1892-93.] EARLY TRADEIIS AND TRADE ROUTES. 301 



In a few weeks, however, the problem was solved for them by the 

 entire reconquest of the province by Sir Guy Carleton, and trade 

 resumed its accustomed course. 



The fort at Oswegatchie had never been a favourite resort for traders. 

 In May, 1778, detachments from this post and Niagara took possession 

 of Deer or Buck Island at the foot of Lake Ontario. Henceforth it 

 became known as Carleton Island. Hamilton and Cartwright established 

 a trading station there and others followed. The importance of Oswego 

 had steadily waned for years, and in July, 1778, the last remaining trader 

 was driven off by a raiding party from Fort Stanwix. This incident 

 was described in a letter of the 2nd August of that year from Archibald 

 Cunningham, factor at Carleton Island, to Francis Goring. 



" L. Parlow was sent by our commandant with a party to bring off his 

 family and effects from Oswego, but on his arrival found that his govern- 

 ment had about fourteen days before been burnt by the rebels, who took 

 most of his effects, even the handkerchief from his lady's neck, and his 

 son prisoner, yet he had the good fortune to find they had missed his 

 bag of piasters, two milch cows, his wife and two daughters, with which 

 he made his retreat to this place." 



In the autumn of 1778 a military post, which received the name of 

 Fort Haldimand in honour of the governor, was constructed on the upper 

 end of Carleton Island. It was provided with wharves and storehouses 

 and was designed as an entrepot for the supply of all posts on the lakes. 

 Stores of all kinds were brought up in batteaux from Montreal and 

 landed here until they could be reshipped in sailing vessels for Niagara. 

 Its position rendered it tolerably secure from attack, and some of the 

 armed ships on Lake Ontario were usually laid up here for the winter. 

 A quantity of land was brought under cultivation for the supply of the 

 garrison, fruit trees were planted and the place rapidly developed 

 into a trading station of considerable importance. 



Trading houses existed for some years, between 1770 and 1780, at 

 Pinewood Creek and Piminiscotyan Landing on the north shore of Lake 

 Ontario, and occasionally a stray trader wintered in the Missassauga 

 villages at Rice Lake and Toronto. A man named Cowan is said to 

 ■ have permanently established himself at Matchedash Bay as early 

 as 1778. 



The great difficulties attending the transportation of supplies impelled 

 General Haldimand to attempt the improvement of the navigation of 

 the St. Lawrence by the construction of a series of short canals in the 

 vicinity of Coteau. These works were carried out under the superintend- 



