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about the year 1785, when some loyahsts and 

 disbanded soldiers settled at it, and it still conti- 

 nues to be the residence of many old military 

 servants of the crown, who exist upon pensions 

 allowed them by government. Some trade is 

 carried on here, but not so much as might be 

 supposed its situation at the junction of two 

 navigable rivers would command : the timber 

 trade, the export of grain from this part of the 

 country, and the interchange between the Ame- 

 rican states, might be extended to a considerable 

 amount, and apparently with many advantages. 

 Within a short time there has been established 

 a regular post road from William Henry to St. 

 John's, whereon travellers from Quebec to the 

 new townships and into the United States 

 proceed with expedition, and find every requi- 

 site accommodation of horses and carriages, at 

 rates fixed by the government of the province. 

 The Richelieu, aflbrding a quick and easy water 

 communication from the American territory 

 into the very centre of the province, is entitled 

 to (Consideration in more than one point of view. 

 As a medium of commerce between the fertile 

 districts of each country, it merits attention; 

 and it has a forcible claim to consideration from 

 being a main inlet into the British territory, 

 through which hostile operations might be di- 

 rected with an alarming rapidity, and perhaps 



