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The officers commanding at Carleton Island, Cataraquis or any Post you shall have occasion to call at, are hereby directed to afford you every assistance in their power, whether in provision or otherwise for the speedy and effectual execution of these instructions.

Wishing you success, I am, Sir,

Your most obedient humble servant,

FRED’K HALDIMAND.

Haldimand wrote again on September 15, 1783, to Collins, advising that he had received letters from Major Ross which induced him to change the situation of the proposed township near Cataraqui and to desire it to be placed on Point Henry, to explain which he enclosed a sketch.

General Haldimand wrote to Major Ross on September 15, 1783, as follows :—

SIR,—I have received your letter of the 3rd instant, with the sketch of Point Henry, etc. and am very much obliged to you for the trouble you have taken to examine the ground near Cataraqui. I entirely approve of your idea of changing the situation of the town to Point Henry, and have iven my orders to Mr. Collins accordingly, subject, however, to any alteration which you may t 1ink necessary, and, in case of any future discovery, of situation, proper to be fortified you will preserve such an extent of ground round them as you judge proper, and communicate to me your ideas concerning them.

In a few days Lieut. French, of Major Jessup's Corps, will leave Montreal with a party of Loyalists, to examine the great River Ottawa, and when at a proper distance to endeavor from thence to fall upon Cataraqui. When they arrive you will supply them with everything they may 11 ant and provide them with the means of returning to Montreal as soon as possible . and 111 order more fully to accomplish my intentions on this point, I could wish you would send some small party with savages some“ here near the same road, but they should be accompanied by an intelligent person, who would keep a journal of the distances and the course they steer, with e\ ery other necessary iemark. Our plans of this country are very imperfect. According to them I should conjecture that due north from your post the great river lies about 150 miles distant. I mention this, but have no doubt that the savages are much better acquainted with the distance than we are.

From the report of Sir John Johnson I have reason to expect that the Mohawks and some other tribes of savages will establish themselves near the Bay of Kintie, and I understand it is their wish to have the Loyalists in their neighborhood. All which, I think, will be an advantage by rendering the settlement respectable, and consequently secure. The only difficulty seems to be, giving uneasiness to the Missisagues, as they claim the northern part of Lake Ontario, to avoid which I have directed Sir J. Johnson to treat with them on this matter, and if necessary to make such purchases as the King’s service may require, which he tells me will easily be, accomplished.

I am, Sir,

Your most humble and most obedient servant, F. HALDIMAND

Major Ross wrote Captain Mathews on October 2, 1783, from Cataraqui, and Collins reported on October 2nd, as follows:—-—

SIR,—I have the honor of your Excellency’s favor of the 15th September, by which I observe the change your Excellency directs to be made with respect to the situation of the township near Cataraqui, and my receiving orders from Major Ross. Your Excellency may rest assured I shall conform myself to them in every particular.

I arrived here yesterday evening in company with Captain Sherwood, etc. ., having had excessive bad weather almost every day since I left Quebec. I waited on Major Ross and showed him my instructions. He advised that as the lands proposed for townships were not yet purchased from the savages I should stop a few days till that was done, as a person was sent to bring them in for that purpose. In the meantime I shall employ myself in surveying that part fronting the lake and the other business recommended by your Excellency.

I have the honor to be, etc., JOHN COLLINS.