The city of Quebec is divided into the Upper and Lower Town; it stands upon the S.E. side of a very high and steep bank, which stretches out into the river from the north side of the river St. Lawrence. The Lower Town stands upon a flat between the river and hill, which is exceedingly steep; it is of no great breadth, but encircles the foot of the hill above a mile in length, from Point Diamond to the river St. Charles: here most of the principal merchants and tradesmen inhabit; the houses in the Upper Town are occupied by the clergy, officers of the army, and principal people of Canada.
Near Cape Diamond, which is the south part of the town, is the King's yard; where there is now on the stocks a ship of sixty guns. Upon four batteries in the Lower Town are mounted forty pieces of cannon, forty-two and twenty-four pounders; and cover the passage up to Point Levi, up to the narrows: the communication between this and the Upper Town, is by an almost perpendicular passage, defended above by nine pieces of cannon, and is cut across by trenches, strengthened by breast-works; so that should we get possession of the Lower Town, our conquest of the Upper will be but little forwarded, as there are difficulties which it will not be easy to surmount.
Round the Upper Town are planted upwards of forty pieces of cannon, which flank the river: and above that, on the top of the hill, is the citadel, which commands both towns; the wall whereof are said to be twenty-five feet thick.
Notwithstanding this strength towards the river, if we could get possession of the hills to the westward of the town, which are at least as high as the citadel, we imagine it would hold out but a short time, but before we can carry this point, we have many difficulties to overcome: but we have brave officers, and men ready to face the greatest dangers. The shore to the eastward of the town, is well defended, both by art and nature, and if we should drive them from this post, we are then to force an army greatly superior to ours in number.
The palaces of the governor and bishop, cathedral, jesuits college, and several other churches and publick buildings, command a fine view of the river; most of the houses are built of stone, and stand to great advantage on the side of the hill; but are within reach of our batteries erected at Point Levi.
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