DE LA BARRe’s EXPEDITION TO HUNGRY BAY.
87
FROM THE SAME TO THE SAME.
Onontague, this 17th August, 1684.
My Lord—Your people have brought my brother back here with the greatest possible dili-gence, having been wind bound three days, at one island. In order not to cause you any delay,which could only produce a useless consumption of provisions by your army, they arrived herewith Sieur le Due at midnight and having passed the rest of the night in conferring together,we had the Chiefs and Warriors assembled at day light after having obtained information fromLa Grande Gueule and Garakontie.
We declared our intentions in the presence of several Senecas who departed the same day toreturn to their country where they will communicate our approach. They carry one of yourbelts to reassure those who are alarmed by your armament. The Onnontagu^s have despatchedsome of theirs to notify the Oneida, the Mohawk and the Cayuga to repair to Ochouegen [Os-wego] to salute you and to reply to your proposals. They wish so much to see M. le Moinehere whom you promised them would come, that it appears that nothing could be done shouldhe not arrive. Also, as you advised them not to be troubled at the sight of your barks andGendarmes , they give you notice, likewise, not to be surprised when you will see faces paintedred and black at Ochouegen.
I gave a Cayuga letters for you some eight or ten days ago. I do not know if he will have deli-vered them. I believe that I advised you that Colonel Dongan had the Duke of York’s placards ofprotection (des sauveguardes) affixed to the three upper Iroquois villages, and that he styled himselfLord of the Iroquois . A drunken man here tore these proclamations down and nothing remains butthe post to which the Duke of York’s arms were attached.
I gave La Grande Gueule your belt under hand, and remarked to him the things which you wishedhim to effect. He calls himself your best friend and you have done well to have attached to you this^oc, who has the strongest head and loudest voice among the Iroquois .
The over coats ( capots ) and shirts which you have been so good as to send to be used on occasionsare a most efficacious means to gain over, or to preserve public opinion. An honorable peace will'be more advantageous to Canada than a war very uncertain as to its success. I am of opinion, what-ever the Mess ra the Merchants may say, that you do them a good turn by inducing the Iroquois togive you satisfaction, and that the war would be very prejudicial to them.
I am with all sort of respect and submission, My Lord,
Your very humble and very obedient servant,
FROM THE SAME TO THE SAME.
Onontague, this 28th August 1684.
My Lord M. Le Moine’s arrival has much pleased our burgomasters who have exhibitedtowards him many attentions, and have promised to terminate matters with you in the manneryou desire. The Onontagues have called the Deputies of each Nation together as I have advisedyou. The Cayugas came here the first, with two young Tionnoutaffis to restore them to you.We expect the Senecas, and as we were hoping that the Oneidas would arrive to-day, one Arnaud 1whom Father Bruyas is well acquainted with, came here on horseback from Mr. Dongan to tellthe Iroquois that he did not wish them to talk with you without his permission, being complete
1 Arnold Cornells" Viele, a eit».n of Albany , who acted as Interpreter between the Whites and Indians, For his service
" , ! alre j? Bd fr ° m the laUer ’ 26U ’ Se P"- 1683, a tract of land called Wachkeerhoha, on the north
bank of the Mohawk above Schenectady , the grant of which is in Alb. Deed Book C, 199.-T*.