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.
Speeches of the Huron Envoys
(October 3, 1701)
In: English Translation of Margry,
Microfilm, II-3, pp. 398-400.
pp. 398, 399.
II
The
Hurons invited to go to the Miamis and then
to return to Missilimakinak.
Cadillac
gives them lands at Detroit.
_________________
Speeches of the Huron envoys, the same day.
|
3rd of October, 1701. |
Alleyooue and Quarante-Sous.- What the Outaouas have told you, my Father, is quite true; Father de Carheil told us the same; but we knew it was not so, because Onontio told us at Montreal to come and encamp near you; this evil discourse, however, set the whole village at variance.
Father de Carheil invited us to go and encamp with the Miamis; he gave us no peace until we promised him to do so, and to return next spring to our dwellings at Missilimakinak. We granted him all he asked, in order to get rid of him. What we told him was only a blind, but our real desire is to settle near to you, if you will permit us to do so.*
At the last council we held, Father de Carheil told us not to come to Detroit, that you were not establishing a settlement there, but had only come to sell your goods, after which you were to return to Montreal.(see fn. 1)
We told him, before we left, that we should give you an account(page 399) of all that had passed at our councils, at which he was always present. He forbade us to do so; that does not prevent us from telling you about it. We are sent to beg you to grant us some good lands, and to point out to us a place near you where we may build our fort.*
Reply of M. de Lamothe to the envoys from the Huron tribe, on the 30th of October 1701; Quarante-Sous the younger spoke.- You did well in obeying the Governor and rejecting the bad advice of Father de Carheil, if he tried to frighten you in order to prevent you from coming to see me. He is opposing the wishes of the great Onontio (that is, those of the King); but perhaps he is indolent and regrets his hut. He was wrong when he urged you to go and establish your village with the Miamis, for the Governor wishes the Black Robes and the Grey Robes (that is, the Jesuits and the Recollets) to settle here and conduct Divine worship here. You were wise in replying only by evasions; continue to do so, when they try to dissuade you from obeying Onontio's voice and mine.
Since Father de Carheil forbade you to speak to me of what he said to you at your councils, that is a proof that he is afraid; the man who does not speak the truth is always afraid of being rebuked.
When he told you that I had come here to sell my goods, it may be that he thought it was so; but he was mistaken and you can see from the fort which I have had built and from the lands which we have already cleared that it is an important settlement which he who rules all men (that is, the King) intends to form here.
As soon as your tribe arrives, I will grant them a good section of land, and
I will then point out to you the place where you must build your fort.
_______________________
*This shews the trust this tribe has in M. De Lamothe, in telling him all that took place, in spite of the prohibition of their missionary, and asking him for lands near the fort. (L. C.)
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