The history of the first public roads and bridges at Montreal now begins as the outcome of all this clearing and passing of carts to and fro. In the _procès verbal_ of the road from Pointe aux Trembles to the stream, Jean des Roches gives us an insight into the formalities usually pursued. When the habitants had asked for a road, the Seigneurs or their representatives would meet them at the place indicated, when the projected road was traced and landmarks placed at intervals stamped with the lead seal of the Seigneurs. After the new road was clearly defined, a statement was drawn up, and then each proprietor set to work to clear the road space running through his property; if a bridge was necessary, one of logs was constructed; if a stream had to be crossed, being common property, all contributed to the construction of this as a public work. Thus the first bridge was thrown over the St. Pierre by order of M. Talon, dated October 24, 1670. Several roads had already been partially made, e. g., from the redoubt of L'Enfant Jésus to Petit Lac (or the marsh which is now occupied by Place Viger and a part of St. Denis and Craig Streets); from the Coteau St. Louis to that of Ste. Marie; and provisional roads were made through the woods on either side of the River St. Pierre, and the marshy roads made practicable by log foundations or log bridges. All these roads were eighteen feet broad, with the exception of the road bordering the River St. Lawrence, which Talon fixed at twenty feet; but the Seigneurs raised it to thirty-six feet seeing that it was used as a towing path for the horses drawing the bateaux between the currents and the rapids, and as it was the principal means of communication and circulation between the lower and higher parts of the island, they ordered the riverside owners to keep it in order. To indemnify them for the loss of this extra space, other land was added to the other extremity of their concessions. As most of these improvements took place under Intendant Talon, Abbé de Queylus and Dollier de Casson, city planners may know to whom honour is due. [Illustration: ERRONEOUSLY CALLED "OLD LA SALLE HOMESTEAD" (La Salle never built in stone)] [Illustration: LEBER'S MILL] [Illustration: KING'S FORT AND POWDER HOUSE (AS STANDING TODAY) FORT CALLERIER] [Illustration: OLD WINDMILL, LOWER LACHINE ROAD] [Illustration: WINDMILL POINT] NOTE FORTS AND REDOUBTS BUILT ON THE ISLAND OF MONTREAL (According to H. Beaugrand and P. L. Morin "Le Vieux Montréal.")