42 Collins reported to General Haldimand directly on November 3, 1783, as follows:— Sir,—Through Capt. Mathews I have had the honor of your Excellency's commands of the 13th ultimo, by which I find the weather with you has been similar to what we have had here. All the low lands on the small rivers which this country abounds with are covered with water in such a manner as greatly to retard our progress. All I have been able to do has been to complete the survey of one township, the plan and report of which I have the honor to transmit to your Excellency by this conveyance, with a plan of Point Henry, surveyed by Mr. Cotte , accompanied with such remarks as I hope will prove satisfactory. Mr. Cotte has been constantly employed on that business since his arrival here, but sets off to-morrow with Capt. Sherwood and myself in order to lay out a second township, which will be a few miles above the first. The lands between the two are stoney and unfit for cultivation. Your Excellency will please to observe that the township I have laid out is on the west side the River . The lands on the east side, back of Point Henry, by Capt. Sherwood 's report, are stoney and barren and not more than half a dozen good lots could be found for some miles back, which report, with the approbation of Major Ross , made me decline laying out a township on the east side the river. Captain Sherwood and his officers have been constantly employed from their arrival here till the 24th ultimo in exploring the country on this side the lake, a report of which I have likewise the honor to enclose. Mr. Holland , from indisposition, has not been able to attend me as yet, but will, 1 expect, in a few days. In the meantime your Excellency may rest assured that I shall exert my best abilities in complying with your wishes and in expediting this business as fast as possible. At the same time am very much afraid that it will be greatly retarded from the badness of the weather. I have the honor to be, etc., JOHN COLLINS . The following letter from Major Ross to Captain Mathews is of exceptional interest, as it mentions purchase of lands in the vicinity of from the Indians. , 3rd November, 1783. Sir,—I had the honor to receive your letter of the 13th ultimo. The lands have been pur¬ chased from the Missisagoes, which bargain was much facilitated by an old chief of them whose usual residence is in Canada , but happened to be here at the time. His name is Mynass, has been in Europe, is now an old man, and expects, as he really deserves, that his services on the occasion will be considered by Sir John Johnson , to whom he is recommended. As soon as the purchase was made, which (up the lake) extends about forty-five miles, I sent some officers of the garrison to explore the country. They report that the lands in general are of a most excellent quality, easily cleared and intersected with rivers on which are several falls where mills can conveniently be erected. . I am much obliged to His Excellency for the order on for rum. Such is the nature of the Indians here that if their services are wanted they are exceedingly covetous, but if they are not employed seldom ask for anything. As the latter is mostly the case at present, a very small quantity of rum or provisions will satisfy them, both of which shall be managed with the greatest economy. Indeed of late I have greatly weaned them from both, and without any discontent. This nation in peaceable times will be very little expense to Government. The party which went to meet Lieut. French returned some days after his arrival here. They travelled about sixty miles, nearly a northern course. The lands in general are of a better quality than those reported by Lieut. French on the banks of the River Ganenencui, which he has described as very barren. They did not touch upon that river—the Indians would go no further. The weather has been exceedingly bad here lately—very unfavorable for carrying on the works, and in particular for Mr. Collins ' operations. I was in hopes the saw-mills would have been finished this fall, which the badness of the weather has in some measure prevented. Lieut. Brass not being materially wanted after the arrival of the men sent by Captain Twiss , I have not taken the liberty to write for him, especially as there are so many people employed here at present. I have the honor to enclose the necessary obligations from such as had permission to build here. I have the honor to be, etc., JOHN ROSS .