THE OHIO VALLEY-GREAT LAKES ETHNOHISTORY
ARCHIVES: THE MIAMI COLLECTION
It is noted that the following work from the Miami Archives should be read and
considered within the historical context in which it was composed and printed.
The opinions expressed and the language used do not reflect the opinions or
standards of the Glenn A. Black Laboratory of Archaeology, but are, rather,
indicative of thought in that historical moment during which the document was
published.
Longueuil to the
French Minister
(April 21, 1752)
Longueuil, Charles le Moyne, Baron
de, in: New York Colonial Docs.
(Paris Docs.: IX): X,
pp. 245-251.
pp. 245-251.
M. de Longueuil to M. de Rouille.
This is the same as the previous document except that where ******** is used to indicate an ommission of text in that source, this same ommission is not made here, and the corresponding text is as follows:
I am invested, by the death of the Marquis de la Jonquiere, with the government of Canada, under very unfortunate circumstances. I lay before your eyes the blood of the French of that Colony, of which you are the powerful protector. My zeal, my fidelity for the King's service, and the love I feel for my country combine to inspire me with just sentiments of vengeance; everything urges me not to defer it, and to make our enemies feel his Majesty's power. But I have thoroughly searched for solid means to second my wishes. Though I overcome, at first, certain obstacles, I am always met by the insufficiency of provisions, canoes and time, which prevents me guaranteeing that I shall make peace succeed the most vigorous war.
This I shall undertake next year to do, with as much prudence and firmness as I dare flatter myself with.
I do not lose sight, my Lord, of what you have prescribed to the late M. de la Jonquiere, in your letter of the 27th of August, which reached him only in the beginning of winter. I owe it to the memory of that General, who had no other object than to reestablish good order in the countries which cause us so much trouble [to bear witness] that everything that has been written against him is the work of calumny, which is the sole talent of certain evil spirits of this country, whom I beg you, my Lord, to visit with the punishment due to their audacity.
It is notorious that Mr. de la Salle took possession of the Beautiful river in the King's name, at the time of the discovery of the Mississipy; that his Majesty's property of it cannot be validly questioned; that we are clearly authorized not to suffer any European strangers to undertake resorting thither, and that hereupon depends the free communication by that river between this Colony and Louisiana.
I likewise know that 'tis not the Indians who carry on the contraband trade; that 'tis not they who desire to establish posts on our lands, and that 'tis not against them that there would be any question of acting, since we do not seek to embarrass them in their trade, and leave them free to settle wherever they please.
In fine, experience teaches us but too well, that the English look with eyes of concupiscence both on the lands of the Beautiful river, and generally on all that vast country; that they are the fomenters of the rebellion of the nations who, from all time, have been loyal to us, and who, at their instigation only, have been led to the extreme of killing our Frenchmen.
No remedy for our evils would have been more effectual than to drive the English from our lands, and no other course would remain to be taken to insure its success than to send a sufficient force to Detroit and the Beautiful river, to adopt all possible precautions to protect the French from the fury of the Indians and to guarantee their effects against pillage. My first object is in every point of view interesting, and if not accomplished, 'twill not be for want of foresight on my part.
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