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.
Memoir on the Present
State of Canada
(1730)
Noyan in: Michigan Pioneer and Historical
Collections, 34, pp. 73-85.
(page 74) consider what the reason is? They do not know that the illicit trading of these voyageurs, who used to trade for cloths at Choeguen,1 has brought upon them this necessary order; and these tribes, with no knowledge of our reasons, cannot think otherwise than that fear, or the right of the English, makes us give up the southern side of this lake to them.
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a remedy for this evil. information as to the Chaouenous.
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If we go higher up and come into the lands round Lake Erie, we shall find the English there scattered along the rivers, trading with all the southern tribes. The Chaouenons, Miamis, Onyatanous,2 and [others] up to the sea coast, all devote themselves to this new acquaintance, even to exposing their lives to attack those of the French at the instigation of these envious people who neglect no means of aggrandizing themselves, and pressing in upon us. That is the evil which is going on around us, and increases from day to day. It appears to cease at Detroit, where the Hurons, who are more devoted to the alliance with us, and more enlightened than the others, follow neither of the turbulent ideas of the Iroquois nor the allurements of the English. |
But, moreover, what disorder do we not see in the upper part of the country? What are we to think of the Outaouas of Missilimaquinak who, within the last five years took up the tomahawk against Onontio?3
What can be expected of the savages scattered round Lake Huron, who know neither chief nor council nor any rank among themselves? What can we think of the Saquis, Maskoutens, Kikapous and the greater part of the Poutouatamis, all of the St. Joseph River, who have only formed an apparent league with us against the Fox Indians,- rather with the object of protecting them than to destroy them. All these tribes together, united by their relationship to one another, are simply held back by fear; and if they abase themselves now, it is in order to draw down supplies which they share with the Fox Indians.
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The ways of destroying the Foxes explained below, as regards which I shall produce a special memorandum. |
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Can this be doubted, and was it not this which caused the failure of the expeditions of MM. Du Buissons,4 de Villiers, de Noyelles and Detroit? Is it to be believed that these tribes did not know of the retreat of the Foxes? Let us rather say that, although they went [with the ex- (page 75) peditions] it was only in order to save them. What proofs we do not possess of it? And yet what remedy has been applied? |
* * *
As regards brandy, I do not venture to express my opinion about it, as I know that those who prescribe rules of conduct for others have not decided whether it is permissible or forbidden to give them any.
Generally all savages drink only to intoxicate themselves, and when they have been drinking, these tribes, who are so orderly and peaceable, delight in nothing but vengeance and murder. Yet how deprive them of it entirely? It has become the basis of their religion! These superstitious men can no longer recover from their diseases, unless they make festivals with brandy; their sorcerers or jugglers now know no other remedy. They must have it, at whatever cost; and it appears to me that it will be most difficult to forbid them the use of it altogether.
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But an expedient can be applied; since our intention is only to divert them from trading with the English, the time for giving them brandy should be only in the spring, on their return from hunting. And as, in this trade, we ought to look simply to the welfare of the Colony which forces us to this unfortunate necessity, it ought to be regarded as a disgraceful thing to make the slightest profit by it. For this purpose and in the interests of good order, 15 to 20 pots5 of brandy should be placed in each boat that goes to the trading districts, which should be faithfully handed over to the commandants of the posts, and should only be distributed by their orders and according as necessity for doing so arose, with an express prohibition against making any profit by it. |
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remedy as to brandy.
it is necessary to depart from the practice at the post of Detroit where it is sold at 14 or 15 livres a pot. |
In this way the savages would find a little to satisfy their immoderate desire for it, and would have no further reason to coraplain of the price; they would, moreover, be stripped of their furs by having made payment for their debts first of all, and by their purchase of this liquor, and would not undertake the journey to the English any more, especially if they had, at their own place, cloths and pots at almost the same price as among the English.
* * *
I have said that in the country round Lake Erie the English are found scattered as far as the sea, trading with the Chaouenons,6 the
have not spoken of the beauty and fertility of the land; the country, interspersed with woods and meadows offers certain treasures to husbandmen. Wheat grows better there than at any place in Canada; the air is healthy there, the climate is mild and temperate, promoting health in men and favoring the growth of crops of all kinds. If the Court does me the honor of entrusting this undertaking to me, I flatter myself that in a few years it will permit me to supply the flour required for the garrison and for the trade of Niagara, which will come much cheaper for the King. That will provide a good market for my settlers and will encourage them more and more to cultivate their lands.
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But, for this to be done, and in order to obtain still greater advantages from this post, it is necessary to have two flat-bottomed vessels with which we could sail as far as the country of the Fox Indians. By their means, we should be able to do all the trade of the upper countries at small cost and with half as many men; we should be enabled to convey troops with despatch in time of war and fall upon the enemy unexpectedly; to send orders. and see that they were carried out with certainty, and to set everything right without danger. What terror the two vessels would cause to all the savages, when the Iroquois looked upon the two which were built at Fort Frontenac as to the cause of their defeat, although they were only able to sail on Lake Ontario. The truth of this will be maintained by all who have any acquaintance with the savages. |
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Vessels to be built. |
Besides this effect which they will certainly produce, the King and the country may gain considerable advantages from them. I have said that they will serve to take the supplies of flour for the requirements of Niagara. I will add that this will be when they have finished conveying furs, for which I intend them.
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Let us begin with those of Detroit, of the Miamis and of the Ouyatanous. These three posts together produce a thousand bundles of furs. It costs the voyageurs at least 20 livres a bundle for bringing them down, whether they defray the cost of the journey themselves, or make arrangements with others. Hence, when I offer to take their furs for them to Montreal for 10 or 12 livres a bundle, very few of them will not accept the offer |
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More than 1,- |
because they are already accustomed to make use of those of Fort Frontenac, and because of the advantage they find in doing so. Hence there is 10000 livres' freight for my vessels from the yield of these posts. That of Missilimaquinak- which serves as an entrept for the (page 80) posts of the St. Joseph River, the Folles Avoines7 on Lake Michigan and those of Michipicoton Point,8 Nepigon and Gamasettigoya on Lake Superior- will supply me with two thousand bundles every year. It is to Missilimaquinak that the voyageurs come from all these places to bring their furs and buy wheat and boats; and that takes place during the month of July and the beginning of August. The vessels will be able to make three voyages there between the month of June and the middle of August. In the first, they will take on board the furs which are traded for in the environs of Missilimaquinak; and in the last two, those which come from more distant posts.
However, it may be that a few traders, doubtful as to the success of this business, will not trust their furs to it the first year. Even if I grant that half of them continue to use the old route, the profit will still be a somewhat large one.
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We could experiment with a simple vessel which would serve for Detroit only. |
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Each bundle pays 25 livres freight from Missilimaquinak to Montreal on account of the distance and the risks of the great river.9 I shall be able to take them at 15 livres each, which, for a, thousand bundles, makes fifteen thousand livres freight and this added to the ten thousand from Detroit will yield me 25000 livres in all. |
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sums to be advanced. |
It is true that there is an advance to be made, in order to secure this income. It will be necessary to begin by building a wooden house, protected by stakes, to receive the furs, above the portage at Niagara at the place where the vessels |
will be able most easily to approach: and then a road to join that of the
portage. From the other end of that portage to the house at Niagara is 3
leagues which are done by water. Hence it will be necessary to have two flat
barges to convey the furs and put them on the vessels on Lake Ontario to take
them to Fort Frontenac, where the barges of [?] Le Cent and others,
which will be held in readiness there, will take them to Montreal. It will be
necessary to have an agent at Missilimaquinak, Niagara and Fort Frontenac for
the loading and unloading of the said furs, and to give bills of lading, in
accordance with the practice; moreover there will be expense in keeping up
carts at the Niagara portage. There will be other
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1 Oswego.
2 Ouiatanons, Wawaiatnons, called Weas by the English, were a tribe allied to the Miamis. in the eighteenth century they resided along the Wabash river. In 1792, at the mouth of the Eel river, Indiana, they had a village three miles long.
3 Indian name for French King or Governor.
4 For sketch of life of Du Buisson see Detroit Rulers.- C. M. B.
5 (1, p. 75) According to English measures this would be 3.29 pints.
6 (2, p. 75) Shawnese.
7 (1, p. 80) This literally is wild-oats and is the French name for Menomonees. These Indians were so named because they boiled these oats, which were very abundant along their river, for food. They were the best built men among the savages and would have been quite light complexioned were it not for the grease they used on their persons. The women were very mannerly and especially pretty. They were allies of the French. This tribe was much reduced by constant wars.
8 (2, p. 80) Michipicton Point, Michipicoten.
9 (3, p. 80) The St. Lawrence river was called "La Grande," the Ottawa "Le Grand." In the French copy this river is spoken of as "la grande rivierre,"- so"great river" has simply been a translation. It must refer to the St. Lawrence.- C. M. B.
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