I THE HISTORY O F CANADA. % VOL. I. THE HISTORY OF C A N A D A, FROM ITS FIRST DISCOVERY, COMPREHENDING AN ACCOUNT OF THE ORIGINAL ESTABLISHMENT OF THE COLONY OF LOUISIANA. By GEORGE HERIOT, Esq. DEPUTY POSTMASTER GENERAL OF BRITISH AMERICA fife. fife. VOL. I. LONDON: PRINTED FOR T. N. LONGMAN AND 0. REES, PATERNOSTER- ROW. ib 04. * • • - * * PREFACE. As no regular Hiftcry of Canada has hitherto appeared in the Englifh language, it has been deemed advifeable to commit the following fheets to the prefs. They are not offered to the Public as compofing an original work. The greateft part of their contents has been taken from V Hip- toire de la Nouvelle France , written many years ago, by Father Charlevoix. The names of the other writers, who have like- wife been confulted on the prefent occafion, are as under *. The Hiftory of the Troquois, or Five Nations, is much involved with that of Canada, the inhabitants having been ne- * Voyages de Champlain, Voyages de la Henton. Le Clerc fur PEtabliffement de la Foix, &c. Voyages de la Patherie. Lettres Edifiantes et Curieufes. L’Hiftoire des Voyages. A3 ceffitated, VI PREFACE. ceffitated, for a long feries of years, to maintain, againft the unremitted efforts of that people, an almoft continual ftruggle. Although at once the moll warlike, as vrell as political, of all the natives on the con¬ tinent of America, the number cr their warriors exceeded not a few thoufands; and they long continued to fpread terror and defolation throughout an extent of feveral thoufand miles. The promptitude and energy with which their meafures were ufually executed, compenfated, in a great degree, for the fmallnefs of their numbers. Their mode of warfare was by ambufcade and furprife, and they feldom hazarded an open engagement. The chief credit of a leader ccnfifted in providing for the l'afety of his own party, and at the fame time of deftroying or of capturing as great a number as poflible of the enemy. This mode ol combat, doubtlefs, originated from the ftate of the country inhabited by favages, it being every where covered with thick forefts. The courage difpiayed by favages feems, generally, to couhft more in patience dur¬ ing: PREFACE. Ing fuffering, than in expofing themfclves to the chances of open war. Habituated to view with indifference the profpeCt of death, they endure the mod excruciating torture without betraying any fymptom of fear, or indicating a fenfation of pain. This fpecies of courage feems only to dif¬ fer from that of civilized nations by the mode in which it is directed. The leading principles which actuate the fiivages of North America, are their che- rifhing a ftrong and unalterable attachment for the tribe among whom they were born, the refpect and tender recollection which they entertain for the memory of their de¬ parted friends, and their implacable hatred to their enemies. The manners and cuftoms of various nations on the continent of America will, perhaps, compofe the fubjeCt of a future difquifition. Although fituated at an immenfe dif- tance from Canada, Louisiana was, from its original difeovery, and other circum- ftances, confideied, at its fir ft fettlement, to be intimately connected with that pro- * A 4 vince. PREFACE. vince. The diocefe of the Bilhop of Que¬ bec extended to the fettlers of the latter, and the miffionaries eftablilhed there were under his direction. The colony of the Illinois, which was originally attached to Canada, but afterwards added to Louifiana, had a direct communication with New Orleans, by means of the navigation of the Miffifippi, and contributed towards the fupport of that fettlement. The Hif- tory of the Eftablifhment of Louifiana is, therefore, not improperly included in that of Canada. Quebec, 26th October 1803. « 4 CONTENTS. BOOK I. J^ISCOFERT of Canada. — Voyages of Jacques Cartier . —Settlement of Quebec by Champlain.—He accompa¬ nies the A!gonquins and Hurons on Expeditions againf the Iroquois.—That Nation attack the news Colony , and are repulfed.—Commerce and Government of Canada vefed in a Company of a hundred Afociates.—Quebec taken by the Englijh.—Ref ore d to France by the Treaty of St. Germain cn Laye .— Death of Champlain the Governor . —His CharaPer.—Efablfoment of the Order of St. Sulpicius on the If and of Montreal , - Page I BOOK II. Confruclion of Fort Richlieu.—Interview with the Iroquois Deputies at Three Rivers.—Majfacre of the Hurons at St. Joftph.—Incurfton againf the Hurons .— Calamities of that People.—Fifty Frenchmen fettle among the Iro¬ quois.—Pillage of the If and of Orleans.—Efcape of the French Settlers from the Cou?itry of the Iroquois.— Arrival of the fitf Bifj'p.— Difrefs of the Colony.— ErePion of a Seminary at Quebec. — Tremendous Earth¬ quake. — Efablifjme?2t of a permanent Council. — Eng- lif) take Pojfeffion of New Belgium , - - $6 5 X CONTENTS. * BOOK III. The Affiant es fur render their Charter to the Sovereign Canada placed under the Direction of the Company of the Wefl Indies.—Arrival of Troops and Supplies. Con- f ruction of Forts on the River Sore/.—Expedition of AL de Tracy.—Regulation refpeEling Tithes.— Church of Quebec creeled into a Bifhopric.—Commencement of the Miffion ' of Loretto. - Iroquois Chriflians fettle near Montreal. — Character of AI. de Courcelles .— Of the Count de Frontenac.—Robert Cavelier Sieur de la Sale ,.Page 112 BOOK IV. Expedition of AI. de la Bar re againjl the Iroquois. — Difi trefs of his Army.—Conference at the Bay of Famine.— AI. Denonville Governor-General.—Manner in which the Traffic for Furs was conducted.—Affairs of the Clergy.—Of the Law.—Iroquois Chiefs feized at Cato - rocony y and conducted to France for Galley-Slaves - Expedition againfi the Iroquois. — ConJlruFiion of a Fort at Niagara.—That Port , on Account of an infectious AIalady y abandoned and defrayed.—Treafon and Policy of a Huron Chief called the Rat . — Charalter of the Alarquis de Denonville } - - . I -r 2 BOOK V. Irruption and Deviation by the Iroquois , in the IJland of Montreal. — Return of the Count de Frontenac to Ca- tiada . CONTENTS. nada. — Conference of Iroquois Deputies at Quebec .— Attack and Pillage of Corlar.— Of Sementels. —Of Kajkebe .— Convey for Michilimakinac attacked by a Party of the Iroquois. — Arrives in Safety at its Defi - nation .— Caufes a Change in the Difpofition of the French Allies .— Defcent of the Iroquois on the Vicinity of the ljland of Montreal .— Sir William Phipps fails from Bofon with an Armament for the Reduction of Quebec. —Attempt on that Place . — Failure.— Return of the Englijb Fleet.— Iroquois attack the Fort of La Prairie de la Alagdelaine. — Obfiinate Courage and Refolution of thofe Savages.— Mantels Expedition againf their Na¬ tion, - Page 227 BOOK vr. Deputies of the Iroquois arrive at Montreal.—Expedition againf Port Nelfon fitted out from Quebec.—Conference with the Huron and Iroquois Deputies.—Hofilities of the Iroquois. — Re-efiablijhment of the Fort at Cat arc- quoy.—Irruption of the Iroquois .— Deputies of the Hu¬ ron s fent to folicit a Diminution of the Price of Merchan- dife.—Anfwer of the General.—Conduit of a Sicu Chief —Change in the Difpofition of the Allies of the Upper Country , effected by the Addrefs of M. de la Motte Cadillac.—Preparations for an Expedition againf the Iroquois.—RefuIt of that Expedition. — Death of La Chandlere Noire , principal Chief of the Iroquois , 280 CONTENTS. xii TOOK vir. Death of Oureohare at Quebec.—Aleffage of the Governor of New York.—At fiver .— Propcfal for the Re-ejla- hlifjinevt of Peace with the Cantons—Death of Louis de Bouade, Count de Frontenac. — Continuation of his Character. — The Chevalier de Collier es, Governor- General. —Deputies of the Iroquois and of the Allies attend a Conference at Montreal. — Treaty of P eace entered into between the Governor-General and the Savages.— Death of M. de Callieres. — His Character. — Succeeded by the A Jarquis de Vaudreuil.— Conference of the Outaouais and Iroquois at Montreal — Tumult at Detroit. —A Party of the French and Savages attack and burn a Fort of the Er.glifh. —Expeditions of the Friglfhy and of the French, - P^ge 339 BOOK VIII. Warlike Preparations of the Engliflo . — Conference of the Savage Deputies at Montreal.—Army of the Er.glifh march in different Directions to invade Canada .— Re¬ treat of the Armies. — Part of the Englijh Fleet wrecked on Seven If.ands. — Outagamis march to attack the Fort at Detroit.—Arrival of the allied Savages to the Relief ef that Fort. Outagamis entrench themfelves, build a Fort, and are befieged. — Reduced to great Extremity .— Refufe to fur render at Difretion.—After a Siege of nineteen Days, they efcape during a Storm.-Are over¬ taken.— Obfinate Re/if lance.—Are compelled to fur ren¬ der at Df.retion.-Are put to Death.-Governors of New England and of Canada receive, in eorfquer.ee of v the CONTENTS. the Treaty of Utrecht , InfruEtions for a Ceffation of all Hoftilities.—Fort confruEled by the Eng/ifj at the Mouth of the Cbouagoriy and by the French at Niagara , — Propofol of M. de Vaudreuil for peopling the Colony. —Death of M. de Vaudreuily - Page 396 BOOK IX. De la Sale fails from France , in a Squadron ,for the Dif- covery of the Mouth of the Mifffppiy by Sea. —Arrives off St. Domingo .— Lofs of one of his Vejfels . — Arrives at Bay St. Bernard . — His Pink is wrecked. — Return of the Frigate to France. — Conffructs a Fort at the Mouth of a River. — Afcends that River and conffrulls another Fort. — Abandons the former. — Lofs of the Ship La Belle. — La Sale returns from vifiting the Country of the Cenis. — Sets out with a Party to penetrate to the Miff - fippiy and thence to the llinois. — Murder of three of his Party .— His own tragical Death.— His Character .— Two of his Murderers defroy each other.—Party fet out for the Cenis. — Seven Fre?ichmen accompany thefe Sa¬ vages in a War Expedition .— Victory. — Ceremonies . — y 'out el and Cavelier feparate their Party from the Mur¬ derers of La Sale. —Set out for the llinois ,— arrive at the AkauJaSy — at the Mifffippi } — at the llinois at £$uebecy—in France. —The Clamcoets fall upon Fort St. Louisy and maffacre all the InhabitantSy exeept the three young Talons^ their young Sifery and a young Par if an Remainder of thofe concerned in La Sales Murder confned in Chains , to be fent to the Mines of New Mexico.— The young Talons and their Sifer y by a fngular Series of Events } are reforcd } after an A fence CONTENTS. Abfence of feveral Tears, to their Country, ana Friends , - - - Pa & C 43 ° BOOK X. Voyage of M. de Iberville for the Difcovery of the Mouth of the Mififtppi by Sea in 1698-9.— Arrival at St. Domingo,— at Penfacola. — Explores one of the Branches of the Mouth of the Miffifippi — Afcends to the Oumas. —Builds a Fort near the Pafeagoulas, and returns to France. Arrives again at the Biloxi. — Confirucls a Fort on the Erf: Side of one of the Branches of the M'fft- ftppi. — Afcends to the Natchez. — Efiablijhes the Head Quarters of the Colony at the Biloxi. — The Ilinois . — Various Nations bordering on the Miffifippi vifited by La Sale in his former Travels. — Manners and Cttfoms of the Natchez. — Of the Ilinois after their Converfton to the Chrifiian Faith , - - - 484 BOOK XI. Magazines and Barracks confiruEled on the Ife Dauphine. —Council to decide on all Affairs civil or criminal, for three Tears, compofed of the Governor, chief Commiffnn- er, and Rcgifier. — Saint Denys fent by Land to endea¬ vour to open a Commerce with the Spaniards of New Mexico. —Is conduced to the Capital—confined in Pri- fon—liberated, and fent back with Prefents from the Viceroy. — Marries Donna Maria de Vilefcas, Daugh¬ ter of the Governor of Saint John.—Treafon of the Natchez. —Fort and Magazines confiruEled in the Great Village of that Lotion .— State of Commerce.—Crozat furrenders his exclufive Privilege.—Government and Commerce CONTENTS, Commerce vejled in the Company of the Wejl. — Govern - mcnt of the liincis Country joined to that of Louifana . Firft Settlement of New Orleans.—Attach on Penfacola . Capture of that Place.—Mijfionaries arrive in Louift* —Confpiracy of feveral favage Nations againft the French.—Maffacre of the French hy Natchez.—The Sun, the Grand Chief of the Natchez y fent y with his Family and Attendants , to Saint Domingo y to be fold as Slaves.—Difperfton of that People.—Company of the Indies retrocede to the King their Sovereignty over Loiti* fana and the Ilinois 9 - Page 533 THE THE HISTORY CANADA, ■ £sV. csV. BOOK I. Difcovery of Canada.—Voyages of Jacques Cartier. — Set¬ tlement of ^hiebec by Champlain.—He accompanies the Algonquins and Hurons on Expeditions a gainf the Iro¬ quois.—That Nation attach the new Colony , and are repulfed .— Commerce'and Government of Canada vefed in a Company of a hundred Ajfcciates.—Quebec talen by the Englifh .— Refored to France by the Treaty of St . Germain en Lays. — Death of Champlain the Governor. —His Character.—Ejiablijhment of the Order of Si. Sulpicius on the If and of Montreal . A FTER the difcovery of America by Chris¬ topher Columbus, under the patronage of Ferdinand and Ifabella, king and queen of Oaf- tile, various expeditions from different ports in Europe were fitted out for inveftigating and ex- vol. it b ploring BOOK I. 1492- HISTORY OF CANADA. k ploring the coafh of the New World, which had -j promifed to its firft vifitors inexhauftible fources of wealth. Henry the Seventh, king of England, whofe oeconomy had deprived him of the honour of contributing towards the accomplifhment of an event, the moft important in its confequences that had ever taken place among mankind; to atone, in fome meafure, for his incredulity and neglett, fent, in lefs than tw r o years afterwards, on difcoveries to the weftward, and w r ith a view alfo of finding a fhorter paffage to the Indies, John Gabato, a Venetian, who was the firfl Eu¬ ropean that vifited Newfoundland, and part of the neighbouring continent. Another navigator, named Gafpar de Co- terelle, explored all the weflern coafl of New¬ foundland, and part of Labrador. Not long after this period, the great bank of Newfound¬ land was frequented by Britifh and Norman failors, for the purpofe of carrying on the cod fifheries. No attention to the eflablifhment of fettle- ments on the continent of America was paid by any of the powers of Europe, until Francis the .firft of France fent out John Verazani to ex¬ amine the coafls of that country. It is much to the credit of the Italians, that the three great dates who fhare the continent of the HISTORY OF CANADA. 3 the New World, owe to their countrymen the cook firft difcoveries which were made in that quarter. —/«w To Chriftopher Columbus, a native of Genoa, t52 >* Spain is indebted for her rich pofleffions in the weftern hemifphere.—Jean Gabato and his fons, citizens of Venice, opened to the Englifh a know¬ ledge of the territories which they afterwards oc¬ cupied ; and Verazani, a native of Florence, communicated to the French the fit ft fatisfa&ory information of the tra&s of country which were deftined to be fettled and pofieffed by that people. Another celebrated navigator may be added to thefe, Americus Vefpuccio, a Florentine, who rendered to the Caftilians and Portuguefe emi¬ nent fervices in the New World; and who, al¬ though not the firft difcoverer of that continent, had the fingular and enviable pre-eminence of communicating to it his name. Verazani, after having made two voyages to x America, during the latter of which he ventured & to difembark on fome parts of the coaft, to which he gave names long ago forgotten, fet out from France on a third expedition, with a de- fign of eftablifhing a colony on that continent; but having never been afterwards heard of, the thoughts of adventuring thither were for fome years abandoned by the French government. b 2 Philip 4 HISTORY OF CANADA. BOOK I. 1525. J 534' Philip Chabot, admiral of France, at length prevailed on his fovereign to refume the for met intention of eftablifhing a colony in America, from whence the Spaniards drew immenfe quan- ties of treafure. The plan which he fuggefted being approved of, Jacques Cartier, a captain o. Saint Maloes, was fele&ed for carrying it irno effect. Flaving received his inftruftions, Cartier failed from Saint Maloes, on the 20th of April, with two veffels of twenty tons each, containing fwenty-two failors. He arrived, on the 10th of May, near Cape Bonavifta, in the iiland of New¬ foundland, and descending from thence fix de¬ grees to the fouth-eaft, entered into a harbour, to which he gave the name of Saint Catherine. Proceeding on his courfe towards the north, he difeovered fome fmall iflands in the Gulf, which he called lies aux Oifeaux , or Bird Iflands. After having failed for fome days along the coaft of Newfoundland, without being able to afeertain whether or not it was an iiland, he directed his courfe to the fouthward, and entered into a bay of confiderable extent, which, from the heat pre¬ valent there at that feafon of the year, he dif- tinguiftied by the appellation of Bays dc Cbaleurs. This is the fame which in fome ancient maps bears the name of Baye dcs Efpagnols , and it is faid, that the Spaniards having landed there, and : , ■ finding HISTORY OF CANADA. 5 finding no mines, pronounced repeatedly thefe two words, “ Aca Nada” “here is nothing;” which fome of the lavages having ufed to the French, made them at firrt imagine that Canada was the name by which the country was ge¬ nerally known among the natives When he had coafted a great part of the Gulph, he took pofTeiTion of the country in the name of his Moft Chriftian Majefty, and fetting fail for France on the 15th of Augufi, arrived on the 5th of Sep¬ tember at Saint Maloes. On the report of this voyage, which was laid before the king and his rr.inilters, it w r as con¬ ceived that confiderable advantage might accrue to France by the eftablHhmeni of a colony in that p*art of America. Cartier accordingly ob¬ tained a commifiion more ample than the firfl with which he had been inverted, having now under his guidance three (hips well equipped. Accompanied by feveral young gentlemen who wiflied to attend him as volunteers, he embarked on the 19th of May in La Grande Her mine, a vertel of one hundred and twenty tons burden. On the 25th and 26th of July, the three veifels arrived at the place of rendezvous in the Gulph, after encountering on the voyage a fevere ftorrn, in which they had been feparated. By the vio¬ lence of the weather, Cartier was compelled, on ihe id: of Augurt, to take refuge in a port at the u ^ entrance o o K. 1. »■ / «5 34- *53 >• 6 HISTORY OF CANADA. book entrance of the river, and on the northern coaft* u—v —j which he called Saint Nicholas, and it is one of the x 535 * few places in Canada which have retained the names given to them by that navigator. The vef- felsagain entered the gulph on the ioth of Auguft, when Cartier gave to a bay, which is fituated on the north coaft and oppofite the iflandof Anticofti, the name of Saint Laurent, in honour of a Saint in the Romilh calendar, whofe fail is obferved on that day ; a name, which was afterwards ex¬ tended to the Gulph, and to that immenfe river which there difembogues its waters, formerly known by the appellation of the river of Canada $ which, for vaftnefs of fources, length of navigable courfe, and picturefque grandeur, and beautiful fcenery exhibited by its banks, Hands unrivalled by any body of frefh waters on the habitable globe. To Anticofti he gave the title of Af- fumption, but this has now yielded to its former name. On the i ft of September, he entered the mouth of the Saguenay, and thence continuing to range along the coaft of the Saint Laurence for about fifteen leagues, he anchored near an ifland, which he called l’lfle aux Coudres, from the quantity of hazle trees with which it abound¬ ed. In afcending the river eight leagues further, he approached another ifland, larger and more beautiful than the laft, in whofe woods he dif- covered HISTORY OF CANADA. 7 covered a number of wild vines, whence he called book it I’lfle de Bacchus, an appellation which after- -v-^j wards gave place to that of Orleans. From hence he continued his courfe for upwards of ten leagues higher, and arrived at the mouth of a rapid river which flows from the northward, denominated by him la Riviere Sainte Croix, becaufe. he entered it on the 14th of Septem¬ ber. On the 19th of the fame month, Cartier failed in the Hermine , to proceed to the ifland of Mon¬ treal, on which was an Indian village called Hoche- laga ; but on the 29th his vefiel gettingaground in lake St. Peter, he profecuted his journey in two long boats well armed, and arrived at Hochelaga on the 2d of October. The inhabitants of this fet- tlement received with kindnefs both him and his attendants; and during his flay he afeended the mountain of Montreal, and was highly gratified with the beauty, extent, and variety, which the country prefents to the eye when viewed from the fummit of that eminence. The inhabitants of the village v/ere Hurons, who appeared to be inoflfenfive in their manners, and as they had never before feen any of the human fpecies of the colour of Europeans, they attributed to them fomething fupernatural, and were particularly (truck with the appearance and effect of their fire-arms. n 4 Cartier 3 HISTORY OF CANADA. book Cartier left Hochelagaon the 5th of October, t—-v—and on the nth arrived at Saint Croix, where, l 535 ' from the advanced ftate of the fealon, he found it would be neceffary to pafs the winter. During that period, he and his people were violently attacked by the fcurvy, which was cured by means of the bark of the fir-tree, from a parti¬ cular fpecies of which the Canadian balfam is produced. In the following year Cartier returned to France, and made a favourable report to his Sovereign of the country which he had vifited and explored. From the date of this event, nearly four years had elapfed, when Fran9 running to the river, there plunged themfelves p ^ K headlong and were drowned. The action being —v~-J thus terminated, there arrived another party of IJl0 ' Frenchmen, who were inclined to folace them¬ felves for the lofs of a participation in the honour of the victory, by a {hare in the divifion of the fpoils. They feized the beaver {kins which con¬ cealed the nakednefs of the dead. This gave much umbrage to the allied favages $ who, by the exercife of their ufual cruelty on the pri- foners, and by devouring one of them, excited, on the other hand, horror among the French. There the barbarians boafted of a difinterefted- nefs, which they were furprifed not to find in their more civilized allies, and conceived it a greater evil to defpoil the dead, than to eat the flefli of prifoners, and to violate all the laws of humanity, by taking delight in inflicting the mofl cruel torments on enemies no longer able to defend themfelves. Champlain demanded of them one of the cap¬ tives, whom they willingly beftowed. He alio engaged the Idurons, who were about to return to their country, to take with them a French¬ man, that he might acquire their language, upon condition that they would allow a young Huron to accompany him to France, that lie might be able to report to them the ftate of that kingdom. 1 50 HISTORY OF CANADA. BOOK l6lO. of which they had already fo often heard a de-* fcription. lie accordingly embarked with him the fame year, and returned the following fpring, when he conduced him to Montreal, where he chofe a fpor for a habitation, which he intended to eflablifh there; but which, however, he did not carry into execution, being obliged to return to France, where the death of the king had tended to compleat the ruin of the affairs of M« de Monts. This gentleman, by lofing his mafter, loft at the fame time all his remaining intereft, and found himfelf no longer in a condition to en¬ gage in any undertaking. He exhorted Cham¬ plain, whom he had never abandoned, not to be difcouraged, and to feek out fome more powerful patron for the infant colony. He accordingly addreffed himfelf to Charles de Bombon, Count of Soiffons, who gave him a favourable recep¬ tion, agreed to the propofal which was offered him, of becoming the parent of New France, procured from the queen regent the authority neceffary to maintain and to advance what had already been begun, and nominated Champlain his lieutenant, with ample and unreftrained power. The death of this prince, which happened foon afterwards, did not derange the affairs of New <6u. KISTORY OF CANADA. 21 New France, for the Prince of Conde readily book condefcended to take charge of them, and con- *— tinued Champlain in the employ with which the count had inverted him. There arofe, however, fome difficulties relating to the fur trade, which were occafioned by merchants of Saint Maloes, and this circumftance detained him during twelve months in Frar.e. On his return to Quebec, he found the fettle- ment in fo prolperous a date, that he thought it unneccuary to remain there, and afcended with M. Pontgrave to Montreal. After fpending fome days on the ifland, the latter defcended to Quebec and Champlain made a voyage on the grand river of the Outaouais, whofe courfe is to the northward of Montreal, and whofe jun&ion with the waters of the St. Lawrence contributes to feparate from the continent that large and beautiful ifland, and the fmaller Ifle de Jefus. From thence he re urned to Quebec to join Pontgrave, with whom he embarked for Sr. Maloes, where they arrived in the end of Augurt He then entered into a new plan of aflocia- tion with merchants of that city, of Rouen, and of Rochelle. The prince, who had affumed the title of viceroy of New France, approved of the aflociation, and procured for that body letters- patent from the king. M. de Champlain, no c 3 longer 22 HISTORY OF CANADA. book longer entertaining any doubt that a colony in which fo many wealthy perfons were now mter- l( * l2 ‘ efted, and which had for its patron the hr ft prince of the blood royal, would foon acquire a more permanent and folid form, began fe- rioufly to think of providing for it fpiritual aids, of which it had hitherto been almoft totally def- titute. He demanded and obtained four Re- colets, whom the company chearfully fupplied with every neceflary article, and he conducted them himfelf to Canada.—When they arrived at (Quebec, M. de Champlain immediately pro¬ ceeded to Montreal, where he found a number of Hurons with fome of their allies, who en¬ gaged him in a third expedition againft the Iroquois. By his complaifance to thefe favages, it muft be allowed, he took the true means of conciliating their friendfhip, and of becoming acquainted with their country, where he con¬ templated the eftablifhment of a profitable com¬ merce, and the means of their being converted to the Chriftian faith. But he much expofed himfelf, and refleded nor, that this facility of condefcenfion to the will of barbarians, was by no means fuitable for procuring that refpect which his character and fituation demanded. Having occafion to return to Quebec, he re- quefted that the favages would delay their de¬ parture until he rejoined them - f but forgetting theif HISTORY OF CANADA. their promife, or being impatient, they embarked b with fome Frenchmen who remained at Mon- ■ treal, and with Pierre Jofeph le Caron, Recolet, who was willing to embrace this opportunity of accuftoming himfelf to the favage mode of life, that he might more quickly acquire their lan¬ guage, by being under a neceffity of fpeaking it. The favages having difregarded their engage¬ ment, it appears that Champlain might, without difficulty, have acquitted himfelf of that which he had given, and his experience might have fuggefted to him, that to retain refpedl among barbarians, any mark of infolence or diftruft ought not to be pafled with impunity.—The only circumftance which can juflify Champlain in refolving to follow the Hurons, who difdained to await his arrival, appears to have been his anxiety for the fafety of the Recolet, whom his zeal, rather than his prudence, had induced to attend them. He therefore departed with two Frenchmen and ten favages, whom he met on his arrival at Montreal ; and, although they travelled with much expedition, he could not overtake the Hurons, until he approached their village. It was here agreed they ffiould wait until the neighbouring warriors aflembled. The interval of time was occupied in feftivity and dancing, ana in giving way to the emotions of joy which c 4 they 24 HISTORY OF CANADA. b o o k they appeared to feel at the profpecl of being i. , —, __ aided by the Frenchmen in their war, of which 1612. they already affured themfelves of victory. The greater part of the people being con¬ vened, they left the village on the id day of September, and parted along the borders of a lake three leagues diftant from thence, where there were extenfive firtieries referved for the winter. Anadjoining lake defcends into the lafk by a narrow channel, in which great quantities of firti are caught by means of pallifades, almoffc {hutting up the partage, and leaving only fmall openings, where nets for enfnaring the filh are extended. They there halted a fiiort time, waiting the arrival of the other favages, who at length joined, with their arms, provifions, and other articles. A council w’as immediately held, in order to make choice of forne of the moll re- lolute men, whom they might difpatch to give advice to five hundred warriors who had pro- mifed to reinforce this expedition. For that pur- pofe they difpatched, in two canoes, tw r elve of their (touted men. In the mean time it was re- folved to invert: the fort of the enemy. After having travelled along a variety of rivers and lakes, during which feveral days were occupied, they arrived at the theatre of hoftility, and be¬ fore the fortified village. Although it had been agreed that they fhould not difcover themfelves until HISTORY OF CANADA. until the following day, the favages immediately entered on fkirmilhing. Their impatience would not admit of delay, and feme of the party having already ventured too far, were clofely purfued by the enemy. It then became neceflary that Champlain Ihould advance with his few French¬ men, and exhibit to the enemy a fpe&acle which that tribe of the Iroquois had not yet witnefled. No fooner did they perceive the flalh, and hear the report of the arquebulfes, with the noife of the balls whirling paft their ears, than they quickly retreated into their fort, carrying with them fuch as had been killed or wounded in the rencontre. The affailants followed their ex¬ ample, and retired to the diftance of eight hun¬ dred yards, from the view of the enemy, toge¬ ther with fix of their number who had been wounded. This flep was contrary to the advice given by Champlain, and to the plan previoufly propofed to be adopted. He accordingly re¬ frained not from reprefenting the impropriety of their conduct, and prevailed on them to conftruct a fpecies of wooden cavaliere to overlook the pal- lifades, on which would be placed fome French¬ men with fire arms to diflodge the enemy from their galleries. He likewife caufed to be made a kind of mantelettes, to cover and protect the people from the fhowers of arrows and of ftones which were poured upon them, to enable them, under z6 HISTORY OF CANADA. book under cover, to fet fire to the pallifades, and to ^— render hazardous any attempt of the enemy to »6i2. extinguifh it, by expofing them to the fhot from the cavaliere. They applauded this propofa!, and forthwith began to conflruct the engines recommended. The five hundred men who were expected as a reinforcement did not arrive, which was a circumftance of disappointment and difcouragement. But as the body was yet Suf¬ ficiently numerous, to take the fort, Champlain prefled them to lofe no time, afliiring them that the Iroquois having experienced the force of the fire-arms, whofe fhot could penetrate fubftances which were proof againfl arrows, had begun to barricade and ftrengthen their village, already inclofed by four pallifades in depth, formed of ftrong and large pieces of wood, interwoven with each other, of the altitude of thirty feet. Their galleries were in the manner of parapets, which they had fortified with double pieces of wood, proof againfl the impreflion of fhot from the arquebufles. Their fort flood contiguous to a pond of water,from whence it was plentifully Sup¬ plied by means ofa quantityofdu&s, by which they could readily throw water to extinguifh fire, either within or without that ftru&ure. An approach was made to the village with the cavaliere car¬ ried by two hundred of the ftrongeft men, who placed it before the piquets at the diflance of fix or HISTORY OF CANADA. 2JT or feven feet, when three Frenchmen, armed with book arquebuffes, were ordered to afcend it, under 1 — cover from the arrows and Hones which might l612, be (hot or thrown, in which operation the enemy had not by any means relaxed. The great number of (hots fired from the cavaliere, which overlooked them, compelled the Iroquois to diflodge, and to abandon their galleries; and not venturing longer to expofe themfelves, they fought under cover. The affailants neglecting to bring, as they were ordered, the mantelettes, which were defigned to guard them in conveying fire to the inclofure, abandoned this part of the original plan, and railed a loud cry, at the fame time (hooting arrows into the fort, which did little execution againfi: the enemy. Unaccuf- tomed to military difcipline, or inftruction in the art of warfare, each favage performed what¬ ever he thought inoH proper, and the fort was imprudently fet fire to, in a fituation, whence, from the action of the wind, no advantage could be derived. In the mean time the affiilants were collecting wood to encreafe the fire, and fell into much confufion, of which the befieged taking advantage, poured fuch a quantity of water through their fpouts as completely to defeat its effect. In this attempt, where two of the prin¬ cipal chiefs were wounded, fome of the others propofed a retreat, and a fufpenfion of hofiilities, c until ♦ lS HISTORY OF CANADA. book until the arrival of the five hundred men, who, u—„—i they affirmed, would foon form a junction. 1612. The chiefs have little command over their followers, and act as caprice fuggefts; a certain caufeof the diforder and failure of all their under¬ takings, efpecially when they attempt to engage an enemy who is prepared for the encounter, and adts upon the defenfive. Some days having elapfed, and the five hun¬ dred men not arriving, they deliberated on their departure; they were in vain folicited by Cham¬ plain to make another attempt at deftroying the fort by fire, on a day when the wind was favour¬ able for that project, and blew with confiderable firength. They began to conftrudt balkets for tranfporting the wounded, who are placed within them, folded together and bound with cords in fucn a manner as to deprive them of all motion, occafioning them to fuffer the mod fevere and ex¬ cruciating pain ; a ftate which Champlain himfdf was unfortunately neceffitated to experience, having been badly wounded in the knee. The enemy purfued them about half a league, keeping at a fmall diftance, and endeavouring to lay hold of forae of the rear-guard, bur finding that they acted with caution, at length withdrew. The favages make, their retreat with great fe- curity, placing all the wounded and aged in the centre, being well guarded on the van and on ' the HISTORY OF CANADA. *9 the rear, and difpofed according to their mode B o^o k of order, until they arrive at a place where they v,— conceive themfelves perfe&ly free from attack. The Iroquois never make a lading peace with nations whom they have once conquered, or whom they hope to overcome by divifions, which « they difleminate amongft them with great ad- drefs. Champlain foon recovered from his wound, and wiflred to proceed on his return to Quebec, but could not obtain a guide who had been pro- mifed him, and the Hurons accompanied their refufal with fome indications of difrefpeft. It became therefore neceflary that he fhould winter among thefe barbarians. He employed himfelf during that feafon in vifiting the villages of the Hurons, and fome of thofe belonging tg> the AI- gonquins, fituated on the borders of lake Ni- pifling. He reconciled fome neighbouring tribes with the Hurons; and fo foon as the navigation of the rivers was open, having learnt that they wilhed to engage him in a new enterprife againd the Iroquois, he perfuaded fome favages, who were attached to him from the mildnefs of his manners, to accompany him, and fecretly em¬ barked with Pierre Jofeph for Quebec, where he arrived on the nth of July 1616. He foon af- 1616. terwards returned to France. The HISTORY OF CANADA. 3° book The allies, from fome motives of diflatisfac- -v —) tion, had meditated the deftru&ion of the I 6 i 6 . Trench. They probably were inclined to adopt this refolution from the apprehenfion that when Champlain returned from France, he would in¬ flict fignal vengeance on them for the death of two French inhabitants, whom they had affaffi- nated, perhaps from a view of poflefling fome articles of their property. They aflembled to the number of eight hundred, near ihree Rivers, to deliberate on the means of cruffiing at the fame time all the French ; but Frere Pacifique, a Re- colet, came to a knowledge of their defign by means of one of their number, and by degrees difiuaded the greateft part of them from any longer entertaining that intention. They accord¬ ingly m%de propofals for a reconciliation, and the miffionary charged himfelf with negociating with the commandant for that purpofe. Cham¬ plain, however, on his return, demanded the two aflaffins; one of them, who was the lead culpable, was fent to him, together with a quan- ' tity of furs “ to cover the d,eed,” or to make an atonement to the furviving friends. It was neceflary to accept of this fpecies of fatisfaclion ; an accommodation took place, and the fava r es gave two of their chiefs as hoftages. ! The colony never received from France the affiftance which was requilite for its advancement and HISTORY OF CANADA. 31 and profpcrity. The court took no interference book in its affairs, which were left to the company, - v whofe views were folely directed to the fur trade. The Prince of Conde did little more than lend his name, which, contributed nothing to the ad¬ vantage of the fettlement; befides, the troubles during the regency, which colt him his liberty, and the intrigues which were carried on to deprive him of the title of viceroy, and to revoke the com- jniflron of Marechal de Themines, to whom he had entrufted the patronage of Canada during his imprifonment; the want of unanimity among the alfociates, the jealoufy of commerce which divided them, all thefe circumfiances frequently endangered the exiftence of fo young an eftablifh- ment. The perfeverance of Champlain was therefore highly laudable, as he had a multitude of ob- ftacles to encounter and to overcome. He never, however, abandoned his object, although he had to ftruggle againft the caprices of fome, and the contradiction of others. The Prince de Conde resigned for eleven 1620. thoufand crowns his viceroyalty to the Marechal de Montmorenci, his brother-in-law, v.ho conti¬ nued Champlain in the lieutenancy, and charged with the affairs of the colony in France, M. Dolu, grand auditor, with whofe probity and zeal he was well acquainted. At that period, Cham¬ plain, 3^ HISTORY OF CANADA. BOOK 1620. plain, perfuaded that New France would afiume a more favourable afpeft, brought thither his family. He arrived in Canada in the month of May, and found at Tadouffac fome traders from Rochelle, who, to the prejudice of the company, and contrary to the exprefs prohibition of the monarch, were trafficking with the favages. 1 hey were the firft who fold them fire-arms, as thefe inftruments of death had hitherto been carefully withheld from the barbarians. In the following year the Iroquois appeared in arms in the very centre of the colony. Thefe favages dreading left the French ffiould become populous in the country, and by their alliance with the Hurons and Algonquins, raife thefe tribes to a condition of Tefuming their former fuperiority, refolved to cruffi them before they had time to gain a greater acceffion of ftrength. They aflembled three confiderable bodies for feparate attacks. The firft moved towards the rapids of St. Louis, near Montreal, and there found fome Frenchmen who guarded the paf- fage, and who had been made acquainted with their movements. Although the number of the latter was few, yet with the aid of the favage allies, they obliged the enemy to retreat. Several of the Iroquois were killed, fome were taken prifoners, and the remainder faved themfelves by HISTORY OF CANADA. 33 by flight, carrying, however, with them a Re- book colet, whofe name was Poulalu. They were <-— purfued without fuccefs. At length the French detached one of the prifoners, to whom they gave his liberty, recommending him to propofe an ex¬ change of the miflionary for one of their chiefs. This man arrived at the moment of time to fave the Recolet from the flames. The propofal with which he was charged was accepted, and the exchange was accordingly made. The fecond party, embarked in thirty canoes, approached Quebec, and went to invert the con¬ vent of R.ecolets on the river Saint Charles, where there was a fmall fort. Not venturing to attack that place, they furprifed a party of Hu- rons at no great diftance from thence. They then laid wafte the cultivated lands in the vi¬ cinity of the convent, and retired. What be¬ came of the third party is not related in the me¬ moir. The neceflity of having fuflicient force to reprefs the daring aggreflion of thefe favages, became now more than ever apparent, and Champlain conceived that he ought without delay to reprefent to the king and to the duke de Montmorenci, the neceflity of fending a re¬ inforcement, and likewife to explain to thefe perfonages the condutt of the company, who had difregarded his reiterated applications to in¬ duce them to fulfil their engagements. He de- vol, 1. d puted 34 HISTORY OF CANADA. b o^o k puted for this fervice Pierre George le Baillifj ^ —■» who was perfonally known to the king. His re- l ^ 20 ’ ception was favourable and gracious, and he ob¬ tained his demand. The company was fup- preffed, and two gentlemen, named William and Emeric de Caen, uncle and nephew, entered into all its privileges. Champlain was commanded, in a letter from the viceroy, to maintain a ftrict authority over the commercial inhabitants. He at the fame time received a letter from the king himfelf, af- furing him that he was well fatisfied with his fer- vices, and exhorting him to continue the fame proofs of his fidelity. This mark of honour did not tend to augment his fortune, which indeed did not much occupy his mind; but it inverted him with an authority of which he had greater need than ever, on account of the conterts which daily arofe between the agents of the old company and thofe of theSieurs de Caen, and which other- wife might have produced an unfortunate ilTue. Although he affiduoufly endeavoured to attract inhabitants to fettle at Quebec, and gave every poflible encouragement to the increafe of popu¬ lation, yet in 1622 the total number amounted to no more than fifty perfons, including women and children. Commerce was not very flourifh- ing, but the traffic for furs was conduced at Tadouflac with much fuccefs, and another mart was HISTORY OF CANADA. 35 % was opened at Three Rivers, twenty-five leagues book above Quebec. William de Caen came himfelf to Canada; Sieur Pontgrave, to whom he had committed the management of his affairs, being obliged on 1622. account of bad health to return to his native country. His final departure was a great lofs to the colony, as to his exertions it had been very much indebted. About the fame period Champlain was in¬ formed that the Hurons propofed to detach them- felves from their alliance with the French, and to unite with the Iroquois. On this account he fent, as an ambaffador among them, Pierre Jofeph le Caron, accompanied by Pierre Nicholas Viel, and Fr. Gabriel Saghart, with directions to ufe every means in their powder to diffuade thofe favages from embracing that line of conduct. In the following year the commandant forti¬ fied the fettlement with a (tone redoubt, and as foon as he had completed it, returned to France withhis fa mily. The Marechal de Montmorenci refigned his charge of Viceroy in favour of the Duke de Ventadour his nephew, who had retired from court, and entered into holy orders. He took charge of the affairs of New France with a view of being inflrumental in promoting the conver- fion of the natives, and he confidered the Jefuits as D 2 3^ HISTORY OF CANADA. book as a clafs from whom the moil: effe£lual aid could be derived for the execution of this pro- i 6 z 2 . j e £f. He j a jj propofal before the king s council, by whom it was highly approved. Five Jefuits were accordingly fent out to Canada, under the protection of William de Caen, who allured the viceroy that nothing Ihould be want¬ ing to contribute to their comfort. 1 hey had however fcarcely landed, when they were in¬ formed that the Recolcts would not give them an afylum, and that therefore the molt eligible meafure would be to return to France. They foon perceived that means had been et. doyed to prejudice the inhabitants of (Quebec againlt them, by putting into their hands all the injurious publications which the CalvinifL of France had produced againlt their focicty. But their pre¬ fence foon effaced thefe hurtful impreflions; the libels w 7 ere publicly burnt, and the Jefuits were lodged in the houl'e of the Recolets on the banks of the river St Charles. Some Frenchmen having been aflaflinated by the favages, the colony experienced great in¬ quietudes ; and as the inhabitants were not in a condition fufficiently powerful to revenge them- felves, impunity had augmented the infolence of the barbarians fo much, that they who happened to go any diftance from habitations, were in im¬ minent danger of lofing their lives. Such was 2 their HFSTORV OF CANADA. tlieir fituation when Champlain returned to book Quebec. The fortifications were not improved_ —, during his abfence, and the lands which had l622 - been cleared remained for the greatefi: part un¬ cultivated. The afiociates of the Sieurs de Caen thought of li.tle elfe than the traffic for furs, and being Calvinifts, their fentiments increafed in afperity towards thofe of a different fyftem of religion. Thefe circumfiances being ftrongly reprefented to the council of the king, induced the Cardinal Richlieu to refolve on placing the commerce of New France in other hands, and to liften to a propofal which was prefented, of forming a company of a hundred affociates. Nothing could be better conceived, and it would in a ffiort time have made the colony the mod powerful in America, had the execution of it been equal to its merit, and had the members of this body kept pace with the favourable dif- pofition then (hewn by the king and his minifters towards them. The memorial which was prefented to the Cardinal de Richlieu by M. de Roquemont, Houel, de Lattaignant, Dablon, Du Chefne, and Caftillon, imported, that in the following year, the affociated body w'ould fend to New France 300 workmen of trades of every de- fcription ; and before the year 1643, would aug¬ ment the number of inhabitants to 6000, would d 3 lodge, HISTORY OF CANADA# lodge, vi&ual, and fupply them with every He- cefiary of life for the fpace of three years, and concede to them afterwards as much cleared land as was requifite for their fubfiftence, and like- wife allow them grain for fowing it j that in each fettlement they would eftablifh at lead three priefts, and that the charges of their mi- niflry, their cloathing, and every thing requifite for their perfonal comfort, Ihould be defrayed for fifteen years by the company ; at the expi¬ ration of that period, it was propofed they Ihould fubfifl: themfelves upon cleared lands which would be granted them. In return for thefe engagements, the king be¬ llowed on the company, and on their fuccefiois for ever, the fort and fettlement of Quebec, all the territory of New France, comprehending Florida, all the courfe of the great river, and of other rivers which difcharged themfelves there¬ into, or which throughout this vaft extent of country, difembogue themfelves into the fea on the eaftern or vveftern extremity of the conti¬ nent ; alfo the iflands, harbours, mines, and right of filhing. His majefty only referved to himfelf the fupremacy of the faith and homage, with the right to a crown of gold of the weight of eight marks, on each new fucceflion to the throne, and the appointment of the officers of juflice, who may be named and prefented by the company HISTORY OF CANADA. company whenever it fhould be deemed neceflary book to eftabliffi a court of law. The king further conferred on that company the privilege of con- 1622. ceding lands in whatever portions they might think proper, the power of conferring titles of honour according to the merit and condition of perfons, with whatever charges, refervations and terms ; but in cafe of the erection of marquifates, earldoms, counties and baronies, that they fhould receive letters of confirmation from the king, on the reprefentation of Cardinal Richlieu, chief and fuperintendant of the navigation and com¬ merce of New France. That the affociates might fully and peaceably enjoy the privileges, rights, and immunities granted them, ail former concetfions of lands, harbours, or parts thereof, were revoked ; and the king further bellowed on them the traffic in leather, fkins, and furs, for fifteen years only, as well as all other commerce by land or water, which could be carried on, in whatever manner, throughout the known extent of Canada, or as far as, during that period, it might be extended; referving only free to all his fubje&s, the right to fiffi for cod and whales; revoking all other grants to the contrary, and prohibiting during the time mentioned, the exercife of all former exclufive rights of commerce, under penalty of comifcation of veffel and cargo for the benefit of d 4 the 40 HISTORY OF CANADA.- BOOK I. ^ * d 1622, the company; unlefs the Cardinal Richlieu Ihould give leave in writing to any individual to trade to thofe places. It was, however, the king’s pleafure, that the European inhabitants of New France, who were neither maintained nor paid at the company’s expence, might freely carry on the fur trade with the fayages, on condition that they Ihould fell the beaver fkins to the agents of the company only, who ftiould be obliged to pay them for each, if in good condition, at lead forty fols tournois ; but forbidding them to be fold to any other perfons, under rifk of confifcation. The king engaged to prefent to the company two veflels of war, from two to three hundred tons burden, which they were to replace, (hould they by any accident be lod, except in the event of their being captured by an open enemy. Should the company fail in fending to New France in the courfeof the fird ten years, at lead 1500 French of both fexes, they were to redore to the king the fum expended for the two veflels of w T ar. The nomination of all captains and command¬ ants of forts and places already condruCted, or to be condrutted in the extent of the country granted, was referved for the royal pleafure. It was further ordained, that all artificers among the number of thofe whom the company fhculd engage to pafs thither, after exercifing their History of Canada. 4* their trades for fix years, might, if they inclined book to return to their native country, be entitled to 1 —_i eflablifh themfelves in any trading town there, l ^ 22 - on the production of an authentic certificate of fuch fervices. That it fhould be permitted to all perfons ot whatever quality or condition, eccle- fiaftics, nobles, officers of the army, or others, to enter into that aflociation without derogating from the privileges attached to their orders. 1 hat his majefty would, fliould it happen there were no nobles among the affociates, ennoble twelve, and for this effett would ifiue twelve letters of nobility figned and fealed, with the names blank, to be conferred on fuch as fliould from time to time be prefented by the company. That the defcendants of Frenchmen inhabiting Canada, and hkewife favages who fhould be convened to the Chriflian faith, and made pro- feffion of the fame, fhould be reputed natural born Frenchmen, and like them could live in France, and there acquire, fucceed to, bequeath, and accept donations and legacies, the fame as the other inhabitants or fubjeCls of the kingdom, without being compelled to procure letters of declaration. Louis XIII. concluded by afferting, that if the affociates difcovered in the fcquel that it might be neceffary for them to explain or amplify any of the foregoing articles, or to add new ones, according 42 HISTORY OF CANADA. B o o k according to exigencies, it fhould be complied '——- with, on their reprefentation. The grant, of which the above are the articles, was figned on the igth of April 1627 by the Cardinal Richlieu, and by thofe who had pre- fented the project. The king approved of them by an edict dated in the month of May, at the camp before Rochelle, and therein were at full length explained the various heads, which have here been ftated in abridgement. Upon the publication of the edi£t, the Duke de Ventadour refigned to his majefty the office of viceroy. The affociates, who now afiumed the appellation of the company of New France, foon amounted to the number of one hundred and feven, of whom the Cardinal Richlieu, and the Marechal Defiar, fuperintendant of finances, were the chiefs. M. M. de Razili and Cham¬ plain, the Abbey of la Madelaine, and feveral other perfons of condition, became members j the greater number were compofed of rich mer¬ chants of Paris, and feveral of the commercial towns. In fine, there was every inducement for fuppofing that New France would foon be¬ come an object of importance, when fupported by fo numerous and powerful an affociation. In the mean time, this new inftitution was in its commencement marked by an unfavourable event. The firft vefiels fent by the company to America, HISTORY OF CANADA. America, were captured by the Englifh, who book were then at hoflility with France, although war v— had not been declared. In the following year, David Kertk, a French- 1628. man, native of Dieppe, but a Calvjmift and re¬ fugee in England, folicited, it was faid by Wil¬ liam de Caen, who meditated revenge for the privation of his exclufive privilege, advanced with a fquadron to TadomTac, and detached a part of his velTels up the river, to burn the houfes and carry off the cattle from the meadows at the bottom of Cape Tourmenri, a lofty ridge of mountains which abruptly rifes from the fide of the St. Lawrence. The perfon who was en- trufted with the execution of this fervice had inflru&ions to afcend to Quebec, and to fummon the garrifon to a furrender. Champlain and Pontgrave happened both to be there, and after due delibera’tion, and founding the difpofition of the inhabitants, it was refolyed to make an obfti- nate defence, and fo fpirited an anfwer was fent to the Englifh captain, that he thought it advifable to retire. The inhabitants, notwithflanding, were reduced to feven ounces of bread per day, and there were only five pounds of powder in the garrifon. Kertk, who doubtlefs was ignorant of their real fituation, believed, on the other hand, that he fhould derive more advantage with lefs trouble, in capturing a convoy of thenew company, com- 44 HISTORY OF CANADA. B ° j ° K commanded by M. de Roquemont, one of its v——> partners, and which was conducting to Quebec 1628. feveral families, with every fpecies of provision. The misfortune of M. de Roquemont arofe lefs from the advantage of the intelligence which had been communicated by Caen, than from his own imprudent conduct. On arriving in the road of Gafpe, he difpatched a barque, to give Champlain advice of the fupplies he was con¬ ducting, and to carry him a commiflion from the king, appointing him governor over all New France, with orders to procure an inventory of all the elfeCts which belonged to the Sieurs de Caen. Not many days afterwards, he learned that Kertk was not far diftant, and he imme¬ diately weighed anchor to go in fearch of him, without reflecting, that he fhould expofe to the doubtful decifion of an engagement, with the d:f- advantage of his (hips being deeply laden, the whole refource of the colony. He was not long in meeting with the Englifh, whom he attacked, and fought with fpirit; but unfortunately for him his velfels were not only incapable of ma- nceuvering as well as thofe of Kertk, but were alfo inferior in force: they were foon difabled in their rigging, and compelled to furrender. 1629. The harveft of this year was extremely mo¬ derate ; eels caught in the river, and fome deer brought by the favages from the chace, enabled the HISTORY OF CANADA* the inhabitants to fubfift for two or three months \ but thefe fources being exhaufled, they were reduced to their former extremity. Only one refource remained, on which to reft their expecta¬ tions. Pierres Philibert Noyrot, fuperior of the Jefuits, and Charles Lallemant, had gone to Fiance in cjueft of fupplies, and by the genero- fity of their friends, had amafied a fufficient fund to enable them to freight a ffiip, and load it with provifions. They embarked together with two other Jefuits, but the veflel never arrived at Quebec. A ftrong gale threw her on the coaft of Acadia, where ffie was wrecked. The neceftitous condition to which the fettle- nient was reduced, was not the caufe of his greateft inquietude to the governor. The fa- vages, fince the new eftabliffiments of the Englifh in America, appeared more alienated from the French ; and their growing diflike was, it mult be confefled, not without foundation. There exifted among the inhabitants a mixrure of dif¬ ferent religions, and political principles. The Huguenots, whom the Sieur de Caen had intro¬ duced, did not pay to the lawful authority too great a refpeCt; and all thefirmnefs difplayed by Champlain proved fcarcely fufficient to check or reprefs the irregularities praCtifed by fubjeCts not Well affe&ed to the government. 45 O OK I. 1^29. In 4<> HISTORY OF CANADA. book In this cloudy fituation of affairs, he con. ceived, that if fupplies did not foon arrive, the 1 ^- 9 « bell plan which he could adopt would be to make war upon the Iroquois, and fubfift at their expence. The late incurfions of thefe bar-* barians, and the a£ts of hoflility which they were daily committing, furnished him for this mea- fure with a juft pretence. But when matters were arranged for the departure of the Irench on this expedition, it was found that their am. munition was almoft exhaufte’d. Necefiity then obliged the governor and his people to remain at Quebec, where there was not a fufficient means of fupport. Ihey were reduced to go in fearch of herbs and roots, and to exift on the fpontaneous productions of unaffifted nature. In this calamitous extremity, after the intelli¬ gence which was received of the lofs of the veffels from France, the moft agreeable profpect which could open, was that of the return of the Englilh. In the end of July, three months after their provifions had been entirely exhaufted, it was announced that fome Englifh veffels were feen behind Port Levi, which, with the ifland of Or¬ leans and the ccaft of Beauport, forms the bafon of Quebec. No doubt could be entertained of their being part of the Englifh fquadron, and the gover- history of Canada: governor confidered Kertk lefs in the view of an book enemy, than as a deliverer, to whom he fhould __ owe the obligation of faving him and his colony 1629. from falling a prey to mifery and misfortune. Soon after the receipt of this intelligence, a boat with a white flag appeared. The officer who commanded it, after having advanced to the middle of the bafon, flopped as if to demand permiffion to approach ; a fimilar flag, in token of aflent, was immediately hoified, and the of¬ ficer, as foon as he landed, prefented to the go¬ vernor a letter from Louis and Thomas Kertk, brothers of the admiral. The letter contained a fummons to furrender, in terms the mod delicate and polite. The two brothers, of whom the one was intended for the command of Quebec, .and the other commander of a fquadron, of which the greater part had re¬ mained at TadoufTac, acquainted Champlain that they were well informed of the diflrefled fitua- tion of his colony, but notwithflanding, if he would peaceably refign his fort, he fhould be at liberty to dictate his own conditions, which, with trifling limitations, were granted. On the following day Kertk took pofleffion of the fort, and treated the inhabitants with much humanity. It was the interefl of the Englifh that thofe fettlers who had cleared lands fhould remain in the country, and as an inducement, very ad¬ vantageous 45 HISTORY OF CANADA. book vantageous terms were offered them. They «—> were aflured, that after experiencing the Eng- 1629. Jifh government for twelve months, if they dhliked their fituation, he would get them con¬ veyed to Europe. As the generofity of his conduct had prejudiced many of the fettlers in his favour, and as moft of them would have been reduced to a date of mendicity had they repaired the fea, nearly all agreed to remain. The confideration of the fmall importance of Quebec to the date, viewed either as an object of policy or intered, induced the majority of the French cabinet to lay afide the intention of ne- gociating for its reditution. But feveral motives, notwithdanding, at length determined Louis XIII. not to abandon Canada. The principal were thofe of honour and religion, which Cham¬ plain, who pofleffed much piety and worth, tended by his perfuafions, not a little to flrengthen and confirm. At the indigation of Lord Montagu, the court of England refigned, without much difficulty, the conqued, which otherwife might have oc- cafioned frefh hodilities. The treaty was figned at Saint Germain en Lave, the 29th of March 1632, in which Acadia and Cape Breton were alio comprehended. The fettlement in the former was extremely inconfiderable ; this pod, however, the fort of Quebec HISTORY OF CANADA. 49 Quebec containing fome houfes and barracks, a b o o k few huts in the Ifland of Montreal, as many at Tadouffac, and at fome other fpots on the bor- i6 3 2 * ders of the St. Laurence, for the convenience of fifhing, and traffic with the natives, the com¬ mencement of a fettlement at Three Rivers, and the ruins of Port Royal, compofed the whole extent of the fettlements of New France ; and all the fruits yet derived from the difeoveries of Ve- razani, Cartier, Roberval, Champlain, from the great expences difburfed by the marquis de la Roche and by Monts, and from the induflry of a confiderable number of Frenchmen, who might have raifed thefe eflablifliments to a ftate of higher importance, had their feveral efforts been judicioully directed. Quebec being accordingly reftored to the French, was delivered up by Louis Kertk to Emery de Caen ; and, to compenfate for a lofs which he had fuftained by the capture in the river St. Laurence of a veffel and cargo of his property, which were deflined for the relief of the fettlement, government beltovved on him for the fpace of a year, the exclufive profits of the fur trade. The company of New France refumed all their 11533- 1 rights, ancb^Acadia was granted to M. de Ra- zili, on condition that he fhould there efiablifh a colony. In the fame year, Champlain, whom vol. 1. e the E 5° HISTORY OF CANADA. / B 0 0 K the company, in virtue of their charter, prefented w to the king, was nominated afrelh governor of lC 33 * New France, for which he failed with a fqua- dron, containing more property than the value of the whole fettlement could be eflimated at. On his arrival he found the greateft part of his former colonies; and having landed the new fet* tiers, whom he brought with him, he exhort¬ ed them feduloufly to avoid the errors which had given rife to the pall misfortunes of the co¬ lony. The court of France had ftri&ly enjoined that noProteftant Ihould fettle in Canada, and that the Catholic religion only Ihould there be tolerated. It had been found, that the late capture of Que¬ bec was principally effected by means of the Cal¬ vings, and experience fuggefted that it would not be prudent to admit fectaries in religion, where the powers of the government were in¬ adequate to infure fubmiffion to the lawful au¬ thority. Great attention had been beftowed in the choice of both male and female emigrants for New France; and it is -generally afferted, that the accounts given in fome of the old memoirs refpe&ing the mediocrity of virtue in the wo¬ men, and the mode in which they were felected for wives on their landing in the fettlement, are devoid of corre&neis. Whatever may have been their HISTORY OF CANADA. 5* their former character, they demeaned themfelves book in the fequel with much prudence and propriety v_— of conduct, and an open and exemplary pro- i6 33 * feflion of piety was generally exhibited by the inhabitants. A circumftance which tended to ftrengthen this attachment to religion and good order, was the eftablifhment of the Jefuits at Quebec. A fon of the Marquis de Gamache had obtained permiflion from his family, about ten years be - fore this period, to enter into the company of Jefuits; and his relations, by whom he was much beloved, becoming acquainted with an ardent defire he entertained of being the founder of a college at Quebec, cheerfully confented to gra¬ tify him in accomplilhing this meafure. They wrote on the fubjedl to Pierre Mutio Vitellefhi, general of the Jefuits, and offered him fix thou- fand crowns in gold, for the purpofe of carrying on this foundation. The donation was readily accepted, but the capture of the fettlement fuf- pended the project for a time. The college was commenced in the month of 1635. December this year ; but the fatisfa&ion derived from that event was foon after damped by the death of Champlain, the governor. A man of uncommon penetration and difin- terefled views, he acquitted himfelf with honour e 2 and HISTORY OF CANADA. and credit in dangerous and critical conjunctures. His unabated conftancy in the purfuit of plans on which he had refolved, his unfhaken firmnefs in^reat calamities, his ardent and amiable zeal for the welfare of his country, his tendernefs and compaflion for the misfortunes of others, his attention to promote the intereft of his friends often in preference to his own, denoted him a character well qualified to difcharge the duties of the fituation which fortune had def¬ ined him to fill. His memoirs afford teftimony of his profefiional knowledge, and evince him to have been a faithful hiftorian, a traveller who regarded with attention whatever new objects prefented themfelves to his obfervation, a geo¬ metrician, and a Ikilful navigator. The chief object of his ambition feems to have been that of becoming the parent and founder of a colony: an ambition the moll laudable which can oc¬ cupy the human mind. M. de Montmagny, who fucceeded Champlain in the government, and M. de Lille, who com¬ manded at Three Rivers, were both Knights of Malta. The former entered into the views of his predeceffor, but he was in want of men and finances. Every thing appeared in a languilhing condition, the fur trade excepted, which tended to enrich fome merchants and a few of the inhabitants. It HISTORY OF CANADA. It would be a difficult talk to explain by B k what fatality a company fo numerous and pow- >—v —> erful as *hat which governed Canada, and which J< ^5* confidered this country as its domain, Ihould thus abandon a colony, whence they had once formed favourable expe&ations, where the una¬ nimity of its members co-operated for the fuc- cefs of the enterprifes which they attempted, and which would have flouriffied had the hundred affociates fupplied money for defraying its ne- ceflary expences. An eftablilhment was this year begun on the 1636. north Ihore of the river St. Laurence, about a league from Quebec, to -which was given the name of Sillery. It was intended as a religious inftitution for the inftru&ion and converfion of favages, and twelve French families fettled there. The Hotel Dieu was founded under the pa- 1638. tronage of Madame la Ducheffe d’Aiguillon. To procure perfons fui^ible for this inflitution, fhe applied to the hofpital at Dieppe, and three nuns were chofen from thence, who cheerfully undertook the charitable fervice for which they were engaged. The nunnery of Urfulines was begun in the enfuing year, Madame de la Peltrie, a young widow of condition in France, being its found- refs. E 3 She 54 HISTORY OF CANADA. BOOK I. 1638. She went from Alengon, the place of her re- fidence, to Paris, to fettle the preparatives for the undertaking; to Tours, to engage fillers of the Urfulines; from thence to Dieppe, where fhe had given dire&ions for a veflfel to be freighted; on the 4th of May (he there embarked, and ar¬ rived at Quebec three months afterwards. The boldnefs and infolence of the Iroquois had very much augmented, and they had cap¬ tured feveral canoes of the Hurons which were on their way to Quebec, loaded with furs. This proceeded from a want of energy in the colony, and from the fmallnefs of its military force, which alone could hold the balance between two favage nations, who, with all their numbers, could not have refilled four thoufand French. The company paid no attention to the colony, and it fell into a Hate of decline. An enter- prife which was then about to be commenced, that of peopling and fortifying a part of the illand of Montreal, brought fome confolation to M. de Montmagny, and flattered him with the hope, that in a little time the Iroquois would no longer dare to advance, and brave him under the cannon of his fort. The firlt miflionaries had comprehended the importance of occupying the illand of Montreal, but the company of Canada entered not into their views. It then became neceli'ary that in¬ dividual* HISTORY OF CANADA. ss dividuals fhould charge themfelves with the ex- book ecution of a defign io advantageous to New France, and which the continued hoftility of the i 6 3 8 - Iroquois likewife rendered neceflary. The Abbe Olivier, who reformed the clergy in France, and inftituted alfo the feminary of St. Sulpicius in that country, projected for Canada a religious order of the fame name, and on the fame plan, and for its fupport the whole ifland of Montreal was granted by the French king. The Sieur Maifonneuve, and another perfon friendly to the inftitution, accompanied by feveral families, and a young lady whofe name was Manfe, arrived at Quebec. M. de Mont- magny proceeded with them to Montreal, at¬ tended by fome of the principal inhabitants, and M. Maifonneuve was folemnly inverted with the government of that ifland, in behalf of the reli¬ gious order of St. Sulpicius. On the 17th of May following, the place deftined for the fettlement of the French, was confecrated by the fuperior of the Jefuits. 1 4 HISTORY OF CANADA, 56 BOOK II. ConfruElion of Fort Rich lieu.—Interview with the Iroquois Deputies at Three Rivers.—Maffacre of the Hurons at St. Joftph.—Incurfon againf the HuronsCalamities of that People.—Fifty Frenchmen fettle among the Iro¬ quois.—Pillage of the lfland of Orleans.-—Efcape of the French Settlers from the Country of the Iroquois.— Arrival of the firf Bifhop. — Difrefs of the Colony.— EreElion of a Seminary at Quebec.—Tremendous Earth¬ quake.—Efablijhntent of a permanent Council. — Eng- lijh take Pojfeffton of New Belgium . r T”'HE audacity which the Iroquois had (hewn, by appearing in arms before Three Rivers, and the infoience of their condu£t to the Gover¬ nor-General, afforded him fubjeft of much dis¬ quietude. He found it neceffary to adopt im¬ mediate meafures for guarding againfl a furprife, and for repelling the hoftile efforts of a nation, on whofe engagement no dependence could be placed, and who leemed refolute, either bv policy or by force, to give law to the whole country. It was then determined to conftruct a fort at the entrance of a river which was called the river of the Iroquois, but is now known by that of Sorel. In a (hort time it was completed, al¬ though HISTORY OF CANADA. though the people employed in that fervice were book interrupted by the repeated attacks of feven hun- . I1 '._ ( dred Iroquois, whom they fuccefsfully repulfed. 1638. To the fort was given the name of Richlieu, and a garrifon as ftrong as circumftances would allow was flationed for its defence. Although the Iroquois feemed intent on carry¬ ing to extremity, war againft the French and their allies, they from time to time indicated an inclination for peace ; an event which the gover¬ nor earneftly wilhed for, becaufe he was not in a condition to fupport hoftilities; and by continu¬ ing in a Hate of warfare no advantage could be gained. Had it been in his power to have con¬ cealed from his enemies his weaknefs, he might have profited by that conjuncture to fave the ho¬ nour of the colony ; but he was deftitute of this refource, and the Iroquois confidently boafled that they Ihould compel the French to repafs the fea. The governor, convinced from his fituation that the only means remaining to difarm the fe¬ rocity of thefe barbarians, were to adt on the de- fenfive, he was not able to aflame the tone of obliging them to obferve a neutrality towards the fettlement. Reduced, then, to the adoption of meafures little confident with his charadler, he endeavoured to veil them under fome honourable pretext, and at the hazard of feeming the dupe of advances, no lefs infidious and infincere, than afiuming 5 * HISTORY OF CAN-4 DA. book afluming and ferocious, he pretended to regard them with an air of confidence, from a view of *638. procuring the reftoration of captives, the fafety of convoys, to avert the ruin of commerce, and to gain a truce, that he might have the means of recruiting his flrength. The native allies of the French being equally folicitous for peace, he waited until, through their means, a favourable opportunity prefented itfelf. On this occafion he went to Three Rivers, where having erected a tent in the fort, he placed himfelf in a chair, having on either fide of him the officers and principal inhabitants of the colony. The deputies of the Iroquois were feated on a matt near his feet; they had chofen this place to mark their refpeft for Ononthio, the governor, whom they always diilinguifhed by that appellation, aud whom they generally ad- drefled by the title of father. The Algonquins, the Montagnez, the Atti- kamegues, and fome other favages who fpoke the fame language, w'ere oppofite, and the Hu- rons were mixed with the French. The middle fpace was unoccupied, that the necefiary evolu¬ tions might be made without embarraffment and interruption. The Iroquois had provided themfelves with feventeen belts, which were equal to the number of HISTORY OF CANADA. of propofitions they had to difcufs; and to expofe book them to view in the order in which they were to <_ n ' be explained, they erected two picquets, with a x ^3 8, cord extended from one to the other, on which they were fufpended. The orator of the Can¬ tons taking one in his hand, and prefenting it to the Governor-General, fpoke thus: “ Ononthio, be attentive to my words, all the Iroquois fpeak by my mouth ; my heart entertains no evil fen- timents, all my intentions are upright; we wilh to forget our fongs of war, and to refume the voice of chearfulnefs.” He immediately began to fing, his colleagues marking the meafure with a he , which they drew from the bottom of their cheft, and in dancing he moved quickly, and gefticulated in a manner perfectly grotefque. He call his eyes towards the fun, he rubbed his arms as if to prepare himfelf for wreftling, and then afiuming a compofed air, continued his difcourfe. “ This belt is to thank thee, my father, for having given his life to my brother j thou haft withdrawn him from the teeth of the Algon¬ quin ; but fhouldft thou have permitted him to depart alone ? If his canoe had upfet, who could have aflifted him ? Had he been drowned, or had he by any other accident perilhed, thou couldft have had no tidings of peace, and thou wouldft have attributed to us a fault, which Yvopld have been alone imputable to thee.” In finilhing 6o HISTORY OF CANADA. book finifhing thefe words, he fufpended a collar on v—the cord, he laid hold of another, and after having fixed it on the arm of Couture, a French¬ man, proceeded : “ My father, this collar re- ftores to thee thy countryman ; I was willing to fay to him, my nephew, take a canoe, and return to thy country, but I never fhould have been happy until I had learned certain ridings of his arrival. My brother, whom thou fenteft back to us, fuffered much, and encountered great dangers. He was obliged alone to carry his baggage, paddle his canoe the whole day, draw it up the rapids, and be always on his guard againfi: furprife.” The orator accompanied this difcourfe with expreflive geftures j and repre- fentea the fituation of a perfon fometimes con¬ ducing a canoe with a pole, an operation which in Canada is called picquer de fond , at others rowing with a paddle; fometimes he appeared out of breath, then refuming the energy of his powers, he remained for a while in a ftate of tranquillity. He feemed in carrying his baggage, to wound his foot againfi: a ftone, and he proceeded limp¬ ing, as if he felt the reality of pain. The other collars related to peace, of which the conclufion was the fubject of this embafly ; each had its particular import, and the orator explained them in the fame graphical manner, which. HISTORY OF CANADA. which, in the difcuflion of the former, he had difplayed. One rendered the paths open and free, another calmed the fpirit of war, which ren¬ dered the navigation of the rivers dangerous; there was one to announce that they fhould henceforth vifit each other without fear or dif- truft; and with each different branch of the fubjeft a belt was connected—the feafts which they fliould mutually give; the alliance between all the nations; the defire which they always entertained of reftoring Fathers Jaques and Breffani, who were prifoners; the kindnefs they intended for them ; their acknowledgment for the deliverance of three Iroquois captives j every one of thefe was exprelfed by a collar; and had the orator refrained from fpeaking, his a&ion would, in a great degree, have developed the fentiments which he uttered. He fpoke and a&ed for three hours without appearing to be heated, and he was the firft to propofe a fpecies of feftival, which terminated the affembly, and which confided in feaft^g, finging, and dancing. Two days after, M. de Montmagny gave an anfwer to the propofitions of the Iroquois; it not being cuftomary to reply on the fame day. This affembly was equally numerous as the firft, and the Governor-General made as many pre- fents 6 i HISTORY OF CANADA. BOOK II. Vw — V 163S. fents as he had received belts of wampum.— , Couture was the fpeaker, and he delivered his difcourfe without gediculation, without inter¬ ruption, and with a gravity which correfponded with the character of the perfonage whofe inter¬ preter he was. When he had finilhed, Pilkaret, an Algonquin chief, arofe, and offered his pre- fent: “ Behold,” faid he, “ a ftone which I place on the fepulchre of thofe who were killed in the war, that no one may attempt to remove their bones, and that every defire of avenging their death may be laid afide. 5 ' This captain was one of the braved men in Canada, and had didinguilhed himfelf by deeds of lingular valour. Negabama, chief of the Montagnez, then prefented a deer Ikin, faying, “ that it was for the purpofe of making Ihoes for the deputies of the Iroquois, led in returning home they Ihould wound their feet againd the dones.” The other nations fpoke not, becaufe, appa¬ rently, neither their chiefs nor orators were pre- fent. The affembly was concluded by three difeharges of cannon, which, it was told the na¬ tives, were to fpread the neu's of peace. The follow'ing winter exhibited what never had before been feen in Canada fmee the arrival of the French; the Iroquois, the Hurons, and the Algonquins, mixed together in the chace with equal HISTORY OF CANADA. <>3 equal concord, as if they compofed the fame book. nation. . The Chevalier de Montmagny received orders 1647- to refign his government to M. d’Ailebouft, who commanded for a time at Three Rivers, and to return to France. The conduct of M. de Poinci, Go\¥rnor-Ge- neral of the American iflands, who attempted to maintain his fituation in oppofition to the court, and who refufed to acknowledge as his fuccefior the perfon whom the King had ap¬ pointed, thereby exhibiting an example of re¬ bellion which other governors were beginning to follow, induced the council of his Mod Chriftian Majefty to adopt the refolution of ap¬ pointing governors of colonies for three years only in the fame place, left, by being continued . too long a time in office, they might be difpofed to confider the country over which the authority delegated to them had extended, as their own domain. Inconveniences fail not to accompany general regulations; and it is a misfortune to be placed in circumftances, which may not be remedied by exceptions, often neceffary, efpecially where the public intereft is concerned. When the choice has fallen on a man of virtue and talents, he cannot be allowed to re¬ main for too long a peiiod at the head of a new c colony. 6 4 HISTORY OF CANADA; colony. On the contrary, a perfon who, de=; ficient in qualifications, folicits an employment of fuch importance, cannot too foon be recalled. Nothing can be more prejudicial to a colony, fufficient time for the confolidation and eflabliffi- ment of whofe foundations may not yet have elapfed, and where there exift enemies, with whom to contend with advantage, a knowledge of their character, policy, and ftrength muft be acquired, than frequently to change the perfons to whom its government and defence are com¬ mitted. To act with energy, a conformity of conduit is required to purfue projects, which cannot ripen, or be executed, but with time; for it rarely occurs that a new Governor ap¬ proves the views of his predecetTor, or imagines not that he can devife more efficient meafures. The fame contrariety of opinions may continually fucceed, and by the frequent change of men and of fchemes, a colony may be condemned to re¬ main in a long fiate of infancy, and its progrefs in advancement be tedious and circumfcribed. To M. de Montmagny none of thofe blemiffies were imputable; he endeavoured to regulate his conduit by that of his predeceffor, and con¬ fined himfelf to purfue, as far as he was per¬ mitted, the plan which Champlain, the founder of the fettlement, had traced in his memoirs. Had the company of Canada feconded his en¬ deavours, HISTORY OF CANADA. 6 5 deavours, he would have placed his government book. on a refpe&able footing; and much credit was - -— due to him for having fo ably fupported it with fuch feeble refources. His conduct was ever exemplary, and on moft occafions he difplayed tokens of ability, of difintereftednefs, and of a love of piety and religion. He was equally re- fpe&ed by the French and by the natives, and he was long quoted by the court, as a model to be imitated by governors of new colonies. M. d’Aillebouft, his fucceffor, was a man of much probity and worth. He had been a mem¬ ber of the fociety for the fettlement of Montreal, and had commanded in that ifland during the abfence of M. de Maifonneuve : from thence he was removed to the government of Three Rivers. He was well acquainted with the ftate of the fettlement, and neglefted nothing in his power towards promoting its welfare. But he was not better fupported than the former governor, and New France continued under him to be fub- je&ed to difadvantages, which could not without injuftice be placed to his account. Quebec and the other French fettlements were then in a ftate of tranquillity; the favages, do¬ miciliated amongft them, and thofe who came thither for the purpofes of traffic, profited by the general calm. The commerce was chiefly con¬ fined to furs, and Three Rivers and TadouTac vol. i* f were 66 HISTORY OF CANADA. book were the marts to which the natives principally v —< reforted. The greater part of the tribes de- X648. fcended from the north ; during their (lay they were inftrufted in the truths of Chriffianity, which they communicated to their neighbours, and generally returned with profelytes, who were prepared for baptifm. Sillery every day in. creafed in the number of its inhabitants, who difplayed religious fervour and zeal. But the church of the Hurons, although the mod nume¬ rous of all, and the molt productive in examples of piety, became to the evangelic labourer a l'ource of continual difquietude and alarm. The Andaftoez, a people at that period power¬ ful and warlike, had lent to the Hurons an offer of affiftance. The opportunity was favourable for endeavouring to regain over the Iroquois that fuperiority which they formerly poflefled, but they would not embrace it. To place themfelves in a fituation of procuring an advantageous peace, by afiuming a portion of warlike ftrength, was a ftretch of policy which they could not reach; they therefore foon became dupes to the perfidy and artifice of their enemies. for a time there was no appearance of hoftili- ty, and nothing more w r as wanting to replunge the Hurons into their ufual indolence and belief of fecurity. The Agniers, a tribe of the Iroquois, fecretly took arms, and appeared in their coun¬ try, HISTORY OF CANADA. 67 try, on a quarter where they were lead ex- book pefted. J1 ' _ j Father Antoine Daniel took charge alone of this canton, and made his ordinary refidence in the fettlement of St. Jofeph, the firft in which it had been attempted to eftablilh the practice of the gofpel. On the fourth of July in the morning* whilfl: the miflionary was celebrating the facred myfteries, he heard a confufed noife of perfons who fled on all fldes, crying out, “ they are killing us.” There then happened to be none in the village but old men, women, and children : of this the enemy was informed, made approaches during the night, and attacked at break of day. The whole inhabitants were maflacred, and laft of all the miflionary. About this time an envoy from New England arrived at Quebec, with powers to propofe a per¬ petual alliance between the two colonies* inde¬ pendent of all the ruptures "which might happen between the parent ftates. M. d’Ailleboufl thought the propofal of mutual advantage, and fent to Bofton a plenipotentiary to conclude and flgn the treaty; but upon condition that the Englifh would confent to aft when neceflary, in junction w’ith the French, in making war again!! theTroquois. f 2 It 68 HISTORY OF CANADA. book It appeared that the lad condition was not ac- __ceptable, and would break off the negotiation. 1648. The Englifh were themfelves fufficiently remote from the Iroquois to have nothing to apprehend, and were occupied in their commerce, and in the culture of their lands. This alliance therefore did not take place. The Iroquois having fufpend- ed for fix months every hodile enterprize, the Hurons again forgot that they were concerned with an enemy, againft whom they ought ever to have been upon their guard. In confequence of which, a thoufand warriors of the former march¬ ed into their country, and burnt and deftroyed 1649. two villages. During this incurfion two French miffionaries were put to death with the mod Ihocking cruelties. After thefe rude checks, the Hurons defpaired . of being any longer able to fupport themfelves, and in lefs than eight days all the villages in the environs of Sr. Mary were deferted. Of mod of *h fe, no traces but thecleanfed fpots of land re¬ mained, the inhabitants on withdrawing having fet fire to them. Some of the Hurons went among the foreffs, others among the neighbour¬ ing people. A plan was formed for rc-uniting the red of this dilperfed nation, in fome fituation fufficiently remote, that they might not be dif- quietcd by an enemy whom they were no longer in a condition to redd. For HISTORY OF CANADA. For this pu^pofe was propofed the Ifle Mani- toualin, which is fituated in the north part of Lake Huron. This ifland is about forty leagues in length from eaft to wed, its breadth is inconfi- derable, and its coafts are frequented by fhoals of fifh. The foil is in many places good, and as it was not inhabited, it abounded with animals of the chace. The fcheme of the miflionaries was not however relilhed, the Hurons being unable to adopt the refolution of exiling themfelves fo far from their country, which they would not abandon, although they wanted the courage to defend it; they therefore had the complaifance to follow that people to the ifland of St. Jofeph, which is little remote from that part of the con¬ tinent where they then were ftationed. Their removal took place on the fifteenth of May, and in a little time were formed in this ifland an hundred cabins, fome of eight, others of ten families, without including a great number of families who fpread themfe'ves along the neighbouring coafl for the convenience of fifhing and of the chace. The fummer pafled in tran¬ quillity, but as they did not cultivate the land, and as their fifhing and chace produced but little, autumn was not far advanced when provifions began to fail. They were foon reduced to the mofl dreadful extremities; they dug up bodies half corrupted to fatisfy their hunger, mothers f 3 devoured HISTORY OF CANADA. 7® BOOK II. — ,•- I649. devoured their children who died for want of nourifhment, and children were reduced to feed on the carcaffes of thofe to whom they owed their exiftence. A famine which produced effects fo calami¬ tous could not fail to engender malignant diftem- per?; and there arofe a contagious malady, to whofe defolating fury great numbers became the prey. St. John, another village of the Hurons, con¬ fining of fix hundred families, was foon after invaded and deftroyed by the Iroquois, and the mifiionary was put to death. A confternation fo general was fpread among the nation of the Hurons, that numbers of them defeended to Quebec to join fome of their coun¬ trymen fettled in its vicinity. Almoft: all the inhabitants of the two villages of St. Michael and St. John, embraced a refolution of prefent- ing themfelves to the Iroquois, and of making an offer to live in their fociety. They were well received ; but the enemy finding that many were wanderers without the power of fixing themfelves in any fituation, detached a party of young war¬ riors in purfuit of them. Almoft the whole were taken, and no quarter was given. * The dread of the Iroquois had fuch an effeft upon all the other jiadons, that the borders of the river Outaouais, which were long thickly peopled, became almolt deferted, HISTORY OF CANADA. deferted, without its ever bein£ known what be¬ came of the greater part of the inhabitants. Brandy and other fermented liquors began now to be introduced among the favages who bordered on Tadouflac, which has fincebeen the caufe of great diforder and calamity among the natives, who are much difpofed to intoxication, and under its influence give a full fcope to all the malignant paflions of the human heart. The perfons to whom the government of the colony was committed pofiefied too much reli¬ gion and zeal not to oppofe themfelves to a com¬ merce which tended to foment vice, and they were not even fufpe&ed, as were foine of their fucceflbrs, of wifhing to increafe the revenue at the expence of religion and good order. This evil made in a fhort time fuch advances, that the chiefs of the favages earneftly petitioned the governor to order a prifon to be built, in which^to confine thofe who by their irregular condutt difquieted fociety. Befides the Mon- tagmez, who were the native inhabitants of Ta- doufiac, there alfo frequented this poll the Berfi- anrite*, Papinachois, and Oumamioucks, among whom were feveral Chriflians already converted by native profelytes. Great care had been taken at Three Rivers to prevent the introduction of this destructive article of commerce, and the natives in that r 4 vicinity 72 HISTORY OF CANADA. book vicinity were yet ftrangers to its dangerous 1 ■— j— m ,j effe&s. 1650. This year, fo hurtful to New France by the deftru&ion of almoft the whole of the Huron na¬ tion, and by other unfavourable events which followed, concluded by the change of the Go¬ vernor-General. • M. de Laufon, one of the principal aflociates of the company of Canada, was nominated to fucceed M. d’Ailleboufl, whofe three years were expired j but he arrived not at Quebec until the following year. The latter left without regret an office, where he was deftitute of the means of fupporting his dignity. The new governor had always held the greateft (hare in conducting the affairs of the company. He negotiated in England for the reflitution of Que¬ bec. His integrity and good intentions were generally known, and he appeared always to have taken a great intereft in the w elfare of Cat^ida. J651. But he found its fituation in a worfe flatye than he conceived, and the colony was rapidly on the decline. The Iroquois, become more prefump- tuous by their late vittories, began no longer to confider the forts and entrenchments as barriers to their progrefs ; they fpread rhemfelves in great bodies over all the French habitations, and no place was flickered from their infults. #653. The ifland of Montreal fuffered not lefs from the incurfions of the Iroquois than the other quarters HISTORY CF CANADA. quarters of the colony ; and M. Maifonneuve was obliged to make a voyage to France to folicit the fuccours, which by letters he could not obtain. He returned with a reinforcement of a hundred men. He alfo brought with him a female of exemplary virtue, who founded the inftitution of the daughters of the congregation; an inftitution which afterwards became of eminent advantage to the fettlement. About this period the Iroquois completed the deftruttion of the nation of the Eriez, or Cat. The commencement of the war had not been favourable to the former, but they perfevered, and their efforts at length produced fuch fuccefs, that were it not for the great lake which ftill re¬ tains the name of the latter nation, not a veftige of their ever having exifted would have remain¬ ed. Apprehenfions were entertained that thefe new advantages would rekindle in the breafts of the Iroquois their long cherifhed hatred to the French, but the tribes of the Onnontagues were more than ever difpofed to a union with them. To this end they made advances, which w r ere conceived to be fincere, as their intereft: corre- fponded with their prefent condutt. Pierre Dablon, a miflionarv amongft them, accompani¬ ed fome of their convoy to Quebec, that they might endeavour to prevail on M Laufon to fend into their canton a number of Frenchmen. He 74 BOOK II. V >— — * 1656. HISTORY OF CANADA. He fet out on the 1 2th of March with a nu¬ merous efcort, and arrived at Quebec in the beginning of April. "I he Governor-General entered without hefitation into the views of the Iroquois; and fifty Frenchmen were chofen to form the propofed eftablifhment. lhe Sieur Dupuys, an officer of the garrifon, was appoint¬ ed their commandant. Father Francois Le Mer- cier, who had fucceeded Pierre Jerome Lalle- mant in the charge of fuperior general of the miffions, determined himfelf to conduct thofe of his order who were deflined to eftablifh the firfl Iroquois church, and whofe names were fathers Fremin, Mefnard, and Dablon : their departure was fixed for the 7th of May *, and although the preceding harveft had been but moderate, they gave to the Sieur Dupuys a quantity of provi- fions fufficient to fupport his people during a whole year, and alfo feed for the lands, of which they were going to take poffeffion. The account of this enterprize having gone abroad, it became a fubjeft of ferious reflection among the Agnieis, and awoke in them an an¬ cient jealoufy which they entertained againft the Onnontagues. A general aflembly of all the canton was convened to deliberate on this affair, which appeared of the greateff importance ; and ' it was there concluded that every endeavour muff he ufed to crulh the new eftablifhment. In con- fequence HISTORY OF CANADA. fequence of this refolution, a party of four hun- book. ored men was raifed, with orders to difperfe, or ^ cut in pieces the company ofM. Depuvs. Hav- 16 ing failed in the attainment of their objeCt, they avenged themfeives by pillaging fome of his ca¬ noes which had fallen behind, and were not fufr ficiently guarded. It was not thought expedient to make this in- fult a ground of quarrel, in hopes that they would foon be in a date to take certain and fig. nal vengeance, if the Agniers did not, of them- felves, make ample reparation. They however made it fhortly afterwards appear, that nothing was more remote from their inclination. They approached the Ifle of Orleans on a morning be¬ fore fun-rife, fell upon a party of ninety Hurons of every age and fex, who were labouring in the fields, killed fix of them, bound the reft, and embarked them in their canoes. They boldly pafled before Quebec, and made their prifoners fing oppofite to the fort, as if to challenge the Governor to attempt to refcue them from their hands. They conducted them to their village without having been purfued, and there burnt the chiefs; the reft were diftributed among the cantons, and retained in fevere captivity. M. de Laufon was much blamed for having fuffered calmly fuch infolence, and his total in¬ action whilft the enemy were, it may be faid, tearing Ui HISTORY OF CANADA. 7* book tearing from his arms, allies, whofe converfion 1L equally interefted the honour of the colony and 1656. of religion, caufed a ftain in his memory, which his virtues were unable to efface. There happen fometimes, in the condud even of worthy men, miftakes which are confidered as lefs pardonable than cowardice itfelf. The Hurons, by a prefumptuous confidence in fecurity, of which favages cannot divefl them- felves, fuffered a furprize ; to refcue them from the Iroquois, an army of five or fix hundred men would have been neceffary, and the time required for arming and embarking that body would have afforded to thefe barbarians more than fufficient Jeifure to have eluded the efforts of their pur- fuers. A young Huron of this unfortunate band, who efcaped from the village where he w'as captive, related that many of them were treated with in¬ humanity unequalled, particularly one of the chiefs, whofe punifhment was prolonged for three days. Having been converted to Chriftianity, he ceafed nor to addrefs himfelf to the Supreme Being, although he experienced that his perfe- verance in that devout exercile tended to irritate his executioners, and to lengthen the period of his afili&ions. i he Jr quois had no looner exterminated the Hurons from their country, than they refolved to treat HISTORY OF CANADA. 77 treat in the fame manner all their allies. The Outaouais were among the number, and being unable to refill the conquerors, they were not difpofed to wait until they Ihould arrive to burn their villages, and put the inhabitants to death. Some had already withdrawn to the bogs of the Saguinaw , others to that of Thunder , both of which are in lake Huron, many to the ifland of Meinitoualin, and to the ifle of Michilimakinac; but the greateft part of the nation remained until the extirmination of the Hurons in the borders of the great river, which is known by the name of their nation. They then joined themfelves to the Hurons Tionnontatez, with whom they penetrated to the regions of the fouth. They entered into an alliance with the Sioux, afterwards embroiled themfelves with them, and made war at the expence of that people, until this period, unwarlike and little known. They then feparated into feveral bands, and the mifery to which they were reduced proclaimed wherever they diredled their ccurfe the terror of the Iro¬ quois name. The party who had been fent to fettle among the Onnontagues buffered much from want of provifions. They chiefly relied on hiking and on the chace. Both failed them ; and the French, who are not accuftomed to long abftinence, like the favages, would have periflicd from hunger, if 6 they BOOK. ii. y.—II 16 j6. 78 HISTORY OF CANADA. book they had not been fupplied by the natives. The whole canton feemed inclined to embrace the Chriftian faith, and it became neceffar.y to en¬ large the chapel more than one half, as it was in- fuflicient to contain all thofe who wiftied to become profelytes. It was thought by many of the French that a fort ought to have been con- ftrufled in order to guard againfl the levity and verfatiie difpofition of this people, and it would have been well to have adopted their counfel. But the funds of Canada were unequal to furnifh the expence, and among the affociates of New France no one had lefs credit, or was lefs regard¬ ed, than they who had acquired a knowledge of the country. The Hurons of the ifland of Orleans, who conceived themfelves no longer in fecurity, took refuge at Quebec, and in a moment of defponden- cy for having been abandoned by the French, they had fecretly fent a propofal to the Agniers, to be admitted into their canton, and to become with them one people. They had fcarcely em¬ braced this meafure, when they repented. The Agniers, finding that they wifhed to withdraw their propofal, took the means of obliging them to fulfil it. They began by letting loofe on them feveral detached parties, who maffacred or carried off all whom they found in the country, and when they imagined that thefe hoflilities had rendered HISTORY OP CANADA. 79 rendered them more tradable, they fent to book Q uebec thirty deputies to condud them away, __ Nothing could equal the haughtinefs with which thefe deputies acquitted themfelves of their eommifiion. They addrefled M. de Laufon, de¬ manding to be heard in an afiembly of the French and Hurons, and the Governor-General confenting to their requell, the chief of the de¬ putation fpoke to the chief of the Hurons as follows: “ It is # now time, my brother, that thou Ihouldeft ftretch out thy arm to me, that I may be intreated to condud thee to my country; every time that I came with that intention thou didft withdraw, and it was to punilh thy incon- flancy, that I flruck with my hatchet a part of thy countrymen. Believe me,give me no longer reafon to repeat that treatment; arife and follow me.” He then prefented two collars, one to aid the Hurons to raife themfelves and confent, the other to allure them that the Agniers would live with them as brothers. Turning to the General, he faid, “ Lift up thy arm, Ononthio, and allow thy children, whom thou holdeft prefied to thy bofom, to depart; for if they are guilty of any imprudence, have reafon to dread, left in coining to chaftife them, my blows fall on thy head. Receive this, and open wide thy arms.” He pre¬ fented So HISTORY or CANADA. book fented a belt. “ I know,” continued he, “ that ^ the Huron is fond of prayers, that he confeffes and adores the Author of all things, to whom, in his diltreffes, he has recourfe for fuccour. It is my inclination to do the fame. Allow the miffionary who quitted me, I know not why, to accompany him to inftruct me; and, as I have not a fufficient number of canoes to convey fo great a body of people, do me the favour to lend me thine.” He ftrengthened thefe demands by prefenting two additional collars, and re¬ tired. It would be difficult to affign a reafon why M. de Laufon tolerated fuch infolence at a time when he had no other enemy on his hand but that of the canton of Agnier. He fhewed no difpleafure at the haughty difcourfe of the orator, a circumftance which was remarked by the Hurons, and caufed them much embarralT- ment. From experience of the part, and the general conduft of the Iroquois, they had every evil to apprehend, and they conceived, whatever might be the part they Ihould aft, inevitable ruin mult overtake them. In this perplexity of their affairs they feparated; fome declaring that they would not quit the French, others that they were refolved to give themfelves up to the On- nontagues, with whom they had already made a kind of engagement. The family of the Beas alone HISTORY OF CANADA. 81 alone kept the promife which they had made to book the Agniers. u _ 11 ' i J Thefe refolutions being taken, the council re- ‘656. aflembled; and although the Governor had taken no meafures to make his character re- fpe&ed, he appeared there in perfon. Father le Moyne, who acted as his interpreter, fpoke firlt, and laid, “ Ononthio is attached to the Hurons, they are his children ; but he holds them not in tutelage, they are of age to aft for themfelves; he opens his arms, he leaves them at full liberty to go where they will. For me, I will follow them wherever they go; if they accompany thee, Agnier, I will inftruft thee alfo to pray, and adore the Author of all things, but I dare not hope that thou wilt attend to me. I know thee, and I am not ignorant of thy indocility, but I therefore will confole myfelf with the Hurons. With refpeft to the canoes which you require, you fee that we have fcarcely enough for our- felves; make others if you have not a fufficient number.” The chief of the Hurons of the tribe of the Bear then exprefled himfelf thus :• fembled to pray. Tnat the matrons who form the principal body of the (late, had no part in the o o K 11. —. - -i 1660. 1661. 94 HISTORY OF CANADA. book the confpiracy which obliged M. Dupuys to • — withdraw ; that daring feven days they and their 1660. children ceafed not to deplore the departure of the miflionaries ; and that in the cantons of Goyogouin and Onneyouth, there were Chrif- tians who were inviolably attached to the faith. The enemy foon after almofl entirely difap- peared, and in the month of July were feen at Montreal two canoes with a white flag. They were allowed to approach, and the Iroquois were feen difembarking with equal confidence as if they had been the mod faithful allies. They were deputies of the cantons of Onnontague and of Goyogouin, one of whom was one of the firfl chiefs of the latter, and well difpofed towards the French. They brought with them four Frenchmen, whom they propofed to exchange for eight Goyogouins, prifoners at Montreal, and they promifed to reftore the other French, men, who were detained in their country, if all the members of the two cantons who had been captured by the French were delivered up to them. They produced to M. Maifonneuve a letter figned by all the French captives in the two cantons, purporting that they were well treated, and that the favages were much difpofed to peace ; but that if the deputies were not atended to HISTORY OF CANADA* 95 to all Frenchmen in their country would be, book without mercy, committed to the flames on their ,_ return. 1661. The Vifcount d’Argenfon was at firft little difpofed to enter on negociation ; but confider¬ ing that, in the prefent date of the colony, even a difadvantageous peace, provided defenfive meafures were taken, was yet better than a (late of warfare, which he was not in a condition to maintain, he changed his refolution; and Fa¬ ther le Moyne chearfully undertook xo accom¬ pany the deputies to their country. In the mean time the Baron d’Avaugour ar¬ rived from France to relieve the Governor, whofe ill date of health, the {lender fupplies which he received from the company, and fome private difcontents, which perfons not well dif¬ pofed ceafed not to occafion him, induced him to apply for a recal before the expiration of the period of his government. The deditute fituation of the colony excited in the new Governor fentiments of difappoint- ment and furprize. He vifited the different pods, was afterwards charmed with the appearance of the country, and faid that the government of France were not acquainted with its value. He could not conceive how his predeceffor had been able to retain it with a force fo infeiior as that he had polFlfed, and declared that he would requed 9 g HISTOR.Y OF CANADA. BOOK l66l. 1662. requelt to be recalled unlefs troops and fupplies were regularly fent him. This General was-a man of refolution and great integrity, but he en¬ tertained too high an eltimation of his fituation and talents, and knew not how to unbend. He had been employed in Hungary, where he had much diftinguilhed himfelf, but he had in Ca¬ nada lefs occafion to exercife his good qualities than to difplay his defects, and he was made to experience much mortification during the fhort period that 1 he governed the colony. M. de Petree having gone to France, for rea- fons which will hereafter appear, propofed to the council of the King the erection of a feminary at Quebec, and letters patent were ifiued in the fol¬ lowing year in favour of the members of the fe¬ minary for foreign millions. As this inflitution, according to the fyltem at that time prevalent, was bound to fupply pallors for the whole colony, the prelate obtained an order, that the tithes Ihould be paid to the directors of the new feminary, and procured the taxes to be fixed at a thirteenth part. It was found that this pro¬ portion was too opprefiive for the colonifts, who were poor, and feveral reprefentations were made on their part. The Onnontagues overran a great part of the colony, and attacked in open day many of the inhabitants of the illand of Montreal, who were at HISTORY OF CANADA. at work in the country. The town major went out with twenty-fix men well armed, to facilitate their retreat, but having gone through the woods to conceal his march from the enemy, he found himfelf furrounded. He fought bravely for a whole day, and was well fupported by his men, until, overpowered by numbers, they all pe- rifhed. By the lad veffels which failed from Quebec for Europe, the General, and every perfon in place in the country, wrote in the ftrongeft terms to the King, befeeching his majedy to take under his protection a colony which was abfo- lutely in a date of defolation, and reduced to the lad extremity. The King was much furprized on learning that fo fine a country had fo greatly differed from neglect. He forthwith nominated M. de Monts, as his commiffioner, to vifit Canada, and there give intimation of his orders ; likewife commanding that four hundred of his troops fhould be immediately embarked to reinforce the garrifons and pods mod expofed. Their arrival at Quebec occafioned great fatisfaCtion, and it was hoped that, in the following year, the colon'y would be raifed to greater confequence than it had yet acquired. Until then, the Governor-General had been ftrict in enforcing obedience to the orders which had been iffued refpeCling the fale of fpirits to VOL. i. h the 97 BOOK 1C62. 98 HISTORY OF CANADA. book the favages, and the Earon d’Avangour had de- <—w creed fevere penalties againfl thofe who fhould 1662. infringe his ordinances on this important point. It happened that a woman of Quebec was con¬ victed of this practice, and afterwards confined in prifon. One of the Jefuits, at the inflance of her relations, thought that he might prefume to intercede with the Governor on her behalf. He was anfwered with warmth, that fince the traffic of fpirits was not deemed by ecclefiaftics a fault punifliable in a w f oman, no perfon fhould thence¬ forth be punifhed for that tranfgreffion againfl authority. The General made it a point of ho¬ nour never to retract the hafty expreffion that had efcaped him. Of this circumftance the people foon became acquainted, and the diforder was carried to the utmofl extremity. They began with ftrong in¬ vective againfl the confefTors, who, with a firm- nefs truly facerdotal, w’ifhed to oppofe a barrier to the torrent. The Bifhop of Petree was not fpared, who thought the evil fufficiently great to employ the cenfures of the church in endeavour¬ ing to effect its cure. Seeing however his zeal inefficacious, and his authority contemned, he embraced the refolution of carrying his complaint to the foot of the throne, and went over to France He was heard, and obtained from the King fuch orders as he judged necefiary to put a flop HISTORY OF CANADA. 99 flop to this fhameful commerce, which created book. r . * 21 fuch evils in his fpiritual domain. _ _ - On the 5th of February, about half an hour 1663. part four in the evening, a great noife was heard, nearly at the fame time, throughout the whole extent of Canada. That noife feems to have been the effect of a fudden vibration of the air agitated in all directions. It appeared as if the houfes were on fire, and the inhabitants, in order to avoid its effe< 5 ts, immediately ran out of doors. But their aftonifhment was increafed when they faw the buildings Ihaken with the greatefi: vio¬ lence, and the roofs difpofed to fall fometimes on one fide, fometimes on the other. The doors opened of themfelves, and fhut again with a great cralh. All the bells were founding, although no perfon touched them. The pallifades of the fences feemed to bound out of their places ; the walls were rent; the planks of the floor fepa- rated, and again fprung together. The dogs anfwered thefe previous tokens of a general dif- order of nature, by lamentable howlings. The other animals fent forth the mod terrific groans and cries, and, by a natural inflincf, extended their legs to prevent them from falling. The fur- face of the earth was moved like an agitated fea. The trees were thrown againfl: each other, and many, torn up by the roots, were tofled to a confiderable diflance. h 2 Sounds HISTORr or CANADA. K Sounds of every defcription were then heard ; > at one time like the fury of a fea which had overflowed its barriers, at another like a multitude of carriages rolling over a pavement, and again like mountains of rock or marble opening their bowels, and breaking into pieces with a tremen¬ dous roar. Thick clouds of dull which at the fame time arofe, were taken for fmoke, and for the fymptoms of an univerfal conflagration. The confirmation became fo general, that not only men, but the animals appeared as if ftruck with thunder ; they ran in every quarter without a knowledge of their courfe, and wherever they went they encountered the danger they wilhed to avoid. The cries of children, the lamentations of women, the alternate fucceffions of fire and darknefs in the atmofphere, all combined to ag¬ gravate the evils of a dire calamity which fubverts every thing by the excruciating tortures of the imagination, diftrelfed and confounded, and lofing in the contemplation of this general confc- fion the means of felf-prefervation. The ice which covered the St. Lawrence, and the other rivers, broke into pieces which crafhed againft each other; large bodies of ice were thrown up into the air, and from the place which they had quitted a quantity of fand, and flime, and water lpouted up. The fources of feveral fprings and little rivers became dry; the waters of i HISTORY OF CANADA. 101 of others were impregnated with fulphur. At B ° ° K fome times the waters appeared red, at others of '—-v —j a yellowifh cad ; thofe of the St. Lawrence be¬ came white from Quebec toTadouffac, a fpace of thirty leagues: the quantity of matter necefiary to impregnate fo vad a body of waters mull have been prodigious. In the mean time the atmof- phere continued to exhibit the mod awful phe¬ nomena ; an mediant rufhing noife was heard, and the fires affirmed every fpecies of form. The mod plaintive voices augmented the general ter¬ ror and alarm. Porpuffes and fea-cows were heard howling in the water at Three Rivers, where none of thefe fifties had ever before been found; and the noife which they fent forth refembled not that of any known animal. Over the whole extent of three hundred leagues from ead to wed, and one hundred and fifty from louth to north, the earth, the rivers, and coads of the ocean experienced for a confi- derable time, although at intervals, the mod dreadful agiration. The fird fhock. continued without intermiftion for half an hour : about eight o’clock in the evening there came a fecond, no lefs violent than the fird, and in the fpace of half 'an hour were two others. During the night were reckoned thirty fhocks. h 3 New 102 HISTORY OF CANADA. BOOK II. t.l, .. l66$. New England and New Holland were not more exempted from its effects than the country of New France, and over this tract of land and rivers, when the violence of the fhocks had abated, an intermitting movement was felt every where at the fame period. It appears wonderful, that in fo extraordinary a derangement of nature, which lafted for fix months, no human inhabitant fhould have pe- riflied, and no contagion fhould have fucceeded: the country foon afterwards refumed its wonted form and tranquillity. Although in fome me¬ moirs it is ftated, that the Great River, with re- fpedk to its banks, and fome parts of its courfe, underwent remarkable changes, that new iflands were formed, and others confiderably enlarged; of this circumftance there does not, however, appear to have exifled a probability. The river bears no marks of having fuffered thereby any interruption or change in its courfe, from lake Ontario to Tadouflac. The rapids of Sr. Louis at Montreal, and the feveral iflands, remain in the fame ftate as when Jacques Cartier firft vi- fited them. It is obferved elfewhere in this work, that there are evident tokens of the St. Lawrence having at fome period feparated its waters at Cape Rouge, flowed to the eaflward through the level country, and re-united at the foot of the promontory of Quebec, infulating the HISTORY OF CANADA. the lofty ground front Cape Rouge to that place; but the alteration of its ceaffng to flow through that channel had probably taken effect, long before America had been vifited by Eu¬ ropeans. It is alfo remarked in another part of this work, that at St. Paul’s Bay, Mai Bay, and Camomafka, which are fubjett to partial earth¬ quakes, there are undoubted proofs of the once powerful operation of fuch natural convulfions. The Biffiop of Petree, and M. de Mefy, whom the King had fent to relieve the Baron d’Avangour, arrived with a body of troops at Quebec. Thefe gentlemen were accompanied by the Sieur Gaudais, whom his majefly had no¬ minated commiflioner, to take pofleffion in his name of all New France, of which the company of Canada had remitted to him the domain on the 14th of February in this year. There alfo arrived a hundred families, who came to people the country, and feveral military and law offi¬ cers. The commiffioner began his functions by receiving from all the inhabitants the oath of allegiance, by regulating the police, and by fram¬ ing feveral ordinances refpeciing the mode of ad- miniftering juftice. Until that period there had not been in Cana¬ da any court of law or equity ; the Governors- General decided on caufes of difpute according n 4 tq HISTORY OF CANADA. to their pleafure. Their fentences were never appealed from ; but they generally gave decifions after the mode of arbitration had been ineffectu¬ ally reforted to, and thefe were almofl ever dictated by good fenfe, and according to the precepts of natural law. The Creoles of Canada, although far the greater part of the Norman race, had by no means a turn for litigation, and would often rather give up a point than confume their time in pleading. There almofl: appeared to be a community of property in the province ; at leaf! it was long unneceffary to employ a lock and key, and this mutual confidence was not abufed. It is a reflection no lefs true than hu¬ miliating, that from the precaution which a le- giflator adopts for the prevention of difhonefly, and the advancement of equity, the former fhould not unfrequently receive its introduction, and the latter fhould date the commencement of its decline. There had exifted, it is true, for upwards of twenty years, the office of Grand Senechal of New France, and at Three Rivers there was a fpecies of jurifdiCtion, from which an appeal could be made to the tribunal of thefe magiftrates of the fword; but it appeared that he was fubor- dinate in his functions to the Governor-General, who always retained the privilege of rendering jultice themfelves, when recourfe was had to them, HISTORY OF CANADA. I0 5 them, which frequently happened. In affairs of book importance a fpecies of council was affembled, -v—^ compofed of the Grand Senechal of the fuperior i 6 < 5 3 * of the Jefuits, who, before the arrival of the bifhops, was the foie fuperior ecclefiaflic of the country, and of fome of the principal inhabi¬ tants, to whom was given the quality of coun- fellors. This council was, however, by no means per¬ manent : the Governor-General eftabliffied it in virtue of the power which he derived from the King, and changed it whenever he thought fit. It was not then until this year, after the King had taken Canada into his power, that this colony had a permanent council eftablifhed by the prince. The edi£t of creation is dated in the month of March, and imported that the council fhould be compofed of M. de Mefy, Governor-General; of M. de Laval, Bifhop of Petree, apoftolic Vicar of New France; of M. Robert, intendant; of four counfellors who fhould be named by thefe three gentlemen, and who could be continued in office, or changed according to their pleafure ; of a procureur-general, and of a chief clerk. M. Robert, counfellor of ftate, had been no¬ minated intendant of juftice, police, finance, and marine for New France, and his inftructions were dated the 21ft of March, but he did not make the voyage to Canada j and M. Talon, who ar- . rived io6 history of Canada: book rived there two years afterwards, was the firft L « who exercifed thefe functions. M. Ducheneau 1663. vvho fucceeded him three years afterwards, brought an order of the King, in virtue of which the intendant filled the office of firft prefident of the council, refigning however to the Governor the higheft feat, and the fecond to the Bifhop. Two counfellors were at the fame time added to the number, and the whole members of the council had commifiions from the court. It was not intended that the Sieur Gaudais, vvho had been fent out as King’s commiffioner, fhould remain in the colony : he had an exprefs order to return to France by the fame veflel which had brought him to Quebec, that he might communicate to his fovereign an exact account of the country y inform him of the general cha¬ racter of the clergy, of the effect produced by the eflablifhment of the council, of the grounds of complaint againft the Baron a’Avangour, and of the reception that was given to M. de Mefy. He acquitted himfelf of his commillion to the fatisfaction of all parties. The Baron d’Avan- gour, to whom could be imputed no fault but that of too rigid an adherence to juftice, and an oblti- nate devotion to his prejudices, appeared much pleal'ed with his recal, which he had himfelf re- quefted. He foon after, with the permiffion of the King his niafter, entered into the fervice of the HISTORY OF CANADA. the Emperor, and was the following year killed book in defending againfl: the Turks the furt of Serin — , on the frontiers of Croatia. 1663. There happened in the vicinity of the Iroquois 1664. country an event which entirely changed the fituation of the inhabitants, and to which may in part be attributed the misfortunes and inconveni¬ ences which the Canadians for a long time fuffer- ed from the infolence of that nation. Henry Hudfon, an Englilhman, but a captain in the Dutch fervice, had difeovered, about half a century before, the river Manhatte. He con¬ ceived he had a foie right to the difeovery he had made, and accordingly fold it to the States-Ge- neral, who iocn after began to clear and to people the country. Several years had elapfed from that period, when Samuel Argali, having been appointed governor of Virginia, claimed the coun¬ try dilcovered by Hudfon, alleging that this navigator had no right to fell, nor the States General to purchafe it, without the exprefs con- fent of the King of Great Britain, of whom the former was a fubject. He fent therefore troops and inhabitants to Manhatte, and the Dutch, taken by furprize, could not prevent the Englilh from poffeffing themfelves of New Belgium ; but they fupported themfelves in the remaining fettlements of it, and continued hill mailers of the capital which was called io8 HISTORY OF CANADA. book called New Amtterdam, of the city of Orange, i. — and of two other forts. The Swedes were at that l66 4 - time alfo eftablifhed in the fouthern part neared to Virginia. It fhould feem that until the pre- fent period thefe three nations had lived on ami¬ cable terms. Charles the fecond fent out four commiflioners with troops, who made themfelves matters of the capital, which they called N w York, and of the Manhatte, to which was given the name of Hudfon’s River ; of Orange, which they named Albany ; of the fettlement of Ara- fapha, and of the fort of Lavarre. Not long after this an accommodation took place between the Englifh and Dutch, many of whom confented to acknowledge the king of England for their fovereign, and on this condi¬ tion they were guaranteed in the pcfleffron of their property. His Britannic Majefty, to re- compence the States-General for their lofs, ceded to them the fettlement of Surinam in the vicinity of Guiana ; fotne of the Swedes alfo continued to retain their property. Since this period New Belgium has affirmed the appellation of New York, and the French have had caufe to experience that the Iroquois, by a change of neighbours, were become lefs tractable, having foon had the policy to difcover, that the natural jealoufy of the two European nations, between whom they were now fituaied, would HISTORY OF CANADA. would always enable them to derive from the book one fufficient aid to guard them againft being » J . K oppreffed, or finally fubverted by the other. 1664. Leifure had not yet been afforded to the go¬ vernment of Canada to pay attention to what was paffing at New York. The fupplies which the King had already lent to New France, and the meafures that were taken for the diflribution and fupport of the reinforcement, gave fome reafon to hope that the colony might foon be able to give law to the Iroquois. Unhappily the unanimity which was fuppofed to have taken place among thofe to whom the chief guidance of affairs was committed, proved to be but of fhort duration ; and at a time when it was leaf! expedled, the new Governor em¬ broiled himfelf in a difference with the Bifhop of Pctree, and with all the principal perfons con¬ cerned in the government. It has already been ftated that the prelate of Canada had gone to France, for reafons which Ihould afterwards appear; thefe were to prefer to his fovereign, charges againft the condudl of the Baron d’Avangour, by which the recal of the latter was not onlv occahoned, but the Kino- carried his condefcenfion toward the bifhop fo far as to leave to him the choice of the new Go¬ vernor. M. de IVIefy, major of the citadel of Caen, being well known to M. de Petree, and a 8 perfon no HISTORY OF CANADA. book perfon who made great profeffion of piety, was, v_upon being propofed to the King, immediately 1664. inverted with the office. But fcarcely had he entered on the exercife of the functions of Go¬ vernor, when he difclofed his character to be, in reality, of a different cart. He either had the weaknefs to be dictated to by a party, or had of himfelf affumed a degree of haughtinefs and ill humour towards the birtiop and all his friends. The change became fo rapid, and the flame of divifion had mounted to fuch a height, that it became neceffary to apply an immediate remedy. It was not doubted by the council of the King that M. de Mefy was in fault, efpecially when they found at the head of his accufers, the prin¬ cipal members of the council in Canada, M. de Villeray and Bourdon, Procureurs-General, both of acknowledged probity and prudence, and whom the new Governor had obliged to embark for France without any fhadow of jurtice. At¬ tention was neverthelefs paid to the reprefenta- tions he made to the minirter in his defence; and although they did not juftify his meafures, they created fufpicions, of which feveral perfons could with difficulty afterwards clear themfelves. He chiefly objected to the great credit which the Jefuits had in the colony ; as the court had not until then interfered with the affairs of New France, which it had in a great meafure rertgned to HISTORY OF CANADA. Ill to the company of Canada, and as thefe mif- book fionaries, from their functions, enjoyed a great ___ , j fhare in all affairs relating to the favages, the complaints of the Governor were not altogether unfounded. It was concluded that perfons who had acquired fo great an influence, would em¬ brace every means of prcferving it, which might be the caufe of frequent abufes. On the other hand, the council were fully per- fuaded that the colony was much indebted to the Jefuits, for having been the means of fup- porting it through many difficult and perilous fituations ; they were confidered as a fociety ex¬ tremely ufeful on account of the natives of the country, who were acquainted with them only, and of whofe difpofition and purpofes the go¬ vernment could only be informed through their means. M. de Mefy, in replying to the com¬ plaints alleged againffc him, could not juftify the motives of his conduft, and M. Colbert con¬ ceived it neceffary to recal him, in order, if he could prove that there was too great an affump- tion of power on the part of the ecclefiaftics and miffionaries, proper limits might be prefcribed to that political evil. HISTORY OF CANADA BOOK III. The AJfociates furrender their Charter to the Sovereign Canada placed under the Direction of the Company of the Wejl Indies.—Arrival of Troops and Supplies. —Co«- JlruEtion of Forts on the River Sorel.—Expedition of M. de Tracy.—Regulation refpecting Tithes.—Church of Quebec ereEted into a BiJfjopric.—Commencement of the Mijfion of Loretto .— Iroquois Chriflians fettle near Montreal. — Character of M. de Courcelles .— Of the Count de Frontenac.—Robert Cavelier Sieur de la Sale. JT has already been (hewn to what a flate of feeblenefs and languor the company of Ca¬ nada had fullered the colony to fall. Weary of fupporting the expence which it occafioned, it abandoned to the inhabitants the commerce for furs, almoft the foie advantage which it drew from thence, referving only for the right of feig- nory, an annual acknowledgment of a thoufand beaver fkins. The number of aflociates, originally one hundred, being reduced to forty, it remitted alL its right to the fovereign, who in a little time afterwards comprehended New France in the conceflion which he had made of the French colonies in favour of the company of the Weft Indies* HISTORY OF CANADA. 1 Ilj Indies, with the privilege of naming the Go- book vernors and all the other officers. This com- ^ piny not having fufficient knowledge of perfons i66 4 - proper for filling the firfl pods, petitioned the King to fupply that defeat until they fhould be found in a condition to avail themfelves of their powers; to which his Majefty was pleafed to ac¬ cede. In confequence of this arrangement, M. de Mefy had been nominated Governor-General, and M. Robert Intendant of New France. On the ioth of November of the foregoing year, the King figned a commiffion of Lieu¬ tenant-General, with the authority of viceroy in America, in favour of Alexander de Prouville, Marquis of Tracy, who had inftructions to em¬ bark for the Windward Iflands, to proceed from thence to Saint Domingo, and afterwards to New France, where he was to remain as long as fhould be neceffary, to regulate the affairs of that colony, to eftablifh its internal policy on more folid foundations, and to provide for its fecurity, by reducing the Iroquois to reafon. It was about the period of M. Tracy’s depar¬ ture that the court received the complaints of M. de Petree and the council of Quebec againfl M. de Mefy. The King was at the fame time fupplicated to fend to New France families to people the colony. vol. i. i Daniel 114 HISTORY OF CANADA. book Daniel de Remi, Seignor of Courcelles, an -v——/ officer of merit and experience, was appointed i66j. fuccefTor to M. de Mefy, and M. Talon, intend- ant in Hainault, fucceeded M. Robert. Thefe gentlemen were enjoined by a particular com- miffion, conjointly with the Marquis de Tracy, to inveftigate the condudt of M. de Mefy, and, if he was found guilty of the fads of which he was accufed, to arreft, and bring him to trial. Orders were given to embody the inhabitants, and the regiment of Carignan-Salieres, lately ar¬ rived from Hungary, where it had diftinguifhed itfelf in a war againft the Turks, was embarked, and deftined to make war on the Iroquois. M. de Tracy arrived at Quebec in the month of June, with fome companies of the regiment of Carignan, who had accompanied him to the Weft India iflands j and he detached a party with the allied favages, under the conduct of the Sieur de Tilly de Repentigny, a captain, to repel the Iroquois, who had begun their ufual incur- lions. Nothing more was neceflary to make thefe barbarians retreat; and the fruit of this firft expedition was, that the harveft was ga¬ thered in with fecurity. The remaining part of the regiment arrived with M. de Salieres their colonel, in a fquadron which conveyed M. M. de Courcelles and lalon, a confiderable number of families, feveral artil'ans and fervants, with the firft HISTORY OF CANADA. firft horfes that had ever been imported, cattle, book (heep, and in fine, a colony much greater than *_1!!-^ that which it came to reinforce. 1665. When thefe fupplies arrived, the viceroy, with¬ out delay, put himfelf at the head of the troops, and led them to the mouth of the river Richlieu, where he caufed to be ere&ed three forts. The firfi: was conftru&ed on the fame fpot where that of Richlieu had Hood, and of which only the ruins remained. M. de Sorel, a Captain of the regiment of Carignan, fuperintended its ftruc- ture, and was left there as commandant. Since that period the river has taken his name, which was alfo given to the fort. The fecond was built at the foot of the rapid, at fome diftance up the river, and was called Saint Louis. But M. de Chambly, captain of the fame regiment, w'ho had the charge of its conftruction, and the com¬ mand, having afterwards acquired the property of the furrounding diftrid, the (lone fort which has fince been built on the ruins of the former, is at prefent known by the name of Chambly. M. de Salieres took direction of the third, which he called Fort St. Therefe, becaufe it was finifhed on the day of the faff of that faint j it was three leagues higher than the fecond, and the colonel chofe to take poll here. Thefe works were finifhed with great expedition, and the Iroquois were for a time appalled j but they i 2 foon HISTORY OF CANADA. ii 6 book foon recovered from their fears. Only one . 1IJ ‘ paffage to enter the colony was flopped, and 1665. they delayed not to open to themfelves feveral others. If inflead of thefe three forts, there had been conftructed a poll of flrength at Onnon- tague, or in the canton of Agnier, where care might have been taken to maintain a garrifon fufficiently numerous, the enemy would have been much embarrafled. That which now re¬ mains at Chambly, covers the colony on the fide of New York, and on that of the lower Iroquois. M. Talon, who remained at Quebec, was oc¬ cupied in collefling information of the flrength, nature, and refources of the country, a flate- ment of which he prefented to the minifler M. Colbert. He acquainted him of the death of M. de Mefy, which took place before the news of his recal had arrived in Canada; it therefore was thought no longer expedient to enquire into his former condudl, and it was hoped his Majefly would not be difpleafed that his faults fhould be buried with him in the tomb. Towards the end of December, M. de Tracy having returned to Quebec, Garahonthie, an Iroquois chief, arrived there with the deputies of his canton, and of thofe of Goyogouin and Tfonnothouan; he brought fome valuable prefents for the General, and allured him of the perfect fubmiffion of the three cantons. He fpoke with 5 modefly? \ HISTORY OF CANADA. modefty, but at the fame time with dignity, of the fervices he had rendered to the French j he then lamented, a r ter the manner of his country, the death of M. le Moyne the miflionary, who had been a fhort time dead, and for whom the Iroqouis nation had entertained a great efteem. On this fubject he fpoke with fuch eloquence and feeling as much furprifed the viceroy and all who were prefent. He concluded with a pro- pofal of peace, and of a reftitution of all pri- foners belonging to thefe cantons, who had been captured fince the laft exchange. M. de Tracy liftened to him with attention, and (hewed him public as well as private tefti- monies of kindnefs. He confented to all his demands on reafonable conditions, and having difrributed prefents to him and the other de¬ puties, they took their leave. The filence of the Agnier and of the Onneyouths, and moreover their pad conduct, left no doubt of their un¬ favourable difpofition ; and it was refolved they Ihould be made acquainted that the French were now in a condition to take revenge for their in- folence and perfidy. Two corps of men, the one under the command of M. de Courcelles, the other under M. de Sorel, were ordered in purfuit of them. The canton of Onneyouth, alarmed at thefe preparations, fent deputies to Quebec, to avert 1 3 the HISTORY OF CANADA. Il8 BOOK III. Up ■" W IM ll l666. the florm which threatened them. Thefe de* puties had full power to act in the name of the Agniers, who it appears had ftill parries in the country, one of which furprifed and killed three officers,M. M. de Chafy,Chamat,andMoerin,the firft of whom was nephew to M. de Tracy. This unhappy accident would not entirely have inter¬ rupted the negociation, had it not been for the brutal conduct of an Agnier chief M. de Sorel being on the point of falling on a village of this canton, met a troop of warriors belonging to it, who had at their head an Indian called the Flemiffi Baftard. He made a difpo- fition to charge, when this captain feeing they were much inferior to the French, and finding no probable means of efcape, took the meafure of furrendering, faying with an air of confidence, he was on his way to Quebec to treat with M. de Tracy on terms of peace. He was believed, conducted to the viceroy, and met with a fa¬ vourable reception. Another chief of the Ag¬ niers arrived a few days after, and reported himfelf as deputy for his canton. No doubt was then entertained that the Agniers were fe- rioufly difpofed for peace : but, the day on w'hich M. de Tracy invited thefe two pretended de¬ puties to his table, the difcourfe happening to fall on the death of M. de Chafy, the chief of the Agniers, lifting up his arm, faid, “ by this arm that HISTORY OF CANADA. ll 9 that young officer was killed.” It may eafily be book. conceived what indignation was felt by every one . - H — ■ prefent. The viceroy told this infolent favage 1666. that he fliould not furvive to kill another perfon, and he was immediately firangled by the ex¬ ecutioner in the prefence of the Flemiffi Baflard, who was detained a prifoner. On the other hand M. de Courcelles, who was unacquainted with what was paffing at Quebec, had entered the canton ot Agnier ; but previous to the commencement of hoflilities, he judged it expedient to have an interview with the com¬ mandant of Corton, a town in the province of New York, from whom he drew a promife, that he would give no affiftance to the Iroquois. During this journey he fuffered much, having performed it in the middle of winter, with fnow fhoes, and carrying his provifions and arms, in the fame manner as the foldiers, many of whom, lately arrived from France, were lamed by the feverity of the cold. A little more experience would have taught him, that whilfl he was be¬ llowing much trouble and time on a ufelefs pre¬ caution, he loft fight of the object of his expedi¬ tion. Having arrived at the canton of the Ag- niers, he there found the villages entirely deferted: the women, the children, and the old men were placed in fecurity in the woods; and all the warriors had marched againft other nations, 1 4 awaiting 120 HISTORY OF CANADA. book awaiting the ifTue of the negociations begun by > the Onneyouths. 1666. M. Courcelles, on his return, found the prepa¬ rations for an expedition againft the Onneyouths and the Agniers far advanced. Six hundred foldiers of Carignan, a like number of Canadi¬ ans, and about a hundred favages of different nations compofed the army of M. de Tracy, who, notwithffanding his advanced age, being upwards of feventy years, would command in perfon. Two field-pieces were the amount of his artille¬ ry ; but thefe were inefficient to force all the entrenchments of the enemy. At the moment of his making the difpofitions for marching, new deputies from the two cantons arrived at Quebec: he detained them prifoners, and began his march on the 14th of September. Provifions failing on its way, the army was ready to difband in fearch of fubfiftence, when it entered into a wood abounding in chefnut-trees, which fupplied the men with food until their ar¬ rival at the firit village of the Iroquois. The viceroy entertained the hope of furprifmg thofe favages; but the Algonquins, wffio had taken the van without order, had given them the alarm, fo that there remained in the villages but a fmall number of old men and women, who were unable to follow the others in their retreat, The army entered the firit village in order of battle} HISTORY OF CANADA. 121 battle; they found there a confiderable quantity book. of provifions, and made prifoners of all the ■_ .- ... favages. It appears that this canton was then 1 richer than it has fince been; the cabins were lined with boards, and ornamented ; the dimen- fions of fome were a hundred and twenty feet in length, and of a proportionable breadth. The foldiers in the courfe of their fearch found magazines hollowed in the earth, according to the cuitom of favages ; thefe were fo filled with corn, that there appeared a quantity of grain fuflicient to fupport, for two years, the whole colony of the French. The firft villages were reduced to allies ; the two lafl: were at fome dis¬ tance, but an Algonquin who had been a long time a Have in this canton, ferved the army as a guide. The neareil was without inhabitants; and it was only in the laft that the enemy was found. They had fuppofed, that the French would not venture to attack them there, but when they beheld their approach, they w r ere dif- mayed. They had not refolution to wait for the attack, and flew to hide theinfelves in places where it was not poflible to purfue them. The cabins were fet on fire, and not one remained in the canton. Perfuaded that by means of the forts on the river Sorel he had put the colony fufficiently under cover from the incurfions of the Iroquois, M. de 122 HISTORY OF CANADA. BOOK III. — i ^ i656. M. cle Tracy conceived it the bed meafure to ftrengthen and augment the fettlements on the river St. Laurence, which was all he could do with the troops now at his difpofal; a meafure which had already been recommended by the mini fter. The inhabitants had built their houfes in fome places as they chofe, without having had the pre- caution to fettle near each other, that they might, when neceffary, be fupported by their mutual aid. Thefe habitations, therefore, being fcattered in various fituations, were expofed to the attacks and devaftations of the hoftile favages. Orders had two years before been given by the King, that no more land (hould be cleared, but in fpots contiguous to each other, that the houfes might be contracted as much as poflible into the form of villages. But for this effect, the inhabitants who had already cleared their land mud have recommenced their labours, and have abandoned the fpots they had already cultivated. The plan which was there laid down was more than once renovated, with endeavours to enforce its execution ; but intered, often more powerful than fear, has induced individuals to place them- felves in the mod expofed fituations, where the convenience of commerce hid danger from their view, and experience of the hazards and fuffer- ings HISTORY OF CANADA. 123 ings which frequently befel them did not contri- b 0 0 k bute to remedy their error. 1 ——■ The viceroy on his return to Quebec, ordered for execution fome of his prifoners, and fent the remainder to their country, after having fiiewn them kindnefs. When the navigation of the Great River became free from ice, M. de Tracy returned to France, and the laft ad of authority which he executed in America, was to eflablifh the company ot the Weft Indies in all the rights which the hundred aflociates had enjoyed. Complaints on the part of the inhabitants 1667. having been made, with refpect to the exorbitant proportion of tithes, a decree was this year pro¬ mulgated by the fuperior council of New France, which imported, that without prejudice to the let¬ ters patent granted already by the King, the tithes ftiould be levied at a twenty-fixth part only ; but that they Ihould be paid in grain, and not in the fheaf, and that the- lands newly cleared Ihould pay nothing for the firft five years. M. Talon left no means untried to increafe the commerce of New France, and for this end it became neceflary to procure returns propor¬ tionate to the advances which had been made, and to the opinion refpedting the natural re- fources of the country, with which he had in- fpired the court. He had greatly in view the advantages 124 HISTORY OF CANADA. BOOK i66g. advantages to be reaped from mines of iron, and on his return from France he difembarked at Gafpe, where he believed, according to the tefti- mony of fome travellers, that even filver ore might be found; but he was very foon unde¬ ceived. He fent to St. Paul’s Bay a miner, who difcovered ore which appeared to be very pro- dudlive, and he had a prcfpect of finding copper. He remarked, that wherever he mined he found evident effedls of the earthquake which happened four years before. New France now enjoyed profound peace, of which it had for the firlt time tailed fince its original fettlement. They who governed it, and to whom it was for this in a great degree in¬ debted, negle&ed no means of profiting by the advantage, and of giving to the colony fo folid a foundation as might render it worthy of the pa¬ ternal attention which the King had been pleafed to manifell towards it. The greater part of the regiment of Carignan remained there, and after the conclufion of the war with the Iroquois, al- moll the whole of the foldiers incorporated theni- felves as inhabitants, having received their dif- charges on that condition. Six companies of the fame regiment who had accompanied M. Tracy on his return to France, were fent out two years afterwards, as well to reinforce the moll impor¬ tant polls as to augment the number of colonilts. Many HISTORY OF CANADA. Many of their officers had obtained lands with book. the rights of feignors, almoft all fettled in the country, and married there, where their pofterity l66y * ftill exifts. The greateft number were gentle¬ men, fo that New France has more ancient no- bleffe than any other of the colonies. Wherever the land was cleared, it was found to be rich, and as the new inhabitants piqued thetnfelves on their endeavours to equal the virtue, induftry, and love of labour of the old ; all were foon in a condition to fubfifl themfelves, and in viewing the increafe of population, its rulers and fpiritual guides had the happinefs of experiencing, that no relaxation took place in the morals and reli¬ gion of the people. M. Talon was this year relieved by M. de Bouteroue, to whom it was particularly recom¬ mended wifely to mitigate the too great feverity of the confeffors and of the bifhops, and to main¬ tain a good underftanding among all the ecclefi- aftics of the country. This lafl: article of his in- ftructions was not grounded on any complaint; the union between all the bodies of which the clergy fecular as well as regular were compofed, was complete; and nothing tended more than this concord to the morality and inflruction of the people. The intendant on his arrival in France made a complaint to the court of the conduct of M. Courcelles HISTORY OF CANADA. 12 6 book Courcelles with refpect to him. This general, amid attainments fitted to form one of the moft i 6 ()%. accomplifhed men that had ever governed the colony, had fome defefts, among which was that of a want of activity ; and he would not fuffer any perfon to fupply the inconvenience which was occafioned by his indolence, even when the public intereft required it. M. Talon, therefore, in the difcharge of his official functions, refrained from communicating to the governor many parts of bufinefs which ought to have been made known to him, becaufe he dreaded a delay, which would be prejudicial to the King’s fervice, or to the welfare of the colony. It likewife appeared that M. de Courcelles was not ufually eafy ot accefs, and that he ap¬ proved not of the indulgence which had always been (hewn towards the clergy, againft whom he was fomewhat prejudiced. 167°. l n the courfe of this year the bufinefs of erect¬ ing the church of Quebec into a bi(hopric was finally decided. This event had fufrered a long delay, on account of the oppofition w’hich was made to its immediate dependence on the holy fee, refpe&ing which the Pope would by no means relax. The patronage of the bilhopric of Quebec, which therefore was vefted in his Holi- nefs, prevented it not from being in fome mea- fure united to the clergy of France. In order to endow HISTORY OF CANADA. I 27 endow the new bifliopric and the chapter of the book cathedral, the King united the two abbacies of Maubec, and M. de St. Valier, who fucceeded M. i6 7 ®’ de Laval, afterwards obtained the reverfion of the abbacy of Benevent, partly for the bifliopric, and partly for the chapter. Some change in the government of Montreal at this time took place. M. de Maifonneuve having wifhed to retire, M. de Bretonvilliers, fu- perior General of the feminary of St. Sulpice, named M. Perrot as his fucceffor. This new Governor, thinking that the commiffion of an individual and a fubjeft could not inveft him with fufficient confequence and authority, and fearing left the fervices which he might render this port would not be fufficiently eftimated, ap¬ plied for, and obtained a commiffion from the King, where it was exprefsly fpecified, that it had been given on the nomination of M. de Bretonvilliers. Although M. de Courcelles wanted activity, and appeared indolent with refped to affairs which concerned the internal regulation of the colony, he was neither deflitute of. energy nor exertion in whatever had a relation to war, or to the favages. Having learnt that the Iroquois had fent prefents to the Outaouais, to engage that people to bring furs to their villages, on purpofe 128 HISTORY OF CANADA. book purpofe to exchange them with articles furnilhed by the Englifh at New York; he conceived that 1670. jf p uc j 1 a p ro j e ^ (hould fucceed, the commerce of New France would be ruined. His views ex¬ tended yet further, and he doubted not that if the cantons could once detach the northern na¬ tions from the French alliance, they would again commence hcftilities, which the fear of the French arms, joined to thofe of the allies, had for a confiderable time reprefied. To avert the confequences of fuch an evil, he refolved to fhew himfelf to the Iroquois, and his journey procured the fuccefs which he expe&ed. He even thought it expedient to take his rout by the St. Laurence, whofe courfe is much embar- rafled with torrents and foaming rapids from the ifland of Montreal to the diftance of near a hundred and thirty miles, in afcending towards lake Ontario, becaufe he wifhed to convince the barbarians that he could reach their country, •after performing the whole of the journey in batteaux, which is not fo pra&icable by the rout of the river Sorel. This expedition much im¬ paired his health, and he found it neceflary to requeft his recal. Three French foldiers, having met an Iroquois captain, who had with him a quantity of furs, they gave him a fufficient quantity of fpirits to produce intoxication, after which they alfaffi- nated HISTORY OF CANADA. 129 nated him. Notwithftanding the precautions book they had taken to conceal their crime, they were _j difcovered and put in prifon. Before thefe were »6?o. brought to trial, three other Frenchmen fell in with fix Mahingans, who were conducing a quantity of lkins equal in value to a thoufand crowns j they alfo deprived them of their fa¬ culties by liquor, and after having maflacred them had the effrontry to offer for fale their merchandife, which they endeavoured to pafs for the produce of their own labours in the chace. They had not the precaution even to bury the bodies of the unhappy favages, which were foon after found and recognized by perfons of their own nation. The Iroquois, with whom thefe w r ere con¬ cluding a treaty of peace, were fufpe-fled of the murder, and they were preparing to demand re¬ paration, when it was reported that the deed had been committed by Frenchmen. One of the three alfafiins difagreeing with his two alfociates, confided the fecret to a friend, who thought it his duty to make it known. The truth after¬ wards reached the ears of the favages, and the two nations who were upon the eve of entering into a war againfl: each other, united to turn their arms againft the French. The Mahingans w’ere the firlT to take the field, and attacked a French houfe in open day. The mafter was ab- vol. 1. k feAfc, 130 HISTORY OF CANADA. 8 3 o o k Tent, and it was defended by the Tenants; two Jlf ' ». favages were killed, bat two ' others having fet i 6 7 0, fire to the houfe, it was foUnd impra&icable to extinguifh the flames, or to fave their miftrefs who was burnt. The Iroquois were likewife not long in being informed of the circumrtances of the aflaflina- tion committed on the perfon of their chief, and they were alfo allured that two of the murderers had been accufed by the third, of having enter¬ tained a plan of poifoning all whom they could meet belonging to their nation. Much lefs than this caufe was wanted to revive their hatred, which they refolved to carry to great extremities. It became necefiaTy on the part of the French to adopt immediate meafures, in order to avoid being involved in a war, from which unhappy confequences might enfue, and M. de Courcelies, who quickly difeerned the importance of this affair, loft not a moment in going to Montreal, where he learnt that favages of feveral nations connected with the Iroquois and Mahingans were arriving. He afiembled them, fo foon as he had difem- barked, and gave them, by means of an interpre¬ ter, fuch flrong reafons for their intereft in re¬ maining on good terms with the French, that many were convinced of this truth. He then caufed to be brought forth the three foldiers who had HISTORY OF CANADA. had alfaflmated the Iroquois chief, and made them to be executed in their prefence. So prompt an adminiftration of juft^e difarmed the Iroquois* who could not refrain f rom teftifying marks of pity for their lamentable fate. The Governor-General added, that he would ufe every endeavour to bring to punifhment the af- ' fallins of the Mahingans, and that they fhould be dealt with In the fame manner as thofe un¬ happy perfons whofe end they had now witnefled. He indemnified the two nations for the merchan- dife of which they had been robbed, and the aflembly broke up with mutual fatisfaftion. This affair being thus happily terminated, there remained another of no lefs importance and deli¬ cacy. The Outaouais and the Iroquois had begun their incurfions on each other, and it was to be apprehended that thefe fparks might pro¬ duce a general flame. M. de Courcelles, who had always a£led with energy and decifion to¬ wards the favages, and who thereby accuftomed them to refpeft him, declared to the two parties, that he would not fuffer them to difturb the re- pofe of the nations, and that with the fame feve- rity which he had exercifed towards the French¬ men in their prefence, he would punifh thofe who refufed to accommodate themfelves to reafonable conditions. He therefore defired that each fhould fend to him their deputies, that he k 2 might *3 1 BOOK 111 . ----- 1670. HISTORY OF CANADA, might weigh their grievances, and do juftice to both. He was obeyed : the chiefs of the nations re- forted to Quebec. They who thought themfelves aggrieved difclofed their complaints, and by the prudence of Garakonthie, an Iroquois chief, who had come on the part of his canton, and the nrm- nefs of the governor, peace was concluded to the fatisfa&ion of every one. Whilft peace was thus eftablifhed in the colony, and meafures were taken to preferve a good un¬ demanding between the French and favages, the north of Canada was ravaged by a contagious diftemper, which completed, almoft entirely, the depopulation of thofe extenfive territories. The Attikamegues, among others, have fince difap- peared ; and if there are any remains of them, they muft be mixed with diftant nations. It was then that Tadoufiac, where heretofore were to be feen at the periods fixed for traffick upwards of twelve hundred Indians, began to be almoft abandoned; and Three Rivers became reduced to a fimilar fituation. The Algonquins who frequented the latter place, retired to Cape Madelene, w’hich is confiderably lower down, on the borders of the St. Laurence. The French however maintained themfelves at Three Rivers, but Tadoufiac was long deferted. The HISTORY OF CANADA. *33 The caufe of this mortality was the fmall pox, book which fome years afterwards entirely fwept off the inhabitants of the fettlement at Sillery. Fif- 1670. teen hundred favages were attacked by it, and not one of them furvived. The Hurons, although always mixed with the French, who had communicated to the favages this malady, loll fewer of their numbers than the others; and it was about this period that Fa¬ ther Chaumonot, having affembled them about three leagues from Quebec, towards the north- weft, gave a beginning to the miflion of Lorette, which is now a confiderable village. The inclination which favages entertain for warfare is fuch, that the moft trifling caufe of difcontent arms them againft each other ; nor are they reftrained even by a fuperior force, but through the fear of immediate punifhment, or the profpett of advantage. Supplies from France, which had been promifed, did not ar¬ rive, and the 'Governor fupported his credit among the natives only by the afcendence which he well knew how to aflfume over them fmce the expedition of M. de Tracy againft the Ag- niers. He could not, however, prevent the Tfonnonthonans, the moft diftant from the French habitations of all the Iroquois, from de¬ livering themfelves up to the powerful impulfe which led them to make war. 5 3 At *34 HISTORY OF CANADA. book. At a period when leaf! expected, they at- t _j T ^ tacked the Pouteouatamis ; M. de Courcelles wa? ^671. foon informed of it, and gave them to under? ftand that he was much diffatisfied ; that, con¬ trary to his inftruftions, and to the folensn pro- mife which they had given him, they fhould pre¬ fume to attack a people who were at peace, ami who relied on the obfervance of treaties ; that he would not fuffer them to di.'turb the tranquillity which had been effected by his endeavours ? that they fhould furrender into his hands the pii- foners which they had made among the allies, and if they re f ufed to fend them fafe and un¬ touched, he would himfelf go and fnatch them from their gripe, and would treat their canton as he had done that of Agmer. A meffage fo haughty tended to irritate the v- ; Tfonnonthouans; they afked ifall the peopie of this gt^at continent, fince miffionaries were cftablifhed among them, fhould become fubjecls of the French, and if they fhould be no longer permitted to avenge infults which they had re¬ ceived ? That the Iroquois cantons had made peace with Ononthio, but on that account they did not conceive they fhould become his vaffals, that they would rather perilh than fufter the fmalleft encroachment on their liberty and inde¬ pendence ; and, it might be recollected, that they had more than once convinced the French, that HISTORY OF CANADA. *35 they were not allies who would be treated with book J jjl. haughtinefs, nor enemies who ought to be u - r -»j defpifed. l6 7 l - On reflecting, however, more maturely on the confequences of a rupture, for which they were not fufficiently prepared, the Tfonnonthouans held a council to decide on the part which they fhould ad, and it was agreed that they ihould fend to the Governor eight prifoners out of thirty-five, whom they had made -among the Pouteouatamis. The General believed, of pre¬ tended to believe, that they had acquired no more, and he conceived it not prudent to pufh to extremities a nation with whom it was better to remain at peace. Many of the Iroquois who had been converted to the Chriftian faith, left their country and joined the Hurons; their numbers became at length fo confiderable, that a plan was formed of feparating them from the Huron Chriftians, and affigning them a fettlement of their own, on a fpot about four miles above the Rapids of St. Louis, and oppofite to the fouth-wefl: end of the hland of Montreal. The Algonquins alfo, who were fenfible that they owed to the French their prefent enjoyment of tranquillity, entered into a clofe alliance with them, and M. Talon thought, that advantage of this favourable difpofition ought to be embraced, k 4 in HISTORY OF CANADA. in order to eftablilh the rights of the crown in the mod remote quarters of Canada; and that a per- fon who had before vifited the diftant nations fhould be difpatched towards the north and the weft, to perfuade them to fend deputies to a con¬ venient place, where they might treat upon this fubjeCt. Nicholas Perrot, a traveller, was the perfon chofen for this fervice; his apprehenfion was lively, and he had received fome fhare of educa¬ tion. Neceflity had obliged him to enter into the fervice of the Jefuits, by whom he had been employed in an intercourfe with the greater part of the nations of Canada, and had learnt the languages of almoft the whole. He was much efteemed by the favages, with whom he had praCtifed every mode of conciliation and addrefs, and had thereby acquired a ftrong influence over them. Perrot vifited the nations in the vicinity of all the lakes, who fent deputies to the Falls of Saint Mary, where Lake Superior discharges itfelf into Lake Huron. The Sieur de Saint Luffon, fub-delegate of the Intendant of New France, arrived at that place in May, charged with a fpecial commillion to take pofieflion of all the countries occupied by thefe people, and to place them under the protection of the King. After having delivered a difcourfe to the deputies to induce them to afient to his views, he gained their HISTORY OF CANADA. *37 their compliance. A crofs was then ere&ed, on book which were placed the arms of France, and after fome religious ceremonies, feafting, and dancing, 1671. the afTembly difperfed, and each returned to his country. The Hurons Tfonnontatez, weary of leading an erratic life, which was never agreeable to the genius of this nation, eftablifhed themfelves at Machilimakinac ; they did not occupy any part of the ifland, but took pofieflion of a point of land which advances towards the fouth, having oppofite to it another point turned towards the north. Thefe two points form the {trait by which Lake Huron communicates with Lake Mi¬ chigan. The Hurons were conducted thither by Father Marquette, who in his Memoirs confefles that there were in the vicinity many fituations more eligible for a fettlement, but afligns no reafon for his choice of a fpot which was much expofed to exceffive colds, proceeding from the three immenfe lakes near which it {lands being often agitated by piercing and tempeftuous winds. Towards the end of this year the Iroquois 1671 . terminated fuccefsfully a war which they had made for feveral years againil the Andaftez, and the Chaouanons, tneir neighbours. Succefs and misfortune had been for a long time equally di¬ vided, but at length thefe two people were almofl completely HISTORY OF CANADA. <38 BOOK. completely exterminated, and the victors, ef- pecially the Tfonnonthcuans, incorporated in their cantons a great number of captives which they had made from both nations. Such has al¬ ways been their policy, to repair at the expence of the enemy, the breaches which war has made in their population. M* de Courcelles become more than ever convinced of the neceffity of oppofing a barrier to a reftlefs people who had now no longer any occupation abroad, and whofe power and repu¬ tation in arms, every day increafed. He caufed the chiefs of the cantons to be informed, that he had an atfair of importance to communicate to them, and that he fhould forthwith afcend to Catarocony, and fhould expect to meet them there. They aifembled in great numbers, and the General, after having beftowed on them every mark of kindnefs, and fome valuable pre- fents, declared to them that he had a defign of building in this place a fort, to which they might conveniently refort to trade with the French. They did not then perceive, that under a pre? tence of confulting their convenience, the Go¬ vernor had in view no other end than to keep them in reftraint, and to inl'ure a depot for his ammunition and provisions, in cafe he fhould be driven to refume hoflilities. They then replied that they thought the project well adapted for HISTORY OF CANADA. *39 Hie purpofe he had affigned to them ; and im- book. mediate meafures were taken for its execution, u_ but time did not allow its being fmiibed by M. * 6 7 ?« de Courcelles. It has already been ftated, that he had applied for his recall, and on his return to Quebec, he found the Count de Frontenac ar¬ rived to relieve him. He experienced no diffi¬ culty in perfuading his fuccefTor of the utility of the object he had then in view, and in the following fpring the new General went to Catarocony, and conftrutted the fort, which, as well as the lake near whofe entrance it is fituated, for a long time bore his name. The departure of M. de Courcelles was a lofs to the colony. If he poflkffed not all the brilliant qualities of his fucceffor, he was like- wife exempted from his defeats, and was lefs under the influence of paffion. His endeavours towards promoting the profperity of the pro¬ vince were well directed and fincere- The pre¬ judice which he bore to the miffionaries and ec- clefiaftics, prevented him not from imparting to them on occafions when he found it neceflfary or ufeful, a portion of his confidence, and from authorifing them in all the functions of their miniftry. The judgment, firmnefs, and expe¬ rience, with which he governed, rendered him beloved by the French, and refpected by the natives. The tranquillity of Canada would probably M© HISTORY OF CANADA. BOOK Jll. 1672. probably not have been troubled had they who fucceeded him entered into his views, and fob lowed the traces which he had marked out. Louis de Buade, Count de Frontenac, was a lieutenant-general in the King’s army, and grand- fon to a knight of the orders, who during the war of the League was diftinguiftied for his at* tachment to his lawful fovereign, and had me* rited the confidence of the Great Henry. The count poflefled ideas (fill more elevated than his birth. Of a fpirit at once lively, penetrating, folid, fruitful, cultivated; he was neverthelefs fufceprible of the mod unjuft prejudices, and ca¬ pable of carrying them beyond the boundaries of reafon. He wiflied to rule alone, and ufed every means of removing to a diftance thofe who attempted to oppofe him. Equal in valour and capacity, no perfon knew better how to affume over the people whom he governed, or with whom he was to treat, that afeendant which was necefiary to retain them in duty and refpeft. He procured when he would, the friendfhip both ol the French and the allies, and no officer ever treated his enemies with greater difdain, His plans for the aggrandifement of the colony were extenfive and juft, and he negletted no means to (hew the government of France the advantages which might be reaped therefrom; bu f his prejudices fometimes impeded the execu¬ tion HISTORY OF CANADA. I 4 I tion of projects which depended on himfelf. It book. was difficult to reconcile the regularity of his L - 1 — , conduct, and the piety of which he made pro- i6 7 2 - feffion, with that acrimony and afperity which he difplayed towards thofe at whom he took um¬ brage, or whom he difliked ; and he gave grounds for concluding, on one of the mod important occafions of his life, that ambition and the de¬ fire of preferving his authority had more influ¬ ence over him than his zeal for the public welfare. M. Talon wifhing to return to Europe, em¬ ployed himfelf, during the time he remained, in a manner which caufed his retreat from office to be regretted as a lofs to the colony. After hav¬ ing eftablilhed the authority of the King to the mod diflant parts that had hitherto been known, he projected new difcoveries. It became gene¬ rally believed from the reports of the favages, that there flowed to the weftward of New France a great river, by feme called Mechafipi, and by others Mifiifippi, whofe courfe was directed nei¬ ther to the north nor to the eaft. No doubtful expectation was therefore entertained that, by means of the river, a communication might be opened, either with the Gulph of Mexico, if it flowed to the fouthward, or with the Pacific Ocean, if it difeharged itfelf to the weft. Great advantages klSTORY OF CANADA. advantages were anticipated from either of thole channels of navigation. The Intendant was unwilling to take his de¬ parture from America until he fliould afcertain this important point. He entrufted the execu¬ tion of this difcovery to Father Marquette, who had already traverfed a great portion of the coun¬ try of Canada, and who was much refpe&ed by the favages. With him he affociated in this en- terprize a merchant of Quebec named Joliet, a man of experience and talents. They began their rout together from the Great Bay on Lake Michigan, embarked on the river des Remrds, which there difcharges itfelf, and alcended to near its fource, notwithstanding the rapids which render its navigation perilous and difficult. They then quitted it, and after travelling for forae diftance by land, re-embarked in theOuifcoufiug, fleered towards the weft, and at length reached the Miffifippi, about the forty-fecond and a half degree of north latitude. On the 17th of June they entered that cele¬ brated river, of which, the magnitude as well as depth, appeared to them fully to correfpond with the idea which the favages had given. They al¬ lowed themfelves to be conducted by its current, which in that part is not very rapid, and they had not proceeded far when they met with fotne HISTORY Of CANADA. people belonging to the nation of the Ilinois. They difcovered three villages of this people about nine miles below the place where the Mifouri joins its waters to the Miflifippi. Thefe natives were much gratified at the fight of Frenchmen, having for a long time wilhed to form an aliance with their country, becaufe the Iroquois were beginning to make incurfions into their territory, and they dreaded the effe&s of a war, which they were unable fingly to fuftain. They therefore gave to the travellers the mofl cordial reception, and prevailed upon them to promife the exertion of their good offices with the Governor- General. After having remained a (hort time among the Ilinois, they purfued their journey, and defcended the river to Akanfas, about the thirty-third de¬ gree of- latitude. Perceiving that their Hock of provifions was fall declining, reflecting alfo that with three or four men it would not be prudent to penetrate too far into a country cf whofe in¬ habitants they had no knowledge, and fince they could no longer entertain a doubt that the Miffi- fiopi difcharged itfelf into the Mexican Gulf, they directed their rout towards Canada, and afcended the great river, as far as that of the Ilinois, which they entered. Having arrived at Chicagou on Lake Michigan, they feparated. Father Marquette remained among!! the Miamis, 6 and 144 fciSTGRY OF CANADA. book and Joliet went to Quebec, to give a defcrip- v_„ j tion of his voyage to M. Talon, whom he had i6 73 * not the good fortune to meet, as he had return¬ ed to France. The violent conduct of M. de Frontenac em¬ broiled him in diffenfions with the ecclefiaftics and miflionaries, and foon after with M. du Chefneau, who had relieved M. Talon. The Abbe de Salinac Fenelon, who belonged to the feminary of St. Sulpice, was imprifoned, under pretence that he had preached againft the Count, and had procured from the inhabitants of Mon¬ treal atteftations in favour of M. Perrot their governor, whom the General had put under arreft. A complaint was made againft the Governor- General for having compofed the fuperior coun¬ cil of people who were at his devotion, and by that means fupporting his tyrannical purpofes, had rendered himfelf foie arbiter of juftice. In order to put fome reftraint upon the Iro¬ quois, it was conceived expedient, by thofe who had lately held the government of the colony, to engage favages by every means to join the new eftablifliment near Montreal, on the Praire de la Magdeleine. Father Fremin was entrufted with this charge, and acquitted himfelf of it with l'uccefs. But it was foon difcovered that the land there was not adapted to the grain which the favages O HISTORY OF CANADA. favages were accuftomed to fow, and famine be- book ° • III. ginning to appear, the infant fettlement was « .. v ’_ > threatened with a general defertion. 1672. To prevent this evil, the miflionaries requeued of the Governor and Intendant another fpot oppofite the rapids of St. Louis. The Count Frontenac returned no anfwer to their petition j but M. du Chefneau, who conceived the retreat of the favages inevitable if they were refufed their demand, granted them the land, and put them in pofieflion. It was forefeen that the General would not approve of this meafure, but it was not imagined that he would carry his dif- like to fuch lengths as he did; in this affair he fo far forgot himfelf, as to appear inexcufable to his bed friends. The Iroquois Chriftians remained however, at the rapids of St. Louis, and the court, who judged this fettlement neceffary, maintained them there, although contrary to the inclination of M. de Frontenac. What had principally in¬ duced thefe profelytes to forfake their country, and to fearch an afylum in the French colonies, was, that the Dutch having taken Montratte, and reconquered all New York, had threatened to drive the miffionaries, if they did not of them- felves retire, from the cauton of Agnier. The reafons afligned for this meafure were, that they vol. 1. l were HISTORY OF CANADA. book were afraid left the Iroquois fhould unite them* 4^- l n ' , felves to the French by the bond of religion. l ^ 7 5 * M. du Chefneau fuffered lefs from the haugh- tinefs of the General than the ecclefiaftics and miffionaries, and their difagreement took olace on the fubjeft of the fuperior council, of which that officer wiffied to aflume the whole authority, and even appropriated to himfelf the functions and the title of prefident. The King, in order to put a (top to thefe differences, which tended to k'ndle the flames of diforder in all parts of the colony, becaufe thefe two chiefs had each his partifans, made an ordinance on the fifth of June, regulating all matters of diffenfion in fuch a manner as garve ground to hope that every vain pretenfion on either fide might ceafe. It was there decided by his Majefty, that the Governor- General fhould have the firft place in the council, the Bifhop the fecond, and the Intendant the third, but that the latter fhould demand the opinions, collect the votes, and pronounce the decrees. The Count de Frontenac was, however, ftill diffatisfied, and under various pretences, treated all thofe extremely ill who, in this point, or in any other, oppofed his inclinations. He even em¬ braced the ftrong meafure of exiling, by his own authority, the Procureur-General, and all the counfellors ; he came to an open rupture with the Intendant, HISTORY OF CANADA. Intendanf, and proceeded to declare, that he was forry he had not put him in prifon imme¬ diately after the departure of the vefiels, by which means he would have held him in confine¬ ment two whole years, becaufe the lapfe of that time was neceffary before an order from the court for his releafe could arrive. A conduct fo unjuftifiable could not long be concealed from the Sovereign ; but it appears that his Majefty was not made acquainted with fome of the extravagances of this General, who had at court powerful relations and protestors. Two letters were on this occafion written by the King’s order, the one addrefled to the Count de Frontenac, the other to M. du Chefneau. In that to the latter he remarked, that he might have avoided all the violence of which he com¬ plained, had he followed the orders given, and fatisfied himfelf by explaining his reafons to the Governor, and laying them before the whole council. In the letter to the Count de Fron¬ tenac, his Majefty, after reproaching him, that by his pretenfions, he difturbed the repofe of New France, added, that in the minutes of the council, by wilhing to qualify himfelf as chief and prefident, he had acted in exprels contra¬ diction to the ediSl concerning this eftablifh- ment. That he fhould therefore abandon this pretenfion, and content himfelf with the office l 2 and 148 HISTORY OF CANADA. book and title of Governor and Lieutenant-General. Neither did he defire that the title of Prefident of i6 7 J- the Council fhould be given to the Intendant, but that he ffiould pofiefs all the functions of that office. He prohibited the Governor from keep* ing the minutes of council in his houfe, from col¬ lecting the voices, and from pronouncing the decrees. All thefe functions belonged to the fituation of Prefident, which was attached to that of Intendant. In that letter alfo, the King renewed his commands on the fubjeCt of the vagabonds, who were ufually named Coureurs de Bois , and declared to the General, that on this head he would receive no excufe, perfuaded that to him alone it belonged to ftop the progrefs of fuch a diforder, which ruined and depopulated the country, and annihilated the commerce. Another fubjeCt yet more important was the caufe of difagreement between the Governor-Ge¬ neral and the bilhop. The irregularities and fatal conferences produced among the Chriltian favages by the commerce of fpirits, has already been mentioned. It had for feveral years been renewed, and produced the fame effeCts, which had already occasioned much regret to all thofe who concerned themfelves in the welfare of thefe people. The bilhop, the clergy, and the miffionaries, made loud complaints againft the ufe of an ar- 59 together in their way to Catarocony, and three book months being fpent in making new levies of ■ L _ r i l . l ^_| Frenchmen, and in colle&ing provifions, La Sale x ^°' took the rout of the Ilinois with all his people, and found his two forts in the ftate he had left % them. He again defcended the river of the Ilinois, 16*2. and on the 2d of February reached the Miflifippi. On the 4th of March he took pofleflion, with the ufual ceremonies, of the country of the Akanfas, and on the 9th of April he difcovered the mouth of the river. This important point being attained, and the courfe of one of the largeft: rivers in the univerfe gained to France by pofleflion, to which no earlier pretenfions could be advanced. La Sale re-imbarked on the 1 ith of the fame month. On the 15th of May he was taken flck, and he detached the Chevalier Tonti, to whom he recommended it to endeavour as quickly as poflible to reach Michilimakinac : he did not himfelf return to Quebec till the follow¬ ing year. Some months after his arrival he em¬ barked for France. There had taken place in the colony, during the abfence of La Sale, confiderable changes, and men were not fo favourably difpofed to¬ wards him, as when he commenced his dif- coveries. The HISTORY OF CANADA. The mifunderftanding which had happened between the Governor-General and the Intend- ant, had proceeded to fuch extremities, that it was no longer poflible they could live together in the fame colopy. The court, it is certain, attributed to the Count de Frontenac the greareft Ihnre of blame, but liotwithftanding the mildnefs of M. du Cheneau’s chara&er, he pofleffed not a fufficient (hare of good nature to endure the haughty and imperi¬ ous conduct of that General, although it had been recommended to him to yield upon occa- fions. For want of a fufficient felf-command, to enable him to regard with unconcern the ill hu- mour of the General, he fometimes partook of the fame haughtinefs of difpofition, and it was therefore become neceflary that both fhould be recalled. It has been before ftated, that the tithes of the clergy were fixed at a twenty-fixth part of the produce, and that they fhould be paid in grain. From the increale of the colony, it became necef- fary to efiablifh new curacies. It was then requi- fite that the tithes fhould belong to the cutes, and not, as heretofore, to the feminary. Thefe two points were fixed by a royal edift, five years after the erettion of the church of Quebec into a biffiopric. This edi& confirmed alfo the prorvi- 2 fional HISTORY OF CANADA. fional regulation of the fuperior council refpeft- ing the tithes, but it added that if they were found infufficient for the fupport of the cures, the' council Ihould provide them with an addi¬ tion, to be fupplied by the inhabitants and holders of eftates. This, however, did not take place, becaufe the King granted from his do¬ main leven thoufand fix hundred livres a-year, to aid the fubfiftence of the clergy. M. Le Fevre de la Barre was nominated Go¬ vernor-General, and M. de Meules Intendant. In the inilrucfions framed on this occafion, it was fpecially recommended to the firft, by the King, to entertain a friendly correfpondence with the Count de Blenac, Governor-General of the American iflands, for it was then conceived, that the two colonies might, from the various articles of their produce, derive advantages by a reci¬ procal commerce. It was ftrongly recom¬ mended to M. de Meules to be upon good terms with the Governor ; and, if in the exercife of his functions, that officer ffiould adopt meafures prejudicial to the general welfare, he would be fatisfied with making to him representations thereupon, reminding him of the inftrudions he had received j if this was without effeft, to take no further Heps, but allow the Governor to pro¬ ceed as he thought proper. He was, however, to render an account to the council, of any vol. i. m meafure 161 BOOK III. 1682. 162 BOOK III. 1682. HISTORY OF CANADA. meafure which he conceived of hurt to the in- terefts of the ftate. New France had been for many years in a ftate of great confufion, and was now threa¬ tened with a war capable of re-plunging her inro her original misfortunes. Her ftrength alfo feemed. daily to diminifh; for, by the laft re¬ turns of the population, which had been made two years before, there were only eight thoufand five hundred and fifteen perfons, without com¬ prehending Acadia. Many circumftances had contributed to draw a-new the Iroquois into a war with the French. Since New York had become an Englifa fettle* ment. Colonel Dongan, who was Governor, had taken much pains to afford to the Iroquois mer- chandife at a cheaper rate than could be fup- plied by the French, becaufe the company, which then carried on the exclufive commerce for peltry, had a preferable choice of a fourth of the beaver fkins, of a tenth of other furs and of leather, and bought the remainder at a low rate. Some other caufes of mutual difcontent had . taken place, when an unforefeen accident tended to evince the unfavourable difpofition of the Iro¬ quois with regard to the French. A Captain of the Tfonnonthouans had been killed at Michi- limakinac by an Ilinois, with whom he had fome private quarrel. According to the policy of the favages. HISTORY OF CANADA. 163 favages, the firft marks of refentment of fuch as book have been injured fall neither on the murderer nor on the nation to which he belongs, but l6S2 ‘ upon the actual poffeffors of the place where the offence has been committed. It belonged then to the Kifkacons, a nation of the Outaouais, in whofe territories the Iroquois chief had fallen, to make fatisfadlion to his nation. M. de Fron- tenac had difpatched to the Cantons a confiden¬ tial perfon, to endeavour to gain a fufper.fion of hodilities until he fhould have time to oblige the Kifkacons to make them an atonement. He at the fame time invited them to fend to Catarocony, where he would go in perfon, de¬ puties, with whom he might treat of this affair, and of all other fubjedts of complaint which might be dated on the one fide or the other. A few days after, he received a meffage from Onnontague, by which he was informed, that thefe favages exacted, that he fhould advance as far as the entrance of the river Chouaguen, which difcharges itfelf into lake Ontario on the fouth. The General replied to the perfon who gave him the information, that he would never con- fent to fuch a meafure, becaufe this acquiefcence would increafe the infolence of the Iroquois, and were it even not derogatory to his dignity, he could not undertake fuch a voyage with fatis- m 2 fadtion 164 HISTORY OF CANADA. book faction or fafety to his perfon, without incurring a very great expence. He had not yet feen the 1682. Kifkacons, and knew not what refolution they might adopt. He concluded by requeuing the author of the letter containing the foregoing in¬ formation, to ufe all his endeavours to perfuade the Onnontagues to aflume fentiments of greater moderation and refpedt. He would abate nothing of the haughtinefs with which, like M. Courcelles, he had always treated the favages. He publicly declared that he would take under his protection the Outa- ouais, and all his old allies, and he permitted the Kifkacons to conftru£t new forts, in order to defend themfelves Ihould they be attacked. Some of the Iroquois, gained by their miffion¬ ary, relaxed fo far in their original demand as to confent to aflemble at Catarocony, but M. Fron- tenac then declared, that he would go no further than Montreal, and that if the Iroquois meant to communicate with him, he would there wait for them until the month of June; but at the ex¬ piration of that period he would return to Que¬ bec. This reply enraged the Iroquois, who on their part aliened, that they w r ould treat with the Governor-General only at Chouaguen. Some time afterwards the General making a vifit to the ifiand of Montreal, met with the Sieur Foret, major of the fort of Catarocony, who brought HISTORY OF CANADA. brought with him five of the Iroquois. They were deputies of the five cantons, who were in¬ fir u&ed to allure their fa.her Ononthio, that they were difpofed to be upon good terms with him, and with his allies. M. de Frontenac gave them an audience on the i ith of September, and on the following day replied, that it refted not with him that a good underlVanding was not eftablilhed between the two nations; but, as the Ilinois were excepted from the peace, which the cantons would main¬ tain with the allies, and that it was confefied, that they were preparing to make a vigorous war againft that people, the General made them fome valuable prefents, to induce them to lay afide their determination. Scarcely had they left Montreal, when other deputies arrived, on the part of the Kilkacons, the Hurons of Michilimakinac, and the Miamis. The General omitted no argument to perfuade the firft to fatisfy the Iroquois on the fubjecl of the murder which has been related. They an- fwered, that they had charged the Ilurons to prefent belts on their part, which was all they conceived themfelves obliged to perform, being not the authors of that deed. But the Hurons, willing to embroil the parties, far from acquitting themfelves of their commifiion, had even in- creafed the umbrage of the Iroquois againfi m 3 them. 1 66 HISTORY OF CANADA. BOOK III. —- t 1682. them. In vain did the General infill on engag¬ ing them to adopt different meafures, for the prefervation of peace; all that he could obtain was a promife that they would remain on the defenfive. Affairs were in this ftate when M. M. de la Barre and De Meules arrived at Quebec ; they even learnt that the deputation of Teganifforens, one of the chiefs who had been at Montreal, had no other motive on the part of the cantons but to amufe the French; and that war was begun againft the Ilinois. Thus the Iroquois were foon expected to be feen in arms in the middle of the colony. On the other hand, it was foon per¬ ceived that the friends of the Count de Fronte- nac would not find in his fucceffor the fame protection they had enjoyed ; and it appeared that M. de la Barre was already prejudiced againft the Sieur de la Sale, concerning whom he made too early a declaration not to give reafon for judging, that he had conceived an unfavourable opinion of that traveller, without having confi- dered his general conduct. Such is the lot of thofe characters, whom a mixture of great virtues and great defeCts draws forth from the ordinary fphere of human life. Their paflions urge them to the commiflion of faults, and if they execute what is beyond the reach of others, their enterprifes receive not ge¬ neral HISTORY OF CANADA. 16/ neral approbation; their fuccefs excites the jea- book loufy of fuch as remain in obfcurity, and (hould <_-L j it be ufe ul to fome, it may be hurtful to others ; the one party .exaggerates their merit, the other decries them beyond the bounds of moderation. Hence the different delineations which are drawn bear no refeinblance to the living chara&er; bur, as hatred and maledidtion not unfrequently operate more powerfully than gratitude and friendlhip, the enemies of the Sieur de la Sale contributed more to disfigure, than his friends to embellifh his portrait. Letters had been written to the court by M. de la Barre and others, wherein La Sale was men¬ tioned in very unfavourable terms; but his caufe was brought to a tribunal already impreffed with an opinion of his talents and merit, and his pre¬ fence in France effaced, in part, the reprefenta- tion which had been made againft his conduft. The minider did not believe him to be altogether exempted from the faults with which he had been charged, but weighing the utility of his talents, he thought it neceffary to employ him. He gave him fome advice refpedting his future con¬ duct, but unhappily for La Sale, he forgot, or profited not by the fuggeftions of the minifter. M. de la Barre had not long affumed the reins of the government, when he perceived that New France was placed in the molt delicate conjunc- m 4 ture. *68 BOO I ill. C—.— 1682. HISTORY OF CANADA. ture. He therefore thought it expedient to con¬ voke an aflembly, compofed not only of the Bifhop and Intendant, but of the principal offi¬ cers of the army, many members of the fuperior council, the chiefs of fubordinatejurifdiclion, the fuperior of the feminary, and of the millions, and he requeued the whole to give him their advice refpe&ing the caufes and nature of the evils which had brought the colony to its prefent Hate, and refpecting the remedies which ought to be applied, in order to reflore it to profpe- rity. It was there obferved to the General, that the objett of the Iroquois was to draw to themfelves all the commerce of Canada, to tranfport it to the Englifh and the Dutch at New York, and con- fequenily the two latter nations ought to be con- fidered in a hoflile view, efpecially, as for a con- fiderable time they had endeavoured privately to excite the cantons to come to an open rupture with the French ; that thefe barbarians, to avoid having too powerful a force againft them, had fludied only to amufe them, whilft they w r ere feduloufly occupied in debauching the allies, or in deftroying, one after the other, all thofe whom they were unable to detach from the French in- terefts ; that they had begun by the Ilinois, and that it was of the firft moment to prevent thefe people from being loft by their efforts , but that the HISTORY OF CANADA. l ( 9 the attempt to affid them would be attended with book difficulty ; that the colony could furnifh at the utmod a thoufand men fit to undergo the fa- 16*2. tigues of campaigning, and that even for this number, the labours of hufbandry mud in part be fufpended. They further reprefented that, previous to taking arms, magazines well furniffied with pro- vifions and ammunition, ought to be eftabliffied in fituations the neared that could be found to the enemy’s courury, for the reafon that the march ffiould be undertaken not merely to ftrike terror into the Iroquois, a meafure which had contented M. de Tracy, but, to reduce them to a fituation that they might be no longer able to difquiet the colony; it would therefore be ne- ceffary to remain a confiderable time in this country, or on its environs; that the fort of Ca- tarocony was well calculated for this defign, becaufe from that pod an army might, in forty, eight hours, fall on the canton of Tfonnonthouan, though mod remote of all; that three or four barques on lake Ontario were required to tranf- port provifions, ammunition, and the number of men that might be wanted for that fervice ; that it was into the borders of that canton that war mud be carried ; but that previous to engaging in fuch an enterprife, two or three hundred foldiers mud be requeded of the King, part of whom mud 170 HISTORY OF CANADA. book mufl be flationed in the forts of Cataroconv and III. J v—•——/ Galette, to guard the head of the colony, whilft i68^. all the other forces fhould be employed beyond its limits; that his Majefly ought likewife to be fupplicated to fend into the colony a thoufand or fifteen hundred labourers, to cultivate the lands in the abfence of the land-holders; alfo funds for the magazines, and for the conffru&ion of the barques ; that to engage the King to incur this expence, it would be requifite to acquaint him of the urgent neceffity of the war, of the inability of the colony to fupport it, and, above all, to re¬ prefen t to him that the want of reinforcements from France incited the contempt of the favages; whereas, if thofe people knew of the arrival of French troops, the Iroquois would perhaps be overawed, and the allies would not hefitate to lend a flrong arm againfi: a nation, of whofe power they were in continual dread, but over whom they would believe thenrfelves certain of triumphing, if they beheld the French in a con¬ dition powerfully to fecond them. The refult of this deliberation was drawn up and tranfmitted to the court. It was there ap¬ proved, and the King gave orders for the imme¬ diate embarkation of two hundred foldiers. He wrote to the Governor-General, and gave him advice that Colonel Dongan, Governor of New York, had received an exprefs order from the King HISTORY OF CANADA. King of Great Britain to entertain a friendly intercourfe with the French, to which he doubted not that officer would conform. During the government of M. Frontenac, the recolets, by the interefl: of that officer, obtained from the King permiffion to conftruct a chapel, notwithftanding the oppofition of the biffiop, who, in concert with the Jefuits, made ufe of every means in his power to prevent their being allowed that indulgence. 171 book l6c2. 172 HISTORY OF CANADA. BOOK IV. Expedition of M. de la Barre againjl the Iroquois. — Dij- trefs of his Army .—Conference at the Bay of Famine .— MI- Denonville Governor-General. — Manner in which the Traffic for Furs was conducted. — A fairs of the Clergy. — Of the Law. — Iroquois Chiefs feized at Cato- rocony, and conduced to France for Galley-Slaves.— Expedition againjl the Iroquois. — Conftruction of a Fort Qt Niagara. — That Fort, on Account of an infectious Malady , abandoned and defrayed.—Treafon and Policy of a Huron Chief called the Rat .—Character of the Marquis de Denonville. JYJ De la Barre made preparations for war * againft the Iroquois, without lofing fight of the hope of an accommodation with thefe barbarians, difpofed to treat with them if he could do it with honour. Being informed that they were on the point of marching, to the num¬ ber of fifteen hundred men, againft the Miamis and Outaouais, although they had publilhed that their deftination was againft the Ilinois, he difpatched a confidential perfon, who arrived at the great village of the Onnontagues, the ren¬ dezvous of the warriors, on the evening of the day HISTORY OF CANADA! *73 day on which they propofed to fet out for their book campaign. j The envoy was well received, and had not *683. much difficulty to draw’ from the Iroquois a pro- mife to fufpend the expedition, and to fend depu¬ ties to Montreal in order there to treat w'ith the General; but it was foon after difcovered, that they had fpoken thus only to quiet the French. They affirmed, that their deputies Ihould be at Montreal before the end of the month of June. But in the month of May, M. de la Barre had advice that feven hundred men of the cantons of- Onnontague, of Goyogouin, and of Onneyouth, were on their march to attack the Hurons, the Miamis, and the Outaouais; and that the Tfonnonthouans, with fome Goyogouins, intend¬ ed towards the end of fummer to fpread them- felves in troops throughout the French habita¬ tions. The General, in imparting thefe news to the minifter, acquainted him that the project had been formed at the indigation of the Englifh, who in their negociations made ufe of French fugitives, whofe defertion they encouraged. From what he could judge of the prefent difpofi- tion of the Iroquois cantons, he conceived that it became a meafure of neceffity, either totally to abandon Canada, or to make an effort to deftroy at lead the Tfonnonthouans and the Goyogou¬ ins, *74 HISTORY OF CANADA. book ins, the mod animated againft the French, and IV. u . who could eafily lead two thoufand men into the field. He therefore folicited him to engage the King to fend as early as poflible four hundred men, that on the beginning of Auguft at the farthefl: he might enter into the enemy's territory with a force fufficient to reduce thefe barbarians to reafon; but that he believed it neceffary, firlt of all, to obtain from the Duke of York, to whom New York belonged, an order for the governor of that province not to throw any ob- ftacles in the way of his expedition. The Iroquois found it more to their advantage to trade with the Englifh and Dutch than with the French, becaufe at New York beaver ikins were fubjedt to no duties ; the traffic was free to every one, and the purchafers derived from thence more profit; which placed them in a fi- tuation to afford their merchandife at a lower rate. As the cantons however were not inclined \ to employ open force but in the event of coming to extremities, and as in reality they dreaded the French more than they appeared to do, deputies from the five cantons arrived at Montreal in Augufl, but they were charged to make only vague proteflations of a fincere attachment, and nothing further could be drawn from them. Many circumftances concurred to render this embaffy fufpe&ed, and it was believed that the cantons HISTORY OF CANADA. cantons wifhed to gain time, and to throw the general off his guard. He however gave a fa- , vourable reception to the deputies, treated them with kindnefs, and fent them home loaded with prefents. A few months had fcarcely elapfed, when fourteen Frenchmen, who were proceeding with merchandife to the Ilinois, were attacked by the Iroquois and pillaged of every thing they had, amounting to upwards of fifteen thoufand livres. M. de la Barre was then refolved to carry on a war. He had received intelligence that the cantons were making great preparations, and had fent ambaffadors to the favages of Virginia, to afcertain that they (hould not be attacked from that quarter, whilft they were occupied againff the French. The general believed that he could with greater facility and lefs rifque anticipate the defign of thefe barbarians, by carrying war into their territory, than to drive them from the co¬ lony if once they had got a footing there. But as he had received very fmall fupplies from France, and as thofe which he ftill expelled could not foon arrive, he was obliged to have recourfe to the allied favages. M. de la Durantaye, who commanded at Mi- chilimakinac, and M. de Luth his lieutenant, who was at the bay on lake Michigan, had in- 7 ftruclions *75 O O K IV. 1683. HISTORY OF CANADA. flrudtions to acquaint the nations in thefe quar¬ ters, that Ononthio was about to march againft the Iroquois; that he would begin with the Tfonnonthouans, and that he invited his allies to Niagara, where he Ihould arrive about the mid¬ dle of Auguft with his whole forces. The greater part of thefe people were not lefs in- terefted than the French in the deftru&ion of the Iroquois, who were inclined to ufurp a fpe- cies of domination over this extenfive part of the continent, and to render themfelves the foie matters of its commerce. It was, however, with difficulty that the levies were made. When M. Durantaye arrived at Niagara with five hundred warriors, he had the misfortune not to find the French at that place ; and it required much addrefs to fatisfy the favages whom he had led thither. The General having made his preparations, fet out from Quebec on his way to Montreal, where the troops were ordered to aifemble. He fent, during his march, a mefiage to Colonel Dongan, to inform him, that if he was inclined to take revenge for the blood of twenty-fix Engliffimen of Maryland, who had been .killed by the Tfonnonthouans during the preceding winter, he might join his army; he at lead firmly relied on the promifes he had given him in confequence of the Duke of York’s orders, that HISTORY OF CANADA. *77 that he would ufe no means to weaken the effe&s book of an expedition fo juft ; that he was taking_ meafures to reprefs the infolence of a nation which would not fpare the Englifh if it had nothing to fear on the part of the French. The General took another precaution which ought to have infured the fuccefs of his enter- prife ; this was to caufe a divifion in the cantons, that he might not have to encounter the whole at the fame time. For this purpofe he fent belts to the Onnontagues, to the Agniers, and to the Onneyouths, to engage them to remain neuter between him and the Tfonnonthouans, who alone had offended him, and againft whom he was marching. Having taken other meafures of fe- curity, he proceeded with feven hundred Cana¬ dians, a hundred and thirty foldiers, and two hundred favages, formed into three divifions. He left Quebec on the 9th of July, and arrived at Montreal on the 21ft of the fame month. As he proceeded from thence towards Catarocony,he learnt that the other cantons had obliged that of the Tfonnonthouans to accept of their mediation with the French, and demanded the Sieur le Moyne to negociate this important affair. He likewife had intelligence, that the canton againft which he was marching had put all their pro- vifions in a place of fecurity, and that the war would have no other effect than to unite the yol. 1. n whole HISTORY OF CANADA. whole nation againft the French. But if he would be contented with fatisfadion from this canton, the inhabitants were well difpofed to grant it, and would fufpend all hoftilities againft the allies. Since however, it was faid, they made thefe advances, it was not becaufe they be¬ lieved they had much to fear, for the Governor of New York had made them an offer of four hundred horfemen, and as many infantry if they fhould be obliged to fupport a war. There was no queftion, that if Colonel Don- gan had fulfilled his offer, it would have been accepted of, and that M. de la Barre would thereby have found himfelf in great difficulties; but he required too high a price for the affift- ance which he propofed to lend, and had fpoken in too high a tone to a nation naturally fierce, and which had never loved nor efteeraed the Englifh. This Governor had begun by ereding in the country of the Iroquois the arms of the Duke of York; he afterwards fent to prohibit the cantons, on the part of this prince, whom he filled their Sovereign, from treating with the French, without his participation. He alfo en¬ joined them to profit by the aids which he would afford to deliver themfelves from the tyranny of the French. This commiffion was as ill executed as it was imprudent. The envoy addreffed himfelf to the Iroquois HISTORY OF CANADA. *79 Iroquois in the (tile of a mailer, and afked them book if they would not obey the Governor of New » j York, who reprefented their lawful Sovereign ? This mode of procedure fhocked the Onnon- tagues. One of their chiefs immediately called on Heaven to witnefs the injury which had been offered to the whole nation, and of the unjufli- fiable conduct of the Englifh ambaffador, who wilhed to embroil the country in war. He then addreffed him in a tone which ought to have made him fenfible of his imprudence, and of the indignation which it had excited in all prefent. He fpoke thus : “ Know, that Onnontague places himfelf be¬ tween Ononthio, his father, and the Tfonnon- thouan, his brother, to prevent them from fight¬ ing. I was willing to believe that Corlar * would have flood in my rear, and would have called to me, Courage , Onnontague , fuffer not the father and fon to kill each other. I am furprifed that his envoy fhould hold a very different lan¬ guage, and fhould endeavour to prevent me from Hopping the arm of the one and of the other. I cannot believe that Corlar poffeffes fo malevolent a fpirit. Ononthio is pleafed to ho¬ nour me by coming to my cabin to make peace j * The name given by the favages to the Governor of New York. n 2 fhali HISTORY OF CANADA. 180 BOOK IV. 16S3. fliall the Ton difhonour his father ? Corlar, at¬ tend to my words. Ononthio has adopted md for his fon; he entertained me at Montreal, and he habited me in that quality ; we then planted the tree of peace, and we have alfo planted it at Onnontague, whither my father has ufually fent his ambaffadors. I have two arms, one of which I extend towards Montreal, the other to Corlar, who has long been my brother. Ononthio has been for ten years my father; Corlar is mybrother, becaufe fuch is my wifh; but neither of them is my mafter. He who created the world gave me this land which I occupy—I am free—I refpett both—but neither has a right to command me, and no perfon ought to take offence that I pre¬ vent the earth from being troubled. I therefore will not delay to meet my father, fmce he has taken the trouble to come to my door, and fince he can have nothing but reafonable propofitions to difcufs.” It appears by this difcourfe, that the Sieur le Moyne had arrived in the canton before the en¬ voy of the Governor of New York. He was, however, well received, being known and re- fpe&ed by thefe favages, and reftored to them a prifoner whom he had conduced from (Quebec. From the bad quality of the provifions, M. de la Barre’s army was reduced to a mod deplor¬ able HISTORY OF CANADA. able flare. This evil increafed to fuch a degree, that there was reafon to fear he would be obliged to retire without waiting for the Iroquois de¬ puties ; this would have expofed the French to the ridicule of the favages, and perhaps have in¬ duced them to alter their intention. They met M. de la Barre, who was encamped on the borders of lake Ontario, on the north fide, in a fmall bay, five or fix leagues to the eaflward of their river, to which, the extreme want they had fuf- fered for fifteen days caufed them to give the name of the Bay of Famine. In all their negociations thefe favages make ufe of collars, or belts of wampum, which are two or three feet in length, and fix inches in breadth, ornamented with fmall grains of porcelain, made from {hells found on the coaft of Virginia. No tranfa&ion can be entered into without the intervention of thefe belts, which ferve as con¬ tracts and obligations among them, and fupply the abfence of writing. They preferve fome- times for an age, thofe they have received from their neighbours, and, as each has a diflinClive mark, the fachems or ancients are acquainted with the time and place at which they were given, and what they import. They frequently ufe them after the lapfe of many years, in the arrangement of new negociations. n 3 The f HISTORY OF CANADA. The favages feated themfelves on the ground in their ufual mode, forming an extenfive ring, feveral of the French being indifcriminately mixed with them ; M. de la Barre placed himfelf in a chair in the front of his tent, and his inter¬ preter delivered in his name the following harangue. “ The King, my matter, informed that the five Iroquois nations have, for a confiderable time, interrupted the tranquillity which prevailed, has commanded me to march into this country, followed by an efcort, and to fend Akoueflan * to the village of the Onnontagues, to invite the principal chiefs to approach my camp. The intention of this grand Monarch is, that we Ihould fmoke, you and I together in the great calumet of peace, provided that you promife, in the name of Tlonnonthouans, Goyogouins, Onnontagues, Onneyouths, and Agniers, to make entire reparation and fatisfaclion to his fubje&s, and to do nothing in future which may lead to an unhappy rupture. “ The inhabitants of thofe villages have pil¬ laged, ill treated, and ruined, all our people who were employed in the chace, and who went on commercial views to the country of the • The Partridge, a name given to M. le Moyne. Ilinois, HISTORY OF CANADA. 183 Ilinois, of the Oumamis, and of the other na- book tions, children of my Sovereign. And as you have aCled on thefe occafions contrary to the i 68 3- treaty of peace concluded with my predeceflor, I am charged to demand reparation, and to fignify, in cafe of refufal, or of relapfe into thofe offences, that I have exprefs orders to declare war.*’ This belt guarantees my word. “ The warriors of the Iroquois have con¬ ducted the Englilh to the lakes of the King my mailer, and to the people who are his children, to deltroy the commerce of his fubje&s, and to alienate thofe nations from the obedience which they owe him. They have led the Englilh thither, notwithllanding exprefs injunctions to the con¬ trary, given by the former Governor of New York, who forefaw the hazard to which both would be expofed. I will readily forget thefe aggreflions ; but if a fimilar conduCt is again adopted, I have exprefs orders to declare war againlt you.” This belt contains my words. “ Thefe warriors have like wife made feveral inhuman incurfions into the country of the Ilinois and of the Oumamis. They have there maffacred men, women, and infants; captured, bound, and led away, a great number of the people of thefe two nations, who, in the midll of n 4 peace. 184 HISTORY OF CANADA. B o 0 k peace, confidered themfelves fecure in their ■ —villages. Thefe people who are the children of l68 3* my King, ought no longer to be your {laves. You rauft redore them to liberty, and quickly fend them back to their country, which if the five nations refufe, I have orders to declare war againd them.” This belt confirms my words . “ The foregoing is what I had to addrefs to the deputies, that they might explain to the five nations the declaration which the King my mader has commanded me to make. He is unwilling that they flrould oblige him to fend a ftrong army to Catarocony, to commence a war which w'ould be fatal to them. He would alfo be much mortified, that this fort, w r hich is a work of peace, fliould be converted into a prifon for your warriors. Means mud be purfued, both on the one point and the other, to avert fuch a calamity. The French, who are the brothers and friends of the five nations, will never didurb their repofe, provided they will give the fatisfac- tion demanded, and that the treaty of peace be henceforward pointedly obferved. I ihould feel the difquietude of defpair, did not my words produce the efFedt w'hich I defire ; for, I fhould then be compelled to act in conjundtion with the Governor of New York, who, by order of his King, would aid me in confuming by fire, ven¬ geance HISTORY OF CANADA. I8 5 geance and defolation, the five nations of the book T *99 IV. Iroquois. This belt confirms what I have fiaid. *683. The interpreter of M. de la Barre having ceafed to fpeak, La Grangula, the Tfonnonthouan deputy, who during the foregoing fpeech feemed to fix his eyes on the end of his pipe, arofe, and after making five or fix turns within the circle compofed of Frenchmen and favages, he refumed his fituation, and (landing ereft, and regarding the General with a fixed and (tern look, replied in the following terms: “ Ononthio, I honour thee. All the warriors who accompany me likevvife honour thee. Thy interpreter hath finifiied thy difcourfe; I am about to fpeak in reply. My voice haftens to thy ears; Men then with attention to my words. “ Thou mud, on leaving Quebec, have ima¬ gined, Ononthio, that the intenfe heat of the fun had confumed the foreds, which render our country inacceflible to the French; or, that the lake hadfo overflowed its boundaries, that find¬ ing our villages in the midd of the waters, it were impoflible for us to quit them. Yes, Onon¬ thio, thou mud have believed either of thofe im¬ probabilities ; and curiofity to fee fo large a tract of country burnt up, or inundated, mud have induced thee to travel thus far. Thou art now undeceived. 186 HISTORY OF CANADA. book undeceived, fince I and my warriors come hither IV rr u-vw to aflure thee, that the five nations have not yet 1683. perifhed. I thank thee in their name for having brought back into their lands the calumet of peace, which thy predeceffors received from their hands. I at the fame time congratulate thee for having buried under ground the'mur- derous hatchet * which has fo often been ftained with the blood of thy countrymen. Attend, Ononthio ; my eyes are open, and the fun which gives me light difclofes to my view a great cap¬ tain, at the head of a troop of warriors, who fpeaks like one in a dream. He fays, he has approached this lake for the purpofe of fmoking in the great calumet with the Onnontagues, but La Grangula fees on the contrary, that it was for the purpofe of deftroying them, if fo many of thy people had not been enfeebled by dif- eafe. “ I fee that Ononthio dreams amid a camp of invalids, whofe lives the Great Spirit hath faved, and reftrained them by infirmity, from profe- cuting their defign. Our women would have taken the war clubs, our children and old men would have carried the bow and arrow to thy camp, had not our warriors interpofed to difarm • To raife the hatchet, is to proclaim war j to bury it, is to eater oa terms of peace. them, HISTORY OF CANADA. 187 them, on the arrival of Akoueflan thy meffenger 8 0^0 k. at our village. ->—- 1636. HISTORY OF CANADA. which were collected at Catarocony, had given ; the Iroquois reafon to think that it was intended to declare war againft them ; that this people being fubje&s of the crown of England, to at¬ tack them would be a manifefl: infraction of the peace which fubfifled between their two So¬ vereigns ; that he had alfo learnt that it was de- figned to build a fort at Niagara, and that this intelligence had the more furprifed him, be- caufe it ought not to be unknown in Canada, that all that country was a dependency of New York. M. de Denonville replied, that the Iroquois dreaded a chaftifement, becaufe they were con- fcious of being culpable ; that the provifions feat to Catarocony ought not to alarm him, as there being always a confiderable garrifon in that pod, and the opportunities of tranfporting fupplies not frequently occurring, it was neceffary when they did occur, to tranfport large quantities ; that England was not well grounded in her pretenfions to the domain of the Iroquois’ territories, and it ought to have been known that the French had poflelTion of them before any Englifhman appeared in New York; that the two Kings their mailers, being then upon friendly terms, it became not either of their Lieutenant-Generals to interrupt the tranquillity which prevailed. We HISTORY OF CANADA. 197 We /hall here give a brief account of the book manner in which the traffic for furs, already re- peatedly mentioned in the courfe of this work, *6 They went from (hop to (hop with the bow and arrows in their hands, and totally in a (late of nature. When they had concluded their traffic, they took leave of the Governor, and returned to their country by the great river of the Outa- ouais. Canada fubfifted from the peiiod of its origi¬ nal eftabliffiment chiefly by the great commerce for furs, three-fourths of which were derived from people who inhabited the borders of the great lakes; but it was afterwards drawn from fources far more remote. With a view to regulate this commerce, which had for a confiderable period been conducted by a number of diforderly people fubjeft to no re¬ gulations, and known by the appellation of Coureurs de Bois , a limited number of written licenfes from the Governor-General were by the King directed to be granted to poor gentlemen, and to old officers burdened with families, that they might exclufively convey merchandize to the lakes. The number was confined to twenty- five every year, although many more licenfes were granted. It was exprefsly prohibited on pain of death, to all perfons of whatever rank or condition, to go thither themfelves, or to employ any one on that fervice, without thefe licenfes. Each licenfe allowed of two large canoes loaded with HISTORY OF CANADA. 201 with merchandife. They who were thus autho- book. rifed could either aft themfelves, or difpofe of l - ^ their privilege to the higheft bidder. The li- i6b6. cenfes were ufually eftimated to be worth fix hundred crowns each, and they were generally purchaled by the merchants. When they were once obtained, there was no difficulty in finding Coureurs de Bois to undertake the long voyages. Which, if they wilhed to gain a confiderable pro¬ fit, it was necefiary to make. The merchants placed fix men in the two canoes ftipulated in each iicenfe, together with the value of a thou- fand crowns in merchandize fuitable for the favages, rated and delivered to thefe Coureurs de Bois at fifteen per cent, more than the price at which it was fold for ready money in the colony. This fum of a thoufand crowns brought ufually, at a medium, on the return of the voyage, feven hundred per cent, of profit, as no fcruple was made of impofing on the inexperience of the favages. Thus thefe two canoes, which carried only a thoufand crowns in value, produced, after the barter took place, a fufficient number of beaver fkins to load four canoes. Thefe could carry one hundred and fixty packets of beaver fkins, w'ith forty in each, which were worth fifty crowns, making in all, at the conclufion of the voyage, the fum of eight thoufand crowns, which was generally diftributed in the manner follow- 202 HISTORY OP CANADA. E O O K IV. 1686. ing. The merchant received in beaver the pay¬ ment of the licenfe, which was fix hundred crowns, and that of the merchandize a thoufand crowns. Upon the fix thoufand four hundred of furplus, they took forty per cent, on the mo¬ ney advanced for the adventure, which made two thoufand five hundred and fixty crowns. The refidue was divided among the Courcurs de Bois , who certainly well earned the fix hundred crowns, or nearly, which remained to each for the incon¬ ceivable toils he had undergone. Befides the immenfe profits already mentioned, the merchant derived twenty-five per cent, on thefe beaver fkins, upon carrying them to the office of the farmer general, where the prices of four qualities of that article were regulated. Having thus far noticed the commercial affairs of Canada, we fhall advert to thole of theeccle- fiaflics and of the law. A few years before the period at which we have now arrived, another inode than that which has been already men¬ tioned was taken to fatisfv the clergy, to whom the lad arrangements of the council with refpeft to them did not appear fufficiently ample. The Governor and the Bilhop wifhcd to regulate the competent proportion payable ro five hundred livres for each parifh ; but the King, in a letter addreffed to the former, intimated that it was his opinion the plan which had been formed for the diftribution HISTORY OF CANADA. 203 diftribution of the cures, and for their fubfiftence, was prejudicial to the interefts of the colony, where the greater proportion of the inhabitants were poor. That in France, the mod confider- able benefices exceeded not a hundred crowns, and that there was a very great number of cures who had no more than a hundred and fifty livres, and who neverthelefs lived with decency, and performed all their functions; and what (till more furprifed him, with regard to this point, was, that the Biffiop ffiould have perfuaded the priefts that they could not fubfift on lefs than five hundred livres; on this account it would be difficult to retrench their allowances. It was further his pleafure that fuch as had four hun¬ dred livres ffiould be allowed no more than that fum. The clergy were diffatisfied that the tithes Ihould be rated fo low, and made feveral attempts to get them reftored to a thirteenth part of the produce; but the fuperior council of Quebec uniformly oppofed them, and as at length they appealed to the council of the King, this ap¬ peal produced a decree which effectually put a flop to their pretenfions on that point. On the other hand, befides the fum of feven thoufand fix hundred livres, which the King had affigned as a fupplement to the tithes, his MyjePiy granted one thoufand feven hundred livres for thofe whom O O K IV. — 1686. 204 HISTORY OF CANADA, BOOK i6i $ 6 . whom their great age or infirmities permitted not to ferve their curacies, and by a decree, it was regulated that this fum fhould be divided into five portions of three' hundred livres each, and one of two hundred livres. The furplus of the fum of feven thoufand fix hundred livres, which fhould remain after its ap¬ plication towards the increafe of the benefices of the clergy, was appropriated for building parifh churches, the patronage of which was verted in the bifhop, to the exclufion of the feignors, who had hitherto enjoyed it; and it was ordained by the fame decree which regulated this change, that all churches fhould be built of rtone. The chapter of the cathedral was compofi.d of a dean, a chief finger, an archdeacon, a prebendary, and twelve canons. The King relerved to himfelf the nomination of the two firft dignitaries, the bifhop nominated to all the reft. The functions of firft prefident, which had been allotted to the Intendant, gave great um¬ brage to the Governor-General ; he made repre- fentations to which no attention was paid, and it was enjoined by a decree of the council, that in all the afls, and in the minutes of the colonial council, the Governor and the intendant fnould alTume no other quality but fuch as immediately belonged to their office. Several years after¬ wards four new counfellors, a clerk, and three HISTORY OF CANADA. 205 temporal eounfellors were created, and the num- book ber was eftabliffied at twelve members, including ,_ the biffiop. One was called fenior counfellor, 16 36. whole appointments were doubled. They were nominated by the court, and their fituation was merely honorary, without any particular func¬ tions. The Procureur-General and the Re- gifter in Chief were allowed falaries, which were extremely moderate. The council was regularly held at the Intend- ant’s palace every Monday, and when it was ne- ceflary to aflfemble an extraordinary council, the Intendant appointed the day and hour of meet- ing. Juftice was there adminiftered according to the ordinances of the kingdom, and the coutume de Paris. Some regulations were made for this council by an edid of the King, which was termed in the piovince, the reduction of the code. There afterwards arofe fotne difficulties with re- fpect to judgment in caufes of recufation, which were likewife explained by an edict, when it was declared, that, in procedings where officers of the council might be interefted, the caufe ffiould be referred, at the requeft of one of the parties, to the Intendant, who, with the judges, whom he ffiould aflemble for that purpofe, ffiould pro¬ nounce a decifion. The council was alfo au- thorifed to decide on criminal caufes brought be¬ fore five or more of its members. There HISTORY OF CANADA. There were befides in the colony three fubor- dinate jurisdictions; thofe of Quebec, Three Rivers, and Montreal. They were compofed of a Lieutenant-General, a Lieutenant, and King’s Advocate. A Spirit of litigation, or of reforting to the courts of law in differences which arofe refpect- ing property, began to diffufe itfelf in Canada. A practice fo hoftile to the profperity of the Settle¬ ment, was however difcountenanced by the Go¬ vernor, who exerted his authority to procure the amicable Settlement of difputes, with Such fuc- cefs, that the mode of decifion by arbitration prevailed for a considerable period, and the law¬ yers as well as officers of juftice, deprived of the means of fubtiSting by their profeffion, laid their grievances before the court. The appointment of the members of the courts of law was there¬ fore regulated by a declaration of the King. The notaries, ufhers, and ferjeants, had alfo wages. The administration of jultice at Montreal be¬ longed to the members of the Seminary of Saint Sulpicius, in quality of Seignors of the iiland. They gave in their refignation to the King on condition that the exercil'e of that power, within the precin&s of the Seminary, and of their farm of Saint Gabriel, fhould Still remain with them, together with the perpetual and incommunicable privilege of the regifter of royal jultice, which Should HISTORY OF CANADA. 207 Ihould be eftabliffied in the ifland, and the norm- book nation of the firft judge. Thefe terms were con- ■ . ' 1 firmed to them by an edid for the creation of 1 606. the new fyftem of juftice, but the laft article was allowed them for once only. Such were the at¬ tentions of the Sovereign to procure for his fub- jeds of New France a diftribution of juftice no lefs prompt than acceffible; and it was on the model of the fuperior council of Quebec that thofe of Martinique, Saint Domingo, and Louifiana, were afterwards eftablifhed. The Governor-General received an order 16I7* from the court, which would have been more efficacious in obviating all the inconveniencies, which he wilhed to avoid, and in obliging the Iroquois to remain in tranquillity, than the mod fuccefsful expedition, had both European na¬ tions on the continent of America been equally folicitous to avail themfelves of the advantage. This w ; as a treaty of neutrality between the Englilh and French fubjeds in America, not- withftanding any rupture that might take place between their Sovereigns, and the ftipulations were arranged and the treaty finally concluded in London, by M. de Barrillon, the French am- baflador, on the part of his Sovereign, and the Secretary of State for the home department on the part of the King of Great Britain. The 208 HISTORY OF CANADA. book The General having, it appears, received all l._ J. _, the fupplies and reinforcements which he had at »637. that time expe&ed from France, marched in the fummer towards lake Ontario, with two thou- fand Frenchmen and fix hundred favages. But the declaration of war was preceded by a mea- fure which cannot be juflified by any rule of policy. The King, as has already been men¬ tioned, had intimated to M. de la Barre his de¬ fire to have fome of the Iroquois for the purpofe of manning his gallies. M. de Denonville might have forefeen and reprefented the unhappy con- fequences, which an obedience to that order, would inevitably produce ; much lefs ought he to have executed it in a manner which certainly never was preferibed to him. The mod rigid interpretation of that order could be extended only to prifoners captured in war. The General, however, conceived himfelf juftifiable in ufing every podible effort to weaken and intimidate barbarians, whofe perfidy, fanguinary cruelty, and whole tenor of conduct, rendered them un¬ worthy of being treated according to the efta- blilhed fyftem of warfare. On this principle, reflecting not that he owed to his own character that regard for juftice, which he might conceive he owed not to the Iroquois, before any decla¬ ration of war, he affembled at Catarocony, 7 under HISTORY OF CANADA. under various pretences, feveral of their prin- b cipal chiefs, immediately put them in chains, and v. fent them to Quebec under a ftrong efcort, with an order for the Commandant to embark them in velfels for France, that they might be conduced to the gallies. In order to draw the Iroquois into this fnare, the General employed two miflionaries, who had refided for fome time in their country, and had gained an influence with feveral of their chiefs. The one fell into the hands of the Onneyouths, by whom he was condemned to the flames,but was faved at the moment of execution by a matron who adopted him : the other owed his fafety and his li¬ berty to thegreat efteem and fincere attachment in which he was held by the Onnontagues. On the firft accounts which were received of the event which had taken place at Catarocony the ancients affembled, and called the miflionary, whofe name was Lamberville, before them ; after having ex- pofed the fact with all the energy of which the movements of indignation, conceived to be juft, are capable, when he expected to undergo the moft terrible effects of the fury which he faw painted in their countenances, one of the ancient 3 addreffed him in the following words : (( There can be no queftion that we are now in every refpect authorifed to treat thee as an enemy, but we cannot refolve to do it. We vol. i. p know 210 HISTORY OF CANADA. book know thee too well not to be perfuaded that thy v .—heart had no (hare in this treafon, of which thou 1687. in fome degree been the caufe ; and we are not fo unjuft as to punilh thee for a crime of which we believe thee innocent, which thou ab¬ horred equally with us ; and we are convinced thou feelefl: the pangs of deep diftrefs for having been made its inftrument. It is however impro¬ per that thou fhouldfk remain among us; every one will perhaps not manifeft towards thee that clemency which we now (hew, and when once our youth have fung the fong of war, they will no longer view thee but as a traitor, who hath delivered our chiefs into a rude and unworthy date of bondage; and they will give a loofe to the dictates of revenge, from w r hofe fury we lhall be unable to protett thee.” They obliged him to depart immediately, gave him guides to conduft him through unfrequented paths, and who were enjoined not to leave him until he was out of all danger. The chief Ga- rakarthie, was, doubtlefs, the author of a line of conduct at once fo generous and noble. This favage w'as fincerely attached to father Lamber- ville, and the tendernefs and friendlhip which that miflionary ever afterwards cherilhed for him, gave reafon to conclude that he confidered him as his deliverer. Every HISTORY OF CANADA. Every thing was in readinefs to begin the war, when M. de Dcnonville declared himfelf in the < manner which will hereafter appear. His mea- fures were well taken, and if the fuccefs of his expedition anfwered not entirely his expectations, it was more his misfortune than his fault. The French were for a time encamped on the ftnall ifland of St; Helen, oppofite to Montreal, and M. de Champigni Noroi, who the preceding year had fucceeded M. de Meules in the intend¬ ance of New France, joined them there with the Chevalier de Vaudreuil, who had arrived a little time before in the quality of commandant of the troops. All being in readinefs, on the nth of June the army began their voyage, in tw r o hun¬ dred batteaux and as many birch canoes. It was compofed of eight hundred and thirty-two regu¬ lar foldiers, a thoufand CanadianSj and three hundred favages. The perfeCt harmony which prevailed between, the Governor-General and the new intendant, which was founded on a zeal for the King’s fer- vice, had diffufed the fame concord through the troops. On their arrival at Catarocony they halted a fhort time. M. Durantays, who com¬ manded at Michilimakinac, joined M. M. du Luth and Tonti at the entrance of the Detroit, and accompanied them to Niagara. They had fcarcely arrived at that place, when the Sieur de p 2 U 211 BOOR IV. „ 1687. 212 HISTORY OF CANADA. b o^o k la Foret brought them an order from the Go- t » vernor-General to rendezvous on the ioth of 1687. July at the river des Sables , to the eaftward of the bay of the Tfonnonthouans, on the fide of Catarocony. M. de Denonville marched thither himfelf with his army, and by a chance, from which the favages failed not to draw a fortunate prefage, the whole entered it at the fame time. They immediately began to conflruct, a little above the river, a retrenchment of pallifades for depofiting the ftores. It was finilhed in two days, and M. d’Orvilliers was left there with four hundred men, as a guard, and for the pro¬ tection of the rear of the army. From the fort des Sables the army took its march by land j on the 13th, after having pafied two dangerous defiles, and on their arrival at a third, they were vigoroufly attacked by eight hundred of the Iroquois. Two hundred of thefe favages, after a difcharge of their pieces, turned away to take the army in the rear, whilft the reft fhould continue to engage the van. They were not more diftant than a mufquet fhot from the firft village of the Tfonnonthouans, from whence it was apprehended that reinforcements might iflue ; the fear of this, joined to a furprife in a dangerous fituation, occafioned fome diforder. Many of the allied favages, more accuftomed than the French to engagements in the woods, flood HISTORY OF CANADA. 213 flood with firmnefs, and afforded the troops B ° IV P * time to rally. The enemy was then prefled on J every quarter, and feeing their inferiority, dif- I( ^ 7 * banded, to betake themfelves more eafily to flight. The French in this a&ion had five or fix men killed, and about twenty wounded. The Iro¬ quois had forty-five men killed, and fixty wound¬ ed. The bodies of the firft were torn in pieces, and eaten by the Outaouais, who made war up¬ on the dead better than on the living. The Hurons, the Iroquois Chriftians of the rapids of St. Louis, and of the mountain of Montreal, conduced themfelves with much At one of the four great villages which com- pofed the canton of the Tfonnonthouans, about eight leagues from the fort des Sables , the army encamped. It was found totally deferted, and . was afterwards burnt. After a march of ten days in the woods, the army met with none of the enemy. They burnt in their progrefs four hundred thoufand bufhels of corn, and deftroyed an immenfe number of hogs. The General, fearing left the favages who accompanied his march would difband themfelves, which they more than once threatened, was neceflitated to limit his enterprife. P3 M. de] 214 HISTORY OF CANADA. book M. de Denonville had ever much at heart the IV. s— conftruttion of a fort at Niagara, and the oppor- 1 & 7 - tunity which now prefented itfelf for executing this defign was too favourable not to be em¬ braced. The fort was finilhed, and the Cheva¬ lier de la Troye was left there with a hundred men for its prote&ion. Unfortunately, how¬ ever, a malady was foon introduced into the gar- rifon which cut off nearly the whole, and this important poll was abandoned and deltroyed. Before the eftablilhment of this poll, a refolu- tion ffiould have been taken to maintain it, not- withflanding the Ioffes and difficulties that might occur. From the want of having provided re- fources fufficient for this purpofe, the French expofed themfelves to the contempt of the ra¬ vages. The difeafe which caufed the lofs of the troops, and of the officer who commanded them, originated not only from the bad ftate of their provifions, but from the inceffant fatigue which they underwent from being haraffed by the enemy. They were kept blockaded in fuch a manner that they could not procure the fmallelt refrelhment either from the chace or from filh- ing, although the country abounded with animal? and birds, and the river with excellent fiffi. On the 13th of November the fort of Chambly was fuddenly attacked by a large party of Agnier? and HISTORY OF CANADA. 2, 5 and Mahingans. The refi fiance which they book found obliged them to decamp the following — ¥ — j day, but not before they had burnt fome houfes I( ^ 7 - in the neighbourhood, and carried off feveral prifoners. The bad fuccefs of this expedition, and the advice which the Governor of New York received, that it was known to the French he had been concerned in it, made him afraid of a reprifal. The alarm became fo great at Orange, that the inhabitants of the country fent to that garrifon every thing they had which was of value, and a body of twelve hundred favages pafled the winter in the neighbourhood, to cover the town from an attack. There happened, towards the end of fummer, a great mortality in Canada; and it was chiefly this which prevented the Governor from execut¬ ing a project he had formed of a fecond expedi¬ tion againfl: the Tfonnonthouans. There was, however, another reafon : he could not depend upon the favages of the weftern territories, par¬ ticularly on the Hurons of Michilimakinac; for it was difcovered that the latter entertained a fecret correfpondence with the Iroquois, even before the laft campaign, although they had ac¬ quitted themfelves with credit in the a&ion. The orders which the General at this time re¬ ceived from the court, not to give the Englifh any fubje£t of complaint, were to him a fource p 4 of HISTORY OF CANADA. 2l6 BOOK IV. ^ 1 1 ' " < 1(187. 1688. of much embarrafiment. It was doubtlefs fup- pofed that each party had been equally guarded in its conduct. In governments remote from the parent ftate, circumftances often occur which may render it impracticable to comply with par¬ ticular inftruclions. The will of the Sovereign may in fome cafes be anticipated, particularly where the general interefts are concerned. It cannot therefore be deemed difobedience to adopt meafures which the Sovereign himfelf would probably recommend, were he acquainted with the fituation of events. An unqualified deference ought not therefore to be exacted from thofe who are entrufted with difiant commands: a certain difcretionary power applicable to local circumftances is ufually implied, that the general interefts of the ftate and the honour of the Sove¬ reign may be reconcileable with the inftruclions which have been given. The Iroquois fent deputies, accompanied by five hundied warriors, under pretence of an ef- cort, to treat with M. de Denonville. When they had arrived at Catarocony, one of the deputies went with fix men into the fort, and demanded of the commandant one of his officers to accom¬ pany them to Montreal M. d’Orvilliers allowed him the Sieur la Parelle, his lieutenant, who, having embarked in the canoe with the favages, was piefently furprifed to find himfelf in the rnidft HISTORY OF CANADA. 217 midfl: of five hundred warriors well armed, and book was received by them in a manner that gave him . ]V ~ j reafon to apprehend himfelf a priloner. They 1688. conduced him to lake St. Francis, where they met another body of Iroquois, equally numerous with the firft. Both remained at this place, and allowed La Parelle to continue his rout to Mon¬ treal w’ith the deputies only. The Governor- General there gave them an audience imme¬ diately. The Iroquois orator there expofed, in terms highly emphatical, the advantageous fuuation which his nation enjoyed, the weaknefs of the French, and the facility with which the cantons could exterminate them, or oblige them to abandon Canada. “ For myfelf,” added he, “ I have always efteemed them, and I come to give them of this no equivocal proof; for, having learnt the defign which our warriors had formed of burn¬ ing your forts, your houfes, your barns, and your grain, to the end, that after having reduced you to a date of famine, they might make their own terms with you, I made ufe of all my in¬ fluence in your favour, and I have obtained per- miflion to acquaint Ononthio, that he may avoid this evil by accepting of peace, on the condi¬ tions propofed by the Governor of New York. No more than four days will be allowed for your final determination, and if you make a longer HISTORY OF CANADA. longer delay, I cannot explain what may be the event.” A difcourfe fo haughty, and a body of twelve hundred Iroquois at lake Sr. Francis, from whence they could in lefs than two days fall upon the ifland of Montreal, filled every mind with awful apprehenfion. From the river Sorel to La Prairie de la Magdelene, the inha¬ bitants could not leave their houfes, without the rifque of falling among a party of the enemy. The fort of Catarocony was invaded by eight hundred Iroquois, who had burnt all the hay with flaming arrows, and killed all the cattle. Lake Ontario was likewife covered with canoes of the enemy, who to the number of four hun¬ dred, attacked a batque carrying men and provifions. The chief who commanded the blockade of Catarocony was uncle to a favage prifoner whom the Governor had fent to Onnon- tague. This captain was fenfible of the liberty which had been given to his nephew, and his gratitude for this a£t carried him fo far as to withdraw his troops. Thus the fort was delivered at a moment when it was conceived impoflible to fave the place. On the eighth of June, deputies from the Onnontagues, the On- neyouths, and Goyogouins arrived at Montreal, and demanded peace in the name of the whole r r ation. The General replied, that he would confent HISTORY OF CANADA. 2ig confent to peace, upon condition that all his al- book lies fhould be comprehended in it; that the other l— two cantons fhould alfo fend deputies for the fame end ; that hoftilities fhould ceafe in every quarter, and that he fliould be at full liberty to victual the fort at Catarocony. The conditions were accepted, and the ex¬ change of prifoners was regulated without any difficulty. M. de Denonville thereupon wrote to the minifter, to folicit, that the Iroquois who were carried to France, and employed in the gallies at Marfeilles, fhould be fent back to Canada. A ceffation of hoflilities immediately took place, the Iroquois confented to leave five hof- tages to infure the fafety of the convoy to Cata¬ rocony, and it was agreed that if any fkirmifhes with the allies fhould happen during the nego- ciation, no change fhould be thereby made on the conditions already ftipulated. Of all the French allies, the only people whom the enemy feared, or defpaired to gain over, were the Abenaquis, who on their part, declined being included in any truce, or treaty of peace. At the time when the Governor was bufied in the pacification for Canada they took the field, and having advanced to the river Sorel, furprifed fome Iroquois and Mahingans, part of whom fhey killed. They then pufhed on to the Englifh fettlements. 220 HISTORY OF CANADA. book fettlements, deftroyed fome of the inhabitants, — . and brought away their fcalps. The Iroquois of 1688. t he rapids of St. Louis, and of the mountain, were, on their fide, occupied in a fimilar manner; but they who took meafures more juftifiable, to ren¬ der abortive the conclufion of a treaty, of which they feared to become the firft victims, were the Flurons of Michilimakinac, who were frequently and juftly fufpected of a collufion with the Englifh and Iroquois. Kondiaronk, or the Rat, chief of war and fenior in council among the Hurons, aged forty years, finding himfelf preffed and folicited by M. de Dcnonville to enter into an alliance with him, at laft confented, upon condition that the war fnould not terminate, but by the total deftru&ion of the Iroquois nations. Relying on thefe en¬ gagements, the Rat departed from Michilima¬ kinac at the head of a hundred warriors, to in¬ vade the country of the Iroquois, with the in¬ tention of performing fome brilliant exploit. In the mean while, as it was neceffary in this con¬ juncture of affairs to aCt with caution and pru¬ dence, he judged it proper firft to go to Fort Frontenac or Catarocony. When he arrived at that place, he was informed by the Commandant, that M. de Denonville was endeavouring to make peace with the five nations, whofe ambafladors he expeCted, with hoftages to be conduced to Montreal j HISTORY OF CANADA. Montreal; that the treaty, which had already i been nearly arranged, might be finally con- v eluded. He likewife told the Rat, that, in con- fequence thereof, it wa expedient he Ihould re¬ turn to Michilimakinac with all his warriors. This favage, aftonilhed at news fo little expelled, and fo prejudicial to him and to all his nation, and forefeeing that he fliould be facrificed to the interefts of the French, replied to the Com¬ mandant, with an air of indifference, that his re- queft was reafonable. Far. however, from pur- fuing the counfel which had been given him, he went to meet the ambaffadors and hoftages of the Iroquois at the cafcades of St. Lawrence, about thirty miles above the ifland of Montreal. There he remained for five or fix days, when thefe unfortunate deputies, accompanied by forty young men, arrived, and were killed or captured in difembarking from their canoes. When the captives were bound, this politic favage informed them that the French Governor, having advifed him to refort thither, to watch for a party of warriors who fhould pafs by the way of the caf¬ cades, he had occupied that pofiticn. The Iro¬ quois, fbocked at the perfidy of which they fup- pofed M. de Denonville had been guilty, related to the Rat, the object of their miffion. The Hu¬ ron, affuming then an air of terrible ferocity, began. 221 o o K. IV. — V —-J 1688. 222 HISTORY OF CANADA. book began, in order the better to play his part, (o ,_—. declaim again!! the conduct of M. de Dcnonville, i6o8. averting that fooner or later he would avenge himfelf for having been made the inftrument, in effe&ing the mod horrible treafon that ever was committed ; and, looking with fixed attention on all the prifoners, among whom was the principal ambafiador Theganefore'ns, he faid, “ Go, my brethren, I releafe you, and reftore you to your country, although we are at war with you. The Governor of the French has caufed me to com¬ mit an action of fuch turpitude, that I Ihall never hereafter, on that account, enjoy repofe of mind, unlefs the five nations exercife a juft and fuitable degree of revenge.” Nothing more was neceflary to perfuade thefe Iroquois of the fincerity of the Rat, and they immediately allured him, that, if he would confent to enter on terms of peace, they Ihould be ratified by the five nations. The Rat, who on this occafion loll only one man, retained, in order to replace him, a Have of the Chaouanon nation, who had been adopted by the Iroquois, and having given fufils, powder, and ball, to the prifoners, to enable them to return to their villages, he took the rout for Michilima- kinac, where he prefented to the French Com¬ mandant the Have whom he brought with him. He was no fooner delivered over than he was condemned HISTORY OF CANADA. condemned to be fhot, becaufe it was not yet book A • * IV known there that M. de Denonville was about to make peace with the Iroquois. l683 - In vain did this unhappy flave recount his own adventure and that of the ambafladors. It was imagined that the terror of death made him fpeak, whilft the Rat and his warriors affirmed that he raved. Thus was this unhappy wretch facrificed, notwithftanding all the reafons which he urged in his defence. On the fame day, the Rat, calling to him an old Iroquois Have who had a long time ferved him, faid that he was now refolved to give him his freedom, and to fend him back to his country, to pafs the remainder of his days among the people of his nation, and, being an ocular witnefs of the treatment which the French had ffiewn towards his countryman by adoption, whom they fhot, notwithftanding all he could fay to the Commandant in his juftification, he ought not to fail in reprefenting to them an adtion fo barbarous and unjuft; and that whilft the French were amufing the cantons with pre¬ tended negociations, they caufed their people to be captured and put to death. The flave ac¬ quitted himfelf fo punctually of his commiffion, that although the Iroquois appeared to be unde¬ ceived with refpedt to the bad faith of the Go¬ vernor- 224 HISTORY OF CANADA. BOOK IV. 1608. vernor-General, it will hereafter be fhown, that they either difiembled, or that a great number of the nation was well inclined to feize fo plau- fible a pretext for re-commencing the war. It may well be imagined, from the ficuation in which the affairs of New France had long been, that the commerce could be by no means flourifhing. For upwards of nine years that it had been declared free, the colony had con- fiderably increafed, and by a capitation taken this year, its population amounted to eleven thoufand two hundred and forty-nine' perfons. The Englifh participated with the French in the commerce of furs, which was the principal caufe of the wars in which the latter were fo fre¬ quently engaged againft the Iroquois, becaufe the former could not procure furs of the molt valuable quality which are drawn from the quarters of the north, but by means of thefe fa- vages, with whom the French would not be re¬ conciled, without cutting off from them that profitable fource. lhe eftablifhment of a fifhery was attempted this year in the vicinity of the river Matane, which empties itfelf into the Saint Lawrence, and whofe mouth was found capable of receiving fhips of two hundred tons. All the fouth coaft of this part of the St. Lawrence, for the fpace of * 2 twenty HISTORY OF CANADA. twentyleagues, abounds in cod filh, though infe* book rior in fize and quality to thofe caught on the v.—j banks of Newfoundland. Great quantities of l68S * whales and porpufies alfo frequent this immenfe river, and from thefe as well as from the falmon fifheries very confiderable profits were afterwards derived. In the end of'May M. de Denonville received 1 <5Sg. orders to return to Europe, to be employed in the army of the King of France, there being an immediate profpedt of a rupture on that conti¬ nent. At the fame time the Count de Fronte- nac, who had before governed New France, was declared his fuccefior. The Marquis de Denonville entertained a fin- cere wilh to promote the welfare of the colony, and an ardent zeal for the interefts of the fervice of his Sovereign. He omitted nothing in his power that could contribute to the one or to the other. His ideas for the improvement of Canada were extenfive and well founded. During his adminiftration perfedt concord exifted between all who participated in the government, a cir- cumftance which had never taken place before, although efiential to the tranquillity of the inha¬ bitants, and to the public good. He was however at times deficient in activity and vigour. He took not much pains to invefti- gate the character of thofe who approached vol. I. CL him, HISTORY OF CANADA. him, and fometimes abandoned plans, the execu¬ tion of which he had begun. His confidence was frequently abufed by thofe whom he con- fulted, who had no other object in view but their particular interefts. Of unfufpe&ing integrity, he relied too much on the opinions of thofe who furrounded him, and reflected not that intereft, ambition, and avarice, paflions*too powerful to fubmit to the reftraint of confcience or of ho¬ nour, uniformly endeavour to afiume the malk of virtue. HISTORY OF CANADA. BOOK V. Irruption and Devajlation by the Iroquois, in the If and of Montreal . — Return of the Count de Frontenac to Ca¬ nada.—Conference of Iroquois Deputies at Quebec . — Attack and Pillage of Corlar. — Of Sementels . — Of Kajkebe. — Convoy for Michilimakinac attacked by a Party of the Iroquois. — Arri e i)es in Safety at its Dtjli - nation. — Caufes a Change in the Dfpoftion of the French Allies.—Defcent of the Iroquois on the Vicinity of the IJland of Montreal. — Sir William Phipps fails from Bojlon with an Armament for the Re dull ion of Quebec. — Attempt on that Place. — Failure .— Return of the Englijh Fleet .— Iroquois attack the Fort of La Prairie de la Magdelaine.—Objlinate Courage and Refolution of thofe Savages.—Mantels Expedition agairjl their Na¬ tion. 'T'he Rate of weaknefs to which New France book had now fallen, and a project which had __ been concerted at Paris for the redudtion of New York, required that the perfon who fhould be placed in the direction of affairs in Canada, fhould poffefs commanding manners, firmnefs of character, experience in the mode of carrying on w r af, knowledge of the country, and of the ha¬ bitudes and difpofition of the favages. Thofe qjz qualities 228 HISTORY Of CANADA. B O O I V. <-^ 1689. : qualities were combined in the Count de Fron- -> tenac, and there was reafon to hope that, with the genius which he pofiefied, he would profit from his former errors, and the unhappinefs which they caufed him, fo far as to moderate his paflions, and to conduct himfelf upon other prin¬ ciples than the fuggeftions of his prejudices or diflikes. The Count de Frontenac and the Chevalier de Callieres arrived at Quebec on the 12th of O&ober, and at Montreal on the 27th. They there found M. M. de Denonville and Champig- ny in a ftate of much embarraffment. The Iroquois made an incurfion into the colony when M. de Denonville expe&ed not fuch a vifit, having had the precaution to fignify to that people that he fo greatly difapproved of the treafon of the Rat, that he would order him to be hanged, fhould he fall into his hands. He therefore every day awaited the arrival of ten or twelve deputies to conclude terms of peace. After the lapfe of a fhort time they indeed ar¬ rived, but in a much greater number, and with a defign different from that of which the General had conceived the hope. They difembarked at the end of the ifland to the number of twelve hundred warriors, who burnt and pillaged all the habitations. They made a horrid maifacre of men, women, and children: the conflernation became HISTORY OF CANADA. 2:9 became general; for thefe barbarians had ap- book proached within three leagues of the town. They , _ v '_ r blockaded two forts, after having burnt the fur- 1689. rounding houfes. A detachment of one hundred foldiers and fifty favages who had been fent after them, were nearly all taken or cut in pieces. The Iroquois fpread defolation over almoft the whole ifland, and loft only three of their people, one of whom was brought prifoner to the town, and declared to the Governor, that the political ftroke of the Rat was irreparable, the Iroquois nations being fo deeply imprefled with the atro¬ city of this outrage, that it would be impoffible foon to bring them to reafon ; and that, fo far from condemning the condud of this Huron, they were ready to enter into a treaty with him, becaufe he had effected with his party no more than what a good warrior and a fteady, ally ought to have atchieved. No fooner had the barbarians completed, as far as they thought prudent, their work of de¬ finition and daughter, than they embarked for their native country, charged with the plunder they had made, and with two hundred prifoners, finding no oppofition to their retreat. This dif- aftrous incurfion filled the minds of the inhabi¬ tants with aftonifhment, and afforded ample matter for reflexion. 0-3 The 23° HISTORY OF CANADA. BOOK V. 1639. A The forts of Niagara and Catarocony were in conference abandoned and blown up, and two veffels built for the purpofe of navigating lake Ontario were burnt. This year was however not equally unfortu- nate for every part of Canada. Whilfi: the Iro¬ quois ca ried their ravages into the centre of the colony, M. d’Iberville and his brothers fupported in the north the honour of the French, and the Abinaquis avenged, at the expence of the Eng- lilh, all the mifchief which had been done by their allies. M. de Siegnelay informed the Count de Fron- tenac and M. deChampigny, that the great efforts which the King was neceffitated to make in op- pofition to all the European powers united againft France, would not permit him to fend to Ame¬ rica the reinforcements which had been demand¬ ed, nor to entertain for the prefent the thoughts of an enterprile in that quarter ; and that a vigilant defence appeared to him more advan¬ tageous for his fervice, and for the fafety of the colony. That it was, above all, meceffary to re-unite the inhabitants in villages, in order to proteft them againfl the favages; and, in fine, that the General might ufe with effect, in order to conclude a folid and honourable peace, the credit which he had acquired among the Iro- quois 4 m HISTORY OF CANADA. 23 1 quois, and the conciliatory circumftance of book reftoring them their countrymen who had re- turned from France. 1689. Whilfl in Canada, the government could not comprehend why the court ffiould find any diffi¬ culty in making an effort againft the Engliffi; the council of the King were equally furprifed, that the inhabitants of New France ffiould refufe to change their place of habitation, and purfue in their arrangement a fvftem which was conceived not to be attended with much inconvenience, and which was abfolutely connected with their prefervation. The one faw nothing more im¬ portant for the fervice, than to deliver the colony from troublefome neighbours; the other judging of Canada by the provinces of the kingdom, could not conceive that there could be any ob- ftacle to the changes propofed. Thus events only that more immediately interefl:, appear ne- ceffary, and that which is pradifed and eftabliffi- ed in one fituation, appears to be every where pradicable. It is however certain, that what was exaded from the inhabitants of Canada was much lefs eafy to be put in execution, than it appeared to the minifter by whom it was re¬ quired. The Count deFrontenac entertained no doubt¬ ful expedation that he Ihould be able to concili¬ ate the refped of the Iroquois. His hope was Q_4 chiefly HISTORY OF CANADA. book chiefly founded on the marks of efleem for his <-- perfon which had been manifelted by that people 1689. during his former refidence in Canada; and he fuppofed, that in making a voyage up the coun¬ try together with a great number of their chiefs, whofe chains he had broken, he would regain their former fentiments of refpech He w'as at leafl: allured of having engaged in his intereft a brave Goyogouin captain named Oureouhare, the moll accredited of all thofe whom he had led back from France, and to whom he had paid great attention during the voyage. He conducted him to Montreal, where, having found an Iro¬ quois ambafiador called Gagniogatow, who had made fome infolenr propofltions to M. de Denon- ville, Oureouhare advifed him to fend back with him four of the companions of his chains, to announce to the cantons the return of their chiefs. The Count followed this counfel. Oureou¬ hare recommended it to thefe deputies tonegleft nothing which could engage the cantons to fend an embaffy to their ancient father, in reprefent- ing to them that they could not difpenfe with fending to felicitate him on his happy return, and to thank him lor the kindnefs which he had Ihewn to their brethren. He charged them fur¬ ther to allure the nations, that they would expe¬ rience from this General much tendernefs and elteein; HISTORY OF CANADA. efteem ; and to declare particularly to his own B ° v ° K canton, that he would not return home if they <-/—i came not to afk him back from Ononthio, whom l6 ^ 9 * he was refolved not to leave without his full confent. The deputies acquitted themfelves perfectly i6;o. well of their commiflion. On their arrival, the cantons affembled, deliberated on their anfwer, and fent it by f he fame ambafiadors, who arrived at Montreal on the fixth of March. They found there neither M. de Frontenac, nor Oureouhare, who had returned to Quebec. The deputies were therefore fent to that place. They were charged with fix belts of porcelain ; the firfi: marked the fubject of their delay, caufed by the arrival of the Outaouais during winter; the fe- cond collar teflified the joy of the five nations, and of the Dutch their allies, to learn the return of Oreouhare, whom they called General of all the Iroquois. The third collar fuggefted what was to be faid by Onontae in the names of the five cantons, demanding the immediate return of Oreouhare, and that he fliould be accompanied by all the Iroquois who were prifoners among the French, protefting at the fame time that they would not give up any of the French who were in their hands, until Oreouhare Ihould return and give orders for their difpofal. The fourth and 2 34 BOOK V. * --- 1690. HISTORY OF CANADA. and fifth were addrefied to Ononthio in the 1 following words: “ You fay that you wifh to ertablifn the tree of peace which you had planted in your fort of Frontenac, but are you ignorant that the roots of that tree are withered by the blood which has there been fpilt ? The places where the council was held are yet crimfoned with blood. That ground, where we were feized as prifoners, while inverted with pacific millions, and placing confi¬ dence in the honour of your nation, is polluted by treachery and falfehood. The territory of the Tfonnonthouans, the largert of our villages, is de- folated by the ravages of the French. Atone for all thofe evils, and you (hall be at liberty to plant the tree of peace any where but in that fituation. “ You have with feverity chartifed your chil¬ dren ; your rods of correction have been too heavy, and too cutting. After this treatment, judge if I ought Hill to have fpirit ? I affure you, my father, that I, Ononrae, am marter of all the French prifoners. Make fmooth ihe path from Galette, or from Chambly. Teganifibrens, your favourite chief of our nation, lhall there come to meet you : you may be accompanied thither by as many attendants as you pleafe, and I lhall lead^with me an equal number.” The HISTORY OF CANADA. 2 35 The fixth collar intimated, that there was a party of Iroquois in the country, and to afl'ure the French, that if they made any prifoners they fhould be well treated, and praying, that if any of the Iroquois were captured, they might be pre¬ ferred ; adding alfo reproaches to the conduct of the French for having killed twelve of their nation, for which, at the fame time, they can¬ didly owned that they had eaten fome French¬ men. As foon as the navigation of the rivers was open, the General acquainted the deputies that they might return, and Oureouhare put into their hands eight belts, which explained to them that the Count de Frontenac would enter into no treaty that fhould not be refpe&ed. The belts implied, that Oureouhare wifned the cantons to wipe away their tears, and to forget what was palled ; that he learnt with pleafure a promife which the Outaouais had given, to re- flore to the Tfonnonthouans all the prifoners they had made from that canton : that he was flill more gratified with the refolution which his brethren had taken, to fave the lives of the French who had fallen into their hands, and that Ononthio had promifed to acl in the fame man¬ ner, until he received from the five cantons an anfwer to the conditions he had offered: that with refpeft to his own fituation, he thanked 5 them O o K 169©. HISTORY OF CANADA. book them for the anxiety they had expreffed for him, x, — r l but that this affection feemed to have grown 1690. weaker, they having not yet fent one of the chiefs in fearch of him as he had requeued : that he conjured them to (hew him, as foon as poflible, this mark of attachment, that they might be con¬ vinced of the good will of their father Ononthio for the whole nation, and of the kind treatment which they (hould at all times experience. That it was at his inftance that his father had allowed an officer to accompany the deputies, to exhort the nation not to liften to the Dutch, who had infpired them with falfe ideas; not to interfere with the concerns which Orange and Manhatti might have with the French, and to take no um¬ brage at the meafures which might be adopted to chaftife their neighbours, who had ftaken off allegiance to their lawful Sovereign, whofe inte- reffs the King of France had efpoufed. That he wiffied they would confider the French as their brethren. That he would no longer feparate himfelf from his father Ononthio. That he would not return to his canton, although he had ample liberty of choice, if they came not to re- queft him in the manner which he had pointed out. That they might depart in fafety to Mon¬ treal, and be fatisfied that the word he had given would not be difavowed, and that their confi¬ dence fhould not be abufed. The history of Canada: 2 37 The officer who accompanied the deputies was book the Chevalier d’Eau, who was firft fent to On- —y... nontague, to teftify a particular refpefl for this i6 9°* canton, which the Governor courted more than any of the others, and to gain better information of what might be going forward. The conqueft of Corlar, of which accounts had now arrived, and the return of thofe employed on this expedition, gave the Governor reafon to aflume a higher tone with the Iroquois, and he by this means lowered their haughtinefs. The northern allies of the French had long entertained an ardent wifli to conned themfelves with the Englifh in commerce, by the interven¬ tion of the cantons, as the articles of the latter were afforded at a much cheaper rate than thofe of the French. It had been the prevalent policy to endeavour to keep thofe nations at war with the Iroquois, in order to interrupt the commu¬ nication through their country. But intereft, whofe influence over the human mind is ever powerful, foon taught the favages of the north the advantage of entering into an alliance with the Iroquois. The Outaouais fent ambaffadors to the can¬ tons, together with the prifoners whom they had captured in war. Some oppofition to this pro¬ ceeding having been made by the French agents and miffionaries, they were anfwered by the fa¬ vages. HISTORY OF CANADA. book vages, that too great reliance had already been placed on the protection of the Governor-General. i6°* Louvigny, accompanied by Nicholas Perrot. The latter was charged with prefents from the Governor-General for the favages, and the for¬ mer was to be Rationed at Michilimakinac in quality of commandant. M. Durantaye, whom he fuperfeded, had, by his prudence and firmnefs, preferved to his fove- reign all the mod advanced ports, in times the mort perilous and difficult, and lived there with the greateft difintereftednefs. His recal was fuppofed to have been occafioned from his being on a friendly footing with the miffionaries; and it was certain, that this unanimity which was thought by the late Governor-General fo eflential to the public fervice, was not agreeable to M. de Frontenac. On the other hand, merit and vir¬ tue when they become confpicuous, fail not to attraft the envy of many, who would take every opportunity of ruining thofe, the fplendor of whofe qualities throw them in the (hade. Such chara&ers were not wanting in the cafe of M. Durantaye ; and they conveyed falfe impreflions into the mind of the Governor, already too fuf- ceptible of prejudices. The convoy which M. de Louvigny was con¬ ducing, was accompanied by a hundred and forty-three Frenchmen. Six favages alfo em¬ barked HISTORY OF CANADA. 247 barked with them, and they were efcorted part of book the way by a guard of thirty men. They de- < parted on the 22d of May, and on the following l6 9 °* day difcovered two canoes of the Iroquois in a place called the Chats. M. Louvigny fuppofed they were not alone, and thirty men were de¬ tached in three canoes, and fixty men by land to furround the enemy. The firft fell into an am- bufcade, and fuflained a clofe fire ; the Iroquois, who were concealed, taking their aim with fuch certainty, that nearly the whole were wounded. At length Louvigny landed with fifty men, and charged the enemy fo powerfully and rapidly that thirty Iroquois were killed, many wounded, and feveral taken, and the remainder with diffi¬ culty made their efcape in their canoes, which amounted to thirteen. The defeat of this party was afterwards productive of good effects. The convoy arrived at Michilimakinac at the time when the ambaffadors of the French allies were on the eve of taking their departure to conclude a treaty with the Iroquois. But when they were made acquainted with the fucceffes of the French, faw the ftrength of the convoy, and the great quantity of prefents and merchandife which had been conveyed thither, they became more ftrongly attached to rhc French interefts, and delayed not to give proofs of their fincerity. A hundred and ten canoes, carrying r 4 furs HISTORY OP CANADA. 448 book furs to the value of a hundred thoufand crowns, V. conduced by more than three hundred favages 1690. from all the northern nations, departed a little time after for Montreal, where they found the Count de Frontenac, who had come thither to be in readinefs to defend that government, which was threatened with an invafion. A party of Iroquois having defcended to Mon¬ treal by the river La Priere, were difcovered by an inhabitant who gave advice of this circum- ftance to the Sieur Colombet, a reduced lieu¬ tenant. This officer collected twenty-five men, and went in fearch of the enemy, who were fu- perior in number, and charged the French with great refolution. Coloinbet and great part of his men were killed, and the Iroquois loft twenty- five men. Some days before, another troop of favages had carried off fixteen people, confifting chiefly of women and children, from the borders of the river Becancourt. They were purfued, and the barbarians, with a view to be unembar- raffed in their flight, maffacred all their pri- foners. On the 29th of Auguft the Chevalier de Cler¬ mont, who was ordered to afcend the river Sorel to obferve the enemy, arrived at Montreal, and reported that he had feen a great number of warriors on lake Champlain, and that he had even been purfued as far as Chambly. Signals were HISTORY OF CANADA. 249 were immediately made to afiemble the troops book and militia. The Count de Frontenac went to _.- V —^ La Prairie de la Magdeltine, which he had af- *69°* figned as a rendezvous, and the whole of the favages adembled there, having not even left at Montreal a guard on their merchandife. Louis Atherihala, one of the moll confiderable chiefs of the Tapids oi St. Louis, made a fpeech in the name of the Iroquois Chriflians. He af¬ terwards addrefled himfelf to the Outaouais, and informed them that he was intruded concerning all their negociations with the cantons, and was not ignorant that they had now renounced them. But that upon this point there (till remained fome fhadow of diftruft, and he folicited them to declare briefly the reafons which had induced them to treat thus with the enemy, without the participation of their father, and what was their prefent difpofition with regard to the French. “ It is true,” replied the Outaouaifian orator, “ that we had reftored to the Iroquois fome flaves, and have promifed to fend them more; but attend to the condud which has been held towards us, and you will then judge if w e are in the wrong. After having engaged us in war, they obliged us to a ceffation of hoflilities; and again to take up the hatchet, without inflruding us of the caufe. We comprehended none of thefe variations in meafures, and we were alfo aftonifhed 250 HISTORY OF CANADA. book aftonifhed at the little vigour with which the war c—v—-» was fuftained. At length, fearing that the French, j 69°. fufficiently embarraffed by defending tftemfelves, would fuffer us to be overpowered, without hav¬ ing the means of relieving us, we thought it time to confult for our fafety. We have fent mef- fages, and have received anfwers ; but the nego- ciation was incomplete. The firft of our ambaf- fadors died among the Tfonnonthouans; the others returned to Michilimakinac without having concluded any terms. In this crifis of affairs we heard of the return of our ancient father, and no fooner did he announce to us his pleafure, than we rejected every thought of accommoda¬ tion with the Iroquois, and are come to receive further inductions concerning his future inten¬ tions.” When he had ceafed to i'peak, the Huron orator arofe, and faid, for his part he had never departed from the alliance of the French, nor from the obedience which he owed to his father, to whom he was refolved, whatever might hap¬ pen, to remain always faithful. The General then broke up the conference, left it fhould de¬ generate into altercation, and told the affembly, that as foon as he had repelled the enemy far off the lands, each might return to his houfe. A party of the Iroquois fell upon a quarter named la Soucbe , about a quarter of a league « diftant HISTORY OF CAN AO A. 251 diftant from the fpot where the army were en- book camped. They there found inhabitants and fol- ,_- V — diers cutting down corn, and at lome diftance 1650. from each other, although they had been warned to remain ever on their guard, and within reach of mutual aid. The greater part were without arms, and the commandant of the quarter negle&ed the precaution of placing fentinels. Some neverthelefs defended themfelves well, and the Iroquois loft fix inen. On the fide of the French, ten foldiers, eleven inhabitants, and four women were taken or killed. The horned cattle were deftroyed, and the houl'es and the hay burnt, after which the enemy retired into the woods. The day on which the adventure took place the General affembled, for the laft time, the favages, who were impatient for their difmiflal. He told them, that their intereft required them to make war on the Iroquois, and that he would not lay afide the hatchet until that nation was humbled. He exhorted them to harafs thofe barbarians, until they (hould be in a condition to attack them in their country. He accompa¬ nied his difcourfe with confiderable prefents and engaging manners, which he well knew how to aflume, and the favages departed well pleafed with him, and with all the French. The HISTORY OF CANADA. The Iroquois continued their defultory in. roads, and feveral of the inhabitants were killed in different parts of the country. Thefe unhappy events caufed much difquietude to the Governor-General. He called to him Oureouhare, and, after having with brevity ex- plained to him the conduct which he had always held towards his nation, both during the period of his firft command, and fince his return from France, he faid, that at leaft he might have ven¬ tured to entertain a hope, that gratitude for the benefits with which he had loaded him in parti¬ cular, might have engaged him to open the eyes of his countrymen; that he either mud be in- fenfible to the impreffions of kindnefs, if he failed in this aft of duty; or his nation muft have little eflimation for him, if he was unable to pre¬ vail on it to adopt counfels more reafonable, and more confonant to its genuine interefts. The Iroquois chief appeared mortified at this difcourfe, of which he felt the whole force : he neverthelefs feemed calm and unaltered; he begged the General to recolleft, that on his re¬ turn from France he had found the cantons en¬ gaged in an alliance with the Englifh, which it was difficult to fet afide; and fo vehemently enraged againft the French, whofe treacherous conduft had forced them into this alliance, that it was necelfary to await the operation of time and HISTORY OF CANADA. 2 53 and of conjunctures, towards effecting a more book. favourable difpofition ; that for his part, he had done nothing with which he could reproach him- l6 9°- felf; that the refufal he had made to return to his cantons, where his prefence was ardently de- fired, ought to banilh all fufpicion of his fidelity; that if notwithftanding a mark fo unequivocal of his attachment to the French they did him the injuftice to entertain fentiments to his prejudice, he would not delay to difpel them. This anfwer made the Count de Frontenac repent of his ill humour, and of the diftruft with which it had infpired him ; he immediately gave marks of his friendihip for Oureouhare, and re- folved to conciliate more than ever the attach¬ ment of a perfon fo rational, and from whom he was convinced that great advantages might be derived. Information was now received that an arma¬ ment, whofe fuppofed deftination was to lay fiege to Quebec, had failed from Bofton. The Governor-General entertained doubts that a fleet fo confiderable could be fitted out without the lead intelligence of fuch preparations having before reached him. The fquadron confided of a frigate of forty guns, a floop of war of fixteen guns, an armed veflel of eight guns, and four gallies. Thefe were under the command of Sir William Phipps, a native of New England, of obfcure 254 HISTORY OF CANADA• b o^o k obfcure origin, but who, by. the force of his '— -—' genius, had raifed himfelf to diftinction and to l6 9°- fortune. After having captured all the fortified places in Acadia, the ifland of Newfoundland, and one or two fcttlements in the river St Laurence, the Englifh fleet advanced to Tadouflac, before it was with certainty known at Quebec that an enemy was coining againft it. Upon an exprefs being fent to the Governor, who was then at Montreal, he battened to Quebec, bringing with him every aflittance which could be fpared from the two governments, and from the country through which he pafled. He found on his arrival, that great exertions had been made by the town major to put the garrifon in a ftate of defence, and that a number of the neighbouring inhabitants had been called into the town; and, although they had laboured on the fortifications for no more than five days, they had fufficiently fecured the garrifon every where from being fur- prifed by a coup de main. The General added fome intrenchments which he found necefiary, and confirmed the order which the major had judicioufly given to the captains of the companies of militia ot Beaupre, of Beauporr, of the ifland of Orleans, and of the coaft of Laufon, which covered Quebec on the borders of the bafon, not to quit their polls until HISTORY OF CANADA. 2 55 until they fhould fee the enemy make a defcent, book, and attack the body of the place; they fhould v—> then hold themfelves in readinefs to march l6 ^°‘ wherever they fhould be called. The coaft of the river along the fouth channel of Orleans was lined with an armed militia, and a detachment of men under the command of an officer of activity and merit was difpatched from Quebec, for the purpofe of watching the move¬ ments of the hoftile fquadron. Several vefiels were expected from France, and it was much to be apprehended they might fall into the hands of the enemy. In order, if poffi- ble, to guard againft this accident, M. de Fron- tenac fent, by the north channel of Orleans, two canoes well equipped, with orders to defcend until they fhould find thofe veffels, if in the river, and acquaint them with the fituation of affairs. The fortifications at that time commenced at the rocky bank above the Intendant’s palace, on the borders of the river St. Charles, and ftretch- ing along the upper town, which they environed, terminated at the mountain called Cape Dia¬ mond. They w r ere alfo continued from the palace all along the fummit of the rock which forms the north-eafl boundary of the town, and pallifadoed to the cloiflers of the fetninary, where they joined the precipitous rock called Sault 256 HISTORY OF CANADA. book. Sault au Matelote on which there was a battery *_of three guns. A fecond pallifade placed be- 1690. yond the other reached to the fame place, and was intended for a cover to the infantry. The lower town contained two batteries, each of three eighteen-pounder guns, filling up the intervals between thofe in the higher town. The outlets, which had no gates, were barricaded with ftrong beams of timber, and with calks filled with earth, on the top of which pattereroes were planted. The road which ied from the lower to the upper town was intercepted by three different intrenchments, compofed of barrels, and bags filled with earth, and of chcvcaux de frieze. During the fiege another battery was formed at the Sault au Matelot, and a third at the gate which condu&s to the river St. Charles. Some pieces of cannon were alfo difpofed on the higher ground, and on the walls of a wind-mill, which ferved the purpofe of a cavaliere. On the 16th of Oftober, at three in the morn¬ ing, M. de Vaudreuil, who had been detached to watch the movements of the Ihips, returned to Quebec, and reported that he had left them at about three leagues diflance, at a place then called I'Arbrefec, and when day appeared, they were diltin&ly leen from the heights. The fquadron was compofed of thirty-four velfels of different delcriptions, and it was faid they con¬ tained \ HISTORY OF CANADA. 257 tained feveral thoufand men, who were to a£t on book V. (hore. As it advanced, the fmaller veffels were ■ j ranged along the coaft of Beauport, between the *690. ifland of Orleans and the St. Charles, the other veflels occupying the centre of the great channel: About ten o’clock the whole came to an anchor. A boat with a white flag was foon after difco- vered to proceed from the commodore’s (hip. It contained an officer with a trumpet, to fum- mon the garrifon to furrender. When he landed, he was conveyed blindfold to an apartment in the government houfe, in which the General with feveral of his officers were afifembled. Upon his eyes being unfolded, he delivered a challenge for furrendering the garrifon, which was peremp¬ torily rejedted. The principal defign of M. de Frontenac, was to encourage the enemy to crofs the river Sr. Charles, as they could not with eftedl attack the garrifon but from this fide. His reafon was, that the river being fordable only at low water, when they had once pafled it the befleged might, with¬ out much hazard, go to engage them, and in the event of a defeat the enemy could not eafily re¬ gain their boats, jn effecting which they would be obliged to wade for a confiderable diftance through the mud. If, on the contrary, the French pafled the river to meet the Englifli, they would be fubje&ed to fimilar difadvantages. VOL. 1. s . HISTORY OF CANADA. At mid-day on the 18th, almoft all the boats belonging to the veflfels, filled with troops, were feen to dired their way towards the banks of the St. Charles; but as it could not be afcertained in .what particular place they would land, they met with no refinance. No fooner had they difem- barked, than M. de Frontenac fent a detachment of the militia of Montreal and Three Rivers to harafs) them. They were joined by inhabitants from Beauport, and amounted in all to three hundred men, the body which had difembarked being fifteen hundred. The borders of the river were marfhy,covered with brulhwood and broken by Hones ; the tide being low, the French were obliged to wade through the mud in order to reach the enemy. Their mode of attack was chiefly by ikirmilh, and fometimes by platoon firing. In this fituation the Englilh, unable to profit from their fuperiority of men, could only fight in the fame favage manner in which they were aflailed. Unaccudomed to this mode of engagement the latter became difconcerted, and deceived with refpefl to the numbers of thofe whom they en¬ countered. The attack continued for about an hour. The Canadians leapt from one rock to another, all around the Englifli, who, unac¬ quainted with the ground, were obliged to re¬ main together, and keep up a conftant difcharge, which HISTORY OF CANADA. which produced, from the circumdance already mentioned, but little effect upon the former, who alternately appeared and retired, and whole fire had confiderable impreflion upon the clofe files of the latter, who fuftained great lofs of numbers. Towards evening the Canadians retreated into the garrifon, and the Englifli remained encamped near the fcene of a&ion. Four of the larged veflels came the fame evening to anchor near the town. The fecond in command, who carried a blue flag, went fomewhat to the left, oppofite the Sault au Mate - lot. The commander in chief was upon his right, and the third in command on the left, all oppofing the Lower Town. Another veflel advanced towards Cape Diamond. The fird difcharge proceeded from the town, and was an- fwered by a warm cannonade which continued on both fides. The fire from the (hips was principally directed againd the Upper Town, whofe fituation is too elevated to fudain much damage from guns fired from (hips of war. The cannonading re-commenced on the follow¬ ing day, but was continued on .both fides with lefs vigour. One of the fhips became fo much damaged from the battery on the Sault au Mate- lot, and that on the left at the water’s edge, that {he was drawn off to a more didant dation. The large veflel in the centre, having received many s 2 fhots 2 59 O 0 K V. J 1690. HISTORY OF CANADA. book, fhots through the hull, followed the example of , i the firft, and at noon the fire totally ceafed, 1690. the vefiels proceeding up the river, beyond Cape Diamond. The troops remained during the night quiet in their camp, and early next morning arranged themfefves in order for battle. About noon they began to move, directing their march to¬ wards the town, having platoons on their wings, and fome lavages as an advanced guard. They proceeded in good order along the borders of the St. Charles, until M. M. de Lingueil and Saint Helen, at the head of two hundred volunteers, intercepted their way, and fkirmHhing in the fame manner as before, made fuch continual and efficacious difcharges upon them, that they were compelled to enter the brufliwood, from whence they kept up a heavy fire, obliging the French to retreat. During this action M. de Frontenac advanced in perfon at the head of three battalions, and having arranged them on the borders of the St. Charles, r«folved to crofs it, if the volunteers fiiould be too heavily prefled. The commodore landed on the following night fix pieces of fix- pounder ordnance, and the Engliih marched with their artillery in the hope of making a breach in the fortifications. • The Sieur Villeu, a lieutenant, who had obtained from the General a fmall HISTORY OF CANADA. 26 i a fmall detachment of men, fet out before the e 0^ 0 k. Englifh left their encampments, and was followed <—j by feveral other little parties, in order to fupport him. Vilteu, who firh encountered the enemy, prepared an ambufcade, into which he drew them, by fkirmifhing and retreating. He there fuhained for a time their efforts, and the enemy feeing that they could not eafily oblige him to retreat, formed a difpofition to furround him; but one of the detachments which had been deftined for this purpofe, fell into a fecond am¬ bufcade, when the inhabitants of Beauporr, Beaupre, and the ifland of Orleans, were pre¬ pared for their reception. The French found themfelves however too weak long to fuftain the combat, and they began to retreat by degrees, fighting at the fame time, until they arrived at a houfe furrounded with pallifades, and fituated on an eminence. They there halted, and getting under cover of the pallifades, kept up fo heady a fire, that they hopped the purfuing army. The fhiDS which had afcended the St. Law- k rence dropped down with the tide, and in pahing the town exchanged fome fhots. On the night of the 22d the army reimbarked. Nothing more difconcerted Sir Win. Phipps than to find all the troops and militia of the colony affembled at Quebec. He had reckoned upon a divifion be¬ ing made at Montreal,which would there have re- s 3 tained HISTORY OF CANADA. book tained a confiderable body of men. But this pare u— -v—J of the plan, which had been fettled before the de- 1690. parture of the fleet from New England, failed on account of the diflatisfa&ion of the Iroquois, who having marched with the Englilh for fome days, afterwards returned to their country. When it became known that the divifion againfl; Montreal had not fucceeded, the Com¬ modore, already difeouraged by the unfuccefsful attempts which he had made againft (Quebec, determined to raife the fiege. The Englilh had made feveral endeavours to bring off the fix pieces of cannon and ammuni¬ tion which they had left at their camp, but the French, who had taken pofleflion of them, re¬ peatedly repulfed the boats that were ordered for this fervice. It appeared that the failure of ammunition was the caufe of the meafure which Sir Wm. Phipps adopted. On the evening of the 23d the fleet weighed anchor, and defeended the river about three leagues, from whence a negociation for the exchange of prifoners took place. The Commodore then proceeded on his route, confiderably mortified at the unfortunate iflue of an expedition, on which he had himfelf expended a part of his fortune. His inquietude was augmented by the total privation of affift- ance from pilots, without whom it became perilous for fome of the veflels of his fleet, which were HISTORY OF CANADA. were large, to navigate the river; and it is faid, that nine of the number were loft. Ou the 12th of November the (hips expe&ed from France arrived at Quebec; at the news of an enemy’s fleet they afcended a little way into the Saguenay, where they were concealed by the lofty banks, until the Englifti fleet had palled them on its return. Their appearance occafioned fenfations of fatif- fa&ion, although they tended not to remedy the fcarcity which foon became extreme, becaufe the incurfions of the Iroquois during the fpring had not permitted the inhabitants to labour in the fields. The troops were diftributed into fuch parts of the country as had not fuffered from thofe caufes, and were cheerfully received. A party of Iroquois appeared, towards the beginning of May, on the fide of Montreal. Their number amounted to a thoufand, and having eftablilhed their camp at the entrance of the grand river of the Outaouais, they formed two detachments, one of a hundred and twenty men, which took its route towards the north, the other of two hundred men, which turned towards the fouth. The firft threw itfelf on a part of Montreal called Pointe aux Trembles , where it burnt thirty houfes and barns, and took prifon- ers fome inhabitants, whom they treated with their accuftomed cruelties. s 4 263 BOOK. V. ----J lbJO. 1C91. The 264 HISTORY OF CANADA. book The fecond, in which were twenty Englilh c—and fome Mahingans, directed its courfe between Chambly and la Prairie de la Magdeleine, where it furprifed twelve lavages of the rapids of St. Louis; but on the following day, the Agniers who were of this party brought them back to their village, and declared that they were come to treat for peace ; it was however foon perceived that their real intention was to alienate, if they could, from the interefts of the French, the in¬ habitants of this village, but the attempt was unattended with fuccefs. A third party, confin¬ ing of eighty men, attacked the Iroquois Chrifti- ans of the mountain, and having inverted them on all fides, carried off by day thirty-five women and children, and fecured their retreat by Ikir- mifliing. Several other bands lefs numerous fpread themfelves from Repentigny to the iflands of Richlieu, committing great devaftations every where, becaufe the regulars and militia could not keep the field on account of the want of provi- fions. Having at length procured a fufficient quantity to lart fqr fome days, a party of the mi¬ litia joined the Sieur de la Mine, a captain who had lately left Montreal. They dilcovered feve- ral of the Onneyouths, who had taken Ihelter in an old houfe in the parilh of St. Sulpicius. The Chevalier de Vaudreuil, accompanied by fome officers, HISTORY OF CANADA. officers, feveral men, and Oureouhare, who was fufpe&ed to have a correfpondence with his na¬ tion, came alfo to St. Sulpicius, fell upon fome of the favages by furprife, and killed the whole, except two, who were wounded, and who efcaped into the woods. But to dillodge thofe in pof- feffion of the houfe was found a more difficult enterprife. At their firlt onfet they loll one of their befl: officers, which infpired the barbarians with courage, and without the exettion of extra¬ ordinary efforts, a hundred and twenty French¬ men were in danger of being defeated by twelve Iroquois polled in a ruinous houfe. The houfe was at length fet on fire, and the favages endea¬ voured to cut a pafl'age through the French with their hatchets, but two or three of them having been killed, five were captured, whom the inha¬ bitants unpitifully burnt, from a convi&ion that the only means of refiraining the cruelty of thefe barbarians, was to exercife upon them equal torments with thofe they were accufiomed to in¬ flict on all their prifoners. Intelligence having been received that a party compofed of Engliffi, Mahingans, and Iroquois, were preparing to march for the purpofe of at¬ tacking Montreal, the Chevalier de Callieres affembled eight hundred men, and encamped on the Prairie de la Magdeleine. He after detached feveral fcouting parties, one of which difcovered • a canoe 266 BOOK. V. l6ji. HISTOR V OF CANADA. a canoe of the enemy near Chambly on the river Sorel. On the report of this circumdance he conceived Chambly to be in danger, and he fent thither two hundred men, with orders, if the enemy attacked that port, to enter into it for its defence; but, if they palled beyond it, to be careful to conceal themfelves from their view, and to follow their track, in order to fall on their rear, whilft he himfelf Ihould engage them in front. Among the Chridian favages were three chiefs of great reputation. Oureouhare commanded the Hurons of Lorette ; an Iroquois named Paul conduced the inhabitants of the Saut de Saint Louis , and thofe of the Mountain ; and La Routine, an Algonquin captain, headed a large party of his nation. The fort of the Prairie de la Magdeleine flood about thirty paces from the borders of the St. Lawrence, on a deep ground between two meadows, one of which near a place called the Fork is interfeded by a fmall river at the didance of cannon Ihot from the fort. Between the two runs another dream, on which there dood a mill; it was on this fide, at the left of the fort, that the militia encamped. Some of the Outaouais, who happened to be at Montreal when the alarm was given, had joined them. The regular troops encamped on the right, and the officers had their tents pitched oppofite to them, upon a fmall elevated ground. An HISTORY OF CANADA. An hour before day, the fentinel who was ported in the mill perceived fome people parting along the height on which the fort was placed, and he gave the alarm by firing off his fufil. They were part of the enemy, who gliding between the rivu¬ let of the Fork and the Ravine, gained the great river, and finding the quarters of the militia al- moft abandoned, drove away the few men who remained and lodged themfelves there. Some inhabitants, and fix of the Outaouais were killed in this furprife. At the alarm given by. the fen¬ tinel, M. de Saint Cyrque, an old captain who commanded in the abfence of M. de Callieres, marched at the head of the troops, placed them in two divifions, and furrounded the fort. The battalion which Saint Cyrque commanded in per- fon firft came in view of the former quarters of the militia, and this officer, uncertain that the enemy were in poffeffion of them, flopped to be acquainted with the fact. He inftantly received a difcharge of mufquetry, by which he and two of his officers were killed. The other battalion arrived at the moment, and charged the enemy, who after a vigorous refirtance, and feeing them¬ felves on the point of having the whole French army to engage, retreated in good order. They were allowed to go off without moleftation. They had only fix men killed and thirty wound¬ ed. The lofs of the French was more confider- able. 267 hook v. 1691. 268 L HISTORY OF CANADA, BOOK able. The fcalps of many Frenchmen were car¬ ried off, and the Iroquois fet up a loud cry when they had retreated to a fmall diftance. Being about to enter the woods, they perceived a fmali detachment, whom they followed, and forming an ambufcade, killed the whole of its members. Elated by this fuccefs they returned by the way they had advanced, but before they had pro¬ ceeded two leagues their fcouts difcovered ano¬ ther party of French and favages under the com¬ mand of M. de Valrenes. They had only feen the van of this body, and believing it not to be conftderable, they hefitated not to attack it with fuch refolution as would have difconcerted an officer lefs firm and experienced than Valrenes. He found two large trees that had fallen, and behind thefe he entrenched his troops, making them lie down to avoid the firft fire of the enemy. They afterwards arofe, and forming themfelves into three divifions, charged the enemy with fuch order and impetuofity that they every where gave way. They however recovered, and after a combat of one hour and a half, they were obliged to difband, and the route became complete. The French had fixty men killfed and as many wounded, of whom feveral died. An Engliffi- man who was taken prifoner gave information, that, on the return of the firft party, another of four hundred men were to have advanced ; that five HISTORY OF CANADA. 2 6 *) five hundred Iroquois were to arrive at Catara- book cony, and that their defign was to deftroy the -__ _ harveft of the colony. But no more figns of an enemy appearing, the harveft, whofe failure would have reduced the fettlement to the lad extremity, was reaped in tranquillity, and proved to be abundant. On receiving intelligence of the approach of the enemy, M. de Frontenac proceeded from Quebec to Montreal, and on his arrival was in¬ formed of their departure and defeat. He re¬ ceived foon after a letter from the Governor- General of New England, requefting that fome prifoners which the Abinaquis had made in his territory might be reftored, and propofing a neutrality in America, notwithftanding the hofti- lities which in Europe continued between their two Sovereigns. It was believed that this pro- pofal was not di&ated by fmcerity, becaufe he had not mentioned an intention of fending back the French who were detained at Bofton. The Iroquois continued, without intermillion, to purfue their hoftiiity to the French: two wo¬ men who had been made prifoners, having efcaped in the beginning of November, informed the Chevalier de Callieres, that two parties of three hundred and fifty men each were on their march to furprife the fettlement of Saut de Saint Louis. On this advice the Governor fent to that 270 HISTORY OF CANADA. b 0^0 k. that village a party of troops, and diflributed '— —> another party in the neighbouring forts. The ,6 >*' protedion of Montreal was committed to the inhabitants. A few days after, one of the parties of the Iroquois, which had defcended by lake Ontario, appeared in view of the Saut; but without forfaking the woods. The French went out againft thefe barbarians, and for two days had fome fharp fkirmiffies, in which the lofs on both fides was nearly equal, when the enemy, who had relied on a furprife, retired. The fecond party entered by lake Champlain, but fome of them having withdrawn, and the chiefs having learnt that the lirft party had re¬ treated, conceived it imprudent to proceed. 1692. j n t h e beginning of February M. de Callieres received orders from M. de Frontenac to raife a detachment of men to fend into that immenfe peninfula, which is formed by the jundion of the St v Lawrence and the great river of the Ou- taouais. The Iroquois frequently went thither in the winter, for the chace, and it was reported they were then in great numbers in that terri¬ tory. Three hundred men, compofed of French and favages, were raifed, and marched under the orders of M. de Beaucourt, a captain. This officer, on arriving at the ifle of Tonia- thos, which is at a fmall diftance from Cataro- cony, met there fifty Tfonnonthouans, who had 5 thus HISTORY OF CANADA. 27I thus far advanced in purfuing the chace, with a b 0^0 k defign afterwards to make an irruption on the French fettlements, and to prevent the inhabi- 1<5 9 2 - tants from fowing their corn. The French at¬ tacked them in their huts, killed twenty-four, took fixteen, and liberated an officer named La Plante, who had been captured three years be¬ fore, and who not being at firft known, on ac¬ count of his favage habiliments, was upon the point of being killed as an Iroquois. This ex¬ pedition terminated here; but it was learnt from the prifoners that another troop of a hundred Iroquois of the fame canton were on a hunting party at a place on the river of the Outaouais, called, the Fall of Chaudiere ; that their inten¬ tion was to canton themfelves there until the melting of the fnows; that two hundred Onnon- tagues, commanded by one of their braveft chiefs, named La Chaudiere Noire, was expe&ed to join them, and that it was propofed to remain there during the fummer, to exclude the French from the paflage to or from Michilimakinac. As a large convoy of furs from all the coun¬ tries of the north and weft was expelled, it was thought necelTary to fend a ftrong efcort for its protection ; but M. Callieres could not leave his government without defence, becaufe he had oc- cafion for all his troops to guard the people who were occupied in the labours of hulbandry. He therefore Ujl HISTORY OP CANADA. book therefore gave intelligence to the Count de Fron- ^ ^ j tenac of the accounts which had been conveyed to *69 2 - him : this General, perfuaded that the defeat of the fifty Tfonnonthouans already mentioned had •difconcerted the meafures of the Iroquois, ordered that he fhould immediately fend a perfon named S. Michel with forty Canadian Voyageurs, to carry his commands to Michilimakinac, and that they fhould be efcorted by three well-armed ca¬ noes, until they fhould have paffed the Fall of Chaudiere. The order was obeyed, and the efcort con¬ ducted the Canadians to the place pointed out, without having fecn a fingle Iroquois; but, a few days afterwards, the Sieur St. Michel having perceived fome tracks, and alfo two Iroquois Tvho appeared to him as fcouts, doubted not that the Chaudiere Noire was at hand with his troop, and therefore returned to Montreal. He had not long difembarked when M. de Frontenac, who was then at that place, made him again de¬ part with thirty Frenchmen and thirty lavages. He was followed by an officer named Tilly de S. Pierre, who went by the river du Lievre, which difcharges itfelf into the river of the Outaouais, five leagues lower than the Fall of Chaudiere. St. Michel, on arriving at the Portage de Chats, the fame fpot from whence he had returned on bis fir ft voyage, faw again two fcouts, and per¬ ceived HISTORY OF CANADA. 273 ceived at the fame time a great number of canoes, book which favages were putting into the water. He -- conceived it imprudent to expofe his party to a i6 9 2 * conteft which would be extremely unequal, and took, a fecond time, the road to Montreal. Three days after his arrival, fixty favages from the diftant lands, charged with great quantities of furs, and who had defcended by the river du Licvre, alfo arrived, and faid that they had met M. de S. Pierre beyond the reach of danger from an enemy. They difpofed of their articles of commerce, and requeued an efcort to conduct them to a place where they were to take an un¬ frequented path. St. Michel accompanied them with a guard of thirty men, commanded by M. de la Gemeraye, a lieutenant, who had under him La Frefniere, elded fon of the Sieur Hertel. This body having arrived at the long Sault of the great river, where for a certain diftance the baggage muft be carried over land, whilft a part of the men were occupied in mounting the empty canoes, and others marched along the border of the river to cover them, a difcharge of fufils made by perfons con¬ cealed difperfed all the favages, who formed a fecond band, and killed feveral Frenchmen. The Iroquois immediately forfaking their am- bufcade, threw themfelves with fury on the re¬ maining Frenchmen, and in the confufion which voi.. 1. t an HISTORY OF CANADA. 274 book an attack fo fierce and unexpected had occa- ^ y~ ■ fioned, they who attempted to regain their canoes 1692. made them wheel into the current; fo that the enemy poffeffed a double advantage over thofe, who were obliged at the fame time to defend themfelves, and to druggie with the rapidity of the waters. La Gemeraye and three other officers defended themfelves with fuch obftinacy as would have faved them, if they had not been abandoned by their favages. But as they had loft almoft the whole of their foldiers, they could take no other meafure than to retreat W'ith all poffible difpatch. Unhappily the canoe which contained St. Michel and the Hertels was taken. La Gemeraye and fome foldiers were fortunate enough to efcape. The Chaudiere Noire afterwards made a de- fcent upon a part of the illand of Montreal called La Chefnaye , and carried off from thence three young favages, and fourteen inhabitants who were making hay. The fituation of the colony was now very dif¬ ferent from that in which it was two years before. Little was to be apprehended from the quarter of New England, and the inroads of the Iroquois were productive of no very ferious confequences, when not fuftained by the Englifh. Its prefent ftate of comparative profperity was in a great de¬ gree attributable to the activity and firmnefs of the HISTORY OF CANADA. 275 the Governor. The haughty and unbending book manner by which he had gained a fuperiority over the enemy ; the efficacious means he had employed to render his allies tradable, and to re-eltabliffi the credit of the French, made him to be feared by the one, and refpeded by the other. But vvhilfl: every degree of juftice was allowed to the fuperiority of his talents, and to the appli¬ cation which he made of them to procure refpett for the colony abroad, and its internal fecurity, he was in fome inftances highly reprehenfible. It was lamented by many, that from regard to his officers, whofe attachment and efteem he was anxious to conciliate, he had allowed to fall upon, the inhabitants the burden and fatigue of war. That he ruined thefe by unprofitable toil, whilft the foldiers were working the lands, by which means the officers drew confiderable profit from the produce: thus it was occafioned, that the colony was not flourifhing, and that commerce was in a languilhing fiate. Another complaint Hill more ferious and univerfal, arofe from the countenance he continued to give to the traffic in fpirituous liquors, or at lead from his toleration on this point, both equally cenfurable in a Ge¬ neral, who alone had the power of putting a itop to the evil whenever he ffiould think fit. t 2 Advice HISTORY OF CANADA. Advice was received that a body of eight hun- / dred Iroquois were in march to attack the colony. They were feparated into two equal divifionsj one was to defcend by lake Champlain, and the other by the St. Lawrence, with a defign to re¬ unite near the rapids of St. Louis, to entrench themfelves there, to draw out by a feigned nego¬ tiation as many of the inhabitants of this village as they could, and to maffacre all that Ihould fall into their hands. But finding on their arrival that a knowledge of their intentions had been gained, and that the village was in a good fiate of defence, they took their departure without making any ferious attempt. The General focn after detached three hun¬ dred Canadians, a hundred regulars, and a great number of allied favages, under the command of M. M. de Mantel, De Ccurtemanche, and De la Noue, ueflined for the canton of Agniers, with orders to give no quarter to any perfon capable of bearing arms, to put all to death without taking one prifoner, and to bring off the women and children to people the Chriftian villages of their nation. But experience ought to have fuggefted, that a plan fuch as this was difficult to be executed. The arm arrived in the canton of Agnier on the 16th of February, without having been difco- vered. It appeared that this canton was then 6 compoicd HISTORY OF CANADA. 2 77 compofed of three fortified villages. La Noue attacked the firft, and took it without much re- filtance ; he burnt the pallifades, the cabins, and all the provifions. Mantel and C.ourtemanche alfo, without much refinance, got pofietTion of the fecond, which was about a quarter of a league diftant, and as feveral prifoners were made, Courtemanche had the charge of guarding them. The third village was larger, and required much greater trouble to become mailers of it. La Noue and Mantel arrived there on the 18th at night, and found the inhabitants finging the fong of war. Therein were forty Agniers, who, ig¬ norant of what had happened in their neighbour¬ hood, were preparing to join a party of fifty Onneyouths, who were to have reinforced a body of two hundred Englilh, with a view to make an irruption into Canada. They were inllantly at¬ tacked, and although furprifed, they defended themfelves with much valour : twenty men and fome women were killed in the firft; onfet, and two hundred and fifty perfons were taken pri¬ foners. It had been recommended, it has been faid, to give quarter to women and children only, but the favages paid no attention to that recommenda¬ tion. To this miltake they added another, by obliging the French to entrench themfelves, t 3 after BOOK v. 1693. HISTORY OF CANADA. 278 book after two days’ march on their return, that they -w might await the enemy who were purfuing l( > 93 - them. The little army, although it had fcarcely provifions to enable it to reach Montreal, awaited the enemy for tw r o days : at length they appear¬ ed, and entrenched in a fituation oppofite to the French, who charged them three times with re- folution ; they defended themfelves with vigour, and the entrenchment was not forced until the third attack. Eight Frenchmen and eight favages were killed, and twelve were wounded. The lofs of the Onneyouths w'as not mere confider- able, and the remainder faved themfelves by dif- appearing. But they loon afterwards rallied, and continued to follow and harrafs the French for the fpace of three days. The bad roads and the fcarcity of provifions obliging the French¬ men to dilband, a great number of prifoners efcaped, and only fixty-four were brought to Montreal. There were at this time at Michilimakinac great quantities of furs, which the favages would not venture to bring to Montreal without an efcort, which the General was not able to afford; it was however of great confequence that thefe furs fhould be tranfported thither, and it was ftill of greater moment that the Sieur de Louvigny fliould be informed of intelligence which had HISTORY OF CANADA. 279 been received of an intended attack on the colony, book and of the manner in which he Ihould ad in that ‘ , alarming conjundure. *693- It was propofed to the Sieur d’Argenteuil, a reduced lieutenant, to afcend to Michilimakinac, and he chearfully accepted that commiflion. But it was only by promifes of great advantage that eighteen Canadians could be prevailed on to accompany him. M. de la Valtrie had orders to efcort them with twenty French foldiers, beyond all the dangerous paffages. D’Argenteuii per¬ formed his voyage fuccefsfully, but M. la Valtrie was attacked near the illand of Montreal, on his return, by a party of Iroquois. He was himfelf killed, together with three Frenchmen, and an 'Iroquois of the mountain was taken prifoner. The others of his party made their efcape. HISTORY OF CANADA. BOOK VI. Deputies of the Iroquois arrive at Montreal. - Expedition againjl Port Nefon fitted out from Quebec.—Conference •with the Huron and Iroquois Deputies .— Hofiilities of the Iroqu r is. — Re-efiab!t/hment of the Fort at Cataro- quoy.—Irruption of the Iroquois .— Deputies of the Hu- rons font to folicit a Diminution of the Price of Merchun- dife.—Anfwer of the General .— Conduct of a Sicu Chief. —Change in the Difpofition of the Ailies of the Upper Country, effected by the Addrefs of At. de la Alotte Cadillac.—Preparations for an Expedition againfi the Iroquois.—Refult of that Expedition. — Death of La Chaudiere Noire, principal Chief of the Iroquois. \\7 e have already {hewn, in the courfe of this * * work, the repeated and infincere attempts made on the part of the Iroquois to negociate with the French on terms of peace. To thefe they were driven more by the temporary exi¬ gences of their affairs than by a wifh to be ex¬ empted from the dangers and fatigues of war, which becomes a principal part of their occupa¬ tion, and feems to be their only incentive to energy and exertion. When treaties of peace were even concluded, little dependence could be placed on their ob- fervance any longer than the firft favourable opportunity HISTORY OF CANADA. 28l opportunity of gaining an advantage fliould pre- book fent itfelf. “ - - - - Thus the French were kept in a flate of almoft uninterrupted alarm by thofe fierce, reftlefs, and political barbarians. Two Onnontagues having come to Montreal, to inquire of M. de Callieres if the deputies of the five cantons, who, they added, were already on their way, would be well received in foliciting their father Ononthio to grant them peace; the Governor, who was made acquainted with the intentions of the General, anfwered, that their conditions would be attended to if they prefented them. With this anfwer they retirecf, and nearly two months elapfed without any thing further having been offered on that fubjed. M. de Callieres was by no means furprifed at their condud; that nothing, however, might be want, ing which depended on him, he thought it necef- fary to fend fome parties towards New York, to fee if by means of prifoners whom they fhould take from the Iroquois they could difcover the real caufe of the million of their firfl deputies, and of the retardation of their fecond. On the 23d of March two Agriiers came to Montreal to prelent theexcufes of Teganifforens, who ought to have been the chief of the depu¬ tation, and they faid, that the Englifh were in fault if the cantons had not kept their promife. They were not favourably received, becaufe M. de 16^3. 1694. HISTORY OF CANADA. i8a book deFrontenac had been informed by fome favages i of Acadia, that they only wanted to gain time 1694* in order to put him off his guard ; that they had formed the defign of (tabbing him and the Che¬ valier Callieres in a council, where they propofed to meet in great numbers; of affembling, in the neighbourhood of Montreal, numerous parties ready to fall upon the colony, when (truck with aftonifliment at that deed, and deftitute of its chiefs; and of carrying every where deftruftion and defolation throughout the fettlement. Some abatement was doubtlefs to be made with regard to the horror and extent of the project; but prudence demanded that a drift obfervation (hould every where be preferved. In the month of May, Teganifforens arrived at Quebec with eight deputies. It was in the middle of feed-time, and this caufed the General to dif- femble the little confidence he placed in this deputation. He gave the ambaffadors a public audience with great outward (hew, and much was faid on the one part, and on the other. The good will of Teganifforens appeared not only in the harangue which he delivered in the affembly, but all'o in private converfations which he had with M. de Frontenac, to whom he pre- fented collars on the part of Garakontie. The General fhewed him much civility, begged him to allure Garakontie of his high confidera- tion HISTORY OF CANADA. 283 tion and efleem, and joined to thefe marks of kindnefs fome prefents of value for both; but, perfuaded that neither the one nor the other would enter into the councils of their country¬ men, he only reckoned upon their regard, with¬ out flattering himfelf that their credit with their nation was fuch, as to influence it to embrace meafures of perfect reconciliation. He after¬ wards prolonged the flay of the deputies, as long as was necefiary to afford the inhabitants time to fow their land ; and this delay produced ano¬ ther effect, which was not lefs advantageous to the colony. M. de Louvigny had reafon to apprehend a rupture with the allies in the countries of the north and weft, to whom the Iroquois failed not to infinuate that the French wifhed to come to an accommodation with the cantons, without taking the trouble to include in the negotiation the particular interefts of the allies. All that the Iroquois gained by this artful manoeuvre, was to engage the principal chiefs of thefe na¬ tions to inquire, themfelves, into the validity of this ftatement. Thefe chiefs fet out for Quebec, where they arrived two days after the departure of the Iroquois deputies. M. de Frontenac having learnt from themfelves the fubjecl of their voyage, fent an exprefs to Teganifforens to folicit his return to Quebec. He immediately complied. O O K VI - ,— -m * 1694. HISTORY OF CANADA. faw the chiefs of the allies, who, after they had liftened to what he had to fay refpecling them, comprehended that the Iroquois had only in view to lead them into miftake, to prevent their parties from haraffing them, and to embroil them with the French, that they might be able both to pur- chafe and fell to great advantage. The Governor was not wanting in ufing his endeavours to extract from this deputation of Teganifforens another advantage, which appeared to him not lefs effential, although many held a different opinion. This was, the re-eftabliffiment of the fort of Catarocony. Teganifforens made the firft propofal to that effect, which perhaps the General had himfelf fuggelted. He however ardently laid hold of this opening, and did not delay a moment to make preparation for an en- terprife which he had long defired. He engaged many perfons to labour with diligence in the completion of a large convoy, which was deftined to conduct to this poll a garrifon, ammunition, and every thing requifite for an eftabliffiment, which was intended as the bulwark of the co¬ lony. He gave the command to the Chevalier de Crifafy ; but when this officer was upon the point of embarking, he received an order for dif¬ arming the expedition. The caufe of this change proceeded from M. de Serigny, who arrived at Montreal, where the General HISTORY OF CANADA. 285 General then was, with a commiffion from the book K ing to raife confiderable detachments for an v ^ . enterprife againft Port Nelfon. The court had always much at heart this expedition, and Serig- ny himfelf was to command it, with D’Iberville, his brother, as his fecond. Not a moment could be loft, and it was neceflary to aflign for this fer- vice a great part of the people who were to have accompanied the Chevalier de Crifafy, A hun¬ dred and twenty Canadians, and fome favages of the Sault de St. Louis, were put under the orders of Serigny, and the remainder were difcharged until there fhould be a further occafion for their fervices. A fhort time afterwards, two Frenchmen who had efcaped from Onnontague, where they were prifoners, allured M. de Frontenac that he muft place no reliance on a profpect of peace with the Iroquois nation : the General believed that their information u'as not good, and the chiefs of the nations of the weft and north having arrived on the end of the month of Auguft, with a great convoy of furs, conducted by M. de Louvigny, he took care that they fhould not be informed of the intelligence he had received. At the expiration of fifteen days, Oureouhare, who had accompanied Teganifforens on his re¬ turn, came back with thirteen French prifoners, whom he had liberated, and among whom were the 286 fclSTORV OF CANADA. B ° i° K two ^ erte ^ s » taken two years before In th£ > defeat of M. de la Gemeraye, and who were x ^ 9 +• fuppofed to have been dead; he brought no other deputies but thofe of his canton of Goyo- gouin, and of that of Tfonnonthouan. The regard which the Count de Frontenac had for their conductor made him give them a favourable reception, and the General wilhed the chiefs of the allies to be prefent at the audience which he held. Oureouhare, who was the fpeaker, began by prefenting a collar, which imported that he had broken the chains of thirteen Frenchmen; he then prelented others, to denote that the cantons whofe deputies were prefent, perceiving that the negotiation of Teganifiorens was too much pro¬ longed, and knowing that it was impeded by the Englifh, had taken the meafure of charging their envoys to folicit their father not to be impatient, to afiure him that they would, at whatever price, re-enter into his good opinion, and to conjure him yet to fufpend the hatchet for a time. J The General alked them, if they meant not to comprehend all the nations in the treaty which was agitating; and this quedion threw them into « l'ome embarrafl'ment. They confulted among themfclves for a lliort time, and afterwards gave an ambiguous anfwer. Father Buryas, fuperior of millions, who was the interpreter, begged them HISTORY OF CANADA. 287 them to explain themfelves more clearly, and on b 00 k this their confufion feemed to increafe. The __ Count de Frontenac then faid, that he accepted i6 94 - the firft collar, and that he fent back with plea- fure his children, who feemed to feel fo much pain : that he knew the good-will of the deputies of the two cantons, and their eagernefs to give him protections of their fidelity; but that he would not receive the other collars, by which they pretended to flop his arm, and that he mud quickly (trike a blow, if they haftened not to render him a more precife anfwer, reflecting all that he had declared to Teganifforens. He afterwards regaled them in a plentiful and handfome (tile, and during the entertainment, aduming thofe conciliating manners which he had ever at command, he (tudied to imprefs the Goyogouins and Tfonnonthouans with the idea that he wi(hed for peace, but more on their ac¬ count than his own, and as became a father who chaltifes his children with regret. Fie re-aflem- bled, after fome days, all the favages, and ap¬ peared to (hew much refentment that Teganif¬ forens had not returned at the time which he had appointed; and dill more that they had confulted with the Englidi. who regarding only their particular intereds could not but difconcert the negotiation. He added, that he would not long be the dupe of the irrefolution and incon- dancy 283 HISTORY OF CANADA. B °V? K ftanc y t ^ e cantons j that he and his allies c— - would ferioufly re-commence the war, and that ‘f' 9 +- it Ihould be carried on with greater fpirit and activity than ever. The deputies, who little expelled this menace, wifhed to infpire him with a diltrult of his allies; but he took up their defence, and protefted that he would never feparate their interefts from his own. He however failed not to liften attentively to feme reproaches which the Iroquois and the Hurons mutually exchanged, wilhing, no doubt, to try if he could draw fome information refpedt- ing the conduct of the latter, in whom he never very greatly confided ; but after a fpirited alter¬ cation, from which he could learn nothing that he did not already know, he impofed filence on the two parties. He then faid to the Iroquois, that he Ihould not greatly haften his preparations, that he might give them time to recover a fenfe of their duty ; but if they continued to abufe his patience, he Ihould make them fcnfible, that in proportion as he was a good father and faithful ally, fo Ihould they, on the contrary, experience him to be a formidable enemy. He fpoke in a like tone to the other lavages, and took leave of them, loaded with prefents, and full of refpecl for his per Ion. Towards the end of October father Milet ar¬ rived at Montreal, after live years of flavery, a confiderable HISTORY OF CANADA* 289 confiderable part of which he had paffed in the book conftant expectation of being fubje&ed to the <—-A—> fufferings deftined for prifoners of war, and he l6 ? 4 - gave intelligence to the General, that Tareha was following him with the deputies of the can¬ ton of Onneyouth. They difembarked, indeed, in a few days afterwards, and met with an un¬ favourable reception : it was even doubtful whe¬ ther they fhould not be treated as fpies. M. de Frontenac relented, however, fomewhat from his feverity, on the teltimony of the miflionary, to whom Tareha had effectually rendered good fervices during his captivity ; and although he began to give fome credit to what he had been told by the Abinaquis, that all thefe negotiations tended only to amufe, he reflected that they had not been altogether without their ufe, by having procured fome repofe for the inhabitants of the colony. It was befides neceffary for him at leaft to pretend to give them credit, or to march to attack the Iroquois with a force capable of exter¬ minating them; and he muff firft have been matter of one equal to fuch a fervice. The Englilh had conftruaed a fort at Onnontague, and it was in a condition of defence. The Iro¬ quois could, if neceffary, mufter three thoufand warriors, and the Governor of New York would not fuffer them to perifli for want of aflift- ance. vol. i. u M. de HISTORY OF CANADA. M. deFrontenac could not reckon on more than two thoufand at the utmod, including in that number the troops, the militia, and the domicili¬ ated favages; prudence would not fuffer him to withdraw his men from the mod expofed pods, which were diffidently numerous. Thus upon due refle&ion, much had been done in prevent¬ ing an invafion by confiderable parties, who would have ravaged and laid wade the cultivated, fields, a misfortune w'hich would have been fol¬ lowed by a general fcarcity. The cedation of hodilities was the fruit of the negotiations which had been mentioned, and the fmall parties which had appeared in the country from time to time, whild thefe were going forward, had only ferved to keep the French upon their guard. The Iroquois continued to make great pro- mifes, without any view's of fincerity. It was afterwards underdood, that it was not from New York that the greated obdacles to a perfect reconciliation between the cantons and the French originated ; the Dutch, w'ho had a great party in that province, not being averfe to the peace; but that it principally depended on New England. From whatever quarter, how r ever,- the impediment might be derived, there was no perfon in Canada who was not convinced of the urgent neceffity of executing the menaces w'hich had fo often been repeated to thefe favages. The HISTORY OF CANADA. 29I The court of France was alfo of the fame book vi. opinion. It now became neceflary to convince the Iro- i6 95 - quois that they fhould no longer boafl: of the French being the dupes of their policy; and this was (till more apparent, when thefe barbarians, after feveral intrigues to detach from the French inteieft their countrymen of the Sault de Saint Louis and of the mountain, who were upon the point of yielding to their perfuafions, feeing all their machinations difcovered, began to (hew themfelves in the vicinity of the habitations, and to exercife there their ufual cruelties and fyflem of plunder. The vigilance and activity of the Governor of Montreal defeated, in a great degree, their mea- fures. One of the chiefs of the Sault de Saint Louis , who had fecretly entered into a negotia¬ tion with them, was driven from the village. The Sieor de la Motte Cadillac, who had fuc- ceeded M. de Louvigny at Michilimakinac, found means to engage the favages of his diftrift to fall upon the common enemy, who had been at fome pains to detach them from the French alliance. But this prevented not the inhabitants from being kept in continual alarm, the Iroquois preparing for them ambufcades in every quarter, and approaching to maflacre them in view of, and almoft under the cannon of the forts. u 2 Thefe 292 HISTORY OF CANADA. book. Thefe hoftilities had been preceded by infolent v—propofals on the part of the cantons, who, at the ,6 95* moment they ceafed to pretend a wifli for peace, had refumed their former airs of haughtinefs. They began by requiring that the Governor- General Ihould fend, in his turn, deputies to treat at their villages; and for the firft preliminary ar¬ ticle they exacted, that all hoftilities on the .part of the French and of their allies thould forthwith ceafe, not only with refpeCt to them, but alfo to the Englilh. So haughty a tone from an enemy, whom it was conceived not impracticable to humiliate; the neceflity of taking meafures for that end, if the French wifhed not to lofe all the credit they had gained in the opinion of their allies, and the mortification of witneffing the extremities and even the centre of the colony become again the theatre of a war, in which every thing was ha¬ zarded without the hope of advantage, made thofe, whom experience of the paft had led to entertain difquieting apprehenfions of the future, ardently defire that the whole forces of Canada might be affembled, to march againft the can¬ tons, and to compel them to repent that they had not profited by the favourable opportunity which was offered them of concluding an advantageous peace. The Count de Frontenac was not of that opinion. He HISTORY OF CANADA. 2 93 He was firmly perfuaded that the mod effica- book cious remedy againft thefe evils which were . V1 ‘ j feared, was to repair the fort of Catarocony; I< 595* and refolved to execute this defign, of which he had not loft the view for a moment fince his re¬ turn from France, whatever obftacle he might find to furmount in attaining his objeft. His refolution was fcarcely declared, when M. de Champigny and all the officers of government reprefented to him in a ftriking manner the dan¬ gerous confequences which might enfue from an enterprife, where he alone difcovered advantages which no other perfon could difcern; adding, that the troops and militia which muft be kept there, would be much better occupied in re- preffing the infolence of the Iroquois. It was remarked to him, that the cantons having oftener than once demanded the re-eftablifhment of this poft, it would be not only beftowing on them a favour of which they were unworthy, but even in a manner receiving law from them, which they feemed to impofe with arms in their hands. Thefe reprefentations affe&ed not the General. He anfwered, that although he flood alone in his opinion, he would follow it. He prefently departed for Montreal, where he arrived on the 1 8 th of July, efcorted by a hundred and ten in¬ habitants of Quebec and Three Rivers. He railed befides fifty men of the militia of Montreal, u 3 two 294 history of Canada: book two hundred foldiers, and two hundred favages, « , —,1 with thirty-fix officers, all chofen men, who l6 9S‘ under the command of the Chevalier Crifafy, whom the General entrufted with the execution of the enterprife, might have been fufficient to have brought the Iroquois to reafon. The pre¬ parations were made with all poffible diligence, and the moment the convoy was ready it began to proceed to the place of its deftination. M. de Frontenac very foon after received a letter from M. de Pontehartrain, wherein that minifter acquainted him that the King did not approve of the intention of re-eftablilhing the fort of Catarocony. He however took upon him to pay no other attention to this intimation of authority, than by affigning reafons for the con¬ duct which he had held on this occafion : the principal of which was, that the dereliction of this enterprife, of which the chiefs of the Outaou- ais had been eye-witnelfes, would have fo funk the French in their eftimation, by the ftrong im- preffions which mult have been formed of their weaknefs, or their defire to renew negotiation with the enemy, that this alone might have been fufficient to have alienated them from the French, or to have induced them to entertain thoughts of making peace without their participation, efpecially after the joy which they had publickly teftified, to be able by means of this eftablifh- ment HISTORY OF CANADA. 295 ment to find a fecure retreat in all the enterprifes book which they might form again/l the Iroquois. .__ The expedition was happily performed at fmall I<5 95 * expence, and in little time. Not a fingle man was loft; and, although it was originally intend¬ ed to fortify the branches with flakes only, means were found to repair them in the courfe of eight days with /lone, without incurring any expence to the King. The Chevalier de Crifafy (hewed in the exe¬ cution of his orders a condud which excited the commendations even of thofe-who mod difap- proved of the enterprife with which he was charged. He attended the river with great ex¬ pedition, and fpeedily repaired the fort. But his zeal and his vigilance ended not there j be¬ fore his return to Montreal he detached a number of fcouts, compofed of eighty favages, divided into fmall bodies, and, it may be faid, that the colony owed to this precaution, as much as to the valour of fome officers, which (hall afterwards be mentioned, the happinefs which it enjoyed of reaping the harvefl in tranquillity. Forty of this difcovering party having ap¬ proached towards Onnontague, fome of them who advanced to the river De Chougen wit;- neffed the defcent of thirty-three canoes of Iro¬ quois, and they even heard fome of thefe favages faying to each other, that they were about to pay y 4 to r HISTORY OF CANADA. book to the French, and to their brethren at St. Louis, u — - a vifit which would be little expected. The i6 95- other parties confirmed, that a great number of Iroquois were in the country. They all made fufficient hade to give to the Governor of Mon¬ treal leifure to place his polls in a fituation to bid defiance to infult, and to M. de Frontenac to form a corps of eight hundred men on the ifland of Perrot. The enemy failed not to advance to Montreal, and difembarked on that ifiand, in fmall platoons, where they mafiacred fome inhabitants. On advice of this being brought to the Governor- General, he thought fit to divide his little army, and to difperfe it among the parilhes to cover the reapers: this difpofition difconcerted all the meafures of the Iroquois, a confiderable body of whom was defeated behind Boucherville by M. de la Durantaye. There were fome furprifes made by the barbarians, but without any mate¬ rial injury. Thus finilhed the campaign in the centre of the colony. It proved Hill lefs pro¬ fitable to the Iroquois in the quarters towards the weft. It has been remarked, that M. la Motte Ca¬ dillac had influenced the favages who were in the neighbourhood of his poll to make a defcent oh the common enemy. They were fuccefsful, and brought to Michilimakinac a great number of 9 HISTORY OF CANADA. 1 97 of prifoners. The Iroquois wifhed to fatisfy book their vengeance on the French, and marched in ^ . great force to conftrain the Miamis to declare themfelves againft them; refolved, if they re- fufed, to drive them from the river St. Jofeph, where there was a populous village of thefe ra¬ vages. By good fortune M. de Comtemanche was at that place, together with fome Canadians, when the Iroquois appeared. He joined the Miamis, and fell fo fiercely on the barbarians, who were far from expelling that reception, that after having killed and wounded a great number, he obliged the remainder to fly in great diforder. This check was fenfibly felt by them j but they found an advantage to counterbalance it by the perfidy of a Huron chief, called by the French, the Baron. He was a dangerous cha¬ racter, and the French, whofe enemy he naturally was, entertained no diftrufl or fufpicion of his conduct. He had prevented the Hurons of Michilimakinac from going to war like the others, and had been negotiating for fome time with the Iroquois. He concealed however his game with an adroitnefs and fecrefy, of which few people but favages, and efpecially the Hurons, are capa¬ ble ; and whilft he went himfelf, with the deputies of the allies, to make to the Governor-General proteflations of unalterable attachment, he had fent 298 HISTORY OF CANADA. book fent his fon with thirty warriors, who w r ere en- «—:— tirely at his difpofal, to the Tfonnonthouans. They concluded with this canton a treaty, in which they comprehended the Outaouais; and, when the whole of the intrigue came to light, the party was fo completely linked together, that it became impofiible for the Sieur la Motte Ca¬ dillac to break the connection. This commander was however fo far fuccefsful as to fufpend the execution of the treaty, at leaft on the part of the Outaouais; but the Baron, who had thrown off the mafk, no longer preferved any meafures, and the French confoled themfelves with the reflec¬ tion, that a declared enemy is much lefs to be feared than a perfidious ally, particularly of the character already defcribed, whofe plans were afterwards neither avowed nor adopted by his village. Another circumflance difquieted the Sieur de la Motte Cadillac, and engaged him to manage with addrefs a deputation which fhall prefently be mentioned. The favages of his diftrict con¬ tinually complained of the high price of the French merehandife, which was indeed exorbi¬ tant. It is certain that nothing was more difad- vantageous for that people in Canada, particu¬ larly in critical conjunctures, than the littie attention which was paid to the conduft of thofe engaged in the commerce, which fubjected them more HISTORY OF CANADA. more than once to the hazard of feeing their book allies, whofe fupplies of furs became neceffary to , V1 ~ J the exigence of that commerce, forfake their l6 95- alliance for that of the Englilh. The commandant of Michilimakinac, unable of himfelf to remedy that diforder, of which he was more in a fituation than any other perfon to forefee the deftrudlive confequences, wifhed to imprefs with a full convidtion of this important truth the Governor-General and the Intendant, that they might purfue fuch meafures as would afford the defired relief. He fuggefted to the deputies, whom he fent to Montreal under a different pretext, to prefent a collar to demand a diminution of the price of merchandife, and to infill on this point as fo effential, that they were refolved not to depart from it. This they exe¬ cuted, and even went further than the Sieur de la Motte Cadillac intended. They appeared be¬ fore the Count de Frontenac as a people who propofed peace or war; and in prefenting their collar they did not diffemble, that, if he granted not their demand, they Ihould take their refolu- tion thereupon. Such a propofal, delivered with a menacing air, could not be favourably received, and the collar was rejected with difdain. The General made to the deputies the reproaches which their infolence merited j but whilft he touched this fpring, 3 °° HISTORY OF CANADA, B C vi° K ^P r ^ n ^’ k new how to check it opportunely, k, -« v »- J and mingled with marks of his difpleafure fuch manners and expreflions as difcovered more of kindnefs than of anger. He gave hope to the lavages that they fhould receive fatisfa&ion with refped to the terms of the merchandife. But, as in their difcourfe they delivered themfelves in a manner to induce the perfuafion that they were not much difpofed, independently of this article, to continue in a Hate of warfare, the General teftified great compaflion for that blindnefs, which had deprived them of the view of their real inte- refts. He added, that for his own part he was refolved to make war : that he would have been happy to have witneffed all his children join him, to avenge the blood of a great number of their brethren; but he was not in want of their aflift- ance: that he could not better punilh them for their indocility, than in leaving them at liberty to follow their inclinations : that he wilhed only to imprefs them with the truth of the advice he had already given, that the Iroquois could never have any other views with refpecl to them but their deftru&ion, and that experience ought to have made them fenfible, that that people fought to detach them from his alliance, only to arrive with greater facility at the execution of their purpofe. A degree HISTORY Of CANADA. 3°I A degree of firmnefs fo feafonable aftonifhed B 0 y 0 k the deputies, and afforded particularly to the c—< Huron chief ample matter for refle&ion, but did i 6 95* not induce him to break the filence which he had hitherto preferved: he contented himfelf with faying, that he was not charged with any fpecial meffage on that head, on the part of his nation: that his orders extended no further than to hear what his father Ononthio would be pleafed to fay, that he might make a report to his brethren. The General however, who had been inftru&ed with regard to his fecret pra&ices, told him that it was in vain to diffemble: that he well knew his intentions, of which he was under no appre- henfion. The Outaouais and the NifrifTongs then conjured M. de Frontenac to be well per- fuaded that they had no fhare in the intentions of that perfon, who might merit his difpleafure, and added, that they would not return to their country, but were refolved to remain near their father, to be ,witne(Tes of the enterprife which he was about to execute. Some time before M. le Sueur had conduced to Montreal a large convoy from the weftern extremity of Lake Superior. Whilft M. de Frontenac was giving audience to the favages who had accompanied him, a Siou chief ap¬ proached him with an air of fadnefs, fupported his hands on his knees, and, with tears in his eyes, 302 HISTORY OF CANADA. book eyes, conjured him to have companion on him : that all the other nations pofiefied a father, and that he alone was like an abandoned child. He then ftretched out a robe of beaver, on which having placed twenty-two arrows, he took them up one after the other, named at each a village of his nation, and demanded of the General to be pleafed to take them under his protection. The Count de Frontenac gave him a promife to that effeCt. But no means were afterwards taken to maintain thefe people in the alliance of the French. Confiderable advantages might have been derived from thence, by a traffic for leather and for wool, the vaft plains which they inhabit being covered with wild cattle. 1696. The fentiments of the court with refpeCt to the wars with the Iroquois were now fully explained by M. de Pontchartrain the minifter. Thefe continued ads of hoftility appeared to proceed from a jealoufy which prevailed with regard to a fuperiority in commerce for furs, with the na¬ tions of the upper country, between the inhabi¬ tants of Canada and thofe of New York ; the fituation of the Iroquois giving them great ad¬ vantages in carrying on that traffic. It was be¬ lieved alfo, that the alienation of the Outaouais and of the other natives of thefe diflant quarters, was occafioned by the French penetrating into their territories, and ufurping the commerce which HISTORY OF CANADA. 3°3 which thefe nations carried on with others more book. VI. advanced towards the north. That the paffion for traverfing the woods of Canada, more unre- flrained than ever, notwithftanding frequent prohibitions to the contrary, was the fource of all the misfortiines of the colony, and had cre¬ ated eftablifhments too remote from each other, which diffipated and weakened the population, and overturned the views which the King enter¬ tained of uniting the inhabitants within more circumfcribed limits, and of applying their at¬ tention to induftry and the cultivation of the lands. It was added, that the King, after having con- fidered the reprefentation of M. M. Frontcnac and Champigny relative to the ill-affected difpo- fition of the allies towards the French govern¬ ment, and to the difficulties and immenfe ex- pence of maintaining a communication with them in time of war, had refolved, from the advice of thofe who were acquainted with the nature of the country, to abandon Michilimakinac, and the ether advanced polls, except Fort Louis of the Ilinois, which he was inclined to maintain, on condition that the Sieurs For.et and de Tonti, on whom he had beftowed this conceffion, fhould neither of themfelves tranfport, or caufe to be tranfported, any beaver {kins into the colony. The HISTORY- OF CANADA. » 3°4 book The commerce of New France was, doubtlefs, much injured by the Canadians over-running the 1696. territories of the favages, and there introducing a fpirit of licentioufnefs, which rendered their country detefted by all the people of the conti¬ nent, and erected an unfurmountable barrier to the pTogrefs of religion. But the remedies which the King propofed to apply, were by no means practicable from the circumftances of the colony, fince it was certain that the advanced ports would have been no fooner evacuated, than they would have been feized by the Englifh, whom all the favages ertablifhed in their vicinity would have joined. Thus the Englifh and the Iroquois, ftrengthened by fuch an acquifition of force, would in one campaign have driven the French out of Canada. On. the other hand, M. de Frontenac became at length convinced of the indifpenfible neceffity of making an effort to humble the Iroquois. He was alfo perfuaded of it from the difpofitions which they evinced in the laft audience which he gave to the deputies of that nation; but what mod of all determined him to make his appear¬ ance m the cantons with all his force, was the advice which he had received from all quarters of the bad effefts which the ina&ion of the French every where produced, notw-ithftanding the hopes with which their allies had for a long 1 time HISTORY OF CANADA. time been flattered, of a great expedition againft book the common enemy. . VI i . _r Having taken this refolution, he made it i 6 9 6 * known to the commandant of Michilimakinac by a Frenchman, who fet out with the deputies of the Outaouais on their return to their coun¬ try. The meffenger found the Sieur de la Motte Cadillac in great embarraffment. Ambaffadors from the Iroquois had been received by the fa- vages of his poll:, and had obtained from them all that they wilhed; an effect of the intrigues of the Baron. They not only had concluded a treaty of peace with the Hurons and the Ou¬ taouais, but they had induced them to adopt the determination of uniting themfelves to the enemies of the French. La Motte Cadillac had in vain attempted to gain admiffion to their conference j but Onalke, chief of the Outaouais Kilkakons, had acquainted him with every thing that palled between them. It only now remained to difconcert their in¬ trigues, which became flill more difficult after the return of the deputies who had been at Mon¬ treal, and during whofe abfence the whole had been carried on. Thefe deputies publilhed on their arrival, that all the French were dead: this is an expreffion in ufe among the favages to indicate that affairs are in a ftate of defpair. They particularly affirmed, that the French vol, i, x dared History of Canada. b o^o k dared not to make their appearance at fea, that they pofiefied neither wine, nor brandy, and that i 6 9 6 ‘ they had fuffered the deputies to return in the fame fhirts which they had brought to Montreal, Ononthio not finding himfelf in a fituation to prefent them with others. In this unpleafant conjuncture la Motte Cadillac did not give him¬ felf up to defpondency. The Frenchman who had accompanied the deputies having put into his hands letters from the Governor-General, informing him of feveral advantages which had been gained by the French over the Iroquois, he made an advantageous ufe of this intelligence. He then declared, that, notwithftanding the fcar- city of merchandife, occafioned by the delay of veflels expeCted from France, which the contrary winds, and not the fear of the Englilh, had pre¬ vented from arriving at the ufual time, he would give all the articles that remained in the maga¬ zines at the fame price at which they had hither¬ to been fold, and that he would likewife deliver them upon credit. This propofal had a good efFeCt: Onafke and fome other emiffaries of the commandant, took advantage of it to open the eyes of fuch as were moft prejudiced by the con- lequences of the negotiations in which they had engaged, and when the Sieur de la Motte Ca¬ dillac faw them beginning to waver, he called them together. He told them, that if they would refleCt HISTORY OF CANADA. reflett on his conduft fince he had refided among them, they would be convinced that he had not deceived them, as they fuppofed, and had been complained of in terms of little refpett ; but that they had fuffered themfelves to be feduced by malevolent fpirits, whom they ought to have re¬ garded with diftruft. As he perceived that thefe reproaches affe&ed them, he thought it unnecef- fary to make a longer difcourfe, and without allowing them time to confult, he propofed to them to detach feveral parties againfl the Iro¬ quois, who were then on hunting expeditions with the Hurons, and fome Outaouaifians. Such is the unfortunate fituation of thofe whofe lot it is to govern barbarians without faith, and defti- tute of principles of honour, that they can never place reliance on their promifes, nor frequently find any other means to avoid becoming the vic¬ tims of their perfidy, than in the little regard, proceeding from a principle of natural levity, that they pay to their political ties. The Ou- taouais violated the faith which they had fre¬ quently fwornto maintain with the French; new engagements had attached them to the Iroquois, and they fuddenly became again their enemies. Scarcely had la Motte Cadillac ceafed from fpeaking, when Onafke Ouillamek, a chief of Pontouatami, and an Algonquin named Mikinac, havingdeclared themfelves chiefs of the enterprife, x 2 prefently 3°S B O O I VI. --- l6y6. HISTORY OF CANADA. prefently aflfembled a confiderable number of j warriors. Some Hurons immediately haftened to inform the Iroquois, who took to flight, but the Outaouais made fuch hafle that they over¬ took them. A combat began with much fero¬ city on the borders of a river, into which the Iroquois were obliged to throw themfelves, and feck for fafety by fwimming. The vi&ors brought to Michilimakinac thirty fcalps, and thirty-two prifoners, with a booty of five hundred beaver fkins. Several Hurons were among the number of prifoners, who were delivered up to their na¬ tion, which appeared fenfible of that mark of refpeft. After an event of fuch confequence, it was not to be apprehended that the Outaouais would foon come to an accommodation with the Iro¬ quois, nor with the Englilh, on whom the lofs of the booty fell, becaufe they had advanced their merchandife to the Iroquois for the future produce of their chace. Some time afterwards M. d’Agenteuil arrived at Michilimakinac,. and there publifhed an ac¬ count of great preparations which M. de Fronte- nac was making, with a defign to attack the Iroquois in their country. M. de la Motte Ca¬ dillac invited the favages to join their father; but he made known to them, that he gave this invitation of himlelf, without having received any HISTORY OF CANADA. any order on the fubjeCt from the General. Onaflce then declared, that he would go forth to fight under the banner of Ononthio, and the commandant flattered himfelf for a time that a body of four hundred warriors would march to ftrengthen the French army; but various inci¬ dents rendered thefe expectations ineffectual, and it was believed that the Hurons had fecretly op- pofed the meafure, in order to avenge themfelves of the affront which they had received by the defeat of the Iroquois. There were many different opinions refpe&ing the plan to be purfued in order to infure the fuccefs of an expedition fo defirable, by which it was hoped to put an end to a war which had frequently brought the colony to the verge of ruin, which impeded its progrefs, and by means of which the Englifh confiderably augmented their commerce, and eftablilhed their power on the continent of North America. The choice of the time for commencing the operations was principally the fubjeCt on which they who were to conduct them were not agreed. Many con¬ ceived, that the winter was the fitted period to fall upon the canton of Onnontague with all the forces of the colony, in order to have time to complete in one campaign the deftruction of all the other cantons. But the Chevalier de Cal- lieres entertained different fentiments. He told x 3 the HISTORY OF CANADA. the General, that he would not find a fufficient number of perfons who could march on fnow /hoes, carry and drag provifions and ammuni¬ tion for fuch a diftance, and deftroy a village fituated in the middle of an enemy’s country, where it was eafy for the Iroquois to afiemble in a /hort time all their warriors, and to fortify themfelves in fuch manner as to flop for a con- fiderable period the progrefs of the French army. He added, that although they might force their intrenchments, the enemy could eafily prepare ambufcades for troops loaded with baggage, and might harrafs them even to the gates of Montreal: that it was better to await the arrival of fummer, and then nothing could impede the march of all the troops, the militia, and domiciliated favages, who would compofe a body capable of facing the enemy on every fide, and of executing whatever was intended : that it might be neverthelefs at¬ tended with advantage, that a detachment fhould in the mean time proceed upon the ice to attack the Agniers, who were the neareft, and who having no expectation of fuch an enterprife might be eafily furprifed. The General adopted this advice, becaufe the feafon was fo unfavourable in the month of Janu¬ ary, that from Quebec there was no pofiibility of travelling on the river St. Lawrence, either on foot, HIST011Y OF CANADA. foot, or in a cariole, or in canoes. He ordered the Governor of Montreal to fend five or fix hundred men, to be fupplied by his government and that of Three Rivers, again!! the canton of Agnier. This party was foon in readinefs, and was on the point of marching, when authentic advice was received that their intention was dif- covered, and that the Agniers had taken the precaution to procure afliltance not only from the other cantons, but likevvife from the Englifh of New York. M. de Caliieres then fent a detachment of three hundred men under the command of M. de Louvigny, to proceed to the grand peninfula formed by Outaouais river and the St. Lawrence, and to fall upon the Iroquois huntfinen, who ufually reforted thither in great numbers at that feafon of the year. He was flopped not far from Montreal by the quantity of fnow, which fell that year in much greater abundance than ufual. He afterwards continued his rout, until within five leagues of Cataracony, with incredible fa¬ tigue, finding the fnow foft, and of the height of fix or feven feet. He detached from thence fome favages on difcovery, who after feven or eight days’ march met with ten Iroquois and a woman, of whom they killed three, and took the reft prifoners. They were brought to Montreal, where two were burnt, and the others pardoned, x 4 becaufe HISTORY OF CANADA. becaufe fome Frenchmen, who had been Haves in their country, recognifed them, and teftified, that to them they owed their lives : they were diftributed between the villages of Sault Saint Louis, the Mountain, and Lorette. Some other prifoners who were captured in the fpring, reported that the Iroquois kept them- felves during the whole winter Ihut up in their forts, and that they intended foon to come in ccnfiderable bands to prevent the French from fowing their corn. Several parties of thefe bar¬ barians accordingly fpread themfelves through the fettlements, but by the precautions of the Governor of Montreal the labours of hufbandry were not interrupted. Some habitations were furprifed by the enemy, in confequence of want of attention to the orders which had been given. In the month of May the Chevalier de Cal- lieres defcended to Quebec, to fettle with the Count de Frontenac the operations of the cam¬ paign, the preparations for which were in a ftate of forwardnefs j and when all the necefiary ar¬ rangements were made, he returned to Montreal to put in execution what had been agreed on. On the 22d of June the Governor-General there joined him, accompanied by M. de Champigny, the Chevalier de Vaudreuil, M. de Ramazay, Governor of Three Rivers, the troops and militia HISTORY OF CANADA. 3*3 militia of the government of Quebec, and of that book of Three Rivers. Thofe of the government of ..__ Montreal were already affembled, and nothing remained to be done but to begin their march. On the 4th of July ten Outaouais arrived at Montreal from the environs of Onnontague, where they had for a long time rambled, without having been able to make a Angle prifoner. At length being informed that a confiderable party was detached againft them, they retired to Cata- rocony, where the Sieur des Jordis, who there commanded, having acquainted them that the French were upon the point of marching, and that the Count de Frontenac had put himfelf at their head, they expreffed a defire to accompany him. They therefore came to make offer of their fervices, which were accepted, in the hope that feveral of their countrymen might thereby be induced to join them. They found the General at La Chine, where the army arrived the fame day, and where five hundred favages alfo affembled, of whom two divifions were formed. M. de Maricourt, a captain, had the command of the firrt, compofed of the Iroquois of Sault Saint Louis, and of the domiciliated Abenaquis. The fecond, in which were the Hu- rons of Lorette, and the Iroquois of the Moun¬ tains, was commanded by M. de Beauvais, a lieutenant. The ten Outaouais, to whom were joined HISTORY OF CANADA. 3H book joined fome iMgonquins, Sokokis, and Nipiflinga V - t formed a feparate band, with the conduct 1696. 0 f which the Baron de Behancourt charged himfelf. The troops were divided into four battalions of two hundred men each, under the orders of four experienced captains, M. M. de la Duran- taye, De Muys, Du Mefnil, and the Chevalier de Grais. Four battalions of militia were alfo formed : that of Quebec was commanded by M. de St. Martin, a reduced captain ; that of Beau- pre by M. de Grandville, a lieutenant; that of Three Rivers by M. de Grandpre, major of the place; and that of Montreal by M. des Cham- bauts, attorney-general of that town. M. de Subucafe, a captain, acted in the fituation of ma¬ jor of brigade general, and each battalion, as well of troops as of militia, had its brigade major. On the 6th of July the army encamped in the lie Perrot, and next day departed from thence in the following order. M. de Callieres led the vanguard, compofed of the fir ft band of favages, and of two battalions of troops : it was preceded by two large batteaux, in which was the commif- fary of artillery with two field-pieces, fome finall mortars, and the ammunition. Some canoes conduced by Canadians, accompanied them with all kinds of provifions. The Count de Fronte- nac HISTORY OF CANADA. 3*5 nac followed, furrounded by canoes, which car- book ried his tents and his baggage, his fervants, and —- a number of Volunteers, having with him M. le l6 A Vaflour, engineer in chief. The four battalions of militia, flronger than thofe of the troops, formed the main body, which M. de Remazay commanded under the General, and the two other battalions of troops, with the fecond band of favages, formed the rear guard, which was under the orders of the Chevalier de Vau- dreuil. The army fet out in this order, which was not interrupted during the march, except that the corps which one day formed the advanced guard, formed on another the rear guard, thus alter¬ nately changing their pofition. On the 19th it arrived at Cataracony, where it remained until the 26th, waiting for four hundred Outaouais, whom M. de la Motte Cadillac had promifed to colled, but who did not make their appearance. Some French Coureurs de Bois were to have ac¬ companied them, but likewife did not come; they dared not probably hazard the journey, be¬ lieving the country to be infefted by ftrong par¬ ties of the enemy. Twenty-fix fick men were left behind at Cataracony, greateft part of whom were wounded in afcending the rapids. On the 28th the army arrived at the mouth of thejiver Chouguen. As this river is narrow and rapid, the HISTORY OF CANADA. the General, before entering it, fent fifty fcouts by land on each fide. The firfl day they only ad¬ vanced a league and a half. The next the army was feparated into two corps, to make more difpatch, and to occupy both by land and water the two Tides of the river. M. de Frontenac took the left with M. de Vaudreuil, four batta¬ lions of troops, and one of militia. M. M. de Callieres and Ramazay, with all the remainder, held the right fide. On the evening they re¬ united, after having advanced three leagues, and halted at the bottom of a waterfall, where the river through its whole breadth pours itfelf over a perpendicular rock of twenty-five feet in height, forming a curtain of refplendent white- nefs. The greateft part of the army was unluckily drawn into the current when proceeding on the journey, above the fall, and was in danger of being carried down the precipice. The Go¬ vernor of Montreal immediately made all his men leap into the water, drag the batteaux a- Ihore, carry the cannon by land, and advance the batteaux on rollers, until they arrived to a confiderable diftance above the fall. This fer- vice, which lafted till ten o’clock in the evening, was performed by the light of flambeaux made of bark. The rapid being completely pafied, they began to march with more precaution, not HISTORY OF CANADA. 3*7 only becaufe they approached the enemy, but on book. account of the troops who advanced by land, the ^ t roads being very difficult, the Chevalier de 1696. Vaudreuil having with his troops marched five leagues along the river, wading up to his knees. At length the army entered into the lake De Gannentaha, by a place which is called the Trench , and which it would have been difficult to force, if the enemy had taken the precaution to poffefs themfelves of it. They there found two packets of junks fufpended to a tree, which, according to the cuftom of the favages, indicated that fourteen hundred and thirty-four warriors were waiting to engage the French. The army then traverfed the lake in order of battle. M. de Callieres, who commanded on the left, made a feint to defcend from that quarter where the enemy was, and at the fame time the Chevalier de Vaudreuil made a fimilar motion on the right with eight hundred men; then turning round the lake, he joined M. de Callieres. All the reft of the army then difembarked. M. le Vafieur immediately traced a fort, which was completed the following day. They there placed the magazine of provifions, the canoes, and the batteaux, and the guard was committed to the Marquis de Crifafy and to M. des Berge- res, captains, with fifty chofen men. This expe¬ dition 3 l8 HISTORY OF CANADA* book, dition not having been concealed under any pre- text foreign to its objed, the French could not 1696. exped to furprife the Iroquois. It is true, the incertitude in which they remained with refped to the particular quarter on which the ftorm would fall, kept for a long time the cantons in fufpence; but unluckily an inhabitant of the village of the mountain, who had been detached with feveral others to make prifoners, communi¬ cated to them the real defign of the French. Another piece of advice which this traitor after¬ wards gave to the canton of Tfonnonthouan, produced an effed contrary to that which he expeded: the Chevalier de Callieres, who was well acquainted with the manner of the favages, faid, on leaving Cataracony, that the Outaouais would not arrive, becaufe they had been requeft- ed to attack the canton of Tfonnonthouan, whilft the army Ihould march to Onnontague. The deferfer failed not to communicate this news to his countrymen, which was the caufe that all the warriors remained there for its defence. The fame evening a great light was perceived in the quarter of the principal village of the Onnontagues, and it was fuppofed, which was afterwards found to be the cafe, that the favages had fet it on fire. On HISTORY OF CANADA. 3*9 On the 3d of Augult the army went to en- book. camp at half a league from the place of debarka- __ tion in the vicinity of fome fait fprings. The I ^9^* following day M. de Subercafe ranged it in order of battle in two lines, and formed the neceflary detachments for tranfporting the artillery. M. de Callieres commanded the left wing, and the Chevalier de Vaudreuil that of the right: the General was between the two, carried in an arm chair, furrounded by his houfehold and the vo¬ lunteers, having the cannon in his front. The road was difficult, and they arrived not at the village before late at night: they found it re¬ duced to allies, and two Frenchmen, who had long been prifoners there, were recently mafla- cred. What appeared Hill more extraordinary was, that the enemy had deltroyed their fort, which they might have defended for a confiderable time. This fort had been conltru&ed by the Englilh, and was a parallelogram with four baftions, furrounded by a double pallifade, flank¬ ed by redoubts, with an outward inclofure of polls upwards ol forty feet in height. On the morning of the 5th, two women and a child of the village of the mountain, who had been for fix years captives at Onnontague, made their efcape and came to the camp, who gave information that feveral days before, all who were HISTORY OF CANADA. book were not in a condition to carry arms had taken v , refuge at a league from the camp. In theafter- 16^6. noon of the fame day a French foldier, who had been made prifoner at the fame time with father Milet, arrived from Ouneyouth, charged with a collar on the part of the chiefs of this canton to folicit terms of peace. The General fent him back immediately with a propofal to thofe who deputed him, that he would willingly receive their fubmiffion, but upon condition that they would come to eftablifh themfelves among the French ; that they mud not conceive that he would be amufed by feigned negotiations, and that he fhould march with troops to know their final anfwer. The Chevalier de Vaudreuil accordingly fet out for this canton, at the head of feven hundred men, with orders to cut down the corn, to burn the villages, to receive fix chiefs in quality of hoftages, and, in cafe they fhould make the fmall- eft refiftance, to put to the fword all whom he could find. On the 16th a young Frenchman, feven years a prifoner at Onnontague, made his efcape, and difcovered the place where great quantities of corn and other ftores, which the enemy were unable to carry off, were concealed. They were feized upon, the Handing corn cut down, and a fcene of devaftation carried on for two fuccefiive days. On HISTORY OF CANADA. 321 On the 8th, an Onnontague, aged near a hun- B ° y ° K dred years, was taken in the woods, being unable — • to efcape with the others, or perhaps not having l6c ' 6 ' the inclination to provide for his fafety ; for it ap¬ peared that he there awaited with intrepidity the approach of death. He was delivered into the hands of the favages, who without regard to his extra¬ ordinary age, difcharged upon him the refentment which the flight of his countrymen had excited. It was doubtlefs a Angular fpe&acle to behold more than four hundred men venting their rage again/! an objed worn down by age and decrepi¬ tude, from whom by the force of torture they were unable to extract a figh, and who ceafed not while he lived to reproach them with being the flaves of the French, of whom he affected to fpeak in terms of the greateft contempt. The only complaint that efcaped from his lips, was, that when from motives of compaflion, or per¬ haps of rage, one of them /tabbed him repeated¬ ly with a knife to put an end to his exiftence, “ Thou oughtft not,” faid he, “ to abridge my life, that thou mightfthave rime to learn to die like a man. For my own part, I die contented, be- caufe I know no mear.nefs with which to reproach myfelf.” On the 9th M. de Vaudreuil, after hav¬ ing burnt the fort and villages of the canton of Onneyouth, returned to the camp with thirty- vol. 1. y five 322 HISTORY OF CANADA. BOOK VI. 1696. five men, moft of them French prifoners whom he had liberated. He was accompanied by fome of the principal chiefs of the canton, who came to place themfelves at the mercy of M. de Fron- tenac. This General gave them a favourable reception, in the hope of drawing over others, but his expectation was vain. There was found among this party a young Agnier, who had come to Onneyouth to fee what was paffing : he was recognifed to have deferted the preceding winter from the village of the mountain, and was burnt. A council of war was affembled to deli¬ berate on what fhould be done, in order more effectually to terminate the expedition, and it was refolved to treat the canton of Goyogouin in the fame manner as they had done thofe of Onnontague and Oaneyouth, and afterwards to conftruct forts, to prevent the favages from re* eftablifhing themfelves in thofe quarters. The Chevalier de Callieres made offer to remain in that country during winter, in order to execute • the projedt. But the General afterwards altered his intention, and ordered a difpofition to be made for returning to Montreal. In vain did M. de Callieres reprefent to him that they ought at leaft, before leaving the coun¬ try, to reduce the Goyogouins, the mod fierce of all the Iroquois, and the leaft difficult to over¬ come. That for this purpofe they had only to defcend HISTORY OF CANADA. 3 2 3 defcend a fine river which conduced to that book vi, canton, and that a part of the army only was y - w —.j neceflary for this expedition. The General *^96. however perfifted in his refolution to return, which created much difcontent, and they who leafl concealed their fentiments were the Cana¬ dians, and the Iroquois of the Sault Saint Louis. The Count de Frontenac paid no attention to thefe murmurs of difapprobation. He departed on the gth, and encamped at two leagues from his fort, which he reached on the following day, and rafed it to the foundation. On the 20th he arrived at Montreal, having loft no more than fix men in his expedition, fome of whom were drowned in the rapids. He believed he had effected much in humiliating the Iroquois ; but as he was informed that the fcarcity ot provifions was not lefs great in the cantons where he had not penetrated, than in thofe he had ravaged, and that New York was by no means in a ftate to 1 697. afiift them j he hoped that this nation, in order to avoid its total ruin, would accept fuch condi¬ tions of peace as he would be pleafed to beftow. That he might more fully conftrain them to this neceffity, he refolved to profecute the war, and having allowed his army time to repofe after its fatigues, he formed feveral detachments, who harafled the enemy until the end of autumn. M. de Y 2 3H HISTORY OF CANADA. book M. de Frontenac judly conceived that the « VI _. _j Iroquois, whom he had more ftunned than fub- dued, would not fail to refuine their ferocity, and to fhew themfelves on the frontiers of the colony. But no project which he had formed to complete their humiliation fucceeded, and the affairs of the province, on account of that war, were foon found to be in the fame fituation in which they were before he made his lad cam¬ paign with a force more than fufficient effectually to ruin the cantons. The Chevalier de Callieres had received or¬ ders, towards the end of autumn, to raife in his government a confiderable body of men, and to fend them over the ice to a£t againfl: the Ag- niers; but the want of prcvifions rendered this fcheme impracticable, the crop having been very unproductive. Some parties however went out to harrafs the enemy, and took the rout to New York. One named Dubos, who conducted one of thefe bodies, after having fought for fome time, with much valour, againft the Mahingans and Agniers with fuccefs, fell into an ambufcade near to Orange. Out of fixteen, the number of which it confided, ten were killed on the fpot, Dubos and three others were wounded, taken, and brought to Orange ; two mote of the party never afterwards were heard of. A fecond HISTORY OF CANADA. 3 2 5 A fecond band of feven or eight Frenchmen b were not more happy. It was met by favages , of the mountain, who took them for Englilh, and charged them. Two were killed before the error was difcovered, and the great chief of the mountain, named Totathiron, perilhed, which was a great lofs to the colony. Thirty-three Onneyouths arrived at Montreal on the 5th of February, who faid that they had come to acquit themfelves of the promife which they had made to their father, to rank themfelves with the number of his children; that all the other inhabitants of the canton had charged them to allure him, that the reft of their nation would have followed them, if the Agnier and Onnontague had not diffuaded them ; that they had not however changed their mind, and if Ononthio would be pleafed to fend to them, they would not fail to come; that they were re- folved to fettle in whatever place he fhould aflign them, wilhing only to preferve the diftindlive name of their nation. They requefted they might be allowed Father Milet as their miflion- ary. M. de Callieres received them favourably, and wrote to the Count de Frontenac to know his intention on the fubjedt. He received there¬ upon an order to fend back their chief to Onne- youth, that he might inform his countrymen of y 3 the o o K. vi. 1697. 3 26 . HISTORY OF CANADA. book, the good reception with which he had met, and % to engage the whole to follow his example. 1697. This negotiation, and the conduct of the Onne- youths who had gone to Montreal, had occa-? fioned great umbrage to the other cantons, and the Onnontagues put themfelves in motion to oppofe their refolution. The Agniers, more impatient than the others to know in what fitua- tion matters were with refpett to the Onne- youths, fent two of their people to Quebec, on pretext of conducing thither two young ladies who had been captured the preceding year at Sorel. They gave intelligence that the Iroquois were beginning to recover from their terror j that the Englilh had made prefents to the On¬ nontagues to indemnify them for their lofTes, and to engage them to re-build their village; and that they expected to be able to fow in the enfu- ing fpring the fame fields which the French had ravaged. The two Agniers on their part demanded, in a haughty tone, of the Count de Frontenac, if the road from their canton to Quebec fhould be open. The General anfwered, that the firft Iroquois who fhould have the infolence to fpeak to him in that manner fhould be inflantly pu- nifhed: that he neverthelefs pardoned them, in confideration of the two captives which they had reflored him, but that they mud accuflom thein- felves HISTORY OF CANADA. 3 2 7 felves to fpeak in a more mild and humble tone book before him: that he would no further liften to v— —-j them until they were perfectly fubmiflive to his l 6 97 - pleafure, and until they (hould have reftored all the Frenchmen who were prifoners among them. They were detained during the remainder of the winter left they Ihould inform their country¬ men of the places where the allies had gone to the chace, and in the mean time fmall parties were ordered out from Montreal to harrafs the enemy, and to endeavour to learn what was palling in the cantons, and at New York. The Iroquois foon perceived that it was not intended to make any further ferious attempt to trouble them, and fpread themfelves every where over the country. This circunrftance obliged the Governor of Montreal to increafe his parties which he fent againft them, and he thus fuc- ceeded in breaking all their meafures. A confiderable number of the Miamis, inha¬ biting the banks of the river Maramek, one of thofe which difcharges itfelf into the eaftern part of Lake Michigan, had left that part of the coun¬ try in the month of Auguft of the preceding year, to unite themfelves with their countrymen efta- blilhed on the river St. Jofeph, and had been attacked on the way by fome Sioux, who had killed feveral of their number. The Miamis of Y 4 St. 328 HISTORY OF CANADA. u o o k St. Jofeph, informed of this att of hoftility, went into the country of the Sioux, and attacked a ,6 97 * fituation where a number of that people were entrenched with fome Frenchmen, who belonged to that clafs called Coureurs de Bois. They made feveral affaults with great refolu- tion, but they were always driven back, and obliged at length to retreat, after having loft fome of the braveft of their warriors. In return¬ ing home they met with other Frenchmen, who were carrying arms and ammunition to the Sioux; they took from them every thing they had, without doing them further mifchief. They afterwards made known to the Outaouais what had happened, who fent a deputation to the Count de Frontenac, to reprefent to him that it was abfolutely neceffary to appeafe the Miamis, whofe difcontent was fo ftrong that it might in¬ duce them to join with the Iroquois. The Ge¬ neral made fuch an anfwer to the deputies as was proper in a conjunfture fo delicate, and took fuch meafures as he conceived would prevent any ill confequences from that unfortunate affair. They reltrained not however the Miamis from continuing to ufe reprifals, when occafion pre- fented itfelf. The former complaints againft running throughout the woods, and the laft re- prefentations of all thofe inhabitants who were zealous of preferving good order in the colony, had HISTORY OF CANADA. 3 2 9 had the defired eHed. So late as the foregoing » ° v ° K year, the King had exprefsly forbid the Gover- nor-General to permit any Frenchman to afcend into the countries of the favages, with a view of trading there. Some of the council of Canada were of opinion, that the King fhould be Suppli¬ cated to limit this reflraint. It was fuggelted that a middle line might be adopted, which was not to maintain among the diflant favage nations more than two polls, Michilimakinac and the river St. Jofeph ; to limit the number of French¬ men who Ihould be permitted to go thither, and to take various other precautions, which Ihould afterwards be pointed out, to Hop the abufe, of which it was with reafon complained. M. de Frontenac was far from approving of thefe temperate meafures, which diminilhed his authority, and as he conceived that, in literally obeying the order which has been mentioned, inconveniences would happen, which would oblige the council of the King to bring back matters to their former footing, he acquainted the minilter, that in order to conform to the in¬ tentions of his majelty, he would recal all French¬ men from the diflant polls; but the unhappy affair of the Miamis, caufed by the Coureurs de Bois t made him fear that even the propolul of retaining only two forts would not be accepted, and that they who had awakened the zeal of the Prince, HISTORY OF CANADA. 33 ° book Prince, would take advantage of this new inci- % 1 ‘_, dent to folicit the entire execution of the lad i 6 97* orders of the court. The General therefore began to think the modifications which had been propofed more reafonable, becaufe they at lead preferved to him a part of the whole, which he was upon the point of lofing, and he joined thofe who had given thefe propofals in reprefenting to the miniftry, that there exided an indifpenfible neceffity for not touching the pods of Micnilimakinac and of the river St. Jofeph, and that an officer and twelve men ought to be maintained in each. That it was not practicable to fupport thofe pods, if at lead twenty*five canoes, laden with merchandife, were not fent thither every year. That for the fafety of the miffionaries, it was ne- ceifary to detach troops from time to time among the favages. That the licences for vending merchandife to Upper Canada were a refource for relieving the indigence of many refpedtable families to whom they were given, and who fold them to the merchants and voyageurs ; and that if this dependence was cut off, another mode of provifion for their fudenance mud be devifed. In fine, that thefe voyages ferved to retain in the country a number of young men, who were of no other employment, and who, if they could not profecute this, would go in fearch of fubfidence in HISTORY OF CANADA. 33 1 in the Englifli colonies, which would add rtrength to thofe, and proportionably enfeeble the French. Some of this reafoning was not altogether found, and part of it proved that there exilted evils, to which it was dangerous to apply too fudden a remedy. After having weighed the whole, the council concluded, that to abandon the ports, after having eftablifhed and lupported them with great expence, and after giving reafon for the allied favages to look upon them as a great advantage to their refpe&ive nations, would expofe thefe people to the temptation of giving themfelves wholely to the Engluh. Several merchants had, a confiderable time before this period, alfociated themfelves for the purpofe of carrying into effect the ertablilhment of a filhery in Canada, but had not been able to ascertain the place which fhould feem bed adapted, and the fafeft for an enterprife of this nature. The perfon who firft fuggefted the plan was the Sieur Reverin, a man of an enlightened, a&ive, and enterprifing mind, whom obrtacles could not eafily diicourage or deprefs. The harbour of Mom Louis, firuated on the fcuthern coaft of the river St. Lawrence, amongrt the mountains of Noire Dame , and nearly half way between Quebec and the extremity of the gulph, was chofen as the mod convenient place for this purpofe. BOOK VI. > 6 97- 33 2 HISTORY OF CANADA. book purpofe. In this harbour, which is at the mouth L , _ , of a river, the anchoring ground is good, and 1697. the veflels which may lie in the road are expofed to no wind except from the north, which feldom blows during fummer. The river is capable of receiving veflels of one hundred tons burden. They are there fheltered in every quarter, from ftormy weather and from an enemy, becaufe it can only be entered at high water; and when the tide is low, there only remain in the entrance two feet of water, although in the river itfelf veflels may be a*float. It has alfo the advantage of being eafily defended, having on one fide in- acceflible mountains, and on the other a point of land about three or four hundred yards in length, forming a peninfula, upon which a fort might be conftructed. This is a fituation well calculated for drying the filh, which are in fuffi- cient plenty on this fide the river, throughout an extent of many leagues, from Cape Rollers at the entrance of the St. Lawrence, as far as the river Matane. Whales may likewife be caught fifteen leagues higher up. The foil near Mont Louis is capable of producing corn, and the pafturage is fufficiently good. All the veflels which afcend to Quebec pafs in view of Mont Louis, and confiderable advan¬ tages might be derived from fettling this poll, where veflels in want of water and provifions. in htstorV of Canada. 333 in fo long a navigation as that of the St. Law¬ rence, might procure thofe neceflary articles. A flate quarry was alfo difcovered there, which might have been worked with fuccefs, had that fpecies of covering been in ufe for the towns in Canada, whereby conflagrations would have been rendered lefs frequent and dreadful than they have always been, from fuch quantities of wood being employed in the conftru&ion of the buildings. Some of the inhabitants being advifed to fiffi in the harbour of Mont Louis, caught a great abundance of cod, although in want of many things neceflary for fuch an undertaking, and it was from the favourable report made by them that the company of the Sieurs Reverin agreed to form a fettlement in that fituation. Every thing being prepared for entering upon this projeft, many inhabitants fet out in boars for Mont Louis, and a veflel loaded with fait and all kinds of provifions was at anchor in the road of Quebec, waiting for a fair wind, when, to¬ wards the end of May, the Count de Frontenac received an order to be upon his guard againff the Englilh, and not to fuffer any veflel to de- fcend the river. This fituation of affairs, in- aufpicious to the enterprife of M. de Reverin, difcouraged his afiociates. Continuing however refoluce for its execution, he gave every encou- 2 ragement hook: vi. —--- 1697. HISTORY OF CANADA. 334 book rageinent in his power to thofe who had already tJ i gone thither, and in the following year the fifhery , ^97 > and the harvefk were fo plentiful, as fully to anfwer every expeftation which had been formed. By the laft velfels which arrived this year from France, the Governor received a new order from the King, which occafioned him confider- able difquiet; it contained an abfolute prohibi¬ tion againft any officer or foldier who ffiould be detached to the diftant polls, carrying on any commerce, on pain, for the officers, of being calhiered ; and for the foldiers, of being fent to the galleys. The fame penalty was extended to the voyageurs , none of whom the King would fuller to go into thofe parts, enjoining the com¬ mandants of forts to arrell all whom they Ihould find, and to fend them to Quebec for trial. M. de Frontenac was unwilling to aft to the extent of this order, perfuaded of the evil con- fequences that would attend its execution. And as the firft publication of it had excited mur¬ murs and movements of difeontent, he conceived himfeli juftifiable in making remonltrances there¬ from to the council. They produced however no effect, and M. Ponchartrain anfwered him to the following purpofe: That he had placed too great a reliance on the reprefentations of perfons, who, from a principle ftlSTORY or CANADA. 335 principle of avidity were interefled in fupporting cook ' the traffic in the woods, and that if he had at- ^ tentively reflected on the inconveniences which ,6 97 * it was the means of introducing, he would have been more inclined to condemn a pra&ice whofe tendency was fo pernicious. That by relinquifir¬ ing this mode of carrying on commerce, the favage allies would not, as had been aflerted, join themfelves to the Iroquois, and make war upon the French: that, on the contrary, fuch a meafure would produce a very different effect, provided pains were taken to explain to the favages, that his majefty, in iffuing this prohibi¬ tion, intended they fhould receive the merchan- dife of the French at the firft hand, be permitted to fell their furs with entire liberty, and procure to themfelves the profits of commerce with the favage nations who were more remote. That his recolle&ion of the events which had taken place in Canada, might perhaps ferve to convince him that the war which had been fo long fuf- tained againfl the Iroquois with fo much trouble and expence, arofe principally from the plans which M. de la Barre had adopted of eflablifhing a commerce with the remote nations. That thefe favages who had long been in alliance with the Englifh, would not fail foon to declare againft them, if the latter paffed through their * territory 33*5 HISTORY OF CANADA, book territory to traffic direftly with the didant lavage VI. __nations. *697. The prefervation of the advanced polls, to which the King had confentcd, on the reprefen- tations of the Intendant and of the Governor of Montreal, foon however procured the re-eda- blifhment of the licences, and of the commerce which it was the intention of minilters to abolilh. The Governor-General began now to enter¬ tain the hope of an approaching and durable peace with the Iroquois, becaufe Loth they and the Englilh had experienced great difadvantages during the lad campaign, which the Abinaquis had terminated by a vigorous enterprife, hav¬ ing made themfelves mailers, with the hatchet in their hand, of a fort which was only fix leagues from the capital of New England, and the garrifon of which had all been killed or captured. About the fame time a party of Iroquois having gone with a view to furprife the Outaouais, were difcovered, and entirely de¬ feated by the Hurons. But what tended to complete the conderna- tion of thefe ferocious enemies, was a check which they received in the vicinity of Cataro- cony. The Chaudiere Noire , an Onnontaguc captain, and fird chief of all the Iroquois na¬ tions, HISTORY OF CANADA. 337 tions, who pofieffed the higheft credit of his b o o k countrymen, approached the fort with about forty warriors, under pretence of hunting ; and i6 97 - the better to conceal his intentions, he lent to acquaint M. de la Gameraye who commanded there, that the ancients of the four upper can¬ tons were upon the point of departing for Quebec to conclude a peace. This indeed w r as true, as thefe were the deputies of whom men¬ tion has already been made. But as he was known for a perfonal enemy of the French, and as his envoys had the imprudence to add, that the Iroquois youth were gone to attack the Outaouais, to avenge themfelves for the great lodes which thefe favages for upwards of a year had occafioned them, it was not doubted that he had fome hoftile defign. M. de la Gameraye would not, however, attack him at a period when he knew the General was actually nego¬ tiating with the cantons. He was contented with keeping a drift obfervation on the conduft of the Iroquois chief, and by acquainting the General of what was going forward. He received for anfwer, that he was not to act hoftilely againlt the Iroquois, but to endea¬ vour to get pofleflion in a tranquil manner of fome of the chiefs belonging to the party of the Chaudiere Noire, and to fend them to Quebec. VOL. i. z Whilfl: HISTORY OF CANADA. 33 8 book Whilfl: the Iroquois, with full confidence of their fecurity, were employed in the chace, near l(r ' 97 - Catarocony, thirty-four Algonquins furprifed them at the Bay of Quinte, killed one half their number, among whom was the chief himfelf, and captured his wife with fome other pri- foners. I HISTORY OF CANADA. 339 BOOK VII. Death of Oureohare at Quebec.—Meffage of the Governor of New Fork. — Anfiver.—Propofal for the Re-ejla- blijhment of Peace with the Cantons■—Death of L?uis de Bouade, Count de Frontenac.—Continuation of hit Character.—The Chevalier de Callieres, Governor- General.—Deputies of the Iroquois and of the Allies attend a Conference at Montreal.—Treaty of Peace entered into between the Governor-General and the Savages.—Death of M. de Collieres.—His Character. —Succeeded by the Marquis de Vaudreuil. — Conference of the Outaouais and Iroquois at Montreal —Tumult at Detroit.—A Party of the French and Savages attack and burn a Fort of the Fngli/h.—Expeditions of the Fnglijh , and of the French. /""Xureohare, who arrived at (Quebec, affured B ° ° K the General that his canton of Goyo- - 8, fpondence and a free communication, which are the ufual fruits of peace, might be renewed on both Tides, conformably to the union which it had caufed between the kings of England and France. The French General faid in reply, that al¬ though he had not received on the part of the King his matter a confirmation of peace, he would make no difficulty to reftore to M. Schuyler and Delius fuch of the Englifh and Dutch as were prifoners in his government, and who were in¬ clined to return to their country. That he could not deliver up the Iroquois prifoners upon a pro- mife of the French, who were among that people, being reftored. That fince laffc autumn he had been negotiating with them, and hoftages being left in token of fulfilment of their promife, it was with them alone he could fettle that bufinefs. That his orders with regard to this point were fo precife, that he could not depart from that principle, or pretend to fet it afide. That any difficulty which might arife from this article would not, he hoped, alter the good undemand¬ ing which he wiffied ffiould be maintained be¬ tween the two colonies. z 3 About HISTORY OF CANADA. About two months afterwards fome of the Iroquois of the Sault Saint Louis came to com¬ municate to the General intelligence refpe&ing the Agniers, which afforded much fatisfaclion. They had newly arrived from this canton, where they had been to vifit their relations, a duty which thefe favages, even in times of the mod active hoflility, could not refrain from perform, ing. They reported, that during their hay in that canton the Governor-General of New England there held a great council, at which the ancients of the five cantons affifted : that the Agniers had fet out w'ith declaring that they were the foie mailers of their territories, where they had been eflablifhed long before the appearance of the F.nglifh in America: that to fhew him that all the places occupied by the nation belonged to it alone, they configned to the flames all the papers which had been given them, or which they had ligned on different occafions. They at the fame time made a propofal which tended to foften this mortification, and induced him to diflemble his refentment: this was, to de¬ tain the favages of the Sault Saint Louis who were amongfl them until the Count de Frontenac fhould reflore all the Iroquois prifoners. He would not however confent to this breach of faith. HISTORY OF CANADA. 343 faith, left the odium fhould be attached to him- b o o k felf. He even added, that the cantons ought w——< not to be furprifed if their affairs were in fo bad l6 9 ®- a ftate; and, to procure peace with the French, they ought to demand it by a general deputation from the five cantons: that he wifhed to procure them peace, which had now become neceffary for their own prefer ration; but that to place him in a fituation to terminate this important object with advantage, it was neceffary they fhould de¬ liver into his care all their prifonerSj whom he would engage to condud in fafety to Montreal. He then told them, that he knew they were al¬ ways at war with nations who ftiled themfelves the allies of the French: that he would leave them at liberty to profecute it, or to make peace; but that he prohibited them from engaging in any ads of hoftility againft the French, and againft their domiciliated favages. Addrefling himfelf afterwards to the Iroquois of the Sault Saint Louis, he faid, that he was happy to fee them in his territory, that they fhould always be welcome there, and that they muft bury in obli¬ vion all former enmity. He accompanied thefe marks of kindnefs by prefents, which were ac¬ cepted ; but they told him that they could give him no fatisfadory anfwer, nor enter into any arrangement with him, becaufe they had to this z 4 effed 344 HISTORY OF CANADA. book efFeCl no commifllon from their ancients, no? <_ v/ J._» from their father Ononthio. 1698. Th e ancients agreed to the propofal, but with¬ out fpecifying the particular period at which its operation fhould begin. The General compre¬ hended that the Englifh Governor and the Iro¬ quois mutually preferved a defire of tranquillity, whilll at the fame time they entertained for each other fentiments of diftruft. That the latter were fatisfied with the fupport of the former, only to be able to procure better terms, and that the Englifh Governor was inclined to take advantage of the conjun&ure of affairs, to eftablifh over the cantons the right of fovereignty of the crown of England. It would not, he conceived, be im¬ practicable to make an advantageous ufe of thefe difpofitions on either fide, and for this end the molt certain means would be to gain over the Iroquois, by pointing out to them that the Eng¬ lifh aimed at exercifing an authority over their country and their perfons. With this view, having learnt that feveral of the Agniers had come to the Sault Saint Louis to vifit their friends, he not only recommended that they fhould be kindly received, but he invi¬ ted them to Montreal, where nothing was omitted to regale them, and to teftify the fatisfaClion which their prefence excited. They were fen- fible HISTORY OF CANADA. 345 fible of the attention, and remained in that city book a confiderable time with a confidence, from > which the inhabitants were inclined to augur i6 9 3 - happy confequences. It was for thefe favages a flattering circumftance, to fee themfelves courted by two powers, either of which was able to de- ftroy them in one campaign, and whofe mutual jealoufy they well knew how to manage, in order to make themfelves of confequence, and in fome degree refpe&ed by both. Louis de Bouade Count de Frontenac died about this period, in the feventy-eighth year of his age. He had pofleffed a conftitution as rebuff and ftrong as could poflibly be enjoyed at fo ad¬ vanced a feafen of human life, preferving all the energy and vivacity of fpirit with which, in his youth, he was endowed. lie died as he had lived, beloved by many, refpccted by all, and with the credit of having, almofl without the aid of fupplies from France, fupported, and even in- creafed the flrength of a colony, expofed and attacked on every fide, and which he found, when he laft was appointed to its government, on the precipice of ruin and decline. He at all times difplayed a great attachment to religion, of which, even to the day of his death, he gave public proofs. He w^as never accufed of being interefted, but w'as paflionately fond of patronage and power. In his lafl expedition againft the Iroquois, he fuddenly HISTORY OF CANADA. 34<5 book fuddenly withdrew from a refolution, which with v,_— ■ the advice of his principal officers he had taken, 1698. t 0 exterminate the whole of that favage nation, a meafure which he then might, with little diffi¬ culty, have effe&ed. No other reafon can be affigned for his conduct on that occafion, but a conviction that w'hen his foes became lefs for¬ midable, a reduction of the troops under his command would confequently take place, and his influence and authority w'ould thereby be di- minilhed. A jealoufy and fullennefs of temper, of which he was never wholly diverted, obfcured, in a great degree, the luftre of his fuccefies, and be¬ lied the dignity of his general character, which difplayed firmnefs and refolution, combined with a noble elevation of fpirit. 1699. The arrival of the firft Ihips from France an¬ nounced to the Chevalier de Callieres, Governor of Montreal, that the King had appointed him fuccefior to M. de Frontenac; and the fatisfac- tion which feemed to pervade every clafs of people in the colony, on the occafion, was not lefs flattering to him than the choice of his fovereign. The government of Montreal, which was va¬ cated by the promotion of M. de Callieres, was given to the Chevalier de Vaudreuil. The HISTORY OF CANADA. 347 The Governor-General of New England hav- b o o k: ing received inftruCtions from his fovereign to •——^ oblige the Iroquois to difarm, refumed the de- ,6 "* fign of rendering himfelf foie arbiter of the treaty with the Governor-General of New h ranee. Acquainted with the engagements into which the cantons had entered with the late Count de Frontenac, he required of them to fend deputies to Orange. To this they ftrongly objected, and, furprifed at the refufal, he fent to them confi¬ dential perfons, who prevailed on them to pro¬ tract the negotiation. They therefore did not appear at Montreal, although they had recently promifed to the Chevalier de Callieres to repair to that place, and had even fpecified the time on which they fliould arrive. The General there¬ fore, to guard againft a furprife from thefe bar¬ barians, made aCtive preparations for war, fliould they be inclined to renew their hoftilities. He difpatched meffengers to Onnontague, to inform the cantons, that they were confidered by the Englifh as fubjeCts of their King, and that they had nothing to expeCt from New York, becaufe the Governor-General of New England had or¬ ders not to afford them any affiftance either di¬ rectly or otherwife, and gave them to underftand that it would be no difficult matter for him to reduce them by force, fhould they refufe to make peace HISTORY OF CANADA# peace on the conditions which his predeceffor had propofed to them. This meafure produced the defired effect: the cantons did not, indeed, think fit to embroil themfelves with the Englilh, of whofe. aid they might afterwards be in want; they judged it more prudent to diffemble the refentment which they felt at the pretenfions of that nation, and contented themfelves with declaring that they would continue to be the brothers, but would not become the fubjedls of the Englilh. The latter, on their part, thought it neceffary to re¬ main on good terms with them. At length the cantons, after having hefitated for fome time, and endeavoured to avenge their Ioffes on fome of the French allies, by whom they conceived they had been occafioned, when they found that this plan did not fucceed, ferioufly thought of com¬ ing to an accommodation, whilft it was practi¬ cable without difcredit, and with fome advan¬ tage. In confequence of this refolution, on the 21ft of March two Iroquois were jent to the French General. They were not inverted with any powers, but were charged with announcing a general deputation of the cantons in the month of July,^and made, for this delay, fome frivolous excufes, with which M. de Callieres was by no means HISTORY OF CANADA. 349 means fatisfied. Three months afterwards, a b o^o k confiderable number of Outaouais difembarked ——/ at Montreal, where the General then was, and 1 7 °°* informed him that the Iroquois having come to hunt on their lands, they had attacked them, and killed twenty-eight perfons, both men and wo¬ men: that the remainder of the party having reprefented to them, that they had conceived they were at liberty to hunt every where, fince all hoftilities had been fufpended on the part of the French and their allies, they had given their promife not to decide the fate of the prifoners, until they had become acquainted with the plea- fure of their father Ononthio. M. de Callieres, after having patiently heard them, faid, that they had not informed him of the whole : that notwithftanding his injunftions to the contrary, they had been to attack the Sioux, and that after the blow which they had given to the Iroquois, they had lent fome of their prifoners to the cantons, to negotiate with them, without his participation: that fuch con¬ duct was not juftifiable, as they afted with inde¬ pendence in an affair of importance, even after the affurances he had given them that he would conclude no terms with the Iroquois but in con¬ cert With them : that they mull have forgot the treatment they had often received from that people, by fo eafily placing confidence in them: that HISTORY OF CANADA. 35° book that he hoped they would for the future be more ~vw confiderate and circumfpect: that he daily ex- I 7 C0 - pefied the deputies of the cantons, and if on their arrival the chiefs of the allied nations Ihould not be at Montreal, he would acquaint them by an exprefs of his intentions: that in the mean while he hoped they would remain tranquil, and treat their prifoners with kindnefs. On the 18th of July two deputies of the can¬ ton of Onnontague, and four of that of Tfon- nonthouan, arrived at Montreal, where they had a public audience from the General. They were conducted with ceremony to the General’s quar¬ ters, and in proceeding through the ftreets they deplored the death of the French who had fallen during the war, and called on their departed (hades to witnefs the fincerity of their proceed¬ ings. As foon as they were introduced into the council chamber, where the Governor was with all his attendants, they declared that they were come on the part of the four upper cantons, by whom they were inverted with powers: that for fome time they had entertained a defign of treat¬ ing without the participation of the Agniers, and that if there did not appear amongft them any perfon of the cantons of Goyogouin and Onne- vouth, it was, becaufe the Governor of New England having fent Colonel Schuyler to difluade 7 them HISTORY OF CANADA. them from coming to Montreal, the deputies of thefe cantons were fent to inquire of him his reafons for oppofing their journey thither. They then complained, that having gone on parties to the chace, without any apprehenfion of danger, and on their being affured that the war between France and England was concluded by a treaty in which the allies of the two nations were comprehended, the Outaouais and the Mi- amis had attacked them, and killed a hundred and fifty of their people. They requefted that Father Bruyers, and M. M. de Maricourt and Joncaire, might accompany them in their return home, as nothing would more fully convince the cantons that their father fincerely wifhed for peace, than his condefcending to grant that feli¬ citation. They added, that thefe three ambaffa- dors Ihould not depart from their country until they conduced with them all the French prifon- ers who were there detained. The Chevalier de Callieres faid, that he was furprifed that the deputies of Onneyouth and Goyogouin had been fent to the Governor of New England, inftead of coming with them to fulfil the engagements which they had entered into with him, and with the late M. de Frontenac. That he had endeavoured to diffuade his allies from the commilfion of any aft of hoflility during the negotiation for geace; but, that affected delays 352 HISTORY OF CANADA, book delays on the part of the cantons, and the irrup- . - 1 — tion of fome Iroquois on the Miamis, had drawn 1 7 co » upon themfelves the misfortunes which they lamented: that he however regreted them, and that to prevent fitnilar accidents he had required deputies from all the nations : that if the Iroquois fincerely wifhed for peace, they would not fail to fend, in thirty days, amoafladors from all the cantons: that then all the cauldrons of war would be overfet, the great tree of peace eftablifhed, the rivers freed from all embarralfments, the ways laid open ; and that then, people of every country might travel in fecurity. • He confented that the miffionary and the two officers whom they demanded Ihould accompany them in quell of the prifoners, but upon condi¬ tion that they Ihould alfo bring with them am- baffadors inverted with ample powers to eftablilh a durable peace: that on their arrival at Mon¬ treal, he would reftore liberty to all the Iroquois prifoners, but he required that an equal number with the perfons whom he intrufted to them Ihould remain as hortages until their fafe return. Four of- the deputies made an offer to remain, and were accepted : the audience parted in fuffi- cient tranquillity, except that fome Iroquois Chrirtians and Abinaquis, who were invited there, fpoke with much haughtinefs, and loaded with reproaches the deputies of the two cantons. M. de HISTORY OF CANADA. 353 M. de Callieres, in taking leave of them, declared book that he would wait for the ambafladors until the ■_ -.^j month of September. , 7°°* The welcome manner in which they were re¬ ceived at Onnontague furpafied their expecta¬ tions. From the Lake Gannentaha, where they had come to meet them, they were led in tri¬ umph to the great village of the canton. Tega- nilforens, in quality of orator, advanced to com¬ pliment them with expreflions of kindnefs and gratulation; and as this favage had always main¬ tained an invariable confiftency of condudl with refpeCt to the French, and took no part, either in the violations of promife, or in the violent refo- lutions of his nation, the three envoys entertained no doubt of his fincerity. On their entering the village, platoons of mufquetry were fired; they were afterwards profufely regaled, and on the loth of Augufl: were introduced into the cabin of council, where they found the deputies of all the upper cantons. When every perfon was feated in his place, Father Bruyas, who was commiffioned as fpeaker, began by exhorting the cantons to remember that Ononthio w 7 as their father, and that their duty and intereft equally bound them to remain in obedience and fubrnif- fion, as became children, whether they might be upon good or upon bad terms with the Governor of New York, who was only their brother. VOL. i. a A He HISTORY OP CANADA. lie teftified his regret for the lofs the Iroquois nation had fuftained by the death of feveral of their chiefs, and he affured them that the miffion- aries had not altered the favourable opinion and regard which they entertained for the cantons, notwithflanding the evils which feveral of that order had experienced among them : their fuffer- ings they much lefs lamented than the blindnefs of their perfecutors, and the invincible obflinacy of the nation in rejeding the light of the Gofpel. He declared that the new Ononthio was fincerely difpofed for peace, and that he would grant them that defirable enjoyment, provided they would on their part ad towards him with mutual inge- nuoufnefs. He explained the conditions on which he would treat with them. They were liflened to with great attention, and with apparent fatisfac- tion. When Father Bruyas had concluded, M. de Maricourt arofe, and after expreffing himfdf with much tefped towards the Iroquois, he omitted nothing to convince them that they would have much to apprehend from the formidable refentment of their father, if they accepted not of the peace which he offered them, upon conditions fo very favourable as thefe which had been recently explained to them; and on the contrary, how much they might exped from him and from all the French, if they would em- 7 brace HISTORY OF CANADA. 355 brace with unrelenting fmcerity their genuine book • n vil. mtereiis. _ < As they were next day deliberating on the anfwer which they fliould make to the ambaffa- dors, a young Englilhman and an Onnontague arrived from Orange, and faid on the part of the Governor of New England, that they ought with caution to liften to the French, and that he ex¬ pected them in ten or twelve days at Orange> where he would make known to them his plea- fure. This imperious meffage gave offence to the council, and nothing perhaps could more contribute to increafe their approach to a recon¬ ciliation w'ith the French than fo ill-timed a meafure. “ I do not comprehend,” immedi¬ ately replied Teganifforens, “ what can be the “ intention of my brother, by endeavouring to M. Brouillan, Governor of Acadia, having I 7 00 - learnt that veffels from England were expeded at Bofton, whofe deftination was againft Quebec, and to cruife ia the gulph and river of St. Law¬ rence, difpatched a courier to make known this intelligence to M. de Callieres. Of this the Ge¬ neral had already received information, and was further told, that the militia of New York was on its way to Bofton ; that the Iroquois were ftrong- ly folicited by the Governor of New England to expel the French miflionaries from their country; that fome of the cantons had agreed to that pro- pofal; that many of the Indian allies were in treaty with the Englilh, by the interpofition of the Iroquois, and that fome of them alleged, as an excufe for their condud, the high price of the goods fupplied by the French. This old ground of complaint, which was but too well founded, arofe, in part, from the poverty of the inhabitants of Canada, and in part from the avarice of the merchants of the country, as well as of thofe of France; it became, therefore, a plaufible pre¬ text, which the favages could always introduce, to cover their inconftancy, or to conceal their difaffedion. In fuch aconjundure, it was rdquifite thatM. de Callieres ftiould firft endeavour to defeat the intrigues 3 6 4 HISTORY OF CANADA B o^o k intrigues of his enemies among the cantons of the Iroquois, and it was here that he commenced I 7 °°* his operations. He then wrote to his court for reinforcements, and turned his views towards completing the fortifications of Quebec, taking every other precaution which his experience and aflivity could fuggeft. He was, in himfelf, the greatefl refource of which New France could boaft, but (he had the misfortune to lofe him, at a period when his fervices were become more than ever eflential. He died on the 26th of , 7 ° 3 * May, and the regret felt for his lofs manifefted, on the part of the inhabitants, that they eftimated his merits as not inferior to thofe of the mod ac- complifhed leaders that the colony had ever poflefled. Of talents lefs brilliant than thofe of his pre- deceffor, he was endowed with more folidity of temper ; unprejudiced, unbiafled by pafiion, his views were difinterefted and upright. His firm- nefs was influenced by reafon, his valour by mo¬ deration and coolnefs of difpofition. He poflefled an excellent underftanding, whofe di&ates were always guided by probity and honour. To a penetrating genius were added all the aids which application and experience can impart. From the firft outfet of his military career in the colony he had gained a great influence over the favages, to whom he never violated his promife. By HISTORY OF CANADA. 3 6 S By his death the office of Governor devolved book J t # V1I . upon the Marquis de Vaudreuil, whofe fervices __j had rendered him fo great a favcfurite among the 1 7°3* people, that they united in petitioning the King for his being appointed fucceffor to M. de Cal- lieres: a mark of general fatisfa&ion, which was not difpleafing to the monarch, who, having already a partiality for the charadler of the Mar¬ quis, was pleafed to accord with their wifhes. Convinced of the advantages of gaining the Iroquois, that officer paid great attention to the Tfonnonthouans, who came to Quebec foon after the death of M. de Callieres. He fent to accom¬ pany them to this country the Sieur Joncaire, who had already negotiated with fuccefs in that canton, and was again fo fortunate as to prevail on one of the principal chiefs to attend him to Canada. This favage thanked the Governor- General for his kindnefs in promifing prote&ion againfl the enemies of his nation: he exprefled much regret that the Onnontagues had not fent deputies to congratulate the Governor, and for the fufpicion of unfavourable intentions which fuch an omiffion might occafion. He then con¬ tinued as follows: “ We have never yet communicated what I “ am about to difclofe. Hitherto we have pre- “ tended to be the foie proprietors of our terri- <£ tories, and it was on this account that we adopted 3 66 HISTORY OF CANADA. BOOK VII. * 703 * 1 7®5* “ adopted the meafure of becoming only fpefla- “ tors of what paffed between thee and the “ Englifh: but/behold a collar, which I prefent, “ to declare to thee, that we invert: thee with the “ abfolute domain of our country. Thus, my “ father, if any unfortunate circumftance Ihould “ occur to us, or Ihould we have recourfe to “ thy aid, confider us as thy children, and place ’ for this purpofe. But the difcourfe which he had given, and the propofal which he made, ferved only to confirm them in the thought that he wi/hed to betray them by means of the chief of the Hurons, who was of a deceitful and in¬ triguing fpirit; and they imagined that this man aCted in concert with the Miamis, who, they fup- pofed,only pretended to march againd the Sioux, in order to fall upon them whild they might be unprepared, and that the Iroquois were engaged in the confpiracy. Their fufpicions every day gained drength by the new intelligence which they received from every quarter, and which would have made little impreflion upon them if their mind had not been pre-occupied ; they therefore refolved to anticipate the defigns of the Miamis. Thofe among them who poflefled the mod reflection, wilhed firft to come to an ex¬ planation with the French ; but the greater num¬ ber, influenced by a chief named the Heavy, was of a contrary opinion. This chief recalled to their recollection all the caufes of didrud which had been given by the commandant of Detroit, and the refolution was taken to fall upon the Miamis on the fird occafion that fhould prefent . irfelf j but in the mean time to aflume the ap- bb 4 pearance HISTORY OF CANADA. •pearance of preparing to make war againft the Sioux. All being in readinefs to depart for this expe¬ dition, the chiefs of the Outaouais went to find Bourgmont, and enquired of him if he had re¬ ceived no account from Quebec or from Mon¬ treal. That officer appeared not even to attend to what was faid, which gave them much offence: almoft at the fame time the dog of Bourgmont having bit one of the favages in the leg, who in confequence thereof beat the animal, the com¬ mandant fell upon the favage with great fury, and gave him fo many violent and repeated blows that he died a ffiort time after. This a£t of violence threw the Outaouais into defpair. They departed the following day breathing out vengeance, convinced that it was neceffary for their prefervation. No perfon but the chiefs was however inftruft- ed with their defign, the reft of the nation ex¬ pecting to march againft the Sioux; but when they had gained the woods, the whole were in¬ formed of what had occurred, and it was recom¬ mended that no injury lhould be offered either to the French or to the Hurons. They returned home, and fome time after having met fix of the Miamis, they attacked them and killed five. The fixth efcaped into the fort, crying out that the Outaouais were killing them. At this cry all the HISTORY OF CANADA. 3 77 the Miamis who were yet in the village ran to boor take refuge in the fort, and as they perceived the -__^ Outaouais purfuing them, the commandant gave l 7 c ^‘ orders to fire upon them, and feveral were killed. Father Conftantin, a recollet, was walking in his garden, ignorant of what was palling ; fome Ou¬ taouais feized and bound him ; but Jean le Blanc, one of their chiefs who had allifted at the afiem- bly of Montreal when the general peace was figned, releafed him, and requeued that he would go and inform the commandant, that the Outa¬ ouais wilhed not to attack the French, and beg that he would ceafe from firing on them. As the recollet was entering the fort, fome Miamis who were running thither came up with him, which the Outaouais perceiving difcharged their fufils, and Father Conftantin receiving a Ihot immediately fell dead. A French foldier who was returning from the village of the Iiurons was alfo killed in the fame manner. They con¬ tinued to fire from the fort, and thirty of the Outaouais were killed. There was reafon to be¬ lieve that this tumult would only ceafe by the deftrudtion of one of the parties, who appeared enraged againfl each other, and were guided only by the dictates of revenge; but, when it was dealt expefted, the Outaouais retired into their village: the other favages afted in the fame manner, and tranquillity was re-eftablilhed. Intelligence 373 HISTORY OF CANADA. book Intelligence of what had happened being car- c—v-—» ried to Quebec, the Governor found himfelf , 7°°* much embarrafied; and what tended to increafe his difficulties, was a deputation which he at the fame time received on the part of the Iroquois. The deputies declared that the cantons were re- folved to make war againft the Outaouais: that after what had taken place, they doubted not he would deliver over to them that perfidious na¬ tion ; and they added, that they had already communicated their intentions to the Englifh. La Motte Cadillac had fet out to return to Detroit with his family, and a large convoy of men and provifions; thus the General had it not in his power to advife with him refpefling what was necefiary to be done in fo delicate a con¬ juncture. He however began by declaring to the Iroquois, that he would not fuffer them to make war on the Outaouais without his full con- fent, and fpoke fo them in fo refolute a tone, that he made them lay afide their defign. He fent an order for all the French at Michi- limakinac to defcend into the colony, in hopes that this mark of his refentment would promote a divifion among the favages, and oblige the in¬ nocent to deliver up the guilty. He communi¬ cated his refolution to La Motte Cadillac, and re¬ commended it to him to be fatisfied w'ith remain¬ ing on his guard, and to undertake no enterprile . until HISTORY OF CANADA. 379 until circumftances fhould point out the people b o o k. againft whom he fhould aft ; and he could come >. —- to no determination before he know the fucccfs ° 6 - of the million of Joncaire, whom he had dif* patched to the Iroquois. This advice arrived too late at Detroit, where the commandant had nearly loft every thing, from having too much prefumed on the authority which he had acquired over thefe favages. He had learnt on his journey accounts of the disor¬ der which had happened at his poft, and as he was then near to the canton of Tfonnonthouan, he there took an efcort of a hundred and twenty men. He even adopted ftronger meafures, for he requefted the other cantons to fend as many of their warriors as they could Spare, to wait at the entrance of the Strait, that part of the Sr. Lawrence which flows from Lake Sr. Clair into Lake Erie, in order to witnefs the manner in which he would treat their ancient enemies. It was not long before he became fenfible of the imprudence of this conduft, and on his arri¬ val at Detroit, inftead of marching againft the Outaouais as he propoSed, he contented himfelf with calling to him their chiefs; they, on their part, alarmed by the approach of the Iroquois, anfwered, that they would give an account of their conduft to their father Ononthio, and La Motte Cadillac judged it prudent to proceed no further. HISTORY OF CANADA. book further. He remained quiet in his port, and the 4 ^,—^ Iroquois were fent home. 1 7°7- As foon as the winter was part, the chiefs of the Outaouais departed for Montreal, where they arrived in the month of June, and there found M. de Vaudreuil. Jean le Blanc, who was the orator, began by an exaft recital of what pafled at Detroit, and infilled much on their having been affured, that (hould they have marched, as was intended, againft the Sioux, the Miamis would have maflacred their women and children, and have burnt their villages. He then faid, that a few days after the fatal tumult which had ren» dered them criminal in the eyes of the French, he went to make his apology to the Sieur de Bourgmont, but could not procure an audience: that on the following day he returned for that purpofe no lefs than fix times, and each time with a favage of a different nation, carrying belts and beaver (kins, but all was in vain. He pointed out the rafh conduct of that officer, who by firing upon the Outaouais had occafioned the death of the recollet father, and of the French foldier. “ In fine, my father,'’ faid he, “ behold me at thy feet: thou knowefl that I am not the mod culpable, and if I had been thought fo, thou would(l not have had any fubjeft of complaint againft us. Thou knoweft that I never fwerved from HISTORY OF CANADA. from my duty until that fatal day: thou mayefl: be informed that I am the fon of one of the greateft of the favages of all the higher nations, who am come acrofs the woods to prefent my- felf to thee. M. de Courcelles had committed to him the key of the colony, and invited him frequently to come thither: it is the deareft in¬ heritance which I have derived from him, to whom I owe my exigence: but of what utility would the cuftody of this key prove, if I could not ufe it on the only occafion in which I want to avail myfelf of this privilege ? For what purpofe then am I come fo far ? I am come to prefent my own head ; I am come to prefent thee with flaves, to revive the dead ; I am come hither to allure thee of the refpedt of thy children j what can I do more ? I however clearly perceive that thou wilt not be fatisfied becaufe we have not delivered up to thee the Heavy, who is properly the only guilty perfon; but it is impoffible for us to place him in thy hands without drawing upon our arm all the nations of which he is the ally.” M. de Vaudreuil anfwered, that he compre¬ hended well the difficulty which muft occur in bringing to him the Heavy, whom neverthelefs he wifhed to have, and fhould have, in his power: that all the nations were informed of the mifeon- duct of the Outaouais: that as Detroit had been the History of Canada. 382 book the theatre of that mifchief, it was there that re- v . paration muff be made, and that he would tranf- t 7°7- mit his orders on this head to M. de la Motte Cadillac: that they Ihould forthwith repair to him, and fhould not fail to execute whatever he fhould didate. He took leave of them with this anfwer, with¬ out accepting their collar, and he fent with them M. de St. Pierre, to whom he gave his inftruc- tions for the commandant of Detroit. On their arrival at this port: La Motte Cadillac perempto¬ rily declared to them that there was no favour to be expeded if they did not produce the Heavy ; and he added, if he had not rertrained the Hu- rons and Miamis, thofe nations would already have taken vengeance. They faw that there was no other refource but to obey, and they told the commandant, that they would go in fearch of the criminal, and would either bring him with them,or takeaway his life. They departed for Michilimakinac, and M. de Saint Pierre accompanied them thither. The promptitude of their obedience gave reaforx to fuppofe that La Motte Cadillac had infinuated that he would ufe indulgence. The Heavy ar¬ rived foon after at Detroit, and was immediately put in irons: all the chiefs of his nation threw themfelves on their knees to demand pardon for the prifoner, which was immediately granted. M. de HISTORY OF CANADA. 3 8 3 M. de Vaudreuil was not of opinion that the b o^o k prifoner fliould have been pardoned, but that he w —j fliould have been delivered up to the juftice of '7 07 * his nation, in which he would at lead have re- % niained without credit, and who perhaps would have been obliged to have facrificed him to his enemies. The prefent meafure however turned out to be the mod proper, and produced none of the inconveniences which were apprehended from it. The General had given to the Sieur la Motte Cadillac a power to aft at Detroit in the manner he Ihould think the mod advantageous for the fervice. The only difadvantage arifing from his clemency was, that he had promifed to the Miamis the head of the Outaouais chief, and they foon afterwards difplayed their refentment becaufe he had not adhered to his engagement. Thefe favages had their principal edablithment on the river St. Jofeph, where father Aveneau, their midionarv, by an unalterable meeknefs of difpofition, and an invincible patience, had gained over them the fame influence which father Allo- nez his predeceflor had poflefled. M. de la Motte Cadillac, who wifhed to govern thefe fa¬ vages according to his own manner, would not fuffer that in the village of this nation, three hundred leagues diflant from Detroit, anyperfon ihould hold more credit than himfelf, and obliged father Aveneau to abandon his million. The Miamis, HISTORY OF CANADA. 3 8 4 BOOK YII. »---- 1707. Miamis, having no longer a miffionary to mode¬ rate their Tallies, renewed their applications to be revenged on the Outaouais chief. The com¬ mandant wilhed to amufe them, and ordered to Detroit the objeft of their hatred, after having given him aflurance that he had nothing to fear, and all that was exacted from him was, that he fhould fettle with his family at this poll. The Miamis, reduced to a Hate of defpair at finding themfelves thus deceived, killed three Frenchmen, and committed Tome ravages in the vicinity of Detroit. La Motte Cadillac was even informed that they had confpired to mafiacre him, and to put to death all the French at De¬ troit : that fome Iroquois and Hurons had en¬ tered into the plot, and that they would already have executed their fanguinary project if a Ouyatanon had not betrayed them. This in¬ telligence, and the infult which he received, made him refolve to attack thefe barbarians, and he took means for that purpofe: but it happened that his preparations tended to conclude with them an accommodation honourable for himfelf, and for his country. It never fails to happen, that favages become prefuinptuous in their conduct, in proportion to the moderation which is fhewn them; and the ^iamis obferved not the conditions of the treaty, in which they had remarked certain indications of HISTORY OF CANADA. 3 8 5 of weaknefs. The French commandant was b o o k. therefore obliged to march againft them at the —j head of four hundred men, partly compofed of I /°7‘ Frenchmen, and partly of favages. They de¬ fended themfelves with refolution, but being forced in their intrenchments, and having no other refource but in the clemency of the con¬ queror, they fubmitted to every condition that was required of them. But to prevent them in future from being guilty of fome frelh impru¬ dence, which would neceffitate the French to pufh them to extremity, it was thought advife- able to fend back their miffionary. The Iroquois cantons obferved a ftrid neu¬ trality ; to which the miffionaries, by their vigi¬ lance, doubtlefs contributed. But their conduct in this refpect was in a great degree imputable to the offices of the Sieur de Joncaire, and to the good underftanding which this officer maintained with them. Adopted by Tfonnonthouans, and beloved by the Onnontagues, he went inceffantly from one canton to another : he acquainted the miffionaries with every thing that occurred, and took no ftep but in concert with them. The Iroquois were charmed with his affability : he fpoke their language as well as* they themfelves: he gained them by his liberality: he was refpected for his daring conduct, and he well knew what part to ad, without hefitation, on occasions von. i. cc where 3 86 HISTORY OF CANADA. book where promptitude of decifion was required; -v-~^ qualities of eflential moment in the fituation l 7°7‘ where he was placed. But whilft the French fucceeded in preventing the heathen Iroquois from taking any part againfl: them, the Governor of Orange negotiated with almolt equal fuccefs among the chriftian and do¬ miciliated Iroquois of the colony. For fome time a relaxation had been remarked in the piety of of thefe converts, and which could be attributed to no other caufe than that of inebriation, from which it was no longer poffible to reftrain them. For, notwithftanding the reiterated prohibitions of the King, and the exertion of the Governor of Montreal, the commerce of fpirituous liquors had refumed its vigour, and it was difcovered that no great dependance was to be placed on the Iroquois of the Sault Saint Louis, and of the Mountain, with refpedt to their aid in warlike expeditions. ,^ 5 . In a council at Montreal held in the fpring, wherein the chiefs of all the chriftian favages eftablifhed in the colony, and feveral of the Abi- naquis were prefent, it was relolved to form a body of a hundred chofen Canadians, befides a great number of volunteers, moll of whom were officers, making together with the favages four hundred men. M. M. de Saint Ours des Chail- lons, and Hertelde Rouville, were to command the HI3T0RY OF CANADA. 387 the French, and the Sieur Boucher de la Perrlere 15 K was to conduct the favages. As it was of ini- portance that the object of this armament fliould be kept fecret until the moment of the departure of the warriors, and that the march fliould be expeditious, it was fettled that the two nrft com¬ manders fliould take the route of the river Saint Francis, with the Algonquins, the Abinaquis of Bekancourt, and the Hurons of Lorette, and that La Perriere with the Iroquois fliould go by Lake Champlain; that all (hould rendezvous at the Lake Nikifipiaue, and that the neighbouring favages of Acadia fliould likewife be there at the time appointed. Several incidents had nearly contributed to flop this enterprife, and delayed the departure of the warriors. On the 26 th of July they began their march, but when Des Chaillons and Rou- ville had arrived at the river St. Francis, they received advice that the Hurons were returned home, becaufe one of them being killed by acci¬ dent in the chace, this misfortune made the reft fuppofe that the expedition would be unfucceff- ful. The Iroquois, whom La Perriere led by Lake Champlain, foon purfued the fame con¬ duct, pretending that fome of their people were lick, and that the malady might be communi¬ cated to the army. c c 2 M. de HISTORY OF CANADA. M. de Vaudreuil, to whom the commanders gave advice of this defertion, requeuing at the fame time his orders, anfwered, that although the Algonquins and Abinaquis of Bekancourt fhould alfo defert them, they fhould not fail to purfue their route, and that they might make an irruption on fome diftant fettlement, rather than return without having performed any thing. Des Chaillons communicated this letter to the ravages, who affirmed that they would follow him wherever he fhould lead them: they then pro¬ ceeded to the number of two hundred, and after having gone a hundred and fifty leagues by ways almoft iinpra&icable, they arrived at Lake Niki- fipik, where they did not find the Abinaquis whom they expe&ed. It was refolved, in thefe circumftances, to march againfi a village called Hewreuil,compofed of twenty-five or thirty houfes well built, with a fort in which the commandant lodged, and which contained thirty foldiers who had recently arrived there, having been ordered thither by the Go¬ vernor of New England, who upon advice of the march of the French had fent fimilar detach¬ ments into all the villages of that part of the country. The French defpairing of carrying the place by furprife* believed they might effect it by a fudden HISTORY OF CANADA. 3 8 9 fudden attack. Thev reded for the night, and book J ' vi r. next morning, an hour after fun-rife, they ,—^—, marched againd the fort. After a bold refid- >7°^- ance they carried it fword in hand, and fet fire to it. The houfes which were defended (hared the fame fate. Several of the inhabitants were killed, fome were taken, and fome were confumed in the houfes. The found of drums and trum¬ pets began to be heard from the neighbouring villages, and not a moment was to be Iod in or¬ der to infure a retreat. This was effected in good order, each taking no greater quantity of provifions than was neceffary for his return. The French had fcarcely advanced half a league, when on entering a wood they fell into an am- bufcade formed by feventy men, who before they could be feen had each difcharged his mulkef. Both horfemen and foot foldiers were advancing behind, and nothing was now left but to make a defperate attempt againd the party that had fired. The French threw down their provifions, and advanced with impetuofity to the fpot whence the fire proceeded. So unexpected an attack from perfons who, they fuppofed, had been thrown into diforder, totally difconcerted them, and molt of them were killed or taken. The party returned to Montreal with the lofs of about thirty men. c c 3 On HISTORY OF CANADA. On the loth of May a perfon called Vetch, who, about four years before, had founded all the difficult paflages of the river St. Lawrence, under pretence of coming to Quebec to treat for an exchange of prifoners, arrived from England, and took port: at Manhatti, to forward at that place the raifing of troops, who were to acf on the fide of Montreal. Intelligence of this cir- cumftance foon reached the French, and likewife that Vetch had prefented to the Queen of Great Britain a memorial, reprefehting the facility of the conqueft of Canada, and the great advan¬ tages which England might derive from fuch an acquifition. It was added, that her majefty had approved of the projefl, and had promifed to Vetch, in cafe of fuccefs, the government of New France: that ten large and as many fmall veflels were fitted out for the expedition. That fix thoufand regular troops, under the command of an officer named Macardv, were to be em¬ barked in this fleet: that two thoufand Englifh and as many favages were to attack the govern¬ ment of Montreal, and that their rendezvous was fettled at the river du Chicot , two leagues from Lake Champlain, where they were to conftrufl: canoes and batteaux, and afterwards to defcend to Chambly. M. de Vaudreuil aflfembled without delay a council of war; wherein it was refolved to march a de- KISTORY OF CANADA. 39 1 tachment towards New York, in order to endea- book VII. vour to diflipate the ftorm which was there col- letting, that the colony rendered fecure on that 1 7°9* quarter, might re-unite all its ftrength againft the Englilh fleet, if it Ihould come to Quebec. Not a moment was to be loft in executing this refolution, and M. de Ramezay, Governor of Montreal, offered to take the command ; but his propofal was not then accepted, and no other reafon could be afligned for this refufal, but a coolnefs which fubfifted between him and the Governor-General. M. de Sabrevois, a captain, was detached with thirty men, to proceed before Rouville, who was not yet returned, and to faci¬ litate his retreat. Two months afterwards, there being no longer any doubt that the Englilh were on their march with a great body of Iroquois and Mahingans, and information having likewife been received that feveral forts were conftrudled at different diftances from Orange to Lake George, M. de Vaudreuil yielded at length to the inftances of the Governor of Montreal. He placed him at the head of fifteen hundred men, compofed of regular troops, militia, and favages. The General afterwards descended to Quebec, to forward the works which were carrying on, and to lay an embargo upon all veffels which jnight arrive from France. On the 28 th of July c c 4 M. de HISTORY OF CANADA. 39* book. M. de Ramezay fet out from Montreal: his van VIF. *—conducted by M. de Montigny, was compofed of I 7°9- fifty Frenchmen and two hundred Abauquis, fupported by Rouville with a hundred Canadians. After them marched a hundred regular foldiers. The Governor of Montreal followed with five hundred Canadians, diilributed into five com¬ panies. The Iroquois Chriftians formed the rear guard under the conduct of Joncaire. Some Outaouais and Nepiffings were placed on the wings. This army marched forty leagues in three days, and had it gone as far as the enemy’s camp, it might have effected forne fucceFful en- terprife ; but the jealoufy fubfilting between the officers and their commander, the fault of indif- cipline in the troops, and defective intelligence which was given to M. de Ramezay, tended to render the expedition abortive. After having made fome prilonexs and killed an officer com¬ manding a hundred and twenty men, who had advanced too far, a report was circulated that an army of five thoufand men were not very diftant, and that they were fortified with intrenchments. The favages at the fame time declared, that it was their opinion that they ought not to proceed further, and that it appeared much more advife- able to defend the advanced polls of the colony, than to proceed fo far in fearch of an enemy, who HISTORY OF CANADA. 353 who had poffefled leifure to fortify his camp, and ® ° v ° k. who could befides be fupported by all the young j men of Orange and Corlar. On this account 1?c 9’ a council of war was affembled, and it was there refolve 1 to retreat. The Governor of Montreal was neceflitated to conform to this deliberation, becaufe he doubted whether, it he advanced, he fliould be feconded by thofe who were under his command. On his return to Montreal, towards the middle of September, he received advice by an Iroquois lately arrived from the enemy’s camp, that two thoufand five hundred men were in march to build a fort at the extremity of Lake St. Sacre- ment, or Lake George, and that fix hundred more were detached to take pofieffion of a pofl on Lake Champlain, from whence they could come in two days to Chambly. He immediately difpatched the fame favage to Quebec, where M. de Vaudreuil then was; and that general, feeing no grounds of apprehenfion of a fiege being laid to the capital, embarked immediately for Mon¬ treal, and there affembled a confiderable body of troops and militia, with whom he went to poft himfelf at Chambly, where he remained for fome time without hearing any accounts of an enemy. . He then formed two detachments of fifty men each, under the orders of Des Chaillon and de Mcntigny, to reconnoitre the hoflile camp. Thefe 394 HISTORY OF CANADA. book Thefe two officers approached very near to the •—^ entrenchments, and were enabled to count the I 7°9- number and to diflinguifh the fize of the canoes. Some time after, the Englifh burnt their ca¬ noes, reduced their forts to affies, and retired. This meafure was embraced on account of the perfidious condudt of the Iroquois. In a council held at Onnontague, one of their orators de¬ manded, if they had ceafed to remember that their nation, fituated between two powerful peo¬ ple, capable each of exterminating them, and whofe intcreft it was to effect that object when they ffiould no longer be in want of their affift- ance, their whole attention fhould therefore be directed to place them both always under a ne- ceffity of courting their aid, and to prevent the one from falling a prey to the other. His dif- courfe made an impreffion on the affembly, and a rc-folution was immediately adopted to conduct themfelves in the prefen t exigency according to thofe rules of policy which they had hitherto been accuftomed to obferve. The Iroquois had no fooner joined the Englifh army, than fearing, that with the addition of their reinforcement, it would be fufficiently ftrong to take Montreal, they thought only of the means of weakening it. The army was encamped on the banks of a fmail river. The Iroquois, who puffed almoft their whole time in hunting, agreed to HISTORY OF CANADA. 395 to throw into it all the (kins of the animals which book they killed, a little way above the camp, and by . -,-.j this means the water foon became infefted. The l l°9- Englifh, unfufpicious of this diabolical aft, con¬ tinued to drink the water, and died in great numbers. It is certain that this mortality, of the caufe of which the Englifh were ignorant until a confi- derable time afterwards, obliged the army to re¬ move from fo baleful a fituation, and where they were aware, if they remained under fuch difad- vantageous circumftances until they were at¬ tacked, a defeat would probably enfue. They retreated to Manhatti, where they learnt on their arrival that the Englifh fleet deftined for the fiege of Quebec was not at Boflon ; and that it had been fent to Lifbon, where the bad fuccefs of the Portuguefe arms on the frontiers of Caflile, in the commencement of the campaign, made the King of Portugal apprehenfive, that if he was not reinforced by timely affiftance, he would be com¬ pelled to come to an immediate accommodation with Spain. HISTORY OF CANADA. \ BOOK VIII. m Warlike Preparations of the Engli/h.—Conference of the Savage Deputies at Montreal.—Army of the Engli/h march in different Directions to invade Canada .— Re¬ treat of the Armies.—Part of the Englifh Fleet wrecked on Seven Iflands.—Outagamis march to attack the Fort ok Detroit.—Arrival of the allied Savages to the Relief of that Fort. Outagamis entrench themfelves, build a Forty and are befteged.—Reduced to great Extremity .— Refufe to furrender at Difretion.—After a Siege of nineteen Days, they efcape during a Storm.—Are over¬ taken .— Of mate Refflance. — Are compelled to furren¬ der at Difcretion.—Are put to Death. — Governors of New England and of Canada receive, in confequetice of. the Treaty of Utrecht, Injlruclions for a Ceffation of all Hoflilities.—Fort cotflrucled by the Englifh at the Mouth of the Chouagon, and by the French at Niagara . —Prcpofal of M. de Vaudreuil for peopling the Colony . —Death of M. de Vaudreuil. book n the following winter the Onnontagues __fent deputies to M. de Vaudreuil; to befeech 1 7 l °- him to receive them into his favour. They allured him that they had entertained no defign of injuring the French, but they did not explain the fcheme which they had practifed to render ufelcfs the great preparations of the Englifh. They HISTORY OF CANADA. 397 They obferved to him, that the war had not been book. undertaken with the general confent of the can- v .__ tons, nor even of thofe who had taken up arms. *7 10 ' This nation had repeatedly teftified that it difajv proved of a war between the Englilh and French, and in a fecond audience which the deputies had with the General, after the orator had declared his forrow at feeing two people whom he edeem- ed, almod ever occupied in hodilities for the de- ftrudtion of each other, he added, with a freedom which is known only to barbarians; “ Are you then both intoxicated, or is it I who am devoid of underdanding r” He alfo propofed an exchange of prifoners be¬ tween the Dutch and French, which was accepted and executed on both Tides. M. de Vaudreuil then faid to the deputies, that his allies awaited only a declaration of war a^ainfl the Iroquois, and if they would avoid this misfortune, they mud remain in tranquillity; that on the fir ft movement which he fhould fee them make, he would give to all his allies full liberty to fall upon them. Intelligence being foon afterwards received, that the Governor of New York was redoubling his efforts to engage the Iroquois cantons in an offenfive league againfc the French, and the" fear of having to refid at the fame time all thofe favages, whild they were threatened with an at¬ tack 39 % HISTORY OF CANADA. book tack from the Englilh, made much impreflion upon the inhabitants. This induced M. de Vau- I 7 , °* dreuil to caufe to defcend to Montreal as great a part of the favages from the upper country as polfible, not only for the defence of the colony, but to hold the Iroquois in refpeft. He fent to Michilimakinac two perfons well acquainted with the favages, and refpe&ed by the French allies, to exhort them to come without delay to give to their father proofs of their fidelity and attach¬ ment. It was further necelfary to fecure the neutrali¬ ty of the cantons, and the Baron de Longueuil was fent, in conjunction with Joncaire and La Chauvignerie, to treat with them, and to allure them whillt they remained quiet fpeClators they Ihould have nothing to apprehend from other nations. But if, notwithftanding their folemn engagements, they Ihould embrace the part of joining themfelves to the enemies of the French, they mull expeft to have all the people of the north and weft to fall upon them, and to allow them no quarter. The envoys were well received at Onnontague, and at Tfonnonthouan, and they conduced to Montreal deputies from thefe two cantons. They avowed to M. de Vaudreuil, that they were powerfully folicited by the government of New York to break with the French : they added, 8 that HISTORY OF CANADA. that the fidelity of feveral of their nation might be relied on, but that the greaceft part were in* dined towards the Englifh, gained by the prefents which they liberally bellowed, and perfuaded that the French would fall at length under the great efforts which their enemies were preparing to make in order to overwhelm them on every fide. Saint Pierre Tonti and others, who had been fent to the higher nations, arrived at Montreal with between four and five hundred favages, and as the Iroquois deputies were not yet gone, the Governor embraced the opportunity of accom¬ modating a difference which had fubfifted for fome years between the cantons on one part, and fome of the allies on the other. He found in this affair lefs difficulty than he imagined, and concord was reftored to the fatisfaSion of both parties. Intelligence was brought to M. de Vaudreui!, that General Nicholfon was arrived at Bofton with two ffiips of war of feventy guns each : that he was to be followed by fix other veffels offixty guns each, three bomb veffels, and thirty tranf- ports, which were to be joined at Bofton by two fhips of fifty guns, and five tranfports, intended to carry three thoufand militia; and that they only waited for the arrival of the reft of the fleet in order to fail. 399 B O O X vin. ——j 1710. A corps 4oo HISTORY OF CANADA. BOOK. VI If. I7IO. A corps compofed of the militia of New York, > and of the favages of that province, amounting to two thoufand men, was faid to be aflembled at Manhatti, and that Canada was the object of thefe warlike preparations. This advice was afterwards confirmed. by an Iroquois, whom Teganifforens fent to M. de Vaudreuil, to inform him that the Englilh fleet had failed fromBofton, and that two hundred batteaux had been pre¬ pared at Orange; that a hundred more were expedited to arrive there, and that Abraham Scuyler, brother of the Governor of Orange, had vifited all the cantons, to engage them to take up arms againft the French. On receiving thefe accounts, the Governor- General aflembled the Iroquois deputies who had accompanied de Longueuil and Joncaire, and communicated to them what he had learnt. He told them that the Dutch had declared them- felves againft him, notwithftanding reiterated afiurances on their part to preferve neutrality, and the care which he had taken to guard againft offending them ; it was therefore his intention to fend a party of men to that quarter, but that the Iroquois ought not to be alarmed. He then delivered to them fome of their countrymen, whom he had refcued from the hands of the Ouyatanons, and added, that it remained only with them to preferve, according to their pro- mife, HISTORY OF CANADA. 401 rnife, a neutral conduct: that they ought to call book VIII. to remembrance the treaty of peace, fo folemnly <— v —- entered into under his predecefior, between all the nations; that they could not difpenfe with rendering to the French the juftice of religioully obferving all its conditions, and that it was (till more their own intereft than his, to purfue the line of conduct which he propofed to them. The following day he made a great war feaft, to which he invited all the domiciliated favages, and all thofe of the allies who had come from Montreal. The aflembly confided of eight hun¬ dred warriors, before whom Joncaire and La Chauvignerie raifed the hatchet, and fung the fong of war in the name of Ononthio. All the Iroquois of the Sault Saint Louis, thofe of the Mountain who were then united with thofe of the Sault de Recollet, and the Nipiffirigs, or Algon- quins of the ifland of Montreal, anfwered. to it with loud applaufe. The favages of the upper country were fcrupulous in declaring themfelves, becaufe they were almoft the whole commercially connected with the Englifh, from whom they derived greater profits than from the French ; but twenty Hurons of Detroit having taken up the hatchet, all followed their example, and affined the General that he might difpofe of them as of the fu’oje&s of his King. VOL. I. D D The 402 HISTORY OF CANADA. book The Governor-General did not think it necef- . % 1 1 ''_, fary to retain the whole of thefe favages, and ‘7 10 - immediately difpatched the greateft part of them, as well as the deputies of the Iroquois, becaufe the feafon was already far advanced. He was fatisfied with keeping near him a few of each nation, that he might evince to the Englilh and to the Iroquois, that he had an entire authority over his allies. M. de Vaudreuil, on his arrival at Quebec, found all the orders which he had given to M. de Boucourt well executed, and the place in a condition to fultain a liege of fome length. All the coalts below Quebec were fo well guarded, that an enemy could not difembark at any of the fettlements without being obliged to come to lkirmilhing, which the difadvantage of the land, being covered with wood, rendered it dangerous to attempt. Several (hips were feen in the river, by the inhabitants, but at a great diftance below Quebec. In a few days after this intelligence- was received, two fmall veffels arrived from Gafpe, the mailers of which affirmed that they had feen no fhips in the river. The General then fent M. de Ramezay to Montreal with fix hundred men, which he had brought down with him. He foon after followed with fix hundred more foldiers, which, joined to thofe remaining under HISTORY OF CANADA. 403 under the orders of M. de Longueuil, to guard b k the head of the colony, compofed an army of <_— three thoufand men, who were marched to 17 lo ’ Chambly and there encamped. His defign was, in this pofition, to await General Nicholfon, whom he knew to be in march on that fide; but he foon after learnt that an army, in which were many of the Iroquois, had retreated, and Rou- ville was immediately detached with two hundred men to acquire more certain information refpett- ing it. This officer marched, without meeting any perfon, beyond the Great Portage, which is on the road to Orange, and was there joined by three Frenchmen who had been fent to that vil¬ lage in the month of June. They were fet at liberty after the return of General Nicholfon, and informed Rouville that the confirmation in Orange had been great, at the news of a mif- fortune that had happened to the Engliffi fleet. The retreat of the two Engliffi armies which was to have attacked New France at the fame time, by fea and land, and to divide its forces by occupying them at the two extremities of the colony, being no longer doubtful, and a report having been circulated that the firft was ffiip- wrecked in the river St. Lawrence, near the Seven Iflands, the Governor fent thither feveral barks. They there found the remains of eight d d 2 large 404 HISTORY OF CANADA. book large veflels, whole cannon and (lores had been . _ . taken out, and the bodies of a number of drowned J 7 l 3- perfons call upon the fhores. The Englifh admiral had, it was afterwards learnt, on board of his fliip a French prifoner named Paradis, an old navigator, and who was well acquainted with the river St. Lawrence. Tiiis man informed the admiral, that when he was near the Traverfe of the Seven Iflands, he ought not to approach too near towards the land, and as the wind was unfavourable, and they could only fail upon a tack, they were fre¬ quently obliged to put about. The admiral at length grew weary of this manoeuvre, and per¬ haps fufpected it was only ordered by the pilot to harrafs the failors. He therefore refufed to allow the (hip to tack fo often, an. approached fo near to a little ifland called lie aux CEufs , where he was overtaken by a fquall from the fouth-eafl, that his own, together with feven other fhips of his fleet were driven upon the rocks, and very few of the crews were faved. , 712 . It was reported that the Englifh were preparing another fleet to befiege Quebec, and the Gover¬ nor-General found by the generofity of the mer¬ chants of that place, a fum of fifty thoufand crowns, to be applied towards ftrengthening the fortifications. Advice was at the fame time re¬ ceived, that the Englifh were reconciled with the Iroquois, HISTORY OF CANADA. 405 Iroquois, and hoped to engage this reftlefs na¬ tion, in exciting difturbances in the north and weft of Canada. There was reafon for fuppofing, that if Joncaire had not fecured the neutrality of the Tfonnon- thouans, and the Baron De Longueuil had not negotiated with his ufual addrefs, among the Onnontagues, the French would have found themfelves in a ftate of embarraffment, which it would not have been eafy to have furmounted. Deputies of the cantons at length came to offer new excufes for the paft, and great proteftations of an inviolable fidelity in the performance of their future engagements. It was neceffary to pretend a belief of their fmcerity : M. de Vau- dreuil fpoke to them, however, with ftrmnefs, and made them afterwards confiderable prefents, fending them home with a difpofition more fa¬ vourable towards the French than that with which they had ft t out. Not long before this period the Iroquois had excited againft the French a new enemy, equally brave with themfelves, lefs political, more fero¬ cious, whom it never was poftible either to fub- due or to gain, and who like fome infe&s, which appear to have as many lives as different parts of the body, regenerated, it may be faid, after their defeat, and reduced almoft to a handful of robbers, were found in every quarter, and be- d d 3 came BOOK. VJ1I. '-- ——J 1712. 406 HISTORY OF CANADA. book came an object of dread to all the people of that v-—v— «^ part of the continent, interrupting for a fpace of twenty-five ye^rs the commerce of the country, and rendering the roads almofl: impaffable for a circuit of five hundred leagues. Thefe were the Outagamis, commonly {tiled the Foxes. Until the time to which we allude they were but little known in Canada, but they had lately entered into a confederacy with the Iroquois, and had undertaken to burn the fort of Detroit, and to kill all the inhabitants. To execute this de- fign they had come in great numbers to the vicir nity of that place, and there was no fpecies of infult which they did not offer to the com¬ mandant. The Kikapous and the Mafcontins had entered into their defign ; the latter had already arrived, and they only waited for the former to put it in execution, when they received advice that an Outaouais chief, named Jaguirna, and fome Pouteouatamis, had killed about a hundred and fifty Mafcontins. They became enraged at thefe news, and a Chriftian Outagami, much attached to the French, informed the commandant that his fort would be immediately attacked. He had then with him only twenty Frenchmen, and his principal refource was in the Hurons, the Outaou¬ ais, and fome other favages, with whom he was allied, but who were then employed in the chace. He HISTORY OF CANADA. 407 He fent to defire they would haften to his aid : b 0^0 k he caufed to be demolilhed all the houfes erefted -- on the outfide of the fort, and took every other I ? ,2 ‘ meafure which the time would allow to fufiain the firft efforts of the enemy. On the 13th of May he received accounts of the approach of his allies, among whom were Outaouais, Hurons, Pouteoutamis, Sakis, Malhomines, Ilinois, Ofa- ges, Miffourites, and each nation carried its par¬ ticular ftandard. This army ftopped at the village of the Hurons, who were of opinion that they ought not to encamp, but proceed forthwith to the French fort. They fent forth a general cry, with which the country refounded, and were immediately anfwered by the enemy, who de¬ tached forty of their number, naked, but paint¬ ed in a frightful manner, to obferve the confede¬ rates. The allies being near the fort, the chiefs fent to demand permiffion to enter, and the gates were immediately opened. Du Buiflon the com¬ mandant gave them a reception proportioned to the fervice which they had rendered him, and after they had all taken their places around him, according to the favage cuflom, the perfon who fpoke in name of the whole addrefied him as follows: “ Behold, my father, thy children “ around thee. We fear not death ; we will “ cheerfully perifh, if neceflary, in defence of d d 4 our 40 8 HISTORY OF CANADA. book “ our father : the only favour which we require i V111 ~ . “ of thee, is to engage Ononthio, the father of 1712. « all the nations, to take care of our wives and “ children, and that thou fhouldft cover our “ dead bodies. Thou feed that we have quitted <( our villages and families to come to thy aid; —„— who would not fail to come to their afliftance, 1 T lt - or to avenge their death. They got pofleflion of a houfe which was not entirely demolifhed, and which joined their fort. They there raifed a redoubt, from whence they fired under cover of the gable. But it being at length levelled by cannon (hot, the enemy fent forth dreadful cries, and foon after fent to alk permiflion to prefent deputies to M. BuifTon. Before allowing them this indulgence, he wiflied to procure the confent of the chiefs, and affembled them in council: they were of opinion, that this oppor¬ tunity ought to be embraced in order to draw from their hands three women who were prison¬ ers among them. They were then made ac¬ quainted that their deputies would be received. Next morning the chief of the Ouragamis, named Pemoutfa, accompanied by two warriors, pre- fented himfelf at the entrance of the camp ; he was admitted, and introduced into the council which was aflembled. He placed before the commandant two captives and a collar, praying that he would allow two days, that the old men might deliberate on the means of appeafing him, and of giving him fatisfa&ion. He then turned, himfelf towards the favages, made them a prer fent 4 io HISTORY OF CANADA. book fent of two flaves, and a collar, and fpoke vni. , 3 > r v—thus: j 12, ' ' “ Remember that we are your brethren, and “ that in fhedding our blood, it is your own from hunger and third, than from the fire of the befieged : that they had already loft eighty men, and that their fort was filled with dead carcaffe 3 j which caufed a terrible infe&ion. All this wa3 found to be perfe&ly true, and the enemy Ihort- ly after demanded a parly. It was believed they would furrender at difcretion, and it was per¬ mitted that they Ihould fend deputies. Two chiefs, one of whom was Pemcuffa, came forth¬ with, accompanied by feveral prifoners, and in a condition which appeared calculated to imprefs the confederates with fentiments of pity. They faid, that they dared not to hope that their lives would be granted to them, but that they de¬ manded pardon for their old men, their women, and children. “ Remember,” added they, “ that “ we are your relatives: it is your own blood “ after which you feem to thirft : would it not “ be more honourable for you to fpare, and “ more advantageous to have us for your “ flaves?” Pity never finds an ealy admifiion into the breads of favages, and the long refift- ance of the enemy had irritated the befiegers. They perfilted in the demand that the Outagamis and their allies Ihould furrender at difcretion. Some of them even propofed to Du Buiffon to maffacre the deputies, but he anfwered with dif- pleafure, that they inuft be mad to offer to him fuch HISTORY OF CANADA. 4*5 fuch a propofal: that thefe two men had come ] to him, relying on his word, which he had given . them in confequence of the confent of the coun¬ cil, and that he would never fuffer the fmallefl: - outrage to be committed on them whilft they were in his fort. They replied, that thefe two envoys were the authors of all the mifchief; and having them- felves frequently had recourfe to perfidious mea- fures, they did not merit fo fcrupulous a conduct with refped to them; but that, in the end, they would gain nothing even by this. The com¬ mandant replied, that it became neither him nor them to imitate their example, and he fent back the two deputies, telling them that he had no other anfwer to make than that which had al¬ ready been given. The only hope which re¬ mained to thefe wretched people, was to be able to make their efcape in bad weather, and after the nineteenth day of the fiege, a violent ftorm accompanied with rain having occafioned the befiegers to withdraw, they embraced the op¬ portunity which offered, and made their efcape in the night. Their flight was difcovered next morning at day-break, and they were immediately purfued. They were found entrenched at four leagues diftance from their former fituation, upon a pel ninfula which advances into Lake Saint Clair, and o o K VIII. V - » J I7H. 416 HISTORY OF CANADA. book and as their intrenchments were concealed, the LI__ afiailants having approached with little precau- * 7 «*- tion, had more than twenty men killed or wounded. It was neceflary to re-commence a fiege, which continued four days, and would have been protracted to a much greater length of time if the French commandant had not ordered out two field-pieces. The befieged then furrendered at difcretion, and almoft the whole of thofe who had arms in their hands were, without mercy, inftantly maflacred. The remainder, amounting to a hundred and fifty, without including the women and children, were made Haves, and fliared amongft the confederate nations, who kept them not long, and put to death alinofi the whole before they l'eparated. The lofs of the allies amounted to fixty men killed or wounded ; the Hurons, among whom were twenty-five Iroquois C iriftians, diftinguilh- ed themfelves above the reft, and loft more of their number, but this expedition coft the enemy more than a thoufand perfons. Du Buiffon there acquired much credit from his firmnefs, and difintereftednefs, which led him to deprive himftlf of every thing in his pofieffion in order to beftovv it on the allies. The fruit of this viClory was, that the Englifh laid afide the fhought of forming an eftablifhment at Detroit, which would have entirely ruined New France, not HISTORY OF OANADA. not only on account of the fituation of this place, which is the centre of, as well as the fined coun¬ try in Canada; but likewife, becaufe it would have been impracticable to hold the fmallefl communication with the favages of the higher countries, nor with Louifiana. There (till remained many fubjeCts of differ¬ ence to be fettled amongd the French allies, and in order to fucceed in effecting an accommoda¬ tion, it was conceived neceffary to re-eftablifh the fort of Michilimakinac. Towards the end of this year feveral officers of merit and experience were fent to vifit the nations of the north, and of the weft, and to prevail on them to forget all fubjeCts of difcontent which they might have oc- cafioned to each other. M. de Louvigny was alfo fent to rebuild the fort. The whole of this bufinefs was executed with as much fuccefs as conduCt, and tranquillity was perfectly re-efta- bliffied in Canada. It was however impoffible to engage thefe people not to carry their furs to the Engliffi, as they had openly done for feveral years. Even the domiciliated favages follow ed the torrent, and it would have been neceffary, in order to remedy this inconvenience, to augment in France the price of the beaver, and diminifh in Canada that of the merchandife ufed in exchange for the furs. The firfl: of thefe expedients did not depend on Mk u E E thofe HISTORY OF CANADA. thofe engaged in the traffic, but if they had right¬ ly comprehended their interefts, they would have carried into effect the fecond, by caufing to be fent every year to Quebec merchandife on their own account, to an amount equal to the extent of their credit. This influx of manufactures into the colony would have Ieffened their value, and would have enabled the merchants to afford them ro the favages at a cheaper rate ; but the ideas of the French commercial body in Canada * were not yet fufficiently enlarged, to be ■ per- fuaded of the propriety and advantage of fuch a meafure. The commerce of furs fell, therefore, almoft entirely into the hands of the Englifh. In the mean time, although the negotiations for peace were not yet terminated at Utrecht, the Governor-Generals of New France and of New England received from their refpective fo- vereigns precife orders for a total ceffation of every aft of hoflility between the two colonies and their allies. A little time after, news was received that the Queen of Great Britain had withdrawn from the league which was formed to dethrone the Catholic King, Philip the Fifth. Nothing could be more fortunate for the govern- ment of Bolton, where the Abinaquis were com¬ mitting great ravages ; and this circumltance was a principal real'on why the court of London would never relax, refpefting the ceffion of Acadia. HISTORY OF CANADA. 419 Acadia. It (hewed the fame firmnefs with regard to the French pofieflions in Newfoundland, and in Hudfon’s Bay ; and Louis the Fourteenth, who had his reafons for not throwing any obftacle in the way of the treaty which he was about to con¬ clude with her Britannic Majefty, facrificed at length all thofe provinces, and the right which he pretended to poflefs of fovereignty over the five Iroquois cantons. This lad article took from the French nothing in reality, and conferred as little on the Englifh, becaufe thefe cantons renewed the proteftations, which they had more than once made, againft the reciprocal pretentions of their neighbours, and well knew how to maintain themfelves in the pofieflion of their liberty and independance. The Englifh, who procured from them part of the advantages which the fovereignty of the na¬ tions would have given them, never thought it prudent to fubdue them; they were afterwards fatisfied with build’ng a fort at the mouth of the Chouguen, on Lake Ontario. But as the On- nontagues faw, without oppofition, this eftablifh- ment made on their territories, the French ob¬ tained from the Tfonnonthouans permiflion to erect a fimilar fort on the river Niagara, nearly on the fame fpot which the Marquis de Denon- ville had before fortified. They refufed to the Englifh the fame permiffion, faying that they e e 2 1712. were c > 420 BOO! VIII. V— 1712. 17 ' 4 - HISTORY OF CANADA. were at liberty to admit into their country whom they pleafed, and that they would not fuffer in it, at the fame time, two different people, who by their mutual hatred would diflurb their tran¬ quillity. The Iroquois came this year to renew their alliance with the Governor-General, and offered him their mediation in cafe of a new rupture with the Englifh. He now began ferioufly to reflect upon fome plan for fortifying and peopl¬ ing the colony, whofe inhabitants, inftead of augmenting, he faw with regret diminifhing in their number. He dated to M. Pontchartrain, the minifter of France, that Canada poffeffed no more than four thoufand four hundred and eighty inhabitants in a date to carry arms, from the age of fourteen to fixty years, and that the twenty-eight companies of marine paid by the King amounted to no more than fix hundred and twenty-eight foldiers. This fmall number of perfons was fpread over an extent of a hundred leagues. That the Englifh colonies had fixty thoufand men in a date to carry arms, and there could be little doubt that on the fird rupture they would make a powerful effort to get poffef- fion of Canada. With refpeCt to the means of completing the companies of the King’s troops, there could be no difficulty, after the great re¬ duction which had taken place in France. On the HISTORY OF CANADA. 421 the fubjed of augmenting the number of the in- habitants, he was aware it might be objeded, that able men did not abound in any of the pro¬ vinces of the kingdom of Fiance, and that the exhaufted ftate of the finances did not admit of making large advances for conveying new colo- nifts to America, and for enabling them to fubfift there, until they could by their indtiftry fupply themfelves with the neceflaries of life. He en¬ deavoured, however, to obviate thefe difficulties and objedions by propofing a new expedient, which appeared to him more eafily attainable. There were every year a confiderable number of criminals condemned to the galleys, for whofe fervices the King had little occafion, and who might be made ufeful in cultivating the lands; their expence was paid by the farmers general, and a hundred and fifty of thefe unfortunate perfons might be fpared every year for Canada. The farmers general would get them conduded to Rochelle, and might pay for each a hundred and fifty livres, on which they fhould have a final difcharge againfl all future claims. Their ex- pences amounted to a hundred francs a-year each, and there was not one who was not con¬ demned to labour for at lead eighteen months, and fome for ten years. All that the farmers general could defire was, that they fhould not E e 3 return O o K VIII. 1714. 422 HISTbRY OF CANADA. book return to France, for which M. de Vaudreuil VIJI. i engaged to be refponfible. If the King (hould agree to this propofal, all the veflels which were deftined for Canada might each be obliged to receive a (fated number, fo that the whole of the convicts tranfported annu¬ ally fhould amount to a hundred and fifty men, for each of whom fifty livres (hould be paid on his arrival in the colony. That they (hould be diftributed among the inhabitants, to work as hired fervants, for a fpace of three years, after the expiration of which they (hould be free, but without the power of returning to France; and to place them in a condition to provide for thcm- felves, a hundred livres, a part of the hundred and fifty already mentioned, (hould be placed in the hands of their matters, who (hould be obliged after the three years of fervice to give them fifty crowns. The inhabitants would think them- ftlves fortunate to procure men upon fuch con¬ ditions, and this would imperceptibly caufe an augmentation of colonitts accuttomed to labour. The Outagamis, more irritated than weakened by the great lofs which they had luftained at De¬ troit two years ago, infefted by their robberies, and ftained with their cruelties and maflacres, not only the environs of the bay of Lake Michi¬ gan, their native country, but almoft all the routes HISTORY OF CANADA. 423 routes which formed the communication with book Vill. the diftant ports of the colony, and thofe which--—» conduced toLouirtana. Except the Sioux, who , 7 '+‘ frequently joined them, and the Iroquois, with whom they had entered into an alliance, but w ho appeared not to aifift them openly, all the na¬ tions conne&ed with the French fufFered much from their hortility, and it was to be apprehended that if they {hewed too great a defire to remedy that evil, the greatert part of the nations would come to an accommodation with thefe barbarians. The Marquis de Vaudreuil therefore propofed, that they fhould unite with him for the expulfion of the common enemy. They each gave their confent, and a party of Frenchmen was raifed, the command of which was given to M. de Lou- vigny. A number of favages joined him on his journey, and he foon found hinrfelf at the head of eight hundred men, refolved not to lay afide their arms whilft an Outagamis remained in Ca¬ nada. It was generally believed that this nation was on the eve of being entirely deftroyed : of this it was itfelf perfuaded when it faw the rtorm forming againft it; and every one had no other hope but that of felling his life as dear as portable. More than five hundred warriors, and three thoufand women, were {hut up in a kind of fort, e e 4 furrounded 4*4 HISTORY OF CANADA. book furrounded by three ranges of pallifades made of w~. oak, with a ditch before them. Three hundred ? 7 ' 4 - men were in march to reinforce them, but they arrived not in time. M. de Louvigny attacked them in form; he had two field-pieces and a fmall mortar; he opened the trenches at thirty- five toifes diflant from the fort, and on the third day he had advanced within twelve toifes from it, although the befieged kept up a conftant fire from their mufkexs. He then made a difpofition for playing off mines under their curtains, which when they perceived, they demanded to capitu¬ late the fame evening, and propofed conditions, which were rejected. Soon afterwards they pre- fented others, which the commandant communi¬ cated to the favages. They imported, that the Outagamis ana their confederates fhould make peace with the French and their allies ; that they fhould immediately reftore all the priloners they had made ; that they fhould replace the dead by flaves whom they would procure from the diflant nations w ith whom they were at war ; and that they fhould defray to the French and their allies, from the produce of their chace, the expences of the prefent war. M. de Louvigny flated, that his allies, to whom he gave the few beaver fkins with which the Outagamis prefented him, had approved that he fhould pardon the befieged, upon the conditions offered, HISTORY OF CANADA. 425 offered, but he deceived himfelf if he believed book viii. them fincere. They did not afterwards diflemble ,—1 their difcontent; he however left them to their I 7 1 4 - difcretion, and returned to Quebec, where he had the gratification of being well received by the General, and of hearing in the following year that his conduct was approved of by the court, and evidently fhewed that he had ftri&ly obeyed the orders which had been given him : the fequel will evince, that the orders had been framed without a fufficient knowledge of the caufe they were intended to remove. M. de Louvigny, on granting peace to the Outagamis, had received of them fix hoftages, all chiefs, or fons of chiefs, as a fecurity for the obfervance of the engage¬ ments into which they had entered, to fend to Montreal deputies to ratify the treaty with the Governor-General: and this treaty, which they delivered in writing to Louvigny, exprefsly re¬ lated to the ceflion of their country to the French. Unfortunately the fmall pox, which the follow- 1716. ing winter made great ravages in the colony, and amongft the neighbouring nations, cut off three of the hoftages who died at Montreal, and among others the famous warrior and chief Pemoufia, who had been fpared at the maflacre of Detroit, and from w'hofe influence the Governor had hoped to derive confiderable advantages. The apprehenfion o > 426 HISTORY OF CANADA. O K III. V- **" / — — 1716. apprehenfion entertained by the General that this misfortune would derange the treaty, obliged him to afcend to Montreal in the winter, and as foon as the navigation was open, he intended to have difpatched M. de Louvigny to Michilimaki- nac, with an order to execute the conditions ac¬ cepted by the Outagamis, to conduct to Mon¬ treal the chiefs of that nation, and thofe of all the others, and at the fame time to caufe to de- fcend into the colony all the Conreurs de Bo is, to whom the King intended to grant an arn- nefty. Louvigny could not depart un&l the end of May in the following year. He took with him one of the hoftages who had been attacked by the fmall pox, and had loft an eye, that he might teftify to his nation the care which had been taken of him and his colleagues. On his arrival at Michilimakinac he difpatched this man to the Outagamis, with prefents to cover the dead, and fent with him two interpreters who were French¬ men : they were w r ell received, and they fung the calumet. After having allowed fome days to the relations of the deceafed to bewail their lofs, they alTembled to hear the account given by the hoftage. He fpoke with confiderable ability, and blamed the chiefs for not having come to Michilimakinac. The nation then declared to the interpreter, that it was fenfible of the kind- nefs HISTORY OF CANADA. nefs which Ononthio continued to fliew them, but that many reafons prevented the deputies from going this year to vifit him: it promifed that next year it fliould be acquitted of its en¬ gagement, gave this promife in writing, and added, that it fliould never fail to recoiled that it owed its prefent exiftence to the clemency of its father. The hoftage fet out with the inter¬ preters to rejoin M. de Louvigny, but after having proceeded twenty leagues he forfook them, faying, that it was proper he fliould re¬ turn to his nation, to oblige it to perform the promife which had been given. This man was never after heard of; his nation fenc no deputies to the Governor-General, and M. de Louvigny gained no other advantage by his journey, than to bring back into the colony almofl: all the deferters ; he engaged a great number of favages to carry their furs to Mon¬ treal, where for a length of time fo great a quantity had not been brought. M. de Vau- dreuil long amufed himfelf with the hope, that the Outagamis 'would fend him deputies; but they left him to retied on an obfervation, of which the occurrences of human life give fre¬ quent example, that an enemy driven to the point of defpair is always irreconcileable. They have fince been beaten in various rencounters, but 428 HISTORY OF CANADA. book but they have on their part obliged the Ilinois to s —j abandon their river, and although, after their J 7 l6 * repeated defeats, it was difficult to conceive that a fufficient number would remain to form a fmall village, it was not fafe to pafs from Canada to Louifiana without taking great precautions againfl being furprifed by them. They united, it is true, with the Sioux, the mod numerous nation in Canada, and with the Chicachas, the moll brave of the favages of Louifiana. * 7 2 5 - The death of M. de Vaudreuil on the ioth of O&ober of this year was fincerely felt by the colony. The forrow which was manifefted on the part of the inhabitants was proportionate to the fatisfa&ion which had been difplayed when he was firfl appointed to the government, over which he prefided for twenty-one years, and the fortunate events which took place during that period were in a great degree derived from his vigilance, firmnefs, and good conduft, and from the fuccefs which almofl uniformly accom¬ panied all his enterprifes. The Chevalier de Beauharnois, captain of the marine, fucceeded him in the following year, and the repofe which his government enjoyed induced him to form the plan of an enterprife for penetrating to the South Sea. Louifiana HISTORY OF CANADA. t 429 Louifiana was at this period fo intimately con- book. J v J11 netted with Canada, by means of the Ilinois, that we (hall revert, in the following books of J 7 2 5* this volume, to the difcoveries of the Sieur de la Sale, and (hall now proceed to (late the unfortu¬ nate iflue of his endeavours to find the mouth of the Miififippi by coafting the Mexican gulph. HISTORY OF CANADA. BOOK IX. De la Sale fails from France , in a Squadron , for the Dif - 43 ° covery of the Mouth of the MiJJifippi , by Sea.—Arr ives off St. Domingo.—Lofs of one of his Veffels .— Arrives at Bay St. Bernard.—His Pink is wrecked.—Return of the Frigate to France.—Conjlrucls a Fort at the Mouth of a River.—Afcends that River and conjlrucls another Fort.—Abandons the former.—Lofs of the Skip La Belle. —La Sale returns from vifiting the Country of the Cenis.—Sets out with a Party to penetrate to the Miff- fippi , and thence to the Ilinois.—Murder of three of his Party.—His own tragical Death.—His Character .— Two of his Murderers dejlroy each other.—Party fet out Jor the Cenis.—Seven Frenchmen accompany thefe Sa¬ vages in a War Expedition. — Victory. — Ceremonies .— jfoutel and Cavelier feparate their Party from the'Mur¬ derers of La Sale. — Set out for the llinois,—arrive at the Akaufas , —at the MiJJifippi , —at the I/inoisy—at Quebec,—in France.—The Clamcoets fall upon Fort St. Louis, and majfacre all the Inhabitants, except the three young TalonSy their young Sifer y and a young Pariftan.—Remainder of thfe concerned in La Sale's Murder confined in Chains y to be fent to the Mines of New Mexico.—The young Talons and their Sijier y by a fingular Series of Events, are rejlcred , after an Abfence of feveral Tears y to their Country, and their Friends . mid the vaft variety of human chara&ers, A ^ there is no virtue which is not mingled with fome defers. It is a reflexion not lefs 43 ° true HISTORY OF CANADA. 43 1 irue than humiliating, that the greateft faults c o^o k. fhould not unfrequently accompany the mod eminent qualities, and that jealoufy, which thefc fail not to infpire in others, Ihould find always in tbofe a fpecious pretext to cover the meannefs and injuftice of that paflion. It is the province of men, to whom the reins of government are afligned, to throw light upon this labyrinth of error, to draw forth truth from the veil of ofifcurity with which paflion hath fur- rounded it, and to endeavour fo completely to develope the propenfities of the perfons whom they mean to employ on fervices of importance, that in profiting by their good qualities they may guard againft the operation of fuch as may have a contrary tendency. Thefe reflections were particularly applicable to M. de Seignelay, minifter of France, and to M. de la Sale, when it was refolved to make ufe of his fervices. The latter, encouraged by the favourable reception with which he was ho¬ noured, propofed a defign which he had formed to explore the fea at the mouth of the Miflifippi, thereby to open a navigation for the veflels of France, and to fettle ari'eftablftbment on that part of the American continent. Having completed the outlines of his plan, the minifter delivered to him his commiflion, which imported that all the French and favages who fhould HISTORY OF CANADA, 43 * book fliould be found from fort St. Louis of the Ilinois, IX. as far as New Bifcay, fliould be under his orders* and that the commandant of the fquadron which fliould carry him from France to America fliould execute whatever he fliould prefcribe on the voyage, and fliould afford him on his landing all the aid which he fliould require, provided it did not tend to prejudice the fafety of the King's (hips. Four {hips of different dimenfions were armed at Rochefort, and two hundred and forty-five perfons were therein embarked, befides the com¬ plement of men on board a frigate. The re¬ mainder was compofed of a hundred foldiers, a Canadian family, about thirty volunteers, fome females, and a certain number of fervants and artificers. There was, befides, a citizen of Rou¬ en, named Joutel, who had long ferved in the army, and in whom M. de la Sale difcovering ftrong marks of capacity and genius, made him his intendant of affairs, an office which he dis¬ charged with the greateft fidelity. It was from the memoirs of this man that the only relation of the voyage and difcoveries of M. de la Sale, on which reliance can be placed, was afforded to the public. The four veffels v.’hich were defiined to convey this fmall colony, were the loli, a frigate of forty guns, commanded by M. de Beaujeu; an 5 armed HISTORY OF CANADA. 433 armed veflel of fix guns, named La Belle, which book the King had given to M. de la Sale ; the Aima- <_ ir —,—-» ble of three hundred tons, and a fmall pink of thirty tons loaded with ammunition. This fquadron failed from Rochelle the 24th of July 1684, in company with a fleet for the iflands, and for Canada, which were to remain under the orders of Beaujeu until they were out of the view of Europe; but, by an accident which happened to one of the malls of the fri¬ gate, they were obliged to put back to Rochelle. They again fet fail on the ill of Augufl, and on the 16th they came in fight of Madeira. The captain of the frigate propofed to M. de la Sale that they fnould anchor there, to take in a fupply of frefli water, and to purchafe refrelhments. To this propofal De la Sale w'ould by no means confent, faying, that they had only been fifteen days at fea, confequently, they ought neither to be in want of water nor provifions; that they could not flop at Madeira without unprofitably Iofing at lead eight days ; that his enterprife demanded the greateft fecrecy, efpecially with refpe£l to the Spaniards, who could not fail from thence to take umbrage, if it became knowm to them ; and it would be difficult to conceal it, if they fliould make their appearance in an ifland fo near to the Canaries, of which the King of Spain was fove- reign : in a word, that fuch was not the inten- vol. 1. f f tlon / 434 HISTORY OP CANADA. B ( r( 3 K ** on ma J eft y» w ^ofe indru&ions relative to «-— y—mmi this expedition were known to him alone. This anfvver much difpleafed M. de Beaujeu, and put the whole fhip’s company in a bad hu¬ mour again!! M. de la Sale. On their arrival at St. Domingo this mifunderdanding was carried to a ftill greater length. De la Sale had orders from the minider for M. de Cufli, who com¬ manded in that ifland, and thefe particularly re¬ garded his intended enterprife. M. de Cufli’s uiual refidence was at Port de Paix, which is on the north fide of the ifland, and it was reafonable to fuppofe that they fhould there come to an an¬ chor. M. de Beaujeu did not however find it convenient, and anchored at the Petit Goave, on the wedern fide, where he arrived on the 27th of September. He there learnt that the Gover¬ nor was at Port de Paix, with the Chevalier St. Laurent, Lieutenant-Governor, and M. Begon, intendant of the American illands, who, in virtue of a fpecial coinmiflion from the King, had come to St. Domingo to aid M. de Cufli in making fome new regulations of police, to give a more confident form to the adminidration of judice, and to remedy many diforders which tended to ruin the commerce of this infant colony. M. de la Sale wrote to the Governor, requeft- ing that he would come to vifit him, becaufe he had many things to communicate relative to the . King’s HISTORY OF CANADA. King’s fervice, it being impracticable for him to leave his fquadron to wait on the Governor at % Port de Paix. Not only the Governor, but the Chevalier de St. Laurent, and even M. Begon, cheerfully undertook the voyage to Petit Goave, where they found M. de la Sale extremely ill. His malady was chiefly occafioned by vexation and difappointment: he had learnt a few days before, that his armed veffel had been taken off the coaft of St. Domingo by two Spanilh gallies; an accident which might have been avoided had they anchored at Port de Paix, and which con¬ tributed not a little to augment the ill humour which prevailed between him and Beaujeu. The reafon which actuated this commander obflinately to perfilt in a matter, which it fhould feem could be but indifferent to him, can be afcribed to no other fource than perfonal hatred to M. de la Sale. To be placed under the orders of a perfon poffefling no rank in the navy, can¬ not be very agreeable to the commander of a King’s veffel; but if M. de Beaujeu was not dif- pofed to execute a reafonable fervice which was exacted from him, why fhould he have accepted of the command on this condition ? M. de la Sale on his part could not comprehend that a commander fhould be offended, becaufe orders had been iffued by him which that commander had once undertaken to obey. He therefore f f 2 - took HISTORY OF CANADA. 43 <> book took no meafures of conciliation, placed no con- { fidence in M. Beaujeu, and to all the propofals of that officer made anfwer, that fuch was not the intention of his fovereign. It was not by means like thefe that he could intereft in his en- terprife a perfon, on whom its fuccefs greatly depended. M. de la Sale at length recovered, and after fome intercourfe with the Governor of St. Do¬ mingo and the two commiffioners, who cheerfully afforded him every aid which he demanded, he had nothing further to detain him ; he therefore took his departure on the 25th of November, more embroiled than ever with M. de Beaujeu. On the 12th of December the fquadron doubled Cape St. Antoine, which is the weft point of the ifland of Cuba, and entered the Gulph of Mexi¬ co; but on the 14th a violent contrary wind obliged it to return to the cape, where it re¬ mained until the 18th. On the 28th it came in view of the land of Florida, and from what had been told De la Sale, that in the Gulph of Mexico the current tended towards the eaft, he doubted not that the mouth of the Miffifippi could not be far to the weftward ; an error which was the fource of all his misfortunes. He therefore turned to the weft, but advanced little, becaufe from time to time he approached the land, and fteered within view of the coaft in fearch HISTORY OF CANADA. 437 fearch of the object of his expedition. On the b o^o k. ioth of January 1685 the fquadron was, as was <- v — afterwards found, not far from the Miflifippi, but parted it without the boat having been fent in to explore. Some days afterwards, from in¬ formation which w 7 as given by the favages, M. de la Sale wifhed to return to the fame place, but Beaujeu refufed to comply, although obliged thereto by virtue of his inftru&ion. They both became flill more diflatisfied with each other; and M. de la Sale, after having obrtinately per- fifted in exacting obedience in matters of much inferior confequence, unfortunately yielded, when he ought principally to have availed him- felf of the authority with which he was in¬ verted. They purfued, therefore, the fame courfe to the wertward, and the fquadron in a few days arrived in the bay of St. Bernard, but without a knowledge of their actual fituation. This bay is one hundred and twenty leagues to the fouth- weft of the Miflifippi. They there came to anchor, and the boats were fent out on difcovery. They arrived at a fine river, at whofe entrance there was a bar which had only twelve feet of w r ater. After feveral excurfions in order to af- certain their fituation, and many confutations where nothing was concluded, becaufe it was fufficient for one of the commanders to explain f f 3 his 4 3 8 HISTORY OF CANADA. book his propofals, to have them oppofed by the other ; »_ M. de la Sale, who conceived that he could not be fur from the objett of his fearch, and in at¬ tempting which the prefence of M. de Beaujeu could only ferve to impede him, refolved to dif- embark all his people at this place. Having taken this refolution, on the 20th of February he Tent an order to the commandant of the pink, to unload his veffel of every heavy article, and to enter into the river. He at the fame time enjoined the commander of the Belle to embark in the pink, becaufe he had not fuffi- cient confidence in the perfon by whom Ine was then navigated ; but her commander refufed to receive the captain of the Belle. On this refufal M. de la Sale would have embarked himfelf ; but a lieutenant of infantry and five or fix other Frenchmen, having been carried off by the ra¬ vages whilfl they were walking in the woods, he hafiened to difengage them. He had not proceeded far from the fea fhore, when calling his eyes towards that dire&ion he perceived his pink manceuvering, as if Ihe was upon the breakers ; and his adverfe fortune pre¬ vented him from returning to endeavour to re¬ medy this untoward event. He continued his rout towards the village whither his people had been conducted, and on his arrival there heard the difeharge of a cannon. From this he pre- faged HISTORY OF CANADA. 439 faged that his pink was on fhore, and his con¬ jecture was but too true. It was believed by many who were witnefies of this accident, that it was the effect of a premeditated defign on the part of the-Sieur Aigrou, who commanded the vefiel. Great as this lofs doubtlefs appeared, the un- happy confequences refulting from it were yet more truly diftrefiing. The provifions, utenfils, tools, and, in general, all that is neceffary for a new eftabliihment, were contained in the pink. M. de la Sale, in whom the anxiety to recover his people had fuperfeded the care of preventing a misfortune which he dreaded, haftened, on the accomplifhment of his firfl intent, to the fpot where the veflel was wrecked, and found every perfon in a Hate of inaction. He intreated Beau- jeu to lend him his chaloup and boat: he began by conveying the people on fhore, and afterwards the various ftores. If the boat of the pink could have acted with that of the frigate, the whole cargo of the veffel might have been faved. But this had likewife been wrecked, and night hav¬ ing approached, it was neceffary to wait until the following day to complete the difcharge. The wind and waves having increafed, the velfel was driven againft rocks, by which file was broken, and a quantity of articles was thrown out at the openings, and floated to and fro on f f 4 the O O K IX. "“V—' 440 HISTORY OF CANADA. r °x° K waves * Several calks of wine, fpirits, flour, v —,,> and fait provifions were faved, but every thing befides was loft. The perplexity of their fitua- tion was increafed by numbers of the favages who furrounded them, and notwithftanding every precaution which was ufed to prevent them from taking advantage of the general embarraffment, many things that had been faved from the wreck were carried off. This circumftance was not difcovered until after the barbarians had efcaped with their booty. Several canoes that had been left on the fhore were taken pofletlion of, in con- fequence of this adt of theft: a feeble reprifal, for which they foon after paid very dear. The favages returned to bring away their canoes, came in the night to thofe who had pofleflion of them, whom they found aileep, killed two vo¬ lunteers whom La Sale much regretted, and wounded two more, but were unable to regain their canoes. Such a feries of unhappy events occurring at the fame time, difcouraged many who were en¬ gaged in this expedition, and among others M. Dainmaville and the Sieur Minet, engineer, who exprefied a defire to return to France. To this dereli&ion of the fervice on which they were en¬ gaged, the enemies of M. de la Sale contributed in no finall degree. They ceafed not to throw ciifcredit on his conduct, and to brand his enter- • prife HISTORY OF CANADA. 44 1 prife with epithets of folly and ralhnefs. He b o^o rc however continued to evince the greateft refolu- tion and firmnefs. He caufed a magazine to be conftructed, furrounded it with intrenchments, and there depofired every thing that had been faved. Perfuaded that the river he had entered might be one of the branches of the Miflifippi, he made difpofitions for exploring it. He at the fame time learnt that M. de Beaujcu was prepar¬ ing to return to France, and entreated him to leave behind him the cannon and ammunition which he had embarked exprefsly for the fervice of M. de la Sale. Beaujeu replied, that they were in the hold of his veflel, and that in order to procure them every thing mull be removed : that this operation would require more time than could be fpared, in order to avoid the tempefts ufual at this feafon in thofe latitudes, and that he believed M. de la Sale was more reafonable than to wish that he flrould expofe the frigate to the hazard of being loft. He however well knew that La Sale had on fnore only eight fmall field- pieces, and not a fingle (hot. It could not, be- fides, be conceived how he could have fo etn- barrafied ftores, which were deftined for a new fettlement. Another proof of the unjuftifiable conduct of this officer became evident. The perfidy of the commander of the pink was openly declared, and to 442 HISTORY OF CANADA. book to lkreen him from the juftice of M. de la Sale,. i he was received into the frigate, with the whole crew of his veflel, and this, contrary to an exprefs promife he had given to embark no perfon what¬ ever without the full confent of M. de la Sale. The only refource which remained to the latter, was to make a reprefentation to the minifler, a fatisfaction which could in no degree remedy the diftreffing condition to which he was re¬ duced. The frigate failed about the middle of March, and the people on fliore at the fame time began to conftruct a fort. When the work was fome- what advanced, La Sale gave Joutel the charge of completing it, entrufted him with the com¬ mand, and left with him a hundred and twenty men. La Sale with fifty men, who compofed the remainder of his party, embarked on the river with a refolution to afcend as far as pofiible. The favages came at night to ramble around the fort, and Joutel, who was ordered not to allow them to approach too near, cauled fome mulkets to be difcharged, in order to keep them at a diftance. De la Sale, who heard the report, returned with fix or feven men, and found every thing in quietnefs. He departed foon after to rejoin his party, and the firft thing which he learnt on his arrival at his encampment was, that feveral HISTORY OF CANADA. 443 feveral of his workmen had fufFered their tools book to be ftolen by the favages. As it was his inten- * tion to conftrudl a fecond fort, he gave out other tools, but unhappily his workmen were not fuffi- ciently acquainted with their ufe. About the beginning of June an order was fent to the firft fort, addreffed to the command¬ ant, to fend an officer named Moranget to con¬ duct to La Sale all the men which it contained, except thirty, who were left to Joutel and the Sieur le Gros, who had charge of the (lores, as a guard. The chace and fifhing afforded them abundant fuppiies, and the commandant main¬ tained, with a dignified mildnefs, good order and quietude. This however did not prevent a confpiracy from being formed by two perfons, whofe difpofitions inclined them to malevolence. The intention was to put to death the com¬ mandant and the florekeeper, to rob the (lore of every thing valuable, and to make their efcape. The day for the execution of this projedt was fixed; but one of the confpirators having im¬ parted the circumflance to a third perfon, Joutel, who was immediately informed of it, had the criminals feized and put in irons. On the 14th of July he received a fecond order from La Sale to join him together with all his people, wdiich he delayed r;ot to obey, and delivered to him the 444 HISTORY OF CANADA. BOOK IX. the two prifoners, with the proofs of their con- fpiracy. Thefe circumftances, which convinced La Sale of the bad choice that he had made of his colo¬ nies, gave him much inquietude. Joutel was furprifed to find the fort in a ftate fo little ad¬ vanced. No building was yet covered, but a fmall magazine of ftone, in which the gun¬ powder and liquors were depofited. They had planted and fown, but all had failed from the want of rain. They had fubfifted on the animals killed in the chace. Many good fubjefls were dead. The number of invalids increafed every day, and nothing could be more melancholy than the fituation of La Sale. He was mortified by difappointment and adverfe fortune, but the fortitude of his mind enabled him well to difiem- ble the uneafy fenfations by which it was agi¬ tated. With a firmnefs, which was the leading principle of his character, but which often dege¬ nerated into obftinacy, he poffefied to a fupreme degree a talent for refource, and his induftry made him find within himfelf whatever was defi¬ cient in others. As foon as all his people were aifeinbled into one place, he proceeded with ac¬ tivity in his fortification. He became himfelf the architeft, and as he aflifted by manual opera¬ tion, each laboured to the utmoft of his power. Nothing HISTORY OF CANADA. 445 Nothing more was wanted to encourage this fa- b cmd k. vourable inclination; but La Sale could not command his ill temper. At a period when his people were exhaufted with fatigue, and when he had fcarcely a fufficiency of provifions to afford them, he had not power enough over his own mind to enable him to relax in fome degree from his ufual feverity, nor from that inflexibility of fpirit which is extremely unpropitious to the ad¬ vancement of a new fettlement. He punilhed with a fpecies of cruelty the finallert faults, and fcarce¬ ly did he let efcape an expreflion of mildnefs, or confolation, for thofe who fufiered with the mod exemplary patience. Soon therefore had he the mortification to fee all his people fall into a date of languor, which proceeded more from defpair, and excefs of fatigue, than from the want of nourifhment, and which cut off a confiderable , part of his followers. A circumftance which contributed to the per¬ plexity of his fituation was, that by the impru¬ dence of fome Frenchmen, the natives of the country called Clamcoets declared themfelves againlt them, and their favour could never be regained. M. la Sale, however, at length finilhed his fort, and gave it the name of St. Louis. As he could not divert himfelf of the idea, that the Miflifippi difcharged itfelf into the bay where he had firft landed, and which he alfo called the bav 7 of 446 HISTORY OF CANADA. book of St. Louis; he refolved to coaft it in his fmall IX. t _• veflel. He embarked in the month of October, leaving in his fort thirty-four perfons, under the command of Joutel, whom he enjoined not to re¬ ceive back any of the party that went out with him, unlefs a written order, figned by himfelf, fhould be delivered into his hand. He had loft, a Ihort time before, the Sieur le Gros, who hav¬ ing been bit by a rattle-fnake, and being ignorant of the remedy for this bite, which is found every where in the woods, was neceflitated to undergo the amputation of his leg, and died fiiortly after the operation. This ftorekeeper was well ac¬ quainted with bufinefs, and was in many refpe&s of great utility. He was one of thofe, for whofe lofs La Sale experienced the mod lively regret. After the departure of the veflel three months elapfed before any tidings of her were received at fort St. Louis. At length, towards the middle of January 1686, melancholy accounts of her were brought by a perfon named Duhaut, whofe brother had remained in the fort. The elder who had followed La Sale, arrived without bring¬ ing any letter from him. He was alone in a canoe, and he was heard by the fentinel, towards the evening, calling out to his brother. The commandant was informed of it, and came to fpeak to Duhaut, and after being told that La Sale was in perfect health, he inquired if he had a writ- HISTORY OF CANADA. 447 a written permiflion to return into the fort. B 0 ° K Duhaut replied that he had not, but he related «—v —j with fuch an appearance of fincerity the caufe of his return, that Joutel conceived he might in this inftance difpenfe with the written order, and permitted him to enter the fort. He made the following recital of his adven¬ tures. M. de la Sale, faid he, having arrived within fight of the velTel, fent on board of her five of his belt men, and enjoined them to give his directions to the pilot to found the anchoring- ground, in a canoe. The pilot obeyed, and employed a whole day in this fervice. In the evening, finding himfelf fatigued, he went alhore with thofe who had brought the order, and there they kindled a fire. Sleep at length Hole upon them before they had fettled any precaution againfi: the favages, who, afcertaining from the fire the fpot where the French were, approached during the night, tnaflacred the fix men who were in profound deep, and broke in pieces their canoe. La Sale finding that they returned not at the appointed time, went himfelf in fearch of them, and found the fad remains of their carcafifes, which the wolves or other beads of prey had almofi: entirely devoured. He lamented above all the lofs of his pilot, the perfon of whofe aid he ftood molt in need, and a circurnltance foon after 448 HISTORY OF CANADA# rook after took place, which caufed this privation to - w - be yet more feverely felt. He made the veflel to advance higher up in the bay, fent on board all things neceflary for the enterprife which he meditated, and gave orders that the veflel (hould not go out of fight of the coaft, and that none of the crew (hould come on (hore. He embarked with twenty men in two canoes to traverfe the bay ; when he arrived on the op- pofite fide, he funk his two canoes in the water, and continued his courfe bv land. After feveral J days’ journey he found himfelf on the borders of a fine river, which he named La Maligne : in proceeding further, Duhaut having (lopped be¬ hind the others, loft himfelf in the woods, and afterwards arrived, by what means he could not tell, oppofite to fort St. Louis. As there w^as nothing in this recital which had not an air of verifimilitude, Joutel could not refill giving credit to it, and contented himfelf w’itn pre- ferving a (Iricl obfervation over the actions of Duhaut. Towards the middle of March De la Sale ar¬ rived, with Cavalier his brother, Maranget his nephew, and five or fix men, in very diftrefiing circumftances, at fort St. Louis. Others of his party had been fent in fearch of the veflel, con¬ cerning whofe fate he was anxious. Although La Sale had failed with refpe£t to the object of his HISTORY OF CANADA. 449 his purfuit, he appeared however fatisfied with book his journey, afferting that he had travelled over ■_ —.j a very fine country. This afforded him no ad¬ vancement towards the accomplifliment of his purpofe, but he comprehended the neceflity of not difcouraging his people, and he was a great mafter in the art of concealing difappointment. The fight of Duhaut, who he thought had de- ferted, afforded him fome uneafinefs, and he afked of Joutel why he had received him, con¬ trary to his orders. Upon being told the reafon he appeared fatisfied. Next day, the party who had been fent in fearch of the veffel returned to the fort, but brought no intelligence of her. By this he was thrown into great perplexity, becaufe he had left on board his linen, his clothes, papers, and mofl valuable effe&s. Befides, his defign was to have ufed this veffel in afcending fome of the rivers which he had difcovered, to fend her to the iflands in fearch of fupplies, and likewife to range in her along the whole coafl of the Gulph of Mexico, until he fnould find the Miffifippi, after he fhould have loft every hope of entering it by fome of the rivers which difcharged themfelves into the bay. He neverthelefs took his meafures with his ufual confidence and hope, and, towards the end of April, he fet out on a new r journey. Some VOL. i. 3G days HISTORY OF CANADA. days after his departure, M. de Chefdeville, the Marquis de la Sablonniere, and fome others of thofe who had remained on board the Belle, ar¬ rived at St. Louis in a canoe, with the clothes, a part of the papers, and linen of La Sale, and alfo fome provifions, and with accounts of the total lofs of the veflel. They recounted the circum- ftances of this unfortunate event, which deprived M. de la Sale of his principal reliance, after fuch a repetition of difafters. Their relation of this accident was as follows: The crew being in want of frefli water, the Sieur Planterofe went himfelf to procure a fupply in one of the nearefl rivers. As he was returning on board with the people who had accompanied him, contrary winds and the obfcurity of night overtook them. They who were in the veflel, and had feen the efforts that were made to return, lighted a fire to ferve them as a guide; but neither the boat nor any of thofe who were in her ever afterwards appeared. For fome days they awaited with fruitlefs expe&ation their arrival on board the veflel. At length the crew, preffed by ertreme thirft, wifhed to approach a habitation on the coaft, which was about two leagues diftant from the river, but the feeble (late to which they were reduced, and, it may perhaps be added, their want of (kill, prevented them from working the veflel with effeft $ the wind alfo becoming un¬ favourable, HISTORY OF CANADA. favourable, fhe was thrown afliore on the oppofite fide of the bay, and was there wrecked. Thcfe unfortunate men, thus caft away on a favage coaft, and having no longer any boat, could find no other means to extricate them* felves but by conftrufting a raft in order to crofs the bay; but it was fo badly fabricated, that the firft who ventured upon it were drowned. The remainder of the crew built a fecond raft, which was of more folid form; they placed upon it all the goods which they could fave from the vefiel, and fafely accomplilhed their objed. They re¬ mained for fome time upon the fhore, in great embarraflment, becaufe they dared not, on ac¬ count of the favages, hazard the performance of the remaining part of the journey by land, and their raft was incapable of being conducted up the river. At length they found an old canoe, which they repaired, and in which they arrived at St. Louis. Two months had paffed without any accounts having been brought of M. de la Sale. This long abfence was not the foie caufe of the inquie¬ tude of the commandant. He perceived with the moft painful fenfations his colony diminifhing every day. Maladies cut off the moft worthy of his people, the favages maffacred thofe who ven¬ tured abroad on the chace; fome deferted, were not alhamed to take refuge among thefe oca bar* HISTORY OF CANADA. barbarians, and to adopt their mode of life. Many began to murmur with difcontent, and from murmuring proceeded to the moft odious confpiracies. The elder Duhaut placed himfelf at the head of the malcontents, and Joutel was informed that he aimed at nothing lefs than be¬ coming chief of the fociety. It however appeared that this unhappy perfon had not yet formed the deteftable purpofe, which he afterwards executed. It is only by a gradual progrefs, that the human mind attains the high- eft pitch of iniquity, and the motives by which Duhaut was actuated had not yet acquired a fuf- ficient degree of force to urge him to the com- miffion of parricide. Certain it is, that from the menaces of the commandant he remained quiet until the return of La Sale, who, in the month of Auguft regained fort St. Louis. He there received the accounts of the lofs of his veflel, with a tranquillity of mind which was ftill more to be admired, becaufe he had on his jour¬ ney himfelf fuftained many Ioffes which there were no means of rep’acing. He had penetrated into the country of the Cenis, with whom he formed an alliance, and he extolled the beauty and exuberance of the lands he had traverfed. But he had acquired no fur¬ ther knowledge of what he had in view, and the whole profit of his voyage extended only to five horfes 453 HISTORY OF CANADA. horfes loaded with fome provifions, with which B ^ x ° K his new allies had prefented him. Of twenty -—/—■» men who had accompanied him only eight re¬ turned. He inquired on his arrival if the young Duhaut and four others had returned, in confe- quence of permiffion which he had given them, but found that none of them had appeared. Another perfon had gone aflray on the road and was loft. One of his fervants had been devoured by a crocodile, and the others had deferted him whilft he was among the Cenis. Such a feries of Ioffes made painful impreflions on all who remained at St. Louis. M. de la Sale propofed another expedition, but as the heats were then exceffive, he thought fit to defer it until the month of October. The neighbour¬ ing favages inceffantly harraffed him, and killed two of his men almoft before his eyes. This confirmed him in a refolution he had already formed of removing from thefe barbarians. His defign was to endeavour to reach the Ilinois, and from thence to fend M. Cavalier to France. He was upon the point of preparing for his jour¬ ney, when he was feized with a violent malady which obliged him to put off his departure. Joutel, feeing him in this fituation, made an offer to perform the voyage, with five men, which was not accepted. Towards the end of December he had recovered from his illnefs, and made dif- g g 3 pofitions HISTORY OF CANADA. 454 book pofitions for his route. He was pleafed that i Joutel fliould accompany him, and he gave the command of the fort to a perfon named Le Bar- bier. He had ftrengthened this fettlement fince his return from the Cenis, and he flattered him- felf that it was now in condition to defy the infults of the favages. He left a fufficient quan¬ tity of provifions for the people who remained in it, who amounted to twenty perfons, among whom were feven females, two recollets, M. de Chefdeville, the Marquis de la Sablonniere, and a furgeon. After having communicated his lafl: inftruc- tions, he began his journey on the 12th of Janu¬ ary 1687, with fixteen men, comprehending M. Cavelier, Moranget, the young Cavelier, Father Anaftafe, Joutel, Duhaut, Larcheveque, De Marie, a German of Wirtemberg named Hiens, a furgeon named Liotot, the pilot Taffier, the young Talon, the fervant of La Sale whofe name was Saget, and a favage, an excellent huntfman. To eafe the travellers, M. de la Sale had loaded with the greater part of the baggage and provi- fions the five horfes he had brought from Cenis. Although they held their courfe through a very fine country, they fuffered much inconve¬ nience from the rains which had fwelled almoft all the rivers. Savages were often feen, but M. de HISTORY Of CANADA. » 45 5 de la Sale conciliated the whole of them by his book addrefs } he always however continued on his guard, and encamped with great precautions. The difficulty of eroding the rivers increafed, on account of their magnitude, and their not being fordable. Neceffity fuggefted to him the con- ftrudion of a canoe to be carried on poles, which he found of great utility. In proportion as they advanced into the country they found it more populous, and when they were not farther diftant from the Cenis than forty leagues, they learnt that one of their countrymen was in the neighbourhood. On the 17th of May, Moran- get being upon a hunting party, and having had ' a quarrel with Duhaut, Hiens, and the furgeon Liotot, thefe three men formed a plan of mur* dering him, the fervant of M. de la Sale, and the favage huntfman named Nica, who accompanied Moranget, and probably would have rilked their lives in his defence. They communicated their defign to Larche- veque, and to the pilot Teffier, who approved of it, and were inclined to take a part in its execu¬ tion. They mentioned not their intention to the Sieur de Marie, who was with them, and whom they wiffied not to be prefent. On the follow¬ ing night, while the three unhappy vidims of their vengeance flept in tranquillity, Liotot ftruck them on the head with repeated blows of a a g 4 hatchet. HISTORY OF CANADA. 456 book hatchet. The favage and the fervant immedi- IX • ® ately expired. Mcranget raifed himfelf, but without being able to utter a word, and the aflaf- fins conftrained the Sieur de Marie to complete his death, by menacing him, that if he refufed he fhould fhare a fimilar fate. Their intention vVas to render him an accomplice in their hor. rid crime, to be allured that he would not accufe them. As however it feldom occurs, that a firft tranf- greflion is not followed by thofe galling inquie¬ tudes, which even they who have gained the pinnacle of iniquity find it difficult to tranquil¬ lize, the murderers comprehended, that it would be no eafy talk to evade the punifhment which M. de la Sale, on the event of a difcovery, would not fail to inflid. They therefore refolved on the means of defeating it. After having delibe¬ rated together on the probable plans of fucceed- ing, they conceived that the molt effectual would be to prevent him, by deltroying all thofe who might oppofe their defign, and to open the way to the parricide which they meditated. A refolution fo extraordinary could only have been didated by that blind defpair, which con- duds criminals with celerity to the abyfs which they themfelves have dug : but an accident which they could not forefee delivered into their hands the prey of which they were in fearch. A river which HISTORY OF CANADA. 457 which feparated them from the camp, and which book: hac confiderably fwelled fince they had pafled it, —, detained them for two days. This delay, which at that time appeared to them an obftacle to the execution of their project, tended to facilitate its fuccefs. M. de la Sale not finding his nephew nor the two men who accompanied him return, went himfelf in quell of them. It was remarked that at the moment he was fetting out he ap¬ peared to difcover fymptoms of uneafinefs, and enquired with an emotion which he had never before betrayed, if Moranget had not had a quarrel with fome perfon. He then called Joutel, entrulled him with the command of the camp, recommended to him to walk around it from time to time, to permit no perfon to leave it, and to alight fires that the fmoke might ferve to bring him into his way, Ihould he wander on his return. He departed on the 20th, taking with him father Anallafe and a favage. As he approached the place where the alfaflins had flopped, he perceived eagles foaring near it, and concluded from thence that fome dead carcafes lay in the vicinity. He immediately fired his fufil, and the confpirators, who had not yet perceived him, doubted whether it might be he who approached, -and Hood to their arms. The HISTORY OF CANADA. The river intervened between him and them. Duhaut and Larcheveque patted it, and having difcovered M. de la Sale (lowly coming up, they made a halt. Duhaut concealed himfelf in the long grafs, having his fufil charged and cocked ; Larcheveque advanced a little further, and M. de la Sale faid with anxiety, “ Where is my nephew Moranget ?” He was anfwered, that he had (frayed, and they had loft him. At the fame inftant Duhaut difcharged his piece, and M. de la Sale receiving the contents in his head, fell lifelefs to the ground. Such was the tragical death of Robert Cava¬ lier Sieur de la Sale, a man of uncommon ge¬ nius, of an enlarged mind, of an undaunted intrepidity of fpirit, which might have conducted him to high diftinftion, had he, with fo many enviable qualities, pofiefied the power of com¬ manding his irritable and faturnine temper, of fetting bounds to his feverity, or rather to the harflinefs of his difpofition, and of reprefllng the haughtinefs with which he treated not only thofe who were entirely dependent on him, but like- wife his aflociates, who had advanced confider- able fums towards the equipment of his enter- prife. He was reproached, with fome degree of juftice, for never having taken the advice of any perfon. HISTORY OF CANADA. 459 perfon, and for more than once having ruined book. his own affairs by an inflexible obftinacy which ■_ nothing could either conquer or juftify. By rejetting all advice from others, he fome- times, doubtlefs, loft opportunities of fuccefs, as the greateft men are often indebted for the fa¬ vourable attainment of their objetts, to perfons of inferior merit; and the mod fortunate are generally they who can profit by hints from others, perhaps far unequal to themfelves in ca¬ pacity and acquirements. In the mean time father Anaftafe having feen M. de la Sale fall at his feet, expected that the murderers would not (hew him any mercy, and would immediately cut him off to prevent his becoming an evidence againft them. But Du- haut approaching him, gave him affurance of fafety, telling him that the deed which he had committed was prompted by the influence of de- fpair, and that for a long time he had meditated revenge againft Moranget, who once wiftied to ruin him. His accomplices interrupted his con- verfation with the recollet, in an inftant defpoiled the dead body of La Sale, talcing even the (hirt, and, after having infulted it in a manner the moft indignant, they dragged it into the brulhwood, where it was left without the honours of fepul- ture. The affaflins, after having thus completed their parricide, took their way to the camp, where they 460 HISTORY OF CANADA. book they had already fent the produce of their chace __ t by favages who were witneffes to what paffed, and could not refrain from teffifying marks of abhorrence at the fcene of daughter. M. Cavelier having learnt the fate of his un¬ happy brother, immediately told the confpirators, that if their defign was to deftroy him alfo, he would pardon them in advance, and the only fa¬ vour he required was, to be allowed a quarter of an hour in order to difpofe himfelf for death. They replied that he had nothing to fear, and that no perfon had taken offence at his conduct. Joutel was not then at the camp : Larcheveque, who was his friend, went in fearch of him, to acquaint him that his death was refolved on if he ffiould (hew any refentment at what had taken place, or if he pretended to refume the authority which M. de la Sale had given him ; bur, if he remained quiet, he might be allured of his life. Joutel, who was naturally of a mild difpoli- tion, replied, that they lhcruld be Satisfied with his conduct; he alfo believed that he had given no caufe of offence whilft he held the command, and that he Ihould now be happy to pofiefs in it no lhare whatever. They then returned to the camp, and fo foon as Duhaut perceived Joutel, he called out to him, that every one mull com¬ mand in his turn. He had already feized on authority, and the firlt ufe he made of it was to 3 take HISTORY OF CANADA. 461 take pofteffion of every thing in the {tore: he B ° x ° K then divided the contents with I.archeveque, • — <* aflerting that they belonged to them. The par¬ ricides were in pofteffion of ftrength, and their courage, by the practice of crimes, was hardened into unfeeling ferocity. They met with no op- pofition to their will. Next day, the 20th of May, all the French, accompanied by fome favages, began their march to proceed to the village of the Cenis, which was not far diftant; but the weather being unfavour¬ able, and the road difficult, they were foon obliged to encamp. On the 29th Joutel was detached with the fuTgeon Liotot, Hiens, and Teffier, to endeavour to procure fome provifions from the Cenis. They difcovered on the firft day three favages well mounted, one of whom was habited like a Spaniard, and approached to meet them. He was then taken for a real Spani¬ ard, efpecially as they had heard that people of that nation were coming to join the Cenis, againft another nation with whom they were at war. As they were apprehenfive of falling into the hands of the Caftilians, who are not well inclined that other Europeans fhould come into their neighbourhood, their firft intention was to kill * him, and afterwards to make their efcape. Whilft the party was thus deliberating con¬ cerning what meafure they fhould adopt, Joutel, who 462 HISTORY OF CANADA. book who had already joined him, addrefled him in «■ —,-._f Spanilh and Italian. The favage replied in the language of the Cenis, that he did not under- (land what was fpoken, and this anfwer perfe&Iy fatisfied them. The two other favages were en¬ tirely naked; one had a handfome grey horfe, which carried two balkets made of cane, full of flour and roafted Indian corn. He prefented fome to the French, and added that his mafter expetted them with impatience. Joutel enquired if any Spaniards were amongft their countrymen, and was anfwered that none had come there, but that feveral of that people were amongft a neigh¬ bouring nation. The favage who was in the Spanifh drefs added, that he had been in their country, and that he was returning from thence, equipped as they beheld him. He drew from his pocket a printed paper in the Caftilian language, contain¬ ing a lift of indulgences granted by the Pope to the millionaries of New Mexico; after which he and his two companions purfued their route to¬ wards the village; they foon however altered their intention, and came back. The French prefented them with food: night coming on after the repaft, the Frenchmen wifhed not to proceed farther, and one of the three favages re¬ mained with them. The other two refumed the road to their village. The HISTORY OF CANADA. 463 The Frenchmen and their guefl arrived there book 0 •the next day, and immediately proceeded to the ■ — l l nJ . cabin of the chief; but fcarcely had they appeared at the entrance of the village, when they per¬ ceived the Ancients, who were advancing with ceremony. Each had upon his (houlder a ban- doleu of drefled deer (kin, painted with different colours, and on the head a plume of feathers made in the form of a coronet. Some carried naked fwords, like thofe which are in ufe among the Spaniards, and their hilts were adorned with feathers and hawks* bills: others were armed with bows, arrows, and clubs. Part of their number had large pieces of white cloth which pafled from one (houlder to the other, and hung down below their middle; every one had his face painted with red and black. The Ancients amounted to twelve, and pafled between a double line of young men and war¬ riors, ranged in good order. When they were fufficiently near to the French, their leader made them halt, and immediately each raifed his right hand above his head, fending forth at the fame time loud cries: they afterwards ran to embrace the French, and lavifhed on them, according to their manner, every demonflration of kindnefs, prefenting them alfo pipes and tobacco : at length they led forth a Frenchman of Provence, one of thofe who had deferted M. de la Sale on his firft voyage 464 HISTORY OF CANADA. book voyage thither. He was naked like the favages, w-.— - an d appeared rejoiced again to fee his country- - men. They were conducted by the train already mentioned to the cabin of the chief, where they were well received. From thence they were led to another cabin of larger dimenfions, about a quarter of a league diftant from the firfl, and which was fet apart for public feftivity. They found the floor covered with mats, on which they were defired to feat themfelves. The An¬ cients arranged themfelves around them, and brought them fagamiete, or boiled Indian meal, and vegetables of various kinds. During the repaft, and afterwards, whilft each fmoked his pipe, they were entertained by fome warlike exhibitions. The Provencal dwelt in another village, to which he conduced the French, who were there received nearly in the fame manner. Darknefs approaching, their conductor led them to his cabin, where they puffed the night. Next morn¬ ing the Ancients of the firfl village came to lead them back to the cabin where they had been re¬ galed the preceding evening, and exchanged provifions for their merchandife ; but as fufficient grain was not found in the village to fupply the wants of the French, Joutei fent back his com¬ panions, together with the Provencal, to the camp, HISTORY OF CANADA. camp, and remained among the Cenis to com¬ plete his quantity of provifions. Another motive belides engaged him to re¬ main longer amongft thefe people. He learnt that there were two other Frenchmen, deferters from M. de la Sale, in a neighbouring nation, and he hoped to draw from them more information than he had acquired from the Provengal refpedting the Miffifippi and its courfe, which it was necef- fary he fhould take to reach the IlinoiS. He therefore caufed fearch to be made for thefe two men, and one night, when he was at reft in his cabin, but had not fallen quite afleep, he heard a perfon approach gently to his bed fide; he looked at him, and by the light of the fire per¬ ceived a man quite naked, holding in his hand two arrows and a bow, who without fpeaking feated himfelf on the bed. Having viewed him for a time, he alked him fome queftions, to which he received no anfwer. This filence made him refledt ferioufly, and lay hold of his two piftols. On this the man raifed himfelf, and feated himfelf near the fire. Joutel followed him, regarding him with fixed atten¬ tion, and prefently the pretended favage threw his arms around his neck, fpoke to him in the French language, and made himfelf known as one of the deferters of whom he was in queft. VOL. i. h h On 466 HISTORY OF CANADA. book. On being alked where his companion was, he . r l X —, . made anfwer that he was afraid to come. They had in a little time fo well adopted the manners of the favages, that they could never have been taken for Europeans: not only were they naked, but they had their whole body painted and tatooed. They were married to fe- veral wives. The Cenis had led them forth to war, and whilit their ammunition lafted the effeCt of their fufils was admired ; but when it failed, they were obliged to ufe the bow and arrow. They led a life of libertinifm, in which they found great attractions, and fcarcely any tincture of religion remained to them. Joutel informed his countryman of the death of M. de la Sale, and of his nephew Moranget, at which he appeared extremely affeCted. He then alked him if he ever had heard mention made of the MilTifippi, and was anfwered, that he had only heard that at forty leagues to the north-eaft there was a large river, whole banks were very popu¬ lous, and where there were men of the appear¬ ance and drefs of Europeans. Joutel doubted not that this was the river of which he was in fearch, and as he was rel'olved to feparate, as foon fis he could, from the murderers of M. de la Sale, it became a principal object of his attention to allure himfelf of the road which he mull take to gain that great river. In the morning the deferter I HISTORY OF CANADA. deferter returned to his village, after Joutel had made him fome trifling prefents to beftow on his wives, and had requefted him to perfuade his companion to pay him a vifit. On the 6th of April they both arrived at the cabin of Joutel, equipped in the fame manner, which appeared fufficienily whimfical; and con¬ fided in wearing their hair very Ihort, except a touper, which the barbarians allow to remain on the fumrnit of the head, and fometimes on the Tides. The other, named Grollet, confirmed what his companion had afierted on the fubject of the great river towards the north-eaft, on the bor¬ ders of which Europeans had been feen, and they both made offer to accompany Joutel to the camp. He was pleafed with this refolution, and on the 8th, the two Frenchmen having returned to Cenis with a horfe, to tranfport the provifions which Joutel had purchafed, they departed, and on the 10th arrived at their place of deffina- tion. During the abfence of Joutel, the murderers of M. de la Sale had formed themfelves into a feparate band, and had embraced the defign of returning to Fort St. Louis, there to conftruct a barque, and to attempt to reach the Weft-India iflands. They were in want of the greatefi: part of the utenfils neceflary for this purpofe, and H H 2 none 4^8 HISTORY OF CANADA. book, none amongfl them had ever been accuftomed IX 0 v__> to their ufe. But this was the firfl operation of that privation of reflection, which never fails to overtake thofe who have perpetrated crimes ab¬ horrent to humanity. M. Cavelier having learnt that Duhaut and his accomplices intended to buy horfes from the Cenis, to tranfport their baggage to St. Louis, went to acquaint him, that he and many others whom he named were too much fatigued to undertake the journey which was meditated: that their defign was to remain for a certain time in the firft village of the Cenis, and he begged him to allow them fome hatchets and ammunition, with other articles to-enable them to purchafe provifions; and if he was in¬ clined, he might fet a value on them, and he would give him an obligation for the amount. Duhaut deferred until the morning his anfwer ; and after having confulted with his band, ac¬ quainted M. Cavelier that he confented to allow him the half of the flores which remained in the magazine. He added, that if he and his party did not fucceed in conrtrucling a barque, they would return. A few days after he changed his refolution with refpect to the journey to St. Louis, and propofed to his companions to rejoin M. Cavelier, in order to proceed to the llinois. Hiens and fome others were not of this opinion, and demanded their flrarc of the flores. Duhaut made HISTORY OF CANADA. 469 made fome difficulties, and they quarrelled : at book length Hiens difcharged his piftol at Duhaut, ■ —» who fell dead at the diftance of four paces from him. At the fame time one of the deferters, whom Joutel had brought back from the Cenis, and who was attached to Hiens, fired his fufil at the furgeon Liotot. This miferable man, al¬ though he had three balls in his body, lived for fome hours, and, after he had made confeflion and received abfolution, the fame perfon com¬ pleted his exit by the difcharge of a piflol. Thus two murderers, the one of M. de la Sale, the other of his nephew, became the firfl victims of that fpirit of fury with which they had infpired this unhappy colony. Joutel, who had witnefled this mafiacre, feized his fufil to defend himfelf, left they fhould alfo attempt to take away his life; but Hiens called out to him to be under no apprehenfion, and that his only defign was to avenge the death of his patron. He added, that although he fhared in the confpiracy with Duhaut, he by no means had confented to that act of parricide, and that, had he been prefent, he would have endeavoured to prevent it. The favages knew not what to think of thefe fanguinary proceedings, and re¬ garded them with juft abhorrence. Joutel gave them to underftand that thefe two men who had been killed merited that treat- h h 3 ment 4/0 HISTORY OF CANADA. COOK iX. ment which they had received, for having im¬ brued their hands in the blood of their chief, and for having feized by violence effects which did not belong to them. With thefe reafons they appeared fatisfied. Larcheveque was not at the camp whilft this was going forward : he had fet out on the morning of that day for the chace, and Hiens intended to treat him on his return in the fame manner as he had done Duhaut ; but M. Cavelier and Father Anafiafe fucceeding in difluading him from his intention, and Joutel finding means of acquainting Larcheveque of the danger to which he was fubjected, he con- dueled him afterwards to Hiens, and they mu¬ tually promifed not to give way to their ani- mofities. After this reconciliation, it became necefiary to confult anew cn the plan which was to be purfued ; but Hiens declared that he had given a promife to the Cenis to accompany them to war, that he would accomplilh his word, and if they would wait for him at one of the villages, he would afterwards rejoin them. It became for M. Cavelier, and for thofe who were attached to him, a matter of neceflity to fubmit to what this outrageous character propofed, becaufe a divifion of the ftores had not yet taken place. They went therefore to the village of the Cenis, and fliens departed from thence on a war expedition. together HISTORY OF CANADA. together with the favages and fix Frenchmen, all mounted on horfeback. On the 18th, the French who remained in the village were much furprifed to fee enter their cabins, early in the morning, women bedaubed all over with earth, who began a circular dance. This lafted for three hours, after which the matter of the cabin gave to each of the dancers a piece of tobacco. They then informed the French, that the Cenis had gained a complete victory. The women began to prepare refrelhments to carry out to meet the victorious bands, who, on the evening of the fame day, arrived at the village. Their enemies, named Canohatimios , had waited for them with firmnefs, but the noife and effeCl of the fire-arms of the French had imprefled them with fuch a panic, that they fled on the fir ft difcharge. They were purfued, and forty- eight were killed in the purfuit. The Cenis fpared no prifoners except two boys, whom they brought to their village, together with the fcalps of the dead, and two women whofe lot was ftill more fevere than death. They fent back one to her country, but not before they had taken the fcalp from her head : they put into her hands a quantity of powder and lead fufficient to charge a fufil, defiring her to carry this prefent to her nation, and to acquaint h h 4 it, 472 HISTORY OF CANADA. book it, that they fhould return to vifit it with fimilar iX J arms. Her companion was delivered to perfons of her own fex, who being armed with large pointed clubs, led her to a relired place, w’here there were only women. There each of thefe furies difcharged at her a blow, fome with the points of their clubs, others with Twinging force. They pulled off her hair, cut off her fingers, in a word, they made her fuffer every operation which they conceived would excite in her the molt exquifite fenfations of pain, to revenge the death of their friends and relations who had been killed in different rencontres. In fine, after they had exhaufted every fpecies of torment which their vindi£live fpirit could devife, they pierced her body with feveral wounds, until the remains of life efcaped from it. It was then cut into pieces, and given to the flaves to be devoured. The following day was fet apart for feftivity and rejoicings. After having prepared the cabin of the chief, they fpread mats on the floor, on which they caufed the Ancients and the French to fit. When each had taken his place, an orator flood up, and made a long difcourfe ; which par¬ ticularly turned on the praifes of the warriors, and on the great fervices which the new allies had rendered to the nations. Afterwards HISTORY OF CANADA. 473 Afterwards appeared a woman, holding in her b o^o k. hand a long reed; the warriors, preceded by » _ ^ their wives, followed each according to his rank, having a bow and arrows in his hand. Their wives carried the fcalps that had been acquired in the battle, and held them up confpicuoufly to view. The two young prifoners whom they had adopted clofed the procefiion, and as one of them was wounded, they mounted him on a horfe. As the warriors paffed the orator, they received the fcalps from the hands of their wives, and pre- fented them to him. He placed them between his hands, turned them towards the four quarters of the world, and depofited them on the ground. This part of the ceremony being finilhed, large diihes of fagamity were ferved up, and before they were touched by any perfon, the orator took fome in a large wooden bowl, and prefented as an offering to the fcalps: he then lighted a pipe of tobacco, and blew the fmoke of it on the fame objects, after which the feafl: commenced. Be- fides fagamity, the tongues of their enemies killed in battle were ferved up. They brought to the two young prifoners the flefh of the wo¬ man whofe fufferings have been mentioned, and forced them to eat of it. The whole terminated by finging and dancing, and they feparated to recommence 474 HISTORY OF CANADA. B o o k recommence in their refpeftive cabins the latter »—v~—<» part of the ceremony. The French having now no longer any caufe of detention among the Cenis, aflembled to fettle their final refolution. Hiens immediately began to declare, that he approved not of the project of going in fearch of the Ilinois, in which he forefaw infufmountable difficulties; and beffdes, he would not return to France to carry thither his head to lay it on a fcaffald. To this lafl reafon there could be no reply ; but as it was the only motive which in reality determined Hiens to embrace the defperate plan which he purfuej, they who were not culpable perfdted in the defign of pairing to the Ilinois, and on the fame day be¬ gan to make ferious difpolitions for their depar¬ ture. The favages had much exaggerated to Joutel the dangers to which he Ihould expofe nimfelf, in traverfing fo vaft an extent of country, where he could not fail to meet with nations vet un- j known to Europeans, and from l'ome of whom he could not flatter hitnfelf with the hope of a kind reception. They omitted nothing to engage him and his people to remain among them. He fo- licited them to afford him guides, to whom he promifed a handfome iecompence. Hiens on his part fupplied him with all that he required ; but Joutel HISTORY OF CANADA. Joutel knew that he muft not alk for much. This monfter of villainy remained mailer of al- moil the whole of the effects of M. de la Sale, and already wore one oi his coats of fcarlet and embroidery. But before he would make the fmalleft partition of the itores, he exacted from I\I. Cavelier an atteftation written in Latin, and figned with his hand, that he acquitted him of all fufpicion of having been concerned in the mur¬ der of his brother. Thofe who proceeded for the Ilinois were feven in number, M. M. Cavelier, uncle, and nephew, Father Anailafe, the Sieurs Joutel and De Marie, a young Parifian named Barthelemy, and the pilot Teffier. Larcheveque, Munier and Ruter, the two deferters, had promifed to accompany them, but the attractions of liber- tinifm detained them among the Cenis, and it was apparent that the fame dread of puniihment which had taken pofleffion of the mind of Hiens, feized alfo that of Larcheveque, itill more culpa¬ ble than the former. Joutel and his party, after a long and fatiguing march, arrived at the country of the Akaufas, the only unhappy event which had occurred be¬ ing the lofs of the Sieur le Marie, who was drowned whilfl bathing in a river. Amoneff: the Akaufas, whom they reached on the 20th of July, they met with two Frenchmen, one named 2 Delaunay, 47 6 HISTORY OF CANADA. book Delaunay, and the other Couture, by trade a JX. , ■ carpenter. It was a circumflance of unfpeakable joy to the travellers, to find themfelves fo near to the Mlffi- fippi, and in a country where their nation was known. The two Frenchmen had been fent to the Akaufas by the Chevalier de Tonti, on his return from a voyage, which he himfelf had made to the mouth of the Mifiifippi, where M. de la Sale had direfted him to rendezvous. They there had begun a habitation, and appeared to have formed the refolution of eftablifhing them- felves, no longer hoping to receive any further accounts of M. de la Sale. M. Cavelier acquainted them with his melan¬ choly death, but defired them not to make it known, becaufe the name alone of the deceafed had held thefe favages in refpett, and he wilhed to procure from them provifions, canoes, and guides. He then requeued Couture to go in fearch of fome of their chiefs, and to inform them that M. de la Sale had formed a fettlement in the Gulph of Mexico; that they who had brought thofe good news, were making a voyage to Canada to bring back merchandife; that they w'ould fhortly return with a number of French¬ men to fettle in their country, to defend them againlt their enemies, and to procure all the advantages of a well-regulated commerce ; that they HISTORY OF CANADA. 477 they hoped to receive from them, in order to be book enabled to reach the Ilinois, the fame aids that ■ _< they had received from all the other nations through whofe country they had parted. The Akaufas aflembled to deliberate on thefe propofals j in the mean time they regaled in the bed manner in their power their new guefts, and fung and danced the calumet. They however found fome difficulties in allowing guides for fo long a voyage ; but by the incitement of promifes and prefents, they at length confented. The young Parifian, who could not walk, remained with the Akaufas, and Couture accompanied his countrymen for fotne time. They fet out on the 27th, defcended the river of the Akaufas, and gained, the fame day, a village called Torimau, where they faw for the firft time the Miffifippi. They traverfed it on the 29th, and gained the village of the Kappas, where Couture took his leave of them. They afcended the Miffifippi in canoes on the 3d of September, entered the river of the Ilinois, and on the 14th arrived at Fort St. Louis, where the Sieur de Bellefontaine commanded in the abfence of the Chevalier r lonti, who had gone to join the Marquis de Denonville in the war againft the Tfonnonthou- ans. Every perfon eagerly enquired after M. de la Sale, and it was anfwered that they had parted with him at forty leagues from the Cenis. They did 4 7 8 HISTORY OF CANADA. cook did not think it prudent to give a further expla- . nation, becaufe they wifhed to pafs on to Canada as quickly as poffible and they were in want of fupplies to enable them to perform this voyage, which was become difficult and perilous fince war had been declared againll the Iroquois. They were afraid of being denied the neceflary affift- ance, if they had made known the death of de la Sale. Happily for them the Sieur Boifrondet, clerk of that unfortunate officer, was preparing to make the fame voyage, and their meeting af¬ forded much mutual fatisfaclion. They embarked on the 18th, but did not proceed far; the bad weather obliged them to return to the fort from whence they had departed. This misfortune difconcerted them the more, as it deprived them of all hope of returning to France the fame year, and of fending fupplies to fuch of their people as had remained at the habitation of St. Louis. On the 27th of October, M. de Tonti arrived at Fort Sr. Louis of the Ilinois. M. Cavelier conceived it prudent not to make known to him, more than to the others, the melancholy end of his brother, and as he had taken the precaution to procure from him, a little before his death, a letter of credit to receive at the Ilinois a fum of money, or the value in furs, Tonti made no diffi¬ culty in delivering him a quantity of the latter, amounting HISTORY OF CANADA. 479 amounting to two hundred pounds flerling. book T he travellers left the Ilinois on the 2 Lit of — March 1688, with Boifrondet, and Father AU louez, who not finding a favourable opening among the Ilinois for the eftablifhment of a mil¬ lion, returned to the river St. Jofeph, where he foon after died among the Miamis. On the 10th of May they arrived at Michili- 1633. makinac, where they relied but for a ftiort time, and on the 14th of July M. Cavelier reached Montreal, where his people, whom he had left at La Chine, joined him on the 17th. They there met M. M. Denonville and Champigny, whom they gave to underhand, that they were obliged to pafs over to France with all pofiible expedition, to fend fuccours to M. de la Sale. They embarked for Quebec, and had not long to wait for a veffel; from thence they failed, and landed at Rochelle on the 5th of October. There is fome ground for fuppofing, that if Cavelier and his party had not been confirained to winter at the Ilinois, and had arrived a year earlier in France, meafures might have been taken to reinforce, or to bring off the little colo¬ ny which La Sale had formed at St. Louis amongfl the Clamcoets; but on their arrival at Paris it was conceived too late ; and even had it been intended earlier, it would have been vain. The Clamcoets were not long in being informed of 4S0 history of Canada. book of the death of the French chief, and of the difr perfion of his company ; and at a time when the inhabitants of St. Louis lead: expected it, they fell upon them and maflacred them, except the three fons of Talon, their filter, and a young Parifian called Bremau, whom they carried off to their village. An Italian who had come from Canada acrofs the continent, to join M. de la Sale, and who doubtlefs would have been ufeful to him, in difclofing to him the route which he ought to have purfued in order to reach the MilTifippi, if he could have arrived in time, faved alfo his life by a lingular ftratagem. While the favages were preparing to put him to death, he told them they were much to blame to deftroy a peifon who carried their images in his heart. This difcourfe aftonilhed the barbarians, and the Italian allured them, that, if they would give him until to-morrow, he would openly demonltrate the truth of what he advanced. He obtained that delay, and having adjulted a ftnall mirror on his breafl, he appeared before the favages, who were much furprifed to view themfelves, as they believed, in the heart of this man, and granted him his life. On the other hand, the Spaniards of New Mexico, whom the enterprife of La Sale had much alarmed, w f ere fully refolved to fpare no means of ruining it. They fent five hundred men* HISTORY OF CANADA. men, who arrived among the Cenis, and there found Larcheveque and Gr llet, whom they made prifoners. They afterwards met with Mu. nier and Talon, hrother of thofe who had been fpared by the Clamcoets, and brought them to the village of Cenis, where they were well treated. There were among the Spaniards miffionaries of St. Francis, whom they wiffied to fettle among thefe favages. They conceived that the two Frenchmen, who underflood perfectly well the language of the country, might be of great utility to thefe new miffionaries, and they hoped by kindnefs to engage them to remain with thefe fathers. Their obliging manners encouraged Talon to make known to them that he had three brothers and a filler, flaves among the Clamcoets, and they forthwith fent a detachment in fearcii of them. But this detachment could only bring off two of the Talons, their filler, and the Italian, whom the Clamcoets, who had adopted them, would w'iih the greateft difficulty releafe. The follow¬ ing year two hundred and fifty Spaniards retu ed to the fame village, brought away the other Talon and Bremau, conduced them to St. Louis de Petofi, a city of New Mexico, and from thence to Mexico, with the remainder of their country¬ men, where they were received into the family of the viceroy. i i VOL. i. Larche- 4^2 HISTORY OF CANADA. book Larcheveque and Grollet had been fent to Spain, from whence they were brought back to Mexico. They were there confined in prifon until an opportunity offered to fend them to New Mexico, to labour in the mines. The Italian was fent to Vera Cruz, where he was fhut up in prifon, from whence, it is probable, he was not removed until he was placed in the mines. It is not known what became of Bremau. Per¬ haps, on account of his youth, he was joined with the Talons: the probable reafon why they experienced milder treatment than the others, was, that they were of an age not to enable them to have received any knowledge of the country $ whereas their companions had attained their full vigour of mind and body, and if they efcaped, might give to the French much information rela¬ tive to what they had witnefi'ed in their different travels. At the end of eight years, the three elder Talons being of an age to carry arms, w*ere en¬ rolled on board the Armadilla, and embarked in Le Chrifto, the admiral’s fhip. This veffel was taken in 1696 by the Chevalier des Augiers, and the three brothers having then recovered their liberty, returned to France. It is from their information that an account of the latter circum- ftances herein mentioned was acquired. The viceroy of Mexico, who had detained with him * 6 the HISTORY OF CANADA. the younger brother and fitter, having been re- book lieved, brought both with him to Spain. . _?*! j Such was the unfortunate iffue of an enter- prife, which a variety of adverfe circumitances contributed to defeat. HZ HISTORY OF CANADA* book X.* Voyage of M. de Iberville for the Difcovery of the Mouth of the Mijftfippi by Sea in 1698-9.— Arrival at St. Domingo,—at Penfacola.—Explores one of the Branches of the Mouth of the Mijftfippi -Afcends to the Oumas. —Builds a Fort near the Pafeagoulas , and returns to France.— Arrives again at the Biloxi . Conjlrucls a Fort on the Eajj Side of one of the Branches of the Miffi - fppi . - Afcends to the Natchez. — EJlabliJhes the Head Quarters of the Colony at the Biloxi. — The Ilinois Various Nations bordering on the Mijfftppi vifittd by La Sale in his former Travels.— Manners and Cufoms of the Natchez. — Of the Ilinois after their Converfton to the Chriflian Faith . all the parts of America to which the crown of France laid claim, none occupied for a time the attention of the government of that ♦ The calumet of peace, frequently mentioned in this book, and in ufe among the nations bordering on the Miflifippi, is a large pipe formed from a fpecies of foft marble, of a red, black, or white colour. The ftalk is from four to five feet in length. The body of the calumet is eight inches in length ; the head which contains the pipe is three in height, and one or two in diameter. The red calumets are in mod general vogue and efiimation. The lavages ufe them in their negotiations, for political purpofes. HISTORY Of CANADA. 485 that country To much as Louifiana, a name given by M. de la Sale to the new dilcoveries he made on the borders of the Miffifippi. Since his un¬ fortunate attempt to explore by fea the mouth of this river, it appeared that the plan for its profe- cution was entitely laid aftde. M. de Iberville, however, on his return from an expedition to Hudfon’s Bay, awoke, upon this point, the at¬ tention of the minitter, and infpired the Count de Pontchartrain with the defign of conftru&ing a fort at the entrance of that great river, of which this officer undertook the dilcovery. The minitter, approving his project, caufed to be fitted out at Rochefort two armed fhips, Le Francois and La Renommee , the command of which he gave, to the Ma quis de Chateaumorand and to M. de Iberville, both captains of the madne. They fet fail on the 7th of October 1698, and anchored at Cape Fran$ois in Saint Domingo on the 11 th of December. From purpofes, and efpecially on their journeys, being able to travel every where in lafety whillt carrying this pipe in their hands. It is ornamented with feathers of various colours, and has with them .the fame effed th..t a flag of truce has among civilized nations. The favages would conceive themfelves guilty of the greatelt crime, and that they fhould even bring misfortunes on their nation, were they to violate the privileges which the prefence of this venerable pipe is allowed to confer. 11 3 thence 486 HISTORY OF CANADA. hook thence they proceeded to Leogane, to converfe M. Duchaffe, governor of the ifland, re- fpe&ing the object of their deftination. Thar officer was already well acquainted with the repu¬ tation which M. de Iberville had acquired, and found his genius and defigns to correfpond with his valour and {kill in war. On the laft day of the year they failed from St. Domingo, and on the yth of January 1699 they perceived the land of Florida. They ap¬ proached it as near as poffible, without Hiking themfelves on that unknown coaft, and fent the Sieur Lefcalette to bring a fupply of wood and water, and at the fame time to procure intelli¬ gence. This officer, on his return, informed them, that they were oppofite to a bay called Penfacola, where three hundred Spaniards from Vera Cruz were come a little time before to form a fettlement; and it was afterwards learnt, that the intention of this eftabliffiment was to prevent the French from occupying the country. Lefcallette had entered the harbour, and de¬ manded of the Governor permiffion to procure wood and water; who, on being informed for whom it was wanted, faid he would give an anfwer to the commanders of the (hips. He ac¬ cordingly fent his major on board to compliment M. M. Chateaumorand and de Iberville: this officer at the fame time put into their hands a letter HISTORY OF CANADA. 487 letter from the Governor, importing that the two b 0^0 k. veflels of the Mod Chriftian King might freely fupply them (elves with wood and wa f er, and take fhelter, if neceifary, wherever they might find it convenient: but that his inftru&ions exprefsly prohibited him from receiving into the harbour any foreign (hips; and that,in cafe of bad weather, they might enter into the bay, whither his pilots fhould conduct them. M Chateaumorand wrote, in anfwer to this letter, that he defpaired of find¬ ing any other place where the veflels might be in fafety, and he was therefore neceflitated to accept of his offer. M. de Iberville went out in his boat to found, and found twenty fathoms of water to be the fmalleft depth; but the Gover¬ nor, on further reflection, defired them to go in fearch of another harbour. On the 31 ft of January M de Iberville, who took the leading courfe to explore the coaft, an¬ chored to the S. S. Eaft of the eaftern point of the Mobile, a large river parallel to the Mifli- fippi, “and celebrated for a bloody victory which Don Ferdinand de Soto there gained over the favages. On the fecond of February he landed on an ifland four leagues in circuit, which he named the Ille of Maflacre, becaufe he found the bones and Ikulls of fixty perfons, with a quantity of culinary utenfils in an entire ftate. From this ifland, to which was afterwards given 11 4 the HISTORY OF CANADA, the name of lie Dauphine, he pafled to the conti¬ nent and having difcevered the river of the Paf- cagoulas, where he met with many favages, he proceeded with the Sieur Sauvole, De Bienville, a recoller, forty-eight men, and provifions for twenty days, with a defign to find out the Miffi- fippi, which the favages of that country diftin- guilhed by the name of Malbouchia , and the Spaniards by that of La Pallifado. He entered it on the 2d of March, with all his people, in two boats, and found the name which the Spa¬ niards had given to it extremely applicable, becaufe its mouth was full of trees, a continual fupply of which was fwept thither by the cur¬ rent. After having explored this branch of its mouth, hitherto fo long leatched after, he went to impart his difcovery to M. de Chateaumorand, who was advancing with every fail, and whole inftructions being only to accompany De Iberville to this fituation, departed in the Francois, and on the 20th of April directed his courfe for St. Domingo. Having made the necefiary preparations, De Iberville re-entered the Midi up pi, with a defign to afcend that great river, and he had not pro¬ ceeded far, when he found that little dependance was to be placed on the narrative which had been publifhed under the name of the Chevalier de Tonti. On his arrival at the village of Baya- goulas. HISTORY OF CANADA. goulas, the chief of thefe favages conduced him to a temple of the following defcriprion. The roof was adorned with figures of animals. Th^re was at the entrance a fiieet eight feet wide, by eleven in length, fupnorted by pillars, with a beam placed acrofs. On each 1'de of the door were o'her figures of animals, fuch as bears and wolves, likewife of various birds. The chief caufed the door to be opened, which was only three feet high, and two feet in width, and he entered fir!!. This temple was a cabin, con- ftrucfed hke the other in the village, in the form of a cone, thirty feet in diameter: there were placed in the centre two logs of wood, which were burning, and produced a quantity of fmoke. A kind of platform was railed a little way from the ground, on which were placed feveral pack¬ ages of fkins of deer, bears, and buffaloes, which had been prefented as offerings to the ch >uchou- acha, or opoffuin : this animal is the deity of the Bayagoulas, and was delineated in levei al parts of the temple, in red and black. Its hea;‘ is about the fize of that of a young pig, its hair is brownifh, its tail is like that of a rat, the feet like a monkey’s, and the female has under the belly a bag, where (he carries her young. The village was compofed of ieven hundred cabins, each of which contained a family, and was lighted from the door, and from an open¬ ing 490 HISTORY OF CANADA. book ing of two feet in diameter made in the centre of X. ^ -v-w l he dome. From thence De Iberville afcended to the Oumas, where he tfas cordially received. He flill however entertained fome doubts that the river which he navigated was the Miflifippi, but a letter which he received from a favage chief relieved him from this inquietude. The letter was written by the Chevalier de Tonti, and bore the following addrefs: “ M. de la Sale , Gouver- “ neur de laLouyfiane.” It began thus : “From “ the village of Quinipiflas, the 20th of April “ 1685. Having found the poll where you “ placed the arms of the King, overturned by “ the fwelling of the waters and the floating “ timber, I planted another, about three leagues “ diftant from the fea, and have left a letter in “ the hollow of an adjoining tree. All the na- “ tions whom I vifited have fung the calumet of “ peace. Thefe people regard us with great “ veneration and awe, fince you defeated the “ inhabitants of this village. I conclude by “ afluring you that I was much difappointed “ that we ftiould have been obliged to return, “ having the misfortune not to have found you, “ after coafting in two canoes on the fide of “ Mexico for thirty leagues, and for a diftance “ of twenty leagues on the fide of Florida.” De HISTORY Of CANADA. De Iberville, re-affured by this letter, returned r into the bay of the Biloxi, fituated between the w Miflifippi and the Mobile, built a fort at three leagues from the Pafeugoulas, left there M. de Sauvole to command if, and returned to France. Fie did not long remain there, and arrived at the Biloxi on the tfth of January. Fie then learnt, that towards the end of September lafl: year an Englifh corvette of twelve cannon had entered the Miflifippi; that M, de Bienville, who had gone to found the mouths of the river, had feen this veffel at twenty-five leagues diftance from the fea, and had acquainted the commander, that if he would not return, he was in a fituation to oblige him to that meafure. This menace pro¬ duced the defired effect; but the Englifh com¬ mander, in withdrawing, faid, that he would foon return with a greater force ; that fifty years had elapfed fince this country was firfF difeovered by them, and that the claim of the Englifh to its poffeffion w r as preferable to that of the French. De Iberville conflrucled a fmall fort, and placed there four pieces of cannon, giving the command to Bienville. This fort was fituated at the mouth of the river, on the eafl fide : whilft they were bufied in ere&ing it, the Che¬ valier de Tonti arrived, with about twenty Canadians, who belonged to the eftablifhment of the llinois. 491 O O K X. "" ■ mJ After HISTORY OF CANADA. After having finifhed his fort on the Miffifippi, and afcended the river as high as the country of the Natchez, De Iberville formed the defign of fettling a colony in that part of the river, which he called Rofalie. He returned to the bay of the Biloxi, where he eftablifhed the head quarters of his new colony. The Spaniards made no oppofi- tion to him, and the comnrmdants of the two nations were apparently actuated by the fame views, with this difference, that the one was ufe- fully ferving his fovereign, by amufing the French with commerce; and the other, vvhilft in expec¬ tation of being placed in a condition more effec¬ tually to ferve his prince, believed in the mean time that nothing was neglected to promote that object. The Governor of Penfacola declared to a French officer, when he went to demand permif- fion to enter his port, that he had orders to pro¬ hibit the Englifh and all trading companies from forming eftablifhnients in the neighboui hood of the Miffifippi; but nor to refufe to receive into his port veffels of the King of France. On this information M. de Iberville wrote to the miniiler, that it was the opinion of thofe who were belt acquainted with the nature of that part of Ame¬ rica, that Louisiana could never be fettled, if freedom of commerce was not allowed to all the merchants of the kingdom. There HISTORY OF CANADA. 493 ft There were two obje&s which, at this period, formed the principal part of the commerce of Louifiana, wool, which was procured from the wild cattle of the country, and the pearl fifnery. The inftruftions of De Iberville therefore pointed out, that fuch were the chief advantages which his difcoveries would procure. The King had a!fo adopted meafures for fend¬ ing miliionaries to the different tribes of favages, who inhabited the banks of the Miffifippi, and whofe numbers were at that period' very con- fiderable. Fathers Donge and Du Ru, Jefuits, came from France, and Father De Limoges from. Canada; but, the Bilhop of Quebec, whofe diocefe is the molt extenfive in the habitable world, exacted from them conditions with which they were diffatisfied. M. de Monrigny, and two other ecclefiartics for foreign millions, had gone from Quebec to Louifiana, inverted with all the facerdotal powers of the prelate. The Jefuits believed that thefe prierts were not dif- pofed to a£t in concert with them, and received an order from their fuperior to withdraw'. Other miliionaries of their order had for a long time maintained a flourifhing church among the Ilinois, who were not at that period, as they afterwards were, in the government of Louifiana, and they for many years continued to inftruct that nation, in w r hom the Chrirtian religion pro¬ duced 1700. 494 HISTORY OF CANADA* book duced a change of manners and character, which i- —* — it alone is capable of effecting. Before that pe- I ^°°* riod there were not, perhaps, throughout the whole extent of Canada, favages who pofleffed fewer good qualities, and a greater number of vices. They at all times fhevved much mildnefs and docility; but they were cowardly, treache¬ rous, deceitful, difhoneft, brutal, without any principle of honour, unfaithful, interefted, ad¬ dicted to gluttony, and to a depravity of defire unknown to the other favages of Canada : they were likewife, therefore, defpifed by the other nations. They were not on that account left conceited, or lefs prejudiced in their own fa¬ vour. Allies of fuch a character could not do much honour to the French, nor render them any ma¬ terial fervices. They had, notwithltanding, none that were more faithful, and they were the only nation, except the Abinaquis,who never courted, to the prejudice of the French, a reconciliation with their enemies. They u'ere fenfible, it is certain, of the advantages of their afliftance in defending them againft their enemies, who . feemed to have contemplated their ruin; and particularly againft the Iroquois and Outagamis, who, by continually harrafling them, had in a great meafure rendered them warlike, and from whom the former gained nothing by their ex¬ peditions HISTORY OF CANADA, 495 peditions but the acquirement of a portion of B ° x ° K their vices. J But, what chiefly contributed to attach the llinois to the French intereft, was the introduc¬ tion of Chriftianity, which they ardently em¬ braced; to which may be added, the firm and uniform conduct of the Chevalier de lonti, and of the Sieurs de la Foret and Dolietto. Thefe three officers had long commanded in the coun¬ try of the llinois, and had the addrefs to gain a great influence over that people. When M. de la Sale, in his fir(l voyage down the river Miflifippi, came among the llinois, he was informed that this people had been preju¬ diced againft the French, and he found himfelf in the mid ft of their camp, which was on each fide the river, at a place where the current car¬ ried the canoes with much greater rapidity than he wiftied; he therefore ordered his people to arm, and to range the canoes in front of the enemy, fo that the whole breadth of the river was occupied. The llinois, who had not yet difcovered the little fleet ranged in order of battle, became alarmed when they delcried it. Some took to their arms, others to flight, and great diforder and confufion feemed to take place among them. La Sale, who had a calu¬ met of peace, would not produce it, that he might not appear apprehenfive of the power of the HISTORY OF CANADA. 496 book the favages. As they were fufficiently near to ^ each other to converfe, they demanded the n^me 0 1700. of the country to which the French belonged: on this information being immediately given them, they prefented three calumefs of peace, the French at the fame time exhibiting that which was in their poflcflion, and their terror changing to fudden joy, they conduced the French to their cabins, lavifhed on them a thou- fand cardies, and recalled their countrymen who had fled. In the fummer feafon they wore no covering whatever, except for the feet, on which they put fhoes made of the fkins of wild cattle, and in the winter they defend themfelves againfl the cold, which in thefe regions is piercing, although of fhort duration, by fkins which they drefs and ornament with paintings. They are tall, flrong, and robuft in their ptrfons, and expert in the ufe of the bow and arrow. They had not be¬ fore feen fire arms, with fome of which La Sale prefented them. It is the cuftom of the Uinois to conceal in pits, during winter, their Indian corn, in order to preferve it until the fpnng; and they fet out during that r ea r on to diilant places, in fearch of wild cattle and beavers, carrying with them very little 6 rain. The HISTORY OF CANADA* The Taenfas inhabit the borders of a fmall lake formed by the river Miflifippi. They have eight villages; the walls of their dwellings are made of earth mixed with ftraw, the roof is of canes, and falhioned into a dome ornamented after their mode of painting. f They have beds and feveral other moveables, made of wood, a» are alfo the embellifhments of their temples, in which they inter their chiefs. Their cloaths confift of a white blanket, made of the bark of a tree, which they fpin and weave. Their chief is abfolute, and, without confulting any perfon, difpofes of all according to his will. He and all his family are ferved by flaves, taken in battle. His food is placed in the open air, before his cabin, and he drinks out of a cup appropriated for his foie ufe. His wife and children are treated with the fame deference, and all other Taenfas addrefs them with ceremony and re- fpe£t. La Sale being at a fmall diftance from the vil¬ lage, fent thither fome of his people with prefents, and the chief, not fatisfied with returning a quan¬ tity of provifions, wiflied alfo to fee La Sale; he difpatched a mafter of ceremonies with fix other perfons to clean the road over which that travel¬ ler was to pafs, to prepare a place for his recep¬ tion, and to cover it with a mat of canes, deli¬ cately worked. The chief, clQthed in a white vol. i. x k robe. 4 97 OOK 170c. HISTORY OF CANADA.. robe, and preceded by two men carrying large fans of white feathers, afterwards arrived. A third perfon carried a fheet of copper, and a round plate of the fame metal, both highly po- lifhed. The chief, in this vifit, preferved a demeanor extremely folemn and grave, but neverthelefs full of confidence and marks of amity. The whole of this country is adorned with palm-trees, with laurels of two fpecies, with prune-trees, peach-trees, mulberry, apple, and pear-trees of various kinds. There are alfo nuts of five or fix different qualities, fome of which are of an extraordinary fize. The favages in general, who frequent the bor¬ ders of the Miffifippi, appear to be affable and docile. They cherifh few fentiments of religion: ceremonies of a religious tendency are, however, obfervable amongfl them: they preferve a par¬ ticular veneration for the fun, whom they ac¬ knowledge as the creator and preferver of the univerfe. It is remarkable that their languages Ihould have no affinity to each other, although no great diflance intervenes between their na¬ tions. In order to preferve their independence, they fuffer not their tongues to become common, and mutual interpreters, from one tribe to ano¬ ther, are always refident when they are in alli¬ ance. They differ widely from the favages of Canada HISTORY OF CANADA* 499 Canada in their habitations, habiliments, man- book X. ners, inclinations, and cuftoms, and even in their __ outward appearance. I 7 co * The Taenfas have extenfive public places allotted for games and affemblies. They appear more cheerful and lively than the favages of the north. Their chief feems to poflefs an authority almoft abfolute, and no one prefumes to pafs between him and a flambeau of cane, which is kept burning in his houfe; his attendants go round it, with ceremony. He has officers who follow and ferve him every where: he bellows rewards, and diflributes prefents according to his pleafure. La Sale met with no nation acquainted with the ufe of fire-arms, nor even with tools of iron. They ufed knives and hatchets of Hone. Among many, he found bracelets of pearl, but they had been pierced by means of fire. In his travels, he met with a nation called Bifcatronge, but whom he and his companions named Pleureux, becaufe on the arrival of thofe Frenchmen they wept bitterly for a quarter of an hour. It is a practice among them, when they encounter travellers, to recal to mind their deceafed relations, whom they believe to be on a long journey, and whofe return they pretend to await. K K 2 The 500 HISTORY OF CANADA. BOOK. X. U— V,- 1700. The Cenis are a people very numerous, and occupy a very fertile territory. They are com- pofed of different cantons extending for upwards of twenty leagues, having villages of from ten to twelve cabins, bearing each diltindt names. The cabins are neat, being from twenty to thirty feet high, made like bee-hives. They plant trees in the earth which join at top, and which they cover with long grafs. Their beds are elevated about three feet from the ground, the fire being placed in the centre of the cabin. Each cabin contains two families. They poffeffed a number of articles which unqueftionably were procured from the Spaniards, fuch as dollars and other coin, filver fpoons, lace of every description, cloaths, and horfes. Among other things was found a printed paper, containing a bull from the Pope, exempting the Spaniards of Mexico from ab- flaining from the ufe of flelh at certain periods during fummer. Horfes are here common, and in great abundance. The Spaniards are known to them only by means of their allies, the C.haumans, who are always at war with the former. After having remained here for a few days to refrefn his party, La Sale purfued his route to the Naffonis. Thefe nations are allied with the two laft, and poffefs nearly the fame genius and cha¬ racter. The HISTORY OF CANADA. 5 01 The Kunvatinno are a people cruel to their enemies, whom they put alive into the cauldron, and devour. The chiefs and young men of the Cadodachos received the party with the calumet of peace, which they gave them to fmoke, feme holding their horfes by the bridle, others carrying them in triumph, believing them to be fpirits, and of a country not belonging to this world. The whole village alfembled ; the women, according to their cuftom, walking the hands and feet of the tra¬ vellers with warm water; they afterwards placed them on an elevated feat, covered u'ith a white mat. Feafting, dancing with the calumet, and other public rejoicings followed day and night. Thefe people had never before feen Europeans, whom they had known only by name. They have, like the other nations through which the travellers paffed, confufed ideas of religion, and pay their adoration to the fun. Their drefles of ceremony are ornamented with two figures of that luminary, and with reprefentations of cattle, (tags, ferpents, and other animals. Among two nations called the Catminio and the Mentous, the travellers received the calumet of peace in their hands, with every demonftra- tion, on the part of the natives, of joy and refpedl. The chief lodged them in his cabin, caufing his family to remove, and regaled them for feveral days 1700. O K K 3 5°2 HISTORY OF CANADA. book days with every fpecies of viands. A public . . feftival was given, during which the calumet was I 7 °°- danced for twenty-four hours, with fongs made for the occafion, which the chief vociferated with all his force, confidering them as people of the fun, who were come to defend him againft his enemies by the bolts of their thunder. This nation of the Natchez inhabited one of the fineft climates, and one of the moft fertile countries in the univerfe: they were the only people on that part of the continent who appear¬ ed to have a regular form of religion. Their mode of worfhip refembled in certain points that of the ancient Romans. They had a temple filled with idols, confiding of different figures of men and animals, for which they (hewed the moft profound veneration. The form of their temple refembled a large oven of earth, being a hundred feet in circumference: the entrance was by a fmall door of four feet in heighth and three in breadth : the edifice had not any window. The vault w r as covered with three rows of mats placed one upon the other to prevent the rain from fpoiling the mafonry. Above, and on the outfide, were three wooden figures of eagles, painted red, yellow, and white. Before the door there was a kind of ihed, with a fecond door, where the guardian of the temple was lodged: the whole was furrounded by a fence of palli- fades. HISTORY OF CANADA. / 5°3 fades, on which were expofed the fcalps of all book the heads, which their warriors had brought from the various combats in which they had 'T 00 * been engaged with the enemies of their nation. In the interior of the temple there were fmall fhelves placed at a certain didance from each other, on which were fet bafkets of cane of an oval figure, containing the bones of their ancient chiefs ; and befide thefe, tho£e of the victims who caufed themfelves to be drangled, that they might follow their mailers into the other world. Another feparate Ihelf contained feveral bafkets well painted, in which their idols were kept: thefe confided of figures of men and women, made of done and burnt clay; the heads and tails of uncommon ferpents, duffed owls, pieces of crydals, and jaws and teeth of large fifh. They had, in 1699, a bottle and the foot of a wine glafs, which they preferved as articles of great value* They took care to maintain in this temple a perpetual fire, and great attention was bedowed to prevent its rifing to a flame : for this purpofe they ufed only dry and hard woods. The an¬ cients were obliged to carry each in his turn a large junk of wood to the entrance, or to the pallifade. The number of guardians of the temple was fixed, and they ferved each three months. He who was on duty remained like a k k 4 centinel HISTORY OF CANADA. centinel in the fhed, from whence he watched the fire; this was nourilhed by three large pieces of wood, whofe inner extremities only were al¬ lowed to burn at the fame time, and which, to avoid flaming, were never placed one upon the other. Of all the females of the nation, the filters of the great chief only were permitted to enter the temple: this privilege was with-held from all the others, as well as from the lower ranks of people, even when they brought food for the manes of their relations, whofe bones repofed in the tem¬ ple. The viands were given to the guardian, who carried them to the fide of the bafket where the bones of the dead were depofited : this cere¬ mony endured but for a moon. The viands were afterwards placed on the pallifades of the court, and were abandoned to the wild animals and birds. The fun was the principal object: of veneration among that people, as they conceived that no¬ thing can be luperior to this luminary : nothing, likewife, appeared more worthy of their homage; and it was for this reafon that the grand chief of the nation, who knew of no perfon upon earth fuperior to himfelf, afiumed the quality of bro¬ ther to the fun. The credulity of the people maintained him in the defpotic authority with which he was inverted. And in order to pre- ferve HISTORY OF CANADA. 505 ferve it, a mound of earth was raifed, on which 1 they built his cabin, of the fame conftru&ion ^ with the temple. The door was expofed to the eaft. Every morning the great chief honoured with his prefence the rifing of his elder brother, and as foon as he appeared above the horizon, faluted him by a repetition of howlings ; he then gave orders that his pipe fhould be lighted, made him an offering of the three firft mouthfuls of fmoke which he drew, and railing his hands above his head, and turning at the fame time from eaft to weft, pointed out to him the route he was to purfue in his diurnal courfe. There were in his cabin feveral beds on the left of the entrance, but on the right was the bed of the grand chief adorned with different painted figures. This bed confifted only of a palliafs compofed of canes and reeds, with a fquare piece of wood which ferved him as a pillow. In the centre of the cabin there was a fmall boundary : no perfonwas allowed to approach the bed with¬ out making the circuit of that inclofure. They who entered faluted with a howl, and advanced to the extremity of the cabin, without calling their eyes towards the fide where the grand chief was: they afterwards gave a frefh lalute, by lifting the arms above the head, and howling three times. If they were perfons whom the chief regarded, he anfwered by a faint figh, and 3 made o o K x. 1700, HISTORY OF CANADA. made them a fign to be feated: he was thanked for his attention by a new howl. At every ques¬ tion which the chief made, they howled once, before they returned an anfwer, and when they took leave of him, they drew out one continued howl until they retired from his prefence. When the grand chief died, his cabin was de¬ molished, a new mound of earth was raifed, and another cabin was erected for him who was to fill his dignity, who never lodged in that of his predeceflor. The ancients were the legillators and judges for the reft of the people : one of the principal laws was to have a fovereign refpedt for the grand chief, as brother of the fun, and mailer of the temple. They believed in the immortality of the foul: when they quitted the prefent ftate of being, they went, they faid, to inhabit another, there to receive recompenfe or punifhment. The rewards which they promifed themfelves confilted principally in good living, and the chafiifement, in the privation of every fpecies of enjoyment. They thus believed, that fuch as were faithful obfervers of the laws, would be conducted to a region of delight, where all forts of the molt exquifite viands would be fupplied them in abundance; that their days would pafs in pleafure and tranquillity, in the midlt of feafts, of dances, and of women, and that they fhould tafte of every pleafure imaginable. That on the contrary. HISTORY OF CANADA. contrary, the tranfgreflfors of the laws would be book cafl upon lands unfertile and covered with water, L X - . j which would produce no kind of grain, and that l 1 °° • they fhould be expofed naked to the torturing bites of mufquitoes: that all the nations Ihould make war againft them, and that they fhould never eat but of the flefh of crocodiles and of the word; fpecies of fifh. Thefe people implicitly obeyed the will of their chief: they regarded him as the abfolute mailer, not only of their property but of their life, and not one among them dared to refufe his head, when he chofe to demand it. For whatever la¬ bour he impofed upon them, it was forbidden them to require any recompenfe. The French, who often had occafion for hunters or rowers for their long voyages, addreffed themfelves to the grand chief alone. It was he who fupplied all the men they wanted, and received payment without giving any part to thofe unhappy people, who had not even the privilege of complaining. One of the principal articles of their religion, particularly for the attendants of the grand chief, was to honour his obfequies by dying with him, that they might ferve him in the next world. They blindly fubmitted with cheerfulnefs to this law. in the vain perfuafion, that in the company of their chief they fhould enjoy the greatefl hap- pinefs. To HISTORY OF CANADA. To convey an idea of this fanguinary cere¬ mony, it muft be announced, that fo foon as a prefumptive heir to the grand chief was born, every family where there was an infant at the bread: gave him the homage of that child. Out of thefe children, a certain number w r as chofen, deftined to the fervice ot the young prince, and when they became of a competent age, an em¬ ployment was given them conformable to their capacities: fome fpent their lives in the chace, or in filhing, or for the fervice of his table; others were occupied in agriculture, others only as followers or attendants : when he died, all thefe fervants facrificed themfelves with joy to follow their dear mafter. They on this occafion affirmed their fined: drefs, and went together to the ground oppofite the temple, where all the people of the village alfo affembled. After hav¬ ing danced and fung for a confiderable time, they paded around their neck a cord with a running knot, and foon after the nrinifters deflined for this kind of execution came to ftrangle them, recom¬ mending to them to rejoin their tnafter, and to relume in the other world employments yet more honourable than thole they exercifed in the pre- fent. The principal domeftics of the grand chief having been ftrangled in this manner, their bones were ftripped, and left to dry for two months in a kind HISTORY OF CANADA, a kind of tomb; after which they were taken out, to be Ihut up in the balkets, and placed in the temple befide thofe of their mailer. The other fervants who had been llrangled were carried home by their relations, and interred with their arms and cloaths. The fame ceremony was likewife obferved, on the death of the brothers and fillers of the grand chief. Women were always llrangled to follow them, provided they had not a child at the bread. There were however indances of their delivering their children to nurfes, or of putting them to death themfelves, that they might not forego the privilege of being facrificed, according to the ufual ceremonies ordained by the law. The government was hereditary; but the fons of the reigning chief did not fucceed their father; the fons of his fider, the fird princefs of the blood, were his declared fuccelfors. This policy was founded on the knowledge which they had of the libertinifm of their wives. They were not certain, faid they, that the children of their wives were of the blood royal; whereas the fons of the fider of the grand chief were at lead fo by the fide of their mother. The princedes of the blood never efpoufed men of an obfcure family; they had only one hufband, but they were at liberty to repudiate him whenever they pleafed, and to make choice of 5‘° HISTORY OF CANADA. book of another among thofe of the nation, provided *__— there was no alliance between them. If the 170°. hufband was guilty of infidelity, the princefs immediately caufed him to be put to death: ffie was not fubjeC to the fame law, for fhe could enjoy as many lovers as fhe pleafed, without the hufband being fuffered to complain. He con¬ duced himfelf in the prefence of his wife with the greateft refpect; he did not eat with her.; he faluted her by howling, as was pradifed by her domefiics. The only fatisfaclion he enjoyed was that of being exempt from labour, and of having authority over thofe who ferved the princefs. Formerly the nation of the Natchez was con- fiderable; fixty villages were reckoned, and eight hundred funs or princes: in 1730 it was reduced to fix fmall villages and eleven funs. In each of thefe villages there w'as a temple, where fire was continually kept up, as in that of the grand chief, whom all the other funs obeyed. It was the grand chief who had the patronage of all the employments in his date, the principal of which were, the two chiefs of w'ar, the two matters of ceremony for worfnip which was ren¬ dered in the temple, the two officers who prefided at the other ceremonies which were obferved when Grangers came to treat for peace; four others. HISTORY OF CANADA. 5 11 others, whofe charge it was to direct the feafts B ° x ° K with which they publicly regaled the nation, and 1 —/—* ftrangers who came to vifit them; the officers l l°°' who infpe&ed public works. All thefe minifters who executed the will of the grand chief, were refpefred and obeyed, in the fame manner as if their orders had been given by himfelf in per- fon. Every year the people aflembled to fovv an immenfe field with Indian corn, beans, pumkins, and melons. They came together in the fame manner for the harveft. A large cabin fituated in a beautiful meadow, was deftined to contain the produce of the fields. Towards the end of July the people every year collected, by order of the grand chief, to affift at a great feftival which he gave. This feftival lafted three days and three nights; each contributed towards it whatever he could furnifh ; fome brought game, others brought fiffi. The entertainment con- fifted of almoft continual dancing; the grand chief and his fifter were feated in a lodge, ele¬ vated and covered with foliage, from whence they contemplated the joy of their fubje&s : the princes, the princefles, and they w'ho by their office were of diftinguifhed rank, ranged them- felves near the chief, to whom they marked their fubmiffion and refped by an infinity of ce¬ remonies. The grand chief and his fifter made their 5« 2 HISTORY OP CANADA. book their entry into the place of the afTembly on a s —l litter carried by eight of the tailed men: the 1-00. chief held in his hand a fceptre adorned with feathers; all the people danced and fung around him, in token of the public joy. On the laft day of the feftival he commanded all his fubjects to approach him, and delivered to them a long ha¬ rangue, in which he exhorted them to fulfil the duties of religion: he recommended them above all things to preferve a great veneration for the fpirits who refided in the temple, and to give good inftruCtions to their children. If any one had fignalized himfelf by fome zealous aCtion, he gave him public praife. A circumftance of that nature took place in the year 1702. The thunder having fallen on the temple, and having reduced it to afhes, feven or eight women threw their infants into the flames to appeafe the wrath of heaven. The grand chief (tiled thefe women heroines, and beftowed ftrong encomiums on them for the courage which had prompted them to make a facrifice of that which was mod dear to them : he concluded his panegyric by exhort¬ ing the other women to imitate, in any fimilar conjuncture, fo brilliant an example. The fathers of families failed not to carry to the temple the firft of the fruits, confiding of grain and vegetables: there were alfo prefents made to the nation j they were offered at the entrance HISTORY OF CANADA. 5 1 3 entrance of the temple, where the guardian, after book. having expofed them to view, and prefented , them to the fpirits, carried them to the grand i? 00, chief, who made a diftribution of them as he thought fit, without the fmalleft difiatisfaclion being (hewn by any one. No land was planted or fown, until the feed had been prefented at the temple with the accuf- tomed ceremonies. When thefe people ap¬ proached the temple, they raifed their arms out of refpect, and fent forth three howlings, after which they rubbed their hands on the ground, raifing themfelves three times, with as many re¬ iterated howlings. When they only palled the temple, they merely (topped to falute it with downcaft eyes, and lifted up arms. It a father or a mother perceived that their children neglect¬ ed the obfervance of this ceremony, they pu- niflied them immediately with fome blows with a cudgel. Such were the ceremonies of the Natchez with refpect to religion. Thofe of their marriages were very fimple. When a young man had re- folved to marry, he addrefied himfelt to the fa¬ ther of the girl; or (hould he no longer have exifted, to her elder brother : the terms were agreed on, and paid in furs, or merchandife. Although a girl may have led a life far from virtuous, no objection was made to her on that vol. i. ll account, 5 l 4 HISTORY OF CANADA. b o^o k. account, as it was the cuftom for females of that defcription to change their conduct on being , 7 0Q * married. The choice is made indifferently from any family, provided the girl is agreeable to her intended hufband. The only attention on the part of her relations, is to inquire whether the man who demanded her in marriage was fucceff- ful in the chace, a good warrior, or a fkilful hufbandman. Either of thefe qualities dimi- nifhed the fum which was exaCted from him pre¬ vious to his marriage. When the parties were agreed, the future hufband went to the chace with his friends, and when he procured, either in game or in fifh, a fufficient quantity to regale the two families who contracted the alliance, they aflembled in the cabin of the relations of the bride: the newly married couple were ferved feparately from the reft, and they eat out of the fame difh. The re- paft being finifhed, the bridegroom prefented to¬ bacco to the relations of his wife, and then to his own, and after the company had fmoked, they retired. The new-married couple remained together until the morning, when the hufband conduced his wife to her father-in-law, in whofe cabin fhe lodged until the family had built them a new cabin. During the time of its conftruc- tion he paffed the whole day in the chace, to fup- ply food to thofe employed on it. 5 The HISTORY OF CANADA. The laws of the Natchez permitted them to have as many wives as they chofe: thofe, how¬ ever, of the lower orders feldom had more than one or two. The chiefs had a plurality of wives, becaufe having the privilege of getting their lands cultivated by the people, without any payment, the number of their wives was not burdenfome. The marriage of thefe chiefs was performed with lefs ceremony than that of the lower clafs; they were fatisfied with fending for the father of the girl of whom they had made choice, and de¬ claring to him that they placed her in the rank of their wives. The marriage was then con¬ cluded, and they made a prefent to the father and mother. Although they had feveral wives, they kept only one or two at a time in their cabin; the others remained with their parents, where they had accefs to them when they thought proper. There are certain feafons of the moon, when the favages do not vifit their wives. Jealoufy enters fo faintly into their breafls, that many find no difficulty in lending their wives to their friends. This indifference in the conjugal union arifes from the liberty which they have of chang- ing when they pleafe, provided their wives have had no children by them; for if there are any l l 2 born 5' 6 HISTORY OF CANADA. book born in the marriage, nothing but death can fe- __— parate them. l 7 co When this nation formed a detachment for war, the chief of the party planted two poles painted red, adorned with red feathers from top to bottom, and with arrows and clubs. They who wilhed to engage in the party, after having decked and painted themfelves with various colours, came to harangue the chief of war. This harangue, which they delivered one after the other, and which lafted nearly half an hour, confided in a thoufand proteftations of fervice, by which they allured him that they wilhed for no greater happinefs than to die with him. That they were fatisfied to learn, under fo expert a warrior, the art of fcalping, and that they feared neither the hunger nor fatigues to which they fhould be expofed. On a fulHcient number of warriors having prefented themfelves to the war chief, he caufed to be prepared in his cabin a drink, which was called the medicine of war. This was a vomitive, compofed of a root boiled in kettles full of water. The warriors, fometimes to the number of three hundred men, having feated themfelves around the kettle, to each was ferved about a gallon; the ceremony was to fwallow it at one draught, and to render it again by the mouth with efforts > fo HISTORY OF CANADA. fo violent, that they might have been heard at a great diflance. After this ceremony the chief of war fixed the day for their departure, that each might make a provifion neceflary for the cam¬ paign. During this time, the warriors appeared every morning and evening in the place of arms, where after having danced, and recounted in de¬ tail the brilliant actions in which their bravery had been difplayed, they fung their fongs of death. To have beheld the exceflive joy which they {hewed on their departure, it might have been conceived that they had already fignalized their valour by fome great victory $ but very little is neceflary to difconcert the proje&s of favages. They are fo fuperftitious with regard to dreams, that nothing more is wanted than one of unfa¬ vourable omen to flop the execution of their en- terprife, and oblige them to return when they are on a march. It often happens that parties who have gone through all the ceremonies which have been mentioned, break off fuddenly from their voy¬ age, becaufe they have heard a dog bark in an extraordinary manner : their ardour for glory is then converted into fear. In their war expeditions, they march always in files; four or five of their beft walkers take the lead, and advance about a quarter of a league l i. 3 before HISTORY OF CANADA. S'* book before the army, to obferve, and give notice of any thing they fee. They encamp every evening 1700. an hour before fun-fet, and laying themfelves around a great fire, each places his arms near him. Before encamping, they take care to fend twenty or more warriors half a league round the environs of the camp to avoid all furprife. They never place a centinel during the night; but as foon as they have fupped, they extinguilh the fire. The chiefs of war recommend to them on the evening not to deliver themfelves up to a profound lleep, and always to have their arms in readinefs. A rendezvous is always previoufly fettled, in cafe they fhould be attacked in the night, and difperfed. As the chiefs of the Natchez always carried with them their idols, or what they termed their fpirits, well wrapped up in a hide ; they fufpend- ed them on the evening to a fmall rod painted red, and planted in a doping dire&ion, fo that it might incline towards the fide of the enemy. The warriors, before they laid themfelves down to reft, pafied with the war club in their hand, pne after the other, dancing before thefe pre« tended fpirits, and denouncing great vengeance towards the quarter where they fuppofed their enemies to be encamped. When the war party was numerous, and when it entered upon the territory of the enemy, the favages HISTORY OF CANADA. 5*9 favages marched in five or fix columns, and fent book out feveral fpies to reconnoitre. If they per- . ceived that their march was difcovered, they ufually adopted the refolution of returning, and detached a fmall body of ten or twelve men, who feparated, with the hope of furprifing fome de¬ tached hunters of the enemy. On their return they fung and recounted the number of fcalps which they had taken off. If they made any prifoners, they obliged them to fing and dance for feveral fucceflive days before the temple, after which they were presented to the relations of thofe who had been flain in the war. During this ceremony the relations melted into tears, and dried them with the fcalps which had been brought home : they then fettled the recompence for the warriors who had brought thefe Haves, whofe lot it was to be burnt. The Natchez, as well as all the other nations of Louifiana, diftinguilhed by particular names thofe who had killed more or lefs of the enemy. Thefe names were conferred by the ancient chiefs, according to the merits of the warriors. To deferve the title of Great Slayer of Men, it was required that the perfon fhould have made ten prifoners, or have carried off twenty fcalps. In their language, the name of the warrior an¬ nounced all his exploits. They who for the firft time carried off a fcalp, or made a Have, did not, i. l 4 on on 5 2 ° HISTORY OF CANADA. book on their return, cohabit with their wives, or eat x. ■ ^— any meat j they only lived on fifh and corn. 1700. This abftinence lafted for fix months. If they failed in its obfervance, they imagined that the ghofl: of him whom they had flain would caufe them to die by forcery ; that they Ihould never gain any advantage over an enemy, and that the flighted wound which they flyjuld receive would prove mortal. They took great care that the grand chief Ihould not be in danger of loflng his life when he went to war. If his courage led him to ex- pofe himfelf, and if he fell in battle, the chiefs of the party, and the other principal warriors were put to death on their return: but thefe execu¬ tions were altnoft without example, by the pre¬ cautions which they took to preferve him from this misfortune. The Natchez had, like the other favages, their doctors, or jugglers; thefe were generally old men, who, without fludy, and without any fci- ence, undertook to cure every fpecies of malady: for this end they made ufe neither of fimples nor drugs; their art confided wholly in various ce¬ remonies and deceptions : they danced and fung by night or by day around the fick perfon, and they fmoked inceflantly, fwallowing the fumes of the tobacco. Thefe jugglers did not eat during the whole time they were engaged in the cure HISTORY OF CANADA. 5 21 cure of their patients. Their fongs and dances p were accompanied by fuch violent contorfions, v that although they were naked, and ought to have fuffered from cold, their mouth was always foaming. They had a fmall bafket, in which they kept what they called their fpirits or mani- tous ; thefe confided of fmall roots of different kinds, of heads of owls, of fmall packets of deer’s hair, fome teeth of animals, fmall pebbles, and other fimilar trifles. It appeared, that to reftore health to their fick they inceffantly invoked the contents of their bafket. Some had a certain root, which by its odour renders fnakes torpid and hartnlefs. Af¬ ter having rubbed the hands and body with this root, they held thefe animals without being afraid of their bite, which is mortal. Others cut with a flint the afflidfed part of the patient, and then fucked out all the blood they could draw from the wound, which they immediately put into a difh, fpitting out at the fame time a fmali piece of wood, of draw, or of leather, which they had concealed under their tongue; and, calling the attention of the relations of the Tick, they faid, behold the caufe of the difeafe. Thefe doctors always infifted on being paid in advance. If the difealed was recovered, their gains were confider- able : but if he died, they were certain of being put to death by the friends or relations of the deceafed. o o K X. —~~~J 1700 HISTORY OF CANADA. book deceafed. A ceremony in the obfervance of • — X ~ f which they never failed, and the parents or rela- I’joo. tions of the quacks made no oppofition to it, nor teftified any mortification or concern. There were fome jugglers who even under¬ took to procure rain or fine weather: thefe were ufually old or indolent perfons, who unwilling to fubmit to the fatigues of the chace, of filhing, or of cultivating land, exercifed this dangerous profeflion in order to maintain their family. Towards the fpring, the people bought of thefe jugglers favourable weather for the productions of the earth. If the harveft was abundant, they reaped confiderable gain $ but if it was bad, ven¬ geance was taken, and their heads were broken. Thofe who engaged in this profeflion thus rifked all for all. Their mode of life was extremely inactive; they had no other trouble but to faft, and to dance with a reed in their mouth, full of water, and pierced like a watering-pan: with this they fpouted water into the air, in the di¬ rection of the thickeft clouds: they held in one hand the chichicoua, and in the other their fpirits, which they prefented to the clouds, fending forth the molt frightful cries, to caufe them to burft upon their fields. If fine weather was demanded, they made no ufe of their reeds, but they af- cended the tops of their cabins, and with the arm made a fignal to the clouds, blowing with all HISTORY OF CANADA. 523 all their force, not to flop upon their lands, but to pafs beyond them. When the cloud difperfed as they wilhed, they danced and fung around their fpirits, which they depofited on a kind of pillow ; they redoubled their fad, and when the cloud was part they fwallowed fumes of tobacco, and prefented their pipes to heaven. Although little favour or refpeft was (hewn to thefe jugglers when they obtained not what was wilhed, the profit however was fo great, when, by chance they feetned to fucceed, that a confi- derable number of favages feared not to incur the rilk. They who undertook to procure rain, never engaged to bring fine weather. Another fpecies of jugglers had this privilege; and when the reafon was alked of them, they confidently replied that their fpirits could not bellow both. When one of the favages died, his relations alfembled to deplore his death for a whole day; they afterwards covered the body with the bed cloaths of the deceafed; they painted his face and hair, which they adorned with the fined plumage, and afterwards conveyed him to the grave which was prepared for him, and in which they placed at his fide his arms, or kettle and provifions. During the fpace of a month his relations came, at the dawn of day, and at fun-fet to his grave, where they poured forth lamenta¬ tions for the fpace of half an hour: every one named o o k 1700. 3 2 4 HISTORY OF CANADA. book named his degree of kindred. If it was the fa- * ther of a family, the wife exclaimed, “ My dear , 7 °°* hulband, how much do I regret your lofs :** the children cried, “ My dear father the others, “ My uncle, my confin,” &c. They who were related in the neareft degree, continued this cere¬ mony during three months : they cut off their hair in token of mourning j they ceafed to paint their bodies, and attended no affembly of re¬ joicing. When fome foreign nation came to treat of peace with the Natchez, they fent couriers to give advice of the day and hour of the arrival of their ambaffadors. The grand chief then gave orders to the mailers of the ceremonies to make the neceffary preparations for this great occafion. They began by naming thofe who were to enter¬ tain each day the llrangers, for the chief never incurred this expence. They cleaned the roads; the cabins were fwept; benches were arranged in a large hall which was on the rifing ground, and befide the cabin of the grand chief. His fear, which was elevated above the reft, was adorned with feathers, and painted ; the ground was covered with large mats. On the day on which the ambaffadors were to make their entry, all the nation affembled. The mailers of the ceremony arranged the princes, the chiefs of the villages, and the ancient chiefs of HISTORY OF CANADA. of family, near the grand chief, upon benches allotted for them. When the ambafiadors ar¬ rived within the diflance of five hundred yards from the grand chief, they flopped, and fung the fong of peace. The embafly confided ufually of thirty men and fix women. Six of the belt proportioned, and having the ftrongeft voices, marched in front; they were followed by the red, who like wife fung, regulating the cadence by the chichicoua. When the chief defired them to approach, they immediately advanced ; they who had calu¬ mets fung and danced with much agility, turning around each other, and fometimes prefenting themfelves in front, but always with violent movements,and extraordinarycontorfions. When they entered into the circle, they danced around the feat on which the chief was placed; they rubbed him with their calumets from the feet to the head, afterwards moving backwards until they rejoined thofe of their fuite. They then filled one of their calumets with tobacco, and holding fire in one hand and the pipe in the other, they advanced together towards the grand chief, and gave him the pipe to fmoke: they pulhed the firft mouthful to the Iky, the fecond to the earth, and the others towards the horizon ; after which they prefented, without ceremony, the pipe to the princes and the other chiefs. 5 2 5 O O K 1 700. The HISTORY OF CANADA. book The ambafladors, in token of alliance, came x, \—to rub their hands on the ftomach of the chief, 1700. rubbing at the fame time the whole of their own bodies, and placed their calumets before him on fmall forks ftuck in the ground. The ambafla- dor who was particularly charged with the in- ftru&ions of his nation, delivered an harangue of an hour in length. When he had finilhed, a fignal was made for the ftrangers to be feated on benches, arranged near the chief, who anfwered them by a fpeech of equal length. The mailer of the ceremony then lighted the great pipe of peace, and gave the ft rangers to fmoke, w ho fwallowed the fumes of the tobacco ; they were afterwards conducted to the cabin fet apart for them, where they were regaled. In the evening at fun-fet, the ambafladors with the pipe in their hand came Tinging, in fearch of the grand chief, and taking him upon their Ihoul- ders tranfported him to the place where their cabin flood. They fpread upon the ground a large Ikin, on which they invited him to fit. One of them polled himfelf behind, and placing his hands on the Ihoulders of the chief, agitated his whole body, whilft the reft, fitting around on the earth, fung their warlike exploits. After this part of the ceremony, which was performed morning and evening during four days, the grand chief returned to his cabin. When he paid the laft HISTORY OF CANADA. lad vifit to the ambafladors, they planted a pod, at the foot of which they fat. The warriors of the nation, arrayed in their bed drefs, danced around the pod, driking it at intervals, and re¬ counting one after another their deeds of valour. They then made to the ambafladors prefents, confiding of kettles, hatchets, fufils, powder and lead /hot. The day following this lad exhibition, it was permitted to the ambafladors to walk through the village, an indulgence which was not before granted : they were every night entertained with dancing: the men and women in their bed attire aflembled in the fquare, and danced until late in the night. When they were ready to re¬ turn, the maders of ceremony fupplied them with the neceflary provifions for the journey. The Ilinois are fituated in 38 degrees 15 mi¬ nutes of latitude. The climate is very different from that of New Orleans, and refembles fome- what that of France j the great heats are there felt fooner and more powerfully, but they are neither condant nor durable. The colds arrive later. In winter when the north winds blow, the Miflifippi becomes frozen, fo as to bear loaded carriages, but thefe colds are not lading. The winter is here an alternative of piercing cold and mild weather, according to the prevalence of the north and fouth winds, which regularly fuc- ceed 527 BOOK 1700. Illnou. HISTORY OF CANADA. 528 cook ceed each other. This fudden change is very prejudicial to the fruit trees. The weather is , 7 °°* milder, and even fomewhat warm towards the month of February : the fap of the fruit trees afcends, they are covered with blofloms, and a ftorm frequently comes from the north which deftroys the moft flattering appearances. The foil is fertile, and every fpecies of vege¬ tables, if cultivated, fucceeds here as well as in Europe. Corn does not repay the trouble of fowing : but it mud be remarked, that the lands were cultivated with negligence, and that they never were manured. This want of fuccefs in the raifing of corn proceeds alio from the thick fogs, and too hidden heats; but to recompenfe this defect, the maize or Indian corn, known in Europe by the name of Turkey corn, bellows an abundant produce, giving a thoufand for one. This conflitutes the food of the domeftic animals, of the flaves, and of the greater part of the na¬ tives of the country. The earth yields a quan¬ tity of provifions, threefold more than can be confumed. In no place is the chace more pro¬ ductive : from the middle of October to the end of March the inhabitants live upon game, particu¬ larly wild cattle and deer. The buflaloe, the deer, the flag, the bear, and the wild turkey, abound in all parts, and in every feafon, except near the fpots which are inha¬ bited. HISTORY OF CANADA. 529 bited. The hunter mutt go to the diftance of b 0^0 k one or two leagues to find the deer, and of fe- >— v —-* ven or eight to find the buffaloes. During part 17 00 ' of the autumn, part of the winter, and of the fpring, the country abounds in fwans, outardes, geefe, ducks of three fpecies, wild pigeons, teal, and certain birds as large as fowls, which in this country are termed pheafants, (but which are wood hens : ) partridges, and hares. The horned animals have there multiplied to an excefs: they cod neither care nor expence. The animals ufed in labour feed in a large com¬ mon around the village ; the others, in much greater numbers, deftined for the propagation of their kind, were (hut up the whole of the year in a peninfula of more than ten leagues of fur- face formed by the Miflifippi, and the river of the Tamarouas. Thefe animals which were feldom approached, became almofl: wild, and it was ne- ceflary in catching them to make ufe of artifice. An inhabitant, if he wanted a yoke of cattle, went to the peninfula: if he perceived a bull of a fize worthy of being tamed, he threw a hand¬ ful of fait, he ftretched out a long cord with a running knot, and concealed himfelf. The ani¬ mal eager for the fait, approached : when he had put his foot in the fnare, the man drew the cord, and the bull was taken. The fame pra&ice was ufed for calves, horfes, and foals. Thefe animals voi. 1. M M are HISTORY OF CANADA. 53° BOOK X. «--- 1700. are here not fubjeft to any diforders, they live a long time, and generally die of old age. There were in this part of Louifiana five French villages, and three of the Ilinois, in the fpace of twenty-two leagues, fituated in a long meadow, bounded on the eaft by a chain of mountains and by the river of the Tamarouas, and on the weft by the Miflifippi. The five French villages compofed together about a hun¬ dred and forty families, and confifted of eleven hundred white perfons, three hundred blacks, and fixty red Haves, or favages. The three vil¬ lages of the favages might have furnilhed three hundred men in a condition to carry arms. There are in the country feveral fait fprings, one of which at two leagues from the principal fettle- ment fupplied all the fait that was confumed there or in the neighbouring country, and even at many polls in the dependence of Canada. There are mines without number, but as no. perfon found himfelf in a condition to incur the necef- fary expences 'to open and work them, they re¬ mained in their original Hate. Some individuals fatisfied themfelves with drawing lead from them, which was found at the furface of the earth. With this they fupplied the country, all the favage nations of the Mifouri and Miflifippi, and feveral polls of Canada. Borax was alfo found in mines, and in fome fpots fmall quanti¬ ties HISTORV OF CANADA. 53* ties of gold. There are alfo mines of copper, book: and large pieces of that metal have frequently been found in the rivers. The Ilinois formerly I 7 00 * comprehended an immenfe extent of territory ; it ftretched into the vad regions which the Mif- fouri, and the rivers which throw themfelves into it, interfecl and adorn with their waters. The inhabitants of the Ilinois are of three clafles ; French, negroes, and favages ; to which may be added, mulattoes. The Frenchmen, in- nured to the climate, generally occupied them- felves in the culture of the lands j they fowed great quantities of corn; they raifed European cattle, hogs, and horfes in vail numbers, which, befides the chace, fumiflied them with abundance for the fupport of life. They tranfported to New Orleans great quantities of flour. The favages inhabiting this country are of a character mild and fociable : they are not defec¬ tive in capacity and natural good fenfe, of which they poflefs a greater (hare than many of the European peafantry; as much at lead as the mod part of the French, which proceeds from the free date in which they are educated. They are never timid: as there is no rank or dignity amongd them, every one appears to them to be their equal. The greated part of them is capable of maintaining a converfation with any perfon, provided he treats not of fubje&s beyond the mm 2 fphere HISTORY OF CANADA, fphere of their knowledge: they are well ao quainted with raillery: they are ftrangers to aflumption, or difpute in converfation, and they pofTefs qualities which are not common even among civilifed people. They are diftributed into cabins. A cabin is a kind of common chamber, in which fifteen or twenty perfons ge¬ nerally refide together. They live in great har¬ mony with one another, which arifes in fome meafure from their allowing every one to act ac¬ cording to his inclination. From the beginning of Odtober to the middle of March they go to the chace, to thediftanceof forty or fifty leagues from their village. In the latter month they re¬ turn home, and their women begin then to fow their maize. The men, except fome fhort ex- curfions to the chace, lead a life of perfect indo¬ lence ; fmoking their pipe and converfing toge¬ ther occupies the greateft part of their time. When the firfi miffionaries arrived among this people, they were faid to be compofed of five thoufand perfons of every age: in 1750 their population was reduced to two thoufand. The number of the nation had diminifhed no lefs than three thoufand in the fpace of fixty years. HISTORY Of CANADA. 533 BOOK XL Magazines and Barracks confiruffed on the I/le Dauphine. — Council to decide on all Affairs civil or criminal, for three Tears, compofed of the Governor, chief Commiffon- er } and Regijler.—Saint Denys fent by Land to endea¬ vour to open a Commerce with the Spaniards of New Mexico .— Is conducted to the Capital—confined in Pri¬ son — liberated, and fent back with Prefents from the Viceroy.—Marries Donna Maria de Vilefcas , Daugh¬ ter of the Governor of Saint John.—Treafon of the Natchez. — Fort and Magazines cotifiruffed in the Great Village of that Nation.—State of Commerce.—Crozat furrenders his exclufive Privilege.—Government and Commerce vefied in the Company of the IVefi .— Govern¬ ment of the Ilinois Country joined to that of Louifiana.— Firfi Settlement of New Orleans.—Attack on Penfacola . Capture of that Place.—Miffionaries arrive in Louifi¬ ana.—Conf piracy of fever al favage Nations againfi the French.—Maffacre of the French by Natchez . — The Sun, the Grand Chief of the Natchez, fent, with his Family and Attendants, to Saint Domingo, to be fold as Slaves.—Difperfion of that People. — Company of the Indies retrocede to the King their Sovereignty over Loui¬ fiana and the Ilinois. tv i ewly difeovered countries fometimes have book ^ {hared the fate of individuals, with refpeft Xl ’ to the erroneous judgment which, for a length M m 3 of i l 534 HISTORY OF CANADA. book of time, may have been formed of their ovalities v—— and value. At a period when the third for difcovering mines of gold and filver prevailed, and when commerce had not acquired any great degree of extenfion, the advantages of a favour¬ able climate, and of a foil capable of producing with abundance every article requifite for the fupport and convenience of human life, were not inducements fufficiently powerful to incite the inhabitants of France voluntarily to emigrate from their country, for the purpofe of amaffing wealth by induftry, efpecially as that could not procure them the fame degree of confideration and weight as is beftowed on it in fome other countries of Europe. The extravagant opinion which at firft had been formed of Louifiana, arofe folely from the profpett of fudden riches to be derived from mines} and as foon as it was fuppoied to be deftitute of thefe valuable fources, it funk, in the fame proportion as it had rifen, in the general eftimation. The fuccefs of the Spaniards of New Mexico afterwards tended again to exalt the ideal value of Louifiana. The latter nation, under the conducl of Fer¬ dinand Soto, had incurred a great expence to form an eftablifhment in Florida, and their com¬ mander employed the laft year of his life in ex¬ ploring the two borders of the Miflifippi. Nei- 6 ther HISTORY OF CANADA. 535 ther he, nor Mofcofo his fucceffor, had taken any book meafures to found a colony; and it appears that the Spaniards were long ignorant, that one of the largefl: rivers in the univerfe traverfed the middle of Florida, and watered a chaiming country, fituated under a climate temperate and healthy, and whofe poffeflion would have com¬ pletely infured to the Catholic King that of the whole Gulph of Mexico. The French, after having difcovered a very confiderable part of the courfe of this river, did not feem to pay much greater attention than the Spaniards to the advantages which might be de¬ rived from thence; and a period of thirty years elapfed in the fame indifference towards that country. At length the vicinity of the mines of New Mexico, and thofe which were reported to have been difcovered in Louifiana, having roufed the French nation from its ftate of torpidity, there iffued in lefs than three years from the kingdom more men, money and effects, to form an eftablilhment in this part of America, than had gone - from France fmce the time of Francis the Firft, for any of the colonies in the New World. But when it was afcertained that the country produced neither gold nor filver, and that it was not without induftry that riches could be made to flow from thence, it fuddenly fell into general m m 4 difcredit; HISTORY OF CANADA. i• ->6 book difcredit: no regard was paid either to the fer« _■ tility of the foil, or to the productions, which, with a fmall degree of labour, it could furnilh, or to the importance of having a cruifing ground in the Gulph of Mexico. The treafures which were brought thither from France, difappeared ; the colonifts either perifhed through mifery, al- thoughjhey might have procured the means of living in opulence, or difperfed themfelves into different quarters. When M. d’lbervilie left Louifiana, it con¬ tained no French habitations, except thofe of fome Canadians fettled at the 1 linois, a fort near the mouth of the Miflifippi, which was main¬ tained only for five years, and another at the Biloxi, on the fea coaft. D’Iberville had in* trufted the charge of the firft to M. de Bienville his brother, and to the Sieur Juchereau de St. Denys, who was much beloved by the favages, and fpoke with facility the languages of feveral nations. He had alfo given an order to M. le Sueur his relation, to go with twenty men to form an eftablifhment towards the country of the Sioux, and to take poffeflion of a copper mine which had been difcovered there. This fmall detachment departed on the end of April, af- cended the Miflifippi to the falls of St. Anthony, and entered into the river St Peter, which dif- charges itfelf into the former at that place, and which HISTORY OF CANADA. 537 which has been named the Green River, becaufe book XI. an earth which it walhes from the mine comrau- ■ - j —^ nicates to it that colour. Le Sueur could only navigate a league upwards, having found it covered with ice, although the month of Sep¬ tember was not yet elapfed. He was therefore obliged to erect in that fituation a kind of fort, where he might pafs the winter, which lalted until the month of April, and was extremely rude and fevere. When that month arrived, Le Sueur vifited the mine, which was diftant only three quarters of a league, and in twenty days drew from thence more than thirty thoufand pounds weight of matter : he fele&ed four thoufand weight of the choice!! part of it, and fent it to France. The place from whence he drew it was at the bafe of a mountain which is ten leagues in ex¬ tent, and which appeared to be of the fame ma¬ terials. It is on the banks of the river, produces not a fingle tree, and is covered with a thin va¬ pour which iflues from its bowels. In the following year D’Iberville made a third voyage to Louiuana, and began an eftablilhment on the river Mobile. He there laid the founda¬ tion of a fort, to which, a little time after, M. de Bienville, who fucceeded to the command of the colony by the death of M. de Sauvole, tranfported every thing which he had at the Biloxi, and abandoned HISTORY OF CANADA. 538 rook abandoned that poft. D’Iberville, on his return, -v—w f° r the fourth time, caufed to be conftructed in the ifland of Maflacre magazines and barracks, becaufe this ifland poflefling a harbour, it was more eafy there to unload the ftores which fhould be brought from France, than to convey them in boats to the fort of the Mobile. The name of JJle Dauphine was at that time given to the new fettlement. The inhabitants had no other means of fubfiftence than what was drawn from France, and from the favages, many of whom were prevailed on to fix themfelves in the vicinity of the Mobile, where they cleared a confiderable quantity of land, and lived upon good terms with the French. The Apalachee came thither of their own accord, preferring the neighbourhood of the French to that of the Spaniards, among whom they had for fome time been eftablilhed. It could not be aflerted that the name of a colony could be given to the French in Louifi- ana, or at leaft it received no form, until the arrival, in 1708, of M. Diron d’Artaguette, in quality of firlt commiffioner. The earHeft care of this magiflrate, was to put the inhabitants in a flate to cultivate the lands, which appeared to be fertile on the banks of the Mobile, that they might no longer be obliged to run over the coun¬ try to procure a fubfiftence by the chace, or with the HISTORY OF CANADA. 539 the favages, when the veffels of France defined b o^o k to convey them provifions were retarded on their- voyage. But the fuccefs arifing from thence did not anfwer his expe&ations. . It was found that the earth contained but a fmall depth of good foil at its furface, and that the wheat was gene¬ rally injured by the fogs, which produced a mil¬ dew. The inhabitants then betook themfelves to the culture of tobacco, which was attended with greater fuccefs. The ifland of Dauphine having been piUaged by an Englifn armed vefiel, the commillicner concluded from thence on the necefiity of flrengthening its fortifications. In this refpect, according to the fyftem at that time prevalent, he realoned with propriety; it being thought expedient to fix the colony in that pofition, at fome diftance to the north-eaft of the mouth of the great river, as it was then fuppofed to be the only port where veffels could dilcharge their cargoes. M. d’Artaguette returned to France the fame year, and afforded to the court confiderable in¬ formation refpefling the country. Some years before, M. de Muys, major of the troops in Ca¬ nada, had been nominated governor of Louifiana, but that officer having died on his way thither, the Sieur de la Motte Cadillac was appointed his fucceffor. HISTORY OF CANADA. fucceffor, and in the inftructions given him by the King it was dated, that his majefty having thought fit to grant to the Sieur Crozat the ex- clufive privilege of the commerce of Louifiana for a term of fixteen years, and to him and his heirs for ever, the mines and minerals which he might difcover and work, on the conditions fet forth in the letters patent, he enjoined, that on the arrival of fuch veffel of the faid Sieur Crozat, he {hould examine if the fiipulation of bringing into the colony fix young women, or the fame number of young men, was ftri&ly executed. The King added, that the Sieur d’Artaguette, commifiioner of the colony, having returned to France, he had made choice of the Sieur Du. clos to execute the functions of chief commif- fioner: that as there was not yet any officer of juftice in Louifiana, and it was not convenient at that period to fend thither judges, becaufe the country was not Efficiently fettled, he had never- thelefs eftabliffied for three years a fuperior coun. cil to decide on all affairs that {hould be brought before it, as well civil as criminal; and, to com. pofe this council, he had made choice of the governor and the commiffioner jointly, and of a regifter; and that according to the manner in which they fhould exercife the adminiftration of juftice, which was intruded to them, he {hould form HISTORY OF CANADA, 541 form his refolution of continuing, and of aug- B 0° K menting this eftablilhment of a council, or of to- u—y—■> tally diffolving it. M. Crozat, on his part, had recommended to the governor, whom he affociated with him in commerce, to fend detachments to the country of the Ilinois for the difcovery of mines j and to that of the Spaniards of Old and New Mexico, to eftablifh a commerce with thefe two pro¬ vinces. The firft held the government of France for feveral years in fufpenfe, and ended in no¬ thing. The fecond was not more fortunate. La Motte Cadillac had fcarcely difembarked on the ifland of Dauphine, when he fent the vefiel in which he had arrived to Vera Cruz. But the voyage proved fruitlefs. M. de la Jonchere, who commanded the veffel, could not obtain from the viceroy permifiion to fell his cargo : he was prefented with fome animals and other provifions, of which he was in want, and wag obliged ihortly to depart. The governor enter¬ tained the hope of fucceeding better in another attempt which he made by land for the fame ©bje&, but it had no better fuccefs than the firft. He had confided the conduct of this expedition to the Sieur Sr. Denys, than whom he could not have made a better choice. He gave him mer- chandife to the amount of near five hundred pounds fterling, and agreed that he fhould leave it 544 HISTORY OF CANADA. book able river a fort which was called Saint Jean _ Bapti/le , and likewife Prefidio del Norte . He was there well received by the commandant Don Pedro de Vilefcas, who took him into his family* After fome days of repofe, St. Denys entered on negotiation with Don Pedro : he informed him he was come on the part of the governor of Louifiana, to prefent to him a propofal to open a commerce under certain regulations with that colony, and that he fhould didate the condi¬ tions. The Spaniffi commandant anfwered, that he could do nothing without the permiffion of the governor of Caouis , his immediate fuperior, to whom he would forthwith fend an exprefs to receive his orders. Caouis is at fixty leagues diftant from the Prefidio del Norte , on the way to Mexico. The governor having read Vilefca’s letter, fent twenty-five horfemen to condud St. Denys to Caouis, and after examining his paflT- port, told him it was necefiary he Ihould go to the viceroy at Mexico. To this he confented, but did not fet out until the following year. From Caouis to Mexico, the difiance is two hun¬ dred and fifty leagues. St. Denys performed this journey under condud of an officer, and an efcort of the twenty-five horfemen. On arriving at the capital of New Spain, he was prefented to the viceroy, to whom he delivered his paffport. His HISTORY OF CANADA. His excellency having read it, returned it to him, and without attending to a Angle word from him, committed him to prifon. He remained there for three months, and perhaps would never have recovered his liberty, had it not been for the interceffion of fome of his countrymen, officers in the fervice of the Catholic King. He was at their folicitation liberated from his confine¬ ment, and the viceroy gave him three hundred piaftres and a convenient lodging, and invited him often to his table. The more he became known to his excellency, the more ftrongly the latter became impreffed with a fenfe of his ta¬ lents and worth ; he therefore omitted no means of endeavouring to induce him to prefer, to the fervice of a poor colony, the more advantageous and profitable fervice of New Spain: he told him, that many of his countrymen had already given him an example to that effect, which they had no reafon to regret. Some of the French officers alfo ufed their influence to prevail on him to adl as they had done, and allured him that they found their fituation perfectly agree¬ able. St. Denys had no rank in Loulfiana, and ferved there only as a volunteer: he was offered a company of cavalry, which he declined accept¬ ing, and, notwithllanding every argument which was ufed, perfifted in his refufal. The viceroy VOL. i. n n told N N HISTORY OF CANADA. 546 BOOK XI. told him that he was already half a Spaniard, fince he had engaged to marry the daughter of Don Pedro de Vilefcas, and it was fettled that the nup¬ tials were to be folemnized on his return to Fort St. John. “ I cannot diflemble,” replied St. Denys, (i fince your excellency has been informed that I have an attachment for that young lady, but I never entertained the hope of obtaining her for a wife.” c< You {hall obtain her,” replied the viceroy, “ if you will accept of the offer which I have made, and I give you two months to con- fider of it.” At the end of that period he again founded him, and having found him inflexible, he took his leave, putting into his hand a purfe containing a thoufand dollars, telling him that it was to defray the expences of his marriage. “ I hope,” added he, — might have difembarked them at New Orleans, and dill nearer, if necefiary, to their conceffions. In the month of March in the following year, the perfons to whom the firft conceffions were given arrived. The Sieur Dugue de Boifbriand accompanied them, and brought the orders of the company, who, with the approbation of his ma, jefty, had nominated him commandant at the Ilinois, M. de Bienville commandant-general of Louifiana, and director of the company in that province, and M. de Pailloux major-general. The firft went without delay to the Ilinois, taking with him M. Diron, and the Chevalier d’Arta- guette. The former was a captain, and was foon after declared infpe&or-general of the province. At the fame time feveral nations of favages, fome of whom had long ffiewn a difpofiticn un¬ favourable to the French, eftabiiffied themfelves on the Miffifippi, not far from New Orleans, and as the greateli part of thefe people were in the habit of cultivating the lands, they cleared con* fiderable tracts, and planted them with corn, which became a great refource for the new city, as they frequently lurniffied provifions to the in¬ habitants in times of fcarcity. Some of the fettlers alfo fent a part of their people higher up the river, and the advantages which they there found. 5 74 HISTORY OF CANADA. book found, to form iolid edablifoments, caufed thofe __—^ who had a regard for the public welfare to regret J 7 iy ' that they had prohibited the other fettlers from purfuing the fame plan. The inquietudes which arofe on account of interruption from the Eng- lifo foon vanifoed; all the nations bordering on the river were friendly to them, or at lead didurbed not their repofe, and the only means of infuring thernfelves againd the intrigues of fome, and the levity of others, was to fortify and people the colony. In the month of June, M. de Bienville fent to take poffeflion of tire bay St. Jofeph, fituated fifty leagues ead from Ifle Dauphine. M. de Chateaugue his brother was charged with this expedition, in which he acquitted himfelf without any difficulty, and caufed to be built there a done fort. The Spaniards had abandoned that pod eighteen years before ; the governor of Penfacola was, however, no fooner informed of this enter- prife, than he wrote to M. de Bienville, that the bay of St. Jofeph belonged to the Catholic King. It was not of fufficient confequence to become a fubjett: of difpute, and M. de Chateaugue doubt¬ ed not a moment that it foould be deferted, which happened in the following year. In the month of February M. de Serigny ar- 1719. rived at Louifiana with three vefiels, there pub- liihed that war was declared againd Spain, and foewed HISTORY OF CANADA. 575 (hewed the inflru&ions which he had to capture book. Penfacola. The bay which bears that name was, j according to the Spanilh writers, firft difcovered l 7 ' 9 - by Pamphilo de Narvaez, who there landed in his unfortunate expedition to Florida. Diego de Maldonado, one of the captains ol Ferdinand Soto difcovered it a fecond time, and gave it the name of Port d'Anchufi. In 15 58 Don Andre de Pes, general of the fleet of Barlovento, having gone to reconnoitre it, added to the lad name that of De Galve , in honour of the Count de Galve, at that time viceroy of Mexico. This bay is therefore known among the Spaniards by the name of Santa Maria de Galve. And that of Penfacola, where the inhabitants of the coun¬ try were fettled, who have fmce been extirpated by other favages, has given name to the province, to which the Spaniards allot a great extent. In 16p6, Don Andre de Arriola having been nomi¬ nated the fird governor of this province, went to take pofleflion of it, and built in the bay of St. Maria de Galve a fort of four baflions, which he called St. Charles, with a church and fome houfes : and this was the date in which this place was found when M. de Serigny laid flege to it. The company of the wed having feized the opportunity of the rupture between the two crowns, to procure the only port which is found on all the coad of Wed Florida, M. de Serigny began by aflembling a council of war, the refult of HISTORY OF CANADA. 57 6 rook of which was, that M.firs. Bienville and Cha- XI. ~~ teaugue fliould call together at the Mobile all the 1 7 1 9 * favages, allies of the French, all the inhabitants, ' voyngeurs , and fettlers, and that they ffiould con- dudt them by land to Penfacola, whilft the three veflels in which were embarked a hundred and fifty foldiers, ffiould enter the bay. All this was executed with much fecrecv and diligence. On the .14th of May, at ten o’clock in the morning, M. de Serigny entered the bay: Don John Pe- tro Matameros, governor of Fort St. Charles, who was not in a condition to attempt a defence, fent to the governor of Sr. Jofeph to demand afiidance, but he was not allowed time to receive it. Serigny kept up a brifk firing for the fpace of fix hours, when the governor fent a captain of infantrv to demand of the French commander the reaton of fuch unexpected hoftility. M. de Serigny fent back this officer, accompanied by a French captain, who informed Don John that war againft Spain had been publifned in France on the 14th of January, and fummoned him to furrender the place The governor with the advice of his council requeued to be allowed time until the following day, which he obtained ; but afterwards reflecting that with a hundred and fixty men which he had in the fort, without any hope of receiving timely fuccours, it was not • poffible to refill fix hundred men, who attacked him by fea, and feven hundred men by land, he conceived HISTORY OF CANADA. 577 conceived it more prudent to endeavour to ob- book. tain an advantageous capitulation, than to expofe —-» himfelf to the confequences of a vain refinance, l 7 ] 9 ' and therefore the fame day furrendered on terms. On the 29th of June, Don AlphonfoCarrafcofa having fet fail from Vera Cruz for the purpofe of retaking Penfacola, with eight hundred and fifty men, including regular troops, volunteers and marines, in twelve (hips and three frigates, ar¬ rived at St. Jofeph, and fent one of his lieutenants to the governor of the fort, to learn the fituation of the French. From the information of defer- ters it was found that no repairs had been made, that the ifie of St. Rofe and the point of Se- guenga were abandoned, and there could be little doubt that the French commander would furrender at the firft fummons. Carrafcofa entered the bay, and landed a de¬ tachment of fifty men, who took pofleflion of point Seguenga, which is the weftern extremity of St. Rofe. Fifty French foldiers deferted to them, and informed them that, on the approach of the Spanifh troops, the gates of the fort would be opened. The garrifon was compofed only of deferters, illicit traders, and people who had been compelled to embark for Louifiana. After fome firing on both fides, the Spani(h commander fent to the governor, requiring him to furrender vol. 1. fp himfelf 57 8 HISTORY OF CANADA. book himfelf and his troops prifoners of war, declaring i—that if he delayed until his batteries were formed, I 7 1 9 * no quarter would be allowed. M. de Chateaugue requerted until ten o’clock next morning, to de¬ liberate upon the fubjeft, and was allowed it ; but in the mean time the Spanilh commander took polfefiioii of all the palfages by which the favages might come to aflirt the French, and the place was furrendered at the appointed hour. The Spaniards afterwards went to the fettle- ment on the Mobile, where they received a check, and likewife attempted to take the Ifle Dauphine, but were repulfed. The Count de Chatnpmelin, Chef d'Ffcadrc, having arrived on the 31 ft of Auguft in view of the IOe Dauphine, anchored next day in the road with five fliips of war, and two vefiels of the company. He met in the canal two Spanilh polacres, which were intended to flop the com¬ munication of the illand with the Mobile; but at fight of his fquadron they made fail for Penfa- cola. M. de Bienville afiembled all the favages and Frenchmen he could find, and conduced them to Ifle Dauphine. A council of war was held, where it was fettled that the fort of Penfa- cola fliould be inverted by land with five hundred favages, and that Serigny fhould accompany De Chatnpmelin, to ferve him as a guide along the coart, and to the entry of the port. On found¬ ing KISTORY OF CANADA. 579 in? the harbour, twenty feet of water were found book. J x j on the bar, at ebb tide, and the fquadron enter- *.__ ed, and received the firfl fire from the fort. The I 7 ' 9 - Spaniards had three frigates, one of which was funk, and foon after the fort furrendered. The French general fent to fummon the governor of Penfacola to furrender, with all his garrifon, as prifoners of war, and to inform him, that in cafe of refufal the whole fhould be put to the fword. INI. de Bienville, who had furrounded the place with five hundred favages, and a hundred and fifty Canadians, already refufed to treat with him, and conceived that if De Champmelin would allow him to affault the garrifon, it muff inevi¬ tably be carried. He defired his lieutenant to communicate this to the governor, who however fent him away without any anfwer, but his offi¬ cers to whom he communicated the fummons obliged him to recal him ; he then declared that he furrendered. It was deliberated whether the fort of Penfa¬ cola fhould be preferved. There was no want of foldiers to guard it, but the greateft part were men of infamous character, who had deferted from the troops of France, or who had been compelled to ferve by force; and experience of the part, evinced how little they could be trufled. It was therefore refolved to deftroy the baffions on the land fide, to preferve only two facing the p p 2 port. 580 HISTORY OF CANADA. B °xf K P 0Tt ’ anc ^ to ^ eave t ^ ere an officer, two ferjeants, > — -twenty foldiers, and twelve favages. I 7 2K In the mean time the fort of the Natchitoches was well fupported, and feveral fettlers came to that neighbourhood in the hope of enriching themfelves by commerce with the Spaniards : their hopes however were fruitlefs, and they were thereby prevented from eftablilhing themfelves on more folid foundations elfewhere, which con¬ tributed to their ruin. M. de Bienville received this year an order from the court to fend thither M. de St. Denys, who departed on the beginning of the following year with a reinforcement of troops and ammunition, and was there joined by his lady. M. de Bienville eltablilhed anew the head quarters at the Biloxi, and there fixed his refidence with the greateft part of the troops and the directors of the company, of whom he was the chief. .Nothing further was apprehended from the Spaniards: the opportunity was favour¬ able for edablifiling the fettlers, who were fre¬ quently arriving from France, and who, if pro¬ perly diftributed, would have been enabled in the courfe of a few years to fettle the borders of the Miffifippi as high as the Ilinois: but the whole of the attention of the directors of the company was bellowed on making approaches towards the Spaniards, or to prevent them from eftablilhing themfelves in the vicinity of Louifi- ana. v HISTORY OF CANADA. ana. M. de Bienville, agreeably to this fyftem, i formed the defign of taking pofieffion of the bay v of St. Bernard, but he made a bad choice in the perfon to whom he confided the enterprife. This officer entered the river Magdalen, at which he arrived in his way, afcended its courfe feveral leagues, and every where found favages on their guard, and refolved not to fuffer Grangers in their countrv. He notified to them that he was come J to form an alliance, and to render their condition better; but they replied, that they were con¬ tented with their date, and preferred their liberty to all the advantages which coulu be offered them. This officer neverthelefs found means to conciliate the good opinion of fome of their prin- pal chiefs, and to retain them. He fet fail and carried them to the Biloxi. M. de Bienville blamed much this treafonable conduct,and caufed the favages to be re-conducted to their country. On the following year intelligence was received that the Spaniards of Vera Cruz had built a fort in the bay St. Bernard. Penfacola was refiored to Spain in confequence of a treaty of peace. The troops and ftores were removed to New Orleans, which now became the head quarters, and an officer with a final! detachment was ltft to guard the Biloxi. A company of Swiis, witn their captain, having embarked in a fmall velfel with ammunition and provifions, deferted and went 5 Sl O O K XI. 1721. p p 3 HISTORY OF CANADA. 5^ book, went to Carolina. This defertion was followed XI. <__ by others, and thus Louifiana became more I 7 22, weak every day : it became neceflary, therefore, that reinforcements Ihould be fent from France to repair thefe lofles. The governor of Caro¬ lina wrote to M. de Bienville to advife him of the arrival of Brandt, and his Swifs company, and hinted to him that he ought to inform the court of France of fo great a diforder, which could not fail foon to bring entire ruin on the colony. This fettlement had been peopled by men who were fent thither by conftraint, or by fettlers, who found not the advantages which they had been led to expeft: both, therefore, thought of nothing elfe but to abandon it: a great number perilhed by mifery or difeafe, and the population declined with much greater rapidi¬ ty than it had advanced. The deferters on their part protefted, that the neceffity to which they were reduced for the want of the neceflaries of life, obliged them to go in fearch of fuflenance elfewhere. The moll difcontented were the foldiers, to whom nothing but bread was given, whiKt provifions were diftributed to the work¬ men of the company, and even to men who had been galley Haves, who were in the employ of individuals. To add to thefe calamities, there arofe on the 12th of September, at ten o’clock at night, a hurricane on the Mifiifippi, which lafted HISTORY OF CANADA. 583 lafted with unremitting violence until next day book. at noon, and whofe effects were ftlt in the coun- ,_ j try of the Natchez, and as far as the Biloxi. I 7 22, All the houfes and huts of New Orleans were either overthrown or damaged. The veffels were thrown upon the land, and the canoes and batteaux totally deltroyed. The Chicachas were always hoflile to the French, but their hoftilities were confined to fome furprifes, which obliged thofe who travelled to proceed with precaution. They however re¬ laxed in their operations, and prefented to the Sieur Grave the calumet of peace, which he ac¬ cepted. But the colony, although it had no longer any inconvenience to apprehend on the part of this people, not only the moll brave in Louifiana, but alfo the mod formidable on ac¬ count of their connection with the Englilh, foon experienced that the fidelity of the Natchez could not be depended on, notw'ithfianding the ftrift watch that was preferred over that people, natu¬ rally deceitful. Thefe barbarians no fooner perceived the French, occupied with other ob¬ jects, pay lefs attention to their conduct, than they began their infults, and cifplayed all thu'r animofity. Unfavourable accounts were like- wife received from the Ilinois. M. de Boifbriand informed, that the people of the Rock, and the Pimiteouv, were befieged by the Outagamis, p p 4 embarked HISTORY OF CANADA. 5*4 book xi. 1722. embarked with the Chevalier d’Artaguette and » the Sieur de Tifne, both captains, feveral other officers, and a detachment of a hundred men, to relieve them: he had previoufly given orders to forty Frenchmen and four hundred favages to proceed by land to Pimiteouy, and to wait his arrival there; but both detachments learnt on the way, that the Outagamis had retreated with the lofs of a hundred and twenty men. This fuccefs, however, prevented not the Ilinois, al¬ though they only fuftained a lofs of twenty men, fome women and children, from quitting the Rock, and the Pimiteouy, where they were kept in continual alarm, and coming to unite with thofe of their nation who were eftabliffied on the Miffifippi. There being now no obftacle to the irruptions of the Outagamis, on the river Ilinois, the communication of Louifiana with New France became much lefs practicable. They received fome time afterwards a confiderable check from the Sieur de St. Auge, an officer commanding Fort Chartres on the Ilinois, who having drawn a great number into an ambufcade, cut almoU the whole in pieces: other parties lefs numerous lhared the fame fate foon afterwards. But their fury increafed in proportion to the diminution of their force, and they found the means of com¬ municating their hoftiie rage fo fuccefsfully to the new enemies which the French had raifed on the HISTORY OF CANADA. 5«S the Mifliiippi, that the latter were infefted by book * . XI favages, with whom they had no caufe of hofl ili- _ _ ty, and who gave no quarter when they could I '- 2 - furprife or attack with advantage. Many of the Natchez openly declared them- felves againfi: the French, and the brother of the great chief was at their head. To procure a durable accommodation with this people, it was neceffary that the man who was the author of all the evil fliould be delivered up to the governor by his own brother; and there were no means of compelling him to that meafure. The good conduct of the Sieur Delietto was alone able to effect it. He had gained fuch an afcendency over the mind of the great chief, that he per- fuaded him to form the refolution of going him- felf to furrender his brother to the difcretion of the general, who pardoned an enemy who was humbled. They {hewed to each other reciprocal marks of confidence, and there was every ap¬ pearance that this concord would have been lad¬ ing, if M. Delietto had lived much longer. A certain degree of diftruff and precaution on the part of the French, would doubtlefs have pre¬ vented thefe favages from conceiving any other than pacific fentiments towards them, and have averted the fubfequent evils which took place. No ecclefiaftics had, until this year, been in- 1723 . troduced into the colony : fome father capuchins, having 5 86 HISTORY OF CANADA. book having been fent over from France, were diftri- v— /-w buted among thofe fituarions which contained l 7 2 3 - the greatefl: number of fettlers. To eftablifh miffionaries among the favages was an object of confiderable importance, and it appears fome- what Angular that the French had fo long over¬ looked it, efpecially as the example of the Ilinois, which had now for fix years been incorporated with Louifiana, fufficiently evinced the beneficial confequences refulting from that fyftem. 1725. As foon as the company announced to the Jefuits their intention to eftablifh millions among the favage nations of Louifiana, a great number made offer of their fervices ; but as the fuperiors could not accord to all permifiion to confecrate themfelves to that duty, the directors thought it neceffary to place thofe who firft arrived, in the places where there were no capuchins : whence it happened that the Natchez, whom, of all the people in the province it was neceffary firlt to enlighten, were allowed no mifiionary; and the error which in this refpect was committed, was not difcovered until it was too late, and had be¬ come irreparable. Provifion at the fame time was made for the education ot the French fe¬ male children of the capital and its environs, by bringing Urfulines from France ; and not to multiply eltablifhments in a colony which had not yet began to alfuine any fotin, the fame 8 fillers HISTORY OF CANADA. 5 S 7 lifters were charged with the direction of the n o o ic hofpital. . __ In the month of October M. Perrier, lieutenant X7z6 * of the marine, was nominated commandant-ge¬ neral of Louifiana, in the place of M. de Bien¬ ville, who returned to France. Although there appeared no dilturbances in the colony, the new commander foon faw the necelfity of having more troops than thofe he found there. The more he became acquainted with the favages, the flronger was his conviction that he fhould never be able to fix them in alliance with the French ; that it was doubtful whether they fhould not be¬ come enemies, and the means of fecuring tran¬ quillity was to garrifon all the polls, fo as to have nothing to fear from their reltlefs and unfteady difpofition. Fie however did not much prefs the company to fend him troops until three years afterwards, when he made a demand of three hundred regular and good foldiers. His requefl was not only not complied with, but it was af- ferted that he wifhed for an augmentation of troops, in order to adopt aggreffive meafures, and to fignalife himfelf at the expence of the company. • He foon remarked, that, to avoid the impor¬ tunity of the favages, who are continually making demands, the only means is to appear not to be in want of their affiftance. They will then vo¬ luntarily HISTORY OF CANADA. 588 book, luntarily follow the Europeans, and If they fhould feem diffatisfied, they can only be told they were 1 7 2 ( 5 - not invited. Although it is neceffary in fome meafure, in order to avoid quarrels with them, to gain their attachment by prefents, yet their fidelity can never be depended on, fo far as to produce a total exemption from infult. The tranquillity which Louifiana enjoyed fince peace had been made with the Natchez and Chicachas, was only a deceitful calm, which lulled the inhabitants, whiift there was preparing for them a florin, whofe deftructive effects were averted by an accident, and which might have been fatal to the whole of the French colony: it proved difaftrous to thofe who had not time to prepare againft it, on whom its fury burft forth. For fome years the Chicachas had been form¬ ing a defign of deflroying the colony of Louifi¬ ana, and of putting to death every Frenchman. Their intrigue had been conducted with fuch fe- crecy, that the llinois, thb Acanfas, and the Tonicas, to whom they were afraid to communi¬ cate it left their attachment to the French fhould induce them to reveal it, had not the moft diftant conception of what was in contemplation. All the other nations had entered into it; each was to maflacre the inhabitants of a particular diftricl, and all were to commence their operations on the HISTORY OF CANADA. 539 the fame day. Even the Tetra&as, the mofl book 7 XI. numerous nation on the continent, and always * —1 allied to the French, had been gained over to ! 7 2lS - join in the confpiracy, at lead thofe of the Eaft, who are (filed the Great Nation; thofe of the Wed, or the Little Nation, were not compre¬ hended in it ; but they kept for a long time the fecret, and it was only by accident that they made a difcovery, when it was too late to give advice to all the inhabitants to be upon their guard. M. Pierrer having learnt that the fird had fome difagreement with M. Diron d’Artaguette, com¬ mander of the fort of the Mobile, invited the chiefs of the whole nation to adcmble at New Orleans, holding out to them the hope of an entire fatisfa&ion to all their complaints. They accordingly came thither, and having explained the fubjeft for which they were called together, they told the commandant-general, that their nation was much pleafed that he had fent an officer to refide among them, and that he had invited them to vifit him. They faid nothing further, but returned with a drong inclination not to fulfil a promife they had made to the Chicachas, of dedroying all the habitations which were dependent on fort Mobile, and to allow the 1729. Natchez to execute their part of the projeft. Of this the latter afterwards reproached them in prefence 59° HISTORY OF CANADA. book, prefence of the French. There could be no queflion that their defign was to oblige the J 7 Z 9 - French to have recourfe to them, and by this means to profit by what would be given them, to engage their aid, and by the plunder they fhould derive from the Natchez. Thus was the commandant-general ignorant of his fituation, on the eve of feeing a part of the colony deftroyed by enemies, whom he did not diflruff, and betrayed by allies, on whom he be¬ lieved he might place reliance, and who had been one of his principal refources. It would have been no difficult matter for thofe whom the Chi- cachas had gained to their interefts, to fucceed in the execution of their defign, as no French habitation was proof againfl a furpiife. There were feveral forts in different parts of the coun¬ try, but, except that of Mobile, they w r ere con- flructed with flakes, many of which had £one to decay; and had they been in a Hate of defence, they could have prote&ed from the fury of the favages but a fmall number of the nearefl dwell¬ ings. The French conceived themfelves, befides, in fuch a Hate of fecurity, that the favages might eafily have maffacred the whole, even in thofe fituations which were the befl guarded. An in- ftance of this took place among the Natchez in the following manner. Between HISTORY OF CANADA. 59 1 Between M. de Chepar, who commanded at book this port, and thefe favages, a mifunderftanding _j had arifen, but it appeared that they had carried I 7 2 9 * their diflimulation fo far, as to perfuade the ' French that they had no allies w T ho were more faithful than themfelves. He thereupon became fo little difpofed to diftrufl: them, even on a re¬ port having fpread that the Natchez had fome evil defign againft the French, that he put in irons feven inhabitants who had come to afk per- miffion to afiemble, and arm themfelves, in cafe of a furprife. He carried his confidence fo far as to receive thirty favages into the fort, and as many into his quarters and their environs. The reft were diftributed among the houfes of the inhabitants, and the (hops of the artificers, two or three leagues above and below their village. The day appointed for the execution of the ge¬ neral confpiracy was not yet arrived, but two circumftances determined the Natchez to antici¬ pate it. The firfb was, that there arrived at the landing-place fome batteaux loaded with mer- chandife, for the garrifon of this poll, for thofe of the Yafous, and for many inhabitants, and they wifhed to take pofieflion of them before the diftribution was made : the fecond, that the com¬ mandant had received a vifit from fome of the mo (l confiderable perfons of the fettlements, who were then with him : they therefore conceived, that 59 * HISTORY OF CANADA. B O O K XI. 1729. / that on a pretence of going to the chace, to fur- nifh M. de Chepar with freih provifions to regale his guefts, they might all arm, without any caufe of fufpicion. They made the propofal to the commandant, who agreed to it with pleafure, and immediately they went to purchafe from the in¬ habitants fufils and ammunition, for which they paid in money. They afterwards fpread themfelves through all the fettlement, publifhing that they were going to the chace, taking care that their number fhould in every place exceed thofe of the French. They fuag the calumet in honour of the com¬ mandant and his company, after which they re¬ turned each to his poll:. Immediately on three reports from a fulil being fired from M. Chepar’s quarters, they every where began the maflacre. The commandant and his guefts w ; ere firft killed : there was no refiftance but in.the houfe of M. de la Loire, principal clerk of the company of the Indies, who had with him eight men. They fought until fix Frenchmen and eight favages fell , the remaining two Frenchmen made their efcape on horfeback. Previous to the execution of their purpofe, they perfuaded feveral negroes, among whom were tw r o drivers, to join them. They had brought the others to believe that they fhould be free with the favages, that the wives and children of the French fhould become their flaves. I lilSTORY OF CANADA. flaves, and that they fhould have nothing to fear from the French of the other ports, becaufe the martacre was general throughout the whole. It appeared, however, that the fecret had been con¬ fided to a finall number only, left it (hould have been difcovered. Two hundred men perilhed almort at the fame inftant. Of all the French who were at this port only twenty-five efcaped, with five negroes, the greateft part of them wounded. An hundred and fifty children, eighty women, and as many negroes were taken. During this martacre the Sun, or great chief of the Natchez, was feated in tranquillity under the tobacco rtied of the company of the Indies. The head of the commandant, and thofe of the principal Frenchmen were brought him, which he caufed to be arranged around the firft: the bodies remained without fepulture, and became a prey to dogs and carnivorous birds. The bar¬ barians fpared two Frenchmen, on account of the utility they hoped to derive from them : the one was a taylor, and the other a carpenter. They did not treat with cruelty the negroe and favage flaves who furrendered themfelves without refift- ance, but they ripped open the women big with child, and deftroyed almort the whole of thofe who had children at the bread, becaufe they im¬ portuned them with their cries and lamentations. yol. i. The 593 BOOK I 7 2 9* 594 HISTORY OF CANADA. BOOK XI. IBI^ 1729 . The reH; were made flaves, and underwent the greateft indignities. When they were aflured that there remained no longer any Frenchmen in their country, they began to pillage the houfes, the magazines, and bateaux at the landing-place. To deprive the women and the Haves of all hope of recovering their liberty, they were aflured that the maflacre had been general throughout the colony, and that not a Frenchman by that time exifted in Louiflana. Some, however, had faved them- felves in the woods, where they fuftered much from cold and hunger. There was one who had the boldnefs to leave his concealment, to go to warm himfelf at a houfe which he perceived. As he approached it he heard fome favage voices, and deliberated whether he fliould enter. He at length determined to expofe himfelf to hazard, preferring a violent and immediate death to the calamity of perilhing gradually, which appeared to him inevitable in the prefent extremity. But he was agreeably furprifed at the reception which he met with from the favages, who were Yafous, and who, after comforting him, furnifhed him with provifions, clothing, and a wooden canoe to tranfport him to Orleans. Their chief even charged him to aflure M. Perrier, that he had nothing to fear on the part of his nation j that it remained always faithfully attached to the French, HISTORY OF CANADA. 595 French, and that he would go with a party of book. his tnen, to notify to all the French whom he ■_ — i fliould meet defcending the river to be upon their *7 2 9* guard. This perfon, on his arrival at New Or¬ leans, found the inhabitants in a ftate of the greated alarm. Intelligence of the mafiacre had already been received by the firft, who had efcaped from the Natchez, and great apprehen- fions were entertained for the fafety of the Frenchmen eftabliffied among the Yafous. On the teftimony given them by this perfon of the humane treatment he had received from that people, fome hope was entertained, but this was of fhort duration. On the nth of December father Souel, a Jefuit, who was miffionary among the Yafous, at that time mixed in the fame village with the Corrois and the Offogoulas , returning on the evening from a vifit to one of the chiefs, re¬ ceived, whilft he was paffing a river, feveral fhot from fufils, and immediately expired. His mur¬ derers forthwith betook themfelves to his cabin in order to plunder: his negroe a&ed on the defenfive, armed with a large knife, and wounded one of the favages, but was foon over¬ powered. Early next morning they came to the fort, which was not more diftant than a league from their village. It was fuppofed, on feeing their arrival, that they came to fing the calumet to the HISTORY OF CANADA. book the Chevalier de Roches, who commanded in the X f * . abfence of M. de Codere : for although, from the *7*9* Natchez to the Yafous, the didance was only forty leagues by water, and fifteen by land, they were yet ignorant at this lad pod of what hap¬ pened fifteen days before at the former. The lavages were permitted to enter the fort, and un¬ expectedly attacked the French, whofe number was only feventeen: they had not time to adopt , any means of defence, and not one of them efcaped. The barbarians fpared four women and five children, of whom they made Haves. The Offogoulas were then at the chace : on their return they were drongly folicited to enter into the confpiracy, but they uniformly refufed, and withdrew to the Tonicas, whom they knew to be firmly attached to the French. Some fufpicion of this lad misfortune was en¬ tertained at New Orleans, when the arrival of father Doutreleau, a Jefuit miffionary of the Ili- nois, placed it beyond a doubt. He had embraced the opportunity,whild the favages were occupied in the chace in winter, to defcend to the capital, there to regulate fome affairs which concerned his million. He intended to dop at the habita¬ tion of father Souel, of whofe death he was ig¬ norant, but fearing led he ffioukl not arrive there before noon, he went to celebrate rnafs at the entrance of the river of the Yafous. As he was making HISTORY OF CANADA. 597 making preparation for this ceremony, a canoe book with favages arrived at the fame place : they were > — —,_• afked of what nation they were, and they an- 1 7 2 9* fwered that they were Yafous, friends of the French, prefenting at the fame time provifions to thofe who accompanied the miffionary. Some wild fowl happening then to pafs, the Cana¬ dians, who had only two fufils, difcharged them, ► and as the father was ready to begin tnafs, they did not think of re-loading. Of this the favages took notice, and placed themfelves behind the French, as if they wifhed to hear mafs, although they were not Chriftians. WhiKl the Jefuit was engaged in his devotions, they fired upon the French, wounded him, and killed one of his people : he then hafiened to his canoe, into which the two remaining parts of his attendants had thrown themfelves, and believing him dead, they had made towards the centre of the liver. He fwam towards them, and as he was getting into the canoe, turned his head to fee if they were not purfued : he received in his face a difcharge of flugs, which however did not much wound him. He took the diredlion of the canoe, and his two men, one of whom had his thigh broken by a ffiot, they made every exertion to efcape. The favages purfued them for an hour, keeping up a continued difcharge, but as they found they could not overtake them, they went affiore. CLQ-3 Having 59 8 HfSTORY Of CANADA. BOOfC XI. c 1 *" 1729. Having arrived at the Natchez, and ignorant of what had there taken place, they approached the landing with a defign of repofing themfeives; but perceiving all the neighbouring houfes either burnt or deftroyed, they were afraid to difem- bark. Some favages who difcovered them in vain invited them to approach, by (hewing them every demonftration of friendfhip, but they paffed as quickly as they were able. The barbarians then fired.on them, but they were beyond the reach of their (hot. They wiffied alfo to pafs the bay of the Tonicas without Hopping, but, not- withftanding all their endeavours, a canoe which was detached to reconnoitre them foon overs¬ tock them. They gave themfeives up for loft, when they heard fome perfons in the canoe fpeak French. They were conducted aftiore, where they found troops aflembled who were going to take vengeance on the Natchez. M. Perrier was informed, on the 2 d of De¬ cember, of this new difafter. He detached a captain with fome troops to order the inhabitants on each fide of the river to be upon their guard, to form redoubts at convenient diftances from each other, to place their flaves and cattle in fe- curity: this was executed w ith much prompti¬ tude. He recommended to the officer to obferve the fmall nations on the banks of the river, and to give arms to no favages, but to thofe to whom 6 he HISTORY OF CANADA. 5 99 he was intruded to give them. A courier was book at the fame time difpatched to notify to the Te- . j hadas, who were employed in the chace on Lake I 7 2 9* Pontchartrain, to repair to him. There arrived next day at New Orleans a canoe, in which was a Tehada, who demanded to fpeak to him pri¬ vately. This man told him, that he was much concerned for the death of the French, which he would have prevented, if he had not confidered as devoid of truth what the Chicachas had re¬ ported, that the favages propofed to deflroy all the French habitations, and maflacre their inha¬ bitants. He had fcarcely heard this favage, when others from the fmaller nations came to warn him to place no confidence in the Tehadas ; and he at the fame time learnt that two Frenchmen were killed at the Mobile. They were unable to dif- cover the authors of this aflaflination, but it was publifhed throughout all their canton, that the Tehadas were to fall upon the fort, and the whole of the fettlement. The commandant-general wifned to conceal thefe news from the inhabitants, who were already too much under the influence of fear ; but they foon fpread every where, and the confiernation became fo general and fo great that the whole colony trembled. He difpatched Sr. Michel to France, to inform the court and the company of the melancholy flate of Louiliana, and to folicit fupplies propor- q_cl_4 donate 6 oo HISTORY OF CANADA. BOOK XI. 1729. tionate to the neceffity to which the colony was reduced. In the mean lime it was with difficulty he could re-aflure the inhabitants, and counteract the efledts of defpondency produced by fuch a fuccelfion of unfortunate events. He learnt that the fmaller nations had been gained bv the Chi- cachas, and if the Natchez had not anticipated the day fettled for the execution of their plan, they would all have acted together. M. Perrier had not yet developed all the fprings of this inhuman policy ; it however ap¬ peared certain, that had it not been for the con¬ duct of the weftern Tehactas, the general con- fpiracy would have had its full operation. Therefore he did not hefitate to make ufe of them as an inftrument of punifhing the Natchez, what¬ ever it might colt him. Two vefiels of the com¬ pany happily arrived at New Orleans, and he wifhed no longer {0 defer marching againft the enemy, perfuaded that he could not too foon engage the TehaCtas to replace the fmall nations in the intereft of the French, or at lead to retain them in a flate of neutrality. He knew how- ever, that he run fome rifk in beginning the war with fo little force, and he fent M. le Sueur to engage in his favour the favages in the neigh¬ bourhood of the Mobile, who formed a body of feven hundred warriors, whom he conducted to the Natchez. M. Perrier caufed to afcend to the HISTORY OF CANADA. 601 the Tonicas the two vefTrls of the company. He fent m^fi'engers by land to notify at all the po'ts what was going forward, and tools the heft meafures he could to fortify New Orleans. He gave to the Chevalier Loubois charge of the ex¬ pedition againft the Natchez, it being thought necefiary that he fhculd himfelf remain at New Orleans in cafe of an attack. An officer with twenty-five men was detached to reconnoitre the enemy : whilfi: he was landing, a quantity of ffiot from tufils was poured upon his party, which killed three men, and he himfelf and two others were taken prifoners. Next morning the Natchez fent one of thefe two to M. Loubois, to make fome propofitioi s; ^ut they affe&ed a degree of haughtinefs, which {hewed a great confidence in themfdves, and a contempt of the French. They demanded as hofiages a French officer, and the great chief of the Tonicas. They after¬ wards fpecified in a long detail all the merchan- dife which they required for the ranfom of the women, children, and fiaves which they had among them ; and although their conditions were exorbitant, they appeared to fuppofe that the French would be happy to comply with them. The foldier was detained, and no anfvver given ; and on the fame day they avenged themfelves by burning, with circumftances of the molt ag¬ gravated o o K XI. 1 7 2 9* / 6o2 HISTORY OF CANADA. book gravated cruelty, the officer and foldier who re- _ __ mained in their hands. I 7 2 9- On his arrival at the Natchez, M. le Sueur began his attack. It appears that they were yet ignorant that the army was in the bay of the Tonicas, where it was incapable of reftraining the interefted impetuofity of the favages, which a defire of booty and of ffiaring a part of the pri¬ soners had incited. They charged the enemy fo brilkly, that they killed eighty men, made Sixteen women prifoners, liberated upwards of fifty French women and children, the two artificers whom the Natchez had Spared, and a hundred and fifty negroes, male and female. They would have carried their victory much further, if fome of the negroes who had been gained by the Natchez had not taken arms in their favour, and guarded their (lore of powder. M. de Loubois fet out from the bay of the Tonicas with two hundred men, and fome field- pieces, and arrived on the 8th of February at the Natchez, where he encamped around the temple. On the i 2 th the cannon were brought before one of their forts, and as it was conceived thefe preparations, efpecially after the check they had received, would have difpofed them to Sub¬ mit to ail that would be demanded of them, they were acquainted, that, by their early fubmiffion, they might avoid entire defiruflion; they w r ere, however, HISTORY OF CANADA. however, more refolute than ever to defend book. themfelves. Next day a fire was begun with . XT ' j feven cannon, at two hundred and fifty toifes I 7 2 9- * from the fort, which were fo badly managed, that after fix hours of continual difcharge not a Tingle flake was thrown down ; a circumftance which threw the Tehadtas into bad humour, and the infolence and avidity of thefe favages, who wan¬ tonly expended a part of the ammunition with which they were furnifhed, tended more to dif. courage the French commander than the defpe- rate manner in which the Natchez defended themfelves. He again wifhed to try if the be- fieged were become more reafonable, and fent an interpreter with a flag to fummon them ; but they received this envoy with a difcharge from their fufils, which flruck him with fuch terror that he abandoned his flag. It would have been feized by the enemy, had not a French foldier refcued it. The Natchez made, the fame day, a fortie, with adefign to furprife Loubois, who was lodged in the temple, but they did not lucceed. The favages, to the number of three hundred, made a fecond fortie, and attacked in three different places; they furprifed a poll in the trenches, at which were thirty men and two officers, who immediately fled, believing they were attacked at the fame time by the Natchez and the Teha&as; they were ready to take pof- feflion 604 history of Canada. book felfion of the cannon, when the Chevalier d’Ar- 1 _ f taguette with twenty-five men haftened thither, J 7 2 9* repulled the enemy, and regained the trenches. On the 24 th a battery of four pieces of cannon of four pounds u r as eftablifhed at the diftance of a hundred and eighty toifes from the fort, on which the befieged fent the wife of the Sieur Defnoyers, whom they entrufted with their terms. She was detained, and no anfwer was given. A chief of the Tehactas afterwards ad¬ vanced with a party of his people to fpeak to the befieged; on this they confented to give up the prifoners, but they at the fame time declared, that the French mud be fatisfied with that mea- fure, and that the army with the cannon mu ft firfi be withdrawn to the borders of the river; and fhould they remain before the fort, that they would burn all the prifoners. This laft confi- deration determined M. Loubois to comply with their demand, without however lofing fight of the defign of preventing the efcape of the Nat¬ chez. The prifoners were delivered to the Te- hadtas, and the Natchez made their efcape. The only advantages derived from this expedi¬ tion, were the releafe of the prifoners, and the ellablifhment of a fort, on the fame fpot to which the army withdrew. The Chevalier d’Artaguette was left with a garrifon to maintain it, and to in- fure the navigation of the river. The HISTORY OF CANADA. 605 1 he Tehaftas, after rendering to the French book all the fervice in their power by a&ing in concert _ _ with them, excited difguft by their infolent and * 7 2 9 - ferocious conduct. Their afliftance was however neceflary, and it was the intereft of the French to conciliate their friendfhip. The Yafous, the Corrois, and theTioux, were not fo fortunate as the Natchez : the Akaufas fell upon them, and made a great daughter ; there remained of the two firlt tribes but fifteen lavages, who went to join the Natchez; the Tioux were totally deftroyed. Some fupplies of troops having arrived from France, and M. Perrier finding his prefence now lefs neceflary at New Orleans, fet out for Mo¬ bile, where he had invited an aflembly of the favage chiefs, not to demand their afliftance againft the Natchez, but to regulate fome affairs relating to commerce. Having in a great degree attained the objed of his journey, he returned to the feat of government, where he found a fmall army, which he had ordered to be affembled, in readinefs to begin its march. He firft fent two Canadians before, to learn the flats of the ene¬ my, and of the fort which formerly belonged to the French. Two hundred men were embarked on the 9 th of December, compofed of three companies of the marine, fome failors and volun¬ teers. M. Perrier followed, with two companies of 6c6 BOOK XI. 1729. HISTORY OP CANADA. of fufileers, and one of grenadiers, compofing likewife two hundred men: he was joined on the way by a hundred and fifty militia. On the 20th, all the army having met at the Bayagoulas, a Colapiffa chief arrived with forty warriors of his nation. On the 2 2d the army departed from the Bayagoulas, divided into three bodies; the negroes were difperfed among the different ca¬ noes, and the favages who were not yet all affembled, were to form a feparate corps. It was learnt that a canoe, in which was twenty-five Frenchmen, had been attacked by the Natchez, and that fixteen of the number were killed or wounded. Intelligence was likewife brought that the Akaufas, having no account of the approach of the French, and tired wdth expectation, had returned to their country. Part of the army waited for fome time in the bay of the Tonicas, there to afiemble the favages who had not yet joined. The general again met the army at the en¬ trance of the Red River, having with him a hundred and fifty favages of different nations. Thefe were detached, together with fifty volun¬ teers, to proceed before the army, under the conduft of the Sieur de Laye, captain of militia, and to furround the Natchez wherever they could find them. But this detachment did not proceed far, becaufe the favages were not well difpofed for HISTORY OF CANADA. for the expedition. The general had recom¬ mended great precaution in concealing them- felves from the enemy, but his orders were in¬ effectual, becaufe the favages, who acknowledged no authority, and preferved no difcipline, conti¬ nued to fire upon the game which prefented it- felf; it was therefore extraordinary, after a long march, conducted with fo little fecrecy, they Ihould have found the enemy in their fort. Ihey arrived there on the 20th of January, and orders were immediately given to invert, it; as they advanced fo near as to be able to fpeak to the enemy, the befieged made ufe of much inveCtive : the trenches were opened, and the people on both fides were employed in fkirmifh- ing the reft of the day and all the following night. The mortars, and every other article neceffary for a fiege, were next day difembarked, and fome fhells were thrown into the fort. The befieged made a for tie, killed a Frenchman and a negroe, and wounded an officer, but they were quickly repulfed. On the 22d fhells were thrown the whole day, without any material effeCt; but before two days more had elapfed, they hoifted a white flag. The commandant ereCted a fimilar flag in the trenches, and a little time afterwards a favage advanced with two calumets in his hand. He requefted a ceffation of hoftilities, offering to furrender all the negroes they had in the fort. The 6o8 BOOK XI. I—-- 1731 - HISTORY 6? CANADA. The commandant required that the chiefs fhould come to him, in order to fettle the terms of peace. The envoy returned to the fort, and brought back to the French eighteen negroes. In delivering them to the general, he faid that the Sun or chief would not leave the fort: that he ardently wifhed for peace with the French, but upon condition that the army fhould imme¬ diately withdraw : that if this meafure was adopt¬ ed, he would give his word that his nation fhould never commit any aft of hoflility againit the French, and that he was willing, if it was defired, to re-eftablifh his village in its ancient fituation. The general anfwered, that he would liften to no propofal, unlefs delivered by the chiefs in perfon : that he would allure them of their fafe- ty; but that if they came not the fame day, no quarter would be given. The Sun at length came out accompanied by two chiefs, and was conduced to M. Perrier’s quarters, where four centinels were placed over them. One of them, notwithllanding, found means to efcape in the night, and to draw with him from the fort a great parr of the favages who defended it. There remained not above feventy warriors, who had no chief, and the fear of falling into the hands of the enemy, if they fhould attempt to efcape fepa- rately, obliged the greatell part of them to re¬ main fliut up. In the mean time the French had HISTORY OF CANADA. had ceafed from firing, and as it had continued inceflantly to rain for three days, the befieged fuppo fed that the French would be lefs exaft in guarding the palTes, in which they were not de¬ ceived. About eight o’clock in the evening it was difcovered that they were efcaping. Imme¬ diately feveral French foldiers were ordered to purfue, but they paffed along the courfe of a finall river which ran between the quarters of the militia and thofe of one of the divifions, and when the French, took pofleflion of the fort, the Natchez were at a confiderable diflance from it, with their women and children. The favages afling with the French, refufed to purfue the Natchez, and there being no longer any enemy, the general made a difpofition fot returning. The Sun with his attendants and family were embarked in a fmall veffel called the St. Louis. It was not long before the Natchez rendered themfelves again formidable, and the impolitic and unjuftifiable conduct of the French, in fend¬ ing to be fold at St. Domingo as flaves, the Sun, and all thofe who had been taken with him, had more enraged than intimidated that nation, in whom hatred and defpair had converted their natural haughtinefs and ferocity into a fteady valour, of which they were conceived incapable. In the month of April the great chief of the vol. i. RR Tonicas 609 BOOK 1 73 T * 6 io HISTORY OF CANADA. book Tonicas defcended to New Orleans, and related XI. i to M. Perrier, that being engaged in the chace, * 73 1 - four Natchez came to prefent themfelves ro him, ' and to intreat him to endeavour to effect an ac¬ commodation between the French and their countrymen, adding, that all, and even they who had withdrawn to the Chicachas, requeued to be received into favour: that they would fettle themfelves wherever the general fhould point out, but that they fhould prefer being in the vi¬ cinity of the Tonicas. He therefore had taken the journey to New Orleans, to be acquainted with the general’s pleafure upon that fubjeft. It was agreed that they fhould eftablifh them¬ felves at two leagues from the village of the Tonicas, and not nearer, in order to avoid every occafion of difpute between the two nations ; but that he fhould infift above all that they fhould come unarmed. The Tonica promifed that this order fhould be conformed to; in the mean time, as foon as he returned, he received into his village thirty Natchez, after having taken the precaution to difann them. A few days after¬ wards the chief who had efcaped arrived among the Tonicas with a hundred men, their wives and children, having firfl concealed among the canes around the village fifty Chicachas and Courrois. The great chief declared to them, 9 that HISTORY OF CANADA. 611 ^that he was prohibited from receiving them un- lefs they furrendered their arms. They replied, that fuch was their intention, but they intreated his indulgence to retain them for a little time, left their women, feeing them thus difartned, mishit believe them pnfoners, and deftined to fuffer death. To this he confented, and diftri- buted provifions to his new guefts; the feaft ended in a dance, which continued till after mid¬ night. The Tonicas retired to their cabins, doubting not that the Natchez would likewife go to reft. An hour before dawn of day the Nat¬ chez, Chicachas, and Courrois entered all the cabins, and killed every one whom they found afleep. The chief, alarmed by the noife, run into the midft of them, and killed five Natchez with his own hand, but overwhelmed by num¬ bers he fell, together with twelve of his attend¬ ants. His war chief, not difmt^yed by the lofs, nor by the flight of the greateft part of his warriors, rallied a fmall number, with whom he regained the cabin of the great chief; thofe who fled returned to him, and after an obftinate conteft he remained mafter of the village. As foon as intelligence of this affair reached New Orleans, a party under the orders of the Chevalier d’Artaguette was detached, to endea¬ vour, as foon as poflible, to perfuade the favages R R 2 to BOOK 1 7 3 1 - 6 l2 HISTORY OF CANADA, B o o ic to purfue the Natchez. M. de Crefnay was l— y—w alfo ordered to fecure thofe who had furrendered I? 3 r * themfelves to him, but his aid major, to whom he had entrutted the care of them, having left them their knives, they, at a time when lead expected, feized eight fufils, and ammunition, with which they fired until feveral people were killed. Their chief had defcended to New Or¬ leans with fifteen men, where they were feized, fent to the ifland of Thouloufe, and put in irons, which they found means to break; but not having time to effect their efcape, they were all killed. The party of Natchez who had failed in their attack on the Tonicas, went to rejoin their coun¬ trymen who had, by the Black River, efcaped from M. Perrier at the fiege of the fort. Hav¬ ing found them, they went together to the Natchitoches, where M. Saint Denys was potted with a few foldiers, and laid .fiege to his fort. That officer fent immediately an exprefs to the commandant to demand fuccour, and Loubois was fent with fixty men to reinforce him ; but he was informed on his way, that the Natchez were repulfed, but had poflefled themfelves of the village of the Natchitoches, and had en¬ trenched themfelves there. M. de Saint Denys having received a reinforcement from the Affi¬ nals HISTORY OF CANADA. 6 l- nais and Attacapas, to whom fome Spaniards book had joined themfelves, attacked their intrench- . YL . ments, and killed eighty-two, among whom were J 73 u all their chiefs. The remainder had betaken themfelves to flight, and were purfued by the Natchitoches. So many Ioffes, and particularly that of their chiefs, had fo completely difperfed the Natchez, that they no longer compofed a nation; but a fufficient number (till remained to difturb the inhabitants of Louifiana, and to interrupt their commerce. To remain upon friendly terms with the Chicachas was no longer poflible: they delayed not openly to declare themfelves. Their number amounted to a thou- fand warriors, befides about a hundred Natchez and fome Courrois and Yafous. This u'as fuffi¬ cient to keep the colony in alarm, and it appeared to be upon the eve of fupporting a new war, which its prefent force did not promife that it {hould be able foon to terminate. The Chicachas, the moft fierce, and at the fame time the mod brave of all the nations of Louifiana, waited for a confiderable time before they threw off the mafk. They had taken luch meafures for withflanding the French, as gave reafon to fuppofe that their neighbours were concerned with them, of which proofs not alto- equivocal foon appeared. They began 614 HISTORY OF CANADA. book by fending a trufty negroe to explain to his s-m*. countrymen who were among the French, that I 73 I - it depended on themfelves to recover their liber¬ ty, and to live in tranquillity and abundance. .As he conducted his intrigue with much addrefs, he was attended to by his countrymen, and it was only by a negroe woman that the confpiracy was difcovered. They had agreed, when the in¬ habitants of the town (hould be at mafs, to fet fire to the different houfes, and to take that op¬ portunity of efcaping. On the evidence of this woman, another female, who was a principal agent in the confpiracy, and four men who were alfo leaders, were feized, and further proofs ap¬ pearing againfl them, were punifhed with death. This example, which evinced to the other ne¬ groes that their fecret was difcovered, was fuffi- cient to reftrain any further attempts. In the mean time, the Tehaftas, part of whom had been gained by the Chicac’nas, had difre- garded invitations which the Sieur Regis had made them on the part of the general, to fend three hundred of their warriors to join the French ; but forty of their people having been killed in a fkirmifii by the latter, this check in¬ duced them to form an alliance with them. The Chicachas then turned themfelves towards the Miamis, the llinois, and the Akaufas, but they HISTORY OF CANADA. 615 they found thefe people faithful to their engage- book. ments with the French, and relinquifhed every hope from thofe quarters. The Ilinois delivered 1731. up to the general three ambafladors who had x been fent to them upon that million: thefe were furrendered to the Tehattas, who burnt them at New Orleans, and thereby extinguifhed every hope of conciliation with the Chicachas. Such was the fituation of the colony when M. Perrier expected to be recalled, becaufe he underflood that his conduct had been difapproved of by the company of the Indies ; he was how¬ ever furprifed to receive a new commiffion ap¬ pointing him governor of Louifiana for the King. From the beginning of this year the company had refolved on the retroceflion to his Majefty of the grant which he had given them of this province, and of the country of the Ilinois, and alfo of the exclufive privilege, on condition of being allowed the power of granting permiffions to merchants of the kingdom inclined to trade with that country. This refolution was foon after confirmed by a decree, and by virtue of letters patent from the King, M. de Salmont, w r ho acled at New Orleans as chief commillioner, took pofTefiion of the country in name of the Mod Chridian King. M. Perrier 6i6 HISTORY OF CANADA. BOO] XI. ^ i — ./*-»«■« , 73 1, : M. Perrier was not allowed time to profit by the meafures which he had taken to carry on the war againfl: the Chicachas. He preferred to be engaged in a feivice in which he had been reared, to expeditions which can by no means be compenfated by the credit acquired from them, and he was relieved by M. de Bienville whom he had fucceeded. The new governor found himfelf engaged in a war with the Chica¬ chas, ,which lafted for many years. A war, in which the Chevalier d’Artaguette and a great number of brave officers periffied. In this war alfo periffied a Jefuit named Senar, who, forget¬ ful of his own fafety, was impelled by humanity to adminifter comfort and relief to the wounded, until all hope of his retreat was cut off. \ END OF THE FIRST VOLUME. Printed by A. Strahin, Pr titers-Street- ' 0 \