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.
De Lhut, Daniel Greyselon, Sieur, Letter to the Marquis de Seignelay [1680]
in: English Translation of Margry, Vol. 6, pp. 58-59.
pp. 58, 59.
IV.
Greyselon Du Lhut
requests permission to establish a post, of which
he wishes to be the Commandant, if he succeeds.
He has had news of the Vermilion Sea.
_______________________
Ministere des Colonies. Novelle France. Postes des Pays de
l'ouest C. 11. Vol. 16. Folio 11.
Letter to the Marquis de Seignelay.
Monseigneur,
Daniel Greyselon, Sieur Du Lhut, most humbly represents to Your Lordhip [sic] that, during a journey lasting three years and a half, which he has made in New France, he has discovered tribes and lands unknown to the French and other Europeans; and that, when he was in the country of the Nadouecioux, a distance of over 700 leagues from Quebeck, he obtained some information as to the Vermilion Sea from the accounts of those Indians, who also gave him some salt from there, and it is only twenty day's journey by land from the villages of the said Nadouecioux. He gained the friendship of these Indians so completely, by the presents he gave them, that he made them conclude peace with fifteen different tribes under His Majesty's dominion, and moreover he induced them to make many marriages with one another, which have obtained for the Indians of the north liberty of hunting and trading. The effects of this have already been felt by the settlers of New France, from the furs which they have brought into our settlements.
As the said Du Lhut desires to continue his explorations, he most humbly begs Your Lordship to obtain for him the King's (page 59) permission to establish an entrepot in the country of the Nadouecioux, who, when they see a sort of post established, will give him all the assistance necessary for exploring the country to the Coasts of the Western Sea, called the Vermilion Sea; subject to the restriction that he shall not be permitted to do any trade in beaver-skins or other furs, directly or indirectly, with Indians who bring their furs to the French settlements, and that he shall forfeit the said permission if the Governor, the Intendant or the colonists of New France find that it is not to the advantage of freedom of trade. And, in case he succeeds, and His Majesty should form settlements in the lands which he discovers, he requests, in consideration of the further expenses, perils and hardships which he will have to incur, that one of such lands may be granted to him, with full seigniorial rights, together with the command, subject to the authority of the Governor and viceroy in New France.
Return to TOC, p. 4
Continue to next part of Miami Collection
[return to Miami Collection Menu]
[return to Glenn A. Black Laboratory of Archaeology List of Publications]
[return to Glenn A. Black Laboratory of Archaeology Home]
Last updated: 17 October 2000
URL: http://www.gbl.indiana.edu/home.html
Comments: webmaster@www.gbl.indiana.edu
Copyright 1996, Glenn Black Laboratory of Archaeology and The Trustees of Indiana University