_Robert Cavelier_, commonly call’d Monsieur _de la Sale_, a Native of _Roan_, of a good Family, having been educated in Piety and Learning, went over very young into _Canada_ and took Delight in Trade, but more in Projects of new Discoveries up the Inland of those vast Countries. Intending to settle there and make that his Country, he purchased an Habitation in the Island of _Mont-real_, where has been built the second Town of _Canada_, sixty Leagues above _Quebeck_, which is the Capital, being also a Bishoprick, and the Residence of the Governor, the Intendant and the supreme Council. There are but only those two Towns in the Country, besides some Villages. They are both seated on the great River of St. _Laurence_, which coming from the S. W. is form’d or increased by the Waters of five prodigious fresh Water Lakes, running out one into another, and through them it passes to run down to discharge itself in the Ocean, at a very spacious Mouth, making Way for the Ships that design to penetrate into _Canada_. Many Discoveries had been made to the Northward, before Monsieur _de la Sale’s_ Time; because there being Plenty of very good Furs, the Traders of _Quebeck_ and _Mont-real_, by Means of the Adventurers call’d _Wood-Men_,[28] from their traveling thro’ the Woods, had penetrated very far up the Country that Way; but none had advanc’d far towards the South or South-West, beyond Fort _Frontenac_, which is on the Lake _Ontario_, the nearest this Way of the five great Lakes. However, upon the Report of the Natives, it was supposed, that great and advantageous Discoveries might be made. There had been much Talk of the rich Mines of St. _Barbara_, in the Kingdom of _Mexico_, and some were tempted to give them a Visit. [Sidenote: _His Character_.]