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LETTER 
 
 OV TBB 
 
 MONTREAL HARBOUR COMMISSIONERS, 
 
 TO TBI 
 
 Hon. THOMAS J. J. LOMNGEE, M.P.P., 
 
 ON THE PROPOSED 
 
 IMPKOVEMENTS 
 
 n TBI 
 
 HARBOUR OF MONTREAL. 
 
 JKontteal : 
 
 PBINTBD BT JOHN LOYBLL. AT THB CANADA DIBBCTOBT OFFIOB, 
 
 n, noBoiiU waan. 
 
 1858. 
 
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LETTER 
 
 9» 
 
 THE MONTREAL HARBOUR COMJMISSIONSRS. 
 
 Habboub OmoB, 
 Montreal, 2QthJune, 1858. 
 
 The Hoh. THOMAS J. J. LORANGER, M P.P., 
 iProvineial Secretary. 
 
 Sir, — A Petition, numerously signed by citizens of Mon- 
 treal, has been printed in the city papers, and will no doubt soon 
 be presented to the three Branches of the Legislature, against 
 the Bill recently introduced into the Legislature, entitled, " An 
 Act to provide for the further improvement of the Harbour of 
 Montreal." The vast importance of the subject of improving 
 the Harbour, will be a sufficient reason for bringing under the 
 notice of the Government the views of the Harbour Commis- 
 sioners on the matters referred to in the Petition. It will be evi- 
 dent also, from a glance at the Petition, that it is so drawn up, 
 as to reflect, to some extent, upon the cocduct ^nd management 
 of the important works under the charge of the Harbour Com- 
 missioners, and also as to their conduct in relation to the Bill in 
 question. The Commissioners think it their duty, therefore, to 
 state the real facts of the case, as the best means of enabling the 
 Legislature and the public to judge in relation to their conduct 
 in pressing forward the improvements which they consider so 
 much needed, and which are likely to be retarded by the erro- 
 neous views and statements expressed by the framers of the Peti- 
 tion. 
 
It is unnecessary to say much now, as to the necessity of in- 
 creased accommodation for vessels in the Harbour of Montreal, or 
 to vindicate the strenuous efforts made by the Commissioners to 
 bring the subject fully before the public. But a glance at 7.'hat has 
 been already accomplished by them, will serve to enable the Go- 
 vernment and the public the better to judge of the necessity and 
 propriety of the works which the Commissioners have urged for- 
 ward for Harbour Improvements. 
 
 In 1848 the Government commenced, what the Commissioners 
 think they are justified in considering, one of the greatest and 
 most useful of the Public Works of the Province, — the deepening 
 of Lake St. Peter, and the improvement of the River navigation 
 between Quebec and Montreal. The work was carried on until 
 1847, when, for reasons that it is unnecessary now to mention, 
 the work was abandoned. 
 
 In 1850, the Harbour Commissioners, impressed with the im- 
 portance of these improvements, and impressed also with a full 
 sense of the di£5culties to be overcome in connexion with them, 
 asked the Government for power to carry on these improvements. 
 This power was granted, and the necessary legislative provisions 
 made. In two years the Channel of Lake St. Peter was deep- 
 ened to an extent of two feet more than in the old channel. In 
 three years more it was further deepened, so as to give nve 
 feet more water than in the old channel ; and the Commission- 
 ers expect this summer to prove that its capacity is increased 
 to seven feet in depth over the old channel. * The magnitude of 
 the work will be seen, when it is considered that the deepening 
 extends over a distance of eighty miles, and dredging has actually 
 been done over twenty-four miles, the width of the channel 
 dredged being nowhere less than 300 feet, and that about 
 4,260,000 cubic yards of excavation have been removed from 
 the bed of the Lake and River, and carried off and dropped at 
 distances averaging more than a mile. 
 
 These results are adverted to as the best proof of the correct- 
 ness of the views entertained by the Commissioners, of the neces- 
 sity and propriety of improvements being made in the Harbour 
 of Montreal, on a scale corresponding with the magnitude and 
 
necessities of the navigation below the city, and with the resources 
 of the great West. Every year's experience shews more conclu- 
 sively that Harbour improvements on such a scale are necepsary, 
 and that without them, the expenditure in the channel below will 
 be almost wholly useless. Impressed with these convictions, the 
 Commissioners, in December 1851, authorized Messrs. Gzowski k 
 Keefer, Engineers, to survey and report upon the best means of 
 providing such improvements, and especially to ascertain whether 
 it was practicable to connect the Lachino Canal with Hoche- 
 laga Bay. These Engineers reported against the latter project, 
 and suggested, as a better means of giving increased facilities, 
 sundry improvements, including the enclosing of that part of the 
 St. Lawrence from the entrance of the Lachine Canal to Point 
 St. Charles. This scheme of docks at Point St. Charles was 
 approved by the then Harbour Commissioners (Messrs. Try, 
 March and and Young), but was then, as now, opposed by a large 
 number of the citizens in the eastern section of the city. 
 Whilst the Commissioners, from having had the subject before 
 them for years, and having frequently and anxiously discussed 
 it in all its bearings, were prepared, at that period, to recommend 
 and to push forward the improvements at the point named, — 
 they considered it best that the scheme should remain merely 
 as a scheme^ for the consideration of the public, and especially 
 of that portion of the citizens who would judge of its intrinsic 
 merits in reference to the general interests of the city, and indeed 
 of the Province at large, and not with reference merely to par- 
 ticular local interests. 
 
 But whilst thus anxious t(.> afford time and opportunity to test 
 the practibility of the schti;:"^^, the Commissioners did not fail to 
 perceive that improvements iu the Harbour might be made, if the 
 limits of the Harbour could be extended. The limits of the Har- 
 bour on the city side extended only from the foot of the Lachine 
 Canal to the Government Wharf at the Victoria Pier, but at the 
 instance of the Commissioners those limits were extended by Act 
 of the Legislature passed in 1849, so as to include the whole 
 extent from the River St. Pierre to the Ruisseau Migeon, and 
 thereby afford them opportunity of carrying out the desired im- 
 
J I 
 
 
 proremonts at mvh points within thesd enlarged limits as might 
 be fonnd best adapted for the interests of the Trade of the Port, 
 and of the Province generally. By a Report dated 23rd April, 
 1857, Mr. Young, Chairman, again brought before the Commis- 
 sioners the subject of these improvements, the necessity for which 
 had become more evident by ♦he increased size of the vessels 
 coming to the Port, and especially by the line of Ocean St«amer« 
 requiring accommodation. The Commissioners ordered plans and ' 
 estimates to bo made shewing the nature and probable cost of 
 improvements both at Hochelaga Bay and at Point St. Charles- 
 These plans and estimates were made, and on the 24th April, 
 1857, the Harbour Commissioners passed a resolution to the fol- 
 lowing effect : — 
 
 " That in view of the aagmenting trade of the Port, and of the proxi- 
 mate completion of the 20-feet Ohannel in Lake St. Peter, the Board are 
 of opinion that the time has arrived for talcing into consideration the 
 question of increasing the capacity of the Harbour ; and that, in order 
 to attract public attention to the subject, and to elicit an expression of 
 public opinion, it is resolved that the Report this day banded in by Mr. 
 Young be published, and the Plans of Docks prepared by Mr. Forsyth be 
 left for public inspection in the Merchants' Exchange." 
 
 This resolution, it will be noticed, makes no reference to any 
 particular site for the proposed works ; although the merits of 
 the various proposed sites were discussed at large in the Report 
 referred to. The Board of Trade, by resolution passed at a meet- 
 ing held in June, 1857, resolved : 
 
 "That the Council of the Board be instructed to suggest to the 
 Harbour Commissioners the propriety of placing the whole subject 
 of Harbour enlargement before two or more qualified Engineers, to 
 obtain estimates, and an opinion as to the place where increased accom- 
 modation can be secured at the least cost and with the greatest facilitiei 
 to the commerce of the Port." 
 
 Acting upon this resolution the Commissioners secured the ser- 
 vices of three distinguished Engineers from the United States, to 
 whom the whole subject of the Harbour improvements was sub- 
 mitted for Report. In refeiencd to the vexed question of site, the 
 folkming were the only remarks made by the Commissioners in 
 tbeif letter of instrUctiffttt to the Engineers. 
 
t( 
 
 ''Oil the question of site there has been much public difloassion. 
 
 It has been urged by some, that the improvomonts should be made 
 * * in or near Hochelaga Bay ; by others that docks could bo construct' 
 " ed w ith advantage to the public at or near Viger Square ; by others 
 '* that a dock could be made by enclosing the present Harbour ; 
 '* while another party recommends that the space between Wind- 
 *' mill Point and Point St. Charles should bo enclosed. On no one 
 " of these schemes have the Harbour Commissioners any opinion 
 " to oflfer. They desire to leave you at full liberty thoroughly to 
 •♦ investigate and report, on what seems to you best calculated to 
 '* promote the general trade of the Province, believing that the true 
 '* interests of this Port will thereby be best secured." 
 
 They also caused the following advertisement to be inserted in 
 several of the city newspapers : — 
 
 NOTICE. 
 
 " The Harbour Commissioners of Montreal have engaged the services of 
 Messrs. Ohilde, McAlpine and Kirkwood, as a Board of Engineers to 
 survey and report npon the best mode of obtaining increased accommo- 
 dation in the Harbour of Montreal, request that all parties havfaig any 
 suggestions to offer on this important subject, may send the same in to- 
 gether with such Plans or other information as they may deem requisite 
 in support of their views, so that the whole may be placed before the 
 Board of Engineers for full consideration at their meeting on 2ud No- 
 vember next." 
 
 ALEX. CLERK, Secretary. 
 
 Habbour CoMMissioiraRs' Offioi, ) 
 Montreal, Sept. 29tb, 185*7. > 
 
 It will be seen that the Commissioners, in the steps thus taken,' 
 took no advantage of their ofiScial position, to restrict tlie enqui- 
 ries of the Engineers, or to force upon them particular opinions. 
 They left the whole matter open, for the action of the Engineers. 
 It may suit the purposes, and be consistent with the conduct of par- 
 ticular individuals, to mis-represent the conduct of the Commission- 
 ers, and assume to speak for the mass of the Citizens of Montreal, 
 in so doing ; but it is confidently submitted that the conduct 
 of the Commissioners in acting as they did, must recommend It- 
 self to every unprejudiced mind. No excitement or contracted 
 views of '* vested rights" or local interests can prevent a full recog- 
 nition of the perfect fairness of the Commissioners as evinced by 
 
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 B 
 
 their official acts alluded to. It is matter of regret to the Com- 
 miflsioners, and of some surprise also, that the framers of the Peti- 
 tion should have felt themselves justified in the strictures they 
 have deemed it proper to make. 
 
 The Report of the Engineers was made, and at a meeting of 
 the Gommiraioners on the 1st April last, was unanimously approved 
 by the Commissioners present, (His Honor the Mayor, and Messrs. 
 Young and Whitney). A public meeting of the citizens, in refer« 
 ence to Harbor Improvements was, on tlie I7th day of May, 
 called on the requisition of a number of influential gentlemen, 
 chiefly from those interested in the eastern section of the city, 
 but such, unfortunately, was the excitement and diversity of opi- 
 nion, that no resolutions were passed. The resolutions intended 
 to have been proposed for adoption by the gentlemen interested 
 in the calling of the meeting w^re, however, next day published 
 in the newspapers, and amongst others, a resolution favorable to 
 the survey of a site for the docks, not surveyed nor considered 
 previously. It was understood that the new site which had refer* 
 ence to the construction of Docks near the Grey Nunnery, would 
 be likely to receive the support of many from the eastern section 
 of the city, previously favorable to Docks at Hochelaga Bay. 
 The Commissioners, therefore, invited the mover and seconder of 
 that resolution to a conference, when it was deemed advisable 
 to call together a number of gentlemen interested in the eastern 
 section of the city, and opposed to the opinions of the Harbour 
 Commissioners as to the site of the works. This meeting was held 
 in the Harbour Office on the 24th day of May, and it was under- 
 stood as the result of the meeting that the Harbour Commission- 
 ers should get the new site surveyed by some competent Engi- 
 neer, to be suggested by the Committee of the gentlemen present, 
 and have a report made on such site. It was also understood 
 that the Commissioners, in the Draft of a Bill for Harbor Im- 
 provements, which they were to submit to be introduced into the 
 House of Assembly, should not name any particular locality in the 
 Harbour for the site of the works. 
 
 In the draft of Bill therefore so submitted, and read a first time 
 on the Ist June, inst., are the following clauses : 
 
" I. The Ilarhour Commisftionen of Montreal are hereby autho- 
 " rized to erect, construct, and maintain, new docks, wharves, basins, 
 " with a proper canal for the supply thereof with water, and all 
 " other works and erections for the convenient use thereof, according 
 " to such plans and on such site and locality within the City or 
 " Harbour of Montreal, as may be determined, fixed and approved 
 " of by the Governor in Council ; and such plans, when signed and 
 " certified by the i'rovincial Secretary, shall bo, to all intents and 
 " purposes, of the same effect as if prescribed by this Act and 
 " appended to and formally incorporated into the same : Provided 
 " nevertheless, that deviations or alterations from or in the said 
 " plans may be directed and approved by the Governor in Council, 
 " or such additional plans may be directed, made, and approved of 
 " as aforesaid, as may bo found necessary for better carrying out 
 " the works contemplated. 
 
 '* II. So soon as a copy of the said plans, certified as aforesaid, 
 " shall have been deposited in the office of the said Harbour Com- 
 " missioners, the said Harbour Commissioners and their succes- 
 '* sors in office shall have full power and authority, and it shall be 
 " their duty, to carry the said plans into effect : And for all and 
 " every the purposes of the said improvements and works, shaH 
 " have power to receive, take,and hold all voluntary grants or dona- 
 " tions of land, to purchase from any person, corporation or com- 
 " munity, and to hold any land or other property for the con- 
 *' struction, maintenance, or use of the said docks, wharves, basins, 
 ^' canal, and other works necessary for the trad^ of the Harbour, 
 " and to build warehouses, grain elevators or hydraulic cranes, — 
 " to lease and rent, for manufacturing purposes, any surplus water, — 
 " to agree with any owner of land or real propeity as to the price 
 '' and value of such land or property, and as to compensation to 
 " such owner or other parties interested for damages sustained by 
 " reason of said work, <fec., Ac." 
 
 It may now be seen with what view the framers of the Petition 
 represent the action of the Harbour Commissioners as " having 
 '* submitted to the Government, maps, plans, and Engineers Re- 
 " ports, indicating Point St. Charles as a fit and proper place for 
 the construction of such docks," referring to those mentioned in 
 
i! 
 
 10: 
 
 the " Act to provide for the farther improvement of the Harbonr 
 of Montreal," and praying that "the project of the Harbour Com- 
 missioners for constructing docks at Point St. Charles, may not be 
 favourably entertained f that the " project of a system of Docks 
 " at Point St. Charles, so persistently urged by the Harbour Com- 
 " missioners," <fec., as if Harbour Commissioners had broken faith 
 with the Committee. The simple fact is, that the Harbour Com* 
 missioners made no plans, never alluded to, or mentioned Point 
 St« Charles in the draft of Bill submitted. They sent to Ge- 
 vernment the plans and maps of the American Engineers, forming 
 part of their Report, in which plans, the docks at Hoehelaga Bay 
 as well as at Point St. Charles are laid down. 
 
 In a letter also of date the 2l8t day of May last, addressed to 
 you, relative to the assumption, by Government, of the Debt in- 
 curred for the deepening of Lake St. Peter, the Commissioners 
 shew the same desire to give the proposed new site the same fair 
 and impartial consideration, as was given to the Scheme for Dooki 
 at Hoehelaga Bay. 
 
 In that letter they stale : — 
 
 " But since the decision of the Board of Trade, a new site 
 " has been proposed for the construction of docks, which is now 
 ♦' under investigation, and will be, no doubt, surveyed and re- 
 " ported on by a competent Engineer. Pehoing this investigation, 
 *' the Harbour Commissioners do not desire to press the claims 
 " of any particular site, in any Bill which the Government may 
 " be pleased to introduce to the Legislature, providing for in- 
 " creased harbour accommodation, but to leave the question of 
 *' site an open one until further information enables them to decide 
 '• on the best and most advisable locality." 
 
 The framers of the Petition further state, '' that in January, 
 "1854, the Harbour Commissioners submitted the same scheme 
 " of Docks at Point St. Charles, to the test of public opinion 
 " when it was unanimously rejected by the Citizens of Montreal, 
 "specially convened for iliat purpose." The facts are simply 
 these, that a meeting was called by the parties interested in con- 
 demning the action of the Harbour Commissioners, in the absence 
 of the Chairman of the ConMnissioners, and without any one 
 
li 
 
 favorable to the views of the Commissioners being allowed to 
 speak. 
 
 The framers of the Petition further say " that the views of 
 " the Citizens have often been solemnly and publicly expressed 
 " as to the imperative necc^ity of improving the present Harbour 
 " to its fullest extent and capacity.^' It is submitted, that the 
 two meetings above referred to, scarcely sustain the assertion, 
 whilst it is a matter of fact, and the Commissioners think it right 
 to mention it, that notwithstanding the instructions given to the 
 Engineers and the public advertisement referred to, not a single 
 letter^ petition, suggestion, or representation was ever laid be/ore 
 the Commissioners or submitted to the Engineers^ who might, 
 therefore, not have been informed of the precise views entertained 
 by the supporters of Docks at Hochelaga Bay, had the Commis- 
 sioners not deemed it their duty to bring these views under the 
 notice of the Engineers, from a collection of various letters 
 published in the newspapers by individual writers, favorable to 
 Docks at Hochelaga Bay, and opposed to the views of the Com- 
 missioners. 
 
 The conduct of the Harbour Commissioners, in this respect, 
 must therefore recommend itself to the minds of all who are 
 disposed to judge them by their acts, and not from assertions 
 wholly unsupported by facts. 
 
 It may further be stated that the only representation or petition 
 in reference to Harbour Improvements laid before the Commis- 
 sioners since the ye:\r 1845, was contained in a petition, dated 
 March, 1852, from Messrs. Molson and others, calling attention to 
 the necessity of a wharf at the Current St. Mary, near the foot of 
 Monarque Street. This wharf was at once constructed ; at a place 
 too, where it could not have been constructed by the Harbour 
 Commissioners, but for the extension of the limits of the Harbour 
 above referred to. 
 
 It is also a fact, which will be verified by the records o^ the 
 Harbour Commissioners, that since 1845, all new works have 
 been constructed to the Eastward of the Island wharf, and that 
 at a cost exceeding £38,000, Since 1850, when the improve- 
 ment of the Navigation in Lake St. Peter was commenced by 
 
12 
 
 the Commissioners, a powerful Dredge, besides a Spoon Dredge, 
 has been kept in constant operation in improving the Harbour, 
 and especially the channel leading into it. Divers with a diving 
 apparatus, and boats with shears, have been employed in lifting 
 enormous boulders which impeded the navigation. Shoals, where 
 previously there was only four feet of water below the Island Wharf, 
 are now adapted, by the dredging referred to, for vessels drawing 12 
 feet at lowest water. Berths are now occupied by ocean steamers 
 and sailling vesselsjdrawiilg 18 feet of water, where before there was 
 only 14 feet. In fact every possible exertion has been made by 
 the commissioners to improve the present harbour, in direct contra- 
 diction to the allegation hazarded by the framers of the petition. 
 The evident advantage to the trade of the Province, and particu- 
 larly of Montrealjindueed the Commissioners to make every effort to 
 accommodate the ocean steamers at this Port. Without the exer- 
 tions of the Commissioners in the improvement of the lake and river 
 these fine vessels could not have come to Montreal, nor could they 
 have found berths in the Harbour. The length of tLcse vessels, and 
 the fact that the semi-monthly line will next season be a weekly 
 one, demanded the most serioub attention of the trade, and 
 the Commissioners felt, that they would have been wanting in 
 their duty, had they not urged, as they have done, the necessity 
 of further accommodation and facilities for that important branch 
 of our trade. Wharves for these vessels were constructed at 
 Hochelaga Bay, at the instance and by the advice of the agents 
 of the steamers. Experience, however, demonstrated that that 
 point was too distant from the business part of the city ; a confe- 
 rence was had, during last season, with the agents, as to the means 
 by which their present berths could be increased in size by cut- 
 ting off a portion of Nelson Pier and. filling in an adjoining 
 Basin, so that a total length of wharfage of 740 feet could be 
 obtained. To carry out this project, it was necessary to provide 
 berths for sailing vessels elsewhere, and it was decided soma 
 months ago, to construct a wharf below the Victoria Pier as far 
 down as the Military Hospital, to an extent of some 1600 feet, in 
 a depth of water of 10 feet, so as to admit of the Commissioners 
 removing the whole of the trade now carried on in deals, lumber, 
 
and firewood to that position, the intention of the Commiseioners 
 being, so soon as the present wharves could be relieved, gradually 
 to deepen and improve the harbour for vessels from sea of deep 
 draught. It is evident that for the local trade of the port, wharves 
 must continue to be erected in an easterly direction, and below 
 the Lachine Canal ; but it would be absurd, even were it practi- 
 cable, to deepen the whole Harbour, so as to adapt the whole of it 
 for vessels drawing 20 feet. A large space in the harbour isjiow 
 occupied, and must continue to be occupied, by steamers and 
 sailing vessels trading with various localities on the St. Lawrence 
 and its tributaries. These vessels seldom draw over 1 1 feet, and 
 must have a position convenient to the markets. The Bonse- 
 cours Market is the place where such vessels must resort, and the 
 Bonsecours Basin is now on market days crowded to inconveni- 
 ence. The Commissioners therefore deemed that they were act- 
 ing on a correct policy, in authorising the construction of the 
 proposed new pier in that basin, to give increased accommodation 
 for that trade. When this is completed there will be in no place 
 less than 12 feet of water, while, at the end of the wharf, berths 
 will be obtained for two vessels drawing 14 feet. To deepen and 
 wharf the whole of that pa t of the harbour, as is proposed by the 
 petitioners, would cost a sum of £93,000, while a large part of the 
 space is the very best site for vessels which do not require it to be 
 deepened. The Committee of gentlemen above referred to, now 
 in conference with the Commissioners, will no doubt agree upon 
 the best site for an increase of 20 feet berths, and should these 
 require to be increased, either for ocean steamers or sailing ves- 
 sels drawing 20 feet, it is quite easy to do so, by the deepening 
 of the space below Victoria Pier into deep water, and extending 
 at the same time the wharves now proposed to be constructed for 
 the trade in lumber. By these explanations it will be seen how 
 utterly fallacious are the statements set forth in the petition, 
 " that the improvements of the present Harbour have been totally 
 " disregarded by the Harbour Commissioners.^* 
 
 " The Petitioners further pray that measures be taken for 
 " amending the laws under which the Harbour Commissioners 
 " are appointed, as will afford the citizens a larger voice in the 
 
14 
 
 " constitution of that body, and that when such reorganisation 
 " takes place, the Harbour Trust, be like all other public bodies, 
 " held to render a yearly account to the Government." In refer- 
 ence to this statement, the Commissioners would only observe, 
 that up to 1854, the Corporation of the Harbour was composed 
 of three Commissioners, named by His Excellency the Governor 
 General. Since that period the citizens generally have been re- 
 ■presentcd through His Worship the Mayor, and the Mercantile 
 body through the President of the Board of Trade, the three 
 Commissioners being still named by the Government. 
 
 Those acquainted with the subject are aware that this change 
 vfas proposed by the then Harbour Commissioners themselves^ 
 and was carried into effect by the Government and Legislature at 
 their request. Allusion is made to this point now for the pur- 
 pose simply of directing attention to the unworthy insinuations 
 thrown out by the framers of the petition, which the Commission- 
 ers are convinced, would not be endorsed by any considerable 
 number of their fellow citizens. 
 
 As to the concluding allegation of the petition "^ that the 
 " Harbour Trust be like all other public bodies held to furnish a 
 " yearly account to the Government," the same remarks will ap- 
 ply. It may be added, that the accounts of the Montreal Harbour 
 Trust have been regularly sent to the Government, and will, in 
 their arrangement and clearness, bear the closest scrutiny. 
 
 It is much to be regretted that the statements in the petition 
 should have been such as to call for the notice of the Commis- 
 sioners,' and that the framers of it, did not take more pains in 
 inquiring into the real facts before venturing to put their views 
 before the Legislature in such a form. There are sufficient diffi- 
 culties connected with the subject of the Harbour improvements, 
 without increasing them by gratutious and unfounded charges 
 against the Commissioners of totally disregarding their duty. 
 
 They are conscious of having honestly endeavored, in the dis- 
 charge of their very onerous and important duties, to have the best 
 site selected for the Docks. They have kept back no view of the 
 case from the various Engineers who have successively reported on 
 this important and difficult question. They ate prepared in good 
 
15 
 
 bodies, 
 n refer- 
 )b3ervc, 
 mposed 
 oveiDor 
 jeen re- 
 srcantilc 
 le three 
 
 change 
 >,mselveSj 
 lature at 
 the pur- 
 nuations 
 imission- 
 siderable 
 
 that the 
 
 furnish a 
 
 will ap- 
 
 Harbour 
 
 will, in 
 
 3 petition 
 Commis- 
 pains in 
 leir views 
 lent diffi- 
 )vement8, 
 
 charges 
 uty. 
 
 the dis- 
 e the best 
 ew of the 
 )orted on 
 d in good 
 
 [1 
 
 fiiith to «ubrait the ^e«lion of the proposed new site to the con- 
 ndfliradon and report of disinterested flnd-competent Engineers, and 
 ^at the whole matter be decided by the Government. They are 
 satisfied that the improvements they seeic to urge f<)rward can be 
 made withoat increasing the burdens on the trade of the port be- 
 yond the rate of dues that have been charged in the Harbour, were 
 it relieved as they respectively have on several occasions submitted 
 it ought to be, from the debt incurred in improving the Ohannel of 
 Navigation below the city ; that the facilities which exist in receiv- 
 ing and delivering grain and other produce by elevators at 
 American Ports, tend powerfully to attract trade into American 
 Canals, and over American railways, and that such improvements 
 cannot be made on the margin of the present Harbour without 
 the same being destroyed by ice ; — that docks inland at some point 
 are necessary for the convenience of the transit and foreign 
 trade ; — that a vast saving could thus be effected on the present 
 charges on produce coming to the Lower St. Lawrence ; — and that 
 in this saving, every agriculturalist in the Province has a direct 
 and plain interest, inasmuch as instead of a vessel being delayed in 
 the Harbour some eight or ten days in discharging cargo, 
 she might with the facilities in existence in many of the 
 American ports, be discharged in a few hours ; — that, for want of 
 these facilities, trade is attracted into channels less favorable by 
 nature, but better developed than that of the St. Lawrence ; as is 
 evident from the fact that only ten per cent, of the cereals of the 
 West come to Lower Canada, while 90 per cent, passes through 
 American Channels to the Eastern States, thereby giving full 
 employment and large revenues to the State of New York from 
 its Canals and Railways, while Canadian Canals and Railways are 
 almost unemployed, and are annually a heavy Tax upon the Pro- 
 vince; that even with ocean freights, on the average 100 per 
 cent, higher at Montreal than at New York our imports are 
 increasing, thus plainly indicating what might be accomplished 
 were our internal channels of navigation fully developed. 
 
 They would respectfully submit further, that the Bill referred 
 to, if passed into a law, will afford ample guarantee that the 
 fullest investigation may be made into the best and most available 
 
IV 
 
 site for the works referred to, and this site may be settled by .the 
 Government with a full knowledge of all the foots, aad so as most 
 effectually to promote the interest of the City and of the trade of 
 the Province. 
 
 JOHN YOUNG, 
 
 Chairman Harbour Commitiionen. 
 
 ' ,5^45* /. 
 
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