Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-11-15
From The Quebec Gazette.
VISIT TO THE TOP OF TSOUNONTHU
a n

AN
On Wednesday the 18th inst. party Of the
inhabitants Valcartier made an excursion to the
top Of Tsounonthuan, situated on the north
bank of the River Jaques Cartier, at a distance
Of about twenty-four miles to the north west of
Quebec.
The mountain which had probably never be-
fore been assembled by any other but Indians,
forms the southern angle Of the vast body of
Granite mountains, which extend from the
coasts Of Labradore along the north shore OF
the river ST. Lawrence, TO Quebec, and thence
10 the Ottawa, the northern banks OF Lakes
Huron & Superior and cover nearly the whole
country 10 the north, with the exception OF the
valley Of the Saguenay, 10 Hudson's Bay. Its
elevation is about 1000 feet above the level Of
the ST. Lawrence. 1t is divided into two parts,
forming :wo distinct SUBMITS, and is remarka.
bic for presenting, on all sides, an appearance
nearly similar, and for the extent OF space,
which it covers, which has entitled it 10 the
name given to it by the Indians, which, in Eng
lsh, is the Great Mountain.
Although the distance from Quebec, is SO in
considerable, il is only within the last eight
years that there have been any settlements near
er to this mountain than twelve miles; the
whole valley of the river Jacques Cartier, above
the bridge for about 80 miles in length, and va
rying in breadth from ten 10 twenty miles, hav-
ing remained entirely unsettled, owing to the
expensiveness of forming roads over the swan
by grounds in the rear Of the old settlements s
the difficulty Of obtaining grants.
The party proceeded from the settlement on
DIR. Blauchet's grant, In the rear OF the late Mr.
Plante's land, at ten O'Clock in the morning; al
ter ascending for some time, they arrived at
level, along the bank of the torrent which dl-
vides the mountain on the south east side, and
in half an hour they reached an old Indian cab
in on the western bank of the same torrent
Quebec and the surrounding country were now
occasionally visible through the trees Of high
growth, which cover the whole mountain. On
leaving the torrent the ascent becomes very rug
ged and steep; in about ten minutes the party
reached beautiful spring issuing from undera
rock, which they denominated the Holy Well;
in fifteen minutes they we're stopped by i'm
mense masses ofgranile forming insurmounta-
bic walls, but found to the left narrow regular
passage between two perpendicular masses,
which they called Hope Gate at a quarter past
eleven, after passing several caverns and rents
m the rock of great apparent extent and depth,
they reached the summit Of the south eastern
angle OF the west top Of the mountain, and Sc
Iected for station at this point, large mass
Of granite elevated about five feet from the gen
eral level Of the ground, with an even and Cir
cular surface Of between twenty and thirty feet
in diameter On the north Of this rock they
erected a British flag, on the top OF a high
spruce tree, and deposited in the ground, in
glass bottle, piece ofcopper coin Of his pres
ent Maiesty-Of the five that composed the
party il was found that one was native OF
ENGLAND, one Of Ireland, one of Scotland one Of
Canada, and one Of Connecticut Some trees
were fclled al this station to open the view o!
the country TO the south cast OF the mountain.
The party then proceeded to explore the south
side Of the summit Of the mountain 1t is level
and of great extent, covered with deep soil OF
a LIGHT loan, over which there are several inch
es Of the white soft sand, so frequently met with
throughout the country in virgin ground be-
Meath the black mould Of decomposed leaves
The timber is white birch of large growth, OF
the sort Of which the bark is used by the lndl-
ans for bark works. In the centre OF this point
of the mountain there is a hollow, partaklng
something of The nature Of a swamp. General
", the Garth and vegetable growth indicates
more moist atmosphere than on the low ground
T o the south Of the station there is vast square
block Of granite, under which there is we'll OF
LIVING, water. More TO the west, the top Of the
mountain offers the most interesting appear
ance. AT the summit the descent commences
by semi.circular wall OF granite, OF extent "a
bout thirty fee in height; below this there is an
extensive semi-circuar and level terrace, about
so feet wide, at the outer edge Of which the
descent continues by perpendicular wall OF
solid granite, of about hundred feet in height
To these parts Of the mountain, paths were
marked out