LES SAUVETEURS DE ST-V ALLIER

Au mois d’oùt 1885, un acte d'héroisme s’accomplissait à Saint-Vallier. Plusieurs électeurs de cette paroisse risquaient leur vie pour sauver celle de leur semblable. Sur un récit circonstancié que me fit le révérend M. Rainville, curé de la paroisse, des faits qui s'étaient passé en cette journée mémorable je me mis en communication avec le ministre de la Marine. En parcourant la correspondance suivante on verra que sur ma demande MM. Lamarre, Joseph Mercier et Chs.

ugal ont été récompensés et que MM. Hubert Blouin, Amédée Laverdière et John Dallaire ont été officiellement. remerciés par le gouvernement.

Voici cette correspondance :

Ottawa, 15th February 1886.

Sir,

I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 5th instant, calling attention to the services performed by Mr. F. X. Lamarre and two others in saving life on the St. Lawrence in August last, and I am to irform you that the Minister of Marine and Fisheries has decided to present a handsome silver watch to Mr. Lamarre, and I am to request : you to be goodenough to inform me whether you consider a money reward or a handsome binocular glass would be most acceptable in the case of the two others who assisted on the occasion.

I am, Sir, Your most obedient servant, (Signed), WM. SMITH,

Deputé Minister of Marine.

FAUCHER DE SAINT MAURICE, Esq. M. P. P, Québre.

Ottawa, 22nd March, 1836 SIR,

Referring to your letter of the 8rd of instant, in referenceto the matter of recognition of services rendered by Mr. F.-- X. Lamarre and others in saving life. I beg to. inform that I have forwarded to vour address a silver watch for Mr: Lamarre, and a binocular glass for Mr. Joseph Mercier: which I am to request that you will be good enough to. present to them in as public manner as you may deers: advisable, in recognition of their humane exertions.

I beg to enclose official cheque in favour of Mr. Charles Dugal for the sum of $18, which you will please present te him.

I am, Sir, Your most obedient servant,

(Signed) WM. SMITH, Deputy Minister of Marine, Faucher de Saint-Maurice, Esq., M. P. P.

Quebec.

Certified a true copy, JOHN HARDIE, Ottawa, 19th July, 1886.

Ottawa, 10th May, 188G.

Sir,

Referring to your letter ofthe 25th ultimo, T beg to informe you that I have addressed letters of thanks to Hubert Blouin,, Amédée Laverdière and John Dallaire of St-Vallier, im acknowledgment of their humane exertions in attemptingtos save life on the 16th of August last.

I am Sir, Your most obedient servant,

GEo. E. FosTER, | Minister of Marine and Fisheries FAUCHER DE ST-MAURICE, esq., M. P. P., House of Commons.

SAINT-CHAGMLES.