Manuscript Document Signed in four places by La Motte as well as by witnesses and notaries, 4 pp recto and verso, 4to (conjoined leaves), Montréal, September 20, 1684, in French, concerning La Motte's efforts to secure the rights for well-digging and water use for his expanding property in Montréal, docketed on the final page. Old folds with some small insignificant holes, some light staining and bleed-through.

SIGNED BY AN IMPORTANT FIGURE IN THE EARLY EXPLORATION OF AMERICA AS WELL AS A PIONEER WHO SPEAR-HEADED FRANCE'S ATTEMPTS TO ESTABLISH ITSELF IN THE AMERICAS. Serving as lieutenant to the Sieur de La Salle, La Motte was one of the party in 1678 which left from La Salle's settlement (at modern-day Kingston, Ontario) and made their way up the Niagara River to the Falls. This party is credited with being the first Europeans to see, describe and picture the Falls. La Motte on his return to live in Montreal acquired property in 1683, purchasing the abandoned signeury of Lussaudiere, and in 1684 bought additional land adjacent to his house. Water rights then as now were an important part of land acquisition.