The History of Canada Under French Régime. 1535-1763

The objects kept in view in the preparation of this work, though it is of humbler pretensions than those just alluded to, may be briefly stated. Pains have been taken to invest it with the characteristics most essential towards rendering it useful to the lover and student of history, and, at the same time, acceptable to the general reader. As qualities conducive to the attainment of these ends, accuracy, completeness, and impartiality in the statement of facts, have claimed the writer's first attention; while, as scarcely secondary to these, the object of rendering the work attractive to the general reader has not been lost sight of, by presenting the details in a judicious order, within moderate compass, and with numerous accompanying footnotes, maps, and plans, designed to illustrate the text, and to aid in sustaining the reader's interest and intelligent appreciation of the transactions recorded. The authorities consulted have been, for the most part, mentioned by name in the text or the footnotes, and generally, when cited, their own words have been given. In regard to the more important facts and controverted points, recourse has been had, whenever this was practicable, to the original sources, in order to avoid, as much as possible, the acceptance of historical statements of a grave nature at second-hand. The recent appearance of the "Archives of Nova Scotia,' ,"* and the recovery of certain four large volumes by the French historian M. Laverdière; of Mr Shea's "Charlevoix" in English; and the translation of Captain Pouchot's "Memoirs of the Seven Years' War," published in Boston, at a cost of twenty-five dollars. Several other examples might be added to this list.

Edited by Dr Akins, Commissioner of Records at Halifax, being the first printed portion of a selection most judiciously made from the con

documents, including the Journal of General Murray, from the English Record Offices, have fortunately occurred in season to admit of introducing in the Appendix a considerable amount of highly interesting and authentic information, which has not hitherto been published in any history of Canada.

Respecting the value to the student of history, the statesman, the lawyer, and the general reader, of a familiarity with the history of Canada under the French régime, it is perhaps sufficient to have already alluded to the need of it in enabling any one to rightly apprehend the state of things existing in Canada at this day. A recent historian justly observes in the preface to his work, "To enable us to judge accurately of the present, and regard our national future with confidence, a correct acquaintance with the past is an absolute necessity. It is true that many books have been published which supply detached portions of Canadian history, that several excellent statistical works have been compiled from time to time, and that much useful information may be gleaned from the writings of travellers and residents; but it is equally true that these are not accessible to the general reader."

But, if it were not so needful as it is, on other grounds, tents of two hundred volumes of documents collected and arranged by him from among the archives of Nova Scotia. The recovery of these valuable papers has been due in a great measure to the action of the Hon. Joseph Howe, of Nova Scotia, who, with an enlightened zeal, for which he is entitled to the grateful acknowledgments of the lovers of Canadian and North American history, prosecuted those objects, and induced the Nova Scotian Legislature to furnish the means necessary for rescuing the documents from oblivion, and for placing them in a condition to be conveniently accessible in future.

to take particular cognizance of the events which transpired, and of the laws, customs, and institutions established, while Canada was a French colony, it may be affirmed that to ignore the record of these would be to exclude from the whole history of this Dominion a narrative which is full of interest and instruction, "of stirring incidents and realities -in these respects rivalling the histories of older communities,—while it differs from most of them in not having its earlier chapters occupied with myths and fabulous traditions." In truth, it may be added, without implying disrespect towards those who have written Canadian history in the English language, that their record of the French régime has been too brief, and, consequently, too often characterised by the summary assertion of facts whose authenticity, from their interest and importance, deserves to be made more apparent; while national and other sources of prejudiced views have imparted to the stream of history, in its passage through their hands, a tone and colouring adverse to the claims of strict historical impartiality. This procedure has been productive of results more injurious, perhaps, in Canada, than it could have been in the case of any other country inhabited by people of a more homogeneous character as respects national origin, language, customs, and creed.

In conclusion, the History of Canada under the French régime brings under the reader's notice a goodly list of distinguished characters—of men whose qualifications were such as would have rendered them conspicuous objects of admiration in any country where virtue, wisdom, and heroic deeds might command respect or excite imitation. On

this point an eminent Canadian orator and statesman remarked-"No province of any ancient or modern power-not even Gaul, when it was a province of Rome,-has had nobler imperial names interwoven with its local events. Under the French kings, Canada was the theatre of action for a whole series of men of first-rate reputation,men eminent for their energy, their fortitude, their courage, and their accomplishments, for all that constitutes and adorns civil and military reputation."

QUEBEC, October 1871.

NOTE. The author acknowledges, with thanks, the kind assistance he has received, while preparing this work, from private friends and from gentlemen occupying official positions, to whom he has been indebted for advice and for access to scarce books and documents. To Mr E. T. Fletcher, draughtsman and surveyor of the Canada Crown Lands Office, his acknowledgments are especially due for aid in connection with several of the maps; and to Mr David Craig, son of the earliest British settler in the vicinity of Ste Foye, for interesting particulars concerning the operations of General De Levis in April 1760.

The author also takes this opportunity of stating that the sequel to this history, under the title of "Canada under British Rule, from 1763 to 1867," is in course of preparation, and that he will be thankful for the privilege of access to original documents of historical interest, relating to the period named, which it may be in the power of any to favour him with.