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III. 
 
 PAPERS 
 
 KELATIN6 TO 
 
 THE MOHAWK INDIANS. 
 
 ^nuD IGfiSr— 6. 
 

 s' 
 
OF THE FIRST FORTS ERECTED ON THE IROQUOIS RIVER. 
 
 [Relation de ce qui s'est passe en la Nouvelle France es ann^es 1664 & 1665.] 
 
 At the same time that the Outaouaks embarked to return to 
 their country, the wind becoming more favorable, the soldiers who 
 had been obliged to stop at Three Rivers likewise embarked ; 
 and after having navigated Lake St. Peter arrived at the mouth 
 of the River Richelieu, which leads to the Iroquois of the 
 Mohawk. 
 
 The plan entertained at this first campaign was to erect on the 
 route some forts, which were considered absolutely necessary as 
 well to secure the passage and liberty of trade as to serve for 
 stores for the troops and retreats for sick and wounded sol- 
 diers. For this purpose three advantageous posts were selected. 
 The first at the mouth of the Iroquois River ; the second seven- 
 teen leagues higher up, at the foot of a current of water called the 
 Sault de Richelieu ; the third about three leagues above this 
 current. 
 
 The first fort, named Richelieu, was built by Mons. de Cham- 
 blay, who commanded five companies which Monsieur de Tracy 
 sent there. The second fort, named Saint Louis, because it was 
 commenced the week of the celebration of the festival of that 
 great saint, protector of our Kings and of France, was built by 
 M. de Sorel, who commanded five other companies of the Regi- 
 ment of the Carignan Salieres. . . . The [third] fort was for- 
 tunately finished in the month of October on St. Theresa's day, 
 whence it derived its name. From this third fort of St. Therese 
 we can easily reach Lake Champlain wiihout meeting any rapids 
 to stop the batteaux. 
 
 This Lake, after a length of sixty leagues, finally terminates in 
 
60 
 
 FRENCH EXPEDITIONS AGAINST 
 
 he country of the Mohawk Iroquois. It is still intended to build 
 there early next spring, a fourth fort, which will command those 
 countries, and from which continual attacks can be made on the 
 enemy, if they do not listen to reason. 
 
 We shall give at the end of the next chapter, the plan of these 
 three forts, with the map of the Iroquois country^ which has not 
 been as yet seen, after having given some p^xticulars of those 
 people who thwart us so long a time, because they have never 
 been efficiently attacked. 
 
 OF THE IROQUOIS COUNTRY AND THE ROUTES LEADING 
 
 THITHER. 
 
 It must be premised that the Iroquois are composed of five Na- 
 tions, of which the nearest to the Dutch, is that of the Mohawk 
 consisting of two or three villages containing about three to four 
 hundred men capable of bearing arms. These have always been 
 at war with us, though they sometimes pretended to sue for peace 
 Proceeding towards the West,at a distance of forty-five leagues* 
 IS found the second Nation, calle.i Oneida, which has no mor'^e at 
 most, than one hundred and forty warriors, and has never wished 
 to listen to any negotiations for peace ; on the contrary it has al- 
 ways embarrassed affairs when they appeared about to be arranged 
 Fifteen leagues towards sunset is OnnontagucS which has'full 
 three hundred men. We have been formerly received there as 
 friends and treated as enemies, which obliged us to abandon that 
 post, where we remained two years, as if in the centre of all the 
 Iroquois Nations, whence we proclaimed the gospel to all those 
 poor people, assisted by a garrison of Frenchmen sent by Mon- 
 sieur de Lauzon, then Governor of New France, to take possession 
 of those countries in his Majesty's name. 
 
 At twenty or thirty leagues from there still towards the West 
 1 For the M.ip above referred to, see the Vol. of Relations in the State Librarj-. 
 
AGAINST THE MOIIAWKS. Cl 
 
 is the village of Cayuga, of three hundred warriorsj where in the 
 year 1657, we had a mission which formed a little church filled 
 with piety in the midst of these Barbarians. 
 
 Towards the termination of the Great Lake, called Ontario, is 
 located the most numerous of the Five Iroquois Nations, named 
 the Senecas, which contains full twelve hundred men in two or 
 three villages of which it is composed. 
 
 These last two nations have never openly made war on us, and 
 have always remained neuter. 
 
 All that extent of country is partly south, partly west of the 
 French settlements, at a distance of from one hundred to one 
 hundred and fifty leagues. It is for the most part fertile, covered 
 with fine timber ; among the rest entire forests of chestnut and 
 hickory {jioyer^) intersected by numerous lakes and rivers abound- 
 ing in fish. The air is temperate ; the seasons regular as in 
 France, capable of bearing all the fruits of Touraine and Pro- 
 vence. The snows are not deep nor of long duration. The 
 three winters which we passed there among the Onnontagues, 
 were mild, conipared with the winters at Quebec where the 
 ground is covered five months with snow, three, four and five 
 feet deep. As we inhabit the Northern part of New France and 
 the Iroquois the South, it is not surprising that their lands are 
 more agreeable and more capable of cultivation and of bearing 
 belter fruit. 
 
 There are two principal rivers leading to the Iroquois ; one to 
 those which are near New Netherland and this is the Richelieu 
 river of which we shall speak hereafter ; the second conducts to 
 the other Nations more distant from us, always ascending our 
 great river St. Lawrence which divides, above Montreal, as if 
 into two branches, whereof one goes to the antient country of the 
 ITurons, the other to that of the Iroquois. 
 
 This is one of the most important rivers that can be seen, 
 whether we regard its beauty or its convenience; for we meet 
 there almost tiiroughout,a vast number of beautiful Islands, some 
 large, others small, but all covered with fine timber and full of 
 deer, bears, wild cows which supply abundance of provisions 
 necessary for the travellers who find it every where, and some 
 
62 FRENCH EXPEDITIONS 
 
 times entire herds of fallow deer. The banks of the main land 
 are ordinarily shaded by huge oaks and other lofty timber cover- 
 ing a good soil. 
 
 Before arriving at the Great Lake Ontario, two others are tra- 
 versed, one of which adjoins the Island of Montreal, the other is 
 amidway. It is ten leagues long by six wide. It is terminated 
 by a great many little islands very pleasing to the sight, and we 
 have named it Lake St. Francis. 
 
 But what renders this river inconvenient is the water falls and 
 rapids which extend for the space of forty leagues, to wit from 
 Montreal to the entrance of Lake Ontario, there being only the 
 two lakes just mentioned of easy navigation. To surmount these 
 torrents, wc must often debark from the canoe and walk in the 
 river whose waters are sufficiently low in these quarters, chiefly 
 towards the banks. We take the canoe in hand dragging it after 
 us. Ordinarily two men suffice, one forward at the bow, the 
 other behind at the stern j and as the canoe is very light, being 
 made merely of the bark of trees, and as it is not loaded, it glides 
 more smoothly over the water, not meeting great resistance. 
 Some times the canoe is to be landed and carried some distance, 
 one man in front, the other in the rear ; the first carrying one end 
 of the canoe on the right ^houlder, the second carrying the other 
 end on the left. It becomes necessary to do this either on meet- 
 ing cascades and entire rivers which fall some times perpendicu- 
 larly from a prodigious height or when the current is too rapid ; 
 or when the water thereabout being too deep, we cannot walk, 
 dragging the canoe along by the hand j or when the country is 
 to be crossed from one river to the other. 
 
 But when the mouth of the Great Lake is reached, the navi 
 gation is easy, when the waters are tranquil, becoming insensibly 
 wider at first ; then about two-thirds, next one half and finally 
 out of sight (of land) ; especially after one has passed an infinity 
 of littie islands which are at the entrance of the Lake, in such 
 great number and in such a variety that the most experienced 
 Iroquois Pilots sometimes lose themselves there, and experience 
 considerable difficulty in distinguishing the course to be steered, 
 in the confusion and as it were in the labyrinth formed by the 
 
AGAINST THE MOHAWKS. 63 
 
 islands, which otherwise have nothing agreeable beyond thur 
 multitude. For these are only huge locks rising out the wa- 
 ter, covered merely by moss, or a few spruce or other stunted 
 wood whose roots spring from the clefts of the rocks which can 
 supply no other aliment or moisture to these barren trees than 
 what the rains furnish them. 
 
 After leaving this melancholy abode, the Lake is discovered 
 appearing like unto a sea without islands or bounds, where barks 
 and ships can sail in all safety ; so that the communication would 
 be easy between all the French colonies that coi'ld be established 
 on the borders of this Great Lake which is more than a hundred 
 leagues long by thirty to forty wide. 
 
 It is from this point that all the Iroquois Nations can be reach- 
 ed, by various directions, except the Mohawks, the route to 
 whom is by the River Richelieu, of which we can safely say two 
 words since they regard it, that our troops have already con- 
 structed the three forts of which we have spoken. 
 
 It is called the Richelieu River because of the fort of the same 
 name which was erected there at its mouth at the commencement 
 of the wars j and which has been rebuilt anew to secure the en- 
 trance of that river. It likewise bears the name of the River of 
 the Iroquois, because it is the route which leads thither, ami it is 
 by it these Barbarians used most ordinarily come to attack us. 
 The bed of this river is one huntlred to one hundred and fifty pa- 
 ces wide almost throughout, though at its mouth it is somewhat 
 narrower : its borders are decorated with beautiful pines through 
 which we can walk with ease ; as in fact fifty of our men have 
 done a foot by land nearly twenty leagues of the way from the 
 mouth of the river to the Sault, which is so called, though it is 
 not properly a waterfall but only an impetuous rapid full of rocks, 
 that arrest its course and render the navigation almost impos- 
 sible for three quarters of a league. In time however its passage 
 may be facilitated. The remainder of the river has from the be- 
 ginning a very fine bottom ; as many as eight islands are to be 
 met with before arriving at the basin, which is at the foot of the 
 Sault. This basin is like a little lake, a league and a half in cir- 
 
64 FRENCH EXPEDITIONS 
 
 cumference and six to eight feet deep, where fish abounds almost 
 at all seasons. 
 
 To the right of this basin in going up, is seen Fort Saint Louis, 
 built quite recently here, which is very convenient for the design 
 entertained against the Iroquois, since its position renders it al- 
 most impregnable and causes it to command the whole river. 
 
 After passing the rapids of the Sault which extend three 
 leagues, the third fort is visible that terminates all these rapids : 
 for the river afterwards is very beautiful and quite navigable to 
 the Lake called, Champlain, at the extremities of which we enter 
 on the lands of the Mohawk Iroquois. 
 
 OF THE WAR AND THE TREATIES OF PEACE OF THE 
 FRENCH WITH THE IROQUOIS. 
 
 [Relation, &c., es anneeSj 1665, 1666.] 
 
 The great varieties of Nations which are in these countries, 
 the changeable and perfidious disposition of the Iroquois and the 
 barbarism of all these tribes not permitting us to hope for any 
 stable peace with them except inasmuch as it can be maintained 
 by the terror of the king's arms, it is not to be wondered at that 
 peace succeeds war so easily, and that wars terminate so quickly 
 in peace. 
 
 The ambassadors of five different Nations were seen in one year 
 at Quebec, who came thereto solicit peace ; yet these did not pre- 
 vent us punishing by a good war those who answered badly by 
 their conduct the promises of their deputies. 
 
 Thj first of these Ambassadors who came from the Upper Iro- 
 quois, were presented to M. de Tracy in the month of December 
 of the year 1665, and the most influential among them was a fa- 
 mous Captain, called Garacontie, who always signalized his zeal 
 for the French, and employed the credit which he has among all 
 these tribes, in extricating our piisimers from their hands, as he 
 
AGAINST THE MOHAWKS, 65 
 
 has liberated very recently Sieur Le Moine, an inhabitant of 
 Montreal, "vvho had been captured three months ago by these 
 Barbarians. 
 
 M. de Tracy having notified him by the usual presents that he 
 would give him a friendly audience, he pronounced a harangue 
 full of good sense and an eloquence evincing no trace of the bar- 
 barous. It contained nothing but courtesies and offers of friend- 
 ship and service on the part of all his tribe ; wishes for a new 
 Jesuit Mission, and expressions of condolence on the death of 
 the late Father Le Moine, the intelligence of which he had just 
 received. 
 
 However as no advantage can be expected from these Nations 
 except in so far as we appear able to injure them, preparations 
 were made for a military expedition against those with whom no 
 peace could be concluded. Monsieur de Courcelles, who com- 
 manded, used every possible diligence so that he was ready to 
 start on the 9th January of the year 1666, accompanied by M. 
 du Gas, whom he took for his Lieutenant ; by M. de Salamper, 
 Gentleman Volunteer; by Father Pierre Raffeix, Jesuit; by 300 
 men of the Regiment of Carignan Salieres and 200 Volunteers, 
 habitans of the French Colonies. This march could not but be 
 tedious, every one having snow shoes on his feet, to the use of 
 which none were accustomed, and all, not excepting the officers 
 nor even M. de Courcelles himself, being loaded, each with from 
 25 to 30 pounds of biscuit, clothing and other necessary supplies. 
 
 A more difficult or longer march than that of this little army, 
 can scarcely be met with in any history, and it required a French 
 courage and the perseverance of M. de Courcelles, to undertake 
 it. In addition to the embarrassment caused by the snow shoes, 
 which is a species of great inconvenience and that of the burthen 
 which each one was obliged to carry, it was necessary to walk 
 three hundred leagues on the snow ; cross lakes and rivers con- 
 tinually on the ice in danger of making as many falls as steps ; 
 sleep only on the snow in the midst of the forest and endure a 
 cold surpassing by many degrees in severity that of the most rigor- 
 ous European winters. 
 5 
 
66 FRENCH EXPEDITIONS 
 
 Our troops, however, having gone the first day to Sillery t& 
 recommend the success of their enterprize to St. Michael the 
 Archangel the patron of that place ; many had, as early as the 
 third day, the nose, the ears, the knees and the fingers or other 
 parts entirely frozen and the remainder of the body covered with 
 cicatrixes, and some others wholly overcome and benumbed by 
 the cold would have perished in the snow, had they not been 
 carried, though with considerable difficulty, to the place where 
 they were to pass the night. 
 
 Sieurs De la Fouille, Maximin and Lobiac, Captains in the 
 the Carignan regiment, having joined this little army on the 24th 
 January, each with 20 soldiers of their companies and some ha- 
 hitans of the place were treated by the cold, on the day follow- 
 ing, worse than any had previously been, and many soldiers were 
 obliged to be brought back, of whom some had the legs cut by 
 the ice and others the hands or the arms or other parts of the 
 body altogether frozen. These losses were repaired by Sieurs 
 de Chambly, Pelit and Rogemont, Captains of the same regi- 
 ment, and by the Sieurs Mignardi, Lieutenant of the Colonel's 
 company which was withdrawn from Forts St. Louis and St. 
 Therese, where the troops rendezvoused on the 30th of the same 
 month. So that the army being still 500 men strong finally ar- 
 rived on the 14th of February, with the same difficulties and the 
 same dangers, as before, in the enemy's country, at 20 leagues 
 distance from their villages. The journey yet to be travelled, 
 was very long in consequence of the prodigious depth of the 
 snow and the delay of the Algonquin guides, in whose absence 
 unknown routes were to be tried and continual mistakes expe- 
 rienced. 
 
 Finally information was received from prisoners who were ta- 
 ken in some detached cabins, and from the Commandant of a 
 hamlet inhabited by the Dutch of New Netherlantl, that the 
 greater part of the Mohawks and Oneidas having gone to a dis- 
 tance to make war against other tribes called the Wampum Ma- 
 kers, [les faiseurs de porcelahie) had left in their villages only 
 the children and the helpless old men ; and it was considered 
 useless to push farther forward an expediiion which had all the 
 
AGAINST THE MOHAWKS. 67 
 
 effect intended by the terror it spread among all the tribes, who 
 were haughty and perfidious only because they considered them- 
 selves inaccessible to our troops. Before returning however we 
 killed several savages who from time to time made their appear- 
 ance along the skirts of the forest for the purpose of skirmishing 
 with our people. Sieur Aiguemorte and some of our soldiers 
 were also killed pursuing them. 
 
 The effects of the terror produced by his Majesty's arms on the 
 hearts of these savages were apparent at Quebec in the month 
 of May following, by the arrival of ambassadors from the Sene- 
 cas, {Sonnontouaero7inons) who demanded the King's protection 
 for their nation and the continuation of peace, which they pre- 
 tended they never violated by any hostile act. M. de Tracy had 
 already refused 34 presents that they had tendered him, but per- 
 ceiving that it affected them sensibly and that they considered it 
 the greatest insult that could be offered, he finally accepted 
 their wampum belts, repeating to them that it was neither their 
 presents nor their gocds that the King desired, but their true 
 happiness and salvation ; that they would derive all sorts of ad- 
 vantages from their confidence in his goodness which should 
 be extended to the other Nations also, that they might experience 
 Its most favorable effects, if they took the same care in imploring 
 It by sendmg their ambassadors forthwith. 
 
 These were soon succeeded by those of other tribes; amono- 
 the rest by those from the Oneida and even by those from the 
 Mohawk, so that the deputies from the Five Iroquois Nations 
 were almost at the same time at Quebec as if to confirm by one 
 common accord a durable peace with France. 
 
 In order the better to accomplish this it was deemed pro- 
 per to send some Frenchmen with the Oneida Ambassadors, 
 who were also responsible for the conduct of the Mohawks,' 
 and even gave hostages for them. The Dutch of New Ne- 
 therland had likewise written in their behalf and went se- 
 curity for the faithful observance by all those Barbarians of 
 the articles of peace entered into with them. These French dele- 
 gates had orders to inform themselves of every thing carefully 
 on the spot, and to learn if it were safe to confide again on the 
 
68 FRENCH EXPEDITIONS 
 
 Savages, so that His Majesty's arms should not be retarded by an 
 illusive hope of peace. 
 
 But scarcely were the Ambassadors two or or three days jour- 
 ney from Quebec, when news came of the surprisal by the Mo- 
 hawks of some Frenchmen belonging to Fort St. Anne who had 
 gone to the chase, and of the murder of Sieur de Traversy, Cap- 
 tain in theCarignan Regiment and Sieur de Chusy,and that some 
 volunteers had been taken prisoners. The French delegates were 
 at once recalled, and the Oneida savages who remained as hosta- 
 ges whose heads could have been at once split by axes accord- 
 ing to the laws of war in this country, were imprisoned. But 
 without having recourse to these barbarous laws, means were 
 adopted to derive greater advantage from this treachery ; and M. 
 de Sorel, Captain in the Carignan Regiment, immediately collected 
 a party of three hundred men, whom he led by forced marches 
 into the enemy's country, resolved to put all, every where, to the 
 sword. But when only 20 leagues distant from their villages he 
 encountered new Ambassadors bringing back the Frenchmen 
 taken near Fort St. Anne, and who were coming to offer every 
 satisfaction for the murder of those who were slain and new 
 guarantees for peace, so that this Captain having returned with 
 his troops, there was no more talk but of peace, which they pre- 
 tended to conclude by a general council of all the Tribes who 
 had at the time delegates at Quebec. 
 
 These treaties had not, however, all the success which was ex- 
 pected from them, and M. de Tracy concluded that, to ensure 
 their success, it was necessary to render the Mohawks by force of 
 arms more tractable, for they always opposed new obstacles to 
 the publick tranquillity. He wished, despite his advanced age, 
 to lead in person against these Barbarians, an army composed of 
 600 soldiers drafted from all the companies, of six hundred 
 hahitans of the country and one hundred Huron and Algonquin 
 savages. Through the exertions of M. Talon, all the prepara- 
 tions for this war were completed by the 14*^ Sepf, the day 
 fixed on for departure, being that of the exaltation and triumph 
 of the Cross, for whose glory this expedition was determined on. 
 The general rendezvous was fixed for the 28'^ of Sept., at Fort 
 
AGAINST THE MOHAWKS. €9 
 
 St. Anne recently constructed by Sieur La Mothe, Captain in the 
 Carignan Regiment, on an Island in Lake Champlain. Some of 
 the troops not being able to come up in sufficient time, M. de 
 Tracy would not proceed before the 3"^ of October, with the 
 main body of the army. But M. de Courcelles impelled by his 
 characteristic impatience for the fight, started some days ahead 
 with 400 men, and »Sieurs De Chambly and Berthier, com- 
 mandants of the Forts St. Louis and Assumption were left to 
 follow M. de Tracy, four days afterwards, with the rear guard. 
 As it was necessary to march one hundred and twenty leagues 
 into the interior to find the enemy's villages, and as several large 
 lakes and many considerable rivers were to be crossed before 
 arriving there, it was necessary to be provided with conveniences 
 for land and water. Vessels requisite for this expedition had 
 been prepared. Three hundred were ready* consisting partly of 
 very light batteaux, and partly of bark canoes, each of which 
 carried at most five or six hundred persons. On crossing a river 
 or lake, each was obliged to take charge of his own canoe and to 
 carry the batteaux by main strength. This caused less labor than 
 two small pieces of artillery which were conveyed even to the 
 farthest Iroquois villages, to force more easily all the fortifi- 
 cations. 
 
 Notwithstanding the care taken to accomplish this march with 
 little noise, we could not prevent some Iroquois, despatched 
 from 30 to 40 leagues to discover our troops, seeing from the 
 mountain tops this little naval expedition, and running to warn 
 the first village of it ; so that the alarm spreading afterwards 
 from village to village, our troops found them abandoned, and 
 these barbarians were only seen on the mountains at a distance 
 uttering great cries and firing. some random shots at our soldiers. 
 
 Our army halting only for refreshment at all these villages, 
 which were found void of men but full of grain and provisions, 
 expected to meet with a vigorous resistance at the last which 
 we prepared to attack in regular form, because the barba- 
 rians evinced by the great firing they made there, and the 
 fortifications they had erected, every disposition for a despe- 
 rate defence. But our people were again disappointed in their 
 
70 FRENCH EXPEDITIONS 
 
 hope ; for scarcely had the enemy seen the vanguard approach, 
 when they immediately fled to tiie woods where night prevented 
 our troops pursuing them. A triple palisade, surrounding their 
 stronghold, twenty feet in height and flanked by four bastions, 
 their prodigious quantities of provisions and the abundant supply 
 of water they had provided in bark tanks to extinguish fire when 
 necessary, afforded sufficient evidence that their first resolution 
 had been quite different from that which the terror of our arms 
 had caused them so suddenly to adopt. A few persons whom 
 their advanced age had prevented withdrawing from the vil- 
 lage two days previously wnth all the women and children, 
 and the remains of two or three savages of another tribe whom 
 they had half roasted at a slow fire with their accustomed fury, 
 were all that were found. After having planted the Cross and 
 celebrated Mass and sung the Te Deum on the spot, all that re- 
 mained was to fire the palisades and cabins and to destroy all the 
 stores of Indian corn, beans and other produce of the country 
 found there. The other villages were again visited where as 
 well as throughout the whole country, the same devastation was 
 committed ; so that those w'ho are acquainted with the mode of 
 living of these barbarians doubt not but famine will cause as 
 many to perish as would have been destroyed by the arms of our 
 soldiery had they dared to await them, and that those who 
 survive will be reduced by terror to peaceful conditions and to a 
 demeanor more difficult to be obtained from them by mere san- 
 guinary victories. 
 
 The return route of our troops was more disagreeable than that 
 taken in going, because the rivers being swollen some seven 
 or eight feet by the rains, were found much more difficult 
 to cross, and a storm which arose on Lake Champla*! wreck- 
 ed two canoes with eight persons, amongst whom was to be 
 particularly regretted Sieur du Lugues, Lieutenant of a compa- 
 ny, w ho made frequent displays of his valour in France as well 
 as in Canada. 
 
 The courage of our troops was ever wonderfully excited in the 
 hardships of this expedition and in the face of danger, by the ex- 
 amples of M. de TracY, M. de Courcelles and M. de Salliere, 
 
AGAINST THE MOHAWKS. 71 
 
 Quarter Master [Mesfre de Camp) of the regiment and of Cheva- 
 lier de Chaumont who desired always on approaching the vil- 
 lages to be of the forlorn hope ; and their generosity was 
 animated by the zeal and pious sentiments with which Messrs. du 
 Bois and Cosson, secular Priests, and Fathers Albanel and Ra- 
 faix, Jesuits, endeavored to inspire them. 
 
 Our excellent Prelate who had his hands ever raised to Heaven 
 and had called every one to prayers, during the absence of our 
 troops, caused thanks to be given to God and the Te Deum sung 
 on their return. Every body here has conceived renewed hopes 
 in consequence of the King's goodness towards the country and 
 of the manner in which the West India Company, to whom his 
 Majesty has confided it, is affected towards it. So that we doubt 
 not but we shall very soon see most populous towns in the place 
 of these extensive forests, and Jesus Christ worshipped in all 
 these vast countries. 
 
 END. 
 
 A RELATION OF THE GOVERxNO^ OF CANNADA 
 
 mS MARCH WITH 600 VOLUNTEIRS INTO Y^ TERRITORYES OF HIS 
 ROYALL HIGHNESSE THE DUKE OF YORKE IN AMERICA. 
 
 [Lond. Doc. II.] 
 
 Upon the 29t'» of Xber last, Monsier Coarsell the Governour 
 of Canada, in Nova ffrancia begun his march with near 600 men, 
 to seeke out their inveterate ennemyes called the Mahauke Indians 
 in their owne country anil forts, there to take reuenge upon them 
 for the seuerall murthers and spoyles which the Barbarians had 
 for many yeares exercised in Cannada upon the French, and the 
 Indians of those parts even to the mine of most, but to the insuf- 
 ferable discouragement of all those Inhabbitants, who being taken 
 alive were usually tortured and eaten, or burnt by the Mauhaukes ; 
 If not taken, yet liv^ in perpetuall alarums to see their dwelling 
 houses burnt, their Cattell and Come destroyed. All which pow- 
 erful! arguments furnish't y« french with heate enough to march 
 
72 FRENCH EXPEDITIONS 
 
 over the fFrozen lake of Canada, lying in the 60th degree of nor- 
 therne latitude, and taking their tyme that the snow upon the 
 ground was hard frozen (though in most places 4 footedeep) made 
 use of Indian snow shoes w^h hath the very form of a Rackett 
 tyed to each foote, whereby yc body and feet are kept from sink- 
 ing into the snow, and because it was not possible for horses to 
 pass, or subsist in the snow, or for the soldiers to carry their ne- 
 cessary provisions on their backes, and had lesse expectation to 
 meete w^^ any reliefe in the vaste wilderness, the Governor caused 
 slight sledges to be made in good number, laying provisions upon 
 them, drew them over the snow with mastive doggs, all these dif- 
 ficultyes put together impeded his march, and by the mistake of 
 his guides hapned to fall short of the castles of the Maiihaukes, 
 and to take up his quarters or rather incamp upon the 9*^^ of Fe- 
 bruary within 2 myles of a small village called Schonectade, ly- 
 ing Vf^^ in the woods beyond fort Albany in y^ territoryes of his 
 Royall highness, and 3 dayss march from the first castle of the 
 Mahaukes. 
 
 The French suposed they were then come to their designed 
 place, and the rather because y*^ evening they did rancounter w^^ 
 a party of the Mohaukes who made appearance of retreating from 
 the French, whereupon a party of 60 of their best Fuzileers after 
 them, but that small party drew the French into an ambuscade of 
 neare 200 Mohaukes planted behind trees, (who taking their ad- 
 vantage as it fell into their hands,) at one volley slew^ eleauen 
 French men whereof one was a Lieuten*^. w^ounded divers others, 
 the french party made an bono'" able retreit to their body, w*^'^ was 
 marching after them close at hand, w^h gave the Mohaukes tyme 
 and opportunity to march off w^^^ the loss of only 3 slaine upon 
 the plaice and 6 wounded, the report whereof was soone brought 
 to Schonecktade by those Indians, with the heads of 4 of the 
 ffrench to the Commissary of the Village who immediately des- 
 patched the newes to Fort Albany, from whence the next day 3 
 of the principle inhabitants were sent to Monsier Coursell the 
 Governo'' of Cannada to inquire of his intention to bring such a 
 .body of armed men into the dominions of his Mat>e of Great Brit- 
 taine, w^'^out accquainting the Governo"" of these parts w^i' his de- 
 
AGAINST THE MOHAWKS. 73 
 
 signes. The Governo'" reply^ that he pome to seeke out and 
 destroy his ennemyes the Mohaukes without intention of visiting 
 their plantations, or else to molest any of his Ma^'^s subjects, and 
 that [he] had not heard of thd reducing those parts to his Ma*''^' 
 obedience, but desired that hee and his soldiers might bee supplied 
 with provisions for their money, and that his wounded men might 
 be sucoured, and taken care for in Albany ; To all which the 
 Emissaryes freely consented and made a small but acceptable pre- 
 sent of wine and provisions to him, further offering the best ac- 
 commodations y° poore village afforded, w^'' was civilly refus'd, 
 in regard there was not accomodacon for his soldyers, with whom 
 he had marcht and campt under the blew canopye of the heavens 
 full six weekes, but hee prudently foresaw a greater inconvenience 
 if hee had brought his weary and halfe starv'd people within the 
 smell of a chimney corner, whom hee now cold keepe from strag- 
 ling or running away, not knowing whith'er to runn for feare of 
 y^ Indians ; The next day ?iIonsieur Corsell sent his men to the 
 village where they were carefully drest and sent to Albany, being 
 seaven in number, the Dutch bores carryed to the camp such pro- 
 visions as they had, and were too well payd for it ; Especially 
 peaz and bread, of w'^'^ a good quantity was bought ; ye Mohaukes 
 were all gone to their Castles, with resolution to fight it out 
 against the french, who being refresht and supplyed w" the 
 aforesaid provisions made a shew of marching towards the Mo- 
 haukes Castles, but with faces about and great sylence and dilli- 
 gence return'd towards Cannada. 
 
 Upon the 12^h of February, whether a Panick feare, some mu- 
 tiny, or yc probability of the thawing of the lake, caus'd this 
 sudden (w'^^ the Indians call a dishono''able retreit) I cannot 
 learne, but surely so bould and hardy an attempt (circumstances 
 considered) hath not hapned in any age. All w°'' vanisht like 
 false fyer, and hath given new courage to their old enemy es y^ 
 Mauhaukes who by their spyes hearing of y* retreat of y« French 
 pursued them back to the Lake, but the French makiftg more 
 speed to them from Canada, the Mohaukes did noe considerable 
 prejudice to them, onely took 3 one of w'^'* at his own request 
 they slew, not being able to march, the other they kept prisoners, 
 
74 FRENCH EXPEDITIONS 
 
 they found 5 others dead in the way with hunger and cold, but 
 according to their manner brought the crownes of their heads 
 away, those who observed the words and countenance of Mon- 
 sieur Coursellj saw him disturbed in minde that the king was 
 Master of these parts of the Country, where hee expected to have 
 found the Dutch interest upermost, saying that the king of Eng- 
 land did graspe at all America, but hee did not beleive to see the 
 Dutch the masters ere long; he enquired what garrison or what 
 fort was at Albany, 'twas told him a Captain and 60 English sol- 
 dyers with 9 peece of ordinance in a small fort of foure Bastions, 
 and that the Cap*^ thereof Cap* Baker had sent for 20 men from 
 annother garrison of the Kings at the Sopes, who probably might 
 be arrived at Albany the same hower, thus finding his men tyr'd, 
 the Mohaukes resolute, and something doubtfull, without tryall 
 of the good will of the English Garrison, because y*' reports were 
 strong that the French King and States of Holland were united 
 against His Ma*"'^ of England, Monsieur Coursell found it reason- 
 able to returne home nothing effected, the 2 prisoners taken by 
 the Mohaukes in the retreate tell them y* this summer another 
 attempt will be made upon their country with a greater force and 
 supplyes of men, the truth or success of which I shall not now 
 discourse upon, having given y'^ trew relation of what past from 
 ye 29*^ December to the 12th of February. 
 
 [From Paris Doc. I.] 
 
 On the seventh of the month of July of the year 1666, the 
 Iroquois of the Oneida Nation, having learned from the Mohawks, 
 their neighbours and allies and by the Dutch of Fort Orange that 
 the troops of Louis the fourteenth by the grace of God Most 
 Christian King of France and Navarre, had in the month of 
 February of the said year carried his Majesty's arms, over the 
 snow ^d ice near unto Fort Orange in New Netherland, under 
 the command of Messire Daniel deCourcellc, Lieutenant General 
 of his armies, pursuant to orders which they received from Mes- 
 sire Alexandre de Prouville knight, Lord de Tracy, member of 
 
AGAINST THE MOHAWKS. 75 
 
 his Majesty's councils and Lieut. Genl, of his armies, both in the 
 Islands and mainluind of vSouth and North America, as well by 
 sea as by land, to fight and destroy the Mohawks, which probably 
 they would have accomplished, had not the mistake of their 
 guides caused them to take one road for the other, came down to 
 Quebec to solicit peace as well in their own name as in that of 
 the Mohawks by ten of their Ambassadors, by name Soenres, 
 Tsoenserouanne, Gannoukouenioton, Asaregouenioton, Asare- 
 gouaune, Tscndiagou, Achinnhara, Togoukouaras, Oskaraquets, 
 Akouehen, And after having communicated by the mouth of their 
 Orator and Chief Soenres, the object of their Embassy by ten 
 talks expressed by as many presents, and having handed to us the 
 letters from the officers of New Netherland, have unanimously 
 requested, acknowledging the force of his Majesty's arms and 
 their weakness and the condition of the forts advanced towards 
 them, and moreover aware that the three upper Iroquois Nations 
 have always experienced great benefit from the protection which 
 they formerly received from the said Lord the King, that his 
 Majesty would be pleased to extend to hem the same favour by 
 granting them the same protection, and receiving them among 
 the number of his true subjects, demanding that the Treaties for- 
 merly made as well by the said Nations as by theirs, have the 
 same fone and validity for that of the Mohawks, who have re- 
 quired of us to solicit this with great importunity, as they should 
 have themselves done by means of their Ambassadors had they 
 not been apprehensive of bad treatment at our hands, ratifying 
 on their part all the said reaties in all their points and articles, 
 which have been read to them in the Iroquois tongue by Joseph 
 Marie Chaumont, priest, member of the Society of Jesus; adding, 
 moreover, to all the said articles what the protest effecting in good 
 faith what they offered by their said presents, especially to restore 
 all the Frenchmen, Algonquins and TTuions whom they hold 
 prisoners among them of what condition and quality they may 
 be, and as long as any are detained there, even on the part 
 of the Mohawks, to send families from among them to serve, 
 like those of other nations as the most strict hostages for their 
 persons and dispositions to the orders of those who shall in this 
 
76 
 
 FRENCH EXPEDITIONS 
 
 Country have authority from the said Lord the King whom they 
 acknowledge from this time as their Sovereign; demanding reci- 
 procally among all other things the restoration to them in good 
 faith, of all those of their Nation who are prisoners at Quebec, 
 Montreal and Three Rivers, that French families and some Black 
 gowns, that is Jesuits be sent them, to preach the gospel to them 
 and to make known to them the God of the French whom they 
 promise to love and adore ; also that trade and commerce be open 
 to them with New France, by the Lake du Saint Sacrement^ 
 (L. George) with the assurance on their part that they will pro- 
 vide in their country, a sure retreat as well to the said families 
 as to the trading merchants, not only by preparing cabins to lodge - 
 them in, but also by assisting to erect forts to shelter them from 
 their common enemies the Andastaeronnons and others. And 
 that the present Treaty, made on their part in ratification of the 
 preceding, may be stable and known unto all, they have signed 
 it w^ith the separate and distinctive marks of their Tribes, after 
 which what they solicited from ihe said Lord the King was grant- 
 ed to them in his name by Messire Alexandre de Prouville, Knight, 
 Lord de Tracy member of the King's Councils, &c. (as above) 
 in the presence and assisted by J\T. Daniel de Remy Siegneur de 
 Courcelles, King's Councillor, &c., &c., and of M. Jean Talon 
 also Councillor, &c. who have signed with the said Lord de Tra- 
 cy; and as Witnesses, Francois le Mercier, Priest, Member and 
 Superior of the Society of Jesus at Quebec and Joseph Marie 
 Chaumont likewise Priest and INTember of the said Society, Inter- 
 preters of the Iroquois and Huron languages. Done at Quebec 
 the 12 July, 16C6. 
 
AGAINST THE MOHAWKS. 77 
 
 ACTE OF POSSESSION 
 
 BY SIEUR DU BOIS IN THE NAME OF THE KING (oF FRANCe) OF THE 
 FORTS TAKEN FROM THE IROQUOIS. 
 
 In the year 1666, the 17^^ jj^y of Octob., the King's troops 
 commanded by Messire Alexander de Prouville Knight, Lord de 
 Tracy Lieut. General of His Ma^'^s Naval armies both in the 
 Islands and Continent of South and North America as well by 
 sea as by land, aided by Messire Daniel de Remy Knight, Seig- 
 neur de CourcelleSj Governor and Lieut. General for the King in 
 New France, being drawn up in battle array before the Fort of 
 Andaraque, Jean Baptiste du Bois Esq" Sieur de Cocreaumont 
 and de St. Morice, Commandant of the Artillery of the army, 
 presented himself at the head of the army by order of INIons. Lord 
 de Tracy and deputed by M. Jean Talon, King's Councillor in 
 his State and Privy Councils, Intendant General of Justice, Po- 
 lice and Finance in New France, for the review and direction of 
 the Supplies of the Troops, who declared and said that at the re- 
 quest of Mons"" Talon he took possession of said Fort and of all 
 the lands in the neighbourhood as far and in as great a quantity as 
 they may extend, and of the other four forts which have been 
 conquered from the Iroquois in the name of the King, and in to- 
 ken thereof hath planted a Cross before the doors of said forts 
 and near this hath erected a post and to these hath affixed the 
 King's arms, of which and of all the above the said Sieur de Bois 
 has required acte of the undersigned Royal Notary commanded 
 in the said army for His Majesty's service. Done at the afore- 
 said Fort of Andaraque the day and year above written, in pre- 
 sence of Messire Alexander de Chaumont, Knicjht Seisrneur of 
 said place, Aid de Camp of his Majesty's armies, and of Hector 
 d'Andigny, Knight of Grande Fontaine, Captain of a Company of 
 Infantry in the Carignan Regiment, of the Nobleman Antoine de 
 Contrecour Cap" of a Company of Infantry in said Regiment, of 
 Francois Masst^, Sieur de Wally, Jean du Gal Esq" Sieur du 
 
78 FRENCH EXPEDITIONS 
 
 Fresne Major of Canada, Jean Louis Chevalier du Glas Lieut of a 
 Company of said Regim*, Rene Louis Chartier Esq"", Sieur de 
 Lobiniere Lieutenant of a Militia Company from Quebec, Domi- 
 nique le Feure Esq"", Sieur de Quepquelin Lieutenant in said Re- 
 giment, Witnesses undersigned with the said Seigneur du Eois 
 and the Notary. Signed, Chaumont, le Chevalier de Grand 
 Fontain, de Contrecour, du Gal, Wally, Chev''" dy Glas, du 
 Guesclin, Rene Louis Chartier, Lobiniere, du Bois and du Guet 
 Royal Notary. 
 
 GOV. NICOLLS TO CHEV. TRACY, AT QUEBEC. 
 
 [Lond. Doc. II.] 
 
 Monsieur, 
 
 I was in some measure surprized in february last wltl 
 the new^es of so considerable a force of forreiners under the co 
 mand of Monsieur de Courcelle so farre advanct in these Hi*^ 
 Mamies Dominions without my Knowledge and Consent, or th< 
 least notice given of y intentions to any of His Ma^'^s Colonies 
 then in amity wnth the French Nation : although y proceedings 
 heerin w^ere not conformable to the practise in Europe, yet ali 
 my officers both Military and Civill soone resolu'd to succour ana 
 releive your Campe with such meane provisions as the Country 
 affords [and] from a small village could bee expected and bs they 
 have in all former times been very affectionate with Christian 
 Charity to ransome or by any other raeanes to convey divers 
 French prisoners out of the hands of their barbarous Enemies so 
 also their Intentions towards you is manifest in their letter of the 
 20th March last wherein their purpose was to give you a speedy 
 notice that the Maquaes were at last wrought upon to treat of 
 peace if you on your parts were so disposed, but it seems (by ? 
 sad accident intervening,) you are pleas'd to lay a greater burden 
 upon them than they deserve after their sincere affections to your 
 peace. To both y"" Letters directed to the Captain and Commis- 
 
AGAINST THE MOHAWKS. "79 
 
 saries at Albany themselves will returne answer but hearing that 
 you had Emploied Le S^. Couture with y Letters I tooke a sud- 
 daine Resolution to have discourse with him to w*^'' purpose I 
 came hither but find that he is return'd without the Knowledge 
 of the Capt. or Comraissarie. I could have wisht that hee had 
 staid for mee, or that I could wait his coming for I now want the 
 opportunity of enlarging myself to him and by him to yselfe 
 with how much Integrity I shall constantly attend the European 
 Interest amidst the heathen in America as becomes a good Chris- 
 tian, provided that the bounds and limits of these His Majesties 
 of Englands dominions be not invaded or the Peace and Safety 
 of his subjects interrupted, In all other points I shall be found to 
 entertaine y Correspondence with Mutuall Civility and respect 
 the rather because the Reputation of y honour hath spread it- 
 self in all these parts of the world, as well as it is known in Eu- 
 rope, whereof I can beare some Testimony, when I had the honour 
 to attend m.y master his R. H. the Duke of York and Albany a 
 few yeares in the french army, and now that I serve the same 
 Master in his interest in this part of the World, I should count 
 my selfe very fortunate in an opportunity at least to acknowledge 
 some part of y"" great civilities to my Master and all his Servants 
 in their low estate and condition of Exile, The l^.Iemory whereof 
 obligeth me (a reasonable time and good occasion concurring) to 
 give you certain proofe with how much truth I am. Sir, 
 
 Yo"" Most aff'e. Servant 
 
 Richard Nicolls. 
 
 20th Aug : St : Vet : 1 
 In fort Albany 1666. ) 
 
 A Monsieur, Monsieur Le Chevalier et Seigneur de Tracy L«. Generall Du 
 Roy tres Chrestien dans toute L'Amerique. A Quebec. 
 
80 FRENCH EXPEDITIONS 
 
 M. TALON TO M. COLBEET, 13 Nov. 1666. 
 
 [Paris Doc. I.] 
 
 Monsieur de Tracy and Monsieur de Courcelles are returned 
 from their Expedition, the Iroquois having concluded to retreat 
 and abandon their settlements. The said M. de Tracy could do 
 nothing else than burn their forts and lay waste every thing. 
 These two gentlemen will inform you of whatever occurred 
 throughout their march which occupied fifty-three days. What 
 1 learn from public opinion is that in what has been perform- 
 ed nothing has been left undone, and that the King's orders 
 had been executed and his expectations entirely realized had 
 those savages stood their ground. It would, in truth, have been 
 desirable that a part had been defeated and some others taken 
 prisoners. 
 
 The advanced age of M. de Tracy must greatly enhance the 
 merit of the service he has rendered the King, by assuming in a 
 broken down frame such as his, a fatigue of which no correct 
 idea can be formed. I am assured that throughout the whole 
 march of three hundred leagues, including the return, he suffered 
 himself to be carried only during two days, and then he was 
 forced to do so by the gout. M. de Courcelles, though stronger 
 than he, could not help being carried in like manner, having been 
 attacked by a contraction of the nerves. Both in truth have 
 endured all the fatigue that human nature is capable of. 
 
 M. de Tracy incurred some expences on his march for the con- 
 veyance of the cannon and other extraordinary services rendered 
 the Troops, which I wished to reimburse, but his modesty would 
 not suffer it. 
 
AGAINST THE MOIIAAYKS. 81 
 
 M. TRACY TO GOV. NICOLLS. 
 
 [London Doc. I.] 
 
 Sir 
 
 In answer to yo^ letter of 31. August, [N. S.] I shall tell 
 you that IMons'' tie Courcelle Governo'' Gencrall of this Countrey, 
 signifying to mee that hee had a desire to make some inroad upon 
 the Maquas, to put a stopp to their barbarous Insolencies ; I gave 
 my consent to farther the design, that hee might take with him 
 so many officers and souldiers as hee thought fit, either of his 
 Ma'i'^s Companyes, or those of yc Countrey. Whereupon hee 
 advanced within fifteene or twenty leagues of the villages of y^ 
 Annies. But fortunately for tliem his guides conducting him a 
 wrong way, hee did not meete with them, till he came neare the 
 village which you name in yo'' Letter, neither had he known 
 there was any of them there, untill he had surprized all the Ind- 
 yans that were in two small Hutts at some distance from that 
 place. This truth is sufficiently convincing, to justify Mons"" de 
 Courcelle, that hee had no intention to infringe the Peace, that 
 was then between us, for that hee thought himself in the Maques 
 land. The Moderacuu which hee used in the said hutts (although 
 the persons under his command w'ere driven to the uttermost ex- 
 tremity, for want of Provisions) hath sufficiently manifested the 
 consideracims wee have always had for our allyes (for until then 
 wee had no intelligence, that New Holland was under any other 
 Dominion than that of the States of the United Belgick Provin- 
 ces) and understanding that hee was upon the Lands belonging to 
 the Dutch, hee tooke great care to hinder his companyes from 
 falling into the village, by which means alone the Maquaes that 
 were there, saved themselves. 
 
 Hee also had so much care and authority as to hinder the soul- 
 diers from Killing the Poultry, and taking away Provisions that 
 were in the said hutts, to satisfy their hunger. Thus farr, I ought 
 to vindicate the truth upon this subject, 
 6 
 
82 FRENCH EXPEDITIONS 
 
 The fFrench nation is too much inclined to acknowledge cour- 
 tesies, not to confess that the Dutch have had very much charity 
 for the flfrench, who have been Prisoners with the Maquaes, and 
 that they have redeemed divers, who had been burnt w^^^out their 
 succour ; They ought also to be assured of our gratitude towards 
 them, and to any others who shall exercise such Christian Deedes, 
 as they have done. 
 
 I am also persuaded that they had a sincere intention for the 
 conclusion of a firme peace between us and the Maques. They 
 ought in like manner to believe, that w^ee have alwayes expressly 
 lorbid y^ Algonquins to make w^arr upon or kill them. 
 
 Since the Dutch Gent, did send you y^ Lres which I writt unto 
 them, you have knowne the candour of my thoughts, and the 
 confidence which I had in their fFriendship, by that of the 14:^^ 
 July 1666 as also by the Request I made to the Reverend Father 
 Bechefer (who is a person of great meritt) accompanyed with 
 three considerable persons, to transport himself upon the place, 
 to conclude a peace, thereby to ease them of the trouble of 
 coming to Quebec. 
 
 Its true the displeasure I received by the death of some Gent- 
 men, who went a fowling upon confidence, of that article w"^*^ is 
 in the same letter those Gent'men sent mee, the second time, da- 
 ted the 26'^^ March 1666, the which I had publisht in our Garri- 
 son [we have acquainted the Maquaes, that they are to forbear 
 all acts of Hostility, during the time that the Messenger shall be 
 absent which they have promised to observe] did give mee a just 
 griefe, and a great deale of discontent. It being evident that those 
 Gent'men had not put themselves upon that hazard, without the 
 assurance : w"^'' would have served amongst Europeans as well as 
 the most authentick Passcport that could be had, the which also 
 wee had caus'd the Algonquins to observe. 
 
 Such an unexpected misfortune obliged mee to chang the de- 
 signe I had of adventuring the person of the reverend 'Father Be- 
 chefer, and the rest that accompanied him, & I resolv'd to send 
 only the Sieur Cousture (who had been a Prisoner among the 
 Maques) with a letter to the Dutch Gent, of* the 22<l July 1666. 
 The said Cousture having no other employ than what was in his 
 
 TJB 1,4 8 
 
AGAINST THE MOHAWKS. 83 
 
 ' Instruction which hath or might have been seenCj since I gave 
 him leave to shew it. 
 
 I had never the thought of accusing those Dutch Gent'men ei- 
 ther directly or indirectly, nor any other person, of holding in- 
 telligence wuth the Maques in so foule an action as was commit- 
 ted by them ; But writt onely to oblige them, and those other 
 Gent'men who serve under yo"" command at Albany, (for we were 
 then in peace,) to councell the Maques, as Neighbours, to deliver 
 up into our power, the actors of that murder, w'^'^ was a satisfac- 
 tion that with reason I might promise myselfe on that occasion. 
 
 My L're of the 22'^ July to those Gent'men at Albany, might 
 nave informed you w^hat the S"" Cousture was ; ffor it had not beene 
 prudent after the death of those Gent'men, to hazard a person of 
 quality. And I am very sorry that you tooke the paines to leave 
 the place of y"" usual residence, to make a voyage to Albany, to 
 have discourse with an ordinary Messenger who had nothing of 
 Trust committed to him. 
 
 The intention you signify to have of Embracing Allwayes the 
 Interest of Europe, against the barbarous Indyans of America, is 
 very commendable and befitting a person of your Quality and a 
 good Christian : That Passion which you likewise expresse, for 
 the interest of his Ma'y of Great Brittaine, is to be esteemed, and 
 there is no man of reason, who doth not approve y"" judgm* there- 
 in, & that hath not the like for his Prince. 
 
 I returne you thankes in particular for those obliging termes 
 you are pleas'd to use on my behalfe, as also for the assurances 
 you give mee of a desire to hold a mutuall Correspondence of ci- 
 vility and respect with mee to y^ end before proposed : If I was 
 particularly knowne to you I might feare you would alter your 
 opinion of mee, for that Reputacon doth very often give us ad- 
 vantages which wee do not deserve. 
 
 I had the hono"" to serve the King in Germany, in the most 
 considerable commands of his Army, at the time when my son 
 (that was hce and not mee) was knowne unto you, in those which 
 served in fflanders, where he commanded His Ma*'^* Cavalry of 
 Strangers : Hee had a very particular respect for the person, and 
 for the great meritt of his Royal Highnesse, The Duke of York, 
 
84 FRENCH EXPEDITIONS 
 
 who seemed to bee well pleased with his respectful carriage to- 
 wards him : You have no reasons to expect lesse services from 
 mee, that you might have received from my son, upon all occa- 
 sions where those of the King will permit mee to render them. 
 
 It cannot bee but you must have heard from divers of your 
 Nation that have beene in the Islands of America, how I have 
 done them courtesyes with passion, and with as much civility as 
 may bee j I have cause enough to complaine that the same hath 
 not beene practised towards me ; ffor that a vessell which went 
 out of Boston, tooke in the Gulfe of St. Laurence, towards the 
 latter end of June, or the beginning of July 1665, (near upon 
 five months before the declaracon of the warre) a barque of be- 
 tweene 25 and 30 tunnes, \\^^ belonged to mee, being laden with 
 a good quantity of strong Waters, and other refreshments which 
 come from France : But as I know no other interest than that of 
 the service of his Ma'y who bestowes many benefitts upon mee, 
 I shall easily forgett that losse, 'till the conclusion of Peace , 
 you may also believe that I am w^i^ a great deale of esteeme, 
 S"^ Your thrice affectionate 
 
 and humble Serv'. 
 
 Tract. 
 
 Quebec ) 
 
 Apr. 30, 1667. S 
 

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