presenting his claims can claim the smallest trifle.

As to the validity of my titles at the time of the Reduction of the country, let but a single glance be directed to these two Seigniories ; the frequent clearances to be seen there which cannot have yet disappeared ; the various settlements the wrecks of which at least cannot have been swept away by the misfortunes inseparable from a period of War ; these will prove incontestably that nothing can

oppose their entire effect.

Nothing, then, remains but to detail my proceedings in regard to them.

Shortly after my arrival in London, in June 1763, after having presented myself to the Secretary of State for the department, to the Lords and others to whom I was recommended, I was told that the

Provinces were making great exertions to deprive us, if they could, of our properties on Lake Champlain and neighbourhood, and that the Ministry much importuned by them appeared to be undecided. I explained ;

they endeavored to reassure me but not with that positive answer I should desire.

Not wishing to expose myself to any difficulty with any one, I decided to wait patiently. Meanwhile, the Earl of Shelburne, the President of the Board of Trade and Plantations, offered to present me to the King.

I observed to him

that in

my quality as immediate Vassal of the King for all the Fiefs

which I held, depending from His Majesty, it appeared to me that I ought to begin by rendering him