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NEW BRUNSWICK HISTORICAL SOCIETY 207

soldiers, artizans, and servants; these intended founders of a new empire sailed from Havre de Grace, April 7, 1604, and safely crossed the Atlantic. Having reached America, the next care of DeMonts was to find a suitable place for his settlement. After carefully examining the densely wooded coast of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, and discovering the Harbor and River Saint John, the account of which is deeply interesting, but must be omitted, as this paper concerns Charlotte County only. Why DeMonts did not settle at Saint John is a mystery; perhaps it seemed too bleak and rocky. Having sailed from there down the Bay of Fundy, passing the Wolves, which he named the Magpie Islands, from the great number of those birds found there, some of the young they captured and ate, finding them very fair eating, as good as pigeons. From the Magpie Islands they went to a river on the mainland called "La Riviere Des Etchemins." Near the mouth they discovered a small attractive island which they named the "Holy Cross." This island, now called Dochet, is in latitude forty-five degrees six minutes north and longitude sixty-eight degrees seven minutes west. It was at that time about a mile in length, and thickly covered with cedar trees. It was summer. The genial air was fragrant with the sweet odors of the forest. The birds were singing. The river seemed alive with fish; while moose and deer in large numbers roamed in the woods of the mainland. Here was a paradise; they thought. And here at once they decided to locate and build the city of the future. The water around the island would be a safe barrier against savage foes, and a commodious place for shipping. Wharves would line the shore. Splendid buildings would arise on the land. Wealth, luxury, art, science, religion, would adorn and glorify the gorgeous capital of a new realm. Never was there a location more inviting and promising. Accordingly, in July, 1604, they landed on this beautiful island and began their work. Trees were felled, streets and squares laid out, foundations arranged, cannon mounted, and even a small church and a cemetery provided. The site of this resting place for the dead has long since been washed away. This incipient city was on the north-