1691-94.] ALARMS. 297 



The work of fortifying the vital points of the 

 colony, Quebec, Three Kivers, and Montreal, re- 

 ceived constant stimulus from the alarms of attack, 

 and, above all, from a groundless report that 

 ten thousand "Bostonnais" had sailed for Quebec. 

 The sessions of the council were suspended, and 

 the councillors seized pick and spade. The old 

 defences of the place were reconstructed on a new 

 plan, made by the great engineer Vauban. The 

 settlers were mustered together from a distance of 

 twenty leagues, and compelled to labor, with little 

 or no pay, till a line of solid earthworks enclosed 

 Quebec from Cape Diamond to the St. Charles. 

 Three Rivers and Montreal were also strengthened. 

 The cost exceeded the estimates, and drew upon 

 Frontenac and Champigny fresh admonitions from 

 Versailles. 1 



colonie ne contribuent en rien a tout ce que Sa Majeste fait pour leur 

 conservation, pendant que ses sujets du Royaume donnent tout ce qu'ils 

 ont pour son service." Le Ministre a Frontenac, 13 Mars, 1694. 



1 Lettres flu Roy et du Ministre, 1693, 1694. Cape Diamond was now 

 for the first time included within the line of circumvallation at Quebec. 

 A strong stone redoubt, with sixteen cannon, was built upon its summit. 



In 1854, in demolishing a part of the old wall between the fort of 

 Quebec and the adjacent " Governor's Garden," a plate of copper was 

 found with a Latin inscription, of which the following is a transla- 

 tion : — 



" In the year of Grace, 1693, under the reign of the Most August, 

 Most Invincible, and Most Christian King, Louis the Great, Fourteenth 

 of that name, the Most Excellent and Most Illustrious Lord, Louis de 

 Buade, Count of Frontenac, twice Viceroy of all New France, after 

 having three years before repulsed, routed, and completely conquered 

 the rebellious inhabitants of New England, who besieged this town of 

 Quebec, and who threatened to renew their attack this year, constructed, 

 at the charge of the king, this citadel, with the fortifications therewith 

 connected, for the defence of the country and the safety of the people, 

 and for confounding yet again a people perfidious towards God and to- 

 wards its lawful king. And he has laid this first stone." 



