"From 1775 To The Withdrawal Of The Imperial Troops In 1870-71 - Nearly A Century, - This Property Was Used Specially For Military Purposes, And Commonly Known, As Shown On Old Plan, As The King's Wood Yard, And More Recently As The Commissariat Fuel Yard.

The land several years ago was reduced in extent by the sale of building lots on the lines of St. Valier and St. Nicholas streets.

"At the beginning of this century, and many years afterwards, a military guard seems to have done duty at the 'Palais' and adjoining premises, east of St. Nicholas street, known as the Royal Dock Yard, King's Wharf, Stores, &c. This latter property extended eastward as far as La Canoterie, in front of a blockhouse, the site of the present Nunnery Bastion, and lying between what is now known as St. Charles street, or the foot of the cliff, and the high water mark on the north side, corresponding pretty nearly with the line of St. Paul street.

"The ruins of 'Le Palais' and accessories since 1775 were several times fitted up by the military authorities for stabling, fodder- sheds, wash-house, military stores, caretaker's quarters, &c., &c., and the vaults were leased for storing ice, wines and other liquors, and storage generally to the inhabitants of the city, and the roof was shingled or otherwise covered in on several occasions by the Government.

"In the great fire of St. Roch's (1845) the Fuel Yard, about four acres in extent, with some hundreds of cords of wood piled there, and a very large quantity of coals in a 'lean-to-shed' against the Palais walls were consumed - the coals continued to burn and smoulder for nearly six months, - and notwithstanding the solidity of the masonry, as already described, portions of it, with the heat like a fiery furnace, gave way.

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