CHART OF A PART OF THE ISLAND OF MONTREAL SHOWING THE LACHINE CANAL
(La Morandière)
"A notarial contract was passed, between the contractor, Gédéon de Catalogne, [170] and Mr. Dollier de Casson, for the excavation of a canal twenty-four arpents, or about one mile, in length, twelve feet wide at the surface of the ground, and of varying width at the bottom, according to the depth of cutting. The water flowing through the canal was to be at least eighteen inches deep, at the period of lowest water in the St. Lawrence.
"The work was begun in October, 1700, and in February of the year following the contractor failed, after having performed the greater part of his contract, the whole of the cut being completed at the time, except for a depth of three or four feet on some 2,400 feet in length.
"The canal was excavated for about one-third of its length through clay mixed with boulders, the balance being through quarry rock.
"A settlement was made with the contractor in the Spring, the amount paid being 12,500 livres, which represents about $15,000 of our present currency.
REAR VIEW OF MAISON DE CATALOGNE, RUE ST. VINCENT