76 TRANSACTIONS OF THE CANADIAN INSTITUTE. [VoL. V. 



account they intend, at their own expense, unless Government prefer to 

 undertake it, to discover, if possible, another passage that will in all 

 events fall within the British line, of which they may avail themselves in 

 case of need. Such an undertaking must prove an arduous one and be 

 attended with great expense, while their success will remain very un- 

 certain, on which account the company are induced to hope that if it is- 

 discovered it will be granted to them in full right for a certain term of 

 years, not less than seven, as a reward for their public spirit and the 

 advantages that will result to this province from its discovery." 



He advised the establishment of a small military post to command 

 the entrance into Lake Superior at Point Aux Pins, where Mr. Baxter 

 had built a small vessel during his unsuccessful mining operations, and 

 suggested that a settlement might easily be founded at that place. 



These proposals were favorably received by the Governor, who im- 

 mediately instructed Captain Robertson to examine the coast near Point 

 Aux Pins and report without delay. Early in June Robertson made the 

 necessary exploration and pronounced in favor of Tessalon, " a beautiful 

 and capacious bay and one of the best harbors on Lake Huron," with 

 good soil and " a very advantageous fall for mills on the River Tessalon, 

 and a large pinery adjacent." He had even sent a party of men to clear 

 the ground for a fort when orders were received to abandon the project, 

 as there was reason to believe that the "posts in the upper country" 

 would not be given up " until the Americans manifested a stronger 

 inclination (than they have hitherto done) to fulfil on their part the 

 articles of the definitive treaty." 



Robertson also reported that he had obtained " some intelligence from 

 white men and Indians of a very fertile and advantageous tract of land 

 between Lakes Huron and Ontario, and by communication that way the 

 trade with Canada must be carried on to put us on a footing with our 

 neighbors from the colonies." 



In July, Messrs. Benjamin Frobisher and Simon McTavish arrived at 

 Mackinac to make arrangements to suit the new state of affairs, and 

 Robertson wrote to the Governor : " With them I have had several con- 

 ferences with regard to the future communication to this country so as 

 to enable them or others to trade in those parts on a footing with the 

 Americans, and after every inquiry, that between Lakes Ontario and 

 Huron is the only one to be attempted, and that very practicable, by 

 shortening the road greatly and avoiding the Niagara carrying place and 

 any interference with our neighbors." He evidently referred to the 

 route from Matchedash Bay to Toronto, which was little used and had 



