New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-04-03
cANApA's OLD ARIsrocRAcY.

None OF the old Canadian seigneurs comprised
An the British peerage. II seems necessary and
sirney 20 make this clear. in view Of the state
rnsnt contained in interesting book Just pub
lshed on the Canadian seigneurate. according TO
which the Canadian Barons de Longue;l, are COM
prsed in the British peerage. The present Baron
do Longueil. whose mother a Miss Anna Trap
man, OF Charleston S. C.. and who succeeded to
che honors and estate of her half brother (who
while seated at dinner IN the public dining room
at the Holland House in New York. fell sud-
denly from his chair stone dead. has patent
from the English Crown authorizing him 20 make
use OF the title OF Baron dc Longuei. his real name
being Reginald Grant.
The Barony de LongueIl was created by King
Louis " OF France on January Is. 100. ana con-
ssFred upon Charles lie Moyne. a citizen OF Canada,
which al the time belonged 20 France. The first
baron greatly distinguished himself at the siege
az Quebec, and was Governor OF Montreal The
title was given, along with seigneurial grant OF
the estate OF Longueil. on the south shore OF the
ST. Lawrerre, almost opposite the island OF Mon
trsal. The third baron. born the, estate at the
Chateau OF Longueil. was killed in the war with
the English leaving an only daughter and heiress.
Mary who married Captain David Grant OF the
ssth Regiment. and Of Blairandy Scotland.
IN 1850 Charles Grant. great-greaf-grandson OF
Mary Ge Longueu and the owner OF the chateau OF
Ionruef ana OF the Longueil estates presented a
peton 10 the Crown. asking for SITS recognition OF
is claim TO the title Of Baron de Longuen on the
strength OF that clause in the Treaty OF Quebec
transferring the sovereignty from France 10 Great
Britain. and according TO which ''al rights and
privileges OF what kind soeyer should be reserved
and secured TO all individuals Of French descent
70 which they had been entitled under the previous
refine" Inasmuch as the favor petitioned for by
Charles Grant did not involve the concession Of
any precedence, immunities or pTerogatives beyond
the mere permission to make use OF the title OF
BARON de Longueil the matter was not looked into
very closely and the favor was granted Had
more careful examination been made the English
authorities would have discovered that the French
Bsrony De Longuen was heritable only in the le-
climate male line direct and that like other
French nobility hOaors dating from prior and
subsequent 10 the great revolution at Paris. Il
could not descend through the distan side OF the
house; consequently. that the barony had become
extinct on the death OF the third baron. Charles
De L0ngueil without male issue in 1855.
The mobiles OF New France. as Canada was known
n oiden times. were a very restricted body. There
seem 20 nave been only two maTquisates. namely,
that Of De Sable. granted in 1886. in conjunction
with certain lands at Three Rivers. and the Mar
euisate de Miscou, conferred upon certain Michel
Dc ST. Martin together with the island OF Aliscou
y the Gulf Of 81. Lawrence But there IS no
evidence that either OF these two marquesses ever
even visited Canada. and their honors are long
tnce extinct There were two eountships that OF
oFssnyile and Of 81. Laurent. the latter compris-
ins the grant OF the island OF Orleans Just below
Quebec Besides these, there were five barOnies.
" which that OF De Longueil is one None OF these
margusates countships or baronies are stin in ex-
slence. save the BarOny de LOngueil. which may
p said 10 have been revived in error by Queen
Victoria.
ne remainder OF the seigneurate Of Canada was
composed OF younger sons Of noble houses OF
ftanee who had emlgrated 10 the New World and
shrinking OF important colonists, who as a re-
saIa toT their services 20 the French government
nag received the rank OF noble. but without any
lAiueuar title beyond that OF seigneur Il Is their
1esosnoants who constitute all that is left OF the
Oh seigneurate OF Canada