II P 59.)

[322] I am happy to be able to throw some additional light on the early times of this mysterious ruin, which has much perplexed Quebec antiquaries.

'Tis probable this stately mansion was built by the great Intendant Talon as the baronial chateau, permitted by his grant, (see Seignorial Documents, 1852, - page 444 and 488) according to which he was empowered to establish gaols, "a four-post gibbet, a post with an iron collar on which his arms should be engraved." Of all this redoubtable feudal pomp there are no vestiges now extant. How the chateau fared from Talon's time to Bigot's, remains a mystery.

After the conquest, the land came by purchase into the possession of the Stewart family, lately represented by Charles Grey Stewart - a most interesting and lengthy letter from Charles Stewart, describing the winter months spent in the Hermitage in 1775-6, whilst Arnold held for Congress the environs of Quebec, will be given hereafter, Mr. Wm. Crawford the late owner of the land and ruins, having kindly allowed me the use of his title deeds. I find therein stated "Charles Stewart, avocat et notaire demeurant a Quebec, proprietaire du fief de Grand Pre, autrefois dit De la Mistanguenne ou Mont Plaisir, a la Canardiere par acte de vente du 26 Juin 1780, devant Jean Antoine Panet, N.P., concede a titre de cens et rentes seigneuriales ... a Monsieur Jean Lees, le Jeune, Simon Fraser, le Jeune, et William Wilson, negotiant en cette ville, 10 arpents de front situes dans le fief Grand Pre ou Mont Plaisir a la Canardiere an lieu nomme la Montagne on l'Hermitage, prenant d'un bout, vers le sud aux terres de Joseph Bedard, et Jean Baptiste Le Roux dit Cardinal, et allant en profondeur vers le nord quatorze arpents ou environ, jusqu'a la vieille cloture du verger, icelui verger compris en la presente concession et vente, les dix arpents de front joignant du cote du sud-ouest ou fief de la Trinite, appartenant au Seminaire, et du cote du nord-ouest a la terre de Jean Chattereau, ensemble la maison a deux etages, une grange et un etable en bois, construits sur les dits dix arpents."

[Translation.]

"Charles Stewart, advocate and notary, residing at Quebec, proprietor of the Fief Grand Pre, formerly styled De la Mistanguenne or Mont Plaisir, at the Canardiere, by deed of sale, bearing date the 26th June, 1780, before Jean Ant.

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