[JAMES] DAVID WILLIAM SMITH 59 



on that score. As I have begun the canvass, I am determined to go 

 through with it, and should I succeed, I hope to support my character 

 afterwards. We shall not certainly have the province there four 

 years, so that wherever the seat of government may be, or whatever 

 may be the destination of the regt., I make no doubt that I shall be 

 able to attend the Council and assembly yearly. My having done 

 the settlers' business without emoluments from any quarter, should 

 be some inducement to them, on the score of gratitude, to return me. 

 I rather think it is intended that the people who have French grants 

 on the garrison side should vote; as the description of the county of 

 Kent comprehends a great deal, and sends two members. It is said 

 to contain all the country (not being territories of the Indians), and 

 not already included in Essex and the several other counties de- 

 scribed, extending northward to the boundary line of Hudson's bay, 

 including all the territory to the westward and southward of the said 

 line to the utmost extent of the country called or known l^y the name 

 Canada. 



Should candidates to represent this coimty go a-begging, and you 

 find I have no chance for Essex, I shall be proud to be returned for 

 this county, but as the French people know little of me, I have not 

 any hopes on that score. I am very ill at present, myself, or I would 

 certainly go up to Detroit, but,if the people are sincere that is unneces- 

 sary, and this will give it a fair trial. You will do me a service by de- 

 livering to Mr. Pollard the names of those capable to vote, which you 

 can get from a small register in the land office, marked or rather 

 endorsed, "Certificates granted," and another endorsed "French 

 grants en roture." 



If any of Monforton's or Maisonville's company have received 

 certificates since my departure, I will be thankful to you to use your 

 influence with them. Col. McKee has promised me his interest, so 

 has the commodore (Alexander Grant), and I think I may depend on 

 Captain Elliott, George Leith, and a few others. When I wrote you 

 last, it was expected that Grosse Isle, River Raisin and Rouge would 

 have voted with the settlers, but that is not the case. 



Jacques Parent, Laurent Parent, Claude Rheaum, Bapt. Le Duc 

 and John Bapt. Hortelle, just above the Huron church (Sandwich), 

 may probably ask for an explanation to my letters to them. They 

 had lands "en roture" formerly granted by Mons. Longueil, and they, 

 of course, have indisputably votes. I have therefore addressed them 

 separately. These are the only French deeds acknowledged by the 

 " Tableau des Terres en roture " on that side of the water. 



I am sure you will forgive me for sending so large a pacquet to you. 

 The most of them are for the freeholders on Lake Erie, all whose names 



