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.
Duquesne to Contrecoeur
(Montreal, July 25, 1754)
Duquesne in: Contrecoeur Papers, Fonds
Viger-Verreau 2:156, Archives du
Seminaire de Quebec (transl.)
|
Montreal, July 25, 17541 |
[Added in the margin by Contrecoeur] answered, August 13th
Nothing could be better, Sir, than the pretty action which has just taken place in the upper reaches of the Riviere Mal Engueule, since it combines courage, caution, and humaneness. As far as I am concerned, it is the finest blow that has been struck in Canada, because combats with colors flying have rarely been seen in this country, and because it is usually only by surprise that the enemy is attacked; all of which is due to the right steps you took in a circumstance where there was not a moment to lose. I am informing the Court about it on a ship that was awaiting my dispatch.
Everything happened as I had hoped. The lesson is good, and I am expecting it to be engraved in the memory of the English and the Indians. One might have wished that the cannon could have been brought back to decorate your fort, but I felt that, since they had given up that trophy, it was undoubtedly impossible to drag them along.
1st. Please forbid the Indians not only to receive the English among them, but tell them that, if any English come there, they should pillage their goods for their own profit and bring them to you, so that you could put them in irons for three months, and you will reward the Indians for that act of fidelity. Of course, they will still be free to go trade among the English, as was promised them.
2nd. You will empower the voyageurs to stop and plunder, also for their own profit, the English whom they meet and whom you will also imprison, if they can bring them to you. That is the only way of discouraging that nation from coming on the Belle Riviere.
3rd. It is important to send out scouts from time to time to the places likely to be approached, either for building of establishments or for trading, which made me decided to send you some domiciliated Indians, but since it is a big expense and since those people do not like to guard forts, I am expecting you to take care of that yourself, not neglecting the least precaution to find out about everything that is happening, and always being on guard in your fort, for it would be too bad, after a complete victory, if over-confidence were to cause a blemish on that fine picture.
4th. This is the right time to get the Cha8anons and Loups to realize fully that they must seek revenge for the blows the English dealt them which dishonor them among the nations. Tell them in a polite way, or in any way you think best, anything that will incite them to revenge, by citing as example the last affair we just had; and tell them once and for all that, if I wished to punish my children, I would myself go to their village, and that I would never have recourse to Indians for striking.
I am pleased to note that Sieur le Mercier will leave your fort well-supplied, and that you have hopes for a good crop of Indian corn. And I shall be equally pleased to hear that you have had enclosures made which will keep that harvest safe for you. Sieur Dusabl told me that the land was excellent there and that everything was growing marvelously.
I see that 200 men in garrison, not including officers, are a sufficient guard for you, and they will make a very good impression on the Indians. But no matter how much at ease I am after the laurels you have gathered, I hereby inform you that I am ordering two hundred men to be garrisoned at the Fort of the Riviere au Boeuf or at Presque Isle so that you may know what to depend upon, in case of need.
With regard to provisions, you will not be in want, for I am having some carted continually.
If I had been able to foresee the wretched maneuver which the English made in approaching your fort with so few men, I would willingly have cancelled Sieur Pan's rounds, after a victory so flattering for the nation that the Indians will not fail to publicise it. But distance and unexpected circumstances will always stand in the way of definite arrangements, especially when one has a superior force to fear.
As for the two captains whom you have as hostages, I am certain that you will be extremely polite to them and, after having given the English a good beating, it is fitting to prove to them that our manners are more polished than theirs. Consequently, you will free the two prisoners whom the Indians had brought to you, and you will let them know that it is by my order. As for the two deserters, you will free them to go wherever they wish.
I noticed, in Article 6 of Sieur de Villier's capitulation, the statement that for a whole year from that date the English will not be able to build any establishment in the place where their fort was, nor on this side of the height of land, which is contradictory to the summons you made, as it would seem that the English have the same right of possession on the Belle Riviere as we do. You shall not fail to repeat incessantly to your captains how wrong they are to want to seize our lands where we have had establishments for almost a century, and that I disapprove highly of the mistake which was made in Article 6.
You will see by my letter of the 18th of this month the precautions I had taken in case the affair had not ended so soon and so honorably.
I am expecting to see the Indians arrive at any moment, and you did very well to anticipate their desire on this occasion, as well as to get rid of all the consumers of food who were living at your expense.
Sieur Pan told me that he had carried out your orders by dispatching a canoe to Detroit. At need, you can use Indians from Detroit. I approve of that precaution which could not fail to receive my hearty consent.
It is surprising that a ten-hour battle cost us only three men. That proves the advantage the Canadian has over the Englishman in knowing how to take aim and to charge skillfully.
I highly approve the expression of gratitude you gave to the King of Kings for having favored our weapons. It is very fitting that you gave orders for the Te Deum to be sung in all the posts of your command.
I praise you highly for the arrangements you made to supply the Indians with what they need. They must be subject to the usual precautions so that it will cost the King as little as possible. I am relying upon you for the conditions you will impose upon those to whom you distribute goods. Sieurs Gamelin and Lery are going to send off two big well-stocked canoe-loads. It is a question of extending our trading as far as possible and, of course, of well protecting it.
I carefully read the answer the Five Nations gave you, which is one of the most accomodating, undoubtedly while awaiting the outcome of the battle which was to take place, for those knaves accepted the hatchet from the English at the Council of Orange. I have made up my mind to have someone ask them to create and aversions which, except for my protection, could not do other than destroy them. It is up to you, Sir, to make those Cha8anons realize how deeply obligated they are to me.
I hereby inform you that the Indians from Detroit, the Miamis, and even all those who are in the vicinity of the Belle Riviere, have been told to be ready to march when I give the signal. I cannot believe, however, that the English are trying to surmount all the difficulties they would have in coming in force to oppose our operations. 1st, it is not as easy for them to make levies of their militia as it is for us to get Canadians to march. 2nd, it is quite natural to believe that, since they could carry on their trade in that region only on horseback, they certainly cannot come there either in canoes or in pirogues, which would considerably increase the profit from their trade. These two facts, established and admitted, make me incredulous of the Indians' rumors, for it is so easy to win them over and get them to spread lies, which could not make any impression on me, because I always resume my calculations which make me judge them false.
Besides, since I omitted nothing in my instructions to the late M. Marin about everything which can contribute to the prudence and careful precautions to be followed just as if we were at war, I have nothing to add in the present situation in which, it seems to me, there is a little more unrest in the Belle Riviere.
There could be a break in relations with the English only after a warning that the Belle Riviere belongs indisputably to the King and that the sale of that place by the Indians is such a weak title to it that, if they do not leave, we shall use force against force, and that it is up to the English commander to answer for that act of hostility.
I can readily believe that you met with great lamentations when you reduced the bread ration, by my orders, to a pound and a half, but I am sure that you explained to your garrison that it was not for the purpose of saving the King that expense that I resorted to that precaution, but rather to avoid a lengthy portage which would have hindered my operations which call for strictest economy.
Besides, a man is certainly sufficiently nourished when with time to make his soup every day, he has a pound and a half to eat. In France, the King's troops do not have any more. However, I shall gladly conform to the custom of the country whenever there is no obstacle such as this one which caused me to resort to this precaution.
Sieur Pan told me that he had written Sieur de Joncaire to buy corn. I highly approve of your having taken the same precaution which cannot be other than advantageous in the present circumstances, especially if the Loups persist in wanting to come close to us, because we shall have to help them a little in recognition of their faithfulness. It would seem fitting to me, however, for these savages to be within reach of the fort at Chinengu so that they could keep the other nations in check.
If, upon receiving my letter, you think that you can diminish your forces in order to send about sixty pirogues to the lower part of the Riviere au Boeuf, they would be very useful for transporting a part of the rearguard which would arrive at your fort more quickly than if it went by way of Chatakoin.
You will please inform Sieur Pan at Niagara about all the arrangements you have made so that he can take steps accordingly.
I am hereby informing you that Sieur de Carqueville is to leave as soon as navigation opens, with thirty bateaux carrying 250 men and food, to go to Chatakoin where he will start the transporting of the stuff the bateaux are carrying, and the making of pirogues or plank bateaux to go down the river. If you do not need the caulker-carpenters, send them to that officer who will make good use of them.
Should you need that small detachment, I am bidding Sieur de Carqueville to abandon his portage and to execute the orders you give him. As you see, I am carrying out things to extremes, and I hope you will not come to that extremity, which would greatly delay the help Sieur Pan would bring you.
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1 (at the bottom of the page) M. de Contrecoeur
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