Franquet Makes Plans 159

the river coming to church, a ferry boat should be pro- vided and maintained at the expense of the parishioners on both sides of the river. Finally, Franquet promised to use his influence with the Government to obtain from France a bell for the new church.

When Franquet and his party returned to Port La- joie, they learned that the frigate, ““Gracieuse,” from Bay Verte, commanded by Lieutenant de Taurin, was anchored a good league away from the harbour’s mouth. The commander it seems was in the belief that any nearer approach would be attended with risk. Franquet, with ready tact seized the opportunity to enlighten the commanders of French war-ships on the navigation of the waters that led into Port Lajoie. To a young Lieu- tenant on board the “Gracieuse” he set the task of sounding and preparing a chart of the course into the harbour from where his ship lay at anchor up to what is now known as the three tides. The work was carried out with a zeal and intelligence that drew words of high commendation from Franquet.

Franquet had yet to visit Trois Riviéres, but the journey there involved less toil and less hardship than that to St. Peters. As Franquet sailed up and down the spacious harbour taking soundings, examining head- lands, and exploring the three great rivers that like so many highways offered safe communication with the interior of the country, he was struck with the magnifi- cence of the situation, and its great importance as a seaport whether in peace or war. The entrance in every condition of the tide was safe to ships of the heaviest tonnage, with an abundance of deep water inside to afford good anchorage to the entire navy of the nation. From such a station a fleet could watch the passage of