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account is preserved of the wild scenery of the St. Lawrence nearly two centuries ago. New York: “On the 4th, the route passed through the most delightful country in the world. The rivér was spangled with islands, on which were only oaks and hardwood ; the soil is admirable, and the banks of the mainland on the north and south shores are equally handsome, the timber being very clean and lofty, forming a forest equal to the most beautiful in France. Both banks of the river are lined with prairies, full of excellent grass, interspersed with an infinity of beautiful flowers; so that it may be asserted, there would not be a more lovely country in the world, than that from. Lake St. Francis to the head of the rapids, were it cleared. “Made three leagues up to noon, and halted ata spot more delightful than any we had yet seen. It was close to the little channel, which stretches along the.sault on the north side, and opposite the mouth of a river by which the people go to Mohawk (Raquette River.) “On the Eleventh, a good days made, having passed all that vast group of islands with which the river is spangled, and camped at a point above the river, called by the Indians, Onondakout* (Gananoqui), up which many of them go hunting. It has a very considerable channel.” The narrative concludes with a glowing account of the Count’s reception of the nations at Cataraqui. From this time forward, the St. Lawrence became the highway for French voyagers, who carried on a traffic with the Indians. They established a post at La Galette (meaning, in the French language, a mufhin, or cake), at a spot in the vicinity of Johnstown, a short distance below Prescott. This was the first actual settlement made in Leeds and Grenville. Some authorities claim that the post wes situated on Chimney Island, but the strongest evidence points to the mainland as the resting-place, after surmounting the rapids. | jeurney was French history explains that De la Barre, in devising schemes for the conquest of the Iroquois, indicated the necessity of posting troops at Za Gaktte, as well as at Frontenac; and in the celebrated expedition of that Governor, in 1684, it is mentioned as one of the stopping places, this indicating that, at that early date, it possessed a local . habitation and a name. In 1720-21, Father Charlevoix, a Jesuit, undertook, by the command of the King of France, a journey through Canada. The following is translated from — = * Gannonoqui: from the Huron, Ouga-seanoto, a deer, a letter dated " Catarogui, 14th rian 1721,’ " and " Above the Buisson, the river is a mile wide, and lands on both sides are very good and wooded. They begin to clear those which are on the north side ; and it would be easy to make a road, which is over against the Island of Montreal, to a bay, Which they call Za Galefta. They will shun by this forty leagues of navigation, which the falls render almost impracticable and very tedious. A fort would be much better situated, and more necessary, at Za Galetia, than at Catarocoui, because a single canoe Catarocout they may slip behind the islands without being observed." The worthy Father then proceeds to give a description of his journey up the St. Lawrence : " Five or six leagues. from Za Galetta is an island called Tonihata (supposed to be ‘Smith’s Island,’ one mile above Brockville), where the soil appears to be fertile. An Iroquois, whom they call the OQuaker— I know not why,—a very sensible man, and very affectionate to the French, obtained the domain of it from the late Count de Frontenac, and shows his patent of concession to whoever wishes to see it He has, nevertheless, sold the lordship for four pots of brandy, but has reserved to himself all other profits of the land, and has assembled here eighteen I arrived on the 12th, at this island, and paid him a visit. I found him laboring in his garden, which is not the custom of the savages, but he affects all the customs of the French. He received me. very kindly, and wished but the beauty of the weather invited or twenty families of his nation. to regale me; me to prosecute my journey. him, and went to pass the night two leagues from We passed through the I took my leave of there, in a very fine place. Isles (Thousand Isles.) I believe there are about five hundred. When we had passed these, we had a league and a-half to reach Cazarocowi (Kingston),” In the City of Ogdensburg may be seen the ruins of a broken wall and the foundations of a mission house, erected more than a century ago by the French, who, being at the time masters of Canada, attemped by this means to convert the Iroquois to Roman Catholic faith, and thus induce them to espouse the French cause, in the great struggle going on between La Belle France and England, for supremacy in the new world. The corner-stone of the original mission house is now in the possession of a citizen of Ogdensburg, and bears the following inscription : Ln nomine + Det Omntpotentis, fTluic habitationi initia dedit, Frans Picquet, 1749. ris iy ik i AA a ee
