360 KOYAL 60CIKTY OF CANADA 



remaining portion of the actual battle-field in memory of such an im- 

 portant event in Canadian history, would be a commendable action, 

 and indeed in this age of activity, wherein tlie past is apt to be for- 

 gotten, or absorbed in the present, the isolation of such a spot would 

 bo a greater tribute to the heroic dead than even a costly monument 

 of bronze or stone. 



In order that the situation may be understood by those who are 

 unfamiliar with the city, it may be advisable to state that the Plains 

 of A])ra]inm derived their name from Abraham Martin, who owned a 

 tract of land at a short distance from the walls of the city, on the 

 border of Cote Ste. Geneviève (see plan No. 1). In the course of time 

 the whole of tlio ground between the fortifications and Marchmont, 

 boimded on the north by Cote Ste. Geneviève, and on the south by the 

 Eiver St. Lawrence, was generally termed the "Plains." A distinction, 

 however, appears to have been drawn between the "Heights" and the 

 " Plains " of Abraham, by the English officers after the conquest. 

 General Murray, the first English Governor, refers to "the Heights of 

 Abraham, which entirely command the ramparts of the place at a dis- 

 tance of 800 yards," and again, " the enemy drew their first parallel 

 across the heights at a distance of six hundred yards." The English 

 seem to have named the whole of the ground between the walls of tlie 

 city and Claire Fontaine street, the " Heights," and the ground on the 

 west of Claire Fontaine street was called by them " The Plains." 



The site of the decisive battle is claimed by one party to be a tract 

 of land bounded on the west by the Marchmont property, and on the 

 east by the Martello Towers. This ground includes the race course. 

 On the other side it is contended that the battle was confined to the 

 limits bounded on' the east by the walls of the city, and on the west by 

 de Salaberr}'- street. This territory does not include the race course. 

 (Se€ plan No. 1 and appendix). 



With a desire to contribute a few facts towards the solution of 

 this vexed question, I have made certain investigations which are now 

 placed at the disposal of those who are interested in the subject. 



At the commencement of my study I decided to base my investi- 

 gations solely upon tlie testimony of those who were present at the siege, 

 and, if I were able from their testimony to discover any indication 

 of the location of the field, satisfactory to myself, I intended to seek 

 for confirmation of the position, or for proof to the contrary, in the 

 writings of later historians, or by any other means at my disposal. 

 This plan I have carried out. 



An explanation of the plans accompanying this paper is here 

 given. 



