New-York daily tribune., 1843-08-24
THE TRIBUNE.
Canadian correspondence-IsIe aux Noi1-
Military Reminiscences-St. Johns-La-
nrnirie-Route to Montreal, &C.
EXCHANGE COFFEE HOUSE,
MoYyREAL, August IL, lSi3. J

I Correspondence of The New-York Tribune
EXCHANGE COFFEE HousE,
MoSSREAL, August IL, ioi5.>
have observed in some Of the Southern pa
oys while commenting upon the provisions of
he Washington Treaty, the statement that
sr It the Americans became possessed OF the
hys aur Noir, a fortress which has always been
nosidered of decided Importance as completely
mtrolInp the passage of Lake Champlan. or
,oorse. no one acquainted with the localities OF
FMS eec:ion, and with the letter Of the Treaty,
coud be msled by these statements. Isle aux
Noix is ten or twelve miles north OF the boundary
line and is, as it always has been, entirely within
,he limits and control of the British Canadian
.rthorities. 1t is an island situated in the middle
of the Lake, which at that point is not more than
mile and a half in width; the only channel for
boats is on the east side, and is there quite mar
now. The position thus completely commands
.be massage of the Lake. and has been strongly
ort;6ed by the British. The works are not yet
completed but are progressing. On the east
side. facing the channel, a rough bank, some ID
or2O feet high has been thrown up, with angles
and mounted cannon On the south side, the
wall is of stone laid in mortar, and appears to be
well and strongly finished. The barracks for SOL
Gers are within the walls. The flag of st. George
floats from staff planted upon the southeast
corner.
In military point Of view, the possession OF
Rousses Point by the Americans must be Of con-
siderable consequence in preventing an invasion
Of the States from this quarter though, while
The British hold the Isle aux Noix, it will avail
little for the invasion of Canada. No military
works whatever have been erected there by our
Government, though the site of the deserted and
ruined Fort Blunder offers commanding posi-
lion. The only military works at this extremity
Of the Lake, between Plattsburgh and ST. Johns,
are those of the British at the Isle aux Noix.-
The position has heretofore, In time of war, been
deemed Of considerable consequence. 1t was
first fortified in 1853, in the old French war, by
NJ. de Buremagne, who encamped there after re-
tiring successvely from the important posts IL
conderoga and Crown Point before the British
General Amherst. 1t was afterwards. occupied
during the Revolution in l775 by the American
Generals, Schuyler and Montgomery, while on
their expedition against Canada, Immediately
after Tconderoga had yielded to the summons OF
ETHAN ALLEN to surrender in the name OF the
Great Jehovah and the Continental Congress"
The scenery along this portion of the Lake is
fiat and uninteresting. The country, after leav-
ing the boundary line becomes very level; the
land upon the shores seems to be but ndlfferently
cultivated, and the general aspect IS decidedly
unpleasing. From the Isle aux Noix to st.
Johns, the Northern port of Lake Champlan,
- tba hon there
at about 6 in the morning. Here all baggage
must pass the inspection Of the British Custom
House officer He comes on board soon after the
steamer reaches the wharf, and usually does no.
thing more than to ask passengers the contents
OF their trunks. In case of any suspicious cir
cumstances, he, of course orders an examination.
You get here tolerable breakfast at Morris Ho-
tel, if you go with the crowd and at Mrs. WAT
soNs il you prefer cleanliness and quiet to hustle
and untdy management. The village is small
not particularly neat, and unintcrestng except as
The ne'of some military events connected with
The fort, when invested by that General, was
strongly garrisoned by two British regiments, and
was well supplied with military stores. While
pushing the siege, in order to possess himself of
needed stores, Montgomery sent u small dctach-
which he captured. The first British standard
erer sent to Congress was taken in this actlon.--
The garrison of st. Johns were soon after cap
tured, and sent to Ticondcroga as prisoners of
war, to the number of about 6O0 Montgomery
then marched forthwith to Montreal, of which he
took possession, and soon after departed for Que
Dec, where he gloriously fell in severe and bloody
engagement. The British have now a fort and
barracks at ST. Johns. Desertons from this
point are very easy and frequent. The morning
Of my arrival, the captain Of Lake sloop was
arrested for concealng two soldiers IN hls hold,
with intent TO aid them in dcserting.
:. .Entering Canada, of course we have change
of the current coin. Five shillings, of 20 cents
each, make the dollar. Our dimes are very con-
ven.ent slxpcnces. You will be sure, too, to have
your pockets loaded with small change IN the
shape of huge pennies and sous, or coppers.
We leave st. Johns at O'Clock for Lapralrlc,
BY railroad. This road is 16 miles in length,
and is the only work of the kind in all Canada
1t was built in 1882, and is becoming old and
very uncomfortable. The train is usually an
hour and half In passing over these l6 miles,
the fare IS 81. The country is fat, covered with
a!uxunant growth of low bushes and Canada
'histlcs, and very poorly cultivated. The farms
are usually divided into very long and very mar
now fields, and the iarm-hon.cs are small, dirty
and uncomfortable. The land all seems TO have
been carefully ridged, probably TO afford drains
for the water which would otherwise lie upon
the level ground. The ride over this route is
very tedious and irksome. On reaching Lapra.
ne, which is on the southeast bank of the st.
Lawrence, you arc transferred to the small steam
ierv.boat, which crosses to Montreal nine miles
distant, and little lower down the river La
p,airie is small village, thoroughly French, and
thoroughly unintcresting. The country here,
Tor the whole distance from ST. Johns, is fiat, and
most of the buildings are low and unslghtly A
new Catholic Church has lately been erected