20 Some Voyages 



either of Stone or Wood : But its fituation is fo ad- 

 vantageous, notwithftanding that it Hands upon an 

 uneven and fandy Ground, that it might eafily be 

 made an impregnable Poft. The River of St. Lau- 

 rence which runs juft by the Houfes, on one fide 

 of this Town, is not Navigable further, by reafoii 

 of its rapidity ; for about half a quarter of a 

 League higher, 'tis full of rapid falls, Eddy's, &c. 

 Mr. Perot the Governor of the Town, who has 

 but a thoufand Crowns a year Sallary ; has made 

 fhift to get fifty thoufand in a few years, by tra- 

 ding with the Savages in Skins and Furs. The 

 Bailiff of the Town gets but little by his place* 

 no more than his Officers: So that the Mer- 

 chants are the only Perfons that make Money here ; 

 for the Savages that frequent the great Lakes of 

 Canada, come down hither almoft every year with 

 a prodigious quantity of Beavers-Skins, to be giv- 

 en in exchange for Arms, Kettles, Axes, Knives, 

 and a thoufand fuch things, upon which the Mer- 

 chants clear two hundred per Cent. Commonly the 

 Governor General comes hither about the time cf 

 their coming down, in order to fhare the profit, 

 and receive Prefents from that People. The Ped- 

 lers call cl Ccurcurs de Bozs, export from hence every 

 year feveral Canows full of Merchandife, which 

 they difpofe of among all the Savage Nations of 

 the Continent, by way of exchange for Beaver- 

 Skins. Seven or eight days ago, I faw twenty five 

 or thirty of thefe Canows retarn with heavy Car- 

 goes ; each Canow was managed by two or three 

 Men, and carry'd twenty hundred weight, u e> for- 

 ty packs of Beaver Skins, which are worth an hun- 

 dred Crowns a piece. Thefe Canows had been a 

 year and eighteen Months oat. You would be a- 

 maz'd if you faw how lewd chefe Pedlers are when 

 they return ; how they Feaft and Game, and how 

 prodigal they are, not only in their Cloaths, but 



upon 



I 



