

5/. Maurice and Sugucnay. 229 



As govenjiucnt have paid great attention to the accounts 

 uf the Sagucnay country hitely hiid before them, it is to be 

 hoj)C(i that ere lung \\c sliali have the satisfaction of finding 

 the country around lake St. John yielding subsistence to 

 a hardy and industrious race of peasantry. But previous 

 to the formation of settlements in these remote parts, it 

 appears absolutely necessary that the large tract of country 

 lying between Quebec and the already explored shores of 

 lake St. John, should be scientifically examined, not only 

 that its actual resources should be known, but also for the 

 purpose of ascertaining the practicability of opening a 

 road across the country, so that in the event of townships 

 being laid out on the upper parts of the Sagucnay, and 

 western shore of .lake St. John, the settlers may have 

 access to a market without encountering the long and 

 ilangcrous navigation of tiie rivers Saguenay and St. 

 Lawrence. The actual dislance, drawing a line nearly north 

 from Quebec to lake St. John is not more than one hundred 

 and twenty miles ; whereas the route by water would be 

 nearly tv.o hundred and fifty miles, and this latter course, 

 frouj the nature of these rivers, would be closed during the 

 winter months, the precise season when tlie settler could 

 best spare time from his farm, and when he could convey 

 his produce to market by means of sleighs with the greatest 

 possible facility. 



Doubtless many interval spots of tolerably fair land 

 would be found on the shores of the lakes and rivers 

 bordering such a road, which would be speedily settled 

 from the circumstance of llK-ir being situated on u great 

 thoroughfure. 



\L must also be borne in mind that the full extent of 

 good land ou the Chicouiiuii hu& not betn fully oncertaincd, 



