10/15/06

Lettre du major Elliot au Gouverneur général, Earl of Dalhousie, le 10 août, 1823, ville de Québec.

Nous désirons remercier Carmen Long et Benoît Long pour la retranscription de cette lettre.

Source: Document des Archives Nationales du Canada RG8, Série "C", volume 628.  Recherche: Benoît Long; Copie: Ghislain Long;  Image: Benoît Long.

Notes de Benoît Long

Ce document n'a pas un impact sur la grande histoire mais il demeure pas moins historique et particulièrement intéressant pour les descendants de Philip et Jean-Baptiste Long. Nous apprenons beaucoup de choses dans ce document:

• Alexandre Fraser s'était installé tout près de la maison de Philip Long dans le but de coloniser sa Seigneurie;

• le prix d'un canoe pour faire le trajet aller-retour entre la ferme de Long et le Petit Sault (Edmunston) était de deux livres sterling;

• que Pierre Méthot et Jean-Baptiste Long, fils de Philip et Marie-Julie, furent engagés comme guide et coupeur de bois (traduction libre de "axe man") pendant huit jour et dix jours respectivement.

We wish to thank Carmen Long and Benoît Long for the transcription of this letter.

Source: National Archives of Canada, RG8, Series "C", volume 628.  Photographic Copy: Ghislain Long; Research: Benoît Long; Imaging: Benoît Long.

Notes by Benoît Long

This document proves that even the smallest pieces of information can have some historical value.  This is true in the attached documents and particularly so for the descendants of Philip and Jean Baptiste Long.  We learn that:                       

• Alexander Fraser settled in a house near Philip Long's at Lake Temiscouata with the purpose of settling his lands in the Seigneury of Temiscouata;
• the price of renting a canoe to travel from Longs' to Madawaska (likely to the end of the river Madawaska in Edmundston, N.B.) was two pounds sterling;
• Pierre Methot and Jean Baptiste Long, son of Philip and Marie-Julie, were engaged as guides and axe man for a period of 8 and 10 days respectively.

Texte de la lettre

Quebec 10th August 1823

My Lord,

Agreeably to your lordships instructions contained  in Colonel Darlings letter to me of the 23rd June, I proceeded on the 2^nd of July to examining the line of communications between the River St. Lawrence and the Madawaska settlement, and in order to enable me to examine the country on the right and left of the present road I took a sketch of the Portage as I passed along it, which I have the honor to forward herewith accompanied by a report upon its general state, and some suggestions as to the reasons of improving it. 

At the Lake Temisquata I found Col. Fraser the proprieter of that Seigneury as well as the one of the River du Loup.  On crossing together a portion of the portage of 5 leagues this gentlemen has taken up residence at a house close to Longs where he has fixed himself with a view of endeavouring to settle his Seigneury.  Therefore considering, from his character and property in that part of the country, that he must be naturally most interested in the improvement of the communication I thought he would be the most likely person to meet your Excellency’s views.  I mentioned your lordships desire of communicating with him and in reply was desired to say he should be most happy if he could be of any service.

        From Longs I proceeded to the Madawaska settlement taking a view of the pensioners still remaining on the intermediate part of the communication of those state as well as that of those still on the Portage I have the honor to forward a separate statement. 

At Madawaska I called on Mr. Duquette, the curé, a gentlemen who bears an excellent character and proposed himself ready to undertake the direction of any purchases that it might be necessary to make in his neighbourhood, or to give your lordship any information that he could procure on the subject in question; adding that he should be at Quebec either the later end of this month, or the beginning of September, when he would call on me to receive your lordships command, and in the event of my being absent is to call on Col. Darling.  On my return to this place I spoke to Mr. Amable Dionne a merchant residing at Madawaska who also proposed himself willing to render any assistance in his power, this gentlemen being a magistrate and having frequently had to take the affidavits of the pensioners on the Portage.  From the character he has in that part of the country, I have every reason to hope he may be found useful. 

I have the honor to forward herewith statement of sums paid for instruments and expenses incured by me whilst employed on this service; and on the later account by. Your lordship will be pleased to authorize an allowance being made to two soldiers of the 68th Reg. who I took down with me to remunerate them for the damage done to their cloakes. 

I have the honor to be, my Lord,

Your lordships most obedient humble servant.

A. Eliot

B Major, 68th Reg.

To His Excellency the Earl of Dalhousie

 Texte du rapport

Account of sums expended by Major Eliot 68th Regiment whilst employed by order of His Excellency the Governor General in sketching and exploring the Portage of Temisquata

Quebec 12 th August 1823                                                                                              

G.A. Eliot

B Major in 68th Reg.