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ofjune Captain LaForce joined me at LeChine, and we proceeded, with two batteaux, for Carleton Island. As the time limited by your Excellency for my return would not permit me to make an actual survey of the ungranted lands on the north side of the River St. Lawrence, I examined them with attention, and collected all the information I could as to the facility of establishing settlements there, and I found that from the supposed bounds of the Seigneurie of Soulange the property of Monsieur de Longueille on the Lake St. Francis, the lands are low towards the water side and fit for meadows, and at the same distance the soil is exceedingly good tillage. From the upper part of Lake St. Francis to the Long Sault no land can be more promising, covered with fine timber fit for building vessels, and in some places pineries fit for masts. The shore along the Long Sault has not an inviting aspect, but the soil, ’tis said, at no great distance back is equal to that on Lake St. Francis.

There are fine pineries two or three miles from the water’s edge where large masts may be procured.

From the head of the Long Sault to the top of the uppermost rapid, where the navigation begins, the country has a most favourable appearance. From hence to Cataraqui the shore is high and rocky, but opening here and there into beautiful coves and bays, where the view extends a great way into fine natural meadows, and though the shore appears rough and uninviting the soil is rich at some distance—fit for all purposes of agriculture, as I have been informed,

I arri\ ed at Carleton Island on the 10th, late at night, and applied to Major Harris to despatch your orders for Maj or Ross and Mr. Tinling, the assistant engineer. On the 12th I reached Cataraqui, and began the survey of the Fort and entrenchments made there by the French troops. 011 the following day my assistant proceeded to survey the harbor, and Captain LaForcc to ta the soundings. Lieut. Tingling joined me on the 17th, when I examined thep fort, and made arrangements for the reestablishment of this important post, which in every part surpassed the favorable idea I had formed of it. Your Excellency will perceive its advantageous situation by the plans and drawings which accompany this letter.

lhe \aults still remain entiie,\\1t11 part of the walls of the fort, barracks, etc., etc. , and me in such a state as will contribute to lessen the expense of its re- -establishment. The works or lines begun by the l‘rench 011 the commanding grounds near the Fort will cover a sufficient space for a town. T he harb01 is in every respect good, and most conveniently situated to command Lake Ontario. The batteaux men prefer keeping over on this side, as they can follow the shore \\ithout crossing to the islands in their course.

Captain Joseph Brant, with several Indians of the Six Nations, went up to Cataraqui Falls and made excursions into the woods They seemed to be well satisfied with the country. At their return they declined saying any thing concerning the lands; but told me that as soon as they have examined the north side of the lake they will inform your Excellency of the spot where they ’1] choose to fix their abode. I 01 this purpose they have sent Captain Isaac with six men of their number to accompany the surveying party.

On the 19th we returned to Carleton Island, where I arranged matters with Major Harris, and wrote to Major Ross for fifty men from each post, and to transport materials to Cataraqui to prosecute the works carrying on there under Mr. Tinling, with whom I left Lieut. IIolland as an assistant, who was despatched to forward materials from Oswego.

Captain La Force, Mr. Cotte and Mr. Peachy proceeded to survey the north shore of the Lake Ontario all the way to Niagara, having received my instructions for that purpose. 0n the 20th I set out from Carleton Island for Quebec, where I arrived yesterday.

I have the honor to be, etc., SAMUEL HOLLAND.

Major Holland also reported to General Haldimand on July 10th, 1783, as follows:~

MY DEAR GENERAL,—I should not have been wanting in sending your excellency those volumes of I’ere Charlevoix which make mention about Cataraqm before now; 1f the second volume had not been lent out in town, which was only returned last night.

The first mentionings made by this author is in volume the second, pages 244 and 245, when the first project was made in the year 1672, to take post there by Monsieur de Courcelles and his successor, Count Frontenac, built the fort. Page 372 in the same volume it is mentioned that in the year 1688 the Iroquois formed a blockade. Page 406 to 409, the same volume, it was proposed to be abandoned, but opposed by Count Frontenac, though it was evacuated in 1689. In the third volume, pages 222 to 227, the fort is retained by Count Frontenac against the advice of everybody, and well executed by Monsieur Cryan; thus in the year 1695, in the fifth volume, pages 281 to 288, some reflections on the fort, its situation, and road to it. Page