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 to Cadillac
(May 30, 1702)
Marest, Joseph J. in: Michigan Historical
Collections, Vol. XXXIII, pp. 121-122.
p. 121.
This 11th letter is from Father Maret missionary at Missilimakinak. This style of writing to M. de Lamothe, who is his Commandant, is too haughty, and it is clear that the expressions are those of a mind inflated with pride which cannot endure authority. But as M. de Lamothe has replied to this [letter], and made me a copy, it is superfluous to give his observations on it.
The 2nd paragraph of his letter agrees with the 9th from Father Mermet and proves their scheme.
At Missilimakinak this 30th May 1702. f.
Eleventh
Sir,
All that I have to answer at present, as to what you write to me of, by Mikinick, is that what Father de Carheil and I have done has not been in order to hinder the settlement of your post but to act for the best; you will perhaps know that too well hereafter, condemning your hasty accusations yourself. Things cannot be carried out as soon as you think, and wish. We will explain ourselves more at length to our superiors, sending them word what we have done for the best; and we hope that, judging well according to reason and justice, they will be satisfied with it, for, in short, we are the servants both of God and of the King and have no other interest which could induce us to act contrary [to theirs.]
But here is another matter on which you should reflect. Our Fathers with the Miamis send us word that they wrote to you by one of your men who wintered at their mission, sent on purpose, that the Iroquois, the Loups and the Hurons who are near you, and particularly the man who complains so loudly and whose complaints you listen to,- who, apparently, only makes so much fuss in order the better to conceal his own designs [lit. to conceal himself] by fixing you attention on us alone,- are acting in concert to establish at 8abache an English post entirely opposed to that of Detroit, which if it once comes to be established will inevitably overthrow the trade of the Colony. As our Fathers who are on the spot inform you of it, we have nothing to add on our part to what they have written to you, having no other knowledge of it than that which they give us; for a
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