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A RELATION OF THE GOVERNO* OF CANNADA
HIS MARCH WITH 600 VOI.UNTEIRS INTO Y e TERRITORYES OF HIS ROYALL HIGHNF.SSE THE DUKE OF YORKE
[ Lond. Doc. II. ]
Upon the 29 ll > of Xber last, Monsier Coarsell the Governour of Canada , in Nova ffrancia begun hismarch witli near COO men, to seeke out their inveterate ennemyes called the Maliauke Indians in theirowne country and forts, there to take reuenge upon them for the seuerall murtliers and spoyles whichthe Barbarians had for many yeares exercised in Cannada upon the French , and the Indians of thoseparts even to the ruine of most, but to the insufferable discouragement of all those Inhabbitants,who being taken alive were usually tortured and eaten, or burnt by the Mauhaukes; If not taken,yet liv d in perpetuall alarums to see their dwelling houses burnt, their Cattell and Corne destroyed.All which powerfull arguments furnish’t y e french with lieate enough to march over the ifrozen lakeof Canada , lying in the 60tli degree of nortlierne latitude, and taking their tyme that the snow uponthe ground was hard frozen (though in most places 4 foote deep) made use of Indian snow shoes w chhath the very form of a Rackett tyed to each foote, whereby y e body and feet are kept from sinkinginto the snow, and because it was not possible for horses to pass, or subsist in the snow, or for thesoldiers to carry their necessary provisions on their backes, and had lesse expectation to meete w thany reliefe in the vaste wilderness, the Governo r caused slight sledges to be made in good number,laying provisions upon them, drew them over the snow with mastive doggs, all these difficultyes puttogether impeded his march, and by the mistake of his guides hapned to fall short of the castles ofthe Mauhaukes, and to take up his quarters or rather incamp upon the 9 th of February within 2 mylesof a small village called Schonectade, lying w th in the woods beyond fort Albany in y e territoryes ofhis Itoyall 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 l even-ing they did rancounter w th a party of the Mohaukes who made appearance of retreating from theFrench , whereupon a party of 60 of their best Fuzileers after them, but that small party drew theFrench into an ambuscade of neare 200 Mohaukes planted behind trees, (who taking their advantageas it fell into their hands,) at one volley slew eleuen French men whereof one was a Lieuten*. woundeddivers others, the french party made an honomble retreit to their body, w ch was marching after themclose at hand, w ch gave the Mohaukes tyme and opportunity to march off w 111 the loss of only 3 slaineupon the plaice and 6 wounded, the report whereof was soone brought to Schonecktade by thoseIndians, with the heads of 4 of the fl'rench 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 sentto Monsier Coursell the Governo r of Cannada to inquire of his intention to bring such a body ofarmed men into the dominions of his Ma tie of Great Brittaine, w th out accquainting the Governo r ofthese parts w th his designes. The Govcrno r reply* 1 that he come to seeke out and destroy his enne-myes the Mohaukes without intention of visiting their plantations, or else to molest any of his Ma tic3subjects, and that [he] had not heard of the reducing those parts to his Ma ties obedience, but desiredthat hee and his soldiers might bee supplied with provisions for their money, and that his woundedmen might be sucoured, and taken care for in Albany; To all which the Emissaryes freely consentedand made a small but acceptable present of wine and provisions to him, further offering the bestaccommodations y e poore village afforded, w ch was civilly refus’d, in regard there was not accom-ac<Jn *' or s °ldyers, with whom he had marcht and campt under the blew canopye of the heavenssix weekes, but hee prudently foresaw a greater inconvenience if hee had brought his weary and