known and callcd. 
 
41 a 
 
 imiocl<:i;i)im;s uf tiik spkcial court, 
 
 Held laidcr /he avlkoritij of Ihc Sci^niorial Art of 1851, 
 passed by Ihc Provincial Parlicmicnt of Canada^ in Ihe 
 \Sth //car of lier MaJcsti/\'S Rcig-n, Cap. 3. 
 
 1^ 
 
 Thursdaij^ thc 22//d of Fcbrruary., 1855. 
 
 The Honorable; Lewis T. Dmminond, Hcr Majt-îsly's At- 
 lorney General for Lower Canada, files " Questions " in 
 the englisli and frencli languages, to be submitted to ihe 
 Judgesof llie Court of Queen's Beneli and of thc Superior 
 ('ourt for Lower Canada, under tlie provisions of thc Sei- 
 gniorial Aet of 1854. (1). 
 
 APPEARANCES FILEI). 
 
 Date. 
 
 1955. 
 Mav, 5 
 
 M;i 
 
 Naines of Seicrniors 
 
 L. JI. Viger-.-.. 
 
 Dnio Mûrie Aurélie Faribdult- 
 
 Uon : John Pai;.^m,in 
 
 John Fraser 
 
 lion. J. Il liollanii. 
 
 I)mo (J C DoLotIjinière. 
 
 lion : John M. Fraser 
 
 J. S. C. Wurtelo 
 
 .\rthur Ro s 
 
 John S. Can)p!-.eU- 
 
 WilHani Pozor 
 
 ifon : D 13. Vif,'er 
 
 Georfje II. Monk 
 
 01. T. lirnneau 
 
 lion : L. J l'apineau 
 
 Orne M. II. C. Jiiuhereau Duchusnay, 
 es qualité 
 
 (1) Sue the juJgmcDt hercinal'ter cited. 
 
 Namcs of seiguiories. 
 
 Ropentigny. 
 
 L'Assomption Baycul.-' 
 
 Lachcnaio- •• • 
 
 Contre-Cœur, Oouruoyer 
 
 .Monnoir 
 
 Rigaml 
 
 Mouut-Jlurray 
 
 Rivièro Pavid A Bourg- 
 Mairie (le l'E^t,.-.-- 
 
 .-ît. (Ji'o- (lo lîcauriva^cp. 
 
 L'islet du Portage (Qué- 
 bec) .•••• 
 
 Aubert-(îallion 
 
 f.^lo lîizard 
 
 Blaiuvillo. 
 
 .Mimtarvillc.-- •. 
 
 l'utite-Natiiin 
 
 Dcbfhaillons (Québec). •• 
 
 St. Uurs (Montréal;.' • • • 
 
 Attorney.*!. 
 
 S. Cherrier. 
 
 (t 
 
 Dunkin 
 
 Robt. Mackay. 
 
 C. S. Chorrier 
 
42 a 
 
 Ddto. 
 AI,. y, 7 
 
 Niimcs of Seigniors. 
 
 Dmo ThiirèMo EuRonio l'anet et lien- 
 jiiinip AbhoM 
 
 l>imj iMiirio Liiui.-e l'anet «t Art La- 
 nintliu. 
 
 l'icrro Louis l'anet 
 
 rr.xulincs Nuns (if Quc'ec. 
 
 W. Horczy and D. L. Aunlie l'iinet. 
 Diiit! lîliarliitto Aliilanio l'unet •••• 
 
 Xanics (if joigniorio.^ 
 
 R.inicz 
 
 Charles Alfred Cutlihort,. 
 
 Kiiward Oïlavian Ciitliljert, and 
 L>mo C'éeilia Anna 1". Cutlilicrt 
 
 and vif 
 
 lion : James Leslio 
 
 lion : Bos3 Cuthbert 
 
 Uenry W. Trifri;o A Thomas Triggo 
 
 tutor to Alfred Tri>:gi! 
 
 lion ; Dominique Alondelot 
 
 John Yulo. 
 
 .lolm Nairnc. 
 
 01 Perrault de Litiiùrc. 
 
 Charles James T'invin (îrant ■ ■• 
 Alex. E. Kier/.kowtki i4 iil....--' 
 
 Su.--an Johnson. 
 
 \Jino Louisa Sophia Ciunphell- ■ 
 
 fart of D'Ailleliout 
 
 l'art of ]) aillolioiil and 
 
 of Kaaie/.ay 
 
 Ste Croix aniiothur[)la;.'ts 
 l'ait of Ij'ailleljout.. 
 
 lîerthir-rand.'^t.Cathbert. 
 liourcheniin an i lluni- 
 
 say 
 
 liiinoraio iind d'Autre" 
 
 Joseph Fre<leriek Allanl 
 
 CharluH Aug. Max, (ilohenski & al.. 
 
 Thos. Edmnud Caniiibell 
 
 I»iuo Louise Ch;..tier do Lotbiniùre 
 
 and viz. 
 
 Dnio Marie Eliz. (Jrant 
 
 Samuel Uerrard. 
 
 Dmo Mario A. T. ï. DeLanaudière. 
 
 Tho sarne nnd Clis. Leodel.. 
 
 Anielia Alartlia liowman 
 
 (Jeorge Casimir l'essauUes 
 
 Louis Antoine ])e~s:iulles 
 
 J)ino Rosalie Eiifîéiiio Itessaulles.-- 
 Dmo Cliarlotto Taricu Do Lanau- 
 
 ditJre 
 
 William Fraser A ail 
 
 Charles B. ï. T. DoLanandiùre. • • 
 Chs. J. Chaussegros Do Lery & al.- 
 
 Sir Edmund Filmer à al-. 
 
 Mary Christian liurton & vir. 
 
 Duie Mario (Jt loviiive Sophie Riy- 
 
 mond 
 
 Catherine Anna Gordon. 
 
 David Shaw llamsay. 
 
 Nicolef.. 
 
 Part of Del ait/eh and of 
 
 liougemont 
 
 Chamlily East 
 
 M'.irriiy (tjiiohee). 
 
 'l'asthi-reau, Linière A St 
 
 .Io,-e|ih de la Ijeauce. 
 
 Loiiç;ia-uil 
 
 S'. François lo Neuf- • - - 
 
 Ar^ciitcu 1. 
 
 ;st. François and Lus-iaii- 
 
 dière (i Hivers)- - - - 
 
 l-'oucaiilt 
 
 Mille leln and part of 2 
 
 Mountaius. 
 
 Rouvillo. 
 
 Vaudreuil 
 
 BeUeil and Augmentation 
 
 .Maskinonge. 
 
 Lavalirie, (Pari) (Fief 
 ïailland) .- • • - .- • ■ • 
 
 Lavaltrio. 
 
 lUeury.. 
 
 Yama.-ka 
 
 Des.-aulles 
 
 Rosalie 
 
 I 
 
 ; Jolietto., 
 
 I Rivii-i-e- lu Loup (Que- 
 ' bee) 
 
 Part of Lavaltrio 
 
 Rigaud- Vaudreuil ('Que- 
 lioe) ■■••• 
 
 Champlain (3 Hivers) •• 
 
 Noyan.. 
 
 Terrebonno....- ■ 
 
 Sabrevois. 
 
 Ramsay and Ruurehemin 
 
 Attorneyj. 
 
 C. S Cherricr 
 
 C. Dunkiii 
 C S. Chorrier 
 
 C. Duckin 
 II 
 
 T. R Ranima v 
 
4.3 a 
 
 MoHflnij, thv Ith of Mai/, 1855. 
 
 C. Dimkiii, ('s(|niro, lilos, on bclmlf of Daine CharlotU' 
 Chiirticr de Lothinirn*, wife ol" NV'illiani Mini;liain, csciiiirc, 
 Soignioress of tlic fief aiid sci^niiory of Kigaud, in tlic 
 District of Montréal, a séries of " Siippli-iiieiitaiy (iues- 
 tions " or " (Jonnter-(iiieslioiis." 
 
 Ile ;ilso fîles anotlier séries of " Sn|)|)l(Mneiitary Ques- 
 tions " on heludf of Dame Louise Cliarlier de I.otl)inière, 
 \vif(! of llie Honorable Robert Unwin Harwood, Seigniorcss 
 of the fK-'f and seigniory of Vaudreiiil. 
 
 Also, anothcr séries of " Snpplemenlary Questions " on 
 belialf of the Honorable Jolin Pangnian, Soignior of the fief 
 and seiirniorv of Lachenaie, in the District of Montréal. 
 
 Al 
 
 A ISO, 
 
 lory 
 anotl 
 
 ler séries of " Snp|)lementary Question " on 
 behalf of tluî Honorable John Maleohn Fraser, Seignior of 
 the lief and seigniory of Mounl-Murray, in the District of 
 Québec. 
 
 Also, another séries of " Snpplementary Questions" on 
 belialf of the Honorable Jean Roeh Rolland, Seignior of the 
 fief and seigniory of Monnoir, in the District of Montréal. (I) 
 
 Wi'(hics(I(ti/, the 2\(h daij of Atf^-/tsL 
 
 E. Parant, esquire, Assistant-Provincial Secretary, trans- 
 mits, this day, to the Depuly Chnlc of Appeals, Charles 
 Drolet, esquirc!, at Québec, a Proclamation of whieh the 
 foUowing is a copy. 
 
 (1) See tlie jiiJgment licreinufter cited. 
 
41 « 
 -' Phovin(;k ov Canada, } 
 
 l-OWi;U CANADA. ^ 
 
 " Ifis l'j.icrilt'ncii S m Kdmund Wai.kf.ii 
 Hkai), IhiroHvl^ (!i)Vir/ii)r (l'cNrrnl ()/' 
 lirilisii Xorf/i Aiiiirica (uid (Uiplain 
 (îrnirat iim/ (lovirnor in C/iirjin (ind 
 (irn l/ic Proi'inci'S of Can/tdd, Nova 
 t^f.otiu^ iVrir liriinsin'i k n/id i/ir [shind 
 of Prince Edn.uird and. Via.-Admi\(d 
 of thf saiiir, i)'('., <)îv., «jr. 
 
 '' To ail to whom thèse présents sliall corne, (Jrkkting : 
 
 '• L. T. DiiuMMoND, ) Kiiow ve lliut pui.siiant to tlie l'ro- 
 Atljj-Genl. \ visions of an Aet oC iIkî Leqislulure 
 
 of tlie Province of Canada, passed in tlie eigliteenth year of 
 Her Majesty'.s lleiu;n, intitiiled " An Act for tlie abolition of 
 feudal rii^lits and diitius in Lower Canada," îind in \irtne of 
 tlie autliorily in me vestcd by tlie said Act, I, Sir JOdiiiund 
 VValker llead, liaronet, Governor-Ceneral of tlie said Pro- 
 vince, do, by tliis my Proclamation, direct lliat a spécial ses- 
 sion of llie Judges of tlie Court of (^ueen's lîencli and of tlie 
 Superior Conrt for Lower Canada, for tlie purposesof tlie said 
 Act, sliall Ix; held at tlie City of Québec, in tlie said Province, 
 on Tiicsday, tlie foiirth day of Septcmber now next ensuing, 
 at tlie place known as tlie Court Housc for tlie District of 
 Québec ; of ail wliicli lier Majesty's .Indices of the said 
 Courts and ail Seigniors and otlicrs wliom llicse présents do 
 or may in any wise concern, are liereby recpiircd to take 
 notice and govern thcrnselves accordin<?lv. 
 
 " Givcn under my Harid and Seal at Arins, at Québec, 
 
 this Iwenty-tliird day of July in llie year of Our 
 
 Lord one tliousand eiglit linndred and fiffy- 
 
 five and in tlie ninelcenih year of lier 
 
 Maj'isty's lieign, 
 
 Edmund IIead, 
 
 " By Coinmand, 
 
 Geo. Et. Cartier, 
 
 &ecrctaryy 
 
Ai) a 
 
 TiiiS'Iat/, f/ir Mil (1(1, I of St'pfcmhrr, |«, 
 
 i)j. 
 
 TIk^ Spft'iîil Court, ('(niiposcd of ihc .[.i,|n',.s of iIk- Court 
 of Qiifcirs lîcnrli fiiid ol' tlic Snitcrior Court (or f.cwcr Ca- 
 nadii, coiistitiitftl iiudcr llic îuiiliorily of '' Tlic Scii^'iiiorial 
 Act of IMÔI," )):iss(>(l l>y tlic r.f-i.slafurc of tliis Province in 
 Ihe t'ii,dit('cntli y»'ar of Hrr IMajnsiy's Uci-n, and intimlrd 
 " An Aft for tlic abolition of fcudal rii,dit.s and diitics in 
 Lowcr Canada," met in tlic City of (iiichcc, on Tucsday, ilic 
 fonrtli day of tlu; inonlli of Scpicnihcr, in :li.; ycar Ls55, 
 boiniî thf! day fixcd by ihe Proclamation of lïis L'xccllcncy 
 the Govcrnor (Jcncral, bcaring date tlic 2.'Jrd Jidy, ISr).). 
 Prcscnt :— Tlic Ilonblc Sir I.ouis IIippolyti; La Fontainh, 
 
 Bt. Chicf Justin' of the Court of 
 Qtiren\'s Bdiili. 
 Tlic lîonblc. Edward Uowkx, 
 
 Chif'f Jutitia'. of Un- Stfprrior d.iirt. 
 Tlic Ilonblc. Mr. .Justice Aylwin, ) Ptiisnc J/td^rs of thv 
 >fr. .Insticc Dur ai., 
 Mr. .lustice Carov, 
 
 AND 
 
 The Plonble. Mr. .Tusticc Day, 
 Afr. Justice Smith, 
 Mr. Justice V'anfki.son, 
 Mr. Justice C. ]\ro.\'nELET, 
 Mr. Justie(> Mehedith, 
 Mr. Justicte Short, 
 
 
 u 
 (( 
 <( 
 (( 
 (( 
 
 snid Court of Qucfn's 
 Bcnch. 
 
 Puisné Ju (lires of 
 tlic said Supcrior 
 Court. 
 
 u 
 
 (C 
 
 Mr. Justice Morijv, 
 Mr. Justice Badgley, 
 
 Tlic Clerk of Appeals reads the Proclamation abovc s<'t 
 
 forth 
 
 Tlic Attorncy-Gcncral producessix niimbers of the Canadi 
 Gazette, containing the Questions subrnittcd by liim, to wit 
 
 u 
 II 
 
 8 Vol. XIV. of the 24 
 
 10 
 11 
 12 
 13 
 
 u 
 ii 
 
 
 a 
 
 (( 
 (( 
 
 u 
 
 u 
 
 February, 
 Marc h, 
 
 10 
 17 
 
 24 
 31 
 
 u 
 
 (( 
 
 185- 
 
 
46 a 
 
 On motion of C. S. Clierm^r, esquirc, advocate, permis- 
 sion is granted to tlie Révérend Genllcmen ol' llie Seminary 
 drs Missions Elran<j;ùirs^ eslablislied al Québec, in llje Dis- 
 trict of Québec, Seigniors and proprietors in possession of 
 the liefs and seigniories of Beaujjré, Sault-au-Matelot and 
 Coulonge, in the said District, and of tlie fief and sei- 
 gniory oï Me Je su s, in tlio District of Montréal, and ofother 
 places, to appear and file llieir ap()earance subject lo ail 
 légal objection. 
 
 Messrs. F. ilcal Angers and T. J. J. Loranger appear as 
 (îounsel on belialf of ihe Crown, to be iieard upon the " Ques- 
 tions " prepared and snbinitted tothe Court by the Attorney- 
 General. 
 
 Upon the suggestion of the Tlonble. L. T. Drumrnund, 
 Attorney-General, the Court is adjourned till the folhnving 
 day, in order that the Parties may corne to an understand- 
 ing, as lo the order lo be observed in the argument of the 
 " Questions," and " Supplementary Questions " submitted 
 to the décision of the Tribunal. 
 
 Wednesduij^ the bth day of Sepkiiilœr, 1855. 
 
 Présent :— The Ilonble. Sir Louis Hifpolyte LaFontaine, 
 
 Bt. Chief Justice of the Court of 
 Quecn\s Bench. 
 The rionble. Edward Bowen, 
 
 Chief Justice ot the Superior Cot/rt. 
 The Honblc. Mr. Justice Aylwin, ) Puis?/é Judi^es of the 
 " Mr. Justice Duval, 
 
 " Mr. Justice Cakon, 
 
 AND 
 
 The Honble. Mr. Justice Day, 
 
 Mr. Justice Smith, 
 
 Mr. Justice Vanfelson, 
 
 Mr. Justice C. Mondelet, . 
 
 Mr. Justice Meredith, ' 
 
 Mr. Justice Short, 
 
 Mr. Justice Morin, 
 
 Mr. Justice Badgley. 
 
 said Court of QueenPs 
 Bcnch. 
 
 U 
 
 a 
 
 Puisné Jîidf^cs 
 of the said Su- 
 perior Court, 
 
< 
 
 47 a 
 
 Tlie Honorable AUorncy General, Le\v•i^s T. Driimmond, 
 snbniits fo llie Court tlie " Questions" prepared by liiiii, 
 and verhally takes his conclusions u])on tliein, and al tlie 
 same tinie files a printed sunimary ot' légal propositions (1) 
 
 Tho argument comuieneed between Messrs. Angers, Lo- 
 rang(M- and Barnard, Counsel for tlie Crown, on the one side, 
 and Messrs. Cherrier, Maekay and Dunkin,on belialf ol" tho 
 Scigniors, on llie oIIkm", botli upontlie " Questions " submittod 
 by the Attorney General, and upon the "Su|)pleinentary Ques- 
 tion .s " of the Seigniors, occupies the attention of the Court 
 during the 5, G, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 21, 
 22, 24, 25, 2G, 27, 28 and 29th days of September, and 
 during the 3, 4, 5, G, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 17th days 
 of October. (2) 
 
 On ihe Sth of SepteuiL>er, 1855, the Honorable Henry 
 Black, D. L. and C. Dunkiii, file a séries of " supple- 
 mentary Questions " or '"Counter-Questions," on behalf of Sir 
 Edmund Filmer, of East Sulton Place, in the County of 
 Kent, Baronet, ami Member of the Impérial Parliauient, of 
 David Arthur Munro, IMajor in Her Majesty's 12lh régiment 
 of Lancers, and of William Woodroofïe of Londt)n, gentle- 
 man, Seigniors, in possession of theseigniory of Cham|)lain, 
 in the District of Three-Rivers. (3) 
 
 (1) Sou tho jmlijmont horpi:iMrti.;r litpil. 
 
 (2) Peksons coMi'osiNf: Tiii: CoL'iiT :— Ju Igoj :— Sir L H. La Fnntaino, Haronet, 
 Cliief Juflioo ot' tho ProviiH'o ut' Lower Ciinada, l'i-esident of tliiî Court of Queeii'd 
 Bencli ; tlie Ilonoriilile K. Bowen, (?liiof .lusticu of thn swpriior Court tbr Lower Ca- 
 nada ; the Ilonoriilile 'L'. C. Ayhvin, tlio llonoraljle ,)uhii jiuviil, the Honorai. le K E, 
 Citron, (the throc^ lutter .ludgcs of the Court of (iueen's lîcnL'h), the Jlonorablo 
 C. D. Day, the Itoiioral.le .1. Snrth, tho II innrable (i \'ani'L>lson, (decca.-ed during 
 the sittini; of the Court), tlie iloi.oralilo Ç. Moiidelel, (ihe four hiat, .Fudges (jf tho 
 Superior Court at Montréal), th- Honorable W. C. Moredilh, .Tudi;e of tho Superior 
 Court at Qno'ooc, the Honorable E Sh n', Jud^o of tho Superi ir Court ut Sherbrooke, 
 the Honorable A. N. Morin anii tli(> Honorable W. Lladi,'lc.v, (the two last .Judgeg 
 of Mio Superior Court at Québec) ooinpri.--inf; ail tho Jud.^cs of tho Court of AppoalH, 
 or QueenV lionch, nnd of tho Superior Court, with the exception of the Honorable 
 ï). Mondelet, Jndçe of the Su; erior Court at Ïhreo-Kivors, who abstained froiu 
 aitting, being himself a proprictor of tiofs. 
 
 Mr. J. l'. Beau Iry i.s tho Clerk of tho Court. Tho advoeatcs employed nn behalf 
 of the Crown are tho Honorable L T. Drunimond, Attorney (lenoral, F. K. Angora, 
 of the Qiebec r.ir, T. J. J Loranj^er, Q, C, an I l'] lîeinar.l, ofthe Montréal Bar. 
 C. S. Cherrier, Q. C, 11. Maekay and C. Dunkir, ail threo of tho Montréal Bar, 
 appear on behalf of tho Seigniors. 
 
 (3) See the judgment hereiurfter ciled. 
 
48 a 
 
 On Ihe ISthof October, 1855, the Court adjoumed to thr 
 lOth of January, 1856, then to ihe 15lh and tlien to the 18th 
 of the same month, and forin that day lo tho 2oih of Febrnary 
 and finally to the 6th of March, to render judgment. 
 
 The argument took place in the following order : 
 
 On tho 5tli of September, 1855, Drummond, Angers ; G, 
 Angers, Loranger ; 7, 8, 10, Loranger ; 11, 12, Angers, Lo- 
 rangcr; Mackay; 14, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, Dunkin ; 
 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, (Oct.) 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, Chcrrier ; 9, 10, Dun- 
 kin ; 11, 12, Angers, Loranger; 13, Loranger; 17, Dunkin, 
 Cherrier, Mackay, Barnard, Angers & Loranger, 
 
 During the Sittings of the 6th, 7th, 8th, lOth and llth of 
 of march, 1856, the Juges givc their respective opinions ; and, 
 at the lastof thèse Sittings,the Décisions and Answcrs ofthe 
 Court upon the " Questions " submitted both by the Attorney 
 General and by the Seigniors, are pronounccd and given. 
 
49 a 
 
 LOVVER CANADA. 
 
 SPECIAL COURT 
 
 UEI.n UNDKR AUTnORITV OF 
 
 THE SEIGNIORIAL ACT OF 185 4." 
 
 Québec^ Wlh of Bhtrch, 1856. 
 
 Présent : — The Honble. Sir Louis Hippolyte Lafontaine, 
 
 Bl. Cldcf Juslice of Ihe Court of 
 Quec7i's Bench. 
 
 The Ilonble. Edward Bowkn, 
 
 Chief Justice of ihe Supcrior Court. 
 
 The Ilonble. Mr. Juslice Aylwix, 
 " Mr. Justice Duval, 
 
 " Mr. Justice Caron, 
 
 AND 
 
 Puîsné Judfçcs of the 
 said Court of Queen's 
 Bench. 
 
 The Honble. Mr. Justice Day, 
 
 Mr. Justice Smith, 
 
 Mr. Justice C. Mondelet, 
 
 Mr. Justice Meredith, ^ Puisné Judges 
 
 Mr. Justice Short, 
 
 Mr. Justice Moriv, 
 
 Mr. Juslice Badgley. 
 
 i< 
 
 of the said Su- 
 perior Court. 
 
 The Court proceeding to adjudicate, aswell on the Questions 
 i'ramed and submitted by Her Majesty^s Attorney General 
 for Lower Canada, as upon the Supplementary or Counter 
 Questions of the Seigniors hereinafter named, doth, by 
 thèse présents, pronounce and deliver the décisions and 
 
60 a 
 
 opinions of thc said Judges, in tlie manncr sot forth in ihe 
 (bllowing answers, to wit : 
 
 I. 
 
 IN THE INSTANCE UPON THE 
 
 QUESTIONS OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL. 
 
 First question.— Ai tlie timc of ihe introduction of tlic- 
 Custoin of Paris {Cu/dn tue de Paris) into Canada, what was 
 tlio ollect of thc fondai contract as to tlie division of thc j^ro- 
 perty l)ct\vccn thc Seignior of a firf and his Fciulatory or 
 Censitaire, in iIkî i)art of France formorly known as " La 
 Prévoté et Vicomte de Paris " 'l 
 
 Second question.— llnd that coniract thc cflect of dividing 
 the properly betwcen tlie Seignior and the Censitaire, sQn< to 
 givc tlie dominium direetuni {domaine direct) to the former, 
 and the dominium utile {dom.aine utile) to the lattcr ? 
 
 L^'gf// Proposition sulmitled on bchalfof thc Crown.— ^os. 
 1 and 2. At the timc of the introduction of thc Custom ot 
 Paris [Coutume de Paris) into Canada, thc cfll'ct oftlie 
 feudal contract, in ihat part of France formcrly knovvn as 
 ^' La Prévoté et Vicomte de Paris^' was to divide the pro- 
 perly betwecn thc Seignior of a fief and his Feudatory or 
 Censitaire so as to givc the dominirm directum {domaine 
 direct) to the former, and the dominium utile {domaine utile) 
 10 thc lattcr. 
 
 A>mver of the Court.— \ and 2. At the timc of thc intro- 
 duction of the Custom of Paris into Canada, the cflect ofthc- 
 feudal contract, whcthcr by subinfeudation or acccnsemcnt 
 in that part of France formcrly known as '^ La Prévoté (t 
 Vicomte de Paris,'' was to divide thc estale betwcen the Sei- 
 '^nior of thc fief nnd his Subfeudatory or Tenant, Censitaire, 
 in such manncr as to retain to the former thc immédiate 
 demesnc, dominium directum, and 1o convey the useful 
 deniesne, dominium utile, to the lattcr.— Adopted unani- 
 mously. 
 
51 a 
 
 Third fjjiestî'nn. — In wlmt did llio domim'inn d/rrclinn con- 
 sist ? did if consist in ihe right to iiT)[)oso on tlu; Censitaire 
 the paymi'nt of certain rents or duos, rcditiis ') 
 
 Fourth question. — In wliat did llic domimnn utile con- 
 sist ? did it eonsist in the riglit of occupying tlic soiland en- 
 joying the produce thereof ? and did this rigiit of occupation 
 and enjoyment exlend to ihc watcrs and woods as wtdl as to 
 Mio huid ? 
 
 \Ht. 
 
 ■h) 
 
 ro- 
 
 lu' 
 nt 
 
 û a 
 
 ci- 
 'rr, 
 ato 
 fui 
 ■ani- 
 
 Le'j;(il Proposiii'ju st/hmilted on hehalf of flie Croirn. — 3, 
 The profits of the dominium dircctuni consistcd in the ol)li- 
 gations or rederances to wliich the Feudatory or Censitaire 
 was snbject, such a^ thv foi et liommai^e, the crns^ the rents, 
 (ruiitns) the Ak/.v, ikc. 
 
 Lri^'al Proposition s?ihmitted on belialf of tint Croirn^ — 1 
 Those of the domininm utile consisted in the product of the 
 soil wiiich tlie Feudatory or Censitaire had the right of oc- 
 cupying, as i)roprietor, and cornprised the use of the nn-navi- 
 gabJe waters, and of the forests connected tltcrewith. 
 
 Answer of Uie Court. — 3 and -1. — § 1 The immédiate 
 dcinesne consisted of the duties or dues, ol)iigations or re- 
 devances., to whicli the Subfeudatory or Tenant, Censitaire., 
 was subjected ; the us(.'ful demesne consisted of the prochice 
 of the hmd ortliing subinfcu(hited, or aecensé\ wliich ihe Sub- 
 inleudatory or Tenant had the right to oc(;upy and enjoy as 
 proprielor ; prcvious to the suljinfeudation or aeeensement., 
 iîotli tlie useful and liie immédiate demesne were united in 
 ùill demesne in the Seignior.— Adopted unaniuiou.sly. 
 
 § 2. Woods and watcrs not navigable and not floatable 
 might form a part of the useful demesne. 
 
 Forthe adirmalive : — LaFontaine, Bowcn, Aylwin, Duval, 
 Caron, Day, Sniitii, Meredilh, Short, JNlorin, liadgley. 
 
 For the négative 
 
 -Monde Ict. 
 
52 a 
 
 § 3. The Subfeudatory, in likc manner, bcforc his infouda- 
 \]on or acce use m eut, liad ihe l'iill dcniesne, saving tlie riylits 
 of tlu; Scignior dominant^ and also retained an immédiate 
 deinesnc ovcr wliat he liad liimj^clf infcudated or accensé. 
 
 Fortlie afTirmalivo : — La Fontaine, Bowen, Aylwin, Duval, 
 Caron, Day, Smith, Meredith, Short, Morin, Badgley. 
 
 For the négative : — Mondelet. 
 
 Fifth question. — Under the Castom of Paris, at the period 
 above mentioned was the subinfjudation of lands held e/î 
 fief, an essential part of tiie fcudal System, and was the 
 aliénation of the fief, or of the lands composing it, forbidden? 
 
 Lestai Proposition submitted on behalf of the Crown. — 5. 
 Under the Custom of Paris, at the period above mentioned, 
 the subinfeudation of lands held en fief was an essential 
 partof the feudal System, and the proprietor of ayZp/couId 
 not, without the consent of his Seignior dominant, dispose 
 of the lands composing it otherwlse than by subinfeudation, 
 OT bail à cens, according to the articles 51 and 52 of the 
 Custom of Paris, which are as follows : 
 
 Article 51. " The Vassal cannot dismember his fief to the 
 " préjudice, and without the consent of hisSeignior; allhough 
 " he may getrid {se jouer), and dispose of, or make his own 
 '" profit out of any hereditaments, rentes or cens, belonging 
 *' to such //>/, without paying mutation fines to the Seignior 
 " dominant, provided the aliénation do not exceed two thirds 
 " and that he retain the full fealty and some seigniorial and 
 " domanial riglit on that which he aliénâtes." 
 
 Article 52. " And nevertheless, if the fief become open, 
 " the Seignior may take his profits out of {exploiter) the 
 " whole fief, as vvell out of the part retained as the part 
 " sold, unless the fcudal Seignior had infeoffed the doma- 
 " niai riglit retained in making such aliénation, or liad re- 
 " ceived it, together with the acknowledgment thereof." 
 
53 a 
 
 Ansirrr oftfic Court. — 5. Uiidcr tlie Cnsfom of Paris, at tlic 
 poriod iil)ov(^ mcntioncd, llic Scii^nior avîis iiot oblii,f(M.I to alie- 
 nale liis lantls licld ni iiii\ but wlicn lie did alienalo tlicm, 
 siiibinfcndalion or accotsoiiint wvw oi' tlie essence of the 
 feudal System ; moreover, alienalion was goverm-d l)y llie 
 51 article of the Cu^toin of Paris, wliieli is iii the tenus fol- 
 lowing : 
 
 Article 51. — "The Vass;d cannol disrvKMiibcr his/zV/to ihe 
 " préjudice, and witlioiit ihe consent of his Seii;!^nior ; allhoiigh 
 " he may alienato [ne jouer) and dispose of, or inake his own 
 " profil ont of any hcreditamenls, rentes ox cens, beh)nging to 
 " such /5'V/, wilhonf pnying mutation profits to the Seignior 
 " iIomitHinl, provided the alienalion do uot exceed two thirds, 
 " and tliat he retain tlie full fealty and some seignioriai and 
 " domanial riglit on that whieli lie aliénâtes." — Adopted 
 unanimously. 
 
 »S 
 
 ' 
 
 SixtJi qiieslion. — [n order to transferthis feudal system, as 
 it existed in a conniry wherc the soil had becn occnpied and 
 cullivaled for âges by a numerous population, to a new, 
 uninhabited and uncultivated région, was it necessary to 
 render subinfeudation, or in other woids, the granling of 
 lands to setllers to putlhem into a state of cultivation, bind- 
 ing on ail proprietors of fiefs 9 
 
 Leg'a/ Proposition siibmilted on hehalf of tlie Crovn. — 6. 
 To transfer this feudal system from France to the \e\v 
 World, it was necessary to render subinfeudation, or in 
 otlier words, " the granling of lands to selliers to put ihem 
 into a state of cultivation," binding on ail proprietors of 
 fufs ; and in ihis respect the feudal laws, as introduced into 
 Canada, hâve bcen considerably modilied by divers enact- 
 ments found in ihe Koyal Decrees, Edicls and Ordinances, 
 [Arrêts, Eilits Ordonnées,) the litles of conccssi(;n, and 
 the ordinances and judgments of the supcrior council and of 
 tbc Intendants, 
 
54 a 
 
 Ansrer of tlie Co/rrl.—i}. Tliis (lU(,'^li()n prescnling no logai 
 
 point /or décision, tlii.s Court abstains froni an answer to it. 
 
 Adopled ununimously. 
 
 Scvenfh question. — In granting, or in pcruutling otliors to 
 grant lands iny/c/ and scigniory in Canada, was it tlie inten- 
 tion ol' the Kings of France to niake llic concession of lands 
 to settlersfor the purposc of cullivation obligatory on ail Sei- 
 gniors ? 
 
 Lc'^-al Proposition suhmitted ou bchatf of the Crown.— 1. In 
 granting, or in penniiling others to grant lands in //f'/" and 
 seigniory in Canada, the Kings of France inlended to make 
 tlie concession of lands to settlers for the i)ur|)ose of culti- 
 vation, obligatory on ail Scigniors ; and that intention was 
 ciearly and e^plicitly manifestcd. 
 
 Aiiswer of II,.' Court.— 1. The manifest intention of the 
 Fronch Kings was to promote the settlenient and cultivât ion 
 of the lands of the cu.^ntry ; but the concession of lands for 
 that purpose was notmade obligatory by any law anterior to 
 the Arrct of Glh July, 1711. 
 
 Fortheallirraative :— Bowen, Ayhvin, Duval, Caron, Day, 
 Mercdith, Shorl, Badgley. 
 
 For the négative :— LaFontaine, Smith, Mondelet, Morin. 
 
 Eighlh question. — lias that intention bccn made manifest 
 by spécial laws or indicated by any otlicr means, wliich 
 would allow Courts of Justice to take cognizîince of it in 
 adjudieating on matters concerning ihe concession of lands 
 lield en fief or en roture in this country ? Would it hâve been 
 possible to carry ont that inlenlion otherwise tlian by 
 limiting the renls, redevances, for whieh the lands lield en fief 
 should be conceded ? 
 
 Ltxal Proposition sn.h)nitt''d on hehatf of the Crov)n. — 8. 
 That intention was made manifest by spécial laws and by 
 divers ollier means (A whicii Courts of Justice should take 
 
55 a 
 
 1. 
 
 cogniznnce, wlicn adjiuliciitini;; on niatters cnncciMiiniir tlic 
 ronccssioii ul' Irinds lu'ld en Jicf or en rature^ iulliis c-oimtry ; 
 and it would liavi; becn iinpossil)!.; lo carry ouf lliat inten- 
 tion otlu'i'wise llian by lirnitini^ llic rcnts [reililus) l'or whicli 
 llie lands liidd en JieJ shoidil bc c^cnccdcd. 
 
 Ansirer of tJie Conrt, — 8. Wliatever dill''rL'ncc of opinion 
 inay prcvail willi icltTcnco to llic pcriod anlcrior lo 1711, 
 llio maniretstatit)n oltlic! French Kini^'s intcnlion l'nrllic coni- 
 pulsory concession by S(,'ii,niiors ol" tlieir lands lo selliers 
 {Jiabitdiils) l'or enllivation, was sliewn in tlie Arrêt ol' ifiat 
 ycar, intitnled, " An Arrêt ol'tlie Kinii[ c-onunandiiiii; ilie lad- 
 tivation and occupation by scltlers ol' llie lands granted 
 them ; " itsexeciilion was urdered in tlie l'oilowlng tenus : — 
 " Ilis Maji'sty also coinniands ihal ail Seii,Miiors in \ew 
 France do ct>ncede to settlers llie lands demanded by tliem 
 in tlieir seit,aiiories at a rent charge [à titre de rederanccs), 
 wliitliout exacting any suin of luoney l'or sucli concessions, in 
 default whereol" tlie setllers niay demand tlie said lantls of 
 the Seigniors by suinmons, and, on tlieir refusai, iiiay lake 
 proccedings agaiiist tlieiu before tlie Governor General and 
 Intendant of tlie country, wlioin Ilis Majesty coinniands to 
 concède the said lands to the setllers, chargeai ^vith the sanic 
 riglits (droits) as tliose iiuposed npon the other coiiceded 
 lands in the saine seigniories, Avhieh righls shoiild be paid 
 by the new settlers to the lîei'eiver of the Kiiig\s dniiesne in 
 the City of (Québec, wilhoul anyclaini whatever iherelo by 
 the Seigniors." — Adoi)ted iinanimously. 
 
 Nintli question. — Did the anc-ient laws of the country ob'ige 
 the proprietors of fu fs and seigniories in Canada lo concède 
 thcir lands at a rent [à titre de redcranecs^) when thereiinto 
 rccpiircd ; and was tlieir riglit ofprojjcrty in tiK)se lands res- 
 tricted and liniited by sucli obligation to conc(;de them ? 
 
 LeiXdl Propofiitio)! si(l)riiitled on [jelntlf of tlie Crovn. — 9. 
 The ancient laws of the country obligée! th(^ pro|)rielors of 
 fiefs and seigniories in Canada lo concède llieir lands for a 
 
56 a 
 
 ront (ft tiirr de rcilrvavccs) wlirnever thoronnto rrqnirod ; aiifl 
 thcir riiiflit of proporly in tliosc lands w.'is rcslricled and li- 
 initcd by siicli obligation lo couccdr tlicin. 
 
 Ansrrcr of the Court. — 9. Tli,> ancirnt law.s of tliccoimtry, 
 thaï is to say, those antcrior îo tlic cession of Canada to 
 Grcat Britain, oblif>;(>(l the proprielois oï Ji*l's and seigniorics 
 to grant {concéder) their lands, on demand, at a n>nt charge, 
 [à titre de redevances) and this obligation limited the exercise 
 of the right.s of the Scigniorsin the disposai of tlicir lands. — 
 Adopted unaniinously. 
 
 Tenth qucslion. — If that obligation existed, liad it it 
 
 s oricrin 
 
 in the feudal rnles ? in tlii; deed of infciidation ? in cu.s- 
 toni ? or in s[)eeial laws ? did it extend to cvory //>/ and sei- 
 gniory witliout regard to the motives of iho date of the con- 
 cession ? if not, to what seigniories did it extend ? 
 
 Le^al Proposition submiltcd on heludf of the Crown. — 10. 
 The obligation of eonceding lands, eitlier en arri ère-lie f., or 
 en cnsire, had its origin in the feudal riiles wliieh ])roliil)iled 
 the disiiieiuberment of the //Vf. In Canada, that obligation 
 is expressed in a mnjority of the seigniorial titles ; niorc- 
 ovcr, it was established by several Deerees (Arrêts) and 
 Judgnients, and seems to hâve been iiiiposed upon ail Sei- 
 gniors holding their properties à litre de /ief. 
 
 An 
 
 sircr of tiie Co//rt.— \0.~^ 1. Tins obligation did not 
 
 rcsull IVoin the feudal r 
 
 nies o 
 
 f F 
 
 rance, 
 
 but 
 
 procf 
 
 e( 
 
 from 
 
 spécial laws ailecting Canada. — Adopted nnanimously. 
 
 § 2. Tlie obligation toconcede was not contained grneral- 
 ly in the grants of seigniories ; il was slipuiated in a fevv of 
 tliem. 
 
 For the arTirmative :— Bowen, A sl'-vin, Duvai, Caron, Dav, 
 Meretlith, Short, ijadgiey. 
 
 For the négative :— La Fontaine, Smith, Mondelet, Morin. 
 
57 a 
 
 § 3. It (lid not tiike ils oriij;in in tlio Cuslom, but in a spé- 
 cial lii\s', naiiii'ly, lli<^ Anrtoï 1711. 
 
 For tlic alliiinativc : — Howcn, ^ ylu in, Diival, Caron, Day, 
 Meredith, Sliort, Hadglfy. 
 
 P\)r fli(> négative : — LaFt)ntaino, Sniilli, Mondc-lct, Morin. 
 
 § 4. It cxtcndfMl to vvcry fit f and scignioiy, witlimit re- 
 gard to ilic niotivcM of tlic grant, l)iit rniglit he (.'ontrollcd by 
 a spécial dérogation in tliD royal gfanl 1o tlic Seignior. — 
 Adopted nnanitnonsly. 
 
 § 5. Tlie Am't of 1711 applied lo royal grants alrcady 
 made at tlie time of its pronndgation, as well as to tliose 
 made unaniiuously. 
 
 Elrvi'iitli (///rsfion. — l)id tliesi; laws ])rovidc means for 
 com{)elling Seigniors to fnifil lliis obligation ? 
 
 LriXal Proposilion siihmilUd on hvhalf of llir Cro.nn. — 11. 
 Tlie lawprovided tneans for conipelling Seigniors to concède 
 their lands. 
 
 Ansirer of tlie Court. — 11. Tlu; hiws did provide means 
 for conipelling Seigniors to concède their lands. — Ado[)ted 
 unaniinonsly. 
 
 Tirctftli (//f est l'on. — By wliat tribnnals or public otllcers, 
 and liow, coidd tliey be so compelled .'' 
 
 Lr>j:(il Proposition snt/inittcd on bc/intf of t/ir Croirn. — 12. 
 The Governors and hitmdiints were invcsled willi the powcrs 
 neccssary to cornpel the Seigniors to concède their lands. 
 
 Ansirer of liie Conrt. — 12. In the case of the application of 
 individuals denianding concessions upon the Seignior's re- 
 fusai, the authority, cidied upon to give elî'ect to the obliga- 
 tion of eoDcession, was that of thcGovernor and Lieutenant 
 General and of the Intendant, in conforniity with the said 
 
58 a 
 
 ArnU of 1711, cxplaiiKMl and ("xteinlfd by llial of llic loili 
 Mardi 17.J^, iiitiliilcd : '' Arrdt ol" tlu; Coiincil of State, 
 coiiimandini,' Sci^Miiors to scltlc tlicir sciî^'nioricH {tir fui rc 
 trnir J'iif et lim dans hiirs s(i'j;uriirir>t,) and proliiljilinij; 
 tlicni iVom iiialvinii; sales oi'wild laiuls, {rtihois (Ithoid) ; "aiid 
 hytlu! Royal Dcelarations ol' lîlli July, 171;), and Isl Octobrr, 
 17 17. — Adopted iinaniniously. 
 
 Thirtrcnth qiwsdon. — Wcre llu- rates and conditions ofllio 
 concession of lands in tlie seinjnioi'ies rei!;ula1ed l)y spécial 
 laws ? by eiistom ? or l)y tlie lit le deeds ij;rantini,' lliose lands 
 to the Si'ii^niors ? and \verc tliosc concessions to l)c iriadc 
 " at an annual rent {à titre de redevances annuelles) ol' siiiall 
 value establislieil and rei,'ulate(l by llie usual and aeenstoin- 
 ed raies ol' concessions " accordingto tiie iMistoni ol (S'ich sei- 
 gniory in i)articular, or according to tlie custom oltlie coun- 
 Iry in gênerai ? 
 
 Le'j:al Proposition snhmitled on hr/ialf of l/ic Crown. — 13. 
 The rates and conditions of tlie concession of lands in tlie 
 scigniories of Canada, were regidated l)y s|)ecial enactiiients 
 lo be fonnd in divers Royal Edicts and Ordinanc.'s, as inter- 
 pret(Ml by usage, 1)y the jiulgiiients of tlie IntenihiN/s nud l)y 
 a large nuinber of concessions en fu'J\ or by tlie acts ('-/v r//.v) 
 conflrming such concessions. Tliose concessions A\-ere lo 
 be made only at an annual rent {à titre de redrcf/i/cfs) ol 
 sinall value, establislied and regulated by tlic usual aii<l ac- 
 customed rates of concessions, according to the usage of llie 
 country in gênerai. 
 
 Ansirer of the Court.— Vi.—^ 1. Tiie rates of llie conces- 
 sion of lands in the scigniories were nol regulated by spécial 
 laws nor by custom. 
 
 For the aflirmativc : — La Fontaine, Bowen, Aylwin, Duval, 
 Caron, Day, Mcredilh, Short, Morin, Badgley. 
 
 For the négative : — Smith, Mondelet. 
 
59 a 
 
 § 2. Ncvcrllii'lcs.s, \\lit'iu'vrr tlic Govcrnor and l.iiiitciiani 
 Goncral aiid llic Intendant wcrt* r('(iiiirc<l lo concède iipon 
 llie Seiijnior's relusal, llii! rate of sucli (•oncej'sion was i,'()v- 
 crned hy llio tenus of tlie .irrrl of 171 I, wincli cliarijes tlie 
 ei)n<'essi«)n willi llie suiui! riglits as iiii|)()sed npon tlie utliei 
 cont'L'ded lands in tliu .samo seigniuries. — Adojited unani- 
 niously. 
 
 § 3. Tluî grants lo tli(i Seiii^niors did not rogiUate llie acl 
 of concession, (!XC('|)t in Tour t)l'lliusL' wlii'.di liavc ct)nie to tlic 
 kno\vledi,'e of tlic Court. 
 
 For tlie ainnnativc: — La Fontaine, liowcn,Ayl\vin, Duval, 
 Caron, iJay, Mcrcditli, Sliort, Morin, liadgli-y. 
 
 For llie nei,'ative : — Sinitli, Mondelet. 
 
 § 1. The (jncstion bcing ihus |)"t. — " \Vcrotlic concessions 
 to bc niadc at an annuul rcnt clir.rgc, {à titre d'. redevances 
 annuel lis) only ? " 
 
 For th(î allirmative : — La Fontaine, Caron, Smith, INIon- 
 delct, Short, IMorin. 
 
 For tlie négative : — Bowcn, Aylwin, Duval i);(y, ]\Ic- 
 redith, lîadgley. 
 
 § 5. The dues were not conunanded 1 » iu thority to hc ol' 
 siiiall value, nor was tlie atnount cslahlisned orrcgulated hy 
 anv usual and aceiistoiued rat(>s ol' concession, accoitlinQ- 
 lo llie ciistoni oi" each parlicular seigniory or Ihc custoin ol' 
 llie country in gênerai, cxcept in ihc c.ase ol' a concession 
 nuide by llie Governor and Lieutenant G.ueral and tlie In- 
 U^ndanl upon tlie Seignior's refusai, as explained above. 
 
 For tlic a(lirnialiv(> : — La Fontaine, Bowcn, Aylwin, Du- 
 val, Caroti, Day, Mercdilh, Short, Morin, Badglcy. 
 
 For the négative : — Smith, '.m idelet. 
 
 Foiirhenlli question. — WInl was the amounl, pcr arpent^ 
 of the customary dues ^ i alevances aceoift/uiidf s) nicnlioncd 
 in ihe Decrees, Filicis aud Ordinanecs {Arrêts, ledits et Or- 
 
60 a 
 
 (lonnavcat,) and amon,£^ olliors in tli(3 Dcereo {Arn't) of G 
 July, 171 1, intitulcd : " Dccive ol ihc Kini^ wliicli directs 
 l.hat llic lands, whicli liavr bccn conccdcd, shall hv broiiglit 
 into a stalc ol" cultivation and occiipii-d by inliabilants [ha- 
 bilanls) " 
 
 LciTfi/ Propdsifion suhinittcd on bchaJf of lin' Cron-ii. — 11. 
 The ainount ol' iIk; cnstoinary dncs {^rcilivuicis (iccoHtiiviécs) 
 uit'iitioncd in llio DcHa'ces, E^dicts îind Ordinanccs {Arrêts^ 
 Edifsct Onlo/nianccs), and aniongodicis intlic Dccirc [Arrct) 
 ofGlii July, 1711, is l sol o( i[n\\ rcnl (cens) by every (irpcnl 
 in front of the concedcd land, 40 sols for every arjient in 
 front by 10 in drpth ; bcsides 1 capon {(:lia/)oti) for every ar- 
 /jf/z^n front by 10 in deptli, or 20 sots loiiniois^ or lialfa 
 biisliel of wlieal l'or seii^miorial gronnd renls [nnlcs foncières 
 et st'i'j;n('iiri(iles) ; the niaximmn of thèse eustomary n-nts 
 {mîtes ui'coii limites) not exceeding two sols by every ar/icnt 
 
 jn super 
 
 ficje.< 
 
 Aiisirrr of thr Court. — 11. The dues varied in amount at 
 îhe proinul^^alionofthe Arrrioï 171 1, and tiiey varied l)oth be- 
 fore and since tliat Arrêt, but nevertlieless «rradually inerea- 
 sinii; in amount; no amount i^ 
 Ediets and Ordinanccs. 
 
 menlioned in the Arrêts, 
 
 For \\u'. allirmalive — La Fontaine 
 
 Bo\v(Mi, Avlwin, Duval, 
 
 Caron, Day, Meredith, Short, Morin Hadgley. 
 
 For the neii:ative. — Smitli, INIondelet. 
 
 Fit'te.entli question. — Was the amo 
 
 un 
 
 t ol 
 
 seiirniorial dues 
 
 fredrviinees sn'ixnenri(ites) lixed by thaï Decree {ArrrI) ol Gth 
 July, 171 1, l'or ail seigniories, at the raie ihen eslabli^hed 
 by custoui in the country ? 
 
 LeiXdt Proposition siil))nitted o)i f/ilialf of flie Crot'-n. — 15. 
 Whatever may havi.' been the variely of the sci^tiiorial dues 
 [cens et renies) wlienlhe couniry was lirsl setiled, it uui>-t be 
 ht)d Ihat l)y the Decree (Arrêt) of Gdi July, 171 I, iulituh'd : 
 " Decree of the Kin'' whieh directs tl);it the lands, which 
 
61 rt 
 
 iiave bocn conceded, slmll bo brouglit into a statc ol" culti- 
 vai ion, &{•.," llicy wiTo irrov()('al)ly fixed at llie rate tlien 
 rstal)lislu'cl in tlie connîry, and tlic amount dI" that rati; is 
 suflic'iently proved, by tho contracta ol' concession produced 
 in this cause, not to liave exceeded the amount inentioned 
 in tiie lasl proceding article. 
 
 Answcr of tlie Court. — 15. The amount of seigniorial dues 
 wasnot fixcd atany rate by the Arrêt of Glh July, 1711, except 
 in the case j)rovi(led for and menlioned above, upon llic 
 Seignior's refusai to concède. 
 
 For the affirmative : — La Fontaine, Howen, Ayhvin, Duval, 
 Caron, Day, Meredith, Short, Morin, Badgley. 
 
 For ihe négative : — Smith, Mondelet. 
 
 S)ixl(('yUli question. — Werc the ancient lawsof the country, 
 relaling to the concession of seigniorial lands, and more 
 particularly the said Decree [Arrêt) of Glh July, 1711, the 
 Decree (Arrêt) of 15th Mardi, 1732, and the lloyal Décla- 
 ration of 17th July, 1743, still in force at tlu; tinie of the c(.'s- 
 sion of Canada by France toEngland, and had they been en- 
 forced or observed up to that time ? 
 
 Le^^al Proposition sulrmitted on behalf of the. Crovm. — lU. 
 The ancient laws of the country, relating to the concession 
 of seigniorial lands, and more particularly the said Decree 
 {Arrêt) of 6th July, 1711, the Decree {Arrêt) of loth Mardi, 
 1732, and the Royal Déclaration of 17lh July, 1743, were 
 in force at the time of the cession of Canada by France to 
 England, and had been obs(^rved and executed, up to that 
 time and even at a laler period. 
 
 Answer of the Court. — IG. — § 1. The ancient laws of the 
 country, relating to the concession of seigniorial lands, and na- 
 mely the /l/vv/v of Gth July, 1711, and lôlli Mardi, 1732, and 
 the Déclaration of 17th July, 17 13, werc in force at the ces 
 sion of Canada by France to England, Adoptcd unani- 
 mously. 
 
62 a 
 
 § 2. — Thèse laws werc generally obscrvod iip 1o ihai 
 period. 
 
 For tlie afTirmutivc : — La Fontaine, lîowen, Duval, Caron, 
 Day, Siuith, Mondelet, Mereditli, Short, jMorin, Badgley. 
 
 For ihc négative : — Ayhvin. 
 
 Scvcnlcodh qucslion. — According 1o the hiws in force in 
 Canada before the cession of the country, had the persons, 
 to whoiLi hmds had been granted by tiie Crown ot^ France, 
 in //r/'or seigniory, a lïdl, cntire and absolute right of pro- 
 pcrty in those hinds [doniiinitm pltmiim cl jus inlv<j;rinii) fret; 
 froiii any obligation to concède thcm at a rcnt payable perio- 
 dically, and with the right of alicnating theui r l)id tliey 
 pos^jess the domi)iium ville [domaine vlili) as well as the 
 domiiiiiim dircctum [domaine direct) of those lands ? If not, 
 hoAv were ihey reqnired to concède or forbidden to scll 
 tlieni ? IIow, and to what extent was the right of aliena- 
 ling those lands restricted or liinited ? 
 
 Lesçal Proposilion siibmillcd on hvhalf of l/ie Croim. — 17. 
 According to the laws in force in Canada beA)re the cession 
 of the country, the persons to whom lands had been granted 
 by the Crown of France, in//V/or si.'igniory, had in those 
 lands a right of proi)erty liniited and restricted by4he obli- 
 gation of eonceding theni at an annual rent [à titre de rede- 
 vances)^ and by their inability to alienate tlieni otherwise. 
 
 Ansirrr of Uie Conrl. — 17. — § 1. According to the laws in 
 force in Canada before the cession of the conntry, the gran- 
 tees of lands in//V/and seigniory by the Crown of France, 
 had the fiill and cntire properly in thein [domini/nn jdenniji)^ 
 but the could only alienate thein in the inanner above 
 mentioned. 
 
 For the aliirniativc. — La Fontaine, Bowen, Aylwin, Diival, 
 Caron, Du Srnith, Meredith, Shori, Morin, lîadgley. 
 
 For the négative : — INIondelet. 
 
63 a 
 
 § 2. — 'IIk! S('igni()v.«, belbre tlu^ sub-ijjrant ol' llieir hinds, 
 liad tlic l'iill tlfiriL-snc in tlunn {(lomninc phiu)^ i1r> iiseinl 
 and iinincdialo (U-inesncs bcing unilod in tlie l'uU dcnicsnc, 
 as abovc uicntiont'd. 
 
 Fort lie ailiriiiative : — La Fontain(>, Bowen, Aylwin, Duval, 
 Carc li. j ly, Smith, INIercditli, Short, Morin, Badglcy, 
 
 For the négative : — iNIondeh't. 
 
 § o. — Tlie ^l/"/v,'7 ()!' 1711, required Seigniors to concède 
 wilhoiit exacting a money jjrice l'or lh(> concession ; thr 
 AiTrl of 17;3J, conlinnalory ot the t'ormer, cxprcs^ly pro- 
 hibiled and interdicted ail Scignors Jind proprietors iVoin 
 selJing wild \;\Ui\n [terres en /h)/'s dc/jout), undc r the penalty 
 ol" the nidlily ot' the contrad of sale, the restilulion ot' the 
 priée, and réunion {/ife/io J/ire) ol' the land to tlu; royal de- 
 mesni'. Adopled unaniniousiy. 
 
 § 1. — Seigniors w ère, in this manner, re(|iur> d lo conceile 
 at a rent charge. 
 
 For tlie adiruiative : — La Fontaine, Howon, Duval, Caron, 
 Day, Smith, Mondelet, Mereilith, Short, Morin, liadgley. 
 For the négative: — Aylwin. 
 
 § 5. — The prohildlion to exact a money priée l'or conces- 
 sions applied only lo iincleared and iinimproved lands 
 ((( rres non iléj'rivhves et non mises en vulenr) — Adopted \m\\- 
 ni)iionslv. 
 
 0, 
 
 VC' 
 
 EiiXhteent!i fpicslion : — Onght those laws, whicli, at the 
 lime ol' iheir promulgation, all'ected the tenurt' ot' ail ihe 
 lands in this country, to be consideretl as laws ol' public- 
 policy {(Pordre p/i/j/ie) ? 
 
 Ninrtrenlh f/xesiion. — Wcre private individuals allowed lo 
 contravene ihosc lawsi in coniracls entered inlo between 
 theni? 
 
 Tirenlieth question. — Were covenants entered into be- 
 tween Seigniors and Censitaires., incontraveniion lo thèse Iiiw5 
 binding? if uot, werc they !ibf«olutely void, or merely void- 
 able ? 
 
64 a 
 
 Lr<rnl Profxmlion submiUcd on helialf of t/in Croirn. — 18. 
 Thèse laws, wliicli, at llie tirno of tlieir promulgation, afFec- 
 tcd tlie tennre of ail ihe land: of the coiintry, ouglit to be oon- 
 sidered as laws of |)iii)lic poiicy {tPordre p/thlic), liaving for 
 object tlie settleinent and colonizalion of llie country. 
 
 Le'^çiU Proposition snbmittci on bchdif of Ihc Croion. — 19. 
 PrivaUî individuals conkl not contravene thèse laws in eon- 
 traets entered into belween tliern. 
 
 Légal Proposition submittcd on behalf of the Crown. — 20. 
 Covenants entered into between Seigniors and Censitaires 
 in contravention of thèse laws of pu])lic poliey {d\)rdre 
 public), were absolntely null. 
 
 Ansver of the Court. — 18, 19 and 20. — § 1. In so far a?» 
 tliose laws had relation to the tenure and regulated the es- 
 S-'nce of tlie feudal contract, they were laws of public po- 
 iicy {cVordre public.) 
 
 For the afïirmative. — La Fontaine, Bowen, Duval, Caron, 
 Mondelet, Morin, liadgley. 
 
 For the négative. — Aylwin, Day, Smith, Meredith, Short. 
 
 § 2. — Individuals could not contravene those laws in so 
 l'a: as they related to the tenure or to the essence of the feu- 
 dal contract. 
 
 For the alTirmative : — La Fontaine, Bowen, Duval, Caron, 
 Mondelet, Short, Morin, Badgley. 
 
 For the négative : — Aylwin, Day, Smith, Meredith. 
 
 § 3. — Contracts between Seigniors and Tenants {Censi- 
 taires), in contravention of those law.s, in so far as they 
 were thus of public poiicy, were not binding, but were null 
 [plenojiiro.) 
 
 For the alHrmative : — La Fontaine, Bowen, Duval, Caron, 
 Mondelet, Short, Morin, Badgley. 
 
 Fer the négative. — Avlwin, Day, Smith, Meredith. 
 
il 
 
 fK 
 
 65 a 
 
 Ttventij first queation. — VVere those law repealcd sincc ihc 
 cession of the country, or werè they still in force at ihe time 
 of tlic passing of " The Seigniorial Act of 1854?" 
 
 Les;al Proposition submitted on hehalf of thc Croiim, — 21. 
 Tiiese laws were not repealed since the cession of the 
 country ; they were still in force at thc time of the passing 
 of " The Seigniorial Act of 1854." 
 
 Ansicer of the Court. — 21. Those laws were in force at 
 thc passing of " The Seigniorial Act of 1854." 
 
 For the alfirmative : — LaP\)ntaine, Duval, Caron, Day, 
 Smith, Mondelet, Meredilh, Short, Morin. 
 
 For the négative: — Bowcn, Aylwin, Badgiey. 
 
 Tmcnty second question. — During the period, betwoen the 
 cession of the country and the passing of " The Seigniorial 
 Act of 1854," did there exist a tribunal compétent to exer- 
 cise the powers and jurisdiction conferred on the Governor 
 and Intendant by the said Decree of 6th July, 1711, relating 
 to the concession of seigniorial lands ? if such a tribunal 
 existed, did it exercise those powers, or did it refuse or 
 omit to do so ? 
 
 Leq:al Proposition suhmitted on behnif of ihe Crown. — 22. 
 During the period between the cession of the country ard 
 the passing of " The Seigniorial Act of 1854," the Courts oi 
 ()riginal jurisdiction {de première instance)., were compétent to 
 exercise the powers and jurisdiction conferred in the Gov(^r- 
 nor and Intendant by the said Decree of 6th .July, 1711, re- 
 lating to the concession of seigniorial lands ; but, de facto 
 thèse Courts declared themselves incompétent, or abstained 
 from exercising thèse powers. 
 
 Ansirer of thc Court. — 22. The question being thus put : — 
 
 During thc period, between the cession of the country and 
 
 ihc passing of" The Seigniorial Act of 1854," did there exii-t 
 
 a tribunal compétent to exercise the powers and jurisdiction 
 
 5 
 
66 a 
 
 coiifcrrod on llic GovciiH)r and Intendant by tiic sait! Docr •<-: 
 ofGtli .luly, 1711, rclaling to the concession of scigniorial 
 land.s? 
 
 For llio adlnnative : — I.aF'ontaine, Caron, Sinitli, Mon- 
 dclol, Short, Morin. 
 
 For tlie négative : — Bowen, Aylwin, Duval, Day, Merc- 
 dith, Badgley. 
 
 Twentij tliird f/ttcslio/i. — If it be tnie lliat some of tlie 
 powers cxercised by tlie Intendant before ihe cession, were 
 conlerred on tribunal^ existing since tliat time, wlial are 
 tliose powern, and on whut tribunals liave lliey devolved ? 
 
 Lciiul Propositioji nthmilted on hehnlf of the Croim. — 23. 
 The said Courts of Justice eould, and shouid haye decided 
 ihat, in default of thi; Seignior giving a title of concession 
 for a lot demanded of iiim upon the usual conditions, the 
 judgmenl siiould be a title in faveur of the Censitaire^ wlio 
 in this casse, would hâve had to pny the annual rcnts {rede- 
 vances annuelles) to the domain of the Crown, according to 
 the ternis of the Decree (Arrcù) of 6th July, 1711. 
 
 Ansictr of t/ie Court. — 23. Ail the judiciary powers exer- 
 cised by the Intendant in civil matters, before tiie cession ot 
 the contry, hâve devolved uj)on the civil tribunals of the 
 Province. Adopted unanimously, 
 
 Tircnty fourtJi question. — VVas there any tribunal, during 
 that period, compétent to déclare the nuliity of covenants 
 made between private individuals in contravention to the 
 laws above nientioned ? 
 
 Légal Proposition snhmit' d on beliaff of the Crown. — 24- 
 Those same Courts could, and shouid, hâve pronounced the 
 nuliity of ail covenants, made between private individuals, 
 in contravention to those laws of public policy. 
 
 Ansv'cr of the Court. — 2t. Thèse same tribunals were 
 compétent to déclare the nuliity of oontracts made betweeiî 
 individuals, in contravention of those laws. 
 
67 a 
 
 oi 
 
 10 
 
 -24 
 
 tho 
 
 icre 
 leen 
 
 For tlie atliinativc! : — LaFontaiiic, IJowcn, Dnval, Canni, 
 Day, Siiiitli, Mondck't, Mcn^dilli, Sliort, Morin, Bad^dt'y. 
 
 For tilt' nogativo : — Aylwin. 
 
 Ticcntji fiflh qnrstion. — l'iulcr llic law, as ilexisled in tliis 
 country iinmcdi.'itly bclon; tlic pas.sing ol " Tlic Sfi^'iiiorial 
 Act of 1851," liave Cftisi/ai'rrs to wlioni sciyniorial cH)n- 
 cessions had been made alu-r tlio cession at liiijjlier rates 
 ihan lliosp wliic-li were custoniarv bof'oro lliat tiine, a ri'dit 
 to be reiicvt'd Irorn tiie oxccss of tlioso oneroiis dues ? if tliey 
 liave tliis riii;lit, to what sum por arpent sliould lliese dues bc 
 reduced, and at wiiat ratiî sliould tliey be entercd in tlie 
 scliedule to bo niadc as rc(iuired by ilie said Seigniorial 
 Act ? 
 
 Lcij^al Proposition suhmillvd on hdiulf of tlie Cnnm. — 23. 
 l'nder the law, as it existed in lliis Country ininiediately 
 before tlie passinif of " 'l'he Seiifniorial Act of 1854," Censi- 
 taires lo wliom seii^tiiorial concessions liave been made after 
 tlie cession, at liii^hcr rates tlian those wliicli wen; customa- 
 ry before that time, liave a rii^ht to l)c relicvcd from the ex- 
 cess of those onerous dues ; and in ail snch cases the sei- 
 gniorial rents sliould be reduced, and entered in the schc- 
 dules at the rate of two sols for every arpent in superficies of 
 the conceded land. 
 
 Ansircr oftiic Court. — 25. By the law, as it existed in this 
 country iuimediately defore the passing of " The Seigniorial 
 Act of 1854," the Tenants {Censitaires) to wliom seigniorial 
 concessions hâve been mado since the cession, at liigher 
 rates tlian those wliich were customary before that tiine, 
 hâve no right to be relieved from the cxcess of those dues. 
 
 For the ailirmative : — LaFontaine, liowen, Aylwin, Uuval 
 Caron, Day, Smith, Mereditli, Short, Morin, Badgley. 
 
 For the négative 
 
 -Monde let. 
 
68 a 
 
 Tivcnttj sixth question. — What wcrc ihc Scigniors' right? 
 over navigable rivors, in Lower Canada, immodiately be- 
 fore ihe passing of the said Act ? 
 
 Légal Proposition snbmitted on hehalf of thc Crown. — 26. 
 Irnmcdiately bofore the passing of " The Seigniorial Act of 
 1851," the Seigniors, as such, had no right over navigable 
 rivers in Lower Canada. 
 
 Answer of the Court. — 26. Before the passing of " The Sei- 
 gniorial Act of 1854," Seigniors had no otiier rights over na- 
 vigable rivers and strcams, tiian tliose specially conveyed to 
 them by their grants ; provided thèse rigiits w^ere not incon- 
 sistent with the oublie use of the water of those rivers and 
 streams, whieh is inaliénable and imprescriptible. 
 
 For the aifirmative : — LaFontaine, Bowen, Aylwin, Caron, 
 Duval, Day, Smith, Meredith, Short, Morin, Badgley. 
 For the négative : — Mondelet. 
 
 Twenti) seventh question. — In seigniories bounded by a 
 navigable river, could the Seigniors legally reserve the right 
 of fishing therein, or impose dues on their Censitaires for the 
 exercise of that right ? what were their rights over the beachcs 
 of those rivers? and were they, naniely, entitled to /w/a' (t 
 ventes upon the mutation of beaches situated, betwecn high 
 and low water mark, on the river St. Lawrence ? 
 
 Légal Proposition submittcd on hehalf of the Croirn. — 27. 
 In seigniories bounded by a navigable river, the Seigniors 
 could not legally reserve the right of fishing therein, or 
 impose dues on their Censitaires lor the exercise of that 
 right ; they had no right over the beaches of those rivers 
 are public property; and are not, as one of the conséquences, 
 entitled to lods et ventes upon the sale of beaches situated, 
 betwecn high and low water mark, on the river St. Law- 
 rence. 
 
ihe 
 hcs 
 ni s (f 
 
 liigii 
 
 miori^ 
 
 69 a 
 
 Answcr of the Court. — 27. — § 1. In scigniories bounded 
 by a navigable river or slream, Scigniors could lawfully re- 
 sers e to theinselves the right of llsliing tlierein, or impose 
 dues on their Tenants {Censitaires) for \\w exercise of that 
 riglit, when the rigiit of fisliing in the sauje had been granted 
 to them, but they could not rnake the réservation nor impose 
 the dues without grant and as Seigniors only. 
 
 For the affirmative : — LaFontaine, Bowen, Aylwin, Duval, 
 Caron, Day, Smith, Meredith, Short, Morin, Badgley. 
 
 For the négative : — Mondelet. 
 
 § 2. Where the right of fishing in navigable rivers and 
 streams was granted to Seigniors, ihe Tenants {Censitaires) 
 could not hâve that right without spécial concession from 
 the Seignior. 
 
 For the afTirmative : — LaFontaine, Bowen, Aylwin, Duval, 
 Caron, Day, Smith, Meredith, Short, Morin, Badgley. 
 
 For the négative : — Mondelet. 
 
 § 3. The rights c f Seigniors in tidal navigable rivers and 
 streams, over the space of ground covered and uncovered by 
 the tide are derived from spécial grant, and, without that, ex- 
 tend to high water mark only ; in navigable rivers and 
 streams or parts of tiiem and subject to the tidal flow, the 
 rights of Seigniors extend to the water line, saving ail légal 
 servitudes and without préjudice to the spécial grants in na- 
 vigable rivers, above mentioned and referred to. 
 
 For the affirmative : LaFontaine, Bowen, Aylwin, Duval, 
 Caron, Day, Smith, Meredith, Short, Morin, Badgley. 
 
 For the négative 
 
 -Mondelet. 
 
 § 4. The mutation of beaches, between high and low 
 water mark, on the river St. Lawrence or in other navigable 
 rivers held by Seigniors undcr spécial grants as aforesaid, 
 and conceded by them, entitles Seigniors to tlie mutation fine 
 {lods et ventes) in the same cases in which it would hâve 
 accrued in other sales in the seigniories. 
 
70 rt 
 
 For flic îdlirmativ*' : — F/iFontainc, Howcn, Aylwin, Diival. 
 Cnri)ii, Diiy. Siiiilh, Mcreditli, Short, Morin, Badglcy. 
 
 For tlio negutivo : — MoncU'let. 
 
 Tta'iilii pf'ir/ith f/nrsfion.-WhnX wcro tlu- S<Mgniors righls, at 
 tlie samo poriod, ovor unnavigabh; rivors, riviilols and othor 
 riinning walcrs wliicli passcd tlirongli, or hordcrcd iipon 
 tlic lands of liis ccnsive, as well asover tlie laUes and ponds 
 situate wholly or in part therein? 
 
 Lru,'(d Propos// ion suhmittcd on hchnifof the Crou'n. — 28. 
 At tlie tiine of the passing of " The Seigniorial Act of 185 1," 
 the Seigniors were not proprietors of unnavigable rivers, ri- 
 vulets and otiier waters, /lowing throvigh, or by, the lands 
 given l)y tliem in concession, or of iakcs and ponds situatcd 
 wholly or in part therein. It iiiiist be held thaï the abso- 
 lute ownership of the rivers and olher unnavigable waters in- 
 tenlcd for coniiiion use belonged, properly speaking, to no 
 one individnal ; bu! that the riparian proprielors liad a right 
 to inake use of those waters, as tliey j)assed ihrough or by 
 their huîds, eitlier for driving niills, or for any otiier j)tirpose 
 williin tlu; sphère of their wants ; nevertlieless, the Seigniors 
 upon wlioiii the Deeree {Arrêt) of the 4th .lune, IGSG, had 
 iiiij)Osed the obligation of building niills, had a right to take, 
 evcn on coneeded land, an inifilacemcnt^ or building lot, of 
 not more than six arpents in superficies, and of rnaking use 
 of the waters conneeted witli it, for the banal or seigniorial 
 mill, aller having indemnified the Censitaire for the d;unages 
 resulling to him, frotn the loss of the land, and water povver. 
 
 Ansv'cr of the Court. — 28. § 1, lîy the grant of \\w. ficf 
 to the Seignior, lie becanie propri(>tor of the non-navigable 
 rivers, rivulets and otiier running waters wliich passed 
 tlirougli or were w-liolly or in })art witliin the fief; the saine 
 prineiple applicd to the property in siuli rivers, rivulets and 
 waters to the niiddle of the streani ; il is also in virtue of the 
 saine grant that lie became proprietor uf non-navigable' lakes 
 as well as of ponds. 
 
ïef 
 
 lie 
 
 iici 
 
 lie 
 les 
 
 71 a 
 
 For tho alfiniiniivo : — liii Fontaine, Howon, Aylwin, Diival, 
 13ay, Smith, Mcrcditli, Sliorl, Aîorin, Hadgicy. 
 
 For the négative : — Caron, Mondelet. 
 
 § 2. Tlic Soignior was |)ropri(^lor of tlicso wators in man- 
 ner aforosaid as bclonging to, and fonning a portion o*" tlio 
 fii'f\ nnioss thcy wcrc oxcliuh.'d hy ihc grant, suhject ncvcr- 
 theless to Irgal servitudes. 
 
 Fortlio alFinuativo : — LaFontaino, Rowon, Ayhvin, Dnval, 
 Day, Sinilli, Mereditli, Short, Morin, lîadglcy. 
 
 For the négative : — Caron, Mondelet. 
 
 Titrnlij vinth qucMion. — At the tiine of the cession of the 
 conntry, were the Seigniors of Canada the légal proprietors 
 of thèse waters anrl uniiavigahle rivers, or did tliey ])()sse>s 
 the riglit of inakiiig use of tlierii for indiistrial oï ollier pur- 
 poses, to the exclusion of the Ccndlaircs / 
 
 Lc'JCdl Prnposi/ions siihmilti'd ou helialf of (lie Cfou:)/. — 29. 
 After the time of the ecîssion of the eountry, the Seigniors 
 of Canada were not légal j)roprietors of the waters and 
 unnavigable rivers, llowing by, or through the lands of the 
 Censitaires^ nor did Ihey possess the riglit of niaking n-^ii of 
 theni for induslrial, or olher purposes, to the exclusion of the 
 Censitaires. 
 
 Anstf^cr of (lie Court. — 20. — ^ 1. At tho cession of tlie 
 eountry, the Seigniors of Canada were lawful proprietors as 
 aforesaid of thèse non-navigable and non-lloatable waters, 
 in whole or to the iiiiddh> of the strearn (/Hum nq?(fr)^ as the 
 case inight b(,> on llieir uiieoneeded lands and iiiiglit iiiake 
 use of tluMU for industrial and other piu'j)oses to tlie exclusion 
 of ail otiier persons. 
 
 Forilie alHrniative : — LaFonlaine, Bowen, Aylwin, Duval, 
 Caron, Day, Srnith, Meredith, Short, Morin, Badgley. 
 
 For the nei^ative : — Mondelet. 
 
72 a 
 
 § 2. The Subfcudatory or Tenant, Censitaire^ hy the subin- 
 fi'ud.'ition or acct'ni+c'nu'nt, bccairH; in the «aine ninnner pro- 
 prietor in wliole or to tlie inicJdle oi' tlu; struan), n ording 'o 
 tlic several cases mentioned, of thèse non-na\ ii". 'e and non- 
 (loatable waters which passed through, or w.'. . Lur<leied 
 ihe conceded land, unless they were specially exeluded by 
 the title ; the Tenant, grantee, concessionnaire^ beconiing pro- 
 prietor of them was also subjected to légal servitudes. 
 
 For the aflirmative : — LaFontaine, Bowen, Uuval, Day, 
 Smith, Meredith, Short, Morin, Uadgley. 
 
 For the négative : — Aylwin, Caron, Mondelet, 
 
 Thirticth question. — If this right then existed, from wbat 
 
 source was it derived ? was it a feudal right, or did it belong 
 
 to the class of rights designated as justiciœ, {doits dv jus- 
 tice) ? was it recognized by the Custorn of Paris, or was it 
 
 established by laws promulgated expressly for Canada ? 
 
 Légal Proposition submitted on behalf of the Croivn. — 30. 
 This right, as cluiined by the Seigniors, at that tiine, was an 
 abuse arising out of an illégal usurjjation, ami out of the 
 error by which feudal rights were confounded with that class 
 of rights designated as Justiciœ {droits de justice). The 
 High Judiciars were entrusted with a police jurisdiction 
 over unnavigable rivers, as one of the attributes of high 
 justicial authority {haute justice ;) thence they attributed to 
 themselves a right of property over those rivers, and illegally 
 claimed it, as a feudal right. The Custom of Paris did not 
 recognize this right, and it never was established by any 
 law promulgated specially for Canada. 
 
 Ansiver of the Court. — 30. When the right of property in 
 rivers, as above explaincd, was not governed by the grant, 
 it was not a right o( justiciœ {droits de justice :) it resulted 
 from the conveyance of, and foUowed the estatc granted ; 
 when the estate was conveyed in seigniory, the right became 
 seigniorial as being attached to the particular seigniory : it 
 
73 a 
 
 resulted froin tho gencrul laws of |)n)i)erty in force in thc 
 conntry, and not Ironi thc tcxï ol thc Custorn nf Paris, nor 
 Iroiii any law speciully proinulgatcd lor Canada. 
 
 For thc allirmative: — LaFontainc, liowfn, Aylwin, Duval, 
 Day, Sniilli, Merudilh, Short, Morin, Hadgley. 
 
 For thc négative : — Caron, Mondelet. 
 
 Thirty first question. — VVas the dominium {domaine) over 
 rivers and other unnavigahle waters incidcntal to the adminis- 
 tration of high justice [hauk justia), and eould it be claimed 
 by any Seigniors other than those who were entrusted with a 
 police jnrisdiction over such waters, and who j)erfornied the 
 duties of High Justieiars? If it were so, did those Seigniors 
 loae their dominium over the rivers, and their exclusive 
 right to those waters when, by tlie cession of the country, 
 the administration of justice bccame the exclusive attribute 
 of the Crown of England ? 
 
 Lcgal Proposition submitted on bchalf of the Crown. — 31. 
 According to the theory of tiiose who recognize in the Sei- 
 gniors the dominium {domaine) over rivers and other unna- 
 vigable waters — a theory rejected by C hampionnière and other 
 jurihtH, and oj)posed in the preceding articles — it nmst be 
 allowed that tliis alleged dominium was merely an accesso- 
 ry to the administration of high justice, which could not be 
 claimed by any Seigniors other than those who were cn- 
 trusted with a police jurisdiction over such waters, and who 
 performed the duties of High Justiciaries ; and in this hy- 
 polhesis, the dominium {domaine) over rivers, or the exclusive 
 right over thèse waters, was iost even to those Seigniors, 
 when, by the cession ofthe country, the administration of 
 justice became the exclusive attribute of the Crown of 
 England. 
 
 Ansiver ofthe Court. — 31. The answer to this (jucstion 
 will be found in the answer to the previous question. 
 
74 « 
 
 For tlio afTirmativo : — LaFontaino, lîowon, Aylwin, Duval, 
 Day, Smith, Mondel«>t, Mereclilli, Short, Morin, Badi,fley. 
 
 For (ho négative : — Caron. 
 
 IVurtij second question. — Oni^'ht tho proporty of thc Sei- 
 gniors in unnaviii;al)lo watery to be divided, like thc pro- 
 porty in tho soil, into tho dominum dir<clnm and tho domi- 
 iiiurn ntild And (;onhl this division oxist in any othor way 
 than by allowing oaoli Censitaire tho possiession and enjoy- 
 ment of thosc watcrs within the limits of hiy eoncession ? 
 
 Légal Proposition sitimitted on. hchnlf of Ihe Croim. — 33. 
 The proporty of Seigniors in unnavigable water« wus 
 divided, lilce tho proporty of tho soil, into the dominium 
 dircclnm and th»; dominium utilc^ acoording to tlio prinoiples 
 laid down in the articles I, 2, 3, 4, 5, G, 7, W, 9, 10; and 
 this division eould not exist, in any otlicr way, than by 
 allowini,^ to oaoh Ci nsifairr^ thc possostion and enjoyment 
 of thosc Avatcrs within tho limits of lus concession. 
 
 Atisrrer of thc Co?(rt.— 22.— § 1. The propi'rty of Scii^niors 
 in non-naviïï^able and non-lloatablowater<< was snsceptible of 
 division into the immédiate deme.sne and the usel'ul demesne 
 like the proporty in the soil. 
 
 For tho alljrniativo : — LaFontaine, Howen, Aylwin, 13uval, 
 Caron, Day, Smith, Merediih, Short, iMorin, liad:,dey. 
 
 For tho négative : — Mondelet. 
 
 § 2. Tho concession operating this division, eonveyod to 
 (ho Tenant {Ccnsifm'rv) tho possession and enjoyment of tlicse 
 WQters that were within tho limits of tho oonecssion. 
 
 For tho ailirmativo : — LaFontaine, liowon, Aylwin, I)n- 
 val, Caron, Day, Smith, ^Fercdith, Short, INforin, Madgley. 
 
 For iht; négative : — AJondelel. 
 
75 a 
 
 Thirtji third question. — At tlio time of thc passine^ of " Tho 
 Seii^niorial Ac-l of 1854 " liad llie Seii^niors in Caniula ihe 
 exclusive right of buildinii[ i^rist mills, and liad tliey the 
 rii^lit of dtnnanding ihe diMiiolition of ail niills of tliat kind 
 bnilt witliin llioir censives l)y otiier porsons ? 
 
 Lrgal Proposition sitbmitlrd on InJuilf of the Crown. — 33. 
 At llie time of tlie [)assini,' of " Tlic Seigniorial Aet of 185 1," 
 the Seigniors in Canada liad noi tli»' exclusive riglit of build- 
 ing grist inills,and liad not llie riglit of dcnianding the démo- 
 lition of ail luills, of ihut kiud, built withiu their censives, 
 by other persons. 
 
 Ansif'cr ofthc Court. — 33. — § 1 . Al ihc passing of " Thc Sci- 
 gniorial Act t)f 1851," Thc Scigniors, in Canada, \\\\o liad 
 crectcd grist niills, {moulins à farine) liad llic right of pre- 
 veiitin'' ail olliers froni building sueh luills witliin llic exlent 
 of tlicir Ixinolité. 
 
 Fortlic allirmalive : — La Fontaine, Howf^n, Aylwin, Duval, 
 Caron, Day, Smith, Mereditli, Short, INIorin, Hadglcy. 
 
 For the négative : — Mondelet. 
 
 § 2. Tliey also liad the right of demanding the domolitit)n 
 of ail milLs of that kind built witliin their een-sive by other 
 persons. 
 
 For the allirmalive : — La Fontain(% liowcn, Aylwin, Duval, 
 Caron, Day, Smith, Meredith, Short, Morin, Badgley. 
 
 For thc négative : — Mondelet. 
 
 Tliirlji l'ourtli (juistion. — Did tliesi; ri^hls extend lo ail sei- 
 gniorics ? if not, to what sei^niories did tliey (îxtend ' if the 
 Scigniors eoùld exereiflc thèse rights against their Censi 
 ta/res^ could they also demand th(; démolition of grist mills 
 built on lanfls the tenure of which liad Im-cu commuted into 
 franr-dlliit roturier, or into frceand common soccagc, witliin 
 the limits of their respective fiefs 7 
 
76 a 
 
 Légal Proposition submitted on behalf of the Crown. — 34. 
 Unlil tlie promulgation of the Decree {Arrêt) of the Council 
 of State of 4th June, 1686, it must be lield, lliat, inasmuch as 
 the 71st article of the Custom of Paris granted liie right of 
 banalité, only in cases when there was atitle, those Seigniors 
 only who had stipulated tiie obligation on the part of tlieir 
 Censitaires, of carrying their grain to the seigniorial mill, 
 liad the right of banalité ; it must also be held, that, since the 
 Decree (^rr^/s) of 4th June, 1686, ail Seigniors hâve the 
 right of banalité in virtue of that Decree ; but the Decree 
 {Arrêt), never attributed to Seigniors the property of unna- 
 vigable waters ; and consequently the right of prohibiting 
 the construction of ail mills on lands held en censive, en franc- 
 alleu, or in free and common soccage, within the limits of 
 their seigniories, never belonged to them. 
 
 Answer of the Court. — 34. — § 1. Thèse rights extended to 
 ail seigniories. 
 
 For the affirmative — La Fontaine, Bowen, Aylwin, Duval, 
 Caron, Day, Meredith, Short, Morin, Badgley. 
 
 For the ntjjative. — Smith, Mondelet. 
 
 § 2. The Seigniors could not demand the démolition of 
 grist mills built upon lands whose tenure had been com- 
 muted into that of franc-alleu roturier or that of free and com- 
 mon soccage within the limits of their respective fiefs. 
 
 For the affirmative : — LaFontaine, Bowen, Aylwin, Du- 
 val, Caron, Day, Smith, MeredUh, Short, Morin, Badgley. 
 
 For the négative : — Mondelet. 
 
 Thirtii fifth question. — If thèse rights existed, did thcy ex- 
 tend to mills of any other kind and to ail works propelled by 
 water ? ouglit they to be considered as incidental to the right 
 oi banalité ') had they their origin iii liie Custom of Paris or 
 in spécial laws ? 
 
77 a 
 
 Légal Proposition submitted on behnif of the Crown.Sb. 
 The right oî banalité cstablislied by tlie Decrce {Arrêt) oi 
 4th Juno, 168G, bclongs to the Soigniors of Canada, but il 
 does not give them the riglit of preventing the construction 
 of ail mills and other works propelled by wafer ; ihis pre- 
 tended righl is not incidental to the right o{ banalité, nor ie« if 
 recognized by the Custom of Paris, or sanclioned by any spé- 
 cial lavvs. 
 
 Answerofthe Cowy/.— 35.— Thèse rights did not extend to 
 other than grist mills, nor to any works, (usines,) of any kind : 
 they are coniprehended in and form a part of the law of /w- 
 nalité, and hâve their origin in the Civil Laws of France en 
 the subject. 
 
 For the affirmative :— LaFontaine, Bowen, Aylwin, Dn- 
 val, Caron, Day, Smith, Meredith, Short, Morin, Hadgiey. 
 For the négative : — Mondelet. 
 
 Thirtij sixlh question, — At the time ofthe passing of "Tlic 
 Seigniorial Act of 1854" what was the nature and extent ol 
 the right of banalité claimed by the Seigniors in Lower 
 Canada ? what was its origin ? was it a feudal ritrlit or did 
 it belong to that class of rights designated as/w.v//7m' {droits 
 de justice) ') was it recognizcd by the Custom of Paris ? was 
 it introduced into tliis Country, regulaled and defined by the 
 Decree (//rrt^/) of4t h June, 1686? to what obligations werc 
 the Seigniors, on one sidc, and the Censitaires, on the other, 
 subjected by this right ? 
 
 Légal Proposition submitted on behalfof the Crown.Sd. 
 At the time of the [)assing of " The Seigniorial Aet of 1854,'^ 
 the right o{ banalité in Canada, as established by the Deeree 
 {Arrêt) of 1686, imposcd upon Seigniors, the obligation of 
 building mills {mou/i?is banaux), and, upon Censitaires, the 
 duty ofcarrying their grain thcreto, to be ground. This rigl 
 dérives its origin from private stipulations contained 
 
 It 
 
 in t'on- 
 
 tracts 
 Canad 
 
 of concession, and from the Decrce {Arrêt) of 1686 ; in 
 a, it is neither a feudal right nor a right of the class 
 
78 rt 
 
 vJL'si<^nat«Hl HH justifia; {drnits de jvslicv)^ but a rii^lit sivcially 
 i'.stal)lisli('(l, re^Miluted and (UîTiikhI hy thi; Decn'o [Arrct] ol 
 llio 4tli .lune, IGHG, wliicli, tiMuling, as it docs, to restrict 
 tluî libcrty ol' tlie subjccl, iniist bc intnrpretcd in a h^tricf, 
 littéral and rigourou» sensc;, in relation to those wlio were to 
 beneiil by it. 
 
 Aiistnr of f/ir Court. — 30. — ^ 1. Attlio passini^of'Tlie Sei- 
 pniorial Aet of IH-yi," tlie ri^dit oi/nmaliti'^ iis eslablislied in 
 llie conntry, obliged Scii^niors, to biiild banal mills, ;ind 
 Tenants {Ciiisifaircs) to brin^ tlieir ij^rain to tlie niill to l»e 
 ground, wliieli was necessary l'or tlio sustenanec; ol' tlieir fa- 
 milies, whetlier tlie i^rain was raised or brouglit witliin tlie 
 extinit ol'tlie iHiiidlitc and ground ior tliat purptjse. 
 
 For tlie alîiinative : — LaFontaine, Howen, Aylwin, IJnval, 
 Caron, l)ay, Smith, Mereditli, Sliort, Morin, liadgley. 
 
 For llie négative ; — Mondt.'Iet. 
 
 § 2. Tliis riglit, wliieli was eonveiitional in the ()rigin,\\:is 
 afterwavds rcndered gênerai and obligulory upon ail Sei- 
 gniors and Tenants {Censitaires). 
 
 For tlie affirmative : — LaFontaine, Howen, Aylwin, Dn- 
 val, Caron, I3ay, Smith, Meredilh, Short, Morin, liadgley. 
 
 P'or the négative : — Rlondelel. 
 
 § 3. The Koyal Arrél of the 4th June, 1G8G, was the first 
 law wliieh rcndered iMUKifitc gênerai and obligatory iipcn 
 Seigniors and Tenants in Lower Canada. 
 
 For the allirmative: — LaFontaine, Howen, Aylwin, Uu- 
 val, Caron, Smith, Mereililh, Short, Morin, Hadgiey. 
 
 For the négative : — i)ay, Mondelct. 
 
 § 4. In this conntry, /j/ind/itc was l'cndal as being alliiclicd 
 to a fief. 
 
 For the allirmative : — LaFontaine^ Howen, Aylwin, Du- 
 val, Caron, Day, Smith, Mercdith, Short, Morin, Hudgley. 
 
 For the négative: — Mondelet. 
 
79 a 
 
 ^ 5. lianulité was only convenlional undor tiio Custoin 
 of Paris. Adopletl unaniiuousiy. 
 
 § 6. Scigniorn, wlio liatl no milU huiit al tlic passing ol 
 '' Tlii; Si'ii,'ni()rial Act ol" J851," liave no riglit, uudur tlie pro- 
 visions of tlii' said Act, to indcninity l'or hana/ilé. Adopted 
 unaniinously. 
 
 Tliirtii sevent/i qucslion. — VVliat was tlie jurisprudence fol- 
 lowed in Lower Canada, sinoe llie cession ol" die coiintry, 
 in ri'Iation to tlie varions riylits cthiiuied l)y Seigniors iu llie 
 waters whicii pass throui^li, or border upon, tlie lantls eoni- 
 priscd in tlieir resjjcetive censives ? 
 
 Tliirtji cii:/ilh question. — Was tliis jurisprudence based on 
 tlie will of tlie legislator, or on inuneniorial custom, and 
 ouglit it to he inainlained ? 
 
 Lc^'ul Proposi/ioH subinllltd on hvhalf of tlie Crojtn. — 37. 
 Al.liou^di several judgnienl.s favoral)l(! to llie prétentions of 
 die Scigidors, in tliis niailcrs, liav(,' heen pronounced, tliey 
 are not sucli as tlie law retiuires to e^it-ablisli a jurisprudence. 
 
 Lf^fi/ Proposition sninnittcd on helialf of tlic Croirn. — oS. 
 If sucli a jurisprudence exists, il is not based, eillier on tlie 
 Nvill of tlie legislator, or on iniiueinorial custoin, and sliould, 
 consequently, bt; set at nauglit. 
 
 Ansirer of tlie Conrt. — 37 and 3.S. 'l'here lias been no es- 
 lai)lislied jurisprudence; in J^twer Canada, sinee tlie cession, 
 in relatii'ti to tlie x\'A\\ in tlie walers, \vlii(;li pass tlirougli or 
 border iij)t)n tlie luad.-. Adopted unanimously. 
 
 T/iirtij lu'nth (juestion. — lu vr.rious deeds of concessioh of 
 lands helil en roture, covenanî-i are found tentling toestablisli, 
 in favor of the Seigniors, réservations siinilar or analogous 
 to tlie following, vi/.. : 
 
 I. A resorvatit)n of tituber for tlie building of tlie manor- 
 liouse, ndlls ind churclies, without indcninity. 
 
80 a 
 
 2. A rpscrvation of firc wood for the use of thc Seignior. 
 
 3. A réservation of ail marketable timber. 
 
 4. A réservation of ail mines, qnarries, sand, stone and 
 
 other materials of the same kind. 
 
 5. A réservation of ail rivers, rivulets and streains for ail 
 
 kinds of mills, works and manitfactures. 
 
 6. A revervation of the right of diverting the course of 
 
 streams, and of intersecting lands by channels, for 
 that purpose. 
 
 7. A réservation of the right of laking the land requisite for 
 
 ihe building of any kind ofmills or inanufacturcM, 
 with or without indemnity. 
 
 8. A réservation of indemnity for the value of the lands ol 
 
 the Ccmitaires required for ihe construction of rail- 
 roads. 
 
 9. A réservation of the right of chr-nging the place and 
 
 time of payment oi ûxa cens vl rentes and other sci- 
 gnioriai dues. 
 
 10. A réservation of the right of fishing and hunting on th(; 
 lands conceded. 
 
 Where thèse réservations, or any and which of ihem, 
 légal ly made, and (\<^ ihey give the Seigniors a right to be 
 indeiiinified for lli<« suj)pression ofthem to be eil'ected by 
 thc said Seigniorial Act? 
 
 Légal Vropodtion suhmiUed on behalf of the Croum.~39. 
 1. Cusiom secnis to hâve sanctioned the réservation ol 
 timber for the building of the manor-house, mills and 
 churche:;, without indemnity ; moreover, such réservations 
 were made for the gênerai good, and were calculated to 
 promote the colonisation and settlement of the country ; 
 
 2. The réservation of firc wood for the use of the Seignior 
 lias not received the same sanction, and is répugnant to fhc 
 prineiplc of the feudal contract, which gives tothe Oensitaire 
 Ihe cntire pr.; scrt^ oï ihe dominium utile {domaine utile) ; 
 thereforc, alî such réserva .-^.s are null, and cannot trive 
 rise to any indemnity ; 
 
[(> 
 
 l>r 
 
 lie 
 re 
 
 I 9 
 
 te 
 
 81 a 
 
 3. The samo thing miist he said of marketahlc timhor ; 
 
 4. Tlu! saino witli regard 1(. ilic rescrvalion of ail mines, 
 quarrics, sand, stone, and otlicr nuitcrials ol' ilic likc Kind, 
 oxrept tlic réservation of mines in favor of tlie Kind or 
 SNzrrain^ aecordini,' to tlie conditions set l'ortli in tlie orii;inal 
 q^rants of seii^niories and /ic/'s ; 
 
 5. Tlie saine witli rei^ard to tlio réservation of al! rivers, 
 rivulets, and streams for ail kinds of mills, works and ma- 
 nufactures, unicss tlie soil as weli as tlie waters liave Iteen 
 reserved ; 
 
 6. Tlie Seiii;nior coiild not lea^fdly réserve; tlie rii,dit of 
 divertinsf and direetinij, at liis will, tlie course of streams, 
 and of (Mittini^ canals tliroiigli tlie farms for tliat |»ur|)ose, 
 except for tlie use of seii,'niorial iiiills, {moulins hanaiix)^ and, 
 
 in every such case, lie was obli<^'ed to indcmnify tlie Censi- 
 taires ; 
 
 7. Tlie réservation oftluî x\^}\\ of takini,' tlie land re(|uisite 
 for tlie hiiildini,' ol'any kind of mills or maiiuficturcs, \vitli 
 or witlioiit indemnity, is niill and illégal, as eontrary to tlie 
 principle of tlie feudal contniet wliicli imjiorts ;in aliénation 
 enlire, and for evey, (/f tlie dominium vtilr [dumainc ulilt) ; 
 
 8. Tluî same tnast be said of tlie réservation of tlie indem- 
 nity l'or tlie value of tlie lands of tlio Crns/fairts nîciuired for 
 tl'.e construction ol railroads ; 
 
 9. Tlie payrnent of tlie cens et rentes and otlier seigniorial 
 
 lues, sliould be madi> at tlie seigniorial manor, or, a 
 
 tall 
 
 events, within tlie limits of tlie seigniory, and not (dsewliere; 
 
 10. 'l'Iie réservation of llie riglil of fisliing and liunling on 
 tlie lands coiUH'ded, is illégal and null, a-^ liaving a tcndcney 
 to dej)riv(! the ( ensitaire of a part of tlu; dominium ulitt {do- 
 maine utile) ; 
 
 None of tlie réservations deelared null and illégal in tlie 
 above enumeration, give to tlie Si'igniors a riglit to be indini- 
 nified for tlie suppression of lliem, in virlue of " Tlie Seignio- 
 rial Act of 1854." 
 
 :^Vx«i 
 
82 « 
 
 ÀHsirrr o/ flic Coftrf.—ÙO. § 1. Tlic ol)lii,'!ition fo conccdc 
 at a r< ///(' rhnrgc [à litre de rvdrvancrs^) imposcd ii|)iin Sri- 
 gniors, iimsf l»; iiiulerstoocl as Ixdni,' exclusive ni' ail reserves, 
 wliieli eiinnot bo coinpreliended w idnii tlie leriii dwvs {rede- 
 vances)^ aiul whieli wcre not ollierwisc midered |('<i;al. 
 
 For llie aninnativo: — LaFontaiuo, lioweii, C'aroii, Smilli, 
 Moiulelei, Short, Morin. 
 
 For llie iicifalive : — Aylwin, Diival, Day, Mereditli, 
 Badgiey. 
 
 § 2. Ail reserves iniisl lie lield to be lei^'al, tl 
 
 le ol)|e( 
 
 ■t of 
 
 wliieli was llie obli^'alioii iipoii tlie Tenant {('t tisi/u/rr) lo 
 allow tlie aee()Mi|)li.sliiiient hy tlie Seii,Miior, and tlie obser- 
 vance by liiinseir, on liis part, of tlie oblii,fati()ns of tliat 
 nature, stipulated by the Kiiiij; in llie ifraiil nf ilie //V/'. 
 
 For tlie alliriuative : — l.aFontaine, Howcn, Aviwin, l)u- 
 
 val, ( aron, Day, Sniitli, JMeredilli, Sliort, .Aloriii, Matli^ley: 
 
 For tlie nei,'ativ(; : — Mondelet. 
 
 § iJ. Tlie followini^ réservations, dr oïliers analo^j'oiis lo 
 tlicili, were illei^al, and do not l^ive lo llie Seiiniior a ril,'lil 
 to any indemnity by reason olllieir suppression : 
 
 Art. 1. A réservation (»!' lirewood l'or tlie use ol' iJie Sei- 
 
 gnior. 
 
 An. 2. A réservation of ail marketable tiiiiber. 
 
 Art. ;J. A resi'rvation of ail mines, (piarries, sand, stone 
 and ollier iii;iterials of llie saiiii; kind. 
 
 Art. 4. A réservation ofall rivers, riviilets and strcarns 
 for ail kinds of luills, works and iiianufacliires. 
 
 Art. 
 
 A réservation of tlie ri'dil of divertinir ;ind direct- 
 
 ins; the course of streams, and of intersccling laiids by 
 «•haniiels for lliat piirpose. 
 
 Art. 0. A réservation of llie rii^^lit of lakiii'jf the land re- 
 quisile lor llie bnildinj^ of any kind of iiiills or iiianulaclures, 
 witli or williout indemnity. 
 
83 
 
 a 
 
 For tlic aHiiiiiiitivc : — LaFonliiiiie, Uowcn, t'aron, Sinili 
 Moiulclfi, Sliort, Moiin. 
 
 For tlu; ncL'ativi' : — Avlwiii, Diival, Dav, Mcrrcli 
 
 Ml 
 
 ui 
 
 § 1. A réservation ol' iiidriiiniiy for llic value oftlie lands 
 ofllie (.'rnsitiiins^ reipiired for \\\v. conslnietioii of railroad'-, 
 is al.so ilk'i^al, aiul gives no riijlit to indciimity. 
 
 For tlie adinualive : — LaFontaine, Uowen, Caron, Duv;;', 
 Siiiilli, INIoiidelet, Sliort, .Morin, Hadi,dey. 
 
 For flie nei,'ative : — Ayiwin, Day, Mereclilli. 
 
 § ô. Ixescrvatinii ol' tlie ri^lit ol" cliani.MnL^ tlie place ;i'ul 
 lime of payinent ol" the cens it roilis and otlier M'ii^nioiial 
 dues, tlie Seiij;nior iiii^lit iiiaKe tlie réservation, provided tlie 
 place iiew ly iiidjcafed wa's witliin tlio limits oltlie seigniorv. 
 Adopted nnaninioiisly. 
 
 § 0. The réservation ol linilicr lor llie constriiclion <•! 
 eliurelies, williotil indeninity, and tlie réservation ol'tlie righf 
 oi" lisliin.'f and Imnting on llie laiuls coneetled, are ille;LMl 
 and 'j\\v rise to no indeninilv. 
 
 For tlir allirnialive : — Lai-'onl.iine 
 Mondelel, Sliort, Morin, Mad-dey. 
 
 lioveii, Caron, Siii! 
 
 For tlic ne-'ative : — Avlwin, Diival, Dav, .Mereditli 
 
 IIS 
 
 ■1- 
 >y 
 
 re- 
 
 § 7. 'l'Ile (piesiion heing put : — 
 
 Is tlie réservation ol liiuher lor tlie Imildin:^' ol' die iiian* r- 
 liouse and niiUs, witlioiil indeninity, leijal, niid does il gi.j 
 to tlie Seignior a riglit lo an intleninity lor its suppression 
 
 For tlie aHirinalive : — Bowen, Ayiwin, Diival, Day, Me- 
 reditli, liadgley. 
 
 For tlie négative : — FaForitaine, ('aron, Smith, Mondei<'. 
 Short, Morin. 
 
81 a 
 
 Forfiil/n/ucslion. — Arc any ollicr rocrviitions, wliich Uuvc 
 becn slij)ul;it«'(l in «Urdi* of eont'cssion, îmkI wc'm'Ii iin- not 
 rt'co^Mnzcil by tlic Custoiu of Paris, norliy iawf prornul/^'atrd 
 specially l'or tliÏM country, to lu; conxidcrcd l»'f,'al ? and liavr 
 StM<,'ni()r.s a rii,'hl to indnimity, hy rcason oftiic suppression 
 of sucli rej'ervution, or of any of ihcin. 
 
 Lercdl PwiH)sition suhnnttcd on hrhulf of Ihc Crown. — 40 
 It uuist b(' lii'ld, tliat ail llic réservai ions, .lipulalcd in tiu' 
 dt'od of concession, apart frt»ni lliosc >ti |(.i!li m ilic orij^inal 
 forants of tlic //V/', or rccogni/cd hy coiiiiiion law, or tliosc 
 sanulioncd i>y u^aij;»', sucli as tlic rcscrvatiDn of tiiubcr for 
 tlie building of tlK> nianor-liousc, inills and clnuclics, arc null 
 and illégal. 
 
 JnswcroJ Ihe Coifrt.—iO. Withoiit a spécification of llic 
 réservations to wliicli lliis (jucslion applies, tlie ansv^er to i» 
 inust be regulaled, for eacli parli(«dar case, iipon tlic Imsi» 
 cslablislied in d\e an.swei to llic preccding (juestion. 
 
 For tlie aHirniative :— LaFonlaine, Bowen, Caron, Siuilh, 
 Mondclet, Sliorl, Morin. 
 
 For llie négative : — Aylwin, Duval, Day, Mcredilli., 
 Hadgley. 
 
 Forfi/ first (juesfion. — [n sucli deeds tliero are also found 
 prnliibilions, made for tlie advantage of tlie Seignior, of the 
 iollowin^ kind, viz : 
 
 1. A piîiliibition lo build any kind of mills manufactures or 
 
 other Works (w.srwr.v), nioved by uater, wind or steam. 
 
 2. A prohibition to sell nvarketable tituber, to niake deals, 
 
 to grind grain, not subject to /xnia/ifé^ grown beyond 
 tlie ccnsivcy and intendcd for niarket. 
 
 3. A prohibition to use streain^ passing over, or bordering 
 
 upon, the lands of tho CcnsiUiires to propel niills, ma- 
 i\ufactures or other works (usiins). 
 
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 ;tun*s or 
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 e (Irais, 
 l)t'yon(l 
 
 H)rdoring 
 lills, ma- 
 
 Aro fli(>sp 1<>l,'m1 or not, niid dor-. ilic siippri-^^sion of iIrmm 
 giv(! tluî Sciiifniors a rii,'lif lo indi'iimily ^ 
 
 L'i^al Pni/insftiiiH snhniifhif on h/i/i/f' of tlir Cnwn. — H. 
 Pr()liil>ilit)ns of ilic rollowiiii,' kind sii|)nl;ilr(| for llic advun- 
 la<^<' of tli(i Sri^'iiior, vi/ : 1. A prohibition lo Imild any 
 kind (»f iiiills, inanida<:tiiri'.s or ollicr Works {iisi/ns), uiovt'd 
 by walt'r, wind or sU-'ani ; 
 
 2. A prohibition to s«dl innrkctablr timbor, lo mak*' <h'id«, 
 to i^rind tifrain, nof subjcct to hrinufité^ i,'ro\vn bcyond thc 
 ccnsivc, and inicndcd for markot ; 
 
 3. A prohibition to use slrcams passini,' by, or thronj^h, 
 îh'-' hinds of ihc (^tusifuircs, to proptd mills, nianufaclmcs or 
 othcr Works (m.v///m), an- '! légal ; and tho suppression of 
 them eannot give ihe S .ors a righl to indcninity. 
 
 Ausircr of (lie Court. — 11. — § I. W'iien j)rohibitions of 
 that kind ucrc iiiadt' for ihc protection of oliier légal sei- 
 gniorial righls, tliey luight b(! légal. 
 
 For tlie allinnfitive : — riaKoiitiiin<', Bowen, Ayiwin, \)n- 
 val, Caron, Day, Smith, INleredith, Short, Morin, Hiidgley. 
 
 For the négative : — Mondelet. 
 
 § 3. But their disappearanee, by the elleet of " The Sci- 
 gniorial Aet of l.S.')l," does not giv(; rise to any indeinnity, 
 becanse they were only aeeessory to a principal right, for 
 which the Seignior lias indeninity. — Adopted nnanitiiousîy. 
 
 fael 
 
 § 3. 1. TIk! prohibition to biiild any kind of mills, manu- 
 r otlier Works {usines), moved by water, wind or 
 
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 sleain. 
 
 P^'or ihe allirmalive : — J.aKontaine, Howen, Duval, Caron, 
 Smith, Mondelet, Short, iMorin, Hadgley. 
 
 For tl'e négative : — Ayiwin, Day, IMcreditli. 
 
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 2. The prohil)ilion to scll markctable timber, to makc 
 deals, to grind grain, not snbject to banalité., grown bcyond 
 the ccnsivn^ and iniended for markct. 
 
 For tlic affirmative : — LaFontaine, Bowen, Duval, Caron, 
 Smith, Mondelet, Short, Morin, Badgley. 
 
 For the négative : — Aylwin, Day, Meredith. 
 
 3. The prohibition to use sireams passing over or border- 
 ing upon the lands of the Censitaires., to propel mills, manu- 
 factures or other works {usines), were illégal, and do not 
 give rise to indemnity. 
 
 For the affirmative : — LaFontaine, Bowen, Duval, Caron, 
 Smith, Mondelet, Short, Morin, Badgley. 
 
 For the négative : — Aylwin, Day, Meredith. 
 
 Forty second question. — Are tlie covenants containcd in 
 certain deeds of concession, by which personal labour 
 {corvées) is im]30sed on the Censitaires for the advantage of 
 the Seigniors, légal ? and do they give the Seignior a right 
 to indemnity ? 
 
 Légal Proposition suhnntted on bchalf of the Croiim. — 42. 
 The covenants contained in certain deeds of concession, by 
 which personal labour {corvées) is iniposed on the Ctnsitaircs, 
 for the advantage of the Seigniors, are illégal, and give no 
 claim to the Seigniors for indemnity. In France, personal 
 labour {corvées) was the priée of ihe rédemption of mort main 
 [main-morte] ; tliis servitude not existing in Canada, the 
 covenant establishing personal labours {corvées) remained 
 without cause or considération, and is therefore null. More- 
 over the imposition of personal labour {corvées) was prohibit- 
 ed by a Decree {Arrêt) of the Intendant Hocquart, dated 
 22nd January, 1716. 
 
 Answer of the Court. — 42. The covenants contained in 
 some deeds of concession, imposing personal days labour 
 
87 a 
 
 (Jonruéfs de r.orvér) unon tlie Tenanls {Censitaires) for the 
 advantaof; of ilie Scigniors, are légal, and give rise to in- 
 dernnity. 
 
 Yox the alfirinative : — LaFonlaine, Bowen, Ayhvin, Du- 
 val, Caron, Day, Smith, Meredilli, Short, Morin, liadgley. 
 
 For the négative. — Mondelet. 
 
 Fortjj lliird qiieslion. — At the tinie of the passiiig of the 
 said Seigniorial Ael, eotild the Seignior legally deniand 
 lod'i et ventes upon the exehange of two lands, estirnated 
 of eqiial value [sans sonlte)^ the one situate wilhin his cen- 
 sive, and the olher held lu. franc alleu-roturier or in Iree and 
 common soecage, beyond the limits thereof ? 
 
 Légal Proposition suhmitted on hehalf of the Croirn. — 43. 
 At the lime of the passing of " The Seigniorial A(;t of 1854," 
 the Seignior could not legally demand lods et ventes upon 
 the exchange of two lands, eslimated of equal vaine [sans 
 soulte) the one situate within his censive, and the other held 
 in frane-alU'U roturier or in free and conmion soecage, 
 beyond the limits thereof. 
 
 Answer of the Court. — 43. At the time of the passing of 
 the Seigniorial Act, the Seigniors, subject to its o|)eralion, 
 could not lawfully demand the mutation fine [droits de lods 
 et vente.-i) upon the exehange, without soulte of land within 
 
 their seigniory ïox others held in frane-alleu rotuiiii\ or in 
 free and eonmion soecage, beyond their seigniory. — Adopted 
 unanimously. 
 
 Fonrlj) fouriJi question. — Wliat are the rights of the Crown, 
 the value of wliieh is to be deducted in the schedules to be 
 made under " The Seigniorial Act of 1854," from the price 
 to be p:ii(l i)y the CensiliiiresiQ\\\Q. Seigniors for the rédemp- 
 tion of the seii^niorial dues ? 
 
88 a 
 
 Lr^al Proposilion suhmitted on behalf of tlie Croivn. — 44. 
 In iIkj schedules to be made under " Tlie Scigniorial Act of 
 1854," the ri^hts of tlie Crown, the value of wliicli is to be 
 dcducted therein from the priée to be paidby tlie Censitaires 
 to tlie Seigniors for the rédemption of ihe seigniorial dues, 
 are the rights of qvint^ reqinnt and relief ; one year of the 
 average revenue accruing to the Crown from thèse rights, 
 thronghout Lower Canada, should be computed as repre- 
 senting the interest of a capital to be distributed among ail 
 seigniories according to their value ; the proportion attri- 
 buted to each seigniory will represent the rights of the 
 Crown therein, and will be put down in déduction of the 
 priée to be paid by the Censitaires as aforesaid. 
 
 Amicer of the Court.— Ai. The rights of the Crown, the 
 vaine of which is to be deducted in the schedules to be 
 made under " The Seigniorial Act of 1854," from the priée 
 to be paid by the Tenants {Censitaires) to the vSeigniors for 
 the rédemption of the seigniorial dues, are those of quint and 
 relirf\ in the cases in which they were due under the Cus- 
 tom of Paris, unless the lucrative rights of the Crown to be 
 deducted, should hâve been otherwise regulated by the par- 
 ticular grant of each seigniory, to which référence must be 
 had. But it is the duty of this Court to observe that, it has 
 not corne to the knowledge of this Court that the Crown has 
 ever exercised the right of relief., exeept that due under the 
 Custom of Vexin-le-Français, included within that of Paris, 
 by which some grants en fief are governed. 
 
 For the affirmative : — LaFontaine, Bowen, Duval, Caron, 
 Smith, Mondelet, Short, Morin. 
 
 For the négative : — Aylwin, Day, Meredith, Badgley. 
 
 Forty fifth question. — Ought the additional value given to 
 the unconceded lands by the abolition, ui.der the said Act, of 
 the obligation to concède them, to be ascertained and in- 
 serted in the said schedules in déduction of the said priée 
 of rédemption ? 
 
89 a 
 
 Lfrrnl Propnsili'on snbmitted on brhalf of the Croirn. — 45. 
 The iitiditional value given to the unconccded lands bv the 
 abolition, under the said Aot, of the obligation to concède 
 them, is to be ascertained and inserted in the said schedules 
 in déduction of the said priée of rédemption. 
 
 Avstrcr of t/ie Court. — 45. Wlienever by the abolition, 
 under the Seigniorial Act, of tiie obligation to subinfeudate 
 the lands, an additional value may be given by it to the iin- 
 conceded lands, that value must be ascertained and inscrt- 
 ed in the schedules, in déduction of the price of rédemp- 
 tion. 
 
 For the affirmative : — LaFontaine, Bowen, Duval, Caron, 
 Day, Smith, Mondelet, Meredith, Short, Morin, Budgley. 
 
 For the négative 
 
 -Aylwin. 
 
 Foriy sixlh qiipstion. — What are the rights, dues, duties, 
 réservations and prohibitions which are to be valued in 
 making up the whole price of rédemption of the seigniorial 
 rights contemplated by the said Seigniorial Act } 
 
 "^j 
 
 Ansv'er of th^ Court. — 46. They are the 'rights, dues, 
 duties, and réservations, the legallity whereol is acknowledg- 
 ed, and which are appréciable in rroney. — Adopted unani- 
 mously. 
 
90 a 
 
 If. 
 
 tlOIMKIl-OlJKSTlONS OF THE SKKiMOKS- 
 
 IN THE INSTANCE. 
 
 Upon ihe coni)tcr-(|nc8tiuns, snbmittcd on bohalTof llio Hono- 
 rable' John Pan^mnn, of ihe Pari^sli oC Si. If(>nri de Mas- 
 conclu", in iln; District of Montréal, o^qiiiir, Seii,nii()r and 
 proprietor in possession of tlie //>/ and seigniory of Lache- 
 naie, in tlii; District of Montréal, to wit : 
 
 First coiinlcr-(]i((stion.— A\ Xhc period oftlie introduction 
 into Canada oftlie Castomof Paris, (Co?/^/</>/t' c/c i-*«y7,v,) and 
 within the territory of that Custorn, what was the légal eflect 
 of the contract wbereby a Seignior, holding land en franc- 
 alleu noble grantcd therefrom en fief,— as to the division, bet- 
 ween hini and liis Vassal, of the propcrty ((/«?;/ft77/e) of the 
 land granted? — And did such contract subvide sueh jn'oper- 
 ty {domaine) betweenthe Vassal andany Siib-Vassals (.-irmVe 
 Vassaux) or Censitaires, to wliom he miglit thereafter makc 
 sub-grants, en fief or en censive, as the case might be ; or im- 
 port obligation on him to make such sub-grants, wliether en 
 fief or en censive ') 
 
 Légal Proposition submitled on hehalf of the Honorable 
 John Pangman. — 1. Such contract was liekl to divide the 
 property {domaiiir) in (piestion, between snc-li Seignior and 
 Vassal, into a domaine direct retained by the former, and 
 which consisted in the aggregate ofthe proprietary rights 
 reserved to him, — and a domaine utile granted to the lalter, 
 and which consisted in the aggregate of ail other proprietary 
 rights whatever, in the lands granted. 
 
 It could operate no sub-division of property {domaine) bet- 
 ween the Vassal and any future Sub-Vassals [Arrière Vas- 
 saux) or Censitaires. And it imported no obligation on tlie 
 Vassal to sub-grant, whether en fief or en censive. 
 
 
91 a 
 
 /h/s'urr of Ihe Co?trL—\.—§ 1. At tho poriod ol" tlie in- 
 troduction ol" tlic Custoni of Paris into Canada, and within 
 tlio tciritoiy of that Custom, tlie légal oirccl of tho conlract, 
 whorcby a pcrson, holding hinds en fnmc-allcn m,hlr^ irrant- 
 ed tluTofroni a part r/i//r/'or en eensîve, was tho saino as 
 above c'.\j)lained in tlie answcrs lo llio qtU'Hlions of tlic 
 Attorney General, as lo tlie division of tlie property between 
 the Nubie Alleulicr and his Vassal or Tenant (Censitaire), 
 between whom snch concession establislied seigniorial rela- 
 lions. — Ado[)ted unanimously. 
 
 § 2. Under the law of that Cnstom, at the period above 
 montioned, \hc Nohh Ai/entier wàf^ undcr no obligationto 
 alienate tho said lands. — Adopted unanimously. 
 
 Second connter-queslion.—M the same period, and Avilhin 
 Ihe same territory, what was the légal ellect of the contract, 
 whoreby a Seignior, holding land en fief anh-rrxixnWA lliorc- 
 from en fief, — as to the division, bctwocn hiniand his Vassal, 
 of the estate or property {domaine) or such Seignior in the 
 land so granted ? Wheroin, if at ail, did such division difler 
 from what wrought by the contract enquired of in thé pre- 
 ceding question ? And did it sub-divide the estate or pro- 
 perty [domaine) involved therein, between the Vassal and any 
 Sub-Vassals {Arrière Vassaux) or Censitaires, to whom he 
 might thereafter sub-grant ; or import obligation on the Vas- 
 sal, further to sub-grant, whedier en fief ox ccnsive '? 
 
 Le'^al Proposition suhmitted on behalf of the Honorable 
 John Pangrnan.~2. Such contract was held to operate a 
 like division of property {domaine), into what was called 
 a domaine direct of the Seignior, and a domaine utite of the 
 Vassal ; the distinction between this case and that inquired 
 of by the proceding question being, that the estate or pro- 
 perty {domaine) in this case diyided, was itself, in another 
 a'':id slricter sensé, only a domaine utile, being limited by 
 the reserved rights or domaine direct of the Seiijnior do- 
 
 -■' o 
 
 minant, — or, ifheagain hAd en fief, then by the reserved 
 
92 a 
 
 rjglils, in ascondini^ séries, of llie soveral Seif^niors tlirougli 
 wlioin tlie land granted might havc passed froiri tlie Seignior 
 suzerain. 
 
 The contraet hère incpiired of conld not sub-divide the 
 estate or property {domaine) involvcd therein, between the 
 Vassal and any future Sub-Vassals [Arrière Vassaux) or 
 Censitaires, and it iinported no obligation on the Vassal, 
 further to sub-grant, whetlier en fief or en censive. 
 
 Answerof the Court. — 2. Tins question has been answered 
 by the answers given to the questions of the Attorney Gene- 
 ral upon the same subjecl matter. — Adopted unanimously. 
 
 Third counter-question. — At the same period, and within 
 the same territory, what was the légal eff'ect of the contraet 
 whereby a Seignior holding land, whether en franc-allen noble 
 or en fief, granted or sub-granted therefrom en censive, — as to 
 the division between him and his Censitaire, of his property 
 [domaine) in the land sogi'anted or sub-granted ? And where- 
 in did such division di/l'er from that wrought Ijy the contraet 
 whereby such land might hâve been granted or sub-granted 
 enjiefi 
 
 Légal Proposition submitted on behalf of the Honorable 
 John Pangtnan. — 3. Such contraet was held to operate a like 
 
 division of property [domaine), into what was called a do- 
 viaine direct of the Seignior, and a domaine vlile of the 
 Censitaires. But the domaine utile of the Censitaire differed 
 from that of the Vassal, in this, that the estate or property 
 [domaine titile) of the Vassal, by reason of the seigneurie ho- 
 norifique forming part thereof, imported a capacity on his 
 part to sub-grant either en fief or en censive, while the estate 
 or property [domaine utile) of the Censitaire had in it noqua- 
 lity of seigneurie honorifique, and was therefore held to im- 
 port an incapacity on his part to sub-grant, either en fief ov 
 en censive. 
 
 Answer of the Court. — 3. This question has been answered 
 by the answers given to the questions of the Attorney Gene- 
 ral upon tlie same subject matter. — Adopted unanimously. 
 
03 a 
 
 Fourth covntcr-queUion. — At tlic same period, and williin 
 îhe sarne Icrritory, was a St'i<,mior lioldini» land en firf^ by 
 law proliibilfd l'roiii taking tnonoy or otlicr vainc as a con- 
 .■«idcration for any snb-grant wliirli lie mighl make, whethcr 
 m fiff or en censive, — or liiniled as to tlie ainonnt tliercof, 
 or as to lIiL' rcnts or ollier charges or bnrtliens wliicli lie rnight 
 impose on any land so to be sub-granted by liin ,, whetlier 
 p.n Juf oï en censivey by way of considération l'or s.ich sub- 
 granting? 
 
 Leg;al Prnposilion svhmilted on be.half of tlie Honorable 
 Julm Pangman. — 4. Such Seignior was not by law proliibited 
 l'rom taking money or otlier value as a considération for any 
 sub-grant wliicli lie niiglit make, whetlier en fief or en cen- 
 sive^ — nor yet lirniled as to tlie amount thereof, nor as to ihe 
 rents or otlier charges or burthens whieh lie rnight impose on 
 any land so to be sub-granted by hiin, whetlier en fief or en 
 censive, by way of considération for such sub-grant ? 
 
 Anstrcr of the Court. — 4. Tins question lias been an- 
 swered by the answers given to the questions of the Attorney 
 General upon the sarne subject malter. — Aopted unani- 
 mously. 
 
 Fifth counter question. — At the same pcriod, and within 
 the same territory, had a Seignior, holding land en fief., such 
 an estate or property {domaine) therein, as imported a ca- 
 pacily on his part, to alienate such land, in whole or part, 
 by sale or othorwise, on any terms as regarded price and 
 otherwise, and this, either with or without rétention to him- 
 self of a domaine direct therein ? And in whose favor, and 
 to what extent, if at ail, was the freedom of action of the 
 parties to any such aliénation in any wise liraited ? 
 
 Légal Proposition snbmitted on behalf of the Honorable 
 John Pangman. — 5. The estate or property {domaine) of 
 such Seignior in such land, imported a capacity on his part 
 to alienate such land in whole or part, by sale or otherwise, 
 on any terms as regarded price and otherwise, — and this, 
 
94 rt 
 
 eitluT willi or witlioiit rétention lo liiniscif of ii domaine di- 
 rect thoruin. No niillity îitlaclit'tl to sueh alit'viiition. Il", 
 inde(!cl, lie so alienatcd, witlioiU rétention of any domaine 
 direct^ or il'(\vlietlier witli or witlioiit sneli rétention) lie so 
 alienated beyond the liniit of tlie two-tliirds of liis /fV/, his 
 Seignior dominant liad tlie rii,dit, inhérent in and fcinning 
 part, so to speak, of the domaine direct of sueh Seignior 
 dominant) either to take the actpiiring party as a Vassal of 
 his own, and exact any aecruing feudal dues on the niu- 
 tatiff ^ , else to ignore tluv transaction and deal witli the 
 /rV/ thereafter as tliongh the sarnc; had never taken place. 
 But, provided the Seignior alienating rei,;incd a domaine 
 direct, liowcver tri/Iing in value, autl liad not alienated in 
 ail more than the two-thirds of his fief, evcn tliis right of his 
 Seignior ^A'w///fl/// did not aecrne, to liniit in any nieasiin! 
 the IVeedoiii of action of the contracting parties. And no 
 olher party could interfère at ail, to liniit such freedoni. 
 
 Ansircr of the. Court. — 5. This cpiestion has bccn answered 
 by \\\v. answers given to the cpie^tions of the Attorney General 
 nj)on the saine siihject matter. — Adopted nnaniinonsly. 
 
 Sixlh coinitcr question. — Before the enregistration (on the 
 12tli day of Decerriber, 1712,) by the Constit ^iijiérieiir de 
 Quélnc, of the two J/Tc'Av of the King of France, rendered 
 mh\s Conseit (PEtat and bearing date at Marly of the 6th 
 dayofJuly, 1711, the one intituled '■'' Arrêt dti Roi qui or- 
 " doiDie que frs terres, dont tes concessions ont été faites, soient 
 " mises en enitiire et occn/iées par des lialntants,'''' and the 
 other intitided " Arrêt du Roi qui déchoit les halntants de la 
 '"'■ propriété des terres qui leur auront été concédées, s'' il s ne 
 " les mettent en vaUmr, en y tenant feu cl lieu, dans un an et 
 ^^ jour de la publication du dit Arrêt du 6e Juillet, 1711," t)eing 
 the Arrêts comnionly known as the Arrêts of Marly, did the 
 eontracl whereby a Seignior acqiiired land en ftef, accord ing 
 to the law of Canada as then in force, operate any subdi- 
 vision of the estate or property [domaine) thereby granted, 
 between him and any Vassals or Censitaires, to wliom he 
 
95 « 
 
 la 
 ne 
 et 
 
 miglit tlicrciiricr \\v,\ko suh-ji^rnnls <n /lif or r'n iriisiv(\ as thc 
 ca8(; itii^'lil lu', — or im|)c)it obligation on liis ])nrl lo iiinkc siil)- 
 grants, m fiif or en crNsivr^ or to dispos of siidi laml, in 
 wholc or pari, to tliird parties, on any particiilar tenus, — or 
 leavc liini Icss IVee tlian lu; would liavi; Ix-cn in France, un- 
 dcr tilt; Custoin of Paris, {Conlume ilr Paris,) at tlie titne 
 of ils introduction into Canada, as loncliini,' llie aliénation 
 of siicli lanfl, in wliole or part, by sale or otiierwise, as lie 
 HJiould sec lit ? Ifso, wlieii, by wliat Ael or Aets of Ici^'is- 
 lative aulliority, in wliat ternis, îuhI to wlial extent, liad tlie 
 law, as il lonnerly obtained in l'ranee under tlie Custoin of 
 Paris {(U)iilinni' dr Paris,) been in any of lliese i)arliculars 
 derogated Iroiu or altered? 
 
 LciXdl Préposition siibmitlrd on hrlidl/of flir JTonorahU 
 John PaHisman. — G. Jîefore ihe enregistration of tlie Arrè/s 
 in question, tlie eontract wliendjy a SeiLjiiior acîqiiired land 
 rnJi(/\ did, not, according to tlio law of Canada as tlien in 
 force, (Mtlier operate any sub-division of tlie estate or proper- 
 ty {ilonidini) tliereby grantcd, betwecn liiin and any Vassals 
 or Ccn^ititircs to wliom hc rniglit tliereafler tnalvc sub-granls 
 en fief ov en cei/sice, — or iniport obligation on Iiis part to make 
 snb-grants m fief or en censivc, or lo dispose of siieli land, in 
 wliole or pari, lo lliird parties, on any parlicnlar terni, — or 
 leavc liiiii less free llian lie would hâve been in France, un- 
 der tlie Custom of Paris (Coutume de Paris,) al tlie tiine of 
 ils introduction inlo Canada, as toucliing tlie aliénation of 
 such land, in wliole or pari, by sale or otiierwise, as lie 
 should see fit. 
 
 Ansiaer of tlie Court, — 6. — § 1. The concession en fief 
 neither before nor aftcr ihe enregislralion of llie Arrêt of 
 Marly, did nol operale a division of ihe estate, between Sei- 
 gnior and Vassal or Tenant [Censitaire), of wliat niight be 
 aflerwards sub-granted to either, but thc division was eflected 
 by thc &ubse([ucnl dced of subinfeudation or avcensemcnt. — 
 Adopted unanirnously. 
 
 hc 
 
96 a 
 
 § 2. Tlic otiior j)()rtions of tliis question liavo hcrn an- 
 swcn'd l)y tlic nnswcrs givcn lo tlio <|Ut'j*tionM of tlu' Al- 
 lorncy Gint-rul upon llie Mubjt'ct iimttor. — Acloplrd unîa>i- 
 nioiisly. 
 
 Si'vcntli ron/ttcr f/vculion. — Vroiu tlic; liiim ofllio cnrcgis- 
 tralion of llu; saitl Arrdtx, to tliat of tlie Cesfsion of Canada to 
 tlir li^ili^ll Crown, coidd ('(rcct liavc Ihmmi givcn, acitording 
 to law, to so iiiiicli ol' tlu^ firsl of tlic naid Arrrts as purported, 
 aftcr cnjoining conci'ssion by Scifj^niors to hdhitduts^ " â 
 titre dr ridcvdticvs^ vt s/ins cxi'^tr tPcNx aucioif somme (l\iri:!;ent 
 pour rdison des dites concessions,^'' to [)rovid(; against tlie case 
 of siicli conccsHion bt'ing rcfused. — as against any Scigiiior, 
 eitlicr liolding en franc-dlleii noble, or holding en fief, undcr 
 or tliroiigli a title wliereby tlie Crown sliould not liavo cx- 
 pressly iniposcd thut obligation, as a condition of its original 
 grant ? 
 
 Lrii;al Proposition snhmi/fed on hclud/ of the Ilonorahlc 
 John Pun'^mun. — 7. 'l'iirough tlie period in question, l'/lect 
 could not liave been given, according to law, to so uiucli of 
 the said Arrêts as jjurported, aller enjoining concession by 
 Seigniors to liahitunts, " à titre de redevances, et sans exiger 
 d'yeux aucune somme dhirgcnt pour raison des dites concessions,''^ 
 to provide against the case of such concession being refused, 
 — as against the Seignior, eilher holding e////-rt/2t'-a//''W- woWc, 
 or holding en //>^,under or through a title whereby the Crown 
 should not hâve exprcssly imposed that obligation, as a con- 
 dition of its original grant. 
 
 Ansuwr of the Conrt. — 7. This question lias been an- 
 swered by the answers given to the questions of the Attorney 
 General upon the same subject matter. — Adopted unani- 
 mously. 
 
 Eighth connter-queslion. — Before the enregistration (on the 
 4th duy of S(;pteniber, 1732), by the Conseil Supérieur de 
 Québec, of the Arrêt of the King of France, rendered in his 
 Conseil WEtat and bearing date at Versailles of the 15thday 
 
î) 
 
 97 a 
 
 of Marc-li, 173:2, w liicli piir|)(»rti'(l lo ditcfi tlic «'iiforcftiK'nt ni 
 tlic s;ii(l t\vt> An-rls (»l Mmly, mikI Io iiltiicli to llic snli* «»!' 
 Avild latids (/rrrrs m Ifois ili hoiil) ilic |)ci);illics ot" imllily ol 
 iht! cotilriict of Mille, ol" rt-stilnlinn d' tlir piict-, îitid <tl' rr-union 
 ilr /)/(/)/() ('/rp/rîn (It't)if) iA' >\\r\i l;ind lo llic Crowii domain, 
 did llu- law of Canada, as ihcii in l'orcc, proliihit sncli saN; ol 
 wild lands [lirrcscn /lois </r ho/if^) on*u\)']vv\ llic parties Uierelo 
 to sii(di |)cMalti<'s or lo aiiy di-serlptiitii ol' penalty wliatever? 
 
 Lf'ij^/il Pro/KisitidU snhmitliil on hrlialf of iJir Ilonorahh 
 John Pan!!:ni(in. — M. Before tlieciire^istration ol'tlie Ari'rl liero 
 in (|ii('stion, llie law ol' Canada did not proliibil tlie sale ol' 
 wild lands, {/irrrs ru l)oi\ <lfhont^) or snl)je<'t tlie parties lliereto 
 to any {|eseri|)lion ol'penalty wliatever. 
 
 Ansirrr of tlic Coitrt. — S. Tins (pieslion lias heen nnsworod 
 l)y tlie answersi,'iven to tlie (luest ions oli lie Atlorney Cieneral 
 npon tlie surne snhject niatter. — Adopted unaniniously. 
 
 Ninlh conHlvr-quv.^lion. — Did tlie said Arrêt of tlie ycar 
 1732, purport to rnakc, or in l'actt mak(î any distinction, het- 
 wcen tlie case of tlie sale ol" wild h\iu\s [Icrrf s en /M)istlc /jottf) 
 by a proj)rietor holding r////<7", and tliat oCsueli sale by a pro- 
 prielor holding en censivc, — or betwei'n eitlier of thèse cases, 
 and that of sueh sale by a pro))rietor holding en franc-alleu ? 
 
 Lc^al Proposition Kidmittrd on Inhalf of tlic Honorable 
 John Pangman, — 9. The said Arrct of thcyt^ar 1732, dit not. 
 purport to inake, and in fact did not make any distinction, 
 betvveen the case of the sale of wild lands (ferres en f/uis (h- 
 hoiit) by a proprietor holding cw //r/, and that ofsuch sale by 
 a proprietor holding en ccnsive, — not yet betwecn either 
 of thèse cases, and that of sucli sale by a proprietor holding 
 en franc-alleu. 
 
 Ansirerofthc Coiirt.--0.~§ 1. Tlu; last Arrct dit nol 
 make, nor did it purport to niakc any distinction in the sale 
 of wild lands (terres en bois debout) betwecn a proprietor 
 holding en f/cf and a proprietor holding en ccnsive. — Adopted 
 unanimouiî.j. 
 
98 
 
 a 
 
 § 2. It did not makc nor purjjort to make any distinction 
 l'or the lands held etifranc-aUcw. — AdojDted unanimously. 
 
 Tenth counicr-queslîon. — From the time of tlie enregistra- 
 tion of the said Arrêt of the year 1732, to that of the cession 
 of Canada to the British Crown, could eflect hâve been 
 given according to law, to so rnuch thereof as ])virported to 
 attach to the sale of wild lands {terres en bois delxnd) llie pe- 
 nalties of nullily of the contract of sale, of restitution ofthc 
 price, and of re-union de piano {de plein droit) of such land» 
 lo the Crown domain, — as against the vendor and vendee of 
 any wild land [terre en bois deboui) holden en fraiic-nlle?(, or 
 of any wild land (terre en bois debout) holden either en fief 
 or f« crwsn'P, iinder or ihrongh a tille whereby tlie Crown 
 should not hâve expressly prohibited such sale under such 
 penalties, as a condition of ils original grant thereof ? 
 
 Légal Proposition submitted on behalf of tlie Honorable 
 John Pangman. — 10. Through the period in ouestion, eflect 
 could not hâve been given, according to law, to so much of 
 the said Arrêt as attached to the sale of wild lands [terres en 
 bois debout) the penalties of nullity ofthe contract of sale,of 
 restitution of the price, and of re-union de piano [de plein 
 droit) of such lands to the Crown domain, — as against the 
 vender or vendee of any wild land [terres en bois de bout) 
 holden en franc-alleu, or of any wild land [terre en bois de- 
 bout,) holden either en fief ox en censive, under or through a 
 title whereby the Crown should not hâve expressly prohibit- 
 ed such sale under such penalties, as a condition of its ori- 
 ginal grant thereof. 
 
 Ansiver of the Crown. — 10. From the enregistration of the 
 Arrêt of 1732 to the cession of the country, effect might hâve 
 been given to its provisons, which attached the penaity of 
 nullity, that of restitution of the price and re-union to the 
 Crown demesne, to sales of wild IdiUÛs [terres en bois debout) 
 held either en franc-alleu or en fief, or en censive, under any 
 title wdiatsoever, even if the prohibition had not been spe- 
 cially imposed in the original grant.— Adopted unanimously. 
 
 
99 a 
 
 Elevcnth coiintcr-qnestîon. — Frora the tiinc of ihc cession 
 of Canada to the British Crown, to tliat of the passing of 
 " The Seigniorial Act of 1854," could eli'ect hâve been given 
 in Canada, according to law, as against any Seignior or class 
 of Seigniors whatever, to so much of the said first Arrêt of 
 Marly, as purported to requive concession by a Seignior to any 
 liahilanh^ of any land in liis seigniory, "^/ liire de redevances., 
 et sans exiv^-er d'yeux aueuue somme d'' argent^'''' under pain, as 
 thereby tlireatened, as having such land conceded for account 
 of tlie domain of the Crown ? 
 
 Légal Proposition submilled on bchalf of the Honorable 
 John Pnrigman. — 11, Througli the period in question, effect 
 could not liave been given, according to law, as against any 
 Seignior or class of Seigniors whatever, to so much of the 
 said Arrêta as pur|)ortcd to require concession by a Seignior 
 to any habitants, of any land in his seigniory, " à titre de 
 redevances, et sans exiger d^eiix aucune somme d'' argent,'''' under 
 pain, as thereby threatened, as having such land conceded 
 for account of the domain of the Crown. 
 
 Ansiccr of the Court. — 11. Tlie question has been an- 
 swercd by the answers to the questions of the Attorney 
 General. 
 
 For the affirmative : — La Fontaine, Duval, Caron, Day, 
 Smith, Mondelet, Meredith, Short, Morin. 
 
 For the négative 
 
 -Bowcn, Aylwin, Badgley. 
 
 Twelfth counter-question. — From the time of such cession 
 to that of the passing of the said Aet, could effect hâve been 
 given in Canada, according to law, as against the vendor or 
 vendee of any wild land, {terre en bois debout,) by whatever 
 tenure holden, or on whatever terms first granted by the 
 Crown, — to so much of the said Arrêt of the year 1732, as 
 purported to prohibit the sale of wild lands, {terres en bois de- 
 bout,) under pain of nullity of the contract of sale, of restitu- 
 tion of the price, and of re-union de piano {de plein droit,) of 
 such lands to the Crown domain ? 
 
100 « 
 
 Lrj,al Proposition ftithmiUrd on hcJiaif of Ihe Iloriorahle 
 John Panii-man. — 12. Tlirough the pcriod licro in (]ucsliun; 
 ofïect could not liavc; becn givcn in Canada, accord ing to 
 law, as against ihe v(;ndor or vcndec ofanywild land,(/rr/T 
 en bois (Irhoid^) by whatever tcniire lioldcn, or on wlialcver 
 Icrms tirsl. granlcd by the Crown, — to so inucli ol' tlic ^\û6 
 Arrêt ol' the year 1732, as ])ur])or1cd to prohibil ihe siilc ol' 
 wild lands {terres en bois debovt^) vindcr j)ain oJ' nidlily oCthe 
 conlract of sale, ol" restitution of ihc priée, and of rounion 
 de ])la>io [de plein droit) of such lands, to the Crown domain. 
 Ansivcr of tlie Court. — 12. This question appliesto a con- 
 lract not in ils nature seigniorial, and canonly intcrest indivi- 
 duals as such ; ail contestations arising ont of such a con- 
 r.ict, mnst bc submitted to the ordinary tribunals ; sliould 
 s'^eli contestation be ])ending, the o})inion of this Court 
 would j)rt'iudge the question to ihe injury to oneorthe otlicr 
 pariv ; ihis Court abstains, therefore, from the expression of 
 au answer to ihis {jucslion. — Adopicd unaniuiously: 
 
 Thirttenlli counter-qncslion. — Wilhout préjudice to the gê- 
 nerai décisions in the pending rnatter to be rendered, will 
 it not be riglit of every Seignior to invoke, — as well be- 
 fore any Coniraissioner or Coniniissioners nanied under the 
 said Act, and acting for his seigniory, whether in the first 
 resort, or in revision of the schedule thereof, as before any 
 experts who may be named under the said Act tluM'cfor, or 
 before any Court of law or tlie Judges of any Court of law 
 having to décide any matter involving question as to such 
 schedule, or asto the rightsofsuch Seignior in the preniises, — 
 the ternis of the original grant or title under or tlirough which 
 his seigniory is holden, whether emanating niedialely or 
 immediately from tlie Crown of France or from the British 
 Crown, — the. ténor of any civeiixet dénomlrrcrncnts rendered by 
 him or any of his an leurs, — the ténor of any actes de foi et 
 hommaix^e, and of any Crown acquittances for quint or feudal 
 dues generally, granted to him or any of anch auteurs, — and 
 the cliaracter and terrn, longer or shorter, as may be, of his 
 and their possession or enjoyment of any rights or claims 
 
101 a 
 
 wliicli niay be in qucslion, — and tliis, as well a vinw to 
 tlie mattor ol" ihe ascertainini^ and aj^portioninii^ of llio 
 casnal ri,'j[hts ()(' ilie Crown in relation to liis sei<,niiory, as 
 for any otlier purposeslbr wliich the same niay rctpiiic tobe 
 inv()k(-d, in ordcrto tlio maintenance ot' liis riylils, or llie es- 
 ta])lishment of the value thereof? And will it be compétent to 
 sneh Commissioner or Commissioners, wlietlieraetinir in the 
 rst re.sort, or inrevjsion ot any schedule, to rejeel any ïsueh 
 title or matter of évidence ])ertincntiy invoked to sueli end? 
 
 Lpgrd Proposlllon siihmitlcd on behalf of Ihe Ilonoralle 
 John Pangman. — 13. It will be the right of cvery Seignior 
 to invoke, — as well before any Commissioner or Commis- 
 sioners nained und<>r the said Act, and acting for lus sei- 
 gniory, whether in the first resort, crin revision of the sche- 
 dule thereof as before any experts who may be named 
 under the said Act therefor, or before any Court of law 
 having to décide any matter involving question as to such 
 schedule, or as tothe rights of such Seignior in the j)re- 
 miscs, — the terrns of the original grant or title under or 
 throngh \\Aùv\\ his seigniory is holden, whethiT emanating 
 mcdi:!tcly or immediately from the Crown of France or from 
 the British Crown, — ihe ténor of nay aveux el (lénomhr'iiirnts 
 rendered by liini or any of his aideurs^ — the ténor of any 
 rrdi's de foi d /i()miii(/<.';e^ and of any Crown acciiiillanees (br 
 ^/f'f/// or fcMulul dues generally, granted to him or any of 
 such ri/de/ns, — and the character and terni, longer or shorter 
 (as may be) of his and their possession or enjoyuKMit of any 
 rights or claims whicli nr\y be in question,— and tliis, as 
 well with a view to the matter of the ascertaining and ap- 
 portioning of the casual rights of the Crown in relation to 
 his seigniory, as for any olher purposes lor which the same 
 may require tobe involv-ed, in order 1o the maintenance of 
 his rights, or the establishment of the value thereof. It will 
 not be compétent to sucii Commissioner or Commissioners, 
 wliL'ther aciing in the lirsl resort, or in revision of any 
 schedule, to reject any such title or uiatter of évidence 
 pertinently invoked to such end. 
 
102 a 
 
 Answer of lit e Court.— 13.— § 1. Seigniors will Ijavc tlio 
 right to invoke, for ail légal purposes, before tlie Commis- 
 sioners actingin virtue ol" thc Seigniorial Act, whetlior in 
 the first resort or in the revision of the .scliedules, as well as 
 before ihe experts and before Courts of law having jurisdic- 
 tion over and cognizance of the matter, saisis du sujet, the 
 ternis ofthe original grant by wliich they hold tlieir sei- 
 gniories, whether the grants hâve proceeded from the Crown 
 of France or the British Crown— Adopted unanimously. 
 
 § 2. With référence to the ténor of the aveux et dénom- 
 brements, and of the acfs of fealty and hommage, and of 
 the Crown acquittances for guifit or other dues granted to 
 them or their predecessors (ardeurs), the samc légal effect 
 must be given to them in relation to the obligation of the 
 Seigniors to the Crown, according to the circumstances 
 of each case ; but they cannot affect the relative position of 
 Seigniors and Tenanis (Censitaires), because llie aveux et dé- 
 nombrements, acts of fealty and hommage, and acquittances of 
 other ducs, only hâve légal eflcct between the Seignior 
 dominant and the Vassal, as executed between them, and do 
 not aflect others nol parties to them. — Adopted unani- 
 mously. 
 
 § 3. The character and terms of the possession and en- 
 joyraent of any rights, eilher between the Seigniors and the 
 Crown, or the Seigniors and any Tenants (Censitaires,) in so 
 far as that possession and enjoyment may hâve a known 
 légal ellect, whith a view to the seigniorial law, and the 
 présent décisions of this Court in particular, may also be 
 taken into considération. — Adopted unanimously. 
 
 § 4. The Commissioners may order the adduction of any 
 évidence which they may require, to enable them to adjuge 
 correctly in ail cases, this Court cannot be calleduponto 
 lay down in its décisions ail the rulcs applicable to the ad- 
 missibility and appréciation of évidence : the application of 
 the rules enunciated in thisanswer ave subject,neverlheless, 
 in ail cases, to the observance of the décisions of this Court. 
 — Adopted unanimously. 
 
103 a 
 III. 
 
 COUNTER-Ori ETIONS OF 1\W. SKIGMORS. 
 
 IN THF, INSTANCE. 
 
 Upon the counler-qucstions, snbmitted on bclialf of Sir Ed- 
 mund Filmer, of East Sullon Place, in the county of 
 Kent, Baronet, Memberof the Impérial Pari iament, David 
 Arthur Monro, a Major in Her Majesty's Twelfth Régiment 
 of Lancers, and William WoodroofTe, of London, Gentle- 
 man, Seigniors in possession of the seigniory of Cham- 
 plain, in the district of Three Rivers, to wit : 
 
 First counter-qucHlion . — Wlielher the Arrêt of the King of 
 France, dated the Gth July, 1711, commonly called the 
 Arrêt of Marly, the preamble of which expressly refers to 
 the intentions of His Majcsly, and to clauses alleged to be 
 inserted in grants of seigniories, whcreby Seigniors are said 
 to be only permitted to concède lands for an annual rent (à 
 titre de redevances) and the Arrêt o( ihe 15th March, 1732, 
 to give elfect to the former Arrêt, can, by any rnle of légal 
 construction, be made to apply, in so far as their provisions 
 purport to provide for enforcing such concession, to sei- 
 gniories granted by the King, in the grants whereof such 
 intentions of His Majesty are not ex)M-esscd nor such con- 
 ditions inserted, — and more espoeially if such seigniories 
 were granted in considération of and as a reward for ser- 
 vices rendered to the Crown ; — or whether tliose Arrêts (if 
 in force in any case) ouglit not to be restrii ted, as regards 
 such provisions, to seigniories in the grants of whieh s'^ch 
 intentions as aforesaid are exprcssed and such conditions 
 inserted ? 
 
 Lcgal Proposition submillcd ou hchalf of Sir Edmund 
 Filmer et al. — 1. The said Arrêts (if in force in any case) 
 
104 a 
 
 (■fin only n])|)ly, as regards tlit; j^rovisions in question, to 
 seigniorics in Ihe granl.s of \vlii(;li such intentions as afore- 
 said wcre expresscd or sueh conditions inserted. 
 
 Ansurr of thc Court. — 1. Tliis question lias been ans- 
 wered by tlie answers to tlie (jueslions of tlie Attorney Ge- 
 neral on tlie sanie subject matter. 
 
 For thc allirmative : — La Fontaine, Bowcn, Duval, Caron, 
 Day, Smith, Mondelet, Mereditli, Short, Morin, Badgley. 
 For the négative : — Ayiwin. 
 
 Second countcr-qncstion. — Whether the provisions of the 
 said Arrêts which make it accessary that the Governor and 
 Lieutenant General, (an ollicer representing tlie person of the 
 King of France, but unconnected with the administration of 
 justice in civil matters in the Courts of original jurisdiction), 
 should concur witli the Intendant, wlio had power to décide 
 alone in civil matters {déjuger souverainement seul en matières 
 civiles)., in any sentence inliieling upon a Seignior the for- 
 feiture of his lands for contravention of the Arrêts by refusai 
 to concède, do not clearly shew that tliese Arrêts, were of a 
 discretionary and administrative rather than of a judicial 
 character ; and whellier any discretionary or administrative 
 power, thereby vestcd in the Governor and Lieulenaut Ge- 
 neral, could, after the conquest, be conlinucîd in, or cxercised 
 by any Judge, ollicer or functionary, except by express 
 délégation from the British Crown ? 
 
 Lcgal Propositio)i submitted on bchalf of Sir Edmund 
 Filmer et al.~2. The said provisions (if not purely pénal) 
 were of an administrative character ; the powers conferred 
 by them were administrative and discretionary, and could 
 not be continued after the conquest, except by express délé- 
 gation from the British Crown. 
 
 Answcr of the Court. — 2. This question lias been answered 
 by the answers to the questions of tlie Attorney General on 
 tliesanie subject matter. 
 
ile- 
 
 105 a 
 
 For llic nfllniKitivc : — LaFontriinn, Bowcn, Duval, Caron, 
 Day, Smith, Moiidclct, Mcrcdith, Short, Morin. 
 
 For tho ncgative : — Aylwin, Badgley. 
 
 Third conntcr-(pieslion. — Whether those Arrêts and the 
 torfciturc ot' hinds imposed as a penalty for such contraven- 
 tion, were not dictated by a temporary policy, whieh had 
 for its objcct to promoto the immédiate settlement of the 
 waste lands of tlie French Kini,' in Canada, with a view to 
 strengthen the colony and enable it tlie botter to contend 
 with the adjoining english coh)nio8 ; and whother they 
 were not temi^orary reguhitions adaptod to the tlien condi- 
 tion of tho countrv, and intondod to mcet présent oxigencicsi, 
 rather than permanent laws, to reçoive exécution in ail future 
 time ? 
 
 Lcgal proposition suhmiltcd on helialf of Sir Ednmnd 
 Filmer et al. — 3. Thoy were dictated by such tcmi^orary 
 policy, and could not be considered as pormancmt laws, but 
 were more temporary régulations. 
 
 Af/sicer ofl/ic Court. — 3. A part of tliis question not oflbriiig 
 any point of law for décision, tho Court abstains from ans- 
 woring thoroto; with r(;foronoo to tho answer to bo given to 
 the othor i)art of tins ([uostion, it is eontainod in tho answers 
 given to tho questions of the Attorney General on tho same 
 subjoct matter. 
 
 For tho aflirmative : — LaFontaino, Bowen, Duval, Caron, 
 Uay, Smith, Mondolet, Morodith, Sliorf, Morin. 
 
 For the négative : — Aylwin, Badgley. 
 
 Fonrth coiintcr-qucstion. — Wholhor, if the said Arrêts ap- 
 plied as matter of public policy {d''ordrc pi/Ofic), to ail sei- 
 gniorios, granted boforo or aftor thoir date, and although no 
 déclaration of the King's intention or clause binding tho Sei- 
 gnior to concède à titre de redevances oniy, or in any other 
 
106 a 
 
 way, was inscrted in tho grani, — thc provision tliat overy Sei- 
 gnior sliall concède liis lunds in thc manncr ihcrcin men- 
 lioncd, and sliall, l'or any contravention of tliat provision, 
 incur tlie penalty of forl'eiturc to tlie Crown of thc lands and 
 of thc rents and profits tliereof wliich would otherwise be 
 payable to liim, — does not trcat such refusai by tlie Seignior, 
 as " violation, of a law considcred in référence to tlie cvil 
 tcndency of sucli violation as regards the state," and does 
 not thcrefore makc such refusai a crime or ofTcnce punisha- 
 ble by forfaiture ; and whether that provision is not there- 
 forc a pénal cnactment, creating and providing for the pu- 
 nishmcnt of an ofFence against the public policy of the So- 
 vereign who cnacted it : and whether such pénal enact- 
 ment was not repealed by the Act of the Impérial Parlia- 
 ment, commonly called the Québec Act, (14 Geo. 3, cap. 
 83,) which introduced the criminal law of England, and di- 
 rected that it sliould be obscrved as well in the description 
 and quality of the oflence, as in the method of prosecution 
 and trial and the punishemcnt and forfeitures thereby inllic- 
 ted, to the exclusion of every othcr rule which prevailed in 
 Canada before 17G4 ; if indeed ail laws in force before the 
 con([uest connected with matters of public policy, and im- 
 posing forfeitures for oflcnces against such policy, were not 
 necessarily abrogated by thc conquest and cession of the 
 country, and the conséquent introduction of thc public law 
 and policy of Great Britain ? 
 
 Lcgnl Proposition submitlcd on hcluilf of Sir Edmiind 
 Filmer cl al. — 1. On the supposition hère involved, the pro- 
 vision in question was a })enal cnactment, which was cx- 
 pressly repealed by the Québec Act, and had in facl been 
 abrogated by the conquest and cession of Canada, and its 
 conséquent subjection to a new and différent rule and public 
 policy. 
 
 Ansivcr of the Court. — 4. Adinitting the conséquences of a 
 violation of tliose laws to be forfeitures, the forfeitures were 
 only of a civil nature ; thèse conséquences and the laws 
 
107 a 
 
 from w liich tliey procecdcd, liave notbcen repcaled, by rcason 
 of tlicir pénal nature, by tlie introthiclion of llic crinùnul luws 
 ol" England into f .nada. — Adoplcd unanhnously. 
 
 Fiflh conntcr-qucslion. — Wliethcr in fact, if tlic supposition 
 llmt ihe Arrêts applicd to ail sciijfiiiories, as mattor of public 
 policy al){>v{' incntioncd, I)L' correct, it was not btîcause tlic 
 provision in question was considercd, not as a merely civil 
 mattcr, but as one involvinj^ tlic exercise of a pénal, but at 
 the same tirne administrative and discretionary autliority, 
 that the power to inllict tlie forfciture thereby imposed was 
 vested in the Governor and Lieutenant General and the In- 
 tendant conjointly, and not in the Intendant alone, who, in 
 virtue of his commission had j)owcr and authority {pouvoir 
 et facidlù) to décide absolutely and alone in civil matters, 
 [même de juger souverainement seul en matière civile) ; and 
 \vheth(îr the Intendant alone ever could pronounce a sen- 
 tence of forfciture und(!r tlie said provision ; whcthcr, after 
 the conqucst, the power of the Governor and Lieutenant 
 General and Intendant conjointly, or of the Intendant alone 
 in any matler involving penalty or forfciture, was, by any 
 compétent authority, transferrcd to or vested in any judieial 
 tribunal whatever ; and whelher ail such his powers did 
 not, after the conqucst, wholly ccase, togcther with iheother 
 powers given by his commission as Intendant of justice, 
 police and finance ? 
 
 Lfgal Proposition siibmitted on bchalf of Sir Edmund 
 Filmer et al. — 5. On the supposition aforcsaid, the presump- 
 tion is, that it was because the provision in question was 
 considercd, not as a merely civil matler, but as one involv- 
 ing a pénal, but at the same time administrative and dis- 
 cretionary authority, that the power hère in question was not 
 given to the Intendant alone ; the sentence of forfciture could 
 never be pronounced by the Intendant alone ; this power 
 ccascd at the conqucst, and was never revived or vested in 
 
108 a 
 
 any .Iii(l<,''(>, offîeor or tribunal sinec tliat timo ; and any suf.li 
 powLT would 1)0 inconsistpnt witli llu," riglits ol' hriiisli siih- 
 jt'cts, and tliose at'cinircd by lli(3 inliabitant.s oCtliis l'rovinco 
 wlii'n thcy passod IVoiii the Frcncli lo llio lîritisli Unie, nnder 
 vvliicli no IVccinan [can be disscizcd ofliis iVccliold unloss 
 by llio légal judgnicnl of liis poor.s, or by tlic laws of tho 
 land. 
 
 Ansv'cr of the Coifrt.~5.—§ 1. Tliis question lias boen 
 answered by tlio answcrs to llio prcccding (inestions, and 
 by the answers to the questions ol'the Attorney (iencral, in 
 se far as this question has relation as well to the nature of 
 the powers of the Governor and Intendant, under the above 
 Arrêts, to concède lands during the frencli doniinion, as to 
 the dévolution of those powors to Courts of justice, under the 
 british dominion. 
 
 For the afïinnative : — LaFontaine, Bowon, Duval, Caron. 
 Day, Smith, Mondelet, Meredith, Short, INTorin. 
 
 For the négative : — Aylwin, Badgley. 
 
 § 3. — The other portion of ihe (juestion is foreign lo llie 
 objecl and disposition of the Seigniorial Aet, in so far as it 
 relates to olher jîowcrs and atlributes exercised by those 
 funetionaries, eilher conjoiiilly or separalely, and lo llieir 
 dévolution to the new tribunals, and thcrefore this Court 
 abstains fiom an answer thereto. 
 
 For the afTirmative :— r.aFontaine, Rowen, Duval, Caron, 
 Day, Smith, Mondelel, Meredith, Short, Morin, liadgley. 
 
 For the négative : — Aylwin. 
 
 Stxth amnlcr-qîœstion.—W ÏHAhcr, in Lower Canada, a law 
 may not become void by désuétude ; and whether even if 
 the Arrêts in question were at any period in force, and were 
 not repealed or abrogated as above mentioned, they hâve 
 not in fact fallen into désuétude and become obsolète ; whe- 
 ther in fuct ordinance after ordinance and act after act, 
 
101) 
 
 a 
 
 Ini|v'ri;il and provincial, toiicliing tlic ronslilntion of lln' 
 foiiiiiiy, tlic adiiiiiiislralioii ol' jusiicr and llu; coinMiutation 
 ol'llic sciimiorial Icnnrc, liavc noi hcrn passcd, and iii.'<- 
 Iniciioii^! i^ivcn l>y llu; Sovciri^n Un- carryini^r ont Ihipcrial 
 Acis l'or tlie coiunuilalion ol lin; !<aid It-nin-c, and coniniu- 
 tation aller coniiniitation cUccIcd nndcr tlicni hy llic (io- 
 vcrnor, widi llic advico ol' ihf law oliit-cis ol' tlic Crown, in 
 tlic l'rovincc, — witliont any aUcnij)! to >,(\\'l\ cll'cct totlicsaid 
 Arrc/;< ; M-licilicr tlic Courts of law, witliin llic Province, 
 havc not. coiislantly Ircatcd tlicni as not in l'orcc ; and wlic- 
 thcr Ihct^c circiinislanccs, aparf Troni tlie considérations I 
 
 lorc nicnlioncd, do not show tliat. llicsc Arn'/.s liavc, 
 ncarly a crnlury, l'allcn iuto iiller désuétude, and liav 
 bcconic ol)r>oli'tc and void ? 
 
 )C- 
 
 lor 
 
 c so 
 
 Zr;,'-,// Proposition siibinilhd on hchalf of Sir Edmiind 
 Filiucr il (il. — 0. In Lowcr (.'anada, a law niay losc ils foivc 
 hy disnsc, wiihont any express rcpcal, or go into desiietudf> 
 as il is ternicd, and tlie l'acts ahove nientioncd slicw tliat tlic 
 Arrch^ iftliey wcie nof rc|)caled or abroi^'ated, liave in lad 
 gonc inlo désuétude and becomc a dead lelter. 
 
 Anmur of the Cour(.~6. Thèse Arrcls liave nol lallen 
 inlo desuetnde. 
 
 For the allirinalive :— LaFontainc, Duval, Caron, Day, 
 Sniitli, ]\rondelel, Meredilh, Short, Morin. 
 
 For tlic négative : — Bowcn, Aylwin, Badgley. 
 
 S('V('//.'/i covnter-qiicsl.ion. — \Vliethcr any Arrct or Ordi- 
 nancc madc ])y the King of France, whe„i Canada was 
 subjcct to liis royal will and pleasure, woiild not cease to 
 be in force, whenevcr the parliarnent of the United Kingdoni 
 sliould, aller the conquest, pass an Act ineonsistent witli 
 il, — and whetlicr the i)rovisions of the Impérial Act, 3 Geo. 
 4, cap. 119, sect. 31 and ^2^ (coniinonly called the Canada 
 Trade Acl,) and those of the Impérial Act, G Geo. 4, caj). 50, 
 (comnKJuly called the Tenures Act,) are not utteriy inconsis- 
 
110^ 
 
 Iciit willi tlioso o(\ho Arrvfs Ix-foic incnlioiicd ; an»! wIipiIht 
 in the royal instructions issucd iindcr tlic said Acts, to tlu; 
 (îovernors of I^iwcr Canada or of Canada, or iu tlic praeticiî 
 oftiic |)r()vin(Mal govorninrnt iindcr tlicni, or llic instrii- 
 mcnls hy whicli tluî roniiiinlalion <»!' Icniirc lias hccn 
 rtli'ctcd, it is stalcd, assiimcd or iinpiii'd tliat the rii^dits oi' 
 tlic Scii^'nior in tlii* iinronccdcd lands in lus sciu^niory are 
 liiiiitcd in any Avay cxeept 'hy lliosc ol' tlic; Crown or ol' tlie 
 S('i;,'nior (lominauf, and tlic tctms of tlic original ^rant : — 
 wlictlicr lluî said Acts oftlie liriti^li Parliaiiicnt liavc not 
 virtiially rcpcalcd the said //vv/.v, and ail ollicr laws ineon- 
 sislent witli thosc Acts, (if flie said Arrcls or any siich laws 
 wcro in l'orée ai ihc tirnc of tlic passini,' of the said Aets,) 
 and whctlier tlicrefore the sai<l Arrêts or Laws can he 
 legally invokcîd ai^ainst the Scii^niors of LoAvcr Canada, 
 wlio arc, l)y tlie express ternis of tlu; Scigniorial Act of iMol, 
 to bc indcinnified for tlieir riglits as tliey stood ut the tinie 
 of the passing of tliat Act ? 
 
 Li'<>-nf Proposition svhmittcd on bcluilf of Sir Ediumid 
 Filmer et al. — 7. Every Frcnch Arrêt or law ceascd to he 
 in force whenever a Hritisli Act, inconsistcnl with it w;:s 
 passed after the eoncpiest; the Canada Trade Act and Tenurcs 
 Act, are ulterly inconsistent with the said Arrêts, wliich arc 
 thereforc rcpcalcd, and cannot now he invoked against the 
 Seigniors of Lower Canada. 
 
 Answer of the Coiirt. — 7. Thèse Arrêts liave not been rc- 
 pcalcd by the said Impérial Sfatutes. 
 
 For the affirnaative :— LaFontaine, Bowen, Du val, Caron, 
 Day, Smith, Mondelet, Mcredith, Short, Morin. 
 
 For the négative : — Aylwin, Badglcy. 
 
111 a 
 
 IV. 
 
 CUUNÏKlK»l I^STIONS (IK TllK SEK.MOIIS, 
 
 IN TIIK I\rtTAN( K. 
 
 V[)(m tlic roiintcr-ciucsUons ><iil)iiiillt.'(l dii '"'hall' o\' T^uiiu 
 houiMe Cli.'irlicr (h; L()tl)iiii«'re, \' itf ol ilir Honorablf 
 Robert Unwiri Ihirwood, olllic paii.^li n\' Si, Michel «h; 
 V'aïuInMiil, in llie distrirt of Montréal, e<(|iiire, duly 
 separateil as to properly Irorn lier >ai(l luishaiid, and l)y 
 liiiu lierennto duly and i^peeially aiilhori/ed, Seii^nioress 
 and proprii'tor in possession ofllie ///■/' and seii^fiiiory ot 
 Vaudrenil in tlie said district, and tlie said llonorahlc 
 Robert L'nwin Harwood, asthtî hnsband oClhe said Dame 
 Louise Cliartier de fjotbinière, and auihorisinj^ lier tbr 
 llie purpose liereof. 
 
 First countrr-qucation. — Independently ol" (pieslion as to 
 nny légal elKect or opération ofllu^ An^t ol' tlie Kini,' of 
 France, renderod in lus Conseil. (VElnt^ and bearing date at 
 Marly, of the 6th day of July, 1711, intituled : " Arrct du Roi 
 qui ordonne que les terres, dont /es concessions ont été faites, 
 soient mises en cvlliire et occupées par des ludntants,'''^ or of 
 the Arrêt of the King of France, rendered in iiis Conseil 
 d''Etat, and bearing date at Versailles of the 15th day of 
 Mardi, 1732, having référence thereto and to sales of wihl 
 lands (terris en bois debout) in Canada, or of the Déclaration 
 of the King of France, bearing date at Versailles of the 17lh 
 day of July, 17-13, intituled " Déclaration du Roi concernant 
 les concessions dans les colonies,'''' in respect of any lands in 
 Canada, other than those hereinafter specified, or of any 
 persons holding the same, or of any contracts thereto relating, 
 and without hereby admitting that the sanie hâve any such 
 légal effect or opération, — can the said two Arrêts and 
 Déclaration, or any of their provisions, be held to hâve any 
 légal effect or opération whatever, in respect of any lands in 
 
112 a 
 
 Canridfi being williin the enclave of any //r/'or scigniory, as 
 to Mliicli llie S(;ignior, holding llie saine, may liavo ()1)l;!inc(l 
 froni llie Crow n, nnder aiitliorily ol" llic Statntcs orilic Ini- 
 jXM'ial Parliaincnt madc; and passcd in the tliiid ycar and in 
 iht) sixlli yt'ar, respeclivcly, of tlie J^'ign ol'llis lalo jMaj('!>ly 
 Gi'orgo the Fourlh, ihe foriii(>r intiliiled " An Ad iDirguIale 
 " \.\\v. irade oi'tho Provinec^^ ol' J^owcr and l'pj».'!" Canada, 
 " and l'or oUrt purpt)s{'.s rclaling lo \hv said Provinces,''' and 
 tiic latlcr intitulcd " An Ad lo provid(! l'or iIk; cxlcnlion ol' 
 " l'eudal and .scigniorial righis and hurlhcns on hmds licld 
 " à titre, de //r/'and à tilre de ce/ts, \n llio Province ol' Lower 
 " Canada, and lor ihe graduai (conversion of thèse teniires 
 '* inlo ihe teniiK.' ol' iVee and connnon soecage, and forolh( r 
 " j)nrposes relaling lo ihe said Province," or nntler aiuho- 
 rity ol' eillier ol' snch Stalules, a connnutation of and release 
 froni ail feiidal bnrthens drie to the Crown thereon, and a 
 re-grant of the lands lii(.'reof, or of ail j)arts and parcels 
 theri'ol' reiuaining in lus possession ungranted, — or in res- 
 pect ol'any lands being within ihe enclave of any //('/' or 
 scigniory, as to which the Seignior holding the sarue rnay 
 in ternis of and nnder the said vSlalutes or eitlier of them, 
 duly Imve api)lied tôlier majesly or any of lier predeces- 
 sors, or may hereaftcr so apply, for such commutation, 
 release and rc-grant, — or in respect of any contracts tliereto 
 relating ? — And if at ail, tlien how, and to \vliat extent, can 
 any of snch lands, pcrsons or contracts be held to be so 
 ihereby legally allectcd ? 
 
 Légal Proposition svbmilted on behalf of Dame Ilarwood 
 cl al. — 1. The said Arrêts and \hc i<a.id Déclaration cannol 
 bo ludd to ellect in any wise any lands in Canada, bcing 
 within the enclave of any fief or seigneurie^ as to which 
 the Seignior holding ihc same may hâve obtaincd from the 
 Crown, under authorily of the said Impérial Statutcs or of 
 eitlier ihcrcof, a commutation of ail fcudal burthcns due to 
 the Crown thereon, and a re-grant of the lands thereof, or 
 of ail parts and parcels thereof reinaining in his possession 
 
Mllg 
 
 iic!i 
 
 tl)C 
 
 )r of 
 e 1o 
 , or 
 sion 
 
 113 o 
 
 ungranted, — nor in respect of any lands bcing within tlie 
 enclave o[ any fief or seigneurie, as to which the Seignnir 
 holding the same may, in ternis of and undcr the said Sta- 
 tutes or either of thern, duly hâve applied to Her Majestyor 
 any of her predecessors, or may hercaftcr so apply, for surîi 
 commutation, release and regrant, — nor in respect of any 
 persons holding any of such lands, whother en fief ox othcr- 
 wise, — nor in respect of any contracts thercto relating. 
 
 Annmr of the Court. — 1. — § 1. The Acts of the Impérial 
 Parliament, commonly called the Trade Act and the Tenures 
 Act of Canada, hâve eifeeted changes in seigniories for 
 which a commutation of tenure has been obtained under 
 their provisions, with référence to the portions of thèse sei- 
 gniories not conceded at the time of the commutation. 
 
 For the affirmative : — La Fontaine, Bowen,Aylwin,Duva!, 
 Caron, Day, Smith, Meredith, Short, Morin, Badgley. 
 
 For the négative : — Mondelet. 
 
 § 2. Thèse portions were by the commutation subjectcd 
 to the tenure of free and common soccage, and relieved froin 
 rights and duesto the Crown, and generally withdrawn from 
 seigniorial laws and obligations. 
 
 For the affirmative : — La Fontaine, Bowen, Aylwin, Dn- 
 val, Caron, Day, Smith, Meredith, Short, Morin, Badgley. 
 
 For the négative : — Mondelet. 
 
 § 3. At the time of the commutation. Tenants (Cew«7aîm) 
 in the other portions of such seigniories, remained subject to 
 their obligations as such Tenants {Censitaires), and the Sei- 
 gniors, on their part, coiitinued to be subject to their obliga- 
 tions towards their Tenants {Censitaires), although the Sei- 
 gnior had obtained a re-grant of the entire seigniory under 
 the tenure of free and common soccage. — Adopted unan:- 
 mously. 
 
 § 4. The laws which regulate the relations, between the 
 Seigniors and Tenants {Censitaires) apply equally tothe case 
 
114a 
 
 where a commutation has been demanded by the Seignior, 
 in virtue of the Impérial Acts, but not obtained at the pas- 
 sing of the Seigniorial Act of 1854. 
 
 For the affirmative : — La Fontaine, Bowen, Du val, Caron, 
 Day, Smith, Mondelet, Meredith, Short, Morin, Badgley. 
 
 For the négative : — Aylwin. 
 
 § 5. They aiso apply to the case when a commutation has 
 not been demanded by the Seignior under the provisions of 
 the Impérial Acts. 
 
 For the affirmative : — La Fontaine, Bowen, Duval, Caron, 
 Day, Smith, Mondelet, Meredith, Short, Morin, Badgley. 
 
 For the négative : — Aylwin. 
 
 Second counter-question. — Can any contract, or clause of 
 contract, not being in itself immoral [contra bonos mores) 
 not yet prohibited by the british public law, as the same 
 since the said cession of Canada has prevailed therein, — 
 which from the time of the said cession to that of the passing 
 of " the Seigniorial Act of 1854," may hâve been freely and 
 without fraud entered into, touching the terms of any aliéna- 
 tion whatsoever of any of the lands enquired of in the pre- 
 ceding question, he held to be either null or annullable, or 
 in law liable to be set aside, or at ail altered or restricted, as 
 between the parties thereto ? — And if so, how, to what ex- 
 tent, and by virtue of what law statutory or otherwise, can 
 any suc h contract or clause be so held ? 
 
 Légal Proposition sulymitted on behalf of Dame Harwood 
 et al' — 2. No contract or; clause of a contract, whatever, un- 
 less in itself immoral, {contra bonos mores,) or prohibited by 
 british public law, as the same since the said cession of Ca- 
 nada has prevailed therein, — which from the time of the 
 said cession to that of the passing of " the Seigniorial Act 
 of 1854," may hâve been freeiy and without fraud entered 
 into, touching the terms of any aliénation whatsoever of any 
 of the lands enquired of in the precpHi^ipr quo'-*ion, — cî»n be 
 
115 a 
 
 held to be either null, or annullable, or in law liable to be 
 set aside or at ail altered or restricled as between the parties 
 tliereto. 
 
 Answer of the Court. — 2. Such a contract, or clause of 
 such a contract, in violation of the laws of Canada, although 
 not in itself immoral, nor yet prohibited by british public 
 law, may be null or annullable. 
 
 For tho affirmative : — LaFontaine, Bowen, Duval, Caron, 
 Day, Smith, Mondelet, Meredith, Short, Morin, Badgley. 
 
 For the négative : — Aylwin. 
 
 
 |any 
 be 
 
 Third counter-question. — Can any Comraissioner or Com- 
 missioners under " the Seigniorial Act of 1854," lawfully 
 treat any contract, or any clause of any contract, such as is 
 enquired of by the last preceding question, as being null, or 
 assume to set aside, or at ail alter or restrict the same ? — 
 And if so, in what cases, and to what extent, may such Com- 
 missioner or Commissioners lawfully so do? 
 
 Légal Proposition submitted on behalf of Dame Hanvood 
 étal. — 3. Such Commissioner or Commissioners may not law- 
 fully treat any contract, or any clause of any contract, such 
 as is hère and in the last preceding question enquired of, as 
 being null, or assume to set aside, or at ail alter or restrict 
 the same. 
 
 Ansiver of the Court. — 3. Such commissioner may not law- 
 fully assume to treat any contract, or clause of such contract, 
 as in this and the last preceding question inquired of, as being 
 null ; unless such nullity has been pronounced by the judg- 
 ment of a Court of compétent jurisdiction, or such con- 
 tract, or clause of such contract, has been declared illé- 
 gal by the décision of this Spécial Court. — Adopted unani- 
 mously, 
 
 Fourlh counter-questicn. — Can any such Commissioner or 
 Commissioners lawfully assume within any fiefox seignicry, 
 falling within either of the two classes oîjiefs or seiguiories 
 
116 a 
 
 enquired of by the first preceding interrogatory, to enforce 
 npon the Seignior or upon any Censitaire thereof any co- 
 opération on the part of such Seignior and Censitaire in any 
 procédure under " the Seigniorial Act of 1854," — if such 
 Seignior or Censitaire shall elect to maintain the application 
 of the provisions of the said Impérial Statutes in the pre- 
 mises ? — And if so, to what extent and how may such co- 
 opération lawfully be enforced ? 
 
 Légal Proposition submitted on behalf of Dame Hanvood 
 et al. — 4. Such Commissioner or Commissioners may not 
 lawiully assume to enforce such co-operation. 
 
 Ansiver of the Court. — 4. The Commissioners may enforce 
 the Seigniorial Act of 1854, in any fief ox seigniory towhich 
 this question refers, even if the Seignior should elect to main- 
 tain the application of the provisions of the Impérial Acts. 
 
 For the affirmative : — LaFontaine, Duval, Caron, Smith, 
 Mondelet, Meredith, Short, Morin. 
 
 For the négative : Bowen, Aylwin, Badgley. 
 
 Judge Day abstains from pronouncing upon this question. 
 
 V. 
 
 COUNTER-QUESTIONS OF THE SEIGNIORS. 
 
 IN THE INSTANCE. 
 
 Upon the counter-questions submitted on behalf of Dame 
 Marie Charlotte Chartier de Lotbinière, wife of William 
 Bingham, of the city of Paris, in France, esquire, 
 duly separated as to property from her said husband, and 
 by him hereunto duly and specially aulhorized, Seignioress 
 and proprietor in possession of the ^^/and seigniory of 
 Rigaud, in the district of Montréal, and the said William 
 Bingham, as the husband of the said Dame Marie Char- 
 lotte Chartier de Lotbinière, and authorizing her for the 
 purposes hereof : — 
 
117a 
 
 First counler-quesLion. — Indeprndcnlly of question as lo 
 any légal ellect or opération of tlie Arrêt ol the King of 
 France, renJered in liis ConscU cVEtaf., ar. :1 bearing date 
 at Marly of the 6lh day of Jiily, 1711, intituled "-Arrêt 
 du R )i qui ordon le que /es terres, il)fit tes concessions ont été 
 faites, soient mises en culture et occupées par des habitants,''^ 
 or of the Arrêt of the King of France, rendeved in his Con- 
 seil d'Etat, and bearing date at Versailles of the 15th day ol 
 March, 1732, having référence thereto and to sales of wild 
 lands (terres en bois debout) in Canada, or of the Déclaration 
 of the King of France, bearing date at Versailles of the 
 17th day of Jnly, 1743, intituled, " Diclarali)n du, Roi con- 
 cernant les concessions dans les colonies,'''' in respect of any 
 lands in Canada, other tlian tliose hereinafter specified, or 
 of any persons holding the same, or of any contracts thereto 
 relating, and without hereby admitting that the same hâve 
 had any such légal etfecl or opération ; — can the said tvvo 
 Arrêts and the said Déclaration, or any of the provisions 
 thereof^ be held to hâve had, from the time of the cession 
 of Canada to the British Crown, to that of the passing of 
 " the Seigniorial Act of 1854," any légal eflect or opération, 
 in respect of any lands in Canada which, at the time of the 
 said cession, were holden en franc-alleu, or in respect of any 
 lands in Canada, which, at the time of the said cession, were 
 holden en fief, whether direelly of the Crown or of any other 
 immédiate Seignior dominant, — or in respect of any per- 
 sons who, since the time of the said cession, hâve ever held 
 any of such lands, whether en franc-alleu or en fief or en 
 censive, — or in respect of any contracts thereto relating ? — 
 And if at ail, then how, and to what extent, hâve any of 
 such lands, persons or contracts, been so thereby alieeted ? 
 
 Légal Proposition suhrnitted on behalfof Dame Binghaut, — 
 1. The said Arrêts and the said Déclaration cannot be held 
 to hâve had, from the time of the cession of Canada lo the 
 British Crown, to that t)f the passing of " the Seigniorial 
 Act of 1854," any légal etî'ect or opération, in respect of 
 any lands in Canada, which, attlie time of the said cession. 
 
118a 
 
 were holden en franc-afleu, — nor in respect of any lands in 
 Canada, which, at the time of the said cession, were holden 
 en fief , whether direclly of tiie Crown or of any olher im- 
 médiate Seignior dominant^ — nor in respect of any persons 
 who since tiie said cession haveevcr held any of sucli lands, 
 whether en franc-alleu or en ficf^ or en ccnsivCy — nor in res- 
 respect of any contracts thereto relating. 
 
 Ansiver of the Court. — 1. This question has bcen answered 
 in the answers to the questions of the Attorney General, and 
 in the answers to the questions of the Seigniors above 
 named 
 
 For the affirmative : — La Fontaine, Duval, Caron, Day, 
 Smith, Mondelet, Meredith, Short, Morin. 
 
 For the négative : — Bowen, Aylwin, Badgley. 
 
 Second cou nier-question. — From the time of the cession of 
 Canada to the British Crown, to that of the passing of " the 
 Seignioii d Act 1854," according to the law of Canada as 
 ihen in force, hâve Seigniors who during that period may 
 bave holden e?i fief any of the lands enquired of by the last 
 question, been any less free than they would hâve been in 
 France under the Custom of Paris {Coutume de Paris) at 
 the time of its introduction into Canada, — as touchingthe 
 aliénation of such lands, in whole or part, by sale or other- 
 wise, as they should see fit ? — If so, when, by what act or 
 acts of législative authority, in what terms, and to what 
 extent, had the Custom of Paris {Coutume de Paris) corne to 
 be so derogated from in Canada, or altered ? 
 
 Légal Proposition submitted on behalf of Dame Bingham. 
 — 2. Through the period hère in question, such Seigniors 
 were not less free than they would ha\e been in France 
 under the Custom of Paris {Coutume de Paris) at the time 
 of its introduction into Canada, — as touching the aliénation 
 of such lands, in whole or part, by sale or otherwise, as 
 they should see fit. 
 
119a 
 
 Anstoer of Ihe Court. — 2. This question lias been answered 
 *n the ansvvers to the questions of Ihe Attorney General, and 
 in the answers to the questions of the Seigniors above 
 named. — Adopted unaniniously. 
 
 Third counier-question. — Can any contract, or clause of a 
 contract, not being in itself immoral, contra bonos mores, 
 not yet prohibited by british public law, as the same, since 
 the said cession of Canada, lias prevailed therein, — which, 
 from the time of the said cession lo that of the passing of 
 " the Seigniorial Act of 1854," may hâve been freely and 
 without fraud enterred into, touching the terms of any aliéna- 
 tion whatsoever of any of the lands enquired ofin the prece- 
 ding questions, — be held to be either null or annullable, or in 
 law liable to be set aside or at ail altered or restricted, as 
 between the parties thereto ? — And if so, how, to what ex- 
 tent, and by virtue of what law, statutory or otherwise, can 
 any such contract or clause be so held ? 
 
 Légal Proposition siihmitted on bchalf of Dame Bingham. 
 — 3. No contract or clause of a contract, whatever, unless 
 in itself immoral, {confrà bonos mores,) or prohibited by 
 british public law as the same since the said cession of 
 Canada has prevailed therein, — which, from the time of the 
 said cession to that of the passing of " the Seigniorial Act 
 of 1854," may hâve been freely and without fraud entered 
 into, touching the terms of any aliénation whatsoever of 
 any of the lands enquired of in the preceding questions, — 
 can be held to be eilher null, or annullable, or in law liable 
 to be set aside or at ail altered or restricted, as between the 
 parties thereto. 
 
 Answer of the Court. — 3. This question has been answered 
 in the answers to the questions of the Attorney General, and 
 in the answers to the questions of ihe Seigniors above 
 named. — Adopted unanimously. 
 
 Foiirth counter-quesiion. — Can any Commissioner or Com- 
 mssioners under " the Seigniorial Act of 1854," lawfully 
 
120 a 
 
 troal any contract, or any clause of any contract, such as is 
 cnqtiirod of by the last preceding (luestion, as boing null, 
 vr assume to set aside, or at ail aller or reslrict the same ? — 
 Andifso, in what cases, and to wliat extent, may such 
 Commissioner or Commissioners lawfully so do ? 
 
 Légal Proposition submitted on behalf of Dame Bingham. 
 — 4. Sucli Commissioner or Commissioners may not law- 
 fully treat any contract, or any clause of any contract, such 
 as is hère and in the the last preceding question enquired 
 «f, as being null, or assume to set aside, or at ail aller or 
 restrict the same. 
 
 Answer of the Court. — 4. This question lias been answered 
 in the answers to the questions of the Attorney General, 
 and in the answers to the questions of the Seigniors above 
 narned. — Adoptcd unanimously. 
 
 VI. 
 
 COUiNTER-QUESTlONS OF THE SEIGNIORS. 
 
 IN THE INSTANCE. 
 
 L'pon the counter-questions submitted on behalf of the Hono- 
 rable John Malcolm B^raser, of the city of Québec, in the 
 district of Québec, esquire, Seignior and proprietor in 
 possession of the fief cinù. seigniory of Mount Murray in 
 the district of Québec, to wit : 
 
 First counter-questiori. — Independently of question as to 
 any légal eftect or opération of the Arrêt of the King of 
 France, rendered in lus Con:ietf (PElat^ and bearing date at 
 Marly, of the 6th of July, 1711, intituled ^'- Arrêt du Roi 
 qui ordonne que les terres^ dont tes concessions ont été faites^ 
 soient mises eu culture et occupées par des habitants^'''' or of the 
 Arrêt of the King of France, rendered in his Conseil d'' Etat, 
 and bearing date at Versailles, of the 15th day of Mardi, 
 
in 
 
 to 
 of 
 at 
 Uîoi 
 
 -» 121 a 
 
 1732, having référence thereto and to sales of wild lands, 
 
 {ferres en bois debout,) in Canada, or of llie Déclaration of 
 
 llic King of France, bearing date at Versailles, oftlie 17ih 
 
 dayof Jiily, 1743, intituled " Déclaration du Roi concern(int 
 les concessions dans les colonies,^'' in respect of any lands in 
 
 Canada, other than those iiereinafter specified, or of any 
 
 persons holding the same, of any contracls thereto relating, 
 
 and withont hereby admitting tliat the same hav(î had any 
 
 such légal eflect or opération, — can the said two Arrêts and 
 
 the said Déclaration, or any of the provisions thereof, be 
 
 held to hâve had, from the time of the cession of Canada to 
 
 the British Crown, to that of the passing of " the Seigniorial 
 
 Act of 1854," any légal effect or opération in respect of any 
 
 lands in Canada originally granted en fief by the British 
 
 Crown, orof any persons holding the same, whether en fief 
 
 or otherwise, or of any contracts thereto relating ? — And if 
 
 at ail, then to what extent, and how, hâve any such lands, 
 
 persons or contracts been so thereby legally affected ? 
 
 Lcfçal Proposition svirmitled on behalf oftJie Honorable M. 
 Fraser. — 1. The said Arrêts aniX Déclaration cannot be held 
 to hâve had, from the time of the cession of Canada to the 
 British Crown, to that of the passing of " the Seigniorial 
 Act of 1854," any légal effect or opération in respect of any 
 lands in Canada originally granted en fief by the British 
 Crown, or of any persons holding the same, whether e«//t/ 
 or otherwise, or of any contracts thereto relating. 
 
 Aiisrcer of the Court. — 1. Grants in fief in tins coiintry 
 made by the British Crown, from the cession tothe passing of 
 " the Seigniorial Act of 1854," are subject to the same laws 
 as the other grants made under the same tenure, unless the 
 grant contain certain spécial dispositions by which a déro- 
 gation in certain respects shall be established. 
 
 For the affirmative : — La Fontaine, Duval, Caron, Day, 
 Smith, INIondelet, Meredith, Short, Morin. 
 
 For the négative : — Bowen, Aylwin, Badgley. 
 
122 a 
 
 Second counter-qvcstion. — According to tlio law of Ca- 
 nada as then in force, did tlie contract vvliereby llic British 
 Crown granted snch lands vn jief^ either operate any sub- 
 division of the eslatc or property {domaine) ihereby granted, 
 betwcen the Stîignior and any Vassals or Censitaires to 
 whom hc rnight tiiereafter make sub-granli, en fief or en 
 censive, as tht; case miglit be, — or import obligation on iiim to 
 make sub-grants, whetlier en fief or en censice, or to dispose 
 of such lands in wliole or part, to third parties, on any i)ar- 
 ticular terms, — or leave liim loss free tiian he would hâve 
 been in France, iinder the Custom of Paris (Covtvme de 
 Paris,) at the time of its introduction into Canada, as tou- 
 ching the aliénation of such lands, in whole or part, by sale 
 or otherwise, as he should seefit ? — If so, what such subdi- 
 vision of such estate or property {domaine) was so operated, 
 and in whose favor ; what such obligation to sub-grant such 
 lands or at ail dispose thereof to third parties, was so im- 
 ported ; and when, by what act or acts, of législative autho- 
 rity, in what terms, and to what extent, had the Custom of 
 Vix.x\9 {Coutume de Pari s) ^ a^ \.o any such particular, come 
 to be so derogated from in Canada, or altcred ? 
 
 Légal Proposition siibmitted on behalf of the Honorable M. 
 Fraser. — 2. Such contract did not, according to the law of 
 Canada as then in force, eilher operate any subdivision of 
 the estate or property {domaine) thereby granted, between 
 sucli Seignior and any Vassals or Censitaires to whom he 
 might ihereaftcr make sub-grants en fief or en censive, — nor im- 
 port obligation on him tomake sub-grants en fief or en censive 
 or to dispose of such lands, in whole or part, to third par- 
 ties on any particular terms, — nor leave him less free than 
 he would hâve been in France, under the Custom of Paris, 
 {Coutume de Paris,) at the time of its introduction into Ca- 
 nada, as touching the aliénation of such lands, in whole or 
 part, by sale or otherwise, as he should see fit. 
 
 Answer of the Court. — 2. This question has been answcred 
 by the answers to the questions of the Atlorney General, 
 
^1 
 
 or 
 
 123 a 
 
 nnd by the answcrs to the questions of llie Seigniors above 
 narnod. 
 
 For tlio afTirmalivc : — LaFontuino, Howcn, Duval, Caron, 
 Day, Smith, Mondelet, Mereditli, Short, Morin, Badgley. 
 
 For the négative : — Aylwin. 
 
 TInrd rounter-question. — Can any contraot, or any clause 
 of any contracit, not being in itself immoral, {contra boitos 
 mores,) nor yet prohibited by british public law, as tlie same 
 since the said cession of Canada bas prevailod therein, 
 which may hâve been freely and without fraud entercd into, 
 touching the terms of any aliénation whatsoever of any of 
 the land enquired of in the preceding questions, — be held 
 to be either null or annullable, or in law liable to be set 
 aside, or at ail altcred or restricted, as betwcen tlie j)arties 
 thercto ? — And if so, — hovv, to what extent, and by virtue of 
 what law, statutory or otherwise, can any such contract or 
 clause be so held ? 
 
 Légal Proposition submitted on bchalf of the Honorable M. 
 Fraser. — 3. No contract or clause of a contract, wliatover, 
 unless in itself immoral, {contra bonos mores,) or jirohibited 
 by british public law, as the same since the said cession of 
 Canada has prevailed therein, which may hâve bccn freely 
 and without fraud entered into, toucliing the terms of any 
 aliénation whatsoever of any of the lands enquired of in the 
 preceding questions, — can be held to be either null, or annul- 
 lable, or in law liable to be set aside or at ail altered or res- 
 tricted, as between the parties thereto. 
 
 Answer of the Court. — 3. This question has been answered 
 by the answers to the questions of the Attorney General, 
 and by the answers to the questions of the Seigniors above 
 named. 
 
 For the affirmative : — LaFontaine, Bowen, Duval, Caron, 
 Day, Smith, Mondelet, Meredith, Short, Morin, Badgley. 
 
 For the négative : — Aylwin. 
 
124 a 
 
 Fourlk cnHiiter-queslion. — Cun any Commissioneror (îom- 
 inissioncrs iiiuler " tlie Sri^'niorial Ad ol" 1H51," lawlally 
 ireat any contraet, or any clau.se of any ct)Utrac:t, sudi a« is 
 cntjiiirt'd ol' by tliu last prcccdin^ ([ucstion, as bcin^ ntill, or 
 «• uiru! to set asi(k', or at ail aller or restrict tlie ,»aMi(! ? — 
 And ilso, in wliat cases, and to wliat exlent, inay sucli 
 Coimuissioner or Coininissioners lawlully so do ? 
 
 Lf'jral Propositiuu suhmiUrd on hehalf of tlie Iloiiorable M. 
 Fraser. — 4. Sucli Coininission(;r or Coinniissioners may not 
 luwl'idly treat any contraet, or any (clause ol" any contraet, 
 -sucli as is liere and in the last preceding question encjuired 
 of, as beiniif nuil, or assume to set aside, or at ail alter or 
 restrict the same. 
 
 Aiisivcrof the Court. — 4. Tins question lias been answered 
 by tlie answers to the questions of the Attorney General, 
 and by the answers to the questions of the Seigniors above 
 named. 
 
 For tlie alïirmative : — LaFonlaine, I3o\ven, Duval, Caron, 
 Day, Sitiith, IMondelet, Meredith, Short, Morin, liadgley. 
 
 For the négative : — Aylvvin. 
 
 VII. 
 
 COUMEU-QUESTIOiNS OF THE SEUiiMOUS. 
 
 IN THE INSTANCE. 
 
 Uj)()n the counter question submitted on beiialf of the Hono- 
 rable Jean lloch Rolland, ofthe parisli of Ste. Marie de 
 Monnoir, in the district of Montréal, esquire, Seignior 
 and proprietor in possession ofthe l'ief and seigniory of 
 Monnoir, in the said district, to wit : 
 
 Coiititer-qucstion. — In case of any Seignior having a banal 
 mill construcled upon a non-navigable streani, where, for 
 the due working of such mill, it is required to dam such 
 
125 a 
 
 Ntroam, so ns fo flood limds f^ranted to othcr parlirs, wliich 
 lands Hucli Sci^nior i-. iiot entiticd so to Hood tudcss by liis 
 droit (le. ha)iah'U\ — is not siicli Sci^nior, froiii tlic l'acf tliat 
 upon tlic loss oî\\\^ droit de l.'o».'i!ité lie can be cornix-llcd to 
 lowcr or evon romove such dam, to llu; docreasi', if not to tlie 
 total los8, of tho incomel'roui sucdi inill,entitlc'd toliave sucli 
 dccrcaso or loss irmde good to him by a duo cstiiuatc and 
 [)r()|)()rtiontnent, m terms of the tliird Hub-so(!tionof tlio sixth 
 section of "the Seigniorial Act of 1854," of sueh decrease 
 or loss, as entcrinj,' into \ ilue of liis droit de. bnnaliK., 
 whereof lie is to be deprived by th(! said Act ? 
 
 Leyal Proposition suhmittcd on Mia/foJ Ihe Honorable .h an 
 Roch Rolland. — Sncli Seignior is entilled to liave siicli <le- 
 crcasc or loss rnade good to him, by a due estimate and ap- 
 portionment (in tcrms of the third sub-section of "the Sei- 
 gniorial Act of 1854,") of such decrease or loss, as entering 
 into the value of his droit de banalité^ whereof lie is to be 
 deprived by the said Act. 
 
 Ansiorr of the Cowr^.— Soigniors cannot ilood the lands 
 granted to their Tenants, Censitaires^ in virtue of banalité 
 alone ; if they possess the right to fiood those lands, it can 
 only proceed from valid titles, the eHect of whicli cannot be 
 changed by " the Seigniorial Act of 1854." 
 
 For the affirmative :— La Fontaine, Bowen, Duval, Caron, 
 Day, Smith, Mondelet, Meredith, Short, Morin, Badgley. 
 
 For the négative : — Aylwin. 
 
126 a 
 
 S U M M A R Y 
 
 OF THB 
 
 JUDGMEMT OE THE SPECIAL COURT 
 
 Held under authority of the Seigniorial Act of 1854. 
 
 r. 
 
 SUMMARY OF THE JUDGMENT OF THE COURT UPON THE 
 QUESTIONS SUBMITTED BY THE ATTOHNEY GENERAL. 
 
 Cens el Rentes. 
 
 1 & 2. (l) — Under the Custom of Paris, the elTeetof the 
 feudal contract, whether by subinfeudation, or accensement^ 
 was to dévide the estate between the Seignior of the fief or 
 his Subfeudatory or Tenant, Censitaire^ insuch mannerasto 
 retain, in the Former, the immédiate demesiie,dominium dt- 
 rectum, and to convey the useful demesne, dominium utile, 
 to the latter. " The Subfeudatory could dispose of his useful 
 demesne, dominium utile, and couvert it into an immédiate 
 demesne, dominium directum^ (*) (3) (V, 3 & 4, § 3.) 
 
 3 & 4. — § 1. The immédiate demesne consisted of the 
 duties or dues, obligations or redevances, to which the Sub- 
 feudatory or Tenant, Censitaire, was subjected ; the useful 
 demesne consisted of the produce of the land or thing sub- 
 infeudated or accensée. Previous to the subinfeudation or 
 accensement, both the useful and immédiate demesnes 
 were united in full demesne in the Seignior. (*) § 2. Woods 
 and waters not navigable might form part of the useful 
 demesne. (For the affirmative, U, for the négative, 1.) 
 
 (1) Thèse figures correspond with the numbera of the Questions and Anawers. 
 
 (2) * This iudicatos that the proposition was adopted unanimouâly. 
 
 
3(1 s 
 
 tful 
 
 127 a 
 
 § 3. The Subfeudatory, in like manner, before his infeudf 
 tion or accensement had the full demesne, saving the rights 
 of the dominant Seignior, and also retained an immédiate 
 demesne over what he had himself infeudated or accensé. 
 (F. 11, A. 1.) 
 
 5. — Under the Custom of Paris, the Seignior was not 
 obliged to alienate his lands held en Jief^ but when he did 
 alienate them, subinfeudation or accensement were of the 
 essence of the feiidal System, aceording to the 51 article of 
 the Custom of Paris. (*) 
 
 6. — The 6th question, " was it necessary to rendpr sub- 
 infeudation or accensement binding in Canada," presenting 
 no légal point for décision, this Court abstains frora an 
 answer to it. (*) 
 
 7. — The intention of the French Kings was to promote 
 the settlement and cultivation of the lands of the country ; 
 but the concession of lands for that purpose was not made 
 obligatory by any law anterior to the Arrêt of the 6th of July, 
 1711, (F. 8, A. 4.) 
 
 8. — The concession of lands to settlers for cultivation, 
 was rendered obligatory by the Arrêt of the 6th of July, 
 1711. (*) 
 
 9. — Before the cession of the country, the laws obliged the 
 Seigniors to grant {concéder) their lands, on demand, at a 
 rent charge, {à titre de redevances), and this obligation lim.ited 
 the exercise of the rights of the Seigniors in Ihe disposai of 
 their lands. (*) 
 
 10. — § 1. This obligation did resuit from spécial laws 
 affecting Canada, particularly the Arrêt oî the 6th ofJuly, 
 1711. (*) § 2. The obligation to concède was not con- 
 tained generally in the grants of seigniories ; but it was 
 stipulated in a few of them. (F. 8, A. 4.) § 3. It ori- 
 ginatedwith the Arrêt of 1711. (F. 8, A. 4.) § 4. It ex- 
 tended to every seigniory, without regard to the motives of 
 
128 a 
 
 the grant, but might be controlled by a spécial dérogation 
 in the royal grant to the Seignior. (*) § 5. The Arrêt of 
 1711, applied to royal grants already made at the time of ils 
 promulgation, as well as to those made subsequently. (*) 
 
 11 & 12. — The laws did provide means for compelling 
 Scigniors to concède their lands ; the Governors and Inten- 
 dants were invested with the necessary powers for com- 
 pelling them, in cases where they refused, and upon com- 
 plaints to that effect, according to the dispositions of the 
 ilrre7 of the 6th of July, 1711, of that of the 15th of March, 
 1732, and of the Déclaration of the 17thofJuly, 1743. (*) 
 
 13. — § 1. The rate of the concession of lands in the 
 seigniories was not regulated by spécial laws nor by Cus- 
 tom ; (F. 10, A. 2.) § 2. Nevertheless, whenever the 
 Governor and Intendant were called upon to concède upon 
 the Seignior's refusai, the Arrêt of 1711 decided that the 
 concession should be made " upon the same rights as im- 
 posed upon the other conceded lands in the same sei- 
 gniories." (*) § 3. The grants to the Seigniors did not 
 regulate the act of concession, except in four of those which 
 hâve come to the knowledge of the Court. (F. 10, A. 2.) 
 § 4. Upon the question, " were the concessions to be made 
 at an annual rent charge {à titre de redevances annuelles) 
 only ? " the Court is equally divided. (F. 6, A. 6.) It 
 will be seen further on, that the majority of the Court agreed 
 to this proposition, so far as the réservations are concerned, 
 with one exception; (No. 39, § 1. F. 7, A. 5.) this 
 explains the reason why the Court did not adopt it hère in 
 the strongest terms, " for an annual rent charge only." 
 § 5. The rate of dues was not established by custom, 
 except in the case of a concession made by the Governor 
 and the Intendant. (F. 10, A. 2.) 
 
 14. — The dues varied in amount at the promulgation of 
 the Arrêt of the 6th of July, 1711 ; this Airêt does not 
 establish any fixed rate; the dues bave varied since the 
 
dérogation 
 ; Arrêt of 
 lime of its 
 ntly. (*) 
 
 compelling 
 and Inten- 
 s for com- 
 upon corn- 
 ions of ihe 
 h of Mardi, 
 y, 1743. (*) 
 
 inds in the 
 lor by Cus- 
 lenever ihe 
 jncede upon 
 led that the 
 ights as im- 
 3 sarne sei- 
 ors did not 
 those whieh 
 . 10, A. 2.) 
 to be made 
 'S annuelles) 
 A. 6.) It 
 :ourt agreed 
 concerned, 
 A. 5.) thi» 
 Ipt it hère in 
 arge only." 
 by custom, 
 ;he Governor 
 
 lulgation of 
 \êt does not 
 td since the 
 
 129 a 
 
 promulgation of that Arrêt, but hâve gradually increased. 
 F. 10, A. 2.) 
 
 15. The Arrêt of the 6th of July, 1711, doe . not establish 
 any fixed rate, except in case of the refusai of tiie Seignior 
 to concède. (F. 10, A. 2.) 
 
 16.— § 1. The Arrêt of the 6th of July, 1711, Arrêt of 
 the 15th of March, 1732, and the Déclaration of the 17th of 
 July, 1743, were in force at the time of the session of the 
 Country ; (*) § 2. and thèse laws were generally observed 
 upto that time. (F. 11, A. 1) 
 
 17. — § 1. According to the laws of the Country, the pro- 
 prietors of fiefs had the full and entire property in their 
 lands, before they had conceded them. (F. 11, A. 1.) §2. 
 That is to say, that the useful and full demesnes were united 
 in them. (F. 11, A. 1.) § 3. The Arrêt of 1711, required 
 Seigniors to concède without exacting a money priée for 
 the concession {deniers (Pentrêe). The Arrêt of 1732, prohi- 
 bited the sale of wild lands [terres en bois debout), under the 
 penalty of nullity. (*) § 4. The Seigniors were required to 
 concède at arent charge. [F. 11, A. 1.) § 5. The prohibi- 
 tion to exact a money priée applied only to uncleared lands 
 (terres non défrichées. (*) 
 
 18, 19 & 20. — § 1, In so far as those laws had relation 
 to the tenure, and regulated the essence of the contract, they 
 were laws of public policy, fd^ordre public. j (F. 7, A. 5.) 
 § 2. Taking them in that sensé, individuals could not con- 
 travene them. (F. 8, A. 4.) § 3. Contracts, in contravention 
 of those laws, in so far as they were thus of public policy, 
 were not binding, but were null, (pleno jurej (F. 8, A. 4.) 
 
 21. — Those laws were in force at the passsing of the Sei- 
 gniorial Act of 1854. (F. 9, A. 3.) 
 
 22. — Upon the question' " since the cession, did there 
 exist a tribunal compétent to exercise the power conferred 
 
130 a 
 
 on the Governor and Intendant by tlie Arrêt of the 6th of 
 July, 1711, relating to the concession of seigniorial lands," 
 the Court is equally devided. (F, 6, A. 6.( 
 
 23. — Ail the juDiciARY powers, exercised by the Inten- 
 dant in civil matters,before the cession of the Country, hâve 
 devolved upon the civil tribunals of the Province. (*) 
 
 24. — Thèse same tribunals were compétent to déclare the 
 nullity of contracts made between private individnals in 
 contravention to the laws above mentioned. (F. 11, A. 1.) 
 
 25. — The Tenants f Censitaires ) to whom concessions 
 hâve been made, since the cession, at higher rates than those 
 which were customary before that time, hâve no right to be 
 releived from the excess of those dues. (F. 11, A. 1.) 
 
 Navigable Rivcrs. 
 
 26. — Seigniors had no other rights over navigable rivera 
 than those specially conveyed to them by their grants, pro- 
 vided thèse rights were not inconsistent v^ith the public use 
 of the water of those rivers, which is inaliénable and im- 
 prescriptible. (F. 11, A. 1.) 
 
 27. — § 1. In seigniories, bounded by a navigable river, 
 Seigniors could lawfully reserve to themselves the right of 
 fishing therein, or impose dues on their Tenants [Censitaires) 
 for the exercise of that right, when the right of fishing in the 
 same had been granted to them ; but they could not make 
 the réservation, or impose the dues, without grant and as 
 Seigniors only. (F. 11, A. 1.) 
 
 § 2. Where the right of fishing in navigable rivers was 
 granted to Seigniors, the Tenants (Censitaires) could not 
 hâve that right without spécial concession. (F. 11, A. I.) 
 
 § 3. The rights of Seigniors in tidal navigable rivers over 
 
 he space of ground covered and uncovered by the tide, are 
 
 dirived from spécial grant, and without that extend to high 
 
6th of 
 
 .nds," 
 
 [nten- 
 
 r, have 
 
 [are the 
 Liais in 
 S.. 1.) 
 
 cessions 
 an those 
 trht to be 
 
 10 
 
 3\e rivers 
 ants, pro- 
 public use 
 and im- 
 
 ble river, 
 
 lie right of 
 
 Censitaires) 
 
 ling in the 
 
 not make 
 
 int and as 
 
 Irivers was 
 could not 
 11, A. 1.) 
 
 Irivers over 
 le tide, are 
 lend to high 
 
 131 a 
 
 WRter mark only ; in navi£rfil)lo rivera not subject. to the 
 lidal flow, llie rights of Sei^j^niors extended to the water line, 
 saving ail logul servitudes, and wilhout préjudice to the 
 spécial granls in navigable rivers above mentioned. (F. 11, 
 A. 1.) 
 
 § 4. The mutation of benclios, between high and low 
 water mark, on the river St. Lawrence, or in othcr navi- 
 gable rivers, held by Seigniors by virtue of grants, as afore- 
 said, and conceded by them, entitles Seigniors to the mu- 
 tation fine {lotis et ventes) in the same cases in which it 
 would have accrued in other sales. (F. 11, A. 1.) 
 
 Non-Navigable Rivers. 
 
 28. — § 1. By the grant of the fief to the Seignior, he 
 became proprictor of the non-navigable rivers, rivulets and 
 other running waters, which passed through or were wholly 
 or in part within the fief ; the same principle applied to the 
 property in such rivers and rivulets to the middle of the 
 steam. It is also in virtue of the same grant, that he 
 became proprietor of non-navigable lakes as well as of 
 ponds. (F. 10, A. 2.) 
 
 § 2. He was thus proprietor of thèse waters in manner 
 aforesaid, as belonging to and forming a portion of the fief ; 
 unless they were excluded by the grant ; subject nevertheless 
 to légal servitudes. (F. 10, A. 2.) 
 
 29. — § 1. At the cessioi- of the Country, the Seigniors 
 of Canada were lawful proprietors of thèse non-navigable 
 et non-floatable waters, in whole or to the middle of the 
 stream, as the case might be, on the whole of their uncon- 
 ceded lands, and might make use of them for industrial or 
 other purposes, to the exclusion of ail other persons. (F. 11, 
 A. 1.) 
 
 § 2. The Subfeudatory or Tenant, Censitaire^ by the sub- 
 infeudation or accensement became in the same manner pro- 
 prietor in whole or to the middle of the stream, according 
 
132 fl 
 
 to the several cases mentioned of thèse non-navigable and 
 non-floatable waters, which passed through or which border- 
 ed the conceded land, unless they were excluded by the 
 title ; the grantee [concessionnaire) becoming proprietor " of 
 them, was also subjected to légal servitudes. (F. 9, A. 3.) 
 " Nevertheless the gênerai réservations of the waters which 
 the Seigniors might hâve made, are declared to be null ; 
 (V. No. 39, § 3, art. 4, p. 7, c. 5,) from which we must 
 understand by thèse words, " unless they were excluded 
 by the title," thaï they meant the exclusion of the soi! or 
 land as well as the exclusion of the waters." 
 
 30. — The right of property in rivers was no* a right of 
 justiciœ [droit de justice^) it resulted from the convtyance of 
 and followed the estate granted ; when the estate was con- 
 veyed in seigniory, the right resulted from the gênerai laws 
 of property in force in the Country, and not from the text of 
 the Custom of Paris, nor from any law specially promul- 
 gated for Canada. (F. 10, A. 2.) 
 
 31. — It was not a right oi justiciœ [droit de justice.) F. 11, 
 A. 1.) 
 
 32. — § 1. The property of Seigniors in non-navigable and 
 non-floatable waters, was susceptible of division into the 
 immédiate demesne and the useful demesne like the pro- 
 perty in the soil. (F. 11, A. 1.) 
 
 § 2. The concession operating this division, conveyed to 
 the Tenant [Censitaire) the possession and enjoyment of 
 those waters which were within the limits of the concession. 
 (F. 11, A. 1.) 
 
 37 and 38. — There hasbeen no established jurisprudence 
 in Lower Canada, since the cession of the Country, in re- 
 lation to the rights in the waters which pass through or bor- 
 der upon their lands. (*) 
 
133 a 
 
 le and 
 )order- 
 by the 
 elor ' of 
 A. 3.) 
 which 
 e null ; 
 e must 
 icluded 
 soil Of 
 
 right ot 
 vance ot 
 lA'^as con- 
 îral laws 
 le text of 
 r promul- 
 
 ^) F. 11, 
 
 ;able and 
 
 into the 
 
 le the pro- 
 
 iveyed to 
 lyment of 
 încession. 
 
 sprudence 
 jtry, in re- 
 Igh or bor- 
 
 Right of Banalité. 
 
 33. — § 1. At the passing of the Seigniorial Act of 1854, 
 the Seigniors in Canada, who had erectod grist mills (tnotdins 
 à farine^) had the right of preventing ail others from build- 
 ing siich mills within the extent of their banalité. {F. 11, 
 A. 1.) 
 
 § 2. They had also the right of demanding the démoli- 
 tion of ail mills of that kind built within their censive by 
 other persons. (F. 11, A. 1.) 
 
 At this part of tne subject, the Court has not been asked 
 if the suppression of the rights mentioned in the two pre- 
 ceding § should be a reason for indemnifying the Seignior, 
 but in relation to prohibitions the Court has stated elsewhere : 
 (41, § 1 and 2.) ^' The disappearance of prohibitions made 
 for the protection of otheir legitimate seigniorial rights, al- 
 though légal, does not give rise to any indemnity, because 
 those prohibitions were only accessory to a principal right 
 for which the Seignior has indemnity. 
 
 34. — § 1. Thèse rights extented to ail seigniories. (F. 
 10, A. 2.) 
 
 § 2. The Seigniors could not demand the démolition of 
 grist mills built upon lands whose tenure had been commut- 
 ed into that of franc-allcu roturier^ or that of free and com- 
 mon soccage, within the limits of their respective fiefs. 
 (F. 11, A. 1.) 
 
 35. — Thèse rights did not extent to other than grist mills, 
 nor to any works (usines) of any kind ; they are compre- 
 hended in and from part of the law of banalité, and hâve 
 their origin in the civil laws of France on the subject. (F. 11, 
 A. 1.) 
 
 36. — § 1. The right of banalité, as established in the 
 Country, obliged Seigniors to build banal mills, and Te- 
 nants [Ceasilaires) to bring their grain to the mill to be 
 
134 « 
 
 ground, which was necessary for the sustenance of their 
 families, whethcr tlio grain wa.s raiscd or brouglit williinthe 
 extent of the banalité and gronnd for tliat purposc. (F. 11 
 A. 1.) ' 
 
 § 2. Tliisright, which was convonlional in the origin, was 
 afterwards rendcrod gênerai and obligatory upon ail Sei- 
 gniors and Tenants ,^C'e;i«ïa/mçJ (F. 11, A. 1.) 
 
 § 3. The Arrêt of the 4th of June, 1G86, was the first law 
 which rendered banalité gênerai and obligatory upon Sei- 
 gniors and Tenants. (F. U, A. 1.) 
 
 § 4. In this Country banalité was feudal as being attach- 
 edtoa/e/. (F. 11, A. 1.) 
 
 § 5. Banalité was only conventional under the Custom 
 of Paris. (*) 
 
 § 6. Seigniors, who had no mills built at the passing of 
 the Seigniorial Act of 1854, liave no right, under the pro- 
 visions of the said Act, to any indcmnity for banalité. (*) 
 
 Nos. 37 and 38 are given above. 
 
 Réservations. 
 
 39. — § 1. The obligation to concède at a rent charge, {à titre 
 de redevances) imposée! upon Seigniors, must be understood 
 as being exclusive of ail reserves which cannot be compre- 
 hend within the term dues {redevances)^ and which were 
 not otherwise rendered légal. (F. 7, A. 5.) 
 
 § 2. Ail reserves must be held to be légal, the object of 
 which was the obligation uponthe Tenant {Censitaire) to 
 allow the accomplishment by the Seignior, on his part, of 
 the obligations of that nature stipulated by the King in 
 the grant of ihefief. (F. 11, A. 1.) 
 
 § 3. The following réservations or other analogous to 
 them, were illégal, and do not give to the Seignior a 
 
 
135 a 
 
 right to any indernnity by reason ofthcir suppression : Art. 1. 
 A réservation of firewood ibr tlie use of the Seignior ; Art. 
 2. A réservation of ail marketable timber ; Art. 3. A réser- 
 vation of ail mines, quarries,sand, stonc andotlier rnaterials 
 of tlie sarne kind ; Art. 4. A réservation of ail rivers, 
 rivulcts and streams for ail kinds of mills, works and manu- 
 factures ; Art. 5. A réservation oftiie right of divertingand 
 directing the course of streams and of intersecting lands by 
 channels for that purpose ; Art. 6. A réservation of the right 
 of taking the land requisite for the building of any kind of 
 mills or manufactures, with or without indemnity. (F. 7, 
 A. 5.) 
 
 § 4. A réservation of indemnity for the value of the lands 
 of the Censitaires required for the construction of railroads, 
 is also illégal and gives no right to indemnity,) F. 9, A. 3.) 
 
 § 5. Réservation of the right of changing the place and 
 time of payment of tlie cens et renies and other seigniorial 
 dues, the Seigniors might make the réservation, provided 
 the place newly indicated was within the limits of the sei- 
 gniory. (*). 
 
 § 6. Tlie réservation of timber for the construction of 
 churches without indemnity, and the réservation of the right 
 of fishing and hunting on the lands conceded, are illégal 
 and give no right to indemnity. (F. 8, A. 4.) 
 
 § 7. The question being put : " is the réservation of 
 timber for the building of the manor house and mills without 
 indemnity, légal, and does it give to the Seignior a right to 
 an indemnity for its suppression? " the Court is equally 
 divided. (F. 6, A. 6.)— But it is stated at § 1 : " AU réser- 
 vations whieh cannot bc comprehended within the term 
 dues {redeuances) are illégal." 
 
 40. — The 40th question is too gênerai, the Court docs not 
 answer it. 
 
136 a 
 
 Prohibitions. 
 
 41. — § 1. Whcn prohibitions werernade for tlic protection 
 of olher légal seignioriul righty, tliey m'^hl be légal. (F. Il, 
 A. I.) 
 
 § 2. But thcir disappearancc, by virtue of the Seigni- 
 orial Act of 1854, does not give rise to any indemnity, 
 because they were only accessory to a principal riglit for 
 which the Seignior lias indemnity. y ) — Can tliis rulo of law 
 apply to the légal prohibition to build flour mills, which is 
 one of the accessorles of the right of banalité ? 
 
 § 3. The following were neverlhuless illégal and do not 
 give rise to any indemnity ; Art. 1. The prohibition to build 
 any kind ci mills, manufactures or other works, {usines) 
 moved by water, wind or steam. (F. 9, A. 3.) ; Art. 2. The 
 prohibition to sell marketable timber, to make deals, to 
 grind grain not subject to banalité, grown bcyond the censive 
 and intended for market. (F. 9, A. 3.) ; Art. 3. The prohibi- 
 tion to use streams passing over or bordering upon the lands 
 of the Censitaires to propel mills, manufactures or olher 
 Works {usines) (F. 9, A. 3.) 
 
 Personal labor (corvées.) 
 
 42. — The covenants contained in some deeds of conces- 
 sion, imposing prrsonal days' labor {journées de corvées) 
 upon ihe Tenants {Censitaires), for the advantage of the 
 Seigniors, are légal and give rise to indemnity. (F. 11, A 1.) 
 
 lods et Veilles. 
 
 43. — At the time of the passing of the Teigniorial Act, 
 the Seigniors subject to its opération could not lawfully 
 demand the mutation fine {àroils de tods et ventes) upon the 
 exchange, without soulleoî lands witliin the'r seignioryfor 
 olhers held in franc-alleu roturier or in iree and common 
 soccage beyond their seigniory. (*) 
 
137 a 
 
 Righb of the Crowi. 
 
 4i. — The rights of ih- Crown, the value of whieh is to l>e 
 deducted in the scliedule to be made under the Seigniorial 
 Aet of 1854, from the price to be paid by the Tenants (Cen- 
 iilaires) to the Sclgniors for the rédemption of the seigniorial 
 dues, are those of (/uint and relief in the cases under whieh 
 they were due under the Custom of Paris, unless the lucra- 
 tive rights of the Crown, to bc deducted, should hâve been 
 olherwise regulated by the particular grant of each seigniory, 
 to whieh référence must be had ; but it is the duty of this 
 Court to observe that it has not corne to the knowledge of 
 this Court that the Crown has ever exercised the right of 
 relief] cxcept that due under the Custom of Vexin-Ie-Fran- 
 çais, includod within that of Paris, by whieh some grants 
 ^iw /fV/ are governed. (F. 8, A. 4.) 
 
 45. — Whenever, by the abolition, under the Seigniorial 
 Act, of the obligation to subinfeudate the lands, an addi- 
 tional value may be given by it to the unconceded lands, 
 ihat value must be ascertained and inserted in the schedules 
 in déduction of the price of rédemption. (F. 11, A. 1.) 
 
 Rights to be valucd. 
 
 45. — The rights, dues, iuties and réservations, the l 
 lity whereof is acknowledged, and whieh are appréciable 
 in money, should be valucd in making up the whole price 
 of rédemption of the seigniorial rights. (*) 
 
 II. 
 
 SUMMARY OF THE JUDGMENT OF THE COURT UPON THE 
 COUNTER-QUESTIONS SUBMITTKD BY THE HONORABLE 
 PANGMAN. 
 
 1. (f) — § 1. At the period of the introduction of the Cus- 
 tom of Paris into Canada, the légal efl'ect of the contract 
 whereby a person, holding lands en franc-alleu noble, granted 
 
 (t) This figure corresponJa wifh the numbors of tho questions and answers ; the 
 
 nurabers foUowed by are those to whioh there ia no answer, the point under 
 
 oooaideration being comprised in the preceding deoiaiom, ào., Slo. 
 
138 a 
 
 tliorcfrom a pnrf rn fie/or m rensivr, was to dovidp tlm pro- 
 piTly into u domaine direct untl intou domaine îtlilc. (*) 
 
 § 2. Undor tlic lavv of thaï CiiHlom, llio noble ail vu lier 
 was under no oblij^alion to alicnate thc suid lands. (*) 
 
 G. — TIk; concession cny/r/*, neitlicr befon; nor aftcr tlic; cn- 
 rc^'istration ol' tlie tvvo Arrêts of 1711, and of 1732, did not 
 oj)L'rate a division of thc estate bctwecn Scignior and Vas- 
 sal or tenant {Censitaires), of what niight be aflcrwards 
 sub-granted : but thc division was eHocled by thc subscquent 
 decd of subinfeudation or acccnsemenl. 
 
 
 8, 
 
 9. — § 1 and 2. The Arrêt of 1732 did not make any dis- 
 tinction bctwecn the sale of wild lands {terres en bois debout) 
 by a proprietor holding ew/Z^/, en ccnsive or en franc-alhu. {*) 
 
 10. — According to the Arrêt of 1732, the penalty of nul- 
 lity was attachcd to the sale of wild lands {terres en bois 
 debout)^ held cither en fief ox en eensive or en franc-alleu., even 
 if the prohibition had not becn specially imposed by thc 
 Crown in the original grant. (*) 
 
 11 12 
 
 13. — § 1. Seigniors will hâve the right to invokc, for ail 
 légal |)urposcs, bcfore the Comrnissioners acting in virtuc 
 of thc Scigniorial Act, whethcr in thc first resort or in the 
 revision of thc schcdules, as wcll as bcfore the experts^ and 
 bcfore Courts of law, having jurisdiction ovcr and cogni- 
 zance of the matfer {saisies du sujet), the terms of the origi- 
 nal grant by which they hold thcir scigniorics, whethcr thc 
 grants hâve procecded from the Crown of France or froni 
 the British Crown. (*) 
 
 § 2. With référence to the ténor of the aveux et dénombre- 
 ments, and of the acts of fcalty and homage and of the 
 '^■•"" " oponittances for quint and otlier dnps çrrr>r>i,^<^ *- 
 
le llio pro- 
 
 '(' ni/ eu lier 
 
 . (•) 
 
 cr ihe cn- 
 I, did not 
 and Vas- 
 ifterwiirds 
 ibscquent 
 
 ! any dis- 
 ns debout) 
 ■-alleu. (•) 
 
 y of nul- 
 's en bois 
 lieu., even 
 by tht; 
 
 0, for aJl 
 
 in virtue 
 
 or in the 
 
 ;rts^ and 
 
 l cogni- 
 
 e origi- 
 
 thcr tlir 
 
 or froni 
 
 nombre- 
 )f the 
 
 139 a 
 
 thom or thoir prodrcossors (nif/eHrs), tlio samr légal oflbct 
 mnsi l)c giv(;n fo tliciii iti relation to tlio obli'jfation of the 
 SfMgnior.s to fh(î C'rown, arcîording to tlio circmiistances of 
 eacli vntv. ; but tlicy oannot alici-t llio relativo position of 
 SiMgniors and Tenants [Censitaires), IxM.'aiise the aveux et 
 déïionihretniiits, aets of fcalty and hoinage, and acciiiittantx'S 
 ofdiifs, only liave légal elleet l)i'l\veen iIk; doiiiinanl Sei- 
 gnior and tiu; Vassal, as exeeuted betvveen tlieni, and do 
 not adeet otiiers not parties to them. (*) 
 
 § 3. Tlu! chara<!ter and terms of the possession and on- 
 joyinent of any riglits, either between the Seigniors and the 
 Crown, or the Seigniors and any Tenants (Censitaires)^ in 
 80 far as that possession rnay havc a known légal efl'ect, 
 with a vievv to the seigniorial lavv and the pres('nt décisions 
 of this Court in partieular, niay also be taken into considé- 
 ration. (*J 
 
 § 4. The Commissioncrs may order the adduction of any 
 évidence wliich they nmy require to enable them to judge 
 correctly in ail cases. This Court cannol be called upon 
 to lay down in its décision ail the rules applicable to the 
 admissibility and appréciation of évidence : the application 
 of the rules enuneiated in this answer are subject neverthe- 
 less, in ail cases, to the observance of the décisions of this 
 Court. (*) 
 
 IH. 
 
 SUMMARY OF THE JuDGMENT OF THE COURT UPON THE COUN- 
 TER-QUESTIONS OF SIK EDMUND FILMER ET XL.. 
 
 1. 
 
 • • • • • ^« «••••• o* •#•••• 
 
 4. — The introduction of the criniinal laws ofEngland into 
 Canada, since the cession of the Country, has not had the 
 efiect of abrogating the pénal enactnients of 1711, and 1732; 
 those in question were merely of a civil nature. (*) 
 
140 a 
 
 6. — Thèse Arrêts hâve not fallen into désuétude. (F. 9, 
 A. 3.) 
 
 7. — Thèse Arrêts hâve not been repealed by the Impérial 
 Act, 3 Geo. IV, cap. 19, (commonly called the Canada 
 Trade Act,) nor by tbe Impérial Act, 6 Geo. IV, cap. 59, 
 (commonly called the Tenures Act.) (F. 10, A. 2.) 
 
 IV. 
 
 8UMMARY OF THE JUDGMENT OF THE COURT UPON THE COUN- 
 TER-QUESTIONS OF DAME MARIE LOUISE CHARTIER DE LOT- 
 BINIÈRE, MRS. HARWOOD. 
 
 1. § 1. — The Acts of the Impérial Parliament, commonly 
 called the trade Act and the Tenures Act of Canada, hâve 
 effected changes in seigniories for which a commutation of 
 tenure has been obtained under their provisions, with réfé- 
 rence to the portions of thèse seigniories not conceded at the 
 time of the commutation. (F. 11, A. 1.) 
 
 § 2. — Thèse portions were by the commutation subjected 
 to the tenure ol free and common soccage, and relieved from 
 rights and dues to the Crown, and generally withdrawn from 
 seigniorial laws and obligations. 
 
 (F. 10, A. 2.) 
 
 § 3. — At the time of the commutation. Tenants (Censi- 
 taires) and the Seigniors, on their part, continued to be sub- 
 ject to their obligations towards their Tenants {Censitaires^) 
 althougli the Seigniors had obtained a regrant of the entire 
 seigniory under the tenure of free and common soccage. (*) 
 
 § 3. — The laws which regulate the relations between the 
 Seigniors and the Tenants {Censitaires)^ ^PP^y equally to the 
 case where a commutation has been demanded by the Sei- 
 gior, in virtue of the Impérial Acts, but not obtained at the 
 passing of the Seigniorial Act of 1854. (F. 11, A. 1.) 
 
le. (F. 9, 
 
 3 Impérial 
 3 Canada 
 , cap. 59, 
 
 HE COUN- 
 l DE LOT- 
 
 ommonly 
 da, hâve 
 jtation of 
 nth refe- 
 led at the 
 
 ubjected 
 ved from 
 Lwn from 
 
 (Censi- 
 be sub- 
 
 Q entire 
 ige. (*) 
 
 een the 
 y to the 
 the Sei- 
 1 at the 
 1-) 
 
 141a 
 
 § 5. They apply also to the case when a commutation 
 has not becn demanded by the Seignior, under the provi- 
 sions of the Impérial Acts. (F. 11, A. 1.) 
 
 2. A eontract or a clause of a contract, touching the terms 
 of any aliénation of lands, which might be contrary to ihe 
 laws of Canada, although not in itself immoral or prohibited 
 by british public law, can be held to be nuU or annuUable. 
 (F. 11, A. 1.) 
 
 3. The Commissioners may not lawfully assume to ireat 
 any contract touching the terms of aliénation of any lands, 
 unless such nullity has been pronounced by the judgment of 
 a Court of compétent jurisdiction, or such contract, or such 
 clause of a contract has been declared illégal by the Spécial 
 Court. (*) 
 
 4. In any fief or seigniory, for which it was possible tode- 
 mand a commutation in virtue of the Impérial Acts above 
 mentioned, the Commissioners hâve a right to enforce the 
 Seigniorial Act of 1854, even if the Seignior or the Tenant 
 {Censitaire) should elect to maintain the application of the 
 provision of the Impérial Acts. (F. 8, A. 3.) 
 
 Judge Day abstains from pronouncing on this question. 
 
 V. 
 
 The judgment upon the counter-questions of Dame Marie 
 Charlotte Chartier De Lotbinière, (Mrs- Bingham,) is con- 
 tained in the preceding answers. 
 
 VI. 
 
 SUMMARY OF THE JUDGMENT OF THE COURT UPON THE COUN- 
 TER-QUESTIONS OF THE HONORABLE MALCOLM FRASER. 
 
 1. — Grantsin/îe/ in this Country, made by the British 
 Crown, from the cession to the passing of the Seigniorial 
 Act of 1854, are subject to the same laws as the other grants 
 
142 a 
 
 made under tlie same tenure, unless the grant contains cer- 
 tain spécial dispositions by which a dérogation in certain 
 respects shall be established. (F. 9, A. 3.) 
 
 VII. 
 
 SITMMARY OF THE JUDGMENT OF THE COURT UPON THE COUN- 
 TER-QUESTION8 OF THE HONORABLE JEAN ROCH ROLLAND. 
 
 Seigniors cannot flood the lands granted to their Tenants 
 [Censitaires^) in virtue of their right of banalité ; if they possess 
 the right, it commonly proceed from valid titles, the effect 
 of which cannot be changed by the Seigniorial Act of 1854. 
 (F. 11, A. 1.) 
 
 VIII. 
 
 The resuit of this judgment is : lo That since the Arrêt 
 of 1711, the Seigniors were obliged to concède their lands ; 
 2o that they were bound to concède them at a rent charge, 
 (à titre de redevances) ; 3o that neither the law nor custom 
 had fixed the rates of cens et rentes, except in the case of a 
 concession by the Governors and the Intendant upon the Sei- 
 gnior's refusai ; 4o that the cens et rentes should be main- 
 tained in conformity with the stipulations contained in the 
 deeds of concession ; 6o that the Seigniors had no right in 
 the navigable rivers, unless they held such right by virtue 
 of a spécial title ; 6o that, when they had such a title 
 they might subinfeudate or accensé those rights at a rent 
 charge {à titre de redevances) ; 7o that the non-navigable 
 rivers form part of the private demesne and follow the pro- 
 perty, no matter into whosa hands it may pass ; 8o that, 
 the non-navigable rivers, upon conceded lands, belong to 
 the Tenants [Censitaires], and, in such a case, any réserva- 
 tion which might be made of them would be illégal ; 9o that, 
 since the Arrêt of 1686, banalité was légal and universal in 
 Canada, and consisted, on the part of the Seigniors, of the 
 obligation to build mills, and on that of the Tenants [Cen- 
 sitaires] to bring the grain, for the use of their families, to 
 
143 a 
 
 tains cer- 
 ^ certain 
 
 tE COUJV- 
 'LANt>. 
 
 Tenants 
 possess 
 3 effect 
 f 1854. 
 
 î Arrêt 
 Jands ; 
 harge, 
 usfom 
 e of a 
 e Sei- 
 main- 
 n ihe 
 ?ht in 
 nrtue 
 
 titJe 
 
 rent 
 i:abJe 
 pro- 
 thar. 
 
 be gronnd in them ; lOo that the rights to prevent the buil- 
 ding of ilour mills, was an accessory of the right of banalité 
 which it was intended to protect ; 1 lo that such prohi- 
 bition does not give a right of indemnity, if the principal 
 due {droit principal) be paid ; 12o that ail the charges, 
 réservations and prohibitions, wiiich cannot be comprised 
 within the meaning of the word " dues " [redevances], 
 and which would hâve the effect of retaining a portion of the 
 useful demesne, are null and illégal ; 13o that the impo- 
 sition of Personal days labor, {journées de corvées) is légal ; 
 14o that it is requisite to ascertain the increase in the value 
 of unconceded lands given to the Seigniors in franc- 
 alleu ; 15o that the Impérial icts, commonly called the 
 Canada Trade Act and the Te.iures Act, do not impose any 
 limit upon the working of the Seigniorial Act of 1854 ; 
 l6o that those seigniories which were conceded both before 
 and since the conquest, are equally subject to the enactment 
 of this law, except in the case where unconceded lands 
 hâve been duly converted into free and common soccage ; 
 17o that the parties interested will be allowed to produce 
 every kindof légal evid""'^^, in support of their prétentions, 
 before the Commissionec'' '"j 
 
 (1) It is necessary to inform the a. r that this sumir.ary which commences at 
 page 126, does not form part of the judgment : it is an analysis got up for the pur- 
 pose of facilitating the study of the subject. 
 
 rva- 
 hat, 
 lin 
 Xhe 
 ■en- 
 to 
 
B s C l{ V A T l N' S 
 
 I 
 
 OF 
 
 SIE L. H. LAFONTAINE, BART. 
 
 CIIIEF JUSTICE. 
 
 Prelimivary Remarks. 
 
 On ihe 26th .lune 1850, tlie Législative Assembly, 
 upon rny motion, a.s one of its members, adopled the 
 following re solutions : 
 
 lo. Resolved, — Tliat tiie Scigniorial tenurc in Lower 
 Canada is a mattor of Public Policy {ordre public) wliicli it 
 is the duty of the Provincial Législature to take into consi- 
 dération, more especialiy now that the subject lias attracted 
 the public attention in a high degree ; and that it is thcrc- 
 fore important lo eliect, at as oarly a pcriod a;> possible, the 
 conversion oi" the said tenure iiUo a free one, taking care 
 that ail the interests concerncd are protccted and equitably 
 adjustedi 
 
 2o; Resolved^ — That .such comnuUation of tenure ean 
 only be elFected by st^euring a fair indemuity to ail parties 
 vvhose just rights it will allect. 
 
 Thèse resolutions, adoptfd by a nifijority of 53 againsf 
 
 1, cstablished the jirineiples of justioe and equity, avS 
 
 based on the respect due to the sacred right of property, on 
 
 which, to render it legitimate, the great révolution v.lii(;h 
 
 the " Seigniorial Act of 1854'' is destined to operate in fh»' 
 
 institutions of Lower Canada onght to lie earried ont. 
 
 1 
 
2 a 
 
 T\\o institution of'feudality, as introducod into Canada by 
 tlu; Kini^'s <»l" France, and as afterwanls iiiodiiicd by spécial 
 laws l'or ada})tini>' it to tlie .setlieiiicnt ol' a counlry newly 
 lidded lo tlic ("rowii ol' tliese Kini^^s, a country covered witii 
 î^itfantic forests, subject lo a very severe cliniat(>, and iniia- 
 liili'd solcly by .-avai^e hordes, lias been rei^arded l)y impar- 
 tial iiicn ;is cniiuently calcnlated, at ils oiilset, io sccnnî tlie 
 siiccess ol" ttiat stMtleiuent. In llie circiinistanccs, indiM-d, 
 iitider wliicli tin- colony ol'New France- was l'onnded, il coiild 
 (lot Ix; (>\pecte(l tlial liie iiiass ol' llie eariier colonists, wlio, 
 sooiier or biler, wiM'e to becoiiie pro])rietors ol' tlie soil, coiilil 
 brin<( with tlieiii otlier iin'aiis tlian tlicir enerij;y and love ol' 
 ialioiir, to nid iu hiyin^' tlie l'oiindat ions ol' a new (loiiie 
 in llie New W'oi'M. 
 
 Il I ;iiii oiie oi thoM- w iio, a|>preeialini;' iiiipartially tlie 
 liir-lory ol tlie eslablislinient ol tlu- counlry, believe tliat llie 
 Sei^nioriid Tenure, iij) îo a period coiiiparalively récent, 
 lias liad llie siiceess W Ilicli was e\pecled, and ou^lit to lia\(> 
 lieeii e\j)iH'led, t'idiii il, I aill e(|nallv olie ol' tliose W'Ilo, 
 tiirmiii:.; a delibiaale |iidi4iiien( ol' llie eliaiii^es wliieli lia\i' 
 silice coiiic iiilo opi'ralion, in tlie condition, tlie wanîs 
 and ideas ol' ( ';uruiiaii Soeietv, are cous ineed tlial tlie laws 
 uliich oi>\ern lliisteiiiire, and die relations tliereby t^stablisli- 
 ed beiwciii tlie Srii^iiiois aud censitaires (tenants) lia\e 
 ceased lo be in lianuoiiy w idi t!ie social usai,n-s ol' lliat 
 saine '<oeietv. Now, laws wliicli are not in iiuison with 
 llie habits of a peoj)|e caiiiiot lon^- exisl nnd(M- oiir new 
 l'oriii ol' i^-overniiieut, above ail wlieti, liowever jiisl and 
 benelicial tliey luay orii^inally lia\e bee-n, lliey bei'oiiie, 
 al a later date, althoui;li w-roni;ly, to be re^arded by llial saine 
 |)coph-, uol as creatinif a lei;iliinale debt, but in the lii^lil ol' 
 alax lo whicli, tliey casily c(»]ivin<'e iheiiiselves, lliey lia\c 
 ue\er \ ieUled a Iree consent. 
 
 \ 
 
 Il is, iheii, (;md the historv ol' ihe lasl years hâve lurnish- 
 
r^ (i 
 
 f'd |)i(ii)| ol' llir tiul) llial ;i;;ilalii)ii lîikrs ii> l'iill ( omx- , ;i^i 
 l.itKiii u hicli, iiiiliiij)|)ily, is 111(1 al\\;iys coïKliicird willi llie 
 r('s|>cct (\\\s' to tlic rii!;iils ol' propcrlv . Ami \\ lirn iIk'R' is, 
 «■oiiipiiralivclv, l>iit a \cr_v siiiall iiimiiIxt of iii(li\ idiials iii- 
 t''icsic(| in inaintainim,'' tilt; law wliicli is ilir cause ol' iliis 
 ai;ilati(»ii, ouc iun>l bn vcry hliiid iiot to sec wliat iiiiisl 
 Ix' tlic rcsiih. 'i'Iic iniiiority liavc notliini; to i^aiii ; tlicy lia\c, 
 ou llir coutraiy, ail to losc. 
 
 So, "■ tlic ^'(•ilflliol•ial Art of is.'j |" liaviiia', l'or ils olijcct, 
 • o jiiiî an ciul to tliis agitation, tlic coiiiilry oiiijlit to applaud 
 its proiiuili^'alioti, as hcarin^'oii tlic inlcrcst ol'tlic Censitaires 
 as wcll as tliai ol ilic Seii4;niors. On tlic oiic liand, it con- 
 .--ccralcs, in i)riuci[>le, tlie respect due to tlic Ic^iiiniaïc rior|its 
 of tlic Sci^nior ; on tlicotlicf liaiid, il c([n;il]y consccratcs in 
 |)riiiciplc tlic protection wliicli tlie C'cnï<ilairc lias a riq'lit lo 
 cvpcct Iroiii cxaclioiis, on llic part oftliis saine Scignior. Lt't 
 us |io|)e, ihcn, llial lliis two-l'old lesiilt will hc ol)taincd by 
 a raitlil'iil and impartial e\ccni ion of tlic law. 
 
 V'icwcd l'roni a still iiiorc clevatcd point, wc uught to 
 applaud the pas^iing of '' tlie Scigniorial Act of 18o4.'" It 
 is an entirc nn-olution in (»nr institutions. And wliile, in 
 otiier counirics, tliis révolution could not Ix? ctlectcd with- 
 oiit hloodslicd and tlic uplic;iving of tlic social cflificc froiii 
 its foundations, ail tliings promise, nay wi- liave evcn fli(^ 
 ccrtainly, tliat in Canada, to tlic lionor of its peoplc, the 
 (liante will hc acconiplislied witfiout trouble or commotion 
 of Hiiy kind. 
 
 (n order ilic beiicr to insitro the exécution of the law 
 abolishing the Scigniorial Tciiure, the Législature hus judged 
 it ncecssary to creaic a spécial tribunal for deeiding, before 
 liand, certain (questions of law put, in au abstract ibrrn, at the 
 discrétion of the Attorney General; sucli, saysthe statute, as 
 " lie sliall deem best ealeulated to décide the points of law 
 " which will, in lus opinion, como under the considération 
 
4 a 
 
 *' ol tlie comiiilssioners in deterniiniiig tlie value ol' iho 
 •' rights of the Crown, of the Soignior, and of tlie Censi- 
 «' taires." 
 
 On iho other hand, tlio Soigniors and tlie Censilairo.- 
 
 »r coun 
 emselv 
 
 are aulhorised to subinil '^ supplenientary questions 
 ter questions." The iiist only liave availed tlu 
 their rlLdil. 
 
 of 
 
 Tlien, the statute adds, '' the dceision so to be pro- 
 " nounced on each of the said questions and propositions 
 " shall guide the Conniiissioners and the Altorney General, 
 " and shall, in anyactual case ihereat'terto arise, bc held to 
 *' hâve been a judgment in appeal, en dernier ressort, on any 
 " point raiscd by such question, in a like case, thougli be- 
 " tween other })uities.'' 
 
 This s))ecial tribunal ^vhich our I. législature lias, 
 thus, thought i)roj)er lo crcate, eoinj)osed et" ail llie judgesof 
 the two j)rineipal Courts iT Lov.(>r Canada, is caHed, with- 
 ont référence to any parlieuhu" case to wliich the existing 
 laws may ap])!y, to pronouncc, in an abstract manner, déci- 
 sions or rather rescriiMs, so to spcak, which shall, virtually, 
 détermine the fate of the respective pretensions of the Sei- 
 gniors and the Censitaires. 
 
 The task is arduous ; the responsibiiity, is greatcr still, 
 
 A single exaraple will sullice. One of the niost iinpor- 
 fant questions which wv. hâve now to examine is, at 
 the présent iiour, a subject of dispute among the first ju- 
 risconsults of the Country froni which the origin of our 
 laws is derived. I allude to the question of property in water? 
 {propriété des eaux.) Meanwhih; circuinstances force us, 
 after a délibération of scarcely live months, to pronouncc a dé- 
 cision, not only on that question, but, also, on a vcry great 
 number of others which cinbrace, I may !?ny, almost tiio 
 >vhole System of ottr laws of property. 
 
 \ 
 
5 « 
 
 I 
 
 W'hilc oiir ik'libcration was in progress, v,c liave liad 
 \o rei>Tct llir (Irath ofdiu' ol'oiir brethrcii ; (1) and, quite re- 
 t'ently, at !lic m;)iiif/ii ot Coiiiiti^' to a dclinitivc deoisiim upon 
 ihe scvrral siihjcrts siihiniltcd in (>nr exaniinalion, a onud 
 iuiilady lias, suddcnly, ir'ivcn us sorious f^Tound of apjirclu'n- 
 sioii lor Uir lil'f' ol' thaï, mnvilx'r of tlu^ Conrl wlio, to 
 a t^rcat extcnl, jM'cpan'd ihc dralt ol" tlio judiçniont \vliic'li 
 \vi\ arc ,aI)oiil, to rcndrr. (-1) Thèse t'ears liave, happily, been 
 dissij)iii('d, and ^vo hope thaï, on the day on \viiich Judi^m(>nt 
 shall be })i-onouiieed, ihe inijjroved stalc oi" his liealth \vill 
 allow i)i' the j)resenc(! ol" oiir learned brolher in Court, for at 
 least souio luonienis, to l'uini a purcly le^al Ibrmality, as, 
 wilhont sueh jnvsenee, he ciuinot b(; deenuMl to j)artiei]Kilc in 
 ihe jud^iuent alioul to bi:u!eliv('n\'l. 
 
 l'nder lliose circuinslaïu'es, no eitizen acling in good 
 faith, no hiwyer, il'eveu iiiodcnilely versed in the icnowledgo 
 ol' oiu' Feudal sysuMU, w ho respects liiniself, eau iind faulf. 
 Avith the short delay whieh has oeciirred iVoin the argument 
 on the " Scigniorial {iue,>tious "" to the présent day. 
 
 If blarnc tliere be, it is, rather, in ourdeeiding, in so 
 short a time, questions ol' sueh importanee. 'j'iiis blamo 
 I allow, niiglit ajip'ar to b'- d;'se]v.:J, were it uol tliat thcro. 
 were in-gcni ri'asc.r.s fr'V j<roiUiL:i'eiiig judjine!;! as early as 
 possible. 
 
 In the lirsl plaee, onc oftlie partiels to tlits important suit 
 (tlic Seigniors) — ihi; party wliiiih thi' hiw subjects to the 
 expropriation retiuiretl by the public inlerest, — are virtnally 
 deprived of ihc use of their projierty, that propcrty having 
 while the (|uestion is in abeyance, bccomc nnsaleable. The 
 complète cxcciilion of the law can, alone, restore its value. 
 
 In the second place, the Censitaires, if they tnily consi- 
 
 (1) M. Justice Van Fcl.sou. 
 
 (2) Mr, Justice Morm. 
 
a 
 
 (1er llirirowu iiilerosis, oui^Iil loclrsiro tliat. fin' proretnliii^'s 
 sliould coMic lo a close, williout lossortiiiuî ; l'or a prolonge! I 
 agitation ol" tlie qiii stion ol" ilie Seiguiorial lennre 
 will l)e niost injiulicioiis, tliere beingrea^on to lear tliat il' 
 a siiuilar agitation slioiild again l)ring tlii.s snhject belore 
 tlu! Législature, llie Censitaires wouUl be deprived ol' tlit^ 
 aid whicli tlie " Seigniorial Aet ol" 1.S54 " so lil)erally gran- 
 ted in tlioir favor, witli a view lo l'aeilitatc ami render less 
 onf.'rous to them llie rédemption of Seigniorial dues. 
 
 VVe also, tlio judgcs of tliis spécial Tribunal, desin^ 
 (and lliat désire is very natural) to bring to a conclusion 
 a mission wliicli is wholly oui ol' tlie sphère ol" our duties, as 
 jndges of tlie Court ol" (^ueen's IJcncli and of tlic Superior 
 Court, a mission wliicli, consecjuontly, was unexpected 
 on onr })art. Hul \ve ouglit not lo du'cll on tliis point, 
 as it is one tliat regards us personally. 
 
 In anotlier respect, tliis rcmark will serve to ex])lain, 
 as far, al least, as I am concernc'd, tlie reason wliy tlie notes 
 wiiicli I am aboul to read, as containing iny views and 
 opinions on our Feudal system, are only in llieir firsl easf, 
 and ouglit lo bo received as siicli. If mado publie, il musl 
 bc in thaï slale, for neither lime nor health will permit me 
 to revise lliom. 
 
 Il is my dnly to make onc olher remark, and I do il 
 witli llio approbation of ail my brother judges, namcly, ihal 
 many of tlie questions wliich hâve been submilU'd lo us, 
 although bearing upon points of seignioriallaw,cannol hâve 
 any praclical e/Fect on the excîcution of Ihe acl of 1854, 
 wliether ihese questions be resolvcd in the affirmative or 
 négative. Yel, we liave considered il our duty, in obédience 
 to the wStatute, to dévote considérable lime to the examina- 
 lion of thèse questions. 
 
 In another respect, somc of the questions and counter- 
 
 I 
 
7 a 
 
 questions not prescnling any point of law for décision, \ve 
 Jiave ihouglit riglit, in tliat case, to abstain from replying to 
 them. In the same inaiiner, \ve havc considorcd il riglit to 
 abstain from replying to otiier propositions which, wliilu 
 raising (picstions of law, arc, ncvcrthclcss, cntircly foreign lo 
 the objects of " tin; seigniorial Act of 1851." 
 
 Finally , I eannot elosu lliesc preliminary remarks, 
 witliout a publie aeknowledgcment of the abilities of the 
 Advoeates vvho liave sustained and defended the respeetive 
 interc'sts and i)retensions of the parties to ihisgreat eonti'sta- 
 tion, lo tlie zeal whieh they havti displayed, to the profound 
 aequainlanee with the subjeelofwiiieh lliey hâve givenproof, 
 and by whicli tliis Court, in its délibération, lias very mueh 
 prolited. 
 
 rf ihe Censitaires havc not thonghl propcr lo appcar and 
 be represented as a l)ody, in aeeordanee with the vStatate, 
 it is, undoubtL'dly, be(îause knowing, before hand, the bearing 
 of ihe i)ropositions of ihi; Attorney General, and the line of 
 argument whieii must neeessarily foliow from them, they 
 wen^ convinced thaï they could not cntrust the defenec; of 
 their righis to abler liands than tliose of the advoeates whom 
 ihe Attorney General iiad seleeted lo maintain thèse same 
 propositions before liiis ('ourt, i)ropositions, the whole of 
 whieh, so to speak, tended to ihe triumph of the most extrê- 
 me pretensions of the Censitaires. In that respect thèse 
 lasl hâve not connnitled a mistake. 
 
 In rendering ihis justice to ihc Advoeates conccrned 
 on the onc side as well as ihe other, I do not express, mercly, 
 my own individuai opinion, but also llial of my brolher jud- 
 
 ges. 
 
PART ¥\ RST 
 
 Alienatioiv OV THK riKK 
 
 [Jeu de Fief. 
 
 1. In Soigniorial C'iiiiadii lias tlin " Jeu de Fiel','' iliat 
 is to say, tlir aliénation lliat a Sei<^nior t-an makc ^)i' liis 
 Fief, boen restrainetl witliin llie saine liniits and suhjt'cteij 
 ti) the Hnme conditions tliat it wan in France, nnder the 
 autliority of tlio Cnstoni of Paris ? Sucli is tluî jîrincipal 
 question to be deterniim.'d in this maller, and wl'.ich naturally 
 leads rne lo examine, in tlie iirst place, wlial tliis " Jeu du 
 Fief" was, in France. 
 
 2, Ilenrion de Pansey (1) gives, us bejonij^int!; to the 
 greater part of the Custoius [coidunics.,) the followiiitc deli- 
 nition of the " Jeu de Fief," : "a sj)ccies of aiicnnlion by 
 which the proprietor of a Fief, sevcrs ih»; tiile thi-reof froiii 
 the realty, by the réservation of feally (/oi) and tlie aliénation 
 ofthe domain, and subordinates llu; part wliieh lie lias 
 alienated to tliat which lie n^tains, by the iinj)osilion of a 
 Seigniorial riglit, or diUy." (2) " A Fief, adds tli(> autlior, 
 is a m'xed t-ntity cornposed of services, such as fealty, tlin 
 obligation to be faithful toone's Seignior, \vhich form its title 
 
 (1) Dissertations féodales, at Ihe art. Jeu de ficf, v. 2. p. 3(j3. 
 This work, written a siiort time before tlie Frerich llcvolulion, vvas 
 publibheil in 1789. 
 
 (2) " Une espèce (raliénation par laipielle le propriétairi- d'un fiel 
 en sépare le titre et le corps par la réserve de la foi et raliéiiaticn du 
 domaine, et subalterne la partie qu'il aliène à celle i^u'il retiinl, par 
 l'imposition d'un droit ou d'un devoir ïeigneuriai.'' 
 
 
 I 
 
î.) (I 
 
 \ 
 
 I 
 
 ami 0()ii>iiiiit<' ii^ cssmcc; ;i!sn ni coiiKirt'ul (loiini iii>-, ol 
 l)«'ni'li(i:il iukI Ik'Iuiimia rivhl-, w liii'li '"Un lli'" n :ill\ , <'i" ;i- 
 IIh' l''<'ii(|;ili,-N ciill il, .N('/;/( (7i//w iiinlcrin'i. 'Ilif Ixxly :iihI 
 I lu- I lllr (if llif Kid ;iri' r(|il;ill_v i,i CoiiliiK iCc. ''<!(., de. ( I ) 
 
 'riif iilii'tritioiî ni' llic rid' i-^ (•fi'(( ird in iv> n w ;iv -, li\ 
 siil)-iiiltiiii:ili((ii iiiiil liv (•niic('---ii>ii on ;i n'ni cIlhl;'' ; ;iii<l 
 uIh'M il l'ilvi'> [ihii'c in l;i\(ir of llic «•liiin h, i; iim nl-n 
 \)r iiiiidc in 1 tliin) \\;iv, lliiit ol' lianlx-nlinoiuiic ('\('rnitrh( 
 iiinilnilC.'"') " 'l'iic '-•'i'.'liio!' i;i\r ■ m l''ii T' - ;i_\ s t'ic siiim- 
 nnllior p. .,() I, '■'■ w lini lie >l i|)iil;'!i'> lin- cili^nlioii U> rnicn' 
 liiiii lio)ii'i'_;-' ; lir .viv's cil .1 l'iMil cliart;!' ('/ et ns) \\ liin !"• 
 hii'-ilu'ii- llic porlion iilirnali'il w il'i t,ii"nl (liii'-.'" '^ 'll.i' 
 Srimiior :i lit'li;iii'S liis l'^icl liv ili'' \\:!\ ol l'"r;(ni\-.i iiiiomin', 
 wInMi i^i\ ini,'- lo llic ClniCfli willionl t"'-iL;ii;!;i(.;i of li'.'ill), 
 uillionl ri'scr\;ilion ot ,inv diii'-, Ip' ilrrinrr-- iii du' tlcid, 
 ilial Ih' i<i\<'s iii alii's, in pnruni </('ini(Kst/n(iiii.'' (2) 
 
 ■']. l'iultM' i!m'o|(1 Ciivioiii ol' l'nris, coinpilcd in l!ic 
 vcar l.")|(), die vassal had an ludiiiulcd lilxilv lo disixisc 
 (.r h's !''ir|'. '' A \assal,'' said tlic ll-i. arlicdr ol' llial 
 Ciislom, "• can alii'iialr lii> l'^id, a-; far as llic i'''sinii;)lion 
 oITcalix , w iilioni |)a_Viii:^ iiiiilaiion proliis lo tlic S('ii;nior. 
 
 (1) •• l'ii licl", ajoiiU raiilt'iii', u>t un »Ui' i.ii\lr c<t|lHlo^^^ d.; iii,u);is, 
 teU ijue lii foi, rul)li;;al.ion d-ùtro IhIcIc à son Scigacur, ([ni on loni • ni 
 le liU'C cl on toii^ïtiluenl. ros'>enco ; ol ilo douiaiiu;.-, corpoiols, ('o tiiuits 
 ulilc- cl lionoririqiies ([ui on forinont lo oiiijis, ce ([uo los ù'U(li-lo:i u|i- 
 |)ollrnl snlija'luiii iiinti rlah . Lo ('Oi-|is d le iili'i; du Hol' sonl ogaio- 
 inonl dans lo conuncrce, olc, oto. 
 
 (2) *• Le l>oiguoui' douuo on liei', li)r^i[u"il sUjudo rohligalmii do lui 
 rondre luininiaj^o : il donne à coiisJorMiuM grève la purlinn alionoo do 
 prestations loluriôros.''' 
 
 " Le .seigneur se joue de son ti(;f par la voie do franrdio-aujime, 
 lorsque donnant à l'Kglise sans démission do foi, sans rôsorvo d'anouno 
 prestation, il déclare dans Paclo qii'ii d:)nno en aunin-o, /// pura),/. 
 e/f'cjiKisi/na/ji.'''' 
 
10 a 
 
 " Thifs ub.soltilL- Ihc'iilly ni" (lir«|i(»siTii; ul liis Fief, cmrr 
 f'onstitiifi'd \;i\\ by tlie Cuistoni ol' l'aris, biM-aïuc, iii sumh; 
 î^Oii, ^iuys llenrioii de Pausey, |). 370, the coiuinon law 
 (tf llit' kingdoni." (1) 
 
 Let us olyservc lliat, as rcspi'cts the disinenibcriiicni 
 (dcinenibremcnt) ol" ihc Fiel', llie arliele oJ c;!' llic saiiu- 
 Cushmi of Paris says : '■'■ Tlie vassal {•amiot dismember {dc- 
 menibrcr) liis F 
 ol'lii> S(-igni()r. 
 
 ici", totlic j)r('iiidic(', ajul w illiuiit llic cDUst.' 
 
 4. Since llie ncw coiiipilalion [rêdodion] oï \\\o Cns- 
 tiuu ol' l'aris, in lôHO, ilie l'ollow ini,^ article, w liicli is i!ic 
 5lst., A\as sul)stituted for tlie articles ob and 11 ol" tlic old 
 Custoni :" The vassal cannotdisniembiu* liis Fiel, to tlic 
 préjudice, and without the consent ol'Ms Sei^nior ; althou^li 
 he niay alienate and dispose of, and make iiisown prolit ont 
 of, atiy liereditanients, rents, or cens, i)(doni^ini;- to>neli P'ief, 
 wiiliout payjni^ imitation ])rorits to the Sei:^nlor doiiiinanl. 
 pro\idcd thi' aliénation do nol execH'd twothirds, andlliai lie 
 rrlain the fuU l'ealîv :ind soiiie seiy'niorial and domanial ri^hi 
 upon that whieli lie aliénâtes." (2) 
 
 In the lirst part of tliis article of tlie new Ciistoni, wc 
 Ijnd thaï the .'îjlli article of the old on the disinciiibcriiienf 
 of the l'^ief, i> repn):iuced ; and in the second pari \\'e aiso 
 find, ail the snbstance, l)i\t in ternis more e:\i)lieit, o!' the 
 dispositions of the llst. article' of the same Cnstom on the 
 
 (1) *' C^olte taciilté iihioiuo do sf jouer cIo son lict'. inu; U)\> éri:;<';(! en 
 loi pur la C'oiituiuc; de i'ari.s, devint cii (|iii lune surle le ilioil coniimiii 
 du rovauuie." 
 
 (2) *' Lc! N'assal ne |»eiit démembrer w>\\ lief an |>ié|mlie(^ et sau> li- 
 '• consentement de ^on .sei<;neui' : Inen se peut jouer et dispo.^er, et i'ane 
 " son profit de.i lu'-rilagcs, rentes ou cens étant du dit iiel", sans payer 
 *' profil au seigneur dominant, pourvu rpio raiiénation n'cKcede le>^ 
 •' deux tiers, et qu'il en retienne la loi cnliuro^ct ipielque droit scigncu- 
 
 • nul et domanial bur ce qu'il aliène." 
 
11 a 
 
 *' J(Mi lie l-'icl; " and, iriiir('(»\(T. tli»' lollnwin^- dcw n-sfrii' 
 lion, riz : lliat tlit* ali«Mialion do not cxcfod two tliirds of 
 iIr' Fi*'!', lliat is ni' ihc l)ody of die Fiel'. 
 
 Cnyot, (I) ()l)scrvcs on Uns articlo, ihal llir words, 'Mo 
 iviain l'iiU l'cally '' [retenir la foi entière) liavo dic sami- 
 mcuuing as llic words "• as i'ar as llio ivsiijfnalion of fcally " 
 \Jui^</u\} la (Icniission, de foi) of llie aiu-ienl Custom, hy 
 w iilcli was Mndi'rstt)od, " providiiii^ lliat li»' does not ivsigii 
 dii' fi'alty, wliicli is liua-ally tlic samc tliini^ as rotainiiii^ du- 
 li'ahy''' ; diat Uiosc \\ords of tiic old Cusioni, " can alicnate 
 liis Fief," îind lliosc of die niîw "inay alicnalr, dispose of, 
 and ina!v(! lus own ])ro(it. oui of, any liereditamcnts rcnts and 
 cens l)('lonirini,' lo siudi Firf, " si<>-nify die saiiie lliing. 
 "W'Iien tli.' new (hisîoiii/' says die sanie author, directs the 
 Vassal "to relain a Sei^niorial and domanial riglil, ■" il was 
 di(! invariable hwv of die old : it is lliis, diat eonstilutes 
 the " î-'ief- en l'air," or ineorporeal firï^i^ v.hieh but eonsis- 
 ti'(l of cens, renls aad dii(>s [cen^, rentes et mouvances) : in 
 llicold, di''y distin^iiished the nlietiation froin the disnien- 
 beniieiit, onlythat in tli(> aliénation the ('(.'lis or the mouvanee 
 was rclaiiicd : in the disii)eiii!)erm(Mit, far froiu retainini' a 
 riLdil,lhey Iliade of the part alieiiated a distinet Fief, sepa- 
 raicd froiii the ])iiiieipal, and subsisling pcr se, wliicli is 
 preeis(dy the saine in the new." 
 
 rienrion d<> Pans)>y iroos (>veii so far as to say, (p. 370, 
 and 3^5,) tlial in the words ol' the 'llsl artieU; of the old 
 Ciisloiu of l'aris, " a. iiiere nMmtion of fealty snliiecd to 
 iiiake valid the aliénation of the l'"ief. (i) So we sec tliat, 
 if iinder the aneient ('u^toin, the " .ieii di' Fiel" " was, as 
 (Jnvot reniarks, snbjcct to two conditions, lliat of the ri-ten- 
 tioii of tt'altv, and that of the rétention of a domanial and 
 
 (I) 'i/a/!r lies J'ir/'s, v, 1, p. 1 1,"» and 1 Kl, Jùdit. oH 17*17. 
 
 (J) 1 lu; réteiitidii m'cIk; delà foi sulllsail pour la vé<iM!aritt' du 
 K |i di; I Jt;!'. 
 
12 
 
 II 
 
 SfiifiiDriiil fii;lil, if wns i|ic siiiim- iindcc ihc aiitlHirily ofilii- 
 itcw : tli' iilii'iiMliidi (il ilic !''i''l', 1(1 Itf rci^'iihir, ()iiL;hi itlso lo 
 ))(• ui'iiii' ciiiliT tliDsr twM roiiilitioiis, nnd, iiiorcovcr, on ilic 
 coll.lil i'iii !!i;i! il (lid tld! cxccrd |||c I wo tliirds ol llw hodv (il' 
 die l''iid'; \\!iil-! niîdcr l!ic niificiil Cii^Ioim i) iiiiLi'lil cxtciid 
 
 to iIh' w lui! 
 
 "\\\> 1-^ du' (»idv dlilt'rctîc' w lllcli die dlspo- 
 
 Nitidiis dt liir l\\>> ('ii'-l(Miiv |)rc-i'iii in tiii' iniillcr ol' die 
 aliciinliou ni du- l'"n'l. In dl ni iirr [loini-; \\ idi iv-.jx'ct to 
 
 diis suiM<'t-i 1 I 
 
 i!"v ;i II' ~-ii m hii'. 
 
 ^1 
 
 ■'). Aiiiidicr 11 i|H)i1;>iil i|ii('--l mil m dii> discussion is lo 
 InIIow, ii' I)\ liic (msIoiii of Pari'-, du- riii''nalion ol' die Kid' 
 
 coldd 11'' i'l!''cl''d In;- a MK ili'\ pi'ici", ('/ \ii'\.V d\lV'^Vi\t) \\\\\\ is, il' 
 llic Si'ii'nior coiild, accoi'dini^Mo die lan^'iiau'cot iiiosl Kiaida- 
 lisls^ rcc('i\i an cnlraiicc moiîi'v {i/ciiiir.s il'i'nInU:.] 
 
 f poil dii> pnini, a-- w l'Il as iij)o!i iiia' rc-pcci itii;' die portion 
 ol' I ■:• V[v{ w liicli d;i' vas~al w asadowcd ioallcnalc, JJ(.'nrion 
 de i\i'isi'\ , p. .J'î."), in Ion lis ii> thaï tiu; di lièrent dispo.s 'liions ol' 
 die (.'ie-Miiii> divided iIm-iii itilo lo'ir l'eiicral elas>es. 
 
 ' 
 
 •' In dio il' du- lli'-t elas-,''' savv he, die vassal is ai 
 
 lihert\ lo aliéna le llis Tiel' li\ eoMce-sioli on a 11 • ni -e lia ri.'!', I;v 
 sale, in ..ne word (/.s lie l/iiiil^s /iropir ; diil lie eaaiiiot alienate 
 in llii-- w a_\ iiiil ^iieh or --ii'li pa.rt oT liis doiiiaiii. Thèse ;ire 
 die ;\\d diird- ai i'aris ; j; is oin- thirti in Vnjoii, etc. 
 
 "' The ( 'i;-^lii|ii^ ol 1 hi' seeoiul ela^-s ;d!o\V tlie a I ieiial ion 
 o| die W liole ni' die doinin, lue diey e\ae1 'liai siich a I ie'ia- 
 
 lion lie Iliade hy \\:iv oiC Miees^i.in, cap'vi'iii; t l'IIS (■( i;nli\s. 
 
 '" ()l!iers eollloriil lo d:e old ('ii-iolil ol l'arjs, lea\ili^1o die 
 
 \assal l/ic mos! un^'nnili'd lihi ri fj : \\\('\ perniit liiiii lodive^t 
 liiiiiselt ol th" w'ioie oi die domain, and lo do so, eiiher hv 
 ■-aie, or liv eoiiiessioii on a reii" eliar^c, ic//// r'" irilhoi/l < :i' 
 Intiir, iiii)ii('i/,(i\ lie thiiiks jinifr r. 
 
 '' KiiialK , d.ere e\i-ts a lointli ehiss ol' Cii-ioni-, wliieli 
 
1' 
 
 » 
 
 13 a 
 
 havo no disposition respect in i^' ihc aliénation oftlic Fief. 
 JiirJspnKiciU'e lias snp|)li('(l thi- silenee ol" thes»^ Customs, 
 Ini^i'iicral, llies>' arc ranlied iti tlic lirst elass. The vassalsare 
 llicrc oblii(cil to conrorm tlH-iiiscIvi-s u« ! c CustoinoC l'aris, 
 wliich jtcviiiils cntrancc luoney, I)n1 wliieli forhids aliénation 
 Ix'Vond two tliirds (»f ili(> liri'cditamcnts, cens and rents be- 
 loni^inif to sticli Kirl." ( I ) 
 
 'l'Iien, alii I tiaviiii; cllrd ilic ic.\.i, on tlii^ aliénation of 
 tlie l'it'l', ni' thf C'iistoiii ol' Montl'ort (i) and ol' tlie (Justoiu 
 ol' Clerniont in Meaiivoisis (3) wliicli lie ranks, witli tlic 
 olil C'usioni ol' l*aris, in tlic tliird class, Ilcnrion d(i Pansey 
 adds : '• dispositions so iinliniited Icl't notliini,' l'or tlie vassal 
 
 (1) " Dans celles do In premicro ('lasse, le \'assal est libre de 
 se jouer (le son fiet, par bail à (•en'«, pdr venir, en un mot, connue il le 
 jiiisr à p/-()/)os ; mais il ne peut aliént;r par cette voie que telle ou telle 
 partie de son doiiiaiiie. Ce sont les deux tiers ;i Paris, c'est le ti» rs en 
 Anjou, etc., etc. 
 
 " Les Coutumes de la deuxième classe permettent d'aliéner l.i tota- 
 lité du domaine, mais elles exii;enl ipie raliénation soit laite p^^r la voie 
 
 <lith(ùl à cen.'i cl rc/i/i's. 
 
 " JVautres, co/z/onncs a ra/icirn/ic ContiiiHc de Pd/is, laissent au 
 X'assal 1(1 iihcrti hr, jil/<s imlcfinie ; elles lui permettent de se jouer de 
 fd.tutalltc 'lu (hiiiuniir, et de le laire par venir ou par Iniil à cens et 
 renier, (ircc ou stnis (Jenii'ia (Vrntrèc, cominc il /e jiigc à pt-itjws. 
 
 " lOnf.n il existe une (lualrièine clr.ssc de Coutumes, qui n''ont aucune 
 disposition >ur le Jeu (le liel. Jja Jurisprudence a suppléé au silence 
 de ces Coutumes. Kn général, on les ranj;e dans la première classe. 
 Les \'assaux y sont ol)lii;és de se conroriner à la (,'nutume de Paris, 
 i/uipcrnict /rs deniers d'enirer, mais qui défend d'aliéner au do là des 
 deux tiers des /i(V77ffi^7',s, cens cl. rentes idant du ditjief, 
 
 (•J; p. I)7G " Le vassal se peut jouer de son liet" jusqu'à démission 
 de toi ; art 32 .... peut faire de son iief son domaine." 
 
 (i) Il peut " le liaillcr en tout ou en partie à rente ou gros cens, et 
 auhemenl contrai' ter, sans se démettre de la foi, et sans, pour ce, devoir 
 aucun droit." Art. !»(>. 
 
14 a 
 
 lo lîesire ; thcy allow liiin llic ;iil)itrary (]is])f)sal uf ilut 
 Fi(.'f' ; lliey allow liim ilic iilicnatioii of t/ic vnlire Fief., 
 and lo receivc Ihe udual valuv of il in monei/. 
 
 " Thi.s is proc'iscly ilie orror llial lias ('n'|)t intd llie 
 (histom of Paris as compiicd iii 1510 ; 
 
 '' AU llic Jnc'onvciiiciuH^s of tlic uiiliinitctlaliriiatioii of 
 ihe ficf were foll, \vitli as uuicli l'orce as now, in ihe inlcrval 
 between tho first antl second comijilation ol" llie Ctistoin 
 of Paris. Yet, il was considered in lliat ("iistian, 
 tlien resomblini^ lliat of wliieli \ve speak, that tlie vassal 
 eould alienate tlie eiitin.' domain, even wilii eiitrane*.' nioney 
 ( deniers d'^entrce . ) Tlicre are l\vo Arrèls lo tliat 
 efl'ecf of tlie 25th . Inné I.jIU aiul 17 l'ehrnary lôu7. Tlieso 
 Arrêts liavc, for tla^ Cusloiu of Clernionl and ihe like, the 
 same anthority as for ihe old Cnstoni of l^aris, since thaï 
 old f'nsloni of Paris had ihe sanic iM'ovision, (1) 
 
 The Cusloms of the first class (lo whieli lli*^ new 
 Custom of Paris beloii'j^s) do nol oller any dillienlly, adds 
 Ilenrion de Pansey, " eidieras rei^i.ids ihe (pianlity of the 
 domain that ihe vassal ean alii-nale, nor as lo ihe rii;hl lo 
 reeeive cntrance money ****; the words " lo alienate and 
 
 (1) " Voilà précisément l'cnour qui s'étiiit glissé dans la Coutume 
 '1»! Taris de la rédaction de là 10. 
 
 " Tous les inconvénients du Jeu de l'ief indéfuii se faisaient sentir 
 avec autant de force qu'aujourd'hui, dans riutervalle >\o, la première à 
 la seconde rédaction de la Coiitume de Paris ; Cependant ou ju^^eait 
 dans cette Coutume alors semblable a celle dont nous parlons, (pie lo 
 vassal pouvait se jouer de la tatu/n,' de son doinaiiu', viriiir av': 
 deniers d'entrée, il y en a deux arrêts dos ";") .luin ir)li), ot 17 
 l'^évrier 1537. Ces arrêts ont pour la Coutume do Clermont et ses 
 semblables, la même autorité que pour l'ancienne de Taris, puisque 
 cette ancienne; Coutume fie Taris uwx'A la même disposition."' 
 
 \ 
 
 \ 
 
15 a 
 
 I 
 
 \ 
 
 make liis prolit" arr, siiys lu-, j». 3M0, fi;eneral t'Xl)lt;ssloî^^» 
 wliicli autlioriM- cvery son ol alifiialion. 
 
 VVith thc anthority of tlic a'.ithor oC '' Dissertât ions 
 féodales^'''' lliat of liis coiitcmporary Hnvr wlio, likc liiiii, is 
 onc of tlic lasl l'\uclalisls \\li(» havf wriîlcn hclorc tlic Frencli 
 Kt'volution iialurally (•()iiu'i(l<'s. Ifciv;' (I) says lliat. tlie 
 article 51 of llie C'iistoiii of l'ari.s docs iiot aiisoliildy lorbicJ 
 any di'sc-iiption of coiilracl . Il drclari's, willioul ilis- 
 tiiK.'tioii and in tin; nio^t i,M'iirral 1( inis, ilial. llic vassal 
 cun alic'nati', dispose and iiialvf liis prolil of llic lici'i'tliia- 
 niciits, rciils, &,('. Tlicrcforc, ihc aliénai ioii niay la kc place l)y 
 concession cliargini^' cctis^ or a renl cliarire, by donation, by 
 bequest, l)y e\cliani,''e, by sale, l)y siil)-iiil'eudatioii, in a 
 Word, by ail llie contraets wliieli tr;in>ler property ; but 
 none of tiiese contraets iniist be wantiiii,^ in any of tlie con- 
 ditions recpiisite for tlie valiility of llie aliénation of the 
 Kief. (2) 
 
 0. Snch \vas the " Jeu de llef " in France, at llie tiiiie 
 tluit lier Kings nndertook tlie establisliment of tlie Colonies 
 founded by tliem in America.. Ifavinu:, tlius, explainetl the 
 charaeter, nature, extent and provisions of tliis kind ol 
 aliénation of Ftnidal I.ands iiiider tin; anthority of the 
 Custoin of Paris, becoiiu,' the coiiuiion la\v of New-France, 
 I liave now to consider tlu; saïue subieel in ils relations 
 
 (1) Tlicorio des maliùrcs fco(LIcs et cunsiiclles \". 3 p. 371. 
 
 (2) Soe BroJeiiu m tlie C. of Paris \'. I, p. :)31, nos. ]!>. '20.23, 
 2.>, ^ 26, '' le N'assal peut \«iiiirc cl aliéner les d.Mix tiers de son lie 
 d P>(:k u'artic/lt. on les [jailler a cens, renie on eni|i!i) U'(»e. ele.. 
 Ferriere on art. â? " licl's '" p. S 12 \o. ',i, p. S 13, Nu. li, p. SI.'). 
 
 uo. 17, p. 817 no. 
 
 7, p. S.)2 no. là, p. S.'.") no. J . \vliLrc it Is said 
 
 liial by tiic words ui' Uns arliele "■ fiire son profil cl>'.. etc., c'est dis- 
 poser par vente ou autre manière d'aiienulion ilu/U. >./■ puisar tirr.i 
 qiidqii' argent < a ras de /'('.•^oius.'^ 
 
 Fonmaur on <• LoJt et vcukV v. 2,ciiap. 21, pp. Sti, 87, 89 et 91 
 
10 a 
 
 witlî tho slatr of thinc^s oxisting in Soii^nioria] Canada, and 
 1o examine if bv lln' lorro ot" lliis slalo of tliiiii's, or l)V tlif 
 
 nalun; and provisions ol ilic Lci^islalion jx'ciiliar lo (nii 
 
 counlry, llu* 51sf artiric ol' llic Ciisloiii of l'ari 
 
 hucil 
 
 AvIioUv st-'t asidc, or if il lias onlv hccii niodiiicd ; and in 
 
 Ih 
 
 itter case, if sn( li inodificalion lias liad llic v 
 
 iinposini^ iicw restrictions o 
 of iïivini' il, a larijcr cxiciisioti. 
 
 M tilt.' aliénation of tlie Kicf, or 
 
 7. Onr Fondai liistory iviav he divided into S(>veral 
 periods ; Un* first ineliides tiie liiiuMliat elapsed froin tlie 
 first atternpts iiiade to eolonize, to tlie estahlisliuieiit of tlie 
 Sovi'iviiifn ('onneil of (^iieh-e iii the year lG(i;}. Tliis 
 period may bo aii^ain siib-divideil into two par's, tlie lirst of 
 which cxtends lo the tiiiie of lli(3 formation of tlie ('oiiij)aiiv 
 of llie Ilnndred Associates (/f/ Conipifi^nie des ( 'cnl Assoviés) 
 of New-France, in tlie year l()27-JS ; and llie otiier to the 
 résignation of thaï Company in KJtJ;]. 
 
 As respects the lirst period, tliedoeimieiits tliat liave coiue 
 lo onr knowledge are not nninerous. Tliey are not, on that 
 account, tlie less important, for they ])ear testimony thaï, froiri 
 the beginning, the int(>ntion of the Governmenl of the 
 tnothor Conntry was lo introdnce the Seigniorial system 
 into the American colonies. 
 
 The lirst ot tlies(^ documents is tlated the I2lli .lannary 
 1598. It eonsits of Letters Patent by wliicli the King of 
 Franco naiiK^s the Sieur de f^a Hoche lus " lueutenani 
 General and Governor " in the Countries of Canada, lloehe- 
 laga, Nev/fonndiand, Labrador, the lîiverof the Créât May 
 (1), of Noreinbégne and countries adjacent. 
 
 " And in order lo increase and extend the good wili, 
 courage, and affection of ihose who are aboul t(t embark in 
 
 (1) " Rivière de la Grande Baie.'''' It is so tlial liio lli\er .St. 
 Lawrence was then cotnmonl)' called. Cliarlevoix v. 1, p. 108. 
 
1 / a 
 
 ,:ii9 huid uiuleiiukint;, aiai e\eu of ltju.se peraons wiio sliak 
 seule in tlie tsaid Cuiiiitri».' 
 
 says liis MajL'sty 
 
 \vc liuve 
 
 i,'ivt.'ii liim anlliority, as ri'.'^pects llic t^uid laiuls, hd tu be 
 aL'.(|uirL'd lur us, in iIr- course (jI the said voyai^i', lu ^rant 
 th(; saine in lidl jn-opcrty h» ail lliose to w lion; lie iiiay con- 
 cède tluMJi, thaï is lo say : 1o gexitlenien and ihose wlioia hc 
 .shall (;ousidcr jx-isoiis o( juciit , in tliu l'orni oï Fic'fs . 
 
 Scitrniorics. C haie lien 
 
 ies. 
 
 KarUluuis, Vicoittilies, Baronie.>i 
 
 and ollier diirnilies, U) hc liclil ol' 
 
 11.- 
 
 in such M;;:nner as he 
 
 sliall eonsider diietollie services perlorined by tiieres|)<'etiv('. 
 parties, on the condition lliat they shall aiil in the support 
 
 and deliMice ol' th».' Couulrit 
 
 uid 1 
 
 o other Dcr^iliis ol 
 
 irderior rank, on siieh dues and atnuial reiits as h(! ma^ 
 deeni jnst, u!" \viiic!i we aifree lliat ihey shall reiiiain 
 qiiil and tliseharijed l'or liie iirsl six years, or siieh cjthcr 
 j)eri(Hl as our saiil Lieulenanl siiall belicve to be rii^lit and 
 necessary, e.\ceptini( always 'lie dniy and service in llie 
 event, ol' war." (I) 
 
 Tlu 
 
 e s'M'ond dociiniea! ihat we lîiid in whicli men- 
 
 tion is inade ol" die concession of iand in Canada, ]:)cars die 
 date ol'llie last dav ol' l^'ebriiarv l(JiG. l-l) It consisis ol' l('it(M> 
 of continnation and conces>ion, i^-ivcn a! Pe.ris bv the J)ii] 
 de A'antado'.ir, " V'icoKtu' of .\ 
 
 cv. -Kr;inc- 
 
 iv(.' 
 
 al tlu; reoLiCii 
 
 )f 1 
 
 ,onir 
 
 il 
 
 eberl. 
 
 ■ojie ( Mhe subjec'.s and inhabitants oj' 
 
 die said Coiiiîlr 
 
 ■,nd 
 
 lias settled 
 
 a i' 1 ' 
 
 ( i V^r 
 
 !lt 
 
 !!(■!(' 
 
 'd d!" the iir:-l faniiK' v^liieh 
 
 •1()\V 
 
 11 
 
 ehe 
 
 IlO' 
 
 •( Il 
 
 ixi'u llie \ car 
 . '' a! 1' 
 
 l(i()( 
 
 iJMiee 
 
 ), lintil 
 calh-d 
 
 (l) Cliarlevoix. Icli.s u.^ tliat îlic .\ 
 
 !'iHU.-> i 
 
 I.. i 
 
 ;i J.dcl'.e ;\lti'r liuviiu 
 
 'iiiuleil at r^abh" l-,l: 
 
 ;i(l ai.ii iwoaiioiti'nl iIh' coa.: 
 
 Ar:\ 
 
 (i: 
 
 ;i returnoi 
 
 fn 
 
 ' raiicc, uiiiTO sev.'r. 
 
 tlii' Vi'urs !()ilo\viiiix. a: 
 
 i:a;'nv;>.i-;l ( ;H'!!in>!aii('r< itctainrd limi uiiniiL; 
 \ !:'.;■ 1 li.îii iV !)i '.■">. iti'i'i!!!'.' '!!> <";t(ii)riM'. 
 
 V. !. 
 
 inç). 
 
 C^') 
 
 ■anv 
 
 ;r 
 
 iiv- 
 
 Ul 
 
 ■ i r--,:! arir 
 
 ali>iK'il ni I )ni'!,f' 
 
 r , 11! 
 
 I >rii,iii' 
 
 th, 
 
 thr 
 
 ainilnti' 
 
 -ntitk'l 
 
 'irri;5 cl i ^nrarr. u's 
 
 i> a 
 
 fn 
 
 -I iMK'iirnlt" 
 
'S 
 
 K 
 
 Qiicbcf, (.Icarfi.! a «.( rUiiii poiUoii ni i;iii(.l, MnroiunJcil bv a/i 
 < iii'Ujsiiri-,"' (wtiicti is said lu hc tlie plai r kiiuwn, at j)ii;st'iil, 
 m liie cilv (»!' l^iK'bi'c, lUhlt-r tli».' iiaiiif ol Saiilt (Ui Matelot,) 
 " and built and ('(insinicii'd a d\\f!liii!^' [\>v liimscll', liis l'a- 
 luily and l'alllr/' lie tiiil lier a I Ic'^a'd tliiit lie liiid tiblaincd 
 froiii lin- Dukf de AidnlinorciicN , llii' jjrt'dcccssor ot tlic 
 Uwkc de \'aTiladour, in tiic .iliicc oi' \ i( o-Hoy, lin' i^ilt iii 
 p(.'r|)fti;ity nlllia: porlir.,! oi land, bv It'!!(i>-[)a1''n1 ))a>M'd (;ii 
 
 \\u' 11'; V 
 
 rhnnrv 
 
 li;j;i. T 
 
 iv llr A' 
 
 < c-idiv (•(inlil'Uls Iiiiu 
 
 m dii>- cMfici'ssiii;! '■ in cii'.ov 1,ir siMiir, lo liavc and lo liold 
 tlio sanic eu J't''f v.n:,i(', unlo liiui, l'.is licirs and !i<si.uns lor 
 »:!vci% as lii- own aial l:i\\iiiliv' ;!r(|ni!-i'd j)iojn'i1\', and lo dis- 
 [)()>!' lliri'col' l'aliv and ptaccaljiy, ■.{< iic may iliink ])n)|)ci, 
 tiic A'. Iiolc (K'|/ciidin:,'' (ph il;;' lori ;nid (•a--iir ol' (Vachcc, suli- 
 j("ct lo Uic cliarijvs aiu] cfuidilion^ whi'-ii sliall hri'callrr bc 
 ini|)ose(l by us.'" \\\ llic samc hMicrs, lli,' l);d\(' de Vania- 
 floiir lias "• iiior<'o\cr îjfivcii lo liic s;dd llrbci't and liis suc- 
 ccssors and a-^^-i.'.m'-,, l'i" rNlciil ol' opc l'"i\iicii Icaiî'uc ol laiid, 
 \\\\\:i a!id l)fin;,f v.v.w (■^iiclx'c aiMTcsiud, on iIh' river St. 
 Charles, wliie!'. lias li'en bonnded and liiiiited by llie Sieurs 
 de (Miauiphiin and <i<' Caen, lo i)o>ve->, cjear and cnllisale 
 and inliabil tlie saine, as lie may sceiii lit, on liie sanie con- 
 dilions as the iirsl dojnition.''' 
 
 V,'e sor jiv tl;"'^ e!inees.--ioii, liiat 'Mlie (■!iar'_;'es a.nd eon- 
 dition>"' eoKJd <tf!<rii'(ir<l-i be li\e'.l by ihe \'ice-roy : bein^r 
 llie iu-.-t, indiealion ol tli" reieniion ol'iiiat ])ow( i', wlucdillit; 
 Kini: and bis repK sen!ali\es e\ei-c;'-ed so olieii, of inlervcn- 
 in:,'- by le'^ixla.iive iieans, or meaU'- purely adudnisirativ e, 
 in tiie concessions aireafiy laade, in order liie bélier lo iii- 
 
 siu't.' 'lie aeconipli- ilUienî <>f'l!ie objecî ol' l!ie.-;(.' ^auie Coni'CS- 
 
 «i<>n<, nainel\-, ii:e {•oioni;':;;lion, eieaiini,'' and cultivalion of 
 liie biiids. Tii.' ^'•i|uc| w ':ll si'ow tli:it iliis eonlinu;d inler- 
 \cinioii Im-ï ^incii 1o die Si'iciii(ii-i;il System of New 'l''ranef 
 « i"haraetrr .•dio>:r''dier p(Muii;ir. 
 
\[) 
 
 a 
 
 u-rior lolin' ('i)iii;);iiiv ot îh»' llilinind .\>si iciiite^, llie ti!l<- ol 
 tlii- lii>I roiicc-vjoii ol i!m' cMciil ot hilid, klitiwii liow Ululer 
 llio ii;iiii(' oithc Si'iL'Miorv (>!'■' Nulri; J)!inic des Anirc»*," on 
 tli'' river Si. ('Ii;!rl<'s iii';;r (^Jiichcc, l'orm l!:i' lliir<l iiiid Irist, 
 v\tiicli \vf IriVi' !i;i(l il iti oit posvcr lo ('(/iisiilt. H tlicr«.' riM' 
 citlicrs, v. <.' un,! l'oi ;iu;iru ol' ilicir cxi'^U'iiec. 
 
 'l'iiis ('oi\c:--sioii ol' '■ l'oiir Iciiirin's ol' hiiid" \v;'.s inruli- hy 
 flic Diikç (]'' V aiitiuiotiv, iii l'is (iii;i!ilv ol' \'icc-roy (>! Ncw- 
 l'"riii)cc, lo tlic KfVfT' M'! I'hiIhts oi iIh.; ('oinpanv «il Josus, 
 Ol) \\\r lO'ili Miircli KiiH ; '• oiir uill,''' lie >;iys, '• hoiiitr 
 tli;it tli('\' iMiioy pi'iici'nl)!^' tin; wiioir ol tti'- woods, laUcM, 
 poiiiis, rivci's, sli-ca!iis. licMs aiîd oilir:- lliiiiL',-', v. hi<di tli''\ 
 iiiay ,',;î(1 oa î!"- said latid, on v. 'licii \\v\ >\\u\\ lia\c tho 
 riLdi! I.) I);;ili!, il' m) l!;ry d("'i!i iji-oprr, a liai>ilan(>n, dwtdlin:; 
 j)iai-i'. fi()\ iciaM' (),• >rin:iia!\' lor r:".'n!^(-;\ r<, al! i to n'ar ;iiid 
 !nNlH"'l lli<.'!'(';;i ih" fldidrLM ol'';:" l:i(i; .n'^. 
 
 lu llics" daiM- dcca'aicnN, w.' l'asc l!ic coninnaiiTiiinU 
 <>l iinr l-rt'dal li:N;,;;y. !l, (•onvi(!ci('d nirndv l'\' ;l:(au'<(dvi's, 
 indcniaidcn; !y' ol \\'.. A \\\i-. \'kv\\ Mlace a.t a lalcr poriod m 
 ( 'aiiada., li".'y aj)|>:':;: !o i:;> w i'l;oi;i in.'liaai'-" <in d;c quos- 
 don oMIk! ali^aiatioa (^!' l'a- !•'■'■!', l'ii'v^ ;if !ra>t, x-rvc to 
 show uiia!, :m ils ori'j'iii , iliai -vV':-:! :ii |ia> hrcn, vAddvii \v;i^ 
 iiilondml io de JoUowcd i;; i';(> c ,:)c<'v^ion ol' lands, as Ixdti^ 
 tho inost j).''or..(>r, ac;'oi'(!ii!'j; lo \\\<' idt as \\ iuch prcvaili'd at 
 fhat pcj-jod, lo rcali;," l':(' 'jT!"ai i))A v, aicii tao r'naKdi ( Jm- 
 ■' 'aaiiii'ai* had ia \'. v\ , :a loaad;!;;^ :!i;s (.'oionv. 
 
 i(>. 1 pa-- W'.w 1.» •'•.' <■-:: i,i:..;a;:'":f, ia ir:T-2S. of \\u- 
 Conioair. ot \{'\\ -'■■■•:].. ■■ ;.',j ('ouiiui::;;).'': dr le .\<virf'lr 
 i'niiK'r' — lia- c'aiii !■ of \', ':',-'! i'<.nv.] jii|t,.,! (':iai'la a î'ro- 
 juat'iavv l io'>(ap a' m 'I) i ■:.:)"!■; ru. n'.i i'! i'i,'<>»n'i!iriiy]. '!"!•'■' 
 \' holc liMioiM' ot ! ai^ 'a:;i;-MM-_ coiiip >S''d ol d;\'!s avtifics, 
 aili"^ts d'à t ia lia' tawai ion : .1 1 .'n' ( 'oiapaax', 1 h" K ; a^T !ind, a ^ 
 
 l' ! ) 'i'Iii.' .\c' ol' .\>;'-'''a:arai '.i^aiii" I dv 'lu; ' '.iv'.i'!:!' 'i- lif-jahi-i, 
 
:\n objcit, riccordin^ U) ûic fm-r^-ftic; expression of tii.- 
 prearnblo i>l' th<> articles ofthc iJOtli A[)ril 1()27, lo i\stabli.sh 
 •' fi pov.Trl'iîI rcloriy" iiionici-îliaf " NfwFrnncf.', witli ail its 
 drjJoruJf'Mfic'^, inii/ht, once (or ail, brcouic a jxissi'ssion ni' th»; 
 Crown, willi'iiii (IitiiiTcr (if ils hcinij^ takiMi av/ay IVom tlio 
 Fmicli hy llu- ivinii-'s rnr' ùv^, jis iiiifrlit Ijo ihf rasn, if 
 prfnai.MK.'iMry lacasiuvs wrrn tuif takou a;jainr?f sucli a 
 C'en tin ■.(<■)](■ y." 
 
 Ile wislied, hytlKSf; mean'^, lo rorur-dx llu- l'aults of ti 
 
 le 
 
 past, as under ihc iiianaLfeiiicni of tlw^ niorchant^' wlio liad 
 posppssed tl;e wlioii' ot" ils tradi , ihe ("ountry had becn lefî 
 nncidtivated and alinost wilhciit popnlation. 
 
 Canada i- 
 
 :i\i 
 
 '" to tlie (.'oiiipun) ol' \<'U-i' raiiec " f 
 
 or 
 
 f'Vfr, lu Itill proprrly, jiislice and Scigniory, 
 
 'l'iie Kinu 
 
 oniy niakes tl)c i (•;•;< •rvalio;. oT tiic '• rj<>lit of feally and 
 
 loiimi;iL;'i' 
 
 v> ;!li 
 
 olde'i crown weijrjiin''' rijrlit; 
 
 în.'iiks, iipoa ciieli Pii'iatioii oflhi: Crown, and iIh' appoint- 
 
 ivo_\;il Coart:-' (Jusiirr; souveraine), 
 
 '■ni'iit of ih.^ Olil 
 
 ^■^•!lO shall be iKinied and pveseîiîed lo hini l)y ihe .sai( 
 A-Ssoeiales, wlicn it s!i;d! be drcnied j)ropfM- lo eslfd)lisli sneli 
 Conrls.'" (Aii. î, of the Art. of :,'<)ili April 1()27,) 
 
 " It will be law fui for Ihe said vVssoeiates," savs tl;c 
 6 Art. " lo iinprove and ainejioratc the said land-, as tliey 
 tnay deein it necesf^ary, and dislrihul': Ifie .saïuc iotltoscwho 
 *rlU inhahU fhr said Counfri/aiid io ollirrs, in sneli ((nantitie>! 
 nnd iti sudi mann t as tjiey )nay tlunk pr()])er ; lo ifive and 
 ^ant tliem sueh litlrs and honors, riglits and pcnvers a^- 
 'hey may deeni proper, (îssentiul and neeesïvary, aeeoniing 
 
 ' (iraiid-Miistor, Cliief and Supi riiuoiidant (ioiier.il of (lip Naviga- 
 
 tion rinil Cominerr'* of V 
 
 raiice. 
 
 i'^ dated CPlli Ainil 1G27, nnd \vn^ 
 
 ralitled and conrirnirul bv Arril df tlm Kin^r in rounci], nnd liv liCftrr-» 
 Patent ofthc (Uh May 102'^. '• T^dit=i et Ord : TOdilion in-8r>. publisb- 
 '"d nf (.)ufl.«ec in IS"»-!, vnl. 1. p. 1 ; ç t, seq. 
 
o 
 
 21 ({ 
 
 U) Uic qiiuliiy, ( onUiliou :iuii iiit'rii- l't ilif indi; i-JuaU, aii.i 
 Sj^oruTally upon hu.cIi fh'M'i;c:>, n.Kcrvu ami '-i^ndi'i'.^r.'.AH tliey 
 iiiuy llilul; j)r')j;;'r." 
 
 By iIk» lir'-'i prli'' 
 
 <• \l}C 
 
 C'.'niniiT 
 
 :<' t;:"v?' 
 
 to 
 
 :irrv i)V('!' lo Acv.-i r.'iih 
 
 ;il():' 
 
 m 
 
 (■•.):!!• •" tu II!' 
 
 f th 
 
 CnsUiM'.' VI 
 
 Ui 
 
 1 v.'f) iM' ii;r 
 
 •(• Iiiindv,-,! i-i"n p/r;// (radv.i. 
 
 :ui(l diiriti'' \l\r !^(";l (il'î'-ciî yi-ars, 1) incrcasf^ iliaî :iiiin';f>r lo 
 
 four tliDxst'.ns (•!' |,;):!i 
 r{)!H|)lrt'.\l la t!i^' ; r,!r KIÎS; 'n ;,:•' 
 nad ;;ll liiiiurs ;.:''"i.ci-ally, \.ir- a '< 
 (iiii'iia; tiii-i'c y.\ rs ( aiy , al.;.' 
 Associatc-; v.I;i ha di: •lia:'.4''al. ,i' ; 
 oblii^alioii ol" j;/<a,i'i'T.r fu.'ii < l'i, h 
 (luan'iily of clc-n'ai iji'idS; lo ( 
 vcs, V. ii'i !a' 
 
 \. lii'.'a laa'.ai 
 
 !k«11 hr 
 
 lu- ;i; 
 
 ain l'.i|'j:nuî 
 arv lo lil'o 
 
 I!.; a i)(':a(Hi 
 
 saa 
 
 ■ I lii''-- 1 1''" 
 
 i;, Iroiu llic 
 
 lia la ;i 
 
 ill 
 
 ICiCIlt 
 
 1 a o I 
 
 •( .":-"-a'",' \v ar ,1 '{■ ) 
 
 K r,i lo :-a!)"o: ! ; iaa'asi'l- 
 
 iiiai 
 
 * 
 
 >t tllUC 
 
 a ne 
 
 I îo 1 
 
 l'.a upra 'aa* saiac i! 
 
 lai- ac\t a!'>Uia'' <. roi), or 
 
 Othra'V. i.'-a lo \)i<y^ lùr 
 liua 
 
 1' a* tiaaa Ja 
 
 ■ac!i V. 
 
 iljo;- u'aa iiaai^ 
 
 aiosisi 1 
 
 a li 
 
 a; s . a ( 
 
 a ii'..;> 
 i C'oaa! 
 
 ii:ay, by 
 J 
 
 '■y 
 
 an( 
 
 apport 1 
 
 uaai-c;v(. 
 
 i> 
 
 lie Util, nrac 
 
 iaiposr'-' (,n l'aa C.\;riipany tlu; obliga- 
 
 tion lo sup.jiori, (1 
 
 i;ri)^Lr là \tan-s, a caraiin i^iai 
 
 (■ !•: 
 
 inar (Il r.ccK 
 
 'iva'ja 
 
 tril 
 
 5(,'S, 
 
 siaslics, '' ua* taa i)arposa oi (■',!n\<'riin!:; Jar 
 
 and of aiiordiiiLi^ tiin (aai<olalions ol' rali^'ivia lo tla; Frcncli 
 
 wlio yliaU liavc Halîlcd ia .Nau-I'^raiico jduroaad 
 
 « • • • • 
 
 iin- 
 
 Icss tlie said As'-oclalc-^ :-aali ]; 
 alasia-^lica (d(arr( d iaad salii:-'"a»! ;' •: ilicir 
 
 a" .<4i\aair lo U' \ ^■' a 
 
 ] i: 
 
 aa\'^a 
 
 To llie arîialr ; , \;ai'ii *" j/ran.'-* lo ;ha :;t?ocia1rs l'or 
 ftver, tlie Irade of ail Iralliar:-;, i'nrs arul paltrirs oi' N'cw- 
 Franco,'" an (wcapt'uai is ira^alc, by arîica^ 8, whifb ^ay? • 
 " Il will nf'verlheha-s Ix." lawl'id l'or Frcncli îaibjccls actlledin 
 tlie said Couniries trilh ihdr famUirs^ end who will not hc 
 ftupporled and mainlaincd hy thc said rompani/, {^^'^^ aljovr. 
 vtrt. 1,) to Iriide iVcely in pollrirs with tlir ïndian«, providc(^ 
 
.1.} 
 
 ■j. a 
 
 Ui;il ih"- l)';asrr (.ibl:ii'n-<l h\ \\\*'\\\ h 
 
 '• .l.'rl N', un 
 
 iJ (' 
 
 isîiia V I 
 
 iiii|);;iiv tu' tlnir (■ 
 
 l'I l»v di' li'M'ïlt». \.\ l|i 1 W l!l \)>- hnlIIK 
 
 1> v^-l.l 1« 
 
 II 
 
 l,) |>u/clia-i' Il 
 
 IL' .'«,1 :. I', 1' 1 , .,1' Il 
 
 ( . .i)ii\ 
 
 ■(• .•; I om'iiiti.i farli. 
 
 !7, '• ;;;• c'ul lirii cf 
 
 l'inai'y liv l'a- !■ .i-is ci 
 rrcllrli Miujirls \> a.i >iial! '-l'ilr 'iMl: 
 !ils;t tlic liidia.n-- nJm» .-i:a,l 1; ' l'r(i;i'.!ii lo a l,ii';\\ii'(l:;t' nf 
 l!ii' C'Iiri-'l iaii i,/i:ii. 
 
 ,1 \,iiO v.iii I i'ii.;''-.s lac >aiii(', v, ;ii l)i; 
 
 t.'on^'iv 
 
 [l'ii-d n(i!i'y<:'. / 
 
 Kh'.l ■' i'. '( .1.. ' 
 
 a , t. 
 
 11. Il' w ;• lri.'> ! » ;!.;• a'^i:iii.,:al ; ^iv'.M i" lli' l!li May 
 
 1GJ7, \\ t' >('(• il;v; ;; 
 I, 
 
 Il ; . u 
 ' 1 1 ; a • : i \ ■. ■ ^ i 1 ) ■ i K I i i I < ■ ■ • U ' i> i M 1 1 1 ( • ( 1 1 1 1 1 - 
 \)'\uy Ili'" I' )\'. vT li) ''.'.'■i'ailt 1 ;,c i;;i:iiv oi' .scv, -i'.M'ai';-, "Il ■^iM'Ii 
 i'laii>i'> ;inil ••oialiiani-^ a- r,a\' ,- au ii liuaa ui">i atl\aala- 
 
 l^calls l'ir l!l:' CnlIlMMIW a-' :,.'■ Ml ic'.i' 1 l\) \\':' -•['■.A .\cl (nf J!l|!l 
 
 Api il) : r\c!i II) a!»;)n'. i,,, ;,| !!:>• d i.aa.ail tu i >■.•-, >acii a -■ail s 
 as tin -y niay »|.' a a :'.', ivu' !>• di--'. lia;' ■«•ii • ,' 'iii' -a ai iaials 
 II! 1(1 11) rc allai r lin' roiia'ii iua-. di'h.'' >aii. a" .\:\.[ n\ ! i ;!i .'-.r- 
 liclc, 1 1h' (■oi!aa>Mniis l'i i:a,i i< r . ' :i;! (•( :iv'->i , ,.' !\^ ;, la nui ml 
 ar|)('iils Cl" (a' a !'■- ; tii;;!;: av , as ii yrc, ia," i laal m (•;;>• 
 llii' (lirci'lors '■'• w :-iii'(! lo ( ,'. _')a,-.7' c/'aiai a, .'■ ;a'/'r la iac >ai(l 
 (iKSOcîalv':^ (ir f.'//; •■/>', a ny laa'- ia .\i'\\-!',ati--.' a :'ia'c--.iiti, 
 cvcccdiii!:; JOO c;riHiits\ ili«'v s!a>i:!a i-c imaïai id a>>ri!ii)li' tin» 
 
 m'cata.>.t llUliiijarva iha a-v-oriaa's !)()--^i m'c,'" aihl liial lo l'iai- 
 (Icr llic :^Taat Ic'.'';;!, lia' "JiailaM'alidii ■ iioal'. I l'a siilixa'ihcd 
 liy, at !ca>l, 1 w cai'y o:" llia :aii.! a «-acialc--, iacladiiiLf 'iic I):- 
 rcators or tlu'ir alinrai i a i'; liia ',.\"-.aa'!' ( !' " :':a laîrii-laiil 
 
 i!' t!a* a!: lii's o!' :ia' ^■ 
 
 i ^raiVA 
 
 
 12. Siicii i> ''.a s.ilaaai (aiaa ,a,. \. i,;. a a a a iaaaa' !''iaa.'!', 
 \\ ilo lluai licld C'aîiada sa l.)r..;aa ,. a.- at ;r .'al I la iii.'lil [i'rouc- 
 «■//r?/.) Iliade w il.a llic (aaa.i)-M:y ( ,' ;!',■ liiaa!ird A--()(aal('s. 
 'flic Company h'raaîia ]aii|a iiaaa; wl' ; ia»- pa: i ni' Vimaica, 
 iîi \irtiip ol'liiat i;aMtii w'aa.a aava il tu tluaa '' î'T i'",aT, in 
 
 (I) 'l'Iiis lii|rii;iaiit 'inivimlnl liv ilic ( ',1'alMnl d^' Cvi?!;! I (Ml, w.-.i, 
 le roiilo ;it l'.iri-t. .\al. -M. -jr,. •.":). :; |. 
 
'L\ a 
 
 Inli pr()i)(.'il\ , jiislhc aiiil Si'ii:iiioi) ." 'i lie li-allv iimi lioin- 
 m;!-'.- rfsf'i.cl l,y ilir KiiiLr f^tiiMi^licl ilif ticwliich slioiiltl 
 (.•\'sl hrtwtrn iiiiii ; i!i| l'ic ;'i';iti!rcs ; il i-; ihr lrii(l;il liu 
 ^\■lli(•ll (•.iiuiol iic lirolvcii !.y tl;r htlcr wilinait llic cotisent of 
 lli'" loriiii'!- ; il <.'(iv, ii!s il"' rniiirc (li'pciiiIfiK V I)V wliicli tlic 
 (_'(>iii|viiiy lioivl ihi-: ii!iii!cn<(« tcnilory iVoiii llir Kiii:,', flirrc- 
 liy Ix'cdiiM' iS'ir -i'i';i!i'>;' (|M!;i';ni:'. Tlii -^ \\\< i m;,^1iI to ho 
 rcs|>rclril li\ li;";M l;i ]'•;(' ;i i ir ii;i 1 1( .'i ;,!;(| in lin- « I i>|)( i-.it ioiis 
 tii:i(lc l'_\ ; i"i,i .,,' ' ''!■ I:'!iii . ; :;i (i'''('r \\ iM'iU, ;i i I tlic sirp^ tit" 
 lit'' )-"ri!(|;iI 1 Mil 'i-, l'"'" i il-; !'.!■•-: t.» i!-; i;i: |, y, mIcIi is ;i roii- 
 <'cssi(i:i ;, I ;i l'.jii l'ii;! : .. ', i',"/ !:! |i > mi; !v ; !io vu'r-i'<|iic(ii ;,'r;iiils 
 (il t'ir Cii;!;));;;:-. . 
 
 ].}, 'i'in- ]■'''■ 'li 11 i'i -: iiiii iii'i l!!riiii'.:ii(iiit liir u I m il c df \t'\v 
 l'"r;iiU' • flnivc-; i>-- o;i jvi ',miii t!ii-. I\()\ ;i| coMcc^'-iiiît ol' l(»J7 
 |I1J~'. Il j. I !i • 'iv-M (■';•;••;;■!•.. ;\( Il lo l'ic iii'nMiniiN (if tlic 
 ("iiiiiiiry. I\'ii'!,;ii-i;i, j! !- îiiiv-, ('\iv!((| ;!t ih;it pcriod in 
 o'id l'"r:iii> '•, in wiiiili i: . oi'iviii i^ l<>^t, as il wcrc, in tli(! 
 nii:[lil ol' ;;l,'i'-. :);it lii.it l!i>l iîiilion, diiii rriit as it w as tiii- 
 i\i'V llii' sf.'vcr;;! cii-tii'i^, \', hii'ii iu larLi' iiniiihcrs wcn; scaf- 
 tcrrd ovcrilic i'\ ii)'.^'iuiiit, v\ •'< cri'atcd, l'oi'iiK'd, and cotisoli- 
 dalcd iiiidcr llw i'ii'iiii'iKv cfa -'aîc ol' liiiiiLis, df n class of 
 lacis and ciicin.i-liMiccs, and ni' local iis;i;^cs, wliicli, r<'<j:ar(l- 
 cd in a p.ililical asA\-cli as in a social point ol" vicw, 
 \vc"c n; (•c--trii\ lorci'/n !o a ("oniilrv' ncwly discovcrcd and 
 slill in ;!s il) l'a il'.' s ;■■; a C'oli'iiy. H' il !>c a Iso Iriic (and it is ;i 
 irntii sj>iin_lii ,'■ l.-oni iiccf>r-.;ly) liia; v, Ihmi tlic iiiliahitants of 
 a ci\ ilix.'d { 'onniiN ica\c il, lor liic pnrposc ol' scckini^ ;i 
 I loi ne in aiiollicr l.Mid, a- y et iiniiilial)itcd, and, in consc(|ncn- 
 cc, nol subjcclcd to ain sxslcn ol' law s rccoi^ni/cd hy civi- 
 li/.cd coiiiiniinilics, ihcy ac siippo-u'd to lakc w ith llicni llic 
 Jaws of tlic niollicr C'onnliy, l)\' w hicli liillicrlo tlicir llhcrtics, 
 tlicir iiL;iii> as cili/.ciis, and llicir ])roj)(nlics liad l)ccn ^ovcn.- 
 r{] ; il' tins, I sa\', l)c Irwc, it is no Icss trnc tliat sucli a rnic of 
 piihiic an<l poltical r\ix^\\ can otily comprise sindi ol' tliosr 
 lausas nntiiral'v snil ilr> ])r\\ po<itioti in whicli fhnv me 
 
21 
 
 a 
 
 j)lacccr due jt-yarti bt'iui,^ Imd lu llieir Liicuiiislr'.nci;» aiici 
 wants, in the Comitrv intu \\ liifli iliev aru aboiii lo 
 sieltle. Sow thc Friidal institiiliu/i c-amujt bi- .-jaid lo 
 bt'lufii^ to tluî cl.'issnf laws wliich Aiv e'()li)!ii>-ts arc dcciiK-d 
 ihus to iiavt* hrou.'/lit witL tliciii iii llicir iiiihiiinalioii. h h. 
 to some oxlcul, an cxolic plant uliicli t!i''y lia\(.; nol t.'ic 
 pow'cr to transli'T il!;'ai>c]\rs to anotlicr cliuiatt'. Tliis can 
 uidy bc cii'ccted by a ;-troi):.'(.'r anii, ihat, jiaïai'iy, ol' iliu 
 l'rinc'L! or thc Lc'/i.-lulcr. 
 
 'l'Iial bv tbi^ la\%' oî u:i\iv:r. iaH pro'j'.'rty i:? Irc;", is au 
 ackno\vi('(l'/('<l priiidj)!:'. il, lollnw iii'.^ tlic iiccc^sitics ol 
 jjolitical and ('i\!! .■-oci"t\, ihal propciiv' ccasi-s to bc Ircc, it 
 is tlicn >!;iiipc(j v.illi >(T\ilMd', ;•,■- is llir j)ropcrty sidj- 
 jected to l'ctidal auliiorjy. Il i-, t!:"]!, ;:i \\\c laws wiiich 
 i';;nstitiitc tliis onlc;- oi' lliiii;:s llia! wciiiibl scarcli ior thc 
 source o!" ihis s''i'\itnilr. \o\\, ihcri' liad, a> yct, bccn no 
 lawol'lhis natiirc niadc fur llic lands ol' ( a.'iada. 'i'Iic Ijrst 
 discovcrcrs and (';)inid('-: oi'tii:il ^ '')h>iiy, .)ac;iii('< Cartier. 
 Cliamphiin, and others, ioiiiul thc.-'- iaiids in al! tlieir naliiral 
 wildness, w hich, tliMv-!or:', (■;)n>ti',iih'(! a ;j:':r:\\ iVechoid, |ie- 
 Joni^inir to liie ("rov, 1. ol' France. Tlie So\( reii;n alone eonld 
 inipress ou tlieni tlie eiiaraeter ol' l'eudality. Tids i>: \\ hat 
 ho ilid by ihci^rant ol' Hii7-IGJS in l'axor uf ilie ('(tinpaiiy 
 ol' Xew-Franee. | aiM therel'orc justiiicd in sayniif that llial 
 eiiarter is the ori'dn ol' our l-'eiuial i:!'-lilii' ion. 
 
 11. \Ve must now exan'iiie llic eharactcr of tlia! insii- 
 Intion, under tlie pro\isi(ins (.!' il^ dv. ii einiler, iiiaKin'.; 
 allow anees l'or tlii' ;;coi';rapliical posiiimi til" tlie ('iinntr\, 
 l'or its natnral condition, and Ior thc ciniMn--tanccs ;inii 
 Wiints ol" an infant Colony, c^lablit.hin^' iv^cil" ainid thc \a>' 
 /orcstsofthc New World. 
 
 I' hus !)een [)retendcd rhat thr i.Mant ni llij"- Jb.2S. W7>.<. 
 ^ Irce jrii't in favor of fhc Hundred .\'-'-(.iMat<;-i ; ijiat tjijs ifjp 
 
'JO u 
 
 liiul (•uli--l!HUr(i 
 
 he 
 
 ( ul 
 
 iiiiiiir, 
 
 ;u*>(tlnic Diiipnctors o 
 
 iîinds oi Canada, so absoiiilu iiiilri.'d thaï ihcy \v<'i(; at libeity 
 U) di.spo.st;, Dr not ',0 dispose, ni tlieiii, at thcir picasur". Tins 
 prctt'iisiou is cvidcnlly hasrd on cnor ; to hc convinccd ol 
 iliis, it is only nccL'ssary to jK.'rusc tin; clauses transcribed 
 abi>ve, l'roiii tlie eoiit.act ol' U).'37-2y, and to bear in uiind, at. 
 
 lie saiiK' tiine, th" chiei' objeet ior wiiicli l!ic Soverei^^ni 
 
 liad 
 
 Iliade 
 
 lie 
 
 riant. 
 
 iieyond a dcj 
 
 !ibt,t' 
 
 property in tlie 
 
 landr 
 
 was aecpiired l)y tlie Company ol' New l''ran(;e, but tliat pro- 
 [«•rty was not conceded to tlieia witlioiit onerons eonditioiiM, 
 wliicli tliey could nol infrinii^e witli iinpiinity. Il isirue tliat 
 l!;t! Coiiipanv iiiay be s;ipposed to liave eoii--idt''tl nicreiy 
 
 rrani 
 
 1: in 
 ail II: 
 
 :i i' 
 
 (leiiiM: 
 
 liaMcil-^i; 
 
 Ml 
 
 11I<' 'A ISiiHi 
 
 .1 III 
 
 la; 
 
 ')■'(• 
 
 «•v'rii'il 
 
 •1 iiiaKiir, 
 
 eo.'i- 
 
 s i i i i ■ I ; M I ( ) 
 
 :i,I iiio: 
 
 |)oil.;t!l i!;:r 
 
 ■ n 
 
 Ifc 
 
 llILîll 
 
 Dolitic 
 
 !;:<)| ivc 
 
 avili'.; m '. 1 'w, (>•; 
 
 (■ne liaïul, 
 
 :e a! 
 
 '■lunui/.einentol lus Ciow 11, and, on t 
 
 le o 
 
 lier, the ad\anta< 
 
 not only ol' tlie llundred Associates, but also o|' ail liii 
 siibjects. Thèse l'onsideralions and iiiolives i^overn everv 
 clause ol' tlii.s Contract. It was a [«'Viiianent Colonv iliat 
 the Kini; was desirons of roiiiidint( ; tio! a •mail and leeble 
 settlemeiit consislini,' ol simple siTvanls ol ihc Compair, , lait, 
 
 al'ove al 
 
 î):)>A-er!nl C 
 
 oloiu 
 
 lys himsell' in the 
 
 preamble ol ihe (Jontrae». ('oiild this Coioiiy heeoine powor- 
 
 lul, 
 
 yo su! 
 
 nîiy }: 
 
 uv.'c 
 
 saiil to le aeciiii 
 
 d 
 
 I . I a ' 
 
 mv 
 
 me 
 
 (•■ii;l( 
 
 lor 
 
 1: i;o o;l:er t;er, oii:; mî'mc: 
 
 .10: 
 
 yllU'y. 
 
 on( 
 
 1 ::\::r. 
 
 .i.u; 
 
 la'i Ma- 
 
 IT 
 
 'ii; 
 
 I a 
 
 •l!..|(.ll I; 
 
 md 
 
 .f.'i 
 
 1 ,1; 
 
 uaii 
 
 :<a'.-. ol wiiie'; Il 
 
 .ne 
 
 1!! (•■>: 
 
 ita 
 
 a"l.( K'ie o' I h" stroiure'?' 
 
 proois 1!! ;; 
 li;e "1 lit Ol' t: 
 
 t. ri. 
 
 ar' '( 
 
 .;.l . ■• i.| !lll,-^ "A !■- 
 
 r>:M!c JiJth .\i.r 
 
 !.;< 
 
 ni: 
 
 I m 
 
 ()(•;!' 1(111 
 
 .{<V «U 
 
26 a 
 
 llnndrcd Associates, ofilic ,i,'ran1 wliich liad 
 
 iniidc lo (iaillaunie ilc Cac 
 
 proviously becn 
 
 u and lus assoc^iatcs, for carrvi 
 
 yniK' 
 
 «a tlic iriKh- ol'Nrw-Francc. Aiiotlirr prool" nol Icss strik 
 
 iiii^- ol liic saiiio wish, joiin'd lo so many bcsidcs llial niay bo 
 
 loimd il) thc saiiKM()ntrac»,is tlie stipulation Avliicli imposes 
 
 rv, in a 
 
 <'ii 
 
 tiif Company ilic ol)lio!ition to scnd lo ilie Count 
 
 xiwvn lime, as niaiiy as l'oiir thoiisand pcrsons ol'hodi scx 
 
 es. 
 
 aiii 
 
 I it» coiiccdi; lo ilinii, al'lcr llire 
 
 o vcais rcsideni'c, 
 
 «luanlily (if laiid wliicli was cvcn lo hr clean'd, and sulli- 
 
 «■i''nt liir ihi'ir siippori. 
 
 'Il 
 
 icst' pcrsons, <'inii^M'alinj>; fo 
 
 Canada l)v iiicaus «!' tlic Company, \vore inlfnidcd 1 
 
 o assisl 
 
 m Die cic."!]!)?) of lin- Cdionv : and il 
 
 Ivini 
 
 \VJSIK'( 
 
 1 thaï 
 
 IH'V 
 
 hoiild \v\\v 
 
 lie liopc, cvcn m soiiic respects, llic ri^dil, 
 |)iTio(I, lo partieipale in llie o\\ ncrship ol" tlit- 
 I. Il was ilie Kini( wlio slipnlaled lor lliis lioiu-, dus 
 n^^lit. 'l'Iiis -lipulalion was tli-'n saca-ed ; llie Company were 
 iIm ivloivoLlinr,] 1,, concède llic lands, in order to l'ullill llie 
 
 al, n<< (le 
 
 -i>i 
 
 Virws ol llii 
 
 K iiu 
 
 was ihr law of il 
 
 eleaWy exprc'.sscd in ilic Contract. Tliat 
 
 Contrael, a la 
 
 w \\ liieli, m aecordanee 
 v'v'w wlio diclated 
 
 lyf 
 
 or 
 
 willi ihc (lc-i:^ii and ohjcct of du. Sover 
 
 II, oiii^lit lo lie -ii|)|)osed lo liav(! Immui made, not sole 
 
 'II'" liciiciit ol ihat pc.rlion of his suhjecls wlio had emi^'rated 
 
 lo Ciiiada a> m rvants of ilic Company, but aiso in favor of 
 
 ;dl lu- oilicr -iihjccis. It was, in faet, a Feudal associai 
 
 ion 
 
 lli;il Hic Kinu (avated, w illi a view lo llie publie inlerest, 
 ;in(l iiih. w liich hcwisiicd liis oiluT sul))(>cls, as wcll as llie 
 lliiiidivd .V^-ocialc>,slionld hc adinittcd, indillcirni (|c^r,v,.s, 
 '' accoi-din:,^ lo thcijuality, (•ondilioii and lucrii of ihc indi- 
 
 vul 
 
 iai 
 
 \rt. ■).) 
 
 W 
 
 liai 
 
 soun sec ihat tlic olilii-ation lo concède 
 
 and lo iiuava-c, hy micIi mcaH'^, llic populali(»n of ibu Co 
 Inny, -an oMi-alioii (Voiii wliicîi sprints iIk; feiidal associa- 
 li"ii ofuliieh I Ii;ivc ^p(^lccn — ha-^ never becn dcnied by liu- 
 Cciiipaiiy of llic lliiiidivd A^sociatcr- ; lliat. on llu; coMlrar^ 
 ilicy wcrc eiii^er, iaiiucdialcly ufter bcing put ï\\ pus^essiuii 
 
27 a 
 
 of Canada, to conondn thc lands llirro, hy siihinfciidîHion 
 and accememmt, ml('r|)i'oting tlicir contraci, tlirmxlvcs, in 
 tlic sanic inanncr as J Jiav(; just interjx-ctcd it. 
 
 Ilad fho Coinjjany ro))udia1(Ml lliis (»l)lii,r;iti()ii, had ili^y 
 pcrsistcd in rctainiii^' Canad;» in ils iiiiciilii\alc(l and im- 
 I)('()j)lcd stalc, il would liavo hceii, on thcir paii, a r. lii-al h. 
 l'ul/il thoir cni^M^viiirrils, a vid'alion oT llic law of ilicir r,.ii 
 tract; tlicy would liavc actcd conlrary to die \ i.'ws ni' ih,' s.) 
 vert'iii^n ulio liad dictatrd ihat law l(» lliciii, and <!r>iiM\ rd |,,| 
 (;v('r a C'dioiiy in ils int'ancy and wliicii ihal ,-ovciciyi) had 
 cunliihul lo thcir carc, so thaï thcy mi<,dii a>.<ist iji makin;^ n 
 a "pou-frl'ul Coluny " nndor tlic Hnulal >y>ti'iM. 
 
 H wc ask : wlio, in tlic ('\cnt dl" tlic nMii-|)('r(nrin;in((' 
 ol' tlicir cn^'agcments, hy llic ('()in|)any, (iiii,dil lo \n- |iid;r,. 
 <»r HUcli non-prrrormanci' ; I rcply : thc kini;- liiinMJI', al- 
 tlioni,di a j)ar1y lo ilic contract, and ilial in tli.- saine inanncr 
 as hc was jiidgc in tlic niaitcr oï thc Conipnny oï W illiain 
 de Cacn. VV(.î iniisi noi Iosiî si^lit of \\<\-< imporiani laci, 
 lliat tlic conlract in cjncsiion was not an ordin;irv c!)nlr;îcl, 
 like tliat bclwccn privnic in»li\ idiials, iIk; iion-pciidi mancc 
 ()( wliicli ^ivcs oiilv a claiiii lor damnées, in tlic shapc 
 .f 
 
 ol a suin ol nioncv, tlic ainounl o! w liicli is l 
 
 o l)c (!((adc 
 
 l)y thc ordinnry Conrls ol" .In-licc. 'l'hc coniract (>!' l(i.>7 
 2S was not ol' so privatc ami liinitcd a cliar;icicr. Tlic Kur. 
 did not conîracl, incrdy as a Scii:ni()i', in p(.-^v(.v>j,,|| ,,1 a 
 frcc tcrritory, l'or tlic hcnclit df soiiic liniidr, d pci-ons, in 
 ordcr to iiiakc llicni simple vas>als, only IhhiikI •'> lealiy 
 and lioiiiai^'c, loircilicr witli tlic j)ayiiicnt n\ '■ n Golden 
 crown, wciir|iin<,^ cii^dit marks npon cacli miiiation ol ili.- 
 Crown" ; no: onc ouirlit not so lo jndi'-e ih.- cliaradcr (.l'ilic 
 soicmn contract of I(!i7-2«. It was, at once, pris ai.', and pn- 
 biic or polilical : pri\atc, uhder relations cMiemcJv lo- 
 trictcd, l)ut pi)!)lic or polilical, iindcr ail llic otliei-^ It was 
 a charter wliercin thc King s[)okc boili as Sovcrci'ai ami as 
 
2.S a 
 
 !,ri,nslalii:, coîiIcM'ini; ;i ( Oiisliliitioii ;i:i(j ;i iicw l.);:i' oi (i"- 
 \onini(-'iit on tliis portion ol' tlic .\(>\v-Worl(l, :i;i(l cslahli^!:- 
 in^' tlicrein at llie saine lime llie Fondai Instilntion. It v.n-, 
 on liis part, an exorcise ofllio j)ubli(' a'.îtliori;;,' \vi!li Vvliici! 
 lie was vosted, an aot hoaring tlie litlo ol" " llio Kdiot oltlie 
 establishment ol" llio Company," and in tlie ooncessions of 
 land Jiiade bytlio ('oni|)any tiioinsolvos and in tîio [.o.'ifisln- 
 tivo and adminisirativo inonmiionts wliicli liavo do^^oondcd 
 lo us froni tilt; Froncli domination. 
 
 'l'iio iic'.v .-NsiiMn of (Jovornmont, froni wiiioli ti;" Kiii':' 
 lioped to SCO a '■'• poworful Colony " arise on titis ('(Mitinont, 
 is tliat wliioli is Known in Colonial liistorv, iindor tlio namo 
 o( i\ Propnelari/ (iovcnimcnt. Jiul iliis Covornmont and 
 tlie antliority wliich flowed irom il, could not liave tlie 
 elleet of witlidrawing the Company of tlio Jfnndrod Asso- 
 ciates from tlu; surveillance and tlio exercise of tlie power of 
 tlie Sovereign, wlienever tlio latter, eiîlier to oany ont liis 
 political objecfs, or willi a view lo tlic intorests of liis snb- 
 jccts, tliought proper to exercise lliat surveillance and ))ut 
 fortl) tlial |)o\ver, against tlie aels of tlitî Company, wlietlicr 
 for tlie purpose of forcing tlieia to rosp(!ct the |)rovisi()ns and 
 spirlt of tlie charler and lo exécute it faithfully, or to punisli 
 anv \it)lalion of il, wlioroof ilicy might bo gnilly Inoiioot' 
 tlioso cases, llie ICing iiiiglil inleri'oro, by laws dw^-.. •,,• ],-.^s 
 s(?v(nT, i)y régulai ions, ;'.nd (sven, by acN piu'oly administra- 
 tive : in tli(> olhor, by virluo of llie liigh-handeil exorcise ol 
 his power, aelniowlodged by liu; political System of llios(> 
 days, lie might déclare the J'orfcilure of llu; riglils and ])ri- 
 vileges tliat lie had granted, n^garding those associâtes only 
 as liis delcgales, appointed by liim to reprosent liim, and 
 carry out his intentions. Sueli intiu-vontion, on llio part of 
 ihe Kinu, hîi^ been !'requenl in Canada, undor the Ciovorn- 
 
 (■: {'■'. \\>'Y Tn ;^!i ( 'oiduios la 
 
 \\\ 
 
 'l'iea Itear le-i iiii()i)\- :i ■ : ne 
 
 !i:'' |:!( '. - *.!' a((|iia iiilai- 
 ce \\ ,la Mie leg.^ia'KiII ni ail liiose JVclU il ( oldîuos, îcaelie-i 
 
'SU a 
 
 k 
 
 I 
 
 I«i'iry. 'iways .'ictivc and coiiliiinally licpt in jiracticc. 'l 
 
 1..'. ': , 1- irn-al Fief \\ iiicli tiiiis came \o \<r conccilcd to 
 li..- C.\iii;j',::\ ol' llic 1 liindrcd Associalcs, coiild not llicrflorc 
 rciuain niicMlti\aIc(l in thr liands ol'i liai associai ion, 11; ir Cl ùi 11! 
 ifs fcrcs's r'Miiain in a stalc ol' nalin-c. The Couiiii-y imist lie 
 cicarcd and iniprovcd, and tliis coiild only l)c donc \>y uicans 
 of siil)-i;ra:!lini( )!;c lands. 'l'iic Company w as, tlicrcl'orc, 
 Ibrccd to aliiMiaic, (ù; .se Jouer de .vo/> fief, i^vcn if tliis ohli- 
 l'^ation liad not bccn impos^cd iipou tlicm l)y llicir charter, it 
 w (vuKl r.( ■■l'ssarily havc ariscn Irom ihc force of circmus- 
 1ancc^•, !V(;.ii ncccv.sjty and Irom liie naliirul condition ofthe 
 (,"oii!j;;y. ( )\\ ini; lo iIk; sami.' causes, \\ e are l)oun(l t() alle<i;(! 
 that as respects the Canadiaii Seii,niiors, lo wlioni tlie Com- 
 pany Ljrantcd, en J'ieJ\ lands ot' iMimcnse extcnt, wliieh it. 
 was lîot in thcir jiowcr lo clear, so as to cuitivale them 
 as their own j)roper domain or property, they wen; 
 bound l)y tlie same o!)Iii,faiion, v. Ii.'ilier diat obligation 
 was or was not, v> riilm in ijicir litle Deeds. 'l'Iie feu- 
 flal lie, wilh ail liic hurtiicns imposed l>v the origi- 
 nal tille, had ;o Ix- rcspceti'd and fullowed, in al! th(^ stcps 
 of ihe ladder. 'i'Iie ohliL^ation lo sul)-<fmnl, llierclorc, honnd 
 tli(> vassals olliie Com|)aiiy as well as the Company thei 
 .selves 
 
 u- 
 
 IJad il heea otlierwise, if, from llie moment liial a 
 lari^e sul)-iiilcudation had heen made hy the ('ompany, and 
 l)y iIm; simple lad of lliis sul)-infend::tion, the va'^---al had 
 accpiinu! the rii^dil to daim an cxcmpiion from eonct dint; 
 the lanu:- on Iiis part, that is lo say froiii iiavini,' thcm c!e;i 
 rcd, éultivated antl inipr cil, in one word,)') cause die 
 
 Country 
 
 lo he settled, the objeet of the charlcr of 1(;:J7-2S 
 
 (1) Morcan de St. Merv. " Lois et constitutions des colaiies 
 
 fr<in(;;iises de rAtnérii|iie sous le vent. 
 
 J'etit : — Pif)it public on !i;niivenirinenf (le* colonies 
 
 i 11" Snine 
 
 ,1 
 
 ,ieai«i(>«. 
 
 i )i<sertcilion<< sur le dioit pnl)!ic des colonie^ ti-:'i(i''u'«e 
 
 ];i:;llii:''n r, .le' laisrs. 
 
30 a 
 
 ronld not havc bcon ntlainod ; Iho vast forcsis of Canada 
 woiild liavi' remained in a staU; of nature, or ev(în if inliabi- 
 fcd, it would ht; solely by tlic î;lass of advcnlnn^rs known by 
 the naiM(! of coureurs de bois ; and tlic " powcrful Colony" 
 wliicli fin; Kini,' of Franco was anxious to cslahlish would 
 neviT hav(; cxistcd. It would, tlien, liavo IxM.'n suflicicnt 
 for llie Company, tocnablc llicni tosay tliat tlioy liad fuliil- 
 U'd tho tcrms of tlieir Charter, to grant in several ficfs, tlie 
 iiiimcnse tcrrilory ol' New-France. And, in cxtendiiig to 
 thcir viissais l)y tliis act of sub-inleudalion, an exenij)li()n 
 witli Ihey wero not allowed by ilieir own tilles, tjicy would 
 hâve eonferred on tlieni greater rights tlian were given to 
 llieuiselves. Sucli a j)roi>osili()n can, in no way, !)(; sustai- 
 ned. It can ho no mori iustificd fhan can that drawn l'roni 
 wlial lias heen s;>,i'i i*' the fifth of tlu; articles of tlie 29th Aj)ril 
 1G27, and lii(î7'n ^ f ihose of tli{^ 7tli May following, to tlie 
 elfee» ');;■ i'>e !;N!"l)ers of tiie Company, could cunicede 
 tlieir la' i-; ' ;it ^ i-ii charj^'es, réservations and (conditions, 
 as iheyi a, s • ■ ;i' " a /^roy>o,s/7/o7J., of wliich I sliail speuk, 
 wlien I C( -le to 1. rueslion of tlie rates of Seii'nioria! (.lues... 
 
 5 
 
 17. Cp to lliis point. \vc do not iind, in the aots of ihc 
 Frencli (iovernment, any allusion to the (.'ustoui of Paris, or 
 to any other {'ustom, as intended, to be lliat whieti was to 
 be followed in Canada. VVe shall very '-.oon see that we 
 were subjeeted to tli(; authority of the Cusioni of Paris, as 
 miglit naturally arise when no other Custom of tlu; King- 
 dom was proiiiulijated by the Soverri^rn, inasniueh as that 
 of Paris, superior as it was to :i!! dir otliers, constituted thn 
 Common J^aw of France. It nuist iiet-d ihenifon; |)revai! 
 under the l*roprietary (ioviriuuent of I(i27-2H, espeeially 
 in sueh of its provisions a^ mi;.flit answer tlu; cireiunstanees 
 of tlu; new Colony. 
 
 The Feudal institution was crcated in Canada ; it ss 
 thcrcfore quite naturul to prétend that il was, from the be- 
 
I 
 
 31 a 
 
 ginning, snbjeciod to tlio provisions of thn Custom of Paris, 
 iutliis muttrr ;is l'ar as possible, but oniy in so far as tlioso 
 provisions liad not becn dcrogalcU l'rom l)y tlio litlc inlrodii- 
 cing tlic institution itself. 
 
 The aliénation of tlie Fief allowed to tlie Seignior by 
 tlu; Cusiom of Paris, is only facultative ; tlic Seignior is not 
 under any obligation to alienate. If ilie charter of 1627-28 
 lias ordcred otherwise, as respects Canada; if our Feudal 
 System ini|)oses ou the Seignior, as I believt! lliut I hâve 
 sliown, the obligation to conce(hi - it is évident that there is 
 a di Ile renée, l)el\vi'en the aliiMiation of the Fief unch'r tlu; 
 ('ustoMi of Paris and that of tliis C'ountry ; the one is facul- 
 tative, the olluîr ohligalory. ft will be seen, bye and bye, 
 that this dilference became more marked, in proj)ortion 
 as Ihe Feudal institution became developed in Canada, by 
 means of our spécial laws, our Customs and wants. 
 
 IS. Québec having fallen into the hands of the En- 
 glish m the year 1G29, the opérations by the Company of 
 Ne\v-Franc(; \v»>re necessarily suspended . It was not 
 until the year l()G3, that this Company re-entered on ail 
 their riglits, in conse(pience of the treaty fjigned at St. 
 CJermain en Laye on the 21)th Mardi 1G32. (1) 
 
 The lirsl stib-infeudation iiiadc^ by the Company was 
 that of the Seigniory of Meauport ; il bears the date of tlie 
 loth .lanuary l()3l. (2) This (iraut, lil<e many others that 
 siun-eded it , coneeiles, *' in full justice, property and 
 seigniory, for ever," and we also find in il thèse \vt»rds, 
 " in sucli manni'r and wiih such riglits as it has pleaseii 
 Mis Majesty to give the Country of New-France to the 
 >,\\d Company," words whicli are to be found in a great 
 number of the (Jranls in Fief. I will only make on(.' re- 
 
 (1) Charievoix, v. 1, p. UiS, to 178. 
 
 (2) Titres des Seigneuries p. 38G-7. 
 
M2 a 
 
 :i.:il\ un \i.c 
 
 -liM.fl ni 
 
 IIOl." \S t)ll 
 
 \'. I.icll iUl\ti :i'(l 
 
 lliif^»)!- .il llif (li.illh 
 
 r> (i| Ilic 
 
 lo lisscrt lli:iL 
 
 1lii 
 
 y lia\c tlitTfhy Ix'coiuc ;il).s(tliitu proprichus ((Mlirm, |V. c 
 lo Jiliciiatc or Ilot !o aliciiatc ; tlial iciiiark is, tli;ii, l)y mkIi 
 <'()iiccssioi), iIk' Coiiipaiiy lias oiily Iraiislcrrcd lo !!;;•.>.■ per- 
 dons ilic li^Wiis \sliicli ff,(\i;, ilic Company, had thcmsth'VH, 
 (îlit'V coiild Ilot, for tint iiiattcr, is.\\v mon- ;) and lliut il", in 
 ilu- liaiids ol' tlu! ("oiiipaiiy, llicsc rii,'Ii(s wiîrc hiirtlicncd willi 
 llic ohlii^Mtioii to siil)-i,naiit, lliry coiild iiot pass iiito tliu' 
 liaiids ol' tlicir valsais uillioiit liuiiii,' liablt" to lliu ^at::-! 
 obli'Mtion. 
 
 To tlii.s (;raiit ol' ilic lôtli Janiiarv Wo\, iiiadr lo ih 
 
 Siclu iloUcrl (iill'ard, iivc; conditi 
 
 ons are iillacdiftl. 
 
 Ist. '' AN'itli tho réservation, liowever, ol' Icîalty aiid 
 li()riin,i,M' wliieh tlie said Sieur (iiH'ard, liis .siieecssors or 
 assin;n,s sliall Ix; honnd to render al tlie Fort St. Louis .,1' 
 Qiiehec, or at any ollier |)lace wliicli sliall ho apjiointed l.v 
 llie siiid Company, by one l'ull homuiîe, at cueli mutation ot' 
 posscssor ol" tlie saitl lands. 
 
 2nd. ^* Wiih a pièce ot' «rold uei^lii 
 
 niï one omief-, anu 
 
 ono years revenue ol' N.liat tlie said Sieur (iill'ard sliall liavi 
 
 icserved to liirnsell" al'ter lie sliall I 
 
 lave L'ranted in Fiel' m 
 
 <i cens et rentes, the wliole or part ol' tlie said land.« 
 
 3rd. That llie appeals of llie Judi^o wli 
 
 o ma 
 
 y i)e esla- 
 
 blished at tlie said place sliall be imiiiediat(dy !«■ fore the 
 Court of Suprême .lurisdiction wliieli sliall liereafter bc 
 establisheil in tlie same Country. 
 
 •Itli. 'l'hat lli(^ men whom tlie said Sieur (Jill'ard or 
 bis siicressors, sliali send to New-France, sliall serve to 
 iho disohari,'.' of llie said Company, in diminution of tlie 
 
 niimlier whieli it is obliired t 
 
 and to that end, lie 'chall driivcr, eael 
 
 o sond to tli(! said Countrv. 
 
 1 y car, a list of theu 
 
33 a 
 
 attheOniccof llicsaid C()rn|);iny, m) ilial il may bc rorfifiecl 
 tlierc'of. 
 
 b\\\. '•'■ Witlioiit liowfVi'r llic said Siciir (iillanl, or 
 liis siu'c'i'ssors, liaviiii,' llic rii^'lil lo Iriulc l<ir lins or 
 .skins iii tin; sitid place, Or any oiln-r plaie iii \r\v- 
 Kranci", otlicrwisc thiin iindi^r \\\v conditioiis ol' iln- VAW\ 
 rshiblisliiiii^- tlic said Coiiipiiny . (Set- tlu; ('Stli «»!' tlu,' arliclcs 
 of iIhî 2!)tli April H;27.) 
 
 My llit' siuiu' dt'cd tlic Coinpiin) i{r;inls on :i r<'ui iliar^f, 
 {à cciis^) U) tlic saiiif yrantce, i)iil w itiioiit mciitioii of tlic 
 aniount or llic natiur of llic rriit ''a place iicar tlif l-'ori ol 
 (Québec, c()ntainii]ii;l\V() arpents, \o ereet tliereoii a dwel- 
 linir liouse, willi tlic; conveiiieiiee ol'a yard aiul ^arden." 'l'Iiw 
 lollouiiiif eonditioii eoiiies iimuediateiy al'ter : "•witiioiil 
 llie said sieur (Jillard, liis siieeessors or assii^ns, liaviiiif llie 
 rii^lit lo dispose ol' tlif w liolc, or part of tlie laiitls lierein 
 abovc i^n-aiited lo liiiii, willioiit tlie will aiui consent ol' tlie 
 said Company, durini^' tlie tenu and s))ace ol' tcn years lo 
 be c()iupiited Iroui llie date liereol', altcr w liieli tiuie il sliall 
 be al liis option to disj)ose oI'iIk.' sauie in lavor ol persoiis 
 possessing iIk' ipialilies recpiired l»y tlie Kdiet cstablisliin»^ 
 tli(» said Coin|)any," tlialisto say, ol" persons w ho wislied 
 to seltle in IIh- couutry, in aecordanee with llie ohjcct oftlie 
 Charler ol" U'>21-K)>^. 
 
 'l'Ile conditions reipiired luider ihe 'j;r,m\ ol' tli(> Kief 
 of Heauport ari; ins(;rted eitlier literally, or in e(piivalent 
 tenus, in a i,M'eal niiiuber of ijjranis, luade by llie Com- 
 pany, al<o tlie i-ondition excliidin^ tlie rii^lil to build 
 witlioiil tlieir coii>eiil, l'ortilications on llie laiids ^raiited, 
 wliicli is likewise to be l'oiind iiî llie i;i'anl iiiade to llie 
 sieur Cill'ard. 
 
 Two ol" tliose conditions an^ important, in as uuieli as 
 tliey tend lo sliow liow llic Company inlerprwted llie i^^'ani 
 
i a 
 
 s.'irily liail (iti tlif)-c iic)-'ni> v. m.) c:;!;; ■ 1 > ;i.\,': iii;. île m lî. 
 
 as tlii'ir vas-wils. 
 
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 rf'vcinic oi' w !i:ii i!:" f.:iii| s:c'ir (.i.il.irii :-'i:ii' 'i:r.r ri"-.'i". r(! 
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 1- ' lit.' :.'i:,n;-. iii y\cl' lo 
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 ■ cnîr in, a fi-.c'l mlc of 
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 WEBSTER, N. Y. 14580 
 
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36 a 
 
 " On iJiis, tho last day of Dcccmbcr 1G35, bel'ore 
 Marc Antoine de Bras-de-fer, F^squire, Sieur de Cliasleau- 
 l'orl, Lieutenant General along tlie wliole exlent ol' tlie 
 Hiver St. Lawrence in New France, on bchalf of Monsei- 
 gneur tlie Cardinal Duke de Iliclielieu, Peer of France, 
 and Grand Master, Cliief and Superintendant General of 
 the navigation and commerce of tliis Kingdom, Maître 
 Robert Gilfard, Sieur de lîeaaport, wlio lias promised to 
 foUow tlie Laws and ordinances concerning wliicli he sliall 
 be cnjoined and notiiled and in whieli lie shall not fail, 
 (/cf/we/ a promis suivre les lois et ordonnances qui lui seront 
 enjoints et signifiés et auxquels il ne manquera,) rcMidering 
 in this matter fealty and liomage for bis land of Beau- 
 port holding expressly of tlie Fort and Castle of Que- 
 bec." 
 
 Tlie penisal of this document is sulHcient to convin- 
 ce any one of the existence and récognition of the ruhî 
 of wliich I hâve spoken, that ruie which the history of 
 our Féodal institution shows us to hâve been incessantly 
 active and put in practice. 
 
 21. The second Grant in Fief was niade, in mort- 
 main, on ihe lath February 1G34, one month after Ihat 
 of iieauport . The Company give 1o the Fathers of the 
 Society of Jésus GOO arj)ents of land to be Iaken at Tlirec 
 Hivers " on which lands," it is said, in terms j)erhaps 
 more imperativc than those of the first, " the said Révé- 
 rend Fathers and others of their Society shall send (feront 
 passer) such pcrsons as tliey may choosc, to cultivaic 
 
 Ihem and erect the necessary buildings so that 
 
 they (the Company) may be so far discharged, the said 
 pcrsons being of the number of those whom the said 
 Company are obliged to send over in pursuance of the 
 f'dicl above mcntioned." Il was notthcrefore simple .scr- 
 vants, !(» be cmployed merely in their own service, which 
 die Company had undertaken to send to New France, 
 
 I 
 
i 
 
 37 a 
 
 22, On tho 23rd May 1637, (or tlicrctofore,) Mont- 
 inu£,'ny tlio Governor, acting in ihe name of tlie 
 (.'oiiipany , '■'■ distrihulcs and allots , " tliat is to say , 
 granls lo Jean lionrdon " Mastcr Land Surveyor and En- 
 gineor in New France," fiity arpents of land in llie ban- 
 lieue of Québec, in simple roture^ imdcr thc charges and 
 censivcs wliich Messieurs of tlie Company of N. F. sliall 
 onlcr, and on condition that the said Sieur Bourdon shall 
 cause the said laiids to be cleared, £/"€., S^'C. 
 
 On the 5tli April 1639, the Company confirms this Grant 
 " under the said charges and conditions abovc mentioncd, and 
 moreover subjcct to the payment of one denier of cens for 
 cach arpent every year, of which, nevertheless, they shall 
 havc; nothing to pay during the first ten years to be com- 
 puled from the date of the said Grant." (l) 
 
 23. We havc seen, in No. 9, that on the lOtii March 
 1626, the Scigniory of Notre-Dame des Anges had becn 
 grantcd to thc Jesuit Fathers by the Duke de Ventadour. 
 Nevertheless the Company of N. F. madc them a new 
 grant of it on the 15 January 1637 ; and why was this if 
 llie King had not the right to intervenc in a Grant al- 
 ready made , if tliis grant were to be irrévocable , if thc 
 Grantce had the literty to préserve intact thc forests with 
 which the land was covered ? Let us allow the Company 
 tliemselvcs to give their reasons in the mattcr. " The Ré- 
 vérend Fathers of the Society of Jésus hâve shown to us 
 that they hâve heretofore (been) put in possession of certain 
 lands siluato on the River St. Charles in N. F. and inas- 
 much as l)y thc Edict of the King establishing our Com- 
 pany, ail gifîsand Grants anteriorthereto hâve been revokcd 
 and the whole givcn to the said Company to dispose of 
 ihe saille, {tous dons et concessions précédents ont été révo- 
 qués et le tout remis à la dite Compagnie pour en disposer,) 
 
 (1) Titres des seigneuries, p. 351. 
 
and L^v.iwd l'''>i);, l'v {[■■: 
 
 Wo hâve he- ll.e il 
 Sovcrei-.m in li;t' ''.:;i;i;!;:: 
 evon by 'Jio a(;!i;i^::-'v,.;! -.r- 
 llie iRU'i'vrntic:! li-;.'-; w';.-. 
 which tiMi- inlrc:':. '■;•'' :'i,: 
 and w'iii:;; :i;oy :]]::•. i- \ 
 ?s not thaï a roA :jJ1 ;.,:': 
 Coiuoinv oi" f-iiis :•; -l;' 
 
 :'t::'.ori'y îl'fV;;!', i;i \] -m ^x\n<■h 
 
 -:1 M. 
 
 
 i 
 
 ( ;; 
 
 
 24. A Grant in:;uo .,:. dK> >•:;;::• d;.y, du' Î3d! J;inv!ary 
 I6ii7, by thc Com;>.:!;'; lodjiin do in^. L;v,,i^;, Ct)miidssioi;,"r 
 of ihe Fi.ucb uavy, i..>^ :[iv :.;:,;;.•;;• (i iv)!:nd.n.v ru Q,,<,b;.c 
 a curven; ibi dic iddi 
 two folio \viY\p; cond ^ i ;( 
 to cause lo wa^s ov;.'r 
 
 crut: 
 
 en 
 
 t !>■-! ti- -1 
 
 l<;r ( 
 
 -Mi 
 
 fit ion 
 
 .>v--V\' 
 
 6^-; 
 
 c: 
 
 vnil 
 
 year, at I(.'a:;l bia j;>e 
 
 porsons in ihe i'jJ!ov/i:;v yna-, ci':c< i-ïh::; Hir 
 be null^ and lo cazisc ihc Ki,'r:\i Edl^' flr //- 
 of the Comoany 1 
 
 "lî." nr\t onsuinçr 
 ;', cul'lvule and 
 
 \VM\l\ 
 
 oï 
 
 six: 
 
 aid grant choll 
 
 (^SÎili)Ji;din!('llt 
 
 y to 00 o.}. 
 
 fering th;U any •:d' lli ;>.••;; ^y. 
 New Franco rhail ^h ;à 
 
 V, )!U 
 
 -, I! 
 
 Ol' SLll- 
 
 ;(aul 1o 
 
 }■ 
 
 Country, o 
 said Edict." (>j) 
 
 <i: lie >n 
 
 id 
 
 ihe}W'i;-e diun 'mi îhc o 
 
 cojtainia; m llie 
 
 Tlîis grant 
 
 IS i( 
 
 ,11.. 
 
 :î ov 
 
 ■C i^ 
 
 Ihj da!o of 1 
 
 81 !i 
 
 ih 
 
 e samc vear, i): 
 
 March of 
 
 the same eonditicns azid cl. 
 
 lUC. 
 
 xn 
 
 illLC OiJ 
 
 ■et and on 
 
 iii 
 
 26. In tha grant of a p-vt of ta;' Fivf Dar:1ré, madc 
 
 on the Ist Decernber 1037, b 
 
 C( 
 
 aiv îo Jean rJoiu"' 
 
 (J) " Titre des tîeigneuries," |). ,j-l'. 
 
 (2) Analyse (les titres (l;>s N- iîinauries. hy :\1. Dunkiii p. 3. 
 
;j 
 
 (iou '• K.)'.(iiu't V, Vviîo li:i s i!'si(ir(1 lor soiur yiMirs in .Nc'W 
 FiMUf.'," (!) wo iv;:;! y,:r i<:M •\vi;i.; v'-i\ V,:'.ov\^^ ; 2iA '•' and 
 tu '^ •■; ii. '!;■(;! .i ù- ;.::■:> ■■>! [v;..!!;- ;u thc i/iis^s ia W'hic'i! 
 t'U'V i. :: ■!.>' il:.' il ^l,,!.^^' :h'!' ':'l l'i j' I » t!'> L'iisîomot" 
 liir p!' >'-■'■-' :i.:,-' :,!.>: \ ': . .•■'.'/ oT \':<\-\:^ ; ' .i.\i ■• .i:m1 witllOUt 
 
 l'ii' ■■ .l'i S', 'i" ' '. .' '; ■■ ■■.■!. ;.^ '!h' ;;iiN\"i' K) '■'■il<' or Irans- 
 l'ci' ,'/-r ;:■! o/'r ,)/ .■ . : jut^i ii,t>. cA ''".•• :i;Mr-.i' :.'i,in;c(l h.rids, cx- 
 (•(•[, 1 irr îh'' i) 'D'-ii! cl l-'!i'n''!jPifa :ilr<:.Miy i(':-l;!in'.' in \(-Vv' 
 Fr:in(;e :iib:-i;s^.i(i, or iflii"-- ^\ iio In siicii cr-'-, ^voukl 
 ohli'l," l!.cii!st'lv.>s if. .Li) il'.civ, in oi'i.icrto c'var and .nltiviae 
 
 Tirs --.i;:! ;> ! 
 (itlitr.^. 
 
 iii: i, I i 
 
 i!::ikrs ('.\[)r{-ss inention of 
 l'iii liii- ir.''n!ioa Js; n'[)iu(cdin niany 
 
 120. Ti:'.' y;;inî. ■ii tir- Se ipnitiiy gF .1 )•':-» i.;ri"ub,''i:t, mado 
 by liie ('omi'-any on t!i:3 -llh î.Jiri'hibrr IG-IO, lo " î-rancois 
 de ('!ia\i:i,"ny F -fjiiiiv, SivUir di; lîrrciicr'. au and Dame Eléo- 
 novc de t',':i!i([-.M;:i.-on iiis wnii','" seKs i'oitli : -Idi " and 
 moi'i'ovci', il' iii,;'!' liic :.-i\i\ Sicii;- d'' C'ii.i^iuny, iii-^ sncecs- 
 sor- anci ;;:• ■;,";n:', rior ."iiiv pcrsun Vvdio iii ly .<io ov(M" (Voni 
 l'ranrc /.; [ahabit (ind Cuiiiralc t/ie ,'-;((id conccded land.s, uov 
 :iny oliu'i' pcr-t.n r^sldiii^ tliinu^n, sliall l.ave the riglit of 
 Iradini.'; l'or l;c; .( r sldns (.i- odicr i'nrs \v\\\\ ilie Indians, cx- 
 cepf bu tV.'.'j/ (!/' ij-uck c r,yrlHn:.';e for ihe producc of 
 fltc aaid c:>:iv(('fd Lhk-::, c^t. ..c. ; Hiii, ..nd ilic said Sieur 
 di' (";i:,viL;p.y siiail s;nid. ;;t l.'a-^1, Tour \\iirliiu^'- mcn la com- 
 mtiicc ihe ch'ariu;:^ i)('sid('.< iu^■ v.dl'e 'and servant maid, 
 and lliiit l)y îl.j !];•>•; sliin \'.'iil--!i sliall sail tVoni Dieppe or 
 La iîuei;eile, lo.r.'llicv wiili the ;.roods and provisions for 
 
 llieir support dun'nq f/rrre ijcars, S^-c, c'^-c, llic whole 
 
 on jiaiji of iIk- niuiily of tliese |;rese!ils," i)th " Aud in or- 
 tîer lliai the C,)n!'.)ar.v' ine.v be assured of ihe ivoïk ichich 
 
 il 1. 
 
 fihcdl hv pvrfoi'mrd J'or th". clearing of the .said lands, tiie 
 (f) il), p. 4. Tilrcs des Sei^^ueurios p. IJat>. 
 
40 a 
 
 saici shall be held to deliver each year into Iho Imnds 
 
 of tho Secretary of ihc said Company a list ol' Ilu3 mon 
 wliom they shall send, and who are to be accountod in llic 
 number of thosc whom the Company are obllged lo send, 
 acoording to the articles grantcd to them by thi; King to 
 for m the Colony.'''' (1) 
 
 In this class of mcn, intendcd to c/ear, cultivatc and 
 inhabit thèse iands, and who werc allovvcd to trade witli 
 the Indians for Furs, by " truck or exchange," with tlie pro- 
 duce of the said landis, \ve must see, not simple servants ol 
 the Company or of their vassals, but Colonisls who ouglii 
 to become proprietors of the soil, and who would aid in 
 forming the Colony y as expressly admitted by lhe parties 
 themselves in the Deed of Concession. (2) 
 
 27. On the 17th December 1640, (3) the Company 
 conceded to Pierre Che^rricr, Esq., Sieur de Faucam))s and 
 to Jérôme Le Royer, Sieur de la Dauversière, a large portion 
 of tiie Seigniory of the Island of Montréal and that of St. 
 Sulpice, subject to fealty and homagc, " and to pay a pièce 
 of gold weighing one ounce, on which shall be engraved the 
 figure of New France. . besides such duties and dues as are 
 incident to Fiefs of this nature, and moreover to give tlieir 
 aveus et dénombrements : the whole agreably to and in con- 
 formity with the Custom of the Provostship and Viscounly 
 
 (1) Titres des îSeigneuries p. 375. 
 
 (2) J3y the same Deed, tlie Company grant to the Sieur de Clia- 
 vigny " two arpents of land to be taken in the place designated for 
 the City and banlieue of Québec, if there remain still any unconceded 
 Iands therein, or adjoining the same, to build thereon a dvvelling with a 
 garden where he may réside with his family ; moreover, thirty arpents 
 of land to be taken outside the said ba?ilieue. ... in roture, subject to 
 the payment of one denier of cens payable at the fort of (Québec, 
 every year on the day which shall hereafter be appointed, the sai(l 
 ceJis bearing lods et ventes, saisines et amendes.''^ 
 
 (3) « Titres des Seigneuries, p. 365. 
 
41 a 
 
 ol l^aris, iv/ucfi, i/ie Company intend shall be foUowed and 
 observed throughout the whole of New France. By the 7th 
 clause of this grant the Company reserve to themselve the 
 right to take lands for building forts, and say : " should it 
 " be found advisable to build the said forts on lands which 
 " shall hâve been cleared, in that case the proprietors thereof 
 " shall te indemnified by the Company." The clearers 
 would, then, hâve to be proprietors. 
 
 The 8th clause has a character altogethef peculiar : 
 
 *' Neither shall the said hâve the right to cède or 
 
 " transfor the ivhole or any portion oî ihe lands herein above 
 granted for the use of those who niay be already settled 
 in the Country, eithcr at Québec, Three Rivers, or any 
 other place in New France, but of those only who may 
 be willing to go therc for the express purpose of settling 
 thereon, so that the Colony may be so much the more ex- 
 " tendedy 
 
 (( 
 
 (( 
 
 K 
 
 (( 
 
 t( 
 
 Then the llth Article has thcse words : " In order to 
 " commence the setllement of the said granted lands, the 
 " said 4 . . » 4 . . . shall be huld to send to New France a 
 *' number of men, by the flrst shipment which the said 
 " Company shall make, with the provision necessary for their 
 " food, and shall continue from year to yearso that the said 
 *' lands may not rcvmin vvculfivàled^ and that thv colony 
 " may be so mv.cfi cxlended.'''' 
 
 h ]^ the C,'oui));inv ihciiii-t-ivcs w tio spcak : it is thfv 
 who tell us whîit arc iho spiiit ami Dbjcot r>l' their charter, 
 and wliat ave their owii oblig'atioiis and lliosr ol' llieir va-s- 
 ?«als. They so v,'cll knew tli;it the inexécution ot'tiiosc con- 
 cessions in V\(:\\ iiuisl iiixolvi- the revocation of the sanic, 
 that in this dcod of the l*/th Decenihcr 1640, they themsrl- 
 ves give an examplc, in (•(■nticctioîi with tiiai sanio Tsland 
 f)f Montréal, and iiiionii lh(> tiew .^raiirees of it, f)y wav of 
 
 warning, s<» to spcak, in ordrr to p-.it them oïi tlicir gnard 
 
 fi 
 
42 a 
 
 against Ihe same danger. The deed adds, " and withoul 
 the said Sieurs Chevrier and Le Royer, their successors 
 or assigns being enabled 1o avail thcmselves of what ^vas 
 granted at tlie gênerai meeting of the IGth Jannary 1636, to 
 tlie Si(mr de la Chaussée, nor of the concessions and trans- 
 fers which hâve since bcen made of the same prctended 
 rights of the said Sieur de la Chaussée, the ivhole remain- 
 ing nuit andrevoked in default of being executed within the 
 time prescribed by the régulations of the Company." (1) 
 
 28. In ihe numbcr of the stipulations contained in the 
 grant made on the 5lh may 1646, by the Company of New 
 France to Governor de Montmagny, of the seigniory of Ri- 
 vière du Sud (or. St. Thomas), of Goose Island and Crâne 
 Island, (2) we find the following : " and moreover, neither 
 the said Sieur de Montmagny nor his successors or assigns, 
 nor any person who may go to the said country, to inhabit 
 and cullivate the lands hereinabove conceded^ shall hâve the 
 right of trading for skins and furs witli the Indians, unless 
 they hâve been acknowledged as inhabitants of the said coun- 
 try, and, in tJmt capacity,form part ofthe community of the 
 inhabitants. '''' This stipulation is repeated, in the same 
 lerms, in othcr grants. 
 
 29. We hâve seen, in no. 26, that the Seigniory of Des- 
 charabault had been conceded on the 4lh December 1640, 
 to the Sieur de Chavigny. He took possession of it ; and, 
 afterwards, on the 16th April 1647, (3) the Company added to 
 that concession in Fief, and on the same conditions, another 
 
 (1) The grant in favor of the Sieur de la Chaussée cannot be 
 found. Messieurs Chevrier and Le Royer were tvvo of the members 
 of the Society formed for the conversion of the Indians. Their grant 
 of the 17th December 1640 was confirmed by the King on the 13th 
 February 1644. See " Brevets de Ratification^'' p. 23, printed at 
 Québec in 1853. 
 
 (2) Titres des seigneuries, p. 370. 
 
 (3) Titres des seigneuries, p. 377. 
 
43 a 
 
 portion of land equal in oxtent to Ihc first. Tlieir motive 
 for so doing is thus stated by thc Company: " inasmuch as 
 the said Sieur do Chavigny lias givcn us toundcrstand tiiat 
 he has disposed of the greater part of the said lands contai- 
 ned in the said grant(lhat of th(^ 4th Decembc^r IGIO) on a 
 rent charge, à cena et rentes^ in favor of scveral individuals, 
 and ihat he had occasion for more land, with the view of 
 clearing the samc;, the whole being for the well being and 
 increase of the Colony." It will hv. seen tliat snl)-gi!uiting 
 was, to sucli an (!Xtent, a part of tliti obligations of tlie vas- 
 sal, thaï the latter knew it to be necessary to state the per- 
 formance of that obligation in order to entith; him to the 
 increase of lus lirst grant. 
 
 It appears that Mr. de Chavigny afterwards went to 
 France, abandoning ail liis possessions in Canada ; at ail 
 evcnts, that is what we find in a new deed of concession of 
 the same Seigniory of Deschambault, made by Jean de 
 Lauzon, " Governorand Lieutenant General for His Majesty 
 in New France, throughout the extentof the River St. Law- 
 rence, " and, at the same time, authorised by the Company 
 of the Hundred Associates to concède their lands. (1) This 
 deed is of suificient importance to entitle it to be transcribed 
 hère, at fuU length : — 
 
 " The intention of the Company of New France having 
 always been to do ail that is possible l'or the peopling of 
 New France, and to lookafter those who, underthe pretence 
 of having that object in view, might bave obtained from the 
 said Company concessions on favorable conditions, so that^ 
 in case ofneglect on their part, it might give them to others 
 to be improved by them; on the report made to us that 
 François de Chavigny, Sieur de Berchereau, having left 
 New France, has abandoned ail that be possessed there, 
 and that leaving the affairs in that uncertainty might prevent 
 
 (l) Titres des Seigneuries, p. 378. 
 
44 a 
 
 other individuala froin cultivating the said landa to the advan. 
 tage of the country ; and having heretofore causcd out ordù 
 nance to be pubhshed hy which we hâve ordcred ail indivis 
 duals holding grants from the company not only to cause 
 themselves to be immediately put in possession^ but also to 
 Work incessantly at the clearing ihereof^ in default of which 
 they should forfeit their concessions, which tve would dispose 
 o/infavor of other persons who would improve them. 
 
 " Now therefore, the saicj Sieur de Chavigny having 
 as aforesaid, by retiring to France, abandoned ail that he 
 possessed in this country, we Jiave by thèse présents dispos- 
 ed of the lands by him thus abandoned, and granted to him 
 by concessions of the 4th December 1640, and the 29th 
 March 1645, (1) in favor of the Damoiselle Eléonore de 
 Grand Maison, to whom we hâve given and concedcd and 
 by thèse pres,ents do give and concède them, to hâve and to 
 hold the same unto her, her heirs and assigns, for ever, 
 under the same charges, clauses and conditions as they had 
 been heretofore granted to the said Sieur de Chavigny. 
 Done at Québec t^iis first day of March 1652." 
 
 We hâve not the date of the Ordinance of which men- 
 tion is made in this title. It must hâve been récent, as Mr. 
 De Lauzon only arrived in Canada in the year 1651. (2) 
 
 From the ténor of this ordinance, we can hâve a cor- 
 rect idea ol the manner in which the authorities of the day 
 
 (1) This last date is evidenlley er;-oneaus, the 2n(l concession to 
 Chavigny bearing the date of the 16 April 1647. 
 
 (2) Charlevoix vo. 1, p. 308 ; « The year 1650. . . .,.ended by a 
 a change of the Govemor General. Mr. de La.uzon, one of the 
 principal members of the Canada Company, was appointed to succeed 
 M. d'Aillebout, whose three years had expired ; but he arrived in 
 
 Québec only the next year The new Govemor had always laken 
 
 a greater ioterest in th« aSairs of tbs Company than any other per? 
 »on.»' 
 
45 a 
 
 interpreted the obligations of tlie Company and ils vas.saJB. 
 The ordinance makes no distinction betvveen grantees ; il 
 fitrilies ali equally, and tiiis irrespective of the insertion or 
 omission of tliis or that stipulation in tiieir titles, whethcr 
 the obligation " of working incessantiy in clearing" be or 
 be not, therein written, or that the grantee be or be not in 
 possession. The obligation existing as respects the Com- 
 pany, it exists de pleno jure as respects the vassals, and tha 
 forfeiture is the penalty of ils inexécution. M. de Lauzon, 
 proclaims this, in his ordinance, both in the name of the 
 Sovereign whom he represents, and in the name of th« 
 Company whose powers he exercises. (1) 
 
 30. The concession of the Seigniory of Mille Vaches^ 
 made on the 15 Nov. 1653, by M. de Lauzon to Robert 
 Gifiard, seignior of Bcauport (2) seems to me to be the 
 first which expressly mentions the Custom of Vexin-le- 
 François : " and for the rédemption fine [rachapt),^^ it is 
 therein declared, " one years revenue at each mutation of 
 possessor, according to the Custom of Vexin François 
 included in that of Paris ; " while the concession of the aug- 
 mentation of the Seigniory of Gaudarville, although made 
 the same day, merely states : " and the revenue of one year 
 at each mutation, " (3) which nevertheless must mean the 
 same thing ; besides, " the revenue of one year " is stipulated 
 in one way or the other in several concessions. 
 
 31. One of the conditions inserted in the title of con- 
 cession of a part of the seigniory of Pointe du Lac made on 
 the 31th July 1656 (4) is to cause " the said lands to be 
 inhabited throughout their extent, and work to be done 
 thereon with'm four years from this date." 
 
 (1) Titres des Seigneuries, p. 378. 
 
 (2) ib., p. 352. 
 
 (3) ib., p. 381.. 
 (4.) ib., p. 120. 
 
46 a 
 
 32. On fh<î 9th April 1656, thc company firncts in 
 favorof the Sr. d'Aillobout, " Director of thc Trade of N. 
 F." the land of Coulongo " by the title of Chatellenie vvifh 
 Huperior, mean and inferior justice {justice haute, moyenne 
 et basse) according to the Custom of Paris, to be «mjoycd by 
 hiin, his hoirs and assigns, undcr ihe said lith; of Chatelle- 
 nie. (1) 
 
 33. By concession of the 21 April 1659, the rcmainder 
 of the Island of Montréal, a great part of which had been 
 conceded on the 17th Dec. 1640 (see no. 27, preceding) is 
 givcn (less 500 arpents granted to tiie Sr. de Faucamj)s,) to 
 the Montréal company, " subjecttothe samc duties, charges 
 and conditions as the first concession made to the said 
 Montréal company ; " (2) and \ve hâve seen that immédiate 
 clearing was ils principal object. 
 
 34. Finally another proof that the concessions made by 
 the Company of New France imposed upon the vassals the 
 obligation or sub-conceding, is furnished to us by the terms 
 of the condition, which is found in oeveral of thèse conces- 
 sions, to leave for the service of navigation, a road of twen- 
 ty toises a long the River St. Lawrence : " from the bank of 
 the said river, at the timc of the year when it is highest, up 
 to the adjoining lands or habitations which shall be made 
 thereon, (seig. de Deschambault :) " from the bank thereof 
 to the conceded lands " (seig. of Montréal.) 
 
 35. I hâve now come to the year 1663, and consequent- 
 ly to the end of the first period of our feudal history. In 
 this year, the Company of N. F. reduced to 45 associâtes 
 (3), " well knowing that the King was desirous of putting 
 himself in possession of the country and of the seigniory of 
 
 (1) M. Dunkia's analyse, p. 16. 
 
 (2) Title of Seigniories, p. 369. 
 
 (3) Charlevoix, vol. 1, p. 379. 
 
47 a 
 
 New France, (1) adopted a resolution to that cffect on tho 
 24 February 1663, and tlie «ame day beforo notariés, made 
 a d('(îd of surrunder "ofthe property and seigniory of the 
 said eounfry of New France to be disposi'd of by llis Ma- 
 jesty according to Ilis pieasure," whicli deed was accepted 
 by the King in the inonth of March foUowing (2). " Instead 
 " of finding, says the King, that ihis country is setled as it 
 " ought to be, after ho long an occupation thereof by our 
 " subjectf», we hâve learned with regret that not only the 
 number of its inhabilants is very liinited, but that they 
 are every day exposed to be expelled by the Iroquois ; 
 *' against which evil it is necessary to provide, and consid- 
 " ering that the said company is nearly extinct by the 
 " volontary retirement of most of its associate;^, and that the 
 " few remaining associâtes hâve not the meansof maintai- 
 ning that country, and of sending thereto the necessary 
 troops and settlers, both to défend and«e///e the same, we 
 hâve resolved to with draw itfrom the hands of the said 
 company, after having the said associâtes upon resolution, 
 etc., etc." The King further déclares and orders : "that 
 ail rights of property, justice, seigniory, right to appoint to 
 offices of Governors, and lieutenants gênerai in the said 
 country, to name officers to administer Sovereign justice 
 and ail and every other rights grantcd by our most 
 honored and glorious predecessor and father, by the treaty 
 " of the 29th April 1628, be and the same are hereby 
 " reunited to our Crown, to be hereafter exercised in our 
 " name by the officers thaï we shall appoint in this behalf." 
 
 t( 
 
 il 
 
 u 
 (( 
 
 (( 
 (( 
 
 II 
 
 36. From this moment, the government of New France 
 ceases to be a proprie tary government and be cornes a royal 
 government. 
 
 (1) D?'iberations of the Company 24< February 1663. Edit and 
 Ord., vo. 1, p. 30. Act of résignation, p. 31. 
 
 (2) Edits and Ord. p. 31, 32, 
 
48 a 
 
 37. A few days ufterthe acceptance of Ihe suirender ol 
 the Company, \ve see the King passing in his Council ol' 
 State, an Arrêt revoking the uncleared concessions, founded 
 upon the fact that " one of the principal causes that the said 
 *' country has not increased in population as it is désirable 
 " it should hâve been, and that even many dwclling houses 
 " hâve been destr'^^'cd by the Iroquois, proceeds from the 
 " concessions of ^ eat extent of lands which havc been ma- 
 
 " de to ail the private inhabitants of the said country " 
 
 This Arrêt is of the 21 th March 1663. (1) It déclares that, 
 in six months from the day ofits publication in tliis country, 
 " ail the private inhabiiants thereofshall cause the lands 
 " mentioned in their concessions to be clearcd, othcrwise 
 " and in default thereof, and the said delay cxpired, His 
 " Majesty commands that ail the lands still unclear- 
 " ed, shall be distributed by now concessions in the 
 " name of His Majesty, either 1o the old inhabitants 
 " thereof, or to the new. His Majesty hereby revoking 
 and annulling ail concessions of the said iands 
 uncleared by those (the grantecs) of the said company ; 
 His INIajesty orders and commands the Sieurs de Mézy, 
 Governor, the Bishop of Pétrée, and Robert, intendant 
 " in the said country, to see to the punctual exécution of 
 this présent Arrêt ; as ^vell as to make the distribution of 
 the said uncleared lands, and to grant concessions thereof 
 in the name of His Majesty." 
 
 38. In this re-union to tiie domain of the Crown, of 
 the rights of the company of New France ; in this Arrêt 
 revoking the concessions made to the vassal s of this com- 
 pany, we hâve the strongcst, and the most authentic évidence, 
 of that rulc always persistent of the public colonial law of 
 which I havc already spoken, Vv'hich gave lo ihc King of 
 France the powerofintervening in the concessions of lands to 
 watch and assure the establishment thereof. Tlie Arrêt of 
 
 (1) Edit and Ord., in-S. p. 3.S. 
 
W) a 
 
 i 
 
 ^1 
 
 rovotalion lias llic saiiic cliaiaclcr and llic >;\inc enaclincii! 
 'A iiicli llic octlinauri' ot M. (ie- Laiizuii, iiiciilioncd al)ovi' iii 
 iio. 21), liad. Lili(> llic laitcr, it iiiakcs iio (lisliiicliou bel- 
 
 wci'ii iiriintecs or Ixîiwccii ilicir litlcs ; i! icaclicv 
 
 ilien 
 
 1 al 
 
 c<|ually ; aJI are onlij^ctl lo cicar : and as ilicy cannol per- 
 Ibnu lliis clearing but by luakiiii^- sub-cono(>s.-;i(ins, lliey arc 
 ail dicn obliged lo coueedc, an oljli.'^alion wliicli docs i\oi 
 lalvc ils orii^in in this Arrêt, \m\ uiiicli \h\H Arrêt 
 uicrely conlirnis, in a^ lULicli as it f^oes back lo tiic 
 Kdict of tlie cstablisliniont ot" tlic company oî" New 
 France. This obligation sîanips llie Jeu (h; Fief in Canada 
 witli lAVo distinct eliarac'icrs wliiclnnake il, in tliis respect. 
 • liflerent (Vom tliiit perinitled by tlie ôdli article oC lli(> 
 < 'uslom of Paris ; on tlic one iiand. tlic canadian ^•ei<i;ni(^r 
 lias tlie j)o\ver lo dispose ol'tlie icliokoi liis [\v.\\(!c se Joh'cr 
 •■!•: la lofalUc (le sonfi(J\ and, in lins poini oi' \ie\\, liis con- 
 dition beconies sjniiiar î;- llia! oi' tlic seigalia's in l'ram'c 
 iinder the old Cusloiii ol {"'aiis ; ami on ilie oïlicr liaiid, 
 beinsf oblii^ed to concetJe liis lands ir/iic/i arc ijct icua\ undcr 
 ibe penalty of tlie forfcilurc o\ l!i;> rii^dil-, ili;' .ha (/c FirJ 
 
 h(M 
 
 'onies obliii^alory upnn liint Ici ilicse '^aiiii ia 
 
 nd 
 
 A! li 
 
 ino.^t tliere Ccnild (^\is! onlv tl'i' c\ccniinn ii-iihat wnicli (lie 
 
 ili(^ seii^nior may liave thc iioiit 
 •»vo!>erlv called 
 
 rescrvi 
 
 Inj- |||v ( 
 
 lonia; 
 
 ;9. The rc -esial 
 
 )ii?-mi;eiii l'i !ii 
 
 U( ' V ,11 \ . 
 
 Canada was soon !i)lio\V(Mi by an t'iilici 
 a SoveriM^n Corùvil, ('<>iis( ;/ S-'i-rci niti 
 This KdicI is()i''iii- inoîiili '.'i .\ni . iiît;.; 
 
 .( 1 IIIIIMk |. 
 
 ivini' I reami. 
 
 _; ;;. v^'ii''cee 
 ')'!i.' (\.iiiici 
 
 tia^ 
 
 lie nowev le. tal 
 
 criininaL lo it; 
 
 c;ti;;ii;;alh 
 ,s(.'ï.' /•'■/■'( i/,'r/;,'i 
 
 cl a;i ca^f-<' 
 I au<i i:: tir. 
 
 ■ 1 \ 1 1 a il n 
 
 rc>.()i' 
 
 (I) i'Mit and <'ul. ui-^n.. t, ;. y, ::: 
 
 Non:. 'I'lii> l](lii vva- i'.i^-i"' ll;(' ^ii"' .'. j>i !i. s. . y .1 '.i t 'niiii|,,r, 
 
 '•mus of ( loveriior«) nnà iii!i:ii';uii-, |'ri;ii( .1 i " 1,1, i, , n, I S;- 1, ^( 'ni;. (!< 
 '^r. (le i\lé;^v ; aad ili' '/. v / <' 'i:, ' ■ \ '.,•■'. .n': 'nc i:.!va 
 
 if lh(- l'M.i 
 
 '", I- \U.\'.t 1 1 
 
 ( >, ! 
 
 m ^ 
 
 I. Y h. 
 
50 a 
 
 " acoording to tho laws and ordinanccs of Onr Kingdom, 
 " and 1() prooeed tlierein as niiudi as il can in the inanner 
 " and tbrni wliioli are practised in uur Court of llie Parlia- 
 " monl cl' Paris, reserving to oursolves mvertheless, accord- 
 *■' ingtoour Sovercign powcr, llic rigiit to change, rel'orm and 
 " aniplify tlic said laws and ordinances, of derogating ihe- 
 " rclVoni, of abolishing tlieni, of niaking new ones, or such 
 " niies, slatiilcs and constitutions Avliich \ve sliall consider 
 " to hetlie ino.--luseinl lo our service and to llie good of our 
 '^ suhjccis of llie said country. VVilling, inlending, and it 
 " heing our j)U'asure llial in the said coun(;il the (?xpen- 
 " ditiire of the public funds shall be decided upon, and 
 " ihe traih' in fur with tlie Indians be regulated, as well as 
 " ail ihe 1ra(U> thaï the inhabitants niay niake with the 
 " nierchanls of Uiis Kingdom ; evtn that ail ajf airs of })olî- 
 " fc, public and pricute^ of ail the country may bc detcrmined 
 *' vpon ^-c. " 
 
 '10. The King had scarcely crcated the Sovereign 
 Council, tliat he named the Sr. Gaudais comrnissioner to 
 examine the situation and stale of the Countrv and to 
 ]uai\e a report lo liim. This commissioner \vho was named 
 on thc' 7 May 1GC3, and whose instructions bear llie same 
 date, (I) accompanied the ncA/ Governor M. de Mésy and 
 the Bishop of Pétrée, to Canada. (2) 
 
 The fourlh article of Gaudais instructions informs liini 
 " tliat ihe })rincipal thing whicli must be attended to for 
 " ihe maintenance of the colonies of the said coimtry and 
 " for their augmentation being to cultivate the greatest possi- 
 " ble (juaiitity of land, and to do in such a way that tho 
 " dwellings of ihe inhabitants may be brought close to one 
 " another without wdiich the inhabitants cannot assist each 
 " other &c,, &c., iherc is noihing of so much conséquence 
 
 (!) (^0111. of Gov. and liiteml. p. 22, 23. 
 (2) Charlevoix, vol. 1, p. 370. 
 
(( 
 
 (( 
 
 (( 
 
 (( 
 
 51 a 
 
 as to cndeavoiir to ftclllo Iho inhabilants in parisliosor villa- 
 ges, and lo oblige them to clcar thcir lands from neighbonr 
 to ncigh boiir, lo thcciKl ihaf tlicy niay liclponc anolhcr in 
 caso of nccessity. And alllio tliis nu'tliod was lîic most 
 " certain, ho will assunxlly iind, bcing or llie spot, tliat the 
 " little caro and knowledifc 1 liât tlio Company which iienîto- 
 " fore posscssed llio country liad, and tlic; avidiiy of iliose 
 " Avlio wislied to settlo tlionisclves tliere, wliolmve alw ays 
 " askod for grants of groat cxtenl, npon wliicii tlii-v Imvo 
 " scttled, liavL" caused tliis séparation of dweiunii-s, Axiiieli 
 " are foi nul far distant one from Ihc oiIkm-, not only, tlu; 
 " private individuals \vho liavo obtained tiie eoneessi(>ns 
 " hai-e not becn in a situation to clcar tlicm, but Ii;ts e\en 
 " givcn great faeility to the Iroqnois, to mnrder, inassaere 
 " and make a dessert of nenriy ail occiij)ied phices, and tliis 
 " is wliat has obligcdthe King to maJic liis Arri't, tho copy 
 " of \vhieh is pnt into the hands of Sr. Candais, likewise to 
 '' canso to bo written to the Bishop of Pétrée, thaï he deli- 
 " ver iIk; original of the said Arrêt lo hini, to hâve it pn- 
 " bllshed and allixed every where as soon as il lias arrived ; " 
 (the said arrêt of Révocation of the 21lli March IGGS.) 
 
 The fifth article of the instructions furllu^r states :" and 
 " as he clearly perçoives from the r(,'asons abov(> ex- 
 *' plainod, tliat it is impossible ever to be al)le lo assure 
 " oneselfof the said country and to make a coiisiderabli^ 
 " number ofdwollings, nntil \vo oblige nll those who liave 
 " had concessions of land lo ;diandon dieiii, and to unité 
 " themsolves in as many villages and j)arishes as possihh', 
 " in order lo cullivate ail the neighi)ouring lands, in ir/iirh 
 " case it will bc nccessari/ lo partition llie said iands and to 
 " give portions ofifiem to eacli village or parisli^ according 
 " to the number of families of which it A\ill l)e coiiiposod, 
 " he will endeavor then to persuade of tliis trnlh, liv ail 
 "■ kinds of moans, the said I^ord Bishop, tho (iovornor and 
 " the principal mon of tho country, lo the end ihat tliey niay 
 
••.ti II 
 
 •' t.onciir tinniiiiiuiii ■ i\ lo m;,!,,.' ili; li' i")i uccci'l!. v.liul. 
 
 ■' lie 'A ill huLc ihi'iii kni.'», ;,ilf lu t 0:1!', ■-! :im iil'i-oliili 
 
 " ii<'(c--;itv fw;- ilii it |>ic-;rr'. :ilii.ti, /.'(// H'ii! Ili.'< Miijfsli/ iril! 
 
 '■'■ ll'tn ItOi'c '"/ r.r-f'.'',"'/ //,'( (I '-.ni '\'l '•i":<r:ltio'i i)f ail cnn 
 
 '^ cessions. '^ 
 
 )0. ' IM !l!f ir, (■ 
 
 111 ;li:il -■.l'Ki- <ii tt!0'<( !,. wlioiil llic 
 
 iii;i;'i' 
 
 coiu'essiou^ i!'i\ >■ I 
 cndrcli/^ jiMil tli;.ti i 
 menlioned ju ilic :-:iiil .\i;'"i, i!ir\ 
 
 il c!.. . :;! 1'! 
 
 n> ;o ."/'v;.. î/>( t: 
 
 M'Ii. Il 
 
 ^,.^ !, 
 
 
 a good pr.ri tiiorcoi, llir 1 
 thcir pc1Jtion> ilu; S*r.Oii i;.;i 
 delay of six moni!i:i ui^s, .T;; 
 that ail thcsaid 
 
 it!^";i;.-.n c; (li- M-i'" ^ is, lliMÎ ( 
 
 Ht 
 
 \ y ■•;;!)•■■ I u, 
 
 icitl MncllHM 
 
 C())icr ::::■/::; (jc ^'ri-nfr:! m 
 
 
 l'rhiii trrvii.>)-i!i<!. /v, ,'."/v'/ 
 
 'ic. 
 
 .1 
 
 in liis riî^lit of iii'-'ncr'Mo'i ■•".' invvvi-'i'ii 
 more or .l(^s< riiJorfii!<l\' ^'■^ tf h'- 
 
 :ii f^'crv oci'nsiiMi, 
 
 (' Vcm-'Cr- 
 
 ■:(<-i ■. .,,(1 ( iici!u<!;inc 
 
 «■ ; !'• 
 
 M-..,< I, 
 
 ( omiiii'^suin: 
 
 rcquirc ; t!it> 'tis'nir'ioiv \\ bi 
 
 and thc Arr>'t 0!' ilv Jl î. A!;;-'.'i oi \\'li'( i' lu- ;'\|)laiîi-- 
 
 motjves and oi^'pf'l J" >!;<" 
 
 ll!i" ■n';|i-Ufl!!Mls, |i';i\ ;' îli) (loill 
 
 as to lus wishcs Miid itiicn' '.iri-: u- .'k' v. idior.î 'A'Iaxntioii, 
 in relation 1.0 tlioyrani 
 to accompljsli llicir 
 Ihe S 
 
 
 overej*Tn ('(iiisi lUî'!^ M ;.':iliirf. '.\\'n 
 
 |!,V-('ll<C- *■'-: 
 
 !r;u'!."i-!> 
 
 of llie Ctniadini! (V-ud'il in-^'i'! 
 
 on. 
 
 42. The Kdiet crrctim;- llit> Sovcfri'^ît CoMîU'il ,'Hid III^' 
 Arrct revoking llie nnclcar'-d (.'onccs-jion-^^, liad bcm dtdivc 
 red I0 tlic Bisliop ot Pétvce (1) 'a lio was llie ,s(Mon(i 
 member of tho (.'(Vinei!, iind wlio loiiitlv ^\'idi tlic gover 
 nor, liad tlie vight of :ippoiniing thc otlicr live inenibers. 
 This Ediet had bcen (>nregi:<t(Mvd a! i!i(^ olHec oi' tîie Clerlv 
 i»f tho Council or thc ISih Sf-nt. MiGG. 
 
 On the 6th August IGG 1, l'.n- go\'ovnoi ;uul thc Bi>lioi; 
 (1> Gaudais; instructions, nvt, i aiul 19. 
 
'.3 u 
 
 iwf. ,' lin 
 
 liM 
 
 \t ;;i, 
 
 llMi 
 
 \i ■ u: 
 
 I ■ ! 
 
 ■l.-Coî'dlM 
 
 II-- 
 
 •j H. U,i. i 
 
 >';;'ill.,!l v)| lin- Jlili Man,!i ot' \\u- 
 icil ;h<' Arrcl to tlu' couiicil 
 
 • ('M'*.ai(cd m cvL'rv rcs 
 ioriii, and, in so (loinif, 
 (■i tJii;) da\) cultivaled and 
 
 IM\'-(11 
 
 Iff', 
 
 llli 
 
 / (.' 
 
 thii' ail Ihc hfinJ. 
 
 '.:>ii: hontlct/^ !)'.; ■i'.rliivi' I i<.-iiniictl îotliL' King's domain, 
 
 u> bc dis))(!.--fd (,| in !l!(; aaiu»' of (lis Majcsty l)y ncw 
 
 conot'ssions iti Invoi 
 is above iiuniiont'd 
 
 ■ >i tli().s(' \\ ho r<'(}nir(' thc snmc as 
 ihc s-iid 1,'ovt'rnor and iiisho]i 
 
 {R 
 
 cl a ri n 
 
 liai 
 
 h(>v il() noi oretcnrl in anv iiiannci 
 
 "• lo inkirlcT;- wilh di.' pet)))!'' s(;lil(d in llic Coini- 
 
 •^ liy, nor lo oblii>o ihrni lo lcav<- ih'-ir hoases and hal>i- 
 
 '• talions, con,<cnlini;' dial thcsc ivniain inthc slato llicy nrc, 
 
 '' l.)iU. loi dio.so concessions whic!'. it will lie ncops^ary i<i 
 
 - uiakc, tlicy will sec Tu il tliat i!)c intention ol' ih<^ Kini'^ 
 
 '' shall bc ibllow'cd and thaï ihey sliall bc rednccd in to\vn> 
 
 " and villages, a.^ ;i:uch as* j)o.>sibic, likcwisc lliat ail })re- 
 
 '• îcnded scigniors sh:dl bc prohibitcd from disjjosinff by 
 
 '• concessions of any unimproved !ands, on pain of niillilij , 
 
 " thc King's Attorncy General having roqulrod ihat ali 
 
 "■ nnclcarcd lands l)c rc-unitcd to ihc King's domain ;'' 
 
 IJpon tliis dcniand and réquisition, " Ihc Council, b(,'- 
 '^ Ibrc dcciding ihcrcupon, lias ordercd thaï iho said Arrêt 
 " be comraunicatcd to thc syndic of th(^ inhabitants at thc di- 
 '■'• ligence ofthc King's Attorncy General, sothat, lus answcr 
 " bcing had, it bc (nxlcrcd as it may -arm rcasonablc." 
 
 43. No concossions cl' land sccms to hâve bccn madc 
 
 (1) Cliarlevoix, V. l,p. 372, says : " M. Robert,CounciIlorof State, 
 woukl hâve bccn namcd tliis samc year (I6fi3) intendant of Justice, 
 police, finance and adniiralty for N. F. and his patents are dated tbe 
 21 INIarch ; but lie did not makt thc voyage to Canada, and I\L Talon 
 who arrived m IGGâ, is tlic first wlio fulfilied thc diitics of tlie otri-^ 
 ce." 
 
64 a 
 
 in 1GG3. Butwe hâve the titlcs of two grants, made the 
 following ycar, on the samcday, the 8th Aufijust, by the Go- 
 vernor de Mésy, and the Bishop of Pétrée, the one of a 
 pièce of hxnd at Three Rivers, to the Révérend ihe Jesuit 
 Fathers (1) and the otlier of the seigniory of Champhiin lo 
 Etienne Pezard, Sr. de la Tousche. (2) Th^ise eonees^sions 
 were made, as declared in the first, " in virtuc of the 
 power granted to us and duly enregistered," îhat is lo say, 
 in virtue of the Arrêt of revocation, ofthe 31th March 1GG3. 
 Tiie concession tlius made lo the Jcsuits is of a certain 
 " quantily of uncleared land," joining a pièce of 14 arpents 
 which had been given to them in exchange for the same 
 quanlity of land ceded to the inhabitants of Three Rivers lo 
 make a common ; and this concession contains the décla- 
 ration : '^ in full property, nnder the same rights and privi- 
 " leges that iheir said 14 arpents exchanged were given to 
 them by the Gentlemen of the General Company." 
 
 (( 
 
 The concession ofthe Scngniory of Champlain is mad(! 
 in fall pr()])erty, with ihe rights of seigniory and jnrisdic- 
 lion, snperior, mean and inferior, and the ordinary houo- 
 riiic rights of seigniors of parishes in the Chnrches wlien 
 they sliall hâve been tlierein built," lo. " at the charge 
 
 that the appeals from the jurisdiction that the said 
 
 " may therein establish, shall b(i made to the Royal Judge 
 " at Three Rivers ; 2o. " that as to fealty which lie siiall 
 " be obliged to pay, by one homage at each change of })os- 
 
 " sessor, he will render it at the Sovereign Council 
 
 " at Québec," 3o. with une years revenue, accord ing to 
 " the Custom of the Prevostship and Viscounty of Paris ; " 
 probably intendingto say accord ing lo the Custom of Vexin 
 François, rccogniscd by that of Paris, and in which one 
 yeafs revenue, that is to say, the relief or rédemption, is due 
 at each mutation. 
 
 Ql) Seigniory Titles p. 72. 
 (2) Dunkin's analy&is, p. 18. 
 
55 a 
 
 44. The interval which olapsed betwecn the re-csta- 
 blishmontof the Royal Government in theyear 1G63, and the 
 ef;tal)li^^llment of tlie West India Company by the Edict of the 
 month of May 1G64, may be regarded as the second period 
 of our F'eudal liislory. In this short inlerval, ^ve find but 
 ono single Arrêt of the Sovereign Council of Queliec, in 
 \vhieh they had occasion to apply the King's Arrêt of the 21tli 
 March 1663. It is an Arrêt of the 8th Novemher 1664 
 \v hieh enjoins the inhabitants of the Côte de Lauzon to pay 
 into the hands of the clerk of the Council the priée of the 
 lease of their fishing grounds. (1) The défendants ^ere 
 impleaded by the pétition of Paul Chalifour " for their jiarts 
 and j)ortions " ofthe property leosed. Having shown tliat 
 the said iisheries were upon undeared and unsettled places^'''' 
 the governor had ordered the Attorney General " to make an 
 " oj)p()sition to the distribution of the monies, the said farms 
 " for which the suits were brought being in the hands of hifi 
 " said Majcstij, according to his Arrêt of the 3rd. (2lth) 
 " iNIarcii 1663, enregistered, published and affixed where 
 " Ihe same was nccessary, and, moreover, by the déclara- 
 tion which was made thercof by Us (the Governor) and 
 and the Lord Bishop, datcd 8th. (6th) August last, accor- 
 ding to the order given us by the King." 
 
 " The Attorney General has required that ail seigniors 
 bo prohibited from leasing any lands or fisheries upon 
 undeared and unsettled places, and from availing them- 
 selves ofthe titles granted to them by the General Sei- 
 gniors, requiring that the monies that are due and de- 
 nuinded be placed in the office of the clerk, for the 
 benelit of His Majesty, and that thèse présents be read, 
 published and affixed." 
 
 " Upon which the Council, having duly considered, 
 " has ordered that thèse said Arrêts of His Majesty be 
 
 (1) Edit aud Ord. in-8o,t. 2, p. 21. 
 
'' cxcciihd iKi-oKiih., 1.) tlicir leiuir ;iii(l Ikiiii, uiilil l'i(\>,i 
 
 '•'■ on/ers of f/ic A7n;Lj-, iliis l)(_'jni,^ (ionc iliat ilic said 
 
 " and Others owlngj'or likc dcinands^ hcin^' Icssoes, pay tlic 
 
 " priée o( llicir lca.st' inU) ilic liands ol' tlic clcrk ol' \\ù^ 
 
 " Council, wlu) will givc tlicm u guod and valid disrliari^v 
 
 "■ tlu'nîlbr, and ihat llicsc présents be reacl, piibli^lied and 
 
 "■ alli.vcd that none be tinaafuauu'cd wil/i Iheni. 
 
 45. VVe now enter in tlic liiird |)eri(id of Ilie liistory ni 
 onr Feudal institution, conuiieneinif willi tlic \Ve>i India 
 Company and linisliin^' with il in IGÎ 1. 
 
 The Edict ol" tlie montii of INlay ICGl (1) \\iii(li esta- 
 i)lislied Ihis Company, i^rantcd it " Canada, Aeadia, ilie 
 " Jslands of Newfounland andollier islands and main-laini 
 " from Ihe Nortli of llie said Country of Canada as far as 
 " V^irginia and Florida " /;; oll sclgnior:i/, iiropcrli/ (nul jv 
 " risdiclion.'''' 
 
 Art. 15. '' Tlie Coi)ipan_\ sliali aiotu , (iaritiij; Jorti/ 
 ' //c«/'s, carry on trade and navi<i;alion in tlu; ((Mintric! 
 " granted, to tlie exclusion of ail otlu-r oursiihieeîs wlioshall 
 " noi enter inlo ilie said Coiiijiany," c\c. 
 
 An. 19. '■'■ Ail lands whieli liic (■oiiij)anv \\\:\\ bcHii 
 '•' or acquire by eonqnest durini;- ihe :-aid {\n-\y y(-ars, 
 •'■ williin the exlent of tlie country eonrcdcd and licrein 
 "• before dcseribed, shali beion^io llie sai<i Cnnipinv iu uib 
 " property, witli tlie ri<;;lils of seii^'niury an;! juri^diclion, a;- 
 ■-' also the islands (^f Aiiiericn iaiown ■,\<\\\r Amille-or iicc 
 '•' ward Islands, inliabiled hy ilie l'n-ncli, 'Alircli wc v«' se;.. 
 " to scveral in'lividuals by a ('(Mnpa;i\ fonucMÎ in iGlJ, 
 '■' npon the condition that lli< coii'panv sh;;ii rciinburs'- !<• 
 " the seigniors proprietors of i!i( said isiiuids llic r.iiiuuiil "• 
 " purchase money paid b\ tlnii!, .i- < -iubii^lnd iiv th' ii 
 ' deeds of j)urcliase, and tin' \;i\u o[ li,' in' !i"iaiK';r< -;;;•- 
 
 (M Eilit aii'.lOi.l, „vN, 1,1, j, 10 
 
57 a 
 
 improvomonts, nroordiriir to ilio vnlurvtion of tlie commis- 
 sidiicrs lo l)(' iKiiiicd hy ils l'orll;!!! piiipcxc, niid pfMTiiitt ing 
 tlicrn tlio iMijoyincnt ol' llir scllli'iiicnis iiindf hy lliem 
 
 siiicf t lii' |)iircii;isc () 
 
 r i! 
 
 ic s;ii(l \i 
 
 iiihI 
 
 Arl. 20. " Ail wliicli l'oiiiiirics niid ishiiuN, pluct-s and 
 
 fort 
 
 s, w liirli iiiiiv iiiivc Ix'cn hiiilt and cslMlilislicd llitTciu 
 
 by onr snhjccls, wc liavc ,i^i\t'n, «^a-antcd and conccdcd and 
 d(» lu'R'hv i,nv(', ifrant and concède U» die said Company, 
 tobe l)ytlie said Company liad and enjoyed in J'ull propcr- 
 ty, scigniori/^ andjitrisdiclion for vvct\ reservi ni,»- lo onrsel- 
 ves neidier riu;lits nor diilies, save and except leallv and 
 
 loniau'e, wliicli IIk; sau 
 
 l C 
 
 oinpany w 
 
 bouiid to ren- 
 
 ti(M' 11.- 
 
 and 
 
 <) 
 
 (iiir royal siiccessors, npoii each mutation 
 t' tli(> Crown, \\illi a ))ayment ol' u yold Crown, ol' tlie 
 
 weiifjit ol' lliirly marks. 
 
 Art. 21. " The said Com])any shallnotbe lield liahle to 
 l)ay îiny indemnity loany ot' tlie Coin|ianies to \\hoiii \ve or 
 our royal predecessors, niay liave inade irrants, which said 
 
 mdenmities, n anv 
 
 l)o (lia 
 
 dial[ 
 
 l)ai( 
 
 1 1 
 
 ly us 
 
 t()r 
 
 whieli j)urpose \v(! hâve rvL'oJîcd, and do hcrcbif revoke 
 ani/ grcDit which uw luwe hvrcloforc made to tht'}n, to 
 which i^rants, in so l'ar as ihe sanie may be necessary, we 
 hâve substitnted the said Company, to enjoy ail the ))ri- 
 vileges ol' ihe same in uuinner a.s if ail hiich privilèges 
 were licrein particularly expressed. 
 
 Art. 22. " Tlu! said Company as seigniors of tlie said 
 
 and and Islande 
 
 shal 
 
 en 
 
 i"y 
 
 the setn-ninr 
 
 ial 
 
 ri "• 
 
 hh 
 
 (( 
 
 which are al présent estabtished thercin upon the inhabi- 
 tants of the sanie, as sucli riglibs are now levied by tho 
 seiguiors in ]K)ssession, unless the said Company sliould 
 deem it, iiropcr to conmiiite siich rights for the relief of 
 the said inhabitants. 
 
 Art. 23. " 'J'iie said Company shall liave powcr to sell 
 
 or dispose of Ihe said lauds by vvay of infeofment, cilhcr 
 
 8 
 
58 a 
 
 •' in ihe said isiands or (tonlinent ol America, or elHewhcrc 
 
 " in the countries granted, npon paymenl of and for such 
 
 " cens et rentes and othorseigniorial rigliis as inay be deem- 
 
 " ed propcr, and to sncli pcrsons as tho said Company may 
 
 " sce fit. 
 
 Art. 2\. " Tiio said Company sliali liavc ilio cnjoy- 
 " ment of uU thc mines and minerais, caj^es, gulfs, ports, 
 " harbors, rivcrs, rivulcts, isiands and islots wliich may be 
 " Ibund within llic said granted tracts, without being obli- 
 " ged to pay ns by reason of thc said mines and minerais, 
 " nny royal dues wliatever, wliicli (hies are liercby remil- 
 ♦' tcd." ' 
 
 Art. 36. " The said Comjîany shall also liave power 
 " to appoint such Governors as may be deemed requisite, 
 " either upon thc mainland by separatc sedions or pro- 
 " vinccs, or in thc said isiands, whjch said Governors shall 
 *' be presented to us by the Uireetors of the said Comjjany, 
 " in ordcrihat they may be provided with onr commissions ; 
 " with power also to thc said Company, when and so often 
 " as may be deemed neecssary, to displace sucli Governors 
 " and to appoint others in their place, to whom our com- 
 " missions will be foithwilh issued, it, l)(nng lawful for 
 " sncli newly appointed Governors lo act as such, imder 
 " the commission of such directors, for six montlis or for 
 '* one year at the utmost. " 
 
 Art. 31. " Thc said Comj^any shail havc power, as- 
 seigniors haut justiciers of ail thc said countries, la 
 appoint judges and officers wherever need bc, and to 
 displace and dismiss them whcnever ibund neecssary, 
 which said judges and ofliccrs shall take cognizance ci' 
 ail matters concerning justice, police, commerce an<I 
 navigation, as well civil as oriminal ; and in such places 
 ■TS it wijl be neecssary to cstablish suprême eouncil.'^, th»- 
 
!) (/ 
 
 V- 
 
 " ()fhc(>rs c'c)in|josini( tlic -^anu' sliall be norninalod and 
 
 " prcsciiUnl to ns Itv iIkî diroclors gciK-ral ol' tlir said 
 
 " Company, find tlicrciipoii tlic cominis.xion.s ulsiurli DllictT.s 
 
 '' sliall l)t' issiied. 
 
 Art. 83. " TIk; jtid^'fs aj)))()intoil iii llui said placiM 
 '■' will l)c hcld h) i.Mvi' judi.Tmfnt accordini^ to the laivs and 
 
 rdi 
 
 )lii 
 
 ordinanccs oj tins rcalni, and tin; oiiiecis ol" justit'o boiirid 
 " tu t'ollow aiul to coiiijjly \villi the Custom of Paris, 
 " acc'ui'dhiî; to w/iich the inhabitants shall enter into ron- 
 " tracts, witliout its hcing lawtul lo introdiicc any otlicr 
 " cnistom, in order lo nisiirc unilbrmity. 
 
 •IG. Tlio cdict ol' the niontli of mny IGGl crcatod anothor 
 proprietarij governmi nt. 'Vo tlic ncu coinpauy bcdougcd 
 tlio right to naiiK! governor.'^ and aii llic oUiciîrs ; nevortlieloss 
 it appi-ars tliat tliiy ilid not cxt-rfisc tliis privilège during 
 their short existencr, ai l(■a^l as rrgards ihe oinecs oi 
 (îovernor and Inî'Mid.nii. Tlic noiiiinalion of thèse two 
 i'unctionarics coniiniicd to he mode directly by liie King 
 wlio, thns, reîained, ii; soiue niantier, tin; governing hand 
 in the adniinistratio'i of the Colony, tnitil the suppresjsiou 
 of the Conï])rmy by the Ei.iict cï the laontîiof Deeember 107-1. 
 
 Charlevoix v. 1, p. .']"(9, renuirlve. npon tliis subject ; 
 " as this ne\v Coui|)auy, say^: (,'olbert in a rrunnorial whicli 
 I bave in my hands, had not yet ^-^utlieient knowledgc of the 
 persons fit to lîll the lirst plaees, they praycd tho King to 
 nriake the appointmeiits, iintil sueh titne as thcy were in a 
 situation to make use of tlic j)ri\ ilege, tliat lïisMajesty ha(} 
 been pleased to giaiil lo iivMu, and it was in conséquence 
 of this pétition that r>ri. de Mé;^y Avas appointed Governor 
 General and Mr. llobert intend;int of New France. (1) 
 
 (1) JVlessis. lie Mczy aiid lîobert were iiaiiiecl in the year 1G63, 
 and consequently 1. tore t!iH rrpatinn oi" tlïe Coinitany. The com- 
 misïions of tlu;ir ^iicci's>ors inukc no mention of their ]}resc)i.tatio?i to 
 the Kin:i by thf < 'oiiipaiiV, !•) ifcfivt» tiif roiiiini<MonH for their cflicei. 
 
GO a 
 
 ■17. Il (locs not nppciir tlml riny conrossidii was niiMle 'm 
 tli(> niiMif t»l flir ('(Hii|);iiiy hrt'oïc \\\v ;iri ival, in tln' ycar 
 I (!(!.'), (if M Nf. «le Court elles ;in(l 'l'aldii, ttiic naiin'd (Jovcriior 
 aiid llit' tillicr lalciid Mil. Ily an rMiiK't, rcpiirlcd Uy Cliarli'- 
 V()i\, ( I ) ol' llii' iiisti'iictioiis i^fivcn lo liiis iiitrndaiil hy lin- niin- 
 istcr ("tilitt'it, A\ (• x(.i« tliat ilirsr inslrnclions, as rcL^ards tlit> 
 «•oiiccssions and llic iii'ccssily ol'liav inii;tlic d\\ idlinirs ncaront' 
 lo tlir otlicf, liad die sanit' (diaractcr \\ \\\\ tliosc liivcn to die 
 (•oiinnis-^iDncr (iaiidai>« in du' \ car I(i(i;j. In tlic^r in-trnclions 
 whicli iiiak(î incntKin of die .l/T'7 ot die ('onmil of 
 State <>r tlie JIst maieh ol' this last year, it is said : 
 " Tiiis aiirt, lias remained widiont elU'el hecaMsc , to 
 " imite tlie iidiahitanls iiilo one liody in \ illa^cs, it wonid 
 " hc nec'ssaiy lo (ihliire tlieni to niakc iiew clearanccs, and 
 " abandon tlieir ou n. ^'ct as lins is an evil l'or whieli 
 "■ sonie renie(|\ mnst he l'onnd, Jlis Majes'y leaves it to tlai 
 " prudence of sienr Talon lo a<lvise willi tlie sieiir de 
 " Conrcelles and tlie oliieers ol' tlie Soverei^ii C'ouneil, lo the 
 " end tlml liis /r/.s7/r.s iiuii/ Itv curr'tvd ont. '' 
 
 Thèse instrnelicins t'nviiisli u iVesli proof oftlu^ interven- 
 tion, always active, ol' ilic Ivin^' ot" France, l'or tlic purposp of 
 snpcrintendin^" tlie concessions ol' land in liis colonies, nnd 
 to pnl into opération tlic sysleni wliicli lie tlioui^dit niost lit. 
 for tlieir c.^iahli^hnient. 
 
 ■18. Tu tliat snmc ycar 1GG5, tlio West Fndia Company 
 appoinlcd Mr. Le Jiarntys its ii^eni'ral agent in Canada, llis 
 < omniission \vliicli hcars date tlie 8t!i April (2) and wliich 
 was cnrcyistcrctl af (juchée on ilie 23rd day of Seplember 
 following, ij:ives hiin tlie powcr '' of distrihntinii; or having 
 " distribut(Ml to j)iivatc individnals, tlie Jands at tlie rent 
 " centt cl renlfs wliicli w ill be found propcr," and " to si'c 
 '' thaï tlie Company be paid tlic seigniorial rights, and other 
 
 (1) T. l,p.:W7. ^ 
 
 (2) Corn, of the. (iov. and Int. p. 3(!, 37. 
 
61 a 
 
 
 f 
 
 " duos wliicli nrc now paid or wliicli may be heroafier 
 " l)aitl hy tlic iulialùlauts ol" tlic. .«,ai • coimtry. " 
 
 It apprars tliat tlic Coin|)uny had i-xpf'rifncod somc 
 dillicnlty lo liav»' itsrll' put in possession. (1) Mr. de 'l'ra- 
 
 ey , llir 
 
 Kiii 
 
 i" s' 
 
 |ji'Ul('nan*-(iiMi"ral in Aimiifa , liav- 
 
 iiii' coiiu' fo Canada, wc sec INI, l.c Harrovs, tli»' 18 
 
 A 
 
 st iciii; 
 
 Mitioti, to liiiii, to ilic (i 
 
 )(), |)r('scmiiiif iiiiM a pouiioii, K» iiiiii, lo iiif iio- 
 vcrnor M. de ('oiu-cullcs, and to tlir intendant M. 'l'alon, 
 dcniandiiii,', anioniir otlier tliiiii^'s, hy tiic lirst articli', tliut 
 " Tiic (Jcinlenicn ol' tlie Company be acknowledujcd and 
 " deelarcil as it lias been by hiiii required, since tlie 10 
 " .Iiily of llie year IGi!."), ,Seit,Miiors ot' tlie Coiintries nanieil 
 " in tlie Kdict o[' [lis Majesty given at l'aiis l'or tlie 
 " esfablisliment ol' tlie said Company in tlie iiiontli ol' 
 " May IGGl, to cnjoy tlie sain(; in ail |)ro|)erty aiul juris- 
 " diction, as well as ail tlie otiier riglils eonccded by tli(^ 
 " said Kdiet, cnrcii^istered in tlie Sov(>rciifn (.'oimcil ol' tliis 
 " Conntry, tlie sixtli day of Jiily of last year f' wliieli is 
 
 (1) Accordinjï to Charlovoix. t. 1, p. ^S'i-.'î, tlic Tntcrulant Talon, 
 in " liis iiioinoiiiil lo (.'olburt, of tlie 'Itli Oct. ItiGf), liail said : 
 " lîiil if liis Majesty wislies lo iiiake «■omelliinf^ of Canada, it seenis 
 '• to ino tliat lie will not succeed uniess lu; witlulraws il iVoiii tlie liaiuls 
 << of (lie West liulia Company, and by grantinj^- in it a wide Idjerty of 
 '• coMMiicrcc to tlie inliabitants, to tlie exclusion of strangers only. Jf, 
 *' on tli(! contrary, lie looks npon tlie Conntry only as a soat of connntMce 
 " proper for tlie fur trade, and for tlie ^ale of certain commodiliesexported 
 " froin tlie Kin2,'dom, tlie profit, wliicli will resiilt tlierefroin, is not 
 '• wortli liis attention, and do.->erves very little of yours. Jt woiild tluis 
 " seem more usetnl to Iravc tlir cntire dircclioa lo tlie Conip;iny in 
 " tlie saine iiianner as it lias tliat of tlie Islands. 'J'iie Kin<; m takinî 
 '' tliis résolution, inii;lit calculate upon tlie loss of tliis Colony ; 
 " becaiise on tlie first déclaration, tliat tlie Company iiiade, of allow- 
 " ing no liberty of commerce, and of not permittintj;- to tlie iiilia- 
 "■ biiants tlie riglit of liavinjç commodities brouglit to tlicin froin 
 " France on llieir accouiit, even for tbeir subsistance, tlie vvliole penpie 
 '• was excitcd to indignation. Tbe Company, by tliat nieans, will 
 " profil mucli in cvipoverisJdng the Counlry, and will not only take 
 " from it tlie means of subsistance, but will be a strong obstacle to its 
 <' establishment." 
 
t)2 a 
 
 '' granted by llie ^v()nl " (lood'' writtcn in a murifinal nû!«r 
 " lo iho artich'. 
 
 The 26lli article of tho pétition demands " tliat the cun- 
 «-essions whieh shall hereaftcr be made, be *i;ranted by the said 
 Intendant, atsuehrc;i/ cens et rentes which shall seenreasona- 
 "• hic ta him, in présence of the said agent or head cJerk ol" 
 " the said Company, in the name of which ail deeds of 
 " concession shall be rnade." Tiie answer to lliis deniand 
 States ; " Nothing seems more in conformity with His Ma- 
 " jesty's intentions, it therefore seenis to be mostjust togrant 
 " that which is asked by the présent article." (1) 
 
 The Intendant, this fmictionary whom tlie King ap- 
 points and \\ honi be can disrniss whenever it i,> hispleasure 
 so to do, tlius blill retains the power of conceding lands, 
 MUthority which hnd a.lready been granted to hini by the 
 arrêt of the 21st Mardi 1G63, and the attribution and exer- 
 cice of whicli attest, without ceasing, the riglit of inlerven- 
 lion and supcr-inlendancc by tlic King in this matter, a ■ in- 
 hérent to the fctidal in.^titution wilh which lie had endowed 
 (Janada. 
 
 ■J9. In lii(^ régulations '' concerning jus;ice, ])olicc anil 
 maintenance of the colony" prepared l)y Talon and signed 
 by him and M. de Tracy, afterwards adopted by the Sover- 
 
 (1) Tlie answers lo the 3 i articles oF lliis petiti&n are xlated at 
 Québec 011 the îl Sept. 16GG, and signed " Tracy, Courcelies and 
 Talon ;" Ed. and Ord. in 8, vo. 1. p. .u). Jt is probably to this fact 
 Ihat Charlovoix niakes allusion in the lollovving pasisage '. 1, p. 388 ; 
 " At the inoment that tho navigation hccanic free (1()G7) AI. de 
 Tracy returned to France, and ihe Inst act of avthority, which he 
 performed in America, was to estaUish the West Incita- C(mipany 
 ■i.n oll the rightSf of which the Hundred Associates had tho cnjoj- 
 raent. Much was expected frora it ; but it took scarcely more at heart 
 the interests of Npw Fraore, t.han the pr»f.eding had done,as I\I. Talon 
 had foresppn." 
 
63 a 
 
 pign Council on llie 24th January 1G67, (1) wv- see ihe plun 
 which the intendant présents of establishing military colo- 
 nies in thc neighboriiood of Québec in -' hamlet:?, viilngfcr. 
 '* and boronghs [boui'gades) thaï His Majesty, it is therein 
 " stated, makes or will make at his expense, to bc diî^tribu- 
 " ted to the poor families which he \vill send froni France 
 " and with which lie proposes peopling Canada, or which he 
 " may wish to grant to those soldiers who mny desiro to 
 " settle tlicrein." It is furîher said tiiat as the preceding 
 articles trcat merely of the dues to be established in thèse 
 hamlets, villages and boroughs, " it is rnost fit to examine 
 "■ by what titles and under what conditions the lands will 
 " be granîed, and concessions will be niade to private indi- 
 " viduals who may choose to make the cxpenso and givo 
 " their attention to the cvdlivation of Canada, themselves 
 " forming hamlets, villages and boroughs." 
 
 Vv'e also read in thèse régulations what follows : ^ as 
 in ail this distribution, nothing is rescrved for the profit of 
 ihe West India Comj)anv, that His Majesty is désirons of 
 gratifying to the extent of the advanlage which in like cases 
 the right of Seigniory gives, either the inhabitants will hold 
 direcllij froni it, and in that case, the high, mean and infe- 
 rior jurisdiction ntay be altribiUed to it, with the right of 
 Lorh et Ventes^ saisines et amendes, and even a light cens, 
 if it is judgod proper, or if His Majesty deem that it will 
 be most advantageous for him to hâve for vassals, ofTiccrs of 
 his troups who hâve over the roturiers the uscful and do- 
 manial seigniory, he may create in their favor some in- 
 considerable rights of cens, which may be rather marks of 
 honor ihan us<diil revenues, and grant them mean and infc- 
 rior jurisdiction, reserving to hiraself thc superior, which Ik; 
 will attach to a Sovercign Court of Fiefs or to some officers 
 crcaled Ibr thc préservation of the Seignior #w2:c;'flrn or domi- 
 naniissinicy 
 
 (1) Ed. an.l Onl. in-8, vo, 2 p. ?« and fr-ll. 
 
64 a 
 
 Such are the suggestions made by the intendant Talon, 
 approved of by M. de Tracy and by the Sovereign Council. 
 
 50. On Ihc 28th Marcli 1667, the Conncil intervones 
 on the subjoct of the proprietors oiniills and of their inillers, 
 by an arrêt of whicli I will speak hereafter in trcating of the 
 right o[ banalité ; also of the arrêt of the same Council of 
 the 20th Junc following, which enacts that " the multure 
 taken in this Country will be the fourteenth part. I cite 
 them iiere merely to prove the intervention, always active, 
 of the public authority between seigniors and censitaires, 
 according to circumtances and necessities. 
 
 51. M. Talon who returned to France in 1668, and 
 came back again a few ycars afterwards (1), seems 1o hâve 
 made but two concessions during his first sejourn in Cana- 
 da ; one of the iief St. Maurice on the lOth January 16G8, 
 and the other of the fief St. Michel on the 20th Junc follo- 
 wing. (2) The first is mentioned in a subséquent conces- 
 sion of the 4th August 1676 (3) as having been made by a 
 simple letler missive to Maurice Poulin, sieur de La Fon- 
 taine, King's Attorney at Three Hivers, permitting him, his 
 wife said, " to hâve \vork performed on a farm . . . with })romise 
 to give him a title of concession." The second appears to 
 hâve been made to sieur de Tilly. (4) 
 
 52. Under date of the 3rd January 1669 (5) the Gover- 
 nor M. de Courcelles gives the letter of concession which 
 
 (1) Cliailevoix, t. 1, p. 40d, 
 
 (2) M. Dunkin's Analysis p. 18. The author lias been unable to 
 find tlie tilles. 
 
 (3) Seignorial Titles, p. 154-, 
 
 (4) Report of the Ccinmis^ioners on Ihe Seigniorial Tenure, p. 75, 
 wheie tlie In-pector of the Domain remarks tliat this concession liad 
 alreniiy been made to the Sr. de Tilly by the Company of N. F., on 
 tlie 7ili April llitJO ; which may r.ake eue suppose it was re-united to 
 iho Domain. 
 
 (5) Title of Seigniories, p. 29. 
 
 l 
 
(ih u 
 
 I 
 
 iMliiiVr^: '^' I li.xvi' ^^r.iiUfJ lu llii; Sioiir Lciiu-yii'-', ;iii luli;; 
 hiliinl (.>! llic (';i|) de lu MwiK'IaiiiL'. tlic t xkul (^1 land 
 uiiicli is Ix'UmjcU llic L'unccs^ioM ol ihc (i( ^-Uil) Fallu i-' 
 aiul llu; Kivcr Si. Aiiiu', on llic Jvivrr Si. I.awicncc, rdid 
 (Il tlu; cvLMit ol' ihcir hcin^' oiily llircc luitiis of a leagii>' 
 iii tlicsakl tract oriaîKiaiid liall'a Jcaguo a^ccudint;- liic l\i- 
 v(T St. Anne, iiicliidi:iq- llu^ Islo of Pines, \\ liich is (ii)i:o-i!i' 
 tlu'i saul ,i,a'ant, iii ordcr Uiaf Iw iiuni tvork Ihcrvon. iiiunc- 
 diu/vifj, |)r()vid('(i al\v:iys thaï tlio sairu' hc iiot i!;i'aiili'd to 
 any ollier pcrsoii, r.iul a tUl".-d('cd tiicri'or shall lie uivci. 
 
 ■' liiiu as to c/dicrs.'" 
 
 'l'Iiis ('onlia(-l was ia iart i.^ivfti lo iiiiii a.l ;i ialcr diitc 
 (111 tlio rclurii (jl'liu; iiUcndant Talon, on thc ;ird VovcmljiM 
 !()72. (l) 
 
 o3. Ou tiic l'cpreseiUauoii.s ol' llic liilciulani Mr. d«; 
 iîoiileroiie, 'rak>u'.s Huccessor, llie Council, on tlie l;3tli 
 Spril lOG'), ( l) passcd an «rrc/ wliich "■ enjoins ail iliosf 
 w iio in l'uturo will iiiako concessions of land, to liavc tlii'ii) 
 incasured, survcycd and tlio lincs dmwn of ton arpenis in 
 dc|)lh, bcginning by tiie oldest from tlic tii'st ycar of thc 
 distribution, al the cxpenso ncvcvtholess of tlio*e ^v!lo shall 
 l'oceive tlicni, nnder tlic ix'ualtv of tlio said ^nmlors bein" 
 responsiblo in tlieir own propcr and private namo for sncfi 
 loss and damage us may be clainied by tiiose wlio shall bc 
 injured, and nnlil such tiino a< the said line of ten arpcjits 
 iii deptli sliall bc laid oui, liiev are foibidden lo pay v.\\\ 
 dues or renls meationed in iiieir coniracts." 
 
 l'bis oblig;;' 'ou tu fiA bon.ndai'!(>s [ounuti^i',] wliic!: 
 was no! expi\'ssed iii tiw iitlesof i-oncessious, nnde lu llic 
 Seiguiors, llie public authonly interveiicd \o iiuj.nsi- !!p;Mi 
 llieui nnder iIkî oenallv of nol rec()V('riin,'' liicir seir^uiuri:! 1 
 diii's ; a new incideni whic'' adds lo \\\r spécial eu:ir;ici(i- 
 
 (1) Titlo ol" Si'ioniniirs. ]>. "JS. 
 (■l) VA, uni < >id. in S. V. 1. p. iS, 
 
66 a 
 
 whicli our Fcudal institution lias to Iakc, proportionally as 
 il dcve]i)j)cs hi<v.U. 
 
 51. In a Dced ol' tlie 11 August KiîG, (2) concerning 
 tlie Seii,miory oC Ccntiily, mention is laadc of a i^ranl ol" llio 
 I7tli .Tune IGG!), ])y wliit-h tin; Intondant Muulcroiu' liad 
 i^'ivcn to Michel Pulticr, Sieur de la Prade, a })orlion of tlio 
 landsconstitutingtlie said seigniory, ])roniJ!<ini>' liini to jurant. 
 him in Ilia Maje^ty's name a title of concession tliereol"," 
 w'iiich was donc on Iho said llth day of Aiigusl 1G7U. 
 
 We find two grants made in tlie year IG'O, ])y simple' 
 letters of tlie Governor M. de Courcelles, tlie one heaving 
 date tlie lOtli February, and tlie otlier the lOlli July ; the 
 Jirst to llie Sieur de la liadie of 20 ar])eiits along the Hiver 
 
 St. Lawrence ending at the habitation o( M. Jioucher 
 
 mider the obligation oi' labour iiig Ihcre inccssantlif 
 
 and to improve the said laiid, according to, and iti confor- 
 mity 7uilli, the intentions of the King, and on the mnie clau- 
 ses and conditions; the second to the Sieur Normanville 
 " on the obligation oi' labotwing therc incessantlij according 
 fo the intentions oftlie King.''^ 
 
 55. The Intendant Talon returned tu Canada in the 
 year 1G70, (I) replaeing M. de Bouterouc. 
 
 On the 14tli Mardi 1G71, M. Tiilon, propriotor of the 
 Seigniory of the Islets, oblained lelt(.'rs patent from the 
 King (2) "vvhich conceded and assigned to him " ihe ihree 
 riltagcs thereunto adjoining, and hclonging to us "" said His 
 ^îajesty, " the iir^itcaWod Bourg Roijal \}\e svvond Bourg la 
 lieijne and the tliird, Bourg Talon,'''' und united and iiicor- 
 |)oiated theni with his propertij of the Islets, " so thaï iience- 
 forth ihey shali constitute but one and tlie sauu! Fiei" and 
 
 (1) « Titres des îSeig." p. VZ. 
 
 (2) Charlevoix, t. 1, p. 1.21-25. 
 
 (3) Journal du Conseil Législatif, 1852-5-'^ appendice no.2; p.()94'.. 
 
67 a 
 
 soisfnini'v," and t-rrcfod llm wliole " into flic (iilc nnd (li<>nity 
 '' ola Harony," nnd "■ wiihonf thaï ])y roason ol" tlie piv- 
 " seul î^ili, union and, onn-tion, llie inliabitants, h^nants, 
 '' iiMMi, and vassals of tlic said lands and Hor(>iifi;/is, 
 
 ( /io 
 
 iir, 
 
 lia 
 
 Il !>(■ lie Id lia hic forotlicr and <n-('at('r ducs 1 lia n 
 
 le \\ liolo 
 
 lliosc \\ hicli ihcy now owc." Comliliotis : Isl '•' il 
 
 imdcr llii' ohliiration lliat llicrc sliall hc no cliani^c in llic 
 
 I l'i 
 
 u iri « 
 
 [nionrance) hy wliicli tlir wliolo ol'tli 
 
 aid coiiii- 
 
 Iry is li(-|(l oï u^^ n\i/ aimi (lucini chuni^vinvnl de la vioii- 
 rnnrr à nous appartenu ni en reslendac. <hi dil pai/s ; 2ui\ 
 of a simple fcully and lioinaoo ; 3i'd Airu cl tlt'nonihrr- 
 
 u 
 
 //('/.'/ 
 
 aid land and liaronv ; -llli widi 
 
 lie niilil 
 
 ind 
 
 diilirs !o us duc and ord(nv(] in llic said conniry : 5di and 
 withoiit Ihal, l)v dofanll of hoirs nial«\ boni in 
 
 awlnl 
 
 ('('pssorscan nrc- 
 
 \\i'dl(n-k, nciihcr \X(.', nortlic Kin^'s o(U' su 
 tend lo vcimiic llio said harony to oui- (h)niain in accor- 
 (lance wilh ilie ordinanco ol'thc moniJi of.luly 1j6G, etc., 
 ctc.'^ (1) 
 
 Thcso leitcrs ])aton1 inforni ns thaï ihc thvcc vill 
 
 aires or 
 
 horonii;lis, lo w liieli refenaico is made, and hcloni^ini^ lo tlic 
 Kini^-, lia(] heeii i^siahlished in conformity witli thcplan sui?- 
 gested in th(! iiislrnetions oC llie Commission' r (iano'ais, atni 
 in the reo-ulationsof Police of tlic 24tli January 1GG7, pro- 
 pared by ihe Intondant Talon. One of thcso Boronehscvcn 
 horo Ihe naino of ihc Intendant. 
 
 5G. Froni t ho arrivai of Talon, in 1 ho yoar 1G70, imtil 
 tho monlh of October 1G72, it doos not appcar that any con- 
 cession of land was niade in Canada, oithor in tho nani(> of 
 
 (l) TiiiMi lettors patent aiitiioriscd " tho .Sieur liaroii des Islets to 
 establiMi prisons, oallows oii four posts, whorevor lie iniglit think proper 
 throuoiiout, tiie extent of the said Jiarony; as also a set uf cornmon 
 stoeks suruiouuted by his coat^of anns." 
 
 At a later date, the l^arony of tlie Islets was, at the request of Ta- 
 lon, erected iiito au Karldom [Crmité] by the naine of Orsainville, by 
 letters patent of the King, of the monlh of May 1G7D. F» Titres des 
 seig." p. 318. *- 
 
os a 
 
 tli!! Kin.-f oi' (»l lli ■ \Vr-*\. ItiiliHii (.'oiiip.tiu', l)nt in lln; cotii'»" 
 
 v)l liic iniinl.i's ol (Ji iiM)''!' an<l NoNi'niiiiM 
 Talon iiiau'' a t;';; iM ;.!U!j!,!;i ol i^T: 
 llie Oiik'ci's (>t'il!'> .Ui':;;î,M:'ni 
 more Iliaa :jj\;\, ;;('ci'i'.liii:: io M. J.)i 
 
 lli7:J, 
 
 jn r u- 
 
 ic liiti-iidant. 
 
 cspcciallv lu 
 
 1 ;r'ii_ni;a' 
 
 îmioiuil 
 
 M; 
 
 arialvsj^. 
 
 if is rc!n".r! 
 
 ,1,1. 
 
 tli.il llio.'^n ,%n-nri1s <li;l noî 1al;f' plat.-e 
 until afîor tli'.' p;is-;i!)'2: di' ;mi ari'';t d" retranche me ^d hy \\\('. 
 
 s!a'(\ on llu; -llh clayof tlio ])n.'viuu:j 
 
 Kincr, 
 
 iii !ii.< 
 
 Coi; II" il 
 
 mont h ol'.liino. ( !) 
 
 The nrrèt i>' in Vw^-'^ woM'-^ 
 
 u 
 a 
 (i 
 a 
 ',1. 
 il 
 (( 
 (( 
 u 
 u 
 a 
 a 
 u 
 
 '^ The Kin'.( b('in<j' inionued iliat ail his siibJ»'(Ms wlio 
 passo'.l o\r>i- i() Nc'\\ ]'>arii"(' ]ia\i.^ oblainecl i;ranl^ ol' larire 
 (liianîiii'.'s 'if Iaw'X iiloiicr liiC rivcis ol' la'- snid coinitry, 
 Avliicli laniis liioy wvni iniablo 1o cl'niv ht'caiis!;' of liirMr loo 
 ■C^n-cat o.\)on!, a «•ir(;iii)!l:M';"(^ \\'hicii j;iooinino(lcs ilio otlir-r 
 inliahitauls ol' llip sai'l coiinlry, and cvcn |)r<'V('iils (;di(^r 
 FrcMeluiirn froni pas-<in.r ovcr [or th'" j)nrp«:)so ol' seUlJn.'i 
 dicir, whicli bein:j^ cntirely conlrary to Jlis ]\raj(>st\'s iii- 
 IcMllnn^ as )•( 'fards iho suid Conntry, and to xho rare and 
 al'rDiJon V. liici' lie l'as be-ni desirons of î:ivin<,^ diirin,'^' 
 eiiflir. or ten yt^ar-^ 1o ;!ii.',rni'nit tli(> colonies A\'liieh nr.^ 
 there establisliecl, sein'j^ tliat oniy a ))ortion ol' ilie b\nds 
 al(Miu ihe rivers are cidtivaled, tlie reinaind'^M" not beinij 
 so, and no! Iiein^' ca])ab]!> of so beiiia", in consecinonco of 
 llie ioo ij^reat exlent, of l!i" snid ronei'ssions aîid tiieweak- 
 ness of the jn'oprieîors l'uM'oof. 
 
 " It beinq neeessary to ])rovide for ibe same, His Ma- 
 jes'y beii^ ia his eopiicil, lias or^lained and ordains that 
 there shall bc made i)y tiie Sienr Talon, Councillor in 
 tlie Kiniï's Coiineils, Inlendant of Justice, Police iUid Fi- 
 nance, in the saifl conntry, a précise and exact déclara- 
 tion of die quality oï th" lamjs conceded tn the principai 
 
 7n Edits et OrcT. in-So. t. J. n. 70. 
 
G9 a 
 
 '* itllKlIilFUlH ()! llii- Nii.l l'.iilllII'V olllic liiiliilxT (il ;il|)t'llI->, (i|- 
 
 " (>thiM'm'':'-IMr iKi.l iti lll'~ >;ii(| ( 'nlllllrv, W llicli I l|i'\ ('(illluill 
 
 " <>') t!i!' h iliiv-^ ot l'i'' rivci'v ;iti,J iiii;ui(ls, ol' llii" llliliilicf ol 
 
 "■ [XM-soii-; :iii(l (muIi' lil for îiiui ciiiplincd iii llic ciilliv;!! ion 
 
 "• niul f! -ariu.; ci' tlu- muiI lands, in coiisiMpUMU'c ol' wliicli 
 
 " <](n-lara1 ion liio hall' oï llio hiiids, \vliicli liad hccu conccdcd 
 
 " |)rc\ioi!s 1() II'" lasl 1<'U yiairs s'.iall hr Itdir"!! iVoni tlic con- 
 
 '■'■ la'ssioii'^, and îjivcnl;) i^dividllal^^ \v!io >^liall demand tlicni 
 
 " 1o 1)0 (aiitivak'd and cleaiod. 
 
 " [t is ()V(i(M(al hy Ills .Majc.sly liait Iîk; ordinanccs 
 
 " wliir-h siiall \y.: iiiadi^ by l'io sa/id sieur Talon sliall Ijo 
 
 " cxcciiled acfordinq lo l'iicir foriii and tcnor, souveraine- 
 
 " men! et en. dernier ïvs.sor/, lil;e jiidirmcnls of a snixM'ictr 
 
 " Couri, Jlis J\Ia.j('^-!y ff)ni'(Mini.>: on liiia ior ilial jjurposc 
 
 " rdl ])owcr, jnvisdiclioii a)id aiitliorily. llisJMajesly iar- 
 
 " ihor ordi'is llial llio said sit'iir Talon sliall givc irrants ol" 
 
 '• lh(> lands so rcln'iudii.'d lo ncw sotllers, on tlic condition 
 
 *■' aKvays lliat llicy sliall clearllioni cnlindy, durini^- llie iirsl 
 
 " four years ntwl cnsnino-, odierwisc and in defanlt of so 
 
 " doini2f. and llic said livno Ijoinix j^assed, tlie said grants 
 
 " shall vcmain nidl. Enjoins liis IMajcsty on llic sienr 
 
 *•' Connt de Fronlcnac, Governor and Lieutenant (îcneral 
 
 " for His Majesly in tlx; said (camtry and on tlic Oilic(M-s 
 
 " of tlie Soverciun Conn^il ihrrcof, to look to thc exécution 
 
 " of tlie ]ires<'n1 Arrêl\ wliicli shall be exceutcd, any opjxisi- 
 
 " tion or liind(M'anc(> w!iali'^(>r no1\vitlistandin<r," 
 
 TIkî Arrrf is acconijjanied witli a " niandati' and 
 ordcr" by llie Kin^LT, b{;arin:i[ tlie saine date, addresscd to tlie 
 (iovernor, ihe Connt de Frontenac, and to tli(^ Oilieers of 
 llie Sovevei;2:n Coiincil esîab]i.--lied ;U Qnelx'c, enjoining 
 tliem " lo ;ook to (l'c execiition of ilie said Jrrrl and to ali 
 ■' tliat slial! be doni' reirida'ed and ordered by t!ie said 
 •' sieur Talon in (X'n-r>(|iieiU'e, and \ve conunand oiir Hrst 
 "• builiff or sergeant. on ])eing thereunto re(|uircd, lo oxe- 
 
70 a 
 
 " exile in full ail nrcf ssary actes and necessary summonses 
 " wilhout nlher authority." 
 
 57. On lliis occasion, tlie intorvonlion of tlie King in 
 llu! Canadian concessions, shows itself more active and 
 iniikcs hirii pronounct; against the scignior a forlcilure more 
 .sevcro llian licretofori! : onc liiUrorilnj lands (umccdcd " ho- 
 foro tlic lasl ton y(;ars," innst be retrcnchcd from tlic con- 
 cessions, and Ihe ncw grunlces must clcar thon cntirely in 
 the Ibur ioUowing ycars, on pain of the nallity of their con- 
 cessions. 
 
 It is propcr to rcmavk tiiat the Arrât of the 4th June 
 1073 niakes no mention of the West India Company. 
 
 57. bis. Another Arrct of the Council of state bcaring 
 
 date the same day, the 4tli June 1G72 (1) based npon " the 
 
 " accounts which liad reached France, tovvards the end of the 
 
 " last year, of the Canadian country or New France relating 
 
 " to the stat(! of that conntry," enjoins upon tiie intendant 
 
 " Talon to make " régulations of police as well gênerai ly for 
 
 " the country as for private dwcUings, to be brought to Ilis 
 
 " Majesty, and to be afterwards ordered according to the 
 
 " report which will be made to him in lus Council, as it 
 
 " may be deemed reasonable, and nevertheless His Majesty 
 " desires that the said régulations made by the said Sr. 
 
 " Talon, be provisionally executed according to their form 
 
 " and ténor. ''^ 
 
 58. The first concession that Talon, " in virtue of the 
 anthority," it is therein stated, " given to us by His Majes- 
 ty," made after the Arrêt of retrenchment of the 4th June, 
 is that of the fief d'Orvillicrs ; it is of the lOth Oct. 1672. (2) 
 It was given to the Sieur De Comporté, ofïicer of the Régi- 
 ment de Carignan " in fief and seigniory, and jurisdiction." 
 
 (1) Ed. and Ord. in-8o., t. 1, p. 72. 
 
 (2) Titleofseig.,p. 66. 
 
71 a 
 
 Conditions lo : " at ihe charge of faith and liornagc wliich 
 
 *' the said will be held to pay al llie castle St. Louis 
 
 " at Québec of whieli lie sliall hold." 
 
 2o. " Subject to the customary rights and dues and 
 agreably to the custoni of the Provotship and Viscounty 
 of Paris which shall be followed in this respect provisio- 
 nally until ordained by His Majesty. 
 
 a 
 
 3o. " And that the appcals from the décisions of the 
 Judge who may be established at the said place shall lie 
 " before 
 
 4o. " Under the condition that hc shall kcep house and 
 " home, {feu et lieu) on his said seigniory wilhin one 
 
 i( 
 
 year. 
 
 a 
 
 5o. " And that he shall stipulate in the title deeds which 
 he shall give to his tenants that they shall be ohliged 
 " within one year to réside and keep house and home on the 
 " concessions which he shall hâve grantcd them and that in 
 " default of so doing, lie shall re-enter pleno jure in posses- 
 " sion of the said lands. 
 
 60. " That the said shall préserve the oak 
 
 " timber which may be found within the limits of the land 
 " wich he shall hâve set aside for iiis principal manor. 
 
 7o. " Moreover that he shall stipulate in the private 
 " grants wliich he shall make to his tenants the réservation 
 " of such oak timber fit for ship building. 
 
 80. " Also that he shall givô immédiate notice to ihe 
 " King or to the West India Company of ail the mines, 
 '' ores and minerais if any be found witliin the limits of 
 '' the said fief. 
 
 9o. " Also that he shall leave ail necessary roads and 
 " passages. 
 
iZ il 
 
 IO(i. " 'l'Iic uliolc iiihli r llii: uill ;intl pit ;i-tuc ol lli"* 
 "■ Maji'sly, l.)y ulit'iii Ik; vliiiU h»,- hrid loli.iu' llnx' prcMiiis 
 "■ l'oiiliriiicil wiiliiii onc ycar t'rum tlic daU' hcrtol." 
 
 'i'Iic'sc coiiililions, willi iIk; cxrcpwlc.ti (>( llic lliivc liiM, 
 arc ncw, il' il li(! Mot as regard -i thrir clli'cl, \\ itli lopcrl lo 
 »;()iiie, at U'w^i as rcj^anls tlu^ir loriii. W'c do iiol lind dicm 
 in })rec'i;diii,ii; coiiccssioiis. I5iii ilicy air olicii repcalcd 
 littcrally, or in ('(iiuvah'iit tcnii'^, in die (■onl'('^,sions sul) 
 j^equent lo tliat in (lucsijon, as wcli as tlic lollowii)^^ words, 
 applicable 1o dir Casloiu oi" Paris, whicli arc in dic second 
 condition, vi/ : '' which shnll be foUun'cd in //(/.v rcs/)c<i 
 " pruvifilonalli/, and itntil ordaincd bij Uis Majcohj ,'' iIksc 
 U'onls, ulso, ar(! iiol in liio lirst concessions, lait \ve iind 
 tliem at a latcr date in a i^rcut nuniber ol" oiImms w Idi tlic 
 addition of tlie word " ollicrwisu" tliat is to H-.iy " until 
 ollierwisc ordaincd byllis Majcsty/' 
 
 59. The second concession niadc; by Talon is ol'llie 17 
 Ocl. 1G72. (1) 
 
 It a])[)earslliat a concession conlainin<j; "• iiiom tlian ù(> 
 leagucs in Iront" in Acadia, liad been granled several ycars 
 belbrc lo the Sicnv de Latour, wlio had since died, leavin.'r 
 several creditors, anioni^' tlic nun)i)(.!r orAvlucU was Martin 
 d'Arpentii^ny, Sieur de Marti^non, liis son in law, Ti i ■ 
 last, beini^ advised to take possession ol' il.e v.liole ot' tlie 
 grant of hisfather in la\v, he considered l;e siioidd iiol do so. 
 " But liaving learned," ho says in liis ineiîKJiiul lo liie In- 
 tendant, " tliat thc Kinif iiad llie riglil of rcsumini* posscs 
 sion of ail the land.^ granted previouslij fo ihe husl Icn 7/w/>- 
 in conse(]uence oflheir not havini-- l)een settled and bvoni;!ii 
 into cultivation (niakinii^ allusion, widiont tlie leasl doid)l, lo 
 the Arrct oi'retrcncinuent ol' tlic Ith .lune 1072), D'Arucnii- 
 i^-ny asked the intendaiil lu » oiiccd.' lo hii.i '• ;i;e wliole or 
 '■' part of llie -^aid laiids, oll'erin^ i);inM'diali'î\ 'w improvc tlic 
 
 (H Tiilos ol' Soigniei ic'i p. ■■J;i'-, 
 
73 a 
 
 "• .sailli' by (Miltivaiii)n.'" Talon ('(Hicoilcs lo liiiu " in fiol 
 and in ail tlio riijjlits ol" jiirisdiction, and suigniory," a pari 
 only, viz, six Icacjncs in Iront by six Icagurs in dcptli, by 
 llicse mt'ans putling info exécution tlie above-mcntioned 
 Arrêt ofre Irène h ment. 
 
 Aniong tlie conditions of the m^w concession is tliis 
 one : 2o, " and as a vedciuplion Une (radiai) one year's re- 
 venue oneach change of possessor, according to llic Cusloni 
 ol" Vexin Français included in the Custom oi' Paris." Tiiis 
 stipulation is repeated in several subséquent concessions, 
 
 GO. On the 18 Oct. 1G72 (1) concession in fief by Talon 
 fo Jae([ues Potier, Sr. de St. Di-nis, on ihe Jliver St. John in 
 Acadia ; with the clauiKe, " lo keep liouse and home within 
 " the year ; tliat he sliall slipulale the same clause in the 
 " contracts which he sliall grant to his tenants, in default 
 " whereof, the King shall of right résume the possession of 
 " the said lands." 
 
 Gl. 18 November 1G72. (2) Ilere is the very short title 
 of the seigniory oi" JMatane, granled by Tahjn : — 
 
 " We do hcrebycertii'y to ail to whomit may appcitain 
 ihat we hâve granted leave unto the wSieur Damour, coun- 
 cillor in the Suprême Council of this country, to cause 
 Works to be perlbrmed on a tract of land of one leaguc in 
 front by one league and a lialf in dei)tli, to wit : one half 
 league this side and one half league beyond the River Ma- 
 lane ; the whole under the will and pleasure of His Maj(;sty, 
 hy whom he shall he hcld to hâve thèse présents confirmai.'''' (3) 
 
 (1) Titles of Seigniorics, p. 255. 
 
 (2) ib p. 317. 
 
 (3) This concession, witli its augmentation conceiUd by tbc Inten- 
 dant Ducbesneaii on tlie 2b .lune lb77 to Mathieu Damour [M. Duii- 
 L'in''s analysis p. 3() j was confirined by the arrêt of ihe Iving in hi:' 
 «^ouncil of stute on Uie2[)Mai JbSO,[Ed.and Ord. in-8o, t. J,[..2I0.| 
 
 10 
 
74 a 
 
 Tlioro is no doubt tliat scvorfil oonccnsions woro nrindo 
 in tlip siimn immiicr, and tliat aftorwanls llu; granlccs \vlio 
 vvere aircady in possession, look mort; tonnai lillcs ; w liicli 
 can oxplaiu tliis clause inserli'd in scveral olllic litUs, llial 
 is, tliat tlie <;ranti'(' '•'• sliall continue lo kcrp hoiisc antl lionu; 
 " oïl tlie concessions w liicli lie sliall niake or ^vllicil lie inay 
 " hâve inade, etc., etc.'" 
 
 62. In the ycar 1073, tlic (Jovernor, ISl. tie Frontenac 
 himself" in virtue «f tlie autliority granted to liiin i)y Mis 
 Maj(!sty," lie stiited, rnade soiim concessions ; tliey iippear 
 lo bc six in number, aecordiii^ le» M. DunKin's anulysis (p. 
 20, 27). 
 
 Tlie fn'sl ofthosc concessions wliich bears tlic; date ol' 
 tlie 9tli January, is tliat ol" iIk; Conrcilles Islands aloiii>' tlio 
 shore ol'llie Island ot' Montréal ; it is i^ivcn to tlie Abbé de 
 Fenelon " witli ail tlie ri^lits ol' Fief and wSeii^niory, and 
 upon the condition ot' liavin:,' the saine cidtivaletl and inlia- 
 bited as far as tlioir extcnt will permit." (1) 
 
 63. ]\r. Dnnkin's analysis (p. 27 and 28) niakes men- 
 tion of four concessions made in the ycars 1073 l)y the 
 VVesl India Coni|)any itself; tlioy arc,' aliuost ail alike, the 
 firsl dated the lôtii Novi'mber and the llin.'c otliers tlic' 23 
 Docember. (2) Condilions : lo. subject by the said. . . . to 
 " fealty and hoinagc, wliicli tliey sliall bo lield to render to 
 *' the said Company at each change of possessor, at the 
 " Fort St. Louis of Québec, or in tins cilij of Paris^ at tlie 
 *' office of the directors gênerai of the said com])any." 
 
 2o. " With a gold crown (écu d'or) which sliall be 
 
 (1) 'L'itles of Seigniorics, p. 359. 
 
 (2) Tit. of seigniories, p. 38, 39, 10, and '' Brrvefs de r;i(i(ica(ion,'"' 
 p. 3. This liist concession, tliat of Terrobonno, bears, in tlie piiiited 
 paper. the dale of tlie 23 Dec. 1076. Tins is ovidently an error, as 
 the West Jndia Company had been suppresed two years before. 
 
75 a 
 
 *' paid m\ ron(l»'rinp thr maid homnge, of which an acknow- 
 " lt'cl<j[tn(!tit «liall l)(j (i('livt'r«'(l. 
 
 ;}(). '' .\ti<1 iii(iic(i\.r siihjrci lo ilu' cliargo and rondU 
 
 " tioii iIkiI thc s.iiil sliiill, irithiii Ihrce ifears^ bcgin to 
 
 " t!!Uis(i ilic siiid liiiii <>r l.irul to 1)1! cN-an'd. 
 
 [o. '' Whivh nhtill hv aum'i/ed and bounded trithin the 
 " aaid sixirv o/ finir. 
 
 5(). '^ lu dcruiih of tlii> fiiKiliiicnf ot wliicli conditions, 
 
 "■ tlic hinds <'ont!iiri('d in ilic said concession sliall be 
 
 " ri-iinit((l lo llic (loiiiaiii oCtlic said coiii|):iny which shall 
 
 '■'■ havc thc riii[lit to dispose ot" ihcni as il rnay think fit, 
 
 '' williont thc said. .. . haviiii,', on tiiat accouiit, ihc ri^dit 
 
 " to ( laiiii any indciunity, which said comlitions hâve been 
 
 '•'• ai'ccptcd l)y thc said 
 
 We rcad in th(! concession of thc lôth Nov: 
 
 '' For which |)iirpose wv. havc revoUcd and do by thèse 
 '' jircscnts rvvokv ail otlicr concessions which may hâve 
 " bccn hcHîtoCorc inach' ot' thc said tract of hmd or part 
 " thcrcol', proi'itled l/tr. aanu; bc not iindcr ciiUiratiun.'''* 
 A similar révocation is pronounccd in Iwo of t!i(! conces- 
 sions of ihc 2.) Dccciubcr, those inade lo M. Daulier du 
 Pare and to M. J)aulic>r Dcslandcs. 
 
 fil. ^[. Dnnkin's analysis (p. 2S, 29 and 30) spenics of 
 î) concessions madc in th^~ ycar 1674, frorn ihe 20111 Aprilto 
 thc 13 Si'ptcniber, by the count de Frontenac '' in virtue 
 of tlu> auihority i(rantcd to liini by ilis IMajesty" (1) and 
 
 (l) •• Tilles of .Suigniorics," p. 3i)7, 3tJî), 307, 'S'il, 371., 315, 382, 
 37(i. 
 
 Tlic ilrst of llu'so coiici'ssions [p. 367] liail boen prccoded hy '» a 
 " titlt; iVoiii ÎM. (le Talon, liercti))orc inlomlaiit, etc., givinj^ permission 
 <' to work on tlie said lnui witli a promise of givinti' hini a deed llierooC ;" 
 and in llie lonrtli [p. 3~1] we read : " on wliich [lands] lie lias alieady 
 " caused sonie work to be done l'or ihe cstublislinient of a sedenlary 
 
7(i a 
 
 ..ilso oi iwo ollier liiles oi' coiicu'si^ion /^ivcn in ihe saine jïeur 
 by tlio Wesl India Company, tlie Ç{xrA dalcd lliu 28 Mardi 
 ind llio second iIk; G May, boUi iii l'avur oi' INI. de I.aval. 
 Oî^liop of Pctivc. 
 
 To oblajn llio first of thcso tilles, ilie Bisliop rcprcsent;^ 
 iliat tbo original concessions of llie Seigniories of Beaupré 
 ■Mid oï iho, Island of Orléans whieh ho liad acquircd, liad 
 ■K;cn made iiponllie condition of " paying al(,'aeli imitation 
 i4' posscssoï, one year''s revenue of tlie iands and domains 
 vvliich shall be retained. . . . . . a/ter having conceded to 
 
 private indlvidiials that which ihey did not désire to kecp," 
 and ihat this charge was too encrons " regard being had 1(» 
 '•' the greal ex})cnsc attendant vipon ihc establishment of 
 '•' domains in the said country," 
 
 The new title discliargcs him from the obligation to 
 pay this revenue of ono year, remain ing for the future sub- 
 i*,ct to the cliarge : " of r('ndi;ring fealty and honiage to the 
 '•'■ said com])any everytwenty years, at the Castle of Québec, 
 "■ \vith a pièce of gold of half an ounce for each of the said 
 '■' sL'igniorics." 
 
 In the second title which is that of the concession 
 of the " Seigniory de la Petite Nation," we see the 
 foUowing conditions : lo. " subject to the charge by the 
 
 " ,said of fealty and homage which hc will be 
 
 "• hcld to pay to tlu; said Company every twenty 
 
 '■' years at the Fort St. Louis of Québec, or in this city of 
 " Paris, at the office of its Directors General, — 
 
 " iislicry, according to tlic writtcn pcnnissioa wliich he had from us on 
 '' tbe 30 Oct. 1673, uutil we slioiild graut liiin a decd of concession." 
 We rcmark in tho concession of tlie 17 August lo74< [p. 315] 
 irbich is tl.at of the Islands of Bcar.regard, tlie foUowing words : " and 
 fo cultivato the same wcH and iDl)abit tlieni as njuci) as tlieir •^■slent 
 wjU permit." 
 

 77 a 
 
 2i). "■ Wilii u jiiecc ut \\j()iiL,'lit i.'iilil i]\id \o :i /o<(/i 
 " (,/'()>■ worlh l'hjvi.vti livres, — 
 
 '1(1. '' Avd l>v mcan.< oC ihc suid cIuum's nnd condi- 
 *' lions, the said concession sliall rcniain (lisch;ir!j^(^d l'or 
 " evcr froni ail riglils and dues i^enerally whalevcr, — 
 
 5o. " Tlio said sliall be oblii^ed lo hâve llie 
 
 " clearing of the said concession commeneed witliin l'our 
 " years, unless he is {)rcvcnted by soiue war or oUk r rea- 
 " sonable cause, — 
 
 Co. " And lliat the boiindaries sliall be fixed at bolli 
 " ends of the said concession only, by a surveyor, — 
 
 7o. " In defanlt whereoC the said Company may dis- 
 " pose of the said lands as it lïiay ihink lit and re-iinite. 
 
 " them to its domain, without the said having in 
 
 " this respect any claini for indemnily, which said condi- 
 " tiens hâve been accepted by the said " 
 
 65. Such is tlie character of the Grants in Fief, made 
 during the third period of our Fondai history, that is to say, 
 from 1GG4 to 1674 inclusively. As mucli by the nature of 
 the divers stipulations contained in the dced, of concession 
 as by those of the législation vvhich look place during that 
 period and the Royal Government of 1663, we see iliat the 
 obigation to clear and consequently to subgrant, as the one 
 could not be made without the other, had become, if j)os- 
 sible, more imperative than in the former lime. 
 
 66. The suppression of the West Indian Company, by 
 the Edict of the montli of Decombcr 1671, (1) brings us to 
 the beginning of tlic fourth period which terminnfes by iho 
 promulgation of the two celebrated Arrêts of Marly, ren- 
 dcred on the 6th August 1711 and enregistensd in the supc- 
 rior Council of Québec on the 5th Decembcr 1712. 
 
 (1) Kil. n Ord, in-8o vo. 1. p. 74, 
 
78 a 
 
 Tlic Edict of the suppression oï the Company, in reu- 
 vifins; .\(>\v France, toilie domain of the Crown, caused the 
 (îovcniiiicnt ot Canada 1o lose the character ot" a l-'ro- 
 prietary (iovermuent \vhich il might liave had diiring the 
 exisU'iiee ot" lhat Conijiany, and gave it back liiat of a 
 lioijal Gorcniiiicnt Avhich it |)res('rved from tluit time until 
 the end of the Freneh domination. 
 
 My tliis Ediet the King extended the freedom ol' trade 
 !() itll his sii!)i(-els, and eonfirmed " the concessions ol' lands 
 granteil l)y ihe Dircctors of the Company, their Agents and 
 
 Attornjcs." 
 
 07. Two concessions madc on ihe 22ntl April and (ith 
 ^^ay 1()7j by tlie Count de Frontenac, " by virtue of ihe 
 po\v(M' to him given l)y II. M." contain, " at the eusîoniary 
 rights and dues and in accordance with the Customof Paris, 
 and until ordaiiied by 11. M." 
 
 G8. On thf lOth ■Nlay 1G75, the King made an arrêt in 
 tlie Conneil of Stale, in wiiicii he conlirmed many con- 
 cessions made by lh(î Count de Frontenac from the 22nd 
 INfarch to tlie 2ud September 1074, and " ordains that the 
 grantees sliall enjoy the same, in the form and manner 
 in(Mition('(l in the di-eds of co.ncession, \vithout being liable 
 to be troubled in the possession and cnjoyment for any 
 cause or occasion whatever, under tlie obligation of paying 
 the dues \\ ith which they shall be burthened." 
 
 00. On the 13 May 1075 (1) a grant of a character alto- 
 gether j)eculiar was madc; to Robert Cavelier, Sieur de la 
 Salle, in virtue of an Arrêt of ihc Council of state, and by 
 letlers ])atent from the King. It is sullicient in tliis place to 
 recapitulate ils motives and conditions to show liow impc- 
 rative was the obligation lo clear and sub-grant. 
 
 (1) Brevets de Ratification, p. 28. 
 
79 a 
 
 'y 
 
 ,1"' 
 
 h- 
 la 
 
 l.y 
 
 |o 
 
 " The King liaving in Ilis ConiK 1 cxaminrd llic pro- 
 positions made by setting i'orlh lliat il' it should 
 
 pleaso II. M. to grant 1o liiiu his hoirs succcssors and 
 assigna, as a simple gitt ihe Fort called "• Frontunac " 
 " togethcr with four Icagucs ol" ihe ni.'ighbouriiig (.'oiuilry, 
 
 " llie islands called and other isies adjaeeut, \\\\\\ 
 
 " the right of hunling and fishing on llic said lands, and ou 
 " the lake called Ontario or Frontenac, iind ihe neighhour- 
 " iuiif rivers, the wholc in the rii^hl of Fiei', Sei^fuiorv ami 
 " jurisdiction, whercof the ai)peais froui the judge, shall lie 
 " before the Lieutenant General of Québec, with the (Jo- 
 " vernment of the said Fort of Frontenac, and letti'rs of 
 " nobility, lie would cause to pass over to the said C'oimtry 
 " of N. F. numerous cfi'ects which lie j)ossesscs in ihis Iviug- 
 " dom, therewith to raise and construct dwellings Avhich, in 
 " the course of time, may greatly contributc; to the iacrease 
 " of the colonies in the said Country, and besides, this said 
 
 " oflers to reimburse the sum of 10,000 livres, being 
 
 " the amount expended inconstructing the said Fort ofFron- 
 " tenac, to rnaintain the said Fort in good order and eondi- 
 " tion and the garrison for the defcnce of the saine,' ^\•lli(•h 
 " may not be less tlian that of Montréal, to niaintain 20 
 " mon daring two years for clearing ihe lands tliat shall I)e 
 " conceded to liim, and until lie lias built a Chiireh, lo 
 " maintain a priest or monk to perfonn divine service 
 "■ and adminisicr the sacraments, Avhich undertakings and 
 
 " other things the said shall do at iiis own costs and 
 
 " expense until such time as thcre shall l)e esiablished 
 " above the Long Sault.... some privatc individnals, ^vilh 
 " grants similar to those which hc prays for, in ^^•hi(■h case 
 " those \\\\o shall hâve obtained the said granis shall bc 
 " held to contribute to the said undertakings in proportion 
 
 " to the lands which shall be conceded to tlicin. And 
 
 " liaving lieard the report of the Sieur Colberl II. M. in 
 
 " his Council bas accepted and accepts the ofiers of the 
 
 1.4 
 
 '■.# 
 
80 a 
 
 '' said. ..... .and in consicMiuence, II. M. i^ianls liini ihc j)r(v 
 
 " jx'Hy ol' tliL'siiid Fortcalled " Frontenac" and lour loai^nirs 
 " oCllic adjacent country.... along tlie lake.s and rivers 
 
 " above and bclow llie said Fort and h leaiijue in land.s there- 
 
 '* l'rom ; \\iv. islands called and llie iîsies adjacent, 
 
 willi tlie riglit ot" liuntini^ and iisliini^ on llie said Iako 
 Ontario and tlic .snrrounding rivers, t lie wliole in title ol' 
 Fief and iull seiqniory and jurisdiclion, 
 
 " Condillons : — 
 
 a. — " On tlic condition ol' sending inimediately to Cana- 
 " da ail the ell'ects lliat lie lias in lliis Kingdoni wliich can- 
 " not be less tlian the suui of 10,000 livres in moncy or 
 "• ellect^. 
 
 b. — " And to t'orvvard a certificale lo lliat ellect iVom 
 " the Sieur Count de Frontenac. 
 
 c. — " And to reiiaburse the siiniof 10,000 livres for tlie 
 " cost of constructin<^ the said Fort. 
 
 (/. — Tg rnainiain and pal it in a gootl slate of défonce, 
 ''' to pa} the nccessary garrison for the delence of the same 
 " and whicli will be atlcastequal to that of Montréal. 
 
 e. — " As also maintain 20 uien lor the clearing of the 
 " lands and wlio shall not be eiiiployed at ollier work dur- 
 " ing the said tiine. 
 
 /. — " To build a churcli in the llrsl six ycars of the 
 " concession, and in the uieantime to maintain a j)riest or 
 " monk tliere Ibr the administration of the sacraments. 
 
 I 
 
 fr. — " As alsi) to cause Indlans to corne ihither, to 
 " whom dwellings shall be givcn and who shall bc foruied 
 " into villages, logether with Fn'nrliiueii to whom ho shal! 
 '-'■ give a part of the said lands, to be cleared, 
 
SI a 
 
 h. — '' AU wliich laiuls sliall Ixj clcarcd and inadi pio 
 •' ductive in tlie lime and .spucc of 20 years, to coiint IVom iIk- 
 " présent year, 1G76, otherwise, tlie said titne being passod, 
 " II. M. may dispose ol' ihe lands whicii .sliall not be cleared 
 " or made productive. 
 
 i. — " IL M. désires ihat the appeais froin tiie Courir^ 
 " wliich shall bc establisbed by the said. . . . shall be to ihc 
 " Lieutenant General ol" Qu(;bee. 
 
 j. — " And with lias intent IL M. désires thaï ail llic 
 " deeds of gift and concession in this mall(;r necessary . 
 " may be cxpedjted for tlio said. . . . together wilh a coin 
 " mission for the Government of the said Fort FrontenaC; 
 " and letters of nobility for liim and liis poslerily. 
 
 In conséquence of which Arrct, the grant itself was 
 made in thèse terms : 
 
 " Ilave given and give him by thèse présents signcd 
 " by our own hands the property of the Fort called " Fron- 
 " tenac". . . . with 4 leagues of land. . . . ak:)ng the lakes and 
 
 " rivers above and below the said Fort 
 
 " together with the islands called and the adjacent 
 
 " iles, with the right of hunting and fishing on the said 
 " lands and in the said lake Ontario or Frontenac and the 
 " surrounding rivers; which Forts, lands, islands, isles , 
 " hunting and fishuig, it is our désire and pleasurc that 
 
 " the said Joy by the titlc of Fief and ail righls of 
 
 " seigniory and jurisdiction, 
 
 Conditions : — 
 
 Ist. " With the obligation of feally and homage which 
 
 " the said shall bc held to render to us at evcry 
 
 " change of posscssor 'holding the whole of us and of our 
 " Crown, — 
 
 2nd; " And to pay lho cnstomary rights and ducs ac- 
 
 " cording to ihc Custom of ihc I'rovf>stsliip and V'iseouniy 
 
 " of Paris, — 
 
 11 
 
82 a 
 
 3rd. " And that the appeals from the Court which shall 
 " be establishcd, at the said Fort of Frontenac shall be be- 
 " i'orc the Lieutenant General of Québec, — 
 
 4tli, " It is also our pleasure that the said Cavelier be 
 " and reniain Governor for us of ihe said Fort of Frontena(; 
 " under the orders of our Lieutenant General in the said 
 '■'■ Couniry of New France, and that thèse présents shall 
 "■^ serve him for ail necessary purposo to that effect — 
 
 5th, " And to make known how agreeable to us la iho 
 ^' increase of the Colonies of the said Country, VVe, in 
 " con>;idcration of the trouble and expense which the said 
 "■ Cavelier lias liad and shall hereafter hâve, hereby hâve 
 " ennobled and do ennoble him — desiring for that purposc 
 '■'■ tliat ail letters of nobility may be granted to him. 
 
 6th. " We permit nevertheless ail the inhabitanis of 
 '' the said country, and others who shall hereafter settlo 
 " therein, to trade with the Indians in the usual manner, in 
 '■'• act'ordance uiîh the rules of police and Arrêts of our 
 " Council of Québec, without that under pretext of the pre- 
 ent concession the petitioner can prevent them in any 
 '-'• sort or manner whatcver, — 
 
 i( 
 
 7th. " Which concession we hâve made to the said Ca- 
 
 " velier under the obligations, clauses and conditions, set 
 
 "' forlh in the Arrêt of our Council of this date, bear- 
 
 " ing the counter seal of our Chancellery, whieh undertak- 
 
 " ing the petitioner sliall be bound to make at his sole 
 
 *' cost and expense, so far and for such time as there shall 
 
 " be no other persons besides him and his successors esta- 
 
 '' blished in liie said Fort of Frontenac and other lands 
 
 '' and seigniories of the présent concession, — 
 
 8th. " And in case that there may hereafter be granted 
 " .,,, concessions» in Seigniory above the Long Sault.,,, 
 
i 
 
 83 a 
 
 " those in wliose favor the said roncesssioiif^ shall be mncle 
 " shall bo bound to contribute tothe ordinary and extraordi- 
 " nary fx penses ot" the (îarrison and fo tho maintenance oC 
 " the l'ortifieations of the said Fort of F>ontenae, in propoi- 
 " lion to th(î lands and hereditairients whic.h shall be eon- 
 " ci'dedto them." 
 
 70. An arrél of the C'onneii of Slate rendered on tln^ 
 •tth June 1G75 and in the sanie terms as that, of tlie -tth .Tune 
 1672, quoted above (No. 56,) ordered the retrench meiil, that 
 is to say, the réunion to the domain, of " the one liidl of 
 those lands whieh had been coneeded previously to th(! last 
 ten years," adding " and whieh shall not be foiind to luive 
 been cleared and cultivated into arrable land, or meadows," 
 words which werc not in the first of thèse arrêts. 
 
 71. On the same day, the 4th June 1675, a deelaratioii 
 of tlie King confirmed the establishment of the Sovereign 
 Council in 1663, whieh was in future to consist of the Go- 
 vernor, of the ISishop of Québec, or, in his absence, of his 
 Grand Vicar, of the Intendant, and of scven councillors. 
 
 72. On the llth May 1676, (1) présent the Intendant 
 Duchesneau, successor to Talon ; the Sovereign Council 
 " taking into considération its Arrêt of the 14th January 
 last setting forth that rules of Police should be i)repared in 
 conformity with the orders given by the King to the Sieur 
 Duchesneau, the Intendant included in his com- 
 mission " (2) issued a decree containing gênerai rules 
 
 (1) Ed. et ord. in-8o. vo, 2, p. 65, and seq. 
 
 (2) The commission of the Intendant Duchesneau, bearing date the 
 
 5th June 1G75, and enregistered in the Sovereign Council on the 17th 
 September following {corn, des gouv. et int. in-So, p. 42 et scq.) 
 conferred on him the power to " make together ^vith the said Sove- 
 reign Council ail the régulations which you will deem recessary for 
 
 îhe gênerai pohce of the Country "and in case "' adds the 
 
 commission, « that you consider it more proper and necessary for the 
 
84 a 
 
 oi polici.', U) bo cxccuttil provisiuiially, uniil il vlumld |)I(\'i- 
 > L' Jlis Mujo.sfy U) ecjnlhiu llicui. 
 
 Tluît^c ruies, reproduced tliost; alreacly made on llic li3lli 
 April 1()()9 (Xi). 53 ubove,) relalivc lo ihc obligation, on llir 
 [)art o( ihc St'jgniors, lo liavo ihe concedcd lands '•' mra 
 surcd and suiveycd," undor llie ])t'nalty of not rocovoring 
 ih'Mr soigniorial dues (art. 2(5. ) Thèse rulep, nevcrlheless, 
 left tliem " tlie liberty of niaking sneli Unes as they might 
 wish on tlie lands of their Fiefs" (art. 28.) And tlie 35lh 
 article prescribed rules concerning millers, of whicli men- 
 tion sliall be made on tho article on banality. 
 
 73. Letters patent of the King, datcd the 20th May 
 1G7G, and enregistered in the Sovereign Council on the 19 
 O'.'lober foUowing, addressed to the Govornor, M. de Fron- 
 tenac, and to the Intendant, M. Duchesnean, confer upon 
 fheni the jiower " coDJointJii to give grants of lands, as 
 •' well to the ancient inhabitants of the srid country as to 
 '' tliose wb.o shall newly corne to settle ihere, on the condi- 
 " lion that tlic said grants shall be presented to us within 
 '' the year of their date, to be confirmed, otherwise and in 
 '''• dofault of so doing, the said time being passed, we shall 
 " déclare tliem uull from the présent period. It is our 
 " further plcasure that the said Grants be not made save 
 
 i^ood ol" our service, Avliether from the difficulty or from tlie delay of 
 inaking tlie said régulations with tlie said Council, we give yen the 
 power and autliority by tliese présents to make tliem alone and even to 
 udjudicate $.nuxcraincment, alone, iu civil raatters, and to order the 
 Tvliole as to you may appear just and proper, declaring valid, from tins 
 tiine forward, tlie judgmonts, régulations and ordinances which shall so 
 by you be rendercd, in the same maancr as if they proceeded from our 
 iSovereign Courts, notwithstanding ail récusations, ^;?isc (2 partie, Edicts 
 
 and ordinances and other things hereunto contrary It being our 
 
 wish tliat jour judgments may be executed like unto arrêts of the So- 
 vereign Courts, notwitli^jtanding ail oppositions, ikc, ^c. 
 
 \ 
 
85 a 
 
 t : 
 
 i 
 
 '■' ou ihe condition ol charinn thc iaiuls llurcol und to 
 
 '' n.-ndur llioui produclivo, in tlic coursi' ol llu; six yeais 
 
 '■'■ nexl ensuinir, otherwise t/icjj wilt rcniain m///; and thut 
 
 '' you cannot tarant i\nnn oxccpting l'roni ncighbor lo neigli- 
 
 " bor, and contigiious lo tlic concessions wliicli hâve for- 
 
 " merly been made, and which are dearedy 
 
 74. We read in M. Dunkin'sanaiysis (p. 3j) lliat ùpro- 
 pos lo tiie making of the jmpier-ttrrier^ tlic alforncy of thc 
 lleligious Ursuline Ladies , Scignioresses of Sle. -Croix , 
 had, on ihe 22nd May 1G78, declared to the Intendant Du- 
 chesnean " tliat he had no dénombrement lo give of thèse 
 *•' iands, otlier than the présent déclaration, thcre being as 
 " yet, no inhabitantonthem, and which he olTers in his said 
 -' qualily to cause to be settled and cleared, as soon as pos- 
 " sibJe ; wherefore we hâve oxdered hini to sellle the whole 
 " or part of the said scigniory within a year from the date 
 " of thèse présents," 
 
 The original Grant of this Seigniory had been made to 
 the Religions Ladies on the 15th January 1637 (see above 
 No. 24,) under the obligation to clear^ cultivate, and build 
 
 &o., under the penalty of the concession 
 
 being null. A deed confirming this concession , given 
 by the Governor M. de Lauzon, on the Gtli March 1652 (1) 
 déclares that the religions Ladies should enjoy the same in 
 franc-alleu and mortmain, with power to dispose of the said 
 Iands en fief cens et rentes carrying lods et ventes^ saisines et 
 amendes 
 
 The Intendant Duchcsncau proceeding to make the 
 Terrier [papier-terrier) in order to put in exécution the 
 arrêt of lletrenchment of 4th June 1675, gives to the Reli- 
 gious ladies a further delay of one year to settle the said 
 Seigniory. The clearing was noi therefore merely faculta- 
 tive. 
 
 (1) Mr. Dunkiii's analysis |). l'2. 
 
se a 
 
 'iti. In flifî ynar 1676, M. Cliarlcs Le Moynn was in 
 possession ol" a larî^o portion of what, in the présent day, 
 tniiiis )Ik' S('ii,Miiory of l^ongncuil, by virtue of lliree sépa- 
 rai»' (irnnis. The tirst obtainod froni the Sienr de fiauzon 
 (le la (itirn^ oti tlio 24tli Septomber 1G57, comprised 50 
 aipiMits in Iront by 100 '" deptli, under the obligation of 
 ihc rcvcDiic of one " y<-'ar, iipon eacii change of possessor, 
 accord ing to tJKî Cusloni of Vexin-françois ;''"' llio second 
 u liicli gave to hiin the island of St. Ilelen and the islcl 
 RoihI^ ()p])osilc Montréal, had previously been made to hiui 
 l)V Icticr iVoni the Sieur de Laiizon Charny dated the 30th 
 Mtv )()() I, under the obligation which it shall please the 
 Siciir (le Lauzon to impose for the same," and afterwards, 
 hy a {\ivi\ dated at Paris on the 20th March 1665, given by 
 ilit; Sieur de Tiauzon " as tntor and having the guardian- 
 "■ ^llip (i^ai'de noble) of the niinor children of tiie late Sienr 
 " (II" Lauzon Grand Senescfial of ihis Country to whom 
 
 " hclongfd (fie SciiJ^niorij of La Citière to be by 
 
 '■'■ liiiH enjoyed in Fief with mean and inferior jurisdiction 
 " { jiislice moyenne et basse) only, h- Iding of the said Sei- 
 " giiiory of La Citière and full fealty and homage, subject 
 '■'■ to i1h^ payment of ten minots of merchantable wheat rfe 
 " renie noble^ féodale et foncière^ payable on every fête of 
 " St. Martin in the winter, with one year's revenue of the 
 said island on eacli change of possessor, in accordance 
 
 ^\ itli ilie said Custom of Vexin-François at the foot 
 
 of wliieli d(Mîd the said Sieur de Charny acknowledges 
 iliat ilie rent stated by the same is exorbitant, and mueli 
 " be; ond Avhat should be cxacted under the said Grant, 
 " and by virtue of the power to him, given by the said 
 " Sieur de I^auzon, lie reduces the said Rent to ten livres 
 " in money, by writing signed by him, and dated at Que- 
 '' bec the 12lh Deccmber of the said year 1665." 
 
 Finally, by the third of thèse Grants, the Intendant 
 Talon, had, by deed dated the 3rd Nov. 1672, granted to 
 
 i 
 
 ' 
 
87 a 
 
 \ 
 
 \ 
 
 the Sieur Le Mo)mo a certain quantity of land on cacli sidc 
 of his first Grant of 50 arpents " in FieC and rii^dit of jii- 
 risdiction and seigniory," holding ol' tlie Caslle ol' S<. Louis 
 
 ot" Québec " at ihe customary rates; and in ac- 
 
 cordanee with llie Custom of the Provoslship and viscuunty 
 of Paris." 
 
 Ail thèse faets are set forth in a new dced ol" llu; lOih 
 July 1676 (1) which at the request of M. Le Moyue was 
 given him by the Intendant Duchesneau, wliiK. tiio lattir 
 proeeeded to inake out the terrier of Ne\v-Fraii«c. la liis 
 pétition this seignior explained thaï his three Cirants ucic 
 of too small value to eonstitute separatc seigniorics, tliat 
 their revenue, even if they wcre wholly rendt.'it'd piodiicii- 
 ve, would not sulFice for the maintenanee of llie oJIIih rs ol 
 three jurisdictions which it would be nccessary to establish 
 in them as required by his titles which were dillercnt Iront 
 each other, and which would be more burlhcnsoim; ihan 
 profitable to him if he were obliged to confovni to thcni, cs- 
 peeially those which had been given to him by ihi' said 
 Sieur de Lauzon aid La Citièreunderthe Custouiol' Vexui- 
 françois. He added that this Custom did not prcvail in iliis 
 Country, aud that the said titles could not even subsisi, l/ir 
 said seigniory of La Ciliere having becn reunitcd lo l/w 
 domain of the Crown. ''^ In fine, he demanded ihat iiis 
 three concessions should be reunitcd inlo one Seigniory, 
 under the name of Lonerueuil : 
 
 
 "Having secn, the Intendant says, the abovc dalcd tiik; 
 deeds, and it appearing to us by several concessions 
 granted by the said Sieur Talon in His Maji'.stj/\s iKittw, 
 in the places depending on and of which was coinpu.sed 
 the said Seigniory of la Citière, that no mention was 
 therein made of the same, nor of the condilions iindcr 
 which M. de Lauzon, heretofore Governor of ihis ('oun- 
 
 (1) « Titres des Seig.» p. 99. 
 
88 (t 
 
 Iry, Imvin^ llie (juanliansliip {garde noble) of ihc i-luklicA 
 ol" tlie said Grand Senesclial lii.s son, Scjgnior ol' La Ci- 
 lière, liad eoncedcd and grantcd part of llie said seigni- 
 ory of lu Citièro, which lias hecn rennitcU to the King''{i 
 domain, nor of tho cliargcs allowed by the Custoni o! 
 Vexin François, which «hows that it is not his ISIajesty's 
 intention lliat any oth(!r Custoni than that of tlic provost- 
 ship and viscovinty of Paris siiould bc followed in ihis 
 Country ; and considering also the great services which 
 the said Sieur Le Moyne has rendered to this Colony, 
 which has obligcd the King to acknowledgc ihem by 
 " granting unto him and ail his descendants the title of 
 " nobility with which His Majesty lias been plcascd 1o 
 " lionor him, and being unable too nmch to acknowledgc 
 " those wiiich he daily renders ; we, in virtuc of the power 
 " conferred on us by IL M. and under his pleasure, h.avc 
 " reunited and by thèse présents do rcunitc ihe places 
 
 " hereinbefore mentioned into one and the same 
 
 " which shall in future be called Longucuil in 
 
 Fief with ail the righls of Seigniory, and superior, mcan 
 ' and inferior jurisdiction." — Conditions : 
 
 ti 
 
 <( 
 
 Ist. " Subject to the condition of fealty and homage 
 
 which the said shall be held to perform at tlic 
 
 " Castle of St. Louis in Québec of which lie shall iiold for 
 " the future,— 
 
 2nd, " Under the Customary riglits and ducs and 
 " agreably to the Custom of the Provostship and viscounty 
 " of Paris, — 
 
 3rd. " And that the appeals from the judge who may 
 " bc established in the said Seigniory of Longucuil shall 
 " lie before tiie royal jurisdiction of the lown of Tlirec 
 '•' Hivers, unfil ihc King shall be pleased to establish one 
 *' ncarer Ihc said beigriioiy,— 
 
89 a 
 
 Ini 
 
 il] 
 
 il 
 
 4tli, " Tliiit he sliajl continiu' to keop, and cause to b*^ 
 ki'pt hy liis tcnîinls, lioust; and home {feu cl lieu) on tins 
 
 »a 
 
 id S 
 
 t^ji^nio 
 
 «•y — 
 
 5tli. " Tliiit \\r shall préserve, and canso to he jjreserv- 
 " cd, the oak limber lit l'or f^hipbuilding wliieli sliall b(! lound 
 '' tliereon, — 
 
 Gfli. '^ Tliat lie shall give immédiate notice to the King 
 " of the mines, ores, or min(!rals, il" any bu tound, on the 
 " said Fiel", 
 
 2th. " That hc shall Icave ihcrein the neeessary road- 
 
 il 
 
 ways and j)assagcs, — 
 
 The Intendant did not iji-ant to iho Sieur Le Afoyne the 
 augmentation which he wished to hâve, saying on that sub- 
 jecl : " roserving to extend tlic said Seigniory of Lonmieiiil 
 as far as the Iwo leagu(,'s and a half prayed for, nntil after 
 terrier shall kave been ï/mf/c." Ile then gives liim a certi- 
 ficate that he liad performed the fealty and homage hc was 
 bound to rondcr. (1) 
 
 The reunion of La Citière, the Iruth of whieh is csta- 
 blishcd in ihis manner, although the certilicate of ihat reu- 
 nion cannot up to the présent time bc discovered, furnishes 
 a proof of the exécution of the arrêts of retrenchment, in 
 default of the Seignior having performed his engagement. 
 
 The seigniory ofLrt Citière whi(!li appear.s to hâve beeu 
 conceded in January 1635 to M. François de Lauzon, son of 
 M. Jean de Lauzon, who was then one of^the principal asso- 
 ciâtes of the Company of N. F. and wiio was, at a later 
 period, Governor of Canada, was of immense extenl, beg„ 
 inning at the river St. Francis, on lake St. Peter, and exten- 
 ding ahove the Sault St. Louis, in ascending the river St. 
 Lawrence., to limits which cannot be now ascertained. 
 
 (I) This Grant of tlie 10t.h July 1670 was conlirniod by the King 
 oa tlie 23d April 1700. (Brevets de rat, p. 68.) 
 
 12 
 
00 (t 
 
 Wc iiave not tlie doctl of concossion, l)Ul wo iiave llio adc 
 i;iviiig posgpssion, MKulc by llie (îovcrnor, M. <\o Monfma- 
 i^ny, on ihc îîOlli July 1038. Accoiding to llie description 
 lontainod in lliiy ade o(" whicli a eopy will bc found in iIk; 
 note below, il is évident tliat tliis Seigniory coniprised a 
 part of llic Icrvitory of tlie United States. Il vould liavc 
 f•on^^titutcd a Kingdom in Europe, Can it possibly bc main- 
 tained llial tlie Grantee eould clcar it and render it produc- 
 tive or j)ut it in cultivation, by mcan:ji of mcre servants? (I) 
 
 70. On tlie 8th July 1G7G, another deed nimilar to llic 
 Injugoing wasgiven by thc s^anio Intendant to Jacques LcBer, 
 jiroprietor ol" twt) tliirds of tlie island of St. Paul, f)pposite 
 'lie it^land of Montréal, and holding therctofore of thc Sei 
 uniory of La Cilière., and to Claude llobutel, Sieur de St, 
 André, ]>roinietor of tlie otiier third. (2) On tlie lltli 
 
 (1) Copy of ihis acte of possession. 
 
 " VV^o, Cl'ailes lliiault de Montinagny, Iviiiglit of liie Orilcr of St. 
 iwi'.a of Jérusalem, Lieutenant of llis Majosly llirougliout tlic ulioli; 
 •citent of tlie River St. Lawrence in New France in confonnity \viU/ 
 .1 mandate accominuiyincç a grant made by thc (îentlemcn ol' the Coni 
 j^'cuiy of New France, under date of tliii 15tli January l(jo5, in favor 
 ■A i'ranrois de Lauzon, csquirc, sou of Mr. Jean do Lauzon, Kniglit, 
 Councillor of thc King in lus Council of state, of ihe (juantity of laiids 
 licreinafter dcscribed, W'e liave visitcd tlie places mentioncd in tlie 
 .■iaid grant, and bcing ai llie moulli of a Hiver on tlie Soutli .sidc wLicli 
 de.scends fiom the Lake or from tlie neiglibonrhood of Lakc Chain- 
 jilain, bave cntcied thercin and ascendcd thcrelo, and for more casy 
 loofiisance bave named the river the St, Francis ; and liaving laiulod 
 assislod by the sieur i'aul, William Hébert, Gaspard le FoutourcI, tlio 
 sieur Luurdon Engincer, and Jean (.Jiiytet, Notary, Cùinmh-GrcDier , 
 >ve bave declared to Nicolas Trevet esquire thcrcunto présent, that 
 we put biin in possession, real and aclual, of thc cxteut of lands 
 islàiuls, iivers, bcu and Kikc.'i menliontd in the said (îrant, in the nanit; 
 ..nd ab tbe Atiorney of thc said Sieui de Laiiz')!:^ llie yoiing'^r (Gis) 
 
 ( ')■■ ■li!n;. a<^. 'Jc!;:;";". l'^l. l'^' 
 
91 a 
 
 -Vugii.-.t UJlowiii;^, li',M'tHini(fi.l ilirtic ))r<vit-.ir- '.rtaiil ii.t,. 
 n'Kv ioniiing ilio Seignitjvy <>f (icnlilly. (1) 
 
 77. lîy loitors paient oC iho prccoding montli «d Ajiiii 
 al llio request of Sieur B'rançois Hoilhelot, " Coiincillor "l 
 llio King, sccretary and conimissary Crneral of arlillory, 
 pnwder and sallpelre oï Franco," Jlis Majcsly liad civclcd 
 info an earldom (comté,) under llic naine ol' St. Lann^nl, iho 
 scigniory of llie island of Orléans, wliir-Ii INT. Ik'rtliclot liad 
 acquircd from iho Bisliop of Québec, and " of wliicli, il j-. 
 " said, a good \mri h clearcd and peo])led by more ihan a 
 " lliousand persans , wlio composi^ four largo parislu- 
 '' in wliicli there is alreadya churcli cnlirely buill, and Iwo 
 " boguii wliicli shall bo finisli(?d and coni})leli cl in 
 
 lo enjoy llie sanie by liiin liis hoirs and iissigiis ; to wliicli ronsLiUini.'-, 
 tlic said Sieur Trcvet, in tlio namc aforesaid, did rut wood and phu!, 
 jvi-nss f^TOwing on tiic said lands and jierfornied llic rcrcmonies rcfiiiisifi: 
 in sucli cases. And as a sign of talcing of possession we liave caustnl 
 lo be buricd in tiie ground on the ioft liand side, on tlio liind opposil'; 
 tlie uppcr end of tlic fnst island, a stone willi four plates of lead at llic 
 foot of a cicamore, upon w]n.;li wc liavc rauscd to be engravod a ero: -, 
 by the said Sieur Eourdon in présence of tlie above inentioned ; wliitii 
 plates and stone which we bave causcd to bo buried niorcly serve ai 
 signs of the iaking of possession, and not for boundaries, in as mu'li a-j 
 llie said river St. l^Vanc.is serves for boundaries, at the onc end of llic 
 said lands, and at the other end thorc are for boundaries an island callud 
 .St. John and a Hiver called tiie Kivcr St. ?.]ary wliicli are above the 
 SaulL St. Louis in ascciidijig the said river St.. Lmcrrncr, tlic sai'i 
 Hiver St. Francis, Island of St. .lolm and river St. Mary being cori 
 prised in the said conceded î:\nds to ^vliicii wc bave givon (•) the ^eig- 
 niory of La Citiôre, agrcably to tlic wi-ili of the Sieur Francoys d; 
 Lauzon. And wheroas the said Hiver St. Fiancisaiid the fsinnds 
 of St. John arc iinmu.table marks, which ronnol vary nor be rbnngod 
 we hâve noL considcrcd it necessaiy to visit tlicse places, and oi iill 
 
 (1) " Titres des scig." p. 12. 
 
 (*) The words " llic n:imo 'A " (le noni de) npj'car:^ lo le ^vtln1i(U' 
 •il» tli'^ oii^niiol. 
 
92 a 
 
 " the course of tho présent year and the fourth 
 " in the following year, in such manner tiiat thèse are four 
 " large boroughs (bourgs) and villages at tins time formed 
 *' besides scierai considérable Fiefs and of great extent in 
 " the said island which are held of the said Berthelol 
 - ...." (1) 
 
 78. At No. 73 we havc scen ihat the lettcrs patent 
 which gave to the Governor and the Intendant the power to 
 make, conjoinlly^ the concessions of lands, had been enre- 
 gistercd in llic Sovereign Council on the 19th October 1676. 
 Thf! fir^l concession which liad taken place after tins enre- 
 gistration, app(;ars to hâve been that made to ihc Seignior 
 of Berlhier, of an island " at the end of that known as 
 
 that isabove declared the said Sieur Trevet has demanded acte from 
 us aad the same was granted to him. 
 
 Pone at the Fort of Three Hivers, 29 June 163S. 
 
 (Signed) 
 
 C. H. MONTMAGNY, 
 
 N. Trevet, with a flourish, 
 
 Jfan Bourdon, with a flounsh, 
 
 LkPost, Avith a flourish, 
 
 Guillaume Hébert, 
 
 PouTEREL, with a flourish, 
 
 The minute of this deed has been found among the papers of Mr. 
 
 Jean Guytet, Notary, doposited in the archives of the District of 
 
 Québec of which the prothonataries of the Superior Court are the 
 Keepers. 
 
 The Seigniory of Laprairie de la Magdeleine made part of La Ci- 
 tiêre. It was conceded to the .Tesuits by Frs. de Lauzon on the Ist 
 
 (1) .lournal du Conseil Législatif of 1852-53. App. No. 2, p. 
 
 70ti, 
 
93 a 
 
 th 
 ir 
 :d 
 in 
 ol 
 
 ni. 
 1o 
 
 0- 
 
 6. 
 
 •e- 
 or 
 as 
 
 <■: 
 
 i 
 
 Beaver Island" (1) It is made in two différent deeds, but 
 similar in their provisions ; the first was given at Québec, 
 on the 15th March 1677, and was signed by the Governor 
 the Count de Frontenac, alone ; and the second was aiso 
 given at Québec, on the 25th of the same month, and was 
 signed by the Intendant M. Duchesneau, alone. 
 
 Conditions : 
 
 Ist. " On condition of paying fealty and homage which 
 
 " the said sha'i be held to do at the Castle of St. 
 
 " Louis in Québec, oi which he shall hold, — 
 
 April 1()4.7. I hâve seen the copy of a Deed confirming this conces- 
 sion, çiven by the Intendant Duchesneau on the occasion of the terrier 
 madt: by him in conformity vvith the arrêt of the King's Council of 
 State of the 4'th June 1675 and the ordinance of this Intendant of 
 the 9th February 1671. In the copy of this deed of confirmation, 
 which is in the possession of M. Varin, Notary at Laprairie and agent 
 for the seigniory "''A which has bcen conimunicated to me by our 
 learned Canadiau logist the lion. M. Jacques Viger, it is meu- 
 
 tioned that the Sic auzon possessed a seigniory (that is to say the 
 
 seigniory of la Citicre) " of more than sixtij leagues in estent of 
 land, on the said conditio: " that the King had granted the country to 
 the Company of New France," and that the said Seigniory ivas now 
 reunited to the domain of His Majesty. 
 
 Tlie date of this deed of confirmation does not appear in the copy. 
 
 Note. — 1 ought hère to express to the lion. M. Jacques Viger my 
 decp acknowledgment of the services which he was eager to render 
 me with that désire to oblige which distinguishes him and which 1 
 hâve learned to appreciate on more than one occasion, in assisting me 
 
 to establish or verify important facts connected with the présent obser- 
 vations. 
 
 Note. — l am bound also to express to Mr. Beaudry, clerk of appeals, 
 my acknowledgment of the intelligent and efficient aid that I hâve re- 
 ceived from him in the numerous researches it was necessary for me to 
 make. 
 
 (1) « Titres des Seig." p, 135. 
 
l-l a 
 
 2n«.l. " At ilio C'ustomary ratos and liiu:-, a^ivably iti 
 ^' ihc Cuslom of iIk; Provostship and Viseoiinly oC l'oris, 
 ''' whicli nliall be IblloAved in ihiy rcsj)C{:t, provisionally . 
 ^ and uni il othorwise ordainod by His Majcsty, — 
 
 3rd. " And alsn that hc shall kccj) and cause lo hc 
 '' kopt lionse and home {feu et lieu) by liis tenants!, on tlie 
 ■■' concessions which lie shall pfrant to Iheni, and in defaull 
 " of Ihis being done, that lie shall reenter de pleno jure 
 *■' into possession of the said lands, — 
 
 4tli. " And lie shall préserve and cause to bc preser 
 " ved the timbcr fit for ship building, — 
 
 5th. " And that lie shall give notice to the King or to 
 " us of jnincs, ores and minerais, if any bc fouud there 
 
 (( 
 
 in, 
 
 Gth. " That lie shall leave and cause to be lefl therein 
 "■ ail necessary roadways and passages, — 
 
 7th. " The wliole imder the ])leasure of II. M., by 
 '•' whom lie shall bc held to hâve thèse pressent s confirmed 
 '•'■ within one year," — 
 
 79. Many concessions were made in the same manner, 
 by separate deeds, by the Governor and the Intendant, in the 
 years 1677 and those following, up to 1780. (1) The first 
 deed appears to hâve been always givcn by the Governor, 
 excepling in one instance, (2) yet this was but a promise to 
 concède, " in case that it should please H. M., that the 
 
 (1) M. Dunkin's analysis p. 35 to. 40 ; and " titres dos seigneu- 
 ries" p. 44,45, Réaume ; p. 93, 94, Ides Bouchard ; p. 7, S, An^. 
 de Verchères ; p. 80, 81, St. François du Lac ; p. 7(i, 77, Me l»i- 
 card ; p. 25, St. Pierre les Bccqucts ; p. 402, Ste. Marguerite ; 
 p. 372, Argentcuil ; p. 74, Aug. du Saidt St. Louis ; \). 18, Tsic 
 à la fourche. 
 
 (2) '< Titres d.'>! Sei;;-." p. 372. Argentcuil. 
 
95 a 
 
 iands ah'ivc liio i l.iiul of Montréal slioiild he scltlotr' tlic 
 promii^c of llie fntcndanl Diichcsneau bcars llic date ot" tlie 
 7lli .lune IGSO, and that of ihe Count of Frontenac of llie 
 I5lli .lune 1G82. Two of thèse concessions under date of 
 llie 31st Oct. and 4th Nov. 1G80 are inadc eacli by one and 
 tlie same decd. (1) Four concessions appcar lo hâve been 
 inade in the same inlewal by the Governor alone, (2) and 
 five by the Intendant alone. (3) At least if there be a se- 
 cond decd of thèse concessions, made by either of thèse 
 fitnctionaries, il lias nol been publishcd or pointed out. 
 
 80. Lelters of mortmain granted by Ihe King in favor 
 of Ihe Jcsuit Fathcrs on the 12th May 1G78, enrcgistered al 
 (Québec ihe last day of October in ihe following year (4) 
 déclare : " ulways upon condition ihal they shallput ail the 
 " said lamh m cuUivation and value in the four following 
 " and consécutive years, commencing from the day of the 
 " date of thèse présents, in default of which we déclare 
 " from ihis timo forward, the said concessions and thèse 
 *' présents null and of no force and aulhority." 
 
 81. A new Arrct of retrenchment of uncleared lands i^^ 
 rende rcd by the King in his Council of State of the 9tli 
 May 1G79 and enrcgistered at Québec ihe last day of Octo- 
 ber following. (5) After having relatcd the ténor of that of 
 iIk; Ith .Tune 1G75 (no. 70 anlc)^ and having set out ihat Ihe 
 inlendanl Duchesncau, in conformity to this tI/tc"', had 
 
 (1) « Tit. des Seig." p. 71 Aug. du Saidt St. Louis ; p. 18 Me 
 à la ftmrche. 
 
 (•2) " Tit. des Seig." p. 374-, Met St. Jean ; p. 130. Port Mi ; 
 p. 310, St. Doits ; Journal du Cons. Leg. app. No. 2, p. 708 ; and 
 again M. Dunkin's Analysis p. 3G, to. 38. 
 
 (3) " Tit. des Seig." p. 380, Mes Miv^ari ; p. 360, Jslands op 
 j.osite tliat ol Montréal ; p. 378, Anticosti j M. Dunkiir« Aiia'yi": p 
 
 30, to. 38, Maifhiic and JJu/isccows. 
 
 (i) h'ilil an'l < 'pi. in-8o, t. 1, p, 102. 
 (•'') J' t, 1,233 
 
96 a 
 
 made a déclaration (or papier-tenier) " conlaining the ex 
 " tent of each concession and the number of arpents which 
 " are cultivated and inhabited therein, by which it appears 
 " that thèse concessions are of so great an extent tliat the 
 " largest part has remained useless to tlie proprictors in 
 " default of men and cattle to cultivate and amcliorate themy''^ 
 the new Arrêt thus proceeds : " Ilis Majesty, considering 
 " that the lands remaining to be conceded in the said coun- 
 try are the least commodious and most diflicult to culti- 
 vate by reason of their situation and distance from navi- 
 gable rivers, in so much that those of our subjects who 
 go to that country lose the idea of residing and establis- 
 hingthemselves therein for that reason only, which is most 
 prejudicial to the welfarc and augmentation of that colo- 
 " ny ; against which it being nccessary to provide, Ilis 
 " Majesty, being in his Council has ordained and ordains 
 " that the arrêt rendered therein of the 4th Junc 1675, be 
 " executed according to its ténor and form, and in conse- 
 " quence thereof déclares the fourlh of the lands conceded 
 before the year 1665 which are not yet clcared and culti- 
 vatedyfrom this moment, taken away from the proprietors 
 and possessors thereof. 
 
 u 
 
 (( 
 
 (( 
 
 u 
 
 (( 
 
 (( 
 
 (( 
 
 u 
 
 i( 
 
 <( 
 
 (C 
 
 (( 
 
 (( 
 
 (( 
 
 " His Majesty further ordains that in future, there shall 
 be taken every year commencing wilh the year 1680, the 
 twentieth portion of the said concessions which shall not 
 befound cleared, to be distributed to His Majesty's sub- 
 jects inhabiting the said country, who are in a situation 
 to cultivate them, or to Frenchmen who will go tothe said 
 country to réside." 
 
 " His Majesty enjoins to his Lordship the Count de 
 
 *' Frontenac and to the said sieur Duchesneau, to 
 
 " see to the strict exécution of the présent Arrêt, and to 
 " proceed to the distribution and new concession of the said 
 *' lands, according to the authority granted to them by 
 
97 a 
 
 li 
 
 lottprs patent oftlie 20tli M,\y 1070 (no. 73 ovfc.y Afifr- 
 
 wards conics a mandate of iIk^ Kinir, ol tlie saïue tlalf 
 
 ni 
 
 conJ'oniKibIc lo tlic Arr(t (I) 
 
 iS2. 'J'Iiis new arrêt oC nlrtiichinenf like tlie precM'dini; 
 ones, niakes no (li>tineli()ii hetween «crantées iior ol' lln-ir 
 litles ; it applies to ail tliose wliosc eoncessioiis aie antcrior 
 to ihe year l(ifj.5. Hiil, in tlic place ol'llic onc hall w liicli, 
 in tlie ternis ()l'lli(> l\vo arrêts ol' the lih .Inné KiTJ and ot' 
 the Itli .lnn(^ l(i7.j, A\-er(> to he taixcn (iii'di/, \\h- iiew crri'i 
 orders tlie immédiate retrenclimciil l)ul ot'thc foiirtli, and ot' 
 the lil'di l'or eaeh snl)se(|iien1 year. In \^\>- discrétion, the 
 Kini,f reii:ards tins nieasnre as snljieiiii,'- lo indiiec llic Sei- 
 ii^tuors to l'idiil ihe ol)li!4alio!is ot llicir Lirants, mid to n.;). 
 
 Il IIK- 
 
 Il 11 
 
 lise liis views ol eoloii isat ion. The Arr'l orders ni 
 same time \o (listrihvte i. <•.: to roz/rrr/f laiid^ anc\\-, hi 
 does Ilot repeat in express ternis, a'< the picecdiiii;- an'rts 
 had, die ol)lii;-at ion, for the ne w crantées, to clair thcir laiids 
 withiii a u^iveii tiiiic ; jie vert la dr>s, in orda in inu t liât t lie ani'l 
 ol the Itli .liine IG7.') lie exceiiled aecord ini,'' n» ils liaior ;iiid 
 i'oriii, Ile liiilsî he coiisideriMl as ordainiiii; llial lliex- iiew 
 
 livrante 
 
 ail clriir llieiii l'iit irid\' m the loîir tirsl U 
 
 (1) Il aiiprars iliil it is m lliis Miiiie y ''i' H)7!> lli.il llic lii >t toiii- 
 nii^sioii ot inlfiiiiaiit ol iu-«li(f. iiolicc cl riniiiici,' ot llic l"ii'iii-li islands 
 in Aiiiriica wa'» i;ivL'ii. it is ilatcil (jI llir l>l Aprii Mn\ ap|llHl|l^ M. 
 l'atouLt wlio lia^ tlu' aiitlioiity to '• disn-ilnilr |):-ovi>ioiially. ilic lamU 
 lo die iiilial)ilaiit> of tiie islaïul^, and to i1io>l' wIio wdl <;0 dicrc, \vi H 
 inUMitioiifd dis,l0^ed t) l'iiitivatc tliciii and ainriioialc lln'iii to réside 
 tlit;ii'un, iinlil tlnv >liail liavo liid llirir ;i;i|di(a!ion iictorr n^. to 
 (Jemand conliiinaliun lin rcof (^ Morcau de M. .Miz\ ; Loi\ ( i l'unstilii- 
 tion- do (■oloiiii'> l'lan^al-('^ ol' windwaid Ainriiia, w I, y. .'^ I s 
 
 An arrêt, ot' die ( 'oiincil ol'Sl.iti' ol'lln' Kiiii'. iriMirnil \ny i he v;n(| 
 i^iand» on llio ] 1 lli ol .luiii! ItiSiJ, (Idie llie Anris dl th,- lili .lime 
 1G7- and I(i7.'» lor Canada), oinlains t!u' icli'cn* liniml " o diu- iiill'or 
 " tlii.' Iand> wliicli sliall liavc hi't'ii conceded litdbii' llir ia-i l( n \iais 
 '"' and nhndi >-li dl not lu; to ind d'arnl and cnltivalfd ni i-oir iii twr 
 " sni;a:'.and nn'i'i liandi>(> ii^i'd ni lin- coiniiicict' ol' lin' -aid Uîan !>.'" 
 l'hn coiiccs^nm^ are lo be iiiven by lin: (iovt'inor and Inltndant. 
 Tlii«i Arrêt is l'ollowed by Icthns paUMit dated tli'î saine d ly and leifiu- 
 bliiig tliose of the 20 Maj lo7b for Canada, (ib t. 1, |i. 33j.) 
 
 13 
 
98 a 
 
 wing ami conseculive yoars," tlic inorc so as hc eslublisilies 
 us a ruic that thc concessions should bu inado lo ihoso 
 " vvho are in a situation to cultivate Ihem." 
 
 83. By an arrêt rendcrcd in his Council of stalc, on 
 llie 29lh May 1680 (1) in wliich thc ténor of Ihe letlers pa- 
 tent of the 20 May 1G76 is related (sec Ante no 73) givinglo 
 the Govcrnor and Intendant aulority to makc, joinlly, thc 
 concessions of lands, ihe King confirms thc concessions 
 which ihey havc made since the 12th Oct. 1676 up to the 
 5th Scptcmber inclusively, " upon the condition of clearing 
 " and bringing the land conceded to them in good condition 
 " in six years, reckoning from the date of the said conces- 
 " sions, on pain of nulliiy thereof, and also subject to thc 
 " payment of the ducs with which they shall be charged," 
 the arrct thus expresses itself, which is accompanied by a 
 mandate of the King conformahle thereto, dated the samc 
 day. 
 
 84. In the Journal of thc Législative Council 1852-53, 
 appendix No. 2, p. 710, are inserted without date (2) the 
 letters patent of thc King erccting thc Scigniory of Port- 
 neuf into a Barony, in favor of René Robineau, sieur de 
 Bécancourt. — Conditions : 
 
 a 
 
 (i 
 
 (( 
 
 lo. " Holding undcr us in right of our Crown by onc 
 only fealty and homagc, and by acknowledgment and 
 enumeration {aveu et dénombrement) requircd hy the laws 
 
 of our Kingdom and the customs of the said Country^ under 
 
 thc title, name and dignity of Barony. 
 
 2o. " Without, howcver, that the said vassals shall be 
 lield, by reason of any thing in the présents contained, to 
 
 (1) Ed. andOrd. t. l,p. 240. 
 
 (2) Tii liis analysis, p. 41, M. Dunkin places the date of titese It't- 
 ters-patent betwcen March tGSl and thc 27th April 1G83, 
 
99 a 
 
 olhor grcalor dues and dnties tlian llioso with wliu-h tliey 
 are charged at présent." 
 
 85. In Ihe ycars 1682, 1683 et 1684 (1) sevcral conces- 
 sions are made by the ncw Govcrnor, M. de la Barre and 
 tlie ncw Intendant M. de Menlle. Besides scveral condi- 
 tions wliicli arc inserted in preceding concessions tiiose 
 wliich it may bc propcr to notice in some of thèse ncw 
 concessions, are the foUowing : 
 
 lo. Seig. Bonhomme or Belaii\ 24 Nov. 1682 : 
 
 IX. " And on condition that he shall cause the said 
 " lands to he cleared, inlutbited and furnishcd ivith building 
 '• and cattle, wilhin two years from the date hereof, in 
 " default of which the jjresent concession shall be null and 
 " void." 
 
 This conditions is often repcated, eitlier in giving the 
 samc delay or a delay more or less long, to exécute it. 
 
 2e. Seig. of the Eboulements, 1 April 1633 : 
 
 IV. " And shall préserve and shall cause lo be prcser- 
 " ved the oak timber fit for the building of v'essels, and the 
 " red pine fit for the making of tar, which may be found 
 " within the cxtent of the said places." 
 
 3o. Rivière du Loup^ en haut^ 20 April 1683 : 
 
 This seigniory had already been conceded by the in- 
 tendant Talon, on the 3rd Nov. 1672, to M. de Mannercuil 
 who had been Count Frontenac's secretary. In the title of 
 this new concession, the Governor and intendant thus ex- 
 press themselves : 
 
 (1) Analysis of M. Dunkin p. 40 to 45, where tlie références to 
 the titles of the Seigniories arc indicatcd. 
 
100 a 
 
 "■ Havirii,' by oiir ordiiiiiict' ol'llic Iwclt'tli i\\\\ of INraicli 
 
 " last, aiii' lur llir ciniscs tlirrciii ^1;ll(■(l, dcflarcci llit" sieur 
 
 " (le Miililit'iTiiil lo \\:i\f for/i iU'd liis lillc ol coiiccssioii ni 
 
 "■ Uivirrc du Lii(i|) aiid rc-onihil tlic .-aid ('(iiicosioii 
 
 " lo Ilis MajcstN V (loiitain, lo hr (lisposcd of liy ns iiiidcr 
 
 '' Ilis |tl('iiMirf ils W'c iiiii^iil. tliiidv lit :iiid ul'\rv li;iviii^ 
 
 " l'jiiofd oiiv said ordiiiaiicc ol \\\c said UMli Marché rcn- 
 
 " (lercd in conseinivnce of tliv <trr' l,s of l/ir Kiii,i(\s (Unuivil 
 
 "^ iij'tlu' \lh Jtnir l()7i diid !»/// Mai/ Miîi) rr^ordiiii^ t/ic 
 
 " rdrciirhniciit o/' <'«//r<'.s'.s/f*/(,s', (o hc .slioirn lo ils.'"' \\ r rr;i(i 
 l'iirtlit'f ;il llir iild ol tlii> Urw (!oil('i!ssioli : '■'• iicrcliN colil- 
 
 '' iiimidiii^ llic jiili;il>ilants w lio lia\(' siMlk'd on lli ■ said 
 
 "• iai)d w itiioii! tille or pciiiiission lo ;ickiio\\ Icdi^c llie said 
 
 "• sit'iir Le Cli;is>t'iii- (iicw i;i'aiitcc) ;is tln' sci^iiior ol" thc 
 
 '■'- said laiids and licn'aricr pav liiiii tlir ci^toiiutrij ducs.'''' 
 
 •lo. Lsic Miidain<\ 'ri\U \])iil IG8;) : 
 
 (,iKc iiK'iitioii (aad in llic s;, me Iciiiis as thc lasl) of 
 fbrf'i'iti(n\ l'V onlinaucc of tlir saiiir datr, of llie first coii- 
 {•f>>i(in of lliis scii^iiiois niadc by llic iiilL'Jidaiii Talon, in 
 tilt' yrar KiîJ, to iIk; ialr Romain licijiirf. 
 
 o. Au^iiu'idalion of y<ui'i/lc or Pointe du. r Trvnibhs ; 
 27 Apiil l(!S.) : " to lia\(> and to liold tlu' saine iinio liiin 
 Ilis licirs and a>>ii;ns nndcr lln' sanic ri^iits of lid' and jii- 
 risdiclion as !ic liolds liis said Tm'I" (oT \('U\illc,~) llic wlmle 
 lonninif luit onc scii^niory and jiirisdictit)!!, and siihjcct to 
 tlic -aille cliai'iics, clauses ainl conditions as lie is now 
 {•liar^'ed witli towards ihe Kinii; Ibr liis said lief of Xcuville," 
 ■\vliicli liad heen conceded or tlie lôtli Dec. 1G58 by llio Go- 
 vernor M. d(! Lau/.on, to .)(!an Bourdon iindcr the castom of 
 y'exin- Franco /.s, ( 1 ) 
 
 ()o. Lussandière ; 2G Jiily 1683 : 
 
 (1) Titles ol" seig., p. 390. 
 
101 a 
 
 Liko mention (and in tli«' saine lernis as ihe new con- 
 cession lA' liii'ière (la Loup) oï /orJ'eUurc and f c •union to 
 tfw (lonuiiity !>y ordiiumcr ol' tlic 2()lli May picfcdiiii,', ol a 
 lii'.Nl ((iiiccssion ol' tliis sci<j[niory niado by tiit! Intendant 
 Talon on tlie ^>9tli OctobtT 1G72. 
 
 2o. Tslc Verte (Giecn Island), 27ih April KIHI : 
 
 *■' 'l'Iiis is a new concession in tlie titl(> ol' wliicli we 
 read : '' and altlio' itappears tluit tlie said luo leai^m-s liave 
 heen lieretofore conceded to several private ijidividuaU 
 more I lia n thirty years aj4;o, wlio Iiave not sinoe tliat lime 
 
 d any work iior luîide any 
 
 a Ken possession, nor ner 
 
 rlbrni 
 
 o- 
 
 cleiirini,' lliereon, liavini,' l'or thèse reasons ac(iuired no pr 
 perty in llie lands, and tliis heiiii^ contrars to tlie intentions 
 ol' Ilis M;ijesty, as appears hy lli<; Arrêts ol' liis ("oiineil of 
 tlie Ith .lune 1G72 aiul 9lli Mav 1<)Î9, uitli reij-aid to ijie 
 
 l'elri'iieliment ol concessions, as 
 
 mnci 
 
 1 as IS or iiKP 
 
 bo 
 
 necessarv, we iiave re-uni 
 
 l('(l t 
 
 le wliole to tlie 
 
 Autr s do- 
 
 main, and, in consetpience ol" tlu; said re-union, moreover, 
 
 w 
 
 e <Mve, i,n'ant. and concède, &c., &c, 
 
 •> s 
 
 Ho. Frcuneuse in Acadia ; 20 Sept. 1684 
 
 Condilion.s : -2o. " at the accustoined rights and dues 
 aecovding to the C ustom ol" llie Prevostship and V'iscounty 
 ol' Paris, l)ij which the said coiintri/ is gaver ned ; " 
 
 5(). — "• Thaï lie will not suHer the said rivers 8t. John 
 and Rainouctou, to be embarassed so that ihe ravigation 
 may be t'ree. 
 
 AU tlies(^ concessions are madc by one and the sanie 
 acl, signed by the Governor and Intendant ; and as vve see, 
 some ot" Ihem mention forfeitures and re-unions to the do- 
 
102 a 
 
 main in conformity io tlie Arrêts oi' rctrtïndinu'nt. 
 arrâts liavc thercl'oro bocn put in f()rc(\ (11) 
 
 Tlicse 
 
 86. IJy iho Arrêt ol' tlio Council of stato of iho 15lh 
 April 1G81 (1) in wliioh iIkî lonor oi"tIic lettcrs paient of thc 
 20th May 1G76 is n^latud, tlio King confirms Ihe concessions 
 made by M. th la Barre and de Mculles since tho 5tli Jan- 
 uary 1G82 up to tlie 17tli Sept. 1G83 inclusively, and ordcrs 
 tliat tlie grantces " shall cnjoy thc sanie in manncr and 
 " form as bct fortii in tlie deeds of concession, witliout being 
 " liable to be disturbed in the possession and enjoyment 
 " thereof for any cause or reason whatsoever, uj)on thc con- 
 " dition of clearing and making productive the lands con- 
 " cedcd to thern, within six ycars, reckoning from the date 
 " of the said concessions, on pain of nullity thereof, and 
 " subject also to the payment of tiie dues with wliich they 
 *' shall be charged." 
 
 (11) Moreau de St. Méry ; t. 1, p. 392. 
 
 Arrêt of retrenchraent for the French Islands of the I2th October 
 16S3, enregistered at Martinique tlie 2 May 1684: by which thc 
 King " ordains Ihat the portion of lands which shall hâve been conceded 
 *' and cultivated in the said French islands of America, will incontcs- 
 " tably remain to those inhabitants wlio will havc made the clearing, 
 " without having any regard to the most ancient or most récent con- 
 " cessions, unless that the proprictor of the most ancient shall hâve 
 " bcfore the end of the first month of the bcginning of the work noti- 
 " fied the proprietor of the oldo' (newer) concession to cease the 
 " clearing of the samc until it bas been othervvise ordained ; His Ma- 
 " jesty désires that ail the lands which shall bave been conceded before 
 " the last threc years, and whi^h shall iiot hâve been cultivated and 
 " cleared, be rc-united to his domain ; and with regard to those which 
 " are oniy partly cleared, and which by the too great extent of the re- 
 " mainder of their concessions, cannot be cultivated by thcir proprie- 
 •' tors, His Majesty ordains that onc half of the said extent, which 
 " shall hâve remained uncultivated, will be retrcnched by the portion 
 « situated at the greatest distance from the said clearing and re-united 
 
 (1) Ed. and Ord. t. 1, p. 251. 
 
103 a 
 
 
 
 :h 
 
 m 
 
 I 
 
 Tins Arrêt is lollowcd by u mandate of the King order- 
 ing ils exécution. It confinns the n<;w concessions of landa 
 whicli had been rc-unitcd to his domfiin cither by a former 
 ordinance, or by the titlc itself of tiie new concosHion. So, 
 in whatcver manner ihe re-union is nmde, Ili» Majesty 
 gives it his sanction, becausc it accomplishes the object of 
 his législation on tiiat matter. 
 
 87. The concession of the augmentation of tho Seigni- 
 ory of Lotbinière, made by Messieurs de la Barre and de 
 Meulles on the Ist April IGSj (1) sets forth, among other 
 conditions, ihi'- oue : " shall leavo and shall cause '.-> hc 
 " lefl, jmt and held in good order, Ihc ncccssary road:* and 
 " passage ways, othcrwisc the said concession shall be null 
 " and ofno e^ed." 
 
 88. The 4lh .lune 1G8G, ihe King in his Council ofstato 
 renders an Airêl on the subject of mills. This is ihc arrêt 
 upon wiiich liie Seigniors chieily found their pretensions 
 
 " to his domain, to be provisionally distributed anew to individuals 
 " vvho shall présent themselves to cleur and cultivate tliem ; with 
 " regard to tliose upon which no clearancc bas been made in one year 
 " after the date of the said concession, Ilis Majesty desires that thcy 
 " be given to otbtr inliabitants by the sieurs comte de BI6nac Gover- 
 " nor and Lieutenant General and Begon, Intendant of Justice, Polico 
 " and Finance at the said Islands, jointly, upon the condition never- 
 " thcless that the concessions which shall bave been newly granted, 
 " will be cleared and vvholly made productive by the new inhabitant!) 
 " within the six following and consécutive years, otiierw" lid in 
 " default thereof and tlie said length of time elapsed, that whicli will 
 
 " remain uncleared, will be re-united to his domain ; His Majesty 
 " orders that the ordinances which shall he made by Hio said sieur 
 *' Begon, on the subject of the re-union of lands, hc e>'2outed according 
 " tj their ténor and form souverainement and m lasi resort, Ilis 
 »' Majesty giving him for that purposc ail powcr jurisdiclion and 
 *' authority." 
 
 (1) Titre? do Seij;., p, i^'')l, 
 
104 a 
 
 that tho banalité of mills, in tins conntry lias lirromo a l<>i(al 
 hanalilé^ that is to say, existing indt'pendontly of ail conven- 
 tions. I will spcak of it in unother place. 
 
 89. From 1686 to 1689, inclusively (1) several conces- 
 sions were niade by tlie new Governor antl Intendant, iMessrs. 
 Denonvilh^ and île Cliainpigny. VVe again find, eiiher in 
 the one or tlie otlier, ail tlie stipidations of anterior conces- 
 sions ; l will franscribe hère tliose onlv which we caii notici; 
 as particular in thèse new concessi(jns. 
 
 lo. Ides aux Coudres ; 29 October 1687, " and thaï 
 the sauK! shall be inhabited by no other persons ihan those 
 belongiiig to the said S. niinary." (Scminary of Québec.) 
 (H) 
 
 (I) M. Duiikiiis Analysis p. 16 to fit whei-c tlio références In ihe 
 ooiict'S^ioiis ai'c lo bc lomr.i. Ail tiiese (onces^ions are giveii, eacii by 
 one only a('t signed hy the Cîovernor and Intendant. 
 
 (II) Moreaii de St. Méry, vo. 1, p. +r)3. 
 
 By lettiirs patent of the niontli of Mardi 16S7, tlie King; confirms 
 a roncessioii inade at St. Domingue tlic îli Dec. KJSi, by tlie Inton- 
 dant Begon to tlic (rovernor M. de Ciissy, " siiliject lo llie cliarge 
 " that lie shall not be enabled to sell nor alienate the standins: wood 
 <' which shall be found on the said place, until lie shall hâve chared 
 *' two thinls thereof, in conforinity willi the said deed of conces- 
 
 sion. 
 
 Il), p. Ifiy, Arià of the King's Council of State of tlie 22 Aiigusl 
 1687 which gives to the Governor and Intendant of the Islands autlio- 
 rity " partly to rcdiice the concessions which are of too luge an 
 s' extent, and which the proprietors cannot inake productive in a short 
 " tiine ; concède to others the parts taken away , appoint to one and 
 " the other the necessary tinie to clear tlici, and regiaiit to olhers 
 " those whicii shall not hâve been cleared witliin the prescribed tiine, 
 " (Icsiring that in the concessions as well by the réduction of the old, as 
 " in defaidt of clearing, they oblige those to wlioin they shall niake 
 " concessions to planta qnantity of mulberry trees, in proportion to 
 " the qviantity of lands conceded to them, and to cullivate tbeia uatil 
 '< they are in a state to feed silk-worms." 
 
tva 
 
 105 a 
 
 i3o. Bay aud River Cape Chat ; concession en. ccnsivc 
 made 12 Mardi 1688. 
 
 I. Upon condition of kccping house and home. 
 
 II. " And one penny of cens payable eacli nnd cvcry 
 " yoar, to tho recelver of the King's domain in tliis Country, 
 " at Québec, — 
 
 III. " That lie sliall préserve and cause tol)(> prcscrved 
 " the oak timber which may bc found within the said lim- 
 " its. 
 
 IV. " That he shallgive immédiate notice 1o the Kino, 
 " of the mines, ores and minerais which inay be found 
 " thcrein, — 
 
 V. " And that lie sliall lca\c the necessary roads and 
 passages, — 
 
 VI. " The whoie under the will and plcasure of Ilis 
 " Majesty, and in confonnlhj ivithhis ordinances andregu- 
 " laitons^ front ichomhe shall he bound to obtain the conlir- 
 " malion of thèse })rescnts within a year, from the date of 
 " the same," — 
 
 3o. Rimouski ; 2J April 1GÔ8 : 
 
 V' " The said slmll préserve and cause to be 
 
 " prcscrved the oak timber lit for ship building, which may 
 " be found on the land which he shall hâve set aside for his 
 " principal manor.''^ 
 
 4o. Lanoraic ; 27 April l(i88 : 
 
 Certain lieirs of Charles Sévestre set foilh iu ihcir péti- 
 tion that this Seigniory liad been concededto him more than 
 Miirty ycars, and more than twenty six sincc it bccame theirs 
 
 l\y succession ; tlialithadalwaysrciuaiiiod uninhabiled and 
 
 M 
 
106 a 
 
 undivided among the co-heirs, having not been so far able 
 to corne to division : " on account of the number of co- 
 heirs whose résidence is distant from eacli olher, and as 
 some of them are indiffèrent on the mhject, that His Majes- 
 ty granted such concessions only in order that tliey may be 
 inhabited, cleared and cultivatedy^^ they had moreover learned 
 " that the dccd of concession whieh had been granted for the 
 said tract of land had been burnt at the time that the house 
 of the Sieur de Villeray had been destroyed by fire." They 
 further praycd the re-imion to the domain " in accordance 
 with the Arrêts of the King's Council of State" and a new 
 concession for their benefit ; which is donc by the title in 
 question. 
 
 5o. Rivière de la Magdeleine ; 28 March 1689 : This 
 is a new concession of this Seigniory to sieur Denis Riverin, 
 and in the title of which we read as follows : " Having 
 •' notified Charlotte La Combe, widow of Antoine Caddé, 
 " residing at Québec, that we were désirons, in conformity 
 " with the King''s intentions, that slie sliould improve and 
 
 *' settle the River de la Magdeleine the whole granted 
 
 " and conceded to the said late Antoine Caddé, ac- 
 
 *' cording to the deeds of concession dated the 30th and 31st 
 " May 1679, and no settlemenl having been commenced on 
 " the said river nor on the said conceded tract of land, 
 '' wherefore we declared unto her that in accordance with 
 the order and authority which we hâve received from 
 His Majesty, we were about to re-unitc the said river and 
 the said land> conceded to the said Caddé, to His 
 Majesty's domain, so that the same might be granted to 
 some other person who would be willingto open a settlo- 
 ment thereon for the good nd improvement of the 
 Colony, whereupon the said widow having declared unto 
 us her inability to make use of the said concession or to 
 open any settlement thereon, she has this day by act 
 renounced the possession of the same, wherefore we hâve 
 
 (i 
 
 II 
 
 (( 
 
107 a 
 
 " re-united and re-unite the same to His Majesty's domain, 
 " so thatneilher the said v ■'- w Caddé nor the heirs of her 
 *' husband may never elaiiw any right thereto as if the same 
 " had never been conceded. " 
 
 60. In Lauzon^ 14 Oetober 1689 ; concession by the 
 Gu\i inor and Intendant to the .Tesuit Fathers of one fourth 
 of a league in iront in the said Seigniory of Lauzon to 
 ostablish therein, a mision to the Indians of tlie Abénaquis 
 nation. It is therein said : " and ahhough ive niight 
 " hâve granted of oxir own aulhority the aforesaid fourth of a 
 " league, there, never having been anij work pcrformcd on 
 " the said concession^ nevertheless, in order to indemnify 
 and satisfy in sonie nianner the Seignior proprietor of 
 the said côte Lauzon for the curtailment of the aforesaid 
 Seigniory of Lauzon, we hâve conceded to liim one 
 fourth of a league in front unconceded. . . . and annex the 
 ' said quarter of a league to ihe said Seigniory, . . . the whdle 
 subject to the same penalties and privilèges as those sub- 
 ' ject to which he now holds the said seigniory. 
 
 ae 
 10 
 lo 
 
 t 
 
 
 90. In the years 1688 and 1689 (1) the King confirms 
 several concessions by simple acts. We remark, that in 
 soine of thèse acts, such as that of the Ist January 1688 for 
 the Seigniory of Trois Pistoles, it is said " snbject to the 
 " accustomed rights and dues according to the Custorn of 
 " Paris," while the deed of concession deelared : " subject 
 " to the accustomed rights and dues according to the cus- 
 " tom of the Prevotship and Viscounty of Paris, ivhich in 
 " this regard will befollowed provisionally, until il be ordained 
 " by His Majesty.^'' 
 
 91. On the 14lh July 1690 (2) the concessions made by 
 Messieurs Denonville and Champigny from the 15th Nov. 
 
 (1) Duiikin's analysis, p. 49 and 53. 
 
 (2) Ed. and Ord. t. 1, p. 262. 
 
lOS il 
 
 lObb Mp to the I5ih Oct. Itj89 are eonlirmed by an Arrêt ot 
 ihe Kiiii,'' jnliis Council, similar lo llie Arrêts of confirma- 
 tion alrcady citod, and consoquently containin^j the clause 
 oi clearing and inaking the same productive witliin six years. 
 
 92. From 1G90 a 1G99 (1) the Governor and Intendant 
 Messieurs de Frontenac and Champigny make a very hirge 
 number of concessions, and the King gives several act.s of 
 ratification. Tiiis is what \ve can remark as singular in 
 tliese concessions, as distinguishing thein from tlie others of 
 which, tiiey further more or less reproduce ihc stipulations. 
 
 lo. Miramichi, 18 April 1G90 : 
 
 We read in tins tille given by the intendant Champi- 
 gny " commissionfîr appointed for the exécution of llie arrêt 
 >■' of the King's Council, of the 17th April 1G87," " conside- 
 ring the said Arrôl and the commission obtained according 
 
 tiiereto the same day by whieh we are commanded 
 
 to regulatt; and set limits to a certain extent of a land for 
 Nicolas Denis, on tlie footing of tlie largest concessions 
 grantcd in tliis country, upon the conditions tlicrein seti'orth, 
 
 \\(>, in conformity \\'\\\\ the said Arrêt liave determi- 
 
 ncd tlu! concession of the said Nicolas Denis to be fifteen 
 ieagu(>s in fioni by lîfteen Icagues in depth.... upon the 
 condition tliat // shall char if, namely, one third wilhin 
 tliree vears, riH'koiiing from lliis dal(î, and the remainder in 
 tlie ihrec following years, in dt-faiill of which and the said 
 lime pas>ed, il \\]\\ rrmn'in fur/cited., and llie said extent of 
 Innd rr-vnifed lo Ilis Majesly's domain, to dispose thereof 
 aciordJn,'jr lo lii'^ ))leasnre ; hercby jirohibiling the said 
 Denis.... in aiiv uianncr lo ironble or liinder those wlio 
 aiv and llio'^e wlio s!];dl heroafter Ix.-, establislied, luider 
 aiiy possible prelext .... ihe whole in conformity with tli<î 
 •^iiid Arrtt of the King's Counril." 
 
 (1) J)iiiikiii">; ii!ialj>i^, j'. r)."),t. 7i>, containin;^ tlip rolerpncos to the 
 illcs nf conrpssioiis aiu! :ic(> ol tnlifiration. 
 
109 a 
 
 'Jo. Sle. MarguerUe, 21 July 1001. 
 
 VVe read in tliis title : " Ilaving bcen informée! llial the 
 
 " lands wliicli liavc been conceded lo tlie sieur Boy- 
 
 " vinet. . . . iindcr and in virtuc of tlic title dced of the said 
 " concession bearing date tiie Ist February 1G79, liave becn 
 " abandoned since the decease of the said sieur lioyvinet 
 " which took place in the year 1G8G, and as it is//je King\s 
 " intention that the lands luhich hâve bcen conceded should 
 " be c/cared and brought under cultivation, \ve liave re- 
 " united to Ilis Majesty's domain the lands mentioned in 
 " the title-decds of the said concession," and by the same 
 title a new concession is made of thèse lands to sieur Jac- 
 ques Duboys. 
 
 By act of the IStli February 1G92, the King, avcU infor- 
 med, it is stated, " that the lands which liad been conceded 
 " on the Ist Febuary 1G79 to sieur Boyvinet hadbeenaban- 
 " doned since his decease which took place in llie year 
 " !GHG, and the grant thereof had been made in Ilis JNIajes- 
 " ty's nanie on the 27lh July 1G91 to the said sieur Jacques 
 "■ Du Bois," confuins tliis new concession. Thus it was 
 witli the knowledge of the manner in which the act of 
 re-union had been made, that the King gives his ajiproba- 
 tion. This manner of proceeding then suJliced for the 
 validily of the re-union. 
 
 i3(). Augm. of Lothinière^ 25 Mardi 1G93 : 
 
 " Which (concession) shall be divided amongst his 
 children by e(puU j)ortions, which shall form as many 
 distinct llefs, the one indépendant of the other, and wilhout 
 the right of primogcniture amongst them, and there shall be 
 one only jurisdiction which shall be indivisible, and of 
 which they will ail ecjually benefit, if it should happen that 
 
 ihe said départ ihis life, without having disposed of 
 
 lh(> prc'ient concession, u iihoiii whiih it wonld not Ikim- 
 
110 a 
 
 been granted." — Conditions : 80. " He, his successors and 
 assigns sliall cause to be kf pt house and home by ihe inha- 
 bitants wliom tliey may place thereon, on condition ofpaying 
 cens and rentes^ otlierwise and in default thereof, they shall 
 vnit'i- pk no jure in possession of the lands which tiiey shall 
 hâve granted them." 
 
 4o. Rivière de Pocmouche, in Acadia, 17th Augusl 
 
 1693 
 
 Concession to Philippe Esnault ; il includes one league 
 of land in front which had already been conceded to one 
 Degrais '^ who," Esnault deelared in his petiDn, " has 
 " n'iiriMl \vith the English of Boston, and married an 
 " English woinan, although he was married to an Indian 
 " woiiiiin, and his marriagc had been solemnised in the pre- 
 " sence of ihc church, and who owes him about two hun- 
 " drcd lirres^ there having been no work on the land of the 
 " ,said Degrais.''^ A new concession is granted to Esnault ; 
 '' in conséquence of the abandonment which the said 
 Degrais has made thereof according to the above staternent 
 provided the sarne bo found true ;" this concession is rati- 
 fied by the King on the 15th April 1694. 
 
 00. llouville ; 18 January 1694. 
 
 VI. " Likewise to liold house and home on he domain 
 " which he sholl hâve reserved for himself, and to cause 
 " tlie same to be kept by the tenants on the concessions 
 " which hc shall grant them." 
 
 VII. To inhabit and cause the said concession to be 
 " clearcd^ as soon as the présent war shall befinished. 
 
 This last stipulation which is to be found, I believe, 
 for the first time in this grant, is repeated in several 
 
 olliers. 
 
111 a 
 
 60. St. François le neuf; 1 March 1695 : 
 
 V. " He shall likewise be held to reserve and hâve 
 " reserved by his tenants, the oak tinnber and other timber 
 suitable for the construction of His Majesty vessels." 
 
 7o. Lussaudière ; 1 March 1695 : 
 
 This title makes a new deed of concession to M. du 
 Bourchemin of this seigniory already conceded the 29th 
 Qetober 1672, after having, by the same title, pronounced 
 the forfeiture by the first grantee, and the re-union to the 
 domain, this last, it is stated, having only had a few trees 
 eut down and having left the country the following year 
 to proceed to France without having since returned, having 
 abandoned his said lands, " which was contrary to His 
 " Majesty intentions set forth by the Arrêts of his Council 
 " of the 4th June of the year 1672 and 9th May 1679." 
 
 8. Lessard ; 8 March 1696 : (11) 
 
 Concession made upon " the condition that the chil- 
 " dren born of the marriages of the said Madame Fortin, 
 " shall equally divide the said lands among them after the 
 " death of the said grantees." 
 
 (11) iMoreau de St. Mery vo. 1, p. 557. 
 
 By arrêt of the 26 Sept. 1696, the King " ordains, that within six 
 years reckoning from the day of the date of this présent Anr/ for 
 ail prefixion and delay, the inhabitants of the French islaïuls ol" 
 America, who still hâve part of their lands uncleared, shall be held to 
 cultivate them in sugar cane, and to raise food and provisions for subs- 
 istence, or the commerce of the colony ; in default of wliirh, llis 
 Majesty desires that they be reuniled to his domain at the diligence of 
 the Attorney General of the Sovereign Council, in accordaiice witli 
 the ordinances which shall be made by the Governor ( rentrai of the 
 said Islands and by the Intendant whom he bas appointed for this pur- 
 pose, new concessions of the said lands to be afterwards made by them 
 in the acustomed manuer," 
 
112 a 
 
 \ I. '•'■ l'o dear and tu caune tu be cUareU^ iiiiimd'n.ildy, 
 
 tipon llie penally ol" forftîifing its possession. 
 
 it 
 
 Tliis last clause is repcatcd Verbatim in several otlier 
 eoncossions. 
 
 9o. Arrière fu'f in Lauzon ; 1G9S and 1G90 : 
 
 " Upon llic condition. . . . oC a silver cup of ilic \viii,^lit 
 oC a mark or its value in nioney, al eaeli change c»! ])os!<c.s- 
 sor or seignior dominant." 
 
 93. From 1699 to 1703 inclusivelv (1) wcnolic(> scvrrnl 
 concessions madc by thc Governor de Callières, citlier w itli 
 intendant Chamjiigny, or with tlie intendant de H(!avdirir- 
 nois, and also several distinct acis of ralificîition, ij;iven by 
 the Kin<^. This is wliat disfinguisjies liie provisions oi' thc 
 said titles from thosc of antcrior ones ; 
 
 lo. Longueuil ; 26 January 1700 : 
 
 By this titlc thc Seigniory of Longueuil is crecfcd into 
 a Barony : lo. " holding from us by reason of our rcgal 
 " right, by onc only fcalty and homage, acknowlcdgnient 
 " and enumcration required by the laws of our Kingdom 
 " and Custom of Paris followed in the said coiintri/, undcr 
 " the said titlc, name and dignity of Barony, — 
 
 II. — " without ncverlheless the said tenants bcing held 
 by reason of the contents of thèse presentSj tu any greater 
 dues and diities than ihose ivith which theyare now chargcd,^'' 
 
 cases. 
 
 III. — " No change of ressort, nor to contravcnc royal 
 
 2o. St. Français du Lac ; 23 May 1701 : 
 
 (1) Duakin's analysis, p. 77, to. 84, coutaining références lo titles. 
 Ail tlicse grants appear to hâve becu iiiade, each by one aud llic saine 
 Act. 
 
 i 
 
Ilc3 n 
 
 'i 
 
 riii.-s is il single do.cd of conliniiation ol' inndi caihci 
 'onccssions, givcii hy llie King. Tliesic lonces.sions go 
 
 baclv to llu; ytar 1G78, and wu rcad in tlie dccd : " And i 
 
 n 
 
 as inncli as llic Avidow and Iieirs or assiirns of tlic said 
 
 " latc si(Mir Crcvier miuflil b<! trouhlcd witli regard to 11 
 
 le 
 
 u 
 
 cnjoyinont ol" llic said concessions, as lliey liave not yct. 
 bcen conUriiied and ratified by llis Majcsty within tlio 
 lime wiiicli lli<y siiouid liavc been." 
 
 If 
 
 a grantee c(»nld bc trouhlcd A 
 
 or not liaving, witînn 
 
 tlie givon lime, requiicd a deed of ratification of his conces- 
 sion, miglit lie not be afraid of being so, and witli inncli 
 betler cause, for not liaving accomplislied ihe obligation of 
 clearing and caasing to be inhabitcd and conséquent ly of 
 
 sub-conceding. 
 
 3o. Soulangcs, 23 Octobcr 1702 . 
 
 I. — " With the réserve of six arp-*nts of land wiitcli 
 " will best answer for llie construction of a fort for tlic 
 " King's service, Avliich land, may bc taken by the said 
 
 " Governor-General, without llu; said being ablc to 
 
 " claim any indemnity, as well aslhe woodforllic construc- 
 " tion of the fort nndfucl for the garrison." 
 
 lo. — Conccssio7i to the Ursulines at Québec, or ncar 
 Québec, 1 June 1703. 
 
 This is a deed of ratification of tliis concession, givcn 
 by the King, " although the confirmation, it is thereiu sta- 
 " ted, was not made by liis Majesty within oneyear reclco- 
 " ning from the said 26tli day of December 1G9G, date of 
 " the concession." (11) 
 
 (11) iMoieau de St. Méry, t. 1, p. 711-71;"). 
 
 Extract from the instructions of llie King to sieur J3eslandes, lirst 
 
 Commissaire ordo7i)iateur, performing the iluties of intendant at .St. 
 
 Domingiici, \\ 713: " Therc hus bcen littlc mcthod so far in the cou 
 
 15 
 
114 a 
 
 94. An arrêt of thc Superior Council, dalod tlm 6th 
 May 1701 (1) ordcrs tlio cnre^istration in thaï Council and 
 :if th(.' KoyalJjirisdiction of Acadia, of an nrr»>t of llie King's 
 Coiint'il of sl;it(! of thf 20 Mardi 1703, " hy wliicli," it iw 
 stalcd, *' liis Majesty orders among otlicr lliin<,'s tliat tlitî 
 province of Acadia sliall reinain rc-unilcd lo liis domain 
 in ail it.s extent, circuinstances and dcpondencics, and 
 dismisses thc opposition of thc Duke of V^andosnic and 
 tho Sieur Lcliori^nc, on hchalf of thosc in wliosc nanics 
 tlicy j)rocccdc'(l, and whicli tlicy had rnade to thc Arrùts of 
 il.c last Fcbniary 1G82 and 9th Fcbruary 1700, as likcwisc 
 of tJR'ir dcniands and conclusions, as ucU as thc wSicurs 
 de la Tour, Doublet, de IJrevedcnt and others, and not- 
 withstandini^' His Maj(.'s1y, for good reasons, grants sever- 
 al (juanlilies of land, as well to thc said Sieur Le- 
 
 '' cessions of tlie laiitls of St. .Dominguo; tlu; (Jovernors hâve fçranteil 
 " tlicni to tlie iiiliiil)itants who hâve asked them, witliout examining 
 " wlielher they were in a situation to make tliem productive, and 
 *' whether il were necessary to take précautions, for the public benefit, 
 " or lo reserve sonie for those wlio niigiit iiercafter follow. liis Majesty 
 " reconunenJ» to the sieur Deslandcs lo apply iiimselfto this matter, 
 " in concert witli tlie said sieur Auj(er ; and after lie shall liave visitcd 
 " the lucalities, to cause the said inhabitants to produce the titles under 
 " which they possess the lands they hâve ; and in the evcnt thaï lliey 
 '» sliall be of opinion thaï soine of them are of loo greal an extenl, 
 " tiiey will reduce them to that which they can cultivale, in leaving 
 " thereon standingwood and other necessary commodities, in having 
 " boundariesplaced to avoid al! contestations with those to wliom sliall 
 " be aflerwards granted that which shall be laken away. If there be 
 " any who bave carried their résidences upon the rivers or upon the 
 " roads, so that they iiave deprived thc public of a passage, they shall 
 " cause it to be re-established, and they shall logelher prépare Procès- 
 '• Verbaux. They shall lake care nol to concède lands in which they 
 *' shall think fit to place towns or fortifications, in order that we may 
 «' not be coinpelled lo pay an indemnity, as bas taken place in Canada." 
 
 (1) Ed. aad Ord. t. 1, p. 132. 
 
115 a 
 
 I 
 
 Ihe 
 lall 
 
 j» 
 
 I 
 
 X 
 
 ■ï 
 
 " Rorpfîio as to thc said Sieur do la Tour and otlicrs, subj^pf 
 *' to tlic! cliurp^cs and conditions tliercin cxiircsscd, witli 
 " severul rednctions of concessions hcrctoron; luadc." 
 
 Oj. Several concessions were inade l)y tlic (Jovcrnor 
 and Int(;ndant froin 1704 to 1711 indiisivc'v, iiiul in tliis 
 intcrval scvoral distinct deeds of ratification arc iijivcri hy 
 llic Kini^, l)osidcs liis ^'(;ncrid dccd of tiie Glli July 1711. (I) 
 Tlu; clauses liercafter transcribed wili mako known that jti 
 wliicli thèse concessions may dill'er froin pr^ccdin^f oncs. 
 
 lo. .SY. Paul ; 20 Mardi 170G : 
 
 I. " wSubject to tlie condition of Icaving tlu; beacli frce 
 " to ail fishermen cxcept tlie portion wliich lie nmy recjiiire 
 '' for liis own fisliery." 
 
 I bclievc tliis is tlie first titlo \vliicli contains tliat 
 stipulation. It lias becn often rcpeated since tluil time. 
 
 2o, Cloridan ; 2 ATay 1707; 
 
 X. " And aftcr the said ratificntioîi and aflcr tlie con- 
 " chision of tlu; présent war, in defauU of holding; /lou.sc. 
 " and home \hercon^ the said concession sliall Ihî re-unifed 
 " to His Afajesty's domain ;" condition rcproduced in thc 
 samo terms in subséquent concessions. — 
 
 3o. " Monnoîr ; 25 IMarch 1708 : 
 
 VII. " The whole undcr the pleasnre of Tïis Majesiy 
 who liereby reserves to himself the riiiflit of disposinif of 
 the grounds wliich he may require, Avithout paying any 
 indemnity, sliould lie be hereafter ol)liged to ciiuse forts 
 " or others buildings to be erecled on the said concession, 
 " and the right of taking on the samc the timbcr fit for 
 
 (1) M. Dunkin's Analysis, p. Si to 90, coutaining reforeuces to tbe 
 titles and deed.s [Brevets^ of ratification. 
 
116 (t 
 
 " building, lencMiig and forlirvin<;,', wliicli mny 1>'' ncrpsfinv> 
 " to liirn, aiso withoiit beinij[ lu'ld to pay aiiy indtMnnily 
 " tlicrel'or." Tliis réserve is repeated in several otluîreon- 
 oessions. 
 
 90. We liave now reaclied tlie conelusionof tlic i'onrtli 
 period of tlie liislory ol' our leudal institution. The lil'tli 
 couimtînecs witli tlie two Arrêts ol" Marly of tlie Glli .)uly 
 171 1, become celebrated in tlie discussion ot llie lawabolis- 
 liins,' the seigniorial tenure, Tliey wcre enre^'istered in tlie 
 Sovereign Council ot" (Québec the 5th Deeember 171i. (I) 
 
 licforc eoinmeneing the examinalion of the provisions 
 of ihcse two Arrêts, it is proper to make mention ofa corres- 
 pondenee \vliieh look plaee in the years 1707 and 17().S hct- 
 ween tlie infendant INI. Jtaudot, Sr., and the rninister M. de 
 Pontchartrain, at least in so far as the suggestions eonlained 
 in that correspondenee might hâve exercised some iniluence 
 npon the ./t'u (/« /'/Vy in Canada, if they liad been adopted 
 and i)ut in forée. (2) 
 
 In l(>tter of the lOth November 1707, M. Raudot points oui 
 to ilie iiiinistcr certain faefs, whieli, in his opinion, are ser- 
 ions abuses in the Governirient of Canada and more parti- 
 cularly in that wliieli relates to the concessions of lands : 
 " Many inhabitanls" he says " hâve workedonthe \vord of 
 " the seigniors, olliers on simple tickets v. iiicli did not 
 " express the charges of the grant. Ilence a great abuse 
 " lias arisen, whicli is, that th<.' inhabitants who had worked 
 " without a safe title, havc been subjected to very lieavy 
 " rents and dues, the seigniors refusing to grant tliein deeds 
 " cxccpt on thèse conditions, which they were obliged to 
 
 (1) Ed.andOrd., p. 3'21., t. 327. 
 
 (•i) Tliis correspondenee forins part of certain documents recently 
 printed, and ol)tained from tlut archives in the admiralty and colonial 
 departments at. l'aris, by INT. j-'arihault, at tht; tiine of his trip to Eu 
 ropein 1S5I p. 7. to l'i. 
 
 t* 
 
117 (I 
 
 k) 
 
 II 
 
 I 
 
 U 
 
 ■ 
 
 ti- 
 
 s : 
 
 ■y 
 
 of 
 
 
 si; 
 
 
 ed 
 
 :| 
 
 ^y 
 
 ;| 
 
 ucot'pt, b('i'aiis(,' ollierwisc lliry wonltl Ii:iv(î Io>l llicii 
 lîilinr : thv consrqiiriH'c ofir/iirfi /.v, Ifiat, in nlmont ail ///<• 
 S) ii^niorics^ tltc dues are dijj'vfvnl ; soiiic |);iy in onr ii'iii/, 
 ollit'rs in ;itiotli('r, iici'oriliiii,' to tlic (lilii'iciil cliiirailtrs ol 
 
 tlic scii^'iiiors Ity \\liuiii llic i^raiits \\rn' iiiiulo I 
 
 slionld tliciclort! think, iiiy Lord, iiiidcr your plcMsiiri", 
 tliiif lo place iliini.'s in .snnie .tort of uniformit)i iind niidci 
 llic iiili;d)it;iiits lliîit jnstic»' wliicli \\w scif^'niors liiivc iiot 
 rcndiTcd llicm liitlieito, and to prcvi-iit llic liiltcr fioiii 
 coniinittiiiu^ llic vi-xalions to wliicli tlic loriMcr will Iicic- 
 aCliT iindoiihtcdly I"' «'xposcd, il would bc lU'ccssiiiy tliat 
 Ilis Majcsly n/iDitld fj;irc o dvduration irforniinu;, and 
 errn rvi^uldlinfj; for t/ic fidiire, ail tliv ri^lils and ducs 
 wliicli tlie s('ii,Miiors liavo takcn and will in luliirc tako l'or 
 tli''iiisclv('s, and lliat Ilis IMajosty slioidd ordain tlial I/ki/ 
 should onlji taUe for cach arpent of llu; contents of tlii^ 
 i^iants one li<df-prnn}j of rcnt\\ and a capon for cach ar- 
 pent in front or ten-pmcr al tlie clioice of tlie s^raidce^ thaï 
 l/ie préférence [lielrail) irliich t/ie ftei,!j;nior stipalates for 
 hinisctf in ca.se of llie sale of tfie tands licld en roture 
 should !)(• siipprcsscd ; lliat ihc exclusive; riiçlit of hakin^ 
 should also he snpprossed ; tliat in tlie places where lish 
 is laken, the ri;jfht of tlie seiijjnior should 1»; reduced to 
 ono tentli purely and simply, without any other condi- 
 tions ; tliat tlie exclusive riti^ht of grindini^ {hanalilr) 
 should b(> preserviMl to tlu; s(;iirniors on condition of llieir 
 buildini:; a niill on their seii^^niory ^vitllin one y(;ar, failini,' 
 in Avhicli, tlieir riu:ht should be forfeited, and withoiit tlie 
 inhabitants beiiiii^ coni])clled, when ono Avas built, to 
 hâve tlu'ir i^Tain i,n"ound th(;re ; otherwiso, niy Lord, lliey 
 will never be induced to ercct mills, froni the privation of 
 which tlie inhabitants suHer grcally, beini,' iinablo for 
 want of nioans, to avail ihcmsclves of the favor which 
 Mis IMajcsty lias «j^ranted them, by permittini^ thein to 
 rrect mills in case the seigniors should not do so within a 
 year." (Namely by <hc Arrêt of the 4lh .lune 1686.) 
 
118 a 
 
 M. do Pontchartrain replies, under date of thc 13th June 
 1708: 
 
 " Il wonld bo very désirable to rediicc tlie seigniorial 
 
 Cl 
 
 dues throughout the wliole extent of Canada to llie saine 
 '' lev(d. See what couJd be done towards this end and 
 
 (C 
 
 report it to me. 
 
 (( 
 
 As lo iho di 
 
 ud to th 
 
 th 
 
 Inalj 
 
 ieignior:' 
 
 " comj)iained of ought only to take place whcre it eannol 
 " be paid in kind, nnlcss the deed of concession say, al 
 " the choice of the seignior ; but / woulil be for abolisliing 
 " this (tues, bccausc they afford an opportunity for vexation. 
 " I will see what can be done in this respect, and 1 will 
 " inform you of it. VVith respect, to the ])rivilege of bak- 
 " ing {fours banaux ) ail ihat is to be doni; itj to follow and 
 " enlbrce the decroe rendered in the year 1G8C by which 
 " tliat rnatter lias been settled." (1) 
 
 On the lOth July following, M. de Pontchartrain writos 
 to M. J)eshaguais at Fontainebleau ; 
 
 " M. de la Touche, on leaving Versailh^s, handed mo, 
 '■'■ Sir, a letter froin M. Raudot coneerning the adniinistra- 
 " tion of justice witli which lie is entrusted in Camula, 
 " together with a mémorandum of the observations inad(î 
 '' by you on each article. I hâve sent an answer to M. 
 " Raudot in conforniity with tluise observations, and hâve 
 " told liiiu lliat I would jjrojjose to the King to 
 " issue a déclaration fixing the riglits of the seigniors of 
 " parishes in that country who hâve conceded lands to 
 " settlers, as "vell for the past as for the future, at one half 
 " penny of rente and a capon for each arpent of land in 
 " J'ront, or ten j)ence, at the choice of the party owing the 
 " saine according to your advice. I reciuest you to niakc a 
 " draught of ihis déclaration in concert with M. d'Agues- 
 
 (1) The arrêt docs not speak of ovejib but only of banal mills. 
 
 r 1 
 
 il 
 
 i 
 
119 a 
 
 a 
 
 seau «5 you propose. Ilere is a leltorby wliich I request 
 " him to draw it up a/ /«s /e^sMre, because I believo llie Ca- 
 nada sliips hâve now left so lliat we cannot, sond this 
 diîclaration till next ycar. I return you M, Raudol's 
 letter, with tlie mémorandum of your observations." 
 
 In lus letter lo M. d'Aguesseau, the niinister said : 
 " M. Raudot, intendant in Canada, bas written to me, vSir, 
 " tliat the seigniors of parishes in tliat country who hâve 
 " granted lands to settlers hâve subjecled them to ali the; 
 " (hies th(;y pleased, ivhich are almost ail différent frum 
 each other ; that in most of tliese grants there are dues 
 which ought not to be tolerated, because tliey afibrd an 
 opportunity of vexation, and tliat it would be neeessary 
 " to issue a déclaration fixing tiie rents and dues of thèse 
 " seigniors, as well for the past as for the future. I hâve 
 " recpiested M. Desliaguais to see you and taiie your leisure 
 " to draw up this déclaration.— I send him M. llaudot's 
 " letter whicii will inform you of wiiat lie writes on the 
 " subject." 
 
 97. If I hâve franseribed this corrcspondenco, il is 
 beeause the Advocates who support the Attorney General's 
 propositions, and conséquent ly the largest pretensions that 
 the ccnsitaireti could themselves hâve set forth, hâve ap- 
 peared me to attach great importance to if, forgettiiig, it 
 may be, in tlieir i;eal, other^vàse laudable, to défend tiiosc; 
 propositions, that the seigniorial court, whalever may b(! the 
 latitude given to it, is not called upon to state what the laia 
 shonld bc, but merely what the existing law is. The corres- 
 poiuh-nce in (picslitm contains suggestions only, whicii 
 iiiight be more or less judieious, more or less demanded by 
 circumsiances and the situation of the eolony at the lime 
 whcn they were ihus made. Il would be absurd for Jud- 
 ges, in the ycar 185(), to express an opinion in this respect. 
 Suggestions of rcform, howcvcr good they niuy bc, arc not 
 
12U tt 
 
 iej^al mli'S, hcicirc llic aiitliority oi Ihc Jf;.'isiai()i lias iii.t.T 
 posod lo givo tlicm k'i^al sanction. On \hv <<inlia)y, iluv 
 suppose a légal pri;-cxislin<if slalc, whicli ilicy liase, ;is au 
 «jbjecl, to niodily ; a légal state wliicli is tli(> duly of jiulge? 
 sempulonsly to respect, as long as no nu)(liiicali(>n Js iiiade 
 liy superior authorily. 
 
 Tl 
 
 le sufTo-eslions of M. Rnnddt, no mon! tlian ilu; ii 
 
 tniclions ol'tlie niinisler, M. de Pontcliartraiii to M. Deslia- 
 guais and to M. D'Agncsseaii, eould nol Iiave tlie ellcc-t d 
 l'Iiangiiig or niodilying thc cxisting laws, as nioreovcr ilic 
 one did not ap])rove ail tlie suggestions ol' tlie otlicr. 'J'iie 
 nunisler asked iVesli informât ion from tlie liilemlaiil, wliieli 
 lliis last gave liim in a lelter of llie IHth OctoluT 17()!S ; at 
 tlie same lime, hy an exeess of jjojileiiess, lie jn'ayt^d M. 
 13'Agiiesseau to lake eare of liis lieallli, to lal.or Ujion llie 
 dranglit of tlie law wliicli lie cliarged ti'iin, op.lu (tl his (cisure. 
 Tliis last. made such a draugiil of tlie hnv, is 1ru(> ; biii 
 returning polil<'ness for jK)lit(.'n(!ss, he in fact toolc liis ow n 
 time, as it was only in tlic year 1717 tliat lie usliered it into 
 llie world. Tliis dranglit even, as it lias reaelied ns, alw ays 
 remained in the situation of a simpl(> pvoje(!l. Il is iliere- 
 for«' not a law ! IIow can \ve tlien be seriously asked, wc, 
 wlio liave no ollier ciuty tlian tliat oi dcdarivfi; wlial thv law 
 is bcl\vcen seigniors and censitaires, 1o look upttn tliis pr<.»- 
 jected law as having sometliing of a législative eliaracter ? 
 It is carrying zeal too far ; we canuot go to tliat exteiit. 
 
 As regards the new informations eomimuiii'aled to tlic 
 minister by M. Kaudot in liis letteroftlie 18tli Oetober 170S, 
 1 will speak of tlicm more particularly in llie article or ccnn 
 d l'cntcs. 
 
 I 
 
 
 98. It is in 1707 thaï IM. Raudot's iceal leads lii-ii to 
 inake suggestions, wliieh, liad tliey been adopled, would 
 hâve attested, in a very perceptible nianner, to say no 
 inorc, how far in the thon cxisting syyteni, llie intervention 
 
1-Jl 
 
 (l 
 
 l'i 
 
 tA iIk"! Iviui,^ iil llie c'uiK'i'îS.siuns ni coliiiiiiil lamls loiild !»<* 
 carried. It is 1708 lliat tlie King's iiiini>ier, ï5(-L'i)iiiijL(iy dt> 
 sirotis of iicting \ipon thèse sugi^eslions, cliargcs M, Jj'A- 
 guesseau lo prépare a draughl ol'a law coiiloriuable therelo, 
 at ihe saine tiiue lel'dng lum lo lakc his tiiiic. Wlial does 
 du; King in tlùs iuterval ? Doos lie wait, lo iiih'Vi'in', iliai 
 M. U'Aguesseau'.s project becoiiu; law ? Nol al ail. Wliiie 
 tliis last sceiiis to give liiinselt' up lo du' tiiii)yiu(iii t-l" a 
 peaeeable life in liis sliidy, die Iving prc)uud:.^aiL'.s tlie iw»» 
 fl;re'/s of Marly (if the (Jdi .Iidy 1711 (I) ; urri'fs wliidi, in 
 resuining llie })ast, and liaving no otlier elleci tliaii (Urlant- 
 tory laws^ iuiprinl aiiew iijioii die ('anadiaa l'eudal Jnsutii- 
 lion, but in tenus luueli more explieit dial tln' pirccdiiig 
 Edits and arrcls liad doiu-, tliat distinel and parlicidar clia- 
 racter, whieh ihe Kings ot' France w islied to gi\c i! iVoiii 
 il.s very origiii, and wliicli \ve etiiuiot nusunderstaiid w Inn 
 we study thc iirst inonuinentti ol'that Jusiiintion. 
 
 99. It is worlliy of reinark tliatllu" \\Vi) arn':; of Mark 
 wero preoeded by Lelters-Pafont ot" tin- King, daled di'' 
 saine day, Gth Jidy 17 1 1, eiiregislered af (Jiiebiv' die (>di 
 November following, and eonsetiuently long, Ixl'oïc llic i n- 
 registration of thèse two flr;Y7,s', whieh only took ])la<e oii 
 tlie 5th Deccinber 1712 (J) ; by whicli Letlers-l'aienI, die 
 King confirms a grcat number oreoneessions m, aie by mes- 
 sieurs de Callièrcs, Talon and Cham|)igny, and Messrs. i\c 
 V'audreuil and Raudot, on tlie29th Oetober 1G7J, 7ih Aprd 
 1701, Kth Augiist 1702, 25th Mardi, Ist August, 2tidi Sep- 
 lember, 2lth Oetober 1708, 7di November 1709, 8di .Iiily, 
 Glli September and 17th Oetober 1710 : " L'iKm the eondi- 
 " lion ol" performing feally aud liomage at tlu; Castle St. 
 " Louis at Québec of whieh tliey sliall liold, and oiIk r 
 " ordinary dues ; of prescrving and eaiising lo be preser\ed 
 " die oak liinber Ht for du; eonstruetioii ol' (lis Mai<siv'> 
 
 (1) l''A. ot Oïd. \o. 1, 1». :i2l. to ;{2tj. 
 (•J) 11). p. :?2<. 
 
 H", 
 
122 a 
 
 II 
 ic 
 (i 
 
 u 
 II 
 kl 
 kl 
 il 
 
 vo«is('ls, tliat they shall ^ivti notice to \lh Majesly, or to 
 ilic (Jovcrnors and intendants of tlio said country, ot' ail 
 ininrs, on-s and minerais, il' any be found witliin tlie li- 
 iiiits ofilic said concessions : oilioldinj^ lionse and home 
 and c;iii<iii:{ tliem to be kcpt by tlieir tenants, in default 
 of irhich fini/ .sliall be rv-iinitcd to Ilis Majestij\s domain ; 
 of ('/((irini:; (nul cciusin!^ to he clcared irithout delay^ tlie 
 s;ii(i iand-; ; ol" lcavint( tlie nee(;ssary roads for pnblic 
 ulilit\ ; lc!i\ inir tiu; beaclies free to ail fisiiermen, with 
 liir cvccpiion ol' llu)>L' whicli lliey sliall reqiiire l'or their 
 iiwi! lishin''' ; and in llie event ol' ilis Maiestv liereafter 
 n((tiiiiiiii: any part ol'tlie said lands to hâve forts, batte- 
 ri.'s, cMici^e i^ronnds, niai,'asines and ot lier public Avorks, 
 lli-^ M.'iii'>ty shail be abir to take thein as well as the 
 wond n(i-ess;iry l'or tlie said publie Works, without being 
 licld to p;i\ any ind''innity. Ilis ATajesty tlesiring tliat 
 ilif coiicc-'^ions co!U<iined in the présent deed be subjeet 
 i<> ilir condiiioiis hereinbefore mentioned, without any 
 fxrrpiioii, uiuliT tiic prt'tcxt tluit lliey wtire nol stipuJaled 
 in 1 lie saiil concessions.'''' 
 
 \\<' S' (' ihat ilicse letters-patent make no distinction 
 bctwciii ;.Mantccs, whatever may be their tilles, when they 
 ordir io hold ond cause to be field fioiise and home^ to clear 
 and to cause to be rleared without délai/. 
 
 I(M). Il lollows froni \v!iat jirecedes that, until the 
 coiichi.-ion of ilii> l'oiirili pcriod of our feudal institution, 
 tlic alirnalion of ilir Hcf was unliniited, that is to say that 
 it cduld rxiciid lo ilic wliole body of the fief, with tins dif- 
 IcniKc ihai as rcganls nnclearcd lands, it was obligatory 
 iipoii ilir sciifiiior, while it was only opiional wilh respect 
 to iho-c lands whicli ihe seignior had cieared and mode 
 ■producfirc ; ilius liavini^, in the latter point of view, the 
 cjualiiy of ihc aliénation of the Fief und(;r the 51st article 
 ol ihe (ustoui of l'aris. But the canadhinseignior, in thus 
 
123 a 
 
 alienfiting liis fief, could he legally, îi^» '''<' srii^ninr in 
 Franco williin tlie jurisdiction ot' that cu^lnm, n'(<MV(' 
 entrancc nioney {(hniers (rentrée^) besicles tlir cens et rctiics ^ 
 Tliis is what \ve shall see in troatin»^ of tlie twu anu In o{ 
 JMarlv ol" ihe Glli .luiy 1711. 
 
 101. Tlie firsi of thèse arrêts relates to t'-.e S(Mi,Miii)is, 
 U) tlieir ol)ligati()n to concedt; ; tlie second rrlalcr; lo tlic 
 censitaires, to tlieir ol)liii;ation to liold hanse and home -awA 
 lo put tlieir lands in a productive slate. 
 
 im 
 
 î 
 
 Tlie iirst '' ordains tliat witliin a year l'roni thc date of 
 " tlie j)ublication ol" tlie présent arrtt^ for ail prelixion imd 
 "■ delay, tlie inliabitants of New France to wlioni Ilis M;i- 
 "• jesty lias granted lands ni seie^niory, who liavr no doiuiiin 
 *' cleared and who hâve no inliabitants tliercoii, .-IkiII bi- 
 ' lieUl to put tlie sanie in cullivation and to setilc iiiiiabii.inN 
 thereon, in default of whicli and the sîiid delay c\|)ii((| 
 His Majesly wishes that ihey be re-tinited to liis doinMin 
 " at the diliirenee of ihe Attorney (Jcneral of the Snpciior 
 '• Council of Qnei)ec and accordinif to the ordinaiiccs w hidi 
 shall be rendered by llie (io\ornor aiid Lieiiicn;iiit (iciic- 
 ral of His Majesty and tlu* Intendant of the sai^i Coiintry ; 
 and Ilis Majesty ordains that ail tlu^ seii^niors in the siiid 
 " Country of New Franc-e shall concède 'o die sciih'fs thc 
 " lots of land wliich tliey noy deni;ui(i of îhcm in thrir 
 *■' seigniories, at a jf^ronnd reni, and wilÙMUt '-x m1;ii;,>- fiom 
 " tlieiii any suni (■' ;iioney as a, considérai imh lor Mich con- 
 "■ cession ; otherwise and in default \tï ihcii soiK^ihl:', Ilis 
 " Majesty peniiits the said inliabitants to dcruaiul ihc >:iid 
 " lots of land by a formai sunnnons, and in ! ,ist' i ! Unir 
 '-'■ refusai, to inake application to the (j!t)veriH)r Licpiciiain. 
 '' (ieneral and intendant of llie said coumiy, w boni Ilis 
 " Majesty enjoins to concède to thc si.id iiilial)iians 
 '' the lands dcmanded by tlieni Ju the >aid Scii,'- 
 " niories, subject to the same dues as are laid upou other 
 
]'2\ il 
 
 ;ilicN ( i>iii«<|ihI lit llii" >a 
 
 i(l s 
 
 iliMlhilics, W 
 
 lii.'l 
 
 1 t.lLlc>< 
 
 4iall 
 
 (I, 
 
 u 
 
 l)c jtaiW liy tlic ii»!\v st'Uliîrs iiito tlii; liiuids ol" llie roei'ivei 
 (A Jlis IMajcsty's (loinaiii, iii tlie city ot" Québec, witliout 
 ils beini^ in llio power of tlie .st'i<Tniors to claim from iIumu 
 any dues, o{' any kijid wliatever.'" (Il) 
 
 {{)>. ^V'^• read iii iIk- prcarnble of ihis An'êt. : — 
 
 '' His .Majesly haviiii^' al<() l)een inforined thaï tliere 
 
 iri' sonie seiirniors \\ ho refuse, uiuler 
 
 fu 
 
 dUÏ 
 
 vent prelext 
 
 erc 
 
 ■ » 
 "• lo vnurrde lands t<> tin; iiiliabitanis u'Iio deinand llie same 
 
 in Ihc hope of heiiif^ able lo sell tlictn, al llu; same time 
 
 eliariifini,' thenilhv dues (171(1 rentes paid by tlie rstablislicd 
 
 selliers, u'hich is enllrelif conlrnrij to Ilis Majesti/s inten- 
 
 '■'■ tin'';iii'(/ to Ihc clauses of the titles of concession,^ hij 
 
 '' U'/ii h liuy art onli/ perniitted to concède snl)ject to arcnt."' 
 
 Tii/' staleiiiciil lias becii ()!)jrcl('d U) on tlie prelext tliat 
 h il!' Kifoncrv^ioiis ('/?//'('/■ nivi'u until lli'it tiin<', did nol 
 VI "■• ■ I :■'!■ pioiiiliiliiiii lo M,'il, wliieh tliis prcamiile pn;sup- 
 ;Mi'i' , !' <' (ii<' :t«^iiin ut' tliis (jKeslioii would be an idle 
 •■•lie, -liU r it would jcad lo no pra' ilcal resnil. Thèse 
 lit,i' •< are h.» rc'!;i.>k', ih'il \\\r j)voliil)il'u)n to sell, thaï is to 
 -a\ (>r l.ikinu .')i(7;/r)/, dtnirrs (/'<'h//yV, oi wiiieli the preani- 
 !)!(■ to tlir orril mako mention, could givo oceasion to any 
 
 ( I \) .>]cMv;>u (!r Si. Mrn . v. '2, p. ■l-2*<. 
 
 .b-'vn.l llir ('n\iii(il r-r S!aK< of tiir l>l1)rc. 1710, for (lio rc- 
 liiiioii cl" l;i(' uii-cii|iivaU'(l l:i iN iii Tiirtln KLinil [Isie do la Tortue] 
 nml cojisl l'i' St. Dûinin;;'!'', r< vseiiibliiii;- lliiit of ilio 2Gtli Sept. Itiytl 
 l'-nh ](. 10)] r\(M'iii. iji;-; il fri-auls (o tlic sellier'- Iml sIk iiiontlis ilelay 
 lo put t'ii'iii ■■ iîi euii ■ aii'in iii -«ui:;!!' <;uie, iiuii;;;o, and prinisiDiis ne- 
 
 cp^varv le',' lin 
 r('-iini'>n tu liie 
 
 -i-iiaii^o or coiniiîun'i) o 
 
 < Si 
 
 l'vrri::'!! CcMii'ii' 1) 
 
 f tlie coloiiy"' otlierwise 
 Il i1p' iiili;;i':i> e of t'/i> A ttorncy General of tlic 
 
 pou the ordinan- 
 
 l Li o;',iiie aiul oi iho Ca 
 
 pe; ai 
 
 H. I 
 
 ces ■\\lmli ^^ a! 
 
 >«i i«'n(lci'iM| i) 
 
 iMia"-! '^1 
 
 iX Mr'On.ii' 
 
 y "Jn; ( îoveriior of llie s->i;i Jslnnd and 
 'niaifi.;!. ;iiiil liv lin- c.n Dnis.^n.irr, or/fi.'»naf(ri<^' u'lii<'h 
 
 m 
 
1-25 a 
 
 le- 
 
 
 « iiiiin. I will eoiiti'iit inysfll' hy rcinaïkiiii^ ilial tlu; Kiiii^' 
 was iiioio llian any one in a situation locxplain wlial were 
 liis iiiti'ntions in llic concessions of tlic sci<:;nioricH in Ca- 
 nada ; tliat, if tlio j)roliil)ition to scll is not ^vrilten in express 
 ternis in llie deedsof inlciulation, it can be reasonably pre- 
 sunied tliat it resnlts IVom iIkî vvliole of tla; stipulations, 
 froiii tlieir spirit and llieir ténor, as well as froni |)recedini^ 
 lei,'islalion witli rei,'ard to llie oblii^ation to ch^ar and conse- 
 (piently to sub-concede. To exact cniranci; monetj at tlic 
 epocli in (piestion, was, it may bc said witliout exa^irera- 
 tion, ecpiivahmt in fact to a refnsal to concède, and tliere- 
 lore a refnsal to exécute tlie obliiijalion to cicar and rcndcr 
 productirc, an obli<:;ation written in formai ternis eitlier in 
 tlui very titles, or in tlie t'r/tV.v and «r/v.'V.s. Can it not even 
 be furllier said lliat tlie prohibition to sell is found in sonio 
 way written in tenus suHiiiently précise in two soleuin do- 
 cuments already cited in niniihers 42 and 11. I allude to 
 lli(' rtryv'/s of the Sovereii^u Couneil of ihe Gtli Au^ust and 
 «Sth Novenibtr KJO 1. In tlie iirst, of w liieji llie exécution, 
 aecordiuîT lo jts form and ténor, is ordered by tlie second, 
 \\v se(; tlie (Joveruor and Hisliop, \vli.) \\(re specially cliar- 
 t>ed to liave tlie «rriH of rctreiu-liiiieut of tlie 21tli Mardi 
 IOG;i executed, re<iuiriniî antl concludini^ " tliat ail preten- 
 (|f(l sei<^'niors be ])rolubited froiu disposinj:^ of any iinpro- 
 ilucfirr lands by concession, on pain qf niil/ili/.^'' TIkî word 
 " concession " is not liere eiiiployed lo sii^iiil'y a l'oncessjon 
 made sul)iect to a simple rent cliari,'»-, a mère lease à cens, 
 wliich would be nousens(\ but it is certainly iiieanl as au 
 aliénation for a luoney |)riee, in oue \V(.)i<î, a sale. And 
 wlien tlie arr''( of t'ie Sth No\. 1(501 deprives tlie seit^niors, 
 forthe benefit of tlie Kini![, of llie priée of lisheries leased by 
 
 tluun on their uncuUivated and uninhabilcd \'mu\s, ùov<. it not 
 
 carry wiih it a virtual prohibition to traflie in the said lands 
 
 at a inou(^y prici^ ? liesidcs, il', before llie Iirst <'//vv.7 of Marly, 
 
 'hère could cxisl •<ome doubts as lo this jniinf iiiidcr diseur- 
 
 
126 a 
 
 * 
 
 i 
 
 sion, thoro can be none aincn the enrogistration of thisarreY. 
 Tho prohibition whicli it makes to tlin sois^nior to takc 
 entrance inoncy, joined lo the injunction ol" conccding only 
 at a ront charge, is therein written in terms too formai and 
 too précise. 
 
 103. I mnst herc change tlio ordor of dates which I 
 hâve so far followi'd, and cite thi; arrêt of the Council of 
 State of the 15th March 1732, (l)as l)cing very clos(>ly con- 
 nected with the arrêts of Mariy, the (lisj)ositions of which it 
 liist rchites. VVe afterwards then in read : " And Ilis Ma- 
 " jesty having l)een inforrru^l that, contrary to the exigen- 
 '^ cies of tiie.se arrêts,, certain Seigniors liave rescrved to 
 " tlicinsfsives extensive domains within iheir estâtes uliicl» 
 " domains, whih^ still in standing wood, they sell instead 
 " of Dicrelij conce(Hng them for rents, and that soine inha- 
 hitants, liaving ohtained grants from liie seigniors, havc. 
 sold tliem to others, who successively sold tliem again, 
 wherehy a tralfic, advers(3 to the good of thi^ colony, is 
 elfi.'ctcd ; and it being necce.ssary to remedy sncli perni- 
 eions abuses, Ilis Majesty in Council hath ordained and 
 dolh ordain, that, within two years from ihe date of tlie 
 publication of this arrêt , ail |)roprietors of land in Seig- 
 niory, as yet uncleared, shall be held to bring tlicm into 
 (îullivatioii and scttle inliabitants thereon, olhcrwise, after 
 tlie expiration of that tin.e, the said lands shall be re- 
 unit(Ml to His Alajesty's domain, ])y virtue of this arrêta 
 '' withont, a nocessity for any other. Ilis Majesty doth 
 '' mosl expressly prohibit ail seigniors and other jjroprie- 
 " tors from selling any wood land on pain of nullity of tlit* 
 "■' deeds of sale and restitution of llu; priée of the lands 
 '' sold, which hmds sliall, in like manner, be reunited to 
 '' (lis IMiijesty's domain ; and fnrther both the arrêts afore- 
 " said of theGtli .luly 1711 shall be put in exécution accord- 
 " ing to their ténor and lorm." 
 
 
 J 
 
 (1) i:d. audOrd. v. 1, p. 531. 
 
127 a 
 
 104. On llin part of llio Seie^niors, it 1ms boen sa'ul tliril 
 
 ail tlu! eU't 
 
 tlu! elJt'cl wliicli tlio provision of tlie first arrêt (A Marly 
 wliicli inakes il ()bli<r;itory lo oonccclt! coiild liavf, \vas to 
 ^'ivc tlu; rii,'lit to thc inhahitants to obtain concession en rolu- 
 r<\ siihjcct lo thc incre paymcnt of rcnt, withoiit Ix-ing coin- 
 pcllcd to |)!iy any ontrance nioncy, if tlicy rcfuscd tliis pjiy- 
 lucnt ; l)iil tliat, froiii thc. moment tlicy t,'av(! llicir consent 
 tlicrclo, tlic nullity of thc concession coiikl not be hail, nor 
 thc restitution of thc moncy paid, as ihr. arrêt proiioiinced 
 neither thc onc nor thc other. In support of this preieiisjoii 
 thev draw an aru^umcnt frotn thc fact, tliat, bv th(> arn I of 
 thc l.') Mardi 1732, thc penalty of thc nullity of thc coiitraci 
 and thc restitution of thc j)rice isatlachcd to thc sale wliicli 
 Sei^Miiors luadc of thcir lands ; froin which it is concluded 
 thaï this penalty was nof in thc arrêt of INlarly. 
 
 This may bi^ truc, in so far as thc contracl included a 
 c(jnccssion subjecl to rcnt charge ; thc «n*t'^ of Marly allow- 
 cd it lo sid)sist : but to ooncludc from this tliat thc restitu- 
 tion i,f \\h\ cntrancc monev could not be had, is to reasou 
 falsely, and to expose oneself to fall into thc absiudity ol 
 prctcnding that thc legislator, in onc part of lus law, per- 
 rnittcd to do that which hc prohibited from bcing donc iii 
 another part of the same law ; a prohibition which, in thc 
 preauible, is declarcd lo bc onc of the principal objeets of 
 this law. 
 
 105. Il mnst bc said, then, thc penalty of thc restitu- 
 tit)n of thc cntrancc money, that is to say, of the |)ricc of the 
 sale, is lo be found in the otrêt of 1711, although that of thc 
 nullity of thc grant is not lo bc found in il. Hut the al)U>e 
 which ihis rtn'c7had, for its objcet, lo prevent, still conii- 
 nuing to exist, the King went yet furthcr, in lus arrêt of thc 
 lôlh March 1732 ; hc maintained, not only ihe p(>nallyof thc 
 restitution of thc money price, but hc declarcd also thc 
 penalty of the nullity of the contract, both as a grant and as 
 
l'J8 a 
 
 n Mlle, iii (ii'(laiiiiii|L; liial in Midi vnac lin-- hiiids miil .vhoiiM 
 bc rounilL'd to liis (loinain. The ju'nalty fcll on tlie two 
 parties to tlio coniract, tlie censitaire e(iually willi the sei- 
 gnior, wliicli, hy tlic urritoi 1711, it cxtended oiily to tin 
 «t'ignior. 
 
 lOG. Ik'sides lliis, tlie arrêt of 1732 includes a prov i- 
 sion wliicli is nol to bo foiind, in tluî arrêt ol' Marly. It 
 appear.s tliat tlie seijj^iiiors %vere not iIkî only persons wiio 
 Averc ^lilty of tlie abuse wliicli tlie Kin^' wislied to rcpress 
 naniely, tliat of .;cllin<,' lands before tliey were cleiired. 
 Tlieir censitaires liad learned to imitate tliein by selling, in 
 tlicir turn, before clearing tliem, tlie lands wliieli tlicy 
 liad received in concession, and tlie biiyers rcsold lliem, in 
 tlie saine way, to otiiers, williout puttinij; tlu.'in in ciilti\:i- 
 tjon. Tliis new abuse the Kin:,' wislied, likewise, 1o ic- 
 press by lus arrêt of 1732. Ile bclieved lie would siieceed 
 in tins by declarini^ against thèse sales of the eeiisiliiires 
 the penalty of nulliiy, the restitution of the priée, and llie 
 reunion of the lands to his domain, just in the saine way as 
 hc liad declared againsl tlu; sales iiiade by tlu; seigniors. 
 
 107. Froiii 17 13 1<) 171H, soine granis were îiiad(; by 
 the Govcrnor and the ïnl<'ndant, Alessieurs de V'audreiiil 
 and Eegou, and j>riîfnîs of ratification were given by llie 
 King to soiiKî individnai grantees. (1), (11). 
 
 (I) M. Dunkiii's analysis ; part 2, p. l,to 5. 
 
 (II) iVIorcau du St. Méry, v. 2. p. 313. 
 
 Ordinance of tlie Kiniif of tlio It) October 1713 wliicli cnacts : 
 
 " tliat the proj'rietors oflumls situate iii tlie JslanJ of La Tortue anJ 
 
 " Cote .St. Dominguc, whetlier by concessioa or contract of acquisi- 
 
 " tion, be lield to inake an tstabiishmLnt Ihereori aud to coinmcnco 
 
 " the clearing of the saine within a year from the day of the date of 
 
 " thèse présents, and to clear two tliirds of tiie Suiiic in the space ot 
 
 " iho six foliowiiig ycars ; namely one thir.l in ihe first tlireo joais, 
 
 '• M\\ tlie ijtiier tliird ni the tlncc ensuing ycars," iiiider llie ptnall) 
 
 1 
 
 ] 
 
\2i) a 
 
 Ùiicdl ihcitti coiiccs.sion.'^, ihut ol llu.* uu^intnttttiouoi iIk. 
 si'igniory ol" Ik-aimioiit, iiiadc on tlio lOili Apiil 1713 (l), is 
 <listin^'iiislii<(l Irom tlif previoiis concL-ssions l>y a ((Hidiiioii 
 iiltttgrthcr |)(HMiliar, and wliidi \\o nwvl lien- l'or llu; lirsi 
 liiiio : il is thaï " ht; sliall ron('«;d«î tlic said lands on a 
 '' incro rent cliar;i[<' ol' 20 sols and a ca|)on {à fiiniplr litre tir 
 " redevance de 20 sols et un chapon) for eacdi arpent ol' Iront 
 '* by 40 in dcplli, and six drnicru ol" cvh.s, witlioul power 
 " (o inscrl in the waid concessions ciilK-r any snni ol' nioney 
 " or any otiier obli<][ation tlinn lliat ol" tlic in('re rent char<i[e, 
 " and tliose hercinbefom mentioned, ap^recablv lo iIm" inten- 
 " lions ol' Ilis Majesty." 
 
 Tlie sei^'niory ol' Millc-hles, conoeded ' sieur Dii- 
 
 ^\u\ on tlic 1 llli Septcmber 1G83, not liavin- i»cen cleared, 
 was ronnited to llic domain ol" tlic Crown, on tlic dciiiand 
 and ihe conclusions of tlic Altorncy (Jcncral, by an ordinanco 
 of tlie Governor and tlie Intendant, ISIessrs. Vaudreuil and 
 Jiegon, rondercd on the l**! Mardi 1711, in conronnity witit 
 
 of réunion to tlic domain ; directs tlic insertion of a clause to Ihat olVecl 
 in tlu; new concessions ; " wo give pennission to tlie projii ictors of" llu: 
 " said bnds to préserve one tliird tliereof in standing wood ; and W(î 
 " l'orbid tliein lo sell tlie lois wliicli are conceded to tlicin, or wliicli 
 " tliey sliall liavu bouglit, uniess tlierc Leone tliird tloared, uudor tlu; 
 " penalty of re-uiiion to our domain, of restitution of tlie price of the 
 '* sale, niid of a fine of one tlioasand livres .... forbidding tliein aKo 
 " to sell any Avood froin tlie said lands, exccpling il be w ond for ilyiiig, 
 " uiiless tliey liave cleared one tliiid, uiuler tlie piMuiII\ of a linc 
 ' of o\w liiuulicd livres. ... il bciiig our wisli lliat ail tlie pcnallios ni 
 •' re-iinioii and linf, mentioned in and by tlieso présents, sliall not be 
 " rcputed, in any iii>lani;e, coiniiiinalnry p( nally \ptiuis (omm/Ud 
 •* foircsl ; and tliat ail tlie di>piiles and inaKers tliai inay ari<ic in «nit 
 " nection witli the exécution of tliese picsoiils iiiav be jnd^rd In tlic 
 •' iîo\cn\'^r n\u\ iUc (^iinmisxai/e-f/t(i>iiiiafrio of .mit Island <>\ î.- 
 ' Tortue and ''été Sf. Pomiii'iic. 
 
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130 a 
 
 the first arrêt of Marly : and on the 5th of the same month, 
 it was conceded anew to Messrs. de Langloiserie and Petit, 
 
 (1). 
 
 Besides the ordinary conditions, and particularly those 
 which are inserted in the gênerai patent of ratification of the 
 6th July 1711, this new concession contains also that of 
 subgranting at a fixed rate, like llie grant for Beaumont, 
 with this différence, nevertheless, that such rate in the sei- 
 gniory of Mille-Isles might be exacted on a land of 30 ar- 
 pents in depth, instead of 40. 
 
 The concession of the first part of the seigniory of the 
 Lake of Two Montains contains the spécial clauses whicli 
 foUow : (2) 
 
 Ist. " On the condition that they shall, at their own 
 " cost, make ail the necessary outlay for the change of the 
 " said mission (the transfer of the Indian mission from the 
 " Sault au Recollet to the lands of this new seigniory.) 
 
 (( 
 
 2nd. " And to cause to be erectec' there, at their ex- 
 pense, a Church and a fort of stone for the security of the 
 " Indians, in conformity with the plans which shall be sent 
 " to us by them immediately, to be by us seen and appro- 
 " ved, and that the said buildings shall be completed with in 
 the space of two years. 
 
 (( 
 
 lOth. " To concède the said lands on a mère rent 
 " charge of 20 sols and a capon, for every arpent of land in 
 " front by 40 arpents in depth, and of 6 deniers of cens, 
 " without that there can be inserted in the said concessions 
 " either sums of money or any other charge than a mert'; 
 " rent charge, according to the intentions of K. M." 
 
 (1) Titre des Seig. ; p. 59. 
 
 (2) Titre des Seig. ; p. 337. 
 
131 a 
 
 The patent of ratification of this concession, given by 
 the Kingoa tlie 27th April 1718 (1), lias this pecnliarlty that 
 it modifies niany of the clauses of the deed of concession, 
 and that it is therein said that the concession ismade valid, 
 " only as regards the charges clauses and conditions which 
 " shall be expressiy mentioned in the présent patent." 
 
 The lOth chiuse of the deed, which is the 12th in the 
 patent, we iind tlius modified : " to concède the said lands 
 which shall be in standing wood, on a mère rent charge of 
 20 sols and 1 capon for each arpent in front by 40 arpents 
 in dcpth, and of 6 deniers of cens, without that there can 
 be inscrted in the said concessions either sums of money 
 or any other charge besides a mère rent charge, H. M. 
 nevertheless permitting them to sell, or give on a higher 
 " rent charge, the lands of which there shall be at least one 
 " Jourth cleared.^^ 
 
 u 
 
 a 
 
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 (i 
 
 (C 
 
 )ro- 
 lin 
 
 m 
 tws. 
 
 )ns 
 
 108. In the interval which ,embraces the preceding No. 
 the King by letters patent of the month of July 1714, re- 
 newed in favor of the Eclesiastics of the Seminary of St. 
 Sulpice the concession which he had already made to them 
 by arrêt of the 22th April 1704, of the right to leceive the 
 seigniorial ducs, upon the exchanges of lands in their sei- 
 gniories of " the island of Montréal, Côte St. Sulpice, 
 islands Courcelles, and dependencies," in conformity with 
 " his Edicts and Déclarations of the 20th March 1673 
 and 20th February 1674, and others given in conséquence," 
 (2). This concession had been made to them by way of in- 
 
 (1) Brevets de Ratification ; p. 7. 
 
 (2) Ed. and Ord. v. 1, p. 342. 
 
 It is stated in thèse letters patent that the arrêt of 1704 had net, as 
 yet, received exécution, because the copies which had been sent to 
 New France had been lost with the vessel which carried them. 
 
\S2 a 
 
 (.iLiiiiiity uii account oi' ilif/ir resij^inlion ni tin; ■^upiMiui' jmi'- 
 cJiclion (la hnxiUi jiislifc), (II) 
 
 \0'J. Accurding to the i-hronologu'al ovdi-r pursucd by 
 M. Dankiti in his analysis of tlie Tilles o[ tliu Seigniories, 
 it do(^s nul appcar thaï any concession was inade froni 1717 
 (o 1727. Tlie lact is explained by llie fbllowing extract of a 
 " mcinoirc IVoni tins King to MM. de Vandreuil 
 " and Begon," of thc 23 May 1719. (1) '' H. M. 
 '' lias seen the menioir ol" the sieur Desjord Moreau, cap 
 "■ tain in the forces, wlio demands a concession of land to 
 
 (11) x^loreau do St. Mery ; v. 2, p. 4.7'1'. 
 
 Ordinaiice of tlie Governor and the Commissaire Ordotmateur, ol 
 llie 3id Dec. 171.'), wiiicli, on the reinonstrance of the King's Attor- 
 ney tioneral to the .Siipcrior Council of the Cape, and in exé- 
 cution of the arrêt of the Ist Dec. 1710 and of the Déclaration 
 nf the King of the lOth October 1713 ("above p. 128,) " reunites to 
 " llio domain the hattcs and coraih of the said place called Limbe, lands 
 " abandoned, concessions which hâve not been rendercd productive, 
 " and of tliose which shail be more than one thousand square paces 
 
 " altliough partly cleared déclares the pretendod proprietors of 
 
 " thc said hattcs and corails and lands abandoned, deprived of their pre- 
 '< tentions, whethcr they bave acquired tliem by concession, acquisition 
 '' or otlierwise, in default of tbeir liaving maintaincd, settled, and pro- 
 *' vidt.d them with cattle, in conformity with the terms of the conces- 
 " sions, tlie pr.actice observed in tlie colony at ail times, and the arrêts 
 
 " and déclaration of the King rendered on this subject and 
 
 '' a:;nin adjudicatinç upon the said remonstrance of the Attorney Ge- 
 " neral, on the occasion of some proprietors of the said hattes and cwails 
 " having sold ofthose r«(^Mes standing wood without having wholly 
 " cleared them, or even the said wood, to woïkmen, contrary to the 
 " express prohibitions of H. M. mentioned in the said déclaration ol 
 *< (he King, under the penalty of a fine of one thousand livres against 
 ■• the former, and one hundred livres against those who hâve only sold 
 (' the wood : we déclare the sales made of the said lots, standing wood 
 ' and timber null and of none eflect. &c." 
 
 (1) Documents obtained in Paris ; p. XV, see ante no, 96. 
 
 m 
 
y 
 
 le 
 
 \ 
 
 
 133 a 
 
 " Ije.' Iu;l(l in FitI uiul Seigniory, witli (nie) ail lacan aiiil 
 
 "■ iiilcrior jurisdiction : this grâce woukl bu willingly gran- 
 
 '■' tod loliiin, but \he great nuniber of Seigniorios Iiaving 
 
 "" provcd but loo prcjudicial to tlie sctllomcnt of Canada, it 
 
 '•'• lias for many years becn determined to grant no more of 
 
 '■' lliem, whic'li H. M. lias again explained to the sieurs de 
 
 " de Vaudreuil and lîcgon, by his dispatcli of the 15tli 
 
 " June 17 IG, and his intention is not lo change any thing. 
 
 " fie does not for the future wish to grant concessions 
 
 " except en roture. In the mean timc, although he has 
 
 " ordered them to make the said concessions only of 3 ar- 
 
 " pents in front and 40 in depth, in good lands, he will 
 
 " approve of their making them larger if they think proper." 
 
 It was in the year 1717 that M. D'Agucsseau concerted 
 ihe project of law of wiiich mention has becn made in no. 
 97, and to which he gave the title of " arrêt to annul in the 
 '■' grants and contracts of concession made in Canada the 
 " clauses contrary to the Custom of Paris, and to order that 
 " it shall be observed thcre for the future." 
 
 No notice was taken of it, and the work of M. D'A- 
 gucsseau remained in the state of a mère project. Still 
 further (1) \ve see the King in letters patent of the month of 
 August, by which he established the Western Company, and 
 conceded to them the Province of Louisiana, giving that 
 Company ( art. 8. ) the right " to sell and alienate the 
 " lands of their concession at such cens et rentes as they 
 *' may judge proper, even to grant them in franc-aleu, without 
 '' jurisdiction or Scigniory." (11) 
 
 (I) Edits et Ord. in-8o. t. 1, p. 377. 
 
 (II) Moreau de St. Méry ; t. 2, p. 590. 
 
 Ordinance of the administrators, ofthe léth September 1717, which 
 on the remonstrance of the King's Attorney General to the Council of 
 the Cape, anJ in exécution of the arrêts of the council of state, and the 
 Oerlaration of llie King, of (he Ist Dec. 1710, and IG Oct. 1713 and 
 
134 a 
 
 110. After a laps of ten years, we see the concessions 
 in Fief revived in Canada. The first, wliich is dated the 
 I8th Aiiguist 1727, (1) is that of the augmentation of the 
 Fief SI. Jean, adjoining the Fief of Rivière du Loup, in the 
 disilricl of 3 Rivers : It was given by thf; Governor, the 
 Marquis de Beauliarnois, and the Intendant Dupuy, to the 
 Religions Ursulinc Ladies of 3 Rivers, with the right of 
 inferior jurisdiction only " forthe cens et rentes, redevances^ 
 " lods et ventes, quint et relief, and ail other seigniorial rights 
 " and dues., whate ver may be the sums they may amount to.." 
 
 Their judge, also, was to hâve cognizance of ail per- 
 
 sonal matters between " their subjects and vassals, as high 
 " as the sum of 50 sols, and of ail offences, the penalty for 
 " \vhich sliall not exceed 10 sols." The conditions pecu- 
 tiar to this Grant, as distinguishing it from former con- 
 cessions, are : 
 
 Ist. " Under the obligation that the appeals of their 
 ofïicers shall be immediately before the royal jurisdic- 
 tion, and the Lieutenant General of 3 Rivers, to whom 
 their judge shall be obliged to give notice in case of offen- 
 ces punishahle by a largcr fine. 
 
 {.(. 
 
 u 
 
 2nd. " Under the obligation to cause ail the criminals, 
 " who shall be found within the extent of their Fief to be 
 
 of the régulations of the 3rd Dec. 1715 [above p. 124, 128, 132,] 
 réunîtes to the domain several concessions which had not bcen made 
 productive, déclares null and of no effect ail the sales and transfers of 
 uncleared lands, whether made before Notariés, or privately, orders 
 that Uie vendons and grantees of such lands shall be sued at the ins- 
 tance of the Attorney General or his substitutes so that they may be 
 
 condemned in the fine of one thousand livres, mentioned in the déclara- 
 tion of the 16th October 1713 and the price restored to the pur- 
 
 chaser, whose lands shall be reunited, to be oonceded, if considered 
 reasonable, either to said purchasers or to others who présent themsel- 
 ves and who hâve no lands." 
 (1) Brevets de Eatif. p. 84-. 
 
135 a 
 
 " conducted to the prisons of Ihe Royal jurisdiction at 3 
 " Rivers, in considération whereof ihcy may themselves 
 " hâve sergeants and prison, 
 
 9th, The usual réservation of land and wood for the 
 construction of forts, " without being liable to any indeni- 
 " nity tovvards the said Religions Ladies, nor towards the 
 " proprietors of the said lands necessary fo His Majesiy, 
 
 llth " And not to concède, on the part of the said Re- 
 ligions Ladies, the said lands, but on a simple rent charge 
 of 20 sols and 1 Capon for each arpent of front by 20 ar- 
 pents of depth, without that there can be inserted in the 
 " said concessions either any sums of money whatsoever, 
 or any other charge besides that of a simple rent charge 
 according to the intentions of H. M." (11) 
 
 (( 
 
 (( 
 
 (( 
 
 (( 
 
 (( 
 
 The second concession, which is that of Beauharnois, 
 or Villechauve, was made by the King himself on the 12th 
 April 1729, (1) to the Governor, the Marquis of Beauharnois 
 and to his brother the sieur Claude de Beauliarnois de 
 Beaumont. It contains only the conditions inserted in the 
 gênerai patent of ratification of the 6th July 1711 (above 
 no. 99.) So it makes no mention of the rates of the rent 
 charges for subgrants to be made en censive. 
 
 The third of the concessions made since 1727, is thatof 
 Desplaines, in augmentation of that of Terrebonne, which 
 had beenconcededonthe23th Deceraber 1673 (above p. 175) 
 
 (11) Moreau de St. Mery, v. 3, p. 250. 
 
 Ordinance of the administrators of the 30th April 1728, which 
 a.nnuls concessions of which there had been made " trafic and 
 commerce, in contempt of the ordinance of the King and the régula- 
 tion on that subject" and ordains that the price of sales or transfers 
 shall be paid back by the grantees or vendors. 
 
 (1) 2nd vol. of " documents seigneuriaux^^ published at Québec 
 in 1852, p. 260. 
 
13G a 
 
 Tlie (j}()venior ami tlie Iiitendanl, bv lelUjrs ol ilie :i2\h Jiilv 
 1730 (1) liad iillowed thu Scignior oi" Terrebonne, tlie sieur 
 Louis Lepage de St. Clair, to eontinue to rnake seltleinenfs, 
 lo tlie depth ol' tvvo leagues, under the King's ploasure, wlio 
 on the lOth April 1731 (2), gave liim a grant of tiiat doptli, 
 on ail the front of his Seigniory of Terrebonne, " at tiio 
 sarrie dues which arc attached to the said seigniory, and on 
 the same rents, clauses and conditions to which the same 
 is liable." 
 
 Finally, the fourth of thèse concessions, which werc 
 anterior to the arrêt of the 15th March 1732, (above no. 
 103,) was made, on the River Yamaska, by the Governor 
 and Intendant, Hocquart, to the Bisliop of Samos, Coadju- 
 toT of Québec. It bears the date of the 15th Ocl. 1731. (3) 
 That which distinguishes this from previous concessions is 
 the following clauses : " and that he shall cause the same 
 conditions to be inserted in the concessions which he shall 
 niake to his tenants, subject to the Customary cens et rentes 
 and dues for each arpent of land in front by 40 in depth." 
 (4) This clause is found in subséquent concessions. 
 
 III. In No. 103, I hâve given an account of the arrêt 
 of the Council of State of the 15 March 1732 which was 
 enregistered at Québec on the 4th September of the sanic 
 year. It was rendered in conséquence of the représenta- 
 tions made by Mes'^ieurs de Beauharnois and Hocquart, iii 
 a letter of the lOth Oetober 1730 and reilerated in anolher 
 Ictter of the 3rd Oetober 1731, which ihey addressed to iIk 
 minister, in reply to that which he had written on the pv 
 
 (1) Ib. p. UO. 
 
 (2) Breveta des Ratif., p. t. 
 
 (3) Titres des Scig. p. lôG. 
 
 (4) Tiiis concession was ve-iinilcd tu tlic doiiuiiii hy ordiiuuicc ci 
 lOlh May 1741, witli inany otlici icigiiioiic!? in diMiuill of flioii havin;^ 
 bcon rkaicd. 
 
137 a 
 
 17 
 
 nta- 
 iii 
 lier 
 llic 
 0\r 
 
 (>i 
 
 > 
 
 vioiis ;3-ltli of A|)iii. (l) 'l'Ile enucting part ul' llit; airùt ir 
 Itorrowocl alinost litUually i'roni tin; leller .'Jrtl Oclobcr 17.'}!. 
 
 To traiiscribo lierc the Icttcr ol" llic ministev will sul- 
 i'u'O h) sliow liow persistent wati the King's des^iro relative; lo 
 tlio ohlif^ration of Canadian Seiguiors U) clear aud, as a con- 
 séquence, to concède : — 
 
 " I bave receivcdthe Icttcr wbieh youwrote nie on lOth 
 *' October of last year, on the snbject of granting the lands 
 '' of Canada, and I bave given an account of it to the King. 
 "• llis Majesty bas learned with pain the inexécution of ihc 
 " arrêts of the 6tb July 1711, on tlie svibj(>ct of thèse landp, 
 " and tlie abuses thaï arc coinmitled in violation of the saitl 
 " arrêts. Hc would havc determined, for llic purpose of 
 putting an end to a disorder as prejudicial to the settle- 
 ment of the colony as to the interests of the iniiabitants 
 and of commerce, to issue a decrec ordering the exccu- 
 " tion of tbose of the Gth July 1711, and to déclare at tho 
 " samc time nuU and void ail grants of land in seigniory 
 " or in roture whieh bave not been confirined and bave not 
 " been improved, and to forbid your making any grants of 
 " land until the terrier is eonipieted and until olherwise 
 " ordained, but lie bas been pleased to wait until he bas 
 " received your answer and your opinion tbereon. Thèse 
 " prohibitions bave two objects ; t;;.' Ilist to iinish the work 
 " of tbis terrier ; the second to cllect iht -r-scrvation of tbo 
 " forests in order to prevent the scarcily o wood, of which 
 " you State tiiat the grantees of the front lands already feel 
 " the want, and also, to form bereaftcr a domain for His 
 " Majesty in the country. 
 
 " It will be only by exaniining tlie terrier that tb(î 
 " oxtcnt of tbcsc forests can be well and usefully ascertai- 
 " ned. M. Ilocquart cannot therefore pay too nnich allen- 
 " tion to tbis long protracted work." 
 
 (n Docuniont? obtairmd frcMii raii^.'. p. 111. IV, V, ami W'I. 
 
 IS 
 
138 a 
 
 112. Wn seo mention of iliis arrct of 15 Mardi 1732, — 
 in a tleed fintcrior lo Uh cnrcijfistrution in Canada. Il is in 
 51 paient ot" ratification, givcn by llic Kini^ on tlu; 8lli 
 Aprii 1732, of lli<; conct.'ssion iuad(; to tli(' Misliop of Samos 
 on tho 1.5tli Ocl. 1731 (above no. 110). T\\v Otli danse of 
 this patent says : " under tlie oblii^alioii to maive it prodiie- 
 " tive, and to kecp liouse and home and to cause tlie saïuo 
 " to bc ki'îpt by liis tenants, witliin tlu." tiine Jiiuited l)y tlu; 
 " «r/'e/ of tlie council of stale of llie 15ih Mardi last, in 
 " Cicfaidt of wliidi it sliall bo reiinited to II. M. domain." 
 
 113. From tlie cnrei^ist ration of tlie arrêt of tlie 15th 
 Mardi 1732 to llie year 1710, inclusivcdy, a very i^reat niim- 
 ber of concessions were made ))y tlie Goviîrnor and Intendant 
 Messieurs de Beauliarnois and Ilocquart, and many patents 
 of ratification were obtained froni tlio King. TIkî clauses 
 of most of tiiese concessions, especially tliose giveii along 
 the borders of Lake Cliamplain, are almost always alike ; 
 they containtlie conditions inserted in the gênerai patent of 
 the Gth July 1711 (1). The folloAving may serve to distin- 
 guisli some of thèse concessions from eacli other and froin 
 those that preceded them : 
 
 Ist. Augmention of the seigniory of the Lake of Two 
 Moimtains ; 26 Sept. 1733. (2) 
 
 At the end of the usual clause, " to cause tlu; same 
 " conditions to be inserted in the concessions which they 
 " .shall make totheir tenants, " the deed addstlies<' words : 
 " subject to the customary ce7is et rentes and dues for 
 " each arpent of land in front l)y 40 arpents in de])lli. " 
 The patent of ratification is datcd the Ist March 1735 (3) 
 We read tlierein : '• TJie King on the représentation 
 
 (1) M. Dunkin's analysis ; part 2, p. S, t. 11. 
 
 (2) Titre des Seig. ;p. 171. 
 
 (3) Brevets de ratif, p. 8. 
 
 Il 
 
 1 
 
13î) a 
 
 " N) liirri fifllic oonoi.'SMinn inudr on flic lifi Sept. l7iJ3 
 
 " ;iIm> >rilM' |)iit<-nl ofllic 27ili April 17 IH, hy wliifli 
 
 '^ lie li;is coriccdrd lo tlic siiiiH' iSciiiiiiary tlw said scii^riiory 
 
 " ("dlcd tlic LdliC <>/ Tiro Moioiliiin.s coriliniis tlic 
 
 *' s.iid (•(»n(•l's^ idii, sithjccl to tlic fliariifcs, clauses and con- 
 " ditiniis liciciiiallcr mcntioiicd, naiiitdy,. . . . I lo. to (^aiise, 
 '' llic saiii<> coiiditionM to bc insorted in tlic concessions by 
 *•' <\t'('(\ wliicli lliey \\ ill iiialve to llieir tenants, subjecl to 
 ^ ilie iisiial (77/.S', miles and duos on eacli îirpent of land in 
 " tlie n(di,dil)onrini; seiij;niories, regard being liad lo llie 
 " qnalily and siliiation ot" tlie lands al tlio lime ot" tlie.se 
 " parlieular i-oncessions, tliat wliicli 11. M. wislies ulso to 
 "• i)e observée! as regards tlie Jands and liereditaments of 
 " llie seigniory ot' llie Lake ol" Two Monntains belonging 
 " to tlu; said Ecdesiastics, notwilhsianding flie Jixitif of thc 
 '' said cens and dues and of tlie qnantilif of land of each 
 *' concession iiieiitioned in ihe said patent of 1718, from 
 
 " which H. IM. lias derogated 12tli. H. M. desiring 
 
 " tliat tlie said concessions (tliat is to say, the two parts of 
 '^ tlie seigniory) inay be restricted and subjected to tlie 
 
 II 
 
 ibove nient ioned conditions witlioiit any exception itnder 
 *' prelence (liât lliey sliall not liave been stipulated, as well 
 " in tlic said concessions of 1733 as in tlie said patent of 
 " the 17tli April 1718. 
 
 2nd. St. Mary, St. Joseph, and St. François, Beauce, 
 on the 23rd Sept. 1736. Tliree similar concessions were 
 made, on the same day, toMM. Taschereau, Rigaud de Vait- 
 dreiiil and Flciiry delà Gorgendière ; (1) and on the offer of 
 the grantecs, tlieir title deeds imposed upon tliem the obligation 
 " to make, witliin three years, jointly, a highway for horses 
 and carriages. . . . to commence from the bank of the river 
 St. Lawrence and be continued throiigh thc lands of the 
 concessions belonging to the heirs Charest (seig. of Lau- 
 
 (1) Tit. des Seig. p. 178 to 181. 
 
140 it 
 
 zuii) aiitl It) thr liciis Jolit.'t, witliiHil intt'iveplioii iintil (.j)p(j 
 »ite llie hh't au .SV«/iÙJ, cvi-n to ctune bridges to lu- iniul»; ut 
 llu; pliiofs wlu'i^; llicy shall bc consicltîri'd nccossury l'or tliw 
 pussiii^pi iind lli(! ;i('(;(»iii()dati()ii ctf liio inliabitanls \\ lit) would 
 wisli to go ami i-slablisli llieiii.'îicUi's, as wcll in llu* said 
 two old (•onct'ssions as in tliat granlcd by llics(> prcsi-nts, 
 uiid tlioso Avliii'h are and sliall be granted nboviî tlie sanu.-. 
 
 :îrd. St. Ktienne, 15tli April 17;37. (I) 
 
 " IJndcr th(! obligation by tlic said sieur Cugn<'t to 
 " eoniribute, l'or liis portion, to llie road wliich ihe said 
 '' sieurs Tascherean, Higaud de Vaudreuii and de la (ior- 
 " gond ière are bound to niake, by tlie terrns ol' tlieir i-on- 
 
 cessions. 
 
 •lih. KiefSt. Etienne, at ;3-Rivers, 12 Sept. 1737. 
 
 New cone(^ssion of tliis l'ief to tlie " Company of llie 
 forges establislied ai St. Maurice "; .']rd, nnder tlie ordinary 
 obligation to giv(; notice of mines, " witli tlie exception of 
 '^ iron min(;s, of wliich the privil(;ge lias bcen granted lo 
 " the said parties interesled." 
 
 Tliere liad bcen a previous concession of tins Fief; and 
 in the new title-decfl whicli makes express mention of tlie 
 arrrt of tlie 15tli Mardi 1732, it is stated that ihis iirst con- 
 cession Imd been reunited to tlie domain by ordinance of 
 Ihe 6th April, tlicn last. 
 
 .5th. St. Giles de Beaurivage ; Ist April 1738. (2) 
 
 Concession by tbe Governor and tlie Intendant to Gilles 
 Rageot, contaJning, on llie demand of ibis latter, tlie follow- 
 ing c!an.~e "• \Ve déclare that after the decease of the peti- 
 "• tioner and his wife, Ihe said Fief sliall be divided equal- 
 
 (1) Tit. des Seig. p. 189. 
 
 (2) Titre (les Seig. ; p. 200. 
 
Hl a 
 
 " Iv :iliiuni< llie uniit lliii-e rliililiiii, t.ir lliose ul lliciii tli.il 
 "• sliiill survive, (l<'n»i,';iliiii^ tlifp'iri as fur as ncct-ssary l'roiu 
 " ail CllsU)^l^^ li(;rt'unlo cDiitrary, in lliat n'sprct t)nly/' 
 
 oi 
 
 K'S 
 
 low- 
 
 Ui- 
 
 ï 
 
 1 1 1. ^V(•. liavf aircfuly socn lliat at ditK'mit pcriods 
 \\\vm liad bt't.'n, iii virtiic ni" tlic arrrts ol" ri'trcneluncnt, ol' 
 tli()s(! ol' 171 1 and 17.'3:2, scvcral réunions ol' sci^uiiorics to 
 tlie Kini,''.s domain, in ddault ol' liieir liavini,' l'uUilIcd llii; 
 ohlii^'alion to clear. Twcnty woro efl'cîclcd hy a siu^do 
 strolu; l)y ono judi^uirnl or ordinancc rcnidercd by Ûw Go- 
 vcrnor and Intendant Jieauliavuois and llocHpiart, on tlie 
 lOth .May 1711, (1), on tlio re(iuisition ol' tlie Attorney Ge- 
 neral ai^ainst tlu; t<anie nuniber oi' Seigniors duly suunnon- 
 od, (of wlioni 17 appeared and 3 niade del'ault) " in ord(!r 
 " tliat it sliould be adjudiifed and ordained, that failing on 
 *' tlieir part, agreeably to llio terms ol" tlio arrêts ol" tlie 
 " King's Couneil of state of tlie Gth July 1711 and tlie 15tli 
 " March 17.'}2, and witliin tlie time thercin mentioned, to 
 " havo put into eultivation and niade productive the lands 
 " in Seigniories wliieli liave been conceded to tliem, and to 
 " hâve ])lac(,'(l, and establislied inhabitants thcreon, they 
 " sliall be and remain reunited to the domain of IIIb Ma- 
 " jestyin tliiseountry." Notwithstanding the reasons given 
 l)y the Défendants and their deinand of a new delay, the 
 reunion \vas pronouneed by the judgmcnt which déclares : 
 " Considering Ilis Majesty's ordinancc^ of the 6th July 
 " 1711 and the 15th Mardi 1732, and his orders addressed 
 " to lis, last year, by which lie commands us most express- 
 " ly to jirocced to the réunion 1o his domain of lands conceded 
 " of old and lalcli/, in default of the proprietors thereof ha- 
 "• ving fullilled the conditions explaincd in their titles." 
 
 " \Vo rondcring judgment, on the réquisition of the 
 *' King's Attorney General, hâve reunited and do reunile 
 
 ri) Edit and Ord. ui-8o. t. 1, p. bf>b. 
 
142 a 
 
 " \o H. M's. domain ilio lands hereinafter mentioned, to 
 " wil 
 
 " Wt; liavc in conséquence declared ail llie grantees 
 above namcd deprived ot" ail right in and property to llie 
 said lands ; and nevertheless considering in some sort 
 tlic représentations mode bysome of tlie said Défendants, 
 we réserve 1o onvsolves, under tlie King's pjeasure, tlie 
 power to give new deeds of concession for tlic same lands 
 to such of the said défendants as will prove to us, within 
 a ytîar, tliat they hâve, in good earnest, by expenditure 
 and actual work, rendered productive a considérable part 
 of tlie said lands, or placed settlers thereon, in the course 
 of ihe said ycar, wliich time being passed, in vii-iue and 
 (éxecution of thèse présents, and without that there shall 
 bc occasion for any other, the said lands shall be conce- 
 ded to wliom and as it raay appertain." (1) 
 
 115. Between the date of the reunion of thèse 20 sei- 
 gniories and the 20th April 1743, (2), we notice several pa- 
 tents of ratification and some concessions, of which one, 
 uiade by the King to the Intendant liocquart on the said 
 day, the 20th April 1743, was " on Lake Champlain and 
 " opposite Fort St. Frédéric." 
 
 In the numbcr of thèse concessions is that of the 22nd 
 
 II 
 (i 
 
 (.< 
 1.1. 
 
 Cl 
 
 il 
 
 IC 
 
 II 
 II 
 
 (1) Al! thèse concessions, so reunited to the domain, dated froni 
 1731 to 1737 inchisively, and were ail sitiiated in the LJpper part of 
 the Hiver Cliambly and on Lake Champlain, with the exception of 
 two, one of wliich, made on the 15ih October 1731 to the JBisliop of 
 Saraos, afterwards Bishop of Québec, was on the River Yamaska, and 
 the other made on the 6th October 173G to the sieur d'Argenteuil, 
 was situated at the end of seigniory of Lanoraie. Several of the 
 lands so reunited were reconceded, some of them even to the first 
 grantees. 
 
 (2) M. Dunkiu's analysis 5 p. 25 and 26. 
 
143 a 
 
 I -) 
 
 
 March 1743, (1) made by Messieurs Beauhamois and IIoc- 
 quart to the sieur Daniel Licnard de Beaujeu, of a sei^ni- 
 ory (now Lacolle) which, it was said, had been reunited to 
 His Majesty's domain by our Ordinance of 10 JNIay 1741, 
 in conformity with the arrct of the King's Council of Stale 
 of the 6th July 1711;" subjoct to tlie condition, 7th " to 
 " clear and cause to be cleared, witliout dclay iho said 
 " lands, and to prove to us that he has pcrlbrined wovk 
 " therein, between this time and the ensuing autumn, fail- 
 " ing which the présent concession shall be and remain null 
 " -end void by virtue of the said atrét of the King's Coun- 
 " cil of State and of our said Ordinance of tlie said lOth 
 " May 1741 and without that there shall be necessity for 
 " any other." 
 
 On the Ist May 1743, the Sieur Foucault, whose seigni- 
 ory was one of those reunited by the Ordinance of tlie 101 h 
 May 1741, having proved that he had performed work, in 
 clearing, which was considered sufFicient, obtained a new 
 grant of the seigniory, with the augmentation of a league of 
 front (2) 
 
 116. We perceive by the deed of concession of Livau- 
 dière dated the 20 Sept. 1744 (3) that it was made by the 
 Governor and the Intendant, in exécution of two Arrêts of 
 the King's Council of State, one of which is dated the 20th 
 April 1742 and the otiier the lOth April 1743. The first of 
 thèse arrêts, rendered in a contestation between the sieur 
 Fiugues Jacques Péan de Livaudiere and the sieur Jacques 
 de la Fontaine, had declared null and void a patent of the 
 30th April 1737, confirming a concession made to ihc latter 
 on the lOth October 1736, and ordered to concède to the 
 former the seigniory in question. The second arrêt had 
 
 (1) Titres des seig. p. 203 
 
 (2) Tit. des Seig. p. 205. 
 
 (3) Tit. des Seig. p. 208. 
 
144 a 
 
 di!*mi!ssed tlie demande of llie Religions Ladics ol" llie (jle 
 neral Hospital, inade by tliem praying for delay in granting 
 tlie deed of concession in favor of tlie said Sieur Péan until 
 such time as their claim to tlie ownership of iialf the said 
 concession should be dccided. 
 
 117. On the ITth Jnly 1743, (1) the King rendcred a 
 Déclaration conccrning the concession of lands i'i the colo- 
 nies. But this Déclaration having relation chiclly to the 
 mode of proceeding in reunions to the dornain of the Crown 
 and to the contestations arising between the grantees, I shall 
 speak of it in another place, content "ng myself with quot- 
 insf the two first articles : — " The Governors and Lieute- 
 " nants General acting for us, and the Intendants of ouv 
 
 * colonies, will continue to make jointly the concessions of 
 lands to the inhabitants who shall be in the position to ob- 
 tain the same, for making them productive, and shall ex- 
 ])edite the deeds thereof to such persons, on the ordinary 
 and customary clauses and conditions ; art Ist. Tlu^y 
 shall proceed in a like manner, to reunitc to our domain 
 lands which ought to be reunited thereunto, and diat, at 
 " the suit of our Attornies of the ordinary jurisdictions, 
 ^' within which the said lands shall be situated," art. 2. 
 
 118. From 1743 to the end of the French dominion inr 
 
 (1) Ed. ord. in-8o. v. 1, p. :il2. 
 
 Mortau de St. j\Iéry ; v. 3, p. 71'5, 8G4. 
 
 The déclaration of tlic King of tlic 17th July 1743 " conccrning' 
 the concessions in the colonies" was enrcgistered in the Council of the 
 Cape on the 9th December following, and iu that of Lcogane on the 
 t24th January 1744. Tt waj not enregistered in the îSuperior Council 
 of (îuebec until the fith Oct. 1744 ; and that of the Ist Oct. 1747 
 rendered in interprétation of the first, was enrcgistered in the Couiiril 
 of Lcogane on the 10 Sept. 1748, and iu that of ilie Cape on tlie l-th 
 Nov. following. Jt had bccn enregistered in the Siipciior (Jounril o' 
 'iucbec "n the U*(h Fiinn of Ihc snmc }fciu. 
 
145 a 
 
 Canada, llie Governor and ihe Intcndanl niade a greai nuni 
 ber of concessions in Fief, followed, for ihc most part, by 
 patents of ratification given by thc King. (1) Tlicso conces- 
 sions, of wliich tiie two last, according to M. Dunkin's ana- 
 lysis, are dated in 1755 and 1758, do not contain any parti- 
 cular clause to distinguish them from prcceding ones, to 
 such extent as would require notice. 
 
 119. The détails into widch I liavc entered in ordcr to 
 sliow thc history of our Feudal institution, may peiiiapa 
 appcar fastidious. Convinced, however, of ihc nccesh^ity of 
 giving that history, in orderlhe bettcr to cxplain llie nature 
 and extent of thc Jeu de Fief m Canada, tiiat is to say, of 
 thc right or ihe power of the seigniors to dispose of iheir 
 lands, a matter which forms the point of departiu'e in the 
 examination of the grave and im[)ortant questions which arc 
 submitted tous, I hâve ihought that I should not allain my 
 object, nor fiilfiU my duty, if I dtd not, by a minute analysis 
 of tlie titles of concession, of the administrative and judicial 
 acts of public authorily, and of the législation peculiar 1o 
 ihe country, makc known tins feudal institution, as well in 
 its origin as in its successive developements under the 
 Freiich Government. 
 
 120. It results from the forogoing rcmarks that the Jeu 
 de Jief was considcrably modified, as respects Canada. The 
 first modification consisted in ihis, liiat the seignior of a fief, 
 was from the commencement, according to my opinion^ 
 subjected to thc obligation of dcann^ tlic lands and, con- 
 scquently, of disposing of them; the second consists in this 
 tliat in disposing of his unclearc.l lands, he had not th<> 
 right, at least sincc tlie first arrêt of 6 July 1711, to scdl 
 them, that is to say lo take cntranca money. Ile had no 
 right to dispose of them cxcept at a simple annual rent. 
 
 (1) M. Dunkia's analysis ; part 2. p. 26, to. 32, 
 
 19 
 
146 a 
 
 Bnl, it will bo askcd : What are the lands the sale of 
 which js thns proliibited to tho soigniors ? Are they only 
 lands in standing wood ? Thèse words, " lands in standing 
 wood," which arc those of the arrêt of loth March 1732, — 
 onght they to receive an interprétation so vigoiirons as to 
 exclude from the prohibition, lands which may not be enti- 
 rely in standing wood, thongli not cnltivated, or notcleared, 
 or not rendered prodnclive ? I do not believe it. The 
 arrêts rind tho varions documents wdiieh T hâve cited make 
 use of dilferent terms to designate one and the same thing. 
 I tliink that ail the lands whieh are " in the condition of 
 being reuniled to the domain in defanlt of having been ren- 
 dered productive, (Déclaration of 17 .Fnly 1743) are com. 
 prised in tlic. [)rohibilion. They are the lands : — Ist " as 
 yet unclcared," («rreVofretrenchmentofthe 21st]\Tarch 1663.) 
 
 2nd. " Not eleared, not cultivated," {arrêt of relrench- 
 ment of 4tli .Tmic 1672.) 
 
 3rd. " Not eleared and cnltivated into arable land and 
 meadows," {arrêt ofre trench ment 4th June 1675.) 
 
 'Ith. " Not eleared and cnltivated (arrêt of retrench- 
 ment of the 9th May 1679.) 
 
 5th. " Not eleared aîid rendennl productive," (patents 
 of confirmation of the 29th May 1680, 15lh April 1684 
 and 14th July 1690, and letters pattmt of 20di May 
 1676.) 
 
 6th. " Not eleared, " (patent of confirmation of 6 July 
 1711.) 
 
 7th. " Lands which bave no domain eleared and on 
 which there are no settlers : not rendered productive,*" (Ist 
 Arrêt6.Tuly 1711.) 
 
147 a 
 
 1 
 
 8ili, " In standing wood ; nol yfl, cloared : not renderea 
 productive : having no inhabitants settlud,") anût of the loth 
 Mardi 1732.) 
 
 î)th, Which may bo rcunitod, " in default of liaving 
 |)Ut in cnltivation and rendiîred produclivcî tlio lands in 
 seigniories \vlii(;li hâve been conccded lo ihem, and of 
 having plaeed and cstablished s<îttlors ihereon." (Ileciuisi- 
 lion ol" the Attorney General follovvetl by tlie ord, of lOth 
 May 1741.) 
 
 Such are tlie lands whicii, \vc arc bound to sny, in 
 giving to ail thèse dillerent expressions an in1erj)retati()n 
 fonformable to tlie spirit of the «r/V'/.v eiled, and in inaking 
 a jiisl application of iheni, ouglit to be alleeted by ih»' pro- 
 liibilion to sell, tliat is to say, the lands whieh the seigniors 
 oiight to concech; to the hahitanls who dcmand theiri, (and 
 let^us îidd, who are in a condilion to cuUivate tkeni. [Arrêt of 
 ihe 9th May 1G79) at a simple animal reni, " withont exact- 
 ing from them any simi of moiiey for sucli concessions" 
 (Ist Arrêt of ihe Gth .luly 1711.) P^ieli spécial case, as was 
 reasonable, had to be left to the deci^i()n of thi' .ludge, ac- 
 cording to the circunistances. \o précise nile ^vas, nor 
 coiild 1)(^, given, as to the exicnt and the nature of tlie 
 clearing whicli a lot of landought to liave, so that aseignior 
 could be under the obligation to concèdes it, without exact- 
 ing cntrance niiney. If, by analogy, the rule established 
 for the seigiiior, by the arrêt of the -tth .lune 1675, ought to 
 guide in similar cases, assuredly the lot of land whicli 
 a seignior had " cleared and cultivated into arable land or 
 meadow," would not corne under the prohibition in ques- 
 tion. On the otlier hand, according to the 2nd Arrêt of the 
 6th July 1711, it would be necessary, in following out the 
 same analogy, to take as a rule that " some felling of wood 
 eould not suffiee to constitute a clearing or a maki v g pro- 
 ductive, but that il would be necessary, according to the opi- 
 
M8 a 
 
 7non expressed by tlie Governor aiul ilic fnteudanl, wlio 
 rcndercd tlie ordinaiicc ol" réunion of tlie lOth May 1711, 
 " to give proof of liaving, in good earnest, and by expen- 
 diture and rcal work, rcndered productive a considérable 
 portion" of the lot so demanded in concession. If tliis ruie 
 was good in one case, to savc ihe scignior from forfeituro 
 by reunion to the domain, of his right to the property of liis 
 Fief, it ought to be good, in the other case to save him equally as 
 regards the prohibition to sell or to take entrance money in 
 Kub-granting. Tlie right which a colonist might hâve, by 
 virtue of the Fcudal institution, to participate in the own- 
 ership of the soil by paying only an annual rent, would not 
 cntitle him to profit, without compensation, by the real and 
 actual Works which the Scignior might liave donc. 
 
 121. So, during the fifih pcriod of our Feudal institu- 
 tion, which ends with the possession of Canada by France, 
 the Jeu de ficf^ in my opinion, continucd to be without 
 limit, as it had bccn in the course of the preceding 
 period. It might extent to the entire body of the Fief, with 
 this différence already stated above no. 100, that, with 
 respect to the unclearcd lands, the Jeu de Fief was obligato- 
 ry on the scignior, but that it was only facultative as regardcd 
 the lands which the Seignior had cleared or made produc- 
 iivc ; that in the first of thèse cases, the seignior had not 
 the right to take entrance money, but that hc could validly 
 stipulate for it in the second ; secing that in this last case 
 the part of the 51 st article of the Custom of Paris, which 
 allowr^ the vassal to dispose of his fief, withjirojit, had not 
 nndergonc any modification in the seigniorial system of 
 Canada ; leaving, naturally and from necessity, to the judge 
 the fnll liberty to appreciate the facts and the circumstanccs 
 in cach particular case. 
 
 It foUows, therefore, from what has bcen said, that, in 
 Canada, the vnssal can, by tho Jeu de Fief eîthev by way 
 
 > 
 
an 
 
 * 
 
 I 
 
 149 a 
 
 of sub infciidalion or by bail à cens, alienato more llian Iwo 
 thirils, nay (lie wholc ol' llie boily of In s fief, without that tlie 
 soignior dominant lias the powcr lo cxerciso against llie 
 portion po alicnatod b(;yond Iho two thirds, llic rights 
 \vhi(îh lie could cnforce undcr ihe aulhority of ihc Custom 
 of Paris, wlien lie had not sub-infoudated the cens. In other 
 words, the clfect of the laws pcculiar to Canada, on the 
 Feudal Institution, will only be that, as regards the Seignior 
 Dominant, the cens imposcd in the concession made by his 
 vassal, ought to bo considered as infeudated de pleno jure, 
 without the necessity of approbation, either express or tacit 
 on his part. 
 
 122. With thèse observations on the Jeu de Fief, con- 
 cludcs the history of the Feudal institution of Canada, 
 until the cession of ihe country to England in the year 17G3. 
 The history of tins institution, reckoning from the last epoch, 
 will be given, as far as the subject can permit of so doing, 
 in my observations on the question of the amount of the 
 cens et rentes ; of *he nature of the power of the Governor 
 and the Intendant to reunitc to the domain and to make 
 ncw concessions ; of the mill privilège {banalité de moulin); 
 of the ownership of running waters, and of the réservations 
 stipulated by the seigniors. 
 
 in 
 wav 
 
PART SECOND. 
 
 CENS ET RENTES. 
 
 VVas ihe amounl of Seigniorial cens et rentes fixed hy 
 the Custom of Paris or the Jurisprudence of tlie parliamenl 
 of Paris ? 
 
 If not under the authority of lliat Custom, lias it cver 
 been fixed in Canada ? 
 
 123. Lct ns sec, firsl, as rcspcîcts Franco. Qnotations 
 ought losuffice. I shall mako a large numbcr, knowinglhc 
 necessity of drawing the public mind strongly lo tliis ini 
 portant point of ihe seigniorial questions. Of ail thèse qu(3s- 
 tions, that of the amount of the cens et rentes appoars lo 
 hâve had the principal part in the warm agitation whicli 
 preceded the passing of the law abolishing the seigniorial 
 tenurc. 
 
 124. Let us observe, in the first place, that there is no 
 texl in the Custom of Paris whicli fixes that amount, or 
 vvhich limits it in any way. 
 
 As to the jurisprudence of the Parliament of Paris, if 
 it established such amount within certain limits, of which 
 mention will shortly bc made, it was, only, when the due 
 vvas not fixed by deed or long possession, that is to say, by 
 an agreement, written or supposed, between the seignior 
 and his censitaire. 
 
 The Custom of Paris did not oblige the seignior lo 
 concède, that is, to alienate his fief. It merely gave him 
 
151 a 
 
 K) 
 
 the faculty so to do, provided tliat lie retained, on the part 
 alienated, " samc seigniorial and domainal right," but the 
 Custoni indicated noilher the nature nor the amount of such 
 right. Again was that faculty limited to two thirds of the 
 fi(îf in order tliat the aliénation might be made without 
 paying dues to the Seignior Dominant ? (art. 51) 
 
 125. Dumoulin, who lias written on the old Custom of 
 Paris, defined the cens " modicum annum canon quod pres- 
 tatiir in recognitionem dominii diredi ;" upon which Hen- 
 rion de Pansey, in the article cens in his feudal dissertations 
 (1) observes : " When Dumoulin says that the cens is 
 *' a moderato payment, modicum canon, one knows well that 
 " he speaks according to the common acceptation^ and one 
 " surnly will not suppose that he was not aware that the 
 " cens might be more or less considérable ; indeed there 
 " cannot be the least doubt on that head since, before giving 
 " the définition \ve hâve quoted, lie had said that the pay- 
 " ment known in the Nivernois^ undcr the name of Borde- 
 " lage, is a cens of the most onerous kind." 
 
 The Word cens^ in fact, is a generic dénomination which 
 includes ail the dues recognitory of the direct seigniory, 
 ail the dues iinposed in recognitionem dominii directi. (p. 
 265) 
 
 " A first rent-charge (the fîrst of ail the charges with 
 " which the land is burthencd,) under whatever denomina- 
 " tion it may be dcsignated, or in whatever manner the 
 payment may be made, be it in money, be it in kind, so 
 long as it is due to the Seignior of the hereditament, is a 
 " véritable cens, and has ail its attributes and ail its privilèges. 
 " p. 206. (2) 
 
 (1) Published in 1789. " ~" 
 
 (2) The author cites : Coût. d'Auvergne, art. 1, tit. 3; The Ancien 
 Coutumier of France, bk. 2, tit. 6, " du champart;" Loiseau, " de la 
 distinction des rentes," bk 1, c, 5 ; Chopin who reports an arrêt of the 
 23 Feby 1577. 
 
 (( 
 
 (C 
 
 (C 
 
 ce 
 
 (( 
 
152 n 
 
 Tlif bcignior, ctmlimies llcnrion cit.- Pansiey, § 3, is tlie 
 Judgc of ihe qualification, ol' tlie nature and ol' tlie uniount 
 of thc cens (1) 
 
 126. Wc rcad on tlie samu subject in thc neio IJenizait, 
 \'. 4, in vcrbo " cens" p. 311 ; " II" lliis juiisconsiilt (Da- 
 " moulin) dcfined thc cens a moderate due, it is because 
 " that, in the existing stale of things, llie grcate.st portion ol 
 " sucli dues liave become t<o moderate that they are less 
 " considered as forming a revenue than as a sort of mark 
 '' of honour and superiority. But that does not prevent 
 " cven Dumoulin from aclcnowledging that the cens is 
 " sometime, sufficicntlij large to be considered as a reve- 
 " nue." 
 
 (.1 
 u 
 il 
 
 u 
 
 " The author of the " Institutions au droit franrois,'''' 
 book 2, chap, 4, observes tliat, in ancienl timcs, the C€7is 
 was about equal lo thc value of the profits of the licredi- 
 tamcnt given à cens as our ground rents {rentes foncières) 
 arc in the présent day; in suehmanner that the censitaires 
 were, in some rcs])ect, but the perpétuai tenants of thc 
 seignior, whose most considérable revenues consisted of 
 " their censives. The sols and the deniers were pure gold and 
 " silver money, which was of incomparably liighcr value 
 " than are the sous and the deniers of the présent day 
 " (1786.) The value of thèse monies, at the diiîcrcnt pcr- 
 " iods, is explained in Leblanc's historieal treatise coneern- 
 " ing monies, in which It is remarked that, in the course of 
 " the altérations which hâve been made, little by little, and 
 " which hâve at last rcduced them to the low priée which 
 " they now bear, the seignior whose censives and seigni- 
 " orial rents were in sous and in deniers, were wliolly 
 " ruined, and that, on the conirary those seigniors who had 
 " constituted ihcm in corn or in kind hâve lost nolhing of 
 " their ordinary revenue." 
 
 (I) lie cites Basnagc on thc art. 20t ui' llic Cust. nf Normaudy, 
 
\ 
 
 153 a 
 
 " Tliis ofrcnt altération in monies, we rcad in tlio same 
 " woik on P'rcnoh Jaw, composcd towards llie end of tlie 
 " livsi (•(•iitury, lias niisled inost of thc writcrs wlio hâve 
 " wrifton for tvvo linndnMl yi'ars on tlio subjrct o( censives ; 
 " tlioy liavo sL'cn tli;it ordinarih/^ tiie cens was only for one 
 " or (wo sols llie arpent, more or Icss ; a cirninistancp 
 " wliic'li lias lod tluMii to bcliovo tliat tho scii^niors liad iin- 
 " poscd tliis eliarfje, ratlier as a mark of lionor and superio- 
 " rity tlian as an ordinary revenue ; but that is only true, as 
 " reii^ards those censires wliieli were not created until after 
 " tliese deseriptions of monies were reduced to the rate at 
 " w'iiieli we now see lliem." 
 
 Ii7. Hervé says the same tliing. (1) After liaving dis- 
 cussed llie (jiiestion " if the cens is siiiiply au honorary 
 charife, or if it is a eharge proportioned to the actual pro- 
 duel of the thing accensed," lie adopts the last proposition, 
 and shows that iho authors who nu^ of o))inion that the 
 cens ought 1o be a moderate charge [redevance modique) 
 hâve not laken into considération thc ehaniïes which hâve 
 taken place in the value t)f inonies. 
 
 "n^ 
 
 " 'l'Ile author (p. 96) says that it appears by the polyp- 
 *' tique of St. Germain " that a simple censitaire paid in 
 " money 4 1, 4s. 9d. and that for 4 perches of land there 
 " was paid 12d. Now, under Charlemagne, the denier was 
 " worth 6s. 6d. ofo m- money. So thisproprictor paid, in cash, 
 " more tlian 330 livres of the money of this day, and a 
 " perch of land produced nearly 20s, of the same money. 
 
 p. 109, " In the beginning of the 13th century, the 
 " silvcr mark, which is of fixed weight, was worth three 
 " livres ; to tlay it is worth about 54 livres. The actual 
 " numerieal livre therefore corresponds intrinsically but to 
 
 (1) " Théorie des matières féodales et censuelles," v. 5, publisbed 
 
 in 1786, § 9. 
 
 20 
 
151 n 
 
 •'• ont- L'ighlet'ntli ot thu livre wliicli wus currunl in ihe coin 
 
 '* mencemeiit ol' tho I3th century ; and as tlio division und 
 
 *' the 8ub-division of thc livre are, at présent, the same as 
 they Ihen wero, tho cxisting sou and denier are, also, 
 
 " wortli only tlic I8tli part of tho sou and thu denier of th<; 
 
 " former tiine, if we consider only the vveight and the deno- 
 
 *' mination of the article, and suppose tliat tliis weight and 
 
 " this dénomination had not varied." 
 
 a 
 
 " If the mattcr be considcred inanothcr point of view, 
 " if it be supposed, for example, that there is, in tho présent 
 " day, ten times more money than there was at the begin- 
 " ning of the 13th century, ail things being equal in other 
 *' respects, it will be of ten times Icss value in bartcr ; and 
 " in place of the 18lh, the présent livre would not be wortli 
 " more than the lOtli of the 18th, that is to say, the 180th 
 " of what was the value of the livre in the beginning of the 
 " 13th century. 
 
 p. 111. " 20 sols corrcsponded in 1350 lo more 
 
 " than 40 francs of our présent money. 
 
 p. 113. " A charter of Landrecies informs us that eacli 
 " burgess owed to his seignior, on the 4th day after Christ- 
 " mas, two capons and two loaves of bread the finest in his 
 " housc, for a courtil ; and that if he had no loaves of 
 " bread, he was bound to buy two in the market, for the 
 " priée of two deniers. So then one denier was the priée of 
 " the finest loaf of bread that a burgess ordinarily had in 
 " his house. 
 
 a 
 
 " In 1514, an arpent of land, was rented for 8 bushclls 
 of wlieat in Marly-la-Ville, and the 8 bushellswere worth 
 " 16 sols 8 deniers. M. Dupré de Saint-Maur observes that 
 " in his time those same 8 bushells werc worth 12 francs, 
 " and to day they are worth, at least, double that amount 
 
155 a 
 
 ' Tho anoiont Cnstom ol' l'erclio, cnmpilod in lôOfi, 
 " ostimnto?. iho ar|)«!nt of \vli«;at Iniul at 5 sols per anmiiTi, 
 ** tlie arpont of ryr. and mesteil land at 3 sols, 4 deniers ; iIim 
 *' urpt'iu of p;i turc lund al 2 solSy G deniers^ etc. 
 
 " TIk incionl Citsfom of Bourbonnois, compilcd in 
 ** 1493, cstirnali.s 1 mUier of wliciit at 8 sols tournois ; onn 
 " scticr o( ryo at sols ; 1 setter of cornât I sols ; of oats at 
 " 3 sols ; a lien at 4 deniers ; a Inmb at 15 deniers ; 1 II), of 
 " wax ut 8 deniers ; a curt load of iiuy m meadow at 5 sols 
 " etc." 
 
 128. The cens, therefore, was not mercly honorary ; it 
 could constitute a revenue. It was not mcrely a duty ; it 
 was a debt and a duty at the same tirne. 
 
 129. In France, could tlio seignior, by the " 6a//rf cen«," 
 stipulate for sucli ducs as he miglit tliink propcr ; and those 
 dues, however liigli ihey might be, having once been accej)- 
 ted by the censitaire, wcrc ihcy binding on tliis last ? 
 Could ho object to lus contract ? 
 
 Hère again authoritics will sufficc. Some authors hâve 
 adopted the System of the distinction bctwcen seigniorial 
 dues as ordinary dues, forming a common right, and as 
 extraordinary dues requiring, bcfore Ihey could be exactcd, 
 a spécial title, or, at least, a long possession. The quota- 
 tions which follow, in so far as they may relate to the ques- 
 tion discussed by thèse authors, namely, to whal cxtent 
 could ihose dues be aflected, either by prescription or by a 
 judicial sale, are without any bearing on the propositions 
 which I am just now examining. I invoke thèse authori- 
 tics only to prove that under the roign of the Cusiom of 
 Paris, it was permitted, by means of the " bail à cens,^'' 
 which is the primitive convention bctween a seignior and a 
 censitaire, to fix the amount of cens c^'en/es and that this 
 amount governed the relations betwcen them. 
 
156 a 
 
 130. Henrion de Panscy has aiready said that" tlie 
 seignior is tlie judge of the qualification, o( the nature and 
 of the amount of the cens. Let us again cite this aathor § 
 8. p. 273 : 
 
 " Therc are two descriptions of cens, Ihe onc moderato 
 " only of a few deniers, which is the most ordinary and 
 '■'■ \v]ii(!h is regarded as being of common right in the " cou- 
 " tûmes censuelles ;" the other more considérable, much 
 " more rare, and which consists of a rent in nioney, or an 
 " hnportant portion {j)artie notable) of the produci of llie 
 '' hereditairient. 
 
 " Alfhotigh thèse two descriptions of payment bear, 
 *' alike, tlio dénomination of cens, and although they, alike, 
 " recognize the dominium directum [récognitive de la di- 
 " recte,) yet there is a very important différence between 
 " thrm. As ihe first is of common right, it is not neces- 
 " sary that thi; Seignior cstablish it by titles ; his (jnality 
 " of seignior is suflicient ; but as the second inl'crs a con- 
 " vention which has fixed iis amount, it is reqiusit(! lliat 
 *' the seignior show the titk; cUied of such convention or a 
 " possession which présumes one. 
 
 " It wGYc vain for him to prove that the stirrounding 
 " liereditaments w(M'e burtheiied wnth the dues wiiich lie 
 " demands ; that would be insufficient ; sucli is tlie opinion 
 " of Dumoulin ; anc. cout.de Paris, §. 2, gl. 6. No. 6. 
 
 
 " In order that the Seignior should havc the right to 
 exact an exlraordinary charge, he must either iiave titles 
 or at least a long possession. (1) 
 
 §. 9, p. 275." Wlien the hereditament sold is burtlien- 
 " ed with the greater cens [gros cens,) for instance wilh a 
 
 (1) lie cites, on tlie iiueslion of possession, iioutaric, ch. 1, N. 41, 
 l'iunioulin, on llie 3r(la!t. of the C, of Paris, gl. G. No. 1 ; Dargentré, 
 art. 227, « Bretagne." 
 
 I 
 
157 a 
 
 m 
 
 " droit de terrage (1) and that the contract, withonl declar- 
 ing this terrage, states, nevertheless, " subject to Uni charge of 
 " the seigniorial rights which may be due,^^ is thu purchaser 
 " entitled to demand an indemnity ? (on the principle that 
 " the vendor owes an indemnity to the purchaser for ait 
 " the real charges which he has not declared to him and of 
 " icliich he might be ignorant.) Henrionde Pansey replies 
 " by repeating the distinction of which he had already 
 " spoken : " the appellation of seigniorial due a|)pertaiiis 
 " 1o every species of payment establislunl in traditioneni 
 " fundi et in rccognitionem dominii ; this jjayinent may l)i; 
 " more or less heavy, may be in money, or in kind. 
 
 " In that respect, the seignior who dispos(;s oflhe laiid 
 has no other iaw than his own will ; ail the rights tliat he reser- 
 ves m recognitionem dominii, are seigniorial, and enjoy the 
 same privilèges. 
 
 " Nevcrtholess Ihe diflerence observable lielwoen thosc 
 différent payments lias caused the admission of the dis- 
 tinction Avhich we hâve just annoimced. Tiie seigniorial 
 dues are divided into two classes; the ort/t rtrtn/ dues, and the 
 *•' exorbitant dues. The first of thèse dénominations is 
 " given to that payment which is ofcominon right, to tiiai 
 " which the local custom admits and indicates as th^'. sign 
 " specially and generally récognitive of the lordship, .such 
 " is the cens often or twelve deniers per arpent in the (his- 
 '' tom of Paris. Still there is nothing in that Cnstoin to 
 -' prevent a seignior from imposing a terrage on the huids 
 " which he aliénâtes. This exanijde may be followed by 
 " a very great number ; the payment in question, there by 
 " become very common within the limits of the Castorn, 
 " will not constitute a common right thereof, nor will be the 
 
 (l) Terrage ; the word is usually syiionimous witli CkatnparL ; iL 
 nieans a certain portion of the product of the land, and espocially of 
 fields or arable land, which the proprietor is obliged to give to the 
 seignior byvirtue of the concession. 
 
158 a 
 
 a 
 u 
 
 natural sign of the dominium diredum. The due wi.., 
 
 in truth, be seigniorial, but exorbitant ; no one can claim 
 
 it, but by virliie of spécial titles^ and the vendor of the here- 
 
 ditamcnt wliich is liable for it will be bound to déclare 
 
 it by namo, to the purohascr, which is not the case as 
 
 respects the ordinary cens, which it is not absolutely ne- 
 
 cessary to enunciatc in the contract, because the public 
 
 law itself notifies ail the purchasers as well as ail the 
 
 tenants that thcy cannot possess without being subject to 
 such cens.''"' 
 
 131. Frcminvillc, " Pratique des terriers" v. 1, 2d Ed. 
 p. 10. Qucst. G. 
 
 The " bail à cens,'''' says lie, is susceptible of ail sorts 
 of clauses : " by reason that as it is free for him who gives 
 " to give or not to give, it is allowed him to impose on his 
 " donation such charges and conditions as may seem good 
 " to him ; it is for the grantee to accept them, or to refuse 
 " them by not laking tlie hereditament, and so thegiver and 
 " the taker hâve the same faculty, tiic one to make the law, 
 " and the other to reject it : and the acceptance by the one 
 " of the law made by the other, secures the accomplish- 
 " ment of the " bail à cen.s." 
 
 Under the 7th question, the author even says that clau- 
 ses contrary to the Custom of the place wherein the heredita- 
 ments given à cens, are situa ted, can be inserted, renouncing 
 that Custom. 
 
 132. Ancien Denizart vo. 1, at the word " cens," p. 
 48, No. 27 ; " as regards ihe amount of the cens, it is regula- 
 trd by the titles and ihe possession." 
 
 133. Pocquct de Livonière, p. 534 : 
 
 " The cens is, oi'dinarily, a light charge which may be 
 joined to a large rent, for example, if it be one sol of cens 
 and a septier of wheat, of rent." 
 
150 a 
 
 p. 53(i " Wlien tlie subjeel owes to his seignior 
 
 only one rent however considérable, for ail duties, without 
 any distinct and separate cens ; in lliat case, such rent takea 
 the place of cens^ witli the same privilèges as the cens^ 
 and, like the ce»5, is not liable to j)rescription, (1) 
 
 134. Freminville, Dict. des fiefs, at the word " cens'^ 
 p. 211 : "A seignior who gives hereditaments on a bail à 
 cens ouglit to measure prudently the charge of cens by the 
 goodness of the land and to hâve regard thereto " etc., etc. 
 After having remarked that there existed a law among the 
 Romans to that eflect (law 10, cod. de fundis patrimoniali- 
 bus,) he adds : " it is that which was reenacted by the 
 wisdom of Louis XIV, in his Edict of the month of March 
 1655, for the aliénation of hereditaments depending of his 
 domain, which should be sold by the commissioners : 
 upon which this prince wishes that there shall be reser- 
 ved a cens which may be regulated at the 20th of one 
 year's revenue 
 
 (( 
 
 (( 
 
 a 
 
 u 
 
 (( 
 
 a 
 
 135. Prudhomme, " des biens en roture," book 2, " du 
 cens, ch. 1, p. 38 : " this charge (the cens) is ordinarily in 
 " money, grain, poultry or other payment in kind, accor- 
 " ding to the title of the seignior of whom the censive 
 " dépends, or in accordance with his long possession. 
 
 P. 47, ch. 3. Speaking of the prescription of the 
 " amount the author says : " A Seignior who, in vii'tue oj 
 his title, can claim 10 sols per arpent for land and who is 
 
 (( 
 
 (1) He cites an arrêt of the 12th March 1667 reportée! in the 
 " Journal des Audiences," v. 2, c. 19, p. 541, confirtning a judgment 
 rendered in the Custom of Anjou, on the llth May 1665, which had 
 condemned Ribard to pay to the respondent " 28 years' arrears of 
 " ce7is et rentes foncières^^ noble, seigniorial and feudal of five 
 septiers of wheat, of the measure of Mirebeau, and some othcr stnall 
 dues, and so to continue for the future as long as he shall be proprietor 
 and possessor of H raisfieauz of land. 
 
160 a 
 
 ' contontcd, during 30 years, to receive four for the same, 
 " is obliged to snbmit to the law which he has imposcd on 
 *' himself, by tacilly discharging the property from the sur- 
 " plus of the amount which he had right to levy. 
 
 136. Pothicr, " rfit cms^^^ sect 1, art. 1, §3: "the 
 " amount of the cew-s is liable to prescription. For exam- 
 " plo, if one has paid during 30 years, 2 8ols of cens for a 
 " piopcrly which had been given for 4 sols of cens^ the cen- 
 " sitaJre shall hâve acquired the libération of the two «o/s, 
 " etc., etc. 
 
 137. Ferricre, Grand com ; v. 1, " </es censives,'''' p. 
 lOGl, no. 14 : " The cens and censives are paid as is set 
 " fort h in \\\c primitive and original concessions, and in the 
 " déclarations and acknowledgments which hâve been made, 
 " in money, in grain, or in poultry or other payments in 
 " kind." 
 
 " As respects the quantity it is paid in conformity 
 '■'■ liùlh the agreement that has been made. 
 
 p. 1081, no. 3. " The champart is much in use in 
 
 " some Cusloni but in the Custom of Paris there 
 
 " are few Jands given en champart, and when it is the only 
 " duc without the cens, it carries lods et ventes like the cens 
 
 " It is a charge, levied on the product of the lands, of 
 " one sheaf in 12, if not otherwise stipulated, as well in 
 
 (1) Fenière, on the article 51 of the C. of Paris p. 845, in spea- 
 kino- of the aliénation of the Fief, says : " It appears to me there are 
 " live soif|;nioiial and doinainal dues which take the place of the realty 
 '' and wliicli reprosent it, subject to which a part of the Fief can be 
 " alie-iated, naniely the cens, the f^round rent, the rent charge on a 
 " long lease \l' cm2')hyteose\, the champart and the fealty and homage 
 " or sub-infeudaiion,-" and at page 852, no. 45. .. " although in our 
 " custom there is no mention oi champart f it may be constituted by 
 •• the parties..." 
 
 } 
 
161 a 
 
 ol" 
 in 
 
 )ea- 
 are 
 alty 
 1 be 
 )n a 
 
 our 
 by 
 
 '•'• vvheal, barley, oais, peas,beans,turnips, hemp, flax,a3iii 
 other products, as provided by art. 4 lit. 3 of tlie Custoriï 
 of Monlargis. 
 
 (4 
 
 U 
 
 " Tho champart is not of tlie samc amount every 
 where ; in somc places it is of the 3d sheaf, in others ol 
 " llic 4th, 5th, Gth and 7th ; in that respect, it inust be go- 
 " vcrned by the Customs of the différent -places ^ and in ac- 
 *' cordance luith the particular conventions. 
 
 138. Henrion de Pansey, at the article champart ^2, 
 p. 236, acknowledges that thèse two payments, " a ce?is," 
 and " a champart,^^ may be stipulated by the same " bail à 
 " c<37is," by stating that every time that the seignior ex- 
 " presses liimself in snch a manner that we must conclude 
 " that his intention has been to extcnd to the champart, 
 *' the same charges and the same privilège as 1o the cens 
 *' property so called," the champart, is censuel and rcco- 
 " gnitive of the direct property. (1) 
 
 The same author, in the article on the aliénation of the 
 fief authorised by the Cnstom of Paris, says p. 386, " If 
 " the aliénation of the fief be efTected by" bail à cens, the' 
 " vassal may indifierently, impose a cens properly so called, 
 " a ground rent, a droit de champart, a terrage, or dispose 
 " of it in mortmain or in bordelage. (2) In fine, at p. 4 10, 
 lie says" the charges of a fief may beof two sorts, ordinary 
 " and extfaordinary. The ordinary charges of fiefs are 
 " those which the Custom itself establishes ; the extraordi- 
 " nary dues are rents and charges imposed on the fief, hy 
 "' a convention between the seignior and the vassal. 
 
 (1) lie cites Basset who says tliat wiien tlie champart is joinoil 
 witli the cens, or in augmentum tliereof, it is on a pur witli tlie cens 
 and is not liable to prescription [arrêts of the i'arl. of Grenoble, t. 'J, 
 liv. 6, lit. 8,] 
 
 (2) Bordelage was the naine given in the Custom of Bourbonnoi!' 
 and Nivernois when a proprietor gave a domain (o a husbandman for 
 him and bii» ; subiect to the charge of paying a certain vent and ducs. 
 
 21 
 
162 a 
 
 139. Bourjon, tit. " des censives^^^ sec. 3, art. 14, p. 
 266, says ; " as regards the amount of cens, it is regulatod 
 " by the titles, if there be any 
 
 140. Hervé, v. 5, p. 241, in speaking of the champart 
 says ; " by the admission of ail the authors, when the cham- 
 " part is alone, it is a true cens-, and, nevertheless, it is not 
 " the smaller cens {le menu cens) and the symbolical and 
 '■'■ fictitious cens of Dumoulin. An important and consi- 
 dérable charge may be, thcn, a real cens, even according 
 to tlic authors whom I oppose. Now why could not a 
 charge of this nature be (îomposed of sevcral parts which 
 
 should constitute one censuel whole '• and, p. 2G0," 
 
 as respects the amount of the champart, there is no other 
 gênerai rule lo foUow, but the titles and the jwssession, 
 etc., etc." 
 
 141. It appears to me that enough has been said to 
 prove, even to the most incredulous, that, in France, and 
 particularly under the rule of the Custom of Paris, the sei- 
 gnior was pcrmitted to stipulate in a " bail à cens " such 
 amount of cens et rentes as he deemed proper. 
 
 But when there was no title, upon what footing must 
 the payment be made ? That is what I now go to establish 
 by quotations, of which many confirm the authorities ad- 
 vanced in support of the first proposition, that, narnely, of 
 the legality of tiie amount iixed by the agreement of the 
 parties, at the time of the " bail û cews." 
 
 142. Henrion de Pansey, in the article " cens " p. 269 : 
 " If from time immémorial, the seignior has neglected to 
 " act, if there remain no trace of original cens, one must be 
 " created ; it is what is donc every day." He cites two arrêts 
 ofwhichoneofthe 12th Sept. 1746 which déclares the territo- 
 ries of Agen, Condon and Mar mande to be r *he univer- 
 sal dependency {sous la directe universelle) ot ihe King, Uid 
 
(C 
 
 163 a 
 
 which ordains, thaï, " in Iho places vvlierein the taking of 
 cens, may hav(! been interrupted, thn same may be iip- 
 posed anow al thesame rates as are paid in, the ncigbou- 
 
 '' ring seigniories.'*'* 
 
 The other arrêt is of tlie 28lli Angiisl 1776; if sliall be 
 n()lic;<Hl immcdialely. The author ropeats ihe sanio lliing 
 in § 26, p. 295, and adds : " and althongii, this may ho cens 
 " newly imposcd, ncverthele.ss the censitaires owe tlie 
 " arrears of it for the 29 years antécédent tothe derriand." ( I ) 
 
 143. Nouveau Denisart, v. 4, at the word " ceny," p. 
 347 : " The niaxini nulle terre sans seigneur, (no land 
 " witiiout a seignior) has a second reniariiabh' efîeci ; 
 " which is, that it gives occasion to establish a universal 
 " cens m districts in which, froni time immémorial, there 
 " was only a small number of hereditaments that were sub- 
 " ject to it, and even in places wherein there had been no 
 " payment of cens from time immémorial. 
 
 " It is presumed that in the apparent seignior of a 
 
 " territory is vested the domaine of ail the lands which are 
 
 " therein situated. If he has not ievied the cens, it is a 
 
 " négligence, on his part or on the part of his agents, which 
 
 " ought not to préjudice him ; the seigniories constituting 
 
 " with us a part of the public law against which prescrip- 
 
 " tion does not run 
 
 (C 
 
 " For the rest, when there is room to establish the uni- 
 versal cens, of which we hâve just spoken, it is only 
 donc by observing a very équitable tempérament. The 
 lands newly subjected to cens are never burthened with 
 other than a moderato cens, even when there may be lands 
 in the parish subject to a very heavy cens. 
 
 (1) Besides the arrêt of the 28th August 1776, he cites the arrêt 
 of Chaource of the 26th April 1755, 
 
lt)4 a 
 
 " But the sfcit^nior is al\vay$ utijiigej lo be entilled to 
 '"'■ îiii v'-'irs arrears of the cens whieli havc not us yet bcen 
 '' paicl to liim, because tliis is not a new rij^lit whicli is 
 " gmnted to him, but he is givon aiithority merely to 
 " exorcise an anoient right. " Scveral arrêts are citcrj, 
 atnong other one of the Gth April 1781 u'hich in the Cnstoni 
 ol' Vermandois, which is a " coutume censuelh^ " granted 
 to the JNIonks of St, Remy, soigniors of the one half of 
 Terron, " a universal cens of two deniers by the acre for 
 " arable land and meadow, or for the quartel of wine, 
 " or such other lesser cens as may bo established on the 
 " neighbouring hcredilnments of the said Terron, saving 
 *' tfic right hoivcver, of tlie said Monks to demand such 
 " cens, or droit de terrage, as they may prove by spécial 
 " titles, and saving to the inhahitants of Terron, the benefit 
 *' arising, to each individually, from the titles of exemption 
 " which they may liave ; " Again the arrêt of the 28tli 
 Aiig. 1776 already cited, rendered on the demand of the 
 Sieur Le Tellier, Marquis de Courtanveaux, who elaimed 
 the directe universelle on the tcrritory of the town of Tonnerre, 
 governed by the Custom of Sens, wherein prevailed the 
 raaxim nulle terre sans Seigneur, which arrêt " condemns 
 " the inhabitants of Tonnerre to acknowledge the directe 
 " universelle, ofthe town liberties and territory of Tonnerre, 
 " in which he is maintained ; rejects the demand en cham- 
 " part of the Count de Tonnerre ; condemns the inhabitants 
 " to pay the cens at the rate of one sou per arpent ofland, 
 " of whatever kind the same may be, within the liberty 
 " and territory of Tonnerre ; the said cens carrying a fine 
 ••' of 20 deniers tournois by tlie inhabilants and of 5 sols 
 by strangers ; condemns the inhabitants to pay 29 years' 
 arrears, preceding the 30th May 1770, the day ofthe ins- 
 titution of the suit - condemns the said inhabitants to pay 
 the said fine of cens in default of having paid the cens, 
 " and the fines of concealed sales, if such there be ; the 
 '■ w\io\g tvithout préjudice to spécial titles o/ the seignior 
 
Itiû a 
 
 " aguinst uny of t/ic inhabilant.'i, itnd oj mu/ <>/ tht inhuhi 
 " tanls aguinst llie seis;mory 
 
 (In speaking of tliis arrél^ llt'iirion de Punsey, p. 209, 
 ul)servcs : " Asllic proprictor.s liad novor jjriid any cens, al 
 " least, as l'ar as any traco existcd, tlio arrêt imposes on 
 " every arpent of lands the most ordinary cens in the neigh- 
 
 " bouring territories.' 
 
 We furlhcr rcad in the Nouv. Denizart^ p. 351, No. 3, 
 " tlic directe once recognized, it cannot bc doubtcd tliat an 
 " ancicnt, pcaccabie and continuous possession authorises 
 " tlie seignior to prcscribe for iiis benefit the amount of the 
 " rent charge however heavy it may bc. 
 
 144. Ancien Denizart v. 1, at the word " cens^'''* p. 
 408, No. 27 : " As to the amount of cens^ it is regulated by 
 " the titles or by possession, and if there be neither titles 
 " or possession, the seignior may, in tiie countries subject 
 " to the Customs in which the maxim nulle terre sans sei- 
 " gneur is admitted, exact it on the footing on which it is 
 " paidby theneigbouring heredilaraents. The art. 35, of the 
 " Custom of Angoumois, which, in that respect, is conform- 
 " able to the common law, contains a précise provision on 
 
 " the subject : it says : " every seignior having a 
 
 " defined territory, is entitled by the common prac- 
 
 " tice to déclare and comport himself as seignior 
 
 " direct of ail the lands and hereditaments in his territory 
 • ... . .and by means of that directité, if he finds, within 
 " his limits, lands possessed without charges, he may im- 
 " pose cens on the same such as is imposed on the lands 
 " in the neighbourhood of his territory, and conformable 
 " and similar thereto." He cites an Airét of the 22nd 
 " August 1760 in favor of the Sieur Saulniers de Pierre 
 " Levée. (1) 
 
 (1) Prudhomme, p. 51, ch. 4. 
 
166 a 
 
 145. Bosquet, Dict. du domaine, at the word " cens," 
 V. 1, p. 388 : " if i\w propriotor does nol prove a franc-aloii 
 " by litlcs, cens ought to be imposod on his liereditaments, 
 " for the lands of the King's domain, on the footing of thaï 
 *' of the neighbouring lands whichpay censive. 
 
 146. The commentator of Boutaric, p. 18, No. 43, 
 says ; " the seignior, by gctting himself acknowledged as 
 " such from neighbour to neighbour, may exact ail the dues 
 " wJiich lie finds establishcd against the neigbouring 
 " tenants. 
 
 147. Prudhomme, " des biens en roture," p. 92. " The 
 seignior who has neither titlc nor acknowledgmenl of the 
 censive, nor note or register of payments, " nor possession, 
 " may demand the censive, on the house and the heredita- 
 " ments found situated and being within the iimits of his 
 " domain, based on the maxim nulle terre sans seigneur ; 
 " but to fix the censive, regard must be had to the neigh- 
 " bouring lands, to their si/î<a/io?i, and to the revenue which 
 " they produce, the whole in proportion to the value of the 
 " land. 
 
 148. Bourjon v. 1, " des censives" tit. 4, s. 3, art. 14, 
 p. 266 : " as regards the amounl of cens, it is regulated by 
 " the titles if any there be ; and whcre there is no title fixing 
 " that amount, custom, that is to say, the amount ivhich is 
 " the most ordinary in the same place, governs it : it is in 
 " this last case a sure and décisive guide. 
 
 " This is the practice of the Chatelet in such a case. 
 
 149. Ferrière, p. 1061 : " in the evenl that the seignior 
 " does not show his right to the cens paid to him, by valid 
 
 " titlc and by writing the cens ought to be regulated 
 
 " on the footing of the censive due by the hereditaments 
 " contained in the boundaries of the territory of the sei- 
 
 gniory and the fief. 
 
 i( 
 
167 a 
 
 the 
 
 in 
 
 ) 
 
 p. 1066 no. 32 : On the question of ascertaining, '• If m 
 
 " case of a resale by a seignior of a hereditament acquircd 
 
 " by himinhis censive, with déclaration in accordance with 
 
 *' the 53d article of the Custom, without declaring that it is 
 
 " in his censive^ the cens on it will be due, as was the case 
 
 " before the seignior made the acquisition of it " ; Ferrièro 
 says that " if the cens withwhichit wascharged isconforni- 
 
 " able to the cens for which the neighbouring heredita- 
 
 " inents are liable, in that case the purchaser onght to pay 
 
 " the same cens, although it might be considérable. . . . But 
 
 " if the hereditament was subject to a higher cens, the pur- 
 
 " chaser will be bound to pay only the cens duo by the 
 
 " other hereditaments ; because the seignior ought to blaïue 
 
 " himself/or not having stipulât ed for the cens, with which 
 
 " he wished the hereditament to be charged in his favor ; 
 
 " the more so, as having purchased it, the censive lias be- 
 
 " corne entirely extinguished. 
 
 He adds that " the Custom of Auxerre, art. 23, décides 
 " that the proprietor is bound to pay the censive at the rate 
 " paid by the other hereditaments subject to cens, and, 
 " when there are in the said place censives of divers 
 " amounts, at the rate of the lower cens. 
 
 150. Brodeau, v. 1, " des censives," p. 787. " The 
 extraordinary, unusual, and irregular, seigniorial rights, 
 which neither dépend on the nature of fiefs, nor are go- 
 verned by the law and gênerai rule of the custom, but by 
 the ancient concessions and investitures are liable to pres- 
 cription and are purgedby ajudicial sale, failing opposition 
 on the part of the seignior, who cannot claim them without 
 title, as are the droits de champart or terrage, hourdelagCy 
 village, la banalité de moulin, four, pressoir, banvin et 
 corvées, and other .similar dues. 
 
 il 
 il 
 
 p, 798. " The censive of a hereditament which il isnot 
 " shown, to hâve at any lime paid any thing to the seignior, 
 
168 a 
 
 " and wliich tlie propiietor cloes nul ))rovt, by valid tilUr 
 
 '* and by vvrilin^', to be lu^ld in Franc-aleUy i.s rcgulatcd on 
 
 " tlie footing' oi" tlio censive o{ \\ie tiurruundin^ liereditainciils 
 
 " in lluj liniilH oltlie territory dI' tlie seigniury and ihc fief. 
 
 151. Pothicr, Ed- in 4, v. 5, "des Cliamparls, "p. 370: 
 *' Wlien tlie champart îs seigniorial, it is suflioieni l'or tlie 
 *' Heignior to prove tliat tlie land upon wliieli tlioy deny liis 
 " right o[ champart iswitliin tlie liniits of liis seigniory, and 
 " tliat Jill tlie lands wliicli surronnd tlie contcstcd land arc 
 *' subject to champart ; for as in tliose provinces, tlie maxini 
 " nulle terre sans seigneur, prevails, llie posscssor of tlie 
 " contested land not proving tliat lie liolds of anotlier 
 " seignior, is presuinctl to liold, for tliat land, of tlie 
 " seigniory witliin bounds of wliieli it is found, and subject 
 " to the same charges as those which ihe othcr lands of thaï 
 " seigniory are held. (1) 
 
 152. It is, llien, well established tliat, in Franco, tlic 
 seignior, in disposing of a liereditament à cens, miglit fi-v 
 ihc amount of the dues ; and tliat, with respect to a con- 
 cession already made, but tlie title of wliicli the parties 
 did nol produee, or for which the possesst)r had never paid 
 any dues to the seignior, the amount of the dues was 
 regulated on the footing of the most ordinary or customary 
 censive, vvhether of the neighbouring lands witliin the samo 
 limits, or of those of the neighbouring seigniories. It is 
 solely with a view to demonstrate the accnraey of tlios(; 
 Iwo propositions to the most skeptical partisans of onc of the 
 parties to this greal contestation, ihat I havc transcribed su 
 many authorities on the subject ùrawn from the Frcnch 
 Feudists. 
 
 ) 
 
 153. Lct us novv sec if those two ruies cnuncialed in- 
 Ihe last number, and which prevailed in France, hâve also 
 
 (I) Hervé expresses himself in the Bauie inannei' v 5, p. 258. 
 
iOy a 
 
 jir 
 lIso 
 
 ) 
 
 )>i'ovaile(l iii llic Iriulal in<<titiilii>n n| (!iiiia(hi, willi ni 
 williout inoililicalion. 
 
 The Mur(|nis do la Rui;he, (l) b) liisoDinmissiou wliicli 
 l)(;ars datu tlie \2i\\ Janiiary 1598, }iad lluj po\vi;r loronccdt' 
 [o genlltmen and persans ofmcrit lands in fiel', siîij^iiiory ctc 
 '' and 1o otliLTïi ot" infcrior rank at siich dues Knd annuai 
 *' rcnls as hc may deetnjust. " 
 
 Tlie samc autliorily must hâve becn cxercised by lus 
 successors, or by those wiiose delei^ates ihey \v(;n', iintil 
 tlie lornialion uf tlie Company of New France in 1G27 
 
 28. 
 
 154. Under tlie govcrnmcnt of tliis Company, tlie con- 
 cessions ot" land could liave beenniade " subject to such char- 
 ges, réservations and conditions as to the associâtes might 
 scem good." Thèse might " even settle such persons i li loughoui 
 the Country as they miglil lliink proper for the ilistribution 
 of the lands and to regulate the conditions Ihc of." (2) 
 
 So, no limit was fixcd to the amount ol dues which 
 " tliis Company had the right to impose. 
 
 155. In the arrêt of retrenchment of the 21 Marcli 
 1GG3, (3) which directs new concessions to be made, the 
 amount of the ducs ihat could be exacted was not fixed : 
 tliere is even no mention made of cens and ducs, at leasi 
 those words are not to be found in that arrêt. 
 
 15G. The VVcst India Company, (4) crcated in 16G4, 
 had the power " to sell, or dispose by way of enfcoflVnent, 
 •' for such cens et rentes, and othcr scigniorial 
 
 (1) Sec my reinarks o» the Jeu de Fief, No. 7. 
 
 (2) Observations on tlic " Jeu ilo Fiel," no;. 10 aiul 1 1. 
 
 (3) Ibid. no. 37. 
 
 (*) 
 
 n.ii'.i, iio. i"5. 
 
 
IC 
 
 170 a 
 
 " righfs, as may he deemed propci\ and to snch persons as 
 " tli<^ CoiTi))any ihink fit." Tlicir a<Tent-i(enoral, M. Le 
 Barroys, (1) was aiitliorised by liis commission to " dislri- 
 " bute llio lands, or cause ihem to bii distributcd, to indi- 
 *' viduals, at such cens et rentes as sholl l)e found right.''^ 
 In virtue of llie 2()th art. of the réquisition of this agent, 
 (2) the Intendant liad llie riglit to make the concessions, 
 " snbjcct to sueh cens et rentes as shall hy him be con- 
 " sidered right," ;md " notldng," says JNIcssier.rs de Tracy, 
 Courcelles and Talon in the a})osfille granting this request, 
 appcars more conformable to llis Majcsty intentions." 
 AU that does not lend to iix tlie amount of ceiis et rentes. 
 
 Nor was there any mention made of it in the arrêts of 
 retrenchmcnt of the 4th June 1G72, 4th June 1675 and ofthe 
 9th May 1G79, (3), nor in llie letters patent ofthe 20th May 
 IG7() which gave authority to the Governorandthe Intendant 
 to make concessions conjoinlly, (4), nor in the five gêne- 
 rai patents of confirmation given by the King on the lOtli 
 May 1675, the 29tli May 1680, the 15th April 1684, the 14lh 
 .Tuly 1600 and Gtli July 1711. (5) In ail the concessions in 
 fief made previous to the two arrêts of Marly of the 6th 
 July 1711, and which hâve corne to our knowledge, I ha^e 
 not found one which makes mention of ihe amount of the 
 dues which a seignior might exact from his censitaire. 
 
 157. What, then, was the state of things, at the time 
 that thèse arrêts wcre promulgated ? The same that it was 
 until that period in France ; the Canadian Seignior might , 
 by contract à cens, stijralate for such amount of dues as he 
 might think proper ; this stipulation, authorised by the Cns- 
 
 (1) Observations on tlie " Jeu de Fief," no. 48. 
 
 (2) Ibid. no. 48. 
 
 (3) Ib. nos. 50,70,81. 
 
 (4) Ib. no. 73. 
 
 (5) Ib. no. 68, 83, 86, 91, 99, 
 
171 a 
 
 > 
 
 tom of Paris, was légal among us; llie Edict cstablishing 
 iht' West India Company lias t'von an express jirovision in 
 that respect, (art. 33), wliere it déclares that llie judges 
 sliall l)e lield, " to give judgment aecording to tlie laws and 
 " ordinanccs of tlie realm, and llie oOicers of jiistii'e bound 
 *' to follow and to comply witli thc Ciistoin ot" Paris, accor- 
 '^ ding 1(1 wliicli tlie inhabitants shall enter inîo conlra(;ls." 
 
 i 
 
 If it be objected that ihe Canadian Seignior, being 
 boiind to concède, was obliged to do so at a certain rate ; lliat 
 otlH>r\vise sucli obligation became a delusion; I answer ; 
 tlie obligation to clear the lands, was that wliieli was ini- 
 posed iipon thc seignior principally; this obligation, it is 
 true, carried willi it, as a conséquence, that of siib-granting, 
 because it was the only ineans to eflect the clearing. But 
 that did not go so far as to deprive iiim of ihe riglit lie had 
 to enter into a contract, à cens^ as advantageous to liini as 
 possible. If lie found colonists disposed to accept this or 
 that ainounl of dues, and to dcar the lands which lie so 
 conceded to them, he had fulfilled his obligation to clear. 
 Ile could, before 1711, refuse to concède; the law had 
 not yet given to the colonists a right of action to coinpell 
 him to do so ; but if, as the resuit of such l•efu^al, his fief 
 remained uncleared, and not rendered productive^ the 
 forfeiture of his right of property and the re-union, to the 
 domain of the Crown were therc to subjeet him to the pe- 
 nalty of his unjust refusai. 
 
 If the seignior had conceded without stipulation, as to 
 the amount of ihe dues, or if be could not show a litle 
 which established that amount, nor prove a sullicient pos- 
 session, then that amount would hâve to be regulated, as 
 was the practice in France, on the footing of the censivc 
 the inost ordinary or usual, eitlier of the neighbouring lands 
 in the samc enclave, or in tlioso of the neighbouring seig- 
 niories. 
 
172 a 
 
 158, J havo fxriminiMl ilic titio dir.l- ol a coiis,iJevaLlt: 
 niinibrr i.J'graiils, en censlvc, iiind*; bcSon- tlie year 1711, ia 
 ihe doninin of llic Crown, nnd in 1 liai; of individiial scigniors, 
 and Ihe rcsult ofl liât examinalion proves tliat ihe rate ol 
 cens et rentes lias ncver been uniform, lliat it lias constantlv 
 varied, cvcn in ono and tlio same seigniory. h\ tlie domain 
 of tlie Crown, tliis rate varied, dnring tlie period of wliich 
 1 am spcaking, froni G dcnio's ol' ccnfi for a concession of2 x 2 
 Jeagnes, to si>c deniers of cens for eaeli arpent in suj)crficies; 
 ;uid even wlicn l!ie dues were so dislribiitcd by tlie arpent, 
 it wiis establislied ;it Ihe rnte of one, tliree or six dc7ners\wï 
 r. rpcnl . 
 
 159. Sueh was the légal state of lliings at tlie time of 
 tbc promulgation of the two arrêts of Marly of llie Glh July 
 1711. (1) No law liad fixed the amount of îhe dues ihal a 
 -l'ignior eould slipulalc in a eoniracl à cens. 
 
 \ liave, in anolher plnee, given the enlire text of tlie 
 brst of thèse arrêts^ explaining tlie part of it whieh might 
 eflect tlie aliénation of the ficf. The part whieh may hâve 
 relation to the présent subject is ihat whieh, afler having 
 iinposed on ihe seigniors, in express lerms, ihc obligalion 
 lo concède on a rent charge., and given, on iheir refusai, to 
 the inhabitants the right lo apply to the Governor and the 
 Intendant to obtain a concession of the Jand, directs thèse 
 lasl to raake that concession, subject to the same dues im- 
 poscd on the other Ia7ids conceded in the said seigniory .,'■'■ and 
 '•'• whieh dues," adds ihe arrêt " shall be paid by the new 
 settlers into the hands of the Receiver of H. M's. domain." 
 
 Assuredly it cannot be said that ihe prcexisting state 
 of things, as Hir as a convenlional rate was concerncd, what- 
 ever that rafe might be, lias been changed by the letter of 
 tlint law. As regards its spirit, we shall soon see, with the 
 
 (J) Obso\ valions on llie " .Tcii do Ficf no. ]()], 
 
173 a 
 
 )h-\\> oi ilk- iiiri>pruJence wliich provaiU'd mulcv ilie Fiviieli 
 
 (Jovernmonl, il' iî admitted of inferring sneli a (diango and of 
 
 acknowledging il, By tlio words " snbjcct to ihe sarae 
 
 "• dues imposed on ihc othcr lands concedcd in the same 
 
 "• seigniorics," the arrêt secms but lo hâve had in view to 
 
 preseribe to the Governor and the Intendant a rulc of con- 
 
 duct and décision for avoiding ail desagreement between 
 
 them, when, in the particular case providcd for by the arrêty 
 
 thèse two functionaries sliould hâve been called upon to 
 
 exercise the spécial authority which the arrêt conferred on 
 
 them. The legislator would be chargeable with giving 
 
 tliera this authority uselessly, if hc had not, at the same 
 
 time, prcscribed a binding rule, by means of which they 
 
 werc in a position to establish casily the araount of the 
 
 dues, and wliich Icft no pretext for opposingthe concessions 
 
 so demanded, whethcr by disagrcement or refusai, without 
 
 rcndering themselves, guilty of a rcprchcnsible abuse of 
 
 their authority. The provision of the arrêt appears, then, 
 
 intended to be only applicd to the single case in which the 
 
 intervention of the Governor and the Intendant could be 
 
 rendcred necessary. Now, this single case was the refusai 
 
 of the seignior to concède. Thcre could, therefore, be no 
 
 room for sucli intervention, when, willingly and freely, the 
 
 scttler had accepted the concession which lie had demanded 
 
 from the seignior, wliatcver might be the amount of the 
 
 dues contained in this concession, because lie could not 
 
 allège a refusai to concède, on the part of the seignior. 
 
 Besides, the rule of décision so prcscribed to the Go- 
 vernor and the Intendant was not ne w^ ; it was that which 
 prevailed in France for regulating the amount ot'cens et rentes, 
 Avhen the seignior could not invoke a^fainst his censitaire 
 either tido or long possession, to justify the amount which 
 'hc firvi dcninndcd and the second refused. It was the onl\ 
 équitable rnlo to ft^llow in such a case ; and il was aiso the 
 only équitable rule lo follow, in ihe spécial i-asc provideti 
 
174 a 
 
 for by the arrêt of 1711, the setller whoobtained a conces- 
 sion by the intervention of the Governor and tlie Intendant, 
 on the nnjiist refusai of the Seignior to niake such conces- 
 sion, liavjng Seigniorial dues to pay. 
 
 IGO. As to the laws posterior to Lhe Atrét of 1711, and 
 which relate to the concessions of land in Canada, narnely 
 the arrêt of the King's Couneil of State of tlie loth March 
 1732, the Dechuation of lhe 17th July 1743 and that of the 
 Ist Oet, 1747, tlicy, iu no way, touch on the question of the 
 amount of cens et rentes. In that respect the condition of 
 the Censitaire remains as it was raade by the Arrêt of 
 1711. 
 
 IGl. I pass now to the jurisprudence which the French 
 dominion has left us on tliis matter. 
 
 The pcrsons who believe firmly in the fixity of the 
 amour' of cens et rentes by some act or régulation of the 
 Sovereign authority, \vithout, nevertheless, having been 
 able, liiiherto, to producc such act or régulation, cite chiefly 
 in support of ils existence, a judgment rendered for the 
 seigniory of (Jaudarville, by the Intendant Hocquart, on 
 the 23 January 1738. (1) There arc, in fact, in this judg- 
 ment, some expressions, which, at the first glanée, and 
 withoul explanation, might tend to support the impression 
 which those persons entertain. The circumstances under 
 which the judgment was given are thèse : 
 
 The Dame Peuvret, Seignioress of the place, had made 
 five cîoncessions en censive eilher verbally or by letter, as 
 was the fréquent practice ; butshe had not fixed the amount 
 nor the species of tlie dues for which the grantees were to 
 
 (l) Ed. et Oïd. in So. v. 2, p. 545. 
 
 Ts'ote. The concession of Gaudarville dates from the 8th Feby. 
 16f)2, for the lirst portion, and lhe 15lh Nov. 1653 for the second. 
 (Tit. des seig. p. 383-4.) 
 
175 a 
 
 be liable. The last demanded in their pétition, that the 
 seignioress should be condcmned lo grant tlieni " tilles in 
 *' good form, of" the lands which she had conccded to them 
 " and this on the fooling of the deeds of eoneession ci" 
 " other lands in the same seigniory." It was, as one niay 
 see, to invoke, ahinost litcrally, the rule prescribed by the 
 Arrêtai 1711. 
 
 ) 
 
 The Défendant replied that she " offers and conftenls to 
 *' grant and pass to the said inhabilants, the PlantiH's, con- 
 tracta for the new lands which she had eonceded lo the m 
 (thus admitting the fact of the concession) to begin imine- 
 " diately at the end of the first concessions of th(; said 
 " seigniory, and subject to the cens, rentes and seignorial 
 " dues which it shall please us to regulate, " says the In- 
 " tendant." 
 
 The contestation seems to hâve turned simply npon 
 the point of ascertaining if the lands ought to be taken in 
 one or another range of the seigniory. To overcome this dif- 
 iiculty, a. visit of the Grand-Voyer was ordercd. After his 
 report, and after having " seen also," it is said, " the let- 
 ters of concession " of two other habitants " of 3 x 30-ar- 
 pents, to commence, for front, at the end of lands of the 
 Côte de Champigny, together with many deeds given by 
 the Dlle. Peuvret to the inhabitants of the 3rd range, etc., 
 etc., the Intendant orders that the Plaintifls sliall be bound 
 " to take deeds of concession from the Dlle. Peuvret, of the 
 lands which hâve been eonceded to them of thirty arpents 
 
 in depth subject to the cens, rentes, ordered by H. 
 
 M. namely, one sol of cens for each arpent in front (1) and 
 
 (( 
 
 il 
 
 n 
 
 li 
 
 u 
 
 (( 
 
 (1) Thèse words in front (de front) are omitted 5 thcy are to be 
 founcl in the judgment as iuserted at p. 170 of the 2d vol. of the docu- 
 ments styled " documents seigneuriaux," publibhed in 1852. The 
 omission of words so important for the proper understanding of this 
 judgment, added to so many other inaccuracies wliich disfigure those 
 
170 a 
 
 " one 60/ ol' rent Inr eacli arpeni in snpcilici'r-, uiid ntih' 
 " capon or twenly sols, at tlie clccfioii ol tln' saiil Dcnioi 
 " selle, l'or each arpent in front." 
 
 1G2. Tliis jud^mcnt of thc Intendant Hocquart is tli-:* 
 only document in whicli \vc tind thèse words cens et rentes 
 ordered by llis Majesly." If tlicre really liad exislcd an 
 order or régulation of the King, liniiting, in an absolulr 
 manner the amount of the scigniorial dues, inlenued to go- 
 vern, without distinction, ail the concessions en censive 
 made by his vassals, no contestation or diiliculty could evei 
 hâve arisen on that rnatter. If the words of the judgment 
 are proof of the existence of such régulation, disi inct from 
 the rule enunciated in the first arre7 of the Gih July 1711, 
 then, the cens et rentes could not be constitutcd otherwise 
 than in money and in capons, the capon valued at 20 sols 
 and no more ; the seigniorial dues, in that case, would hâve 
 bcen uniform, or, at ail events, could not hâve exceedcd that 
 amount or that limit, unless, indeed, the rate stipulatcd by 
 agreement between the parties be excepted, thereby adniit- 
 ting its legality. Such limiting r'îgulation existing, the In- 
 tendants empowercd to décide the contestations of parties 
 would havc had no discrétion to exercise ; they would hâve 
 been obliged, on the case occuring, to be governed by the 
 rate of the régulation. But, once again, why is not that 
 limiting régulation produced ? The fact is that it lias never 
 existed. We hâve the proof of this in the very silence, on 
 this question of a fixed amount, of the spécial laws of the 
 country which hâve been cited. 
 
 For the rest, it is easy to explain thèse expressions ol 
 the Intendant Hocquart, " ordered by the King^'''' and to 
 give thcm their true sensé, the only one in which hc could 
 
 publications, so interesling to tlic history of the colonisation of Canada, 
 bear tcstimony, in a niauner gieatly lo be rpgrettcil, to ihc liKle carr; 
 taken in thèse publication?'. 
 
I i a 
 
 i 
 
 luive employcd iheni. He wislicd, boyond a doubt, tlius io 
 qualjfy Ihe words genorally uscd in this mattcr, " ordiiiary 
 cens et renies^ " customary cens et l'enles," or other such 
 words having the same scnse and wliich ihe King, in con- 
 l'ormily with the rule of the eommon law, has reprodueed 
 in his arrêt of 1711, in thèse words ; " subject to the saine 
 " dues imposed on the otlier lands conceded in the said 
 " seigniories "; expressions, whicli necessarily leave to the 
 judge a fact to apprcciate, since they suppose the existcnee 
 of ordinary dnes and extra or dinar y duus, usual dues and un- 
 nsual, dues amongst which, in case of contestation, the judge 
 was bound to chose the most ordinary and the most usual. 
 
 It is in this light that the parties to the Gaudarville suit 
 hâve understood their respective rights and ol)ligations ; tho 
 censitaires in asking the Intendant to fix tlie cens et rentes 
 " on the footing of the titles of concession of other lands, 
 of the said seigniory," and the seignioress, in oJJ'ering and 
 consenting to pass contract " subject to the seigniorial cens et 
 rentes and dues which it will please hira to regulate." 
 
 il 
 
 It is further thus, we must say, that the Intendant has 
 
 understood tlie position of the parties and his own judicial 
 
 authority. For, in granting by his judgment, rendered only 
 
 after having seen " several decds given by the Dlle. Peu- 
 
 vret to the inhabitants of the third range " the cens et rentes 
 
 enunciated in this judgment, he ouglit to be supposed, 
 
 under the circumstances, to hâve only granted tlie ordinary 
 
 or usual cens et rentes of the seigniory, that is to say, " the 
 
 same dues imposed on the other lands conceded in the said 
 
 seigniory," according to the rule recognizcd by the arrêt of 
 
 1711 ; dues which by this arré'f, the King orders expressly 
 
 lo be imposed in an analogous case. The Intendant could, 
 
 therefore, say with reason that tlie cens et rentes to which 
 
 he subjected the five censitaires of Gaudarville were really, 
 
 '' Ihe CC71S et rentes ordcred by His Alajestv "for a likc sort, 
 
 23 
 
178 a 
 
 witlioiil his ]\(>\x\cf oonsiflfM-p(l lo linvo wisliod to hâve it im- 
 dorstood ili;il iIkmc cxistcd a liinilatini^- ro<ifnlation distinct 
 frniii iIk; rul(! ot'tijo cotuinon law rcpcatcd in tlie arrêt ol" 
 1711. 
 
 Tlint whicli l(\'ids me fnrtlinr to say tliat tlio Intendant 
 iror()iirir! diily livanled to ilic seii^iiiovess of fîandarville ihe 
 ordiiun-f/ uuil nisloriuiri/ COIS (t. rentes in tlie seii,nii()iy, js 
 tli<" lollow iiiM' i';,,;|, At tli(- rates mentioned in the jndgnienl, 
 tlie reii! in inoniy aud in enpons, l'or a land of 3 X 30 
 Udidd l)(> (witlioiit inéli!dini( the llirec sols of cens) 1 sol 3 
 deniers pcr nvpent in superfudes, tlie priée of tli(; capon 
 l)i-i-.i^ ii\<>d ;i1 20 sols. I liave seen a di^ed of concession of 
 the 1:]||i S<>p1. 17()S ([.a ("itièr(<, \oiary), i^iven by the Sei- 
 tuiorol'Caiidiirville, of a land of 3 ■^, îJO arpents adjoining 
 llie Rivi'i- of Cape Roug(\ Tliis concession, anterior by 30 
 ye;irs lo the jnduiiient of whicli wc speak, is made iipon 
 Ihe coiisidcraliou of " 3 //rrc.v and 2 live capons for the wholo 
 of the said c(Mieession, or 10 so/s in rnonc^v in dtdault of 
 fiirnisliin^ ihe said iwo capons, and 2 sols of cens," thaï is 
 to s!iy, for tliis land of (»() ar])ents in suiK-rllcies, at the rate 
 of J sol S deniers of rente for each arpent in superficies, 
 inchisive of llie- 3 sols of (,Tns. Il is the same aniounl as 
 thaï conlained in the jiuli^mient of tJie Intendant Iloequart. 
 
 1(!3. Let nr; now look at anotlicr judgment rendered by 
 the sain(^ Intendant, Iloequart, for the seigniory of Portnenf 
 a few years b(dbre his jiidgment for Gaudarville, namejy 
 on lh<i 2()lh July 1733. (l) There is no mention in it of the 
 cens et rentes ordercd by the King. 
 
 The Seignior, M. Charles Le Gardcur, denianded, by 
 his pétition, tliat ail the censitaires who had deeds of con- 
 cession should be bound to give Jiim a copy of ihem in 
 proper form, and that those among them vvho had not oon- 
 
 (l) Edils aud Ord. in 8o. v. 2, p. 531. 
 
179 a 
 
 tracts nor letters of concession, slionUl bc hoiind 1o liikc 
 (leeds of concosf.ion bel'oro IVotarics, eonfoiiuably tu llif 
 iincienl dcods and in aceordanco witli tiic clauses o[ cor- 
 vées and cens et rentes tlirrcin nientioncd, toi(oilicr w iili iliat 
 of payini^ the lllhfish for tlic riylif. of lisliini,^ in front of 
 tlieir lands. 
 
 A fier liavint^ lieard tlic inhabitants, and liavint;- scvu 
 Iwo contracts of concession in t/iat .vr/i^/i/on/, one of w hicli 
 daled the ;3rd Nov. l(Jrt4, was made to ,Iean ('airhiu and 
 tlic otiier of tlic 23vd April \6^!'i to INfatliiirin Conieaii, tli<.« 
 Intendant ordcred tliat, in regard to lliosc persoiis \\\h) \\;h] 
 not as yel taken decds, tliey slionld 1)C boiind solo do ^\ jdiin 
 a certain delay, and to give copies tlien^of 1o liieir seii.'-nior, 
 " and lliaf, subject to the samc danses aiul conditions ;is 
 " tliose set fortli in llie \\vo dceds above nieniioucd, if die 
 " sliould not j)refer to becoiiKî iiable to llie dues of :]{) ,su/s 
 " and a capon for cacli arpent in front liy l<* in (le|)lli, ol" 
 " six deniers of cens and of the lllli iish, Avhieh they will 
 " he bound to adoi)t at the lime of the passing of tlie con- 
 "■ tracts, otlicrwise the option to li<' wUh tlie seignior." 
 
 l liave procured tlic two C(.)ntrac1s of Ca1(>lau and ( 'or- 
 neau, Avhicli contain, eacli, a concession of \ y, 10 arpents, 
 the two lands being next eacli othcr, and the two eonlraets 
 liaving been passed before Cenaple, Noiary. Tu res|)ecl 1o 
 the dues tlic two concessions arc alikc ; ihal uiade lu Cate- 
 lan States " subjccl to iIk; cliarg»' of iour lirrc.s and iuur 
 good fat capons, witli 4 deniers of cens, on the avIioIi- n\' ihe 
 said concession, at the rate of 20 sols antl I eapon Inr eacli 
 of the said 4 arpents in front. " And inoreover the 1 llh of 
 ^' cacli Iish cauglit in front of the said concession in 
 '■'• the said river and two days of corvée in each 
 
 y car, 
 
 Tho second alternative prcscnfed by tliis jndgnient 
 gave for the ducs in moncy, one third more tlian wliat 
 
180 a 
 
 was staied in \he Iwo contracl;* ol' ('atelan anU C'omeau, 
 xiiioe it gave 30 sols by 1 x 10 nrj)ents and 6 deniers of cens. 
 Tlic last paid at llie rate ol" one sol por arpent in superficiers, 
 tlie capon valued at 20 sols, vvliile undcr tlie second alter- 
 native of the judgment the cenisitaire wouid hâve liad to 
 \.z.y 1 sols 3 deniers. 
 
 Vive years later, the same Intendant granted to the 
 Seignioress of Gaudarville two fifths more than he liad 
 granted to his second neighbour, tiio seignior of Portneuf. 
 Can it be, tlien, that it was in the interval betwvn t!>e«e 
 two judgments that a royal régulation, ordering fixed cens 
 et rentes had been made ? 
 
 IG4. If, notwithstanding the Portneuf judgment (1733,) 
 tJiere are persons whose iirm belief in tîie existence of 
 such a limitating régulation, traces back that existence lo 
 an anterior date, tliey cannot fail to perceive their error, in 
 reading the analysis which I hâve given of several ordinan- 
 ces pronounced in one single case, the last of which dated 
 ihe 22nd Ji\.A\ 1730 by the Intendant Hocquart himself. 
 
 This analysis, although necessarily long, has neverthe- 
 less a particular interest, in as much as the first of thèse 
 ordinances is almost two years anterior to the enregistration 
 of the arrêts of the 6th July 1711. 
 
 This ordinance rendered by the Intendant Raudot, 
 on the 8th March 1710, condemns the sieur Trem- 
 blay, Seign'or of Eboulements, to grant to Louis Gau- 
 thier a deed of concession of a land of 12 i^ 40 arpents 
 " subject to the same clauses and conditions as those con- 
 tained in th^ concessions to the inhabitants of La Petite 
 Rivière.''^ (1) Tremblay did nothing in the matter. But on 
 the arrivai of the new Intendant Begon, he presented a pé- 
 tition to him upon which he obtained an ordinance dated 
 
 (1) «Doc. Seig."; V. 2, p. 91. 
 
181 a 
 
 lion 
 
 ;on- 
 
 'Mte 
 
 on 
 
 pe- 
 
 ted 
 
 I 
 
 > 
 
 iIk' I81I1 Apiil 1713, (I) wUhotit in/ormiiig him of Ihat mode 
 b}f Raudot. Tho soignior cleinancled the ro-union lo liis 
 domain, in (Icfault of suflicient clearing of llio one lialf of 
 iho land in question, eonceded by a lelter ol" his prcdeces- 
 sois, and prayed that Gauthier should be bonnd " to take a 
 *' lltle from him undcr the obligation of paying him every 
 " year, on the day cl' the feast of St. Rémy, 20 sols and 1 
 " capon or 20 sols at the choice of the said Tremblay^ for 
 " each arpent of land in front hy 40 in depth, and 1 sol of 
 " cens for the said six remaining arpents of front," that is 
 to say, one sol for each arpent in superficies ; wiiich, as \ve 
 shall immediately see, was exactly double the rent imposed 
 on the lands of La Petite Rivière, one of the neighbouring 
 seigniories. The prayer of the pétition was granted by this 
 ordinance of 18th April 1713. 
 
 Upon another demand instituted, no doubt, on the 
 pétition of Gauthier, the same Intendant Bogon rendered on 
 the 3rd February 1717, another ordinance, which sets fortli 
 that without hindrance from that of the 18th April 1713 
 (which he declared to hâve been given without Tremblay 
 having informed him of that by Raudot, of the Sth Mardi 
 1710), this last ordinance should be executed according to 
 its form and ténor, and " that the said sieur Tremblay should 
 be held to allow the said Gauthier to enjoy peaceably the 
 said 12 arpents which he had been condemned to concède 
 to him subject to the 3ame clauses and conditions as those 
 mentioned in the deeds of other concessions given to the 
 inhabitants of La Petite Rivière, on the condition that he 
 should pay him ail the arrears of rent to commence on 
 " the Sth March 1710." 
 
 u 
 
 Li 
 
 (.i 
 
 i.i 
 
 U 
 
 U 
 
 Another suit intervened, followed, first, by an ordinan- 
 ce of the Intendant Begon of the 28th June 1723, ordering 
 the nomination of arbitrators to regulate the depth of Gau- 
 
 (1) " Doc. Seig." V. 2, p. 40. 
 
182 a 
 
 tliior's Innd, fifforwards by a soconù ordinanro of tho samc 
 Infj'iKiîint (lîitcd tlio I21I1 April 17^1 (1) ^vhi(•ll coridcinncd 
 îinrw tlir said Tromhlay " lo concedo to (Jauthicr 12 x 
 " 40 iirpi-nts in liis seiijfniory, n}wn (lu; same conditinns and 
 " at llir saine rates menlioned in (lie concessions made to tlie 
 " i)\luil)itantH of La Petite Ririrre, and as lias befii horoto- 
 " l'on' orden'd hy \\\r. ordinanco of M. Kaudot of tluî 8tli 
 Mardi 1710, and by lliaf wliicli \ve liave luadc^ in ronsc- 
 (|U(Mi(o on llui 3rd Fchrnary 1717 ; and being inforincd 
 tliat lli(! inlial)itants of La Petite Ririrre pay, accordini:; 
 " to tlicir deeds of concession^ fen sols current moneji of t/iis 
 " counlrif pcr arpent of front and t/ie lialf of a. capon^) wr. 
 " condcnin iIk^ said Gantliicr to pay lo tlic said TnMnblay 
 " llii' arrcars of rcnis of his said land in spocic, or oqniva- 
 '^ lents l)Ci,'inning on tlie 8tli iMarcli 1710, al tli(^ raie of (> 
 " ///vv.s' ciirrcnl moncy of lliis coiintry, ccpiai in ciirrency of 
 ''■ Fran('(! lo t lirres, 10 sols, and G capons or a likc snni of 
 '•' 1 /irrf.s and 10 sols, and 9 deniers of c'<7i.s' ])('r arpent, 
 '•'• yearly ; and wo order tlic said Tremblay to exeentc a 
 " (U'V{\ of concession to tlic said (inn\]no.r on Ifie clauses and 
 " rondili(»is ahove menlioned, and iipon llic del'aull of ilie 
 "• said 'rreiiii)iay to nudio tlie said concession to liiiii wilhin 
 '•'■ u iiioiitli fiom lliis day, and tlic samc ])cing passcd, \\r. 
 '■'■ order lliat our présent ordinancc sliall serve tlie said 
 "■ (iaiitliier as a deed of concession." 
 
 15eliold, tlien, tlic Scii^nior of Ebonlcments once more 
 recbiced to lh(> nccessity of not l^eing able to exact froni liis 
 censitaire, fianthicr, liiglicr ducs tlian at the rate of lialfa, 
 sol pcr ai'iicnt in superficies. But lie does not lose courage . 
 de giv(>s no d(>ed to his tenant; lie awaits tlic arrivai of a 
 iiew Intendant, and tliat Intendant is M. Iloctiuart, wlio, al 
 a latcr date, rcndcrcd tlie ordinancc of Gaudarvillc. CJau- 
 lliicr was by tliis lime, dcad ; and witliout any sumrnons, 
 tlic Seignior obtained against lus uidow and cliiklrcn, for 
 
 (1) " Doc. iSeig." ; v. 2, p. 91. 
 
183 a 
 
 tlio sariKi land, an Onlinanc»! IVoni tin; iicw Init'ii- 
 dant, rciKlcri-d, il is dt.'(lan;d, " on iIk* nrlxil |M'li- 
 " tioii to UM niadc l)y llit! «icur l'icrrt' 'rn'iiil)lay, ou ilu" 
 " .sul)jei;t ()f soino inliabilaiils ot" lii.s Sui^'iiiory ol Mhoiilr- 
 " iiicnls, wlioR-lusu totake IVom liiindccdsror tliccoiicc>>i()iis 
 '^ wliicli Ik; lias Iliade lo llicni, more inpcàalhi llic iridoiu 
 " (ind lir.irs oj'l/ie li'tc Louis (ianthitr wlio liold and pos- 
 " M'ss a land in tlie said Si.'iii;iiiory, ol' G y. 10 arpniis, 
 " wliicli t"()rni(,'d part ol" oni; ol \Z arpents loinicrly possrssi'd 
 l)y llio laie Jiouis tiautliicr, wlicrool llu; liait \vas nMiniicd 
 lollio domain ul' tlie said sieur Tremblay hy ordrr of M. 
 Mei^on dated tin; 18tli April 1713; tiie said sieur 'rreiii- 
 hlay j)rayinif tliat it may please ns lo ohliifc ihc ^ald 
 " widow and lieirs lo taUe a deed for tlio said land of (j ar- 
 " p(!nts, conl'orinaldy to the said ordinanee, llial is lo sav, 
 '•'■ at Uie rate of 20 aoLs atul a cai)o)ii)cr arpeni or of 10 ,so/s 
 '' ivUliout a capon^ at the clioicc oftitc said .sieur Trembla fi^ 
 " and of one sol of cens for the said G arpents^ 
 
 The i)rayer ol" the seignior was granted to him, and the 
 fnlendant Iloeciuart condemned ihe widow and llic heirs 
 Gaullii(!r in conséquence, under the })enalty of réunion lo 
 the domain, by an ordinanee of the 22nd Aj)ril 1730,(1) 
 " wliieli," adds the Intendant, " shall likewisc take place 
 *•*■ as respects the lands of the other settlers of the said sieur 
 " Tremblay who shall refuse to take decds for thein." 
 
 165. In tins way ended, after tiic death of Gauthier, 
 the strugglc begtni between him and his seignior. VVe see 
 that the lalter had acted in the matter towards the Inicti- 
 dant Ilocqnart as lie had towards the Intendant liogon. 
 He took good care to keep froni his knowledge the ord'nan- 
 ces of 1710, 1717 and 1724, which had rejected his preten- 
 sions. Ho laid before him only that of 1712 which had 
 ordered the reunion to his domain of the half of (Janthier'.s 
 
 (1) « Doc. Seig.» V. 2, p. 132. 
 
184 n 
 
 land and liad granted to him a sol of reni pcr arpent m 
 superficies. 
 
 Gauthier was in possession ; but the amount of his 
 rent was not fixed by any title deed. It was a case wherein 
 to make application of the rule of the common law, by the 
 aid of which that rent ought to be settled on the footing of 
 the most ordinary and usual rate, in the limits of the same 
 Seigniory, or of the neighbouring ones. In 1710, the In- 
 tendant Raudot adopted the rate of La Petite Rivière ; that 
 is, half a sol per arpent ; at a later date we see his succes- 
 sors, who had the same fact to appreciate and the same rule 
 to apply, adopting a rate double that of the first, because 
 withoui doubl, its existence had been proved to them on 
 other land s in the same or another seigniory. There was 
 then nothing that was less fixed than the amount of seig- 
 niorial dues, at the différent periods which comprise the 
 ordinances above cited. Assuredly if there had existed a 
 régulation fixing that amount at 1 sol 8 deniers per arpent 
 in superficies, which is that stated in the ordinance of Gau- 
 darville of the 23rd January 1738, as having been ordained 
 by tTie King, the Intendants who rendered thèse ordinances, 
 and M. Hocquart himself would hâve been acquainted with 
 it, and would hâve acted in conformity with it ; a seignior 
 so persevering in his efforts to create a reserve for himself 
 as was the Sieur Tremblay, would not hâve failed to invo- 
 ke the benefit of it, in as much as such a régulation would 
 liave given him the right to two thirds more than what lie 
 dcmanded from his censitaire Gauthier. 
 
 166. The partisans of the system of a fixed rate dépend 
 further on that which is said in an ordinance rendered by the 
 Intendant Begon, a few years after the arrêts of 1711, 
 namely, that the Seignior of Demaure could not impose new 
 charges. This ordinance, which is dated the 15 Feb. 1716 
 (1) condemned such of the censitaires as had not yet deeds 
 
 (1) Ed. and Ord. in 8o. v. 2, p. 4-iS. 
 
Ml coiiccbsjou "^ U) R'poit tfit; letU'is wliicii llicy iiaù lioiu 
 tlie lato Sieur Domaure, in orcler that thu «aid Sieur Aubcrt 
 rnay pass deods to thom at thc charges and condUions of 
 the ancient deeds, ivithout thc poiver of Increasiiig thc sanu' 
 by neiv cliarges.^'' 
 
 If the amount and the nature of thc cens et rentes hud 
 i)een established in a fixcd manncr, as is prelcndod, wouki 
 not the Intondant; liavc said at once ; " at the raie of so 
 
 mnch " (1 sol 8 deniers as for Gandarvilic,) rathor 
 
 ihan render a jiidgrnent which did not end ihe contestation, 
 bccanse it ovdered a référence to thc ancient titlc deeds, 
 which, if they had differed, must neccssaaily hâve been con 
 sidered, before they could arrive at llie conclusion of the fixi- 
 ty of the amount of rents. What need would there hâve 
 been of adding thèse words : " without thc power of in- 
 creasing the same by new charges.'"' 
 
 Tlic tenants, ahhough only bearers of letters, wcre 
 already not the less grantces ; the lands helongcd to them ; 
 only, the amount and thc nature of the charges might not 
 hâve been fixcd in thèse letters. In that case, they ought, 
 in the absence of a written agreement, to be supposed not 
 to hâve taken their lands at other than the ordinary and 
 usual cens et rentes, ^vhich could bc none but thosc contai- 
 ned in the ancient deeds, without that in such a case, the 
 Seignior had the right to add to thcm. ISOw, by the inser- 
 tion of thèse words " new charges" in the ordinance ot 
 which we spcak, whether they comprise the cens et rentes, 
 or whether they sliould be understood to alludfî only le 
 charges properly speaking, it is évident that the new :^eig- 
 nior of Demaurc had attempted to subjVîct thc bearers ot 
 letters to paymenis more burdensoine than those Avliich were 
 found in thc ancient deeds, thc only ones to whieh ihe inli;i 
 liifanîs wcrc supposed lo hâve «:ubiiiiUed tlicniseh'et; 
 
186 a 
 
 Tliimce thc vcry simple oxplanation of the prohibition 
 mado hy thc Inlcndant. and resulting from llic words 
 " "witliout tlu; power of incrcasing the same by new char- 
 ges ;" a prohibition wiiieh Avas ihus mado, only to protect 
 granlcfs \vlio \vc'rc aiready in possession, and who relused to 
 bind lhenis(îlves midcr new charges. 
 
 J(i7, Thc Intendant Ilocqiiart, himself, on tiie 15 Jan- 
 iiaiy 17jy (1), that is to say a few days before liis judg- 
 mcnt of (iaiularville, rcndered an ordinanee for tliis same 
 Seigniory of Demaure, then belonging to the poor of the 
 .Motel-Dieu of Québec. The Religions administralrixes of the 
 scigiiiory demanded from one Jean Desroehes one year's 
 cens ci rentes, at the rate of one solper each arpent in super- 
 ficies, and of one capon per each arpent of front by thirty 
 arpents in dcpth. 
 
 Desroeiies prayed for delay, " to make search for the 
 liilo (Jeed of lus land, according to whieh deed, he preten- 
 ded that lie; was not bound to pay rents so high, as those 
 \vhich the Religions Ladies demanded from him." The 
 Intendant granted him a delay of 8 days " to prodnce the 
 deed in question " and " whieh time being expired, and in 
 default of his liaving given satisfaction in the premises," 
 the Intendant condemned him to pay " the year of arrears 
 at the rate iierein above mentioned." 
 
 This ordinanee was so made only 8 days before that of 
 tîaudarv'ille, ncvertheless the Intendant llocquart made no 
 mention in it of " tlie cens et rentes ordered by H. M.," 
 even though the amonnt of the rent in money and in capons 
 was the same. Can it, then, be possible that the royal 
 ordev or régulation fixing the amonnt of the dues, should 
 hâve arrived in Canada in the interval of 8 days ? and tiiat 
 the Inttmdant iiastened to proclaim it on the first opportu- 
 
 (1) '« Doc. 8eitr."; V. 2,p. 1G8, 
 
187 a 
 
 nity that offered l'or so doing .■' Where, tliPii, is this régu- 
 lation? Has it been enrogistered? VVliaf is its diite ? 
 What is that ol'its^enregistratjon ? M. Hocquarthas l'orgollen 
 to tell us. 
 
 the 
 
 168. Let us proceed to establish the jnrispriKh'nno of 
 period in question. 
 
 I 
 
 On the llfh Nov. 1718, Joseph Robillunl obtniiird In, m 
 die Seignior of La Valtrie a concession of G -< iO arptui,-., 
 in continuation of a former concession, and adjoiiiiiiL; a 
 third belonging to hiin. Tiie original or minute oC ihe eoii- 
 tract was not signed by the notary (Lepailleur) nor hy ihe 
 parties, nor by witnesscs. In the meantime, Robilianl took 
 possession. In the royal jurisdiction of Montréal, on the 
 29th Nov. 1743, the seignior obtained a judgmenl against him 
 by default, whicii, from tliere being no signature !o the mi- 
 nute of the contract, paid no regard to it and (.ondemiii d 
 Robillard to take a deed of concession in due form, and lo 
 pay to the Seignior the quantity of '3 niinots o/)nerc/ia niable 
 ivheat, 6 livres in money, foroneyear's arrearsduc; ont lie 1 Ith 
 Nov. 1743, and so to continue frotn year to year. Kobillaid 
 entered an appeal ; lie produced his contract, Avhieh did not 
 mention for ail the concession, but ^ a minol of merclianta- 
 ble wheal and 6 livres 6 sols of cens et rentes. Ile lu-ockieed 
 at the same time, 23 acquiltances from 1718 to 17 13. Ile 
 contended that he was not bound to pay but at tiie rate namrd 
 in his contract, in the same wayas he had alway^done, yet 
 with tlic réduction of one fourth (1), in confornnty with the 
 
 (1) By a déclaration oi" the 5tli July 1717, explained by tliat ol the 
 21st Mardi 1718 and that of the 2r)st March 1730, the Kiiig had 
 reduced the value of card nionoy to one half the ainount am iiten on 
 those cards in such a inanner tliat a catd of 4 livres, nionoy of the 
 country, ought not to liave currency but for 2 livres of l he same 
 money and to be worth only 1 livre 10 sols nioncy of rrancc. 
 
 It was declared that the payments, even those of the cc?is et rentes^ 
 
î«8 a 
 
 KUii;',^ iJtïcluiulion,'; *jt 171b and 171tJ "■ in aa niucli, iie 
 " says, as lu* was invfsted witli a snfiicieiit tille, as well by 
 ■ a possession oi' 25 years and bonndaries, ils by tlie sait', 
 '' acciiiillanees, and tlie " grosse,^'* and copy ot' tlie said 
 "■ contract ofeonccssion of tlie Util Nov. 1718 duty .signed 
 '■• i'V llu! said Lopailleur, notary." 
 
 Htîforo institut ing an appeal, Rol>illard liad, on execu- 
 îli.in, but aller mnking tlio neccssavy protestations, ])aid 1o 
 îlie baililltlie amount. of tlie judgment,lhat is to say, besides 
 ;lie eosis, () lirrcs for one year's arrears of vent due on ihe 
 lltUNov. 1743, and 12 livres for 3 minois of Avlieat (the 
 whcat val lied at i francs), making 3 sols pcr arpent in sv- 
 perfides. 
 
 Tlic Snprrior Couneil, " eonsidering tlie King's de 
 " claratlon of ilie Gtli ^fay 1733 concerning tlie defectivi- 
 " documenls of notariés deeeased or wlio liave given up 
 " iheir olïiee, einn-gistered in tlic Couneil on tlie 2()tli Au- 
 " gust folloAving,'' niaintained Robillard in jiossession of tli<' 
 «•oncessicm niade to liini in llic eoniract of tlie lltii Nov. 
 1718,'' wliieh sball bc earried ont aecording to ils form 
 and Icnor,'' deelarod iho an'ét whieli is daled tlie 2d JNTarel; 
 1711, (1) ; and ihe Seignior Avas condemned, in eonsequence, 
 to rendor an<l pay back to Robillard llic suui of 35 lii'rcs 8 
 sols, \vhieh ihe laller liad paid to tlie seizing bailifl', \v]\h 
 *)ie déduction of 8 lirres 6 sols, namely, (> livres for the 
 
 wlicii il -v^'as liot stipiiKited tliat tliey .shouM he '• nioiinaio do France *" 
 (Dec), ol .'mIi July 171') or '' nioiinaic iournoi!«c on parisjs " (noc.l. (■. 
 '!'){\\ ~\raich ]73n). siioniil \io inadc in rionov ot'France, dcducling one 
 foi'.i-Hi, -wlii^ii w;i'^ tho réduction oftlif" inoney of tlie couiitry into inonoy 
 cf France : and tiiaf, Avlien ''^nnniiaie do Franco nii monnaie (ournoise 
 (pj r,nri>.is,"' liad bcen stipnlntod, tlie priymcnt «-lionld be mndo on tlie 
 fooiiii,": o^'tlie mo-vy n[.l'"rai)cr; 'n-i!hi>ui ony rrdiirtinn (Ed. niid (.>rd. 
 yn-e^o. V. I.p. 370, 3P3 and :'2j). 
 (1) Ed. und Ord. in-So, v. 1, j.. 217. 
 
1«9 a 
 
 ground l'Ht, tj iols oi cens îiikI 2 liuvs lur hall a minot ol 
 u'Iic;).!, nialviiiî^ !i rcnt of 1 sol 4 deniers pcr arpent. 
 
 M. Hocqnart was ptill, ut Uns lime, Intendant oCjiistice 
 in Canada ; but il docs not aj)pear tiiat lie was présent in 
 tlie Coiuicil \\ lien l!ic arrêt was rendered. The all'air is 
 iiut llie less iiripoi'lant on tliat accoiint. The judgnient ol" 
 ihe Court at Montréal, v.diieh was set asidc only bce.aiise 
 the eontrael of concession, altliough defective from the wanl 
 of signature, was niaintained by ihe fl/rc'^, proves clearly 
 that lliere was no regidalion lirnifingtlie amount of the ceiis 
 et rentes at the rates set forth in the judgment of Gaudar- 
 villo ; in tlie iirst jiiace, because it granted a rcnt in wheat, 
 and fiirtlier becansf^ that, valuing the wheat at 4 francs, it 
 gav(! Ilie Seignit)r a rent of threc sols per arpcni in superfi- 
 cies. Ilad such a régulation cxisted, the court at Montréal 
 could not havc avoided applying it, and the Superior Coun- 
 cil, the first tribunal of the Colony, nay that among tho 
 records of whieli, by its own order, tliis régulation ouglit to 
 hâve bccn enregistered, would not havc kcj)t silentrespecting 
 a décision whieli, in violation of the régulation, would thus 
 liavc granted an excessive rate. We may reniark, besides, 
 that the concession to Robillard was postcrior to the arrêts 
 ofl711. 
 
 1G9. In another ordinance rendered by the Intendant 
 Hocquart on tlu^ 13t^' April 1745, (1) mention is made of 
 ^evcral doeds of cou" ' sion in the island of Orléans, sctting 
 forth dillenMit raîes. One even, bearing date the lî)lh Mardi 
 1059 (Aud"uart, notavy), had been made to Jac<]ues llcr- 
 nier, ealled Jolin of Paris, subjeet to the charge of " 10 sols 
 '■'• ))('r arpent in su[)erficies, and 3 lire capons, yearly, and 
 " o deniers oî cens for the wliole of the said concession." Il 
 is truc tha!, priorto 1 lie contestation which gave occasion 
 l'or this ordinance, the jn-incipal of the rent had bccn redce. 
 
 (1) '• Don. 
 
 ■•Cl'/. 
 
 r 
 
 1S7. 
 
190 a 
 
 med ; but this renl must, under the circumslances, hâve ap- 
 peared so high, that if the limiting régulation in which per- 
 sons wish to believe, had really existed, we could noi })iil 
 be siirprised at the silence of the Intendant on that head, 
 since the very land which had been the objeet of that con- 
 cession, and ihe charges to which it was liable, were equal- 
 ly the objeet of the contestation carried before him. 
 
 170. There is anolher judgment of the Royal Court of 
 Montréal, rendered on the 25tii June 1745, (1) allowing 
 cens et rentes exceeding, by far, the rates enunciated in the 
 Ordinance ot Gaudarville. 
 
 Michel Colin dit Laliberté possessed 120 acres of land 
 in Isie Bouchard. The seignioress demanded from hini 
 cens et rentes " in conforrnity with llie ancient deeds of 
 " concession of the other inliabitants of the said seignior}-.." 
 The judgment condemned the défendant to pay " 3 livres 
 for two days of corvée for the last year (2) togeiher with \ 
 livres 10 sols, one sol of cens and 6 capons for one year'.s 
 cens et rentes and the llth of ail the fishes, &c., &c. 
 
 The capons being valued at 30 sols each, this décision 
 gnve, including the corvées, cens et rentes at the rate of 2 
 sols 9 deniers per arpent in superficies, and 2 sols, 3 deniers 
 without the corvées. The judgment states that a deed of 
 concession for a land in the same island, made to one Jac- 
 ques Foisy on the 14th Dec. 1709, (Raimbault, notary) had 
 been produced before the judge. There is reason to believe 
 that it was in accordance with that deed that the priée of 
 the corvées and cens et rentes was fixed in this instance. I 
 hâve seen the minute of this deed which comprises a con- 
 
 (1) " Doc. Seig." V. 3, p. 79. 
 
 (2) Tlie seignioress demanded 40 sols for every duy of corvée. An 
 ordinance of the Intendant Begon of the 3rd Jvine 1714 rendered on 
 the pétition of ihe inhabitants of Tsle Bouchard, had allowed tiiem 
 to exempt themselves from the said Corvées by giving to the seignior 
 40 sols for every such Corvée Edits and ord. 8o. v. 2, p. 437. 
 
191 a 
 
 cession of aboul 90 arpents in superficies, setting forth, 
 " 1 sol of cens and a seigniorial rent of 4 liv. 10 sols and 
 4| good and lawfiil capons, or 30 sols in money for eacii 
 
 capon, for the wholo of the said concession the Util 
 
 of ail the fishes and 3 days of corvée yearly or 
 
 30 sols of the country, for each day. 
 
 VVithout the corvées this concession of Foisy was al 
 the rate of 2J sols per arpent in superficies, and of 3^ sols 
 with the corvées. 
 
 How could the Court of Montréal hâve given judgmcnl 
 for cens et rentes, comparatively so high, if there had becn 
 a régulation in existence limiting them to 1 sol S deniers ? 
 How, in présence of such a régulation, could that court take 
 for the basis of its judgment a deed of concession in which 
 a rent charge was stipulated at a rate cxceeding tiiat of iho 
 régulation ? Was not this to acknowledge the validity of a 
 conventional rate, however high it might be ? Has not tlic 
 Court decided, by its judgment of the 25th June 1745, that 
 the défendant, by taking a land subject to cens, without a 
 contract in writing, was supposed to hâve subjected himsclf 
 to the same rate imposed upon the neighbouring lands ? 
 
 0) 
 
 (1) Tlie minute of Foisy's deed of concession is not signed eillier 
 by the parties or the notary. Nevertheless this deed has served as tlit* 
 basis of the judgment against Colin. The notary had no doubt, deU- 
 vered a copy o{ it in proper form (as in the case of Robillard,) in the 
 same way as if the minute had been signed. CoUn's concession ad- 
 joined that of a man named Gabriel Ladouceur whose deed of conces- 
 sion 1 bave examined ; it is dated the 24th January 1710 (Raiinbault, 
 notary) and is duly signed. This last concession is described as being 
 of " l.^ arpents in front by the whole breadth of the Island, subject to 
 the charge of 4 ^fu. and 4 fat capons of rent with 4) de?ners o{ cens 
 for the whole of the said concession," together witli *' the right of 
 tishing on payment of the llth fish." 
 
 I hâve further examined a deed of concession of the mont h of 
 
192 a 
 
 i7l. TIk; Inlenduiil M. llocquart, ha:> Itl'l ii.-i aiiuilirr 
 jiidgiurnt on tliis maltcr, niado on ihe 23r(l February 171b 
 (1) Ibr llie Seigniory of liorthicr (district ol" Montréal). 
 
 By lettcr of tlie 3rd Nov. 1710, tlie Scigniorcss had 
 givcn to tlic Church ofBcrlhicr a land containing about 120 
 arpentïs in superficies. The fabrique demanded, at a later 
 date, a decd of concession in due lorm. Tlie Seignioresses 
 of tlio lime conscntcd lo givc it, butwilli liic provision " lliat, 
 " in case llie said chnrcli slionld sell or alicnatc llie said 
 " land, tlie posscssor ihereof sliould be lield to pay tlie rcnts 
 " wliercvith thc lands of thc otlier inliabitants of tlie said 
 '•' Seiguiovy wcrc chargcd, ihat is to say, 2 sols of cens, 1 
 " sol for every arpent in snpcr/cies, and lialf a minot of 
 " merchantabio wheat for evcry 20 arpents." 
 
 So, thc parties did not agrée eitlicr as to tlie aniount or 
 tlie nature of thc rent wliich ouglit to bc imposed ; tlie attor- 
 ncy ofthe défendants declaring " tliattliey will submitto tliat 
 wliich shall bc decided by tlie Intendant." It is plain that 
 ihere was already, al tliis time, rents in wlieut, and that Ihi; 
 
 January 1710 (llie same notary,) to Laurent Uegaimes, of 3 arpents 
 in front, in Isle Bouchard" froni one side to the otlier of tlie said island 
 
 containing about 00 arpents in superficies " at " 3 livres 3 fat 
 
 capons of seigniorial rent witli 4 dc7iicrs of cois the 1 1th of 
 
 every kind of fish 8cc., and 2 days of corvées'''' (priée not fixed.) J5y 
 valuing the capons and the corvées at 30 sols, as thoy were in Foisy's 
 deed of the It Dec. 1709, this concession would he, includlng the cir/- 
 vécs, at the rate of 3.^ sols per arpent in superficies, ai 1 of 2^ sois 
 without the corvées. 
 
 Another concession of tlie saine quantity of laud, in thc same ishind, 
 was made to Michel Desmarets, on the 2-t January 1710 (same notary> 
 subject to the same rents as the prcceding onc ; it only dillers froiii ii 
 as to the amount of cois properly so callod, which i-* 3 J'Mii rs ii> piar^ 
 nf 4. 
 
 (1) Kd.nud Ord. in 8n, v, 2, p. :38l, 
 
193 .i 
 
 rate of tlio dues in lliis seignioiy was not uniCorm. 'J'iio n'Ul in 
 wliral niiiçlil, llicrcCoR', iiot, l)c lli(! iiiosl ordindi'i/ rciit, lin* 
 n,su(d. 'J\) iipply tliiil nilo, lliciu was t!"'rclurt' room Inr a 
 cousitlcraliou ot'tli(j tacts t)y tlie Intcntlant. U\ on llu' con- 
 Irary, tlioru liacl existctl a rcgiilalion iixini]^ a certain and 
 iiniloDu raie, llicn; woiUd liavc l)ccn no dillicnlly ; M. Jlots 
 (|iiarl, liaving no alleniativc wculd liavc bccn oblii^n-d to 
 giv<! jndgiiicnt in 17-18 as lie liad adjudifcd in 173S by liis 
 ordinancc ol' (Jaudarvilb;. And wliat thon docs lie do in 
 ihis instance. Ile order^ thc Attorney ol' llie Seignioresses 
 of lîerlher to >j;i\i: to die cliiircli a deed ol' concession, " oii 
 tlie con(liti(/n only tliat in case tlie said cliurch slioiild alie- 
 nafe llie said land, thc ne\v posscssor sliail be boiind to pay 
 lo llie ])r()prietor ol" the Seigniory llie cens cl rcjitcs at l\n: 
 ordinary rate of [ sol of rent for cac/i, arpenl in superficies^ 
 '3 caponsfor ail Ihe land and 2 sols of cens.'''' At tliis rate, 
 
 an 
 
 d lixini^ tlie priée of capons at 20 sols^ as liad bccn d( 
 
 )ne 
 
 by tlie ordinance of Gaudarvillc, tlie concession to tlie 
 cliurch was, without thc cens, at tlie rate of 1 ,s'o/ G deniers 
 per ar[)ent in superficies, tliat is to say, a little less tlian tlio 
 ratiî adjudi^u'd for thc seii^miory of Gaudarvillc. At the rate 
 for \.\\c lattcr, the Seii,aiior of Bcrthier would liavc reecivcd 
 1 sols oï cens, 4 capons, bcsides thc soi of rcnt for cach ar- 
 pent in suj)crlicics. 
 
 "^l'hus M. Ilocquart liimself has beforc iiis departure Iclt 
 us (1) a very convincini^' proof both of the non existence of 
 any rci^ulation liinitinir the cens et rentes, such as lus 
 ordinance of (raudarville iiiii,dit, at the iirst glanée, lead 
 one to suppose, and aiso, in default of a convcntional rate, 
 of the ))ers(ivcrancc in the rule of the coninion law, wliicli 
 directs the imposition, in siniilaf cases, of the ordinartj or 
 vsual ducs, a ru le recogniijed by the arriit ol 1711. 
 
 (1) 'riie ]iil(Mi(lant llo(i|u;irt arriviMl in Canada in tlic \oar 1729 ; 
 îind it was not iinlil 17 IS tlia', tlio King- scnd Afi- \\\<m\ to snccced 
 liiui. llist. ol" CaiKula l)y i\lr. ( ■'anicau v. I p. 3b>0 is. iS?. 
 
 
VJ4 a 
 
 112. Taking leavc of M. Ilocquarl, I slmll tonlinne lc> 
 analyse some otiier decis,ions rendered us well before a» 
 aller the arrêts of 171 1. 
 
 VVe find in two ordinances oi' M. Bégon, of the 3rd 
 July and 14 Sept. 1720, (1) tho circumstances of a suit 
 which was contestcd a long time bctwoen the Scignioress 
 of Vercheres and one of lier censitaires. 
 
 By lelter of ihc 4lh July 1G85 llic seignior of Verehères 
 had givcn in concession to one André Berjat a lund of 
 3 X 30 arpents, on the condition of furnishing " 1 ^ minois 
 of wlieat, the seignorial dues and the day's work for the use 
 of the common." Nicolas Bissonet, a party to the suit, had 
 succeeded to Berjat. An Ordinanee of the Intendant 
 Raudot, of the 9tli Junc 1G86, rendered on the contestation 
 with Bissonet, declarcd that the latter siiould rcceive his 
 dced of concession " subjcct to the clauses and conditions 
 " rnentioned in the said letter, and, as respect the clauses 
 " not expressed therein, subjecl to the clauses and con- 
 " dilions rnentioned in the deeds of concession which havo 
 *' been given to the other inhabitanls. " A deed of con- 
 cession was made by the seignioress of Vercheres in favor 
 of the said Bissonet, on the 25th June 1704 (Adhémar 
 notary.) The censitaire says that in the year 1707 the 
 seignioress of Vercheres having refused to give liim an 
 acquittance for 5 years' rent, at the rate of 1^ minot of 
 wheat, per annum, pretending that the rent was 3 minois of 
 wheat, lie had been obliged to institute légal proceedings 
 before the intendant Raudot, who, by ordinanee of the 25th 
 Junc of the same year, had condemned the seignioress to 
 give him a deed, on the clauses and conditions rnentioned 
 in the said letter of concession. 
 
 On the 2nd July of the same year (1707) the Seigni- 
 oress of Vercheres, on her part, had obtained from Raudof 
 
 (1) '* Doc, Scig. '' V, 2 p. 63 & G7. " ' 
 
 » 
 
 i 
 
195 a 
 
 unollier onlinance lu llie eiïvvA that Hbsonet »lionlJ pày f(û' 
 llio said 3 X 30 arpents '^ 1 livres 10 sols and H minof ol 
 wlioat ycarly." Tlio latter said that tliis ordinanco liad not 
 htiv.n sorved on Iiiin ; that it had bcen rondored in his ab- 
 sence, and that he had not had any knowledgo ot" it, exccpl 
 by a judgment of thc IHth .Inly IT'O which the said lady 
 had obtained in thc royal jurisdiction oî' Moutn^al. By an 
 ordinanco ot" the Intendant lk'ii;ou of tlie 3rd July 1720, 
 Bissonet was ailowed to constitute himself opposant to the 
 exécution of that of the 2nd July 1707. Thc judgment ren- 
 <lercd at Montréal by INI. Raimbault liad condcnined Bisso- 
 net to pay the arrears of cens d rentes at the raie of 4 livres 
 10 sols and 1^ minot of wheat yearly. 
 
 Upon this new dcmand, intcrvcncd the ordinance of the 
 1 tth Scptember 1720, which setasidc Raimbault's décision, 
 '•' inasmnch as lie could not, nor ought he to take cogni- 
 xancc," it is said, " of ordinanccs rendcred by ]M. Raudot, 
 emuiciated therein, ••' and which dcclared that," the order of 
 2nd July 1707 shall bc cxecuted nccording to its fonn and 
 ténor, and that thc said Bissonet shall pay to t))e said sei- 
 gnioress of V'erciières the Seigniorial cens et rentes for the 
 land which he enjoys conforniably to tjie letteroftho sieur de 
 V'erchèrcs and to the titlc.s of concession given him by the 
 said seignioress, by contract passed beforc Adhemar, notary, 
 at Montréal on the 25 June 1701. (1) 
 
 We sec Iierc a concession of 90 arpents, thc dues for 
 which, sanctioncd by ordinanccs as well antcrior as pos- 
 tcrior to the arre7s of 6 July 1711, amounting (thc wheat 
 })eing valued at 4 livres a irinot,) to 2 sols 4 deniers, and 
 oxceeding consequently, by 2/7th, the r;itc enunciated in 
 the ordinance of Gaudarville. Even by valuing the Wheat 
 at 3 francs only, thèse dues would hâve still cxceeded that 
 rate, because they would hâve been equal to 2 sols per ar- 
 
 (]) The minute ol this deed could not be found. 
 
Ifm a 
 
 l»eni. Tlioro wns, llion^lon', iio liniilini,' rci^Miliilinii, or il 
 llnri' \\!H siicli, il \V!is ;ill»)\v;il)lt' fn (Icroniilc Inmi il bv llx' 
 ;ii,'r('ciiii'ri( (tf piirtios, botli witli respccl U» iIk; naliiif .uni lu 
 tlif iuiumnt (>r llii' VA'WH et rentes. 
 
 I7.'î. A roncrssion m ccusire li;i<l Ix'on mndc hy 'li'' 
 Si'ii^nior ol' Hrciinrourf to ono Louis litiroso, l>y a simple 
 Icttcr of llic f)lli Scptcnilx'r 1700, l'ollowrd hy a ])r()('ès verbal 
 ol' llie boiiiidaries, (laled tlie '.'itli Kebriiary 170;î. IMieiiel 
 l'eiTot wlio, by contraot olcxelianife, liad aeciiiired tliis cdii- 
 cessidii IVoin Larose ^\ as iiiiiintained in tlie property and 
 enjoyinent of lliis concession, by an ordinanee rendereil altr-r 
 contestation, l)y lin; Intendant Raudot, llu; «dder, on tlu^ IJtli 
 .hm(^ 170.S ; and tlie Seii^niior ol' lie(!anconrt ua> ordered 
 " lo deli\er lo liiiu a decd ol' concession l'or tlie sanie 
 " a<'cording to iIk; lctf(;r of concession ol'tlie Oth Se|)teiiib(M' 
 " 1700 and tlie limils slatcd in flic said proccs-veibid, and 
 " snbjccl to llic otiier danses and conditions mcMitioncd in 
 " and by tlic said jiroccs-verbal and to tlie deeds of coii- 
 '■'■ c(>ssion wliicli li(! lias givenlo tlic; otlier inha'>it;ints.'" 
 
 Thcn, afier an ordinanee of delay dated tlie :22ili Keby. 
 I7O0, anotlicr of tlic 21tli Aui>;ust 1710 wliicli A\as rendeicd 
 l)y tlie Intendant llaudot, llie yonnu^er, diîclared thaï liis 
 fallicr's ordinanee of llie lôtli June 1708sliould lie exccnted 
 according to its form and ténor. (1) 
 
 Tlicre is, also, an ordinanee rendered l)y tlie Inieii- 
 danl .laccpics Uaiidol, tlic Hili IMarcli 1711(2) on tlie peli- 
 lion of llie M'idow Toupin wlio liad cxliibiteti lo 
 liiiii a lîoncession, in seigniory, niadc lo lier on llie 20lli 
 January 170G to tlie rear of tlic Seigniory of Helair. Tlie 
 Dame Dautenil claimcd to liave jiad a prior concession of 
 il, but as slie liad passccl over to Franc(i, tlie Dame Toiipin 
 
 • 
 
 I 
 
 (1) " Doc. .Soi|v." V.2, p. 3S. 
 
 (2) Ib. p. 39. 
 
197 a 
 
 nl)(fiin<>(l hy tliis onllnanc»' pcniiission lo mnrrdp lands in 
 fliis iK'W Fit:!"" lo tlic inliiibiliinls wlio sliall i;t)iiic luiwiird 
 lor iIh» purposc <>f cslîihlisliini,' lliciiisclvrs, on tlu; s;iinr con- 
 (lilit)nH as \hr. iiiliiihitanls ^vllo wcrc l'sliiljlislicd on llio .saiti 
 St.'ii,'niory oCJ^îlair," tlic mughbouring s<'igni()ry. 
 
 Tlicso ordinancos arc not of a natnrc' to Icacli us, nor 
 «'vcn lo ic.'ul us flio loast in iIk^ world, lo suppose tliat prc- 
 viously to tlic «nv'/.s- ol" 171 1, llicrc liad Imm.'u any ordrr of 
 tlic Kiiii,' lixin:,' a liniit to lliu cens et rentes payahlo in Ca- 
 nada. 
 
 1"Î4. \Vo lind vory Import; nt information in a dccd ol' 
 ron(!(^ssion of llic 13tli Octoht'i ii72I, <^iven i)y llif (iovcrnor 
 and \\\c Intendant, Messieurs de Vaudreuil and liejj^on, to 
 tlie widow of tlie sieur Petit, in lus hlotinu- eounoillor r'tlie 
 superior oouneil of Québec, in eonformily with • n ami of 
 Kiuijj's eounc'il of stale, dated the 2d J.me l?"'* ^l;, and tlie 
 lenor of wliich i.s statcd in tliis dced. 
 
 His Majesty, it is said, liad by thi^. arrôt ordained, 
 '■'■ tliat llu; Keligious I^adies of the Fiotel-Dieu of Québec, 
 " should jU[rant to the Sieur Petit the unoleared land of 
 " which tliey hâve taken possession, and whieh formed 
 '' part of their tarant to the lat<» Ma 'in Lo IMrs, of tlu» 
 " 28th June 1G98, subjcrt to the usual char2;cs and nnits 
 " \vhieh shall be paid by the said Dame Petit in her said 
 '■'■ (piality tog<Mli(;r with ail the arrears tliat will bc dur <»n 
 '' the day of such grant ; and in case the said Religious 
 "• Ladies would not mahe v-h grant, when retiucstcd so to 
 '' do, or at least witliin «-.^i! days from the dav of the 
 " service of the said decree, His Majesty liad ordamed that 
 " the said loi of land shoald remain re-united to the King's 
 " domain, in like mii-ner as His Majesty has re-united the 
 " same, by virtue of the s?tid arrêt^ and ihat a 
 " grant of the same should bc made by us (the (iovernor 
 (1) '^ Doc. Seig." ; v. 2, p. 72. 
 
198 a 
 
 " and Intondant) to ihe said late Petit, subjccf lo ihe same 
 " rents and charges as are imposed upon ihc otlier coneeded 
 " lands of tlie Seigniory of St. Ignace belonging to the said 
 " Religious Ladics, wliich rents shonld be paid in future 
 '' into the hands of the receiver of the King's domain in tliis 
 city, without that the said Religious Ladies shoukl bc 
 perinitted to claim any right whatever upon the said lot, 
 provided nevertheless that the said late sieur Petit should 
 " pay ail the arrears of cens et rentes that should be due up 
 " to the day of service of the said arrét.^'' 
 
 The Religious Ladies having refused to conform to this 
 arrct, the Governor and the Intendant, by the deed of the 
 13th October 1721, coneeded to the widow Petit the land in 
 question, " containing," say ihey " with the one she now 
 possesses, 5 arpents, 4 perches, in front by 50 in depth which 
 is the whole of the said grant made to ihe said late Martin 
 
 Le Pirs 380 arpents of land in superficies. . . . inider 
 
 the condition of paying, (n-ery ycar, at the usual tiine, to 
 the domain of Ilis Majesty the same cens et rentes and dues 
 that she pays to the said Religious ladies for the land form- 
 ing part of the said con(;ession, which holds of the said 
 seigniory of St. Ignace, and under the ordinary clauses and 
 conditions, and thaï, in j)roportion to ihc nnmber of arpents, 
 in superficies contained in the présent grant " 
 
 I hâve secn the deed of concession of thèse 380 ar- 
 pents in superficies to Martin Pire dit le Portugais" subject 
 to " 19 livres and 8 good live capons, and 8 sols of cens for 
 the whole of the said concession," which, (the capon being 
 valucd at 20 sols as in the ordinance of Gaudarville,) even 
 by including the 8 sols of cens^ will not make quite 1 sol 6 
 deniers for the arpent in superficies. So, this would be less 
 than the rate cnunciated in that ordinance. The Governor 
 and the Intondant having to guide themsclves by the rule 
 of the common law, which ought to govern in such cases, 
 
1U9 a 
 
 oould not inake a more exact apjjlication of it tlian ihul 
 wliich they havc inade in adopting tlic rate already existing 
 on tlie rest of tlie original concession. 
 
 Wliat is important to remark in tliis aflair is, tliat tlie 
 arrêt of ihc King attests anew the obligation under wliich 
 tlîc scigniors were to concède thcir uncleared and wild 
 lands," under the penalty of forfeiture of their rights and 
 reunion to the domain of the Crown, conformably to the 
 first arrêt of 1711, the ténor of which, as being its basis, 
 is set forth in this new arrêt rcndered in a case 
 resembling that provided for by the airêt of 1711 ; that 
 tliere is no mention of cens et rentes ordered by II is Majesty 
 otherwise tlian by the Arrêt of 1711;wlience we ought 
 necessarily to conclude that there existed no limiting régu- 
 lation distinct frt)m that same arrêt, and that scigniors and 
 censitaires continued to be under the authorit}'^ of the com- 
 monlaw rule already pointed out. (1) 
 
 175. Wc may fiirther profitably consult an ordinance of 
 the Intendant Begon, dated the 28th June 1721 (2) in a suit 
 
 (1) There is uothiiig to explain the motive which intluced the Sieur 
 Petit to appeal to the King himself. The Religious Ladies, having Ly 
 their refusai to concède, placed themselves in the situation provided for 
 hy ihe arrêt of the 6 July 1711, had there been in the niatter an 
 ordinance of reunion to the domain by the Governor and the Intendant 
 and an appeal froni that ordinance to llis Majesty by the Religious 
 Ladies ? Ur had there been a disagreement between the Governor 
 and the Intendant, or had they refused to intervene, or abstained from 
 so doing 1 and then a direct application of the Sieur Petit to the 
 King ? This is what the published documents do not enable us to esta- 
 blish. In the one or the other of thèse hypothetical cases, the absence ol 
 knowlcdge in thèse respects miglit perhaps be reasonably accounted for 
 by the fact that the record in the suit having been sent to France, 
 nas ncvcr sent back. 
 
 (2) Ed. audOrd. in So. v. "2, p. It^l. 
 
200 a 
 
 instituted against Joseph Amiot, seignior of Vincelotto, by 
 four of lus censitaires who liad settled on lands of 40 ar- 
 pents in deptli " on tlic faitli of thc promises," thcy said, 
 " whicli the défendant liad given tliem in 1718, by liisletler 
 " under private signature, to concède the saine lo theni 
 " subject to the conditions of tlie conce«5»ions whieh lie liad 
 previously made." 
 
 (( 
 
 (( 
 
 Vt the hearing of the case, the Plainliffs showed lo 
 the Intendant that they liad, in thcir })ctiti()n oiTcred to 
 " take decds in confonnity with tiiat whieli François lii- 
 ^' chard, near neighbour to the said Jean François Fournier, 
 " liad furnished to the Défendant, but ihat they hâve ol)ser- 
 " ved since, that in tliis deed (a copy of whieh they produ- 
 " ced) there are very onerous conditions, such as to go aiul 
 " bake in the 6a/ia/ oven of the said Seigniory, wlicn one 
 " should be constructed, whicli " they added " is not prae- 
 " tiea])le in tins counlry, espccially in the winler, in conse- 
 '' quenceofthe great cold and the dislance belween tlu; 
 " habitations, and other conditions contrary to ihe King's 
 *^ intentions; wherefore they revoke in that respect iheir 
 " ofl'ers, seeing that the Défendant had not even accepted 
 " llie saine, and that on the contrary he had per.sisted in 
 " requiring froni them to pass deeds with conditions still 
 " niorr onerous than those eontained in that of Richard ; tliat 
 " h(î relies upon liis having by the promises which he lias 
 " given to them, written and signed by his own hand agrecd 
 " to concède to them thc lands which they actually possess ou 
 " the conditions eontained in thc deed which he lias previously 
 " given and l'^at under pretext of tins clause he wishes to 
 " impose npon ihem the saine conditions that he had iin- 
 " posed V INIathieu Guillet, one of lus tenants, by thc letler 
 " whicli he had given hiin on the 21th May 1712, to conctHJc 
 '' lo hiin a hiiid of 1 iirpents in front, setting Ibrth that ihi' 
 "■ said (Juillet should liuve the enjoymenl Ihereofon the sanif 
 '^ conditions as the uthers and thaï the said Guillet should not 
 
201 a 
 
 ' besidea be allowed lo tell nor give Iroiii the said conces- 
 
 ' sion any sort of wood, but only to take some for his own 
 
 ' usp, ''^e said Défendant reserving for himself so much 
 
 ' the^cnf as lie might wish to tako, on the further con- 
 
 ' dition that if there still bc along the Bras St. Nicolas, 
 
 ' within tho extent of the eaid concession, any place fit for 
 
 ' erecting a mill thcreon, he could do so without any con- 
 
 ' sideralion." The Plaintiffs added that the words, contai ■ 
 
 ned in their letters, " on the conditions of the concossion.s 
 
 which lie liad prcviously made," could only mcan those 
 
 dues for wlùch alonc the Scigniors were permitted to eli- 
 
 pulale. 
 
 Richard's dccd of concession, which wasdatcdthc iîOtli 
 Oelober 1711, comprised a land oi 5 x 40 arpents, liable to 
 a charge " of one live capon and 30 sols for eacli of the 
 5 arpents in front, and 2 sols of cens ; " the whole ténor of 
 lliis deed is set forth in the ordinanco of the Intendant by 
 which the Défendant is condemned " to pass in favor of 
 each of the Plaintiffs within a month of receiving notice, 
 a deed of concession for the numbcr of acres of land as 
 well in front as in dcplh which he lias promised to con- 
 cède to thcm in his letters, forbidding liim to impose any 
 other dues on the said lands tlian those of rent charges, 
 and to cause to bo inserted in the said deeds, any other 
 conditions but those of keeping liouso and home, of pre- 
 Bcrving the oak trees fit for ship building, of cutting the 
 trees along their neighbours' boundaries {donner du 
 découvert) and of allowing roads which eliall bo neces- 
 sary, of which deeds the Plaintiffs will each at his own 
 cxpenco furnish a copy ; and in default of the said Défen- 
 dant, passing the said deeds of concession to the Plain- 
 tiffs within the said i)eriod of one month, and ihc said 
 time passed, we permit the said Plaintiffs to appcar 
 beforo Monsieur le Man^uis de Vaudrcuil and us to de- 
 
 mand the said concessions in Mis ISIajesfv's name nf the 
 
 26 
 
202 a 
 
 " same rent charges and on ihe same conditions, conforma- 
 " bly lo the said arrêt of thc King's Council ol" slate of Gtli 
 " July 1711." 
 
 Tliis last portion oftlicordinance is cvidenily crroneous ; 
 the objcct was not to force the seignior to (;oncede, as ho 
 had done ihat aiready ; and the Plaintifls, by his own admis- 
 sion, were in possession ol' tlieirlands. What Avas aimed al 
 was to establish tlie charges on the concession; in which 
 matter tiie Intendant alone liad jurisdiction, (1) 
 
 If a case could havc occured in wliich it wonld havo 
 been riglit to apply a régulation fixing the nature and the 
 amount of the cens e< rentes, this certainly was one. An 
 end would thcreby hâve been put to th proceeding. i\e- 
 verlheless, the Intendant, Begon, who, considering the faet 
 rcported in the note below, cannot bo accused of partialiiy 
 towards tlie Seigniors, rnalvcs no mention of it. Ilis ordi- 
 nance is remarkable in many ways, with respect lo ihe 
 question of the cens et rentes. In the first j)lace, it exlends 
 to no other persons besides the Plaintiffs in tlie case ; il is 
 not, as in the case of the Seignior of Eboulements (siij)rà 
 no. 164), declared common to the other censitaires of V'in- 
 (iclotte ; again it makes a vigorous application of the ruie of 
 
 (1) The ordonnance was rendered witliout tlie Seignior liavinn 
 pleaded to tiie merits. After having appeared in person, lie prescnted, i/i 
 limine, said tlie Intendant, a pétition, " praying for the reasons iherciu 
 " contained, that it may please us to allow hiin forthwith to leave tlir 
 " Court and to send the proceedings^n question before thc natural judges 
 " of the parties, where the delays shall be observed, the more so as we 
 " liad expressed our opinion on the fact at issue in présence oi' \vitne«;- 
 " ses ; upon which, adds the Intendant, seeing that sincc the 9th April laht 
 " when the Défendant wassuniinoned, he has had tiine to prépare his do- 
 " fence, and to einpioy an attorney to act for hiin ; that thc conte!?ta- 
 *' tinn dépends inerely on the non-execution of the arrêt of llw King''s 
 " council of state of the Gth July 1711, the cognisance wliereof is 
 '' given to no judge but us, in as rauch as is H. M. has tlirected the Cjo- 
 
203 a 
 
 fin" fommon law in similar mattcrs, already citod ; founded 
 ihirlly on Ihe arrrt of 1711, it avoids imposing on the Plain- 
 lill's certain conditions or charges wliicli llic Scignior consi- 
 (lercd liiuiselt'jnstilied in stipulating in other deeds of con- 
 cession. 
 
 In Kiclinrd's decd, wliicli was produced in llie suit, the 
 niimi.il ri'iii properly speaking, a ront fo which tho Inten- 
 dant applicd ihe word " droits," as distinct frorn other 
 <-harges und conditions of the concession, was fixed at " I 
 live capon and .'30 .sols for eaeh of thèse 5 arpents in front, 
 and 1 so/s of rnj.s-, making, wilhout thc cens, 1 sol 3 deniers 
 per arpent, in siipcirficies (tlio capon valned at 20 sots) and 
 I sol a ilenicrs (tlie capon valued at 30 sols ;) own in tliis 
 la.si case, the rate wonld havc beenl)e]o\v that adjndged bythe 
 ordinance of Gaudarville ; a rate of wiiieh the Seignior 
 V inc(l()tt<; oiight to havc had tlie benefit, if such rate was 
 intciuh'd to govcrn ail the concessions, and to form, as a 
 eonse(iuence, the common law, in the evcnt of contestation, 
 pn's(ril)ing a iiniit which it was not permitted topags. How 
 happened it, liien, that the Intendant Begon dit not, in the 
 
 '> viirnor uiul Lieutenant Governor in tliis country and us to concède 
 " in liis nanie the lands, in case ol' refusai by the Seigniors to concède 
 '• tlioin on a rent charge, and witiiout exacting any sum in money ; 
 '* and considering that \ve havc only said to the Défendant that we 
 *' will nol permit that either lie or the other Seigniors shall exact otiier 
 " duos than ihose of rent charges allowed by the said arrêt, in conse- 
 " qucnce of the orders given us to act strictly in the inatter ; we liave 
 '' di^missed and do dismiss the dilatory pleas oflered by the défendant, 
 together willi tlie renvoi demanded by him ; declaring the said cau- 
 ' ses of récusation impertinent and inadmissible, and order in consé- 
 quence, tliat the parties shall plead forthwitli, and we condemn the 
 (hîtoiidant, to pay a fine of 50 /ivres, one half payable to the Iving 
 " and the other half to the l'iaintilïs ; and the said défendant having 
 <* witlulrawn, after having refused to plead to the inei'its, the said 
 " riaiutilVs havc concluded, etc., etc. 
 
'204 a 
 
 inaltei in question, impose the rai»; namcd in tlie orciniancc 
 of Gaudarvillo, or tliat stijîulatcd in Richard's deed. Jiy 
 imposing tlic onc or llio ollier, lie would havc put an end to 
 llie contestation. But lio ihought tliat, in tlic absence ol' 
 agrcenient lietween tlie parties, tliere was only one rule to 
 follow, tliat ol" the common law whit;li prescribed, in siieli 
 case, tlio imposition of lliat rate wliicli was most ordinary 
 and most customary. Tlie rate ol" rent heing l'ar l'roin uni- 
 form in the seignior of Vincelotte, (1) it would hâve been 
 necessary to hâve had reconrse lo an enquête to aseertaiii 
 ihe fact. A conventional rate not being cxcliuled by th»' 
 rule of the eommon law,the Intendant, in llie exercise oi' his 
 discrétion, in aecordance vith the knowledge which lie had 
 acquircd of ihc cireumsfnnees and the relations preoxisling 
 belwcen the parties, belie\ed tliat lie eould not do jieller 
 Uian déclare, merely that tlu; seignior ought not to concède 
 excepting on a rent charge, and leave to the parties the 
 chance of agrccing among themselvcs as to the aniount and 
 the nature of ihis rent (;iiargc, thercby admitling the legality 
 .'f a conventional rate, whalcvcr it inight be. 
 
 170. An ordinaneo of the Intendant Bigot dated the 
 Ist .lune 1751, (2) rendered in the suit of a ecjisitaiie of tlit; 
 seigniory of La Pocaticre, the Sienr .1. B. DuuuMit, against 
 
 (1) ! liave verit'icd tliis absonrc ol" unltortnity by the cxainination ot 
 sevcral ilcods of conccs)?ioii : Ist oiic of the ilml Dctober 1097 
 (Ra>î,oot, notary) given to Fr-^nrois Tliibault ; 2nd that inadc to the 
 samc, on tho 3t)th June,, 1703, (( Jénaple, notary); 3rd that of tho 
 ord l\I:iy 173 l (l'agoot, notary) inadc to .T. B. Vinceloltc, son of tlic 
 <:el^i;nior. 
 
 A. judpnrnt of Die 20th .Tanuarj 1733, rcndorcd at tho Prévôté oi 
 CJuebec, condemned a tonant of tlie same seigniory, one Dnpcré who 
 uossessod a land of ahout 17 perches in front only, at the rate of 30 
 sols pcr arpent and 1 sol for tli<î cens. Mr. Terra»! fs Extraits, 
 p.iblishod in 1821, p. 20. 
 
 (2) " Doc. Scig. "' V. 2, p. 2 If). 
 
205 a 
 
 tlic agent dl' lia- noignior, déchires iliat tlie PluinliH' «hall 
 take possession of the lancl in dispute, conformably to !i 
 Jettor of concession of ihe IGtli Jaly 1731 given by the 
 scignior to Louis Loziers, wijose riglils Dun^ont liad no- 
 ijuired and thaï tiie Sieur Dionne, the agent of tlic Seignior, 
 ^^hall be hound to pass liim a title decd in good forrn, on the 
 phiintill" paying the cens cl rentes on tlic whole of the said 
 hvnd froin Ihe IGlh .luly 1731, tlic date of the letter, al the 
 rate paid by the othcr inliabilants of the samc range. 
 
 TIk; letter was in thcso words : — 
 
 " 1 concède to Louis Loziers a place of 4 y, 42 arpents 
 in the second range, jt)ining François Paradis, subjeel to 
 the charges, condilions and dues of the other inhabitants of 
 ihal range, wlu'reof lie will take a deed in proper form, and 
 give îi copy thereof to the seignior al lus own cx})ensc." 
 
 I havc soen ilie deed whicli Dumont look in consé- 
 quence of tliis ordinanee ; it is datinl the 5th June 175G, 
 passiMJ in ihc siiape of a new tille ( titre nouvel ) before 
 DioiUK!, notaiy. Il mentions '' G livres for the said 4 arpents 
 iu front and l sol of cens for each arpent, tlic whole making 
 G livres \ sols "^ ; thaï is to say, the rent is al the rate of 
 î) deniers only, per arpent in superficies, for a land of 4 y 40 
 arpents. (1) 
 
 l havc fiirther seen a decd of concession of the IG May 
 1701 (Cliauibellan, nolary) to André Minier dit Lagassé,of 
 a land of 4 y, 42 arpents in the lirsl range of the samc sei- 
 gniory, subjeel lo ihe charge of " 20 sols and 1 good cai)on 
 of llie brocd of the inonth of May, or 20 sols for each capon, 
 al the choiee of the .said seignior, of seigniorial rent, and 1 sol 
 
 (1) Jn t'.ie proalest iiuiiibcr of tlio ticeils of concession tliat 1 luivc 
 '"xaniinetl. wlicn <ho ileptli is givoii as bcinf^ ), loacjuc or 42 arpents. 
 1 liave reniaiLc'J lliû! (lie? rriits unre iinpnscd as on a lanfl of 40 arpents 
 only. 
 
206 a 
 
 ul ffniV, the whole for each arpent in front, and 25 soh of 
 tttlier seigniorial ront for ihe right of boacli for the wliolc of 
 ihe said concession." For a concession of 4 x 40, tlie rcnt 
 (not including tliat for tlie beacli) would hc at tlio ralo of 
 12 f/cn/ers pcr arpent in superficies, that is to say, 3 deniers 
 more than for the land in the second range. 
 
 AU this provcs tliat the rates and nature of ihc renis 
 were diflerent even in the same seigniory. In Dunioiit's 
 concession, the Ictler and the Intcndant's ordinancc, hy 
 saying " on the footing of the other inhabitants of the saiiu; 
 /v/w^e," prove that tiie parties contracted with the fiill 
 knowledgc of the existence of a rate for this {fécond range 
 di dorent from that of the first. This rate was less, it is Iriie, 
 bul does not that prove that the parties, in order to li\ the 
 amount of fhe rent, be it more or less, rrdght take inio consi- 
 dération the value of the lands, their quality, their situation, 
 (îtc, etc. 
 
 177. We see by an ordinance of the Intendant Rigoi, 
 nnder date of the 7th August 175G (1), that on die 2nd Au- 
 gust 1754, M. Marchand, proprietor of the Seigniory of St. 
 François le Neuf (parisli of St. Charles, River Chanibly,) 
 liad, by deed passed on the said day before Duvernay, 
 notary, conceded to Amable Beaudry an emplacement (buil- 
 ding lot) of Gl \< 179 feet, subject to the charge of 30 livres 
 and of l)uilding a house thereon; which lot was near the 
 fhureh. Beaudry had builtthis house, but by an ordinance 
 of the same Intendant, bearing date the 27th July 1756, lie 
 had been condemned to demolish it, and to pay a fine of 100 
 livres^ seeing that he had contravened the King's ordinance 
 of the 6th February 1745 (2) which prohibitcd building 
 oulside of towns, villages and upon less land than 1[2 x 
 30 to 40 arpents, and there being neither village nor borougli 
 
 (1) " Doc. Seig.";v. 2, p. 217. 
 
 (2) Ed. and Ord. in-8o. v. 1, p. 585. 
 
207 a 
 
 erected in the said parish of St. Cliarlcs. Bcaudry deman- 
 dcd, in conséquence, that his contract should be rescindod, 
 and llie aeignior adjudged to reimburse him the amounl 
 wliicli it had cost liim to build ihe said hou.se, by the déci- 
 sion of experts, and to pay him 1500 livres damages and 
 (!08ts. The ordinance rescinded the concession, annulled 
 the deed olthe 2nd August 1754, allowed the défendant to 
 dispose of the lot of ground, and condcinned hiiii in 200 
 livres only of damages in i'avor of Beaudry. 
 
 I hâve examined the minute of this deed of concession ; 
 " it îs made subject to cens et rentes seigniorial, foncière^ 
 and not redeemable." And to the condition " of paying 
 each year on St. Martin's day, llth November, 30 livres 
 tournois in money.... of concession of hereditaments, of 
 Seigniorial grouid rent, and 3 sols o{ cens for the said em- 
 placement. Thj 2 renl of 30 /tVres in money ought, for the 
 time in which the agreement took place, to appear very 
 Iiigh, if not even excessive. Nevertheless, il was not the 
 object of any remark on the part of the Intendant. Ahhough 
 the contract was annulled for anothcr reason, can it be 
 believed that the Intendant would hâve kept silent respoc- 
 ting the amount of this rent if thatamount had been illégal ? 
 This is still one more proof that wherc the agreement bet- 
 ween the parties in the bail à cens had established the 
 amount of the dues, such a convention was not liable to 
 attuck. 
 
 178. François Massicot, censitaire of Batiscan posses- 
 sed more land than was contained in his title deed. This 
 gave (Kîcasion to a suit between the seigniors and him, 
 before the seigniorial judge, who decided the cause in favor 
 of the former. Massicot appealed to the royal jurisdiction 
 of 3 Kivers, where he oblained a judgment setting aside 
 tiiat of the judge of Batiscan, and maintaining the appollant 
 in the enjoyment and property of the surplus of tlic land on 
 
208 a 
 
 puyment by him ot 2Q years of cens d rentes ;il ilie />/«> rata 
 of h is concession, without préjudice to llie current yrar, and 
 continuing lliese cens in pcrpeluity, and suhjcct^for the said 
 surplus, to ail the citarges mcntioncd in the said dced oj 
 concession. Tho seigniors carricd Iho oaso bolbn; the Su- 
 perior Council of Québec which by am't dated llie 15lli 
 Nov. 1756, confirmed Ihe judginent of llio Court of Tlirco 
 Hivers. (1) 
 
 This suit aflbrds new proof that, when iho Iribunals 
 wero callcd upon to iix tlio cens et rentes, ilicy Ibllowed the 
 rule of the coinmon law, already indicalcd, wliic^h in a si- 
 milar case, allowed thcm to weigh tlie circunistanees. If 
 therc liad been a limiting régulation, lln-y wotild liavo, at 
 once, applied it, rathcr than prolong the Uiigalion to aseer- 
 tain the ordinary or customary ducs in the bcigniory or the 
 neiglibouring scigniories. 
 
 179. I hâve given a statcmcnt of snch of the décisions 
 of the judicial authorities under the Freneh Government, 
 to be found in our books as may hâve aiiy i ni lue née on ilic 
 point under discussion. I hâve established ihal prior to the 
 arre7 of G th July 1711, the arnount and the natun; of ihe 
 cens et rentes were not uniforni, even in ihe conciîssions ù 
 cens made in the King's domain. Let us see if, aller that 
 pcriod, thcy became fixed and uniform in ihat domain ilsell 
 and if the rule that governed thèse concession was that 
 enunciated by the Intendant Ilocquart in his Ordinanee ol 
 Gaudarville, namely, l sol 3 deniers per arpent in superfi 
 des. 
 
 180. Beginning at page 242 of the volume containing 
 dceds of concession, wo fmd 5 of them, from 1731 to 1750, 
 granting en ccnsive, several lots of land situate in tin 
 
 (I) Ed. and Ord. in-8o, v. 2, p. 210. 
 
209 a 
 
 n\xi\\ir\\i {Ih'troit) of Lnk<> Kric (1) Tliroo of llicse con- 
 ccssioiis wcrc! iiiadi; by tlic (iovrrnor and iIm; Inirndanl 
 If(U'(|iiarl hiin.sfiraiid two by tlie (Jovcrnur and llie Intendant 
 BiL'ot. 
 
 Ail an; niadc on tlio sanv; footiny, willi icfrard tn tlic 
 cens et rmics, wWu-.U arc stipulatod in nioncy and in wlieat 
 narncly, 1 sol of cens lor cacli arpent <>f Iront and 20 sols of 
 rent lor eaeli 20 arpents in superlicies, and nioreover lialf 
 a niinut of \\ lieat l'or every two arpents in Iront, tlic renl 
 thus makini( (valiiint( iIk; wli(;at at -1 J'rancs) I .soi (! deniers 
 per arpent in superficies. 
 
 VVe furtlier lind tliere tliree other concessions, inade in 
 the same place iVoni n.')! to nô.'î, l.y tlic (iovcrnor and 
 Intendant Bigot, caeli al dilierenl rates : tlie IJrst dated the 
 lOth October 1751, to iju; Abbé ]»i(iuet, inisssionary, of .', x h 
 arpent, for tlie considt-ration of " 5 sols of rent and (5 de- 
 niers i A' cens, yearly," l'or the \vliole loi of land, riiaking 1 
 sol 10 deniers per arj)ent ; llic second, datcd 12tli .Tune 
 17r)2, to Douville I)e(juindre of ilio JUvj; Island of about ^ 
 a leai,Mie jn leni,Mli by 20 arpenis in breadtli " al tlie rate" 
 of 2 sols oï (wj.vand 1 lirres of rcnt, and lu-sides of 1 minot 
 of uii-rcliantable wlieal f(tr tlie wliole of the said conces- 
 sion, u;ivin<4- only aboul 2 deniers per arpt.Mit in superficies, 
 valuin-r die ^\ lieal at 1 francs the niinot : the .3r(l concession 
 diited the KJih May 17.53, to iIk; saute Dequindre, of H x GO 
 arpents, al tlic rate of "■ 1 sol of cens for eaeh arjx'ut in 
 Iront and 20 sols of rcnt for evcry 20 arpents in sujjcilicies 
 uiakini-- for the said H'^.GO, 8 sols of cens and 21 lirres of 
 rent and besides of 2 minois of merchantal)le Avhcat for 
 
 (1) Concussion of 2 x lO, to Chauvin, 10 .hinc 173i. 
 
 4 >^ 40, to J5oiili(iniino, 1 Sept. 173(i, 
 3 X lO, to Navarre, l May 1717. 
 
 u 
 <i 
 
 12 xfO, to do [iongiit'uil, 1 April 1750. 
 2 « 40, to lléaiune, « « 
 
 27 
 
•2 1 
 
 II 
 
 ilii --ai'l M ;u|ii'iii cl iVoiii/' tliii' '.\\\ ' ';■. 
 Iiiiiu>) I aol \ ileniei'n |)«.'r aqK'iit iti Mip' iiit 1rs. 
 
 >• liC^ll ill ( 
 
 Fur IVoni Ix'ini» nniforin, th<> (hu!S for ihcso coticosslniir. 
 vaiicd frorn 2 ilcnin\s to I nol 10 deniers jut aipiMit in super 
 fii'it's. Tlic anunint ol' I sol (1 deniers is tliat ol" lliu llirct 
 concessions (o wliicli tlic Inli'mlant IIoc(|ii!irt was liiiusfH' a 
 parly. Tliis ainonnt is, if is Irue, Irss hy 2 deniers ihaii tlu- 
 vafc citnlaincd in liis onlinanoc ol' (Jaiularville, as Ix'irii,' llii: 
 " cens et renies orclrrcd by H. M/' ; liut il dilii-rs in ilu' 
 firciiinslance lliat |):irt ol'llic rcnt is in wheaf, wliilc il oni^'lil 
 lo liavo b(u>n in c-apons agivcably lo tliat onlinancn ; a ncw 
 rrason for not. bdievin^ in any roi^'iilalion liinilini^ lin 
 arnonnt and llic natnro of tlu; ducs. It will pcrliaps hc said 
 tliaf tlio raie of diosc llirt-c (.•onccssions niadc al Del roi ( 
 iR'iiii,' Icss tlian tlip olhcr, tlic Intendant Iloccjuarf conliniMl 
 liimself witliin tlie liniils announec.'d in liis ordinanc(; ot 
 n;3H. He if so. lint scarecly tliree years iiatl passed aftei 
 iliat ordinanee, wlion \vc sec tlii.s M. Ilocciuarf and tlie 
 Uovornor INI. do Hcauliarnois, granfinir, on tlio I. si May 17 tl, 
 (I) to François IMocpiicr, a concession of 5 arpents in Iront, 
 to llic south of F^ort St. Frédéric, al tlu; rate of 1 sol of cens- 
 foi cacli ar|)cnt in front, and 20 sols of ront for overy 20 ar 
 pcnis in snp(îrlicies, and fnrflier \\2 a minot of niercliantable 
 whcat for cvery 10 arpents also in superlicies," fliat is to 
 say, for 5 y, 40 arpents al tlic rate of 2 sols pcr ar|)ent in 
 superficies, tho wlieat valued al 1 francs tlic niinot ; wliicli 
 tnakcs one sixfli more tlian the ducs conlaincd in llic ordi 
 nance of Gaudarville. Anotlier similav concession of a lot 
 of land, sitnated in tlie same place, was madc, on tlic lôlli 
 Mardi 1714, by tlic same Intendant nnd tlic sarncGîorvcrnor 
 to tlic sieur Ilcrtcl Hcaubassin. (2) 
 
 "(iyï'itTTles Seij;. p. 21.5-2-161 
 (2) Tilic lies Scig. ; \). 246. 
 
 Note. — The nrrrt of tlic Supcrior Cfiiiiiril (iibovc. no, 1(>8) wlnc 1, 
 in tlic 'wc ol U'ibillai'l m[\\ lii'î sci^niior, liuil li\cil tlie valu-: '>f |li»=. 
 
lill a 
 
 lil. 'l'IiiH ajhr tlii' DrtliiKiiK .' ol iln' liil«.'ii.lniu lluo- 
 v|(i;iit in \\ hicli lie is sm|))X).s(>(1 to Imvc naid that llu* Kiii^ 
 li:i(l rt'<,MiliiU'»l tiic tlucH in inoiicy ami in cîipdiis, Jind, i/i 
 lacf, liiul lixt'il iliL'Mi al a raie rtiuivalcMit lo I sol S deniers 
 hy llic arpcMit in siipcilicics, wr sec lliis Inimclaiil liiiiisrll 
 iiialiini^ fonr'fssions, tn crusivc, in Mis iMajo.sty's iianit", ni n 
 iai<! now lowcr ami iiow liii^licr. Tlio cens et rentes uo\ bcing 
 (■ai)al)l(; ol bciiii,' an objcci ol' n^vt-nui; lor tlu; Kini,', wjiitli 
 ilicy n<'C('ssaiily woiild l>c loi' liis vassals, is il lo bc prcHi 
 MK'd tlial, il' lie lia<l liiiiihMl tlu' cens et rentes cxii^'ibic 1)\ 
 ihvim last iVom liu.'ir ('(Misitaircs, Ikî woidd liavi' perinilictl 
 ilial tliosf wlio look concessions en censive in liis domain 
 «.V(»nlil, hy a pnru caprici", ol' iIp' (iovornor and lin; Intcn 
 liant luivc bccn Ircalcd l<'ss l'avorably tlian iIkî tenants ol 
 seiijtiiors ? That alone oiiLçlit to prove that llie King liad 
 uever mad<î a limitinq régulation, diirereni l'rom that which 
 mi^'ht arise ont ol" Ihe provisions ol" the arrêt ol' the Glh July 
 1711 ; and, l'iiv'her, ihis provision was niado oïdy for u easr 
 alt(>!/(>tli(;r peculiar. Even l'or this lust cane it may btî said 
 iliat the seignior liad luMiseU", in sonie sort, aiready lixed 
 the rate ol' the dues l'or the concession \vhi(di the (Jovernor 
 and Intendant oughtto givc on his refusai to do so, becaiise 
 iliey were lo ij^ive " subject lo ihe same dues imposcd on 
 llie ollier lands conceded in ihe said seigniory," [Atrct ol 
 171 1,) and that it was lie liiinsclf, the Seignior, wlio by pré- 
 viens concessions, liad aiready cslablished thèse samo dues 
 in his censive. There might llien be two diU'erent raies, 
 onc l'or the King's censive^ the oUier for that of lus vassal, 
 and without any limitation of the amount in eilhcr case, 
 
 wlieat at \fra)ics llie miiiot, is datcd tlic 2nd iNIarcli rif tlio sain»' 
 year, IT-il'. As i'ar back as tlie liltli Mardi 1GG9, an arrêt of the Sii- 
 peiior Couiicil liad valued the wlieat at 4 francs tlie iniiiot, Iiy ordai- 
 nin;;; " tlial provi^ioiially, for tlio space of 3 inontlis froiii tlio day ol' 
 " its iniblication, dobtors iiiiglit givo in paymcnt, as well to inorcliants 
 *' as to otlior creditors, !;ood and incrcliantabit! wlioat at tlio piiro oj 
 •' !• livres llio niinot, fnvliiddin<r llir samr lo lip nruscd. rtr."' 
 (Kd. and Oïd. \. 2. p. 1-7. ) 
 
212 a 
 
 Ti'hifh fimonni inii^ht l«; sf^K-timcs liic:lier, soniflinif^slower, 
 in tlif oiif cen.sive llian in îlir otlicr. (I) Mut llio (lis|»(isiti<tn 
 «)f llic arrft prcsiiiias llic ))(>'-sil)ilit\ ol n (lillrn-iicc hctwccn 
 tlir rîitcs oflwo vnisircs. lu tlic spécial case; to ^vlli(•ll it is 
 intrndcd \o apply, llicrr was réunion lo lli(> domain ol' ilir 
 rrown, ol tlic iand, nfuscd l)y tlic si-ii^iiior, and tiic d\ics lor 
 tli(^ conci'ssion ol' lliis land, tiiadc l)v tlu' (Jovcrnor and llic 
 Intoiidani, oiiijflit to Ix'loni,'' to [fis Majcsty : Ni'vrrtliclcss, 
 IlisMajrsty docs noi dir(>ct lliat, tlir concession sliall l)c 
 niade subject to tlic sauK^ dncs iniposcd in liis own ccn.sirrs^ 
 l»iit subjcct to tlir ducs iinposcd in tlic seiijniorN ol' liis vas- 
 sal, altliough tho Iand llnis conccded sliould be .si.'vcrcd 
 l'roMi it. 
 
 \^2. Ont' lael vcry important, lo istablisli, in tliis mai- 
 icr oltlie anumnl oIiIk; cens et renies, is ilial no concession 
 m liel', antcrior to tln; (irnl.s ol' 1711, spccilles llic rate ol tlic 
 renl charité whicli tlic vassal coiild impose on liis tenants; 
 and lliat ot'all th(! concessions wliieli are posterior to tlicsi; 
 
 (P, In a lelter of tlic (Jlli <'rt. ll'M (p. Wlf ol" I )o(iiiiiciits"'' rc- 
 «eiveil iVoii) l'iaiicf) Messieurs de Jkauliariiois aiid llocquart, rtMidn- 
 riii"^ to tl e iniiiisters, an acrotiiit of llie ronressioiis wliicli lliey liad 
 made, say : " tliose wliich are cft crnsiv*: arc siluatod at hetroil, and 
 altnost ail settled alrcady. 'J'iie tille deedh wliich tliey hâve rocrived 
 coiitaiii nrarly Ihe saine clause*, with respect to thc reservaliiuis, as 
 (lie concessions in l'ief, and tlie char<;cs are aiso the saine, as tliose to 
 winch Ihe individiial seii;nior ordiiiarily suhjecis tlieir vassals, with tlio 
 exception of the liherty thaï is given to (lie j;rantces at J)etroit, to pay 
 to the receivcr cl" the domain the cens et rentes in furs, uiitil sucli 
 lime as money shall hc estahlished at that post. 
 
 Thus, far froin the concessions m ccyisivc nrule in tho nanie of 
 llii: Kin", sorviiig as a ruie for fixing the dues for those made hy parti- 
 cular scigniors, it was, on the contrary, thèse last that were, on this 
 occasion, adopied by tlir ( Joveri\or and Intendant as intended to s(!rv" 
 as a nile for the t'ormer ; which exdudes ail idea of the existence of a 
 liiiiilni^ régulation. 
 
21.3 a 
 
 arri'ts^ find wliîcli aro vfry imincroiisf, fonr only make men- 
 tion (»1 u spec.ilic rate ; (;ven in that ros[)ccl, too, ilicsc lonr 
 c<»n(;pssions an; noi ail alike. 
 
 The flrsi, wliich bears date llio 10 April 1713 (1) istliat 
 ol'thc second pari (or aiii,'nientation) oC the Seii^miory <•!' 
 Meaiiniont, near (^iiebee. Il Mas niade hy \\w (ioveriior, 
 iIk; Marcpiis ol" Vaiidreuil, and IIkî Intendanl Mei^'on, to 
 Charles Conillard, sieur de HeaumoiU, llie son (2), "• siihicci 
 lo die eondition ol'concedintr " the said lands on a simple 
 " r(!nt charge ol" 20 soh and 1 cap(jn l'or every arpent by 10 
 " in deplh, and G deniers ol' cens, withont ihat lie conld 
 '' inserl in llie said concessions eitlier u siiiu ol' iiioney or 
 " any charge, but tliat ol' a siiiiph^ rcnt charge and tîiose 
 
 (1) Til, tlt's ?>(jig., p. (ii. 
 
 (•2) Jn liis pétition the grantoe allèges tlio followins ''=^'"ts : '- 'l'Iial 
 tlie sieur de lieaumont, liis father, lias not oiily scttleil tlio Scigniory ol 
 
 Beaumont, graiitcil to liim and of wliicli lie is in possession l'or 
 
 more tlian U) years, but tliat lie bas extended fartlier iii d..|>tli Uy ahout 
 one league aiid a lialf beyond tbe said concession, î/pow vhich hind in,t, 
 conciliai to huit, lie lias l)ccn ai much, cxpcnce (Uul coiicalnl scvcrai 
 /oi,s- o/7am/, belioving tliat the said depth beloiigcd to liim, and iioi 
 discerning tlie contrai y but witbin 'i or 3 years, wben lie received tiit- 
 do.nl of concession of tlie said seigniory of Ueauinont.and as it is more 
 just tliat tbe said sieur de lieauinont bis fatbor, or bis lamily, sbould 
 profit by tbe said land ratlicr tlian any otber, seeing tbe consideralilf 
 expcHJo tliat lie bas incurrcd in ils setlleinent and tliat lie is in posses- 
 sion of it, etc., etc." 
 
 Witbout any doubt, Ibc r.-ite spccillod in tbe deed of the lOlii 
 April 17i;i was ibat abeady adopicd by tlu; seignior as weil for tins 
 a;i llitî iirst concession. JOitlier tlio mention of tbe rate miglit bave beeii 
 Miggested by tbe petitiouer biniself, tbe better to succeed in bis daim, 
 and to ex(UM> llie encroacbments of bis fatbcr, or prohably it was 
 Iliade, only to piolect tbe tenants against any attenipts wliicb Ibe sei- 
 gnior miglit bave made to raisc tbe rates of thcir ccm cl rentes inuler 
 pretext of bis ncvv title. 
 
214 a 
 
 " linrt'in abovo acct)nlin,<< to tlie internions wl Hi.< Maji-.stv, ' 
 tliat is lo say, ocriain charges or réservations containcd in 
 tlio (itle tk'cd of tlic fiel' itsc'lC and wliich iIh- sciguior \va> 
 allowed or rnjoinod to stipulate in lliu ciceds \vliicli In- 
 ^liould give to liis tenants. 
 
 In valuing tlio capon al 2()so/.s, as was done afierwards 
 in tlie Ordinancc of Gaudarville, a eoneession, on the terni>' 
 abovo speeified, would amount to only 1 hoI of roni l)y llic 
 arpent in superficies, that is to say, 2[r)tlis Ic^s ilian tlif 
 rate enuncial<'d in that Ordinancc as being the rate onh'reil 
 by Ilis Majesty. It follows, then, that the raie (^ontained in 
 the second concession of Beaumont was not a gênerai rali', 
 established by the King for ail the seigniories, bnl nuîrely 
 one j)cculiar to this seigniory. 
 
 183. The second concession in Fief making mention ol 
 a sjiecifie rate; of dues is that of the first portion of ihe seig- 
 niory of Miihî Ish's (St. Eustache, Disiriet of Montréal,) 
 given on the 5th Mareh 1711, (I) by the s.ime (Jovernor and 
 Intendant to the Sieurs de Langloiseric; and Petit, under the 
 
 obligation " to concède the said lands, subjeet lo 
 
 " the simple dues of 20 sols and 1 capon for cach arpent «)! 
 " land in front by 30 in dej)lh, ;ind G deniers of cens, 
 *' without that ihere can be inserled in the saideoneessions, 
 " eifhcr any sumof money or any olher charge ])esidi;s ihal 
 " of a sinij)le rent charge and thosc herein above, according 
 " to the intentions of n. M." (2) whidi would make (tlic 
 capon lieing valued at 20 sols ami iIk; concession beingonl} 
 of 30 arpcntt' in depth) a rent of 1 sol 1 r/r/nVr.s ])er arpent in 
 superficies, cxceeding the rate fixcd by tlic dceil ol' »(»nc(^s 
 sion of the second portion of Bcaunioni, Ijiit less ihan that 
 of the ordinancc of (jau<larville. 
 
 (1) Tit. (les Seig. p. «VO. 
 
 (2) For tlu> nicaninn \>y llu; wokIs, "tliose licrrin al'uvt .'' sop tli<' 
 ♦'(iirgoing no. 
 
215 a 
 
 'riic KiiiZ^'s Pillent C'ontirinini^ lliis coiicessiDn i»(' MilK'- 
 Islcs is dîilocl ihe ôili May 17 IG. (1) It récites almost ail tlie 
 iliaij^'cs i,r eoiulitiona inserfed in tlio drod ol" concession, 
 witli tlio exception, nevcrtlieless, ol' tlmt of tlie cens et rentes, 
 oi' wliieli it Miakes no mention iinder any lorni wliatevcr. 
 
 That is not ail ; tliere is a second portion (or augmen- 
 tation) of tlic seigniovy of Mille-Isles. Tiiis concession was 
 made to M. Dmnont on ihe 20January 1752, by tlic (jiover 
 iior M. de la Jon<piière and llie Intendant Bigot. ('2) It is 
 said Iherein tliat lie will cause " tlie like conditions to be 
 ins«^rted " (llial is to say sucli as are contained in liis own) 
 " in tli(.' concessions wliicli lie will mako to his tenants, 
 subject lo tlie cens el rentes and dues customary l)y tlie ar- 
 pent of land in front l)y 10 in deptii." The saine lliing is 
 repealed in tlie j)atcnt of ratification wliicli is of tlie date of 
 Isf June I7.Ï3. (;i) 
 
 Tliere are two icmarks to niakc regarding tlicstj Ivvo 
 concessions wliicli, I believe, forin ut présent but onc seig 
 niory : 
 
 Ist. Froiii ilic fact lliat tlio clause in tlie il(;ed of llic 
 second concession nîlaling to tlie cens et rentes is repeated 
 in tlie patent of conlirmation, and tliat tlie clause in tlie 
 dced of tlie second concession liniiting tlie amount of tliesc» 
 same t'eus et rentes was not so repeated in tlie patent wliicli 
 concerns it, miglit wc; not conclude tliat tlie King was 
 not désirons to give eflect to the liiniting clause of llie dced 
 of tlie first concession ? 
 
 2nd. IJy tlie second concession, tlie cens et rentes wen; 
 'o be tlie usual cens et rentes for every 10 arpenta in dcptli, 
 \vliil(! in îlie lirsi ilicy wero fixed for lands oiily 20 arpents 
 
 (1) IJrcvots de llutifit,, p. 10. 
 
 (2) 'l'iti.; doî Siio. ; ,,. 229. 
 {'\) nicvfh i: lalif, y. }'M. 
 
216 a 
 
 in dcpth. The ncw concession docs not sl.ilc lliat it \vul 
 bc Uie nsual ccna cf rentes in tlie fir.st coneession ; U-l us 
 Mipposo tliîil fsueli was imd(;rsl(n)d, lliere would llx'n be a 
 diHerence of .]tli bewecn llie ducs in tlic two portions of tlie 
 scii^niory. Now thèse two concessions are posterior lo the 
 iwo cclcbratcd arrêts of tlic Gth July 1711 ; andlhc last is 
 vvvn posterior to the ordinance of (iaudarvilhî of the 23rd 
 .lanuary 1738. Would it not hâve been iawful for the seig- 
 nior lo liave adoplrd the rat(^ enum-iatcd in thaï ordiiuinci' 
 for the second portion of Milhj Ish-s, if sucli rate liad rcaily 
 been ordered, or aulhorised by the King ? 
 
 181. th(; third concession which makcs mention of a 
 lixcd rate is lliat of the iirst jjortion of ihe scigniory of tlie 
 l.ake of Two !SIountains, uiade to the Seniinary of Mont- 
 réal on the 17th Oct. 1717, (1) under the obligation 
 
 " to con(M.'d(.' the said lands at the sinij)le charge of 20 sols 
 " aiul 1 capon for each arpent of land in front by 10 in 
 '^ d(j)tli, and of Gileniei's of cens, without that there can bf 
 '■'■ insertcd in the saitl concession, either suins of ruoney or 
 '^ aiiy otticr charge besidcs a siuii)le rent charge, according 
 '^ lo llis JNIajesty's intentions." 
 
 This restriction on the alif.'nation of the fief, which 
 lh(^ scigniors of the I.akc of 'l'wo ]\b)untains uiighl inakf, 
 is considcrably niodilied by tli(> patent of ratifaration, which 
 is (laicd ihc 27lh April 1718, (2) which j)atciit mentions, 
 
 '■'■ uiidcr the oljligation to concède the said lands 
 
 '■'■ which are in standing wood, on the simple, condition oi a 
 *■'• relit charge of 20 sols and 1 capon for ('ach arpent of 
 " land in front by 10 in dcpth, aiul of <i deniers of (v/(.s', 
 "• wilhout that there eau be inscrti-d in tlii' said concessions 
 "• either aiiy suiii of money or any otlier chargf^ than that 
 " of a simple relit charge, llis Majesty, nev(;rthelcss, per- 
 
 (I) 'J"it. tii's t^eig. !>. 337. 
 (■2) Brevets de ratif. p. 7. 
 
217 a 
 
 *' iiiillinii; lliein lo ^tll ur givt; ui u liii^lifr rcjii clmrgt\ tlif 
 " luiaib wlaTcul' ijiiL' lourtlu :it Ifast, slinJI Iji; t.-lfared." 
 
 \Vc- m;iy Imtc n.'iiuuk iliut tlu: laU; ul' ce/w c/ rentes of 
 iliis foncession i?» similur to lli:it iiicntionL'd in tln> concos- 
 hioii ol" tlic .second part ol lieiiuiiu)nt (valuing tlic capon as 
 Ibr tlîis lust s(;ii(ni()ry at 20 aoh) s^avc in iIh; (.'xccptional 
 '•ase nicntioned in tlic paient of tlie 27lli April 1718. Jiui 
 niuller did not long continue ihus, as \ve .sliall .^ee hy tlie 
 deed ol' concession ol" tiie .second portion ol tlie Seigniory 
 ol" tlie Lake, wliicli bcuis date tlie :;2Gtli September 1733 (Ij 
 Tlii^ concession was inatle to tlie saine Eelesiaslics, " on 
 
 " llie condition tlierein to Ueep and cause to be kepl 
 
 '■' hoii.sc and home, by llieir tenants w itliin tlie year and day, 
 '' in dei'ault wliereol' il sliall be reunited lo II. M. \s domain ; 
 " to clear and cause to be cleared incessantly tlie .saidland ; 
 "' to allow tlie Kiug's liigliwa) < and otliers necessary l'or 
 " public us(; in tlie said concession, aiul to cause tlie inser- 
 '' tion ol" tlu^ like condition.s in tlie concessions wliicli tln'y 
 " .shall niake to tlieir tenants at tlie usual cens et rentes 
 " anil dues pcr arpent ol' land in front by 40 in tleptli." 
 
 Tlu* paient ol' ratification wliicli js dated llie Ist Afarcli 
 173."3 (2), is siniilar to tl. ■ extracl above i,dvcn front the ileed, 
 as far as the woids " iii tlie said concession " ; il tlien suys, 
 '' and lo cause tii' like conditions lo be inserted in tlie con- 
 '• cessions by di-ed wliicli tliey sliall nuike to llieir tenants, 
 " sulijcct lo the u; ual <(7/.s, rentes and dues for eacli arpent 
 '' of lainl in the ne)i^^}h^)ur!!}^■ se.iirniories^ regard being had 
 '■' to the nuidihf aud situation of the hereditanicnts, at thr 
 •' ////tf'of llie saiil concession, ofiadi land al'Jteing thiU ichich 
 "• ///.s Majesl}} ivishes uiso to lu: uttserved, as respects the 
 " laiids and hercditaments (\f the .seigniorji of the tAilie of 
 ■'■ Ttru Mountaiiis. (Kloitgiin:; to the s(fi(t IJr/esiasties, not- 
 
 ( I ) 'l'ilirs vlt,"^ ^"^'K' !'• ' ' ' • 
 
\£i^ 
 
 (l 
 
 '■ withaliiudiiig l/te ,ftxtn^ uj Ifiu ;i(iui enta aiid ilitea uiiil ol 
 
 " tfie (fuaiitilif <)/ Itiiul u/ iKc/i lumcr.iiiion, inentioned in Un 
 
 "' no id paient uJ lllii,/roin ichUk lits Mitjcalif hiin dirogu 
 
 " ledr 
 
 'l'hc wonls of llu' piitcnt \\liic:}i arc in Itafics vviTi; noi 
 «.•DUtaincd \n \hc dccd uï' coiiccssiDn. 'ilu-y einbrufc tin- 
 Jirst as \v(-'ll as tlu- sec-ond portion oi tlic rii'ignioiy, aiid in 
 t'onseciui'iicf olditorated IVoni llie t\ci'd of conccs.sion ol tliai 
 fir.'st portion tlic (•vcopiional claiisL' limiting fo one sul {h> 
 for Jioaninont) thc rcnt payable by (lie crnsilaifc. If tlii^ 
 liniitini,' rlause liad tlii- cMi'ct, as lias bccii pntcndcd, to 
 csiablisli a g'-ncral nitc, bindini( ih\ ail tlu; otlicr s<'iifniorii!> 
 îlic rcsult ninst liavi; becn tlialtlu- >;ui.'.i in \\\v. ncii^libtmrini; 
 .«•t'igniorit's lo tliat of ihc Laivi-, v.ould liavo iiceii rt.'durrd U- 
 ilif anioiint of tliis Jast. lu tiiat casi', il wiiikl, tliercfort* 
 liavc brcn an absiirdily lo say, as was donc in t!ic patent of 
 1735, lliat iIk; scipfniors of Two Moiintains, noUvitlislan<linii 
 ilii' liinitinif l'Iaiis; , niimdit coneode at tiic rates of "• tlie 
 iisiial cens, reiils ■■•mi dne>, fur eaeli arp(,'nt of laiid in tlie 
 neij^'liboiirini; sej<^riiories," sinee iliis uoidd liave been tlie 
 haine rate, as tlial tlieretofore existini^ in llieir own .seii^niory , 
 •ind establislied iinder tlie inlliienee of llieirown title tieed. 
 
 'J iieri 1^ oiie la->l reinark to malu', as lo ihe spécial 
 tille- di iIun seiy;iiior}. Tlie eonce's>ion of 1717, containiiiii 
 ih" liiiiitiiii,' clause iinder revimv , iiiak(,'s no incnlion 
 ■ >\ otlier stji^.iiories ; n ùllier does tlie pateni of ralifu-ation 
 of nj."), \\ liicli rr\okes tli's clau>c. If, reasonini; by indiif 
 Mon, oiif \v oiild coii.sider liiiii^cil inslified in niainlaininy 
 iliai llii- liiuil iiiy; claiiM' lia^ liad llic resnll of aHi'cliii^ ail 
 ihc tillic >ei<f;(;<>rie>, jm il niav be >aid, s'.eli iiiust liavi 
 been tlie i\in^'> inteii*' lu, ililu)iii(li iliat intention does iioi 
 ippeai /ll.erui.-e liiaii i.-, du lucrc iacl <if llie in>t'rli'iii ol 
 diis ( laU'-i' m a pari iinl ir dci d ; a>>iiiedl\ ilie --aine reason 
 ;j)ii4 cML'Iii ti. tipi'ls, v\ idi il' ]"*- l'M''', ui du paleni <»( 173'> 
 
àUii lu l(:;iil llv tu Ilic in<- , 1 
 
 c.l.l. 
 
 .Iii:llisiutt lliut lilit iMttJIl!, 
 
 by ;inniilluu;- ilic .■l;iu>-<' ut liimiiiiiuii ;i< ni^.'irds \\iv bt-it,'- 
 • liois <»r Tw <> .Mi)initi(iiis, li.'iv; n('ct'-.s!iiily Iim<I \\\c i-lil «i ni 
 ''\(Mri|ilin!^ :ill iIh' otlicr «riufninrif- iVuiii its opcriitioii, lor 
 •«ilcli oiiyhl ('(|ii;i||y lu |i;i\(' hmi llic Killl,''s illli'Ilt iuii 
 Tlifrc is llic siinic vcmsum lu iiilrr l)\ iii(iii(ii(.iii lliis ruyal iii 
 !<Mili(in, in tlic une cnsc :is iii lin.' uilicr. 
 
 IH."). Iii fmc, llic lonith nn<l I:isf f'OTU'o«>«iuii, in whirli 
 tlu" Niiiuimt of cc/is r/ /vv'/r."-' js round nicnlinncd^ is dutcd 
 llic ISlh April 1727. (1) It i-^ <\ ('"ncc^sion n( \\\<- rn'1'Sinnt 
 .li'fin (or ils !ini:;in<'nl:ili()n), siliiiitc in tlif Disivici of Tlircf 
 Kivcrs. Il \v;is madr to tlio Kiditrions l'i-snlin»' I.ridios ol" 
 
 iirci- 
 
 |{ 
 
 ivi'is 
 
 ii\ 
 
 m\ 
 
 ijrct lu llic {•oiidition nul fo 
 
 coiiccdc lli(« said Innds cNncpt on a sirnplf rcnl r))ari,'(» ol 
 -Ml sols and 1 capoii fov cacli arpoil in front hy twcnty ar- 
 Ix'Dts in (l('|)tli, and G deniers ol' <v».<î, willioni diai ilifrc 
 • •an 1k' inscrtcd in llic said concossions ciilicr any snni ol' 
 inuiii'V whatsocvcr or anv oIIkm" oliarifc but tliat oi" a siin 
 
 pl(! rcn 
 
 \ cliarur, accordinur to II. M's. int<'nlion' 
 
 ■rS" 1 
 
 (•î) 
 
 Il will 1)0 scon tlial, thc rain of dnoti^ as lixpd l'or iliis 
 liidSt. .Iran, is double thaï whifdi liad hcrn cstahlisiicd l'or 
 tlic siM'ond pari of Heaninont, in tiie fîrsl plact», ;uul allrr- 
 \v;irds l'or thc fnst part of T'ao Monntains. Il anioiints to 2 
 .sv)/,s' pt'r arpont in suprriicirs, hy valnini,' tlu; rapon al 20 
 sols as for tlic two odi<'r sciLrniorirs and tliat of Mili<'-Isl(>s. 
 It, consoqnontly, cxi.-fods hy JMitlis tlii" raie of tlii:^ la.st. 
 
 I8(i. Il is furtlu-r to ho rcniarKrd tliat thèse four ron- 
 cessions weri! net tlic tirsl tliat hail heon tjiviMi aftcr thc en- 
 rcfi^istration of thc arrêt of 1711. Twoofhcrs had prcecMlod 
 
 (1) Brevets de ratif., |>. SI. 
 
 (2) h'oc no. 1-21. 
 
 (^\ Tho palrnl ni' lalilicnlinn fit'lhis ronnrssion i< niontioiicd iinder 
 no. 100 in M. I )unkinN analysis, païf 2, p. t'3. If dors nnt nppoa»- 
 •;ha« tlii» clause |iinitina tli<^ raie wa^ icpoatod in llie pntiMit. 
 
'2-20 (i 
 
 tlniii, iicule i>ii ilir •■i i Miiirli 17 IJ, "11'- <»ii ili.' ii\ei Y.imaa 
 ku tu M, (le Kiiinesay, (Jovitihm- »>( .Montréal, ;iik) tlir otiier, 
 the augmentât inn of Belœil^ to tlic Sieur do l.onmiPtiil, tlie 
 Kiiiii;'s Lieutenant in ilie (.iovernment ol" Aîoiiirenl, (I) NDw, 
 lliere is no mention of tlie dues wliieli tlie i\vo j^'rantces 
 conkl impose on tlieir tenants. Tliere liad, therelore, been, 
 asyet, no discovery of a fixtwl ^'encrai and unilorin rate in 
 llio provisions of the arrcls ol" Marly. 
 
 18G (Iwiee.) But ol the lonr speeial concessions wlicreol" 
 we speak, wliieli of tliem iw it tliat tlu? partisans of a fixed 
 and gênerai rate wili l)ring forward to snpj)ort llieir préten- 
 
 dions 
 
 i > 
 
 I»' it tliat vliieli aiitlK)rises tlu^ rate tliat is liigliesl 
 
 Or will 
 
 in amonnt, or tliat wliieli eniinciates tlie lowest ' 
 thcy déclare tliat tlie average of tlioso four concessions must 
 be taken ? In tliat case, it will follow tliat in granting tli<; 
 higliest dues, as to llic Ursulines of .'3 Hivers, or the lowest, 
 as to tlic Seignior of Beanmont, llie King liad not, at tlie 
 timc of making tliose concessions, iIk; intention toestablisli 
 a gênerai riile for tlie otiier seigniori(!S of Canada, by adojv 
 ling llie one or tlie otiier of thèse two amounls, but nierely 
 to makc individual exceptions, one of wliicli treated more 
 favorably the proprietors of tlii; fief St. .lean, and less favo- 
 rably the proprietor of the fief licaiimoni. In the ct)ntrary 
 System, \ve should be forcibly led to tliis, almost absurd, 
 conclusion; thaï in acknowledging tliat, untilthcyear 1713, 
 ilii.'rc had been no limit to llie rate of cens et rentes, things 
 were wliolly changed al thaï period, by the adoption of a 
 nniversal rate, arising from the concession of Beanmont, and 
 ecjuivalent lo the fixed siim of one sol per arjienl in super- 
 ficies; ihai matters changed el(>vcn montlis thereafter, by ihc 
 adoj)tion, in 171 1, of another imiversal raleof 1 sol 4 deniers 
 resulting from the lirsl concession of ■Nfilhi-lsles ; that either 
 this raie, or the mean between ihis rate and that of Beau- 
 
 ( l) 'Fit. ile-s «ipijr. p. 454. and 4-5.'), 
 
•2-21 a 
 
 iiioiil, Jiiiiht liu\r ht-cn lin- ^i.'ticral iiilc uiuil dit.' yedi 1717. 
 atid perlifij)'^ r\vn iititil 1707, tin; (|:itf i)( \\\v ronrr'^'<\on ol 
 tlif licforSt. J(!aii, Mcf'ordiiii,^ ;i>^ ilic lir-^t coiicc^^ioii oCTuo 
 iM()Hnl;iiiis, uliicli diitfs IVojji du- lirxt of diosc iwo ycîirs, i-j 
 rtipiiblr (>r ht'inii iiUcrpn'Icd ;is linvini^' li;td tlic t'Hi'i-l oitlirr 
 ol' îdlowitiy; dus iiitMii lo suhsisl or ot' iiiakiiu,' it to disappenr, 
 ami tlit'r(d»y lo n'diicc ancw fo ono ttof i\w rnic of tlic cens 
 of re7ih:s\ rvrn lor iIkî sfiij^nior ot" Mdl<î-Islcs ; Sinoc, tlie 
 concession oC 'l'wo Monntains woidd \\n\r. lirout(lit us hark 
 atjfîun, in tliat case, to llio stato of tlnn<i;s in 171.'}, diai 
 /n/Jocv;»/ State ot' wlii(di tlie Intendant, M. Ilandol, spoke : 
 diat, in tine tlie rate ol'dues would liave beeii irierely jnodi- ' 
 lied anew in tlie year 1727, hy l!ie adoption of tluî rate of 
 2 .sols authorised l)y tlie eon(!ession ol' tlie fief St. Jean, and 
 tliat since this iast period, eitlier tliat rate of 2 sols, or tlie 
 avcrai,'e, hetween tliat rate and tlic; rate, citlicr of Hiîanmont 
 or of tlie first averaf,''e ahove indieated, mnst liave heon tlie 
 gênerai ride for ail \hr eoncessions, as well past as future. 
 JJoes not tlio démonstration of the lallaciousness of tlie Sys- 
 tem aijfainst wliieli I liave been eontendintif amount to tlie 
 lii^liest evi(l(}nce ! It seems to In; a mall«;r of cause. 
 
 187. Anothcr autlientic document whicli furtlier repels 
 tiiis System is ilie Intendant IJi^ot's ordinanec^ of iIk; 27tli 
 May 1758 (1), whicli appears lo liave been tlie iast rendcred 
 on this subject under tlitî French Government. Tliat Inten- 
 dant liad, by a judi^ment of tlie Htli Octolx'v 1751, enjoined 
 on possessors of lands, holdinî^ of tlie Kinii; in Ihe ccnsive of 
 Québec, to report, at tlie Otlice of the domain, ail their title 
 deeds, in order ihat tliey niii^ht Ix? enregistered, by exlrads. 
 The director afterwards presented a pétition to the Intendant 
 setting forth thaï in proceeding in exécution of his jugment, 
 lie had asscrtaincd tliat the cens il renies of tliree fonrths of 
 the emplacements were unknown and to he regxilaled, the 
 
 (1) '• Doc. Seig." v.2,p. 
 
 ono 
 
♦222 a 
 
 »iritji;ml dteil-» hciiig lu«*i ; tlitit lu- li!i<l si cii. by lln^ dt'i.-Js i>; 
 lin- oIIkt Innrtii, lliat iill lin- confos-^ions iti ilir lowii IhkJ 
 bceii ijnmftMl l»y tlic (Jovcniuis :m«l Infciidiints, siiI>|ih-I li. 
 llie fli;iri!:<' »'l •"» ■"'"/•'* •' thniersiAcens il rt'nfrs, piiyîibl»' ycurly, 
 ut llic oliiff ni" tln' rcccivcr ol' llic <l(»iii:iin ; iIimI iIu; coiirc'j 
 sions ol' Imids in tlic />(»}//<•»*'• of (^ikIm r liad Imm-h uiadc, 
 snl)jfH*l tf) lli»' <'li;trt,'o (ifo/tf denier ofotia et rentes forcvcry 
 arpent in sii|K'rlioi<'s, and lliat il wero woll ihat tlio venu 
 et rentes sliould Ix' fixfd. 
 
 
 Tlio Inti'nd.'int, hy liis ordinancc;, flxed at \\\r. rcspoctivc 
 ainoiiuts ahovc nicnlioncd, tlx- said cens et rentes, pciniiltcd 
 llic dir('(;tor to -uc l'dr tlic rccdvcry oIiIkmii, du llial Ibolinij:, 
 l'or 2!) y<'ars hack, and nrdcivd llial, in riituif, tlu-y slioidil 
 \)C rerovi'icd f\ ry It-n ycars. 
 
 Tlif lirst rcMcclion wliirli présents itseU'to tlie inind is, 
 lliat if tlie Kini; liad, as is pretended, lixed llie anionnl of 
 llie cinset rentes, tlierc WDuld n<ii liave l)een any neeessity 
 lor t!i' Inlt'iidant lo do so, un this occasion ; tln" second is, 
 lliat tli(' concessions in the Ininlieue ol' Qnehee, heini,' tlie 
 luost nncicnt, tlie rate of cf/i.s' v.l rentes adopliîd in tiiese con- 
 cessions nuist, aecordiiii,' to tlie System of tlic " sci^niorial 
 (piostions," liave l)econie tli* ireneral and nnitonii rnle in tliir 
 ne il; h bon ri nt( scitijniories, and liavo ('xtendcd, suecessividy, 
 fiot.i seiifniory to sei^niory, descendinij, on tlie onc liand, as 
 far as Aeadic, and, on tlie ollier liand, ascendini,' as far np 
 as Détroit on Lak<' Eric. Tliis rate wonld liav(> liad tlie 
 double advantai,'e of beini^ fixed and very moderato, only 
 «Mie denier p(;r arpent in sup(,'r(icies. 'J'iiis woiild really 
 havc be(,'n tli« inodicuni eanon of wliieli J)nm()iilin speaks. 
 Inder this system. tlie 121tli article of tlie (^usloin of Parie, 
 wliich allo'.vs tli(i ccnsil;iin> to preseribe n<,'ainst liis sei£(nior 
 as to the nmount of Iiis cens, wonld liavr b(>en ^iinply nn 
 ubsurditv or nonsen«p 
 
1^ Jt'i-'ds (*; 
 
 htWIl liiicJ 
 stil>ieet In 
 )lt' y«';irly, 
 
 K! COUCfS 
 
 en in;i(l<', 
 H lor «'vcry 
 t tlu: l'fnH 
 
 n>s|)c<'tivi' 
 
 pciiniltcMl 
 
 ;il ro(ttiiii(, 
 
 <• iiiind is, 
 iiu)nnt of 
 
 nccessity 
 rcitnd is, 
 
 x'int,' tlic 
 llii'sc fon- 
 
 •imiiori.'il 
 
 ili' in tlu: 
 
 ■cssivcly, 
 liaïul, !is 
 
 s lîir ii|) 
 llilil tlir 
 
 îitt', oiily 
 (1 rcîilly 
 
 11 spciiks. 
 
 of P.'irifï, 
 
 s scii^niiir 
 luply nt.i 
 
 II 
 
 223 a 
 
 Liiil 11 \\;r.' iml lliii^, i\fii in llit- Kiny'j liuiiiuiii. l'IlciV,' 
 a^i iit ilif iiKli\ iiiiial <(!igMiuiic.><, Un; mit; ot cens et reiUe.i 
 liuil c'onslurilly vavii'cl, bdlli us reuartlt-d tlifir uinounf and 
 dicir niilure. 'l'Iio rtiiiccssJDns aircady ificncd t»», nuidu ui 
 Doiroii and l''»»ri Si. h'n'(l('ri<', piovr ttint ; and tlie rxtrncl ol 
 a if^istcr dt'|)«)silt'd in du- ollicr ot tln' Provincial Kcgistrai 
 (I), .sfltini^' lortli " llu; KirijLç's riii;lils ami rr-servalions in llm 
 concessions" all'ords nc\v cvidcncc ol" it, Froiu Uiut cxlruci 
 u c learn tliat tlic in'dinui'j) lali- oC dic ducs in iIk; Kini^'a 
 censires liad incrcascil, cvcn uiulcr tlic Krcncli (ioNcrnnicnt, 
 lo o/ir «o/ ol fc/tà' l'or cacli arpent in Iront, and ^0 sols ol 
 rcnl lor cvcry 20 arpcnl^ in siipcrlicics, and lialf a minot 
 olnicrclianlahlc wlicallor- -ryUNDariJcnlsol' l'ronl. Tlicre 
 is a widc dilli-rciice l)ol ,i tJHî liumblc and inoticratc rato 
 ol' lin; banlieue oi (^ucbec, iinposcd af dic tiinc tlic lirst con- 
 cessions wcie hkhJc in tlio coUtiiy, and tliis lomparativcly 
 considérable! raie wliicli tlnis bccaiiie, af a latcr date, tho 
 tirilinary rati- in tlic King's ccnaivea. IJut tlic one, ik» moro 
 iliaii ilie odier, ilid nol cslablisli a gênerai nilc, binding on 
 liis vassals. 
 
 IMM. 'l'Ile ordinancct)!" tlic Intendant Bii:oi, ( iicd in thf 
 picci/ding niiuibiT, lixcs aiiodier iinporlaiU point in connec- 
 lii.ii witli tlic ainouiit «il' tlie dncs, ilic uicr»; cmphiccnients 
 ucre distingnislicd fntiii lands properly callcd. Tlicsc etn- 
 l>htcenienls wcn;, in gênerai, cliargedwitli niucli licavier dues, 
 ol'ten varying according to die places and llic eircuinstances. 
 \\\ lliis ordinanee, wliieli ackno\vl(Hlgi'd tlic legality i)l' tluîse 
 vales, altliougli dillerenl, tlic rate ol' a land in tlie banlieue 
 ni (Québec, woidd nol liave Ixmmi more llian one sixiictli of 
 ilial ol an enijibirenicnt in tlic touii, Mij)poslng tliat tlie 
 'Niciii ol ilii> i injilae( ment îiiiioimtcd t<t an acre. Wc liuvd 
 secn, al Nd. 177, tliat an euipbictinenl ol' 01 ;^ 179 leel ad- 
 |oining tli<^ cliurcli ol' Si. Cliarles, (Hiver (."liaiiibly,) liad 
 
 M ) •• r 
 
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 Sciences 
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 23 WEST MAIN STREET 
 
 WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 
 
 (716) 872-4503 
 
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 f/i 
 
2i> I a 
 
 becli concedetl in tlie year 1754, ssubjecl lo a t-harge of il 
 31,'igniorial lent ul' iliirly francs be-sides 1 cens ol" 3 sols. 1 
 hâve examined ilie lilles ot" a great nuinber of emplace- 
 ments^ of less tlian one arpent, coneeded in ihe town of 3 
 Rivers, at difl'erent tinies, froni 1G83 to 1752, ihe seigniorial 
 dues of wliieli vary froni 1 denier for 50 feet of front by 7 
 toises in lenght, to 15 livres in inoney, willi 1 live capon, 
 and 2 deniers of cens for an emplacement of 40 y, 20 feet. 
 
 By an arrêt of the Superior Council, datcd the 29 May 
 1713 (1) in a suit between the seignior and the possessor of 
 emplacements m the bourg of Fargy (Beauport), explai- 
 ning a jjrevious arrêt of the 22rd July 1GG9, the ducs which 
 the seignior might exact on ihese e«y>/ace?/ie;if6' are regulated 
 al " 1 sol per arpent of cens and a ehicken ready io capon of 
 seigniorial rent, " making, thus, a rent of 20 sols for an acre 
 by estirnating at ihat 8um the value of the capon. The 
 arrêt grants, iherefore to a particular seignior 15 sols abovc 
 what \vas paid in the King's censive at Québec by ihe 
 proprietor of an emplacement of the sauie exlent ; a new 
 proof thaï the rate with which His Majesty \vî"s content in 
 his own censives was not a rule for those of his vassals. 
 Yel the arrêt for the bourg of Fargy was posterior, not 
 only to the arrêt of Marly, but also to the Beauniont con- 
 cession, which lixed the dues at one sol, without making a 
 distinction between tiie concessions of lands and those of 
 emplacements. 
 
 Such a distinction lias, noi the less, exisled from the 
 commencement of the Colony. Il was the resull of the 
 oommon law which, on the one hand, recognized, in ail 
 cases, the legalily of a conventional rate, and, on ihc othcr, 
 specially gave to the Seignior the right lo alicnatc, that is to 
 say, lo dispose of his clmred lands in such nianner as hr 
 might think proper. This distinction was continued to oui 
 
 (1) Ed. andOid. in 8, v. '.', p, IHI, 
 
2'25 a 
 
 thc 
 rlie 
 
 1 ail 
 
 Hhcr. 
 
 is to 
 
 s hr 
 
 I OUI 
 
 d.iv. Il is luniuiUv ackno\vle(J''ed bv tlu; hiw aboliîshini' ihr 
 
 selyniorial icnure, wlien il déclares (art. 2, ul" tlie Glli 
 
 section) lliat " ihe coinmissioners, in estiiiiating llu; yearly 
 
 " value of the lods et ventes in any seigniory, shall distin- 
 
 " guisli tlicse accruing on lands held as emplacements^ or 
 
 ■•' building lots, or for otlier tlian, agricultural purposcs, 
 
 '' ivhich shall form one class^ from those on lands held for 
 
 '' agricultural purj^oses, which shalt form anothcr class ; 
 
 '• and the comniissioner shall apportion the ycarly value of 
 
 '' llic lods et ventes on cach class upon thc lands bclonging 
 
 '' to that class, charging cach land with a portion ilicrcof 
 
 '* proportionate lo its value with regard to lands held as 
 
 " emplaccmenis or building lots, or for otlicr than agricul- 
 
 " tural purposcs and proportionate to its cxtcnt with regard 
 
 '' to lands held for agricultural })urposes. " 
 
 189. It is in vain that the partisans of a lixed, liniited 
 and uniform rate attem])t to seek su])port from the corrcs- 
 pondence of the Intendants witli the King's ministers ; the 
 resuit of that corrcspoiidence militâtes against their System. 
 In his letter of the lOth Nov. 1707, the Intendant llaudot 
 establishes " that almost in ail the seigniories the due^ 
 were difierent, some paying in one way, sonie in another, 
 aecording lo the dill'erent charaeters of the seignior," and 
 desiring, lie says, " to put things into a kind of uniformi- 
 ly," he asks for a law under the form of a Déclaration by 
 ihe King whieh would rcgulate for the ))ast as w'cll as for 
 the future the ducs for concessions at 1 sol of rent for cach 
 arpent in extent, and one c'apon for eacli arpent of f«>nt or 
 •20 sols al the choice of the grant(>e. ]\I. de Ponlchartrain, 
 m his lelter of thc 13th .lune 1708, tinis answers liiin. " It 
 is grcally to bc desired that the seigniorial dues througlioiu 
 llie whole cxteiU of Canada could b(; reduced on tlie sauic 
 footing. Sec wliat ('an be doue in llie lualter, and inforii! 
 me of il.'' Tlicn, without waiting for a new siateiiienv 
 from the lulcndani, lie diieclr- M, Pc-liaguais to prc^pare jr 
 
 '0 
 
220 a 
 
 ■■(incni uitli M. (l'Ai,au!8st'aii, ilu- tirait i»l' a law lt»r lire 
 purpobi! ol' rcguluting, as well fur tlie pas! as l'ur the rulure, 
 ilic (lues of the seignior at one soit ol rent and one eapoiï 
 for eaeli arpeut of laiid in front, or 20 sols at the elioie(> of 
 ilio grant(!e," going, in lliis rslill fiirtiier than i\I. Uaudot, 
 ;since the latter proposed ihat the rent in inoney should be 
 one .s'o/ for the arpent in extent, or superfieies, wliile the 
 tninister seenis \o désire a rent in money of only one sol 
 for eaeli arpent of front. M. Raudot réitérâtes his sugges- 
 tions uf reforni in a letter of the ISth Oetober 1708, acconi- 
 l»anyjng il witli a mémorial," containing, he says, the due> 
 '' wliieh l hâve found in several deeds of concession, ail 
 " dijj'ercnl, on the margin of whicli 1 liave stalcd my opi 
 " nion concerning the diminutions and réductions wliieh 
 " mighl be made thcrein, and 1 ha^e in tliat acted in con- 
 " ibrmity witli the firsl concessions \vhich havti been given 
 " in innocent limes {dans un tems innocent) a. d in which 
 '' people did not seek ail thosc advantagcs." Well, then, 
 whal was it that the King did with ail thosc suggestions ? 
 Did hc adopt Ihem and givc thern cflcct by a law ? No 
 Thrce years afterwards, he ))romulgated the itrrêi of the Gtli 
 July 1711, and he did not touch on the question of the 
 amount of dues to fix their limits, as sruggested by the In 
 fendant and the minister. Ile left the parties free, as they 
 had always theretoibre been, to lix thcm by agreement. Ile 
 prescribed, ncvertheless, a rule for cstablishing this amount, 
 but it was merely for the exceptional case in which the con- 
 cession should be made by the Govcrnor and the Intendant, 
 on an tmjust refusai of the Seignior to make it ; and, still 
 this rule is only that of the common law in analogous cases:. 
 The concession was to be made, " subject to the same dues 
 
 as those imposed on the other lands conceded in the samr 
 
 seigniories ;" and when the King prescribed this rule, h< 
 
 was well and duly informed that those dues were différent 
 
 in alniosl ail the seigniories. He acknowledgod, fherefore. 
 
'i27 a 
 
 'ih«'ii l»"^;ilily, liowewv ilitropTit fit»-) mii^lii [>'■ ' lli- wi«;liod 
 llKM-ofon^ tlic oxi'.tin:,'- -iMtc o{ lliiiii,'^ lo lir coiitinnod in tlii'^ 
 l'csppct. 
 
 Siich \v;is ihc r.:\.^v wilh llie (irr>:ts ol tli»- F\ini( ol 
 France subséquent, to iliai of llic (ith Jnly 1711, more purti- 
 :MiUirly flie orrét of tlie 15lh Mareli 1732 rendered in eonse- 
 (juenco oi' sugirc^stions made by Messieurs de Beauliarnois 
 and llocquart wlio, even they, scemed to ihink that the 
 ^îcigniors wero bonnd to concède at tlie rate of one sol of 
 rent per arpent, and a capon for each arpent of front. (lietter 
 of tlie 3rd October 1731.) noue of tliose orrnis contain linii- 
 tinir rccfulations on tliai liead. 
 
 190. Sueh was the law aîid sueli ilu- jurisprudence 
 under the Frencli Government. 
 
 I shail add but one remark. Our printed documents 
 contain the détails of a large number of contestations which 
 took place between the seigniors and their censitaires. 
 But \ve do not find any of them in wliicli there was a daim 
 for the réduction of seigniorial rents that liad beenfixed by 
 a long possessior, on the plea that the rate was too high. 
 I.S not this fact alone enougli to prove, in a manner tlie 
 most incontestable, that under the French dominion, the 
 iegality of rates thus fixed lins never been callod in 
 (piestion ? 
 
 But if no demand by the censitaire for the réduction 
 of this rate is to bc found, there is one such, at least, on the 
 reverse side. An ordinance of the Intendant Raudot, 
 bearing date the 15th .lune 1707, (1) informs us tliat Robert 
 Drason liad brought a complaint before liim against the 
 
 (1) " Extraits îles Kégitres du conseil supérieur et des régitres 
 d'intendance," by Cugnet ; Québec, 177:"), p. 23. 
 
 I hâve verified Cugnet's oxtract by a nianuscript copy of the Ovdi- 
 aance. 
 
2*28 a 
 
 Mciir HerU'l who, ho said, threalened to eji'ct liim Irom w 
 hfibifntioa wliicli had \wv\\ concoded 1o liim hy the s'unir de 
 St. Onr'i, Avlicn lio \vas sci<,niior ol' tlio Cote Si. Louis, un 
 dfM- tlu' prelfxt, thaï lu; had i^oi it at too low a priée and for 
 um) modérai!» rents, althoiiii^h ho had paid him llioso ronts 
 vint il then. .Hrason's doed was dated Ihe last day of .Ta- 
 iinary 1GS5. The Intendant declarcd Drason " proprictov 
 l»y hmy pos;s(»ssion of tlio liabitation, with prohibition to iho 
 Sieur do Hertel irom tronblinsf him in thc enjoymont of lh(^ 
 «ame."" IS'o one Avill doubt thc justice of this décision. If 
 ihe stipulation of any rate whatcver is binding as a^ainst tho 
 eensitaire, it is equally binding as against the soignior. 
 
 That wliich may cause astonishment in this afîair is 
 tfio hardihood of tho scignior's pretcnsion. That préten- 
 tion, however, appears to havc bcen ndvanced but on one 
 tieeasjon. 
 
 191. 1 pass now to the English Government of Ca- 
 nada. 
 
 By article 37 of the capitulation of Montréal, bearing 
 date the 8th September 17G0, the seiguiors and censitaires 
 are preserved in tho entire peaceable property and posses- 
 sion of their property seigniorial and en roture. 
 
 Thus their vespcctive rights and obligations remained 
 thc samo as thoy were under the French Government. 
 
 As carlv as the 23rd December of thc same vear, Mr. 
 Jean Noël was received by Govcrnor Murray to do feaity and 
 homage to His Britannic Majesty," by reason of fiis land 
 and seigniory of Tilly and Bonsecours," in conformity, it is 
 said, with the arrêt rendered by thc Military Council of 
 Québec on the 12t1i Novenb^r previous. (1) 
 
 (1) Tlic tollowing is copy of tliis net of foait.y and lioinage. 
 
 "In the jear one thousand sevcn liundred and sixty, on tlie twenf j 
 
229 a 
 
 11).3. Ainong tlio iseiji^niorial documents recenlly pu- 
 blishful, \v(! lind un Arrct rrlîitivc tn ibc cens et rentes ren- 
 dered by tlin intlil;iry couiK-il of ]Montn;al ou thc 20tli April 
 I7G2, Ix'twcen llie sieur Leduc, .seiirnior of Isle Perrot, 
 appellant iVom a judi^ment pronouneed by the Militia Court 
 (Chambre des Milices)of llie Parish of Pointe Claire on ihe 
 lolli March ))revious, and Joseph Ilunault resjîondinit. 
 
 It appears that INIr. Leduc had been condemned by lliig 
 .lud*j^ment to receive, for the future, tlie renis of the laud 
 which the respondent possessed in his seigniory, at tiie rate 
 of tliirty sols yearly, and half a minot of \vh(>at, " not being 
 able, lh(^ judgment says, to alter any thing of the clauses 
 rontained in the deed of concession passed beforc Mr. Lc- 
 paillem-, notary on the fiftli August 1718. " 
 
 " tliird Decembcr in tho forenoon, in tlii; présence and in tlie conipany 
 " of lloyal notariés in tho Military Court and Conncil of Québec, Jean 
 " Noël, dwelling in this City, in compliance witli tlie Arrêt rendercd 
 " hy the said Council on tho twolfth Xovcmbcr last, which ordains 
 " that the said Noël conformably to his olTors, shall render fealty and 
 " homage to Ilis Tiritannic Majcsty in thc customary inanner, and 
 " shall pay dues and rent charg.^s conformably to his title deeds, lias 
 " repaircd to the Government ITouse of Québec, and at the principal 
 " door and entrance of the said lîouse, whcre being, the said Nocl 
 '■'• liaving- knockcd at tlie do^r , thcre iinmediately came a scr- 
 " vant of Ilis Exccllency James ■^.Turray, Governor General of 
 " Québec, and the said Noël having demanded of the said servant if 
 " His Excellency was in his aforesaid Governinont Ifouse , the 
 '< said servant said that Ibs Exccllency was witiiin and (hat he would 
 <• go and give him notice, and His Excellency having appeared, the 
 " said Jean Noël, in accordance with bis duty as vassal, v.ithout sword 
 <•' or spur, his head uncovered, and one knee on the ground, said to him 
 " that he performed faith and homage on account of Lis, land and 
 " seigniory of Tilly and Bonsecours holden in fiiU ficf and homage of 
 " Ilis Britannic Majesty, which fiefs bel&ngs (o him as cldest son and 
 <' heir of the late Philippe Noël his father to whom it bclon^cd '>v 
 ■'■'• means of the purchase niadc by iiim thereoffrom Dame At\""elif!ni: 
 
230 a 
 
 'V\\v arrrt ol' tli<' C'ouncil, on tfic appeal of Mr. Leduc, 
 is in ihfs" wortl^i ; " 'I'Ir- partie"* luivini^ becti liojird, the 
 " Coutieil bcinii; convinced lliat llio clause oontaincd in tlie 
 said contrafi wliicli obliges tlio Icsseo to riirnisli, yearly, 
 liait' a rninot of wlicat and 10 .S'o/.s-, for eacli arpent, is an 
 error of tlie nolary, tlic ordinary rate of concessions in 
 tliis country being to pay one sol for cach arpent of land 
 in superlici(-'s and lialf a niinot of wlicat for each arpent 
 of front by twenty in deplh ; it is ordercd that for ihe 
 future tlie rents for the land in question sliall bc paid at 
 the rate of 54 soh in moncy and one minot and a lialf of 
 " wheat yearly." 
 
 " Lod'arileiu widow tle Gaspé, Demoiselle Charlotte Le(îardenr and 
 
 " Siour Aiibort de (îaspé, as well in tlicir own nanies as holJing 
 
 " powers of Altornf>y froin tlicir otlicr co-heirs by deed passed before 
 
 ♦' iMtre Barolet and Panet, Royal Notariés, on the 21st August one 
 
 '• thousand seven hundred and forty eiglit, and diily cnsaishié, to 
 
 " whicli lealty and homage llis Excelloncy bas rec<iived the said Joan 
 
 ** Noël who has mado oath on the lloly Evangelists to be faithlul (o 
 
 " His Britannic Majesty, to do notiiing contrary to bis interest, to 
 
 " oboy the orders that shall be given to him in his nanie, and to keep 
 
 " his vassals in the obédience wliich they owe to tlieir King, the 
 
 " présent fealty and homage received subjeot to the condition on the 
 
 *' part of ihe said Noël to furnisli bis aval et daiomhranent wilhin 
 
 " the usiial tiine and of tlie dues which lie may owc by reason of llie 
 
 '' mutation of the said fiefs and seigniories agreeably to tiie original 
 
 ** t'.tle deods. Of ali Vi/iiich tiie said Jean 'So'vA has domanded Acte 
 
 '' of the undei'signed ^'otaries who bave granted him the same. Done 
 
 " nnd passed at the principal door and entrance of the Government 
 
 " the day and year aforesaid, and Ilis Excelloncy has signed, also the 
 
 " said Jean Noël together witli us the undersigned notariés. 
 
 (Signed) 
 (Signed) 
 (Signed) 
 
 J. MURUAY, 
 JiCAN NoKi., 
 Panet 
 
2.SI n 
 
 Tliis arrCt lias In-on involicd as bcin^ lavoiablt- lo tfie 
 olaims set ibrth on l)io part of tlic ccnsifaires. I do not 
 tliink flial ail tlie consitairon, ;uk1 cspccially lliosc of tlis 
 banlieue of Qael)oc, wlio pay only ono denier per arpent in 
 superficies, approve of tlie prineiplo of tliis arrêt. Tlu;y 
 wonld not with satisfaction see allrilmtcd to an error of tlie 
 noiary tlic claiise in their contraet which fixes tlieirdues at 
 tliis rate of a simple denier to raisc as a conséquence tliose 
 dues lo tlie OiJinary rate of concessions in tliis country, 
 even to that established by the arrêt. In fact this arrêt 
 gave more to tlic stngnior tlian was given liim by the deed 
 and the judgment founded on that deed. 
 
 The arrêt does not rest on the principle of the increase 
 of thèse obligations : and so to cause tlie triurnph of this 
 latter principle, it sets aside the agreementof the parties. 
 
 The arrêt having adjudged 54 sols for the rent in 
 money and half a ininot of wheat per arpent of front, il is 
 évident that the land in question contained 3x18 arpents, 
 
 Hère is the Arrêt of the 12th November 1760 mentioned in the 
 foregoing :'.ct of fealty and hoinagc : 
 
 " Consiilering the pétition presented to this Council by Jean Nocl 
 '• whcreby he shows that in conséquence of the decease of Philippe 
 " Noël his father, in his lifelime seignior of the ficfs of Tilly and 
 " Bonsecours, and that in the quality of his eldcst £■ .\ ,ie beconie.s 
 " seignior of the ?aid fiefs, he desired to peifonn and . nider feally 
 '* and homage to His Brilannic Majcsty, wherefore he prays to the 
 " effect that il inay please ITis Excellency to receive him to the said 
 " fealty and homage on tlie oflers which he makes to furnihh the aveu 
 " et, dénombrement of the said fiefs and seigniory of Tilly and Bon- 
 " secours. Ilaving heard INlonsieur de La^'ontaine, Attorney General; 
 '* the Council orders that the said Noël, conformably to his offers shal 
 " perform fealty and homage to His Brilannic Majesty in the Cus- 
 '' tomary manner and sliall pay the dues and rent charges in conformity 
 " with his tille deeds. Sigued in the Register, H. T. Craniahé. 
 
'J;j2 a 
 
 iliui 13 lo s»uy, 54 aijjtnts in bupeilicif:». liv \uluing iIju 
 wheat ut ■i/rancu ilm niiiiot, thc «/rt'7 cojidcMined tlie censi- 
 tuire to pay eiglit iivrca and Iburlt-en aulu yvarh, wliile 
 uccording to hiy dcod and the judgnicnt dI" tlic Militiu 
 Court, he was not bound to j)ay but tliix'c livria 
 ten sols. Tliis dilii'nînci- ol' mon; tbau ont; bail" i;\- 
 plains the interest M.Leduc badin c-nu-rini,' an appual, 
 The seignior of Lsk; Periol was nioiv liieky bclbii; tlit; tri- 
 bunal ot' this niilitary oouncil ol' 17G2 thau the seignior ol' 
 Cote St. Louis had been, in 1707, betbre the tribunal ol' tin; 
 civil Intendant, M. Uaudot. 
 
 192. (bis) On the 8lh ^ovenlber 17G(), ihe INJililary 
 Council of Québec, on the pétition ol' Mr. de la Martinière, 
 had rcndered an arrêt wni^h ordered the tenant on bis seig- 
 niories, " to pay him, on St. Martin's day, the elcventh cl 
 '' the présent nionth, the year's renl wliieli will l'ail due on 
 " the said day, in sjxu'ie, current money, and that at the 
 '' domicile and j)lace lixed by their d(;eds ol' eonee^^sion 
 
 \\hich présent arrct, h is .said, \vill serve fur a. 
 
 *' rule to ail the inhabitants within this governnient, and 
 " which for thatpurpose shall be read and published where 
 " necessary at the expense of the seignior who yball hâve 
 " occasion for the sarne." 
 
 Asearly as thetwenty sixth of thesanie motilh, the sanic 
 conncil, on the ])etition of Jean Lafond, ina>ler baker and 
 niiller, oftlic mill of lieauport, " rendcred another tirrct 
 " which ordered ail the inhabitants ofthat seigniory tocarry 
 " for the future their grain lo the niill of the said seignioiy, 
 " on the condition that the said niiller should keep the >ii'u] 
 " mill in good repair, should make good (lour and reiider a 
 " faithful account ; the said inhabitants bcing jjrohibited 
 " from carrving their grain lo be ground at other niills 
 " under the penalty of jjaying the ordinary Mim l'or grin 
 " ding and a fine of ten shillings, which présent arrc! shall 
 
2:13 a 
 
 " 1)0 road aiid piihlishcd ni llic co-t :iii«l cxpciix' dl ilic -nid 
 " niilItT." 
 
 AnoditT arri't ot ilic miih'' l'omicil, dnicd tlic llili 
 Miirc'li 17(11, rciidcif'd on llic priitidii ol Cliiiili-s ( Oiiillnrd, 
 Heiii^uior ol IJcniinioiil, condciniicd six ol liis (■(•iisit;iir<'s •'■ lo 
 " |);iy llicir dues l'or irniidiiiu' uliidi llii'V owi' sinci- ilic 
 " puliliciltion of (iiir (irrri ot' llic ililli \()\ ciiihiT l;i-t, \\c 
 " prohibilitii^ tliciii froin carryiiiij; ilicir coin lo bc j.rv(iiiiid 
 " els(^\vli(>n' t|i;in at llic tnill ol' ihr <;iid sci^niorv, iiiidcr 
 " tlic pcnulty ot' llie fin»' iiiciirrcd niidcr die sait! (iri'rl, t'\- 
 " ciising tlictn, tbr tins tiiiic otdy, iii (••Jiisidcralioii ol tlir 
 " bîidiu'ss ot' die tiiiK's ; and condciiiii die didfMulants te; 
 " die costs laxcd at teii dollars, ('\|t('iisi' ot trav(d iii(diid('{l 
 " and tlu'SL' présents ; reservinij; to llir said itiliahilanls llie 
 " rii^lit to apply lo tlie c-ouncil if iIh'N liave niattcr ot' com- 
 " plaint against tlie rnilier or ai^^ainst tlie seii^nior on ac- 
 " connt of tlie said niill, w liieli arrrl sliall be read, pn- 
 " blished and posted n[) at lliedc.jor ot' the Parisli Clmreli ol" 
 " Beauniont.'" 
 
 193. 'i'Iiiis, in tlie short tiiiie tlial «dapsed between the 
 capitulation ot" .Montréal and tlie cession ot' Canada to 
 England by tli(> Ireaty ot" Paris t)t' tlie lOlli Febniary 17G3, 
 there liad passée! notliing w iii^di co'uld, in llie least, atl'ect 
 the reciprof^al ndations ol' the ^seigniors and censitaires, or 
 their respective rights and obligations and consequenlly the 
 question of the anionnt ol" cens et rentes. 
 
 The Québec act (1774, 11 Geo. 3, cap. 83, sec. 8,) does 
 no more than eonlirni and gnarant(M\ on the one hand, the 
 exercise of thèse riglits, and on llie otlier, the j)erforniance 
 of thèse obligations, m lii-n afîer liaving deelared that Mis 
 Majesty's Canadian subjects, " may hold and enjoy their 
 property and j)ossessions, /oi{<7/<<'/' luith ail customs and usa- 
 ges relative therelo,'''' it adds, " ihat in ail niatters of eon- 
 
 troversy, relative to property and civils righls, resort shall 
 
 30 
 
2'A'{ n 
 
 l/(; liiul lo llic laws ol Ciitiiulii, mn llic riilc; tor llu- (Ifii 
 sion ol' tlif Sîime ; ;ui(l ull causes tluit sliall liciualier Ijr 
 
 iiistilulccl sliall In* tlctt'rmiiit'd agrcably to llie ^^aiJ 
 
 liiws and cii.sloms of Canada, unlil llioy sliall be vaiied or 
 ultored by aiiy ordinances lliat sliall IVoin time to timu bf 
 passod" by llu' Ciovcrnorand Législative Council crcated by 
 tliis impérial act. 
 
 In tliis iiianiicr, tlic rcciprocal relations ot tlic seignior» 
 iind <;(;nsif aires reniain(îd tlic saine as tliey vven; belorc. 
 Neillier werc tli(;y elianged l)y tlie conslitutional act ol' 1791, 
 wliicli introdiu'cd tlic systcni ol' représentative governmeiu 
 into Canada. 
 
 191. it werc laslidions to cite doeunicnls upon docu- 
 iiienls, to accumulatc proofs upon jjrool's, for tlie purposc ol 
 eslablisliing thaï, sincc tlie cession of tlie country, tlic raie ol 
 cens et rentes lias continually varied, as was tlie case bcforc 
 iliat period and tliat in such variations many seigniora hâve 
 distinguishecl themselvcs! by thcir ac(iuaintance with the 
 niles of aritliinctical progression. 
 
 This it was that constitiited tlie précise cause of thc 
 fonipiainls of the censitaires and of the anti-scigniorial 
 agitation whicli lias terminated by the seigniorial act ol 
 1851. 
 
 Sincc 17(j3, the tribunals havc had to décide on a greal 
 number of suits betwccn the seigniors and the censitaires, 
 but it is only at a date comparative ly récent that the rate ol 
 cens et rentes was brought in question ; and, in evcry ins- 
 tance, the pre tensions of thc censitaires liave been, in prin- 
 • iple, rejectod by thc décisions of thc C'ourts of justice, 
 whotlier thèse pretensions had, for their object, to obtain an 
 icluiowlcdgmenl of the légal exisfencc of a iiniversal, 
 fixcd, and moderate rate, or simply lo obtain ;» déclara 
 lion lo thc «'n'i^ci ilu\i an agrccment whcrcbv ;• ccnsityin; 
 
2:u:f a 
 
 e cl 
 ins- 
 irin- 
 iec, 
 n an 
 rsui, 
 ar;i 
 cl il'; 
 
 ■\\ ;is >iil»|t'tii'(l, wlii.ii liikiiio ;i lnit'iliuinu'iii, ù cfiiii, al u 
 hii^lici r;ilc iliMii iIm' ordinarv ni iHiiiil raie, \\a» lialilr lu l«' 
 Jiljiul^'fd liiill aild vnid. 
 
 195. Tlif lirsi (taiisc in wliich | liud tliat iliis (jiuislioii 
 (il cens et rentes not Jixed in llie di^reenient, was inadi- llu- 
 siil)jt;cf. ol" judicial discussion, is ihaf of Ciivillior, Plainlilt, 
 Stanley, curator to tlie succiîssion ol" llichard llart, dolfii- 
 dant, and Hurton, Proprictor ol" llic scigniory of Dcl.rrv, 
 opposant; dcridcd in tlie Court of Kinjj['s Hiuu'li ol' ili. 
 district ol' .Montréal on llic lOtli April lîSi7. 
 
 Tlic scii>;nior allci^'cd in liis oppt)sition afin de conser- 
 fe)\ tliat liis ati;''nl liatl, in 1811, niadtî a vcrijal conccs8ioii 
 lo Uicliard Hart t)!' Ivvo lots of laiid in ins scij^uiory on lin- 
 condition to pay, annually, llic cens et renies at llio ordiiiar\ 
 rate of tlio concession in tlii; said seigniory, tliat is lo say, 
 \2 sols of cens for cacli of thèse lots, and a rcnt of 9 sols 
 for oacli arpent in superficies, niaking for tlic two lois. X,2 .Os 
 currencv. Ile (^lainied tlu; arrcars froni ISIT) to ]H2l in 
 clnsivcly, namcly £SS 5s Od, 
 
 In thc reasons set forth in llic contestation, tlic Plainlill 
 said, among ollicr tliini^çs, ihîit llic opposant liad ncvcr con- 
 ccdcd the lots of land ut tlic rate above mentioncd ; thaï llic 
 law (lid not givii him tlic riglit to niake sucli a concession, 
 ihc dues payal)le to tlu^ scignior in likc cases l)eing limitcd 
 lo one sol of cens and om- sol of nnit pcr arpent in snporli- 
 cies, and one capon or 20 sols per aipcnt of front ; tliat tlic 
 cens et rentes demanded of tlie opposant \v(>re contrary to 
 law and ouglil lo be reduced to the légal rate ; that tlie op- 
 ])osant could not maintain tliat Ihe concession in (luostion. 
 wliich lie himself adiuittcd to hav(> been inade witliout any 
 spécial agvecmcnt between the parties, gave him ihc riglil 
 to receive, as being the ordinarv and usual raie of the scig- 
 iiiorv, the suni of 12 solsoï cens am] 9 .sv;/.s' of rcnt, bcoau*' 
 
236 a 
 
 he could not exact in tlie said seigniory any ordinary rate 
 of cens et rentes of higlier aniount ihan tliat recognised by 
 the law, and wliieh i« 1 sol of cens^ one sol of rcnt and a 
 capon as liereinabovc set Ibrtli. Tlic Plainlill' lu^t thc suit. 
 
 (1) 
 
 (1) Tlic sumiiiary whicli I give i.s extracted from tlie notes or.Tiul- 
 gt lleiil, who iu pronounciiig judgment expresscd liimsell" in thèse 
 words : — 
 
 " The question now is, whether the seignior is cntitled to maintain 
 his claim. 
 
 ^'' The grants of seigniories by the Crown of France to individuals 
 in this colony, were geuerally nuide from gratuitous motives, and fre- 
 quently as a reward for tl.e services of nieritorious ollicers ; aud 
 although good policy required tliat thèse grants bhould he subservient 
 to the great and bénéficiai object of tlie seiMement and improvement 
 of tlie colony by the concession to be inade lo the subtenants or censi- 
 taires ; still however, the immédiate object of the grant was the benefit of 
 the grantec or seignior, who according to tlie principles of the feudal 
 lenure, became the vassal of the Crown and the undoubted proprietor 
 of the estate, and it is therefore reasonablo to présume that he would 
 endeavoar so lo inanage and dispose thercof as would provo most bé- 
 néficiai for him ; and however far lus condiict in lliis respect might 
 infringe the conditions of the grant, or counteract ihe policy of the 
 Crown, yet noue but the Crown liad the right of interférence or 
 complaint ; the censitaire was not a purty to the grant, he liad ac- 
 quh'ed no bénéficiai interest in the eslate which entitled him to any 
 redress againsl the seignior, lience it was found necessary to confer 
 this right by législative authority, and for this purpose the several 
 déclarations and arrêts which we find recorded in the archives of the 
 country were made by the French King and undt-r his authority. The 
 arrêt of the Gth July 171 1 appears to constitute the principal autlio- 
 rily iipou \vhicb the PlaintilT resists the claim of the oiiposant to his 
 cens et rentes as d(Mnaiuled ; but this arrêt as wt'll as several others 
 iKiw 1 \tant, on ilic sii1j;i'cI of granting lands in Canada, bave not 
 luuviil'jd for ihe Kiattcr bcre in contest. Ail thèse arrêts seem level- 
 1 'd ao"aiust the fcile of huids by the seignior and directing that they 
 
237 a 
 
 196. I now présent a case altogethev peculiar, reported 
 in tlie 3rd volume of the " Documents seigneuriaux," p. 88 
 to91. 
 
 The scigniorof Argenteujl, sir Joim Johnson, who had 
 acquired that seigniory at Sheriff's sale in the year 1807, 
 denianded IVom ono llutchins, lods et ventes on two lots of 
 land containing each 100 arpents in superficies. (1) 
 
 sliould be concedful to the censitaire iipon annual revenue, in fact the 
 whole bent and object of ail those arrêts was to encourage the clear- 
 ing of the land and setding the country, wliich could best be effected 
 by concessions of this kind, which were understood to be made on mo- 
 derato ternis and wiihin the ability of every industrinus inan to satis- 
 fy, while the sale of lands in large tracts and for larger sum of money, 
 and ail kinds of spéculations and jobbiiig, which 0|ierated inerely as a 
 transfer ot the lands without proinoling tlieir actual settiement and ini- 
 provement, are most expressly proliibited. But while the principle of 
 granting lands upon a redevance annuelle is f hus niaintained, we find no 
 arrêt or laiv now extant in the country which establishes what the rate 
 of tiiese redevances should be. Perliaps it was not necessary 
 that any sliould hâve been niude, because by prohibiting the seignior 
 froni sclliug his lands, as above stated it necessarily becanie his interest 
 to dispose of tiieni in the way pointed out by the above arrêts, that is, 
 by concessions à rcdevanr.cs annuelles to sucli persons who would 
 take thein and if we could form an opinion of the state of the country 
 for a century back we niay readily believe that the saine motive, a view 
 to his interest, would inducc the seignior to concède his lands at a lovv 
 rate, as iho then state of population required that the seignior should 
 rather hold out inducements, than exact unusual rights, in the granting 
 of the lands, as there was then more lands to concède than tenants who 
 wanted concessions. Froni this circumstance, we may account 
 tli.ii no suit or judgment appears in the courts prior to the conque&t by 
 u'hich a seignior is adjudged to grant land to a cew«'to^>e under the 
 penalty of the arrêt, of 1711, that is from an extravagant rate of con- 
 
 (1) lie clainied aNo the arrears of cens et refîtes ; a circumstance 
 of which the report of the cause niakes no mention, i hâve verified the 
 fact, by an examination of the rtcord. 
 
'238 a 
 
 In liis aiiswer, Iluk-liins siiid tlml, hy cli-tx! ttt' ïjale (tl 
 the iird Derember ITDG (Lukin ami DelJsle, nolurics) M. 
 l'alrick Murray, llien seigniur ul' Argenteuil, liail granted 
 ihose two lotsot" lancl lo Jedcdiali Lane rcnoiincing al tlio 
 saine time, " ail thc rights and prelensions which ho inighl 
 hâve as to any mutation, or aliénation fine, under ihe do^^■ 
 cnpûon oi lods et ventes, retrait or othenvise, and also the 
 toll commonly called banalité and in gênerai every oljior 
 riglit and pretcnsion as seignior over liis terre-tenant, except 
 ihe rent in the record deed reserved, namely an annual rcni 
 
 cession. Tt would theretore seem that there could be but little daiisfer 
 or injury likely to arise to the rights of the parties to allow the conces- 
 sions to be made according to the phraseology of the day, aux cens et 
 rentes et redeva?ices accoutumées, as the parties could agrée ; on the 
 one hand it was the interest of the seignior when he could not sell his 
 lands to grant them on an annual revenue, so as to increase the value 
 of his property by actual settlement of the lands, so, on the other hand, 
 it was the interest of the censitaire to obtain such grants in conces- 
 sion upon the easiest terms possible. In the deed of grant inade by 
 the King of France on the Glh April 1733, of tlie seigniory of DeLery, 
 we find inserted among the conditions of tho grant the following, " d'y 
 " tenir feu et lieu, et le faire tenir par ses tcnanciiM's àfaiite de quoi 
 " elle sera réunie au domaine de Sa Majesté, de dcscrter et faire 
 " déserter incessamment la dite terre, laisser les chemins du Roi et 
 " autres jugés nécessaires pour l'utilité publique sur la dite concession, 
 " et de faire insérer pareilles conditions dans les concessions qu'il fera 
 " à ses tenanciers aux cens et rentes et rcdccanccs accoutumées par 
 " arpent de terre de front sur 10 dej)rqfondeia\ <JjV. 
 
 llere we find the settlement and clearing- of llie lands, as bciiis: IIk" 
 principal object of this and of every other grant of tiie day, enjoined 
 under a penalty while the rate of coiicession seems inserted nioie as 
 words of course than of particularizing injunclion, nor is any penalty 
 nttached to the infringement of tiiis part of the grant, which was usual 
 whcre any particular law existed which bore on tlic point j we are tiien 
 called upon to say, wliat thèse words. " cens rentes et redevances ^c- 
 '•.oiitumrc?," niean. 
 
239 a 
 
 ol une soi Ibr t)vt;iy 10 arpents ol laiiil, payable yoarly ou 
 llie Util Novcinber, at thc Manor liouse of llie seignior. 
 l*rice of tlie sale 1500 spanisli silver dollars. Inconséquence 
 ofthis renuncialion, the Défendant, who had acquiied ihe 
 1.VVO lots of land by deed of llie 3rd June 1813 (Lukin and 
 Desaulels, notariés), contended that thèse lands" were not 
 liable to the payment of " any lods et ventes or cens et rentes^ 
 " or any rent whatever, witli the exception of the said rent 
 " charge of one sol for every 40 arpents of land." 
 
 Tliese words woiild no doubt carry the impression that there existed 
 sonie gênerai principle cilher established by law or generally practised 
 ui the coloiiy, by wliich concessions to the censitaire were legidated, 
 and thercfore, as a necessary conséquence, \ve should expect to find ail 
 the concessions of this description, at least prior to this deed of grant 
 by the French King, made subject to the veiy same cens, rentes et 
 redevances for if tliere was a Uwv to this effect it nuist be gênera! in 
 ils opération and bind ail the property in the country cqiially. 13ut we 
 see as well from the jiKlgments on record of that time and since, as 
 froni the generally known fact, that tlic cens, rentes et redevances of 
 différent seigniories were vcry frequently différent, varying according 
 to circuinstances and situation ; and at the présent day we may almost 
 say that scarcely any two seigi.iories are alike in this respect. ïhis 
 fact, a gênerai usage in the country, strongly militâtes against the 
 existence of any rule of law on this point, or if any ever was made and 
 did erist, that its injunctions could not hâve been of a permanent natu- 
 re or of gênerai extent. In the absence therefore of any positive ré- 
 gulation we a.e left to form that opinion which shall appear to us the 
 inost consistent with reason and justice. As a rule of right therefore 
 it cannot be presumed that what could hâve been a reasonable rate oi 
 concession in the year 1733 by the seignior to his censitaires could be 
 coasidered to be equally so nearly a century afterwards, nnless we 
 could présume that ail the relations and conventions in lifc between 
 inan and inan, had continued to be the same and that thft improve- 
 lucnts both in tho moral and physical world had cansed no change iti 
 ')iir habits of lilo or in thosc iransaclions wherniii the value of moncy 
 15 the inodium of estimation. It' thr revenue which the seignior oblai- 
 ii.cil iVi.un th.> (ince'5'<i'>n \\m\f: by Inm a rcntuiy pn^<, rannot now pr'i- 
 
240 a 
 
 u 
 (( 
 
 The new seignior, who vpiy well understood the pro- 
 visions of the «rreïs of the 6th July 1711, and 15th March 
 1732, replied, " ihatthe deed of the 3rd Uocember 1796, was 
 null and void, that M. Mnrray, in his qualily of seignior, 
 could not dispose of, nor divest himself of, any part of the 
 said seigniory of Argenteuil, whichwasin standing wood 
 for any sum of money, l)eing bound l^y the laws of the 
 eountry lo grant and concède the sanio for an annual 
 gronnd-reut, for the ordinary and usual seigniorial rights 
 profits and issues ; thaï he could not by any aet, deed, or 
 instrument in writing cliange the lenure of the said sei- 
 gniory or any part or parce! thereof or abandon, give up, 
 quit and release his pretensions, as seignior of the said 
 seigniory of Argenteuil to any mutation or aliénation fine, 
 " under the descri])tion of lods et renies, retraits or other- 
 " wise, or to the toll comrnonly calhîd banalité, or to any 
 
 cure him the saine competency and tacilities in lile as at that lime, 
 while the means and resources. of" the censitaire arising ont of the very 
 larid so granted to hini lias miiltiplied tenfold, tliere can in such case bo 
 neither reason nor justice in coinpelling a seignior to grant his lands at the 
 same rate at the présent day as a century ago, when there is no mie 
 of law applicable to the présent case arising out ol' the facts which 
 hâve been proved, It appears that the général rate of concession of 
 lands in the seigniory of DeLery for the last twenty yeais has been 
 proved to be 6 pence of cens and 9 sols for every siiperficial acie of 
 every lot so granted and of this rate of concession tlie late Rd. llart 
 had a knowledge and must be considered to hâve subniitted thereto by 
 taking possession of the two lots of hind in question, this was binding 
 on him even without a deed of concession, and no more has been de- 
 uianded of him than was usual and customary in that seigniory. 
 
 Hervé v. 1, p. " 415. L'usage général d'une seigneurie appelée "usan- 
 " ce" ou " usement" de fief peut quelquefois suppléer à la coutume et 
 *' aux titres particuliers, et suffire pour soumettre à un droit, ou à une 
 " prestation qui s'exerce généralement dans l'étendue du fief, quelques 
 " vassaux ou censitaires qui prétendraient se soustraire à ce droit ou à 
 « cette prestation. Car, lorsqu'un droit quelconque est énoncé dans 
 
241 a 
 
 '' ollier riglit or pi-t*lension as seignior as aJoresukI, conliary 
 " to tlie positive law of thc 1 lid," and as a subsidiary 
 reason, Ihe Plainlili' said that, siip))osing that ihe deedol'tiie 
 Srd December 179G liad been valid, the sherilV's sale on 
 exécution, by virttie of whieli lie liad made the purchase of 
 the scigniory with tiie right of cens et rentes^ lods et ventes^ 
 retrait, etc., etc., liad hadthe eflbctto clearanddo away with 
 the discliarges or exemptions iVoin thèse rights on thc lands in 
 (piestion, mentioned in the said decd of 1796. 
 
 Tlie court of King's lîench, at Montréal, by its judg- 
 iiient of tlie 20th April 1818, ordered the Défendant to pay 
 to the seignior the cens et rentes at the rate of tliree minots 
 of wheat and five shillings in money for every 90 acres in 
 
 <' presque tous les titres du fief, et s'exerce sur presque tous les sujets 
 
 '' de ce fief, il doit 6tre regardé comme un droit naturel de la terre 
 
 " dont personne n'est exempt, à moins qu'il n'ait un titre précis d'ex- 
 
 " emption." 
 
 ïhis principie is applicable where tliere is no concession, wliich is 
 the case hère, for had there been a deed of concession it must hâve 
 forined the law between the parties and the rule of décision on the 
 question before us. 
 
 The court therefore are of opinion that in the judgment of distri- 
 bution to be rendered in this cause the opposant bc ranked and accor- 
 ding to his privilège for ''m amount of his daim as stated in lus oppo- 
 sition with costs." 
 
 Note. — I owe to the kindness of M. Taylor, advocate, nej)hew ol 
 Chief Justice lleid, and the possessor, of his rnanuscripts, the advanta- 
 ge of having had communication of the grounds of this judgment, — as 
 well as of some other whidi T luivo occasion to mention in the course 
 of niv observations. 
 
 Il is to be hoped tliiil îlu> colkition of décisions uluch are kumvii b 
 li.i\'c bocit galhered ^vilh cinn i'\' this loaino:! imii^r, n ,v sor.ii \u 
 
 U.IV(MI t(^ tl)0 pn'lilir. 
 
 31 
 
242 a 
 
 superficies, and that since the sale by llic Shcrifl' of llie 
 seigniory of Argcnteuil. (1) 
 
 But tliis judgment was set aside by the court of appeals 
 on the 20tli January 1821, " in so far as the same relates 
 " to the rcnt therein rnontioned at the raie of three bushels 
 " of wlieat and iive shillings in money for every ninety su- 
 " pcriicial acres" ; and the court of appeals, deciding that 
 the annual rent charge of one sol for every 40 acres of land 
 slipuJated in the deed of the 3rd Deccmber 1796, "was and 
 " js l)y Jaw cens^ and as such a récognition that the said 
 " land was and is lield en roture of the seignior of tlie said 
 " seigniory of Argenteuil according to law," condemned 
 the appcllant to pay to the respondent one shilling for 
 arrears of cens, since the 21st Novembre 1807 and the IGtli 
 January 1813, togethcr with another sum of £4 2 G current 
 money for lods et ventes on lus purchase. 
 
 The judgment of the Court of appeal is right, in so far as 
 it maintains the rent fixed by the agreement of parties ; but 
 the judgment at Montréal proves, no less, that, at that day, 
 a rent équivalent, at least, to four sols per arpent in super- 
 ficies, (the wheat valued at four francs the minot) was not 
 considercd an illégal rate. 
 
 197i A judgment of the Court of King's Bencli for the 
 district of Québec, dated the lOth February 1827 (2) con- 
 demned William Hamilton to pay to the seignior of Fos- 
 sambault and Gaudarville, M. Duchesnay, the cens et rentes 
 of a Jand of 3 by 34 arpents whicii he possessed in the seig- 
 niory of Fossambault, a continuation of that of Gaudarville, 
 at the rate of eight sous per annum for each arpent in su- 
 perficies. 
 
 (1) Présent:— M. Chief Justice Monk and M. Justice ïlcid. 
 
 (2) « Doc. Seig." v. 3, p. 81 to 87. 
 
243 a 
 
 Tlio iJêfendant, in liis plrii. of peremptory exception, 
 contendcd llial llic. sci^nior (toiikl not oblain \.\w. conr-liisions 
 ol' liis (Iciiiand , Ist. " becansc, lliat al the linio whcn lie. 
 accinin-d ihc said lot ol' land Irom onc John VValfsli by an 
 inslruinent untler private siti^nature bcarini^ datt: tiic ;Jid 
 day (»r Fcl^ruary 18:^5, wliich said instriimcnl was ibero- 
 altcr ratiJied and confirmed by the said Plaintitt' by wiit- 
 Icn instniincnt nndcr private signature bearing k\\\W ihr 
 12th day oi' Febrnary, in tht; said year, the amouut ()t'1h^•. 
 cutis which ihe said ddcndant was to pay 1o ihc seii^nior 
 within whosi' ceiisive the said land lay \vas not stipiila- 
 ti'd nor nientioned either by the Plaintill" or by tlie said 
 John VValsh to the said Défendant. 
 
 2iid. " Beeanse, the said William TTamillon lias never 
 relïised to pass a tille deed, déclaration and aeknowledg- 
 rneiit of tlu; cen.s et rentes and ollier seigniorial charges due 
 the seignior ofthe place in which the said land is silnate, 
 at the rate of one sol tournois cnrrcncy for each siipcrfi- 
 cial arpent which is the rate at which a great number ol' 
 tlic lands situate in the sanie seigniory hâve b(!en conce- 
 ded ; which tille and déclaration the said defendiinl lialii 
 ot'tcn, l)ei't)re th(; commencement of this action, oH'ered fe 
 tlu; seignior of whom the said land is liolden on the con- 
 ditions aforesaid." 
 
 3rd. " Becansc, that by the law now in force jn this 
 province, a seignior isbound to concède ail his lands at the 
 ordinary rate for which lands hâve been conceded in his 
 seigniory." 
 
 This last proposition bcing incontestable and based on 
 the rule of the common law which governs in such cases, 
 il is évident that it served for foundation to tht) jndgment 
 of the Court of Québec, regard being had to the évidence 
 which had bcen produced as to the rate then existing in the 
 
o 
 
 till u 
 
 NcioiliolA (il l'"()vsaiub;iiill, Ix'iili; iIh' coiitimiatidli ol lliut k1 
 (jULulurvilIc, llie iiume ot' wliicli lias IxH'oinc so J'iuiioiis iti 
 the anti-soigniorial agitation, llianks to tlic langnago ol' tlic 
 Intendant Ilocquart's Ordinance of the 33rd Jamiary 17.'38. 
 From tlio amonnt ol'one sol eight deniers, pcr arj)ont in f<n- 
 perficies, mcntioucd in tliat ordinanco to the ainoimt of eigjit. 
 sous, adjudged by the Conrt of Québec, the dill'ere lee is 
 very great. Still the seigniovial rent, at ihis last rate, was 
 not the less eonsidered as being perfectly légal. 
 
 198, In a judgment of ihe court of King's Bencli, al 
 Montréal, rendered on the 18 April 1828, (1) \Ve read that 
 onc William Gray had in 1819 takcai possession, in good 
 faith, of certain lots of iand in the seigniory of St. Jacques, 
 under the promise of guarantee by the seignior M. James 
 MeCallum that lie would give hiin a title deed in j)roper 
 form, but without any mention of the conditions in vvhicli 
 the concession was to be made. The court, " considering 
 " that by the laws, usages and custom of this Province, and 
 " in order to facilitate and encourage llie settling and clcar- 
 " iiig of the ivaste lands held in llef and seigniory therein, 
 '' every subjecl of His Majesty is enlillcd lo deinand and 
 ohlain from every or any seignior hokling ivaste and mi- 
 granted lands in his seigniory a lot or concession of a 
 portion ofsaid ivaste or ungranfed lands, to be by every 
 such subject, his heirs and assigns, held and possessed 
 as his and their own proper estate for ever iipon the con- 
 dition of cultivating and improving the same and of 
 paying and allowing to every such seignior the reasona- 
 hle, usual and ordinary rents, dues, })ronts and acknow- 
 ledgments whicli by tlic feudal tcnure in force in this 
 Province arc paid, made and allowed to such seignior by 
 their tenants and censitaires, for ail such or similar lots 
 
 (1) «Doc. Seig." V. 3, p. 92. 
 
 Présent: — M. Chief Justice R«itl, M. Justice Foucber, M. Justice 
 Uûiacke* 
 
2'i5 a 
 
 " i)n<iiid," inîiitituiiicd iliL' siiitl W'ilii.uii (irt-v in lii<' j)r(>- 
 pci'ly îuul cnjuyment ot tlie loirs ol' l;iii(l iti (|U«vsii(ji), on liis 
 l)uyinj^ fo tlie tsi'i^'iiior " llie reitHonablt usuiil (tnd ordiiKU'ij 
 rents, dues profits and acknowlcdgmenls.'^ 
 
 199. Ilonrietto Guiclmud et al, aguiiist John Jonen, 
 adjudged in the court of King's Bench, IMontrcnl, on the 
 imii February 1831. (1) 
 
 On the 31st August 1796, (Chaboillcz, nolary), the lato 
 Thomas Dunn, sciignior of St. Armand, niadoto onc Brcwer 
 Dodge a sale and concession of a land In .standing wood ; 
 priée of the sale £20 currcncy, payable on the Ist March 
 1804, with interest ; annual rcnt one shilling, that is 
 24 sols. The decd contains a renuncialion on the 
 part of the seignior, of the seigniorial rights, similar to that 
 of the seignior of Argenteuil (abovc, no. 19G.) 
 
 Jones having becomc proprietor, an hypotliecary action 
 was instituted against him, in 1828, by the rcprcsentativcs 
 of M. Dunn, for the payment of the said sum of twonty 
 pounds, \vith interest from the Ist May 1709, and tlic arrenrs 
 of the rent of one shilling accrucd sinco the same daU'. Iff 
 pleaded to the demand a pcremptory exception, b}- which 
 he insisted that, according to the laws of Lower Canada, 
 M. Dunn, like ail othcr seigniors, was obligod to conccdr' 
 his lands in standing wood in his scigniory, ai au annual 
 rent, on a rent charge, without exact ing or recciving any 
 sum of money ; that the sale of such lands v.ry; cxpresslv 
 prohibited to tliem, under penalty of the absolute nullity of 
 iheir contracts, of the restitution of the price and of reunion 
 to the domain of the Crown, etc., etc. Ile thon prr;yed that 
 the deed of the 31st August l'796 should be declared null and 
 void, " in so far as the said deed includes a sale." At the 
 
 (l) " Doc. Seig." V. 3, p. 93 to 101. ^ " 
 
 Présents: — M. Cliief Justice Reiil. .M. Justice P)ke an<l M. .lu'-- 
 lice Rolland. 
 
246 a 
 
 Enqurlv^ llio Plaiutifrnnd Dcfondanl admitled lliat tlie land 
 in (]u<'sti()i) \\;is in standing wood {en hois debout ,) when th« 
 said (Iccd was passed. 
 
 'Vhc. iiidi.Mnenl, wliicli is not, motive, grantud |)ur(dy and 
 .siniply tlic dctnand oltlio seigniors. (1) 
 
 (1) 'llio follnwiiig notes of Chiel" Justice Rcid, explaiii the grounds 
 of tiie jiid2,inent ; — 
 
 " lu lliis caso it was contended on llic pari, of tlie Défendant tliat 
 '• tlii; (li'ud of sale made by the laie M. I>anii lo JJrewer Dodge ou 
 '' 31st Aiigust 119(), was null and void in law in as inuch as it was a 
 " sale of laïul en hois debout prohibited by the arrêts of 6th July 
 '' 1711 and IJlh March 1732. That the said late M. Dunn had, 
 '< busidus, ehanged tlie nature of the tenure of the said lot of land, by 
 " giviiii; up the liglds of lods et ventes, of banalité to the tenant, 
 '" wliiuli he could not do as thèse rights were inhérent in the seigniory 
 '^ and could iiot be detached from it. That the Défendant was there- 
 " fore exposed to liave thèse rights demanded of hini at a future day, as 
 " another seignior could not be bound by the aliénation of those rights 
 " niade by ]M. Dunn. 
 
 " On the part of the Plaintiffs it was argued that the two arrêts 
 " cited could not now be considercd as law in thecountry, beingmade 
 c' nierely for a nionientary purpose and not applicable to the présent 
 " state of tlie country ; but allowin;v them to be in force nothing was 
 '' donc hère iipon which they could take efl'ect ; that the bail à ce?is, 
 " like ail other contracls was susceptible of many modifications. ïhe 
 '' quantum o[' cens is wilhin the power of the seignior and he raay aiso, 
 " for valuable considération, transfer ail his personal interests to the 
 " tenant and he may in the same way renounce his right to the lods et 
 '^ ventes aiul to the right o{ banalité, although he cannot convey them 
 " to another. That the Défendant bas no right to complain until he 
 " be iroulded, and he is suÛîciently secure, as the plaintiffs would be 
 <' bound to indeuinify hini if he were troubled, but this question is not 
 " raised by the plea and the court cannot take notice of it. 
 
 " The court said that the argument had been extended to points not 
 
247 a 
 
 200. Rolland against MoUcnr : a causo tlocitled iii llie 
 court of King's Uencli, Montréal, on tliu 15tli June ib 10. (2) 
 
 By decd of tlie 31st Decembcr 1832, (Roudrcan, nolary), 
 M. Justice Rolland, seignior of Monnoir, sold and conecdcd 
 to J. B. MoUeur two lands in lus seigniory, iIkî one oC 5 ;< 
 
 ints not 
 
 " before it ; thut tlie only question they liad to coiii^ider was ^vliellier 
 ** the contract of tlie Slst August 1790, was légal or not. It was 
 " called a deed of sale and concession, although, striclly speakiiig, it 
 " ouglit to be viewed as a deed of concession only, as it conveyed to 
 " the censitaire ail tlie ritilit and interest of the seignior in tlio soil as 
 " effectually as any deed of sale could do, but it was tlio ((;iins and 
 " conditions of the deed tliat inust détermine its nature and validity. 
 " It is true tliat Ihis deed restrains tlie riglits of the seignior to a 
 *' trifling sum for cens witb the payment of a sum of twenty pounds 
 *' and interest, and g«ves up the riglit oï lads et ventes and ofl/analitc 
 " in favor of the cc7isitaire, yet this vvill not change the nature of the 
 " tenure nor alienate those seigniorial rights. The only question is as 
 " to the construction to be put upon the deed in question. ]f it is lo 
 " be considered as a sale of land eu bois debout it is illégal and void 
 " according to the lavvs of the country, but if, on the coiitrary, Ihis 
 " sum of twenty ponds stipulated to be paid by tlie censitaire, was 
 " the considération for whicli iM. Dunn consented to give up bis right 
 " to the lods et ventes and banalité it will be légal and valid, as ho 
 " could abstain from demanding any of his rights as seignior from his 
 " censitaire upon a sullïcient considération. And the court thinks that 
 " the latter construction ought to prevail not merely because this con- 
 " tract, like every other, should be so construed that it niay rather 
 " stand than fall, but because they are of opinion tliat the expressions 
 " in the deed seem to imply that this was the considération for wliich 
 " the money was to be paid. The court cannot hère take up tho 
 " question as to the future liability of the tenant to bc Iroiibled by 
 " another seignior and the conséquent rights of the tenant tlieri'on as 
 " the question lias not been raised by the pleadingsand cannot nowbe 
 " determined." 
 
 (2) " Doc. Seig." V. 3, p. 101 to 118. 
 
 Présent : — M. Justice Pyke and M. Justice Gale. 
 
2is a 
 
 .'lu arpciiis, l)eltig miiiilx.'rs l;H utid 13;! iti tlii: tliinl roticct- 
 
 sion ; llie otiier lik<!\vistî olû y, 30, beiiii? tlic numlHîrs 1 IG iiiul 
 147 in tlie fouilli conct'M.sionoriliL' seigiiiory. Priée oltiie sait; 
 2,^)00 livres ancient tMirroncy paid clown ; seigniorial dues 2 
 nulfi {)[' cciiH 18 /tires in inoney and tlirc»! minots ol" wheat 
 l'or every 1)0 ar|)('nts, and no in proixtrtion. 'i'Iu; seignior 
 t'iaiuR'd l)y lus aclion, arrears oi' cens et rentes ainounting to 
 JC24 0, (^urrciKy, " \\n'. said rent ot" wheat l)eing ineluded 
 therein and esliuialed at liie value of wheat at tlie finies and 
 places at wliicli llio sanie becatne duc 
 
 .Mollenr opposed to lliis aclion llie sanic reasons tlial 
 liud been advanced by Jones against tlie lieir.s Dunn in the 
 eause reported in ihe last nuniber, alieging tliat lliese two 
 lands, l)('ing lands in standing wood, as lie said in a plea of 
 pereuipiory exception, tlie seignior was bountl to con- 
 cedi' to liiiu on a rent charge, without exacting any suni of 
 rnoney ; lliut the rate ol" the riînt charge " ought to be the 
 " same at wliich lands were conceded en censive in tliis 
 "■ country, and which is iIk; only légal rate wliieh should 
 " be aeknowledged in this Province, or at least, at the rate 
 " of those conc(;ssions en censive niade by the seigniors of 
 " thiî country before the year 1711, or at least at the rate of 
 " the concessions en censive made in the said seigniory of 
 " Monnoir by the predcccssors of the Plaintifl"; that the charge 
 " for the concessiou made to the Défendant was exorbitant, 
 " illégal, cxceeding the lïsual légal rate of the country, 
 *•' which ought to be and is 1 sol of cens and 1 franc in 
 '' uioney and 1 minol of wheat l'or cach 90 arpents in su- 
 " pcrficies and no more ; to which rate that of liis sait! 
 " concession ought to be reduced as well for the past as for 
 " the future." 
 
 Mollcur consequently demanded that so niuch of th(^ 
 rlced as relaled fo the sale of tliir said lands should be dc- 
 clared null and void, that so nuicli tlicreof as relaled to the 
 roncessjon en censive should be niaintained, ■<\\v\ iti;it ihc 
 
'2VJ (t 
 
 rcnt i;|i:iigt:si slioiiid i» r<*diu;ed tu llic iiriiuuiil nbovc slalcd. 
 He nlso, by un Incidental dcniaïul, jirayrd l'or llie restitu- 
 tion oC the 2500 //ï</t<',. uhicîh iic )!id paid. 
 
 Tho soif,niior st : fortli tije lollowjn^ iacts in liis nnsvvyr 
 to tlic Defcndant's ex(;f'l)tion and to his incidental d»-- 
 mand : 
 
 Ist. Tlic fn-Mt of tlie two lands f'ortnin^ tlic nos. 131 h 
 132 was conct'dod on the 12th Mardi 1818 by Sir Jol.n 
 Johnson, llien scignior of INIonnoir , to John Johnson, 
 his son, chargofl vvith a ininot ol' vvhcat and G //- 
 vres in money, l'or overy 30 arpents in superficies. On the 
 23rd January 1832, tiiese iwo lots were sold at sherilPs 
 sale, in a suit instituted against the said John Johnson by 
 the said M. Rolhind, who liad for some ycars, becn proprie- 
 tor of the seigniory,an(l adjudgedtohim bythesheritr,namely 
 No. 131 for the snm of £5 currency and no. 132 for £4 5s, 
 Od. but without the reunion of thèse two lots to his domain, 
 he having made the necessary déclaration to avoid such 
 reunion, as appeared by the sheritPs deed of the 7th Fe- 
 bruary 1832. lie possesscd them therc fore en ro/ure unt il 
 the time that lie sold them to the Défendant. 
 
 2nd. Wilh respect to tlic other land forming Nos. 14<> 
 and 147, it had been eonccded by tho seignior Johnson, ou 
 the 12th June 1797, to William Radenhurst, subject to the 
 payment of 2^ minots of wheat and 102 sols for every 90 
 arpents, and so in j)roportion. On tho 19lh April 1821, 
 Johnson obtained a judgniont whieh, on considération of the 
 offers and consent of Radenhurst to abandon the said land, 
 reunited the samo to the domain of the seigniory and 
 discharged Radenhurst, who had attaclied tliat condi- 
 dition to his offer, from tho arn^ars of seigniorial rents for 
 which he had been sued and which aniounted to £G1 5s. di]. 
 rurrcncy ; ihus, the land boeame iho property of tlir l*lniii 
 tifTby means of hif^ pnrohasr f)f fhr seigniory 
 
 ;32 
 
250 a 
 
 3rd. The expenses incurred by Sir John Johnson in his 
 action against Radenhurst amounted to £15 currency. 
 
 4tli. liu also asserted that Ihe arrcars ol" seigniorial 
 nglits due on no. 131, at thc time ofthc adjudication, 
 amounted to £20, which, with the costs of the sale, rnade 
 £30 ; that tlie arrcars of tlie same rights due on no. 132, al 
 the same date, were equai to £20, and including the cosi of 
 the adjudication, to £30. 
 
 5th. Ile further alleged that during his possession ol" 
 nos. 131 and 132, that is, from the 23rd January to tlie 31st 
 December 1831, he expended large sums to improve them, 
 both in making and repairing the roads, as well in thèse 
 concessions as in those in the neighbourliood, and which by 
 law the proprietor of thèse lots was bound to make and 
 repair ; that he paid divers public dues and taxes amounting 
 to £10, to which thèse lots were liable ; and that from thèse 
 <;auses the value thereof had greatly increased ; that during 
 the time that he and his predecessors had been in posses- 
 sion of lots 146 and 147, namely frojn 19tli April 1821 to 
 the 31st December 1832, they were deprived of the cens et 
 rentes to which they would hâve been entitled, if the two 
 lots had reraained in the possession of the first or any othor 
 oeiisitaire ; that they had expended large sums to make 
 useful improvements on thèse lots, in making and repairing 
 the roads in the same manner as on the two others ; tliat 
 the had also i)aid divers publie and other ducs to wliich 
 thèse lots were liable, amounting to the sum of £50 curren- 
 cy. &c., &c. 
 
 6th. That the two lands had not been conceded to the 
 Défendant at a higher raie than the usual rate, at which the 
 neighbouring lands had been conceded for 20 years or more 
 before the said concession, nor that at w-hich, gênera] ly, in 
 the said seigniory and the other seigniories in the district, 
 
251 a 
 
 ilie lands Jiad been coneeded for the last 30 years and more 
 previdiis to llio concession made to the défendant. 
 
 Ttli. Fiually for ail thosc reasons lie liad the right to 
 scll tho said lands andto dispose of them as lie miglil think 
 right. 
 
 Oiily two witnesses were called. Tliey were proprie- 
 tors of lands in the same place, for which the only paid 2^ 
 niinots of wheat and 102 .9o/s in money for every 90 arpents 
 in supcrticies. They deposed that in this seigniory and in 
 Ihe saine range, there were many lands coneeded on the 
 same ternis as their own but that there were a great number 
 coneeded at the same rates as those of the défendant Mol- 
 leur, one of thèse witnesses adding ; " there are a great 
 number who pay my rate, MoUeur's rate is the new rate ; 
 '■ and tlie otlier saying ; " the lands to the south of the road 
 oi'lhis concession are coneeded at the same rates as those 
 of Ihc dcfendant ; the lands to the north of tliat road are con- 
 eeded at the same rates as mine." They testiiied also that 
 ATollcur's lands were ail in standing wood, So there was 
 no évidence of the improvements which the Plaintitis alle- 
 ^di}^ that had been made. 
 
 [ lost my cause (for I appeared for Molleur,) and my 
 client, wliose incidental demand was dismissed, was, at 
 th. same time, condemned to pay the arrears of cens et ren- 
 tes^ in conformity with the seignior's demand. 
 
 201. The same question was raised anew bcfore the 
 same tribunal in the case of Hamilton and others against 
 Michel Lamoureux, censitaire in the seigniory of de Lery, 
 and decided in October 1842. (1) 
 
 The défendant as actual possessor of a land of 2 ^<i 28 
 
 (1) - Doc. seig." V. 3, p. 119 to 135. 
 Présent ; — Mr. Justice Pyke, Rolland and Gale. 
 
232 u 
 
 arpents, conceded on the 17th Septenibt'i- 1796 by General 
 l'hrislie to J. B. Bigonesse dit Bcaucaire, was sued en dé- 
 claration d'hypothèque for arrears of cens et rentes including 
 a right of corvée. 
 
 By the deed of concession this land had becn subjected 
 to a seigniorial annual rent of 19 livres 12 sols tournois and 
 1 sol tournois of cens for each arpent of front by the wlioh^ 
 depth, and further, to a right of corvée, valued at 3 francs, 
 raaking £1. Is. Id. currency per annum. 
 
 The Défendant opposed to this demand exceptions si- 
 milar in substance to those which had been pleaded by 
 Molleur. Mr. Justice Day, appeared for Lamoureux who was 
 not more fortunate ihan I was. His client underwent the 
 fate of mine ; lie was condemned by a Judgment of the 2nd 
 February 1842. The grounds of this judgment, as given by 
 Mr. Justice Pyke, deserve to be read and considered, ihey 
 will be lound in the note at foot. (1) 
 
 (1) The second, ihird and fourth pleas are exceptions of a very 
 peculiar description, and the law invoked therein, would seem to be 
 either unknown or to be of so doubttul a description, as not to admit of 
 its being stated with any certainty, the object of the vvhole is not to 
 set aside the deed of concession itself but to reduce the rate of rent 
 therein stipulated to the rate at which it is alleged, by law, the land 
 should hâve been conceded, and at which the seignior was bound to 
 concède ; the law however is so variously stated in the^e exceptions, 
 and in a manner so contradictory the one to the otber that it is évident 
 that the défendant bas been groping in the dark and scarcely knowing 
 were to tum, in order to find soniething upon which to resist the 
 plaintiffs' claim for rent as stipulated ia the original deed of concession, 
 and it is évident by invoking laws so much at variance the one with the 
 other, the défendant must hâve been aware that in truth there was no 
 certain or précise law upon the subject, and that he had not been able 
 to discover any. 
 
 In the first exception it is alleged tbat, by law, Ihe seignior couidnot 
 
253 a 
 
 202. Tlie case preseuted itself anevv, but ihis time befo- 
 
 claim a higher lent tlian that at which wild lands were first conceded 
 iu the seigniories of this country. 
 
 In the second, that, by law, the seignior was bound to concède, at 
 the same rate at which wild lands were first conceded in tl e seigniory of 
 De Léry, in which the land is situated. 
 
 The third is, that by law, he is bound to concède at the rate at 
 which wild lands werc first conceded in this provinc?, or at the rate at 
 which they were conceded before the year 1711, or at which they 
 were first conceded in the seigniory of De Lècy. 
 
 But to crown the whole, and in order that the Court should remain 
 in the state of darkness and uncertainty in wlùch the défendant appears, 
 himself, to hâve been as to w!:at the rate of rent was originally in this 
 country, whatit was in the seigniory of De Léry, or what it was in Canada 
 previous to 1711, the défendant lias not taken upon himself to state, so 
 that it is impossible from any thing set forth iu thèse pleas that the 
 Court can discover, whether the réduction claimed can be awarded or 
 not ; there is therefore nothing stated with ihat certainty which is rs- 
 sential to every pleading to enable the Court at once to say, if thèse 
 facts are proved the conclusions taken are correct. 
 
 But the trouble is, that the défendant found that ihe rates of rent 
 
 were so various that it negatived the idea, at once, of any fix.:d rate 
 
 established by law, and therefore he thought it most prudent to trust to 
 
 chance, and what he might be enabled to adduce in évidence and leave 
 
 the Court to say or find out what réduction of rent should be made 
 
 and thus exercice an arbitary control and power over a rent which the 
 
 censitaire had, by a solemn act, stipulated and agreed to pay ; it would 
 
 require sometbing more than what bas been citod of the law of Canada 
 
 upon the subject, to justify us in setting aside such a solemn agreement 
 
 entered into voluntarily by the censitaire, and that in accordance with 
 
 the comnion law of France and coramon sensé also, " que toujours le 
 
 cens a été proportionné au véritable produit de la chose acccnsée," (*) 
 
 the censitaire paying secundumfaadtatoyi bo7wrum, and what more r^a- 
 
 (*) Hervé. — Théorie des matières féodales et censuelles, v. '), 
 Irom p. 91 to 121. 
 
254 a 
 
 re the Superior Court sitting in Québec, and vvas deoided 
 on the merits, on the 13th January 1852, in the same sensé 
 
 sonable ? h the censitaire alone to benefit from the increase in the value 
 of lands, and the seignior to be excluded from that benefit, or is it right 
 to suppose that in the decrease in the value ol' money that persons novv 
 applying for concessions should hâve them at the saine low rate as the 
 ancient censitaire, for if so the modem censitaire would hâve the avan- 
 tage, in paying much less than those for whose benefit any restriction 
 ol the rent was originally intendeJ,as one livre in those days was of as 
 much vakie to the possessor as three in thèse days. This, however, is 
 an équitable view of the question, but where is the law which authorises 
 us thus to interfère 1 We see none, the custom which now prevails of sti- 
 pulating higher rcnts than those which were formerly taken in the first 
 settlement of the country, has tacitly sanctioned it, and the Courts of 
 Jnstice enibrced it ; nor has there a judgment been cited in which llie 
 Courts of this Province, bave interfered between the seignior and cen- 
 sitaire to set aside the stipulated rent agreed between them. It is not 
 pretcnded that tlie censitaire ever clainied the land at a lower rent, he 
 obtained the land that he required, and it is to be presumed from bis acqui- 
 escence and engagement that he recognised the right to the rent stipula- 
 ted and that he paid no more than other applicants for land at that 
 period. We must therefore leave thèse rents to be regulated by the 
 agreement of the parties which once concluded must be binding, and 
 cnlorced as ail other obligations and undertakings ; we can make no arbi- 
 trary régulations upon the subject, and if any abuse hereafter may be 
 found to exist in matters regarding the feudal tenure as modified and 
 now existing in Canada, it is for the législature and not the Courts to 
 apply the remedy. Besides the same question as that raised in this 
 cause was so solemnly determined in in the cause of 
 
 and again recentiy in the case of Rol- 
 land against Molleur in which my brother, Gale, who delivered the judg- 
 ment of the Court particularly adverted to the différent authorities 
 again res^orted to in this cause and in a manner so fully and satisfacto- 
 rily tliat itrcnders any further observations or rather a répétition of those 
 of M. Justice Gale unnecessary ; we adhère to the principle of those 
 décisions until the superior tribunal has convinced us that we are in 
 error and afforded a better principle wherecn to détermine. 
 
255 a 
 
 that it had been at Montréal against MoUeur and Lamoii- 
 reux. (1) The Hon. and learncd judge, Mr. Caron, who ap- 
 peared in this instance, as counsel for the censitaire, had no 
 greater success than had his two brethren at Montréal. 
 
 We notice, however, in tlie deed of concession of the 
 lOth September 1839, givcn to the Défendant Martel by ihc; 
 seignior of Bourg Louis a stipulation that was not in tho 
 concessions made to MoUeur and Bigoncsse. The deed 
 mentions that the concession is made subject to the payment 
 for every arpent in superficies of " one sol or one half pen- 
 " ny currency of seignorial and unredeemable cens et rentes 
 " and seven sols or three and a half pence currency of an- 
 " niial and constituted {constituée) rent on the footing of 
 " six per cent per annum redeemable at pleasure, making 
 " altogether eight sols or four pence currency of cens et 
 " rentes as well ground rent as constituted rent, for every 
 arpent of landin superficies. 
 
 The Défendant, who had alleged, but without proving 
 
 it, that the land was in standing wood, at the time of the 
 
 concession, considered that there was a sale pro tante in 
 
 the provision of this rente constituée redeemable at pleasure, 
 
 and demanded the nullity thereof, in conformity with the 
 
 rt/refs of Gth July 1711 and loth March 1732. He main- 
 
 tained further, " that the rate of seigniorial cens and dues 
 " at wliich the PlaintifF was bound to concède the said 
 
 " land was the ancientand ordinary rate at whicli the lands 
 " were primarily and anciently conceded in the said seig- 
 niory of Bourg Louis ; that such rate was not more than 
 one sol of seigniorial cens et rentes for each arpent in su- 
 perficies, which rate is mentioned and fixed by the Plaiii- 
 " tifl" himself in the said deed of concession thnt 
 
 u 
 
 (C 
 
 u 
 
 (1) Langlois ts. Martel. 
 
 Présent. — Mr. Chief Justice Bovvea, Mr. Justice Duval and M)-. 
 Justice Meredith. 
 
 L. C. Reports v. 2, j». 36. 
 
256 a 
 
 *' consequently a rate of cens et renier exceeding one soi 
 " per arpent in superficies, was illégal and tiiat the excess 
 " ought to be reduced and diniinished." 
 
 The judgment is contained in thèse terms : 
 
 "The Court,. . .considering that ihe arrêt ofthe King of 
 " France bearing date 6th July 1711, invoked by the defen- 
 " dant as the basis of his defence, is applicable only in a 
 " case wherein the seignior has refused to concède to tho 
 " inhabitants the lands which thcy dcrnand from him, and 
 " that the arrêt of the King of France, datcd tho loth March 
 " 1732, also invoked by the défendant in support of his 
 " plea, directs ail tlie proprietors of lands in seigniory not 
 " then clcared, to make thcm productive and toestablish in- 
 habitants thercon, and that by the said arrêt, His Ma- 
 jesty most expressly prohibits ail seigniors and other pro- 
 prietors from sclling any lands in standing wood under 
 penalty of the nullity of the deeds of sale and of restitu- 
 tion of the price of the said lands so sold, which lands 
 " shall be reunited de pleno jure to the King's domain ; 
 considering that it is proved that the PlaintifF in this 
 cause, seignior of the North East of the seigniory of 
 Bourg Louis, now called New Guernesey, has by deed 
 made and passed bcfore Mtre. Panet and his coUeague, 
 notariés, at New Guernesey, on the 17th September in 
 the year 1839 conceded, not sold, to the défendant the 
 land therein described subject to divers cliarges, clauses 
 and dues therein enunciated, which concession of ihe 
 said land and appurtenances he has possessed from the 
 time of the passing of the said deed to the présent day ; 
 considering that the allégations contained in the peremp- 
 tory exception in law and established by the évidence 
 produced in this cause, are not sufficient in law to annul 
 the said deed of concession, in whole or in part, 'ismis- 
 f»es the pereraptory exception in law pleaded by the de- 
 
 (( 
 
 (C 
 
 C( 
 
 (( 
 
 u 
 II 
 u 
 u 
 
 (C 
 
2Ù7 a 
 
 " rt'ijiiunt in this (-au-^f, and condetiiH llie défendant lo pay 
 
 " to iho Pluintiit" the suin of £lt;. 11. -1. eiirrency, Ibr 
 
 " eight years arrears of cens et rentes duc by llie défendant 
 
 " by llie PlaintJfTs in virtiie of tlie abovc nienlioned doed of 
 
 " concession, payable llie Ist Noveniber 1818, widi interest. 
 
 " from Ihc 28lh April 1849, and coj;Is. 
 
 203. Finally, the sanie décision was pronounced by the 
 same judges, on the 17th October 1853, in a suit brought by 
 the same seignior against one Trudel. 
 
 We read in llie collection of " Lovver Canada Reports," 
 V. 3, p. J75 : 
 
 " In this cause and in tivc otlier causes instifutcd by 
 •' the same Plaintiff against divers censitaires of the scie- 
 " niory of Bourg Louis or New Guernsey, ail decided the 
 " same day, the facts were the same as in the case of Lan- 
 " glois against Martel, and the judgments in thèse causes 
 " were in ail respects in conlbrmily wilh the décision in 
 " Ihat cause of Langlois against Martel." 
 
 204. AU the judgments whieii hâve bcen clted esta- 
 blisli, in an incontestable nianner, that from the time that 
 the amount of the cens et rentes became the subject of judi- 
 cial investigation, the Courts liave constantly maintained 
 the legality of any rate whatever, when it had been freely fixed 
 by the agreement of the parties, or when, in the absence of 
 written title, it was supported by possession, founded on the 
 rule of the eommon law, which allowed in the iike case, to 
 exact" the same dues imposed on tlie othcrlands conceded 
 in the seigniory." There lias been, as far as I am aware, 
 no contrary décision rendered. If even one sueh existcd it 
 would W'ithout doubt hâve been cited. 
 
 ypt the authority of thèse décisions is iiot the only ati- 
 diority that can be invdkcd. That no less imposing, of ihc 
 
258 a 
 
 Législature may also be produced, at. least in so far as that 
 Legislaturi; lias l)een ablo hy its acts to recogiiLse the validi- 
 ty of tlio agr(M!incnt bcîtween seigniors and censitaires con- 
 (îi-rning tlio amoiint of tlie cens et rentes, and the applying 
 of the rule of tlie eommon law in similar cases to regulate 
 that amount, in tlie absence of such agreement. 
 
 Ist. In 1801, chap. 11. "An act for betler regulating 
 the eommon belonging to the town of 3 Ri vers." 
 
 Wc learn from the preamblc that this eommon, whieh 
 «'ontained abont 1C8 arpents, was j)ossessed by the inha- 
 bitants of tliat town by virtue of two titles, the one granted 
 by the Governor, M. de Montmagny, on the lôtii Augusl 
 1648, and tlic other by the Révérend Fathers, the Jesuits, on 
 the 9th Jiine 1650; that both before and sinee the cession of 
 the country, many persons liad built houses in conséquence 
 of grants made to tliem on this eommon by a majority of the 
 inliabitants of the town. 
 
 By tlie 6tli section of this Act, the Législature gives to 
 the trustées the power " to ratify and confirm such grants 
 " of building lots on the said eommon as havc been here- 
 " tofore assented to, honafidc, by a majority of the inhabi- 
 
 " tants .andtopass regular and valid titles for the 
 
 " same, at the rents and on the conditions andservices in 
 " such grants set forth, or if no such rents, conditions and 
 " services are specified in such grant, th(;n at the rents and 
 " on such conditions and services as were customary at or 
 *' next before the time of making the same. 
 
 Then tho 7tli section autliorises them " to grant by 
 deed, to such person or ])ersons as to them niay seem 
 proper such lots of ground for building on the said corn 
 mon as sliall hâve been fixed and determined on at a ge- 
 *' neral meeting (of the inhabitants) and at the rent and on 
 " the conditions and services at such gênerai îneeting also 
 
 il 
 
 n 
 
 (l 
 
259 a 
 
 " fixed and detennined on. hlm-h builtling lot x» concocled 
 " in llie course ol 12 years noi to contain more tliaii ''nJi' an 
 " acre french measure." 
 
 Roliold, tlien, liow more tlian 50 years ai^'o, an ad, of 
 onr Législature acknowledged tlu; validily ol" a eonventioniil 
 rate, or of tiiat whicii was tlie usage, at. or inunediately 
 before the lime ol" tlie concession. (1) 
 
 2nd. — 'IS^l, cliap. 17. Act 1o partition llio common 
 of the seigniory of Bouciicrville. 
 
 Section 13; " Nothing herein oontained sliall extend 
 " or be conslrued to extend to prevenl the seigniors of iJou- 
 
 " (^herville from asking, (hmianding, having uiid 
 
 " exercising ail, each and every the rights, cens et rentes, 
 " lods et ventes, corvées, retrait and other rights to him or 
 
 (1) At no. 188, I hâve already establishetl that the ihies for a great 
 number oi' c>nplacet7ie?its (buikhng lot») concède J in the townofThree 
 Rivers from 1G83 to 1752, varied from 1 denier for a lot of 50 feet 
 of front by 7 toises in length to 15 livres in money, together with a 
 capon and 2 deniers of ce?is for an emplacement of 40 x 20 feot. 
 llere follow some concessions in the town, the titles of wliich 1 hâve 
 examined, and which are posterior in date to those already given, but 
 anterior to the act of Parliament. 
 
 1774' June 22(Badeaux, notary) concession //y ihc commissione?s 
 for the common to S&mwd ii\\h ; n ^ 100 feet; " 12 shillings of 
 the Provi f "^ of cens et rentes.'''^ 
 
 1784 May 9th (Badeaux, notary,) concession by the Chevalier de 
 Niverville to F. Dubé ; Ist 40 x 80 feet; " 12 Hvres of seigniorial 
 rent and 2 sols of cens ; " 2d, GO m 80 ; " 16 livres of rent and 2 sols 
 of cens." 
 
 1799 Apri! 16th, (Badeaux, notary,) concession by the widow de 
 Tonnancour to L. J. Le Proust ; 100 x 100 feet ; " 15 livres and 
 1 denier of cens. 
 
2G0 a 
 
 *' tlii-rii (lue ;iii<l owiiii^ and wliicli inay beooiiu' dut*, and 
 " tnving by \ irlue oltho origiiiid dood ot" grunt of lluî said 
 ■' coniiiion, or by virfue ol'llu; derds orgrant ot" the lands or 
 *' dwL'llings of thu said propriotors or by virtiie of the ins- 
 " Iriimcnt of granl of tho said siMgaiory g(Mierally, ail each 
 " and ovL'ry wliicli riglit and riglits whatsovor are whoUy 
 '* and spocially rest-rved, which réservation shall b(3 ex- 
 " pressly stipulated in the contracts which shall be passed 
 " in manner hereinbefore prescribed." 
 
 3rd. — 1823, chap. 18. Act to provide for the better 
 régulation of the comtnon of the seigniory of Y'arnaska. 
 
 Section 12. " No rule or order that may at any timo 
 " be made in virtue, of this act, shall in any wise préjudice 
 
 1799 August 17, (Tîadeaux, notary,) concession by M. df Niver- 
 rillo to ['ievrc Rouet ; tiU x 80 feet ; " 1(> livres 2 sols of cetis et 
 rentes.'''' 
 
 1800. March 29tli, (Badcaux, notary.) concession by tlie same to 
 Nicolas (jrondin ; 40 x 80 feet ; '* 15 livres 2 sols oi cens et rentes.^* 
 
 Concessions by the trustées of the common Ter the act of the 
 Législature ; 
 
 1801 (Doucet, secretary) concession to Chs. Giroux ; 73 x 120 
 feet ; " 1 sol for every 50 feet in superficies and 2 sols of cens for the 
 whole, that is to say, 8 liv. 15 sols and 2 de?iiers.''^ 
 
 1817 Sept. 3d (Badeaux, notary,) concession to Etienne Ranvoyzé; 
 42 feet by 54i in one line and 60 in the other, " 2 sols o{ cens an A 
 2 shillings current money for ail cens et rentes.''^ 
 
 1817, Sept. 18th, (Ranvoyzé, notary,) concession to Marie Vézina; 
 105 1^ 120 feet ; *' 2 sols oi' cetis and 10 shillings and 7 pence car- 
 rent money for ail cens et reiitesp 
 
 1829, April 20th. (Leblanc, notary,) concession of no. 25, 100 feet 
 in deptb ; " 5 sbiliinga of rent and 2 soh of censP 
 
261 a 
 
 '* or ali'ect sui;h reciprocul rii![lil.s aiul privilei^es a^ 
 
 " llie seigniors and inliubiliuii.s ol" tlio ulbivsiiicl soigniory 
 
 " iiiuy in virtue of tlioir dcetls, titk's or (jontraets liave gnar- 
 
 " antced lo cacli oïlicr, prrvioiis to tlic i)a!:?;iing ol" tliis aot." 
 
 4th. — 1821, oliap. 30. Acl to [)arlilu)n llie coinmoti of 
 the sejguiory ol' V'aicnncs bot wecn tli»; co-proprictors; tliLToof. 
 
 Soct. G :" liit sliall appear lo llic commjssioner ...that 
 " any agrci-incnl or convention iia.s bcen liercloloie uiade, 
 " and entered into bciwocn the seignior.... and a tnajority 
 ol" tlio co-proprictors interested ia ilit.^ said coninum fixi/i^:^ 
 or establishiiig the rights oj'thc said scignior, lu; sliall in 
 the partition of tho said comnion,. . . . b(; gnided wilh 
 respect to llio rights ol" llio said seignior by such agree- 
 " ment or convention ; but if there shall ha\e been no such 
 " agrecrnent or convention, then Ik^ shall bc gnided by ilie 
 " rights of tho partivs as Ihey may he madô apparent to 
 " /tim." 
 
 The 12t!i section of this act is similar to the 13th of tho 
 act for the coinmon of Boucherville. 
 
 5ih. — 1831, chap. 32. Act for tho division of thp com- 
 mon of the fief of Grosbois. 
 
 Section 7th, Similar to the 6th scct. of tîie act of the 
 common of Varennes ; and section 12, similar to the samf 
 section of that act and to tho 13th ol tho a^ t cS Boneherviilp. 
 
 6th. — 1833, chap. 2-1. Act for the division of the com- 
 rnon of Rivière du Loup. Section Ith similar to the 7t,h of 
 the act of Grosbois ; and scct. 9, simjlur to the 12ih of lijat 
 act. 
 
 205. We may fiirther mention, though it may br of 
 altogether a spécial character, the Act of 1823 chap. M, 
 " for the relief of certain censitaires or grantees Oi La Saile, 
 
262 a 
 
 smd other» Iherein monlioned, possossing lands within tliP 
 limits ol' tlie township oi' Sherrington." 
 
 Tliis township luid bcen ercolcd by tlio Kiiig's Lcltois 
 patent ot'llie 22tli Februîiry 1809. Fioin llu; yv.nr 17(JG to 
 thi' year 1805, tlio seigniors ol" La Salhî and ol" tlio adjacent 
 .vf'ignioric.s liad, at dillorent tiincs, madu concessions of 
 Jands wliicdi wenî coinpriscd witliin tlic liinits ol" tliat town- 
 sliip. Dillicullifîs liad arisen bctwecn individnalswho won? 
 granices ol' lands intho township, by virtue of divers lettr'r.s 
 patent from the Crown, and a large nurnber ol" individuals 
 wlio were then in possession of the saine lands, by their 
 liaving becn conceded to them by the seigniors of La Salle 
 or of the ncighbouring seigniories, bcfore the year 1809, 
 eillier l)y jjiircrhase or by other tilles transferring the property 
 froiu the original grantees of thèse same lands. TIuî gran- 
 tees of the Crown had instituted suits at law which were 
 still pending in the Courts of justice, to the numher of 
 ahoutjive hundred, with the view of ejecting the pcrsons 
 who were in possession as censitaires of La Salle and of 
 other adjacent seigniories. A report by comniissioners ap- 
 point(;d by the Governor, iinder a .spécial commission dated 
 31st May 1819, had established that those persons were 
 possessors in good faith of the lands occupied by them 
 within the limits of the township, and that a large portion 
 of thèse lands were in a high state of cuitivation and inha- 
 bited by a considérable population. Upon thèse représen- 
 tations of the Législature, and the King having manifested 
 his intentions that the censitaires should be maintained in 
 their possession, the Covernor had made oiTers of indemnity 
 to the grantees of the Crown or their représentatives ; which 
 otîers had becn accepted under certain conditions, by the 
 whole of the parties interested, excepting with regard to the 
 law expenses incurred by them. 
 
 It was to put an end to those difficulties that the Legis- 
 
263 a 
 
 WBYC 
 
 tlieni 
 )ortion 
 
 inhti- 
 n'csen- 
 ifcsted 
 icd in 
 
 mnity 
 whicli 
 
 y the 
 
 to Ihe 
 
 Légis- 
 
 lature intervened l)y pas.sin^' tlit; aot in quostlon. The first 
 section piTiiiits tli»i (Jovornor to annul \ho h'ttt'rs patent of 
 tlie 2'2th Fehruîiry lyOU, crccling tlie fownsliip, as aiso 
 other h'Itcrs patent hcarinj^ date tlie 29tli May ol' tlie saine 
 year antl 30ili Deceniber 1812, by wliich tlic Crown liad 
 alienated >()nie portions of the townshij), and llial " in so 
 far as the said letters patent relate to ihe lands oeeupieil as 
 aforesaid by the persoiis ehiiming thcmi us tenants of La 
 
 Salle, or of the said adjaeent sei^niories and also to 
 
 any other lands in the said township whicli the said gran- 
 tees or tlieir le<i;al représentatives owning the sanie inay 
 wish to hold in fief and seigniory.". . . . 
 
 By the 3rd section the Governor is authorised " to re- 
 grant to the said grantees or Iheir h'gal représentatives in 
 fief and seigniory, en franc aleu^ with ail seigniorial righis, 
 privilèges and iJrerogatives, as well th(; said lands oecu- 
 pied as aforesaid by the said persons claiming as lenants of 
 La Salle, or of the said adjaeent seigniories, save and 
 except the Clergy llcscrves comprised therein, as anyotl.<?r 
 lands within the said township, in respect of a\ liich the 
 said letters patent shaU hâve been revoked and annulled 
 in the manner herein before mentioned, with power to the 
 said grantees or their légal représentatives respectively, 
 without limitation or restriction to alienate or dispose of 
 such lands or any part thereof, either freely and absolu- 
 tely, or for such rents, réservations and acknowledgiuents, 
 and on sueh terins and conditions, or in such other nianuer 
 as they shall thinic proper, together with the right of exac- 
 ting, reeovering and receiving ail such cens et rentes, lods 
 et venteSj redevances and other seigniorial dues and rights 
 
 whatever, which shall or may hâve accrued or becojne 
 
 payable since the said 22nd F^ebruary 1809 by the said 
 
 persons claiming as tenants of La Salle under and by 
 
 virtue of the deeds of grani, titres de concession, or by vir- 
 
2G4 Cl 
 
 lue ut' aiiy oliier light vr titlt-, by or under wliich tliey 
 hâve held or novv hold sueh iand^. 
 
 In fine, ihe 5lh seeliun enacts ihat tlio possessors 
 as tenants of La Salle or oi" any of the said adjacent 
 t^eigniories, belbre the said year 1809, and whosc land are 
 found to be widiin the lirniîs of the said lownship of Sber- 
 rin<non, shall froni thcnceforth be and reniain in the quiet 
 possession and enjoyment of tliosc paris of tlic said lands 
 so oceupied by iheni in respect of which tlie said letters 
 patents shall ha\e hccn revoked in manner aforesaid by the 
 samo tenure and upon tlie sanie condition aiul in the same 
 manner as ihey now respect ively hold the same eithcr by 
 vlrtue of liicir seveial (\vvlU ef concession or other titlcs 
 transferring propcrly, trandallfs de propriété or by i)res- 
 cri()tive possession aeeording to law, and ihey shall thcn- 
 ceforth i.)e held and deemcd '' to be the; jiist and lawful 
 " proprietors of sucli parts of the said lands and shall not 
 " thereafKîr in any manner or way l)e dispossessed of the 
 "• same exccpt for lawful cause." 
 
 l'hus, ail the deeds of concession madc by the seig- 
 nior of La Salle by encroaching on the wild lands of the 
 Crown, were confirraed and as a conséquence, the rate of 
 dues siipulalr.d in tliose deeds. 
 
 I hâve seen several of thèse deeds of concession and 
 among others lliat givcn to Joseph Marie Longtin dit Jé- 
 rôme, on the llth February 1795, (Chaboillez, Notary.) 
 This deed wliich contains a concession of G x 30 arpents, 
 mentions " 1 sol tournois moncy of France for every ar- 
 " pent in superficies, i a minot of wheat dry, clean, fair 
 " and merchantable for every 20 arpents in superficies 
 " and 3 sols tournois of cens for ail the said concession," 
 which makes (even by valuing the wheat nt 4 francu 
 the minot) 3 sols by the acre in superficies. 
 
265 a 
 
 206. In fine, il' \vc requircd lurllier prool, to cstabiish 
 that tiie rate of cens et rentes lias conljnually variée! and, 
 consequently tliis négative^ ihat llicrc lias never bcen a law 
 limiting that rate, distinct from the arrêt of 1711, \ve might 
 go and seelc tliem evcn in the acts of that branch of our lé- 
 gislature in which, in thèse lutter days, the question of the 
 seigniorial tenure has been debated with the e;reatest eacer- 
 ness and zeal in the interest of the censitaires. 
 
 In a Bill, " to define seigniorial dues in Lower 
 Canada and to facilitate the rédemption thereof , " 
 reprinted, as amended, in the Législative Assembly, during 
 the session of 1852-53, we read, scct. 5, that no seignior 
 shall hâve power to establish an annual rent cxceeding 
 " the sum of three pence and a half currcncy (that is to 
 say seven sols) for every acre in superficies, " upon any 
 uncultivated lands which shall be conccded in future. On 
 the other hand, in another bill submitted to the same 
 branch of the Législature, it was proposed to reduce the 
 rate of the dues and annual charges to 2 sols per arpent in 
 superficies, declaring null ail stipulations to the contrary ; 
 city, town, or village emplacements and the lots of land in 
 the banlieue of a town, vv^ere, nevertheless, exccpted, the 
 rédemption value of which were to be calculated on the 
 total amount of the said ducs and animal charges. This 
 proposition was sanctioned by the Assembly. But it disap- 
 peared among the numerous and important modifications 
 which this last bill had to undergo in the Législative 
 Council, before it became " the Seigniorial act of 1854," 
 that is, the law abolisliing the feudal institution. 
 
 Although the dilfercnce inay be great between a rent 
 charge of seven sols and a rent charge of two sols, the tran 
 sition from the one to the other was not, on that account,less 
 rapid in the délibérations of llie Législative Assembly, 
 without however currying along wilh it anv décisive consc- 
 
 34 
 
266 a 
 
 quence. So true it, is thaï persons who go in search of a 
 fixed, légal and imiversul raie of scigniorial duos do nol 
 sail in thc opcn seas. 
 
 FOST-SCRIPT. 
 
 207. Sincc the forcgoing was wriUen, a judgmont was 
 l'omiiiunicaled lo me, wliich was rcîcenlly discovered (even 
 since tlie " seigniorial questions" hâve been under consi- 
 «huation,) rendered on the 5th Fel)ruary 1G75, by M. f. 
 d'AilUiboLit, jffg-c-6ai7/i al Montréal. 1 ani told tlial tiiose 
 who niade the di^covery of this judgment regard il as deci- 
 diiig tlie question of llie amount of cens et rentes^ and tliat 
 ihey altaeii to it, at Jeast, as much importance (if not more) 
 as to th(; celebraled ordinancc of Gaudarville. This is 
 anolher orror into which their z(îal has hurried thcm : an 
 «n-ror which llicy musl soon hâve perccived, if they had car- 
 ried iheir research a few sleps farlher. 
 
 Accovding to the documents in the chus(;, one François 
 iVoir dit Rolland, proj)rielor of a land of 2 x 20 arpents, held 
 by iiim, en censive, in the sub-fief of Chailly, situate at 
 Bout de Plsle, in the Island of Montréal, presented to M. 
 d'Aillebout a pétition dated the 30th January 1675, in which 
 lie complained of the high rate of the rent charge which 
 thc seiirnior M. Gabriel de Berlhé, sieur de la Joubardière, 
 wished to impose on him and demanding that the lathîr 
 should be directed to delivcr him a deed at thc usual cens et 
 rentes. 
 
 Rolland allèges " tiiat the said sieur de Chailly has sul)- 
 " jected the land, by him granted to ihe said Plaintiff, si- 
 " tuate in thc said fief, to thirty sols of cens for each of the 
 " said forty arpents, and two capons of annual and 
 " perpétuai rent, contrary to ail the ordinary rent charges 
 " of this counlry, and especially, those of Messieurs the 
 seigniors of this Island, which consist oniy of 6 deniers 
 
 4i 
 
267 a 
 
 '-'• Ibr (jvcry arpent, and two cajwns of rcnl, or :i ]nin()l of 
 "• ^vheat ior two arpents in ])reatli, for whick (lie mid Sieur 
 " de Chailly had given him a deed ivhich is among the pa- 
 " })ers of thts Court. 
 
 The défendant replied, " tliat lliere bchii^ no restriction 
 " in Jiis deed of concession of tlu; fief binding liim as 
 " 1o tho cens and rent cliarges wliich hc coidd exact from 
 " lîis vassals and tenants, and thereforc that he could dis- 
 " pose of them at sucli cens and rent cliarges as lie slundd 
 " think ])roper, especially in conséquence of the advanta- 
 " geous situation of the said land conceded 1o the said sieur 
 " RoHand." 
 
 On the 3rd Fcbruary 1G75 the judge ordercd that " ihc 
 " whole should be communicated to Messieurs the seii>niors 
 " of this Ishmd." 
 
 On the next day, the procuralor-fiscal, M. Migeon dv, 
 Hranssart, opposed the pretensions of the sub-vassal, saying 
 among other things, that thèse pretensions werc " confrary 
 " \.o Ûm inlenlion of the seigniors dominant of liic said 
 "• Ishuid, who do not consent that tiie sub-fiels shouhl draw 
 " such great profils, burdensome to tlieir vassaJs, seeing 
 thaï the said fiefs hâve been given gratis to the said par- 
 ticular seigniors, and contrary to the usage and Custom 
 of this country established by the seigniors, neighbours 
 " to ihis Island, or of the country, from the dues and cliar- 
 ges whieh they impose on their tenants 
 
 il 
 
 ^ '1 
 
 Adopting the conclusions of the procurator iiseal, M. 
 d'Aiilebout ordered " that the sieur de Chailly siiall deli- 
 " ver to the said Plaint ifF a deed of concession for the lands 
 '■'■ by hini granted to the said Plaintiii", at the rate of eleven 
 " deniers of cens for every arpent., and two capons of an- 
 "■ 7mal rent for two arpents in hreath^ and other charges 
 " contained in the ordinary deeds of the said seigniors., 
 
268 a 
 
 " ibrbidding liim, in future, to give lands in liis fief at hig- 
 " lier rates tlian tliose by us above prescribed, under tlie 
 " penalty of forfeiting tlie benefits of his said fief, wliich 
 " sliall return, de jure, to tlio possession of the said seig- 
 " niors, to dispose thereof as to them may seem advis- 
 " able." 
 
 Tiie conclusions of the procurator fiscal, who invoked 
 the intcrost of the seigniors dominant and their intentions 
 in sub-infeiidating, as also the judgment of M. d'Aillebout, 
 lead, at first, to the presumption that the sub-infeudation 
 liad been madc on the condition, at least tacit, for it is not 
 written in the deed, that the sub-vassal should not concède 
 at highcr rates tlian thosc imposed by the seigniors domi- 
 nant, thcmselves. This explains the prohibition, relative 
 to the concessions to corne, contained in this judgment. 
 
 At tiij first glance, one may be induced to believc that 
 the judgment decrced the réduction of the cens et rentes 
 stipulated between the parties ; neverlheless, such is not the 
 case, as can be ascertained by, merely, an attentive exami- 
 nation of the record. 
 
 But therc is further proof, in the first place, of the 
 absence of agreement as to the amount of rent, and, se- 
 condly, that the Plaintif!" had not accepted the rate that his 
 seignior wished to impose on him. I hâve procured the 
 deed of concession of the sub-fief which is dated the 30th 
 July 1672 (Basset greffier), and that which the sieur Chailly 
 had deposited in Court concerning the land which he had 
 conceded. The fief containing 20 1-! 20 arpents, had been 
 conceded by the seigniors of Montréal to the PlaintifFand 
 his brother. In the second deed deposited in Court, which 
 bears date the 30th July 1675, (Basset, Royal notary,) the 
 défendant déclares as well in his own name as in that of 
 his brother, that he has given, granted and conceded to the 
 PlaintifF the quantity of 40 arpents of land making part of 
 
269 a 
 
 the abovc meiUioned fief, sn])ject to ilie charge of paying 
 annually, " thirty sols tournois of rent for eacli of tlic said 
 40 arpents, two capons of annual, perpclual and iinredee- 
 mable rcnt." But the Plaintif is not a parti/ to tins dced ; 
 the seignior atone speaks. The rate wliicli he wished to 
 impose on his cen^sitaire was not acccpted by the latter : 
 the amount of the rate charge was not, therefore, fixed by 
 the agieement. Thus, there was room, in the absence of 
 such agreement, to fix that rate by the application of the 
 rule of the common law ; in accordance with which the 
 censitaire demanded that is seignior should pass a deed in 
 his favor. This is what was donc by the judgment in ques- 
 tion. The rate so adjudged (by valuing the capon at 20 
 sols) amounted to 2 sols per arpent in superficies. It was 
 already more than the rate adjudged sixty years later 
 by the Intendant Hocquart, in hisordinance of Gaudarville. 
 What then can resuit from this judgment, so recently dis- 
 covered, if it be not a proof incontestable, in addition to 
 many others of a continuai variation in the amount of the 
 seigniorial dues. 
 
PART TimiD. 
 
 RESERVATIONS. (1) 
 
 208, The relations between the 
 
 seigniors 
 
 and their 
 
 j<:;ran1ees 
 
 à titre de cens, hâve not been well defined and 
 cstablished except by the arrêt of Marly. The condition of 
 settlement which has existed at ail peiiods, which carried 
 along with it the necessity of such concession for ail that 
 ihe seigniors could not render productive by tliemselves, 
 presnpposed easy terms and such as would not prevent the 
 attainment of the object aimed at. Tliis condition inhérent 
 and acknowledged, and put in exécution by the Edicls of 
 retrenchment, is also to be found in ahiiost ail the title deeds 
 of Ihe seigniors anterior to the arrêt of 1711. I regard it as 
 a law of public policy, inodifiying in a considérable degree, 
 the tenure à cens, such as it would otherwise hâve been 
 deduced from the jurisprudence and the practice in France, 
 if it can be said that, in the absence of précise interprétation, 
 il did not destroy that which was essentially inhérent in the 
 fief, such as the acknowledgment of the dominium direcfum 
 and the profits of mutation which llowed therefrom, we are 
 bound equally to say that it modified the exercise of ail the 
 other conventional and facultative rights. At least, it left 
 in the hands of the legislator still more than there existed 
 by the law oî fiefs in France, considering its imperfection 
 and insuiliciency, the power to explain how far thèse addi- 
 tions to the principal profils might extend, at least for the 
 
 (1) Tbc tirst part of tliis dissertation on the subject of the " lleser- 
 vations " (from No. 208 to 211), was prepared by my honorable 
 colleague Mr. Justice Morin. 1 hâve included it in my remarks in 
 conséquence of his absence ovving to ill health. 
 
271 a 
 
 future. This right of the King to legislate is provided for 
 in most of the dccds of concession to seigniors, even as 
 giving far beyond a limitation of dues not essentialiy 
 seigniorial, and as liable to afiect those last, since the entire 
 tenurc and " the usual dues and rent charges " might br 
 changed in favor of the Crown in accordance wilh the 
 Custom of Paris, which ought to be followed " provisio- 
 nally and until it were otherwise ordered. " 
 
 209. From this position of things at Ihe period of ih».' 
 arrêt of 1711, I draw the following conclusions : 
 
 Ist. The Sovereign Legislator, who could do much 
 more, could, without violating the rights which lie had 
 granted, prohibit the charges, réservations and servitudes 
 imposed on the censitaires in diminution of ihe dominiun 
 utile, when such were not essentially attached lo llic 
 dominium directum, or specially established and acknow- 
 ledged as being necessary for the exercise of the other righis 
 of the seignior. 
 
 2nd. The legislator made this prohibition by the airél 
 of 1711, explained by that of 1732, with respect to the char- 
 ges, réservations and servitudes not comprised in the abcve 
 limitations, and which do not consist of dues or annual 
 payments. 
 
 3rd. This prohibition was of public policy, established 
 the tenure and could not validly be derogated from. 
 
 4th. No posterior circumstance has annulled or abolish- 
 ed this prohibition, nor changed the tenure in that res- 
 pect. 
 
 210. Thèse propositions may be supported briefly by a 
 few arguments. 
 
'272 a 
 
 Ist. Il iIk- suvdcign aulliority louncl tlial tlio imposi- 
 hon of il rent or surcens, or a cens wliich was in ilself a 
 i^ourcc of i)rofif, and not simply a récognition, prcvented its 
 intention froin being carried ont, it could limit tliis cens to 
 thc smallest siun. Tliis was tlie actual praclice in France. 
 It was so llmt it was looked nj)on in llic same manner hère. 
 VVitli still greater riglit tlie sanie aiithority could fis. it arbi- 
 frarily and l'or ever. It was not donc so, if it be not by tlie 
 establishment of a forfeiture in tlie cases in whicli the seig- 
 nior should wish to exceed the iisual rates. But in giving 
 to the latter ail the profits wliich the value of his lands could 
 allow of, it found anolher method to regulate and simplify 
 the tenure and to proscribe ihe abuses which wcre com])lai- 
 ned of, by ordering that the concessions should be made on 
 a rent charge. Jt thus legalised a portion of the charges 
 not inhérent in the feudal systein, and prohibitcd the remain- 
 der. Thèse réservations, charges and servitudes, by rneans 
 of which the seignior continued to participate in thc domi- 
 nium utile, could not be called rent charges. A rent charge 
 is a payment {prestation,) and the censitaire could neither 
 owe nor give that which never belonged to him, but which 
 the seignior always retained in his own hands. It is because 
 a rent charge, properly so called, was always defincd and 
 had an appréciable value, that it could not retard the set- 
 tleinent of the country, as would concessions in which the 
 seignior while appearing to give the ))roperty, had, in fact. 
 retained a large part of it. 
 
 2nd. A distinction is mado, in cstablishing légal nul- 
 lities, bclween thc prohibitive forin and the simply impera- 
 live forra, used by the Legislator. But even in the case in 
 which thc latter only lias been employed, nullities may 
 exist, when the législation relates to public law, because 
 then there is question, not of defining thc nature and con- 
 séquences of certain contracts or of authorising certain 
 modes of elTccting thom, in case of omission, but of esta- 
 
■j! I .,/ (', 
 
 iposi- 
 self a 
 cd its 
 ens to 
 rancc. 
 • lierc. 
 t arbi- 
 by the 
 î seig- 
 giving 
 could 
 mplify 
 •miilai- 
 adc on 
 ;harges 
 cmain- 
 means 
 ; domi- 
 cliarge 
 neithcr 
 which 
 iccausc 
 cd and 
 lie scl- 
 icli the 
 n fact. 
 
 ra\ nul- 
 
 [mpera- 
 
 icase in 
 
 [s may 
 
 Iccause 
 
 id con- 
 
 I certain 
 
 Lf esta- 
 
 hliSijiii.'.-. ( imU ( iliiii.'.' malld- "1 .vi.i\Lial iiikiLc?l aild alkc 
 ijhl; llir |)uh]ic policy, laws wliiili ail au,' lunind to rtis- 
 pcct. 
 
 3i'd. TIr' cslabli.-unuîiit or régulation of a tcnuro uflecl- 
 mg ail llie land.s ol" llic (•ountry legislated for, ail the pcrsons 
 wlio inhabit or sliall inliabit it ibr cver, ail thosc who shall 
 possess its lanJ;?, riol only uiider a gênerai title as represen 
 iiiig lirr>t jfjiautces, but under any litle whatever, i.s assured 
 ly one oi" lli'jse l'uadanienlal laws and j)art of the publie 
 poliey. If the ceiu had been litnited and rendered lixed 
 Cor ever l)y the arrêt of 171 1, this law would liave liad that 
 eharaeliîr, The a;iiount ha.s btîcn left in it to the private 
 agic(Mucnt of llte [)ailie.s, but tluî i)artitio]i of the conceded 
 1 ind between the seignior and the grantee haï; been prohi- 
 i)ited. The dislinelion was so elear, and lias been so U'ell 
 understi)od, that, in the eoncev.-ions of seigniories rnade 
 afler the arrêt of Marly, the tiile })rohibits to insert in 
 liie sub-concessions : " eitiier suui of nioney or iny otlier 
 charge, but that of a .^'iiiiple rent charge." TliesL words 
 '' .-^imi^le rent charge (filinple lilre de redevance) iiavc no 
 doubtfal rneaning, and are ado{)led by the sovereign autho- 
 rity in the Arnt of 17oJ, as reeajutulating the more de- 
 tailed législation tha! had been cointernplalcd and proposed 
 in the interval, lï ihey ceased to inserl lîie sanic prohibitions 
 in ail the posterior tilles i! is beeaiisc thoso titles were sub- 
 ordinate to the l:iv." ofihc couiitry wliieh was j)erfectly 
 known ; and in iact thèse réservations and ch:irges were 
 no\ iinposed under iiie aneieiit giiverunienî^ iior even for a 
 long tinie after. 
 
 This is not the j)lace to ex:imine into tlif- con-^cquencos 
 (îf fixing the rents by tmy uï those titles. 
 
 4th. The judgrnents rendered on ipjjositions afin de 
 (kargc or afin de cunscri'er^ inaintaining the charges, réser- 
 vations, and ■servitudes of this nature, whether by defuuif 
 
274 a 
 
 or witlionl di. .et conteslîUion on tlial point, do not fii)petir 
 II) nu; sullicient 1o sel aside llie Icniirc ol" lands in tlic 
 conntry. And if tliero liiul in latler days bocn con- 
 It'slalion, or evcn a uniforni juri.sprndcncc, evidLMitly Ibnn- 
 dcd on crror, it oni,dit not toprcvail al présent, wlien a more 
 tlioroiigli exanunation lias sliewn it to br erroneons. Now, 
 Ihal error lias becn tlie sui)position, inl'erred partly froni the 
 elianf2;e oC oii^anisation and even of ideas conséquent on a 
 new domination, tliat tlie seigniors were absoliite rnasters 
 oi" llieir seiiifniories, in tlie saine way as i)roprietors in soo 
 vw^v. Tliey, no donbt, do not now (;laiin tins. 11' tliey Avere 
 flaimin^- it, llie lei,dslalio>i wliieli lias, al ail jieriods 
 rxeinpted tlic seii^niors irom lli(> diities and cliarjjfes ol' 
 lii<,di\vays [voirlv) willi re^pert lo um-oneeded lands, the per- 
 tiiiacity cNcn \vitli wiiicdi the sei^niors, as \ve see in C'ugnel, 
 elainied ihis exemption, would be inexplicable, 
 
 2\ \. The (-ession could not, besides, hâve haci die eliect 
 of inereasing the ■ roperty of seigniois, nor lo légalise, for 
 their beneht, thaï wliieh had before been illégal. iNeither 
 bas any olher law, positive or induclive, clone so. 
 
 212. I may add the folhnving observations in suppijrt 
 of tliose of rny learned bruther. (1) 
 
 At ihe same tiine thaï the King's Arrêt of tlu; Gth July 
 1711, direeling ihe seigniors to coneiîde on a lenl charge, 
 was jjromiilgated, Ilis INIajesly gave, on the same day, a 
 gênerai })alent of ratification for several concessions m fief 
 'uade by llu; (îovernor and Intendant. (2) This patent re- 
 capiliilaled ail "lie conditions and réservations whieh the 
 King meant lo be imposed on ihesc kinds of concessions as 
 wellasonthe sub-grants whieh ihe seignior oiighl to make l(/ 
 their tenants. VVe do nol therc find any of the réservations 
 
 (1) See above \u 270 in the note. 
 
 (2) Va\. ami Ord. in-8. v. 1, p. 323, 
 
275 
 
 a 
 
 whicli tlic soiirniors havc; l;ik(!ii iipoti liiciiistîJvrs lo stipulafe 
 lor flicir bc'juj/it, and wliicli are now siilnuitled (or tlu- exa- 
 minalion of fliis Court. 
 
 213. Tht'proof tliat surli res(>rvali()ns wcn; rcpiidiaicl 
 by thc Iribunals ol" iIk; coiiiitry midcr tli,- Frcm-h (iovcni- 
 iMcnl, cspocially sinc(! tlu; anct of Gtli .luly 1711, Is prcscn- 
 N'd fo us in many judgincnts and (mlinanci's of tlu; lnt(;n- 
 datithi. 
 
 Tlic first ordinanei! tohc cilcd, bocanso il was renden-d 
 on tlio occanion of a dcmand of a concession en censive is 
 diat of ihe Intendant Hegondafed tlio 28ili,linie I7:j|, ««iven 
 a^'aiust tlie scignior of Vincelotte antl founded on tlu. arrèl 
 of 1711. (1) 
 
 Tlie Défendant, is condemnod to pass a deed (.)i con- 
 eession to eacli ofllie Plaintills ; thcn llie ordiniince _^oe,s 
 ou lo say : " \vo prohiijit liiui froiu establishing olhcr dues 
 " oi' thc said lands tlian tliose of rent charités, aini iVoni 
 " c;i,using to be inserliid in tlie said deeds otiier conditions 
 " besidos those of kt^eping liousc; and home, preserving the 
 " oak tiuiber fit for tlie construction of vessels, ,gi\iiig the 
 " usual clearing along the l)onndaries of their iieighbours 
 " and alKnving th(; roads which sliall be necessarv." 
 
 2 M. Of theso illégal rescrvalions, that of wood ap- 
 pears lo hâve bcen uiost insistcd upon by the s(,'igniors. Vct, 
 préviens to th(; arrct of 171 1, \ve iind this jn-etension repel- 
 led by a judgmenl of the Intendant Raudot, bearing date 
 thelolhJune 1707(2) This judguient prohibits tlu; seig- 
 nior, iIk; sieur de Ilerlel, from troubling liis censitaire in lus 
 possession and from lahing or carrying Iherefrom any 
 wood. 
 
 (1) Ed. and Ord. in 8, v. 2, p. 461. See no. 175, 
 (5) Extraits de^ Cugnet p. 23. 
 
•JTG ,r 
 
 i\j {.i',\ ili.' 7lh Juu' 171); !j ili' fuliMi.liiU H,';l;.)1i 
 /"iiilrr-'d nu iiriliii:ini' ■ ifi ■'. c-iii''' l'iiifii hclw'i'i-n llic sciir 
 niorr, (>f ('lniul)ly nu'l (!!■ Ir (•'•7i--i!:u!r<, winch (•(•nlfritnlioii 
 
 Thf pcfirinn ot" ili(> inlKilufrint-^ >i t lortli tliat tlw sinir 
 Jlcrtcl, srii^nior of Cii;iinl)lv, lind .'^'ivcn permission lo ISI, 
 i]o Nnin(^s;iy, (jovcinor ol M.oitn-al, lo hiiild ;i s:i\\-uiill on 
 jIh' llnroTi J^ivcr ; tli:ii fl'c v.iMcrs r;iis<'(l I»}' tlic dam ol 
 lliis inill partly inimdalrd iliriv land- :in<l canscd llu-ia vcry 
 ronsidcrabk loss MhaMlH.-sc \valcrs, owin^lo tlii'ir îîroat fall 
 in j)ruc('c'din<,' IVoni llir snid mill oanied down lln> saw dnst 
 and flic slal)s, wliic'li «ellk-don llicir liclds, injurinj>[ tlio soil, 
 wlicrcby, tlicy werc placcd undcr llic noocssiiy o(" removini; 
 lliiî saitl wood to prcMMii ilic roots oC ilu; ^rass from rotting ; 
 llial a con-idiM-ahlc nimibi'r of pine trocs ii;id l)c<>n carriod 
 away \\'ln('h lln' said sieur Ilerlel liad fnrnislu'd to llio sai<1 
 inill, witliout Ids paying lliem ihe i>ri('e tlitU. ^^'as due 
 to theni, lliey beinj,' tlic owners of tlic pines wliicli wore on 
 tlieir laiids. 'l'hcy aiso asked thaï llicy shonld be allowi'd 
 to take wood ou iho uneonccdcd huids ol' ihe seiqniory. 
 
 The seigniors (îonatairc}! en avancement iVhoirk ol' th>' 
 saiJ sieur de Ilcrtol, agrecd to cauiic tiie daniagcs wliieii 
 tlie jnliabitauls wen; sullcring hy tlie raisingof ihe \vaUM>, 
 lo be value J by arbitralors and to abaiulon to tliem al! thc 
 slabs wliieh " tho waters proceeding froiu llic said mill 
 would throw on tlieir lauds, as an indemnily for the damage 
 wliieli lliey pret*Muled to liavc becn done to them, as well 
 by llie said slabs as by tlie saw dusl wliieh was scattercd 
 over Iheir Iields ; praying tliat in regard to tlie dcmand of 
 payment for thc pine wood eut on ihciv lands, to dclay 
 judgmcnl in ihat res])ect, unlil the rcturn of M. de llaine- 
 say fi'om liis voyag(! to France, in considération of th(> 
 agreemcnts wliicli thc said sieur de Hcrtel îiad made with 
 
 m" Dor. Seigf. "' V. 2,1^ 4:'). 
 
"271 a 
 
 liiiu , aiul Ho i(. ;li'' .Irnvnid (tl ili-' inhaliiiaiiis i.i lakc wooi! 
 on tlic vnc<>)U'r(li(l l:»iiil-, ili'' -oiyiiior woiild iiot coiisciit N» 
 ilii'ir ^o (loini^. 
 
 TIk! ordinanct' dnrctcd ilmt cxpciis slioiild hc naniL'd 
 fo l'Sliiufiic ilif (lainajii;('s arisiiii; iVoiii tlic ovrr-llow of llw 
 watt-rs cau.'ïnd by ihc canal ol tln' iiilll, and l'or llic indoin- 
 nllv lo 1)1' |iaid to )!i(' lnlial)ilaiits accordiiii,' 1o tlic ;)/•()<•/'.<- 
 verbal wliicli t>lioiild l)c inad<' of ilic saiiv ; ordcrcd lliaf llm 
 ^^lah.s wliieii liad .^allicrcd ami wliicli sliould tlicrcal'tcr pallier 
 upon thcir ficlds sliould Ixionp; to lliciu in lieu ol" indcmni- 
 ty, us wcll l'or tlic past as l'or llic luturc, l'or llie lo.ss wliich 
 tlicy claimod thaï llic said wood and saw dnst liad donc 
 tlicni ; tliat the ])inc wood which liad bien eut on tlie lands of 
 Ihc mid inhabilanfs, btf ordcr of the aiciir Ilcrtcl, should be 
 paidfor bij hini to the said inhabilants at the rate of six sols 
 for each trce^ saving IiI^h rccoursc a.*^ainst wlioin il might 
 
 conccrn tlic said inliabitanln bcing proliibitcHJ from 
 
 laking wood on llu; \-\u(h of lIu' said scigniory not conccdcd, 
 undiT penalty, icc. 
 
 21G. On the llh July 1715, (1) ordinanc(; of tlic Inten- 
 dant I?cgon in a suit hctwccn Josejih Ainiot, sicnr de \'in- 
 cclottt!, Plaintiir, against pcvcn of hiss censitaires. 
 
 By the litle decd of the seii,Miiory of (!ap St. Ignace, 
 conceded on the 3rd Nov. 107^ to Genc^viève de Chavigny, 
 widow Arniot, and mothcr of the Plaintill', it was said 
 " that ihe said Daine Aniiot will prcsc''"(^ the onic \\'0(m1 
 " which may be found on the land wliich slie shnll re 
 " serve as her chief manor ; that sIkî sliall cven make the 
 " réservation of tlie said oaKs in tli'> (>xtent of the parlicu- 
 " lar concessions made or fo l)e jnade lo her tenants, which 
 shall be fit for sliip hnilding.'" 
 
 i( 
 
 On pétition prcsiMiti'd to Messieurs de F'rontcnac and 
 
278 a 
 
 Duchcsneau, tliis lady had obtained an ordinance of tlie 
 29tli Ootober 1G80 " giving permission to tlie petitioner," 
 says tho Intendant inthatofthe 4tli July 1715, " to take 
 " wood througliout the extent of ihe scigniory, to build ihc 
 " liouses ior whicli slie sliall liave occasion and to cons- 
 " trucl barques, without tlial the said Ordinance can preju- 
 " dice the clause contained in M. Talon's deed of conces- 
 " sion, nor that the said DUe Aniiot can take froin an indi- 
 '' vichial inhabitant ail tlie Avood tliat shall be necessary for 
 " lier, nor in the places in u'iiich the inhabitants of the said 
 " scigniory had preserved lliem as ornaments of their con- 
 " cessions and for the use of their households." In his 
 pétition, the Plaintiffcontended that in virtuo of the ordi- 
 nance obtained by his motlier, lie had the power " to lako 
 the oak througliout the extent of his scigniory of Vincelotte 
 to hulld as ivell by sea as by kmd, and that with that purpo- 
 se lie had, about a year before, begun to eut and draw a 
 portion of the oak wood necessary for a ship, which lie wish- 
 ed to hâve buill, wliich oak wood he had drawn from a 
 distance of a league and a half from his house, with the 
 view of preserving Irees of the same wood at a nearcr dis- 
 lance on the land of one ol' his tenants, to make use of 
 tlicm as soon as hc should know, by the progress of the work, 
 w'iien he would hâve occasion for thein ; Init that having 
 l)een obliged to corne to Québec, sick, last winter, to at- 
 lenipt to leeover his health, the said tenants, nofwithsfand- 
 ing Ifie ri'spri'ations made of the said wood on their censives, 
 had, immediately after his de])arture, sold and caused to he 
 carried -away ail the oaks lliat tlicy had on their land, in 
 order to defraud the Plaintif!', and to profit by property which 
 did not belong to tliem" ; praying to the elfect that it might 
 please the Intendant " to jjcrmit liim to cause to said inha- 
 bitants who hâve fraudulcntly soUl the said oaks, to appear 
 before hiu^ to be condemned to such penalty as lie may 
 please to order ; that ail the sums to which the said sales 
 may amount shall be delivered to the said Plaintiff as pro- 
 
ne 
 
 279 a 
 
 prietor of the said wood, and, to avoid expense, that the 
 Captain of Militia of the said locality shall read the said 
 pétition to the parties interestfu] ; and to seize in the hands 
 of the purchaser of the said oaks tlie payment agreed upon 
 by them." 
 
 Upon this pétition, permission was given " to seize at 
 the risk and péril of the said petitioner, as prayed for, in the 
 hands of the sieur Prat. 
 
 Three of the défendants " admit to hâve sold «ome 
 oaks that wcre on their lands, to the sienr Prat, for the cons- 
 truction of a vessel that he was getling built ; but that tiu-- 
 said oaks did not belong to the said sieur Vinceh)1te, as he 
 States in his said pétition ; but to llis Majesty, who in ail 
 the concessions in seigniory madc by him o? ihe lands of 
 this country, lias reserved for himself the oak wood for shij) 
 building, and who lias directed the seigniors to make th.> 
 sanie réservation, in the concessions wliich tliey shall make 
 ol the lands of their seigniories, to the inhabitants of this 
 country, which réservation is not made witli the obj(H't that 
 the seigniors nunj jjrolit by it, but only in order that the oak 
 wood being preserved in tins colony, Jfis Majesty may 
 dispose of it for the construction of vessels ; that the Plain- 
 lirt"ouglit not to avail himself of the permission wliicli lus 
 mother obtained froin Messieurs de Frontenac and Duches- 
 n(!au to take wood on the lands conceded to h<r tenants to 
 erect buildings for sea and land, because that permission is 
 granted only on the condition that slie shall not do préjudi- 
 ce to the clause montioned in Talon's dced of concession, 
 which subjected the said Dame de Cliavigny, like ail the 
 other seigniors of this country, to préserve and cause to be 
 preserved, by their tenants, the oak wood, not for herself 
 but for the King ; and that even if it were a lavor that 
 Messieurs de B'rontenac and Duchesneau wislied to confer 
 to the said Dame de Chuvigny, it could not préjudice lier 
 
2^0 a 
 
 IcnuiUSj iii as inucU an iluy iceie iiot Utard, thia lielUion 
 having been granted on a simple pdilion ; lluit if Messieurs 
 de Frontenac and Duciiesneau liad intended that the said 
 Dame Cliavigny should be trealed more favorably ihan olhcr 
 seigniors of tlie colony, in granting lier the j roperty in oak 
 wood, wliich Ilis Majesty lias rescrved for liimself, ihey 
 would liave obtained a patent from the King to confirm the 
 gift whieh tiie sieur de Vincelolte claims to hâve been 
 juade to liis molher, of t!ie said wood ; that ever since the 
 settleinent of this eountry the seigniors hâve sold tiic oak 
 wood found witiiin the bounds of their domains, and the in- 
 habitants such as was found on iheir concessions, when 
 ihey found i;ecasion to gel rltl of il, v\ilhout eilher of them 
 boing ciisturbcd l.y the Govcrnors and intendants, by reason 
 of ihe contravention niade by tfie said seigniors and inhabi- 
 tants to the clause of their deeds of concession forbidding 
 them to dispose of oak wood, wliicii apparently lias been 
 tolerated in f.ivor of ihose who wislied to undertake the 
 construction of vessels, in conséquence of the advantagc 
 derived by the colony therefrom, but that this toleration 
 having always been extended equally, as respects the seig- 
 niors and the inhabitanis, it is riglit that each should i)rolit 
 by the oak wood to be found on their lands, and in fact, no 
 other seignior besides the said sieur de Vincelotte lias ad- 
 vanced this pretcnsion against their tenants up to the présent 
 lime." 
 
 In this suit, tliere v. as |irodaccd a de.'d of concession 
 of ix 40 arpents granti-d by the said Dame Amiot î;) Pierre 
 Glonct on the llth Oclober l'!7.'-> (Heccfiiet notary,) l)y wliich 
 decd Glonet was bound 1o pri^s'^rvc standing ail the trees of 
 oak wood wliich were io l)e lound ou the said concession, 
 fit for ship building. 
 
 Mark wliat is confaincd in llie Ordinancc of t!if> Inicn- 
 danl Begon '>n ihisconlestatioii ; " ihe who'o bcing secn and 
 
2SI a 
 
 '' considered, Ave iiave suspended proccx'dings m lliu suit 
 " ot" tho said Vincelotte uiitil hucIi tinio as it lias pleased 
 " Ilis jNrajesly to inl'onn us of his intentions as to tlie said 
 " demand, and in the mcan tiinc^ provisionally, we hâve 
 " grantcd main levée of the seizurc niade in the hands uf 
 " the said Prat. " 
 
 217. Tliere are \\vo remarks to inako on tliis Ordinancc. 
 
 Since INIadamo Amiot believed thaï tiiero was occasion 
 l'or a' ordinancc of the Governor and Intendant, to aulliorise 
 lier to lake oak wood on the lands of lier censitaires, it 
 was bccause she did not consider that the réservation tliat 
 slie had inade of it in their deeds of concession gave lier 
 that authority. 
 
 On the otlier hand, the Intendant Bét^on, in discharging 
 the seizurc, must to be supposed to hâve been of opinion 
 .' at the Governor Frontenac and Intendant I^uchcsneaii had 
 ded their powers in reiulering ihe ordinancc invoked 
 ■t uie PlaintilK We may further remark that this last 
 ordinancc was anterior to the arrêt of tlic Gtli July 1711. 
 
 218. Two other ordinanccs by the Intendant Begon, 
 the one of the I8tli Dec. 1715, and the other of the 20lh 
 Mardi 1716, (1) proiiibit the inhabitants from cntting do\vn 
 any wood, or from tappingthe maple trocs, on the \nnds not 
 concedcd in the seigniory, but not on their own lands. 
 
 219. Michel Lalibcrté, an inhabitant of Isle Bouchard, 
 rcpresented to the Intimdant Begon, " that to extend the 
 clearing of his land, lie lias been obliged to eut down, last 
 winter, the wood on that part of his land which lie had 
 rendered productive, among which there being found scveral 
 oaks, lie had sawed and caused them to be sawn intoplanks 
 ratlier than hâve the said trees burnton the said lands ; that 
 
 (t) Ed. and Ord. in 8, t. 2, p. 285, 451. 
 
 OU 
 
282 a 
 
 the sieur Desjordy, major of ihe town of Three River», and 
 scii^nior of I.^les Bouchard, pretending tliat lie had no right 
 lo make iIk- s.iidoaks into planks because otlhe réservation 
 of oak wood contained in his deed of concession and in 
 llio.se of ail tlie inhabitanis of thls colony, lias retained in 
 liis liands, a,s the priée of llic said Irees, thirly six minots 
 of wheat wiiich came to the said Laliberlc as his share of 
 ihe croj) of a Jand belonging lo the said sieur Desjordy, 
 and wliich lie had cultivated and sown last year. He de- 
 mandcd of the Intendant ihat it mighl please him to con- 
 demn the said sieur Desjordy lo render and deliver to hiin 
 the ;-.ai(l 3G minots of wheat, which he had retained in eon- 
 sidcration of the said oak trec." 
 
 '' Ilaving regard to which, says the Intendant in his 
 " 'iidginent of the 2î)th July 1722," (1) and considering that 
 ■ ''i • réservation made by theseigniors, in the deeds of con- 
 " jtssion which they give to their tenants, is made in conse- 
 
 • cvience of the clause inserted in ail the concessions of tht* 
 * • igiiiories of this colony, by which Mis JNIajesty réserves 
 
 iv hiinsclf the oak wood for ship building, and obliges 
 
 Me proprit'tors of the said seigniories to préserve and 
 
 ■alise to hc preserved the said oak wood by their tenants ; 
 
 '~ 'lat this clause does not confer on the seigniors the pro- 
 
 *' perty in oak wood which is lo be found in the extent of 
 
 »^ the lands which they concède ; that His Majestys inten- 
 
 " tion also is thaï the lands eonceded may be made pro- 
 
 ' ductive, which can only be donc, by the inhabitants cut- 
 
 • ling donc ail the wood found thereon ; that it is for the 
 ' public benetil that ail the wood that the inhabitants eut 
 
 '■'■ dowii tt) advance the clearing of their lands sliould be 
 " usefuUy employed in firewood or in planks, deals and 
 '' boards, rather llian be burnt on the ground, the sale of 
 " wood being a necessary business in this country ; that the 
 
 (1) Ed. et Ord. iii 8o. vo. ii, p. 471. 
 
283 a 
 
 " price wliicli tlie inliabitanls rct^eive for iIk; saine places 
 
 " ihem in a position 1o advance tlieir settlenienl, and to \r,\y 
 
 " a part of llio expense wliicli tlicy luivo ineiirn^l, :i cir- 
 
 " cunistanco wliieli tends to llie setllenienl of tlie coloiiy, 
 
 " and that moreover the proprietors of seigniorics cannol 
 
 " préserve any property in the kind,s whick they hâve, cun- 
 
 " ceded suhject to seigniorud cens et rente. 
 
 " VVc forbid the sieur Dcsjordy to trouble the inh;d)i- 
 " tants of his seigniory in the felling and the sah' of <»;il< 
 '' wood whieh they eut down to eflect and advanee ihrii 
 " clearings, and to make any demand on tlieni on aeeoniit 
 " of the said wood, with the exception of those perse >ns 
 '■'■ wlio iiiay eiit down the said wood inerely to sell llic saiii»- 
 '■'■ witlioul going afterwards to work to elear the lands on 
 " whieh they liad eut it, in wiiich case we give hini per- 
 " mission to seize the said wootl and to corne afterwards 
 '■'■ })efore us to hâve the same confiscated, without tliat lie 
 " can, under any j)retext, exact any thing froni the said in- 
 " habitants on account of the said wood. 
 
 " And bcfore passing judgment on tlie demand of the 
 " said Jjaliberté, in the matter of the 3G minot <»fwiu'at, we 
 " order that the said sieur Dcsjordy, or liis Atlorney, sjiail 
 *•• apj)ear before us on the xî9th August next." 
 
 The two parties appeared by per-ons authorised to tli;u 
 elll'ct ; the rej)resentative of the seignior saying that the 
 slatement in the pétition of Laliberté is not truc, in as iiiueli 
 as it is not the intention of the said sieur Dcsjordy to j)revent 
 the inhabitants from deriving advantage from the oak wood 
 so far as they elear their lands, but merely to prevent tlieni 
 from cutting down the oak wood in the heart of the lands 
 conceded, and whieh tiiey do not elear, beeaiise that wlien 
 they hâve bared the said lands of the said oak wood, they 
 abandon them and that inhabitants cannot tlien be found 
 to settle on the said lands when the oak wood lias been rc- 
 
284 a 
 
 moved therefrom, oonsentini^ to ext-cute tho ordinancc ol 
 the 29th July last and oderint;; to prove llial tlie oak wood 
 eut by Lalibcrté laas nol on his land onli/, but on tliosc of 
 otlier inhabitants and unconceded lands, and tliat tlus it is tliat 
 oblige? liini to retain the said 3G ininotsof wheîjtuntil sueh 
 time as ihe said proof has been |)rodiJced." Theso alléga- 
 tions were dcnied on Ijehalf of the olher pnriy who, on his 
 sidc, asked to addnc(i évidence aiul prayed l'or the restilu- 
 tion ol" liis \vheat. 
 
 By an ordinance of llie 30ih August 1722, (1) ihe In- 
 tendant, before rcndering judgnient on the restitution of tho 
 36 minots of wheat, gives permission to the parties res- 
 pectivcly to adchicc evidenc<.> in sni)|iort of their allégations, 
 before the sieur llainibault, the Kiiig's Attorney for the royal 
 jurisdiction of Montréal, whom lie appoints and subistitules 
 to hear the witnesses whom the parties shall summon befo- 
 re liiîu to show, respectively, namely, on ihc part of the :-;r. 
 Desjordy, thaï the oak wood eut by Laliberté was not on 
 his land only, but on those of other inhabitants and mieon- 
 ocded lands, and on the part of Laliberté, that ihe said oak 
 wood, which lie lias eut, lias ])een on his own land, sofar as 
 he lias advaneed his clearing and not in the rear of other 
 inhabitants and lands not coneeded. 
 
 220. We read in an ordinance o{' ihe Intendant Du- 
 puy, dated the 5tli April 1727, rendered on the coinplaint of 
 several seigniors, among otliers on that of the widow de 
 Joibert " seignioress of the /icf and seignioiy of Islet du 
 Portage," (2) '' considering the indispensable neeessity of 
 preserving the wood of every description, in every seiirnioiy, 
 fts wcU for the use of the i)articular seigniors on wliose 
 lands the said trecs and wood are, as for the préservation of 
 those which ought to be rcserved for the King by the titles 
 
 (1) "Doc. Soig." V. 2. P. 7'\ 
 
 (2) " Poe. Sfig." r. 2, p. 101. 
 
285 a 
 
 of each concession and l'nrtlier, in order that tlie inha- 
 bitants of each of thc scigniories may notk)nger give them- 
 selves licence and liljcriy to eut wood, ^\•it!l()ut distinction, 
 and elscwhcre thon on the lands conceded to theni nor cven 
 to do any injury to ibc tiees of thcir seigniors or neigh- 
 bours. 
 
 " We exprcssly forbid ail seigniors to eut or cause to 
 be eut any \vood beyond the bounds of tl.eir seigniories, 
 also ail inha])itan1s to eut any wood, nor eut or notch any 
 trees, and that withont jîcrmission in writing froni those of 
 thc said scimiiors or inhabitants to whom the said trees 
 
 bclong. 
 
 221. Ail thèse ordinances ciled by me establish that 
 the censitaires were ])r()prict()rs of thc wood found on thcir 
 lands, and that the seigniors had not the right to reserve it 
 for thcir own bcnefit, " not bcing able," as the Intendant 
 says, in the ordinancc of the 29lli July 1722, above refcrred 
 to, " to préserve for thernselves any proi)erty in lands which 
 thcy had conceded subject to scigniorial cens et rentes.'''^ 
 
 222. For the rest, wlien we fini], in a dced of conces- 
 sion, llie veserviiti(>n of oak or ollicr woods, sueh réservation 
 ouglit U) be snppo^(•d lo liave been made for the benefit of 
 tlie King, avIio h;id iniposed on hi^ vassal the obligation to 
 niake the s{i]inlalion in the liiie dreds wliieli he should 
 give to lus tenants. Even in tliat case, the property in thes(; 
 woods is not the less that of tluî censitaire, ;i ; it w;is that of 
 the scignior before the sub-infeudatii.!i. lu fact, liie stijni- 
 lation of this réservation niauc by the King, in a concession 
 \\\Jief\ had not t!ie eilect of pi'eserNing forhim the property in 
 the wood which was its object ; siieli isthc o])iiiionof " three 
 distinguished advoeates of the Parliament of Paris," which 
 ^■=1 to be found at pnjjfr' 2.>2 of iIip second volume of the 
 
286 a 
 
 " documents seigneuriaux.'''' (1) " 'Plu; rlaiisf; to préserve 
 and (!ause to préserve by his tenants tlie oak wood fil for 
 tlie construction ol' His Majesty's ships (inserted in eerfain 
 of tlic King's patents) does not in any way préserve the pro- 
 perty of those woods for the King," say tliose tiiree juriscon- 
 sults. 
 
 The meaning of this clause, thcy add, ' 'is then rnerely 
 to subjcct the proprictor of oak wood to certain rulcs wiiich 
 ani in force in France, in order to insure to the King tliat hc 
 shall always, and in préférence to ail others, fmd in ihe 
 woods belonging to lus subjects such as lie may recjuire for 
 luaintaining his navy and building his sliips. It is in the 
 saine spirit that the 2nd article of the titlo of the ord. of 
 ihe woods and forests conc<,'rning building wood for the 
 royal houses and ships, enacts ; " If however any pièces 
 " sliould be wanted of such length and thickncss as not 1o 
 " be met at ordinary sales, in that case the grand master, 
 " upon statements thereof agreed upon in Our Council, and 
 " letters patent duly verified, may mark such trees in the 
 " Icast disadvantagcous places in our forests, and cause 
 " lliem to be eut down, and if lie should find none lliere, 
 " he shall cause them to be chosen and taken in the woods 
 " of our subjects, as well eclesiastics as others, without 
 " distinction of rank, and on condition of paying the l'air 
 " value thereof which shall be cstimated by skilled persons 
 
 (I) " Opinion of tiiree distinguished ailvocates in the parliament of 
 Paris as to the legality of certain clauses and conditions contained in 
 the titles of seigiiiories, duly registered at Québec on the 28th August 
 
 1782." 
 
 This opinion is dated the llth February 1767 and is signed by 
 
 Elie de Beaumont, 
 Target, 
 
 ROUCHET. 
 
287 a 
 
 " to be agreed upon by our Attorney in the rangersliip and 
 " the parties, before the Grand master, wiio sliall name 
 " them ex qfficio in case of default or refusai." 
 
 223. Thin is what bas been practised in Canada. The 
 firsl proof which I find of it and which goes baek lo llit- 
 year 1GG4, is conlained in an Arrêt oftlie Superior Council, 
 of Québec bearing date the lOth July of tliat year. (1) 
 
 4( 
 
 a 
 
 a 
 
 " Upon the représentation made by the sieur Poyrior, 
 it says, that a quantily of wood had been taken from hi;* 
 concession by order of the sieur Baron Dubois Davau- 
 gour for the érection of casemates without his having any 
 comj)ensation altliough he has suffered mnch loss, praying 
 that something should be i^^rantcd in that respect ; 
 
 " The sieur Bourdon having been heard who declared 
 ihat he had seen the places from which the said wood has- 
 heen taken, the Council has ordered that the said sieur 
 Charron shall pay out of the sum of one hundred and tifly 
 livres which he owes as the priée of a casemate, the suin of 
 tifty livres tournois to the sieur Poyrier. So doing and ox- 
 hibiting thèse ])resents and a receipt lie will Ixî discharged 
 t h ère for. 
 
 224. The foUowing documents serve to support the 
 remarks I hâve recently made. 
 
 Ist. Ordinanceof the Intendant Ilocciuart daled the 5tlj 
 Oetober 1731. (2) 
 
 " Permission is given to the sieur Abbé Le Page tocut 
 " down in the seigniories of Berthier and Dautray two 
 " thousand cubic feet of oak wood in conformity with the 
 " frames and models which vve hâve caused lo be sent, to 
 
 (1) Ed. and Ord. in 8. v. 2, p. 18. 
 
 (2) Ed. and Ord. in 8. v. 2, p. 348. 
 
288 a 
 
 " serve for tlie constniction ot' n sliip en Jlutte ol ">0() icj/is, 
 
 " wliich titnbcr hu sliull cause to bo takcn clown iii rafis, 
 
 " ns far as lin; river St. ('Iiarlos, Ij^forc tlic Court lioiisi; ot' 
 
 '' tliat city to ha {\\vrv rocciwd aiul exainincd in tlie cus- 
 
 " lomary manncr. TIuî présent ijcrmission i^ivcn at^Tcca- 
 
 " bly to tlic réservations made by IJis Majesty of sueh lini- 
 
 " bor for liis own use, in tlie concessions ot' laïuis and ï^eig- 
 
 " niorios of this colony. 
 
 " We comniand tlie seigniors, ca])tains and olîicers of 
 " ranges, cd/cs, and ail othcrs \\hose duty it i-, to assist and 
 " cause to be assisled tlie s;iid si- ur Le l'âge in llic said 
 " worlv, in considération of reas;)nai)le \vages 1o lliose 
 " wlioin lie sliall eiiiploy in cutting ilie said linil)er. 
 
 " Nota. A siinilar permission lias been lorwarded to 
 " thc sieur de lileuiy in tlie seigniory of Cliambly and in 
 " tlie rear of llie seigniory of Longueiiil adjoiniiig tlic said 
 " seigniory of Ciianibly, and for a distance of ihrei- leagiies 
 " along the river Sorel ou botli sides thcreof froiu tlie said 
 " seigniory of Cliainbly in desceuding llie said river 
 " Sorel." 
 
 2nd. " Ordinance of tlie Intendant Ilocquart dated tlu; 
 7tli February 1710 (1) " wliicb prohibits several proprietors 
 " of lands in the neiglibourliood of Nicolet, froni eutting 
 " any oak wood on llie said lands, until sueh tiine as th(^ 
 " same sliould be visited, under penalty of the conliscatioii 
 " of the wood eut and a fme of ten livres for the beneiit of 
 " the ])oor, for every oak trec eut.'" 
 
 3rd. Ordinance of the same Intendant bearing date the 
 20thMarch 1740. (2) * 
 
 " Ilaving bcen informed that there is to be found in 
 " Isle Jésus, in the seigniories of the Lake of two Moun- 
 
 (1) Extraits de Cugnet p. 72. 
 
 (2) Ed.andOrd.inS. v. 2. p. 382. 
 
289 a 
 
 M a kl 
 river 
 
 h1 tlio 
 •ietoi'^î 
 iitlinu; 
 as tlic. 
 
 ind in 
 Moun- 
 
 ■' l;iin>, ol Mudaau) li'Ai^eiitL-iiil, ainl ul M. de Vaiidrcuil, 
 " and in l.slo ilizard, a vcry considérable (|uantily ol" oak 
 " true.s, lit Ibr building llu,- King'ti «hip.s ; 
 
 " We very expressly prohibit and lorbid flie pmprietoi's, 
 of wliatever ([iiality and condition tlicy ivny be, lo eut or 
 cause to be eut any oak trees, untilwe iiave coused tliern 
 to be inspccted and until we liavc c-iiiscd to l)(> :narked 
 ••' and res('rv(;d sueli ot' tlie said oak trees as sliall be l'ound 
 " lit l'or the construction of His Majesty's sliips, und/r tlie 
 penalty against llie parties ollendini,', ot" tde confiscation 
 ol" tlio wood eut, and a line ol' ten urres for every oak 
 troc wliieli tliey sliall so liave nnduly eut, tliu sa'ul fine 
 " payable to the informers. 
 
 " We conimand ihe judges of ilie places, olficers of 
 " inilitia, and otiiers wlioseduty il is, toenforce our présent 
 " ordinance, wliieli sliall be read, j)ublislied, and posted 
 " iip, wlien.'ver tlicre sliall be occasion, so lliat no one can 
 " prétend ignorance; of if, cnjoining tlieia to inforni us or 
 " our substitute at Montréal of infractions her'^of." 
 
 4lli. Ordinance of the samc Intendant dated 2U July 
 1710 (1) 
 
 " It being neccssary to j)rovide for the niasting of 
 vessels wliich Ilis Majcsiy lias ordi-red to be built, and 
 whicli lie niay order in fuliire, we hâve observetl in the visits 
 which we hâve (nirselves made to llie neiglibourhood of 
 Lakc Chaiiiphun and elsewheiv, the dillerent j)ino woods lit 
 for that [)urp()se and in particiilar ihat there is in the seig- 
 nioiy of Sorel a plue wootl of a league in extent along the 
 bank of the river Ivichelieu cornniencin;'' half a lenirue abo- 
 ve Fort Sorel in ascending on the left side where a consi- 
 dérable (inanlity of lied l'ine c-f good (juality is to be found. 
 
 (1) "Doc 5 
 
 ', 177 
 
 37 
 
290 a 
 
 the said red pinc bcing of fine proportions and calculated 
 for makin^ masts for the Kinj,''.s ships. WV hâve eonsidored 
 the rendcring of the présent ordinanee to l)e for the good of 
 his service, whieh in insurin^ Ilis Majesty's benefit shall 
 aiso bc advantageouM to the Dame de Hamezay, seignioress 
 and proprictor of Sorel aforeyaid whom we liave heard and 
 to the inhabilants, j^'rantees, wliom \vc hâve aeen in the dif- 
 férent places that is to say : 
 
 First. 
 
 " We forbid ail persons generally whatsocvcr, whc- 
 " ther merchants or oliiers, to eut or cause to bo eut any 
 red pine trees within the extent of the said pinery here- 
 inabove speeified, without an express permission, and 
 that in writing, iinder the penalty of a fine of 50 livres 
 against ihi^ oHending parties, for every red pine tree eut, 
 and of a fine of double the aniount in case of a répéti- 
 tion of the offense, the said fines payable to the inform- 
 er, 
 
 Secondly. 
 
 (( 
 
 u 
 
 i( 
 
 And in order the more to induce both the said pro- 
 prietors of the said seigniory and tiie inhabitants to whom 
 concessions hâve been made in the said place, to pré- 
 serve the said pinetrees, we promise to pay them when 
 we shall eut down the same, that is to say ; 
 
 " For every red pine tree of twenty four inches in dia- 
 *' meter and more at the large <;nd, stripped of the bark, 
 *' the sum of ihree livres ; thirty sols for those of twenty 
 '^ three inches and down to nineteen inches, and twenty 
 " sols only for thosc of eighteen inches down to fifteen in- 
 " ches." 
 
 5th. Ordinanee of the same Intendant dated the Ibth 
 July 1742. (1) ^^ 
 
 ~(î) " Doc. seig." V. 2, p. 183. 
 
291 a 
 
 " If Im «rdorod tliat Noi'l Ijtinfiflois dit Tnivorsy départ 
 fortiiwith wilh Piorrn yXbniliam dil Dosmarcts for tlif upprr 
 part of \\w. River St. François, for tin; purposr o( iiispectin^ 
 tlic tiinbnrlo ho Ibiind tliere, wlictlicr rcd piiic, oak, orotluîr 
 wood, proper for the construction and inasting of Ilis Ma- 
 jesty's shipH. 
 
 The said Travcrsy and Dnsmarots will ohsorvc attmti- 
 vely tlio qnalily of the tiinhcr, ils sizc and liMi^tli, if it bc 
 knotty ; thoy will examine iIk^ qualily of the land, the faci- 
 lities, fonveniences or difrieiiltios which niay be me' in 
 bringing the said timber tolhe walerside, vvhereofthey v di 
 prépare a written report. 
 
L'ART FUI UT 11 
 
 MILI. UANAi^irV 
 
 225. On this suhjcct, ^hu Aîtorncy General put ihe ful- 
 luwing questions : 
 
 TuiRTY-Tiinin (iUKSTioN-. — At tht^ tiuie of the })assing of 
 " tho Seign'orial Act of 1.S51, " had i!ie !-:ci^Miior.s in Canada 
 tl)0 oxeliisive ri^'ht of bulldin:,^ Grist MilLs, and had lliey lljo 
 rii,dit of deinauding tlie dcinalilion of ail niills of that kind 
 built wi'Jiia llieir cjn.'niucs by ollier ])ersons ? 
 
 TiiiRTv-FouHTii QUKSTiON'. — I)id tlicso liglits oxlcnd to 
 ail peiiraiorios ? If not, to what seigniorics did lliey extend ? 
 Jf ihe seigniors could exercise thèse riglils againstlheir cen- 
 sitaires, could they also djniand the démolition ofgristrnills 
 l)uilt on lands the tcnuro of whieh had l)een eonimiited into 
 franc-aleu roturier, or into free and common eoccage, witli- 
 in the limits of their respective ficfs ? 
 
 Thirty-fifth qukstion, — If thc^^e rightr^ existed, did 
 ihey extend t;) mills of any olhev kind and 1o ail works 
 propolled by v/ater ? ought llu^y to be considered as inci- 
 dental to the right of banalité} had th; y their origin in the 
 Custom of Paris or in spécial laws ? 
 
 Thirtv-sixth question. — At the time of the passing of 
 tiie Seigniorial Act of 1854 what was the nature and the 
 extent of the right of banalité claimed by the seigniors in 
 Lower Canada ? what was its origin ? was it a feudal right 
 or did it Iji-loiii; to tliat ehiss of righr-i d(îsignaled as juslitiœ 
 {droits il" jv!ificr''i '' wn^ if reen<:tii/'-(l bv îii-' riist(>m of 
 
293 a 
 
 Paris ? was it iiitrodnced into tliis coiintry, regulated and 
 dcfined by the Dccroo [ArnU) of 4tli Jnnr, 1686 ? to what 
 oblii^alions werc tlic scigniors, on one side, and the censi- 
 taires, on tiic ollicr, subjcctcd by ihis right ? 
 
 226. According to Ihc 71st article of the Custom of 
 Paris, " no seignior can compel his snbjects to go to the 
 " oven or mill whicli lie prétends banal, make corvées, if lie 
 " hâve not a valid title, or an old aveu et dénombrement , 
 " and no title is reputed valid, if it hâve not been executed 
 " more than 25 years. " 
 
 The 72nd article adds ; " the wind-mill, cannot be 
 " banal, nor under tins pn text, can the neigliboring millers 
 " be prevented from looking for grain (chasser,) if there be 
 " not a title or a wrilten acknowh.'dgment, as above. " 
 
 227. According to Ilenrion de Pansey, (1) there were 
 in France, but cleven custoins " whieli by law made ban- 
 
 nalUé a seigniorial right ; so tliat under their empire, 
 whoever held njhf, was authorizcd to compel liis men or 
 subject^ to make exclusive use of his rnills, ovens and 
 pres:jes. 
 
 " Ail t'iicse cusioms" the autlior adds, " hâve the same 
 spirit, and arc expressed j)ielty mnch in llie same terms. 
 They however hâve some shadcs of dif}(:'rence. In the 
 " enstom of Angoumois, the seignior cannot enjoy tlu' right 
 " of banality exiept when Ik; lias an exercised jurisd'iclion. 
 " The customs of Tours and of Loudunois recjuire for the 
 " mill bannalilé, th;it the water which drives the mill 
 " be perpétuai. In the terms of the custom of Sole, the 
 " subject is not obliged to go to tlu; mill of his seignior, 
 " when lie is ncarer to anothcr. " 
 
 a 
 
 n 
 
 " As in thèse dillerent Provinces, it is the law which 
 cstablishes the bunnalités, they are called légal bannalités. 
 
 (1) t. 1/' Bannalitiis " § 2, p. Hâ. 
 
294 a 
 
 " The other Customs, aro oilhcr silent npon the subjeot 
 o[ bannalité^ or spcak of il only as a possiljh? servitude. 
 In thèse customs, no bannalité without tille, conso(iuently 
 ail bnnnalités therein are convenlional. 
 
 § 3 " Nodillicully exists, with respect to légal hannaiitcs ; 
 the cnstom has established tliein, and tliis title is sulH- 
 cient Ibr the seigniors. 
 
 " Wilh respect to the convenlional bannalUés, lu the 
 customs which treat of this jioint, we inust conform to 
 thaï which thcy ordain : in the olhers, the disposition of 
 the 71st article of the (^ustom of Paris is followed. Il is 
 thcrcfore very important to know the truc sensé of that 
 disj)osition. 
 
 " As tins article, addcd at ihe time oi the reform of 
 the cnstom in 1580, did not exist in the oldone drawn up 
 in 1510, to seize; its proper spirit, we nmst in the first 
 plac(! K'membcr tht; jiraitice hcfore this cpoch of 1580. 
 
 " In looking ovcr the written dcpositarics of our old 
 usages, we are led to believe that at that tinit; the 
 bannalilc was an ordiiiary right of ail the seigniories , 
 that each seignior was authorized to compel lus censitai- 
 res to make exclusive use of lus ovcns, mills or presses, 
 this in facl results from the lOSth cliap. of the Elohlisse- 
 mcnls de Si. fjouis.,'''' which uiost cxpressly states that 
 whenevcr a scigniorpleases to liave a mill constructed in 
 liis castellany (cluitellenie), ail his men are obliged to hâve 
 their grain «rround therein. 
 
 Tins ancient law, this primitive and perhaps tmiver- 
 sal law, survives in the eleven customs which attach to 
 fief the right of bannalité. 
 
295 a 
 
 (( 
 
 " With regard to the others, opinions hâve taken ano- 
 " ther turn. BanmlUés liave iK't-n Iroin Wnw. to timo, with 
 " one accord, i.'ardcd with a Icss favorable eye, in so 
 " niuch that thcy carne fo bu placed in the elass of real ser- 
 " vitudes. But ihis change, like ail the révolutions which 
 " take place in tlie tuanners and usages, progressed but 
 " slowly ; hère are its sliades and gradations. 
 
 " In ceasing to regard bannaUtés as natural dependcn- 
 " cies of ail seigniories, they were not at first lowered to the 
 " rank of servitudes, thcy were looked upon as accidentai 
 " seigniorial righls. This is the character which the juris- 
 consults of the 14th and 15tli centuries give them. (1).... 
 
 • 
 
 " The hannalités at that time tlius blendcd with the 
 " seigniorial riglits, enjt)ycd the sanie favor, were ac(iuired 
 
 and preserved like them. Abcnit the IGtli (-entury opi- 
 *' nions changed anew ; nevcrtheless it was not at first 
 
 broadly asserted in absolufe tenus, that hannalités were 
 
 nothing else but servitudes ; it was staled they are a 
 
 species of servitudes. 
 
 " Dumoulin who saw the birth of that opinion, combat- 
 ted it (2) 
 
 " Nevcrtheless the new opinion took root and when in 
 1580 the rcform of the Custom of Paris was proceeded 
 with, this opinion liad st) much prevailcd ihat the reform- 
 " «rs of the Cusioin addcd the 71st article ; the article 
 *' which décides that ail bannalitcs are so many servitudes. 
 
 " This décision, as we see, introduced a new law ; but 
 " il could hâve no influence upon the pa«t, nor weaken tlu; 
 " right to the banmlités which were establislicd luider the 
 *' authority of ancient j)rinciples, under tiie maxini that 
 '' laws hâve no rétroactive cHeet. 
 
 1.1. 
 u 
 
 u 
 
 (1) Bouteillier " somme rurale." 
 
 (2) Pc lUviduo et indivùluo, j». 3, i.o. 269. 
 
296 a 
 
 '* The new article addod to the Custom was thus to 
 '' bear a double cliaracter. At ono and ihe same timc de- 
 claratory as well for llie past as for the future, it was re- 
 quired tosaytliat with resi)ectto &rt/în«/t7t'.s' tlierctofore ex- 
 isting, liie riglit to it would be sudiciontly justified by 
 possessory acts, but tliat for iho future to establisli a ba- 
 nal! ty, it would rcquire, as for ail other servitudes, a for- 
 " mal tille bctwecn llie parties." 
 
 228. Mill banality(l) havinglhus bccome conventional 
 only in the Custom of Paris, il could nol exisl in Canada 
 but under that litle, aftcr the introduction of ihat cuslom. 
 Sinee that lime, lias the législation parlicular to ihe country 
 rnodificd the dis{)ositions of tiie Custom of Prn-is? and if 
 it hâve, hâve thèse modifications made the .nill banality 
 Icgal^ inslcad of convcnlionctl wliieh it was in ils origin ? 
 
 That Iho acts of this législation may be bélier under- 
 stood, as well as lhi> juris[)rudeuce which thèse acts hâve 
 creatcd, principally under the Frcnch dominion, it is neces- 
 sary lo give an analysis as complète as j)ossible of the ar- 
 rêts and décisions of llie courts. ]3at, previous llierelo, it 
 scems to me proper to make some observations upon the 
 two articles of ihe Cuslom of Paris above quoled, as well 
 as upon the righl of insi)ection whieh the public authorily 
 could exercise witli respect to mills. 
 
 229. The 7 Isl article in speaking of the banal mill, 
 docs not make any distinction beUveen a mill drivcn by 
 waler and a wind-mill ; il only u.<"s ihe word uiill. The 
 72nd article makes spécial m(^ntion of wind-mills. Although 
 atfu-st sight, the Iwo kinds of mills scem lo ])e placed upon 
 the same footing as regards llie elfccts of ihe banality, with 
 resj)eet to the form and llie date necessary for mill banality 
 
 (1) 1 (!o not spcak of the uvon baiiaiily. 1 belicve that the cxam- 
 pie of M. Aiiiiot, stigiiicir nf ViiiccloUe, has boeu follovved by biil. 
 very few of the olJ sci;^niora. 
 
297 a 
 
 ;jencr;illy, yct, to altaeh l\\^^ righi of baiialiiy u> a wind-niill., 
 the convention rc([i!ircd 1o contain ti parlicular staterncnî, 
 which was not nevertliclcss aujuirud to atîach that riglit to 
 a wuler-mill. 
 
 Ilear Ilenrion de Pansoy on this point, §, 27, p. 227 : 
 
 " V/hcjn titio,'-', and rc-'^ilar litlcs, give to the j:oignioi- 
 '' tîie banaljly ci' a water-iuill, or (;i' a mill f:;cncralli/^ can 
 '' wc thencc concludc ihat lie lia.s also the banality in l'av(n- 
 " ol' a wind-mill l 
 
 Basnage, on the 210th article of Norraandy, résolves 
 the diilicully in this inanner: " It is a luaxiin that a wind- 
 " mill cannot be bannal, even in l'avor oi' the ;<eiqnior au- 
 " thorised by tille and by ackîiowledgment in wriling to 
 " hâve the banality of a water-inill, (/ the liile docs not 
 " makc express mention of the qualihj of the mill, and docs 
 " not déclare and docs not prccisely détermine that it is a 
 " wind-mill. The gênerai ami imlejinite expression of ba- 
 " nal-mill onl}/ applies iowater-mills; and the seignior hav- 
 " ing none ot" that kind, but only a wind-mill, the opera- 
 " tion of which dejjcnds upon the niost uncerîain of causes, 
 " the most inconstant and the most casual in ihe \vorld ; 
 " and as it would t)fLen liap[)en that the mill could not 
 " Avork for the waut of wind, it could not supply those sub- 
 " jcct to the banality and thèse last would su lier grievous 
 " inconvcniencc in conséquence." 
 
 Further, aftc^r stating tlu» contrary opinion of the Prési- 
 dent Bouhier, and liaving observed that " thèse two opi- 
 " nions could be suslained by reasons of almost cqual 
 " strenglh," the aulhor of " Dissertations féodal(>s," says : 
 " but the same problem sce-ius resob.ed by the Custom of 
 " Paris, and by ail those uf wîiirh it lu^in^ \\iv couuikhi 
 " law, by the inann''i' ra wlu» h ihi- , ar.i ■ ( u-imui (.f P,iri> 
 " is drawn iip- 
 
298 a 
 
 II 
 
 u 
 
 II 
 ii. 
 
 " Tho 71st arliclc delermines wliat litlcs are necessary 
 " for llie cslablislimcnt of hanality : " no scii^nior can com- 
 " ]nA liis snbjeets to use llic oven or mill wliieh lie prétends 
 " banal, if lie liavc no titley," &e. 
 
 " If liio rel'ormors liad intended to include wind-mills 
 " iinder tlio général dénomination of lui 11 ; if tliey had 
 '' ihonght that the titles granting tlie niill banality in gêne- 
 rai, or of a water-iuill, also gave the same riglit in favor 
 of a Avind-iuill, tliis 7ist artieie, leaving notliinglo désire, 
 Ifft notliing to ^.ay upoii mill-banality. They neverthelcss 
 dévote a partieular artieie to wind-niills, an artieie added 
 uitli a. di^linguislied inteiit, si ee it is notliing but a répé- 
 tition of the preeeding : an artieie drawnupin u manner 
 ^' whieii woiild oblige us to aeeuse the refonners of the 
 " eiistoni to hâve throwii thèse provisions at liazard and 
 " Avithoiit motives, of whieh we are not [)erniitted to sus- 
 " peet tliem, or else wemust aeknowledge lliat iheir inten- 
 " tion was to deeide that, to ereate a wind-inill banal a 
 '' spécial tille is ne{'(>ssary, and that to make a mill of ihal 
 " Ixind banal, it is not suffieienl to hâve gênerai titles of 
 '■'■ l)analiiy. 
 
 "Sueh is the manner in whieh the commentators on llie 
 '' (^iistom of Paris view the iiiatter.''' 
 
 This <li>tincti()n bet\ve(Mi the title necessary to attribute 
 the right of Ijauality to a wind-i.iili, and that whieh suiliecs 
 to givc il to a water-inill, will serve lo explain a certain 
 pnrt of the urn'l of llit; Snperior Council of the Ist .lui}' 
 1670, mention of whieh will shortly be made, a part whieh 
 suerns to hâve been up to this day unexplained. 
 
 ^.'JO. One Word, now, as to the right of inspection 
 (police) reg;irding mills. In speaking of the restriction at- 
 taehed to the natuvul liherty of eonstnieting tliem, partieu- 
 larly of that whieh resuUs froin the fendai law, Henrion de 
 
299 a 
 
 Pansey ohj^frws, ;;. If), \s. l\r> : '•'■ lin( al)nv(^ tlir aiitliority 
 " of tlic stvicjuiors, tliert' is an aniliiirily <>!' ;iii liiijlirr (tnjcr, 
 "■ to wllicli Ix'lonirs ail tlial caii iiil<:irst piihlir |K)licv, tlir 
 " i^cncral j^'ovcriinicnl (/</ /vo/iVr i^v-z/mf/r), and w liidi lias llif 
 " rit,'lit lo n'strift llic libcrty ofcacli individiial lor llic i/ood 
 " ol llic ^rcutcst niinibor. 
 
 " Tlif iiiills intciidi'd 1() t,'iv(' llit' firsl pn-paraiion t<> lin.- 
 "■ cliii-r article ol' l'ood, Jiiusl lU'crssarily l"' Mihjfci t,, ihc 
 "■ inspection ol' tliis suprême aiilliorily : il Iims tlien tlir rii^lii 
 
 *•• nut only tu eontrol il, but lo n^i,Milate tlie tiiiinber 
 
 " p. 210: Tliose even wlio liave tlie liberty lo >^iiiid wliere 
 " they lliink proper, who enjoy tlie most iiidelinile liberty 
 '^ lo biiild iiiills, niay be prevented l'rom doini; so by 
 '' those lo wlioin is counnitted iIk^ ii;nurdianship over llie 
 ^ pnblie riiflils." 
 
 Flenrion de l'ansey Ini-tlier dévoies a partiialnr i)ara- 
 ^rapli resp(H'tini,^ llie eontrol of tlie workiii^j- oi'uiilb., \\liieli 
 is llic ;21sl of his dissertation iipon banaliiy, eoiiiiiieiieinnr 
 witli two ordinances, om^ of A\liieii is of l;},")!! ;iiid tlie otlier 
 of IfoO, and eitirii( tlie articles ol' se\i'ral ciistonis wliicli 
 conlain reujulatioiis iipon tliis matler, and wliicli, lie sa\s, 
 *' i'onn tlie comnion law upon tliis siibieel,'" \N'e sliall sec 
 ihat this riglit of reii^iilalinif llie manai^enient of iiiiJIs bas 
 beon often oxerciseil in Canada. 
 
 231. ""J^ie firsl rei^ulalion seems \o liave been an ordi- 
 nanc(> of llie Governor, M. do Laiizoïi (1) )i\\vw in KiôJ res- 
 
 (l) 'i'iie commission of M. Laiizoïi, wliicli is of Uie ITUi January 
 Itîâl, givos liim tlie powor of " jiulgiiig of ail ililVorLMicos \viiiih iiiay 
 arise among tliein, (oflicer», ministers and subjocts of tlic js.ing) bave 
 delinquents punislied, and even liave tlie penalty of di'ulli iiillicltHl, if 
 tlie necessity liappen, tlie wliole of sov(!reio-n rioLt and williout ap- 
 peal ; coinmanding tlieni to do wliat lie sliall sce and know to Ite neces- 
 sary for our service and tlie benefit of oiir ulfairs. and to tlie care and 
 préservation of the said country in obédience to us \ and this witli the 
 
300 a 
 
 j>ectin^ iiu.i rs. Tlii.s urdinancc is not Iranscribod ; but 
 jiicnticm is madc cl it in an arrêt of llu- Supcrior Council 
 ol" thc 28tli Mardi 1UG7. (I) 
 
 This arrêt i?:- as follows: " Considi^rini? tlmt wliich waa 
 " bocn r('prpsenl«-'d to ns byllio Altorney-Gcncral, ihat sevc- 
 " rai abuses arc comniittcil by ihi; millers of this oonntry, 
 " with respect to the grinding of gi'iiin, and to rcmcdy 
 
 saine rigiits, lionor.-i aiul prcroi^-ilivcs as prcceding govornors. 
 
 Note— -13y tho (ulict of its création, of tlie rnonth of April 1663, 
 tlie fSnperior Council liad tlie powcr to rcgulate " ail alTuirs of police, 
 public and privato, of ail tho countrv. 
 
 Tlie 21< January 1667, thc council enrogistcrcd, upon tho réquisi- 
 tion of the Attorney-Gencral, and " to bc foiloAvod and observcd ac- 
 cordinjr to Ihcir tcror end fonn" certain rcoulations'"' concernin<r " thc 
 administration of justice, police and maintenance of tho colony," and 
 prepared by the intendant Talon. This last liad not the powcr to 
 niake theso régulations. The first intendant to whom tliis power 
 secms to hâve been first granted is ?.!. Duchcsneau, vvhose commission, 
 bearing date the r)th .Tune 1673, statos: " to nialce with the said Sove- 
 rcign Council ail iho régulations which you shall deem neccssary for 
 the gênerai government of tlie said country, at the same time for fairs 
 and mariccts, the sale, purcliase, nnd delivory of ail provisions and mer- 
 chandise, which gênerai régulations, ynu will hâve executed by the 
 inferior judges who take cognizance of private cases within the estent 
 of their jurisdiction ; and shojild you dccm it most fit and necessary 
 l'or the good of our service, cither from tho difficulty or from delay to 
 inake the said régulations with our said Council, 'lee givo you thc 
 poiver and aulhority hy thcsc samc prcsctits io makc thcm alonc, 
 cvcn to judgc aîono with sovcreign aulhority in civil matters, and to 
 ordain ail which may socm just and proper, confirming at the présent 
 time as for the future, thc judgments, régulations and ordinances which 
 «-hall thus be rendered by you, as if they had cmanated from our sove- 
 reign courts, notwithstanding any roru^ations, prise d partie, edicts, 
 ordinances and othcr tliing* \n llir roptmry. 
 
 (l) l'd. and OH. in 8. r. ^. p. ^H, 
 
301 a 
 
 "'' whieh, it \von\(\ hc iit to re-itcrato iIk; ordinanoe mado iii 
 ** 1052 by tlio Ififc M. de Lauzon lioreloforo «;ovcrnor of lliis 
 " coiinlrv ; considcrin.ij; ihc said ordinance tlit; couiicil adjii- 
 " dieating thcivon li.-.lh ord.iinrd anddotli oi'dain tliat it sliall 
 " hâve ils Cnll and enliic ioirc, fjaviîiir tiin ri,i,dit of addinj:^ 
 " to it in i'ntiur, if Ihe necessiîy sîionld liappen ; and that 
 " th<> damages snllered hy ilie proprielors earrying grain to 
 " ])•• ground atlhe inills, sliall be liad froin tlie owners of 
 " Ihe said mills, saving to tlio«c tlio riglit ofdedueting tlietn 
 " from tho wngos of their saiaried niillers, iiud tiic présent 
 " orrét sliall hc added to tlic foot of the said ordinance, 
 <' that thc M'hole togelhor, may bc read,publish('d and affix- 
 " cd whercvcr the same shall bc neecssary, Ihat none may 
 " bc ignorant of ils contents.'''' 
 
 Thc ordinance and tho arrêt, whicli I havc just men- 
 lioncd, are the first Cai adian rcguhitions which \ve hâve 
 ooncerning mills. At 1er si, I liave not found any of prior 
 date. The word rc-ilerale whieli is inserted in tlie arrât^ 
 would Icad me to belicve that l!ie ordinance of M. de Lau- 
 7.on reguhiled ihe damages wliich tlie parties carrying grain 
 1o be groimd had liuî ri-iil lo elaim ; of whieli damages the 
 proprielor of the niill was declared to bc personally respon- 
 sible, wilh thc reserve of his recourse against his millcr, 
 culpahle ofatnisc in the toit of grain. But a short time after, 
 a modificalion of ihis rcsponsibilily of ihe mastcr, was 
 madc by anollicr arrci of tho Si^pcrior Council of tlic 20th 
 Junc 1CG7. (1) 
 
 This rt/Tc^ is roudered on a pétition prcscntcd to the 
 Council " by most of ihe proprielors of inills in tins country, 
 " tcnding to show that llic mills of this couniry cost double 
 '' anrl triple those of France, as well for their construction, 
 '' thcirrepair and maintenance^, as for thc wagcs and board of 
 *' Ihe millers ; in considération of which, they said, they 
 (M Edits and ord. in So v. 2. j>. H!). 
 
302 a 
 
 " inight ask tlmt thf loll Ix- |)ro|)orii(Mi<Ml \o \\\v above ox- 
 
 " ponsc's, îind conscfincntly îibovc llic (inlinîiry <»no in 
 
 " France; tlial llicv aiv nrvcitliolcss satisliod witli fhal 
 
 " whicli lias Imhmi tin» praclicc in lliis «ounlry sine»' ils 
 
 '' roninicnccnicnt conlorniahly t(i tiu^ onlinanccs and royal 
 
 " edii'ts, and tliat if lu* rontinncd licrcaCU'r as il lias IxM-n 
 
 " np totliis day, and lliat thi; Ciistoiii of Paris wliirli is llio 
 
 '•'■ nnly onn adoplcd li'*re for al! tliini^'s, lu- aiso roeeived for 
 
 ^' Ihi^." 
 
 Tilt' arrrf "ordains that tho rij^ht of loll sliall, in tliis 
 " connlry, Itc lli(> onf*-fonrt('(;ntli ; enjoins ilic Livuîtnanl 
 
 '■' Civil \o liave tlie présent arn'l strietly «îvecnled, even 
 
 " froni tiiae to tinie to t>o frorii plac(> to place to gnage llie 
 
 '^ nieasiires and to see wliat is doing ; and niorcdver that 
 
 '^ th(! ordinance of tlie Sieur Luuzon iiave ils eireet, witli 
 
 *■' tliis luodilieation, tliat iii tlie event of malversation by tlie 
 
 ^' iiiiliers, lliat tliosti wlio sliall find theniselves interesled 
 
 " sliall liavc thcir reconrse but iipon tlic lessees, if tlio niills 
 
 '' are leascd, if ollierwise, npon tlie i)roprietors tliereof ; and 
 
 " for \\\o support of tli(* présent ordinance, tlu' proprietors 
 
 '•' of grain whicli sliall Ix; la!, a to be ground, sliall be lield, 
 
 '■'■ or a party in their belialf, to liave tlie grain weiglied al 
 
 '' llie inill by tlie miller, and w lien ground,to liave tlie lloiir 
 
 " weiglit.'d, in default of whieh tlicir coniplaints sliall not 
 
 " be lieard. 
 
 In tliis arrêt and in the pétition wliicli gave risc to llio 
 arrêta \ve sec an acknowlcdgnient of llie riglit of the pu- 
 blic authorities to niake régulations witli regard to niills. 
 TlîU.s far, there is no modification of the 7lst and 72nd arti. 
 clos of the Custom of Paris. The mill banality is tlien in 
 the conditions of conventional banality betwcen the seig- 
 nior and tlu; censitaire^ subject nevertlieless to tlie interven- 
 tion of the authorities to regulate tlie relations wliich must 
 resuit therefrom. It is well to remark, again, that, in the 
 
303 a 
 
 ordinancG and urrûls already ciiod, tlic only question relates 
 to proprielors ol" ruills generally, witliout distinj^aiisliing 
 whullier Ihey aro seigniors or not. 
 
 232. The firsl of July 1(J7."), v^\ arrûi or ordinancc of 
 the Siiperior Council wliieli, upoii llie case of a contesta- 
 tion bclween Iwo niilN'r.s, dcclarus ail luilLs, whothcr walcr 
 or wind, to be banal. (1) 
 
 Thero wcre two lessces of the mil! of iho soii^nidry of 
 Domboiii-i,', Pierre Lefel)vre dit Ladoueeur and Pierre I.a- 
 faye dit Mouture. A pétition \v;is prescnted to the; eouneil 
 by Charles Morin " the niiller of the sei<,miory of Deuiaure 
 " praying that sieur Lefebvre dit Ladoueeur, one of the 
 " lessces of the mill of tiie seigniory of Dombourg be eon- 
 " deinned to restore him the ih)ur he lias taken froin the said 
 " Morin, and in as much as ihe mill of Dombourg is not a 
 " banal mill and cannât tmppli/ the inhabitants thcreof with 
 " Jîour, the said Morin be allowed to grind for the said in- 
 " habitants, and that the said Ladoueeur be forbidden froni 
 " disturbing iiini in that respeet." 
 
 Mouture appeared for his co-lesscc. The Altorney Gê- 
 nerai, to whoni the ])etition had been eonanunicated by or- 
 der of the Couneil, takes iiis conelusions. The eouneil af- 
 terwards : " dismissed the demand and prétentions of the 
 '' said Morin ; and adjndicating upou the said conelusions, 
 " hatli ordaincMl and doth hereby ordain, that tlu' iiiills 
 " whcther theif he watcr niills or wind initls, whidi the 
 " seigniors hâve built, or Avill l)ui]d here:ifter in their 
 " sciguiories, shall be banal mills ; and ihai their te- 
 " uants, who shall In; b(nind by their deeds of concession 
 " to that ejl'ect, shall cairy their grain to sueh uiills, and 
 " leave il tliere at leasl forty eight hours, after which if not 
 '' converted into (Jour, ilicy will b«> rdlowcd to Iake il else- 
 
 (1) Kd. aud Ord. in-8. v. 2, p. 1)2. 
 
30 I a 
 
 " wlitTc-, williuut [)a^ini; loll to llu; iiiilicr ni t:.t • vMiior 
 " it i;* inorcovtT exprc^sly l'orbiddcn fi> |)r()|)riet()r! h.Um, 
 " as uforcsaitl, to iiidiicc! tlio Uîuunts ol" aiiolluir proprictor 
 '* to conio lo tlieir niills, undiT a penalty ul" oni; écu (lialf a 
 " orown) in l'uvor of llu; stîii^'tiior, and on pain ol" conlisca- 
 " tion ol'llic grain and vrliiclcs containini,' llic snmc. And 
 *' it i.s l'urtlirr ordcrcd tliat copies of tliis rvi^ululion sliali l)e 
 " sent by llio Allorney Gener:il, lo ail llie jnrisdietions ol' 
 " tins eountry, lo be registered and to he pnblislied and 
 *' posted iip in tlie usiial inanner, at llie re<[iie.st ol' llie 
 " King's Altorneys or Userai allorneys, sij tliat noiie niay bo 
 " ignorant ol■it^) content.s. " 
 
 233. It lias been j)retended lliat tliis arrcl createtl a 
 légal mill banality in Canada, in llu; place of tlie (-onven- 
 tional, wliicli it liad lieretoft)re been, 1 am not of ihis opi- 
 nion and I see nothing in llie arn\', nor in llie conl(!s.t!itlon 
 wiiieli gave rise to it, wliieh can jnstily snch a prelenti'n. 
 It is évident tliat llie niiller of Dntunirc liad (1) .songlil iie 
 tenants of liis niîiglibors, and tliat llie llonr lalum in liisbags 
 by tlie niiller of Duinbourg, v/as tlie loll obtained at llie pré- 
 judice of tins last, It is eqiially evidc:it, and lliis resiills froin 
 llie staleinents in tlie pétition of llie former, tliat lliere was a 
 niill in tlie seigniory of Dotnbour:^^ and lli;il it was a wiiul- 
 niill. Ilence tlie reason invoked by llie niiller oï JJcmaurc for 
 lus justilieation, that lliis mill was not a 6r//j«/ mill ; wliieli 
 jnust neecssarily make us sn|)pose tliat tlie inhabitanls of 
 Domhourfi,^ whose grain lie had ground, liad eiilier not obli- 
 ged tliemsclves, by tlieir conlracts of concession, lo tlie mill 
 banality in favor of tlieir seignior, or tliat, if tliey liad so 
 obliged thernselves, llie e(»nvenlion liad not made express 
 mention of a wind-mill, Ifthe mill in (iiiestion had been 
 a water mill, Ihe miller of Demaiire liad no i)retext to pre- 
 lend tliat it was not a banal mill to wiiieli tlie tenants, obligiil 
 
 (1) The wonl uscd in tiie fiviu-ii lan- >\riik« i« r/j ;:>.'-f, littnaily, 
 hunted on liis iR'i|ilibor;,, jm' ucr^y f^r t >11. 
 
305 a 
 
 bj/ thcir deeds of conccssioUy wcro bonnJ to carry thcir 
 grain. 
 
 Accord in^ to tilt! millcr of Drinaure, \\w wind iriill of 
 Donihourg, iii (hîl'ault ol" express ment ion in tlic dccd 
 ol" concession, conld not l)e repiilcd , as regards llio 
 ccnnitaire, as a banal inill. Tlie interprétation given te» 
 tlie 72nd ailiele of tlie Custoni of l'aris was in liis favor. 
 Undcîr thèse eireuinstanees, wliat is ilie bearing of tlie ré- 
 gulation proinulgated hy tlic ari'it / Does it inake coiwcn- 
 tional banaUly to disappear, to nuike it lvf:;al hanality in 
 future ? Not at ail. Tlie words who ahall haw <)hliu;c(l 
 theiufielves by their titles of concession which thi'n/ shall hâve, 
 taken of tlieir lands, ùiT from adruitting tliis interprétation, 
 havu an altogether dillerent meaning. Tliey recogni>e tliat 
 llie mill hanality then cxisted and ouglil only to exist but 
 under tlie tille of convcnlUmal hanality. Otiierwise thèse 
 words would hâve no signiiiealit)n, no cU'eet. The legisla- 
 tor did not wish to extend tlie application of liis new régu- 
 lation of gênerai inspection over luills, to other that tlioso 
 who liad ol)lige(l theinselvcs to hanality in favor of their 
 scignior hy their deeds of concession, although mention was 
 not inade, in tliest; coufracts, t)f wind luills, water luills 
 bcing in tlie case of a stipulation of hanality, coiiiprised hy 
 law by this stipulation. AU tlie eneci, then, of tliis new 
 régulation, Is to |)laee wind mills upon tlie saine footing as 
 a water niill, in this seuse that, withoul express lueniion, 
 the first will he eonsidered, like tlie last, included in tlie 
 convention which stipulâtes tlic iiiill hanality, whelher it hc 
 tor the pas! or for the fiituiv. 
 
 The right of uiill hanality then remains in the condi- 
 tion of conventional hanality ; only that ilie amt seeuis to 
 prejudge, in the négative, the ipicstion whetlier llii' conven- 
 tion could he legally made hy another deed tliau that of tlic 
 
 concession of the land to the cemilaire. 
 
 39 
 
'îdO .1 
 
 2ôi. On llic illh M;iy l(i7G(l tiic biipt-rior chhiiiciI 
 jiiukcs gciu-ral rct^ni lut ions oï police. 'J'li(3 ;k')tli artiolo pru- 
 liibils ail millers '' fo faiisini; nidrc tliau om; loiirlefnth Ui 
 be paid l'or lin* toll ol' ^^raiii, aiid to liilciiV'n* ((7/r?.s.sr/') onc 
 witli llic otlicr," and rcjjrodiiccd alui()>l liitcially thr' icniain- 
 der nf ilu! dispositions ol'tlic (/;T(7 ol' thc 20lh J une 1007 
 (no. 2^1 supra) \i\)on tlie ivcouisc lo bo adoptrd in case (>f 
 inalvorsalion l)y millcrs, and enjoins upon iliese " io lia\<' 
 scales lo wci^ii.'" 
 
 235. In tliG order oi' dates, the an'ct thc most iiiij)ortant 
 iipon ihis r.uittor presinits ilseli', il is lliat ol" llic King's 
 council ol' State ol' tlie Itli .lune KiSG. (2) il is in thèse 
 lerms : 
 
 " Ilis Majcsiy tlie Kinir, siltini^ in conmil, liavingbecn 
 " infonned tliat mofit of tlie seigniorsAvlio are j)roi)rii!tors ol" 
 " fiefs in New France, negleet to erect tlie banal inills nc- 
 " cessary l'or tlie subsistcncc ol' the inhabifants ol' the said 
 '• country, and in order to remedy an cvil so prejudieial to ihe 
 " welf'are of the colony, Ilis iMajesîy being in lus couneil, 
 " lias ordained and doth hcreby ordain, Ihat, ail thc scig- 
 " niors wlio are proprictor.^ oi' fiefs within the territory o( 
 " New France, shall be boitnd to ercct banal inills therein 
 " within onc ycar aller the publication oi the présent decree 
 " and aller the expiration ol" this dcday, in dcTault ol' their 
 " liaving donc so, Ilis Majesty doth permit ail indivlduals^ 
 '■ of whatever Cv)ndilions and rani: tliey may be, to erect 
 " such mills, granting to ihein in that respettl the right ol" 
 " banality, and prohibit any persons to dislurb them in thc 
 " enjoyment thcreof." 
 
 23G. This arrêt .vas enregistered at (Québec, on the 
 21st October 1G8G, according to an arrct ol" the Supcrior 
 Council ol' the samc day, whieh, al thc .«;aine tinic had or- 
 
 (1) Ed. and OrdTïn 8. v. 2 , p. ()5 , 7 1 . 
 
 (2) Ed. aud Od. in 8. v. I.p, 2'k\ 
 
8i)7 u 
 
 Jt'reil ils puMii-aiion ;it tlic^ ntM.'essary uiul ai'oa^tonied jjiu- 
 <;t's; but lliis jjnhlietition wns iiot luncl»', iii llie tlirec juris- 
 (liclioii llirn cxisiiii:,'-, lill iwciily yt'îirs alterwartls, iiamely 
 al Monlrcal and al 'IlircL- Hivers in .lamiary, and at Québec 
 in Ft'bruary 1707, in e()nse([vience ot" an urdiT expressly 
 )nade in an arrêt aï llie Snperior Councd of llie 20lh Dc- 
 cejnber 1700. (1) 
 
 Tiie (Iclay l)rt)U,i^lit lo ils pnbliealion is a proof lliat tlie 
 arrct of tlie conncil of stale was not picîasing to llie seig- 
 niors, alllio' tliey liad tai<<'n eare, by llieir deeds of conces- 
 sion, lo sabject llieir tenants lotlie niill l)anality, luhenerer a 
 ■iiiill should he biiilt in Ihr'ir se ! fi:; ni or i/. Tliis is tlie ordina- 
 ry stipulation Avliich N\e llnd in tlie cIcmIs of concession. 
 Tlie Intendant Raudot a(''-o;ii:!s |nr iliis delay in tlio 
 following passa.'.;e of his Idtcr of ilie lOlli Novcmber 
 1707; 
 
 '' I slioidd tlieniore lliinl.', Mylord,. . .il would be nocea- 
 sary . . . tliat tiie exclu- tve ri^Iit of i^Tindini,' {Ixinalitc) sliould 
 b." j)n>serve(l lo ilic sei'zniois on condition of llieir buildini^ a 
 mill on llii'ir seiijniory \\"ill,iii on»' year, failin^ in wliieh, 
 llieir rii^iit v.oidd b(ï l'jrl'.'Ited and tiie inliabitanls would nol 
 bi- obliiji'd, wlica one v. a-; biiilt, lo lir've ilicir ivn\ i^M'ound 
 llicrc : ollicrwi»', ^^y'lOi■.!, thcy will lU'wr be induced to 
 crect niills, IVom tin i):-ivnr:ca of wliich llie inliabilanls 
 sud'er L;rcat!y, lieiii;.'; ui!:ii.!i', for want of incans, to avaii 
 tliemselves of tlie l'avor ^\•lli'.•h liis Majesty lias paanU^d 
 tlicni, hij pc.rniilliii,s; llinn lo crect niilb in case thc seigniors 
 shoull not do so lailliin a ijcar. 
 
 " Tliis wa- ^n-anleil lollicm in tlu; year K'Sf!, by a d(^ "rce 
 (arrêt) \vlii'-Ii was regislered in il e couneil n'î tliis country ; 
 but llie decrce of re^istralion not liavini^ becn sent to tlio 
 snbordinale jurisdiclions to he puljii,shf<I, iIk; inliabilanls 
 
 ( n l'M. nii.l Ou 
 
 m >. \ 
 
 1 ir-^ij(). 
 
308 a 
 
 hâve noi hillierto profited by tliis fuvor, ami it is only since 
 
 my arrivai Iruc tliat tli(! tlt-cree lias hecMi piiblif^lied : it liav- 
 
 ini,' c;»)iii(' to iny knowlcdi,'»' in tlic course ol' a law-suit re- 
 
 ci'iilly clclrniiiiied, in uliicli lliis dccrcc was prodiiecd, and 
 
 ont' of tlu' par!i(.'s was iinal)lt' to takr advanlai^i; ol" it be- 
 
 caiiH' it liad rniiaincd iinpnblislicd. Tlic <ault can only be 
 
 ultribiilcd to llif sieur dWuteuil, w liosc duty, as attorni-y- 
 
 ••(•ncral to tliis council, il is to transiuil sucli decrecs to thc 
 
 ... 
 subordinati" courts ; but il wun his interesl as a t<cigiuui\ and 
 
 also tliat of .soini; couaviltors w/io are likewiac seigniorfi, nol 
 
 to niake knoivn. Ihis decreey 
 
 i.'37. lias thc arnii of thc 4lh Junc 1G8G had thc cffecl 
 ol" niakini,' thc niiil banality /c^'fl/ in Canada, or lias it main- 
 taincd it in thc situation of convvnlional banality, al thc 
 sauic liuic obligini,' tlic scii^Miiors to construct luills, undcr 
 thc penalty of bcini^deprivcd of tlicir rii^hl to this banality .'' 
 1 belicvc that \vc cannot do othcrwisc than to pronounco 
 oursclvcs in thc alliruiativc ujjon thc lirsl of ihcsc (picstions 
 and consccpicnlly for tht.' nc<i[alivc upon the last. in a con- 
 Irary way, the arrêt in my opinion, would be a non-sen«e. 
 In faet, if the banality continues, not\vithstandini,Mhis arrèt^ 
 to l)c conventional, the censitaire cannot be subjcct 1o il, 
 but with iiis consent and thatof the scignior. it is betvveen 
 theui tiiat the eontractt niust lake place which sid)jects thc 
 lirst to the uiill banality, and nol belwecn the censitaire and 
 îiu Mhcr iH'ison. This agrceiueut is niade by the deed of 
 concession. 'J'he scignior, otdy, can givc this deed ; con- 
 sequcntly, Ikî only can stipulait' the banality. 
 
 In the case foreseen by the arrët^ afterthe seignior shail 
 hâve forfeited his right, on aecouiU of lus négligence 
 to construct a mil!, ail j)riv;ite iadividuals niight «)blain iIk; 
 permission to build on", and, in that case, the arrêt invest 
 hii.i with the riglit ol' banality. in the .systeni which I 
 combat, u})on \vh(»m will a private individual exercise his 
 
309 a 
 
 riglit of banality? Assuredly il will only be upon those 
 who s/iallhace nubjcvlcd (heinsi'liws (to tlit; banality) % thn 
 lUIcfi of concession wfiick Ifiey shall hâve, taken for their 
 farms, to iiiaUc use of tlie tcrins of llie arrcl of tlio Ist July 
 167."). Tliost' wlio sliall not hâve so bound themselves will 
 coritiniie to be exempt froiii this banality. 
 
 liet us now suppose two possibli; cases, at llie time of 
 ihe rorfeiture |)ronounced ugainst llie seigiiior and llie érec- 
 tion of a uiill by a private individual wlio lias obtainod the 
 permission lo do so : the tirst, that of a sei-,miory altofj;(;ther 
 or almt)>it ail setlled, but nont^ of the inhabitants of which 
 has been sul)jected to the banality by his deed of conces- 
 sion ; Ihc second, that of a seigniory thinly settled, but ail 
 the inhabilants of which, or a part only havc been subjec- 
 ted to this banality. 
 
 In the first of thèse cases, what would avail the right of 
 banality that the arrtl invests a private individual wilh, who 
 has built the mill ? Would it be very proiitable ? lie could 
 not reach auy of the censitaires, they are ail exempt. It 
 would even be impossible that it should exist, sinee they 
 are no banal subjecis. Il is not the material érection of a 
 mill which conslitutes banality, but llie subjeetion of llu; 
 tenants to carry his grain lo this mill, whether it be in vir- 
 tue of Ihe law or of the agreement. The président liouhier 
 dehnes banality to be : " the right to deprive those which 
 " are subject to it of the right to do a certain thing, other- 
 " wise than in the manner which is prescribed to iliem, 
 " under the penalty created by law, agreements or the cus- 
 *' tom." 
 
 Now, in the case supposed, of which wo are spoaking, 
 no tenant is bound, cithcr by law or by agreemoni, or by the 
 custom, to carry his grain to be ground at the seignit>- 
 rial mill. The right of banality iherefore does not exi.sl 
 agaiust thcm. ^V(: should tlien bc obligcd lo say that 
 
:uo a 
 
 Il liie private individiiul v, ht. harj con.^tiLiLted ihe îuiU, h;is 
 by that acquired any rii^Hit ol" b!in;di(y, it is but a banalilv 
 in the air, a banalify wit/iout banal subjculs ! Wluil priva- 
 te individnal wouKI bc soloulish as lu proscn-nlo tlic i^ci^nior 
 in forieituro of liis rii^lil lo havc liiinseir iuvoslod witli il ? 
 VV^o could not concc-ive siidi an idc;i. ])o \vo not scu tliat 
 this j^ystcm Icads to an absnrd cnnclnsidn ! Thaï if ivnd» r.s 
 worthiess the amîf of ihe Ith Jiiik^ lOSU, ahho' it was rcn- 
 dered in the intorcst of ail ihc inliabitanls ol" ihc c(j|o- 
 ny ? 
 
 Let 118 now sec what would hv ilx; elloct of the opéra- 
 tion of this System in llie second siipposed ease, thaï of a 
 tliinly seltied seii^miory, but lli<; iciiaiils t)f whieh, or a paît 
 only, hâve been by llieir eonlracls ol' concession, subjeeied 
 to the banalily. In this sei^miory, llh- ^-realest nuiiil)er of 
 the lands are yet lo be coneeded. The thir.l oarty avIio shall 
 bave erected a mill, afler the forf.-inire prononnCed ai^ainsl 
 the scignior, will certainly hâve ihe ri-ht of banalily over 
 his tenants who hâve sul)ie(>1cd llicms; i^(•s to il ; and if 
 there be but a small niimber who hâve .^o siibjecled lliem- 
 selves, he will oïdy ))(> enîitied to eM>rcise ihir. rii-'Iil ai,'ain<t 
 that small nnmber. lih. >. ill iliis be ihe case v.iih lli<> fnlri- 
 regrantees? ]]y what means cini ihcso j;,si Li- subjcclcd 
 by the sylem oî convenilcnal l)ap.alily .=' ( .ivow tiiat ^.> far, I 
 hâve not been abh; to nndci-staud in \:\v.\\ manncr îlni oiild 
 bo donc. The s(>iij^nior's riylit ol'!'an:.i: y <^ri!v i> lorfcilcd, he 
 is not prevented fioin conceding ihc jands in his sei^aiiorv. 
 Ile will theneonlimie lo in;ike ll:c concessions. The aurec- 
 ments which sha'l be lh,-i-,ir. insci.d, wil! Ix- eonlracls 
 which will be nuuie beUNCca luin and his Cdi.ù'lairrs, r.n(i 
 not belween tliesi; iast and il;;; iMrd i);uty v\ li) sliall havc 
 built the mill ; this Iast will i)e adlo^'.-thrr a siraiijicr N. i!uiii. 
 In supposing, even for an insîant, llial in swch a dccd ..f 
 concession, a seignior could yet sliimiale banalily, iiolwith- 
 •Htanding his forfei turc of that vi:,H,t, h»' his nf lil)f>r1v u. do 
 
311 a 
 
 so or nul lu do bu; il' fie docs not do t^o, tlie censitaire is /Vec 
 Iroin the banality ; tlie sr-iirniur ju abslaining i'roin stipula- 
 liîii,^ l)anality, would llicii li.'ivc the power lo («xtcnd Ihis ex- 
 • 'inplion to ail l'iiliire -rantces. Ou ihe otlicr liand if thi.s 
 li^dii Avas stipulated, lie wonid iiot Hii|)ulale it fur ihe bene- 
 lit ol a lliird parly, propriotr)r()r ihis mill, |io do.'s not ropre- 
 scnl lliis ihird pariy, li(> li;is pic .crvc d nolliinj.r in the pro- 
 j)orly which lias InuMi -ivcn !-> thls last. Wiio ihen eoiikl 
 ask ihe execiilioii ol' ihis conlracl iii ph'adini,' a^'aiast a een- 
 silaire ^ Il couhl nol ::ssii!vdly 1)0 th.- srii^nior : ii(> lias no 
 banal mill, Ir- caîmoi vwn havo onr, l'or jiot. oiily lias ho 
 l'orteilcd llic ri'^hl ol' bariality, Lut lie is f)]>.o i)r( '.ibited bv 
 ihe ori'it, \\v a^- wcll as ail clli ■, ., i',(..M lrcn'>!i)}i>; a lliird parly 
 in the ciiioynicnl o!' lliis ri-lil, \\hi;/li lia- l.ccii iransfcrred 
 
 io hiiii ; il w iil jiot 
 
 Vllii'' 
 
 i;;(! 
 
 :)in;)rii!(ir ol' ihc mill bc- 
 
 caiist' Ik; is a ;-;r;!ti' vr 1.) llic a-rcciiicti;. No one then 
 (•an ask tlic c.M'rinioii of \\ù:. îv^iccmcnl ! ImicIi is the eon- 
 (.'lusic>n lo whic'i \vo mitsl iicrcssai-jlv arrive. 
 
 On ihe oilicr liaïul, liow can \\(^ nMsonablv snpj)o«c 
 thaï a sei^-nior, whoshall h;! vr jiad !ii:s ) i'dil i>f banalilv 
 lorfeilcd, ean slipulalc ihc càTcistî oi' ihis same liyht ? It 
 seems to nii' lliai siicli proposiiion 'Aoiihj bc of the nnml)er 
 ol Ihose wliieh il is ^alHicicnt to mcnlion îo show liow far 
 Ihey can be snslai ned. 
 
 238, I aiiî, iiKMvi'on^, oi' opiiiion thi^l, by ili(> arrêt ofthe 
 4tli Jiine ICSO, îlic Kin,;; u:j,. d.:>;roiis of n-ranling and in 
 laci. .^Tanled lo the sei^aiois ol' ( anada, for iIh- malter of 
 mill banalily, a i^enera! liih; vhicl. lr\^c^ iht-in llie rii^hl lo 
 exercise this banalily, wlifllicr It havc b.-eii slipnlated or 
 not ; and llial ihis litlo is in lli,- samc uianner aeqnired to 
 the prival(« individiial who, \v ihe case providcd for by the 
 '//rt7, lias obiainvM.I permission !.<crci;l a mill wilh Ihe right 
 "l banalily altaciad lh?ivio, aad lias iji l'acl ereclcd it. More- 
 ""cr, if, is c.inally the opinion, not only of ihc advocatc? of 
 
312 a 
 
 the seigniors, but also of ihoso wlio havc bccn entmstcd to 
 support the opinions of the Attorney (îeneial. Thèse hist 
 in the printed analysis of their propositions, admit " that it 
 " be iield that, since the am!t of the 4lh June lUHO, ail 
 " the seigniors hâve the right of banality in virtue of tliat 
 " arreV* 
 
 239. The first arrêts of tlie Superior Couneil which havc; 
 bcen rendered upon this inatter, aftc^r tlial of ihe Conncil of 
 State of 1G86 ; are those of the IGth August and VMh 
 Septemher 1700. (l) Bolh rehite to the same seig- 
 niory. 
 
 It appears that M. François Berthelol, had, on the 25th 
 February 1702, sold to Madame de hi Vo\>'\ " îhe ishmd 
 and county of St. Laurent" (Isle of Orléans) Lut that he 
 had re-entered into possession thereof in virtu(; of an arrêt 
 of the 7th I3eecmber 1705, rendered bctwecn him and the 
 said Dame de la Forêt. 
 
 " Ile has found, he says in his new pétition, that the 
 " said Dame de la FortM lins abandoned a water mill bnilt 
 '' at the place ealli'd la Sainte Faniilli\ [o havi another one 
 " built in the p;uish of St. Pierrr, dnring the time of the 
 " seizure (.saisie réelle) of the said island at the suit of the 
 " sieur Duchesnay, lier brother, and in which he lias heen 
 " subroîT.ited ; that having re-enl<>r.Hl into possession of ih.> 
 " said isiand conformably ( nly to the sale which lie lias 
 " PMide thereof to the said Dame d" la Forêt, and tlie mill U- 
 '^ longing to the said Dam.- de la Forêt, he cannol iiorshould 
 " he of right enj.»y the said mill ; and as he is the oah/ one 
 " who has the . -f/l/ )f mill in the said island, that .lie one 
 - of the said (!a.iic de la F.--t daily makes llour, and that 
 " she profils l,y ;ts revenues su his préjudice, he reciuircs 
 " that eorsidering the said arrêt of the 7lh Decembe^wcll 
 
 (l) Ed. aud Ord. iu 8, vo. î, p. 139 and 1+'?.. 
 
:i: 
 
 { (i 
 
 aiitl (iiily ^Igiiilh.i, it hc oniaiiifd lli.U llu: shkI .liuuc- de 
 la Koivt shall ciMsc uiul sînp ihc i-aid miU liota /^aindiii^' 
 aiul tliut tlie said Dauie dt- la I'uil'I. as v.cll as allulhcr {.ci- 
 ?:ons 1)L' piohibiîi'd !'n»iii liaviiii; any ii;jaiii ^;iouiid at ilk- 
 said iiiill hure a II Cl-, uudcr aiid stibjcct lo sui-li pciudly and 
 iiiu; whk'ii th ; cuiut .si, ail plt asc lu ordcr. 
 
 lav 
 
 'J'he said Dame de la lù.iêt iiiadi.- delault, but aCler 1 
 inmjrott'^Ud dia! shc p(,T>isti'd iti lier"- act.- Dt'cviH'aiiou, ci 
 iivj oi' llii- jiidm', ^ /</■,',•;.■; d 
 M'îuiL'sl lo M. J5tr:licj',il\s 
 
 pvriif'.) ;iU(l ollicrs Mi'iidii 
 
 d:tl !i 
 
 Ivin: 
 
 A 
 
 iluMJ' V 
 
 ;r a'^iM'a 
 
 l.:d 
 
 1(1 lili 
 
 S.) tliiit \]w urr< f. ol" iIk- ILdi Aii,i-iist 170(i \\a.- 
 dt-n.'d by (Uiaull. Il uvdaijis *' ili;ii il,e said d.'iuw' de la l 
 
 1-1 n 
 
 ( ri 
 
 ^■//r/// 
 
 ccacA 
 
 [yladinp;^ ond .slop Ihc mill wliidi .siie lias jiad 
 
 (. iX.'Olv'( 
 
 1 in ilii; said i;daud and 
 
 couuty dl' St. J.aïa-eni 
 
 prolùbits ht!' ciui dll ai'icr pr.-^joii^ /roin liarim:^ (uiif qi 
 
 tiin 
 
 ^roand (il Ihc said nidl i 
 •iindietl !ivre,i."' Wc h-. 
 
 Il rcaii''). liiidcr a penalty oi oui' 
 •e îliui dii-' (irrt.t ia niideied in 
 
 nniurniily lo t!ir ( oneîiisjon^ ^ I' die peiiiion. 
 
 l pou diis, a pétition is pie-ciiii d lo di'^ inti iid::iit! on !,<• 
 bail oi" ibe inbii'.MtaaN <>',' S'. Pi' rr'\ and by inin lelened lo 
 die vSup;Tior ('i)iiiiei! ; in wliieii pe-lilioU diey set iorth 
 "• lliaL lii'- iiieon\enieiU(r wiilcb tliey bave liad ;ip to liie 
 "• year i7dl, ol' liavin..: no laill in llie said parish iv) Iia^f 
 "• tlieii' i^rain i^roiiiitl, li;is oblii(ed thcin lo cirry il !o tii»^ 
 " iiiills on Ur' ))i''i^iiuourinL'; sbores, ibr-re iiaving Lei ii in 
 "• die said i>laiid nodùiu^^ !m! indls \ci-y badly Ivept, iiot Jit 
 •'• Ui be iiseil, and be.-ides i';u' icmoveii Irom liieir residt!ii- 
 •• ec!s, ami lo wliieb it is nul pos^i!lll! j'or tiieni to earry tlieir 
 " i^raiii, bi'ing at a uie.u dislanee IVoin liiem, Ijy roads 
 ■' wliieh it\vould lu; neeessary to niake tnrouL.h tlie woods, 
 •'• and still i'aillier to i^^o l>y \\ater, ail wliieh obliged liieni 
 •' to soUie'.t ?*li-s. de la l'orét to liavo a water nuU built in 
 " die saiti paiisb of Si. Pierre l()r their couveniciice, and ti> 
 •■ cugai(e liei' in iî, tin v ail tb!iii:-el ves oli''ivil to ^ive lier 
 
 -10 
 
314 a 
 
 " six (lays of llioir own linif lo dii? its (oundations , 
 " wliicli llicy <li(l il) llic li()|)c ol" rccciving l'roni it ail tlic 
 " lirlj) iiiid convciiiciicc wliicli llii'y could cxjx'cît l'roin ils 
 '' proxiiuity." Altcr tiiis tliu iiiliabilants niaki; iiicntioii ol' 
 ilic (tn'ct oï tlic IGlIi Auii^iisi, in conscHiucniMM)!' wliicli ilie 
 iiiiilcr, tli(!y say, " ivlïises tu ij;rind tlioir grain," and llicy 
 (Id " il docs nol appi-ar 1(» tliciu «'idicr just nor rcasonabl»' 
 h) b(; d('|)riv('d of tlic IViiits ol llu'ir labors, and ol' \\\v. 
 contribiilion whidi tlicy liavc inad<' towards tlio construc- 
 tion ol" llio said niill ; wlicnd'orc llicy rcciucst tliat in con- 
 S(:i|iicncc ol' tlic bad stalc ol" tlic ollicr iiiills wliicli are 
 in tlic said Island, :uk1 ol" llicir distance iVoiu llic said 
 j)arisli ol' St. Pierre, and of tlic iiiii)racticability ol' tlicir 
 
 roads, and lliat bcsides ijic said iiiill lias becn cons- 
 
 triictcd in tlic ipiality ol" lady and jiroprictor, al thaï 
 tiiiie, ol' tlie said island, lor tin- iililily and convcnicnce 
 iiI'iIkî inliabitants, il plcasi; ilic council, witlioiit liavin»; 
 any rci^ard to llic said arrri wliieli ordcrs tliat ilic said 
 mil! sliall be. sliiit, to onlain tlial tlie said luill sliall bc 
 o|)cn and thaï the luiller ihereol' l)(> bound lo i^riiul ihcir 
 "'rain as ciisloinarv." 
 
 Mrs, De i.a Foret rcfuscd lo an>\\cr the suuunons whicli 
 
 id becn scrvednpon lier byorder ol' the C'otmtdl. Upon tliis 
 
 ■tition tlic arrt'l oltlic l.Jih Sept. 170G was given, wliicli 
 
 s in tliese tenus : '' llaving licard llio said sieur (iaillard, 
 
 in tlic naine and as the Attorney ol" the said sieur Hcrtlie- 
 
 lo), wlio lias asked thi; c\c(;ution of thi; said arrêt, and 
 
 wlio lias rcfiiscd to Icase the said mill, bcini^ nnwillini^ 
 
 to run tlic risks w liicli tlierc iiiiirht bc, likcwisi» iIk- said 
 
 Maranda and Noi'l for ail iIk; inliabitants of llio said 
 
 jjarish, the Council ]iiiv\n^ ronsidcrcd the pétition of Ûxo. 
 
 said inliabitants of the parish of St. Pierre, in the islc 
 
 and counly of St. Laurent, and Hccing the nccessity inhich 
 
 Ihrre is of harini^ the .said mill in opération, thetwo others 
 
 irliirh are ia the saiit island nol heing in a stalc to grind 
 
31 
 
 > (I. 
 
 t/it irrain mrvssarif for ail llic iiiliohilanls t'inrof, lins 
 «Ichiycd fin- (•xfîcntiori of tin- a ml ivndrrcd ii) ihis coiin- 
 
 cil on llic lOtli Aii'Misl lîisi, ;iM(l i 
 
 Il f(msc(|iicticc pi'i'iiil 
 
 U t ' 
 
 tli<! s:ii(l ])am(' de l.ii Korrt lo put \\\r. said iiiill in <)|)rra- 
 lion, on llic condilioii thaï sIk- sliall draw hiii liaU'of tin- 
 lolls and tlial tlic -aUi^x liaH'sliall \)(' icmiticd to tlic said 
 aillard, allorncy ol' tlic said sieur hcrtliddi, fi-r liis ri^hi 
 ol' banality, an<! lliis, until die said sieur neriliejot lias 
 
 " ereet(!(l ailotlKir ; whicll lie sliall he lield to el 
 
 lOdsr 
 
 W i 1 1 
 
 lin 
 
 " llircf^ days IVoiii llieday oftlie service oT tlie prcM'Mt nrnl^ 
 
 '■'■ il'notand indefault of so doin<,' witliin tlic s;iid lime, mid 
 
 '' tliat hc'uvj^ elapsed, tlic oll'ers wliich .Michel Miiraiida 
 
 " and Philippe So'r\ luake ol" lcasin<r the »aid niill and 
 
 Keoj)ing jt m opornlion, twcn to 
 
 answcrahle (or ih 
 
 " accidents, wliich may liappen to il, tor one liiindrcd minots 
 
 " orwlicat anmially, sliall he adjndicated upon on Mondav 
 
 " ncxt, tlic said Icase aiso sliall last only ii?iiil ilie said 
 
 " sienr llerlhclol lias had another one erected. " 
 
 210. Ifero is an arrrl of the Sii|)erior ("oiincil of the 
 iiOth Dccciubcr 17()G(i) wliich ordain-' tlmt a iiiill hiiili 
 npon an arriérc-fic/ \n the seiyjniory of Lau/on, sliall he 
 
 luit. 
 
 On the lâtli Oct. KMS, a contract of 
 
 concession !• 
 
 madc hy the siu-iir de I.anzon, scii^nior ol' the (oie of l.au 
 zo», to Fran(;()is liissot of 200 arpents ol' laiid, llial is to 
 say oi" a land ol' 5 by 10 arpents, en pure roiurc iliis laiid 
 liavinL' its front on tlii' river St. Lawr.nici'. 
 
 On the 2btli Oct. !(;!)« sieur (h; I5ennon de la IMartii 
 
 lie 
 
 rc, attorncy of the sieur 'l'homas Bertrand " at the timc pro- 
 prietor of the saidy/f/and s(;igniory of i.aiizoii,'\t,n-an!s a 
 tille, by whicll, '' for the reasons to hiin i,'ivcn l'y the laie 
 " Ktienne Charèt, fathcr of the défendant, he lias crcatcd 
 
 (1) Edits et ord. iu 8o. v. 2 p. 14-5. 
 
U II 
 
 .■iJ;J i.l''J. u (.1 :i-.'- :.ll tiri ii't\- fltf 'ii^' -. l'd ') ,■' \'.) iiipi mi- .... 
 aiid lv> ;lii ; arriuc JkJ lu- l«;i\( ^ a ri^!it iif mill, iiiul iliir 
 
 l'itHir (,i)n(<'.;l'(i !n iIk (••■ h m |i|,,t l'iir <;miii' ),iny l/i- IlrCi'^' 
 
 '■ -iiiv i •! <M i', ;>/ .: i'h/ii->i'' lici^'iili/ '11(1 (i'ilfiOdi jin'i.^'dic 
 '- /,■"//, uii liic contiiiiv liuLiin:.'; ni ilial oi llic s;ii(l M'u-niory 
 :iti(l U(j<i;i c.iiMlitii.ii tliiil llii' iuliuMlarits thcrcdr >iiiill «frind 
 *•'• lliclr '.:;r lia :ii llic s;ii(l jiiill iii prcrciviicc io any ollicr ol 
 ' tin; ii('i:.,lil)'>viiii: \<\i\vf^ inilild b-iiuil onc is crtclnr'' wliidi 
 îitlf was ratilli.'cl hy llic-aid sit ur Jk riraïul on tlie iJlli Scpl. 
 IGÎ)!). 
 
 The sifiir Diiplcssis, Irniti^' piin-l'ascd tlic }<( ii,'uiory 
 ni l,aii/.(.n by i\r>-([ o| ti:i' ! {i!i OcîoIxt KJilî», caiiscd "• two 
 îniils i'or tho iitilityol' tli<' inî::dut;Mils *.>[' llir said sci^ninry" 
 to l)(' constrncU'd, lie siat(>s in liis ])(.'tition ; but "■ as xUv 
 " said ChaR'! (tli»' drlrtidant) {<ni' ol' lli.' said inliabltaiits 
 " jinvioiisly liad a inill trcctfd iijiori his laiid ((irrifre JicJ) 
 '-' iriihoui any fUlc but l/iat of finljerancc nntil tlir nei senior 
 " (iiiiycfl t)i)p. io hc consh'ucted^ a) uiiiili mill llie inliahi- 
 ■' taiits of llu; said scigniory rarriod ihcir wlical and olhcr 
 ■' i,n-niii, cvcry niii;!it, to hc proiind, notwiilisiandini,' tlic jiro- 
 •• hiliiiiciis ^\-^i;■'l \vi ,(' liiiidc tu th'iu, Asiiicji dora liim con- 
 , '..! 'ral'li' itijiii^', ia a-; niiii li rc- \\u\ said f liarôt was not 
 '' ?nA TLi-it \\wi' aay ri'^lit (if luili irJiith i,; vot dircclh/ 
 ■■ aihidtcil hvt i(> thr sohi si }'j;):)<)yij, and tliat cor.sfvincnlly 
 "■ t'i-Tc can l'(; \'\\\ l.ii:i*(^ir (i)ii])lr-^<i>') wlio ;'l(']-!c lias tliis 
 
 iit 
 
 oy !iU"H,? l'c;;- in,-; 1 
 
 ;i' s(M'4nii'r h:\i\ -■.:i'!\nv)n(:d llif 
 aid C'iavct and nfli'-r Irir-- of tlir -^liid ].■*;' î.'i ir.au; C'IiarOt 
 
 ;nd f'i-soî. 
 
 iiT' lai ticv and moi: 
 
 !o lic;ir if or'.lanK'd 
 
 '(• .^an'l t'C iiniiircjiaic.'v' \v-\i\ 
 
 ^hul 
 
 i) lus niii!, and 
 
 l!ia1 lir I, 
 
 M' prolin"''M| !() 
 
 iiv ::ra!n lla-n in as \v 
 
 for I;iin'-f!f a." fui oMrji.s, ■.\,.>\ laa! ];•■ \k- \v\A io carry ii 
 c^rr.in i') l)i" jnill *■[ lii'' said .•■<Mi''niovv " 
 
 {'['.on tliis (•(•ntr'^lalion lh'' ;>rrrf of llin L'Otli Derombr-r 
 1700 Ma ; pidauu in <'..!., ^jiir'' roiff 'lavinij:: rM'.N'd at leng'di 
 
•n? 
 
 a 
 
 liu' JI>)i )■ i(iun-) I liie iii'irt uf iljc CdUfuii uï .si.'iU; i»l' lh«i -Ith 
 JiiiK' l'isij, iiiul luriiuoncd ils 'rirci^istraliod at the Suporior 
 • •(tiuu'il, in!iini;iins tlic said Clinrùt '" in liis rif^lit of arrière- 
 ">/()!■ l'oint licvy, npon lin; i-ondilions containod in ihc 
 " liilo lli(M-o()l" wliicii li(! lias liîid of tlui said siour de la 
 
 " Marlinirro, condcinns tlii; said Charùt to close 
 
 " tlie waliM- niill (.'rectfd iipon '.li(> .said arriv.rc-Jief^ liorcby 
 " proliihiliiii,' liiin to i,Mind 1,'rain tlicrcin or to suflbr any 
 " ,:,n'ain to bc i^'roiind, suhjfH-t lo sueli prnaltios as may Ix» 
 " rrasonnhh", pcriiiiiliii;.: Iiiiii ncviMili.Irss to liavc liis <i;rain 
 '' f^roiind wlicrcvrr h(> liiiiik> propcr." 
 
 211. A shorl tinic aller \\\v pu' ' alion, in tlio govcrn- 
 
 nicnt of Montréal, of tlie ari't'l 
 
 Il h Juno 1GH(), thc 
 
 intendant Maiidol ))i()i)oiinees, a^ainst tlie soi^ior of 
 
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 318 a 
 
 " Conncil of State ofthe said 4lh June 1686, published on 
 " Ihe 23st Jîinuary 1700 (1); we grant acte to the inhabi- 
 " tants ofthe eonsent ofthe said sieur Dupré, and in con- 
 " quence thereof, we permit them to build a mill in suoh 
 " part of the said seigniory as they shall deem fit, and by 
 so doing they will be discharged for over from the right of 
 banality, and they are hereby permitted to erect it for 
 " their own benefit." 
 
 242. On the 29th June 1707. (2) The intendant Rau- 
 dot rendered a judgment, which, " by the consent of tlio 
 
 seignior of Varennes, discharges his censitaires of Trem- 
 " blay (3) from the right which he had over them, to carry 
 " their grain to the mill of the cape of Varennes to be 
 " ground, being more tlian two Icagues and a half from 
 " their dwellings, upon the condition of paying to the said 
 " seignior, each and every year, a minot of wheat for each two 
 " arpents in front, and which also exempts them, by his 
 " consent, to corne to plant the may-pole before liis manor- 
 " house." 
 
 243. The arrêt of 7th July 1710, (4) which, after having 
 stated at full length that of tlie Council of state of the 4th 
 June 1686, and mentioned its enregistration at the Superior 
 council conformably to the arrêt of the 21st Octobre 1686, 
 as well as the arrêt of the 20th December 1706, already 
 cited, and " of the return of the enregistrations, publica- 
 " tions and advertisements of the said arrêt^ made, as well 
 " at the Prévoté of this town (Québec) as in the royal juris- 
 " dictions of Three-llivers and Montréal, on the 24th and 
 " 25th January and 15th February 1707," ordains, upon the 
 
 (1) This is an error, the publication of the arrêt was made in 1707. 
 
 (2) Cugnet's Extraits p. 23. 
 
 (3) The fief Tremblay is separated from the seigniory of Varennes 
 by that of Boucherville. 
 
 (4) Ed. andOrd. in-8 v. 2, p. 157. 
 
l( 
 
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 i( 
 
 319 a 
 
 réquisition of M. Charles Macart, councillor, performing the 
 duties of the King's Attorney-General, that, at the diligence 
 oi' the King's Attorney General for Acadia, " the arrêt of 
 " the Council of state of the King of the 4th June 1686, shall 
 be enregistered in the said royal jurisdiction of Acadia, 
 estublished at Port-Royal and that it be read, published 
 and affixed in ail places where necessary, to be execuled 
 according to its ténor and form, of which the said King's 
 Attorney General will certify to the court within six 
 " months." 
 
 244. FoUowing the order of the dates of Canadian lé- 
 gislation, I must hère mention an arrêt of the Superior 
 Council of the 2nd December 1715 (1) promulgating régu- 
 lations relating to bakers and millers^ upon the représenta- 
 tion made by the Attorney General. 
 
 The 5th article déclares : " that the proprietors of mills 
 " shall be held, subject to an arbitrary penalty, to hâve 
 " scales and weights stamped and marked, to weigh the 
 " wheat which shall be carried there to be ground, and 
 " the flour which shall be made therefrom ; the local jud- 
 " ges are enjoined to sec to the exécution thereof and to 
 " hâve them at the expense of négligent proprietors ; even 
 " to hâve the workmen, who hâve executed them or those 
 " who hâve furnished them, paid in préférence to ail 
 " others." 
 
 6. " In case of malversation on the part of millers, the 
 " t omplainants shall hâve recourse against them when they 
 " shall be the lessees of the mill ; but if they are not les- 
 " sees, then recourse shall be had against the proprietors, 
 " without préjudice of that of the proprietors against the 
 " millers. 
 
 7. " Millers are prohibited to exact more than one 
 
 (1) Ed. and Ord. in 8. v. 2, p. 169. 
 
320 a 
 
 " fourleenth for tlie toll of grain , ( mouture ) undcr 
 
 " the penalty of an arbitra ry fine ; tlic local judgos are 
 
 " enjoined to examine Ihe toll moasure of each mill and 
 
 " to havc it made exact and staniped, proliibiting ail rnillers 
 
 " to take toll with any other measure tlian tliat which shall 
 
 " hâve been so stamped. 
 
 8. " Those who shall carry or send grain tomills, shall 
 " be held to hâve it weighcd in tlio présence of the niiller, 
 " and the flour also, aller the grain shall hâve bei-n giound, 
 " in default of which their conî|)laim shall not be heard. 
 
 9. " That the weight of the grain niay be certain and 
 " to avoid contestations n[)on thissubject, rnillers are enjoin- 
 " ed under the pain of arbilrary fines, to Ikivo ihe weight 
 " of the grain, the toll dcdueted, niarked ripon a tally. and 
 " tohandoverto eachindividual the du.plic-atc of tlie :ud 
 " tally tohelp them to verify the said \veiglit Yvhc;n tlic lloiir 
 " shall be delivered to them ; the rnillers are hereby [)rolii- 
 " bited, under the same penalty, even of eorporal ])unislr 
 " ment whenthe necessity shoiild happ 'n, to wct the grain 
 " which shall be carried tothem, to make ihe liom- thereuf 
 *' heavier." 
 
 245. On the 15th February 1710 (1) ihe Intendant Uau- 
 dot makes an ordinance, which, upon the ])etitioa of the 
 seignior of Demaurc, condenms his censilalrcs '•' to carry 
 their grain to be ground at tlie mill of ilie said seigniory." 
 
 In his pétition, the seignior M. Aubert, " as récent 
 proprietor of the seigniory" asked an exhibilion of the tifle 
 deeds of those of his tenants who had them ; he asked at 
 the same lime " that those who possesscd lands in virtue of 
 letters of concession" be lield to take deeds of con- 
 cession. 
 
 (1) Ed. ami Ord. V. 2, p. US. 
 
321 n 
 
 umler 
 
 àd 
 
 Thèse letlersofconceniiion^gcner.ihy, provrtd only llio fuct 
 oflhe concession, with the imderstanding that iheconJition'ï 
 would at a laler period be drawn up in an authentic title, 
 passed before notariés. 
 
 M. Aubert, by lus pétition, furtiier asked, ihat his censi- 
 taires, without distinction betwcen tliose wiio had contracta 
 of concession and tliose who had nonc, sliould be condemncd 
 " to carry their grain to be gronnd at the mill of Ihe said 
 seigniory." 
 
 " We condemn," says the ordinance, " the said inliabi- 
 
 " tants of the seigniory of Demaure to exhibit to the said 
 
 " sieur Aubert, the titles and deeds by virtue of which they 
 
 " hold their lands, and likewise those who hâve none, to 
 
 " exhibit the leltcrs of concession, they hâve obtained from the 
 
 " lato sieur Demaure, in ordcr that Ihe said sieur Aubert 
 
 " may give them deeds subject to the clauses and conditions 
 
 " contained in the old ones, without the right of adding new 
 
 " charges. 
 
 nt Umu- 
 of the 
 
 " We do further condemn the said inhabitants to carry 
 " their grain to the mi/'of the said seigniory to be ground^ 
 
 In this judgment, to carry the grain 1o the mill of the 
 seigniory to be ground, were included those who had letters 
 of concession only, and whieh, as I bave observed, did not 
 contain any condition, and consequcntly, no subjection to 
 mill banality. Nevertheless they are, without there appear- 
 ing any agreement, condemncd to follow this banality. 
 
 246. On the 27lh May 171G (1) we havc an ordinance 
 of the Intendant Begon, which, upon the complaint of the sei- 
 gnioress of Champlain, that several of the inhabitants of that 
 seigniory, refuse to carry their grain to her mill to be ground, 
 altho'' they are obliged thereto by their contracts, condemn.i 
 
 (J) Ed. ami Ôrd~^-. 2,7^452". 
 
 •il 
 
322 a 
 
 Ihn sait! inhabilants " to lakc to llie mill of tho said seif^;- 
 niory tlic ifr.iin iiilcndcd (ortlic c<m.wniptio7i and sustenancc 
 of tfn'irfdiiiili/. II) I)'' «^Tound ihcrc, on paiiiof jiaying a line 
 of tcii lirrrs [n tlic cliiircli oC llic parisli oi" lli»' said seig- 
 niory, and also U» pay \o llic dame do Cabanac llie toll l'or 
 siu'li irraiii as tlicy sliall caust' to hv ground at any othei 
 luills. (1) 
 
 2 17. Il appiMvs iliat donbtsf liad bcon raisod upon tlu' 
 siil)j('c't oltlic l)aiiality ol'wind-inills, as it rnay bc seen by an 
 arrêt rciubîrcd by iIkî SupiTior Councd on tlic 7tli Mardi 
 17 IS. 'IMicse doubis pcrliaps aros(! IVoni llie lad tliat lliese 
 mills wcrr. nol. exprossly meiitioned in llie arrêt of tlic 4th 
 Julie HJHG. 
 
 In tlu^ y<'ar 171 1, llie s(>ignior ol V ineelolle liad suui- 
 moned liis censitaire, Jean Fournier, l)el"ore llic Précoté ol" 
 Queb(H', j)r:iyini;" tlial lie l)e eondeiiUKMl : " to restore to hirn 
 " tlie loll of ail tlie ufraiii wliieh lie liad ground for Ihe 
 "• siistenance of kis Janiilii, :il st range niills diiring several 
 '^ years, in tlie i)enalty a(;eording lo liis deed, and tliat lie 
 " 1k> held to exhibit Uio deed in virtne of wliicli lie lield 
 '■'• his fariii wliereon lie resiiled in tlie said seigniory." 
 Tlie défendant re[)lied : " tliat lie had becn obliged to liave 
 '' part of his grain groiind clsewliere tliau at thc mill of the 
 " seigniory, beeause it was wortli notliing, tliat it made but 
 "• very bad lloiir, and tliat the miller wlio worked the mill 
 " gave lliein a very small return." On the 26tli June 1714, 
 the jndgment of the iVcro/t', ordains " that the said sieur 
 
 (1) Cu;;uot (p. 3()) inakes the followinj;; reinark : 
 
 " 'l'iiis iiulgiiiciit is rerulered in conséquence of several arrêts of the 
 '' Parliainent of Paris, whidi hâve dccidcl upon the 71st article of the 
 *< Custoiii, tiiat the seigniors iiaving mills cntitlcdba7ial, cannot clain» 
 " froiu the censitaires but the toU of grain consiimed by their family, 
 *' beeause the censitaires hâve the unrestricted right of having th^ 
 " grain thei/ hâve fcn- sale gTound at other mills." 
 
323 a 
 
 " de VinofJolIi; shull put liis inill in ordcr thaï il iiiiiy iiiuko 
 " gooJ lloiir, and lliul (hc said Foiirnicr .sliall ix- licld lo 
 '' carry liis grain tlieroto conlbnnal)]y to liis (\v,va{ ofconccs- 
 
 " sion." 
 
 On tlio Ist Mardi 1717, tho scignior api)('ales from lliis 
 judgnienl lo llio Siipcrior Counci) ; Fonrnicr niakcs (Icfault 
 notwitlistanding his boing suininoncîd Iwicc. On tlic 7tli 
 Marcli of tli(; following year, " llie Counoil befon; granting 
 " lh(' benelit of thc said delault, lias siispendod ils judg- 
 ' ment upon tlie merits nnlil it is madc aware, il, is said, of 
 the intentions of Ilis Majesty^ respectin^ thc hanaUly of 
 uyind-mills, and nevortholcss provisionally ordainstlial tlip 
 " said Fournier and otlier censitaires of llic said sieur de 
 " Vincelotte sliall carry tlicir grain lo bc ground al llie wind- 
 '' wtV/ ol" his soigniory." (1) 
 
 This case liaving bcen sent before ihe King, His Ala- 
 jesty, on llie IGlh April 1719, addressed ihe following leller 
 lo ihe Siiperior Couneil, whicli, al Ihe requcsl of thc Altor- 
 ney-Geni'ral, caused it lo be enregislercd al ils ollice on llic. 
 2nd October following : (2) 
 
 " VVe liave caused lo be examined in Onr Counoil ihe 
 " arrêt of llie 4tli June 16SG, in relation lo the banality of 
 the mills in New France, and also of thc arrêt rendined 
 in our Superior Couneil of Québec, on the 7tli Mardi 1718, 
 in relation to the wind-mill built by the said sieur Joseph 
 Ainyolte in his scigniory of Vincelolte, wliosc riglit of 
 banality was disputed by Jean Fournier, an inhabitanl of 
 " Ihe said seigniory, by which arrêt you hâve suspended 
 " rendering judgment on the principal matter in issue unlil 
 " you should be informed of our intentions in relation to the 
 
 (1) The judgment and the arrêts upon Ihis contestation hâve not 
 been printed. i bave an authentic copy thereof in my possession. 
 
 (2) 2 V. « doc. seig," p. 224.. 
 
3'J4 u 
 
 •* banality o/' wiitd'initla, and you hâve, liowever, ordered 
 " in tlie iriL'an lime, that llu; suitl Fournier und other inha- 
 " bitants of tlie said sieur Amyotle shall carry llieir grain 
 " to be gronnd al the wind-niill of lus seigniory of Vlnce- 
 " lotte. We hâve al.so had explanations given us touehing 
 " the arlieles of tlie Cuslom of llie Prévoté and Vicomte of 
 " Paris, whieli troals of the banality of mills, and by the 
 *' advice of our dear and well beloved Uncle, ihc Duke of 
 " Orléans, Régent, wc scnd you this letter to inform you 
 " that our intention is, that you should déclare the wind- 
 " mill belonging to the said sieur Arnyotte, in the seigniory 
 *' of Vincelotte to be a bannal mill, and that nevertheless 
 you will permit the tenants of the said seigniory to hâve 
 tlieir grain ground clsewhere, when the said mill shall be 
 stopped in any manner and for any cause whatsoever. 
 We recoramend you also to prevent the said sieur 
 ♦' Arnyotte froni molesting liis vassals in relation to this 
 " matler, to which you shall pay particular attention, 
 '■'■ without thereln making default ; for such is our pleasure." 
 
 248. The intendant Dupuy rendered a judgment on the 
 lOtli July 1728, in relation to the wind-mill of the seigniory 
 of Grondines belonging to sieur Hamelin. 
 
 '»• 
 
 Sevcral inhabitants set forth in their pétition " that as 
 " they are obi iged to go to the wind-mill in the said seigniory, 
 " it is both grievous and prejudicial to them to take their 
 " grain there, in as much as the mill only breaks their 
 
 " wheat, both because the mill is absolutely spoilt by the 
 " différent persons who havo worked it heretofore, and 
 " because the sieur Hamelin who now works it, not beino- 
 '* a rniller by trade, increases the defects in the fleur made 
 *' by hirn, and praying us, for the purpose of proving what 
 " they State in their pétition, to order that the said mill be 
 *' visited and examined bv mon of skill.'' 
 
325 a 
 
 The eieur Hamelin replies ihat his mill : " is in good 
 " order, ihat. it is tnie lie lias had no miller for some time, 
 " because l)is railler was a soldier, and the General has 
 " lakon him away, but that having hired, in his place, a 
 " man who is able to woriuhe mill, he, persisting in stating 
 " that his mill makes good fldur and is provided with 
 " every thing necessary for it, also requests that it sliould 
 " be examincd by men of skill and expérience (experts) in 
 " such things." 
 
 The judgment ordains that this visit of experts be made 
 and " that the inhabitants shall then continue to go to the 
 " mill as they are bound to do, under a penalty of a fine 
 " and of the confiscation of the grain that may be taken 
 " elsewhere, which grain we allow the said sieur Hamelin 
 " to follow and seize." 
 
 249. On the same day lOth Jnly 1728, (1) the intendant 
 Dupuy made another ordinance declaring the seizure of the 
 grain of the curé and inhabitants of Ste. Anne de la Perade 
 in the possession of the miller of St. Pierre les Becquets, to 
 be good and valid. 
 
 It appcars that on the 30th Angust 1707, the seignior 
 of St. Anne had got an ordinance from the intendant Rau- 
 dot, enjoining the curé and ail the inhabitants to carry their 
 grain to the mill of the said place to be ground, with ; ■:■ )hi- 
 bition of going elsewhere upon pain of confiscation and p; y- 
 ment of a fine. 
 
 He again complained that " a number of inhabitants 
 of his seigniory do not bring their grain to his mill, altho' 
 they are bound to do so by their deeds of concession." He 
 had caused a seizure to be made in the hands of Brisson, 
 miller of St. Pierre, summoning at the same time ail the in- 
 habitants to whom belonged the wheat at the miller's, as 
 (1) Ed. and Ord. v. 2, p. 497? 
 
326 a 
 
 well as the miller, " to doclarc tho (juanlily of vvheai or 
 floiir lie lias belonging to the said inliabitant!!i/' Eight of 
 the latter appear and plcad l'or their justification, the uiill ol" 
 th(! said seignior is out ol" order, and the bad oonduct of his 
 iniller who, they stated, was a dishonest nian and well 
 known as such to the said sieur de la Pérade : they further 
 stated that the mill was insufïicient " to grind the grain 
 n^iuired for the maintenance of their families." They also 
 asked that the seignior be obliged to hâve mill-weights and 
 scales at his mill " that after weighing their wheat in tlu; 
 |)resenee of the said miller, they might weigh their flour 
 before him." 
 
 The seignior denied the facts sot fortli by the défendants 
 for their justificalion, and prayed that the seizurc be declar- 
 ed good and valid, and that " ail the inhabitants, who hâve 
 " taken their grain to any but the seigniorial inill to whieh 
 " they are bound to go, be condemned to pay toll in propoi- 
 " tio7i to the quantily uscd by their families. 
 
 " Taking into considération, it is said, the deeds of 
 concession of the said inhabitants, by which deeds they are 
 indispensably obliged to take their grain to be ground at 
 the said mill of the said scigniory ; an ordinancc of M. 
 Raudol passed in conséquence of a like difficulty, on the 
 30th August 1707 which obliges them so to do under pe- 
 nalty &c ;" the Intendant déclares the seizure good and 
 valid, condemns the miller of St. Pierre to hand over the 
 wheat and Hour seized in his hands, to those of the seig- 
 nior of Ste. Anne, and again proliibits the curé and ail the 
 other inhabitants from taking their grain to be ground else- 
 where than to the banal mill of the said seigniory, under 
 penalty of the confiscation of the grain and of such fine as 
 he may think proper, and of paying toll for the grain 
 which they shall hâve taken elsewhere to be ground. (1) 
 
 (1) The mill of Ste. Anne, was a wind-mill. 
 
327 a 
 
 250. Onthe22nd July 1730, (l)the Intendant Hocquart 
 passcd an ordinance in the words Ibllowini^ : 
 
 " Upon the coniplaint madc 1o us by tlu; Dame de Ra- 
 " mcsay, that some of the inhabitants of her sei^niory of 
 " Sorel do not send, and refuse to send, their grain to her 
 mil), although obliged to do so by their deeds: 
 
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 " Seing the régulations upon thaï subjcct, made by the 
 Superior Council of this country, we prohibit the said 
 inhabitants from carrying their grain to be ground else- 
 where than at the said mill under a penalty of a fine of 
 ten livres to be paid to the fabrique of the parish ; we 
 only allovv them, in case the said mill shouldnot be work- 
 ing and in case their grain shall not hâve been ground 
 within twice tvventy four hours after being taken to the 
 said mill, to carry it to sucli mill as they may think pro- 
 per." 
 
 251. By an ordmance of the intendant Hocquart of the 
 22nd Nov. 1730 (2) llve inhabitants of the seigniory of Neu- 
 ville, summoned at the reciuest of Pierre Savarit " proprie- 
 " tor of the wind and water mills in the seigniory of Neu- 
 " ville, soie! to him with the right of banality^^ by the Abbé 
 de Lotbinière on the 29tli June 1720, " to explain their rea- 
 sons for not bringing their wheat to be ground at the mills of 
 the petitioner, although they are bound to do so," are con- 
 demned by default " to pay the said plaintif?', the toll of ail 
 the grain they shall hâve had ground elsewhere than at his 
 mills, during the last iwo years, according to the estimation 
 to be made by the curé (rector) and captain of militia of the 
 place, forbidding them and ail other inhabitants of the 
 said seigniory, from henceforth carrying their grain to be 
 ground elsewhere than to the mill of the said petitioner, 
 
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 (1) Ed. and Ord. v. 2, p. 34-0. 
 
 (2) Doc. Seig, 2d. vol. p. U2. 
 
328 a 
 
 '* und(.'r ihc penalty ol' paying llie saine dues us ihose lliey 
 " would be bound to |)ay il" tlicy liud il groiind ihere, und 
 " also of I)aying a linc ol" tcn livres^ 
 
 252. Tlie inlial)itanlH of t'v ficf (h la Durantaye liad 
 prcsented a pctilioii to llu: intendant Iloccinart, praying tliat 
 lh(; sieur d'Aulcuil, as agent of llie seigniors, be lield " to 
 hâve a mill built to griiid tlicir grain." Il appears tliat lliere 
 was aa old mill, but tliat it was in bad orcU^r. Mr. d'Au- 
 teuil olFercd to repair it llie following spring. lîy tlie jud- 
 ment df the I81I1 Kebruary 1731 (1) tlic. lutendant ordered 
 " thaï in confonuity witli liis ollers, tlie sieur d'Autoiiil in 
 " his said (piality, shall immediately repair tlie mill of lia 
 " Durantaye, ami in defaull on lus part, \ve do allow tlie said 
 '* inhabitant.s to biiild one ut tlieir own cxpense, iipon thc 
 " conditions stated in tlie deeice of llu' King''s Counejl of 
 '' State of îlu! Ith .Tune 168(3." 
 
 253. On the 29th. Sej)toinber 1732, (2) ISIessieurs de 
 Beauliarnois and lloequart j)a.ssed an ordinance in relation 
 to fanning rniUs for wlicat. 
 
 It is therein said llial on llie Ibtli Mîiy proeeding, llie 
 King had mado a régulation n^specling Ihe ilour sent from 
 Canada to tiie Isle Royale ;ind ollier iVencïli islamls in Aine- 
 rie;), and lo facllitate the exécution lliereof, His Maje^ly 
 had sent six eyliudrieal l'anning-milis, and llial '" altlio' 
 " thèse six fanning mills be not snilieienl to supply ail llie 
 " mills in wliich merchanis ordinuiily huve llieir grain 
 " ground for commercial purposes, it wà.i nevcrtlieless ne- 
 '' eessary lo prescribc tlieir usage, even from ihis year in 
 " the principal mills of ihc governinent of Québec." 
 
 By the lirst article, thèse fanning mills were appoinled 
 to be senl lo the proprietors of the mills of Saull-à-la puce, 
 
 (1) Ed. andOfil. v. 2, p. 519. 
 
 (2) Ed. and Ord. V. 2, p. 352. 
 
329 a 
 
 Potit-TVr, Mnnuport, T'oititt; di; Fi^vy, St. \irolîis and Stc. 
 Fjnnillt' iii tlui ïkIc of Orlcîins " lo liavo ail tlu; wlicat iii 
 " ^'encrai of wliatcncr ([iiality sent to tlicsc niills passcJ 
 " and lanned, b^'lort; ronvritinu; tlifiii iiito llour." 
 
 TIkî 2n(| articli; j)r()liil>its ail proprictois of mi Ils and 
 
 their inillers " IVoin ^'limlini^ any wlicat wliii-li lias not 
 
 " bcon passod tliru' llic l'atinini^-niill as abuvc, luuK'r lluj 
 " penalty, &c. 
 
 Tlie 3rd article, as an indemnity to tlio proprirtoi- , 
 granfs thcin six deniers for eacli minot brouii^lit to tlie mil!, 
 " iipon tlie condition, tliat tliu said propriclors and mi Mers 
 " sliall return to tliu proprictor of tliu wlicat, the luilin<,':< 
 " wliicli shall bc i^ot from it. " 
 
 And accordini,' to the fourtli article : " and in eonse- 
 " qnence of tlies(; si\ deniers, iIk; siiid millers sliall take 
 " tlieir toll merely iipon tlie clean atid fanned Avlieat aiid 
 " not Uf)on tlio whole (piantity of wlieat wliicli sliall li;ive 
 " be(!n brou,i,'lil to llieni, nor upoii a larjL^'er raie ilitm 
 " tluit established. " 
 
 Fivo mnv iatiniiii^ mills wenî sent tlie fol lowint^ year 
 for the i^overnment of Montréal, wliicli j^ave occasion for tlie 
 passing of aaollii'r ordiaanee, liki; tlie Jirst, and made by 
 the saille governor aud intendant on llie 8th Fcîbrnary 1711. 
 (1) Tliest! fanning inills were lo beiriven lo llie propriclors 
 of the mills of Lacliine, Isie Jésus, Island of St. Hélène and 
 Terrebonne. 
 
 251. On the 20lh Mnrch 17.'Î3 (2) a new ordinance was 
 passed by the intendant Hocquart, upon tlie [)elitionof Pierre 
 Favarit " proprietor of the wind and water banal mills '^ of 
 iVeuville, the same wlio liad alreadv obtained bv default 
 
 (1) Ed. andOrd. v. 2, p. 363. 
 
 (2) 2 Doc. Seign. p. 155. 
 
 42 
 
3'Mj a 
 
 Ihe ordinauee of the 22nd November 1160 {supra no. 251.) 
 lie renews his complalnt against llie inliabitants who go 
 elsewliero le hâve llicir grain ground. The lalter reply in 
 this manner that : " his waler mills do uot at présent inake 
 " flour and Ihat his wind-mill is nol fittcd up in a manner 
 " so as to supply the wants of tlie public. " The grand- 
 voyer, Mr. de Boiscler, receivcs orders to ascertain the stalc 
 of the place; and upon his report the ordinance in question 
 is passed. It déclares " that the said Savarit shall b(; 
 " bound to i)laee in his wind-mill a miller by trade and no 
 " other, who shall livc in the ncighborhood of the said mill, 
 " so that lie may at ail tiraes take care of it, receive tho 
 " wheat froni the inhabitants and return tliem the fiour 
 " when it is ground, and also to keep in one of his mills 
 '• worked by water and in his wind-mill, a scale and stamp- 
 " ed weights of iron and not of stone of which tlio weight 
 " is not known, and to keep the said mills in good order so 
 " that they can grind when there is wind or water. 
 
 " And as to the inconvenience brought under our 
 " considération by the inhabitants to the efiect that when 
 " the wind fails for the wind-mill, or water for the other 
 " mill, the said Savarit wislies them to carry their grain 
 " from one mill to another, as often as three diiFerent times. 
 
 " We ordain that in that case the said Savarit shall be 
 " bound to carry the wheat at his own cost and cxpense, 
 " and in default of his doing so, we allow the inhabitants 
 " to carry their grain to be ground where they please. 
 
 " We also order the said inhabitants to carry the grain 
 " they may require for their own subsistance, to be ground 
 " at the mills of the said Savarit, as being in the place and 
 " stead of the seignior, and to Icave it there during twice 
 twenty four hours in cither of the mills, after which time 
 they shall be at liberty to take it away and carry it 
 wherc they plcasc, witliout the said Savarit or his repre- 
 
 (( 
 
 a 
 
331 a 
 
 " sontalives having r\ny rii^ht locleraand toll ; in conformity 
 " lo the docrcc of tlie Superior council of this country of 
 " llic Ist July 1675, in relation to banal mills. 
 
 " Wc charge the said Savarit faithfally and promptly 
 " to serve tlie said inhabitants, in préférence to ail cilizens 
 " and traders, and to keep his mills provided with ail 
 " necessary implements, nnder the penalty of an arbilra- 
 " ry fine and heavier penalties if necessary. ■' 
 
 255. On the 15th Dccember 1733 (1) an ordinance is 
 
 passed by the intendant Hocquart upon the pétition of the 
 
 seignior of Beaumont wlio complained that Joseph Roy, his 
 
 censitaire, therein named, had recently built a mill npon 
 
 the seigniory of Dame de Vincennes, to which he induccs a 
 
 nimber of ihe inhabitants to go: " which,-' he said, " is 
 
 " not permitted but is even altogcther contrary to the rights 
 
 " of the petitioner, to the custom in relation to banal mills 
 
 " and to the clauses contained in the deeds of concession 
 
 " of the petilioncr's inhabitants, by which they are expressly 
 
 " obliged to carry their grain to be ground at the seigniorial 
 " mill." 
 
 Roy in his defencc stated that " the mill of the seigniory 
 " of Beaumont being unable to mako good ilour on account 
 " of the defective mill-stones, the seignior had allowed his 
 " inhabitants to take their grain elsewhero than to the said 
 " banal mill to be ground." 
 
 The ordinance prohibits himfrom " receivingany of the 
 inhabitants of the seigniory of Beaumont in the mill he 
 has latejy caused to be built in the seigniory of the 
 *' Dame de Vincennes, without the consent in writing of the 
 said sieur de Beaumont, under a penalty of ten livres, wc 
 also prohibit the said inhabitants of Beaumont, under the 
 
 (1) 2ml V. '> doc. sfiig." p. I.'jO. 
 
 il 
 
 a 
 
 ce 
 
 a 
 
332 a 
 
 " same penalties, IVom Iakiiig their grain to be ground 
 " elsewhere than at the banal jniil of the said seigniory. 
 
 " \Vo coiuiiiaml the said yienr de Ik-aniiionl fo hâve his 
 " banal luill j)ut in <)rd(3r su as to makc good flour, and to 
 " hâve scales and stamped weighls therein." 
 
 256. On the lOth Maich 1734 (1) an ordinanee is {)as- 
 sed by the intendant; Iloequart upon the pétition of five ol 
 the inJKibitants oi" the fief Gentilly, represented by Frs. 
 Rivard dit Lavigne, one of them, for the purpose of having 
 it ordained that the' widow Poisson, tutrix of her son, pro- 
 prietor of thisyie/should '' immedialely build a grist miil 
 " upon the said /te/fortlie use and ad vantage of her tenants, 
 *•' olherwise and in defaidl thereof, that sliti be deprived, in 
 " her said quality, of ihe right of banality, and that the said 
 " Ilivard Lavigne, one of the petitioners, be allo'.ved to 
 '' huild a luill, whieh lie oti'ers to do at his own expense, 
 " and keej) tlic same in good order and condition, for liini- 
 "■ self, his iieirs and assigns for ever, so that it shsll suj)ply 
 " the wants and necessities of ail the inhabitants of tiie said 
 "yîe/;and in tliat case the said Rivard shali enjoy the 
 " rights and privilèges of a banal mill ! 
 
 " We, says the intendant, with the consent of the said 
 " Richard Lavigne acting as aforesaid, liave granted to the 
 "• said widow Poisson, acting also as aforesaid, a delay of 
 "• two years froni the day of the signification of the jîresent 
 " ordinanee, to procure the means to build the banal mill, 
 " as re{[uired by the said inhabitants of the seigniory of 
 " Gentilly, after which period we shall order what may be 
 *' right and proper." 
 
 257. The inhabitants of the seigniory of Argentenay, 
 parish of St. François de Salles, in the island of Orléans, 
 pres(>ut a pétition to the intendant Iloequart, setting forth 
 
 (1) Ed. aad Ord. in-8, v. 2, p. 364.. 
 
333 a 
 
 that by iho ordinance of sieur André hi.s sub-delegate, they 
 ar»; obIi,arc'd to carry llieir grain lo llie mill of tiie said parish 
 to be ground ; tlial Ihey aro désirons of subrnilling to this 
 ordinance, as ihey liavo donc iip to tliis tirne, but thaï they 
 cannot do so " without snfFering a considérable loss by thc 
 '* bad iiour which the miller makes them every day, not 
 " only that \vhi(!h they consume in their family, but even 
 " that wliich tliey are obliged to sell is ibund to be badly 
 '' manufaclured, and in respect to which the hâve continuai 
 " repioclies, which is caused by defective mill-stones." 
 
 Upon a report of experts, showing thaï tlie said mill 
 vvas in good order and made good flour the complaint of 
 the inhabitants is dismissed by a judgnient of the 23rd 
 June 1736, (1) which déclares that " conformably to the 
 "• ordinance of the said sieur André, the said inhabitants 
 '■'■ shail be bound to hâve their grain ground at the mill of 
 " d'Argentenay under the penalties therein set forth." 
 
 258. On the 12th March 1738 (2) the same intendant 
 passed an ordinance, which, upon a report of experts esta- 
 blishing that the miller of Beaumont " is not at ail skillfui " 
 ordains " that a good miller shall be immediately placed 
 in the mill of Beaumont, other than the one at présent 
 " there, and until it is so donc, we allow the said inhabi- 
 " tants to hâve their grain ground where they please." 
 
 In the preliminary observations, it said that " as to tlie 
 " new demand made by the said inhabitants that the 
 " miller of the said mill should be bound not only to grind 
 " the wheat belonging to the inhabitants, but also their 
 " other grains, the sieur de Beaumont having agreed to the 
 " justice of ihe demand and consented to it, we hâve given 
 " acte thereof to the plaintiflfs, and in conséquence order 
 
 (1) Ed. and Ord. in-8, t. 2, p. 539. 
 
 (2) 2nd vol.,*' doc. seig." p. 173. 
 
 (I, 
 
334 n 
 
 *' ihat their otlier grain be ground in the yaid mill as woll 
 " as their wheat." 
 
 259. On the 24th Jnly 1741 (I) a decrne was madc by 
 tho Superior Council upon a contestation bctween the Ecc- 
 lesiastics of the Seminaiy of Montréal and the Brethren of 
 tlie Hospital, (Frères Charron) with respect to a raill. 
 
 On tlie 5th Nov. 172G, the Council had made a decree 
 which, upon the pétition of the Seminary, permitted to hâve 
 the Brethren summoned " to the end that they be condera- 
 " ned to pull down a mill upon the land which the said 
 " Ecclesiastics had given them in their seigniory." 
 
 It appears that by deed of the llth February 1730, the 
 Brethren liad ceded to the Seminary a wind-mill with ail 
 its gear, and an arpent of land upon which a small house 
 was built for the miller. On the 12th Sept. 1740, the 
 Brethren obtained authority to ask the rescision of this deed 
 {lettres de rescision) and prayed for a judgment rescinding 
 the deed, stating that the Ecclesiastics had induced them to 
 raake this cession without the consent of the administra- 
 lors gênerai of the Hospital. 
 
 The Ecclesiastics consented to ihe rescision of the deed, 
 but they persisted in praying for the démolition of the 
 mill. 
 
 It appears that as far back as 1705, by protest of tho 
 14th February (Adhémar, notary,) the Seminary had " op- 
 " posed the building and construction of the mill or mills 
 " driven by water or by wind, which the Brethren intended 
 " to make, in whatever part of the Island of Montréal it 
 " might be." 
 
 The arrêt, by the consent of (lie parties to ihe resilia- 
 
 (1) This arrêf is pot printoH. 
 
335 a 
 
 lion of Ihe deed of tlu; llth Febmary 173U, granlcd tlie 
 rescision of tlic deed and entire restitution of the property, 
 condemncd the Ecclesiasties to louve the possession and 
 enjoyment of the wind-niill in dispute lo the Brethren, and 
 likewise the arpent of land and the house ; " and taking into 
 " considération, the arrêt adds, that tlie said wind-mill has 
 " only been tolerated for the domestie and private use of 
 " hospital and commnnity of tlie said Brethren of the 
 Ilospital, the said Brethren are enjoined to hâve ground 
 at the saiJ mill the whcat belonging to them only and 
 which is consunied in the said hospital and commnnity ; 
 the said Brethren of the Hospital are prohibited from 
 " recciving or having ground at the said mill, iiuder any 
 " protext whatever, any other wlieat of any person what- 
 " soever, under the penalty, in tlie event of contravention, 
 " of a fine of two hundred livres for the first time, and of 
 " double that sum in case of a second ofience, the whole in 
 favor of the said gentlemen of the Seminary, and for the 
 third ofFence, of the démolition of the said wind-mill, and 
 this by virtue of the présent arrêt and without there being 
 any necessity for another." 
 
 2G0. On the 13th February 1742 (1) an ordinance is 
 passedby the Intendant Hocquartupon a pétition of the mis- 
 sionary and the inhabitants of Contrecœur, of the one 
 part, and the co-seigniors of the said fief^ of the other 
 part. 
 
 The former asked, by their pétition, that it be ordained 
 that the co-seigniors of Contrecœur shall, within the de- 
 lay to be fixed by the Intendant, build a banal mill in 
 the said seigniory, and that in default of so doing within 
 *' the said delay, it be declarcd that they hâve forfcited 
 " their said privilège of banality ; and that it be granted 
 to any of the inhabitants or others of the said seigniory 
 
 '(if EL and Ord. in-S^^'-'s, p. 562^ 
 
 i(. 
 
 u 
 
 II 
 
 (( 
 
336 a 
 
 " désirons of building siich mill witliin a year and a day ; 
 " the said sieurs de Contrecœur, fatlier and son, having 
 " declared they will not erect a mill in conséquence of tho 
 " multiplicity of joint-seigniors, who hâve the same privi- 
 " lege with them." 
 
 In this case the sieur de Contrecœur the younger, offer- 
 ed to " within such delay as it may plcase the intondant 
 " to fix, erect the mill in question, upon the charges, 
 " clauses and conditions, that he will be and remain the 
 " proprietor thereof, and that the right of banality, in ail 
 " the extent of the seigniors of Contrecœur shall belong 
 " thereto exclusively." 
 
 M. de Contrecœur, the father, and Mrs. widow de la 
 Corne by deed before notary of the 4th May 1741 had con- 
 sented : " that the said missionary or tenants or any other 
 " person be authorised to erect a banal mill, in the said 
 " seigniory of Contrecœur," yielding for this purpose the 
 right of banality in favor of the persons who should cons- 
 truct the mill, upon condition that the mill should be buill 
 and put into order to grind within one year. 
 
 M. de Fosseneuve, one of the co-seigniors, then ofiered 
 to build the mill, witliin two year, and M. de Contrecœur 
 the younger during the présent year, addingthat, if the said 
 Fosseneuve wished to hâve it constructed within the same 
 delay, he agreed to it, and further that the banality be al- 
 tached to it throughout the whole extent of the said seig- 
 niory. 
 
 The ordinance of the intendant authorises M. de Con- 
 trecœur the younger, " to build tlie said mill within one 
 " year ; unless the said sieur de Fosseneuve do, within 
 " fifteen days after the service upon him of our présent or- 
 " dinanee, make his déclaration at the office of the clerk 
 " of the jurisdiction of Montréal, that he consents to build 
 

 *' llie î<aid iiiill, in liiti sumc dcJay ot oiie yt.-ar, ciii ihc cu/i 
 " (.litiont< and wlth the saine obligations and privilèges 
 "■ mentioned, a.s ^\ ell in the cdiet ci" the King's Conneil ol' 
 "■ State, of the 4th Juno 1G8G, as in the pétition in interven- 
 '• îion of tiie said sieur de Contrecœur ihe younger, and in 
 " default hy the said î»ieur de Fosseneuve ol making his said 
 " déclaration, within lifteen days a.s aforesaid, lie will nol 
 be allowed to erect the said mill ; and by vjiliie ol' ihe 
 présent ordinance, llie paid sieur de Contrecœur t!ie 
 younger, shall be held to erect the sanii.' within one ycar, 
 as lie is liereby authorised lo do, on ))ain ol' ail costs, 
 " damages and interest, in favor of whomsoever it \ii:\y 
 
 ■•' concern." 
 
 2G1. On the llth July 17 U (1), the Intendant llocquart 
 passes an ordinance ujjon a contestation betwecn the mlller 
 of Argentenay and some inhabitants of ihat seigniory, on 
 the sanie question as that whicli gave rise to the ordinance 
 of the 23rd Juno 173G {supra no. 257.) 
 
 The miller sets forth, i.i his jictition, that : " Jacques 
 " Asselin and several other ini)abitan1^! hâve, for several 
 years, refused to bring their wlieat lo be ground at the 
 said mill, under the ))retext that ihc Plaintitr manufactu- 
 res bad llour, although it is notorious that he has always 
 
 made it very good conduct, the more repre- 
 
 " hensible, he déclares, as by the régulations of police, and 
 " lastly by an arrct of the King's conneil of State on the 
 " subject of banal mills" they \vere bound to go lo his 
 mill. 
 
 " Seeing our ordinance of the 23rd June Ï73G. . . . wc 
 " order, says the intendant, that ail ihe inliabitants of 
 " d'Ai'iZ'entcnav aforesaid, shall beheld to hove their "frairi 
 " ground at the said mill under n ji'nalîy o[ (en livres de. 
 
 (1) ]::il. i:m\ '.>r<!. iii S, v. -J. p. 
 
 ■.K>.>. 
 
 13 
 
338 a 
 
 (( 
 
 (( 
 
 (4 
 
 U 
 
 (( 
 
 iC 
 
 We further order the said miller to keep his said 
 mill always in good ordcr, and moreover to comply with 
 the régulations in respect to banal mills, under the pen- 
 alties imposed by the same. 
 
 " VVc condemn the inhabitants hereinafter named to 
 pay to the said miller the toUs due to him for the lime 
 during wiiich they hâve failed to bring their grain to be 
 
 ground at the said mill, to wit : which said re- 
 
 imbursement, the said inhabitants shall be held to make 
 in wheat or in money at the rate of three livres per minot, 
 at îhcir option." 
 
 262. By a judgment of the Juge-Bailli (inferior judge) 
 of the jurisdiction o{ La Rivière du Sud, the inhabitants 
 were condcmned to carry their grain to be ground at the 
 mill of that Seigniory. An appeal had been made to the 
 Prévoté of Québec, wiiich, on the 13th April 1742, had 
 oonftrmed the original judgment, and prohibited the farmers 
 from carrying their grain elsewhere than at the banal mill 
 of the Seigniory, if it be not upon the conditions mentioned in 
 their deeds. The inhabitants having appealed to the Su- 
 perior Council, the arrêt of the 12th November 1742 (1) 
 was given, by the Council, which dismissed their appeal, 
 in conséquence of a report of experts showing : " that the 
 " mills of the Seignior were in very good order and provi- 
 " ded with millers and machincry and tools necessary to 
 " keep it in good condition, and that they made excellent 
 " flour." 
 
 263. On the 12th February 1746, (2) the intendant 
 Hocquart passes an ordinance respecting the érection of a 
 second mill in the Seigniory of Lauzon, upon a pétition of 
 
 (1) Ed. and Ord. in-8. v. 2, p. 210. 
 
 (2) Ib. p. 578. 
 
339 a 
 
 about sixty farmers, " ail gianleos of lands in îlie .«eigniory 
 of Lauzon, in iho rear part thoicof." 
 
 'J'h(3ro woro co-seigniors, ihc défendant M. Etienne 
 Charel, his brotlier, and tlic niinors Cliarly, eliildnMi ol" 
 their d(;ceased sistcr. The plaintiffs " mon; tlian tliree 
 leagues distant froni tlie river, without a rnill," ))rayed tliat 
 the défendant be condemned " to liave a grist miil biiilt 
 " upon the river d'Etchemin in the village Ste. Geneviève, 
 " unless he would rather cède the right o{ banality to one 
 " of the Plaintiffs, or to the whole of tliem, they being un- 
 " able, any longer to withstand the grcat fatigue endiired 
 
 (( 
 
 in carrying their grain more than three leagues through 
 " impassable roads for the purpose of having it ground at 
 " Point-Levy." 
 
 The défendant replicd that in conséquence of a like 
 demand madc to him by the farmers two ycars ago, lie had 
 had the mill-stones and part of the materials and macliine- 
 ry necessary for the construction of the mill in (piestion 
 taken upon the spot (which was admitted by the plaint ifl's,) 
 but that he was unable to makè the building on accoimt 
 of the difficulties raised by the father of ihe minors Charly. 
 The défendant, as well for hiraself as for his absent brother, 
 olTered to erect the mill in the course of the following sum- 
 mer, for the convenience of the plaintilTs, provided that Mr. 
 Charly was obliged to join in the expense of the said mill 
 according to his rights in the seigniory ; by which means 
 be would be entitled to his share of the profits ; unless the 
 said Charly should prefer to renounce his right of banality 
 in the mill, which he should be obliged to décide upon 
 within a month. 
 
 The ordinance is conformable to the conclusions of the 
 défendant. 
 
 264. A judgment of the Prévoté of Québec, of the 
 
;J 10 a 
 
 i:.'ifi Jailli, II) IT.'il, (•l'iid.'tiin-; th«' dt Inidant J(i'^"]»fi Tiiri(t'oii 
 lo iM(i;v )ii'! i^i'ii'i 1" I"' ,v'f(triiul !ir tli'' liîinnl rnill tA' .Monfa- 
 j» 'io", II])')!! tiii' stii'^niior l'uniisliiiu:: n pnicticîil i\);ul lo iji> 
 
 fii''rci.\ (I) 
 
 Uui. To tH)HcIiuk>, tlic In^^t doriiment rolfilinij; lo tlii-^ 
 m ilti'i', (liiriiiif llie i^'n^icli (h^ininion, tlial oiir priiilcd records 
 liti'iiisli us, is au ordiiKiiKM; ot'llp' inlcndant liii![ol, ol" llic .i,")lli 
 M.iy l'/ô*/, [2) roiidnrcd in ;i suit, in relation to llie hanalily 
 o[ a uiill, l)ei\\(!eu Claude de l'éeaiidy, seii^ni"'' <">' C'oiili'e 
 t^iiMii', aiid i!i(! sicnr ISlartei, seii^nior oî fuf St. Aiiloine, 
 ^tliiale jii >aid sei^iiiocy (,>[" Controefeuv, ns liaviui( aciiiiired 
 il iVom tlie co-lieivs ol' IIk; lato widovv of Jean Louis tie 
 Cliapt, JCs(iuire, sieur do la Corne. 
 
 Tlu! FlaintilTis llie same who, by tlie ordinanee of ihe 
 î.Jiii Fcbruary 1712 {supra no. 200), was oljli^ed lo ereet a 
 l)anal niill in llio soigniory ol" ContreciL'ur, wliicli mill )io 
 liad in fact constructcd. It was a wind-niill. jNîrs. do Ja 
 Corne iiad renounced to tlie hanality hy deed of llio 4tli iXfay 
 T/ 11, rnenlioncd in lliesc Iwo ordinances. She \vas tlie 
 rrndnr of tlio défendant. Tlic plaint i 11' complained thaï tlic 
 laltfu- had liad a mill crectcd, in liis absence, " iipon th(^ 
 part and portion l)y liiin acqnired and had tlio grain ol the 
 fariners of tlie seignioiy of ContrecuMiv and particularly llial 
 nfiho vassals of tlie Plainlilî', ground every day." The 
 latler had summoned the sieur Martel " lo be condennied 
 " 1o demolish the mill wliicli lie lias unlawfully builliu the 
 ^' said seigniory of St. Antoine, otherwise, and in default of 
 '' bis so doing, within fifteen days aflcr ihc notification of 
 *' tlic ordinanee, that the PJaintili'be aulhorisedto demolish 
 ••' ihe said mil), at the cost and charges of the said defen- 
 '• (lant, and that f<^r the injury which ihe said mill lias 
 '•'■ eauscd to the PlaintilFby reason of tlu^ tolls rcceivcd by 
 
 (1) M. IVn-aull.'H cxtract, p. 7J. 
 
 (''-•) -ii(! V'.'!. •' rlor. «l'i ^'" n. '2\9. 
 
341 a 
 
 " t)ir (Iffcntlfinr, that he hc cundemncil to «lurfi dauiagc^ 
 " uikI jnferest as tlu; intendant sliall plcase to fix. 
 
 The >i('iir Maiirl prck-ndt-d ili;it "• llic inill laiilt hy tli« 
 jWaintid'caiHinl l.c cnusidrri'il as a l)aiial mill, acîfoidini,' \o 
 îlic U-nns ()[' i!i(! " !st; and 7Jnd articles ol' iIk; Cnstoni of 
 l'uris ; tliat hy th'* ordinancc niacie hy tluî Intendant ISI. 
 I loc(|iiaii, Uii tli(> l;3tli Fel)iiiavy 171J, llii; said plaintill" was 
 aiitliori^rd lo hitild, \\ iiliin " one year in tlie liefor Conlrc- 
 " eniir, a hanal itiill, aeeordin:,' to tlie tenus ol" tiie said 
 " ordinaïK-e whicli was a litlu in liis i'avor, hut tliat lie had 
 '• lu>t i!ie riglit aeqnived in vivtue of siicli titlc, for want of 
 "' eoiiiplianco wilh tin; terni.s of tho said ordinanee \vitliin 
 tlie tiiiie prer^ci'lhed, which non-coniplianci' still continues 
 as no mil! lias jjeen l)uill, wliieli can be considered as a 
 hanal mill iiiider tlie tenus of tl,o saitl arlieles of tlie 
 " Custoui, wliieh décide ihat a wind-uiill cannot be consi- 
 (K'red as a l)anal niill, willioiit a litl(^ or acknowledgment. 
 in wriiing, tliereforfî tlie jjlaintifPs mill cannot be looked 
 npon as sneh ; tliat cvcn, if tho plainliffiiad tlic riglit of 
 banality, he could nierely prevcnt tlie neighboving niillcr.s 
 " IVom enlering npon liis lands to seelc in grain to grind 
 '■'' (fmpt'clicrihcha'j.^crsurscsfr.rrcti), and conldnotask the 
 '" démolition of a mill tlial tlie defi'ndant did and could 
 '* huild npon liis own grotnul for liimself, and for tho inha- 
 "• hitants of liis seignioiy, and \vliieli is not cstablishcd for 
 "• tliose of tlie plaintifl"; finally lie relies npon this cssenlial 
 " jioint, tliat the plaintitf lias no riglit of banality, and that 
 " liis wind-mill cannot he considered as such, according to 
 " the tcrms of 71st and 72nd articles of tho Custom ; tliat 
 " the plaintifF cannot takc advantage of the rcnunciation 
 " of liis predccessors, lo wliose rights lie lias succcedcd ; that 
 ■' the said renimciiition cannot be of any use, as the defcn- 
 " dant liasnot takcn advantage of it/' 
 
 The plaintifF replied "that the défendant had been careful 
 " not lo cite the Tlstand 72nd articles of the custom, which 
 
342 a 
 
 " alone would bo a sufficient réfutation of lus pretcmsions ; 
 " tliiil by tli»i 7Ist article no seignior can oblige his tenants 
 " to go to iIhî banal oven or inill, unlrss lie hâve a valitl t\\lr. ; 
 " that tlie plainlitriias a valid one wliieli is the ordinance 
 " ol" M. lIocHiuart, of wliicli tlie défendant liiniself appro- 
 " ves by lus defence, to wliicli rnust be adtled the conijjlian- 
 " ce of ail the inhabitants of ihe plaintilf's seigniory who 
 *' hâve subinitted to it ; ihat by the renuneiation of the de- 
 " feniliint's predecessors to tho right of banality, the said 
 " dt.'fendant liad no right to build a banal inill without the 
 *' consent of the seignior who had that right." 
 
 After having .seen tho deed of the 'Ith May 1741, by 
 which M. Contrecœur the elder, and the widow of the lato 
 M. Jean Louis de La Corne had rcnounced " to th(! right 
 " which Ihey had to build llour rnills, and to the right of 
 banality wliicih belonged to theni withinthe bounds ofthc; 
 said seigniory, and having yeen the ordinance of M. 
 Iloccjuart of the 13th February 1742, which authoriscd the 
 plaintiff to build a inill in the delay of one year, the in- 
 tendant déclares : " the mill built by the plaintiff upon 
 the seigniory of Cîontrecciur, in accordance with the ordin- 
 ance of M. Ilocquart of the 13th February 1742, to be 
 " banal; we thercfore proiiibit the sieur Martel from rccei- 
 " ving in his mil! any wheat of the inhabitants, cither ofthe 
 " seigniory of Contrecœur, or of tho fief St. Antoine which 
 " belongs to him and even to grind the grain grown upon 
 " his domain, destined for the use of hisfamily and servants 
 " upon the said domain^ and this, in conformity to the Cus- 
 " tom of Paris, under pain of ail costs, damages, and inte- 
 " rests in favor of tlie said plaintif!', and as to the other de- 
 *' mands of the said seignior of Contrecœur, we dismiss 
 " them." 
 
 266. Since the change of dominion, the tribunals hâve 
 constantly maintained the seigniors in their right of mill 
 
343 a 
 
 banality, as bcing a légal riglu of banality. Tlils Court 
 must thernfore déclare ils existence. 
 
 As to its extont, I am of ninion llmt fhn lawrestrained 
 it to Ihe quantity of ji^rain only nccessary for the mbsistence 
 of the family of the censitaire levant et couchant, iliat is of 
 the censitaire residing upon the H(Mgniory. The subj(!(;tiou 
 to the banality did not extend further. 
 
 The scigniors who, at the tirru; of ihe promulgation of 
 the Seigniorial Act of IS.'i'l, had biiill /lour rnills, could pre- 
 vcnt ail |)ersons from constructing them withintln; litnits of 
 their banality ; and if any wero to build one, they had the 
 right to hâve it demolished, in having it so changed that it 
 would not bc any longer fit for a flonr mill. This right in 
 sanctioned by a constant jurisprudence which we cannot 
 ignore. But the scigniors had not, in virtue of their bana- 
 lity, the right to prevent the construction of other tlian llour 
 mills, nor of factories of any kind. 
 
 Finally, I am of opinion that the seigniors who had no 
 mills at the time of the passing of the Seigniorial Act of 
 1854, cannot claim, by reason of their banality, any indcni- 
 nity, under that act. 
 
i'ART FlFTil 
 
 WATEKS. 
 
 2C7. The righîs which thu Curmdian sciyiiiors ehiiiii 
 m connection with rivors art* not conthu'J lo rivci.s iiot 
 navigable nor lloatable, buî, as lliey, llie srignior?, insjst, 
 exlend in particuliir cases, lo navigable river;?. 
 
 I shall bcgin with the llrst of thèse. 
 
 2G3. The seigniors contcnd tliat thev havo the exclu- 
 8lvo properly in rivers that are not navigable nor iloatable. 
 
 In support of tins prctcnsion, they invokc iliree moijens 
 
 or rcasons : 
 
 Ist. Their quality of ieudal yeignior,— -ihat is lu say of 
 
 proprietor of the ficf. 
 
 2nd. The concession, whether exproL^s} or lacif. of the 
 river itself, resulting from their tille. 
 
 3rd. The quality of seignior hmil-Justicier. 
 
 2G9. Nearly ail the seigniories Avhieh are Iraverscd or 
 washed by one of thèse rivers hâve been eonecded " the 
 said river included " or "■ together with the rivers, etc. to 
 be found within the extent of the s;xid eoneest-iion, " 
 or as is soinetiines said " the said rivers being jti 
 comrrion " (mitoyenne), — betwcen the granlee and the 
 neighbouring seignior. There are also sonie concessions, 
 the titles of which, cxpressly exclude the river l)y nien- 
 tioning " the said river not ineludod." Thèse last cou 
 cessions arc very few in nunjber. Finaily lliere are soinr 
 
345 a 
 
 that makc no mention of rivers, as boing coinprised in the 
 concession, or being cxcludcd IVom it. 
 
 270. Tlierc are concessions, and tliey are very nume- 
 rous, which give to tlie seigniors superior, mean, and in- 
 l'erior jtirisdiction, {haute, moyenne et basse Justice), or mean 
 or inferior jusrisdiction oniy. 
 
 Tlie concession of jurisdiclion [justice) cloi-s noi appear 
 in any way lo hâve bet;n uiade lo any otlier person bi'sidcs 
 tlie seignior of tiie tiel'; and, Avitli l'ew ('xceplions, \\\v. jiiris- 
 diction lias bccn i^rantcd in llit; orii(in:d tith; (leva ol' lli<' 
 seigniory. The exaaiples of sia^li grants posterior to tho 
 concession of the fief, are very rare. Il sonietiines occtirrcd, 
 however, that, when a seignior, who had not obtaiiied ihc 
 concession of jiirisdiction by his origiiiul litle, askcd tor ;in 
 augmentât ion, that is a second concessiou îidjoiniiig Ihe 
 first, the exercise of jurisdiction was granted to hiia l)y llie 
 new title, not only for ihis second concession but also for the 
 first. 
 
 271. Wlicïher it l)c hy virtne of the Common Law or 
 by virluc of thi3 conecssion, (■\prr>s or tacil, derivcd frorn 
 their tilles, liave the Cauadian seigniors, indepeiidenlly ^)l' 
 their (juality of haut-justiciers, but nierely as fondai sei- 
 gniors, acipiirrd any righl ovrr ihi^ rivers not navigable nor 
 floatable ? I ain of opinion llial in \\\v on<; as wcll as in ilie 
 other case, ihey hav(; ac()uired an indispulable riglit lo the 
 propcrty in thèse rivers, that is h» say, botli in \irl(H' of tlie 
 common hiw relating \o fiefs, and of a titjo of eonccssion 
 such as above indicated. 
 
 From \hv. double fact, that in several concessions, the 
 riv(!r which traverses or watiTs the Seigniory, is e.vpress/ij 
 included and that in others, // is not, \vc cannot, as appears 
 to me, infer the exclusion of thi; rivrr in thèse last conces- 
 sions. MucU less Gould \vc do so because concessions are 
 
 44 
 
o46 a 
 
 to be found which exclude tlie river in express Icnns ; frorn 
 which we ought to conelude lliat, without sucli express 
 exclusion, ihe river would, according to the places and cir- 
 cumstances, liavo bcen comi^rised in tlie concession, ollier- 
 wise llie exclusion would liavc been without motive and 
 without objcct. I think, ihcrefore, that when mention has 
 been made of the river, as con^^tituting part of the conces- 
 sion, it has been only by way of description, mcre measure 
 of wise précaution to whicii recourse was had, only to point 
 more correctly, the extent, the amount and the limits of the 
 concessions. 
 
 272. The rivers wliich arc not navigable nor floatablc 
 belong to the private domain ; they are in commercio. Tliey 
 naturally make a part of the hcreditaments which they 
 wash, or in the midst of which they ilow. They were in- 
 tended to water and fertilize thèse bereditaments. Tliis 
 was one of the chief ineans which enabled the fcudal seig- 
 niors in France and their tenants to claim the projjcrty in 
 them, contrary to the ])retensions of the seigniors haut-jus- 
 ticiers, and which led llie best feudisis to award it to them, 
 to tlie exclusion of the latter. Thèse rivers are in the limits 
 oîûic fief; the Canadian seigniors may invoke the maxim 
 in virtue of which " every feudal seignior has, eithcr in do- 
 '■'- main, or as holding of liim tlie universal and private pro- 
 " perty within the limits of his certsu'e." (1) I ought then to 
 acknowledge that the grantees of fiefs in Canada hâve be- 
 come de j>leno jure, proprietors of the rivers in question, ex- 
 cepting in the cases wherein their titles contain an express 
 exclusion of thesse rivers. 
 
 273. Time not having permittcd my giving on this sub- 
 ject as I hâve on the others, an analysis of the opinions of 
 feudists, I must content myself with })ointing ont to those 
 
 (1) Revue critique de la jurisprudence, year 1S52 p. TSi, art 
 hy Mr. l!)uwanict. 
 
of the 
 
 3-17 a 
 
 wlu) NV(-)arii \vi>h 1(.) (.'uiisuh theiii Uie li.5l ul tlieir iianies, 
 and the cxtrat-ts iVoin tlii.s worlo-, wliicli are lo bo found at 
 page G9'2, and thosc: which foUow, of the trcilise on" la 
 propriété dos oanx couranlcs" by Championniùre. Mo 
 dividcs those antliors into several categorif.s : 
 
 lo. Aniliors wlio niako a distinction botwoon small 
 rivers and rivnlets : Boute i lier, Loysel, lioularie, Diiparc- 
 Poulain, Dclalandc ; 
 
 2o. Authors who attacli tlie riglit to tho tilles and the 
 possession: Guy-Pape, Cliasseneux, Bacquct, Loyscau, 
 Choppin , Gallon, CcKpiille, Leirrand , IMarcilly, Bonliier 
 Bouvol, Fabert, ancien Répertoire, vo. rivière, Potliier, 
 Chabrol, Hervé ; 
 
 3o. Authors who assic;n tho watcr courses to ihe ri- 
 parian proprietors : Boerius, Domat, Boucheul, Ilévin, Ri- 
 card, Perrière, traité historique de la sonverainclé du Roy ; 
 
 4o. Authors who assign the property in rivers to tlie 
 feudal seigniors: Lebrei, Fuyot, Ifenrion de Pansey, Bas- 
 nage, Hervé ; 
 
 5o. Authors wlio assign the property in small rivers lo 
 the seigniors haïU-juslicicrs : LaRocheflavin Dcspeisses, 
 Bobé, Bretonnier, Laplac{>, Pelée de Clienonteau, Lapoix- 
 Frémiuville. 
 
 274. The rivers not navigable nor (loalable could never, 
 in my opinion, be clainied by tlie canadian seigniors in 
 tlieir quality of haut-justiciers, a quality wlii(,'h ihey invoke 
 as forming their third title. Recognizing tlieir right to thèse 
 rivers by a title which, for ail practical eflccts connecled 
 witli " the seigniorial act of 1851," ought to suiTiee for the 
 exercise of their claims, I might abstain from examining 
 this third reason, bascd on this quality of haut -justicier. 
 Neverthcless, the question having bcen proposed to us, I 
 
348 a 
 
 shall willinf(ly oxpro«<s my (>j)inion, 1h;i1 ihis roason <loes not 
 îippear lo nu; lo rost on a solicl fbundation. 
 
 Wliatcver iiiiijflil liave Ihh.'II in Franco tlie prelensions 
 olllu'. sei^iiiors hauf-jiifificicrs to llic proporty in rivors, iiol 
 navii{abl(Miur (loatable as bcing an allribiilc of tlieir jiiris- 
 iliclidn, prt'lensions wliicli appcar to me w.ïy (liflieiilt lo ad- 
 iiijl. beyond thc bounds of tlioso cnstoms w liicli, very fcw 
 in uiiniber, attaclied siicli j)ropcrty to the (lualily ot liaul- 
 iufiliciers. Tho eanadian suignior.s on Avhom svudi juri.sdic- 
 tion lias beon conlt-rrcd, an; in a very diflerenl position; they 
 cannot jiistify their claiins by tliose of the french seigniors. 
 Thcir titles are not losl, like ihose of the hitter, in the dark- 
 ness of âges. We are acquainted with the whole of them : 
 \ve hâve had thein ail under our eyes and ail wilhoiit ex- 
 eej)tion sustain tlu; remark whicli I hâve already niade, ihat 
 whenevcr the siiperior jiirisdiction [la haiile Juslicc) \\ as 
 iLjivcn, it was îdways in l'avor of the grantee of \\\ii JieJ\ ihe 
 J'vmhil s('igniot\ wliether it was by tlu^ lit le of the fief itstdf 
 or by a sul)S(i{|iir'nt tille. Thus, there are two very différent 
 things to oonsider in the titles Avliieh conlain, at th(; sanie 
 time, both the concession of lh(;//(;/" j)roperly speaking, that 
 is to say, of the heredilaments and theirdepcndencies, \vhieh 
 being snsccptible of private ownership, are in conwicrcio, 
 and the granling of jiirisdiction which is an a])pendage of 
 tlio sovereign anihority. 'J'o the first of thèse, narnely, lin; 
 concession of the //('/ lias always been attaclied tiie conces- 
 sion of ihtî river, when that river was inchided in the deed 
 of sub-infiMidation, while on the contrary, it never was to 
 the second, that is to say lo the ct)nc(;ssion of jiirisdiction. 
 If there exist an exception lo the assertion which I makc, J 
 liave nt)t had the advantage of discovering it in the course 
 (.)f niy researches, or else I am greatly inistaken in the ap- 
 préciation which I liave made, in this respect, of the titles 
 of our seigniors. 
 
 275. Howevcr, it appears to me very reasonable to say 
 
34ii a 
 
 that the juriscliction could not be attachod to a fief belbre 
 that/iV/had been croatod. \ow what was the cliief elo- 
 inenl in alitle of concession en fief in Lower Canada, if il 
 was not, in the fnvst instance, to erect under such title a 
 certain extenl of land, tlien to create 'a fondai seignioi\ wlio 
 tfiereby bccamo, in virtue of tliis title alone, proprietor of the 
 huid thiis made a fief and of every thing which naturally 
 forined a part of it as being within the bounds or enclave 
 of lhis/<<^'? Tlie rivers not navigable nor lloalable foiind 
 within those bounds ought naturally therefore to make a 
 part of that original concession creating the fief and 
 as a conséquence, made to the feudal seignior and 
 not to the seignior haut-justicier, a qualily which could 
 not exist but as a conséquence of the existence of 
 the former, according to tlie raanner in which the Crown 
 has inadc the concessions in fief in this country. The 
 fcudi ' seignior could in such quality alone, hâve a 
 directe, on ihoini rivers, and not in his quality of seignior 
 haut-justicier, which was not given him, so to speak, but 
 afterwards, and that, becausc ho was already seignior of the 
 fief 
 
 " It is a gênerai principle of the Customs," says Guyot, 
 traité des fiefs v. 5, part 2, p. 669, édition of 1751, " Ihat ail 
 " the land which is in lhc limits of a seigniory belongs to 
 " the feudal seignior, eitiicr in useful property or direct 
 " property ; thence the watcr which runs on this land, runs 
 " incontestably on the land of the feudal seignior. 
 
 " Tiiese rivers are by the customs and the authors, cal- 
 
 " led rivières de cens : the rcason is simple ; it is that, as 
 
 " the right in water^ courses which in law is called aquas 
 
 " aquarumve decursus, carrics the right to buil mills and 
 
 " to iish therein, thèse rights are conceded à cens ; now 
 
 " the jurisdiction, as jurisdiction, has no directe ; which is 
 
 " so true that if a hereditament be adjudged to a haut-jus- 
 
3o0 a 
 
 " ticiei\ who is not, nt thtj r^ann» tlme, feuthu, ho will pay 
 " relief (or it, if il be a, /)>/', or cfn.s if il be rôlure ; llial does* 
 not exlinii^nish tlie direct or frnidal soii2[niory : ihenoe it 
 soems to foUow, as Co(inille and LoBrct say, that tho 
 right in tlio rivor is a right of domanial propcrty, tliat is to 
 say of l'endal scigniory. 
 
 
 " I liold Avitli Clioi)in, loco ciiato, and I can say, with 
 Coquille and Mr. Lel^ret, that llu^sc small rivers, thèse 
 water courses, belong in propcrty 1o the fondai soignior: 
 whose seigniory thcy water, if the toxts of the custom do 
 not givc them to tho superior or mean J»s/ia(r, like Bour- 
 " bonnais." 
 
 277. In conforniity \vith ihosc senliments, then, we 
 are bound to say that by tho concession of canadian fiefs, 
 the rivor was givcn to the feudal soignior and not to the 
 soignior haut-Justicier ; to tho propriotor of iho/jV/as making 
 the said river a part of the body of tho said fief and not as 
 being an altribute of tho jnrisdiclion Avhich had been joined 
 to the concession ; more ospecially wonld it be so in those 
 cases in which tho jnrisdiction had been granted to tho fon- 
 dai soignior by a liîle siil)soqnont 1o tho original oonci'ssion 
 of the fief s'mcc that concession, in tho systom "vvhich I 
 nphold, had alroady niado him propriotor of tho river. 
 
 It seoms to me only nocessary to show the distinction 
 which I hâve pointod ont, and wliioh rosts on tho nature 
 and the tonor of litles of concession in _//r/', to provo in an 
 évident mannor, liow ill-fonndod arc llio pretonsions of the 
 seigniors to the propovty in rivers not navigable nor (loatablo, 
 in their qnality of haut-justiciers^ whicli thoy might hâve 
 had in former days. 
 
 278. There is anothor point of view from \vhich we 
 may consider the claim of the seigniors, as derived from the 
 title of seigniors haut-justiciers. Is not this right of superior 
 
:^5I a 
 
 jurisdiction, as granted in Canada, ol' ilie iiumbiT ol' tliose 
 riglits wliich are called facultative rights, une ol'tliosu pré- 
 rogatives whicli, to secure llio advantag*»s or the benefils 
 uetiuired, reciuiro llie )»reviors accornplislimeut ol' certain 
 tacts, of certain obligations ? For cxanipk", tlie care of l'ound- 
 lings, ihc cosl of llie administration ol' criininal justice &c. 
 
 We scarcely find anj^ instances nndcr tlie F'rencli do- 
 mination of the exercise ot'llie siiperior jnrisdiction conferred 
 on the seigniors ol" Canada. Very l'eu (^f thcîse seigniors 
 appear to havc exercised cvcn t!io mi'aii or inlcrior jurisdic- 
 tion. 
 
 Govcrnor Carleton wrole to the seerolary of State under 
 (hite of the \2\\\ April 1708 (2). •' Sorm; of the privilèges 
 "• contained in thèse grants ap])ear, al iirst, to convey dan- 
 " gerous powers into llie lands of the seigniors, that, upotia 
 " more minute cnquiry, are fonnd to be littleless ihan idéal. 
 " The haute, moyenne et basse Justice^ ave terms of high im- 
 " port, but even under the french govcrnment, were so eor- 
 " rected as to prove of litle signification to the proprictors ; 
 " for besides that tliey could aj)point no judge, without the 
 '' approbation of government, there Ir.y an appeal from ail 
 " the private to the royal jurisdictions, in cvery matter ex- 
 " ceeding lialf a crown ; it could not therefore be produc- 
 '' tive of abuse and as the kee])ing of their o\vn judges be- 
 
 (1) We see by llie edict creating a royal jurisdiction at Mont- 
 réal in the month of May 1G93, tliat as an indeninity for tlie loss of 
 their jurisdiction, the seigniors of the Island of IMontrea! were " dis- 
 charged for ever, froin the salaries payable to the newly created ofll- 
 cers and from being responsible for their mistakesand j^mes à jM^Lic, 
 likewise from the costs of prosecutions. furnishiiig prisons, the fjod of pri- 
 soncrs, tlie support of foundiings, and geniM\i!ly from ail the expenses of 
 justice. 
 
 (2) Doc. Sciiç, v.i. 1. or h, p. 1 1 . 
 
352 a 
 
 " came too much burdensomc for the scanty income of the 
 " canadian seigniors, it was grown into so gênerai a disuse 
 " thaï tliere were hardly three of tliem in the whole province 
 *' at the time of the conquest." 
 
 279. Far from being a source of profit to the seigniors, 
 it seems that the establishment of a jurisdiction could not 
 be otherwise than burdensome in most cases. On the 12sl 
 November 1G64 (1), on tlie représentation of the Atlorney 
 General against tiie abuses commilted in the seigniorial 
 jurJsdietions, the Superior council had rende. cJ an arrêt 
 " forbidding ail inferior judges and procurators fiscal to 
 " take any payment or fées from the parties, under th<; 
 " penalty of being treated as extortioners, saving their 
 " riglit to receive salaries from those wlio hâve named 
 " them to the said situations ; forbidding them also to ex- 
 " ercise the same, until iheyhave prcviously taken the oath 
 " in such cases rcquired by the royal judges of whom their 
 " jurisdictions hold, and as respects the salaries of the 
 " clerks of the Courts, notariés and bailifi's, tliey shall be 
 " taxed by the royal judges in case of dispute." 
 
 " As for the seigniorial jurisdictions" says M. Garneau, 
 in his history of Canada, (2) " no mention was made of 
 " them in creating the Sovenugn council, but in the follow- 
 " ing year, the Council abolished the law expenses lu the 
 " courts ; a circumslance which was snlliciont to prevent 
 " their exist(înce. Later still, in 1079, Louis XIV passed an 
 " Edict (3) by which he ordcred that the ajjpeals from the 
 
 (1) Ed. and Ord. lu 8o v. 2, \u'22. 
 
 (2) 2e Editv. l,p. IGG. 
 
 (3) Ed. and Ord. in 8, v. 1, p. 23G-37. Tlie King's Edict respect- 
 ing the Ord. of 1()67. 
 
 Art. " It is also our will that an appeal shall lie from the seignior- 
 " lui jurisdictions, which are within the limils of Our Prévoté of 
 " Québec, to the said Prévoté, and that appeals iVom the said Prévoté 
 " shall lie beforc Owr said Council of Québec, which we prohibit 
 
353 a 
 
 " scifi^iorial jurisdictions sliould he beforc tlie Royal Courts 
 
 " or tlie Sovcreii,m couiicil, acircumstanciî wliicli restrainot' 
 
 " anow tlieir powor. Ail tlio sci-faiories, witli but l'tnv 
 
 " exceptions, posscîs.scd tlie redoubtable riglit of siii)ei'ior, 
 
 " inoaii and inl'erlor jiirisdielion, wliicli was acquiicd by 
 
 " an express grant from the King. This was in America 
 
 " an anachronisin, at once, of tiine and place. Tlius, al- 
 
 " tliougli tlieseigniorial jiidgesandtlie olllcersortiieir courts, 
 
 " wcre obliged to obtain l'or themselves, llie sanction of the 
 
 " royal jnrisdiction, to wliicli tlicy werc obliged to make 
 
 " oath to l'ulfill tlieir duties laitldully, this wouid not liave 
 
 " hâve been cnough, if lliere liad not been added oïlicr 
 
 " shackles, which caused that scareely a seignior could he 
 
 " found who wishcd to exercise it at any j)criod : for, to 
 
 " increase the dilîiculties of the sysicm, the costs of justice 
 
 as is slated above, wcre suppressed in ICO I, by an nvrct 
 
 of the Sovereign council which i)rohibited the inferior 
 
 judges and the procurators fiscal from taking any pay- 
 
 " ment or émoluments, imder the penalty of being trealed 
 
 as extortioners, saving their recourse to get paid by thos(î 
 
 " from whom they derived their appointmcnts, that is io 
 
 " say, from the seigniors, avIio wcre known to be too poor 
 
 " to pay the expenses of a court of justice, of a prison, of 
 
 " judges &c., &c." 
 
 " from receiving any iiiunediale appeal from llie said seignioriai juris- 
 " diction. 
 
 Art. " And vidi respect to tlie otiier seioniorial jurisdictions wbich 
 " are not within tlie limils of tlie said Prévutù of (,,)iiel)ec, nnlil such 
 " time as we liave establislied otiier ro^al jiiri^dictions, the appeals 
 " from tliein shall lie iminediately belbre Oiir said Coiiiicil. " 
 
 Ibid p. 24-2. Tlio King's déclaration of the montli of .Tune KÎSO, 
 wlio, on the représentation mrde to liim thnt there was a l'ovai court 
 for the ordinary jiiri.sdiction of Thrce Kivers, diiecled that the appeals 
 from the seignioriai jiirisdictions within the liniits of that jiiri»dictlon, 
 woulJ lie before this royal court, subject to appeal to the Sovereig» 
 Council of Québec. 
 
 45 
 
 (( 
 
304 a 
 
 2bO. liy an arrêt ol" tlic 21lli Oct. 1707, (1) tlio SiT|jtv 
 rior Counoil ordorod llie enrcgiwtratiun in ils records of an 
 ordinance of tlie Intendant Raudot, of »lie 22nd of the sarne 
 rnonth, by wliich, in consequonee of tlie King's ordiTs, Ihj 
 had suppnîssed tlie superior jurisdiction of llie seigniory of 
 Sillery, belon<,'ing 1:o the Jftsuit Fatlier», as well as tliat of 
 the Jïef wliich they possf^ssed in the town of Thrce Rivcrs, 
 and ordered tliat the inhabitants of Sillery, should bring 
 their snits, in first resort, before the Prévoté of Québec, and 
 those ol the fief of Three-Rivers, before the royal jurisdic- 
 lion of that town. 
 
 281. Hy lUc edict of the month of Mardi 1693, (S^) 
 creating a royal jurisdiction at Montréal, \ve see that the 
 seigniors of the island of Montréal resigned the jurisdiction 
 belonging to tliem in that island ; and by another edict of 
 the month of July 1714, (3) we also see that the same seig- 
 niors had rnade résignation of the superior and mean juris- 
 diction, which belonged to them in their seigniory of the 
 Côte St. Sulpice and the isles Courcelles, and which was 
 by that edict reunited to the island of Montréal, the King 
 reserving to them only the inferior jurisdiction, ;^s well iu 
 ihat island as in St. Sulpice, for the recovery of iheir seig- 
 niorial rights. 
 
 282. I do nol know if the seigniory of Sillery is traver- 
 sed by any river not navigable not floatable, but that of St. 
 Sulpice is, by the river St. Esprit. Notwithstanding their 
 résignation of the superior jurisdiction, the seigniors of St. 
 Sulpice, did not the less, continue to be proprietors as feudal 
 seigniors of that river. Therefore, it belonged to them, by 
 that title, from the very moment of the concession of the 
 seigniory and not by the title of hoiits-justiciers. 
 
 (1) Ed. and Ord. in 8. v. 2, p. 152. 
 
 (2) Kd. ami Ord. in 8. v. 1, p. 27G. 
 (r^) Hd, et Ord. in 8o. vo. 1, p. 3t2. 
 
3ô5 a 
 
 ■iHli- Iii litic, lliL' !S('ii,'niori:il jini<!(li<!ti()iis, wliicli ris 
 ^liown by Govcrnor Curhjton, ^v(■l■(! fscavrcly tîirce in nmnlx.'r 
 al tliu close ol' tlio Frcncli dominion, (li.sapix-arrfl altogellicr 
 nitli flic ncw régime. Ninciy livi; years luivc sincc; clap- 
 «ed. VViili ilic disappcaranco of tlie rii^lil ol' jnrisdiction, 
 tlie hasis of iho pretonsions of tlu; canadian hauts-justiciers 
 c'ould not butnceessarilydisappcar. In fact it seemsto mctlial 
 we may say of tliem wliat Merlin said of tlie haut-justiciers 
 of France : " To eilect llio cessation of tlieir daim to tho 
 " propcrly in rivers, it was tliercfore sulficient to destroy 
 " llie basis on wliicli thèse pretensions restcd ; and that 
 " basis was, as lias already bcen said, thoir qnality of sei- 
 gneurs-justiciers, 
 
 284. I shall terminate this cxamination by remarking 
 that, by the System wliich atlributcs thc property in thèse 
 rivers exclusively to the title of seignior haut-Justicier, it 
 will follow that the seigniors of this country, whose con- 
 cessions do not contain a grant of jurisdiction, will hâve no 
 right to die property in rivers not navigable nor (lontable 
 which traverse or wash iheir seigniorics. 
 
 285. Thèse rivers which, in the system thaï I havc 
 adopted, havc become the property of the seigniors, bcing 
 part of the private domain, itfollows that they may become 
 the object of a concession à cens, and of every other con- 
 tract transferring property. This is admitted by the counsel 
 for the seigniors. But they contend that, in that case, the 
 river must be expressif/ included in the concession made to 
 the censitaire ; that if the seignior concèdes à cens a land 
 with its boundarics on the river without saying any thing 
 more, the river ought to be supposed to be exeluded from 
 the concession ; that evcn if it flows through the midst of 
 the land, the river is equally exclnded, if it be not express- 
 Jy stated in the agrecment that it shall constifntc a par) oï 
 the concession. 
 
356 a 
 
 In support ol" lliis protcrisiori, lin- >ci^MiiorM invoke the 
 following p!issiiii;<' fiom tlif l>i.s,strlolionv f'<<>(lohs. {\) '' The 
 " loiuls 1)1 loni( 1() tilt' public (Im- >|)C!iKs ol lli.' rporlioi' tlie 
 " l'nuial rri^inii'.) 'riiciv li;is imt Imth tin- Miiiillcst (loiiht 
 " on tiiiit point ; lln'.v oiii^'lit tlicrclorc It) l»- givrti lo liim in 
 " uliosc ii:iti(ls wciv roiiiid (('iiliv»! îili tlic ritfiils of tlic pu- 
 " l)lic, tliui is to siiy !•> tli'" ^^l'igIlior liiivl-Justicicr.''' 
 
 " Bill it \\n>* iiot llu" siiiiir witli ifîspcct to riviM's. The 
 " loiif' nsix^e hy wliicli tlir ii|)iirian proprielors iipproprinte 
 
 to tlicniscIvL's cvi-ry lluiii< m 
 
 tlic brd of rivi'is ihul coiild 
 
 [)(' Misccptiblc of In'iii^r |)rivul(; propcrty ouj^ht to ciiurse 
 " ilifin to l)c l'oii^idiîivd n^ ])roi)ri('lor,s of the tioiiy 
 
 '-' Sincf tliat lime, tlio dfvdloptnncnt oi' tiir fciidpl sys- 
 '^ tcni liiis Icd to llu; niHxiiii thaï it musl be prcsuincd llint 
 
 llu; |)riviit(' propeities îirc réuni 
 
 t(>d in tlu- liantls of the 
 
 feudal jsei^niors ; lliat tlu-sc latter conccded tliem ; and thaï 
 hiiiu but tliat wliitdi ho will show to Ixdoiig 
 
 no one can c 
 
 to him by a deed of concession or by a possession w hich 
 l)rcsunu's one ; whicli, in every cemuel territory, gives to 
 
 '■'■ the feudal seignior, i 
 
 ilher in domaine or en directe^ the 
 
 " uni versa 
 
 I privat(! property, as in every judieial district the 
 
 " haut-jmlicier lias the public property. 
 
 " Thvis it can Le said : the feudal seignior lias the pro- 
 '^ ])erty in the rivers, beea\ase tli/y were regarded as apper- 
 " laiuing to the class of private pi'^perties at the time of the 
 *' supposed reunion of thèse j)roperties in liis hands, and 
 " that he has not sincc induded tliem in Ihc concessions a 
 " cens which he has mode of différent portions of the terri- 
 " tory. But tlu; roads havc never been otlier than public 
 " property, so there is no similarity betwecn roads and 
 " rivers." 
 
 28G. From tliis remarie of the author, " it can bc said 
 "^(1) llenrion de Pansey, v. 1, des eaux, § 7, p. 659 aud 660. 
 
357 a 
 
 " ihat tlio l'ciKlal sfit,'nior liiis not incliulcd fhe rivers in thft 
 *■*■ ronci'M.sioiT^ (I cens wliicli Im lius iiiiiilc ol diUfrcnt por- 
 " lions ol'lln» srii^Miiory," I «lo not Ix-licvr lliiil wc on^'lil lo 
 int'er tlial lie wislicd lo j'inincialo as a légal doctrine or 
 niaxiin tliat iIh' t-xclnnion of tli<! river rosidled, de fUeno 
 jitre^ l'rotn tlu facl tlial il liad not hecn expressly incindcd 
 in iIk! conce.s^^ion à cenn. Il rallier appears lo nie tliat he 
 only wislied to dedans a Tact tlien existiiii,', tlie statiî ol" the 
 possession ol" rivers, >ueli as lie saw il at llie lime lliat lie 
 vvrole liis disserlalions. To liis eyes tlie lael of tlie posses- 
 sion in tlie liands of llie feiidal seii^niors appeared U) l)e a 
 geiuîral lael in France, and llience lie coneliidini llial l\n: 
 rivers liad nol heen ineliided in llie eone(,'ssions à cens ol'llie 
 lerritory wliieli lliey Iraversed or waslied. liiil il does nol 
 lolhtw l'roni tliis llial il was liis intention lo allribute lliat 
 slule of lliings solely to tlie abseneeof express mention of tlie 
 river, as heing inekided in tlie eoneession. Judging froni 
 tlie manner in wliieli lie expresses himsclf, nolliing prevenis 
 oiir believing tliat, in liis cslimation, tlie faet tliat lie v«!rilied 
 iniglit he tlie resull of an express stipulation to tlie etlect of 
 exeluding tlie river from tlic concession, madc to tlie censi- 
 taires. VVe niay so miieli more easily believc il, tliat in 
 })aragr!ipli XI of llie sarue dissertation on waters, p. 6G1, lie 
 expresses liimseif, in a manner clearly to be understood, tliat 
 .such was, in fact, liis idca. 
 
 " In gênerai," says lie, " ail tlie hcrcditamcntsproceed 
 " from the seignior, such at least is the presumption of llie 
 " law. 
 
 " It is tlicn the seignior, who, being originally tlie 
 " proprielor of ail tliat whicli borders on the rivers, has dîves- 
 " ied hunself ofit, in order to give it to dillercnt individuals, 
 " and tlial, in considération of a cens generally of very mo- 
 " derale amonnt." 
 
 " But since, in giving the adjacent lauds, the seignior 
 
358 a 
 
 ** has reserved to hlmsel/lhe river and speclficallij the right uj 
 " fishins; mnst iiot therc ncccssarily bo supjiosed bolwecn 
 " liim and liis tenants an agrcemc-nt, at Icast tacit, tliat lie 
 " sliall liavc tliL' l'rec use ol'ilic banks, and that Ûw, riparian 
 " proprietors could do nothing tliat niiglit be prcjudicial to 
 " the exercise of tlie rights vvhicli lie preserved. Quis vult 
 *' finemvuU et médiat 
 
 This last passage oftliG dissertation, froni the point of 
 view of the doctrine on ihe légal eflect of contracis, sanctions 
 in my opinion, the principle thaï, at least in the absence of 
 an express exclusion, or an équivalent réservation of the 
 river, tliat river is, by law, snpj)osed to forni a part of the 
 concession given to the censitaire by the act of sub-infeuda- 
 tion [accensenient). 
 
 287. We read in Pothier, traité du droit de propriété, 
 no. 53, " With respect to the rivers not navigable, they 
 belong to the différent individuals who havc tilles or who 
 are in possession so as to call themselves proprietors, in the 
 limits conlained in their tUles or jwssession. 
 
 288. Souchet, in his commcntary on the Custom of 
 Angoumois, published in 1780(1) thus expresses himself : 
 " The seigniors who hâve sul)-infeudated their domains, 
 " loithout reserving to themselves speciallj/ the rivers tvhich 
 " water them, hâve tacit l y included in their accensemcnt the 
 " rivers and the rivulcts.''^ " For that reason, the best au- 
 " thors hâve strenuously maintained tliat the rivulets and 
 " the rivers, which are not navigable froin their source, be- 
 " long without distinction to the riparian proprietors of ihe 
 
 (1) Titre des fiuls, cliap. 1, art 29. 
 
 Championière wlio cites liim in his chapter des eaux courantes no. 
 402, says that Souchet, according to Merlin, " lias treated the ques- 
 tion of rivers be!'T than any other. lie adds:" reihaps it would l>e 
 true to say that he is the only one who truly treated it." 
 
35'J a 
 
 " liereditariients wliicli Uil-so rivuluLs or rivers wasii witl* 
 " llieir wateis 
 
 " The scigniorsot' fiels wlio liave jurisdiction, and tlioso 
 " ^vllo liave no jurisdiction, Imve equally tlie property in 
 '' rivers and rivulets wliich fiow in iheir hereditaments : 
 " beyond llieir domains they liave no riglit of useful proper- 
 " ty in tlie watersof rivers uiiieli liave lel't llieir possessons. 
 " T'hcy havc not cven any righf. wilhin Ihc llmits of the 
 " hereditaments of Iheir censitaires.'''' 
 
 289. If, as miglit be supposed froni the passage above 
 transcribed from the Dissertations féodales, the feudal seig- 
 niors in France, notwithstanding the concession of riparian 
 hereditaments, remained in possession oi" riv(;rs not naviga- 
 ble nor lloatable, tt) the exclusion ol" the [)roprietors of those 
 hereditamenls, could not ihat be explained by the fact, tliat 
 llie French seigniors, not being obliged lo concède, had the 
 power to reserve in tlieir deeds of sub-ini'eudation, the pro- 
 perty in rivers, thereby excluding it from the concession, 
 either in express tenus, or tacitly, by remaining always in 
 possession of those rivers ? Or might we not reasonnabjy 
 believe ihat, il", in the first instance, thèse rivers had passed 
 into the hands of the j)roprietors of the adjacent heredita- 
 ments, the seigniors had, at a later period, acquired the 
 property in tliem anew, whelher by means of prescription or 
 otherwise ? 
 
 • 
 
 290. Moreover, even supposing for a moment Ihat, 
 under the authority of the Cuistom of Paris and of its juris- 
 prudence, it was a rule of law tliat, in default of express 
 mention, the seignior was not supposed to hâve included 
 the river in Iiis concession à cens, could not the origin of 
 that rule and its justification liave been found, solely in the 
 fact that the French seignior was not obliged to concède. 
 Bcing at liberly lo concède or not lo concède, he could say 
 
S60 a 
 
 that an extension which lie liad not expressed onght not, by 
 way of interprétation, to be given to his liberty, and ^vlliell 
 extension tlie censitaire could not hiniself liope to obtain, 
 because he liad not even the right to get tlie land whicli was 
 conceded to liini ; that in sucli cases one ouglit to per- 
 ceive a tacit agreement to exclude the river. 
 
 Tlie hypothesis which I hâve brought forward can hâve 
 no application in Canada, where the seignior was obliged 
 to concède. Even lor tliat reason, the rule ought to l)e dif- 
 férent. When a river not navigable nor iloatable, llows in 
 the midst of a conceded land, the whole bed of such river 
 is on the soil of that land ; when the river only borders the 
 hereditaments, tho half of its bed, that is to say, as far as 
 the middle of the stream, is, equally, situated on the same 
 soil. The waters of this river being naturally intended to 
 flow through the hereditanient, to serve for its improvement, 
 the censitaire who liad the right to demand and obtain the 
 concession of this same hereditamcnt, ought to be supposed, 
 in the absence of ail agreement to the contrary, to hâve 
 wished to obtain it witli ail its natural advantages and de- 
 pendencies, in the number of which are, in the first rank, the 
 waters of the river, more particularly still, when the river 
 flows in the midst of the territorv so conceded. 
 
 291. Thèse waters being susceptible of being private 
 property, the domain in them may, under the feudal régime^ 
 like that of lands properly so called, be divided into direct 
 domain and useful domain, the first appertaining to the 
 seignior, the second to the censitaire. Now, the use of 
 waters and their bed, the profits which the hand of rnan can 
 draw from them, form part on the useful domain; it was 
 the whole of this useful domain that the canadian seignior 
 was obliged to concède, to transfer by concession à cens. 
 This domain ought therefore to belong wholly tothe riparian 
 censitaire, when the agreement does not expressly exclude 
 
ti a cenfi. 
 
 361 a 
 
 the river, sinco lliore cnnnol he l\vo proprictors of llic samc 
 thing otherwiso thau iii copartnery. 
 
 292. The scigniors say lliat, if llioy an; l)<)iind to con- 
 cède, llial obligation does noi e\t(.'nd but to tlit; lands in 
 standing wuoil^ and lliat tlic small rivers wvA iIk" rivulets do 
 nol corne under lliat condition. To tliis, iliere are two an- 
 swcrs to be ni:ide. In llu; lii>t ])lace, thèse riv(!rs or rivu- 
 lets are, by nature, a dependency ol' llie rijjarian heredita- 
 ments, and ought, in coiisecpience, to inake a part oi' the 
 ali(!na1.ion of thèse hereditainents, evtny time that, an ex- 
 ])re.Sis agreenient does nol exeiude ihein. Then, is it true 
 to say tliat, in tlie vincultivated stale of the canadian terrilo- 
 ry, the small rivers or rivulets wiiieh travcrsed or Avashed 
 ihe lands in standing wood were ihcrnselves without stand- 
 ing wood growing on the soil wliieli served as tlieir bed ? 1 
 believe that sneli an assertion will be in eoutradietion to the 
 faets. Hesides, I do not Kiiuw any law whieli ll\(>s the 
 nuinber of trees, thcir (luality, tiicir dimensions, as serviiig 
 for a rul(> to detcriuint^ whal part of the soil ought to be eon- 
 sidered in standing ivood, and wliat part ought not. 
 
 If the objection, ^vhieh I oppose al pn^senl, was ^vell 
 founded, and tli;il, in eoiiscqui'nee, the river, even wlien it 
 ijows through llie niid>t of the conceded territory, ought nol 
 lo be considérée} as being ineludcd in the deed (,f siib-in- 
 fi.'udation, tliis could only be by ri'ason of the absence of 
 standing wood on IIhî soil of that river. In that case, would 
 jiol llie objection be eciiially valid, il ap|)lie(l to e\crv olher 
 ]iarls of the hen^litaïuents coiici'dcd, howcver suiall il niight 
 be, which tniglit not be in standing icood ;it the time of the 
 concession à cens. K\idcnlly, tlicre would be the same 
 reason to say that the onc ou^ht, like the ollirr, to be con- 
 sidered as not Ix'ing includcd in the concession. 
 
 293. Could not i,i> censitaires, by analooy^ invoke the 
 
 laws which govern the right of propertv iii the alhivion 
 
 -16 
 
302 a 
 
 lurmcd on ihc bortlors of" a rivci' -.vliieli i.s evcn navi- 
 gable '' Thèse bordcrs bclonif to ihe privalc domain of 
 thc riparian propiietors, altliongh lli*^ river ilself, propcrly 
 socalled, may belong 1o llie public domain. Wliat proves 
 it clearly is, tliat as well in the Roman lavv as in thc French 
 law, thc increase of land and the alluvions formed on ihc 
 border of tiie rivers can only bo for thc bcnefitof thc riparian 
 proprictors. Could it be so, if thc bordcrs of the rivers wcre 
 not already a part of thc private domain ? Were it olherwiso, 
 that is to say, if thc bordcrs of thc rivers werc public proj)er- 
 ty, it would follow, in the systcm which confers on thc ri- 
 parian proprictor thc pro])erty in thc ulluvions, that the two 
 parts of which thc licreditament of this riparian proprictor 
 would, in future, bc composed, would not be contiguous, 
 but on thc conirary would be separated by ihat puhlic "pro- 
 pcrly conslsting often of a Une almost imaginary or imper- 
 ceptible. Would it not bc more natural and more confor- 
 mablc to reason to attribute, in that case, the propcrly in the 
 land formed by thc alluvion, to the King or the public, sincc 
 the border of the river bcing already tlieir property, and not 
 ihat of thc former riparian proprictor, it is the King or the 
 public who would bc thc proprictor of thc land to which tiic 
 alluvion would thus corne to be joined. 
 
 Let us remark, bcsidcs, that undcr thc feudal régime 
 tho scignior also profited by this alluvion, in this way that thc 
 directe, which lie h ad on thc riparian hcreditamcnt, extendcd 
 to thc incre&sc which that hcreditamcnt had derived from the 
 alluvion. Now hc was not, proviens tothis alluvion, proprictor 
 of that part of thc bed of thc navigable river in which it was 
 formed. There arc cases thcrefore wherein a portion of cven 
 the bed of a navigable river may, accordingto circumstanccs, 
 fall into thc private domain of the riparian proprictor, and 
 this lattor becomes proprictor of thc soil. It is truc that 
 tliis only takea place when thc soil in question ceases to bc 
 in thc condition of public propcrly, a condition which, as 
 
363 a 
 
 long as it continnos, doesnot admit oi'private nj^proprialion ; 
 But fortliat vory reason, llic rivors not navigat)l(' nor floata- 
 ble, andtlu; snil on wliicli tlicy llow, being in ilic opposite 
 condition, tliat is, bcing always in tlic statc of privatc do- 
 main, tlie soil of tliGsc rivers, it would scem, conslituto na- 
 turally part of tliis uncovcrcd land of whicii it is only the con- 
 tinuation. Tlic one, like tlie otlier, ouglit to hâve a pro- 
 prietor, wliethcr it bo the seignior, or wiiethcr it bc the ri- 
 pavian censitaire. I havc alrcady shcwn that the lattcr 
 ought 1o be supposed to hâve become the j^roprietor of it, de 
 pleno jure, ])y the concession àccïis, when the river wq8 not 
 excluded therefrom. 
 
 294. Let us now suppose thaï îlie propcrty in rivers 
 not navigable nor floatable is in tlie Jiunds of the ieudal seig- 
 nior, to the exclusion of liis riparian censitaires, alluvions 
 may Ijc formed inlhese rivers, or the receding of the waters 
 may uncover a portion of tlieir 'hed, which adjoins the 
 hereditamentof a censitaire, to whom, in that case, would 
 belong the alluvion or the part of the soi! left uncovcred ? 
 Will it belong to the seignior, or to the censitaire ? 
 
 " The rights ol the riparian proprielors of water cour- 
 ses, not r -igable nor floatable, to the bcnefit of the al- 
 luvion, ar.., says David (1), governedby the same princi- 
 plcs as those relating to ihe riparian proprietor of tlu- 
 " water courses of the public domain." 
 
 Thèse rights will, thercfore, belong to the proprietor of 
 the riparian hereditament, yetin the systcmof the seigniors, 
 he was not proprietor of the soil on which iho river fiowed 
 before the formation of the alluvion ; it is the seignior of 
 theyifi/" who was so, not having, or not bcing suj)posed to 
 hâve, included the river inhis deed of sub-inf(nidation. Tliis 
 seignior will thcrefore be deprived of his proj^orly by an acf 
 
 (1) Des cours rreaux, 3c. cd. v. '2, ji. 72, no. bM. 
 
364 a 
 
 towhkkhe is ic/iollif n stnitit^nT atid \vh\r]\,his cennilaire being 
 e(iiKilly a slt;iiii(rr lo il, lorbids cNcry idca [>{' a (•oiifurrcnce 
 ot' uill oti thcir ()ari llial llicii' coiitiacl slioiild prodiice 
 lliis <'drci. 'j'Iic ndaticiii bel w rcii llicni, arisinu; oi'iiriiiidly 
 l'roiii llial (•oiilracl, w ill ihcn'lorf bc chaii^cd ; ilic unv. \\ ill 
 llifi-t'lorc bf dt'privfd of his propcriy lor die bciicHt of tlie 
 oduT ' W lialcvcr liappcns, die aMiivioii, ; , wid bu s(.'t;n, 
 wid Ilot dir Icss b(d()ni;- lu dic ripariaii censitaire. Siiuîe 
 tlic inalk'j' hcrc oiily ndalcs lo privalc |)ro|n'rly, upoti wlial. 
 principli; coidd die alhivioii bi' liais assiyiicd to tlii.s cen- 
 aiiaire': Is it not ivasouablc to leply, tliat it cuii^dil to bc oti 
 du.' i)i-inci|)l»' that, bciii;^' ahcady proprictor of dir soil wliicli 
 pn^vious lo \\\v adiivion w as bordcrcd bv die wattrs ol' tlie 
 rivtM', \\v bad l)y thaf ab)iic, an establishcd rii,dit to thc pro- 
 jMM'ty ol' i\\v t'oiitiiiiiatioii of this saine soil ou Avliieli Ihe 
 waters foriuerly dowed. Now, tliis rio;lii eould not be ac- 
 (piired l)y liiiii bul by a concession a rtus. l'Iiis concession 
 in(diide(l, tliereidre, ilu; part of tlie soil of wliicli \vc speak, 
 in tlie saine manneras llie rest oftlie soil of liis liereditament. 
 Tliere was only one dilTerence :)el\ve(.'n lliese two parts of 
 hi.s property, in relation to tlie improvcment of tlie soil. 
 The one uncovered since tlie very be^inninijf of the conces- 
 sion had becoiiie, froin tliat moment, imj)rt)veal)le for certain 
 purposes ; wliile tlu- other had not so bcconie, for tlie saine 
 pnr|)oses, but by llic idrmation oftlie alJuvion or the retrcal 
 of the waters, nature havini,»- uni il then placed an obstacle 
 in the way of such common improvcment. 
 
 295. I shall further add one remark founded on the act 
 aboUsliing the Feudal tenure. Whcther tlii! land formed by 
 the alluvion, or uncovered by the rcceduig of tlu; waters, 
 oiight to bclong to the riparian proprietor, in virtue of a 
 rlght of accession rcsulting from the concession à cens, or 
 in virtue of a sinular right recognized by the common law 
 in such matters, nevertheh'ss this right, wliicli lias the cllect 
 of causing the return, so to speak, of the part to the whole, 
 
365 a 
 
 ipeal 
 
 was acqiiired by hini hcloïc tlic pioninlii^ation of " the 
 t'fii^Miioiiiil Act 1)1' iWôl. ■" Il tliis aet, wliicli is silcnt on 
 f/iis riir/il of j)r(f/)i'rfi/^ li;is ddI caiiscd liim to losc it, by its 
 gnifial lîiovi.sious, llic riparian pf()|)ri('l()r niay llicn avail 
 liiiiiscli' of it wlicii the occasion sliall présent itsell'. l'iio 
 leudai seitçnior, iC lie slionld be proprietor oi" the river and 
 ils bed, will iiol therelbi-e liave but a reaolvable property, 
 (il'one may nse siicli an expression hère) ibr the benelil cl' 
 the riparian proprietor wilhin ihc; liniits of tiie alluvion or 
 of ihe retreat of the waters. Tiie case occurrinii^, lhis rii^iit 
 will ihen be decided, without tliat the seignior can i)retend 
 to any indernnity. For if lie is now, as lie contends, soh; 
 j)roprietor of the river, he lias nol. the riglit to advance any 
 claiin on ihe numey which the le;<j;islatnre lias appropriated 
 for aiding the censitaires Jn indcnnnifying the seigniors Ibr 
 the loss of their scîignioriat riglits. If the censitaire is not 
 ]jroprietor of the river, liis hereditament is wortli so niuch 
 the less. The seignior, therefore, at the tinie of the valuation 
 which shall be inade by llie coiuinissiouers in the schedules, 
 will lose in the same proportion, liis right of luds et venlea 
 on tliis hereditament. 
 
 296. Amonq the Frcnch Feitdists, therc arc some who, 
 in order to confer on the seigneur haut justicier the pro- 
 perty in rivers, assimilate thèse to the public roads Avhich 
 tln.'y give to thèse seigniors. If that sinularity could be 
 correct as regards France, andconldfnrnish for the seigniors 
 a plausible argument in support of their prétentions, it would 
 not bc so, it secms to me, in Canathi. Ilere, on the contrary 
 lhis manner of reasoning by analogy from the roads to the 
 rivers would militate in favor of the riparian proprietor. 
 Oiir road law of 1796 recognises that the lands on which 
 thèse roads arc made, belong to the land-owners which 
 furnished thera, by enacting that when thèse lands become 
 useless as public highw^ays, they should return to thèse 
 proprietors. Cannot the same tliing be saidof rivers wliich, 
 
366 a 
 
 to use tho words of a cclebrated antlior, arc " roads ihat 
 travcl " {chemins qui marchent) ? 
 
 297. A still strongcr argument, one cvcn décisive of 
 the question in favor of tiic rij)arian censitaire, is thaï wliicli 
 the scigniors themselves invoke for tiieir own bcncfit, againsl 
 tlieir suzerain^ the Crown. 
 
 They contend ihat when the concession of tli(; fief lias 
 been made to them luilh boundorics on the river, wilhoul 
 further explanation, the river is ineluded, de plcno jure, in 
 the concession. If in tlieir turn, they, in obédience to tho 
 law, extend to their property another stej) of tlio feudal 
 ladder, by the concession â cens, with the same boundary, 
 what reason is therc to exclude the river from this sub- 
 concession, tliat is to say, to prétend that the river ought 
 not to be supposed to be ineluded in it ? Where is the law 
 which would sanction in this manner, to the benefit of the 
 scigniors, and to the préjudice of their censitaires, a liko 
 exception to the gênerai rule of ihe assignment of property 
 which Ihe former makc for themselves as against their 
 suzerain. They cannot jiroduce it, much less in Ca- 
 nada, where the seignior, obliged to concède in prescrving 
 the tie of the feudal institution in ail ils degrees, necessari- 
 ly transmits to thèse grantees ail the viseful domain of that 
 which lie concèdes ; and that which lie so concèdes, hc is 
 reputcd to concède as amply as hc bas received it himself 
 from the Crown, on the condition of making lliîs sub-con- 
 cession ; a condition which gives to a ihiid party tlie right 
 to obtain that concession with the extension which I hâve 
 pointed out. Such was ihe désire, such was the object of 
 the feudal association cstablished in Canada. 
 
 208. From what I liave said, it is easy to asccrtain the 
 opinion which I hâve formed rcs})ccting ihe property in 
 rivers not navigable nor iloatuble, in what can conccrn the 
 censitaires. 
 
367 a 
 
 lielonifiii;:^ tu ihe private domain and being in oonsG' 
 (incnco in conuncrcio, and rnorcover, bcing by tlieir nature 
 a dcpendency of tlio horoditaments wliich they traverse, or 
 whicli llicy wash, thèse rivers ought to bclonp^^ de pleno jure 
 to the riparian pvoin-ietors, within thc lirnits of lus lieredita- 
 ment, at least iC tlioy hâve not been excluded frorn the eon- 
 ccssion, either expressly or tacitly, aecording to the circum- 
 stances. (1) 
 
 299. lîeloni^^Inij: to the private domain, as I liave remar- 
 ked, llicsc ri vers may bc; th(î ol)jeet of every description of 
 covenant b(îtween individuals. Now every thing lliat is 
 susceptible of covenaul is susceptible of [U'escription. The 
 propcrty in thèse rivers may thevefore be further ae()iiir(.'d by 
 prescription, whieh is ono mode of actjuiring the property 
 in ihini^s, uiidcr oiu' civil hnvs. " lîy the common luw, 
 snys llenrion de Pansey, (2) the property in a pie(;c of wattu" 
 and even in a river can Ix; aequired hi) jyrcscription.'''' Jîut 
 this mode ofacquiring by prescription, may profit the sei- 
 i^nior as wcll as the censitaire. That is a (jnestion of fact 
 for considération ; it dépends on the titles or on llic posses- 
 sion ; titles and possession whieh, in every i)articular case, 
 ought to lead to a décision whieh is pcculiar to it, withoul 
 that it should bc allowed to argue from such décision to thaï 
 whieh ought to be rendercd in an other case, whieh would 
 not présent thc same éléments. 
 
 Thus, by the systcm whieh attributes to the concession 
 à cens, madc simply with boundary to thc river, thc effect 
 of including that river in the concession, the seignior might 
 havc re-acquired the property in thc river by prescription : in 
 the same way, by the contrary systcm, the censitaire might, 
 
 (1) " PFliou a riparian hereditainent lias been sold houndedhy thc 
 river 'jX\\\Q\\g\\u\ conséquence of an alluvion, the extent indicated is 
 <'ouud cnorlno^>^l/ surpassed, the vcndor can not rc over the excess." 
 Davicl, V. 1, p. ll'G,no. ItO. 
 
 (2) Dcscauz^. 13, p. 070. 
 
368 a 
 
 by tho same mcans, acquire lliat propcrty to the prcjudico 
 of the seignior. 
 
 It oii<?lit tc) bo tlic eame wllli respect to other modes 
 of transferrinii; property wliicli seii^niors and censitaires, like 
 other individuals, niay invoke and raako availabhî ihc one 
 agajnst the other. 
 
 300. That tho riversof which \vo speak, are siisceptibh* 
 of passing into the liands of censitaires by lueans ot" con- 
 cession, appears to me to be beyond (jnestion. The law 
 abolishing the seigniorial tenure itsclf atilinowlcdges if iu 
 princij)le and in faef, when, in th'; lil'th and the ninetccnth 
 sections, it makcs ))rovision concerning ail nnconeedeti lands, 
 waters and water powers. (l) Is this not to déclare that 
 nof only llic water and the water-powers niay be the object 
 of a concession, like the lands tlieniselvc-s, but Ihat ihey 
 bave alrcady been so in iact. If by the word " uncon- 
 ceded " tlie législature g- "es it to b(î understood ihal llicre 
 are waters and water i)owers in that condition, il eciually 
 gives it to be understood that therc sojne, or that llierc niay 
 bo some, wliich arc in the opposite condition. In the sanie 
 
 (1) 'l'iieru is an tMTor iii tlie IVuiicli voisioii ot" llie bocyiul article of 
 the fifdi section. It says tliat in tlie valiiatioii, tlie commissioners sliall 
 point out " toute dilVérence entre la valeur absolue en fraiic-aleu rotu- 
 rier" of '' toutes terres non concédées, eaux et pou\oir,s d'eau" in the 
 seigniory, " et appartenant à icelle et la valeur des droits du seigneur 
 en icelle etc., etc." This last word icelle shouid be replaced by the 
 Word iccux ; and the word 7ion-concédécs in lieu of being placed im- 
 médiate ly aller terres shouid bave been al ter "• pouvoirs d'eau." Tin; 
 engiish version is tliis : " Any Jillerence between tlie absolule value in 
 franc-aleu roturier of " ail unconccdcd lands, waters and water 
 powers," in the seigniory and ajipertaining tliereto, and the value of the 
 seigniorial righvs tberein &.c." It is évident that this word thcrein bas 
 référence not to that of the seigniory, but to the words lands, tcaters 
 and water powers, and that the Avord Icaids does not relates inerely 
 to that Word, but also lo the words ivatcrs and water potiers ; that 
 
369 a 
 
 rcjudico 
 
 r modes 
 ircH, like 
 llic ono 
 
 sc'optible 
 
 ol" con- 
 
 rhc law 
 
 <^('s it iii 
 
 nelccntli 
 
 .'dlands, 
 
 lare tliat 
 
 le objeet 
 
 lat lliey 
 
 ■ imctm- 
 
 lat tliere 
 
 equally 
 
 re inay 
 
 le saïue 
 
 article of 
 lers sliall 
 lieu rotii- 
 
 lU 1 
 
 n tl 
 
 le 
 
 H 
 
 d by ttie 
 
 iceil iiii- 
 
 ,-' Tlie 
 
 value iti 
 
 1 waler 
 
 ue of (lie 
 
 cln lias 
 
 tcaters 
 
 inerely 
 
 rs ; Ihat 
 
 manner, wlirn, in llic llltli section, it spoaks ijenerally of 
 uiieoiKu (lc(l ii'dh'rs and iratcr iioinr.s hclotiifiiii!; to a sei^- 
 tiiory, and wlicn, in tlic lilicrnlli, it iiiakcs nicnlidn ol a 
 parlicnlar waler power hclon^'inv; to tlic M'iunior, dors it iiol 
 suppose IJial tlii'ir liiav 1)<" sonir wliicli li;i\e ccascd to 
 L)elonij[ lo liini, brcausi' lie lias alimatrd iIk m - 'l'Iic le^is- 
 latiin,' lias l'uriiicr expresse*! il^elf in tlir saine ^eiisc, in still 
 inofe pi'eeist; tenus, hy iIk; louiteeiitli section wliicli lixt's 
 tlie period at wliicli tlic eonversit)n ol ihe scii^nioiial teniifc 
 into tliat oï Jranc-dleu roWricr sliall t;ike place ; \\ liieli 
 period is l'or cvery sciniiiory tliat ol llic piihlicalioii in tlie 
 Canada (îa/.(,'ttc (4' tlic iiolice ol' tlic dcposil ol' ils scliediije 
 {('(tda.slre). As re^^ards tlie scii,niior, it says tlial lie --IkiII 
 poss(\ss Ironi thaï nioinenl in franc.-itivii roturier '•• ail ilie 
 waler powcrs and iiinnovcal)lc ichicli noir hrlotiu; lo liini 
 Tlicsc j;is1 words cxclude al! idea tliat. llic scii^ndor liad iiol 
 llic power to alienalc, and li;id not, in lai'l, iilieiialed, ilie 
 vval(!r j)o\vcrs ol' liis scii^nioiy. On tlic contrary, tliey le;id 
 neeess: rily to tlie supposilioii thaï iherc iiii^lil liavc heeii 
 wnter ))ouurs wliicli now no |oii;j;cr belon^j^ to llic seii;nior, 
 lie haviiiijf placcd tlieiii ont of liis liands. In sliort, il' ail llic 
 water poivcrs eoiild never cease to l)ck)nir to tlic sci^iiior, il' 
 lliey eonstitnted l'or liiiii a pro|)erly whicli eould noi bc 
 
 vvliicli proves il eleaii) is llii; iiiuie exa':t traiislalioii ol' tlio saine 
 plu'ase lo be fouiul iii llie iiiiieleeiilli :-eeUoi. wliicli lixes llie appropria- 
 linu lo be iiiaile ol' tliis diflerenee belwecn the Iwo values, wheii il lias 
 beeii establislied. W'e ibere read : " Tlio dilVereiice between llie ab- 
 " soluté value iu frafic-dlea roturier of " ail unco)LCC(lcd hi.tuh, 
 " vatcrs and waler ^;fy«'e/\s'" lu lia; scigniories and llie value ol" llie 
 " scignior's righls tlbcrcin ik.c.'' Tliis sentence is renilered in iVencli 
 as follow ; " La dillerence entre la valeur absolue en franc aleu ro- 
 " turier de •' tous fonds, eaux et pouvoirs d'eau iioii-concédcs," dans 
 " les seigneuries, et la valeur des droits du seigneur is.c ." 
 
 It is plaiii tliat tlie provision was first wrilten in llie eiiglisli language 
 
 and tliat the french version is oïdy a translation. 
 
 47 
 
MTO 'i 
 
 :ii:i'ti;ili'(l -r [Mf i;i |\ Ifulil t'ii- li'i' i i ■/ 1 1, I ■ : ■ >' \\ i M , I • ^ , l 'it' 
 lillllc dC M'IlX'. 
 
 ild Im' .•! i i • 'l'I !,i r lie 
 
 ;jO|. 'riii-; l.u 1 .sy-Iclil W'iilid ((/ilxH i;i:i- 1 iir jjrinuiple 
 l'iiit thv' ii\(i,-- ii'ii ii;i\i ^■:;M<', iior Loin'iiMi', ,ir'' mt ^ii-i'C])- 
 liMc (Il Iciiv i)riv;it.' Dron.'itv, jmkI (■■iiiiinl ci'ii -rciiifullv l'f 
 
 111 cota, acre 
 
 i:.; V")V i!(\\ 
 
 |),'c'i:' !!■<;( 'Il: 
 
 ■ Il lue s;'i:.'!! n)!' : llicm^.'h' 
 
 V ■• I ' ) 
 
 l)r>>:M'i: V III l,'('Hi' viwï 
 
 lu omis*' I.V t'i.ll >•', -tri;!, .-LC'!) 1 )/« •; X 'Il V (mI||(| IK'Vi'l" il'IVf 
 
 'Il iiciriii'C'l liv tli'.Mi!. I i')\\ f\ l'i', on 
 
 lui' 
 
 Ull'iV 
 
 ■ I, 
 
 l!:;i' t'Ni'îî n;!\':':''i'-'' n\<' • w <■!•<' su-iTnii.ih: ol 
 
 coil'.v-S'iKiii 111 laver 
 
 lui : vi'!i:;i , ■. i'iT 
 
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 lln^ 
 
 ;!- !l 
 
 (M! 
 
 i') I. 
 
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 Ji!, (lr;OMr:,,i. I J, x'cl. l,;ii! 
 
 ()\V>t 
 
 H-I.s *■ !o ii-.i !!i anv nvcr, en",'!;, IrirDoiir 
 
 il Ilis M,!|L'.v|y's >! 
 
 or i'o:i'!.-;«';i'.!, wilii liufily l') '{uoii ^^Iujkmhi ai'v j'^r! "Ailiiiii 
 liic iiilrrior di.-lricl C't'(ia.-j)'', Ijclwrcn caj) Ciial, i ii ilic ytailli 
 
 do (d' t 
 
 m- l'.N'L 
 
 awrcii,';; a.id l!,a ii:,-! r.\\)]A ol' 
 
 nvcr lusiij-oarli;', wiiliiii 
 
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 isla.iid ul' iJ(!uaVi'iiliii\-, i>j)iK)>ilf to i\a'r,\', l'or \\\v |)iir|)(.;?(' 
 
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 d 
 
 v:i: •■ llioir ii.^ii, îo vu! v.ood t'or 
 
 iiiaiv.ii'.;' :j!l ii"j!;'.!r.i!'.^ >ia;;' 
 rooias aad olii^a' i;:a'i;(.'s^'s ii. 
 
 u.>li loi- i'.\',;oi- 
 
 tr; 
 
 . V 1 k , \ > 
 
 '■'1 -.{-.V . I, 
 
 l.inr», 
 
 Il laav 
 
 'aavC:-, iiaru!;'-', cool 
 
 iry ii'i' ja'Cjjariii"; llicii 
 ' \\ .'i'al 1.) 'i'.'.'ir ri:-iiin;j 
 
 ;ji;t !■![! 
 
 1,.n'..' 
 
 ioa 1. 
 
 ()l:l aiiV |K 
 
 .-o!i or i.r;:-(.ns \, 
 
 fjharnpla a, c!' liai or iaon.'r-la- 
 
 ■1"-' --I 
 
 -(, (.■.(' 
 
 l'roL'iaec 
 
 utvii n\rr, (■ 
 
 • 01 ir, oi road-! 
 
 IVJl.C 
 
 Il !-!tiC:l 
 
 O'jd 
 
 ii:av OL 
 
 O.Uiit 
 
 d, or î':i land upon 
 bot'.'uh 
 
 in: CJiJU.i iljc 
 
 o( uiiij pricatc ]a-o])(-aly, by ;;rM:t iVam iiis '«aijivdy vr ollicr 
 liHc procec(li,i}:ç i:in\i .-iu- i :.''ranl ■.lUtùv prlor lo {!io yoar 
 
 17(J0, or hold ur.dar 
 
 \'.\a t)v \ 
 
 a-(i:a oi aiu' localiaa cartili- 
 
 caiu or litlo (lL'i'ivo(.l iVoia any MUai loi'a.lK-di t'crlilicat( 
 
 Tii 
 
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 nd M'Ctle !l \\ aicli 
 
 ;ii\cs lo lia' iiiarrlcr (.d' l'vorv 
 
 vc^-ci li<'|<.Mii,'iii;r 
 
 In th,.' V'-alcd Kiii 
 
 '.'({oui and ils domiiiion-i 
 
» / I ^• 
 
 t!i'' il'v . .. ,!.,■ j,, ■..., 
 irit;cli ni , ' I,;. " 
 
 'm 
 
 ili !'-' i' ^ '•'■'<[( l;i ji.'', (if 
 
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 lî. M. o. •. 
 
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 ■/■."■ ■ ,■ 
 
 •.'. i;, iiDi'i 
 
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 ■^' IV- r!,'-., ^' ;i;iy ;; ;.. ,,',-:,-i: .,; ;,, m,;,,,. ..f ;.,,v .,,.; 
 
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 ' i i> ■ ■ ■■'. o: ,i^ ■'! -.^z as tv) iiiciMijinodc 
 
 : '• i>i.:v 
 
 I 
 
 "'''■-''''■"' '■■■■ 'i "■■ ;;:;:< o:- ;iac,,. )1'm ,• i:i apy Laihoar 
 r..: i-^l^n'^ c, va ( ..' ,)l a a !■"!■■ —■■.,■ f .)• ' 
 
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 ,;.(..: ,,, r ,v|.;. 
 
 •^ '•■' I''- . . fiiaj;. I I . ai\ ( .-^ I') jrsiiccs di il,c 
 
 )■>"!)(•" liic a;i,in:,.,y ai aaaa' icani:!! i 'i,- i^r Lrcainc;- in ^aod 
 nrdri- sacli jiails .,| i!:a ;aaa-- - < ' : -a la,\\,vnac aiul fif 
 
 lu (|M('l)ai' as 
 
 ;i!(^ vivi !■ Si. Cliaila- ia ai" c; 
 are nof jtrii':i;c ^'royi r';;. 
 
 .r, 
 
 oOI. Tua ;iia oi' iS,:î. ,-a;i]>. :ja, s-cl. 1, (iadaivs '• tlial 
 
 '•'■ liic pronriaiias oi' lav 1 ailus bo.iii iiiji^ (ai llia s(Miiii sida (»; 
 
 '■ îlic >^ai(; ri\-( r, l,,àM.\- îri- riiy i i' (,;aai ce, ^i;alI li/' (aili:icd 
 
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 "• oi\ bein'cn) Liic c,;.' I- ,r iccli,' nun-k.-, la llir J'ron! of 
 
 •■' //•''//• rc:^y>'i'm-i' lui-i ij' tUûd catt jhru:;;. \i.) \\s:^ (a\alll.sioi] 
 
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 cit" diiiiiMiily Nvl.irl: aia_\ af'M', ihc (jui 
 
 hc itUlihtltlllC'J. 
 
 (iiid puî>iic posses- 
 •', rJidl! (irail (/nd 
 
372 a 
 
 In llie tliird section, not only tlic riglits of II. M. biil 
 ;ils() tho'^r! " ot" indiviâuals in any siieh boach or strand of 
 ihe said river St. Lawrence" are expressly reserved. 
 
 Then, llie fourtli section says tliat " notliinj^^ in this art 
 " contaJncd sliall bo construcd to extend or i.;ive to tiie pro- 
 " ])rie1ors of tlie said river any rii^lit or title -wlialsoever to 
 " inelose or iml)ank l^y fenc(!s or otlierwise llie said beaclies 
 " or sirands, or in any manner to inipede tlie free and t)pen 
 " lil.)er1y of navigation and eoninieree over llie said river 1o 
 " ail Tlis Majesty's subjects, or to depiive any one of tl)(i 
 *■'■ free ns(^ of tlie ])eaches of the said river St. Lawrence, as 
 " l)y tiie laws herelofore ))rovided and in fore»- it is enacted 
 ' and ordained. 
 
 Thèse provisions of the act of 1831 are repeated in ihc 
 aetof 183G, cliap. 55. 
 
 305. An act of 1853, elinp. 02, reiaiing lo the Jîsherit.'s 
 on ihe ]>abrador eoast and norlli slion' of llu; Ciulpli of Si. 
 Lawrence contains in substance, inres|)ect to the right of iisli- 
 ing '' on any and cvîny river, ereek, hari)()ur, or roadstcad," 
 and of eutting wood necessary for carrying on the llsliery, 
 ili(^ same provisions, as the above nicntioned aets of 1807 
 and 182 l : " l'rovidi.'d that sneh river, creek, harbour, or road- 
 ^ stead, be navigalile by l)oats and eraftsusiially eiiiployed in 
 '•'• the iisheries, and be not |irivate property, and the land rij)on 
 " wliicli snch wood niay be eut, be uneoneeded by the seig- 
 '•'■ nior, or proprietor of the seigniory witliin wliieh the sanic 
 "• is sitiiiited, or if eonceded, reinain^ unimproved or unoc- 
 *•' ciipied at tlu; tirne, when sucli wood is eut lor tlu; said 
 '•'• piirposes ; 
 
 '' Provided that siieh beacli he not priva/e properly 
 ptnsnant toa concession or tille deed therefor froni the seig- 
 nior or proprietor of the seigniory, to whick the saine inay 
 
373 a 
 
 )i'iisli- 
 
 15 
 
 appertain, or be hcld by a virtue of a location ccrtiiicato 
 iVom llie Crown or title derived llierelrom. 
 
 SOC). ï onglit not to closi; this analysi.s of iho laws of 
 our législature, relative to this matter, without inakingiTK.'n- 
 tionoftwoof its acis l)(;aring on llu; u-^e of riviTS and ri- 
 vulets. 
 
 In llic session of 1855, a Bill Imving for its object" to pro- 
 vide for the remcdy of abuses ))r(>judicial to agrienllure," ori- 
 ginaled Avitli a spécial coiinriitlf.'c of the législative assem- 
 l)ly. It became law on the tenth August. l\ is chapter 10 
 of the acts of that session. The second section lias the fol- 
 lowing provision . 
 
 " No i)erson shall enter into or pass througli any field, 
 whelh(!r it be sown or unsown, nor along the banks of 
 any river or rivulet., nor into nor through any gavdeujcop- 
 piceior any property Avhatsoever, wn7/?ou/ the pennission 
 oi' xho proprlclor, or some person duly aulliorised by hini 
 to granl such permission, und(!r a penalty of not less than 
 five shillings nor more than thirty shillings currency, for 
 every such odence, and over and above the amount of idl 
 (himages occasioncd thercby, any law, usage or custom 
 " lothe contrarv nctwithstanding." 
 
 seig- 
 same 
 
 lîi the succeeding year, haste was made to pass 
 another act (chaj)ter 102) declaring that tlu; second chapter 
 of ihe l'ormer, " shall not be construed toprevent any j)erson 
 " or persons froni the full and free use of any navigahie 
 " rirer, rirulef, slre.ani or water course, and the banks IhcreoJ 
 '■'• on cllhcr side^ in that part of this province, which formerly 
 '^ constiliilctl j.ower Canada, jjroyîer y'or the Jîoating and 
 '■'• conreyance ofivood or tiniber, or for the gênerai purposes 
 " of navigation., but that ail such rivers, rivulets, streams 
 " and water courses and the banks ihereof on either side, 
 to such exlent as may be necessary, and in accordance 
 
 (( 
 
.s 7-1 (i 
 
 " Wiiii ;!iC i:pVS, li<;iM-,.s M,.! ( ',l-.!,,r||v ,,!' ih;,; [K!)'] of ll;|S 
 ' (*l'Ail)(c wliicli i'iriiinly i-i))i>îiîi;W ;I |',()\\(M'(,';m;i(ln, sl!;i)l 
 
 u 
 
 I , 
 
 De îind 1-. i.iiiin Ir^':' io l:i;' piilu;;-, rs ;',iiiv rn ] ( n^iclv, lo 
 
 " llic ;i!(irr;-.;ii(! ;ict \v.\i\ ncvrr hci'M li.'issrd nov JlKulc ]-);irt 
 liicrcd!'. Pr;'\-i('rd îilwiiV-, l'i; 
 
 (Il 
 
 u 
 
 •inii.ii.'j' <;n ï:.'.' b;iiiu ci ;!iiv mk 
 
 1.11 ;iii j>'r>.()Ps :■.() piissincr or 
 ■i\ry i ividcl, sircîini or 
 
 iriiic^, ,ii;iinr- or 
 
 ■M UMm;)' !lMi,('(ii;i!(';v 
 
 U'iTaiUM" llio 
 
 : (■li"s \\ i: l'r 
 
 I ■ ' ( ' \' ^ I i . i I 
 
 I '.\u\-v (!:;ni:i'rf'<lan(l 
 
 hc Jl;i;;,i' 
 
 ■11' ;<:i oi;!;'i' t!,;ii,:':';(> rcMili !!):.■ Iiici-ciiuin. 
 
 - » j . V ;"o; 
 
 vv,-(>:.:!;.i:::, i ccnf-n'oc tni'i ilic sci'niii 
 
 iil:(' .'III (. 
 
 n"!i :vi:l!;a i--, foilo lictiiii! 
 
 IVi 
 
 nr.l lioî, ce /;,-,'';/n /;/;•, 
 
 ;i^ ? ('i;;ii 'd 
 
 i'i:riii> m na\iiraMin 
 > ''i llic l'tcj.-; ad ioin- 
 
 nor lioa'al)' 
 
 Il Mil' cxcv'jilicii i -. nwrs ii(,l iiavi_-al)!o 
 
 \\i:;cn c.'volv, 
 
 1 liai tiK'T" \\\ic. in ( ;■ '.T io ;iciji; 
 
 :ra i i: 
 
 (ju ilicm l)y 
 in a naviir- 
 
 ahic r:\ -v. ii v, ;>.>■ ne 
 
 <-."^;.a,\' ,:iai i.L'V s!i()ii;;i : av.' an (.'\i)r('^s 
 
 concrs:-iw;) 
 
 ■i;.n, auîi iiini,. r, ii \\ a.s nvvv 
 
 1 1 
 
 lO --■- 
 
 i ; M 1 \' ; ; ; i : 
 
 COIH-C--; 
 
 K'M Ol 
 
 y :-iloiliu 
 
 • > n 
 
 (iii.Jii>' i,>a 
 
 ,;(! oi llu'so 
 
 r.vcr' 
 
 is iii.'.i.niai, 
 
 M) r, 
 
 ''!' ^.'-i c-iaiiaciïT, V. aica ii>a::(' 
 
 a;.-! !'> 
 
 . (1 Oi i M> iirr''.(M'iv m 
 
 l!;c I::M). 
 l!iM-r' ci 
 
 a' ih'v !;a-.-(' na: 
 
 :.;ri 1!) 
 >i d inio 
 
 aire 
 
 { V \' a rac 
 
 Il (a 1 iiiL' or 
 
 n!;S'^' 
 
 <av!i I '\-,\ a* 
 
 la- r, 
 
 a ;--ais!: 1 ic js iîoin; 
 
 1 V > ; ! 7 
 
 rc (i,- t! 
 
 la. 
 
 c; rai 
 
 11"! 
 
 ir- a 
 
 coiiiprlanl aii'.!;o;i;y. laay ■:-\\\yv{.'{ die,---" v.wx' 
 
I -, s I ^ il > • ■;i - I 
 
 Oi" riiK .vA'irui; oi' ihj; i'uwi: i Ai'i'KHUT.-:i) r ■> tue (iovKi'. 
 .\iji{ A\u i\) i\ i:;\oAM' îiV 'I'h;: kii;^- r oi- tm ;; rw,) ai» 
 
 lîivrs oK '1':!!: (j m ,ii;i.v 
 
 O.V 'l.:i; RKi'L^A !, Ol'" A.VV 
 
 i'\KTicr:,A' S!;icVi<);i to co.vc.'.ij:;. 
 
 
 ;jl)0. 'l'Iic l^nl ([nc<\\i)n ',( \[.,' Alloiiii'y (dncrnl : > in 
 ihc iullo\viii.g l'M-iij".-^ : 
 
 '" Di:ri;i:.^ ! ',(■ jM'i.'',! i),-! ;. CiU :l!.' (■:■.— . ;,>!) (-i. liiC colii;!: v 
 ail;! tiiL' |);i.->;:!';; ( ; \[r' ■• o(i;:!'>.ii ',. 1 .'■.ci o.' !o.", !,"' did liicrc 
 rx!;.;; a I,;, l'îl (•u:iip'';v'!il lu 'Mtc::^»' ;!.(J no'At^-.-; ;!;i;1 juris- 
 (.llclit)!! (■' <1 (.!i !:r.' >lo\;Mii' ;■ ;;!i I i v.lciuliilli uy ilie .-;ii:| 
 
 i)('(T("(.' ui .'i^y, i7i!, l'..'i ii 'i!'" !■ I :'.)■' roilci'.- -ioM oi' sciy- 
 iiioriul iaïuisrii' >vx\\ ;i li-ii.M':!:'i. cn i.-N'd, ^ii! il. vxvn:i>'- 
 i !U)<(' pi)\\(':s, Ci' (i ;;î il ic. .;.-'( r ; .r.iii lo (k) ::-o.' "' ( 1 ) 
 
 ;)!('. .'i.ri"i' 'i.iviii-^' piTM-;:!,;^' i ;lii' rc-!'.iio:>, \:) l!i'' C'ruw II 
 cloiiiriii), oï l'iiCKjii'iitci' ;;c!.:;!i'('rir.:^ '•• ;;l li'.^li ii'.;(-nce (jfiii»' 
 '' Attwi'h'y Gcnoral ci' lii; 'M'pfM'icr cjiiiicii ol' Qwcljcc-, ;,!i:l 
 '* ii;)c)ii llio crdiiinnçLv; wii'rh >Ii:t!l l,-: li.crc!)!! initî'M'cd bv 
 tiii' CJu\c';'iU)r iticl IiiU'iiilaMt,"' \\iV. an'' t (..-rdci's '■' tliui uil 
 '•'■ llio hcii>ui()r.>> iii lii;:. .-îiivl Coiuitry (M.' X<'\v' i iMiiee shali 
 '■'■ c(.)iiC(>d(' 1t> llic s(>'d('vs lik; ii)Is ol' land \\ liJch ll.oy iray 
 *•' dciuaiid Ol' lii('':i. i.'i li.t'ir M-i'^iiior]r-<, al a -;;oi:iid rcnt, aud 
 '• \\'illi((iit (•,\a;:liii-,f l'r(;:ii \\iviii aiiy siim ol' inonoy ;is ;i con- 
 "• ï-jJdtM'atioii ibr MU-'i (.'(.nLi'>sii.;!i ; (.llii'rwix" ai"!'..! in àc;;'Ldt 
 '• olllici'' so doin:,'', Ilis 3.iaii.';-ly piTiuil.--- iho baid inliabilants 
 "• 1() drmand lin- -aid lois ( I' land Iv a muuiik'I s, ;;nd 
 
 (1) 
 
 lii' (ir/'t i> triiiixa-iliril wiili ii> nriniiil.'lr', in inv fib-or'. ali'nn 
 
 r/ !,• 
 
 I io-. 
 
376 a 
 
 " in case of their refusai, to make application to the Gover- 
 " nor, T>ieutenant General and Intendant of the said coun- 
 Iry, wliom Ilis Majesty enjoins to concède to the said in- 
 ' habitans the lands demanded by them in the said sciig- 
 ' niories, subjcct to the same ducs as are laid upon othor 
 " lands conccded in the said seigniories, which dues sliall 
 " be paid by the new settlers into the hands of the rcceiver 
 " of His Majesty's domain, in the city of Québec, withoiit 
 " its being in the power ofthe seigniors to claimfrom tliciu 
 " any dues of any kind whatever." 
 
 311. It mnst in the iirst place l<o remarked that to rcn- 
 der the proceeding re(iuir('d in sut:h a case more regular, the 
 concession whicli, according lothe arrél^ could bc granted by 
 the Govcrnor and the Intcndani, shonld hav(! beenpreceded, 
 as I will shortly shew, ])y the re-union to His Majesty's do- 
 main, ofthe land which the seignior should havc tluis rc- 
 fused to concède, whethcr the concession and the rc-union 
 were rnade by spécial acts, or by une and the same decd, 
 by the power appointed to pronounce ui)on the contestation. 
 
 There were, tlierefore, two kinds of ïc-v\n\on proridcd for 
 hy the arrêt ; lo. the re-union of the whole seigniory, in 
 default of cultivation ; 2o. partial rc-union, owing to the re- 
 fusai to concède ; but both tending lo the same resuit. The 
 re-union in the one and in the other case, was the act of an 
 authority which, altho' conferred upon thèse two functionna- 
 ries, had not the Icss a judicial character. 
 
 As ihcre are two principal things to be considered in 
 in the enacting clauses of the arrêt , namely, rc-union and 
 concession^ let us sec what had been })rac;tiscd uj) to that 
 time to attain tins double olijecl, if it were possil)i(', cvcii 
 easy, to obtain it under the systein of concession heretoforc 
 adopted to réalise the views of the Sovereign upon the es- 
 tablishment of his new colony. 
 
377 a 
 
 .'312. At tli(.' tirnc of tlic iirst roncession en _fîcf \h:\\ is, 
 dnriiiir llic ('\is||.ii,.,. ,,j' il,,, conipiiiiy of tlic liiindivd asso- 
 ciâtes, tlic jiKlicial aiilliority \\a> coiilidcd lo tlic (lovcriiors, 
 " provisioiiidly aiid iiiitil llicrc hc judijcs ol' die liii;licst aii- 
 
 lliDi'ity estahlislu'il itpon tlic spol l'or ihc adminlslralioii oi' 
 
 justice." (1) 
 
 il. 
 
 In niiiiihcr 2!) of iny ol)scr\ ations upon tlic Jeu (If fi('f\ 
 
 f liavc Iliade iiiciitioii ol' llic onlinaiicc ol' Mr. de Laiizoïi 
 
 iipoii ilic siil.iect of iiiiiiicdialc en Iti val ion iipoii tlic pain ol' 
 
 Jhrfeihirc \ and in iiiiinhcr .JT, I liavc ivlaicd ihr (irnt (,lili(> 
 
 Coiiiudl of Mate oC tlic ils| Mardi l(i(i,}, ivndcicd a \r\\ davs 
 
 alti'i' tlic re>ii,.naIioii ol' llie Coinpaiiy oT New France, and 
 
 •-•an'yiiii;- willi il ihe rcvocaiimi ol' iiiiciilti\ nied coiicosiniis 
 
 \\'idiiii a certain d.lay. 'l'Iie (Ùivcikh-, llic iii>lic,p and ilie 
 
 Inlciidant are speciall\ cli;iii^vd " lo ^e,' >iricii\ loihe puiic- 
 
 '' liial cxceiiiioii ,,r ihe piv-ent *//•/■• /.;iUo lo il i vin hnie ; i,,. 
 
 '' •^•iid iinciihisalcd land-, :iiid io-raiil eoiiec>vi,,n> liieicii 
 
 '" in tli<" naine of llis \la|e>t\," 'i'iie ,/r/v/, ilniv, coiilcned 
 
 iipoii tlicni, iiolli llie power lo re-iinile and llic power lo coii- 
 
 ••ede anew. IJllt c\iMl liel'nre iheir arrivai ;il (^llehee, lliev 
 
 wcrc virtiially depri\e(| ,,(' ihc li,-^; ,,1' tlic>e p(,\\ci>, li\ ihc 
 
 création ol t lie So\crei^-n Coiiiai I m ihe inoiil li ol' April ol' 
 
 llie saine year Kid.î. Tliey rcLiiiicd, imi w ji hsiii nd iicj, lliat 
 
 ol'co^el•din:,^ In l'act, ilie pi.w ei /r> r(-iini/i\ m delaiilt of 
 
 t.lie excciilioii ol ihc oldi^atidii^ ,i|' th,. wi;,,,],.,. \, ,|^^ imiin'- 
 
 diiitely aller llie cslahlishiiicnl ol llie coiiiicil, ackiiow- 
 
 ied^^fcd to licloiiu lo i||;it („,(|y a> a court ol law, not oiil\ l)\- 
 
 llie coimcil itscll' and l)v tiic i;-o\criior and mîcndani w ho 
 
 U'ere iiiciiihers tliia-cor, hiit aiso hy tlic |\iim- and liis Atlca- 
 
 ney (leiieral. It l'ollow s tliat tliis power to re-iinilc was, in 
 
 ils nature, a judiidal attrilmte. (2) 
 
 1) Cl)llUlli^^iou (if ( iov'criioi' Alei 
 
 (1) 
 Kilf). 
 
 niliiia^iiy, ol' (lu; iiiniiili ni" .limi 
 
 (2) 'l'iic-ic rc-Miudiis I" ihi' ( 'nnvn ilomaiii, :;a\i' iim' t.i 
 
 i|llr>ti()lis of 
 
 j)roi)eily. lu France, tiiesi; t|in;slioiis were laoïii^lit licfon; luulicul 
 
 •18 
 
 lar 
 
378 a 
 
 :i\6. 'l'Iu; Kiiii^ Unis expresses hiiiiscir, iji ihosixilt aiti- 
 (.■lu ol his inslniclioiis totlic coininissioncr (iaudui?, dutcd tlio 
 7lli May 1GG;3 (1) ami signcil l)y lus own liand : 
 
 " Sliould any of tliosc to wlioni tlie said concession* 
 '■'■ weru madc, pvocecd lo clear llieni enlircly, and that be- 
 " lorc tlic expiration of llie six nionllis mentioncd in tiie 
 " said arrêt (ol'lhe 21st Mareh 1GG3), ihey sliall liave com- 
 " iiienced toclcar a good i)arl lliereof, Tlis Majesty's inlenlion 
 " is that, npon tlieir jKîtition, Ihc Socereign Council shall 
 " Jurant lliem a ncw delay ol" six montlis only, whicli being 
 " linisiicd, lie wislie^j that ail the said conccsàions be dc- 
 " clared nuliy 
 
 jailges generally calted " Jiulges of tlie Domain," aiul lliis in virtue of a 
 h^peciai power, Avliicli was grantetl now to ono tribunal, tlien lo another 
 according to the place and circnmstanccs. Wc road in tlic new collection 
 of Deniznrt, undcr the word Domaine delà Coxiromte § 10: " By the 
 '' troatise on domain of Lefevre de la Planche we learn that the cogni- 
 " zancc of matters relating to the domain, after having in its origiu 
 " belonged to the alone Parliament of Paris, afterwards to the Baillis 
 " and Sénéchaux, fmally definitivcly taken from thèse, was in 1627 
 " orantcd to the treasurcrs of France, with tho right of appeal to the 
 " high court of parliauiont 
 
 " A contestation pro?e in 17Û0 bctwecn the courts of enquêtes and 
 " the liigh court of parliament, in relation to the right of jurisdiction 
 
 '• in matters of domain It was docidcd, lo. that from the moment 
 
 " tlio riaht of the domain should be in contestation, whether the Attor- 
 '* ney (îencral, his substitutes, or e?îgagistes be parties, the suits should 
 " be carricd to the parliament, in whatevcr state the case might be ; 
 " 2o. that, when the question was confined to the receipt of uncon- 
 " tcsted riglits, to Icascs and their exécution, the suits should be 
 " brought beforc the enquêtes. 
 
 '< \V^c find in the works of D'Aguesseau, t. 7, p. 533, a mcmo- 
 •■ riul relative to this question. 
 
 (1) No. to of tlic obiervalioiià upoa lue Jeu de li<.f. 
 
079 a 
 
 Il is ul.eo in lliis wriy ihat w e soc \])o (ùn-friiov and ilic 
 IJisliop (llie lnl(>ndiint Holx.'vt lind noi arrivt-d in Canada) 
 jMVSonl lo llie sov(;rci^n couiuil, on llu; Olli Au;^aist lfi(M, 
 Ihis rtr/V'7 of n'tr'_'n('lfnient, and a^^k tliut il he execulcd iti 
 ovoiy ])ai'tifndar aceordinL,' lo ils lenor and i'i.iin(l) and 
 (illhougJi Ihu Word rc-unioa itscH'is not ^rillcn in ihis «/•- 
 »Y'/, il was ncverthtdcss so well nndcistood (diat wliifdi in 
 fact as a malU^r of course followed iVoin t!ie cnaclmcnl ol' 
 tlie arrêt) tlial il was ncccssary ))Vevi(nisly lo j^rononncc 
 llie re-union, llial llie Covernor and llu; liislio]) in iIkj lirsl 
 place as^k ihe cxeculion ol' lliis anvY, " llial ail tlie lands 
 " which are not no\v cullivalcd and made productive bc 
 " declarod re-united lo llie King's domain, lo be disposcd 
 " of in llic nunie of Ilis ]Ma.je!:;ly by new concession &.c.," 
 and lliat aflcrwards ihe Altorney (Jcnoral in liis pétition, 
 asks " lliat ail lands lield in a loild sUitc be re-iinilcd to llie 
 " King's domain Sic." 
 
 VVe hâve alrcady seen llial upon tliis demand and rc- 
 quesl, " tbc council, belbre decidini,' lliereupon, bad ordcred 
 " lliat Ihe orrét be communicalcd lo ihe symlic of llie in- 
 " habitants al llie diligence of llie King's Altorney General 
 
 I hâve establishcd in anollier ))lace (J) lliat daring tlie 
 î^horl existence of llie l'oyal governmenl re-establislied in ihe 
 year 1GG3, tlie Sovereign Covincil had rendeied an arrc't mak- 
 îng an application of t!ie arrct of retienclimenl of ihe 21 si 
 March 1CG3. It is thaï of llie Slli Xovember IGGl which 
 orders llie inliabitanls of J.auzon to |)ay, in llic hands of llie 
 clerk of ihe council, llie înnount of thcir lease of fishing 
 grounds. During ihe i.<unc period, tlie Governor and Inten- 
 dant wlio had relained ihe power tliercof, seem to hâve 
 made but two grants which I bave s]X)ken of elsewhere. (3) 
 
 (1) No. 42 of the observations up^n tlie Jeu de lief. 
 
 (2) No. 'tt of the observations upon the Jeu de fief. 
 
 (3) No. l'J of the observations upon tlie .Teu de fief. 
 
380 a 
 
 ;3I1. In iiimilM'r T)!» ol' iny ol)>ci\ niions on llic ./r»/ de 
 jUf\ I li;i\c ichili'd ;il Icni^flh llic tin'il ol icticiicliMH'iit ol llic 
 llli .liini' !()■;.'. I'"r(iin llir i'>l;il)li>l,nicnl ni' llic ANC^l liidia 
 (•()iri|);iny n|) U» llii--: |)('ri(»(l, ;ill llic concessions sccni to liavc 
 l>ccii iiiiidc l)\ llic lnlcn(l;ini, in sirlnc, donl-tlcss, ol' llic aii- 
 tlioiily w liicli liad hccn alrcady i^ivcu lo liini liy dic (irr( I ol 
 tlic l\<\ Miiicli l(i(i;}, iind wliicli li;i<l liccii coidiiincd lo liini 
 l)\ llic aii:ri'cMicni \\ liicli li;ul hccn nindc in l(i()G a\ itli llio 
 aident ol dic company. ( 1 ) 
 
 ;3I."). At'cordini^ lo lliis rr/'/v7 olllic lili .liuic i(i*/^, tlie 
 rtlniii/iiiiciil (or rc-nnion) w liicli cnn hc madi' ol' tlic onc- 
 iiall ol' il:.' niiclciircd land>, niiisi lie |)roiionnccd \)\ ordia- 
 dncts of titc iiihinhiiil \ llicsc oi(.lin;inccs iniisl lie cNccnlcd 
 accord iiiL;- lo l/i( ir h iior aiid J'unu, (ih.sohdr/ij aud in lasl 
 reaort (is iiidii;iiicids <)/' .siipcrior cou ri. s ; Mis .M;i)cs1v ^rant- 
 iii^ liiiii '' for Ifiis /niriiow (ill (iid/iorili/. jtiri.sdiclion <iiid 
 coisiiizdiicr.'''' 
 
 H't 
 
 ic ;mdiorily llms confcrrcd u|)((n ihc inlcndant, il 
 
 (crins so cli;ii;iclciisl ic ol llic niirilintcs ol' 
 rchitcs to a i-onlcsi;iii(in liclwccn llic S 
 
 conrls, w licihcr il 
 
 0\Crc|M|l ;|||(| ;i sllh- 
 
 jccl. or ;i coiitcstiilioii hclwccji oiic |)iiv;ilc iiidividii;il and 
 aiioilicr, is jiol ;i jiidiciid iiiilhorily, propcilv >o c-illcd, J 
 lliiiik lli;il wc, thc |iid:^('s ol' dic court ol' (^iiccir> lU'iicli and 
 and ol'lhc Siipcrior coiiil oii^jit ;it lc:i>i i 
 
 o li;i\c soiiic doii 
 
 as to llic ;iiidioiil_\ w idi w liicli wc ;irc invcsicd. 'l'hc jnrisdic- 
 \'\()\\ w liicli W'c exercise evcry day, li;is iiot hccii i;r;iiilcd lo us 
 in le nus more cli;ir;icleristic ofllie jndicinj ;iii|||()rit\- ||i;,ii tli.-ii 
 w liieli Avas i^dveii lo llie itileiid;inl ol'llie n;il lire or williiu 
 tlie liinils spokcn of in tlie iirrif ofiiic .|t|| Jnne Kil^. 
 
 .'JKi. Hy means ol" ihis drdoij^ation ol" jnrisdietion tlie 
 inU>ndanl is lliereforc eivcted inio a Iribunal of altr'dnition 
 to llic cxc-hision even ol'tlie Sovereign conneil, l'or the deci- 
 
 (1) No 18 o!' die observations ui)on tlie Jeu de lief. 
 
.S81 a 
 
 ml 
 
 in 
 
 tii. 
 
 r il. 
 
 a > 
 
 iil)- 
 
 .1 . 
 
 iiiil 
 
 Ile 
 
 1,1 
 
 •Il 
 
 itid 
 
 iiii 
 
 lils 
 
 ri SI 
 
 lic- 
 
 1 1(1 IIS 
 
 III 1 
 
 lial 
 
 w il 
 
 liiu 
 
 11, tlic 
 
 deoi- 
 
 pioii of corUrstiitidiis wliicli, w illioiit tliis «'vccptional altri- 
 hiilioii, u oiilil liavc lncn, prcscrviiii^ tlicir ronlcslcd i-\\nr- 
 aclrr, witliiii lli'; iiii'ixliction ofllic ordiriîiry Irihimals. TIuî 
 ((vdinaiicfs ol ictrcncliiiicril (or rr-u/)/o/j) \vliicli Ik; is callcd 
 1() rcndcr in conl'orrnity willi lli(W//T'7, slioiiid tlic case occnr, 
 are ordiiianccs wliicli pronoiinec, lo tlic prcjudict' oi" privait^ 
 individiials, bv ira^son ot' lliu non-o.xcfiiiion ol" tlicir obli- 
 <,Mti(»ns, tlio rescision ol tlicir lillc, Uu^ Jhrfcifurc ol" tlicir 
 riiijlits ol" pro|)crtv, and th(> rc-union ol" tlicir lands to ilic 
 Crown domain. Tlicsc ordinanccs arc, l'or ail pur|)Oscs, 
 jtallj^nicnls ; llic (irni sayssoin formai ternis. An ap|)cal 
 juii^lil liavc hccti liad l'rom \\\vse jttd^mcnls to anotlicr trihn- 
 nal ; iltlK! arrel liad not dcclared tlicm juflgments in losl 
 reNorl. 
 
 .'J17. On tlic llli .lune lU'i."), llie Kitii^ in liis council of 
 State rcmlcrs an (irrt l ol' rctrcnctlimont, likc tliat ol' tlic Itli 
 .lime I(i7:i, adiliiii,' tlicrcto, as rci,^ar(ls llic condition ol" llic 
 lands wliicli wcic lo i)c ri'-nnitcd lo ilic Crown domain, ponie 
 cxplanattjry words wliicli were not in tlic llrst ot" tlics(,' ar- 
 l'fts. Conccrnini( tlic attribution ol' jnrisdiction in tliis matter 
 i,dven to llic inicntlant J)iiclicsncau by tlic nc\\ arnl^ it is 
 tlic saiiic, and confcrrcd in tlic same ternis, as tliat \\ liicli 
 liad bccn i^iven to liis prcdccessor, .Mr. Talon, by tin; arrrt 
 ol" llie Itli .lune Hu 2 \ and n'iativc to tlic j)o\ver ol" conced- 
 iiiy, it is stalcd tliat tlit; intendant i<]\a\\, provi.sioitalli/^ i,'rant 
 concessions ol' lands. 
 
 Tlicsc two last an'f'ls liad tlnis inainlaincd tlic Inten- 
 dant in tlie exercise of tlic ]H)wcr to makc concessic)ns of 
 lands himself. lîiit l)y hMlers patent of tlic 2()tli ^[ay IGÎO, 
 (I) tlic (lovernor \vas called to cxereisi; tliis power jointly 
 witli liiiii. 
 
 31S. Anotlier onv'Y of relrcncliment, is rendcrcd b', tlie 
 King in liis conneil of State on llie 9lh May 1G79, in conse- 
 
 (1) No. 73 obs. on Jeu de Jicf. 
 
3S2 a 
 
 (jnoncc of llic papier-terrier in derhtrnfion wliirli ilio Inlcii- 
 dant Dnclicsnrau liad iimdc in tonloniiity lotlir arrêt dltlic 
 «llli Juii;' 1075, llif snl)st!in<'«^ of a\ liicli is rcpnxliicc*! in llic 
 ncw. Tli(3 Kini,' ordors lli(> iimncdiutc nstrciu-linii'nt ol onc." 
 fourth of llio liinds C'on('(>dcd Ijciorc tlic ycar 1(j(i."), and nol 
 yet cli.'ared or cultivati'd, and llu; lolicnclinuMit of iIk; 
 Iwrnlictl) part of lliese lands, llioroaftcr, (•\('ry ycar. llis 
 Majesty furllicr ordcrs lliat llu; arrêt ol' llic Itli . Finie l()7."j 
 be cxcculed accordin^f lo ils ténor !>nd loiin, and enjoins die 
 Governor iuui Intendant '■'■ \o^vc \o\\\v ^\\'\(\ exécution oit lie 
 présent crrR'/, and to proeeed lo tlie disii ibulioii and ncw 
 concession of llic said lands, ac cordini,' to llie powcr i^dvon 
 lo them l)y thc Icttcrs i)atcnt of llic iiUtli May l(i70." 
 
 It ajipears lliat fliis disposition f)f tlic arrêt of llic Otli 
 May 1G79 was intcrprctcd as invcsling tlic (îovernor, as wcll 
 as Ihe Intendant, with jiidicial powcrs in niattcrs of rc-union 
 lo tlic Crown domain. In l'act, since llie eiirei;;lsiration of 
 ihat arrêt, np to thc first arrêt of iIk; (itli July 1711, wc sec 
 them almost ahvays acting logctlicr in tlic exercise of tliat 
 ]")ower. (1) 
 
 319. There arc two very distinct parts in tlic cnactinenis 
 of thc arrêt of 1711 (see no^'. 31(J and .'Jll siij>r(>). Tlic jlrst 
 whieli is of ihc samc nature and l'onnded iipon thc saine 
 motives as the arrêt of rctrcneliment of wliich 1 havc al- 
 ready spoken, desires that thc rinclcared s(Mgniorie.s ■•' bc re- 
 " tmited to Jlis Majcsty's domain at thc diliirence of tlic At- 
 " torncy General of tlic Snpcjior coiinell of Qik^Iicc, andupon 
 " thc ordinanccs wliicli shall hc rendered tliercon l)y thc 
 *' Governor and lieutenant gênerai for ilis Majc^slv and the 
 " Intendant of the same eountry." 
 
 It is perliaps projjcr to rcmark that the words re-union 
 lo the domain are inscrtcîd in tliis arrêt ait ho' tlicy an; not lo 
 
 (1) !See the mentions of re-\iiiions in nos. b^ô, S!) ami 92 ofobs. on 
 Jeu de ficf. 
 
383 a 
 
 \>c. loiind in iIk; |)rcc('<lin^'rtryvi/.s', iiiwliicli tlio word relrencfi' 
 ment only is iiscd, to ovpross nnvcrtlieles.s tlie samo tliiiig, 
 The ol)jt'ct and tlio opcrafioii Ix.-in^' tlio tiamo, it follows tliat 
 tliL'.solir.st«/vt7.v, likc tlic la><l,decrecda re-uniontothe domain. 
 
 320, Tlic ro-nnion wliicli mnst takc i)lacc by viiîmc of 
 llio first part ortlio arrêt of 1711, inust bc soun;ht for by die 
 Attorncy (ÙMicral ; it is anew fornialily wliicli was not [ircii- 
 cribcd hy tlic preccilin*,' arrels, but wliich do not tlie lc;>.-) 
 8ervo lo l)iiiiif ont in a lijrcater dci^rcc tlie judicial cliaracter 
 of tlie n;-niiion lo dio domain. TIii; ^Vttorni.'y (jen(,'ral liad 
 inlervcncd iii tlie dciiiand iiiade by llie (Jovernor and tho 
 liislu)[) to ilii; Sov(!reii;n coiipcil to hâve tlic arrêt ofthe 21st 
 ^^ar('ll IGlj.'j exceuted, althoiigh no mention is made in th<; 
 arrct, of liirs appeavnnco. 
 
 u2l. 'l'he second paît ol' llie arrêt oi' 1711 alyo relates 
 (o llie re-union to \\n) Kins-'s domain, lo the préjudice of liin 
 vassal, not to a re-union of llii; \vIiole of liis seigniory, but 
 only of a veiy small pt)rlion, tliat is lo say, of a lot t)f land 
 wliielia l'armer lias asked in concession, and Avliieh the 
 seignior lias rel'uscd lo liim. Tlu'only qiiestion in that case 
 is of partial re-union, or, if it hc desired, of a land pro])erly 
 so called. lîut lliis re-union, although it be j)artial, in 
 none llie less of llie same nature as iIk^ iîrst ; it lias ail its 
 esscnlial characterislics. f.ike llie first, it miist be souglit 
 for; but havingfor its ])rincipal ohject to insure the exercise 
 of an acquired riglit lo a jirivatc individual, it can only be 
 asketl by that individual, who, l)y srimmons, lias demanded 
 from the scignior, in conlbrmity witli tiuî airct, to concède 
 liim a land subject to a rent charge, and lias put him en de- 
 meure to do so. The arrêt gives him the riglit of appealing 
 in that case before the; Governor and the Intendant. It is a 
 law suit whicli is entered inlobclween him and the seignior 
 on the one side, to hâve the latler incur the penalty for his 
 n.'fu.sal, if that refusai be unjiist, and, on tin; otlier \o obtain 
 
384 a 
 
 tlie land, to ili(> roncf'*ision of wliicli lie lins tlius nc<iuir('(l !i 
 ri<^lit. liclorc tlic (irnli)i' 1711, mIiIio' tlic si'imiior wms 
 obliifcd to ( olU'cdc lii> ii'ild (tr itiiclmicd hiiids, llic liiw li;iil 
 noi y<'f ijivcii lo tlic scttirr a rii!;li1 of nctioii lo coini)!-! Iiiiii 
 lo l'idiil liis ()l»li<^fati()ii. liul in tliis (/r/v7, lir lliids llic iic- 
 ct'ssary ri'iiit'dy l'or llio uljtuiniiiif ol" liis dciiiaiid anaiiist du- 
 Hf'ii,'nior, lliaf isto.saya ri^lit ol' action wliicli lie i-aii i\- 
 c'rcis(! in lus o\\ Il iiaiiic. 
 
 'l'Ile penalty ol' rel'iisal on llie part ol" tlie seiynior lo 
 coiicede, is llie /'oi'frilurc ol' liis ri.'^lil of propeily in tlie land 
 deiiianded in concession. Tliis t'orleitiire, il' il he pioiioiiri- 
 ccd, docs not take place cxcept hy a |iidii;iiiciit or ordiiiaiic(> 
 ol réunion to tlie Crown domain, lieeaiise in micIi a case no 
 concession caii lie iiiade to the proseciitor in Ilis Majesty's 
 nanic, hcl'ore tlic land lias heeii re-iinited. Tlie iiiatter in 
 <|iicstion Ix'lwceii llie sctller aiid llie >eiL,Miior is a coiihii- 
 lious one ; tllere is collseipieil! I \ .7 .s'(/// lo décide, aild sliolild 
 llic evcnt liappeii, a Jildijliieiil ol re-niiion lo he reiideicd liy 
 a coiii|)i'tcnt tiiliiiiial, as in tlic case of a re-iinion ol ihe 
 
 \\ liole ol tlic seii;nior\ 
 
 (I) Tl, 
 
 cre is iiolliiiii 
 
 to l)re\rllt lllc 
 
 trihiinal tliiiscalltd to proiioiiiice a peiially a^ain.st one ol' 
 llic parties, and, on tlie ollier liaiid, to déclare llie iii;|ii ol' 
 tlie otiier party to tlic concession ol tlie land, to adjiid^c tlic 
 on(; and llie otlicr l)V one ami tlic saine ordinaiice, as llie 
 courts ol' jnslice do every day in a petiloiy action, npon an 
 
 action l'or e\eciition (»! a litl 
 
 Tl 
 
 le jiidi;iiicnt is m ^iieli a 
 
 case dcelared to Uc e(|nivalent 'o, and to serve as a titl<' to liiin 
 wlio lias succecded in tlic suit, 'l'o constitiilc tlic particnlar 
 tribunal ol'tlie arrêt of 1711, llie le^islalor lias dclc-^atcd tlie 
 (iovcrnor and Intendant, 'i'in'y arc ilicrclore to pronoiincc 
 
 (I) " ('ry^^/r;^/^/^/.v .liil'iMiictieir' ; is tliiis cullcil, '* in ()|)p(i^ition lo 
 tiic <j:nici(ii(s or rahnitiiri/ jui-isilictioii, tli.K wliicli lal;»s |il;inr 
 liclwffii Iwo or moro |»!irlii's wlio coiilcsl llicir ros|t(:c.tivo prclfiiiimis, 
 îiinl wliicli roiicliules liy ii iu(l:;iiu'nt in lavor ol ihc oiio ami lu tiie 
 ilisadvaiitaj^t: of lin; ullit r" (Mt;rliii ilo|i. vciho '" jurisilictioji/') 
 
385 a 
 
 tho judjTfiiu'nl in ([ucstion ; il is llicretort; a jiulicial autliority 
 wliic'h tlu.'y exorcise in virluu ol' u «piTiul ultribution ol' ju- 
 ristliction. ('i) 
 
 (2) M. l'ttit, " 'li'puly ot" tlie Supcrior (-'ounciK ol llic Freiicli 
 colonies " says, spcakiiig ol' tlie tribuuals ol" lliose colonies, in liis work 
 intitiilod *• Droit publir, ou Clouviruenienl tics Colonies iVan(,"ois»,'s," 
 (Paris 178;l, 1. 2, p. 221): 
 
 " AU tlio inaltcrs, wliicli arc nnt >i(txially lixi-tl, an; wiiliin (lie iuris- 
 " diction of tlic ortliriary Pwoyal .ludges m tlic first instance, and of tlic 
 •* Siiperior ('ouncils Ity appeal. 
 
 " Tliere are hiit twn jiidfros o[' (Uhi/,Hf.i'iu m Un; colonies; tlii' lantl 
 " tribunal (t.ri/jitna/ terrier) for tho décision of certain ni;itters ela- 
 " tive to lands, and the adniiralty.or the attribution to tlte tributials ol 
 " that naine, of niatters nf a coniniert'ial nature. 
 
 " The law.s upon tin; composition, ihe juiisdiction ami authority < . 
 " liiis tribunal (ihe tribunal <'777f/) are the déclaration of ''>e ITlii 
 
 " July 1713 and that of ibe Isi Octnbei' 1717 for ail iIm' !■ lami- 
 
 " (the same two déclarations wliich liave Itcen enregistered lu Canada.) 
 
 " The fourth article of the déclaration of 1743, Petit adds, supposes 
 '' to bc airvadii cxistt/tg and con/iri/ts the attribution to the (iover- 
 *• nors and Jntenda nls, f:a7«J<y/,i,' (Ul otiirr jiid^cs, of ull Mntesta- 
 '• tions upoii tlic validity and exécution of concessions, and relative to 
 " the localities, extents and liniiis of concessions. The second article 
 *' had aiready invt sted thèse ofticers with the [lower to proceed to the 
 " re-unioii to the domain ol tho lands, the grantees of which shall 
 " not hâve cxecutcd the conditions of the concessions." 
 
 Note. — l'or New France, tliese powers had a granted to botli 
 by the first a/ ve^ of (ith Ju!y 1711. There existed, besides, for the 
 French Leeward colonies in America, arrètr, of retrenchinent of the 
 llthJune ItiSO, 12 October 16S3, 2'hKl August 1687, 26 Sept. 
 1G9(), Ist December 1710, ItJ Octobu- 1713, like those made for 
 Canada, and cited in iny notes ou the Jeu <ic ftcf, giving the same ju- 
 risdiction to the Covernor aiid Intendant. They are published in the 
 coMection of Moreau de St. Mery, v. 1, p. 33;'), 392, l.r)9, ')')! ; v. 2, 
 p.22ti and 395. 
 
 49 
 
oS6 a 
 
 322. The second mrét of llie 6tli July 1711, is» in tlies- 
 ■words : (1) 
 
 " The Kine; heing inforir.ed ihal il c o arc hinds conce- 
 •' ded to ihe inhabitants of New France which are neither 
 " siUtled nor eleared, and on which ihese inliabitants con- 
 " tent thenisclves with cutting down soine tree.«i, îliinking by 
 " ihis nieans, and l)y incans ol" the concessions ihcreof 
 *' made lo tliem by those to wliomllis jMajesly has granled 
 " tracts ol'lho said hinds in si Igniory, to secnre to thein- 
 " selves the right oi'properly thcrein, which i)revents thèse 
 " lands bi'ing coneeded to otherand niorc hiborious settiers, 
 *' who niight occiiin' tiicni and bring them into a state of 
 '• cultivalion, and wliicii i^ also very prejudicial to the other 
 " inhabitants settled in tliose seigniuries ; because, those 
 " wlio do not réside iipon tlieir lands nor bring tlierii into a 
 " state of culiivation, do not contribiite their share of labor 
 " to the publie Works whieh are ordered for the good of the 
 " country and of the said seigniories, which is (juite con- 
 " trary to the intentions of Ilis ]\Iajesty, who only permit- 
 " ted those concessions to be made with a view to the set- 
 " tlement of the country, and on condition that the lands 
 " sliould be settled and brought into a state of cultivation, 
 " and it being necessary to remedy such an abuse ; His 
 *' Majesty being in his Council, lias ordained and ordains, 
 " that in a ycar and a day at the furthest from the date of 
 " the publication of the présent dccree, the settlcrs in New 
 " France who do not resid(^ uj)on the lands which hâve 
 " been coneeded to them, shall be iield to réside thereon 
 " [d^y tenir feu et lieu) and to bring them into a state of 
 " cultivation, in default of which, and after the lapse of the 
 " said time, it is His Majesty's will that on the certifieates 
 " of the curâtes and of the captains of militia in the settle- 
 " ment {capitaines de la côte), to the eflect that Ihe said 
 " settlcrs hâve been a year without keeping hoiise and 
 
 (1) Ed. aiidOrd., in-So, v. 1, p. 326. 
 
387 a 
 
 *' home on iheir lantls, and liave not bronglit iliem into a 
 
 " State ofcultivation, they sliall be d-clarcd to hâve Ibrlei- 
 ted the right of properly therein, and the same sliall 
 
 '* therenpon be re-united lo llie domain of the respective 
 f^eigniories, in pursuance of orders to be pronounced by 
 tho sieur Begon, Intendant in the said country of New 
 
 " France, wliom Ilis Majesty oommands to see to the exe- 
 
 " cntion of the présent d^cree." 
 
 .323. It is not a new jurisdiction wliieh this arrêt givcs 
 to the Intendant in matters of re-union to the domain of the 
 seigniors. This jurisdiction had often bccn exercised by 
 his predeeessors. ( 1) Altogethcr favorable to the seigniors, the 
 latter never exprcssed a doubt as to tlie judicial nature of the 
 power with whieh it had invested the Intendant to pronomi 
 ce thèse reunions to their domains. The nature of tiiis 
 autiiorily, the object of ils exercise, ils eiiects, 'dïc, ne\^er- 
 theless, the same as those granled to the Governor and the 
 Intendant to pronouncc the reunion, whether of the cntire, 
 or of a part of a seigniory, to the Crown domain. 
 
 324. To this gênerai jurisdiction of the Intendant in 
 matters of remiion to the domain of the seigniory, anexcep 
 tion was made by an arrêt of the King's Council of state of 
 the oth May 1716, in favor of the Ecclesiastios of the Semi- 
 nary of St. Sulpice, seigniors of the Island of Montréal and 
 of St. Sulpice : (2) 
 
 (1) Ord. of the 31 October 170S for tlie seigtiiory ol" Eertliier, o( 
 the 7th July 1710, 30 June 1712 for tl;c soigniorj of Si. Ours (theie 
 two liLsl are not piintcd, Lui are nientioiiid in ui\ ordinnnce of tlie In- 
 tendant Eégon of (lie 27tli .Tune 1714), of ûtli June 1707 for the Ts- 
 
 I and of Montréal (Cugnel''s Extraits p. 22) of the 22nd June 1706, 
 27th May 1707, 26th May 1708 and 5th July 1710 nientioned in an 
 arréY of the King's Council of State of the 5th May 1716, rcndered 
 lipon ihe pétition of the Seminary oi' St. Sulpice. 
 
 (2) Ed. and Ord. in-So, v. l,,p. 357. 
 
388 a 
 
 " His Majesfy taking into considéra lion tliat if îhe 
 said Ecclesiaslics were compelled toiiave recourse to tlie 
 Intendant of tho said country, respecting the said uncul- 
 tivated or abandoned concessions, liiey would become 
 exposed to lenghtened proceedings, by their remoteness 
 froin the city of Québec, wliere tlie said Intendant résides, 
 whosc stay al Montréal is not long enough for the dis- 
 cussion of such matters, movcover in case of appeal from 
 liis ordinances, the pariies interested tlierein are lield to 
 institute theni in France. For ail whieh lîis ]Majcsty being 
 willingtoprovide, having heard the report aud havingtaken 
 every thing into consideratirni, His Majesty in council, 
 by the advice (jf the Duke of Orléans, Kegent, liath or- 
 dained and dwtli ordain, that upon the deinands of the 
 Ecclesiaslics of llie Serninary of St. Sulpice, for the re- 
 nion to their seigniory of the concessions by them made, 
 ihey shall proc(!ed l^efore tlie royal judges of Montréal, 
 and b\ apjîcal to tlie stiperior council of Québec for their 
 decreeinlhe prcniises. Provided,nevertheless, that the said 
 officers shall not Iake cognizanc'; of ordinances heretofore 
 rendered by the Intendant of the said country, with respect 
 lowhich proceedings shall obtain iiitheusnal nianner, and 
 according to the tenus of the ordinances in cases wherein 
 the proj)rietors of the said c(.)ncessions or their assigns 
 seek a remedy againsl tlicin. Ilis Majesty doth neverthe- 
 less ordain, that the said ordinances shall be put in exé- 
 cution nccording lo Iheir forni and ténor j)rovisionally, 
 until il be olherwisc ordained." 
 
 Il is perhaps puérile to remark that this arrêt acknow- 
 Icdges the facl that the reunions to ihc domain belonging to 
 fi contentions authority, an necessarily within the jurisdic- 
 tion of a judicial tribunal, be il an ordinary, or a par- 
 ticular one. 
 
 325. The abuses, which the two arrêts of 171 1 sought 
 'o riMuedy, continuiniî to cxist, the King thought fit to 
 
389 a 
 
 render an other arrêt bearing date the 15th Mardi 1732, (l) 
 by which he prohib";: Mt only se igniors, but also a// o/Acr 
 proprietors, from selluig any lands which are uncultivated, 
 m bois debout, upon the pain of the nullity of the deeds of 
 sale, of the restitution of the priée and of the reunion of 
 thèse lands to liis domain, and orders that the two arrêts of 
 the 6th July 1711 be exeeuted according to tiieir ténor and 
 form. 
 
 326. ï hâve already stated that, under the opération of 
 llie difïercnt arrêts of retrenchment, it seerned to me neces- 
 sary, to proceed rt'gif/ar/^/, previously to pronounce the re- 
 union to the Crown domain, even when tho word reunion, 
 was nol written in the arrêt. The King's déclaration of the 
 17th July 1743 (2), " concerning the concessions in colo- 
 nies " })roves il in an incontestable manner, 
 
 It seoms notwilh''itanding that the forni of proceedin*» 
 in this matter liad varied in iht; différent colonies, even in 
 the one and the saiiu; colony, as we learn from the preamble 
 of this déclaration, wiiich is ihns conet.'ived : 
 
 " Wtî hâve, after the exarnpie of the Kings, our ances- 
 '.' tors, authorized the Governors and Intendants of our colo- 
 " nies in America, not only to grant aUme the lands 
 " which we cause to be distribuled lo such of our subjects 
 " as are willing to settle thereon, but also to proceed to 
 " re-unite to our domain such granted lands as are liable to 
 " reunion, by not having becn brougi t inlo cultivation ; 
 " and they hâve also cognizance, to the exclusion of the 
 " ordinary judges, of ail diflerences arising between the 
 " grantees or their assigns, as well wilh respect to the 
 '' validity and exécution of the grants, as to their situation, 
 " extent and limits; but we are informed that, up to this 
 
 (1) Ed. and Ord, iu-8, v. 1, p. 531. See obs. on tlie Jeu de fief 
 110. 103. 
 
 (2) Ib p. 572. 
 
390 a 
 
 " lime, ihere liatli been scarcely any thing certain, eitlier 
 with respect to tlie forin of procei.'ding, in case ol" llie 
 reunion of grants, or of the trial and adjudication of suils 
 between the grantees or their assigns, or with respect to 
 the rnethod to be adopted for obtaining relief against the 
 ordi:i; nces rendered by the Governors and Intendants on 
 this matler, so that not only hâve diflerent customs been 
 " introduced in the several colonies, but also in one and 
 '• the same colony there hâve been fréquent variations in 
 " this respect : In order to put an end to tii-dt state of un- 
 " certainty, upon rnatters of such interest to the secuvity 
 " and tranquillity of families, we hâve resolved on establish- 
 " ing by express law, fixed and invariable rules to be 
 " observed tinoughout our colonies, both as to form of pro- 
 " ceeding to the reunion to our domain of the concessions 
 " whicli are liable to be thereunto re-unitcd, and V6 to the 
 " trial of issues arising therefrom, also as to the modes 
 " of recourse to be pursued by tliose who may deem them- 
 " selves aggi-'eved by the judgments wliich rnay be ren- 
 " dered." 
 
 The first article confirms the power of the Governorand 
 Intendant to make concessions jointly. 
 
 The second article states : 
 
 — " They shall in liUe mnnnor pvoceed to re-iinite to 
 
 *' our domain the lands which are liable to be re-united 
 
 " thereto, and this shall be at the diligence of dur attornies, 
 
 " in the ordinary jurisdictions within the limits of whose 
 
 " cognisance ihe said lands shall be situatcd," — and ac 
 " cording to the third article :" 
 
 — " They shall not grant lands that hâve once been 
 " conceded, although liable to re-union, U7itU a/ter their re- 
 
 " union shall hâve been adjudged^ on pain of nullity of the 
 
 *' new concessions, without ))rpjudice neverthcless to the 
 
'391 a 
 
 *' rt'-union wliich may always be sued for agjinst the fir»f 
 " grantees. 
 
 — " They sliall also continue lo havc cognisancR, tothe 
 " exclusion of allother judges^ oî ail difl'ercnccs arisingbet- 
 ** wecn tlie grantees and iheir assiga , as well as to ihe 
 " validity and exécution of the grants, as on the subject of 
 " tlicir situations, extent and liinits, c!r., etc., etc." 
 
 Art. 5. — " \Ve déclare to be null and of none efi'eet ail 
 giiiuis wliich shall not be made by the Govcrnor and In- 
 tendant jointly, or by the oHiccrs respect ively represen- 
 ting them, as also ail reunions which shall not be pro- 
 nounced, and ail judgments which shall not be rendercd 
 " in comnion b\ ihem or their représentatives. Neverthc- 
 less we empower eithcr of theni, in case of thedecease of 
 the other, or of liis absence from the colon •-, and of adefect 
 ofolficers capable oi rupi'' Ci. ng such as may be dead 
 or absent, to make the grants alone, and evcn proceed to 
 the reunions lo our domain, and to the adjudication of 
 " suits between the grantees, calling nevertheless upon such 
 " orticers of the superior councils or jurisdictions as lie 
 " shall tliinlc fit. And he shall be held to make mention 
 " as well on the concessions and reunions, as in the judg- 
 " ments upon private suits, of the necessity in which he 
 may hâve been so to proceed, on pain of nullity. 
 
 (( 
 
 Art. G. — " In cases in which the Governors and Inten- 
 " dants shall be of diflerent opinions, on applications made 
 " to them for land, it is our ph'asnre that they do suspend 
 " the issuing of grants until they rcceive our orders, upon 
 " the statements they shall make to us of their motives ; 
 " and in cases of a division of opinion between them, wlie- 
 " thcr as to judgments of reunion, or upon différences bct- 
 " ween proprietors of grants, they shall call in the senior 
 " rnember of the superior council, or in case of absence or 
 
342 a 
 
 ' lawful impediment, two councillors next Ibllowing him 
 ' in the order of the list, ihe wliole witliout préjudice to the 
 ' casting vote of the (Jovernors in inatters concerning our 
 ' service, in whicli, it is to obtain. 
 
 Art. 7. — " In mattersin wliicli it «hall happenthat local 
 visitations, and nominations, and reports of experts or in- 
 quests are ordered, tlie cnactments in tliat belialf of the 
 twenty-first and twenty-second titles of the ordinance of 
 one thousand six hundred and sixly-st^'rn, shall be ob- 
 served on pain of nnllity. 
 
 Art. 8. — " The parties rnay hav»; Iht >■ nnnedy by appeal 
 to our council fri.'n judgments rendered by the (iovernors 
 and Intendants upon the said private différences and upon 
 reunions to our dDUiain. The said a])peals niay be insti- 
 tuted by raere " actes," and tlu; pétitions which shall be 
 presented accordingly, shall togetlier wilh the paper- 
 writings of the parties be transmitted to tlu; Seeretary of 
 State f(}r the marine department, in order ihat upon liis 
 report thereon, in oiir conncil, \ve jnay (h» tluirein as shall 
 be ineet." 
 
 327. Afterward, by anolher deciaralion, madeonthe Ist 
 October 1747, (1) for the interprtitation of the preceeding, 
 and to prevent, " the many appeais that parties condt^mned, 
 it is said, make, for the purpose of mair 'aining themsclves 
 in thcir unjust possessions "iheKing ordains" that the judg- 
 ments which shall be rendered in conseipicnce of our décla- 
 ration, " by Ihe (îovernors Our Lieutenant-generals, and the 
 " Intendants in our colonies, or by the oflicers who repre- 
 " sent them in thèse malters, the cognisance of which is 
 " attributed to them in })reference to ail other judges, be 
 " provisionally executed, and notwithstanding the appeal 
 " thereof which may be instituted, and without préjudice 
 
 (1) Ed. and Ord. in-8, v. 1, p. 590. 
 
'M)3 a 
 
 lluM-cio: Icavini^ iicvci-tiit'lcs.s to tlie |)ni(i(>ncc ol oui ^ai<l 
 '' (Jovcnior.s and Imcndants, in the ca.sii.s in wliicli tlicy sluill 
 " deciu propcr, not to ordcr tlu: provisional <-xecLiû.)n ol 
 " tlipir judgments, exccpt upon tlie condition of '^ivinir goud 
 '' and sufFicient sccurily by ilio party in laver ol" wlioni tln-y 
 " shall havc been rendcred, and our said déclaration sliall 
 " inorcovcr bc cxcculcd accordini^ to its icnor and l'onii." 
 
 328. Thcsc two déclarations, in prescribini,' a niorr rc 
 gular form for proceedin;,' in future to tlie reunions to ilir 
 domain, virtually conlimi tlie preceeding réunions, in li,,\v 
 over irregular a manner thèse niay liave been niade, sudi 
 as thc reunion wliieli neccs.sarily followed froni a ncw eoii 
 cession, made by tlie Covernor and Inteudaul, of a seii;nior\ , 
 abandoned or uncleared by tlie original grantee, willioui 
 mention of reunion liaving been mado, or that tliis rennion 
 was adjudgrd in ex])ress terms by tlie tille oftlie new cou 
 i-ession, or by an ordinance distinct from the tille. More 
 over several of tlie new concessions tlius made had been 
 conlirmed by the King. (1) 
 
 329. I hâve secn thrcc ordinances of reunion, renden-d 
 aftcr the arrcl of the Gtli July 171 1 
 
 The first, whlch is of tlie Ist Mardi 1714, and wliich 
 lias not been publislicd, is ihat of Messrs. Vaudreuil and 
 liégon, pronouncing the reunion of the Seigniory of Mille- 
 Isles conceded lo sieur Dugué on the 24lh Septeinbcr 1G83 
 Mention thereof is made in the title of the new concession 
 of this Seigniory to MM. de Langloiserie and Petit, of thc 
 5tli Mardi 1711. (2) 
 
 (l)Sec Obs; iipou the " Jeu do Fief" nos. âf), 1)3, 7;'), 7o, 85, S!) 
 !)2 and !)!■, whoru nioiitioii is ni;uli! of n'U'fiifliiu. ■ni'- m- tinuiiou^, iii;u!r 
 in dilVorent ways, bcforo llic (uri/, oi" llic Gili July 1711. 
 
 (2) Sec niy muUîs ii|tMn llic Jeu dcl'ici. ii'i, l'V, and Tilics <<[ Sci,. 
 niorics ]i. 59. 
 
394 a 
 
 Tlic ^<e('ond wliicli, ulso, is noi |)ul)iishc'(j, is thaï wliicli 
 rc-unitcs ihc iicf Sf. Klioniic, iicar Tlirec Kivcrs. It was 
 rcndcrcd by MM. di; Mcuiliarnois and Do la Roiivillière, on 
 iIh' Glli Aj)ril 17;J7, and is l'oundcd iijmn ihe arrc'ts ol" 1711 
 and 1732. Mention tlioroor is inade in ihc ncw litU; crran- 
 icd to tlic coinpany of tlic St. Maurice Forges, on tlie 12th 
 Septemhcr 17;}7. (1) 
 
 'Vïw iliird ordinanee is liiai wliicli re-imites twenty 
 seii^niories at one lime, and ol' wliieh I bave rendered an 
 aecoiint in niy ()l)SL'rvations iipon iIkî Jeu de Fief, no. 114. 
 It w as rendered by Messrs. Jieauliarnois and Ilocquarl, on 
 ihe lUth May 1741. {2) 
 
 .'330. The " Seii^niorial documents " l'nrnish us with 
 l>ul one case oï \hc partial n.'union of a Seigniory. upontlie 
 rd'usal ol' thc seignior to concède. It is tliat wliicii I iiave 
 rej)oried no. 174 of my observations, u])on tlie cens et renies, 
 and wliicli gave jisc to tlu- concession of tlic 13lli October 
 1721, inade to tlu; widow Petit in conséquence of an arrct 
 ofthe King's Council of slate of tlie 2nd June 1720. (3) 
 
 331. As regards tiie reunions of lands en censive to tlie 
 domain of the scigniors, pronounccd by tlie Intendant alonc, 
 ihcy !ue in great nuniber. Il is sullicient to open M. 
 Cugnet's coliectitm to convince one's self. Tlicrc are also 
 somc ordinanee- of tlie Intendants, declaring tlie reunion 
 
 of an'/m;-/i':/''*" ^^ ^li'' ^*^'^^'i''^ •^''^'i'^ dominant scignior. On 
 llif 3rd ()ctoi>er 1731, Messrs. Beauharnois and Iloccjuart 
 Write to tlie minister tliat tlu; lutcndanl (M. llocquart) in 
 eonlorming himself to llîc second arrct of tlie Gtli Jidy 
 171!,liad pronounced, sinee lie had been in Canada, llie 
 reunion of more tlian two liundrcd concessions to the do- 
 
 (1) Docuiiioiis Seig. p. 101. 
 
 (-,') i:a. :m(l < )nl. iii-S, v. 2, |i. f).').'). 
 
 (:{) 2iul vol. •• Doc. Soi-. " ).. 72. 
 
;^95 a 
 
 that wliicli 
 s. It was 
 villière, on 
 Hs ol" 1711 
 tilU; gran- 
 m tlie 12!li 
 
 tes twenty 
 .'ndcred an 
 /; no. 114. 
 cquarl, on 
 
 h us with 
 y, ujion llie 
 ich I liavc 
 is et rentes^ 
 Ih Oetober 
 il' an arrêt 
 20. (3) 
 
 fiiue to llie 
 -lant alono, 
 
 opcn M. 
 rc arc also 
 ic réuni on 
 gnior. On 
 l lIoc(iuavt. 
 iquart) in 
 
 Cth Jtiiy 
 mada, tlie 
 to tlie do- 
 
 iiiain <>r sciîjjniors, in doravili ol' ilie £'r!intfr>< lioIdJDi: li";i)tli 
 nnd home (feu et lieu). 
 
 332. In the réunions lo thc Crown domain in viriii.- ol 
 the iirsl arrct of the Gtli July 1711, llicrc exisis an csm Miial 
 dillerence between the réunion ol' an mtirc »'!i,nii.)i\ , in 
 dclauh o/ //s /jciVii,' df«m/, and tlie partiai réunion of tins 
 sarne seii^niory, that is \o say, ol'a h)t ol" land wiihin il- 1|- 
 mits, upoji Ihe unjust rel'usal ol' the seitmior to conccdi' t,, 
 the settler wlio dcinands it ol' iiiin. In the (irst Cii-c, ii,nt i.s 
 no Hfçht acquired to a third parti/ ; this iliird |)arty i> ihc 
 settler who has svmmoved the seignior to concède hiin a 
 land M'ithin thi; limits of his fii'l', and lias i)iit hiiu ru ,/.. 
 meure to make liim tins concession ; it is he alone, and not 
 the attorney gênerai, who has the riglit, in such a ca>c, to 
 seek the rcimion to the Crovn domain, ol' thc land !hc coi; 
 cession ofwhich has thus bet n rciused ; not that thc said 
 land may be al'terwards, acccrding to the wi'^hcs ol'thc (io- 
 vernor and the Intendant, conceded to lluî flrst coiikt, I»u) 
 Ihal, in conl'ornnty to his ac(|nired riglit, it hc conceded to 
 the proseeutor hirnseli'by thèse two ollicers, in exécution ol' 
 the jndgment of reunion wliich ihcy hâve bccii obli-^c'cl lo 
 render against the other jjarty in default, llie seigidor. Thc 
 arrêt of the King doea not content ilseil, as in ;lie first case, 
 to give to lliese two ollicers the power to concède ; it oïdcrs 
 them to make this concession to the individiial himsell' wlio 
 has obtained the jndgment of reunion. Tins concession 
 is not therefore a simple act of administration of Ilis Maics- 
 ty's domain, but truly and purely an act executingthis jndg- 
 ment, an act which is necessarily ihe fullilment of it. In 
 the one or the other, it is a question, it is true, of a contcn- 
 tious right, in the exercise of which ihe Crown iinds itself in- 
 terested ; but, in the first case, the Crown is so alonc ; in thc 
 second, on the contrary, it is a third j)arty in the first ins- 
 tance, and principally ; thc Crown which is not a party to 
 the suit, is interestcd in but a secondary dcgrec, only 
 
39<; a 
 
 lor tlin rollrotion, for its own prf)(ii, of tli<^ rrn\9, wliuli ilic 
 riMinioii li;i^ llic rlït'vl ai' iii;ikiniif it !U'(|nir('. TIk' rii,'lii 
 l»'inu[ conlrntions, ilio Iribimnl rnlK-il \\]nm lo jiKlf^o, \vlia1 
 (•ver if inny hv, rnnnol l)nt. ho ;i trihniinl invcstcd witli jiidi- 
 rial aufliority, wcro llmt îuilhorily t-von rostrainod lo llinl 
 simple! objcrl ; nnd cnnscqucntly tlic nctsof that tribunal can- 
 not bave a difrercnt cbaractcr. 
 
 If tlic cognisanpc of sncli a rontcptalion had dcvolvod 
 to iho Supcrior Conncil, insload of ibo Governor and Inlon- 
 dant, il could not 1^(î doul)1c'd lliat tbc anlhority oxorciscd l)y 
 thaï court in virtue of that dévolution, would liavc bncn a 
 judiria! onc. Ilow can it bc rcasonably jirctendod lliat it 
 lias Jost tliis eharact(>r, oiily bccausc tlio King tliouj^lit lit lo 
 î^rant it to a particular tribunal which ho croatcd oxprcisly 
 to oxcrciso it ? Is it that tho nature of that authority doosi 
 not always remain th(> samo, whi'thor itbc exoreisod by one 
 tribunal rather tlian by anollier ? If ^ve could suppose the 
 contrary, that is lo say, that that autiiority, at the moment of 
 devolvini? upon the Governor and the Intendant, must havc 
 complet(;ly changod ils character, ceasing to bc judicial to 
 become purely adminiHlrative^ the cause of this chani^e 
 could be altributed to this sole fact that one of thèse func- 
 tionaries wasthe Governor of the conntry, thencc concluding, 
 I do not know upon what principle, that he could bo no- 
 tliing olse than a simple adniinistrator, that ail the authority 
 which lie could be called upon to exercise, whalever it 
 miglit bc, could havc no othor character than that of a purely 
 administrative authority, that this character must be su- 
 prême in ail its acts, although thèse acts could not havc 
 becn compleled except by virtue of a spécial law rolaling 
 to the administration of justice, and apjioinling the Gover- 
 nor to parlicipate in this administration. Where would this 
 System taice us undcr the ncw govcrnment which has fol- 
 lowed the cession (^f Canada? Until a very late pcriod, the 
 Jir^t tribunal of the province, tlie f'ourt of appeals, was al- 
 
397 a 
 
 inost cMiliisivcly composcd ol ilic (ii.Mriiov rinJ lin- m. -in 
 IjtM-s ol'llie Kxin'iiii\(> ('(Hincil, ail ol w lioiii, as siicli, u cir 
 JiioR'ly aihninisIrutorH. NovimiIuîIcss il. was m-vcr jjrclcnd- 
 'mI, and I do nol bcruîvc il will (-ver ho, lliut wlicn tlic ilo- 
 vornor and liis councillors look tlicir placées iipon llio bondi 
 of llial (-'onrt, tliat tho fimctions wliich llicy lilled wcrc 
 adminislraiive and notjudiciat. 
 
 333. Such was the slate of lliings undcr the Frcncli Ci'o- 
 vcrnmont. 
 
 The sciqniors wlio prétend thaï, sinre llic cession oC 
 Canada \o England, lliere haf? existed no eomiietcnl trihnnal 
 to exercise Ihe aniliorily, devolved iipon tlu; Govcrnor an<l 
 tlie Inlendanl, 1o re-nnite lo iIk; domain and 1o coneedc, 
 uj)on tlie rel'nsal of llie seignior to make lliat concession, 
 found themsclves principally, if not exclusively, iipon tlie 
 (Mglilli section ofllie Judicalnre act of 1794 (34 Geo. 3 cliap. 
 ()) (1) wliich had establislied the old Courts of King's IJencli 
 whicli sat in supcrior and inferior terms. 
 
 We read in that section : 
 
 " The said Courts of King's Bencli sliall, respectively, 
 " in the supcrior terms aforesaid, liave fnll powcr and jn- 
 " risdiction, and be compétent to hear and détermine ail 
 " plaints, suits and demands of what nature socver, whieli 
 " might hâve been heard and determined in the Courts of 
 " Prévoie, Justice Royale, Intendant, or Superior Council, 
 '■'• under the government of the province, prior to the year one 
 " thousand seven hundred and fifty nine, touehing rights, 
 " remédies and actions of a civil nature, and wliich are nol 
 " specially provided for ])y the laws and ordinances of tins 
 " province, since the said year one thousand seven hundred 
 " and fifty nine, and the said Courts of King's Bench sliall 
 " respectively be compétent to award and grant ail such reinc- 
 
 (1) ."^anctioned by llie C'ovcrnor ou Uie 3lst INlay 17!)4'. 
 
398 a 
 
 " <ly, ns mny ho. nooossnry for f^flocluntinc; and rarrvn' •/»- 
 
 " 1(> oxccntion flio indi^'riicnt or jij(li,riMcnls fhcrcol", \v n 
 
 '' inîiy be mado in tlic pn-misos iilorosaid, ;md wliicli lo 
 
 " law and justicn sliall appcrtain. l'rovidiul alway^, and 
 
 '' it is aiso (ma(Mi'd, llial nofliini^' in llic prcsoni art shall cx- 
 
 '' tend to livrant to Ukî aloriîsaid courts ol' Kin<i;'s Mcncli, aiiy 
 
 " |)o\ver ol' a Ir^isliUivc nature, posscsscd l)y any Court 
 
 " prior lo llio coiuiui'st. . . . 
 
 33 1. Thus, as regards \ho. first j)art ol' tlie 22nd ques- 
 tion ol" tlie Attorney (îeni^ral, lliat hy wliich lie asks if, in 
 tlie malter of reunion to tlu! Crown domain, the Iribunals 
 creatiîd after tlie cession of tlie <;oiinlry were conipeleïil lo 
 exercise tlie autliority dcvolved npon tlie (Jttvernor and tlie 
 Intendant; tlie partisans of the négative sido ouglit, to jiisti- 
 fy tlieir system, (dtluT to bas(; it npon tliis eiglitli section of 
 tlie judicaturc act of 1791, and consecpiently niaintain tliat 
 iIk! Courts of King's liencli created by tliat act, were not in- 
 vested, or were deprived, of the judicial aiitliorily wliich 
 might hâve l)idong(!d, in civil iiiïitters, to any tribunal |)re- 
 vious to the (cession, othe;- ilian tliat of the Préroté, or of tluî 
 Justice Royale, or of the Intenilant, or of tlie Superior Conncil; 
 or eisc, tliey must prétend tliat the autliority in (juestion was 
 not a judicial onc, but meridy an administrative or légis- 
 lative autliority. 
 
 VVe cannot, for any lime, enicrtain the last of thèse pro- 
 positions, tliat whicli would resuit in attributing a législa- 
 tive character to the authority exercised by the Covernor and 
 intendant in matters of reunion to the Crown domain under 
 the frencli government. It is sutficienl to express it to pcr- 
 ceive its falsehood, not to speak of its absurdity. 
 
 I will not return to the otiier (jnestion, tliat of knowing, 
 wdiethev tliat autliority was judicial or administrative. I 
 ihink 1 liavc already clearly established tliat it liad the lirst 
 of thèse characters. Those even who support the négative 
 
399 a 
 
 admit, in vi(;\v ol" ilir lad iliat iIktc was a Court ol" ihe In- 
 lemlant, thaï il was in tlif (piality nia jud^'».' tliai tliat lunc- 
 tionary rxurciscd ihr aiitliority, vvliicli was ^'ivcn lo hini 
 alonc l)y tin* second aniJl uï tlic (jtli .lidy 1711, to re-uniti- 
 to lli(! ddiiiain of a private sL'iiîni»>r tlic land ol'liis censitaire 
 in dclanlt <>f holding' '' licarth and lionic " hy lia; lattor. 
 TliL'y acknowlod^'t! tlicM tliat an aiilliority of tliis kind i» a 
 jndifial aiiiliorily, Now, liow cati tlicy at tlic sani<; tiinr 
 rclnsc to rcco:,Miis(; llic saine characlcr in tlic autliority 
 t,'rantcd hy tlic (irst arrfH ol tlic (iih .lnly I7I I, jointly to ihc 
 (iovernor and Intendant, sine»; iliat autliority is ol'llic sume 
 Ivind, lias tlie saine objcct anil produccH tlic Haine ellects. 
 
 3.35. We must llicn lall back ujxrn tlic f)rovincial wta- 
 tnte ol' 1794 and sc(^ if ils «iiii^litli section cxcludcs ail otiier 
 jiirisdiclion, than iliat wliicli was cxerciscd by tlic Tour Irencli 
 iribunals tlicrein namcd. Il' tliat. bc ilio case, tlio objection 
 wliicli is inad(% niay appear plausible ; bucause tlien ail iIkî 
 autliority of tlic (Courts ol' Kin^'Vs licncli would liave bcen 
 restrictcd to tlie attributions wliicli arc enuiiicratcd in lliis 
 eiglitli section. liiit is it correct to say tliat tlie autliority ol' 
 thèse Courts was tliiis restrietcil witliin tlic liinils tliat tliis 
 enumcration, considcred by ilscll, would scem lo show ? I 
 do nol belicve it, and tlie statule of 179 1, and tlic judicature 
 acts precfîdini,' it, c(iually prevcnl me Irom bidieving it. Tlie 
 autliority wlii(di was conlidcd to tlie court of King's Hcncli, 
 and wliich has dcvolvcd lo llie présent Iribunals, in civil 
 nialtcrs, is as j^encral, as cxtcndcd as possible; it is, at 
 leaat as uiucli as tliat wliich liad becn <,n-antcd to the Iribu- 
 nals, to wliich thèse courts succeeded in 1791, and wliich 
 liad administcred justice sinec the cession of the eountry. 
 
 In faet, it is not cxclusively in this cighth section, that 
 we must search lo lind the extent of the jurisdiction of thèse 
 «•ourts. 'Vhr. second section of the statule wliich créâtes 
 them, had already declarcd thaï thcy shall hâve " original 
 
'.WPUKiU-iTSi 
 
 100 a 
 
 " juri«(licli«>ii '<> t;ikc roi^iii/anci! t)t, licar, irv, aiul (l(,'luriiiin( 
 
 '•'• ull cmiscfi as wcU civil as (;rimiiial, and wlieuî tliu 
 
 " King is a party, exccpt tliosc uf puiely atlniirally jurisdic- 
 
 '' lion." 
 
 " In ail civil cases" says the statute. Tliesc words, il 
 scems to mo, arc (,'xlcnclcd cnougli, gênerai enougli, tu in- 
 cludo ail suits, ail contestations, ail causes of whateverkind, 
 wliich, undcr the existing lavvs, niight arisc, and be earried 
 uccording lotlic judicial organization o(" tliosc times, 1k;A)R' 
 any tribunal in Canada, under tlic Frencli dominion, wlietlier 
 the tribunal of the superior council, or la justice royale, in 
 the j)rci'o/t', wliether the tribunal ol' the Intendant only or 
 Ikat of the (iovernor and of the Intendant. The statule, 
 in in(;rely exeepting the adrnirally jurisdietit)n,Lonrerr('(l, hy 
 that alone, upon the Courts of King's lieneli ail kinds ol n(.'- 
 eessary jurisdiclion, in civil matters, to givc justice to the 
 citizens and to rnaintain tliein in the plénitude of their rights 
 and in the enjoyment of thcir property, whethcr thèse rights 
 had becn accpiircd by them in virtuc of contraets or in vir- 
 tue of the laws of the State. The legislator did not désire 
 and eould not désire to d(;prive theui of any j)art of the on<' 
 or of the other. The citizens wertî thcrefore uiaintainetl in 
 the actions projjcr to guarantee llieni,on the one haut!, llic: i:.\ 
 ercise of thèse same rights, and on the other, the recovery oi 
 that same property. 
 
 VVc must not thon take, in a restrictive sensé, the enu 
 ineration which, by a simple ineasure of précaution, the le 
 gislalure lias thought fit to nudve in the eighth section of the 
 statute of 1791. It lias not jjroeecded in a way torestrain 
 l!ie dispositions of the second section. Tliis cnuiiu'ralit»n 
 in an explanatory way niay liave been regardée! as an ad 
 of prudence, so as to prevent the raising of some possibjt 
 dillicidty, as for example, iu a case wliere the c(jnsciit ol 
 unother aulhorilv nuL'hi hâve bii-n ncccssarv for iht; nitrv 
 
■lorininc 
 010 tlio 
 jurisdic- 
 
 vords, il 
 1), to in- 
 vorkiiul, 
 i carried 
 s, boloii' 
 wliotlior 
 oyalc^ or 
 t only or 
 
 statulo, 
 Ibriod, hy 
 ids oC IK.'- 
 ico to llu' 
 oir rii^lits 
 •^o rii^lits 
 or in vir- 
 
 ol dfsirt' 
 tlio onc 
 
 îiinud lu 
 , llic ox 
 
 •ovcry ol 
 
 tlio onu 
 1, llic lo 
 
 DU ol' llll' 
 
 L) I•o^traill 
 inoratioii 
 is an act 
 |)oai?>ibi«- 
 lui^onl ol 
 liio cntrv 
 
 401 a 
 
 of a suit in tlic tribunals ot' tlio old régime. This slatcmenl 
 of certain " plaints, suits and domand?;" is not in any way 
 mado in tonus oxcluding" otlior plaints, suits and domands" 
 which wore, as tlioso \vo aro spoaking ol', witliin tlio juris- 
 diotion of a tribunal dill'oront froia tliat ol' tlio yVt'yo/«?, or 
 justice royale., or (,f tlii; Intendant, or ot" tlio superioroouncil. 
 
 As a liirlhor prool' llial iliis cnunicraiion was noitlier 
 exclusive nor rostriotivo, tlio proviso wliioli is insorted in 
 tho saine section is in thèse (oiins; " l'rovided al\vays,and 
 " it is aiso enaoted, tliat notlun^ in tlie présent aci (not in 
 "•' thc présent sfclion) sliall l'Xlerid lo «^ranl to tlie at'oresaid 
 " Courts ol' Kinu'V liencli any power ol" a tegisfatire iia- 
 " ture', possessed !)y any Court prior lo tlu; eoncpiesl.''' 
 Thèse words any courir as w»- perçoive, are not rostrieled, 
 in tlioir si^'iiificnlion, to tlio four courts spcrially nrimod in 
 anotiior preeedjnt; par' oj llic ciobtli section • tlioy also rolcr 
 to any court., lliat is lo say, to cvcry o\\\cy court llic piris- 
 diction of whicli is e(|ually, by virtuo ol" thc Li;cnoral disposi- 
 tions of thc soeoiid scciion, (IcvoImmI iipon llic courts of 
 Kini}['s liciich ; tho dispositions wliioli arc dcchirccL by thc 
 proviso., not lo lia\c tho circci of grantint; any power of a, 
 législative nature, allho' attributive of ihe jiidicial aiitliority, 
 are not only tlioso pn.-viously containod in llic eii^htli section, 
 l)ut, in a ifoneral uiannor, tlioso wliioli are included in tli(^ 
 whole body of ilio st iliilo, tlie présent art., it is slated. Ac- 
 oordini:^ to thc >piril and IcitiM' of tho stalutc, thon, tho inten- 
 tion of tho lo<rislatnre was to tarant, in civil uiaiters, to thc 
 courts of Kini![\s licncli tho powors of ali tho Fronch Courts, 
 the législative power and tho a<lmiralty jurisdiction except- 
 ed. Tlie jurisdiction of tho tribunal of ilie (iovernor and In- 
 tendant in nialt(;rs of re-imion lo the Crown domain, tliere- 
 fore devolved upon thèse new courts. If sucli was not the 
 case, the obligation to concède, imposed upon the seignior 
 by thc arrêt of 171 1, became illusory, sincc the riglil of civil 
 action which aroso from this obligation, and which the arrêt 
 
40i> a 
 
 t;ave iti rxprcss loniis ro ;i ifiird p;irly, l'uulil not l>e cx- 
 '-reised. 
 
 33G. I must hère makc ifie reniuik lli;it, in llio prccect 
 \n^ observations», I liave s{)oken ol" tlie eiglilli section ol" tlie 
 statute of 179 l as if, by tlic woxà^ justice royale, it had been 
 intended to designate but a few particular tribunals wliieli 
 had been specially erealcd in Canada under that nanie, to 
 the exehision of other tribunals possessing tlie attributes of 
 justice rui/dlc, but under a différent nanie. I do not, never- 
 iheless, believethat the words in (juestion bear sueh a limi- 
 fed sensé, The statuto says : the courts. . . . ai' justice roi/alc 
 .... now, the judges of the tribunals ereated by the King 
 wcre roi/al jndges, eith(M- ordinarij or extraordinarij ; but 
 under the hiî^t title as well under the first, it wisaiways ihc 
 justice royale whieh was granlcd to tliern. Sueh was tho 
 power granted to the Governor and Intendant by the first «r- 
 rct of Marly. Altho' only a particular or cxtraordinary tri- 
 bunal, thèse two ollicers did not the less forni a eoiu't o{ jus- 
 tice royale under the authority of that arrêt. So that, in 
 this point of view, it ean bo said that that Court is in- 
 cluded in the ternis of the eighth section of the statute. 
 
 337. Let us now sec what lias been the extcnt of tho 
 jurisdiction exerciscd, in civil matters, by the tribunals 
 whieh hâve existed in ihe eountry sinee the cession, and to 
 whieh the statute of 179 l substituled the Courts of King's 
 Bcncli. 
 
 Under the tcmporary opération of an ordinance of tiie 
 Governor in corincil of the 17th September 17G-1, (1) we hâve 
 
 (l) The power of Clovcrnor Murray to inake this ordinance, has 
 been callcd in (iiicstion, evcu donied, by auUiorities ;^real}y to be rcs- 
 pected. This is a question wliich I ani i ut callcd -ipon to speak of 
 herc. 1 must thereiore absluiii froni discu^sing it, and for this reason, 
 and aiso bccai'sc [ am infonncd that I will soon liavc to pronouuce m/ 
 "pini'^n ni ihc '^ourl "f nppeal:: I^it it i= siifiiciont that this ordinance 
 
403 a 
 
 Iiad a Court, callod " Court of oommon plras," taking co- 
 gni.sancu ol" llio siiits of seiajniors l'or tlio rcunion to tluiir 
 domain o( laiuls conccded by tlieni, in defaiilt by tlic censi- 
 taires of holding " hcartli and lioniu" ; a jnrisdic-lion wliieli, 
 undor llio former governmont, bclongcd oxclusivtdy totlio In- 
 tendant. Tlierc arc not, neverllieles?., any dispositions in 
 ihis ordinance, lii\C those of tlie cigluli section of tin; statute 
 of 1791, wliicli niakc any spécial grant to tliat Court of the 
 judicial powcrs of tlie Intendant. 'J'Ik; ordinance does not 
 cvcn mention tlio Court of tliat ollleer, no more tlian tliat o/' 
 Prcvotc, o( \hc justice royale, or of the Supcrior Coimeil. 
 
 Thèse are the terms of the ordinance in wliieli thcî ju- 
 risdietion exereised by the Court of coimnon pU-as, had hccn 
 conferrud upou il: " A Court of inferior jurisdietion, or 
 " eouunon i)h'as, is by this présent act established, \vilh 
 " power and authority to décide vpon ail cases conccrniug 
 " propcrly^ above ihe value of ten jjounds, \vith ))ermission 
 *' to the parties lo appeal to the superior Court, or Court of 
 " King's Jîeneh, (1) v.hen the luatter at issue sliall be of 
 twenly pounds and upwards.'" 
 
 Surely, the same grant of jurisdietion is tobe found in- 
 ciuded in that given to the Courts of King's liencli, l)y the 
 .second .section of the statute of 1791, and if that Court of 
 
 had au exislonee, if not a k>g;il onc, at li;a^t a de fiuio oiie, ibal j inay 
 be iicnnitted to invoke in supji'irt of niy opinions npon tlic subject 
 with wliich Avo arc now occupit il, the ac(s of llie tribiinals wliit-h \\cro 
 in opération undor the authority ol tliat, oïdinancc. 
 
 (1) The ordinance liad established " a supcrior Court ofjniisdiction 
 or Court of King's IJcncli" in which the cliicf justice prcsided. 'J'his 
 Court had " iiowcr and autlioritv to hear nml dctcrninic ail ranses, 
 " criniinal and civil.'' There was an appeal froiu this Ccurl to the 
 (Jovcrnor and Council, uhen the nial.er in dispute (>xccedcd X300 
 sterling, and froni lhe(iovernor and Council In llie l\ing in CounciJ^ 
 -when itwas of the value of XJOO 6icilin<j: or more. 
 
404 a 
 
 rommon ploas had jurisdiction in matfors of rcimion lo the 
 doinriin of seigniorf, thèse Courts of King's Hencli oujj;IiI 
 «Miually to hâve it by virtue of the second section of the sta- 
 tut»-, \vhich conferred upon them a gênerai jurisdiction in 
 civil rnatters, even had the eighth st;clion of thestatute been 
 omilted, and had no mention of the Intendant been made 
 in that law. Notvvithstanding, undcr the contrary systern, 
 it would be necessary to say that the Court of conunon pleas 
 of 17G4, (îould noi exercise the jnrisdiction of the Intendant 
 in nialters of reunion to th<' doniiiin of sei<rniors, nor in any 
 other inatter, nor any inctre in the jurisdietion of ihe Superior 
 Couneil, or of ihe Pi'evoté^ or lA \\h'. jusl ire roi/idc^ hecan^^e 
 the ordinajxr had iiot s|)eci!illy naiiied thèse four fribiinals, 
 and liad not uiade to ihe new court a s|)c('ial grant of their 
 difFer(,'nt iiirisdiclions. For the saiiie reason, it Avould be 
 e(|iially necessary le concliide that, w ithoul th*^ eighth sec- 
 tion of t!ie statDtr of I7ÎM, ihe Courts of King's lienchwhich 
 \V(!re erealed by ihaf ad, couhl nol hâve excreiscd any of 
 tliesG saine jurisdictions, notwilhstanding the dispositions of 
 ihc second section, luîiking a gênerai grant of judicial au- 
 thority in civil mattors, witli ihe sole cNccption of the admi- 
 ra lly jurisdiction. 
 
 SiiH. After the revocation, decrced by ihe Québec act 
 (1771, 11 (ieo. .'i, chap. H3)^ of the laws which had given 
 existence to llie tribunais subs(!(juent to the cession of 
 Canada, tjic Législative Couneil crcated by that chart of 
 177 1, promnlgated in the year 1777 (17 (ieo 3, chap. 
 1) an ordinancc intituled '' an ordinance which cstabli.sh- 
 *' «îs (;ivil courts of judicature in the ))rovince ol' Que- 
 " l)ec." 
 
 This ordinance (livides the province into iwo districts, 
 t!i;it of Québec and that of Montréal, and establishes a 
 (iiurt of civil .Fnrisdiction called " court of coinmon 
 Itlcus^' for each of thèse districts. "The said court" 
 
405 a 
 
 " it. js therein'*said, shall hâve full power, jurisdiction and 
 '• autliority to lioar and adjudge ail suits which relate lo the 
 *' property and righls of the subjecty Such is tlie granl ot" 
 jurisdiclion made to lliis courl. Is it nol made in terms as 
 gênerai as was the grant of jurisdiction made at a later date 
 tu the courts ol'King's Bench, by ihe seeond section of the 
 statute oi" 1791, aiidashad hcentliat ol'tiicordinanci' oi 1761? 
 No mention is made ol the lnt(.'ndanl or ol' his court, no 
 more than (jf ihe Superior Countùl, ol' thi; Prévôté or ol 
 the Justice Royale. This iiew tril)unal, notwitlistanding, 
 often exercised, as thaï whitîh previously existed imder the 
 same name had done, [hv jiirisdiction ol' Intendant in mat- 
 ters of réunion to the domain of seiijniors. 
 
 Qui'- 
 
 Durt 
 
 339. iflhcii the authorily exen-iscd hy the (jovernor 
 and Intendant, in matieis ol'retmion lo iht; Oown domain, 
 was of the same nature, had tfie same objeet, and produced 
 the same etli-cts, as the authority exercised by the Intendant 
 alone in malters of reunion to tiie domain of the seigniors ; 
 in one word, if thaï autliority was a judieial authority, no 
 other conclusion could bc drawii Irom what j)reccdes than 
 this; lliat is, il ilic i\v(t courts (»l Comuion pleas of 1704 and 
 1777 wcre invcsicd vvith one ol thesi: powers, and could 
 exercise it by virtuc of the gênerai attribution which had 
 been given totliem, tlic;, v\'cre e(|ualis mvtîsted with the other, 
 and could exercise il by virtuc oi ili. same gênerai attribu- 
 tion ; that tlic sanic authority, in tlic <.\u ca-e or the other, 
 passed ft( ■ . tlir court i»f common pi us tn îhe courts of 
 King's Bench, in(le|)endentlv of the cj;;ht!i section of the 
 Statute of 179 I, and from the courts of Kuig's Bench to the 
 now existinii: tribunals of (triginal juris^'ictiou. 
 
 310. The seigniors may also l,ave recourse to another 
 
 objection. They will aduiit, hypothe'ically, that tlic acte ol 
 
 eunion jnay \vell In; a jiidicial act, but they will say that the 
 
 act of concession which succeeds to the reunion is net ; 
 
AOa a 
 
 and tlicn.' nol liaving bcen in Canada, arnordin^ lo ihoni, 
 public (j/riccrs wlio reprc'><cntt.'d, in tluH last j)()inl ol' vicw 
 llie Governor and Intendant, lluî first arrrt oï llu- Gth July 
 1711 could not be execnted since tlic cession of tlie country. 
 Thcy decc'ivc themsfdves. It is easy to perceive tliat even 
 in timt case, tlie arrêt could bc executed. 
 
 The dced of concession of a seigniory, after tlic reunion 
 of ail tlic rights of tlie vassal to tlie Crown domain, in de- 
 fault ofciiliivation, undcr the opération oCiIk; first part of 
 tlie arrêt, was not, it is truc, a judicial act, since it was not 
 inad(> to exécute, for the bcnciit of a tliiril j)arty,a judi^nuciit 
 V'hich this tliird jiarty sjiould hâve obtained. The reunion 
 look place for the bcnciit of ihc Crown only, riul the Kiiig 
 Avas free to concède or not to concède anew VVlien hc did 
 s(», it \vas an act of pure liberality on his j)art in favor of t'ie 
 ^rantce. liut such was not the ca^e, 1 bclieve I havc alrea- 
 ■]y shown, in the j)artial réunion which niii^dit tîiko i)lacc by 
 jriue of the second part of the arrêt, upon l'ic refusai of the 
 scignior to concède. This rcmion wa^^ made for the ad- 
 vantaiji^e of a third parfy who had acciuired a right lo the 
 concession of the land îluis r^-uniied. TIkî réunion was 
 for hini but a simple formali'v ; it was the concession which 
 was the principal objcct or rallier the sole objcct of his suit 
 before the (Jovernor and lulendant ; llu' concession beingthe 
 thing demandcd by his action; conscciucntly it was ihis 
 which thèse t'/o ollicers wcre oblig'îd lo adjudge to liim by 
 their judgmont ; it was the end of liie suit, wilhout it ihis 
 suit was <;ot coiicluded. If the Ciovcrnor and Intendant had 
 the po« (T to makc, al their discrétion, this concession to 
 anotîcr j)erson than \\u'. one wlu) had made iIk; demand, i'. 
 would hâve been a iT!t<iker> lo hav submilted the latlrr to 
 ail the troubles of a suit and to il.. '>osis of procccdiiigs 
 fïotn which lie would liave derivcd no advaningc, alilio' 
 hc only had the right to sue. Tha concession which could 
 l)c made to him, cithcr by the judgmcnt of the réunion 
 
407 a 
 
 ilseil, or in execiUioti of tlial jiulgineiil, was llien :i judiciai 
 act. 
 
 Siipposing for a moment, so as to answer to tlio objoc- 
 litm, tlial tliis concession is iiot a jndicial act, antl tliat, 
 consc(|ucniIy, sucli an act could not cmanatc Ironi onr tribii- 
 nals. Be it so. Hut ihe ad ol" reunion \vas a jndicial act, 
 it must be adinitted, in lliis systcm of distinction bctwccn 
 tliat and thc decd of concession, tliat tlie tliird party wlio 
 liad summoned llie seignior to concède liim a land, had iIk; 
 right to proseclUe tlie reunion of tliat land before tlie tribunal 
 /«rrjcr of t lie Go\crnor and Intendant to a définitive judi,^- 
 ment, saving lus riglil to oblain tlie concession tliereof after- 
 wards. Tlius, tlie authority wliicli caused this réunion to 
 be pronounced was a judkial authority, it foUows tliat il 
 d(!Volved upoii tlie tribunals establislied since the cession of 
 the eountry ; tlial tlie riglil of a tliird party to provoke tlie re- 
 union, acquired by virtue of tlic arrùt of 1711, can be cxer- 
 cised, and tliat thèse tribunals are obliged to pronouncc a 
 judgment adjudicating tliis réunion. 
 
 After tins judguK al, shall this third party, in the Sys- 
 tem which I combat, be wilhout a reniedy, withoul 
 reeourse to oblain the concession \vlii<'li lie lias demanded, 
 and which the law gives liiiu the riglit of liaving ? Not al 
 ail. The law niiisl be executed, and it shali be. Under 
 the new governmt^nt, \\w English CJovcrnor lias replaced, 
 since the year 17(53, the French Governor and Intendant in 
 the concessions of lands of the Crown. Tliis lirsl magislrate 
 of the colony will llien give the concession prayed for; lie 
 cannot refuse without failing in his duty, without disobe- 
 diencc to the law. 
 
 M\. Believing that I liavo cstablishcd thaï: I now 
 reply to the second part of the question of the Attorncy Ge- 
 neral, viz : " if sucli a tribunal existcd, did it exercise lliosr 
 " powers, or did il refuse or omit to do so." 
 
408 a 
 
 If, on thc one hand, I am liappy to bo able to say that, 
 in ail my rescarclics, 1 liavo lound no cxainple of refusai or 
 abstinence on tlie part of thi.s tril)nnal ; on tlie other lianci, 
 I niiist in tlie sanie inanner say tliat I hâve not, any more, 
 found up to tliis tinie any examplc of a demand in re- 
 union and in concession of a land, addressed to tliat tribunal 
 upon tlie refusai of a scignior lo concède, by an inliabitanl 
 who liad previously fulfiUed tli(> foruialities ])rescribe(l by 
 tlie arrêt of 1711, lo sunuuon tliis sei_i,niior. 
 
 Tliere liave been instances cerlainly, of wliicli I sliall 
 shorlly spiîak, in u liicli the conclusions soii^^lil tlie applica- 
 tion of tlie arrêt of i7l I, but lliey wcrc cliicfly of diflereni 
 kinds froiu tlial wliicli llic <iuesti»)n supposes. It is needless 
 to searcli lor llu: cmuscs wliicli inif^^ht ac:coiuil for tlie 
 absence eitlier of actions or dccisions, if micIi an action was 
 ever instituted, in inallcrs of réunion lo iIm* domain upon 
 tlie refusai of a scii^'uior lo concède. Wlioknows ? !Ui orror 
 in tin; pleadiui,', or pnliaps somi;timcs, anotlicr motive for 
 the décision ol llu- point litii;;itrd bciwccii llie jiarîies, rc- 
 sultini^ Irom tlu; lacis of llic case, may liavc preventcd a 
 judgment pronouncini; iIk; ap|ilicalion of thc nrr<U to thc 
 (piestion now bcfort; us. Il sulllccs lo csiablish the fact, 
 observin^: al ihe saiiu! lime ihat oni' of thc best rt'asons thaï 
 could bf! given tlierclor is that of Atlorncy ficneral Monk, 
 who b(M'ame shoitly aller ('hief-.Jusiice of llic Court of 
 Kin<('s liench for the dislricl of Montréal, .<;iven in 1794, in 
 a report daled ihe «7111 February (I), wliicli lie made to the 
 Governor, upon the occasion of a pétition of divers inhabi- 
 tants of tho seigniory of Longueuil, wherein ihey complai- 
 ned that their seignior, M. DavitI Alexandcr (irant, had 
 increasi'd, in an arbitrary inanner, thc rents established upon 
 the lands of his censitaires. ]\I. Monk, who was of opinion 
 that " the arrêt of the 6lh July 1711 was still in full force," 
 
 (1) 3rd vol. Seig. Doc, p. 73. 
 
say that, 
 duHal or 
 or liiincl, 
 ly more, 
 d in re- 
 t tribunal 
 iliabitani 
 rihed bv 
 
 1 I shall 
 
 : applica- 
 
 (lillereni 
 
 ncedlcss 
 
 t for llic 
 
 ;lion was 
 
 lin ii|)oii 
 
 'an (MTor 
 
 lolive l'or 
 
 •;ic.s, rp- 
 
 «'iitcd a 
 
 / to thc 
 
 lir lacl, 
 
 ons thaï 
 
 l Monk, 
 
 Court ol' 
 
 1794, in 
 
 le to the 
 
 inliabi- 
 
 ■omplai- 
 
 ant, liad 
 
 led upon 
 
 opinion 
 
 1 force," 
 
 409 a 
 
 fconcludes lii.s report by sayinc^ : " tiiey (the tenanf^) arc 
 " ablu to institute and carry on llieir suils to judi,'ment in 
 " the coinmon pleas ; etjual perhaps to meet thecosts ofthe 
 " Court of Appeals ; but the enornious expen;-»; atlendin^ 
 " an appeal to Ilis Majcsty in Council, to which tho seig- 
 *' nior is entitled, as his rights in future niay be bound by 
 " the décision, deprives them ofthe po.ssil)ility uf oblaining 
 " justice and (U)iupeis theni to abandon their riL,'hts and 
 " throw theniseives upon the niercy of their aiitagonist who 
 " compromises Ihe action and jj^rants a new decd of con- 
 " cession up')n Iuh own terms." (1) 
 
 312. In tiic form of an appendix to thcsc notes, I shall 
 report several judgments relating to the (piestions now 
 before us, and rendered since the cession ofthe eountry. 
 
 I, Court of common pleas : Présent, Judi^'es Mabîmc 
 and Monier ; at Montréal : Clément Sabrevois De IJlcury, 
 Plainliir, versus J. B. Boucher de Niverville, Défendant. 
 
 The plaintid claimed from the; défendant, his seii^nior, 
 the value ofthe hay whicii the latter had caused to be eut 
 upon his land. The défendant repliée! ihat this land had 
 been re-united to his domain by a judgment of Justices of 
 the pcace, (2) in i:omformily to the ordinance of General 
 Burtt)n. The i)laintilt'denied the fact. 
 
 (1) Silice tlio " sei;^nioiial questions " liave been taken iiito dolibe- 
 ralion, ami siuce tlicse notes li;ive been writlon, I liave liad tlie advnn- 
 ta^eof findinï two suits bioiifrlit before tlie court ol Kiiiir's IJcntli of 
 Montréal, wbicli oblige nie (o correct tlie assertion wliicli l bave 
 just niade umler tbis nuinbor tliat ibere was no exainple ot" a ileinanil 
 in concession carried belore tbe tribunal, upon the refusai of tbc scig- 
 nior to concède, after suninions niade to bini to do so ; not baving liad 
 the lime to wrife tbe?e notes over again, L add al tbe t nd under the 
 numbers XVII and XVllI oiFrcccdoUs, nn analjsis oi thèse two cases. 
 
 (2) IJnder the judicature ordinance of the 17th Sept. IToi, a Jus- 
 tice of tbe peaco was ciiipcleiit lo décide - ail '-auses, or maltcr-» "'! 
 
 52 
 
410 a 
 
 'V\\o iii(lii[ni('iit ol' tlic Court of coiiiinon plcas, wliieh isof 
 flic I7lli Fchniarv I7()7, condiMiins tlie (Icrciidatit topay tlie 
 value ol' tlic li;iy, ami |)i()liil)il.s liirn iVoiii trou 1)1 iti;< tlic plain- 
 till'in tlir |)().ss('ssiot) ol' liis laiid, sccin;,' tliat tliis land was 
 iiol lucnlioiirfj il) tlic ordinaiict; ol' (ioin'ial Hurton, ■\ni\ tliat 
 inorcovcr ilu; plaintill" liiid arnulioratcd it aiid put i' into 
 cultivalioii. 
 
 II. Mi'ldW is a jU(lL;iii(iit oltliu saiiic Conit, daled tlie 
 lUlli l'Y'hruary 17G.Ï, rciulcrcd in i!r' Frrticli lani,'uag(j. 
 
 " Siitiii'' licld ou Fridas 15 Kchruarv 1705. 
 
 '' (..'liristic (lalditTs / '' Tlic Court talviiiij iuto collsi- 
 
 x'iifiiiory S '* dcratiou an ortliiianct; uiade by 
 
 "• lîriiradicr Miirton, llicii (iovirnor ol'Moiitrcal, on llic 2nd ol" 
 April I7(J1, iipoii llic pcliiion of (JahricI Clirislic, K>(jiiirc, 
 liciiu naut colonel and (|uarlcr uiaf<tcr ycncral ol tlic Kiniç'-s 
 (irinics, and.Iolin Cainpbcll, captain of tlic J7tli rclifinicnt, 
 proprictor> of a scii^niory .situalcd on tlic bordcrs of tlio 
 Ki\cr ('liaiiil)ly, licrctolorc lH'lon<,'ini,Mo Mr. De Noan, by 
 w liicli it is ordcrcd to onc .1. \iU\ Parent ( and .six 
 ollicr Cl iisiliii'-is], lo liold licarth and lioiiic uponllic laiids 
 (■oi);-c(|c(l (o ihciii in llic said sc'ii^niory, uiso to r(Mid(!r llie 
 sailli iiro(!iicti\ • , iroiii llic day of tla; publication of tlie 
 said ordinaticf up lo tlic lirst day of l.)c;lobi'r tlien ncxl l'or 
 ail appointuicnt, in dcd'aull of wliicli and llie said diday 
 
 " cxoircd, thaï tlic rcunioii of tlic 
 
 aiu 
 
 c sliall bc dcl'initive- 
 
 " ly Miadc to tlic domain ol tlic said scii(niory, iipon thu 
 
 jiro|)fity ilic valiKMvIkicot ilii! iiot ixcoud fivc pouiids, Québec cur- 
 rtiicy ; ''' Isvi |ll^ti(•('^, ol' lli;' |ii';i'i: ucrc; eiiually c-oiiijieleiit to décide 
 
 aliii; diil ni.l excet'd tcii poiiiids. In tlic one 
 
 tl 
 
 le Miine caiiM!^ wlicn Un 
 
 (Il 
 
 case ()!■ tiiL' oiliT tlii.'ir dl;■■l^i'Mls wt-rr wiliioiil a|»|)cal. 1 liree justices 
 (d'ilii; ])i'a('e coiisliiiitcd a (.'onrt. whicii liad jiirisdiction in " ail cases 
 and inaltcrs of piopeity llic value wliercof was uiider JC\0 and did iiot 
 excocd JJ'.iO "■ ; ihc parties licing al liberly to appeal l'roin tlieir déci- 
 sions tn tlic Siiptirior Court, ot" Kin^'s Bciicli. 
 
ich isot" 
 pay tlio 
 r |)li»in- 
 nd was 
 ;m.1 llial 
 . (V into 
 
 lied llio 
 
 
 so 
 
 05. 
 
 to consi- 
 ia<It' l)y 
 !(• 2n(l ol 
 Ksi|iiin>, 
 icKiiii^'s 
 l'aiment, 
 rs oC il H* 
 m, by 
 ul >ix 
 laiuls 
 dcr llie 
 n ol' 1I1C 
 icxl i'or 
 1 dclay 
 inilive- 
 )()I1 tlic 
 
 .'l)cc rur- 
 décide 
 Il llif one 
 iii>tices 
 ail cases 
 iliil not 
 u'ir dcci- 
 
 41 1 a 
 
 " «îertificate ol ilir captain^ ol iniliiia of Moiitrral tliaf 
 
 " llic said IcnanN liavc iiol takfii adviiiita'M' (.,' ijir dt lay 
 
 *' ij^rantcd to tlicin, atid lliat thr said i.iilinari(' .'-hall lu» 
 
 " pnblislird tlirt'c coiisi-fntivc Siindays at tlir cliiireli door 
 
 " olllic l'arisli cliiiich ol' Motitrcal, on llic cniicliisioii ol 
 
 " (Jraiid Mass, lo die end ilial iiom; iiiay pictcnd ii^iKirain-t.- 
 
 " tlicnîof. 
 
 " Tlio oerlifical»' of Dccostc tlic yoiuii^cr, sri|caiil of 
 " militia ol' .Moritrcal, Ix'ini^ al llu- Ik.iioih nlihc said nrdi- 
 "• liaiu;i' by wIih-Ii Ih' tcsiilirs diat lie |>iil)lis||(.|| i|h. >:iim', 
 " at tlii! coiudiision of Motilrcal l'uisli (ii-nid Ma-^, on 
 " Slinday lIlc Htll and l.")!!! April, ar 1 Mondas die •.((oiid 
 
 " day of llic r'astcr liolydays, thr «aity third day of tlic 
 " montli of April of tlic said ycar I7G1. 
 
 " Tlio dt'(darations of Jean Inwood and Alcxandic 
 
 " Harron allinncd by iIumi' nndrr oatli bcfoic Mr. Mo^cs 
 
 " l'^.s(|uir(', onc of Ilis .Majesty's jusliccs ol' die l'cacc ut 
 
 '' Monlical, Ix'arini^f dat<' tlic I.')di .lanuar_\ la-l, b\ \\ lnch 
 
 " il is jnstificd tliat tlic said !,Manlccs 'lavc iiol proliicd hv 
 
 " tJK^ dtday i,'rantt'd lo tlicni by tlic oïdinan. c of ihc v;ii,| 
 
 " (Jovcrnor Hiirton and luivc nol licld licartli and lionic iip- 
 
 " on llic said lands ; 
 
 •' The |)('tition prcscntcd in tliis Court by tlic snid 
 
 " Messrs. Clirislic and ('ani) bcll, lia\in.v for its olijcct tlie 
 
 " obtaining tlic rcuidon of tlic said land-; and dic w liolo 
 
 " dtdy considcrcd, tlic Court lias dccdarcd tlic said .1. Hto. 
 
 " Panmt (and tlic six ollicr (•rnsiUtii'f's) to liavc foifcitcd tlic 
 
 " said lands Ci/iiccdcd n diciii in tlic said sci^iii(,r\-, in tlc- 
 
 " l'ault of tlieir liavini^ satislied dic conditions of ihcir con- 
 
 " tracts of conc(?ssiou and tlic ordinanc(; abovc menti -ned ; 
 
 " in conseciucncc wlicrcof ordains thaï tlic said lands be by 
 
 " tliese présent rc-uiiilcd to llic domain of the scii,Mii(.iy of 
 
 " the said Messrs. Chrisiie and Campbell who sliall dispose 
 
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 *' ofthosameas they may lliink fit. Made and given nt 
 
 " JMontrcal by us John Fraser and François Mounier, Es- 
 
 '^ quires, two of ihe judgcs of the Court of common plcas, 
 
 " sitting the Court on ihe 16th February 17G5." Signed. 
 
 " John Fraser. 
 
 III. On the same day 16th February 1765, a judgment 
 similar to the preceding is rendered by the same Court in 
 favor of " the ecclesiastics of the seminary of the Isle Jésus" 
 that is to say in favor of the seminary of Québec proprietor 
 of that seigniory. 
 
 " Having seen," it is therc said, " three ordinancos 
 rendered by ]\Iajor General Gage, then Governor of Mont- 
 réal, on tlie I2th July 17G3, upon the pétition of tiie gen- 
 tlemen ecclesiastics of the seminary of Québec, seigniors 
 and proprictors of the Isle Jésus, by which Jean Lacoste 
 ,' (and twenty four other censitaires) residing or who ought 
 " to réside upon the lands conceded to them in the said 
 " seigniory of Isle Jésus, parish of St. Vincent de Paul, 
 J. 13 te Périllard (and eight other censitaires) residing 
 or who ought to réside upon the lands conceded to them 
 " in the said seigniory, in the part called Ste. Geneviève, 
 and one Antoine Caron (and sevcn other censitaires) 
 residing or who ought to réside in the said seigniory of 
 Isle Jésus, parish of Ste. Rose, were ordered to hold 
 hearth and home &c., (the remainder as in the preceding 
 judgment.) 
 
 (( 
 
 a 
 
 a 
 
 a 
 
 (( 
 
 <( 
 
 (( 
 
 (( 
 
 (C 
 
 C( 
 
 (( 
 
 The certificate &c., &c., (the remainder as in the pve- 
 " ccding judgment.) 
 
 a 
 
 " Another ordinance of Brigadier gênerai Burton, bear- 
 ing date the 13th August 1764, by which it was ordained 
 " ihat a superabundant publication of the ordinances of 
 " Major gênerai Gage bc made, and Ihat certificates in 
 '' writing be made by tiic captains of tiic militia of the place 
 
413 a 
 
 given nt 
 
 nier, Es- 
 
 3n plcas, 
 
 Signed. 
 
 udgment 
 Court in 
 e Je sus, ''^ 
 )roprietor 
 
 dinances 
 of Mont- 
 the gen- 
 seigniors 
 i Lacoste 
 ho ought 
 the said 
 de Paul, 
 residing 
 l to them 
 meviève, 
 nsitaires) 
 gniory of 
 to hold 
 ireceding 
 
 i thc ])re- 
 
 ton, bear- 
 ordained 
 anees of 
 icates in 
 the place 
 
 •-* ihat the parties namcd in the said ordinances iiave not 
 " obeycd tiie said commands sincc tho first publication up 
 
 " to the said 13th August 1764. 
 
 " The certificate of the said Messrs. Ségouin, Ilétier 
 " and Presseau, captains of militia, who certify that the 
 " said superabundant advertisement bas bcen rnade, and 
 " that not one of the said parties prcsented himself ; 
 
 u 
 
 (C 
 
 The pétition presented to this Court &c., &c., (the 
 same as in thc preceding judgment.) 
 
 IV. J. Etc. Laporte dit Labonté, in his quality of tutor 
 to the minors Lebeau, prayed to be re-instatcd in the pos- 
 session of a land farm, of which the seignior Mr. de Niver- 
 " ville, had evicted him. The latter replicd that this farm 
 had been re-united to his domain by the ordinance of Mr. 
 Burton of the Gth March 1764, confirmed by thc justices of 
 the peace, by judgment of the 27th June 1765. 
 
 On the 7th March 1769, the Court of common pleas 
 (présent, judgcs Fraser and Mabane) renders a judgment 
 which condcmns the seignior to re-instale the plaintifi'in the 
 possession of the said farm, giving this, among other reasons 
 foj: its judgment : 
 
 " Having also seen that gênerai Burton, by his ordi. 
 c' nance of April 1764, being at the time Governor of JVfont- 
 " real, had only summoned the inliabitants that Mr. de Ni- 
 " verville declared not hold hearth and home , to fulfil 
 " their contracts, without which he would proceed in a 
 " final manner to reunite the said farm to the domain of 
 t' the seignior, and Messrs. the justices of the peace having 
 " only intended to confirm that which had been donc by Mr. 
 " Burton, and Mr. Burton never having definitively procee- 
 " ded to reunite the same, and thî3 whole duly considered, 
 " the Court finds that Mr. de Niverville has improperly re» 
 " united the said continuation of 3 « 44 arpents." 
 
414 a 
 
 The preceding judgments establish the fact of the ex- 
 ercise, by the first Court ol'common pleas, ofthe jurisdiction 
 of tlie Intendant in matters of re-union to the domain of the 
 seigniors, altho' no mention was made ofthe Court of that 
 olficer in the ordinance of the 17th September 1764. The 
 judgments which foUow establish the same fact as regards 
 the second Court of common pleas created by the ordinance 
 of 1777, which like the first made no mention of the Inten- 
 dant's Court. 
 
 V. At Québec : Descheneau, seignior of Neuville, 
 against the widow and heirs Girard or Girardin, judgment 
 ofthe 5th Deeemher 1781, which " considering the arrêt of 
 " the 6th July 1711 upon the subject of lands uninhabited 
 " or abandoned, orders that in default by.... ofpresenting 
 " themselves, of holding hearlli and homt; u]K)n the said 
 " land and ameliorating the -ame within ilie delay of 
 " one year commencing from the publication of the i)resent 
 " ordinance, tlie Court will j)rc)eeed to the reunion of the 
 " said land to the domain ofthe said fîefoï iVcuville, upon 
 " the certificate of tlu; Jlecior [curé) and captain of militia 
 " ofthe parish, that the above mentioned hâve not com- 
 " plied with the présent ordinance, which shall be read and 
 " published at the church door ofthe said parish, for three 
 " consécutive Sundays, immediately after divine service, 
 " and in as much as it appears that some améliorations 
 " hâve been made upon the said land, the Court orders 
 " that at the diligence of the said sieur Descheneau, there 
 " be inserted an advertisement in the Québec Gazette, for 
 " three consécutive publications, (1) containing in an abrid- 
 " ged form the reunion of the said land, and notifying those 
 " who may hâve some claims upon it to make their written 
 " déclaration and to produce their titles, if any they hâve, 
 " at the office of the prothonotary's office of this Court, with- 
 t' in the said delay of one year ; in default of Avhich, the re- 
 
 (1) Published in theQuebcc Gazette of the 27th Dec. 1781. No. 851. 
 
415 a 
 
 " union sliall be immediately declared : the Court rescrving 
 " to itself, at the time of the reunion, the rigiit to order that 
 " it be made only ujjon the condition that the said sieur 
 " Deschesneau shall hâve the same oHered to the last and 
 " highest bidder, for three consécutive Sundays, at the door 
 " of the church of Neuville, and that the monics arising 
 " therefrom sliall remain in the hands of the purchaser for 
 " the benefit of the said widow and heirs (iirard, whenever 
 " they shall présent themselves or until it be ordered by 
 " the Court." 
 
 VI. At Qu(!bec : The t^ame plaintiff, as seignior of St. 
 Michel and Livaudière, against Jacques Nicole, 5th ])e- 
 cember 1781, a judgment siniilar to the jireceding one, fol- 
 lowed by a linal judgment of reunion. A curator isnamed 
 " to the land abandoned," which is afterwards sokl upon 
 the condition of paying in cash, out of the priée of the adju- 
 dication, " the work and améliorations which shall be cs- 
 " tablished to be due and belong to Franr^ois Sirié" who 
 " had made a demand to that ellect. 
 
 VII. At Québec, the name plaintiJT, as seignior of St. 
 Michel against Thomas Lapierre ; 14th January ITSti, 
 similar judgment, foUowed by a final judgment of reunion 
 on the 31 si March 1787. 
 
 VIII. At Québec, the same plaintif!', as seignior of 
 Neuville, against Joseph Tellier ; similar judgment of the 
 24th Decembcr 1785. 
 
 IX. At Montréal, in a pétition dated tlie 7th August 
 1784, Simon Sanguinet, seignior of Lasalle, sets forth to the 
 judges of the Court of common pleas : " that there are se- 
 " veral farms conceded in the said seigniory to divers per- 
 " sons, who do not hold hearth and home accord ing to the 
 " clause of their contracts of concession, and many hâve 
 " not even worked upon them and hâve not paid their rent.s. 
 
4H; a 
 
 " Firstly. Pierre Poissant, a farm of G x 30 arpents &c., 
 '* &c., (and l'ourteen otlier censitaires) ; and in as much as 
 *' the proprietors of tlie said farms do not l'ulHl in any way 
 " tiie clauses mentioned in their contracts oi' concession : 
 " that which being duly considered, it may pleasc your 
 " honors to authorise the petitioner to re-unite to his domain 
 " the said farms, to dispose of the same as he may think fit, 
 " in observing the formalities required in such cases." 
 
 This is the final judgment rendered upon that pétition, 
 on Ihe first of October 1785. (1) 
 
 (C 
 
 t( 
 
 li 
 
 " Bc it known that taking into considération the or- 
 dinance of the 7th August 1784 rendered by us upon the 
 pétition prescnted by Simon Sanguinet, Esquirc, scignior 
 and pro})rietor of the seigniory of Lasalle, stating tliat sc- 
 " veral farms in the said seigniory hâve been conceded, 
 " namely to Pierre Poissant &c., &c.,. . . .upon the clauses, 
 " charges, and conditions of holding hearth and home upon 
 " the said farms and that the said grantees hâve not to the 
 " présent time fulfiUed their obligations, our said ordinance 
 " declaring that in default by the said grantees to hold 
 " hearth and home upon the said farms within the de.lay 
 ** of one year, for ail prefixion, counting from the day of the 
 " publication of the said ordinance, \ve should proceed to 
 " the final reunion of the said lands to the domain of ihc 
 " said seigniory upoti the certificate of Messrs. Ihe Rectors 
 {curés) and captains of railitia of the Pari s h of the said 
 place, that the said gi'antees do not hold hearth and home 
 upon the said lands, likewise the certificates of François 
 Glind, public crier, of the 30th August tnat he has published 
 " the above mentioned ordinance for three consécutive Sun- 
 " days at the church door immediately after divine service, 
 " the certificates of sieur AlbertDupuis, c aptain of militia 
 " of the same place and that of Mr. Lalanne Noty of the twenty 
 
 (l) Présent judges John Fraser and llertel de Rouvillc. 
 
 il 
 
 (( 
 
 (( 
 
 (C 
 
417 a 
 
 ents &:c., 
 mue h as 
 any way 
 iccssion : 
 ase your 
 s domain 
 Ihink fit, 
 
 es 
 
 ti 
 
 pétition, 
 
 n tbc 01'- 
 upon tlic 
 , scii^nior 
 g that sc- 
 ;onceded, 
 ; clauses, 
 Dme upon 
 lot to the 
 )rdinance 
 3 to hold 
 lie dc.lay 
 ay of the 
 foceed to 
 in of llic 
 Rectors 
 the said 
 nd home 
 rançois 
 ublished 
 ive Sun- 
 service, 
 militia 
 c twenty 
 
 " eighth of tiie said month, stating that the grantces named 
 
 " in the above mentioued ordinance do not hold hearth and 
 
 " home upon the said lands, with the exception of Julien 
 
 " Vachereau and Antoine Daigneau ; considering also the 
 
 " arrêt of the King'.scouncilof State of the sixth of July 1711 
 
 " upon the subject of reunions, the whole duly considcred, 
 
 " the Court after liaving deliberated, has divested the par- 
 
 " ties above named of their righ*. of property in the said 
 
 " farms conccded to them in the said seigniory, with the 
 
 " exception of the said Julien Vachereau and Antoine Dai- 
 
 " gneau who hâve obeyed our said ordinance ; ordains that 
 
 " the said farms be and remain re-unitcd to the domain 
 
 " thcreof to be by the said Simon Sanguinet, seignior of 
 
 " the said place of Lasalle conceded to wiioin and in 
 
 " themanner he may deem fit : ordering &c." 
 
 X. At Montréal : James Cuthbert, seignior of Berthier, 
 plaintifF against François ^Barril, senior, and François Bar- 
 ril, junior. Below is the judgraent of the 27lii August 1790 
 which was appealed from. As the two décisions are molivéeSj 
 I think it important to give them at length, without, for that 
 raison, approving the whole of the motives. That of the 
 court of appeals makes known the opinion of the Chief Jus- 
 tice, M. Smith, upon the arrêts of 1711 and upon the extent 
 of the jurisdiction of the court of common pleas. The judg- 
 ment of the latter tribunal is in thèse terms : (1) 
 
 " The court, havingconsidereditspreparatoryjudgment 
 " of the 24th March 1787, the différent certificates of publi- 
 " cations thereof afterwards, and particularly that of Pierre 
 " Martin dit Pelland and Louis Vadnay, captains of militia 
 
 " bearing date the 16th October 1788, and the 
 
 " dépositions of the witnesses, the whole duly considered 
 " and examined, is of opinion : 
 
 (I) Présent: Judges, John Fraser, H. de Rouville, P. Panet. 
 
 53 
 
418 a 
 
 \o. " That thc preparatory judgment and above dated 
 " has not divested iho défendants ol" thc larms conceded to 
 *' them, altho' tliey were tliereby compelled to liold hearth 
 and home upon tlie said farms witliin a year and a day 
 of the publication of the said judgiïKnit, the pain of for- 
 feiture being cornminatory and wliich coidd not be pro- 
 •' nounced until a second définitive judgment. 
 
 4; 
 
 K 
 
 u 
 (i 
 (( 
 i( 
 
 (( 
 (. 
 {( 
 
 2o. " That tho plaintifT liaving neglectcd to take 
 légal proceedings against thc del'endants at the 
 expiration of the year and a day granted to them by thc 
 said judgment, and having been silent for more tlian two 
 years, during whieh time the défendants hâve made amé- 
 liorations, constructed small houses and hâve maintained 
 the public roads at tlieir own cost and charges, it would 
 be unjust that the plaintif!" should hâve the benefit of their 
 labors, through his négligence : 
 
 3o. " That fînally the défendants having paid the agent 
 of the plaintif!' his seigniorial rents for the year 1787, ;:;ub- 
 sequent to the preparatory judgment of tins court, we must 
 thence conclude that the plaintif!" looked upon them as 
 true proprietors of the said lands and was willing to sufl'er 
 them, {leur donner souffrance). 
 
 " From thèse considérations the court dismisses the 
 •' plaintifl's demand to reunite the farms in question to the 
 " domain ; in so doing, maintains the défendants in the 
 " enjoyment and property of the said farms, upon which 
 " thev shall continue to hold hearth and home. And in as 
 much as thèse said parties are respectively in the wrong, 
 there having been negligv.nee on both sides, the court 
 orders that each party pay his own costs and that those of 
 the prothonotary's office be paid, each for the one half by 
 the plaintiff and the défendants." 
 
 (I 
 
 (( 
 
 (i 
 
 a 
 
 u 
 
 Relow i? ihe judgment in appea], preccdcd by ihc rca 
 
411) a 
 
 ton» s'n-o.n l)y ihe Chief Justice, M. Smith, (I)iind pronoun- 
 >'cd on 2nd April 1792, in liie Englisli language : 
 
 " Tlic appellant was i)laintiirbolow. Tiieobjectofliis 
 action was the re-acquisition of tlie riglit and possession of 
 two farnis ofhis soigniory upon tlic cliarge of a want ol' oc- 
 cupation and cultivation by the deleiulants as his tenants. 
 The question before the common pieas was whether the 
 plainliiï had right to such reacquisition. The sentence 
 " below was that he had not. If he had sucli right, it stands 
 entirely upon an edict of tlie French King, of Gth July 1711. 
 
 il 
 
 a 
 
 " Without the provision made by that edict, the seigniors, 
 " rcmcdy on the tenants, failure in cens, rents or covenants, 
 " was by an action against him or hy saisie censuelle. 
 
 " Neither of thèse two modes of relief was pursued and 
 " the reason is plain because both had results short of the 
 " plaintifl's views, of being not only paid for the rent in arrear 
 " but to hâve power to regrant the farms to other tenants. 
 " When France gave Canada to a company in 1628, it was for 
 " an exclusive commerce, or the monopoly of the trade of the 
 " new discovered Country. The company had no tittle to 
 " the soil until 1G42. 
 
 " The idea of planting the country for a dominion and 
 " an addition to the nationil force didnotbecome a serions 
 " object, till after the Cro . u was reseized, by the surrender 
 " of the company in 1663. 
 
 " The seigniorics were numerous by 1C72, but the actnal 
 " settlements being inadéquate to their extent, the Crown 
 took measures to compel to correspondent cultivation.There 
 " are divers edicts and laws for thispurpose of the compul- 
 
 (1) Présent : His Excellency Lieutenant Governor Alured Clark, 
 président ; the honorable William Smith, Chief-Justice, M, FinJay, M. 
 Bahj, M. de Longueuil, 
 
 t( 
 
420 a 
 
 « 
 
 sory course deviseti, was a reassumption of tlie granted but 
 " unsettled seigniories, or a portion of them 1o tin; royal do- 
 
 t( 
 
 main 
 
 " The edicts and royal déclarations and arrêts of tlie 
 ' conncil of state, to efTect tins annihilation of titlcs an; of 
 ' the 4th Jnno 1672, 4th June 1675, 9th May 1679, 6th Juiie 
 ' (July) 1711, 17th July 1743 and Ist Octobér 1747. Thèse 
 ' laws to be just suppose the seignior in fanlt, for the non-set- 
 ' tlement of the estate granted to him, andthat the seigniors 
 ' had refnsed to make leases or snb-grants. On compel- 
 ' ling the land-lord to people his estate or forfeit lus right to 
 ' the unsettled portions, the French law-giver could not refuse 
 ' the seignior a like rcmedy against his lessees, for the neglect 
 ' of the settlement of the demised farmf-., and this is the 
 ' origin of the 2nd ediet of the 6th July 1711. The conces- 
 ' sions in désert are to be reunited to the seignior's domain. 
 
 " According to the laws of the country bcfore the conquest, 
 " to wit, the arrêts of 6th July 1711 and of Mardi 1732, every 
 " tenant not commorant upon his concession and neglecting 
 " to cullivate it for ayear, forfeited his lease and by the edict 
 " the cognisance of the defauli and the efTectuating the reu- 
 " nion, was commilted atfirst to Hegon, the Intendant of the 
 " day, and was exereised by him and his successors Dupuy, 
 " Hocquart and Bigot, to the time of the concpiest in 1760. 
 " The patents had been vacatcd before by Begon's j)redeces- 
 " sors Raudot, Beauharnois, De Champigny, Demeules and 
 " Dachesneau,^up to Talon the Intendant at issuing the edict 
 " of 1672. (1) 
 
 (1) List of tlie Intendants in Canada, according to the date of tlieir 
 appointment. 
 
 1. M. Robert 1663. He did not corne to Canada. 
 
 2. Talon, commission of the 23rd March 1665. 
 
 3. M. de Bouteroue,coni. nf the 8th April 1668. 
 
421 a 
 
 " What was law at the conquest, is law now, in ail cases 
 compatible wilh the sovereignty of the conqueror and not 
 revoked by his authority, or the authority of pariiannent or 
 by the province ordinances authorized thereby. 
 
 " The Chiel" court for securing property and civil riglits 
 in tins province is the common j)leas ; what isthe extent of its 
 cognisance is the question ? The whole powers vested in the 
 French Intendant it certainly lias not, for lie could appoint 
 to oliices, make laws of polie»; and levy taxes, and repre- 
 sented the Sovereign in his double character of maker and 
 executor of the laws, To attribute to the common pleas 
 such an exlent of powers would therefore be absurd and the 
 position as untenable , tliat the common pleas might 
 in no case exercise those branches of his jurisdiction as a 
 judge that were requisite for the security of the property and 
 
 4. 
 
 M. Talon, returned to Canada in 
 
 1G7U. 
 
 5. 
 
 M. Ducliesneau, commission 5tl 
 
 1 June 1675. 
 
 G. 
 
 M. de Meulles, 
 
 
 1 
 
 May 1GS2. 
 
 7. 
 
 M. de Cliainpigny, 
 
 
 24. 
 
 Apiil 1686. 
 
 8. 
 
 M. de Jieauharnois, 
 
 
 1 
 
 April 1702. 
 
 9. 
 
 M. llaudot, sr., 
 
 
 1 
 
 Jan. 1705. 
 
 10. 
 
 M. Ilaudotjjr., 
 
 
 1 
 
 » (i 
 
 Tlie lalter was tliiis named to fulfîl the duties of his father in 
 " his absence, sickness or otlier legitiraate preventative, even 
 in his default." 
 
 11. M. Begon, commission 31st Mardi 1710. 
 
 12. M. Chazel, he was lost on the voyage coming to Canada, 
 
 [Garneau, t. 2, p. 369.] 
 
 13. M. Dupuy, commission of the 23rd !November 1725. 
 
 14.. M. Hocquart 21ih Fehruary 1731. Although M. Garneau 
 inakes him arrive in Canada iu 172 >, v. 2, p. 380. His 
 commission describes him as being already " commissary 
 gênerai of the marine, commander {ordonnateur') m Cana- 
 da." 
 
 15. M. Bigot, commission of the Ist January 1748. He was the 
 last Intendant. 
 
422 a 
 
 Pivil T\p\\U of iUn snbjiM't, powrrfl trusled wliully to no oin? 
 court, but. |)arcnll(!(l ont îiiiionij^st tliciii ; andwith tli(! slinio to 
 tlie Int(!n(lîint's court wliieli g.'ivo a relief bel'ore liiiti to be 
 hacl in lia olher court, 
 
 " In ronnions to tho soiirniorial (lomain, tlic Inleiidiint 
 brid aiUliority alone, but in tlie nuinioti of scM^niorics to tli<; 
 royal domain, tlio (iovernor'.s co-uperation wa.s neecssary 
 from theyear l(i7G. (1) 
 
 " TIk; decvocs prononnccd licrc in tlio rontrovorsies rcla- 
 lini^totlie Cliureliesand pursonaijff; liouses of tlie Farisli of ]\Ta- 
 cliielie (5 November 1787,) and \ouv(dle Heauee (ô.Ianuniy 
 1789) i)rooerded on tlic distinction just now suj^gestcd. Tlio 
 Court of common plca?» ni()>;t (îortainly cannot exercise tlie 
 aulliorily of tlie Freneli Intendant in lei^isla'.ion, as in levios 
 of moncy and tlie vindications of tho magistratic antliorily, 
 ngainstthe claims of tlic Frencli Clcrgy, or of botli tlie (iai- 
 lican Crown and Chureh, against tho encroachnients of lli" 
 see of Romo. Tlie interposition of the common plens for 
 eflectuating tho ccclesiastical taxations aforo mentioncd 
 were therclbrc unauthorizcd by the law as it stood at that 
 time, and the dccrces in appeal, were virtually conlirmed 
 by the latc ordinanco vesting tho Govornor witli the aiithori- 
 ty the Intendant had exercised respecting tho assessment 
 of the Parishioners for Churches and presbytères or parson- 
 nges houses and Globes. This Court's admission tiiereforc, 
 and the powcr of tho common pleas, over the reunions exé- 
 cutable by tho Intondant, will bo in no degree répugnant to 
 
 (1) M. Garneau, car» invoke M. Cugnet's extracts p. fjl : " Onlin- 
 ance of M. Ilocquart, Intendant, of tlie 22nd November 1729, 
 Edits and Ord. in-8o. v. 2, p. 337, Ordinauce of 7th Dec. 1729, of 
 " Gilles Ilocquart, counsellor of the King in his Councils, Inlc7idant 
 " of Justice, police and finances in new France." 
 
 2nd vol. " Seig. Doc. " p. 129. Ord : of M. Ilocquart of the Uth 
 October 1729. 
 
423 a 
 
 tlie udjudit niions atore iiu-ntioiicil and the déniait)! il vvoiild 
 I«?rivc tlio now brltisli witliout tlio rt.'iin.'dy grunted tu Jhw 
 Fn-ncli Hoigniors. Tlio objection llial tlio défendants bolow 
 ^^■oro not snininoned to tlio court lias no \vei<^lil, tliat l)ciiig 
 curod i^y tlioir aotual uppoarancc! and tlel'ence. And llio' tlio 
 cotninoii pleasliad prooc^cdedAvitli rnoro rct,nilarity, il'llie par- 
 tic* iiad bfi'n driven to written |)lea(lini;H fora clear issue in 
 fict, tlie ground of exception, on lliat account, is weak, botli 
 parties appearing to be appriscd lliat tlic controversy tiirned 
 iipon tlic cn(iuiry respectini^ the «se niade of tlie farnis, and 
 lliere lieiny; a niutual voluntary recoiir.so to paroi oxaniina- 
 tionsi upon tlie main point in controversy. 
 
 " 'l'Iic validity of the sentence of the common ph^as, 
 inust tlierci'ore turn upon the incompetency of the plainlill'.s 
 proofto sustain the charge of lorfeiture, and a conséquent 
 right to the reunion lie claimed. If the proof was fuU, the 
 sentence niust be reversed and such judgment be pronoun- 
 ced hère a» ought to hâve been rendered below. If it fell 
 short of what the law made nocessary, the judgment must 
 be confirmed. But if this Court is left at an uncertainty, as to 
 the proof before the court below, we hâve no other course 
 in dispensing Justice than to put the lower tribunal, in a 
 condition to remove the doubts by a reversai of the pré- 
 sent sentence and u remission of llie cause. 
 
 " The Icases the défendants held by are in 17G5. The pro- 
 secution for non settlement in 1790, The commorancy and 
 cultivation are not shewn to be older than 1788. If that is 
 fact, the right to a reunion may hâve incurred above twenty 
 years before, ihe term allowed for settlement expiring in 
 1706. 
 
 " Had the défendants explicitly confessed in the plea- 
 dings that the farms continûed derelict and in désert, for that 
 period, the action had beenfully maintained and judgment 
 sliould havc passed for the plainlifl' ; but such confession 
 
42'1 a 
 
 iliiTc isiiot, luul llicrr Immiii; no «•crliliculc o( llic parsoii o( 
 llic l''iri.s|i nnd Iwo cîipilMins ol' llir iiiililiii (wliicli Ity llir 
 l'idicl w.'is II) snilicc lo drive llic IciimiiI Io »'t)iilr:iiiiinl proof ) 
 lo lu' toiiild iti \\\r :i|)()stillMs, tllc pl:iitltiir wlio :id«lil('*<d but 
 onc wilucsM caniiol «'xpccl more llinii ii rciiiis.sidii ol die 
 
 CIUINC. 
 
 " 'l'iic pi(>Nomi)l!«»n iVom die piipiTs snit iip, diat siicli a 
 (•(•rlilif:ilt> \\\rrc wiis ludorc lliccoiirl ludow, Jind ol' die loHi4 
 dcndirhou ol llit> lin'as, comptds to .sucii nMuissioii ; loras lo 
 die plaiiililTs icfcipis ol airrars of cens cl icnl»' li»!' 1787, 
 dio' dicy discliari;»" iVoni llial d<d)l dicy faiTl cxlini^tiisli llir 
 disliiicl rii^lil lo irstiliition lor llic dclaidl ol" si'tllciuciil loiiii- 
 i\vd iipoii an cxpicss l;i\\, and lliat sH|i|.orltMl hy llif i^cnc- 
 ral policy oT pcopliiit; die provimt» and llic juslicc ol savinij; 
 die landlord iVotu thc !oss ol lus s(Mi;ni»)ry diro'' llif nc^lccl 
 o( liis ItMianls, wJHMit'vcr llir C'rowti lliout;iil propcr lo iiifsi.sl 
 npoii llu' lalrh in llic scii^nioiy. 
 
 " Thcsc nMnarks madt> ini'oidonuily lo die onlinancc <»f 
 17.S7 will snilict' U) slit>\v die main loundalion ol die dccri'c 
 in apiu'al, whicli is, 
 
 " That thr parties h\ tlieir Counstd bcing Inily iKMird, il 
 is by tlio i'«)nsidtMalion ol" tins courl adjiuigoil lliat \hc sen- 
 tence btdow lu' rev(Mst>il, biil willioul costs o( appi-al to 
 citlit'rpavty ; andihal tlie »'ausi*aiui }>roo('rdini;s bc riMuilU'd, 
 lor siu'li l'urlhor pvoriH'diiii,' in tlit* t'on\nu)n pli'as, as law 
 and .luslice luay vrijuirc. (I) 
 
 (1) lu tlir l'ollmviniï oxtraot ol" I>is Uoporl of llie 'i7lh l'\>l)niary 
 ITlM, alrrady citoil, Atlonioy CJcnoral INloiik aihulos to tins case: 
 
 " Tho Chiel* Courl for socuring iho proporly ami civil riiilils of iho 
 '* svil'jcd is tlu' court of oonunon plcas. Tho wliolc powcrs veslcil in 
 " the Intoiulant are not. ccrtainly, traiisforrcil to that court ; for, tli<> 
 " Intoiulant coulil appoint to ortîcos. niakc laws of polico and Icvy taxes ; 
 " but I ain of opinion that Ihe court of commou pleas is vested xvitli 
 
425 a 
 
 il inool") 
 ii-«m1 l»nl 
 i ol" lh<" 
 
 ni suclt :i 
 llic Ions; 
 Un !»s lo 
 
 loi- ns7, 
 
 Tuish llu' 
 icul lotui- 
 
 )!' s;ivini; 
 
 II) insisl 
 
 iii;in('(> of 
 
 |1h> scu- 
 
 ippca 
 
 1 lo 
 
 wmiltiHi, 
 as law 
 
 l'obnvavy 
 
 case 
 
 ■s vestinl in 
 
 ; loi-, th.- 
 
 jlovy taxes ; 
 
 IcsteJ witl> 
 
 Tlic causn wîi.s a second liiiH' lakcn lo tlic courl of ap- 
 |)(!als, by iIk' sci^iiior avIiosc action liad Ix'cii (lismisscd. 
 Tlic ind^niciil was coiiliniicd hy llic comi olappcals oiillic 
 îsJOlli .laniiary I7!)(). (1) 'l'Iic rcasons givcn l>y tlu; conri arc 
 lh(!sc : " Tliis is a pcnal action (oniidcd iipon an arrrt ol" 
 
 tlic (5tli .liily 171 I, wliicli ordaiiiM " and as tlic c,i- 
 
 " lidcalcs, prodiiciMl in évidence, ^'iveii hy llie ca|)lains ol 
 " inilitia l)eaiini; date llic Hîtli Ocloher I7.SH slate only llial 
 '^ tliey (oiind " personne tenant leii et lien " on llie place 
 *•' in (piestion ; and as tlie ccrlilieatiî ^iven hy the curé 
 '■^ bcariii;^' date the lOlh OcIoIkt 17î)(), and lilicwisc prodn- 
 " eed in évidence states only llial. iione of liis parisliioneis 
 " "■ //'<'/»./ /iwf <7 //*'»/," on iIk" prcniises, and neitlier of tli(« 
 '' said cerlilicates contains any avernu'nt rcsjxrclinfj; ihe cnl- 
 '■'■ livation olllie iands, nor stale ihal fliey arc IioI(1(mi " .sv/z/.v 
 "• les mrltrc en râleur'''' as l)y llie arrêt is nupiiri^d. Tliis 
 court is of opinion llial tlie penalty by tlic said arrêt, iti- 
 llictcd caniiot br. cnloreed on siicli dc(ecliv(! évidence, 
 and llial. tlicrclbre llic jud^ijincnl of tlic C^onrl, l)clow 
 "• to "^^ dcbonter le demandeur cl le condamner aux Irais" 
 •■' (wlialever nuisons liave heen assiiçncd lor the same) was 
 " \V(dl ioundcd and ourdit lo bc supporled. 
 
 XI. Al Montréal ; Court ol" Kin,i>;\s liencli. Tlie Jlon- 
 J. D. K. J.emoin»; de Longutmil, scdijfnior ol' Souian^M's, 
 against Jiasilc JJagenais ; judgment, 2()tli Fcbruary 1790 : 
 
 " The Court. .. . considcring that il is estal)lislied by 
 " iho déposition of witncsscs that the said défendant does 
 
 " tlioso brandies of hisjuri.sdictioii as a jmlge, wliidi lie lield for (lie 
 " secuiity of tlie property anil civil riglils of the subject; and lliis lias 
 " been lately adjudgod in tlie Provincial Court of apiieuLs, in the case 
 " of Culhbcrt vs liazil " (liarril). 
 
 (1) Présent :The Honorable M. Osgoodc, Cbief-.lustice, président ; 
 
 the Lord Tîùshop of Québec, Frs. Baby, John Lees, John Young, 
 
 Pierre Amabh; De Bonne. 
 
 54 
 
420 a 
 
 i. 
 
 u 
 
 si 
 
 K. 
 
 4i 
 
 not hokl liearili and hotne upon ihc iaud describod in ihc 
 déclaration, ihat Ihere liave been iraprovements liereto 
 Ibre made thereon, but that it is not now actually made 
 productive and is entiroly abandoncd, orders that in de- 
 fault by tlie défendant or some ono for liim to makc tlie 
 said farm productive and to hold heartli and liome thereon 
 within the delay of one year to coimuence from the publi- 
 cation and advertisement of the présent judgment at the 
 church door of the place where the above mentioned land 
 iii situate, immediately after divine service, and upon 
 légal proof of such default the Court will proceed to the 
 final reunion of ihe said land to the domain of plaintiff'.s 
 seigniory." 
 
 The final judgment of reunion was pronounced on the 
 25th April 1797. (1) 
 
 XII. At Montréal : Court of King's Bench, Constant 
 Cartier, plaintift', against the Baronessde Longueuil, widow 
 of David Alexander Grant, and others, défendants, 
 
 According to the allégations of tho plaintiff's déclara- 
 tion, Mr. Grant employed as his agent or prête-nom Busby, 
 one of the défendants, as well as the said Louis Honoré 
 Joubert, to make sales of lands in his seigniory. Whena far- 
 mer asked him a farm in concession, lie at once passed a 
 deed of concession to one of thèse two individuals, and the 
 latter afterwards made a deed of sale to the farmer, who by 
 thèse means, found himself obliged to pay sums of money 
 to the seignior, to obtain the landhe wasdesirous of having. 
 
 The plaintiff allèges that on the 12th May 1800, Mr. Grant 
 had agreed to sell him a wild land {en bois debout) of 12 by 
 
 (1) Présent, the chief justice [Monk] and justices Walker and 
 Paiiet. 
 
 At the same time Mr. de Longueuil obtained four other judgmeuts 
 of reunion against Jaccjues Charlebois, Joseph Poirier dit Delog<>, 
 
 Charlotte Chaniv>cnoi'?, veiivp Prieur, et Etienno ChateK 
 
427 a 
 
 in thc 
 licrcto- 
 
 made 
 
 in cle- 
 kc the 
 Lhcreon 
 ; publi- 
 t at the 
 ed land 
 d upon 
 d to tlic 
 aintifV'si 
 
 l on thc 
 
 Constant 
 , widow 
 
 declara- 
 Busby, 
 Honoré 
 iienafar- 
 passed a 
 and the 
 who by 
 )f money 
 If having. 
 
 [iv. Grant 
 of 12 by 
 
 talker and 
 
 judgmeuts 
 iit Delog«^, 
 
 28 arpents, subjert to the oliargo of certain seigriiorial rents 
 consisting of " one soltouriiois, money of France, for each ar- 
 pent in supcrficie.s, " one half minot of nicrcliantable wheat for 
 " eaeh twenly arpents in superficies, and three sols tournois 
 " of cens for tlie said land.... and moreover for the price 
 " and suni of 4400 livres old ciirrency " on aceount of which 
 snm the plaintifl' Iiad already paid the défendant Thomas 
 lîusby for the seignior, 1200 livres. 
 
 With a view to évade the arrêts of 1711 and 1732, Mr. 
 Grant made a contrat of concession à cens of this land to his 
 préte-nom Busby ostensible grantee, by deed of the 30th 
 May 1800, before Chaboillcz, notary, and on the 13lh June 
 following, Busby passes a deed of sale thereof to the plain- 
 tif!' for the price of 4400 livres, acknowledging having al- 
 ready received 1200 livres on aceount. On the Glh Mardi 
 1802, the plaintifF pays INIr. Grant the lods et ventes upon 
 the purehase money, and on the Gth July 1804, lie hands 1o 
 Busby, for his seignior, the balance of the purehase namely 
 3200 livres, with interest from the l'3th October 1800. 
 
 By his conclusions Mr. Cartier prayed that it be de- 
 clared, lo that Mr. Grant was obliged to concède the above 
 mentioned farm and could not sell it upon pain of nullily o( 
 the deed of sale, of the restitution of the price, and of llic 
 reunion of the same pleno jure to His Majesty's domain ; 
 2o that tue said deed of the 30th May 1800 (deed of con- 
 cession to Busby) was a simulated act, as well as the deed 
 of sale of the 13!h of June by Busby to plaintiti'; 3o that 
 Grant and Busby wcre bouud to restore the sums of money 
 thus paid by tiie plaintitf, and that the said land was reunited 
 pleno jure lo His Majesty's domain, ujion the same condi- 
 tions plaeed upon the other conceded lands in the said Ba- 
 rony of Lougueuii - finally concluding that the défendants 
 be condemned jointly and severally to restitutc and pay to 
 the plaintifF the said sum .... upon the condition ihat the 
 
Cl 
 
 428 a 
 
 said plaintiff pay for the future to His Majesty's Receiver Ge- 
 neral in this province, or such other person as His Majesty 
 may authorize to that effect, the same charges that are pla- 
 cée! upon the other conceded lands in the said barony of 
 Longueuil. 
 
 Cartier's action had been instituted in the month of 
 May 1810. On the 5th June following, Mr. Bedard, the 
 plaintifT's attorney, gives notice to"Stephen Sewell Esquire, 
 His Majesty's Solicitor General for the province of Lower 
 Canada " that he has brought an action against the défen- 
 dants," in the resuit of which the Crown is interested, and 
 " that on Friday the eighth day of June instant, the day of 
 " the return of the said action before the said Court of 
 King's Bench, he shall make application to the judges of 
 the said Court, that the Crown officers be informed that 
 " the said cause is pending in Court, to the end that they 
 " may intervene and take such conclusions as they shall 
 " think proper." 
 
 (( 
 
 (( 
 
 On the 8th June 1810, Cartier prays " that as the Crown 
 is interested in the resuit of this case, it may please the 
 " Court to order that the Crown law officers be notified that 
 " this case is actually pending in this Coiirt, that they may 
 intervene, if they think proper, and take such conclusions 
 as they shall deem fit ;" upon this, it is ordered " that the 
 plaintiff take such means as he may be advised to notify 
 " the Crown officers." 
 
 u 
 
 (( 
 
 u 
 
 II 
 
 On the 9th October 1811, the défendants contest the ac- 
 tion by a demurrer, défense au fonds en droit, and a gênerai 
 dénégation, défense au fonds en fait. And on the 19th April 
 1813, after having heard the parties upon the first of thèse 
 pleas, the Court décides against the défendants, and orders 
 that the parties proceed to the proof (enquête) of the facts 
 mentioned in plaintiff 's déclaration. (1) 
 
 (1) Présent, Monk, diief justice, Ogden, Reid, Foucher, justices. 
 
429 a 
 
 ver Ge- 
 
 Majesty 
 are pla- 
 rony of 
 
 lonth of 
 ird, the 
 Esquire, 
 ■ Lower 
 e defen- 
 ted, and 
 e day of 
 Court of 
 udges of 
 ned that 
 bat they 
 hey shall 
 
 Crown 
 
 ease the 
 
 ified that 
 
 ley may 
 
 iclusions 
 
 that the 
 to notify 
 
 t the ac- 
 general 
 
 E)th April 
 of thèse 
 
 nd orders 
 
 the facts 
 
 ustices. 
 
 An interlocutory judgment of the 19th October 1814, 
 orders that uie enquête be fixed for the 2nd day of Decem- 
 ber then next, and permits the plaintift" to examine the de- 
 fendants on faits et articles. 
 
 On the Ist B^'ebruary 1815, Cartier prays that the interro- 
 gatories {faits et articles) served upon three défendants be 
 taken as acknowledged and'confessed, by reason of their 
 negleet in not appearing to answer the same. On their 
 part, the défendants prétend that they cannot be held to 
 answer to the interrogatories submitted to them, as thèse 
 are not pertinent and illégal. 
 
 On the lOth April following, the Court déclares the in- 
 terrogatories to be pertinent and orders that the défendants 
 be held to answer thereto the first day fixed for the exami- 
 nation of witnesses in vacation, without any further sum- 
 mons. (1) 
 
 An appeal is instituted by the défendants, from tliis 
 last décision which is reversed by a judgment of the 30th 
 July 1817. (2) 
 
 It is a question of the pertinence of the interrogatoires 
 upon Faits et Articles, which is decided hère, and not the 
 right of action of the plaintili'. On ihe contrary this right of 
 notion, which could only be bascd upon the first arrêt of 
 the Gtli July 1711 and that of the 15th March 1732, is ac- 
 knowledged in this case, expressly by the judgments of the 
 court of Montréal, upon the demurrer a id upon the obligation 
 to answer to the Interrogatories upon j ^aits et Articles and, 
 tacitly by the judgment of the court of appeals. Is it to be 
 supposed that, if the two arrêts in question, had, at that 
 time, ceased to be in force, eitherby désuétude or otherwise, 
 
 (1) Présent, Monk, chief justice, Ogden, Reid, Foucher, justices. 
 
 (2) Présent, Sewell, chief justice, and MM. Young,] Irwine, Mure 
 and Smithj 
 
4:]0 a 
 
 ihc* Phiintill" woiilil liavti l)Pen perinitled tu go oiî willi liis 
 case? Tlie idca of ^ucli a thing is a shindcr ii|)(m iIm' 
 judges of tlie^ic two tribunnls ; bccanso jt Avonld ho. an ae- 
 cusation of a cnlpable ignoianeo oï tlie sliilii of \hc, law, 
 and a slill iiiore culpabh^ indillercnee, in llie éxecution 
 of tlieir duli(!S. 
 
 The ]a\v gave Cartier a right of action ; for ihe success 
 of his suit, hc required, eillier a coni])lete avouai of tlic facts 
 by tlie adverse party, or a commencement of proof in writing. 
 It appcars tliiit, under tlie circunstances, lliis commence- 
 ment of proof coiùd not be acquired by liini but by means 
 an examination oftlic défendants upon Faits and Arlicles. 
 The court of Montréal, admitting the right of action, Avas 
 consistent with itself, when it decided in favor of the exami- 
 nation upon Faits et Articles, since it was one of the means, 
 and even the only way, in the particular case, to assure the 
 plaintiifof the benefit of a principle which it sanctioned. 
 As much cannot be said of the court of aj)peals, which, by 
 sending back tlic cause to the court of original jurisdiction, 
 to continiie the proceedings, admitted the same principle, 
 the right of action, but which, at the same time, refusedlhe 
 application of the only efficient rcmedy. It is décisions of 
 this kind which may hâve given cause to think that thèse 
 tribunals, had rcfused or had abstained from making the ap- 
 plication of the arrêts in question. (1) 
 
 (1) I hâve rL'ason to believe that at the same time, there were two 
 other suits against the Baroness ùe Longueuil, similar to that of Cai lier 
 and which had the same rcsult. One of thèse suits must hâve heen 
 ihat of Jean Terrien. Not being ahle to fiiid ihe P.ocoicl, 1 cannot 
 give an analysis of them. After the judgment of the court of appoals 
 it was impossible to carry on thess contestations ; since the commence- 
 ment of proof in writing v!\\ic\\ was absolutely neces>ary, dependcd 
 upon the examination of the défendants upon Faiu ci Articles', an 
 examination which the Court of Appeals had refused. 
 
! exami- 
 
 nai a 
 
 XJH. Al Qihibet', Ci)tnt ol' Kiiig's Bt;iieli ; cusi; o( Du 
 bois vs. Culdwoll, of the saniL- kind as tlie preceding onf: 
 (locided In 1820, meniioned p. 508 ortlie lirr^t volntiic oCtlie 
 '' Rcviui de législation, etc.," p. 20G of Ihe second volume 
 iuid reported at lenglii in llie " Lower Canada Reports" in 
 ilio case of Langlois vs Martel, v. 2, p. 44. 
 
 " Tins action, say.s tlie Court at Qviebec, is Ibundcd 
 " iipon one of the clauses of the ari'ct of Gtli July 1711, wliich 
 " déclares tliat ail seigniors, etc., etc. This lawmust be as- 
 " sirnilated to a pénal statute, sotliat the plaintift', to succeed, 
 " finds himsolf comprised witliin tlie leller of tlie law. The 
 " ai'rét requires, in the first place, lliat tlie seignior be sum- 
 " moned to concède at the ordinary rent in his seigniory, 
 " and ui)on no other considération, and the rccoursc which 
 " it grants can only be taken advantage of in the case of a 
 " refusai. As the déclaration does not allège any such 
 " summons nor such refusai, it is defective in an esscntial 
 " point and the défense en droit must be maintained." The 
 Court of Québec must then hâve considered the first 
 urrét of 1711 as being in full force. 
 
 XIV. At Montréal : case of Sir John Johnson against 
 John S. Hutchins, decided upon the 20th April 1818, and 
 in appeal, on the 20th January 1821 and analysed in number 
 196 ofmy observations upon Cens et rentes. The seignior 
 himself ackowledged that it was not permitted to sell seig- 
 niorial hmds in a wild state. Several other causes, which 
 I there cited, prove that the tribunals were far from rcgarding 
 ihe arrêts of 1711 and 1732, as fallen in desitetude and 
 having ceased to hâve the force of law ; among others, the 
 cases of Cuvillier against Stanley and Burton opposant ; 
 McCallam against Grey ; Guichaud against Jones. 
 
 XV. At Québec, Court of King's Bench : Bertrand, 
 
 pcjgnior of I?^le-Ve^te against Rouleau, curator; judgment 
 
?)' 
 
 432 a 
 
 of the 20th April 1827, reuniting to the domain of the seig- 
 gnior. 
 
 XVI. At Québec; Court of Queen's Bench (1) Mrs. 
 M. R. Eckart, seignioress of St. Charles d'Aubin de l'Isle, 
 against Gaspard Veilleux ; judgment of the 21st May 1744, 
 reuniting to the domain of that seigniory. (2) 
 
 XVII. Hère follows an analysis of the facts and argu- 
 ments in the two cases mentioned in notis under the num- 
 ber 341. 
 
 The first is that of Lavoie, jr., plaintif!', against the Ba- 
 roness de Longucuil, défendant, returned in June 1818. 
 According to the allégations of the déclaration : 
 
 lo. The défendant was bound : " as weli by the deed 
 " of concession of the Barony of Longueuil, as by the law 
 " in force in this province, to concède to the inhabitants 
 " of this country, upon their demand to that effect, the 
 
 " lands ungranted and in a wild state upon a rent- 
 
 charge, and upon the same Icrms and conditions as the 
 other lands which hâve been granted in the said Barony, 
 without being cntitled to ask any sum of money for con- 
 sidération of such grant or concession, on pain of being 
 deprived of ail right of property in the lots of land of 
 which the grant or concession is so demanded." 
 
 a 
 
 i( 
 
 a 
 
 (( 
 
 (( 
 
 a 
 
 (1) Présent, the honorable Justices Panet and Bedard. 
 
 (2) Since thèse notes were written, I hâve had the opportunity of 
 seeing judgments of reunion to the domain of seigniors in several other 
 cases, among others the following : 
 
 1780, 16th March. Geneviève Sicard, veuve Duchény, " proprie- 
 tor of fief Carufel" against Pierre Frelan and two other censitaires. 
 
 1780, 16th March. Joseph Neveu, seignior of Dautray and La- 
 noraie against Nicolas Beaubien. 
 
 1780, 15th June. The Revd. Jésuit Fathers, seigniors of La- 
 prairie de la Magdelaine against Jérôme Chapuis dit Dauphiné and 
 two other censitaires. 
 
433 a 
 
 2o. In May 1815, tliero was a certain lot of land in thc 
 said Barony, in a place indicatcd, ol' OU by 26 arpents in a 
 wild State and unconcedcd. 
 
 3o. The Plaintiir and twentv other inliabitants " beine: 
 " desirons ofestablishing themsflves tlicreon and luaking 
 " the sain(î productive, accordinn; to law," iiad, in tlie said 
 montli of ISlay 1815, demanded l'roui tlie agcnl ol' the défen- 
 dant, the said lot of land in concession, at a rent charge, 
 upon the snxnv. terms and conditions as the other lots of 
 land liad been grantcul in the Barony of J^ongueuil," the 
 said plainlitr specially describing the part of the lot lie was 
 désirons of obtaining nnder thèse conditions, naniely, 4 by 
 28 arpents. 
 
 But the agent refuser! to inakc tliis concession. 
 
 •lo. On the 5th Angnsf 1815, the plaintilf had procee- 
 ded, accompanied by two notariés, to thc uianor house of 
 the défendant, and had duly iK)litit!(l lier that, in the nionth 
 of may preceding, he had niade a demand of the concession 
 which interested hini, to M. Busby, and that the latter had 
 refused to givc it. " In conséquence \vhcreof he the plain- 
 " tifi' then and tlierc (to w it at the said manor honse on the 
 " 5tli August 1815) in tlie présence of the said notariés, in 
 " speaking to Charles Grant, Esquire, son of the défendant, 
 " in lier absence, had praycd, summoned and required the 
 " said défendant to concède to hirn thc said lot of land 
 " above described, and containing 4 by 28 arpents, at a rcni 
 " charge and npon tiie same terms and conditions as the 
 " other conceded lands in thc saitl Barony of Longuenil 
 " are subject to, notifying lier, that in default of lier so do- 
 " ing, he the plaintilf protested against lier, for ail such 
 " costs and damages as he miglit sulicr, and ihat he would 
 " taka proceedings in law, to obtain the said extent of 
 " land, in concession, al a rent charge, and upon ihe same 
 
 55 
 
4'M a 
 
 "■ lerfll^. and conduions as llic ulluîr coiicccUhI laiiils m ilu 
 " «aicl Uuioiiy ot LongiUMiil an; siihjoît lu." 
 
 Tlu! Jefondanl. luid rolused lo miikt; him tlic concession 
 Ihu.s demandcd. 
 
 Tm). — TIk; plaintiir, belicvini,' in good l'aitli, lliat by 
 nicans oC his domand, hy hiin madc IVoni tho snid Thomas 
 Busby, ofllit! ,said loi ol' land in concession, ho hada veshul 
 right, l)y Ihc hiw, lo thc waid lotoI'Jand, liad cntered inlo 
 possession thcreol', in iho iiionth of May 1815, had (;lc;ared 
 tho front road, in confoiinity lo ihc j)roccs-vcrbal oi llie Grand 
 V'oyer, as well as a pari of Ihc said farm. 
 
 Glh. — In Fobruary 181G, tho défendant had ])roseciitcd 
 for ihe recovery of ihc land (en complainte et rCinlcgrandii) ; 
 and thaï by a judgment of ihc 17lh April 1817, he had bcen 
 condemncd lo abandon tho said lot, and lo pay lo ihe seig- 
 nioress, Iwo pounds currency for costs and damages. 
 
 7o. — On ihe 13tli Junc following, llie jilaintilF, in obé- 
 dience to tho judgmont, a copy of which had bcen notiiied 
 lo him, only on thc 31st IMay preceding, had abandoncd ihu 
 possession of thc above-mcnlioned land. 
 
 80. — The next day, namely, on tho Ht h Jnnc 1817, thc 
 l)lainlifFhad notiiied thc défendant, by ihc ministry of Mire. 
 Doncet, and two witncsses, that in obédience lo tho judg- 
 mont, he had abandoncd ihe said lot, and ihal he was ready 
 to pay thc amount of llie condcmnalion money laid against 
 him, as well in principal as costs, if thc défendant wonld 
 inform him ihc amount Ihereof, which neverlheless she had 
 refused to do. 
 
 9o. On thc 7lh April 1818, he had paid defendant's at- 
 torncy £10 on account of thc judgment and had always 
 bcen ready lo poy ihc balance. 
 
icls in tli( 
 
 onccssion 
 
 , lliiil by 
 
 I Thomua 
 
 II il vcst(;d 
 tered iiito 
 (1 cliitired 
 tlic (jimiid 
 
 )roseciitcd 
 'cgrande) ; 
 ! had bccn 
 3 tlic seig- 
 cs. 
 
 ff, in obc- 
 n nolilicd 
 Idoncd llic 
 
 1817, tlio 
 
 of Mire. 
 
 thc judg- 
 
 :as ready 
 
 Id against 
 
 Int wonld 
 
 she had 
 
 lanl'8 at- 
 alwavs 
 
 ' 
 
 435 a 
 
 lOo. — Fnrllicr, on tlic 1 lili day of Jiinc 1HI7, llic jdnin 
 ùflliad in iIk; prcsonco ol' llio notary Doiici-t and two wit 
 ncsses, " piaycd, iv((uin'd, suiniiioncd and notiliod anovv, 
 tin; said delendanl, to coiiccde to Iiiiii at a vcnt-cliargc, and 
 " upon tlio .xamo tcnns and conditions as lliose iipon wliicli 
 " llio otlicr concoded land.s in tlic said liarony of iiongucuil 
 " an; granted, tlie said lot of land wliit-li lie liad demanded 
 " in concession, thc said liiili day of Angust 1815, by noti- 
 " fying lier, that in driaiilt of lier su doing Ik; wonld tako 
 " sucli légal proceedingstoobtain it, as autliorized by law," 
 wliicli tlie défendant had again refused. 
 
 llo. — In conséquence of tlie laets aljovcî mentioned tlie 
 plaintiffalleged tlial he was well founded iu suing tlie do 
 fendant and in demanding lliat she be condenmed to con- 
 cède thc said k)t of land to hini, upon tlie penalty iinposed 
 by law, and morcover, to pay hiin cClOU for his d;unages. 
 
 12o. Conclusion. That tlie défendant be condemned 
 to concède to the plaint ill", tlie said lot of land, " at a rent- 
 " charge upon thc saine terms and conditions <as the olher 
 " coneeded lands in thc said Barony of Longui'uil an; grar- 
 " ted and to exécute in favor of the j)laintift"a good title of 
 " the concession thereof and before a notary, witliin the de- 
 " lay of iifteen days, and on d(3fault of lier soconeeding the 
 " said lot of land to the said Plaintilï as above mentioned 
 " and in a propcr fonn, and before notary witliin the said 
 " delay, the judginent to be rendered by liic Court, be held 
 " as a ffood deed of concession of the said lot of land to the 
 " plaintif}", upon the condition, that the plaintiff pay to His 
 " Majesty's receiver gênerai, in tliis province, the saine rights 
 " and dues as are ])aid ])y the grantees of the olher lands 
 " coneeded in the said lîarony of Longueuil ; to the cxclu- 
 " sion of the défendant, lier heirs and assigns, who shall 
 " havc no claim of any kind whatsoever upon the same, 
 " and fmally, that the défendant do pay thc said sum of £100 
 " to thc plaintiir as damages. . . . 
 
436 a 
 
 Mr. Jamos Stnnrt (1) plciulini,' lor tlu' (U'frndîint filcd ;i 
 pirîi fo iIk; jiirisdiction exception ihidinaloire^ in tlicMr 
 Word» : 
 
 " 'Plie said dcli'iulanl lor iwcvplion (h clinafoire to iIkî 
 
 " jurisdii'tioti ol tliis Court, sailli tliat tiiis (Joiirl caiinol aiid 
 
 " ()iiu;lit Ilot to lalvc t'ojijilizaiicL' of ilir luattcrs tlic siihjcef. 
 
 '■'■ ot llici said aeliori of llu; said .loscpli Lavoic, in as iimcli 
 
 '' as tliat in Ilot ol' lia' coi^ni/ancc iior of tlic jiirisdictioii ol' 
 
 " tliis Court and tliaf. it cantiot nnidcr any judgnient on lliat, 
 
 '' hcliall'." 
 
 On the lOth Ai)ril 1820, (2) " the Court aftcr liaving 
 '' licard tlx; parties, by llicir attorncys, iipon tlic exception 
 '•'• déclinotoire ol" llic di-fcndant, to tlio jurisdiction of tliis 
 " Court, dismisses the said (.-xccption witli rosts." (3) 
 
 (1) Sir .lames Stuiirl. aflt-iwards cliior justice oC tlie Court of King's 
 Beiicli, aiul wlio (lied iii llie yoar IS;")iJ. 
 
 (2) Présent, justices lleiil and ]''oiiclipr. 
 
 (3) Tlie foUowinii^ arc tliu grounds of tliu décision, as 
 given by Mr. justice Reid. 
 
 Tlie Defendiint ploaded to tlie .lurisdiction ol" the Court tliat the 
 deinand in question was not williin lluiir co^nizance. 
 
 Under tliis plea Mr. Stuart for the défendant contended tliat the arrêt 
 of 1711 on which the action was founded liad hucorne a dead lelter and 
 could not now be executed as the olVicers who were authorized to do 
 so under the French (ioveriimcnt no Ioniser oxist. 'l'Iiat the question 
 hère involves two points, i'irst a juJicial authoritj to asccrtain the de- 
 tault or refusai of the seignior and the sutlicieucy or insulliciency of lus 
 reasons for such refusai, and secondly, au executive power on the part 
 of the Crown to make tlie grant domanded upon such default of the 
 seignior; on Ihis account the above arrêt united the judicial and executive 
 power of the Orown liy authori/ing the " Couvtrneur Lieutenant Cié- 
 néral et l'Intendant du dit pays" to hear, détermine and niake ail such 
 graiils, erecting for this purpose a spécial .Turisdiction over ail such 
 niatters, out of tl.e usual ;;n<l coininon course of pioceeding before the 
 courts of ordinary iuris.in lion. l'hat tliis court however far as it may 
 
uiiint filcd !i 
 rc, ili tli«;s«' 
 
 aloire to tlio 
 l tiinnol iind 
 
 ^ \\\V Slll)j('Ct. 
 
 , iii as iiiiu'li 
 irisdiclioii ol' 
 lueiit on lluil 
 
 al'UT liiiving 
 lie exception 
 tîtion of tins 
 
 ts." (ti) 
 
 Jourt of King's 
 
 décision, as 
 
 Court that the 
 
 tliat the arrêt 
 
 cload letter and 
 
 ithorized to do 
 
 ;it tlie question 
 
 ("itain tlie de- 
 
 IlicitMicy of lils 
 
 ver on the part 
 
 default of the 
 
 and executive 
 
 lieutenant Gé- 
 
 inake ail such 
 
 over ail such 
 
 iff before the 
 
 far as it may 
 
 
 ^137 a 
 
 Ou iK; 5tli Jïine 18 jl), Mr. Seweli a|)|)eared for tlic dn- 
 
 conceivr itself l'ompiMeiit to tieterimm: upon llie validity of lliu extiiM»' 
 to 1)6 olfered by the défendant iii this cau^e, yet certainly are ve>ted 
 with iiii jiovver to niaUe a ^rant tu the pfiintilV in the luune of thu 
 ( rown, whicli is llit' principio ohjecl of the roniudy sou^-Jil lor hy the 
 plauitilV in this notion. 
 
 lîedanl. for ihi' plainlilY, cDiitended tlmt this court rossesved nll the 
 authority at least the Juiiiciil iiuthority, which were postesscd hy the 
 ( lovernor and Intendant, under the l'rench ( iovennnent. 15y tlir 2d 
 sec. of the .hidicalure AcI, ail iiowers in rerrard of detemuning and 
 adjud^inp upon civil rii;hls, is vested in the Jud^es of the Court of 
 King's JJencli. 'Chat tho ohject deinanded hy thii présent action is a 
 civil rij^ht to which the l'IaintilTis entitled by tlie laws of the Countiy 
 and it would he a faiUire of .Instice if there exislcd no ineans to enforce 
 this r'\<r\\t ; that before ihe existence of the (irr<f/. of 171 1 tin- habitants 
 liad a riglit to apply to lus ■Maji'sty''s Courts in Canada, to obtain a 
 concession froni the scignior in case he sliould \vrongfuHy wiihhdid 
 it, because the seignior held his lands' froin the Crown, upon lli's ex- 
 press condition of inaking concessions and grant^^ to tlie censilairc, 
 The oliject ofthis action is not to obtain a grant froin the Crown, 
 nor froiu the Court in tlic nanii' of the (.'rowii, but to divcst the de- 
 fendant of lier riglil over the lot of laud in rpiestioi; and that the saine 
 be held by the plainiilV aceumitablt! lo the Crown for ail the rights 
 and profits that may becoine due thercon, and tins the court lias the 
 power to adjudge under the Judieatiire Act. 
 
 By the ('ourt;tlie first point to be considered is wlietherthe power 
 giveii by the King hy the arri'L of 1711 was judieial or «as merely 
 an authority einanating i"ioin the 8overcign as the seigneur S7(zcrain. 
 The words of this ar>-rl would iinpiy the latter iiieaning and construc- 
 tion, as it is thereby ilirecled that on the refusai of the scignior to grant 
 lands to tho tenants, they would apply to tlu; " (Jouvcrneur et Lieute- 
 nant Général et P Intendant du dit pays, auxquels Sa Majesté ordonne 
 (le concéd' r aux dits habitants les terres par eux demandées" and 
 which ^eems to coiiteniplate no course of judicial proceoding but con- 
 tains the mandate ot the Soveieign to liis servants to exécute bis 
 will in this respect. JJut if we consider tho more explicit and clcar 
 tenns and dispositions of the " Déclaration di, lloi concernant les con- 
 
438 a 
 
 rendant, in llie place of Mr. Stnarl ; and on tlic 12lli oftho 
 
 cessions dans les colonies," of tlie 17 July 17i3, we tliere fuul a similar 
 autliority vesled In llic "(Touverneur, et Lioutenant-dénéral et l'Inten- 
 dant, but licrc tliey arc to proceed as judges under ceitain forms, to 
 hear tlio contestation bcfore iheni, and to adjudgo tlicreon, and Irom 
 llieir judgmcnt an appeal was given to thc îSuperior Council. 
 
 Tlio Jui'isdiclion liere given was tlierefore a Jurii^dictioii rxtraordi- 
 iiaire, as being for a particular purpose and distingiiislied fioin tliat 
 attributed to tlie ordinary Courts of the Country. Tliis .lurisdiction 
 ■\vas erocted by Sovereign autliority and was exercised by cfliciers 
 named and appointed by tbe Crown ; it was tlierefore a part of the 
 Justice Iloyale wliich prevailcd in the country and as sucli ihis Court 
 is vested witli the authority it exercised, under the Judicalurc Act 
 3-ith Geo. m. ch. 1 sec. 8, by which it is enacted " Thut the Courts 
 " of King's Bench shall respectively in the superior ternis aforcsaid 
 " hâve full power and .lurisdiction and be compétent to hear and deler- 
 *' mine ail plaints, suits and demands of what nature soever which 
 " niight hâve been lieard and delermined in the courts of Préi-olc, 
 " Justice Royale, Intc7idant, or Superior Council under the tioverii- 
 " ment of the Province, prier to the year 1759, touching rights, remc- 
 " dies and actions of a civil nature, and which are not specially provided 
 " for by the laws and ordinances of this province since the year 1759." 
 We hâve tlierefore only to bc satisfied that the court erocted by the 
 King of France in this Province under the Déclaration of I2lh July 
 1743, could be considered as forniing a part of the " Justice Royale,^'' 
 to be convinced that the Courts of King's Eench under this Statutc 
 can hold and exercisie the Jurisdiction attributed to the Spécial Court. 
 
 AU justice émanâtes from the Sovereign and it is his right and liis 
 duty lo administer it to his subjects, but as he cannot do this in person 
 he bas delegated his authority in this respect to certain pcrsoiis and di- 
 vided it among them in such manner as to answcr this purposû. (1) 
 
 This division ofjudicial authority was made into three branches ; 
 Ist the Ecclesiastical ; 2d the Seigneurial, and 3rd the Royale. 
 (1) Pigeau, 85. 
 
 Fer. Die. vo. Justice and Jurisiliclion. 
 Actes de notoriété p. '-228, note. 
 
139 n 
 
 121 h ofthc 
 
 liiul a sirnilar 
 •al et rintcii- 
 taiii forms, to 
 ion, and irom 
 cil, 
 
 )ii rxtraordi- 
 
 ed iVoin tliat 
 
 •liirisdiction 
 
 by cfliciers 
 
 part of the 
 
 :li tliis Court 
 
 Jicature Act 
 
 l tho Courts 
 
 lis albrcsaid 
 
 ir and deter- 
 
 ocver Aviiicli 
 
 of Prévôté, 
 
 the Govern- 
 
 igiits, renic- 
 
 Ily provided 
 
 car 17r)9." 
 
 cfeil by the 
 
 12th July 
 
 e Royale^'' 
 
 lis Statute 
 
 cial Court. 
 
 :,ht and his 
 Is in person 
 )ns and di- 
 ù. (1) 
 
 [branches ; 
 viole. 
 
 Maïuo inouth, lie liles, io. a dcniuiTcr {dàj'cnse en druil,) ïii). 
 
 1 . " Ecclûsiastiquc, consiste dans le pouvoir de viiidor par la voie 
 " judiciaire, les différends (purs personnels) entre Ecclésiasticpie*. (I) 
 
 2. " La Seigneuriale : la justice exercée par les seigneurs émane 
 " aussi du lloi, qui la leur a concédée, ou tacitement en gardant le 
 " silence sur l'arrogation qu'ils s'en sont faite, ou expressément par 
 " une concession. (2) Tliis is subdivided into Haute et Moyc7inc et 
 " Basac. 
 
 3. " Eoyale, outre que la justice royale est supérieure aux deux 
 " autres que Ton vient de voir, elle est infiniment plus étendue, en ce 
 " que les llois ont réservé à leurs oflîciers la connaissance de nombre 
 « d'aiïaires. (3) 
 
 " Les juges royaux sont des oflîciers en titre pourvus par le Roi pour 
 " rendre la justice à ses sujets dans l'étendue de leur ressort (t). . . . 
 " En un mot, tous les tribunaux établis par le Roi sont composés de 
 *' juges royaux. 
 
 This jurisdiction royale is dividedinto m-dinaire and extraordhiairc 
 (5). 
 
 The j •irisdiction rmjale ordinai'*-e took cognisance of ail kiiuls 
 of inatters, excepting such as a particular jurisdiction established, sucli 
 as " les ju^es des seigneurs, les Prévôts et Châtelains, les baillifs et 
 " yénécbaux, les Présidiaiix &,c. (0) 
 
 The Jurisdictinn Royale extraordinaire vvas of a more spécial and 
 limited nature ; the Judges thereof " ne peuvent juger que certaines 
 " matières et connaitre de certains crimes, pour lesquels ils ont une at- 
 " tribution spéciale. Tels sont les prévôts des maréchaux, les lieute- 
 " nants criminels de robe courte, les juges des élections, des greniers à 
 
 (1) Couchot, Praticien Univ : 1 vol. p. 8 and seq. 
 
 (2) Pigeau, 84.. 
 
 (3) Pigeau 86. 
 
 (4) Pv-ép. vo. Jugi.'s, p. 588. 
 
 (5) Denisart ; vo. Juges, nos. 7 et S. Rép. vo. Juges, p. T"»^!*, 
 (_o) Dcnizard \o. .'ugos ir et 10, 
 
?!■ 
 
 440 a 
 
 a gênerai dénégation [défense en fait) 3o. an exception, al- 
 leging tliat at the lime of tlie action, and for thirly years 
 previously, the lot of'land in (jnestion was not the j:»roperty 
 of the défendant, biii ihat of divers censitaires of tlic Marony 
 of Longueuil to whoi i it had been heretofore legally conee- 
 ded bythe seignior; lo. another exception, alleging ihat at 
 the time of the action, and for more than four years pre- 
 viously, the said lot of land was not the property of the de- 
 fondant, but ihat of di\er>^ censitaires of the Marony, to 
 whom it had been then promised in conces^sion, and to 
 whom it had since been, to wit on tlie 24lh July 1817, le- 
 gally conceded ; 5o. fuially a ihird exception, alleging that 
 at the time of the diflereiit pretended flamands niade by the 
 plaintiif to the défendant t) concède to hini the said lot of 
 land, and even for a long time bcfore, there were no more 
 unconceded lands left in the Tîarony, than were reciuircd for 
 lier privale domain and for lier own propcr use, and that 
 she could not be compelled to foncede to him any part 
 thereof. 
 
 To one of thèse exceptions, the plaintilTreplied that the 
 said lot of land was in a wild state, and formed part of the 
 unconceded lands, on the 5th August 1815, the day upon 
 
 '* sel, des monnoies, les intendants des provinces, les bureaux de finan- 
 " ces, les eaux et forêts, les amirautés, les tables de inarbre, les con- 
 *' seils, les chambres des comptes, la cour des aides et des monnoies. 
 
 From the above authorities it is évident that the Jurisdiction attribu- 
 ted to the " Gouverneu" et Lieutenant-Général et l'Intendant" was of 
 E.oyal appointment and of tirât description called Justice Royale ex- 
 traordinaire from the Jimited and spécial authority granted to them, 
 and that ihis Jurisdiction being a part of the Justice Royale refe.-red lo 
 by the above Stalute, the judges of the Courts of King-'s Bench hâve 
 noVï' the right to exercise ihe same. 
 
 The Plea to the Jurisdiction in this case must therefore be dismissed 
 with costs. 
 
ception, al- 
 'hirty years 
 hc ])ropt'rty 
 the lîarony 
 i;ally conce- 
 fini^ iliat at 
 yeuis pre- 
 ot' tlic de- 
 liarony, to 
 ion, and to 
 ily 1817, lo- 
 lleging thaï 
 iiade by the 
 ; said lot of 
 ^re no more 
 reqnircd for 
 ^e, and that 
 n any part 
 
 ied that the 
 part ol" the 
 • day upon 
 
 uix de finan- 
 [bre, les cou- 
 iioniioies. 
 
 ttion attribu- 
 laiit" was of 
 I liai/ aie ex- 
 (ted to tliein, 
 referred to 
 iBench hâve 
 
 te dismisse d 
 
 141 a 
 
 tvhich tho demand to concède it !>) liinri vrafj; made îo the ûù 
 fendant, also on the 19!h A])ril ISIT, ihc; date of the judg- 
 nient rendercd against him ii|)on l'.ie (jeriiand of ;he scig- 
 nioress to rccover Iho possession of tlic ])roperly, nnd on the 
 14th Jnne 1817, lln' day upon v/hich ne hadagain tli>manded 
 the concession of ihe sai(] lot iVoin lh(^ clef::idant, denying 
 that it had been conoeded l)efove the foaiUn^nth day of Jiine 
 1817, and that the défendant could no! ]io\v be perinilled Io 
 allège, in contradiction Io the iudgment of ihe lOiii Aoril 
 1817, that tiie said lot of land was ooin'.'ded beion: ihat 
 day. 
 
 The answer Io the second exception is, in substance;. 
 that any concession of ihe said lot of îaud made by the dé- 
 fendant slnce th(î Mth .Tune 1817, vras nul!, tluit his acliou 
 was not the less well foundc.'d, liaving t)y his sumnioiis of 
 the 5di August 1815 and lltli .Jiuie 1817 acquired a riglit h» 
 th(! concession of the said loi ; that ihe pretended deeds of 
 concession of the 24th July 1817 weve null and should be 
 so declared by the Court, becausc thcy liad been passed by 
 collusion, and witli the sole view îo defraud the })laintiJi' 
 and the inhabitants who had denianded deeds of concession 
 ofthe lands described in thèse prctended deeds, of theJr 
 just righls. 
 
 In conclusion the plaintidsaid that the défendant was 
 debarred from pleading his last exceplion, Io. bceause the 
 défendant prétend ing, Iw lier first exceptions, that she had 
 conceded the said lot of lan;!, could not be allowed to plead 
 that she had the right to retain the sanie as ))art oï lier do- 
 rnain, Co. becausc she could not undcr the j^rclext of rc- 
 taining the said lot ofland as being part of lier domain, re- 
 fuse to concède to ihe idaintiil u})on the demand made to 
 lier, 3o. becausc finally she had, independently of the said 
 lot of land, considérable domains and of a much larger e.x- 
 
 lent than she had a right, by hiw, to reserve for herself, and 
 
 56 
 
442 a 
 
 that moreover the said lot of land had been set out for con- 
 ceding. 
 
 Upon j)laintifF's motion of the 19th February 1821, the 
 cause is fixed for enquête, for tho 5th Mardi following. 
 
 VVe fincl, in the regislers of the Conrt, an intcvlocutory 
 dated the next day, namoly ihe 2()th F<>bruary 1821, rendered 
 by consent qf parties, wliirh ordcrs lha1, ]>y Uvo surveyors 
 who arc narried, "itshiill be proceedcd t.o view, visit and 
 " raeasure on ail sides thi- cxlcnl of ihc loi of land dcniand- 
 " ed in concession by ihe plainlijl' i'roni the défendant and 
 " described in liic said déclarai ion. . . . fo asccriain al wiiat 
 " distance from tlic Kiver i\,i(dieli(,>n is ihe line which bounds 
 " the said quanlily of laïul denianded in concession on the 
 sonth ^ves1, by mcasiiririi^- tliis di>tan(;c, as well upon ihe 
 seignioriul linc as npon ;v paralicl lini; and drawn at 
 twenty eighl arpcnl> to llic norliicasl of llie sarne, and by 
 " making the relevé of ihe sinnosities of ihe said river be- 
 " tween thèse Iwo parajlels. . . . lo look for and eslablish 
 where is situat(!d ihe said plac.'c called le petit détroit de 
 St. Jean and what ifs siiuatioa is reJatively to the 
 point calJed pointe à la Midc, moreover to establish if 
 any part of the said extent of land denianded in concession 
 was conccded before the Uh of August 1815, what part 
 " was thus coneeded, if any hâve been conceded, and to 
 " whorn, and mentioning the deeds of concession, jwocès 
 •' verbaux of bornage, and other tilles which may be brought 
 " before tliem, the situation of the old concessions, the 
 " rhonib lines which tliey niust take and the namesofthe 
 " old grantees and their assigns up to tiiis day. ..." 
 
 The sickness of one of the surveyors at first delayed 
 the exécution of this interlocutory judgment, and afterwards 
 occasioned the appointment of anolher. Finally, on the 6tli 
 February 1822, by consent of parties, the action is discon- 
 tinued without costs. 
 
)ut for con- 
 
 yr 1821, the 
 >\ving. 
 
 itcrlocntoiy 
 1, icndered 
 
 surveyors 
 , visit and 
 1(1 dcinaiid- 
 endant and 
 xin al what 
 licli bounds 
 ision on the 
 ;11 n})()n tho 
 
 1 drawn at 
 me, and by 
 id river be- 
 ' eslablish 
 7 dctroil de 
 ely \o the 
 
 stabli.sh if 
 concession 
 
 what part 
 ed, and to 
 m, procès 
 |be brought 
 
 vions, ihe 
 lues oi' tlie 
 
 U delayed 
 
 dterwards 
 
 ^n the Gth 
 
 lis discon- 
 
 443 a 
 
 XVlll, This is the second action inentionod in the 
 note under nunibcr 341. 
 
 It was an action bronght by Jérôme Trenibhiy, one of 
 the twenty one inhabitanls (.{' whom mention is made in 
 llie preeeding cause, againsl ihe JJaroness ol' Lcngueiiil and 
 JSIr. lienjamin Flohnes, belbre ihe Court of King'^ lieneh, at 
 Montréal, at the superior term lield in the nionth of June 
 1S24. 
 
 The grounds, nrged by the plaintifi' in his déclara- 
 tion, were, in substance, the same as those invoked by La- 
 voie ; and lurllier, tliat tlie défendant Holmes, he alleged, 
 notwithstanding his laiowledge of ail the facts and cspccial- 
 ly of the demande inade by tlie plaintif!' from the défendant, 
 of his right aeciuired in consecu'.enee of the refusai of the 
 défendant to conccHle, and of iheforfeiture which this refusai 
 caused lier " had asked the said lot of land and about two 
 " hundred and twenty four arpent"-' more land, in superiieies 
 " joining therelo from the défendant, in concession, promising 
 " and ob.iging himself to pay, or giving to understand that 
 " he would pay to llie défendant, or to other persons tbr the 
 " défendant, a sum of about Iwo hundred pounds currcmcy, 
 " for, and in considération of, or iipon the occasion of the 
 " said land above described and of the 221 arj)ents of land 
 " in superficies."" 'l'Iiat to the préjudice of plaintifï's riglits, 
 the défendant had, by the interposition of Ûui lionorable 
 Charles William Grant, lier son and ag(.'nt, made tlie afore- 
 said concession to the said Benjamin Holmes, at a seigniorial 
 rent charge, by deed passed befon; Doucet and colleague, 
 notariés, on the 31th ,lidy 1817 ; and altlio' it ap))earcd, by 
 that deed, that the concession 1o Holmes was made at a 
 seigniorial rent simply, he the plaint iff was ready to prove 
 " that the said deed of the 24th July 1817 had been passed 
 " and signed by the said Charles William Grant, agent of 
 " the said défendant, only under the verbal or written pro- 
 
4U a 
 
 " mise of tlie said Benjamin lioime.'*, tlie défendant, or of 
 
 " some olhcr person cm U-lialt' of the said défendant, to 
 
 " ]);iy to tlie jsaid défendant or other persoiis on behalf of tlie 
 
 •' said défendant, a i^ma exeeedin.L,' X150, enrrency, tliat 
 
 " tlie said Jîenjaiiiin lloliiu.'.s had promised and obliged 
 
 " liim.self to ])ay lor^ and in considération, or upon tlie oc- 
 
 *' casion. ..." 
 
 In conelusion Trembl.iy prayed tliat tlie deed of tlie 
 2 4th Jnly 1817 be declared niiU, and tliat llie défendant be 
 condriuned lo make liini tlie concetf.sion demandée]. 
 
 Mrs. de Longueuil had filed a démarrer and a gênerai 
 The défendant Holmes Ii:id done the same 
 
 dénégation, 
 thing. 
 
 Aiter the hearing of the parties upon law, whieh took 
 })lace on the 9tli February'1825, the Court, composed of Chief 
 justice Reid and justices Foucher and Pyke, rendercd judg- 
 mcnt on the lOtli April 1825, dismissing the demurrer. 
 
 The plainlifl'iinmediately inscribed upon the rolc (Tcn- 
 quùle ; lie afterwards obtained ^Jcrmission to examine the dé- 
 fendants xi\)onfc'Jls et articles. 
 
 On the IGth May 1825, Holmes appcars in person, and 
 objeets " to the pertineney of the interrogatorics upon /«/7s et 
 or/ic/es proposcd to hini by tl'.o plaintifl'" ; and on the 18tli 
 he flics his objections in writing. He says, among other 
 things, that scvcral of the inlerrogatories tend to compromise 
 his eharacter, to tuuch hi.s réputation, and to hâve liim look- 
 cd Tipon as guilly of the fraudaient acts set fortli inplaintifPs 
 déclaration. 
 
 On the 20th Jane 1825, adjudging upon a motion made 
 to that cfl'ect, by the plain*ili", the Court, composed of the 
 same judges, déclares the interr». calories upon faits et arti- 
 
idant, or of 
 fendant, lu 
 lîhaU'of llie 
 •rency, that 
 :id obliged 
 oon tlio oc- 
 
 ccd of tlie 
 îfendant be 
 cd. 
 
 d a gênerai 
 1 Ihe sarao 
 
 which took 
 sed of Chief 
 dered jiidg- 
 airrcr. 
 
 e rolc (Tcn- 
 line tlie dc- 
 
 erson, and 
 confit il s et 
 
 \n llie IStli 
 liong otlier 
 pm])romise 
 liini look- 
 2:)lainlifl''s 
 
 Ition made 
 [sed of tho 
 lits et arti- 
 
 415 a 
 
 des to he porllnont and admissible, and orders lliat llitî said 
 licnjainin îlolmes answer tliereto in llie manncr lu; is re- 
 quired to do, on t!ie Htli Au'nist folIoNvin-j:, 
 
 Holmiîs inslitutos an ajjpoal iVom tliis judgnient \vliicli 
 on ihe 20tli Jaauaiy 182G is rever.vcd, and lin; Court dc- 
 ckn-cs llio Util lolli lith 15tli IGlii and Ibili inleiTogatorics 
 to be inadniis><ibl(', and sends back tlie cansc; to tlie Court 
 of original jtn-is(liflio!i, ihal fiirllicr proreeding may be lliere- 
 in liad aceordinc; to law and justice. 
 
 After a commencement of ]n-onf, tlie Court, npon iIkî 
 motion of INfr. Bedard, attorney of tliiî ]jlaintiir, on tlie l;3lli 
 October IHlii p(;rmits hiin to di.sconUnue thc action, Ihc par- 
 tic-i dcclaring Huit thcyhavc scitleil. 
 
 ADDENDA. 
 
 ■\otes, p. 15 nnd IG. 
 
 Louis nel)ert " liead of llic first faniily uliicli luis inliabited since 
 the ycur 1600 iip to tliis tirne." Tliere is an erroi- of date ; but tliis 
 error esists iii the priiitod litle of tlie conce^hion. It lias siiice been 
 veiified, by an enamination of tlio register, tliat tlie said ilébert says, 
 in bis pétition" that he is liead of tlio first family " wliicli bas inbabiled 
 " since ibe year 160(5" and not 1600. Hébert could iiot be in i.^uK- 
 boc, before Chaiiiplain laid tlie Ibiindation of the town in IGOS. In 
 liis pétition he undoubtcdly s|)oaks without distinction of L'Acadie as 
 of Canada. It appears that lie proceeded to L'Acadie in KiOii and 
 did not coine to Québec until 1617 or 1C18. A\'e read the following 
 with respect to bim in the " Notes npon tli2 registers of Notre Dame 
 of Québec by .T. lî. A. Ferhuid, ptre." Québec lS5f, p. G. 
 
 " Ile (Cbamplain) retunied to France, thc year following (160!)) 
 " to procure succours whicL he broughtwith hiin in 1610; and in 1612, 
 " he was nained the Kin/s Lieutenant (leneral and commandant for 
 " the new colony. 'J'iic settlement of Québec was tben composed of 
 <• but a fcw houscs ; und the fcw inhabitant? tu be found rcmained 
 
?'- 
 
 446 a 
 
 " deprived of religious assistance. It was only in 1615 that four of 
 " the Recollet fathers arrived, charged to attend to the spiritual wants 
 " ot* the small colony, and to commence the iaborious task of" the mis- 
 " sions to the Indians. Two years later, Louis IR-bert brought his 
 " familj. In a pétition, addressed to the Duke of Ventadour, Hébert 
 " sets forth that he is the head of the first French family which lias set- 
 " tled in this country, since the commencement of tho ccntury, which 
 " he has brought with ail his means and property which he had in 
 " Paris, having left his relations and fricnds to give a beginning to a 
 " Christian colony and settlemcnt." 
 
 " Several Canadian families can justly daim this enterprising 
 " man amonj;; their anccstors ; berause the numerous poitority of his son 
 " Guillaume Hébert, and of his daughter (luillemette, wife of Guillau- 
 " mn Couillard allied itscif with a good numbor of families who 
 " came, at a later date, to settle iu Ihc country. Loris Hébert ap- 
 " pears to hâve been boni in Pari:) whci : he had married Marie 
 " llollet. In 1600, he passed to L'Acadie ; and Lescarbot speaks of 
 " him in the following ternis, liv. IV : (1^ " Poutrincourt caused a 
 " pièce of land to be cultivated to sow wheat with the help of our apo- 
 " thecary, Louis Hébert, a man Avho, besides the expérience he has in 
 " his profession, takes great pleasure in the cultivation of the ground." 
 " Having arrived in Québec in 16J7, he at once begun to cause the 
 " land to be cleared upon which are the Cathedral, the Seminary and 
 '' that part of the Upper-Town, which extends from Sainte Famille as 
 " far as the Hotel-Dieu ; he built a house and a mill, near that part of 
 " St. Joseph Street, where the St. François et St. Flavien Streets 
 " meet. Thèse buildings seem to hâve been the first which were 
 " erected upon the lot of land occupied as the Upper-Town. Louis 
 " Hébert died, from the elTects of a fall, sincerely regretted by ail the 
 " members of the growing colony, in the month of January of the year 
 " 1627.» 
 
 (1) Ed. of 1609, liv. 2, ch. 44-, p. 602-3. 
 
ERRATA. 
 
 5 that four of 
 spiritual wants 
 ask ol" the mis- 
 ert brouglit his 
 tadour, Hébert 
 ' which lias set- 
 century, which 
 icii he hud in 
 jeginniiig to a 
 
 is enterprising 
 
 tonty of his son 
 
 riïe of Guillau- 
 
 f familles who 
 
 is ilebert ap- 
 
 inarried Marie 
 
 arbot speaks of 
 
 ourt caused a 
 
 elp of our apo- 
 
 ence he has in 
 
 f the ground." 
 
 i to cause Ihe 
 
 Seminary and 
 
 nte Famille as 
 
 ' that part of 
 
 avien Streets 
 
 which were 
 
 own. Louis 
 
 ted by ail the 
 
 ■y of the year 
 
 Page 15, line 4, (ofnote,) in ju ol>e, read : ./îc/. 
 18, line 22, in lieu oîseem, read : deem. 
 26, line 17, in lieu o{ fulfill, rcud : fuljil. 
 
 29, line 10, in lieu of imposscd, read : imposed. 
 
 30, line 8, in lieu o( several, read : afeiv. 
 35, line 10, in lieu of tiltle, read : title. 
 
 41, line 3, in lie a oi' themsclve, read : themselves. 
 
 46, line 1, (of note,) in lieu of analyse, read : analysis. 
 
 47, line 7, in lieu of setlcd, read : scttled. 
 
 53, line 2, (of note,) in lieu of ivould hâve, read : 
 had. 
 
 64, line 14, in lieu oH sejourn, read : sojourn. 
 
 82, line 13, in lieu oï arràble, read : arable. 
 
 100, line 28, in lieu of or, read : on. 
 
 119, line 24, in lieu of appeared me, read : appeared 
 to me. 
 
 120, line 4, in lieu of luhich is, read : ivhich it is. 
 
 121, line 2, in lieu of it is 1708, read : it is in 1708. 
 149, line 10, in lieu of to bo, read : to be. 
 
 151, line 2, in lieu o( same, read : S07ne. 
 
 161, line 16, in lieu oi properiy, read : properly. 
 
 171, line 21, in lieu of compell, read : compcl. 
 
183, liric 32, iii lieu of 1712, read ; 17 13. 
 
 1S8, linu 5, in lien oï duty, read : duly. 
 
 217, linn 29, in liou of of cach land of, read : of cacU 
 land. 
 
 221, Une 21, in lieu oï cause, rend: course. 
 
 250, Uni; 2G, in liou of thc had, read : thcjj hml. 
 
 2G9, linc! 11, i;i lien of <« seignior, rrad : Iiîs aeignloj' 
 
 uOO, lino '1, inH:îM outras, road : lias. 
 
 301, lin;' 35, in lien of nclghboi's, j)ropcrit;, read 
 neigh'ooi'''s property. 
 
 308, linc 32, in licii o[ im^cst, read : învests. 
 
 309, line 20, in lien o( tiie^% read : ihere. 
 
 " linc 23,, in lieu oi tenants, read : tenant. 
 
 323, linc 5, in lieu of appcalcs, read : vppcals. 
 
 333, linc 10, in lieu of reproches, read : reproachcs. 
 
 3-lG, linc 32, .1. lien oS pointing ont, read: pointing 
 ont. 
 
 347, line 18, in lieu oî Fuyot, read : Guyot. 
 
 351, line IG, in lieu oilands, read : hands. 
 
 395, linc 11, after thc words " no riijht acquired lo a 
 tliird parly " add llie following : 
 
 the King or his dclcgalcs arc frce to concède anew or 
 not to concède thc seigniory ihus re-unitcd to Ilis IMajesly's 
 domain : it is the attorney gênerai and not a private indi- 
 vidual, who lias the right to seck tins rc-union. In the 
 second case, on the contraiy, thcre is a right acquired to a 
 third parly ; 
 
, read : of cacU 
 
 rsc. 
 cy h(i(l. 
 
 Iiis aeignior 
 
 opcrli/y read 
 ;sts. 
 
 )ianL 
 ocals. 
 cproachcs. 
 ul : poinling 
 
 t. 
 
 cquired to a 
 
 do anew or 
 s Majosly's 
 )rivate indi- 
 on. la tlie 
 cquired to a 
 
■•^'.î'^» 
 
 i^- 
 
 
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 MpH' 
 
 •• 
 
 S' 
 
 ^ V* - ' v' 
 
 M â» GOBteQts o( tto toit pirt ^' > 'r\:i '^ ■■ 
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