LOWER CANADA. 253 



Montreal stands on an island in the river St. Lawrence, which is 

 thirty miles in length, and seven in breadth, at the foot of a mountain 

 which gives name to it, about half a league from the south shore. 

 While the French had possession of Canada, both the city and island 

 o( Montreal belonged to private proprietors, who had improved them 

 so well, that the whole island was become a most delightful spot, 

 and produced every thing that could administer to the conveniences 

 of life. The city forms an oblong square, divided by regular and 

 well formed streets ; and when it fell into the hands of the English, 

 the houses were built in a very handsome manner ; and every house 

 might be seen at one view from the harbour, or from the southern- 

 most side of the river, as the hill, on the side of which the town stands 9 

 falls gradually to the water. The place is surrounded with a wall 

 and a dry ditch ; and its fortifications have been much improved by 

 the English. Montreal is nearly as large as Quebec ; but since it 

 became subject to the English it has suffered much by fires. In 

 1809 the population was stated at 16,000. 



The town of William Henry, or Sorelle, is agreeably situated at the 

 confluence of the river Sorelle with the St. Lawrence, and contains 

 a protestant and a Roman catholic church, and between 100 and 200 

 dwelling houses. La Chine is a small village situated at the south- 

 east end of the island of Montreal, and is the place from whence all 

 the merchandize and stores for Upper Canada are embarked. 



Trade. ...The amount of the exports from the province of Lower 

 Canada, in the year 1786, was 343,263/.; the amount for imports in 

 the same year was 325,116/. The exports consisted of wheat, flour, 

 biscuit, flax-seed, fish, pot-ash, ginseng, and other medicinal roots ; 

 but principally of timber, furs and peltries, to the amount .of 285,977/, 

 The imports consisted of rum, brandy, molasses, coffee, sugar, wines, 

 tobacco, salt, provisions for the troops, and dry goods. Since that 

 period, but especially since the present war between Great Britain 

 and the United States, this trade has very greatly increased. The 

 following statement, given by Mr. Anderson, of the timber exports, 

 shews the advantages which the trade of this country has derived 

 from the war. 



White Oak timber. The quantity exported from Quebec in 1804, 

 was, loads, 2,626 ; in 1806, 5,452; in 1810, 22,532. 



Yellow and Red Pine. In 1804, 1,012 loads, 115 masts; in 1806, 

 2,761 loads, 354 masts ; in 18 10, 69,271 loads, 7,655 masts. 



Deals, or Pine Plank. In 1804, pieces, 69,067; in 1806, 66,166 j 

 in 1810, 312,432. 



Staves. Of these Canada affords a most abundant supply. The 

 quality is excellent, commanding in the London market, prices equal 

 to those imported from Dantzic. The quantity exported from Quebec, 

 was in 1804, pieces, 1,061,195 ; in 1806, 1,803,234 ; in 1810, 3,887,306. 



In proportion as the population of Canada has increased the ex- 

 ports of furs have diminished. 



The produce of the North-West Company in 1798, was as follows : 



Beaver skins, 106,000; Bear, 2,100; Fox, 1,500; Kitt Fox, 4,000; 

 Otter, 4,600 ; Musquash, 17,000 ; Martin, 32,000 ; Mink, 1,800 ; Lynx, 

 6,000; Wolverine, 600; Fisher, 1,650; Raccoon, 100; Wolf, 3,800; 

 Elk, 700 ; Deer, 750 ; Deer, dressed, 1,200 ; Buffalo robes, 500; and a 

 quantity of castorum. 



That of 1810, consisted of the following: Beaver skins, 98,523; 

 Bear, 10.751; Otter, 2,645; Musquash, 9.971 ; Martin, 554; Mink, 



