351
dicated, ’twas certain that I was possessor of these Estates in good faith; that they cost me muchmoney and trouble; that no individual could come forward of right, to question my property in them;that the King alone opposes to me pretensions which can tend only to establish his right of Sover-eignty over that portion before the entire cession of the Country, and not to despoil one of His sub-jects in whose favour every thing speaks at this moment, and to whom justice cannot be refused.
If this chapter of pretensions is examined in its entire breadth where will it not lead to ? And ifthe argument that is derived from it be considered invincible, who can assure himself of an inch ofland in any country whatsoever as soon as it is conquered 1 And if treaties which assure the subjectthe property of his Estates, cannot serve as a barrier, on what is he to stand, and what hereafter isto be done to preserve them 1 •
The Attorney General, who perceives all the consequences of such a principle; who feels howessential and just it is to’preserve to every one his right, is requested to give the Lords Commissionersof Plantations to understand that however laudable may be their zeal for the maintainance of therights of the Crown, it is carried too far when it unnecessarily tends to the ruin of a private Indi-vidual. However, if they consider for reasons they doubtless foresee, that His Majesty cannot departfrom the original pretensions He lias formed to the country, and that my Titles received may affectthem, I am too much attached to His Majesty’s Interests to object to any new Titles He shall pleaseto grant me Gratis for the whole of the same objects, and which reintegrate me in all my rights. Iwould supplicate him merely to observe my present situation which does not admit of my remainingnny longer in London , and to order that I be despatched with the greatest possible promptness. This15 th June 1764.
GRANT IN FAVOUR OF M. HOCQUART OF A TRACT OF LAND ON LAKE CHAMPLAIN. 1743.
This day, twentieth of April One thousand seven hundred and forty three, the King being atVersailles, desirous to treat Sieur Hocquart Intendant of New France graciously and to bestow onhim a mark of the satisfaction he entertains of his services, His Majesty has granted to him by tenureof Fief and Seigniory, a tract about one league in front by five leagues in depth, situate in the saidColony on Lake Champlain opposite Fort St. Frederic, bounded on the West by said Lake , east byunconceded lands, North by a line drawn East and West, and South by a line parallel to this, Whichtwo lines form the division of lands to be conceded at a quit rent (m censives ) in His Majesty’s name& for His profit, for the perpetual enjoyment by the said Sieur Hocquart his heirs & assigns of saidTract by tenure of fief and Siegniory, with High, Middle and Low Justice, and Right of Hunting,Fishing and Trading with Indians throughout the extent of said Seigniory without being obliged byreason of this, to pay to His Majesty nor to his Successors, Kings, any duty money as an indemnitywhereof, whatever sum it may amount to, Ilis Majesty hath made him a grant and release; On con-dition to render Fealty and Homage at the Castle of St. Louis Quebec from which the said Fief willbe holden and the other customary services, according to the Custom of Paris observed in the saidcountry, and that the appeals from the Court which will be established there shall be to the RoyaCourt (Justice Royale ) of Montreal ; on condition also of preserving and causing to be preserved bythe Tenants the Timber of all descriptions adapted for the construction of HIs Majesty’s ships; otinforming His Majesty of all Mines or Minerals, if any be found in said Concession; to improve itand to hold & cause to be held fire & light there by the Tenants, in default whereof it shall be re-