^ebec, 113 



the former. The greateft part of the water 

 QDntained in the numerous lakes of Canada, 

 four or five of which are Hke large feas, is 

 forced to difembogue into the fea by means 

 of this river alone. The navigation up this 

 river from the fea is rendered very danger- 

 ous by the ftrength of the current, and by 

 the number of fand-banks, which often 

 arife in places where they never were be- 

 fore. The Riiglifi have experienced this 

 formation of new fands once or twice, 

 when they intend to conquer Canada. 

 Hence the French have good reafons to 

 look upon the river as a barrier to 

 Canada*. 



The tide goes far beyond ^ehec in the 

 river St. Lawrence, as I have mentioned 

 above. The difference between high and 

 low water is generally between fifteen and 

 fixteen feet, French meafure; but with the 

 new and full moon, and when the v/ind is 

 likewife favourable, the difference is feven- 

 teen or eighteen feet, which is indeed very 

 confiderable. 



* The river St. La^-vjrence, was no more a barrier to tl^e 

 viftorious Britijh fleets in the ]aft war, nor were the fortifi- 

 cations of i^ielec capable to withitand thegallar.t attacks of 

 their land army, which difappointed the good frenchmen in 

 Canada of their too fanguine expedcations, and at prelent, 

 they are rather happy at this change of fortune, which has 

 made them fubjeds of the Britijh fceptre, whofe niild in- 

 /luence they at prefent enjoy. F, • 



Vol. III. \l /iiigufi 



