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.
Letter from M. de La Barre to Colbert
(November 14, 1682)
de la Barre, Lefebvre in: Ministere des Colonies, Amerique de Nord,
Enterprises de Cav. de La Salle, C. 13, Vol. 3, fol. 37
[Corresponds to Vol. II, item 32], Reel 1, Sec. 2, pp. 303-305.
Monseigneur,
The arrival of the Recollet Father Zenobe, coming from the Sieur de La Salle to bring you despatches from him, of which he allows me to know nothing, makes it necessary for me to write you a line (the ships being under sail) in order to inform you of the difficulty in which the behaviour of the Sieur de La Salle places me. After reaching Missilimakinach on his way here, learning that the Iroquois were ready to march from that direction, he has turned back, leaving Fort Frontenac to confusion, and writes to the Comte de Frontenac that, with twenty-five Frenchmen under him he is retiring to the Miamis, where he is going to fortify a post strongly, with the intention of defending himself there against the Iroquois. And, as all my (page 304) information shows that it is against these Miamis that they are marching, and that they have sworn to kill the Sieur de La Salle, there we have the war declared by the imprudent conduct of a man who causes one to strongly suspect that he is planning something not in accordance with the interests of the service, before we are able to get ready or to receive reinforcements from you.
There is no room for doubt that the Iroquois, after killing a few Frenchmen this autumn, will begin to attack us openly next Spring, which would be a great misfortune; for, if they come to us first, before we are ready and our provisions prepared for marching on them, it will be a miserable war, calculated to strike terror into a colony so extended and scattered as this; and this I hope you may be pleased to take into consideration with a view to sending what reinforcements you can, as promptly as possible.
What I am told as to the exploration of the Sieur de La Salle appears to me to have but little value, and to be mingled with many falsehoods, which he would not come and explain. For when Father Zenobe told me from him that he had taken with him six hundred Chaouanona, I refrained from replying that I had two or three settlers here who had traded with them last Spring, before he made his discovery, near to the Miamis, to whom they had withdrawn last year. That talk of the Sieur de La Salle's men, before he arrived at Missilimachinach, as reported by some gentlemen who spoke to them, also gives me reason for thinking that he has private plans which he does not wish us to see through. You will put what interpretation you think proper upon (page 305) what he says to you. In the meantime I ask you for your protection and assistance.
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Your most humble and most
obliged Servant, |
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