"To M. DeNoyon, major commanding in the country in Illinois, and to M. D'Anneville, king's advocate and judge of the Illinois, doing duty as commissary: "Joseph Labusière, notary in Illinois, humbly prayeth, and says that there is a place below the hills, between 'Outard's marsh' and the said hills called 'The Fair Fountain' (la belle fontaine), which was formerly granted to the deceased, Mr. Hebert, and afterward to Mr. Chancellier, for the purpose of forming a plantation, both which said grantees have abandoned the said place many years ago, without having done any work upon it, and carrying away, when they quitted it, all that they had upon the place, and as your petitioner would wish to endeavor to make a habitation at the aforesaid place, which could not but be advantageous hereafter,  p298 by reason of the cattle which he wished to raise, therefore considering the desertion of the place by the aforesaid Messrs. Hebert and Chancellier, and in consideration of the premises, your petitioner has recourse to you, gentlemen, that you may be pleased to grant to him the said lot between the hills and the Outard's marsh, which is of no use to any one. Beginning from the old fence or inclosure which was made, and running in depth to the end of the said marsh, and that you may be pleased to prohibit all persons from troubling your petitioner in the grant which it may please you to accord to him, and even from cutting such wood as your petitioner will have need of for his necessary buildings, and also from burning or carrying off the fences which he may make, and your petitioner will offer up his prayers to Heaven for your preservation.

"At New Chartre, the 22d September, 1761.

(Signed) Labusiere."

"In consideration of the above declarations and others from other quarters, we have granted and do grant to Mr. Joseph Labusière the land situated between the hills and Outard's marsh, prayed for by him, according as it is explained and described in the present petition, on condition that the said land shall be subject to the public charges, and that it shall be put to profit, or built upon, in the course of the year  p299 beginning from this day, under the penalty of being again re‑united to the king's domain.

"Given at Fort Chartre, this fourth day of January, 1762.

"(Signed) Noyon de Villiers."

"(Signed) D'Anneville."