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EXTRACT FROM THE KING'S INSTRUCTIONS TO THE

MARQUIS DE DENONVILLE, March 10, 1685.

[Paris Doc. III.]

His principal object ought to be to establish the repose of the Colony by a firm and solid peace. But to render this peace durable he must lower the pride of the Iroquois, support the Illinois and the other allies whom Sr de la Barre has abandoned, and by a firm and vigorous policy to let the said Iroquois know that they will have every thing to fear if they do not submit to the conditions which he intends to impose on them.

He will, then, first declare to them that he shall protect with all his power the allies of the French; inform the Illinois, the Outaouacs, Miamis and others of the same thing, and should he deem it proper to back this declaration by troops and an expedition against the Senecas, His Majesty leaves it to him to adopt, in his regard, such resolutions as he shall deem most suitable, being well persuaded that he will follow the best course, and that his experience in war will place him in a position to bring that to a speedy conclusion if he be obliged to undertake it.

He ought to be informed that the Commandant of New York has pretended to aid the Iroquois and to extend the English domination even to the bank of the River St. Lawrence and over the whole extent of Country inhabited by those Savages. And though His Majesty doubts not but the King of England to whom he has made representations by his Ambassador, will give orders to his Commandant to put a stop to these unjust pretensions, he, notwithstanding, considers it necessary to explain to him that he ought to do every thing to maintain good understanding between the French and English: Yet should the latter, contrary to every appearance, rouse the Savages and afford them succor, he must

act towards them as towards enemies, when he finds them in the Indian Country, without, however, attempting any thing in the countries under the King of England's obedience.

FATHER LAMBERVILLE TO GOV. DONGAN.

[London Doc. V.]

From Onnontagué, 10 Sept. 1685.

My Lord-I had the honour not long since to write to you— it was last month; since the despatch of my last letter, the Senecas who were desirous to make trouble and to persuade the Mohawks and other villages to unite with them against Mons1 de la Barre, have changed their minds; since they were assured that the peace concluded last year, as you desired, should not be broken by M. de la Barre, as they were maliciously told, and as a hundred false reports which are never ceased being related would persuade them. To complete successfully what you have so well begun, it only remains to exhort the Senecas to add a few more peltries to the ten beavers and thirty otters which they left in deposit with the Onnontagués to satisfy Mr de la Barre, as you recommended them to do last year. Let your zeal for the public peace, and especially for the Christians of this America induce you, if you please, to put the finishing hand to this good work and to recommend the Senecas and other villages not to attach credit to the new floating rumors, since it is true that the Govr of Canada desires with all his heart that all things should be quiet and to second your just intentions. The Onnontagués and those who are of their opinions, have operated powerfully on the minds of the said Senecas to induce them to resume thoughts of peace, as well as Mr Arnout, bearer of this letter, who was present at what was done and said; and who can inform you, and from whom you will be glad to receive his report.

Since peace, through your care, will aparently last, we shall continue to carry the Christian faith through this Country, and to solicit the Indians, whom you honor with your friendship, to embrace it as you yourself embrace it, for this is the sole object that

has caused us to come here, that the blood of JESUS CHRIST, shed for all men, may be useful to them, and that His glory may be great throughout the earth.

If you will please to honour me with a line from your hand, you can have your letter given to one named Garakontié who is deputed from the Onnontagués to repair to the Diet which you have convoked at Albany. Do him the charity to exhort him to be a good Christian, as he was whose name he bears, and who was his brother. Recommend him I beseech you not to get drunk any more, as he promised when he was baptized, and to perform the duties of a Christian. One word from you will have a wonderful effect on his mind, and he will publish throughout that it is not true that the English forbid them to be Christians since you who command them will have exhorted them to persevere

therein.

I pray God, who has given us the grace to be united in the same Catholic faith, to unite us also in Heaven; and that he may heap his graces on you here on earth, is the wish of him who is perfectly and with all manner of respect, My Lord,

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of the order of Jesuits, (called in Indian, Teïorhensere.)

Oblige me, I request you, to have the enclosed sent to its address.

Please, My Lord, pardon me the liberty which I take to present my humble respects to the Governor of Virginia, who is called among the Indians, Big Sword or Cutlass, who I learn is with you at Albany, to whom, some time ago, I caused to be restored an Englishman named Rolelman, whom these Indians here had plundered and captured and whom I took into my hut to save him from the fury of some refractory people and from those who would make him their slave. It is the least service I would desire to render him.

MEMOIR CONCERNING THE PRESENT STATE OF CANADA

AND THE MEASURES THAT MAY BE ADOPTED FOR THE SECURITY OF THE

COUNTRY. 12 NOVEMBER 1685. (Extract.)

[Paris Doc. III.]

The most to be feared is, the Iroquois who are the most powerful in consequence of the facility with which they obtain arms from the English and the number of slaves they make daily among their neighbours by carrying away at an early age their children, whom they adopt; this is the only means of their increase, for thro' their debaucheries of Brandy which lead them into frightful disorders, the few children their women raise could not of themselves assuredly sustain them, if they did not make prisoners.

The great trade in arms and ammunitions at a low rate, among the English has given them hitherto that advantage which they have over other nations who in order to be disarmed have been destroyed by the former who are all of them insolent. Even the English in Virginia have suffered and still suffer from them every day; but the interest of the trader at Orange and Manatte supersedes the public interest, for if they would not sell them powder, that nation could be more easily conquered than any other. It consists of five principal villages, each of which have other smaller ones dependant on them; the first is called Annić (Mohawk) which can furnish two hundred men fit for service and are ten leagues from Orange (Albany); the second is Oneyoust (Oneida) which can furnish one hundred and fifty men at from 15 to 20 leagues from Annié; the third is Onontagué which could bring out three hundred men, ('tis one hundred leagues from Montreal); the fourth is Goyoguoain (Cayuga) which could put two hundred men a-foot, at twelve leagues from Lake Ontario, and the Sonoutouans (Senecas) the fifth, who comprize, as it is reported, twelve hundred men bearing arms, at five leagues South of the Lake.

The Senecas being the strongest, are the most insolent. The idea must not be entertained that this Nation can ever be reduced except by being in a position to pounce on them; which cannot be done without approaching them, occupying some posts where

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