LEAVES THEY HAVE TOUCHED. 93 



letter of his dated Niagara, 6th November, 1806. It is addressed 

 to the same Cheniquy of whom we have already heard. Cheniquy's 

 occupation as a military man was gone, the Canadian Volunteers 

 having been disbanded. Col. Claus alludes to hopes of half-pay 

 fondly but vainly indulged by Cheniquy. He speaks a good word 

 for Gen. Hunter, who was lately deceased. He names also Judge 

 Thorpe, and disapproves of his having presented himself as a candidate 

 for a seat in Pai-liament. Col. Claus addresses his letter to Cheniquy 

 at Springfield Park, near York. This was the abode of Mr. John 

 Mills Jackson. Col. Claus says, — " Dear Sir, I was favoured with 

 your letter of the 12th ultimo, and I am to acknowledge myself 

 highly flattered with your good wishes for me. I have been unwell, 

 but not seriously so. I hope and at present feel myself to be getting 

 strength every day. I have heard that Mr. Justice Thorpe is offered 

 to the public to represent the Counties of York, Durham, &c. Every 

 man has a right to give his opinion ; and I think that Law and Divinity 

 ought to have nothing to do with Politics. * ''' ^' There is no 

 report here of the half-pay being allowed to the Canadian Volunteers. 

 As to the truth of it, I cannot say anything aboi;t it. — I hope it may 

 be the case. As to General Hunter's administration, what a few 

 idlers and discontented people may say will never afiect him. Those 

 who cry out are sti'angers both to him and his measures, and some 

 who received from him that censui-e and punishment that they 

 deserved. He was an honest man, which cannot be said of some 

 who make such a noise. I should be happy if I had it in my power 

 to do anytliing for you. I shall always be happy to hear from you, 

 and believe me, &c., W. Claus." It may be jjleasing to know that, 

 through Col. Clau.s, Cheniquy did obtain (in 1807) an appointment 

 as Collector at St. Joseph, in the Far West. I have a letter of 

 Cheniquy's in which this is implied. Also I have a portion of 

 Cheniquy's Journal as far as Matchedash Bay, en 7-oute to St. 

 Joseph. In his way up Yonge Street he rested at the Ootint de 

 Chalus'. (He speaks of the Count's place as " Windham.") 



Having named Judge Thorpe, I am led to give two or three letters 

 from the hands of our early Judges. First I go back in time a little, 

 and transcribe an autograph of Chief Justice Osgoode's, the first Chief 

 Justice of Upper Canada. • It is a communication addressed to 

 W. Dunimer Powell, Esq., at Detroit, in 1794. Mi-. Powell's home 

 ■was at that place at the time. He had not yet been raised to the 



