[244]

Copy of a Letter from Mr. Francis Massoni
			
      Montreal October 26th-- 1805

Dear Sir

Some days I sent a Box of Plants packed in
Moss to Quebec, to be forwarded by Mr. Todd, and two letters ack--
--nowledging the Recieptii of the agreeable Letter from Sir Josephiii &     
yourself. I now send by the same Channel a small Collection
of Seeds. I am ashamed they are so few, but I found it impossible
to search the Woods owing to the excessive heavy Rains we have
had for a Month past. I was in hopes to have sent a Collection
of Acquaticsiv, but have failed owing to the same Cause and the 
height of the Water, however I am still in hopes if the
Weather clears up to send some by last sailing Ships. I have 
not troubled Sir Joseph by Letter on this occasion, but directed 
Mr.Todd to write a few Lines to you  -- 
I am Dear Sir
with great Esteem

Yours 
Signed Francis Masson --

By an Act of Parliament lately made. Any person
who Lops, Taps, Crops, or otherwise defaces, or damages
any timber Tree, or Tree likely to become Timber, or the Lops  
or Tops thereof without the Consent of the Owner first, had
and obtained is liable on the Oath of one Witness before one
Justice of the Peace to be fined Twenty Pounds for the first
offence, and thirty Pounds for the second one half to the 
Informer, the other half to the person aggrieved; and for the
third offence he is to be transported for seven years, and 
even for the first offence; if the fine is not immediately
Paid he has to be imprisoned for six Months at the least
and for the second offence twelve Months. And the Act
declares all Oak, Beech, Chestnut, Ash, Elm, Cedar
Fir, Aspv, Lime, Sycamore and Birch Trees to be
Timber Trees. The destroying [of] any Trees in the Night
Time was felony before 





i Masson, Francis, Mr, 1741-1805, Kew Gardens' first plant hunter sent by Sir Joseph Banks to collect specimens from many regions including South Africa, Madeira, the Canary Islands, Portugal and North America. He worked in Canada for 7 years, dying there in December 1805 two months after the date of this letter. The genus Massonia is named after him. VIAF 37696783
ii Correct spelling Receipt
iii Banks, Joseph, Sir, 1743-1820, appointed Director of Kew by George III. VIAF 46830189
iv Correct spelling, Aquatics 
v Aspen