The letter describes a journey from Burlington, Vermont to Montreal via Lake Champlain on an early steamboat. The letter writer then gives his impressions of Montreal, its people and its architecture as well as its future prospects:

“Montreal Augt. 3, 1816

My dear friend,

I wrote you a few lines from Burlington and the next morning by 5 o’clock we were embar’ct on board the steam boat which was in every respect calculated for the navigation of lake Champlain the passengers were about seventy in number from various states and destined to various places – many of them were persons of information and being conversable the time pass’d pleasantly – the lake is a fine sheet of water ornamented with many islands and has lofty and romantic mountains in view – its banks are generally cover’d with wood, and in many situations exhibit cultivation and improvement – our passage was rapid – we sail’d near Isle aux noir which is strongly fortified and commands the entrance into Canada in this direction – it is a very important situation – we arrived at St. Johns a small town an hour before sunset and procur’d tolerable accommodations – there is here a British custom House but met with no trouble – we yesterday procur’d carriages and rode to la prairie, a distance of 18 miles – we here procur’d a boat in which we cross’d the St. Lawrence to this city passing a considerable rapid – the view as you approach the city is very fine and on entering it you are for the moment confus’d with noise and variety of the strange sounds which you hear – the lower class of people are mostly French, and talk with all the variety and vivacity of those of Europe – the houses are built of stone , having iron doors, window shutters and tin’d roofs – they are very strong, and perfectly secure against fire the streets are narrow and at present dusty – the weather is uncomfortably warm – the Cathedral, some of the convents, the government buildings and many of the private houses in appearance very much surpass’d my expectation – the population has increas’d some thousands within a few years, and there is every prospect of the city from its advantageous situation becoming a place of great business – we have engaged passages for Quebec and shall go on board the steam boat this evening – our friends will accompany us – having examined the curiosities of the city and neighborhood, we shall immediately return here, part if not the whole of the way by land – it is our intention to devote a short time to visit the nunneries, take a little rest and then commence our journey towards home – my father, mother and Elizabeth are well – they all desire particular remembrance to you and all other friends in which I sincerely unite. … I am writing in a small and warm chamber with a bad pen and must omit saying many things to you till another opportunity offers – the air is growing more cool, and the mountain and scenery back of the city looks very beautifully . I must prepare to send my portmanteau on board … J. C. Jr.

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