220 



ing swamps and marshes of considerable ex- 

 tent. Of the whole grant about two-thirds are 

 cultivated, and afford a tolerable proof that 

 where a proper mode of husbandry is introduced 

 the land is rendered very productive. The low, 

 wet parts, particularly that called the Great 

 Swamp, lying between the Riviere Pot au 

 Beurre and the town of William Henry, now- 

 covered with spruce fir and cedar-trees, might 

 by ditching and draining be converted into 

 good meadow and pasture, and some spots 

 made fit for the growth of hemp. The rising 

 grounds afford timber of the best sorts, in small 

 quantities, and also some situations where the 

 culture of flax could be introduced with good 

 prospects of success. The Riviere Pot au Beurre, 

 branching into three distinct streams that flow 

 into the Bay of La Valliere, waters the rear of 

 the seigniory; the Richelieu traverses the upper 

 part, and here discharges itself into the St. 

 Laurence ; on the banks of these streams there 

 are some of the concessions and farms in a 

 state of improvement much superior to the 

 other ranges. From the town of Sorel there 

 are roads in many directions, of which the two 

 main ones leading to Yamaska and along the 

 course of the Richelieu are the best, and of 

 most importance. The town of Sorel, or Wil- 

 liam Henry, is very well and pleasantly situated 



