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Wisconsin Historical Collections |
[vol. xvii |
upper country, The Sieur de Noyelles has orders to act accordingly, and to
grant peace to the Sakis if they consent to give up the Renards; If not to
destroy both nations And to let our Savages eat them up.
He will also take at the various posts the officers, cadets and Soldiers whom He may need to strengthen His party and other Willing French Voyageurs who may volunteer to serve under him on this Expedition. We have reason to believe that there will be no lack of these as His Majesty may see by the Account we are to give him of what has happened among the Oüiatanons.
Such, Monseigneur, are the best and the least expensive measures that the Sieur de Beauharnois could take for securing the punishment of the Sakis and Renards, and which he had already taken, as being absolutely necessary, before he received his Majesty's orders. His Majesty cannot learn of their success before next year.
With regard to the two Renard chiefs who were at Quebec, one died and We have sent the other, named Kiala, an intrepid man, to Martinique. We have given notice of it to Messieurs de Champigny and d'orgeville. The hurons of Lorette asked the Sieur de Beauharnois last winter for The wife of the latter savage and they adopted her. Her quiet conduct had Led them to believe that there was no risk in letting her go with other huron women to tho Neighborhood of Lake St Peter1 to gather maiden-hair Ferns. The woman escaped, and the Sieur de Beauharnois has given the necessary orders for her recapture. If she can be caught we shall Send her to the Islands on the first opportunity.
The Sieur de Beauharnois Also Sent the Sieur
de Joncaire, the Elder, to the choüanons to continue to Watch their actions and
to Maintain them in the favorable dispositions that they Felt in previous
years. We have received no news concerning them that can lead us to suspect
their faithfulness. That officer is charged with the duty of maintaining them
in it and of Inducing them to form a Village with the Miamis or hurons so
__________
1An enlargement of the River St. Lawrence, above the town of Three
Rivers. - ED.
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1734] |
French Regime in Wisconsin |
as to keep them away from the snares that the English might set for them.
The Sieur de Noyelles has faithfully Performed the task with which the Sieur de Beauharnois had entrusted him of once more gathering the scattered Miamis in their Village. They Are there at present, And the Sieur Darnaud1 who commands the post, has excellently seconded him in this matter.
An event occurred in the Village of the
Oüiatanons, where the Sieur de l' Epernanche2 commands, which at
first gave rise to considerable disorder. Two young men, one a Frenchman, the
other a Savage, fought together. The Frenchman had the advantage. The Savage
went for his comrades who assembled tumultuously, struck some blows with their knives,
and pillaged all the French at the Post, without however any murder being
committed. The Sieur de L'Epernanche who was 2 or 3 arpents from there, was
informed of it, but he was unable to remedy the matter, and when he saw that he
was not in a Position to Overawe the savages, he Sent Expresses to the Sieur
Peau, the commandant at Detroit, to inform him of what was happening and to ask
for assistance. Oh the arrival of these Expresses, the Sieur Peau assembled tho
French of detroit, who all asked to be allowed to go and obtain satisfaction
for this Insult. There were one hundred and Twenty of them. One hundred and
fifteen hurons joined them with a large number of outawacs. The Sieur Darnaud
who was then at detroit whither he had come for Supplies, was given the Command
of the party which consisted of 324 men when it reached the Miamis. But as he
was preparing to proceed to the ouiatanons with his detachment He received a
Letter from the Sieur de L'Epernanche informing him that everything was
__________
1Nicolas-Marie Renaud (d'Arnaud) Davenne, Sieur de Desmeloises, was
born in 1696, the son of a wealthy Montreal merchant, who had many dealings
with the coureurs de bois at Mackinac. In 1722 he married Angelique Chartier,
daughter of Lotbinière. In 1742 he was in command at Fort Frontenac, and died
the following year. - ED.
2François de l'Espervanche, Sieur de Villemure, a cadet in the
troops. He also served under Jumonville in 1748. - ED.
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[vol. xvii |
amicably settled; That he had smoked with the Ouiatanon Chiefs And that the
young men had given back to the French the things they had Pillaged from them;
That these same chiefs had assured him that they bound themselves to restore to
the French whatever might be wanting in what their young men had taken; That,
at the same time, he was no longer in need of the assistance that he had asked
of the Sieur Peau And that all was Quiet at His post. On receiving this Letter
the Sieur Darnaud resolved to remain among the Miamis where He was in command
and he sent back the Sieur Duburon with the French and Savages of detroit.
This action has had a very good Effect upon the nations which It has inspired with Dread and leads to the belief that they will in future restrain themselves much more than they have hitherto done.
The Sioux have not yet come down and it seems as if they will not do so before next year.
* * * * * * * *
The Sieur de Beauharnois was informed only by
His Majesty's memorial of the expedition of the 1,000 Chactas whom Monsieur de
Bienville was to send on The sixteenth September 1783 against the Chicachas,
And that he was to put at their head the Sieur Lesueur, a Lieutenant,1
with two Ensigns and a detachment of 35 soldiers. Thus it was impossible for
the Sieur de Beauharnois to concert with the Sieur Bienville to set in motion
at the same time some nations of this colony to harass the chicachas. Moreover,
The affair of la Baye has become the sole object of all our Savages' attention.
Nevertheless, If It should be brought to a conclusion by the conciliatory means
that we have reported to his majesty, The Sieur de Beauharnois will Urge the
Savages of detroit and the other nations of the Lakes to continue to harass the
Chicachas. They
__________
1This was probably a son of the explorer, Pierre Charles Le Sueur
(for whom see Wis. Hist. Colls., xvi, p. 173). He settled in Louisiana,
and had several children. Le Sueur, the younger, is called "the
Canadian." He led the Choctaw against the Natchez in 1730. - ED.
|
1734] |
French Regime in Wisconsin |
are all disposed to do so and they would have started to go there had it not
been for the affair of the Sakis.
The Sieur Dartaguet,1 the commandant among the Illinois, informed the Sieur de Beauharnois that his savages have greatly changed in their disposition since Monsieur Bienville has sent one hundred men to Garrison that post; That those savages have become much more submissive and docile And Finally that a party of two hundred Warriors of that nation have gone down to attack the Chicachas. He adds that it is a month's journey and we do not yet know the Success of that Expedition.
* * * * * * * *
We have Notified Madame de la Chaesaigne and the widow of the Sieur de Villiers of the pensions that His Majesty has been pleased to grant them.
We Remain with very profound respect, Monseigneur, Your very humble and very obedient Servants,
|
Beauharnois |
QUEBEC, October 7th, 1734.
__________
1734: MIAMI IN THE FRENCH INTEREST
[Extract of a letter from Beauharnois to the French Minister, dated Oct. 7, 1734. Source, same as preceding document, but vol. 61, c. 11, fol. 299.]
MONSEIGNEUR-
* * * * * * * *
The Sieur Darnaud, Commandant in the Miamis
country, wrote me in the month of June last that the savages had given him
their word to attack the Sakis and Renards on the first order they should
receive from their Father, but, as they thought such order would come only very
late, All the Miamis,
__________
1Pierre d'Artaguette, son or younger brother of Diron d'Artaguette,
was appointed commissary of Louisiana in 1708. Pierre being sent to command at
Fort Chartres in 1733, perished at the hands of the Indians in 1736 while
leading the ill-fated expedition against the Chickasaw. - ED.
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Wisconsin Historical Collections |
[vol. xvii |
with the exception of six old men, had gone on the war-path against the
Chicachas, and that they hoped to return soon enough to carry out their
Father's Intentions. The Ouyatanons and other Nations of this continent are all
disposed to march against the Chicachas, and a number of bands would have set
out had not the affair that happened at la Baye kept them all in suspense owing
to their uncertainty regarding the orders I shall have to give to avenge the
treachery of the Sakis, whereon I have the honor to report to you in the reply
to the King's memorandum.
* * * * * * * *
I remain with very profound respect, Monseigneur, Your very humble and very obedient servant.
|
Beauharnois |
QUEBEC, October 10th, 1734.
__________
1735: ORDINANCE ON FUR-TRADE
[M.S. in archives of Ministère des Colonies, Paris; "Collection Moreau-St. Méry, vol. 10, f. 12, 219."]
Charles, Marquis de Beauharnois, Commander of the military order of St. Louis, Governor and lieutenant-general for the King In new France and in the Province of Louisiana.
Gilles Hocquart, Chevalier, Councillor of the King in his councils, Intendant of justice, police and finance in the said countries.
With regard to the information given us that the Traders of fort Ponchartrain, of detroit and of Missilimakina, Under pretext of securing their Credits for the loans they make to the Savages, take from the said Savages as security English Brandy and goods, which tends directly to favor foreign Trade, and to ruin that of the Colony And, in particular, the trade of those two posts, contrary to the provisions contained in the declarations and ordinances of the King rendered on the Subject of foreign Trade: It Being Necessary to remedy the same. WE FORBID all private traders at detroit and at Mis-
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[vol. xvii |
of all. This, Monseigneur, is at present the only means to be adopted to
utterly destroy this nation which, from all appearances, is now wandering about
and cannot cause much trouble to the posts of the upper Country owing to its
dread of all the other nations.
I have observed, Monseigneur, what His
Majesty is pleased to write me in the King's memorial with regard to the
Chicachas. I have received no letter this year from Monsieur de Bienville, but
Monsieur Dartaguiette has written me that the Pianguichias have brought in ten
slaves of that nation, two men's Scalps and one of a woman; that the Chactas
had taken 295 men's scalps without counting the Slaves; and that several
nations had gone to attack Them. He adds that the Natchez have separated from
Them, for Fear that they might surrender them to the French to secure peace;
that one half had gone to Carolina and The other to Louischitas.1
His Majesty may rest assured that I shall, as far as may be in My power, urge
the nations of this country to harass the Chicachas, and to unite with those of
the Mississipi. I have had the honor of informing you, Monseigneur, in one of
my despatches that forty or Fifty of our Settled Iroquois had gone thither. The
Hurons who abandoned the Sieur De Noyelles and who set out to Join him when
they recognized their error, were also to go and attack that nation. The Miamis
and the Ouyatanons have also raised some bands, And as the destruction of the
remnant of the Renards will not be the sole object of the savages, especially
if the news of the Sakis' Return be true, I shall continue to incite the
Savages to create a diversion and to attack both the Chicachas and the
__________
1After the unfortunate affair with the Natchez at Fort Rosalie in
1729, and the punishment inflicted on that nation by Perier in 1731, the
remainder of the Natchez took refuge with the Chickasaw, upon whom the French
began a war lasting several years, as disastrous for Louisiana as the Fox wars
were for Upper Canada. The Choctaw acted as French allies, but in a
half-hearted fashion, little to be depended upon. Louischita or Ouischitas was
the Washita or Black River of Louisiana, where the Natchez fortified themselves
near the present Trinity, Catahoula Parish, La. - ED.
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[vol. xvii |
occurred after the 2nd of January, when I left that place, Down to the present
date, the 23rd of April.
When I arrived among the Ouyatanons, I went to see several Kikapous who were Six Leagues from there, and asked them where the Renards might he found. They replied, laying a red calumet at my feet: "They are in that direction" (turning round); That if I wished to obtain more positive Information about them I had only to go to Masanne; that I would find their principal village there and their People knew where the Renards dwelt. When I went to Them they told me that the Renards were not far away and that they would take me to them. This, Monsieur, was at the time when the Hurons and Iroquois began to give me Trouble notwithstanding all my complaisance toward Them, and all the promises they had made me to listen to your word of which I was the bearer. They told me that they wanted to go and eat up six cabins of Sakis who had taken refuge at the River St Joseph. I gave them to understand that your intention, Monsieur, was not to strike the Sakis if they asked for their lives, and if they wished to unite with Us by delivering up the Renards; that most of the Nations who are allied with them had asked us for their pardon on that condition; That if they went to Kill People who had taken refuge among the French in order not to be included in the number of the Rebels, it would have a very bad effect in the upper Countries, and would deprive all the Nations of the confidence that they have in Us. All these discourses, Monsieur, were of no avail. Seventy Hurons started with ten Pouteoüatamis of Detroit, saying to me that they wished to eat up those six cabins. I know not what they have done in connection with this. You Perceive, Monsieur, how this Action weakened our forces.
I found among the Kikapous a Missoury chief who was about to return. I presented him with gifts and recommended Him to inform his Nation of our march. I gave Him a letter for the Commandant of the post, in which I begged him to urge the Savages of his post to march and join me, and to forward another letter that I wrote to Monsieur Dartaguiette whom I
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[vol. xvii |
The Chaoüanons must have gone on an embassy to Detroit this year. Their
departure was delayed solely owing to the
|
Chaoüanons |
fact that they were waiting for the Kiliskouakis, Their allies, who were bringing them Porcelain.1 They caused themselves to be announced by means of two branches of Porcelain whereof Mekinac, the great chief of the Outaouacs was the bearer.
|
Oüiatanons |
The Sieur de Beauharnois has nothing to add to the report he made last year with regard to the Oüiatanons. Gentle measures have had a good Effect as that nation has not ceased to wage war against the Chicachas.
The post in the sioux country has been Evacuated by the Sieur de St Pierre. The sioux struck the sauteux of the point
|
Sioux |
of Chagoüamigon in the month of May. The sauteux raised a band to avenge the Blow struck at them. They Induced the puants to take part in their quarrel; this compelled the Sieur de St Pierre to abandon his Post and to burn the fort.
The Sieur de la Verandeire has come down to Montreal and
|
Cristinaux, Assiniboils, etc. |
reports that the Cristinaux, assiniboils and Monsonis savages started at the melting of the Snows to Avenge the blow struck at the French last year.
|
Iroquois |
The sonontouans are to come down to Montreal next Spring.
__________
1737: DETROIT; THE GARRISON SHOULD BE INCREASED
[Letter of Hocquart to the French Minister, dated Oct. 7,1737. Source, same as preceding document, but fol. 308.]
MONSEIGNEUR - I am replying alone to the
Letter you did us the honor of writing to us jointly on April 16 last with
reference to Detroit. Monsieur de Beauharnois will do likewise and we have made
an agreement to that effect. I have
__________
1Probably this was one of the Shawnee tribes, which is ordinarily
called Kiskapocke. - ED.
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[vol. xvii |
count of the Things that have happened there. If we absolutely can not bring
them to the decision to re-establish themselves there, we will Choose a Place
for them in the vicinity, where they can live. I have, however, given orders to
the Sieur Marin to make every Effort to Induce them to do as we desire, And to
make them come down with the Scioux And the Puants. Next spring, I shall have
The honor, Monseigneur, of giving you an Account of everything.
I am with the greatest respect, Monseigneur, Your very humble and very obedient servant
|
BEAUHARNOIS |
QUEBEC, Oct. 12th, 1739.
__________
Words of the Puants to the Sieur Marin, assigned to Rock River on the Mississippi, November 17, 1738.
My Father, we have learned that you Had arrived, which has Led us to Tell you what Has happened in the Course of The Summer.
While we Were down at Montreal, The Renards with some Sakis made War on the Ilinois and killed a Frenchman. The Chief of the Band Is a Renard.
We have come to tell you, that if we did not wait for you at the Rock River, it is because we fled in the direction of the Ilinois, for fear that the Scioux might come and attack us.
We have learned that our Kinsmen, the Sakis and Renards, had a design to effect a reconciliation with Them, And that they did not want peace with us. This is what forced us to go so far to escape them.
My father, this does not Prevent us from Listening to your words And from doing everything that our father Onontio desires of us.
Words of two Renard Chiefs of the Band which is on the other side of the Mississippi, November 28, 1738.
My Father, we have come to Inform you of the mischief which our people have done to the French of the Ilinois: they
|
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French Regime in Wisconsin |
have killed one of Them, which causes us much grief and Embarrasses us greatly.
I will tell you, my Father, that we have no share in this wicked affair, And that none of our young men were concerned in it. All were of the Band of Mekaga, who has gone down to Montreal, to see our Father Onontio.
We have learned that he Is not pleased with our Being here; but we are not, however, doing any wrong here, as we have only come here to provide for our families who would meet with hardships elsewhere.
You have perhaps been told, my Father, that we see the Scioux, - this is only for the purpose of Keeping them from attacking the French And our allies. They have told us that they Were very sorry because of the bad things which their young men have done, And that if they believed that you would be willing to Listen to them they would come to see you.
My Father, we are ready to do the will of Onontio, And to return to our former Territory, but we have not, as he has, the same authority over our young warriors. We are going to labor with them, And I hope that this Spring you will have reason to Be satisfied.
Words of the Sakis, on January 22, 1739.
My Father, we have not failed, on our arrival, to say to all our people that our Father Onontio wished that we should rekindle our fire at La Baye, our former Village. The majority would not Like to go there, as they say that the Puants, who passed The Summer there, Had great difficulty in subsisting, and that there are no longer any Crops, fishing or hunting to be had there, because it is a soil that can no longer produce anything, Being Stained with French blood and with our own. However we are going to try to Persuade them to move this Spring, And to Listen to the word of Our Father.
Words of Mekaga, a Renard chief with four warriors, on January 31.
My Father, if I have so long delayed in coming to see you, it is because of the shame And grief that I feel because our young
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[vol. xvii |
men have killed a Frenchman in the Ilinois, while I Was at Montreal, to see Our
Father Onontio.
When I arrived at my village, I became very angry, And if I had not Been restrained, I do not know what I should have done. I said to my people: "You Are dogs; while I go to beg for your lives, you kill a Frenchman." They told me that they did not Know him, as they had shot from a great distance, And that it Was a mistake.
I will tell you, My Father, that I did not fail to make known to all my village that Our Father wished that we should re-kindle our fires at La Baye. Some are opposed to this, but I Hope in the Course of The winter to persuade them to go there.
Words of the Sakis and Renards at Rock River on May 10.
My Father, you know in what manner we spoke to you this winter. We Had resolved to do what Our Father Onontio Demanded of Us, to go and re-kindle our fire on our Former land at La Baye, but to-day we see clearly that we are dead. We await the Thunder which hangs above our heads ready to Crush us. We have been warned of this by many French and savages, who have told us that our Father wished to kill all of us, And that he was Sending a Considerable Army Composed of French And of all His Children the Iroquois, Abenakis, hurons, Algonkins, And Nepissingues.
There is, my Father, a folle-avoine named Ouoilechase, who has assured us that we Were dead, And that you had come to take us to La Baye, while waiting for The army to arrive; And that, if you had not Wished to Destroy us all Together, Mekaga and the others who went down to Montreal, Would not have returned.
My Father, it is in vain for you to deny this thing, it is impossible to get It out of The Minds of our young men, and we expect every day the Blow of the war-club. In spite of this, we remain. You leave us in great anxiety. If this does not happen, we will no longer Listen to Evil speeches; And we will Hereafter do everything that our Father Onontio wishes.
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