O'Callaghan, E.B., ed. The Documentary History of the State of New York, Vol. I. Albany: Weed, Parsons and Co., 1849.

and the Deputy of the Onontague Iroquois, it is easy to infer that these people are inclined to follow the object of their enterprize, which is to destroy all the Nations in alliance with us, the one after the other, whilst they keep us in uncertainty and with folded arms ; so that, after having deprived us of the entire fur trade which they wish alone to carry on with the …

Whereupon the Meeting after being informed by the Rev d Jesuit fathers of what had passed during five years among the Iroquois Nations, whence they had recently arrived, and by M. Dollier of what occurred for some years at Montreal, remained unanimously and all of one accord, that the English have omitted nothing for four years to induce the Iroquois, either by the great …

and the lakes Heri6 and Huron, the Bay des Puans and thereby deprive us of all the trade drawn from that country by destroying, at the same time, all the Christian Missions established among those nations and therefore it became necessary to make a last effort to prevent them ruining those Nations as they had formerly the Algonquins, the Andastez, the Loups (Mohegans), the …

in places distant from the settlements, so as to support them in the enemy's country a time sufficiently long to effectually destroy that Nation, and to act no more by them as had been done seventeen years That we have advantages now which ago, making them partially afraid without weakening them. the French accustomed to the Woods, acquainted with all the roads through them …

and keep the head of the country guarded and furnished whilst the interior would be deprived of its good soldiers a hundred or a hundred and fifty hired men, to be distributed among the settlements ; ; 6? to help those who will remain at home to cultivate the ground, in order that famine may not get into the land ; and funds necessary to collect supplies and build two or three …

and let our allies be in peace and consent not to hunt on their grounds, or bring all their peltries to the French, which they trade at present with the English at Orange and thus by a small aid from his Majesty we could prevent war and subject these fierce and hot spirits, which would be the greatest advantage that could be procured for the Country. That notwithstanding, it …

Mohawk to be planted there. chest of the Mohawks. We'll see what he'll say. He has sent a shabby ship's flag to the This is the coat of arms of England. This flag is still in the public I know not when it will see day. M. DE LA BARRE TO GOV. DONGAN. Montreal 15th June 1684. Sir -- The unexpected attack which the Iroquois, Senecas and Cayugas have made on one of my forts …

Mohawks and Oneidas, neighbours of Albany, having done me no wrong, I intend to remain at peace with them and not attack them. The letters which I have rec d from France inform me as does that which you were pleased to honor me with, that our two Kings desire that we should live in Union and Fraternity together. I shall G8 contribute with the greatest joy, and with a …

consider your interests as those of my master, as soon as I shall hear from you I will answer regarding what you may require from my ministry in a manner entirely satisfactory to you, esteeming nothing in the world more highly than the opportunity to testify to you how truly I am Sir Your very humble serv 1 (Signed) Le Febure de la Barre. GOV. DONGAN TO M. DE LA BARRE. [ r …

R u Highnesses territories reaching as far as the River of Canada and yet notwithstanding the people of y r Goverm* Come upon the great lake as allso on this side of both lakes, a thing which will scarcely be beleeved in England I desire you to hinder them from so doing ; to go on your side of the lakes and I will strictly forbidde the people of this Province this I haue …

time to continue & preserue a good Amity between us I think it convenient & desire that no Acts of hostility be comitted, such differences are of so weighty a concerne that they are most proper to be decided at home and not by us. I do assure you S r that no body liueing hath a greater desire that there should be a strict friendsliipp betwixt the subjects of this Goverm 1 & …

They tell me that your Intentions are to make warr against them and they believe that you have already entered their countrey which repport I can scarcely give creditt to, after my last letter written to you. You cannot be ignorant that those Indians are under this Goverm1 and I do assure you they have againe voluntarily given up both themselves and their lands to it, and in …

To prevent as much as I can all the inconveniencyes that may happen. I have sent the bearer with this letter and have ordered the Coates of Armes of His Royal Highnesse the Duke of York to be put up in the Indyan Castles which may diswade you from acting anything that may create a misunderstanding between us Sir am with all respect Most humble & affectionate Servant Tho Dongan …

you to advise you of the vengeance which I was about to wreak for the insult inflicted on the Christian name by the Senecas and Cayugas,and you answer me about pretensions to the possessions of lands of which neither you nor I are judges, but our two Kings who have I sent Sieur Bourbon to sent us, and of which there is no question at present, having no thought of conquering …

But if I was so unfortunate as that you desired to protect robbers, assassins and traitors, I could not distinguish their protector from themselves. I pray you, which I give Sieur de Salvaye to explain everything to you and, wish your services as their intecessor to take security from them, not in Cayugas if the Senecas and the Indian but in the European fashion, without which …

That the Iroquois having lived, previous to the arrival of M. de la Barre, with little consideration for the French, he was desirous to speak with them, to see if they were friends or foes, and for that purpose they were all assembled at Montreal last August where every thing was arranged on a friendly basis even the Senecas and Cayugas had demanded the said Sieur de la Barre …

That notwithstanding this, and all the protestations they had made, a band of 200 warriors, Senecas and Cayugas having met in the month of March of this year, seven canoes manned by 14 Frenchmen, with fifteen or sixteen thousand pounds of Merchandize, who were going to trade with the Scious, towards the Southwest, pillaged them and took them prisoners, without any resistance …

That Sieur de la Barre having seen these acts of hostility committed in time of established peace and which Teganeout their Ambassador was coming to him to confirm, he might have adopted two and the other to wage war against them, not being able courses, one to detain the said ambassador, to endure a treachery of that description against the Christian name and French Nation …

him the information which he had received from the King of England, of the appointment of Colonel Dongan as Governor of New York, with express orders to maintain good understanding and to correspondence with said Sieur de la Barre, who, on that account, could have no idea that he had any intention to protect a treachery and injustice similar to that committed by villains on …

may bee it gives no right or title, and it is a wonder that the English who so well know America should neither hear nor see in a long time the treaty you speak of 3. But if the matter in debate bee not concerning the land on the side of the lake of Canida, it is desired to know what it is concerning since the Indians offer to give satisfaction for what injuries can be prooved …

I wonder that Mons r de la Barr should send for any Indians who ouned themselves under this Government to know whether they were friends or ennemies, since this Government at that time and at this present hath enjoyed for aught I know a full and perfect peace with the Government of Canida as for the case of La Salle I am not concerned in it but wonder you should send him to …

had detained Taganeout there Ambassadour, or made warr against them, that I might have used all just methods to prevent a warr that may be destructive to either party-- That the Governor of Canida does very well in believing what truly he ought that I will not there was a interest myselfe in any manner to countenance such villanyes and if I did not think them against joyne to …

Monsieur De la barre th June last, the resolution you have taken to attack the IroI have seen by your letters of the 5 to it, and though it is a grave misfortune for the Colony of moved you which reasons quois, and the New France which will interrupt the trade of my subjects and divert them from the cultivation of the land and expose them to frequent insults on the part of the …

which I have caused to be embarked three hundred soldiers quartered in the ports of Brest and Rochefort with the number of Officers and Marines contained in the lists which you will find annexed, and this reinforcement with that sent to you by the last vessels from Rochelle, and which you have learned from my preceding letters, will furnish you means to fight advantageously …

destruction of the Savages by the continuation of this war, you ought to prefer peace which restoring quietness to my subjects will place you in a condition to increase the Colony by the means pointed out to you in my preceding letters. I write to my ambassador in England to procure orders from the Duke of York to prevent him who commands at Baston assisting the Savages with …

which you committed in not punctually executing my orders relative to the number of twenty-five licenses to be granted to my subjects, and the great number you have sent on all sides, in order to favor persons belonging to yourself, appears to me to have been the principal cause of what has happened on the part of the Iroquois. I hope you will repair this fault by giving a …

As it concerns the good of my service to diminish as much as possible the number of the Iroquois, and as these Savages who are stout and robust, will, moreover, serve with advantage in my galleys, I wish you to do every thing in your power to make a great number of them prisoners of war, and *********** that you have them shipped by every opportunity which will offer for their …

Having been obliged to leave early in June, in conformity to the resolution adopted by the Intendant, the Bishop, the heads of the country and myself, to wage war against the Senecas for having, in cold blood, pillaged seven latter to the hundred canoes belonging to Frenchmen ; arrested and detained the number of fourteen, as prisoners for nine days, and finally attacked Fort …

would oblige me not to treat them ill, but merely to secure their persons, we considered three things First, to endeavour to divide the Iroquois among themselves, and for this purpose, to send persons expressly to communicate my sentiments to the Rev d Jesuit Fathers who are Missionaries there and to request them to act; the second, to send to the Outaouacs to engage our …

[Vol. I.] French and pretty shrewd, two of whom we DE LA BARRE'S EXPEDITION TO HUNGRY BAY. sent with some Belts of Wampum to the Mohawks, and two to the Oneidas, to say to them that we were resolved to observe the peace made with them --that we were very willing to live there as with friends, and that we requested them not to interfere in the war which we were about to wage …

Dongan of the insult the French had received from the Senecas, which obliged me to march against them, of which I gave him notice, assuring him that if he wished to revenge the twenty-six Englishmen of Merilande, whom they had killed last winter, I woidd promise him that I would unite my forces to Ins, that he may obtain satisfaction for it, or avenge them. I next despatched …

John's day, to return to Quebec were I had requested the Intendant to make out the detachments of Militia which should follow me to the war, without inconvenience to the Country I arrived there on the twenty-sixth, having used great diligence on the route, and found the people ordered and some canoes purchased but as they were not sufficient for the embarcation of all, we …

should be made and in what direction we should march to their two principal villages, of which he had made a faithful and exact plan. I selected as Major of the Brigade which I commanded, Sieur de Villebon-Beccancour, formerly Captain of the King's Dragoons, so that acting in was obliged to have an eye to all, I could confide in liim ; my place, as I he succeeded with all …

them to pass the first and second portages, where I should join them, so that on the thirtieth I passed their encampment beyond the said second portage, and we marched next day, both brigades together, Sieur D'Orvilliers bringing up the rear with the third one day behind us, so that being, on the 1 st of August in Lake St. Francis with about two hundred canoes and our fifteen …

me from there the new bark which I had built in the winter, in order to freight her with the provisions I brought, and to send the canoes in which they were loaded to fetch others from la Chine. We arrived on the second, at the Portage of the Long Sault, which I found very difficult, notwithfifty men ahead thither, to cut the trees on the bank of the river and prevented those …

On the morning of the fifth I found the new bark arrived at La Galette where I had all the provisions discharged from the canoes before eight o'clock in the morning, and these despatched at the same time on their return to la Chine to reload there. The strong winds from the South West, which constantly prevailed all tins time, and which obstinately continued during the …

Three things obliged me to adopt this resolution the first, because it appeared by letters I had received from Colonel Dongan, in answer to the message by the man named Bourbon, that he was : very far from the good understanding of which His Majesty had assured me ; but much disposed to interfere as our enemy in this matter. The second, because I had few provisions, and I did …

Seeing the wind always contrary I sent on the preceding day, eight of the largest canoes that I had to the bark at La Galette to bring me ten thousand weight of flour, bread beginning to fail which caused me a good deal of uneasiness and created considerable murmurs among the troops and the militia. Finally on the 21 st my canoes arrived with what I sent them for. I set to …

On the 25 th the canoes which I had detached from La Galette to Montreal, arrived, but in far less number than I had looked for, and brought me but eight or nine thousand weight of flour, instead of twenty thousand which I expected, having left them ready for loading when I departed. I caused bread and biscuit to be immediately made of it for the support of our troops^who were …

had been convened at the said place of Onontague and Sieur Lemoine invited to repair thither, in which the matter having been debated, these savages got into a furious rage, with some danger to the English delegate, saying they were free, and that God, who had created the Earth, had granted them theirs without subjecting them to any person, and they requested the elder Father …

one hundred and fifty men were attacked by it ; I had also left some of them at the fort, which caused me to despatch, on arriving, a Christian savage to Onontague to M. Lemoine, to request him to cause the instant departure of those who were to come to meet me, which he did with so much diligence though he and his children were sick, that he arrived as early as the third of …

horse and four hundred foot, if we attacked them. conditions annexed, vicinity ; The treaty was concluded in the evening on the and I promised to decamp the next day and withdraw my troops from their which I was, indeed, obliged to do by the number of sick which had augmented to such a it was with difficulty I found enough of persons in health to remove the sick to the degree …

arrived only six hours previously to the number of seven hundred men, viz : one hundred and fifty French and the remainder Indians. I departed on the sixth, having had all the sick of my troops embarked before day (so as not to be seen by the Indians) to the number of one hundred and fifty canoes and twelve flat batteaux and arrived in the evening of the same day at Fort …

French officers of the army who brought me news from it at night, and assured me that the Chiefs of all the savages had accompanied them to the Fort, desirous to see me, and that they would visit me at Montreal, where I should await them. The Rev. Father de Lamberville Sen r came, likewise, with these Gentlemen on account of some difficulties which he was very glad to arrange …

I likewise took on board one of my canoes the Sieur Le Moine whose fever had seriously augmented, and who had served the King in tliis affair with so much zeal and affection, aided by the intimate knowledge lie had of the Iroquois language, that it may be said the entire Colony owe him a debt of eternal gratitude. Finally, in my return of three days I accomplished what cost us …

who is the Orator of that Nation, spoke by fifteen presents, not only on behalf of the Senecas, but also for the other Iroquois Nations. Word of the Iroquois. After having taken God to witness the sincerity of his heart, and having assured Onontio of the truth of his words, he spoke in this wise 1 st I give you a Beverage devoid of bitterness, to purify whatever inconvenience …

" Theie letters must be kept secret." might occur ; I have not forgotten this word, and in obedience to it, I request you to throw into that ditch the Seneca robbery, and that it may disturb neither our country nor yours. That ditch is well cut, but as your young men have no sense, and as they may make this a pretext for committing acts of hostility anew, after having cast the …

The robbery committed by the Senecas on your nephews, is not a sufficient motive to make war against them. Where has blood been shed? I promise you that satisfaction shall be afforded you for the loss the French have experienced by the pillage of their merchandize. Answer of Onontio. It is good that you promise me satisfaction deceive me not. The first thing that I expect of …

The former is a poor country where the Grasshoppers prevent me sleeping, and the second is faraway for our old men. I kindle the fires of peace on this spot, which is the most agreable that we can select, where there is good fishing, hunting, &c. Answer. I accept the selection you have made of this place for our conferences, without, however, extinguishing the fire which I …

12 th Word. He has killed some, this spring, in divers rencounters, but as you bound my arms I allowed myself to be beaten, without defending myself. Answer. That's good ; you need not pursue the Oumeami who struck you ; I shall send him word not to commit any more acts of hostility. 13 th Word. Answer. Regarding the Illinois, I am at war with him ; we shall, both of us, die …

among us, to seduce our people to Montreal every year. my children of the Sault nor of the Mountain who dismember your country who dismember it by your drunkenness and superstitions. Besides, there is full liberty to come and reside among us no person is retained by force. The General added two presents to the above. By the first he said You see the consideration which I have …

The army consisted of nine hundred French and three hundred Savages, and from the Niagara side there was another army of six hundred men, one third of whom were French and the remainder Ottawas and Hurons, amounting in all to eighteen hundred men. What Indians there were evinced the best disposition to fight the Iroquois to the death. Sieur de la Durantaye who brought the last …

But the General did not think proper to push matters any farther, and without any necessity sent Sieur Le Moyne to the said Iroquois to treat of peace at a time when every one was in good health, and when all necessary provision was made of food, &c. to dare every enterprize and finally after various comings and goings on one side and ; the other, the General concluded peace …

The said General excuses himself because of the sick and even says that the troops lacked food ; to which I feel obliged to answer, being certain that he seeks every pretext and has recourse to every expedient to exculpate himself and perhaps to put the blame on me. number of sick among the Militia which he took with him to Fort Frontenac, who were in perfect good health on …

had not the least desire to make war ; that he made no use of his long sojourns except Had he seriously wished to make war on the said Iroquois he would not have remained ten to twelve days at Montreal, fourteen or fifteen at Fort Frontenac and as many at La Famine, but would have remained merely a day or two, and would have used the that he employing them in his negociations …

He had determined not to leave until the 15 th of August; he departed on the 1 th of July. That did not prevent me furnishing all that he required of me, such as batteaux, canoes, arms, ammunition, and all the provisions he desired. yet remained at the end of the island of Montreal, at a place called This is so true that there La Chine thirty-five thousand weight of flour and …

had been the General's design to make war, he should not have caused the cargoes of the eighteen canoes I have mentioned to be put into barks thirty leagues from Montreal above the Rapids, instead of letting the voyage be continued by the canoemen who were paid to go to Fort Frontenac and who had already accomplished the roughest half of the road, and who, without a doubt …

them and keep the knowledge of it from every body. By these means he made use of these canoes to convey these merchandises to the Fort at the King's expense, which he has always practised for two years, ever pretending certain necessity to transport munitions of war, and to make use, by this means, of the conveyances for which the King is made to pay, under pretext to keep the …

and at La Famine caused the useless consumption of a portion of the supplies which, however did not fail; other convoys having been received from time to time, but these were always wasted without any thing having been done. After the said General had determined in his own mind on this war, he sent the man named Bourbon, an inhabitant of this country to Colonel Dongan to …

is an Englishman and consequently our born enemy, to give underhand information of our designs to the Iroquois, and convey secretly to them all that may be necessary for their defence against us. I asked him if he did not perceive that the English would never desire our advantage, and that they would contribute power to destroy us, though at peace as regards France that they …

even certain that they will never cause us any dread from that quarter and that they could not prevent us to achieve that conquest this year, had the General been willing to fight. You can hardly believe, my Lord, that the General has, alone, undertaken the war without having consulted any person, neither officers of the army nor gentlemen, nor the people of the country who …

He has his Council of War, and when he is about to wage it, he demands advice of those of his council, in communicating to them the reasons which he may have to do so, and even causes the publication of manifests throughout the Kingdom, wishing to communicate to his people the justice of his undertakings. But the General has treated of peace, like a sovereign, with the said …

There came altogether on this embassy only a certain sycophant who seeks merely a good dinner, and a real buffoon called among the French La Grand Gueule [Big Throat,] accompanied by eight or ten miserable fellows who fooled the General in a most shameful manner, which you will perceive by the articles of peace I have the honour to send you, and which I doubt not he also will …

I consider it also my duty to inform your Lordship that the General quit La Famine the moment the peace was concluded without taking the least care of the troops, rabandoning them altogether to their own guidance, forbidding them on pain of death to leave the place by the Iroquois, and having (so to say) lost his what became of the army. Certain it is that he went up to the …

But one tiling, is certain that all the Jesuits at Quebec, and particularly Father Bechefer have openly stated in Quebec for six weeks, that the country was destroyed if peace were concluded which is so true, that having communicated to him the two letters I wrote to the General, he highly approved of them and advised me to send them to the fort. I shall take leave to send you …

conform myself to your wishes and His Majesty's orders, aware that it is the most assured means that I can take to be agreeable to you, which is the sole ambition I have in the world, and to prove to you that no person can be with more profound respect and greater devotedness than I, my Lord, Your very humble and ob: serv*. This, my Lord, is only incidentally. I defer …

with the others. Did affairs permit, I should have much wished to tell you my thoughts on many things. brother will inform you of all when he will have the honor to see you. My The On [non] tagues who have been spoken to, would like much to settle matters this is the reason my brother goes to you, whilst I still keep them disposed to give you satisfaction, in order to avoid if …

If war occurs, Sir, all those who have houses apart from fortified places must at once abandon their dwellings, for the grain and the houses will be burned, and many will otherwise be brought away prisoners to be cruelly tormented and insulted. I always think that peace ought to be most precious to you, and that all the advantages that can be held out ought to cause you to …

They are expected in order to talk fully of affairs and to endeavour for the preservation peace to induce them to give to you satisfaction. I believe if you are really desirous to come to an arrangement in which an effort will be made to satisfy you, and wherein will be prescribed the boundaries of war and trade, you would have leisure to provide with less trouble and …

peace for which the Onontague wishes to obtain the consent of the Seneca who has already placed in security the old grain, and made a retreat in the woods for the children, women and old men, of which you will be ignorant. The Warriors are to prowl every where, killing without if possible being killed. If their Indian corn be cut, it will cost much blood and men You must also …

under the impression that, no person daring to come into unknown forests to pursue them, they can neither be destroyed nor captured, having a vast hunting ground in their rear, towards Merilande and Virginia, as well as places adjoining their villages, wholly unknown to the French. If winter were not so cold in this country, that would be the time to wage war, for one can then …

with the rest. Every thing considered, Sir, if you will be content with a satisfaction which we will endeavor to obtain for you from the Senecas, you will prevent great evils which must fall on Canada in case of war you will divert from it famine and many misfortunes, especially will you avoid much confusion and great suffering to the French who will fall into the hands of the …

woidd be obliged to unite against you that the French and the Iroquois being so near the one to the other, the war would be too disastrous to you, because, say they, our mode of fighting, of harassing, of living, of surprising and flying to the woods will be the ruin of the French who are accustomed ; towns capable of defence or against armies who appear in the plains ; if …

To turn away the scourge of war and the miseries which must follow it, especially among the French who will find themselves attacked by all the Iroquois if any hostile act is committed against the Senecas, I have strongly urged the Onnontagues to give you satisfaction according to the instructions which the Christian Iroquois, your deputies here, had. To-morrow a great number …

The Warriors in great number have heard this news with much joy they are determined to fight, not in their forts for they have none, and will not shut themselves up any where, but under cover, behind trees, and in the grass where they will try to do you considerable injury, if you want war. The Onnontagues men of business wish to arrange matters, especially having lost nothing …

whom I communicated all, and who has just passed, will tell you every thing and how apropos it would be that M. le Moine should come here to fetch those Chiefs and Warriors who will most willingly meet you under the safe conduct which you will give them through M. le Moine (who can come here in all surety and without any fear) to be conducted to your rendezvous near Seneca or …

I told M. le Moine of the above. to blows with their Father. My brother expects to leave with your deputies to carry to you the result of the Iroquois Diet, where the Onnontague who assumes to be a moderator, pretends to force the Senecas to disavow what two of their captains caused their warriors to do, and to quieten again your mind that is, they say, by some satisfaction …

Sir-- The Council convoked at Onnontague was, at length, held on the 16^ and 17*h of July. You will see by the memoir I enclose in this letter what you said to the Onnontagues and what they reply by three Belts. Since you spoke, or I have made you speak to the Senecas assembled here in a body, Chiefs and Warriors, and their answer, we have spoken to them by three Belts and …

they do not wage war save but to secure a good peace. They return without striking a blow, withThe Seneca Iroquois offer you more than you would have believed. out shedding blood, etc. The Onnontagues considered their honour engaged to this meeting, and have put all sorts of machinery in motion to induce the Senecas to condescend to place their affairs in their hands. On the …

and to learm the true cause of the withdrawal of our Missionaries. Finally I told them that the^real cause was, that the displeasure which they perceived you felt, and which they also entertained at being disparaged by the Senecas, had caused them to withdraw to you, state of affairs until they should have satisfied you. At length the Onnontagues persuaded them to confide in …

My Lord--Your people have brought my brother back here with the greatest possible diligence, having been wind bound tliree days, at one island. In order not to cause you any delay, which could only produce a useless consumption of provisions by your army, they arrived here with Sieur le Due at midnight and having passed the rest of the night in conferring together, we had the …

here whom you promised them would come, that it appears that nothing could be done shoidd Also, as you advised them not to be troubled at the sight of your barks and he not arrive. Gendarmes, they give you notice, likewise, not to be surprised when you will see faces painted red and black at Ochouegen. I do not know if he will have deliI gave a Cayuga letters for you some …

The over coats (capots) and shirts which you have been so good as to send to be used on occasions are a most efficacious means to gain over, or to preserve public opinion. An honorable peace will be more advantageous to Canada than a war very uncertain as to its success. lam of opinion, whatever the Mess" the Merchants may say, that you do them a good turn by inducing the …

you. We expect the Senecas, and as we were hoping that the Oneidas would arrive to-day, one Arnaud whom Father Bruyas is well acquainted with, came here on horseback from Mr. Dongan to tell the Iroquois that he did not wish i them to talk with you without his permission, being complete Arnold Cornelia" Viele, a citizen of Albany, who acted as Interpreter between the Whites and …

war which would have very bad [consequences.] When M. le Moine and I shall have the honour to see you, we shall give you the particulars of these things, and how La Grande Guelue came to high words against this Messenger, exhorting all the warriors and chiefs not to listen to the proposals of a man who seemed to be drunk, so opposed to all reason was what he uttered. We being …

Le Moine and by your commit so cowardly an action and so grave a fault as that which he seemed willing they should After many disputes, the Onnontagu6s councilled among themselves, and concluded perpetrate. to enquire of M. le Moine if he would not wait the permission which Mr. Dongan wished the Iroquois to have from him to talk with you, and if he would not tarry ten days …

you them hence at the earliest moment to conduct them to you. If not he will leave with the Senecas who are here. Tegannehout acted his part very well and harangued strongly against Mr. Dongan's messenger and in favor of Onnontio. Good cheer and the way you regaled him was a strengthening medicine which sustained his voice when it might perhaps have failed in another who had …

Dongan that they could not and to soothe you, with peaceably matters settle to wit, to what he himself had urged them to do very returned had they whence Albany to his spirit if he were dissatisfied with them for not going A letter is sent you which he has given to M. le Moine. recently. Whatever Sieur Arnaud may say, we have not neglected to send for the Oneida deputies whom …

Dongan's deputy, has not re-appeared here since my departure from Onnonta6, though he had assured me that he should return in ten days. 'Tis said that his delay is caused by not having found his master at Orange (Albany), and that he has gone to Manath to inform him of the proceedings of the Onnontagu6 and of your arrival at Gainhouague, [Hungry Bay.] I had the honour of …

Your man of business, I mean La Grande Gueule, is not concerned at any thing he is a venal beI assured him that you would send him the jerkin you promised. The Cayugas who are gone to war to the borders of Merinlande and Virginia have sent home some of their warriors to say that the English had killed three of their men, and that they having taken five Englishmen alive, had …

Individuals assuredly know that if you had not accepted peace, which is very favorable since no one has been killed on either side, the Colony would have been exposed to the mercy of the Iroquois who would pounce, in different directions, on defenceless settlements, the people of which they would carry off in order to pitilessly burn them. I pray God, who knows the sincerity …

ed this fall. Some furs are to be collectThere is no news yet He is treating on this subject with Hannagoge and Ganakontie\ from the Senecas. FROM THE SAME TO THE SAME. Onnontague, this 9th Octob. 1684. My Lord, -- The message you sent here by three canoemen from Montreal shows you to be in reality a man of your word. Sieur Grande Gueule has been informed by express, who is …

I have spoken in his absence both privately and publicly, to influential persons and obtained promises from the chiefs and warriors that they would send two strings of wampum to the Senecas in three days to put them in mind of the word which the leader of those who pillaged the French canoes had himself brought here, from those of his own nation, that they had accepted all you …

through whom he will pass, to keep their word with you. his troop towards the quarter you forbad him. Senecas He has assured me that he will not lead I notified him as well as the others that you had despatched a canoe to inform the Oumiamies and the Maskenses that you had included them in the peace, and that they could remain secure at the place where they had been before …

You form a better opinion than one hundred manufacturers of rhodomontades who were not acquainted with the Iroquois, and who reflect not that the country, such as it is, is not in a condition to defend itself. Had I the honor to converse with you longer than your little leisure allowed me, I should have convinced you that you could not have advanced to Paniaforontogouat …

them at their leisure and after having cut them off by a hundred ambuscades among the foliage and grass, pursue you in your retreat even to Montreal to spread desolation throughout its vicinity also and they had prepared for that purpose a quantity of canoes of eighteen men each which they kept concealed. But let us all speak of this war to thank God that He has preserved our …

Dongan left Orange when those who brought the Duke of York's Safeguards came to this place it is supposed that Arnaud's visit here to prevent the Iroquois going to see you and to get them to hold a Council at Orange, was an intrigue of the Orange merchants who feared that their trade would be diminished by a conference held with you with arms in your hands for M. Dongan had …

from the Cannongageh-ronnons whom you have with you, were all ready to march at the first word to aid the Iroquois. This man La Croix passes with the Iroquois for a great liar he, possibly may have advanced this of his own accord, as well as many other things he has stated, which M. Dongan perhaps would not approve, were he acquainted with them. I thank you most humbly for …

--The King has learned that^the Governor of New York, instead of maintaining good correspondence with Sieur de la Barre, Governor of Canada, in conformity with the orders of the late King of England, has done what he could to prevent the Iroquois treating with him that he offered them troops to serve against the French, and that he caused standards (flags) to be planted in …

My Lords -- I have received the heads of inquiry your LoV sent to mee and indeed I have been as industrious as possibly I could to make myself capable of giving am short of answering your Lo'p s you satisfaction. And wherein I expectation I question not but youl pardon it when you consider that to give a distinct answer to several of your queries must require a longer time …

The Assembly finding the inconvenience of bringing of y peace, Sheriffs, Constables other sons concerned from the remote parts of this government to New York did instead of the Court of p e @ r Assizes wliich was yearly held for the whole Government of this province erect a Court of Oyer and Terminer to be held once every year within each County for the determining of such …

@ Albany a Court of Mayor @ Aldermen held once in every whence there can be noe appeal unless the cause of action bee above the value of Twenty Pounds, who have likewise priviledges to make such by-laws for y e regulation of their own affairs as they think fitt, soe as the same be approved of by y e Gov r @ Council. Their Mayor, Recorders, town-clerks @ Sheriffs are appointed …

@ above that they are generally ignorant enough @ and for the most part linked in Feb. together by affinity are too much swayed by their particular humors @ interests, I thought last by @ with y advice @ consent of y Council to settle and establish a Court which we call the court of Judicature [Exchequer] to bee held before y e Gov @ Council for the time being or before such @ …

Sprag to whom I refer your Lop 8 in this point. In answer to the Third there are about four thousand foot @ three hundred horse besides one company which I shall bee able to give a more particular account when the Mustermaster of Dragoons of In this Govern shall make his return. In answer to the Fourth At New York there is a fortification of four bastions built formerly …

hope to have mounted soe soon as the mills can sawe I am forced to renew all the Batterys with three-inch Plank @ have spoke for new planks for that purpose And the breast-work upon the wall is so moultered away that its likewise needful to make a reparaThe Officers quarters had formerly a flat roof which I finding to be chargeable to maintain @ that it could not bee kept …

@ sixty persons now living The men that are here have generally lusty strong bodies At Albany there is a Fort made of pine trees fifteen foot high @ foot over with Batterys and conveniences made for men to walk about, where are nine guns, small arms for forty men four Barils of powder with great and small Shott in proportion, The Timber @ Boards being rotten were renewed this …

At Peniaquid there is another Fort built after the same manner as I am informed a particular description whereof I am not capable of giving having never been there however its a great charge q Fo™ nd d to this Govermn without being any thing of advantage to it, having officers there with twenty men always in pay, And which makes it yet more chargeable, I am forced to send If …

-- along to the eastward of them And in lieu of that to add to this Government Connecticut @ Rhode Island, Connecticut being so conveniently situate in its adjacing to us and soe inconvenient for the people of Boston by reason of its being upwards of two hundred miles distance from thence, all Besides Connecticut as it now is takes away from us almost all the land of value …

granted to our present King, and indeed if the form of the Government bee altered these people will rather choose to come under tins than that Goverm 4 of Boston as y r Lo'p s will p'ceive by their present Gov ,s Ires directed to me And as for East Jersey it being situate on the other side of Hudsons river @ between us @ where the Enst ana west jersey. @ having likewise the …

Alsoe very often shipps bound to this place break bulk there @ run their goods into that Colony with intent afterwards to import the same privately @ at more leisure into this Province notwithstanding their oath, they salving themselves with this evasion that that place is not in this Goverm To day an Interloper landed five tun @ one half of teeth there, to prevent all which …

Goverm than the whole profits of the Province (which is by quit-rents) will amount unto are at the whole charge the Country allowing nothing towards its support soe that ; for they had they not the charge of the Goverm', they might put that money into their own pockets. And indeed to make Amboy a port will be no less inconvenient for the reasons afore mentioned neighboring …

intends thereby those vessels that come Avithin Sandy-Hook, the people of East-Jersey pretending a right to the river soe farr as their province extends which is eighteen miles up the river to the northward of this place West Jersey remaining as it does will be no less inconvenient to this Goverm for the same reasons @ that so near situate to us that its more for their …

it subject to the same laws it being the Pen there has been of great detriment to this place in hindring the Tobacco to come hither as formerly, for then there came two shipps for one that comes now Beaver @ Peltry taking up but small Stowage in shipps Maty s King's own land, the doing whereof by mr ; And indeed it were in my opinion very necessary for the advantage of this …

Besides wee find the contrary to bee very inconvenient in this that whereas formerly the damnified Tobacco which came from thence not fit for England wee made up in rolls and sent y c same up the River to the Indians who in Exchange gave in Beaver @ Peltry, for want whereof his Maty 8 revenue here is much impaired inasmuch as the Indians are therefore forct either to Plant the …

trade of that place the consequence whereof will be the depopulation of this Goverm1 for the people must follow the trade. Those Indians and the people of this Goverm 1 have been in continued peace @ amity one with another these fifty years And those Indians about forty years agoe did annex GOV. DONGAN'S REPORT ON THE PROVINCE OF NEW-YORK. their lands to this Governm 1 @ have …

The five Indian nations are the most warlike people in America, @ are a bulwark between us @ @ all other Indians they goe as far as the South Sea the North West passage @ Florida towarr. New England in their last warrwith the Indians had been ruined had not Sr Edmund Andros the French sent some of those nations to their assistance, and indeed they are soe considerable that all …

King in my Lord Effingham's presence and I believe it to be of dangerous consequence if denyed This Governm has always been and still is at a great charge to keep them peaceable @ annexed to this government which is of that moment that upon any occasion I can have three or four thousand «ai'and present- ' - of their men at a call. cannot believe that ever it was the King's …

Pen keep all below that it would be sufficient for him the bounds below it being conjectured to contain more than all England besides the louer Countys which is near upon 100 miles from the Cape up the river ; and in bredth more than 30 miles as is generally beleeved To preserve the Beaver @ Peltry trade for this @ Albany and to be an encouragement to our I desire I may have …

argument than that they have had possession this twenty years by their fathers living so long among the Indians they have fathers still among the five nations aforementioned viz. the Maquaes, Sinicaes, Cayouges, Oneides, and Onondagues @ have converted many of them to the Christian Faith @ doe their utmost to draw tliem to Canada, to which place there are already 6 or 700 …

gov. dongan's report on the PROVINCE OF NEW- YORK. it has been formerly patented to people at Albany @ have promised the Indians that they shall have them a church @ have assured the people of Albany that I would adas to your Lo'p s that care may bee taken to send over by the first five or six it being priests and that I will build dress his Ma4 >' a matter of great …

down @ burnt a castle of the Maquaes wherein there were none but old men women @ children which the rest of the Indians hearing pursued the French to a place called Sconectade about 20 miles above Albany where they had every man been cut off' had not one Corlarr (a Dutchman so beloved of the Indians that in memory of him they call all Governors by that name) interposed However …

W. of Albany from whence they brought a good many three months journey to the West @ They found their people more inclined to trade with them than the French the French not being able to protect them from the arms of our Indians, with whom they have had a continued warr, soe that our Indians brought away this very last year, a great many prisoners, Last week I sent for some of …

served formerly in France) along with our people, he has orders not to disturb or meddle with the French and I hope they will not meddle with him, Ever since my coming hither it has been no small trouble to keep the Sinicaes from making warr upon the French, Monsieur De la Barr was very hot upon it @ brought a great many men to a place called Cadaraque lying on the lake with …

Governm1 of Canada any injury, upon his making the same appear, I would cause that hee should have satisfaction as also I sent the arms of his Royal Highness now his Majesty to bee put up in each castle as far as Oneigra which was accordingly done, @ thereupon De la Barr retired without doing anything after having been at vast expense and all to no purpose. The new Governor …

But the most part of them as I hear are since dead the country proving We need not feare them soe long as the Indians continue to bee our friends @, the too cold for them. if can less we prevail with the Indians that are Christians to come from them to us, they being generally the youngest @ lustiest men. Last year there was a list brought into the new Gov of 17000 French …

Alsoe it points out where theres a great river discovered by one Lassal a Frenchman from Canada and as its reported brought two or three vessels with people to who thereupon went into France @ settle there which (if true) will prove not only very inconvenient to us but to the Spanish alsoe (the by the back of Virginia @ Carolina into the Bay Mexico) @ can bee far from the …

They have but a small trade, what they have is to the West-Indies Boston and this place. They have not above a Ketch or two and about 6 or 7 sloops belonging to the place. The country is very good accommodated with several good harbors @ two considerable rivers New London is @ very good harbor for shipping where they may ride secure from all winds As for their timber its the …

To the Eighth h ,he bo U ndanes For the longitude latitude and contents of this Govern^ I refer yo r Lop 8 to the afore mentioned Map wherein you will see in what narrow bounds we are cooped up The land of tins Goverment is generally barren rocky land except the land wee have right to on the Susquehanna river @ up into the country amongst our Indians where there are great …

Such as pay noe quit-rents I bring into the aforementioned court for Ms Maty rents @ revenues where in a short time they are easily induced to doe it, @ I hope his mentioned list of patents. afore Maty w jil have considerable revenue by it To the Ninth The principal towns within the Goverm are New York Albany @ Kingston at Esopus All the rest are country villages the buildings …

To the West Indies we send Flower, Bread Pease pork @ sometimes horses the return from thence for the most part is rumm which pays the King a considerable excise @ some molasses which serves the people to make drink @ pays noe custom There are about nine of ten three mast vessels of about 80 or 100 tons burthen two or three ketches © Barks of about 40 Tun and about twenty …

what rivers @ conveniency of tins @ roads but on the south roads&c Soundings are markt by which youil perceive the coming in harbor Quit along the north side of Long Island are very good harbors side none at all To the Twelfth what commodity &c What account I can at present give of this is for the most part contained in my answer tQ the fourtl]l f y 0ur LoP s Queries To the …

To the Fourteenth I will make a diligent enquiry I can give y Lo noe account at present but by the next I may. s knowledge I will acquaint whether salt about it @ when I have got any thing worthy of your Lop Pe,re&c you with it e To the Fifteenth Concerning the number of the Inhabitants merchants English @ Foreigners, Servants Slaves @ how give an exact account but in order to …

But on the contrary on Long Island the people encrease soe fast for want of land @ many remove from thence into the neighboring complain that they scowif Irish have been since my coming here several familys come both there French But of have°c ome to'province. what number Scotch or Irish familys. r ' *c from St Christophers & England @ a great many more are expected as alsoe …

having to that end issued forth the like warrant to the Sheriff as aforesaid To the Nineteenth As concerning y e vessels belonging to this place it is already answered in the answer y Lop ninth Querie @ for others they are but few which are either from England New England or the West Indies er shipslwde of r To the Twentieth what ob- What obstructions do you find to the …

procuring back from England English goods which paid his Maty custom there For the regulation of our trade we have made several rules among ourselves, the chief of which the product of Europe or West Indies bee imported into this province unless it is that noe goods of were directly from England or such part of the West Indies where such commoditys were produced, without …

The Revenue except that of the Quit-Rents has been settled upon his Maty then his Royal Highness @ his heirs by act of Assembly payable in manner following viz 1 For every Gallon of Rum Brandy @ distilled liquors to bee imported into the province @ its dependencys fou pence currant money of the province For every pipe of Madera, Fyal St George Canary Malaga Sherry @ all sweet …

Upon every baril of powder twelve shillings Upon every lb. weight of lead six shillings For every Gun or Gun Baril with a lock six shillings For every Gall', of Rum, Brandy or distilld Liquors that shall bee carried up Hudsons river aforesaid four pence currant money aforesaid And likewise by the said act is settled upon his Maty, his heirs @ successors an excise upon all …

@ twenty mees-catts nine pence, ten mailers @ Deer Skin ninepence. And all other Peltry to be valued equivalent to the whole beaver exported out of this Province (bull @ cowhides excepted) And alsoe that all Indian traders throughout the whole province @ dependencies doe pay for the pence, four fishers nine pence, five catts ninepence, four nine pence, twenty-four pounds of …

And for all Beer @ Sider retailed throughout the Province @ dependencies six shillings per baril, and for each baril of beer or sider that is sold to the Indians six shillings as if retailed As for the Quit Rents at my arrival they were very inconsiderable most made by S r Edmund Andros, Quit Rents the greatest part whereof in Delaware River the most part of the patents …

submit to a greater Quit Rent than have that unpurchased land disposed of to others than themselves The persons that have had the collection receipt @ management of his Maty' 8 revenue for these @ upwards are Mr Lucas Santen by commission from his Ma*y then his Royal High@ Receiver. John Smith one that he brought out of England was his deputy bookkeeper @ surveyor for about …

At Esopus one Thomas Garton was by Mr Santon made collector @ receiver who as I find by Mr Santons account had not accounted with him for these three years past. Upon wch I was forct to send an order of Council for his coming hither with his accts who when hee came gave in a scrole of paper containing a confused acct of about £200. pretending that his accts together with a …

The first year there was £52. offered for the Excise of Long Island, but I thought it unreasonable being the best peopled place in this Goverm 1 @ wherein theres great consumption of Rumm @ and it therefore I gave commission to Mr Nicolls @ Mr Vaughton to gather it with whom I made this agreement that out of it they should have forty pounds, @ that they should account with Mr …

10 pr cent upon all such goods as should be imported from any colony where such goods were not produced passed, which was intended chiefly to hinder their carrying their oyle to Boston @ bringing goods from thence into this Goverm 1 They thought it a hardship to their application were allowed to be obliged as formerly to come to this citty to enter have a port where order to …

the soldiers are allowed no more than their pay except a little provision more than their former allowance, the master two seamen I have listed in the Company alsoe allow them something @ @ more than soldiers pay. [Vol. I.] gov. As for the Dukes county @ county of Cornwall I refer to y e audit. What acct Mr Santen gives @ Judge Palmer whom I sent thither last spring @ has made …

The first year I left every thing to the care of Mr Santon @ what officers hee thought fit to put in, but afterwards finding tilings ill managed I spake to Mr Santon several times, advising him as a friend to look better to the trust reposed in him What returns hee lias made mee for my kindness I will pass by @ say noe more of them than I am obliged to doe for my own …

Upon which I had him brought before the council 3 where he was often ordered bring or 4 times to in his accts but all to noe purpose for upwards of a r s may year together as y Lop see by the time of the audit @ by the several orders of council herewith sent At last when his accts came I shewed them to the council who were mightily surprised that for eighteen @ upwards the …

But hee never wo d comply with it notwithstanding several orders of councill to that affect until I put in on Thomas Coker to bee surveyor, upon which Smith being concerned at losing his surveyors place, grew very insolent and put Mr Santon upon worse measures as is believed, for which @ other misdemeanors as y Lop s may pceave by the Minutes of Council sent over by Mr Sprag …

r r the aforementioned charge @ the proofs thereto After the audit of his first accts the others were demanded and with the same difficulty as the former obtained as y r Lop» may perceive by the said minutes of Council particularly the order for payment every Saturday which was occasioned thus The Council considering how dilatory Mr Santon was @ with what difficulty he would …

As alsoe there were several orders of Council requiring him to have all his acts from the 25 th of March to the 6 th of October ready for Mr Sprag to carry over audited with him who had agreed for But with all this he made his passage in a ship @ kept her here on that purpose these two months past. noe compliance pretending that by a letter from my Lord Treasurer hee was …

Upon hearing of which charge and answer @ y e proofs thereto herewith likewise sent, thee council made their report to mee under their hands, in manner as your Lop 3 sees by the copy thereof which you have likewise herewith wherein altho' they positively say that he has been an unfaithful serv1 to his Mat y in the management of his Revenue, yet I sent for him @ advised him to …