The following description of the first descent of the rapids
between. Lake Ontario and Montreal by a steamer, is copied, with vouchers for its correctness, into the Canada papers from the New York Commercial' Advertiser. The steamer is the Ontario, since rechristened the Lord Sydenham, one of a new line of boats which are to run with the mails between Quebec and Montreal. It is a handsome vessel, 206 feet in its extreme length, 26 feet in breadth of beam, and 53 feet broad across the paddle-boxes- " It was finally determined to make an attempt to transfer her to the lina running between Montreal and Quebec. Although this attempt was thought by sonic to be about as feasible as sailing down the Falls of Niagara, Mr. Ha- milton was willing to risk his splendid vessel. A crew of bold spirits were selected, the most experienced pilots procured—French Canadians for the Long Sault and the other rapids to the Cascades, and an Indian of the Caughea- wags tribe to guide her over the Lachine. Prelious to making the attempt, Captain L. Hilliard, the commander of the boat, a well-tried Yankee navi- gator, who has had much experience on the St. Lawrence, went down on several rafts of timber, and made all the examinations and preparations which were practicable. On the morning previous to the 18th of August, the boat left Prescott, and in less than nine hours she Lad passed over all those rapids which are so appalling to the sight, and was safely moored at the wharf in Montreal; as great an exploit as was ever performed by a steam-boat of such a class. In conversation with Captain Hilliard, he stated to me, that at one period his Canadian pilot would gladly have given up the job, and gone on shore; but he behaved nobly. Another individual told me, that after the boat had safely made the leap of the Lachine, the Indian who had guided her through the passage threw up his cap and made three astonishing leaps along the deek, manifesting the greatest triumph at his success. I inquired of Captain Hil- liard whether any preparation had been made for their preservation in case of accident : he said there had not. There was no life-preserver, nor even an extra plank or spar, as he feared that had any thing of the kind been seen by the crew, the 'white feather' might have been shown. Mr. Hamilton, as a token of his regard for Captain Hilliard, has presented to him an elegant and costly gold watch, with the following inscription on the inner case= Pre- sented to Captain L. Hilliard, by John Hamilton, to commemorate the safe arrival at Montreal of the steam-boat Ontario, from Prescott, Upper Canada, 19th August 1840.'"
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