DE LA BARRELS EXPEDITION TO HUNGRY BAY.
6l
to help those who will remain at home to cultivate the ground, in order that famine may not get intothe land; and funds necessary to collect supplies and build two or three barks, without which andthat of Sieur de Lasalle , it is impossible to undertake any thing of utility: That it is a war which isnot to be commenced to be left imperfect, because knowing each other better than seventeen yearsago, if it were to be undertaken without finishing it the conservation of the Colony is not to be ex-pected, the Iroquois not being apt to return. That the failure of all aid from France had begun tocreate contempt for us among the said Iroquois , who believed that we were abandoned by the greatOnontio, our Master, and if they saw us assisted by him, they would, probably, change their mindsand let our allies be in peace and consent not to hunt on their grounds, or bring all their peltries tothe French, which they trade at present with the English at Orange; and thus by a small aid fromIlls Majesty we could prevent war and subject these fierce and hot spirits, which would be the greatestadvantage that could be procured for the Country. That notwithstanding, it was important to armthe militia and in this year of abundant harvest to oblige them to furnish guns which they could alladvantageously use when occasion required.
Done in'the house of the Rev d Jesuit Fathers at Quebec , the day and year above stated.
Compared with the original remaining in my hands.
Le Fe Bure De Labarre.
FATHER LAMBERVILLE TO M. DE LA BARRE.
[ Paris Doe. II. ]
* * * * The Governor of New York is to come, they say, next summer tospeak there to the Iroquois . We’ll see what he’ll say. He has sent a shabbyMohawk to be planted there. This is the coat of arms of England. This flag isest of the Mohawks . I know not when it will see day.
M. DE LA BARRE TO GOV. DONGAN.
Sir—The unexpected attack which the Iroquois , Senecas and Cayugas have made on one of myforts whither I had sent a gentleman of my household to withdraw Sieur de la Salle therefrom, whomI sent at their request to France, and the wholesale plunder of seven French canoes laden withmerchandize for the Trade, and the detention during ten days of 14 Frenchmen who were conductingthem up, and that in a time when I was in a quiet and peaceable negotiation with them, oblige meto attack them as people from whose promises we have nothing to expect but murder and treason;but I did not wish to do so without advising you of it, and telling you at the same time, that theMohawks and Oneidas, neighbours of Albany , having done me no jwrong, I intend to remain atpeace with them and not attack them.
The letters which I have rec d from France inform me as does that which you were pleased to honorme with, that our two Kings desire that we should live in Union and Fraternity together. I shall