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Lee diagrammae suivants iiluatrant la mAthode. 1 2 3 4 5 6 i At • 1 A| H \t 1 iti H The Preface. given tie World repeated ajfurmces that 'tis fo, Moiv this heing granted, we ought not to fcruple to believe, that thefe are fuch wife and reafona^ hie People, I take it, a Man muji he quite hlind^ who do's not fee that the property of Goods ( I do not fpeak of the ingr offing of Women ) is the only Source of all the Dif orders that perplex the Eu- ropean Societies, Upon that Confideration * twill he eafie to perceive^ that I have not fpoke wide in defcrihing that Wifdom and Acuienefs which fhines through the Words and Anions of thefe poor Americans. If all the World had acceffto the Books of f^oyageSy that are found in fome well Jhck'd LihraiieSi they would find in above a hun- dred Defcriptions of Canada, an infinity of Dif- courfes and Arguments offer d by the Savages^ which are incomparably flronger, and more ner- vous than thoje fve inferted in my Memoirs, As for fuch as doubt of the Injtind and wonder- ful capacity of Beavers, they need only to cafl their Eyes upon the Great Map of America, drawn by the Sieur de Fer, and gravd at Paris in the year 1698. Where they will meet with fever al furprifing things, relating to theje Animals, While my Book was a Printing in Holland, / was in England ; and as foon as it appear d, fever al Enghih Gentlemen of a diflinguifljing Me- rit, who under/land the French as well as their Mother Tongue, gave me to know, that they would be glad to jee a more ample Relation of the Man- ners and Cuftoms of the People of that Continent, whom we call by the name of Savages, This oh' iigd me to communicate . to thefe Gentlemen, the Jubjlanceof the fever al Conferences 1 had in that : ■■ ^" • ,^. Country The Preface. Country with a certain Huron, whom the French call Rat. While I Jlayd at that American^ yULiiie^ I itnployd my time very agreeally ift rtia- king a careful Collediort of all his Arguments ami Opinions ; and as Joon as I return el from my f^oy* age upon the Lakes of Canada, / Jhewrlmy Ala* nufcript to Count Frontenac, who was fo pkasd with it^ that he took the pains to ajfijl me in digejlinz the Dialogues^ and bringing them into the order they now appear in : For lefore that^ they were abrupt Conferences without Connexion, Upon the Solicitation of theje Englifli Gentlemen^ I 've put thefe Dialogues into the hands of the Ferfon who tranjlated my Letters and Memoirs : And if it had not been for their preffing Inflan^ ces, they had never feen the light ; for there are hut few in the World that will judge imparti- ally^ and without prepoffejfton^ of fome things con- tain d in 'em, I have Ukewife intrujled the fame Tranflator with fome Remarks that I made in Portugal, and Denmark, iihen I fled thither from New- found-Land. There the Reader will meet with a defcription of Lisbon and Copenhagen, and of the capital City of Arragon. To the Tranjlatiun of my frfl Volume^ I have added an exah Map of Newfound- Land, which was not in the Original. I have l/kewife cor- retted almojl all the Cuts of the Holland Im- preffio}7^ for the Dutch Gravers had murder'd em, by not underjiandingtheir Explicaticns^ which were all in French, they have gravd Women for Men^ and Men for Women ; naked Perfons for thofe that are cloath'd^ and q Contra. As •■ . . , -for The Prefiicc. for the Mips . the Hdirler ivill find 'em very t'x.ui ; A»rl I have taken care to have the Trails of nn Foya^cs more nicely delineated^ than in the 0- r/pfi^il. / nutlcrilayul hy Letters from Paris, that the two AJfJficurs l\c I^ontcliartrain indeavour ly all mca^s to he reveni^l upon me (or the aj- front they (.y J have ^tvcn *em in pullifhing Jomc trijjling Stories in tny Book^ that ou^ht to have heen concealed. I am likcwife inform' d^ that I have reafon to he apprehenfive of the Hefent- ment of J ever al EccleJia/i/ckSy who pretend I have infulted God in conjuring their Condutt. But (mce I expected nothini^ Icjs than the furious Re- fentment hoth of the one and the other^ when I put this Book to the Prefs ; / had time enough to arm tny Jclf from top to toe^ in order to make head againjl 'cm, '7 is my comfort, that 1 have writ nothing hut what I mak^: good by Authentick proofs J hejides, that I could not have faid lefs of 'em than I have done ; ]or if / had not tied my felf up to the direct thread of my Difconrje^ I could have made Digrefjinus^ in which the Con- duit hoth of the otte and th^. other ^ would have appear d to he prejudicial to the repofeof the So- cietVy and the pnhlick Good. I had provocation enough to have treated 'em in that manner ,• hut my Letters heing addrefs'd to an old Bigotted Re- lation of mine., who fed upon Devotion, and dread- ed the injluence of the Court; he ft ill hejeech'd me to write nothing to him rhat mi^ht dijohlige the Clergy or the Courtiers^ for fear of the intercept- in{^ of my Letters. However., I have advicd frorn Paris, that fome Tedanti are fet at work to lafj) me that the vour ly the aj" ullijhing ought to wV/, that ' Hefent- id I have iti. But r'tous Re- , when I enough to nakehead have wit lit hen tick fjtd lefs not tted Difconrje^ ) the Con- uld have f the So- ovocation incr ; hut rotted He- iK'd dread- lejeech'd %lige the intercept- ^vici frorA rk to lajl) me The Preface. me in writing ; and fb I mufl prepare to ft and the Irunt of a fhower of affronts^ that will he pourd upon tnc in a jew days. But 'tis no matter ; lam Jo good a Conjurer^ that I can ward off any Jlorm from the fide of Paris. / laugh at their Threats ; and jince I cant make ufe of my Sword ^ V II wage War with my Fen. This I only mention ly the lye^ in this my Pre' face to the Reader^ whom I pray the Heavens to Crown with Profperity , in preferving him from having any hufinefs to adjufl with mojl of the Minijlers of State^ and Priefls ; for let them he never fo faulty^ they'll Jlill he J aid to he in the right ^ till fuch time as Anarchy he introduced amongjmus^ as well as //^^ Americans, among whom the forryefl fellow thinks himjelf a hetter Man , than a Chancellour of France. Thefe People are happy in being Jcreend from the tricks and fhifts of Min'^Jlers^ who are always Majlers where- ever they come. I envy the Jt ate of a poor Savage^ ivl.-* tramples upon Laws^ and pays Homage to no Scepter. I wi/h I could fpend the rejl of my Lije in his Hut t^ and fo he no Ion- ger exposed to the chagrin of bending the knee to a fet of Men^ that Jacrifce the pubCick good to their private interefly and are horn to plague hone/l Men. The two Minijlers of State I have to do with, hjve been folUcited in vain, by the Dutchejs of Lui\c, CW^/zw^/ Bouillon, Count Gui' (car, A/r. de Qiiiros, and Count d* Avaux; No- thing could prevail, tho all that is laid to my charge, confijis only in not hearing the affronts of a Governour, whom they proteti ; at a time when a hundred ether Officers^ who live under the impu* tation ,t"l| The Preface. tation of Crimes^ infinitely greater than mine^ are excused for three Months ahfence from Court, Now the Reafon is^ that they give lefs quarter to thofe ivha have the misfortune to difpleafe the two Meffieurs de Ponchartrain, than to fuch as afi contrary to the Kings Orders, But after all my Misfortunes^ I have this to folace we^ that I injoy in England a fort of Li' herty^ that is not met with elfetvhere : For one may jujily fay^ that of all the Countries inhabited hy civilis d People^ this alone affords the greatefi perfetlion of Liberty, Nay, I do not except the liberty cf the Mindy for I am convincd^ that the EngUQi maintain it with a great deal oj tender- ftefs : So true it is^ that allfdegrees of Slavery are abhorrd by this People, who fhew their Wif dom in the precautions they tike to prevent their finking into a fatal Servitude, *' •"-*\i\ '''^' -M i I T H E THE X^i^t-'-' ? this to t of Li- for one nhah'tted greatefl 'cept the that the f tender- ' Slavery heir VP^if- ^nt their CONTENTS. -• ■*• I V O L. 1. LETTER I. .; v' Dated at ^elec Nov, 8. 1683. Containing a Defcription of the Pajfage from France to Canada ; ivith fome Remarks upon the Coafls^ Channels^ &c. and the variation of the Needle, p. i. ^ L E T T E R II. Dated at the Canton of Beaupre May 2, 1684. Containing a Defcription of the Plantations of Canada, and the manner in whicht they were firfl formd : As alfo an Account of the Tranf- portation of Whores from France to that Coun^ try ; together with a view of its Climate and Soil, p. 7. T H E LET- m ,t' i''*i' m \d i« The Contents. ^"^^ LETTER. TIL ™^.l ^ Dated at ^f^d'c May 15. 1684. Containing an ample Defcription of the City of Quebec, and of the Ijland of St, Laurence. p. II. LETTER. IV. ^ Dated Sit Mon real June I ^, 1 62^, Containing a Irief Defcription of the Habitati- ons of the Savages in the Neighbourhood of Quebec; of the River of St, Laurence, as far upas Monreal; of a curious way of fifhing Eels ; and of the Cities of Trois Rivieres, and Monreal .• Together with an account of the Conduft of the Forrefi' Rangers or Pedlers, p. 16. LETTER. V. Dated at Monreal June i2. 16^^, In which is contain d a fhort account of the Iro- quefc, ivith a view of the War and Peace they made with the French, and of the means ly which it was brought about, p. ii. LETTER, VI. Defcri Mo witi tion and geth Exp Cent madi ^iccc ( Dated at Monreal June zo, 16^4. ^™ ^ Being an ample Defcription of the Canows made M ^^^ ^^ of Birch Bark ^ in which the Canadans " ^°"' City of lurence. p. II. iahitati" trhood of B, as far ^f /#'»^ eres, and \t of the Tedlers, p. 1 6. ' the Iro- 1 eacethey 1| leans ly 1 p. 12.' 1 % tm Made :anadans fir-' The Contents. perform all their Voyages ; with an Account of the manner in which they are made and ma- na^d, • . p.i6. LETTER. VIL Dated at Monreal J^ovemh, i. 1684. Defcriffing the River of St, Laurence , from Monreal to the firfl great Lake of Canada, with the Water-falls^ Cataracts^ and Naviga^ tion of that River: As alfo Fort Frontenac, and the advantages that acctue from it. To- gether with a Circumflantial account of the Expedition of Mr. de la Barre, the Governour General^ againfl the Iroquefe ; the Speeches he made^ the Replies he receivd^ and the final Accommodation of the difference, p. 19. lK LETTER. VIII. Dated at Monreal June 28. 1685. Reprefenting the Fortifications of Monreal, and the indifcreet zeal of the Priefls^ who are Lords of that Town : With a Defcription of Cham- bli, and of the Commerce of the Savages upon the great Lakes, p. ^^. LETTER. IX. Dated at Bouchervilie OA 2. 168^. ].Being an Account of the Commerce and Trade of ' Monreal; Of the Arrival of the Marquis of Denonvillc I ■ifi, I '.± '.il tei > I II m ;.s( i .1 u The Contents. Dcnonvillc with fome Troops* and of the re* calling of Mr. de la Barre. With a curious Def- . cription of certain Licenfes for trading in Bea- ver-Skins in the remote Countries, P* 5 ^ • L E T T E R. X. . » ^ n ' . \ » '■■ • ^ : ,1 , . »» i »• » -- - t , Dated at BouchsrvilLe July 8. i686. Relating the Arrival of Mr.^Q Champigni, in the room of Mr, de Meules, who is recalled to France; the arrival of the Troops that came alon^ with him^ the curiofity of the Rackets^ and the way of hunting Elks j with a Defer ip' tion of that Animal. P- 55^ ■\ LETTER. XL Dated at Boucherville May i8. 1687. Being a curious Defcripticn of the Hunting of di- vers Animals. .;.,.> p. 60. V ;. % A- L E T T E R. XIL / Dated at St. Helens over againfl: Monreal June^. 1687. - ... . The Chevalier de Vaudreuil arrives in Canada with fome Troops. Both the Regular Troops and the Militia are pqfied at St. Helens, in a readinefs to march againfi the Iroquefe. p.68. \ .' .- - ^ -•■ •• ■ . LET- H\ 7he A ivitf. riag crip Jofe Det, placi Mifl de crih D Defcrii the the I And the The Contents. LETTER. XIII. bated at l^iagara Aug, z. 1687. Heprefinthg the unfauourahle TJfue of the Cam' faign^ made in the Iroquefe Country ; the dif- covery of an Amhufiade^ and the fjfuh^ of 0/*- ders for the Author to march with a Detachment to the great Lakes. ._ P'?^' i M LETTER. XIV. Dated at Mijftlimakinac May i6. 1688. The Author leaves Nagara, and has an hcounter ivith the Iroquefe at the end of the Land Car- riage. The after-part of his Voyage. A Dep cription of the Country. He arrives at Fort St. Jofeph in the Mouth of the Lake of Hurons. A Detachment of the Hurons arrive at the fame place. After an tngagement^ they fet out for MilTilimakinac. A ftrange Adventure of Mr. de la Salle'5 Brother, MifTilimakinac def- er ih'd. ' p. 80. LETTER. XV. Dated at Miffilimakinac Sept. 18. 1688. Defcrihing the FaB tailed Saut St. Marie, where the Author perfwades the Inhabitants to joyn the Outaouas, and march againfl the Iroquefe. And containing an account of the Occurrences of the yoyage between that Place and MiiTilimaki- tiac , p. 91. M L E T*" r ! I' '!>'! i^ ,.>l'> I'M ill I ' 'I h , M ) •; .1^ The Contents- '^ ' LETTER. XVI. Dated nxMifilimakinac May i8. 1689. Containing an Account of the Authors Departure from^ and Return tOy M\M\m^\(\x\^c. A DeJ* eription of the Bay of Puants, and its Villager. An ample Defcription of the Beavers^ follow d ty the Journal of a remarkable Voyage upon the Long River y and a Map of the adjacent Coun- try. n ' r « ^ %• ; t p. 104. LETTER. XVn. Dated at ^uehec Sep, 28. 1689^! a The Author fets out from Miflilimakinac to the Colony, and defer ihes the Country, Rivers, and I Taffes that he faiv by the way. The Iroquele 3 make a fatal incurfwn into the Ifland of Mon- real.* Fort Frontenac is abandoned*, Count Frontenac is fent to Canada, and the Marquis | of D&wonv'iW^ is recalled. p. 141. LETTER. XVIIK ? m Giving an Account of Mr.dQ Frontenac's Arrival, his Heceptfon, his Voyage to Monreal, and the v| repairing of fort [Yontcn;iLC. ^.^ , P* I5i' LETTER. XIX. , iA Dated at Monreal October i. i6^o. ■A Helatifig the Attempts upon Kew-England, and | New- •;4- )89. • 'departure ADef Villages. , folloivd I ? upcH the I lentCouH' p. 104. n' nacf<7 /^^ tf Iroquefe ^ of Mon- W; Count fe Marquis p. 141. P9. 's Arrival^ 1, aud the p. 151. >o. ^ The Contents. New^Yorkj a fatal Emhajfy fent hy the French ro /i'tf Iroquefe, and an ill concerted Enterprife cfthe Englifla jW /it^ Iroquefe, in marching hy Land to attack the French Colony, p. i f 5 » / LETTER. XX. ■''■*■''' * ' ' ' ' , '- ' Dated at Rochel January I z,i6g I, Being a Relation of a fecond and very important ' , Expedition of the Englifli ly Sea; in which is contain da Letter written hy the Englifli Admi- ral to Count Frontenac, with the Governour's Verhal Anjwer, As alfo an account of the Au' thors departure for France. P* ^59* LETTER. XXr, ■ Dated at Rocheljuly i6. 1691. fContaining a Defcription of the Courts or Offices of the Miniflers of State ^ and a view of fome Services that are ill rewarded at Court, p. i (56, LETTER. XXff. Dated at ^elec Nuv, 10. 1691. 'hich contains an account of the Author s depar-^ /«r^/rowRochel/tf Quebec, of his Voyage to the mouth of the River St. Laurence, cf a Ren^ center with an Engliili Ship which he fought; of the flranding of his Ship; of his failing thro' the River St, Laurence ; of the news he received that a party of the Englilh and Iroquefe, had de- feated^ Bod) of the French Troops. P- 1 7 • » ' :;[ k '\%\ The Contents of the Second Volume. 1 An ADifcourfe of the Hahit^ Houfes^ Complect- OH and Temperament of the Savages of North* America. P. i.VoI. i. A Jhort view of the Humours and Cuftoms of the Savages, p. 7. The Belief of the Savages ^ and the Ohjiacles of their Converfion, p. 19. The way of Worfhip usd hy the Savages. p. 19. An Account of the Amours and Marriages of the Savages. p. ^4. A View of the Difeafes and Remedies of the Sava- ges. p. 45. The Diverfions of Hunting and Shooting ufual a- mong the Savages. p. fy. The Military Art of the Savages. P* 7i. A View of the Heraldy and the Coats of Arms of the Savages, p. 8^. An Explication of the Savage Hieroglyphicks p. 86. A Conference or Dialogue between the Author and Aimo^ a noted Man a- mong the Savages. Containing a Circumflantial view of the Cufltms and Humours of that People. P* 90. te. An olume. ^amplest' avages of I. Vol. 1. ms of the p. 7. yiacles of p. 19. p. 19. ^^j of the p. ;4. p. 45. ^ ufual a' p.71. f Arms of p. 8-i^. lyphicks p. 86. leen the Man a- Cuflcms p. 90. An The Contents; An JffENVIX, Containing fomc New Voyages to Portugal and DenmarJ^; after the Author*s Retiremenc from Ca^ mda, LETTER. I. Dated at Lishon April %o, 1694. Containing a Defer ipt ion 4v^w«»fthe Dane5. p. 216. LET- 1 1 it 31 1 :'•* M ■.,MJ ,...i •|»n,; L^:: "I I >l ; 1 i ■f'.Ji ■:^ ';.;:i i \<. , , 1 1 h. .1 ^»i»i« The Contents. . LETTER. IV. r-r. A Dated at ParJs Decemh, 2,9. 1694. Containing a Journal of the Author* s Ttavehftoni Copenhagen /e? Pans. , p. 144. LETTER. V. Dated at Erleich July 4. 1694. Giving a view of the Superflition and Ignorance of the People •. '. f.v. -Vv LETTER. VIC« '."♦.• 'f n ■ ' Dated at Saragoza OM, 8. 1695'. ' Containing a Defcr/ption - 10 «r f /)r«tf, r. rw* w fifty r. / ■'f»..i "! ,1 f ^ »> & '^'illaft'j of -nn. S*tya.a4j I j\. ^ iSavaa* 'J'i&.^ft, hy y Xtvau a 7,*Tarfj rviA a, CrupT ahaut /•>■'/ ahanJan'J, Ij^:/^ Cauntriej ■fvr'3ta.v€r „ - _ hunfina , that J k-ntrw of " P i^ii'tttrfiilLt ancL Cat^ th vJl iv | l|i| }rtck.'d Unt thfit run/^, AStliOurenceJiay pointi aut lh^ I trf my l^rytiae. ta ^Hifjtlvnu | I ^v ' ^^* UnAj ntn in thij Jaftiton B [\mak,t*ut£ hy y S^xftjidt. rfy J,i d.cltnt^te. t'-'e cauf/i i*v ti^ J .'5/*^-/ :n our JEx.f>£dttie « -^ 1 1:1 C C y\\,ijlrtfi: thf Ji-c^jti^fk. . ^, |M»*"^.*^"" \ I k^ L // f I it, I ■ Wo ,t ce P4U/ nil- J Some New 1^ OY AGES T O - T O M E 1. LETTER I. Dated ac the Pore of Qutbec, Nov. 8. i68;. ^offtaiftiftg a Defcription of the Pajfage from France to Canada; with fome Remarks upon the Coafls, Channels^ &c. tf»n HxTDSOisrsJ Fort' a|'> ^and. Canria^€jjrimvtnit,pii.t » ft \ to anather . ^^ *^^ \\..-2'7ti'?rtck.d Ixne thfft runs frvtri UJ^Xaufvn^e :Bay potnts out iht cotirft. P af my J'oya^e to J^ft0tltm< kirutc ., j^, ' 'Ae titxi-j run in tht^Jit'liw" fi-otnuitiffth . I Y^.ik.inac by y JEtt/l^^dt. irf y J,Af e irf j£urvrtj ^ ^^ ^ ( S to y ifmitJi^fXiakej^I'rric ^" l so to Conde Htj^r^^i ItawianiftWo-ory-jm. jS'^vjVU*' foirX a£ M,. v*>'., '/xuran. Xnkf i.oJV-^iJiV' dcluxtjite. t'-'e ccu-rji. »*v "^jipft^ in our JCx^f^sditun A/jinfi the- I-rcavLefe ■ jrf^jiitj JtrpentiTLt- line ^i^*v ^* in^u^ y Cmirje of my H-etum^^f^^ flroni^iijJtltrnak.tnac to-XttnrealJfW^t^tf/i lytheii^yofjR.,d'J>mncd- the ILiyer Crufe , and tire Creat- :JZ. . "Nolnes % Mi fc.r '.<^fr '^ -^« J*^V f [y oth noH, X«AK.X OI* "MASnronoat er ;N ^'i ^w/ «••! f'^i '*it . (^ • '''^-^/f^. .1^irJ(0P'^„J^JlcJ^'* M'^-^ JSnalifh and Irench ItJf±: W when we faw the Sword-Fiih jump having in its smut a out of the water in order to dart its Jjff ofs»v which is Spear into the Body of the Whale. & wT't^^ when obhg d to take breath. This ungf fhiek. entertaining fhow iafted at leaft ' '-'' two hours, fometimes to the Starboard, and fome- times to the Larboard of the Ship. The Sailors, among whom Superftition prevails as much as among the Egyptians, took this for a prefage of fome mighty Storm 5 but the Prophecy ended in two or three days of contrary Winds, during which time we traversed between the Iflandof Newfound- Land, I and that of Cape Breton. Two days after we came in fight of the Ifland of Fowls, by the help of a North- Eaft Wind ; which drove us from the Mouth of St. Laurence Bay, to the Ifle of Anticofti, upon the [bank of which, we thought to have been caft a- |way, by nearing it too much. In the Mouth of that River we fell into a fecond calm, which was foHow'd by a contrary Wind, that obliged us to lye bye for fome days. At laft we made Tadoufac, iy gradual approaches, and there came to an An- ;hor. This River is four Leagues broad where we then [ode, and twenty .two atits|Mouth ; but itcontrafts it elf gradually, as it approaches to itsfource. Two lays after, the Wind ftanding Eaft, we weigh'd An- chor ; and being favoured by the Tyde, got fafe fhrough the Channel of the Red Ifland, in which the Currents are apt to turn a Veffel on one fide, is well as at the Ifland of Coudres, which lies fome '.eagues higher. But upon the Coaft of the laft B} Ifland, 6 Some Nem Voyages Idand, we had certainly (truck upon the Rocks, if we had not drop'd an Anchor. Had the Ship been caft away at that place, we might eafily have fav'd our felves : But it prov'd fo, that we were more af- fraid than hurt. Next Morning we weighed with a frefh gale from the £aft, and the next day after came to an Anchor over againfl Cape Tourwente, where we had not above two Leagues over, tho' at the fame time 'tis a dangerous place to thofe who are unacquainted with the Channel. From thence we had but feven days failing to the Port of Que- hec, where we now ride at Anchor. In our Paffage from the red Ifland to this place, we faw fuch floats of Ice> and fo much Snow upon the Land, that we were upon the point of turning back .for j^rance, tho' we were not then above thirty Leagues ofi' our defired Pprt. We were aflfraid of being ftop'd by the Ice, and fo lod ; but thank God we Tcap'd. We have receiv'd advice, that the Governor has mark'd out Quarters for our Troops in fome Villa- ges or Cantons adjacent to this City ; fo that I am oblig'd to prepare to go afiioar, aiid therefore muft make an end of this Letter. I cannot as yet give you any account of the Country, excepting that 'tis already mortally cold. As to the River, I mean to give you a more ample defcription of it, when I come to know it better. We are informed that Mr. Je la Salle is juft return'd from his Travels, which he undertook upon the difcovery of a great River that falls into the Gulf of Mexico ; and that h€ imbarques to morrow for France, He is perfedly Well acquainted mth Canaday and for that reafon you ought to vifit him, if you go to Paris this Win- ter. I am. :-M ■ ^:r•:^^•'. - t-i-s:' » ^:- r-?: '„■ ■' mi^^-: ■'■■ ' ) »' ' y •> LET. i- • to Nortfc-America. (» RockSj if Ship been have fav'd re more af- ighed wich tday after Tourmente, over, tho' » thofe who rom thence ort of Que' our Paffage r fuch floats id. that we ,for s^rancti ues oft' our g ftop'd by 'fcap'd. )vernor has fome Villa- 3 that I am xefore muft as yet give epting that iver, 1 mean )f it, when brmed that lis Travels, of a great ; and that ; is perfedtly that reafon is this Win- ..t:''\.-.' ..? cc. LETTER II. . Dated at the Canton qvBeaupr^, May z, 1684. \Contaimfig a Defcription of the Flantationi of Canada, and the manner in which they were firft formd: As alfo an account of the Tranf porta" tion of Whores from France to that Country 5 together with a view of its Climate and Soil, S I R, S foon as we landed laft year, Mr. ^e la Barn lodg'd our three Companies in fome Cantons >r Quarters in the Neighbourhood of Quehc, The Manters call thefe places Cotes, which in Frame figni- ies no more than the Sea-Coaft ; thoMnthisCoun^ iry where the names of Town and Village are un- known, that word is made ufe of to exprefs a Seig- lory or Manour^ the Houfes of which lie at the iiftance of two or three Paces one from another, md are feated on the brink of the River of St. Lau^ fence. In earneft. Sir, the Boors of thofe Manors ive with more eafe and conveniency, than an in- inity of the Gentlemen in France. I am out indeed {n calling 'em Boors, for that name is as little known lere as in Spain ; whether it be that they pay no ^axes, and injoy the liberty of Hunting and Flfli- ig; or that the eafmefs of their Life, puts 'em up- in a level with the Nobility. The ooreft of them have four f Ar- t Ah Axpentifafpot IPe»rf of Ground in front, and ^f ground containing .jrty or forty in depth:. The /^Lntil^:;'!! ''^'''- Country bemg a contmued tm fkt iong. LET. ^orreft of lofty Trees, the (lumps B 4 of \ i ■ •■ ii ; ' ^■i. ••Mil . lit 'HJ ~ 'it il ' ' ■ i ' , ' I' , I' , i."l J'\ 8 Some New Vopges of which muft be grub*d up, before they cm make ufe of a Plough. 'Tis true, this is a croublefom and chargeable task at firft ; but in a Oiort time after they make up their LofTes ; for when the Vir- gin ground is capable of receiving Seed, it yields an increaie to the rate of an hundred fold. Corn is there fown in Mayy and reap'd about the middle of September, Inftead of threfhing the Sheafs in the Field, cbey convey *em to Barns, where they lie till the coldeft feafon of the Winter, at which time the Grain is more eafily difengag'd from the Ear. In this Country they like wife fow Peafe, which are much efteem*d in Frame, All forts of Grain are very cheap here, as well as Butchers Meat and Fowl. The price of Wood is almoft nothing, in compari- fon with the charge of its carriage, which after all is very inconfiderable. Mo(^ of the Inhabitants are a free fort of People that removed hither from Frame, and brought with 'em but little Money to fet up withal : The reft are thofe who were Soldiers about thirty or forty years ago, at which time the Regiment cliCarignan was bro|(e, and they exchanged a Military Poft, for the Trade of J^icultHre. Neither the one nor the other pay'd any thing for the grounds they pof- fefs, no more than the Officers of thefe Troops, who marked out to themfelves, certain portions st unmanur'd and woody Lands ; for this vaft Conti- nent is nothing elfe than one continued Forreft. The Governours General allow'd the Ofiicers three or four Leagues of ground in front, with as much depth as they pleas'd ; and at the fame time the Of* ficers gave the Soldiers as much ground as they pleas'd, upon the condition of the payment of a Crown per Arpenty by way of Fief. After the reform of thefe Troops, feverai Ships were fent hither from Frame, with a Cargoe oj ^omenof an ordinary Reputation, under the dj- fciftion iy can make croublefom (hort time icn the Vir- , ic yields an d. Corn is \c middle of i in the Field, y He till the ch time the 5 Ear. In this chare much lin are very i| It and Fowl. in compari' hich after all )rt of People brought with I: The reft irty or forty It oiCarignan lilitary Poft, the one not inds they pof- hefe Troops, in portions tA svaft Conti- nued Forreil. Officers three i^ith as mucii : time the Of- mnd as they ayment of a to North' AmtxioL. 9 region of fome old dale Nuns, who rang'd 'em in three ClaiTes. The Veftal Virgins were heap*d up, (if Imayfo fpeak ) one above another, in three different Apartoiencs, where the Bridegrooms Ting- led out their Brides, jufl as a Butcher do's an Ewo from amongfl a Flock of Sheep. In thcfe three Se* ragiio's, there was fuch variety and change of Diet, as could (atisfie the mod whimfical Appetites ; for here was fome big (bme little , fome fair tome brown, fome fat and fome meagre. In fine, there was fuch Accommodation, that every one might be fitted to his Mind : And indeed the Market had fuch a run, that in fifteen days time, they were a)l difpos'd of. I am told, that the fatteft wtnt off beft, upon the apprehenfion that thefe being ie(s active, would keep truer to their Ingagements, and lold out better againft the nipping cold of the Win- ter: But after all, a great many of the He- Adven- turers found themfelves miftaken in their meafures. [owever,letthatbeas it will Jt affords a very curious [Remark; namely, That in fome parts of the World, to which the vicious European Women are tranfport- id, the Mob of thofe Countries do's ferioufly be- lieve, that their Sins are fb defaced by the ridiculous |Chriftening, I took notice of before, that they are look'd upon ever after as Ladies of Vcrtue, of Ho- lour, and of an untarnifh'd conduA of Life. The sparks that wanted to be married, made their Ad- Ireifes to the above-mentioned GovernefTes, to whom they were oblig'd to give an account of their 'loods and Eftates , before they were allow'd to lake their choice in the three SeragUo*s, After the loice was determin*d, the Marriage was concluded ipon the fpot, in the prefence of a Prieft, and a niblick Notary ; and the next day the Governor- "leneral beftow'd upon the married Couple, a Bull, a -ow, a Hog, a Sow, a Cock, a Hen, two Barrels )f fait Meat, and eleven Crowns 5 together with Il v\i .■'^. n h., I "k i ,3, K'.I I I o Some Ncm Foydj^es a ccrtiiii C'tui o\' Arms cillM I)y rho II iU^^,< (irrrl'i II Ktf^rn. '['\\c (MWcci'i \uvh\\\ A nicer t.illc tii.m the hildicis, in;ulc (licii* A|>pHc.iti<>ii »o rhc l).Mi|;hicis ot die .mciciu (irii- tlcnicm)J (lie ( oiiurt V, or (liolcof the riclicr ((uc of iMh.lhif.tlUS; ioi Vdll ktloW lll.K (:,«fi,/r/,> h.ts hcdii pollclVil U\ ihc ircful) above .m himtiicd vcais In this ( otimiy cvciy one livrs in .» ji'ood jnd 4 Wcllfurnilh'd lloulc ; .n\il imill of i\\c Ifoiilts .110 of Wi^Oil, aiul tvvv) Stoiics liij'Ju Tiuir ( .liiinnirs .\io very hirp,c, hv rc.>(*on of the pKuli-.innH l'iir«i they make to \\\\.\\{\ tluinlrlvis Imni the C oM, whidi is there beyoml all nuMliiir, IVmn the M uith of /V- trmhtr^ to ih.u of .//vj/. Oiiiinj', ih.u fpace ol time, the Kivcr is always iVo/.cn over, noivvith- ifaiuliii}; the llo\vin|; nul ehhinf, ol the Scm ; and tl»e Sniuv npriM t!»e j;roiuul, is three or font" foot ilee[> ; wliiclx is very lhan!;e in a ( oiumy that lies in ihv' !.aiiiMilc o{ loity fcvcn l)c|;rceN, and fonic odd Minutev MoO Petipleimpme the cMi.iordinaiy Snow to ii\e ninnher ol Mountains, vviih which tills vail (onfinent is rcplenilh'd. Whatever is in that matter, I mull take notice of one thin}», that Iccins vriv lliau|;e, namely, that the Sunnuerdays rtte li)nj;er here tha»\ at /'.;>//. "Khc Weathei isthcii fo clear and fereiie, that in three Weeks time you fhall not lee a (loud in the Uorii-oft. I hope to j;o to (lud'Ci- with the lirU opportunity ; for I have or- ders (oho in a rcadincls to imhaujue vviiliin lifteen tUys lor Atmrcjl, which is eheCaty (>f this C^oiin- ny, that lies fauhdl up towards the Head of tlic Hivcu 1 am, SIR. ^ TiUTS^ &c. LET- to Nok/) America^ ''.oHtaimii^^ an ample Vcju-ption f>f theXUfjf^'of^ Quebec, audi)] the J iLiftd oj Ork'Awa. T ['. T r V U III. Dated at i^/f/(( Af'} if. i^.Bj i;f()ic I (ct out for Atoftrcatt I had the curioliiy to view the IlKiml of Orleatn, which is fevcii c.jpucs in length, and three in hrcadih : It cx- |cik1s fioni over a|j;aiiift Cape ' i our went e^ to within Lcai^uc and a half of Qjichcc^ at whicli place the >ivcr divides it felf into two branches. The Sliips til throng;!) (he South Channel ; for the North ^h.uincl is fo foul with Shelves and Rocks, that )e fniall Uoats can only pafs that way. The IHand clones to a General I'armcr of Vrancc^ wiio would j.ikc out ot it a thoufmd Crowns of yearly Rent, hind'cU had the nianagenicnt of it. 'Tis fur- )un(1ed with Plantations, that produce all forts of irain. il»ebec IS the Metropolitan of Hcw-Vranccy hcinp[ Inioji a League in Circumference ; It lies in the latitude ot 47 Dcp^rees, and iz Minutes. The )ngitudeof this place is uncertain, as well as that fcveral other Countries, with the leave of the eof;raphers, that reckon you up 1200 Leagues mi Rochcl to iliiclwj without taking the pains to cafurc the Courfe : I lowcver, I am furc that it li but at too great a dillance from ly-ance, for tho iipsthat are hound hither; Tor their paffage com- monly lalls for two Months and a half, whereas ic homeward bound Ships may in ;o or 40 days filing, calily make the Jklic Iflc, which is the fu- rell 1 f •A I ,' r they ftretch out Hurdles to the loweft Water- lark ; and that fpace of ground being then dry the retreat of the Water, is covered over, and lut up by the Hurdles. Between the Hurdles they place at certain diftances Inliruments call'd Ruches, from the refemblance they bear to a Bee- hive ; be- fides Baskets and little Nets beKig'd upon a Pole, which they call Bouteux, and Bouts de (hikvres. Then they let all (land in this fafhion tor three Months in C she '■ :H ' "it r-''' ^i M; h'!' i8 Some New Voyages the spring, and two in the Autumn. Now as of- ten as the Tide comes in, the Eels looking out for /hallow places , and making towards the Shoar, croud in among the Hurdles, which hinder 'em af- terwards to retire with the £bb-water ; upon that they are forc'd to bury themfelvesin the abovcmen- tioned Ingines, which arefometimes fo over-cram'd,j that they break. When 'tis low water, the Inha- bitants takeout thefe Eels, which arc crrtainly the. biggeft, and the longeft in the World. They fal; them up in Barrels, where they'll keep a whole yeat without fpoiling : And indeed they give an admira- J ble relifh in all Sauces ; nay, there's nothing that " the Council of Quebec defires more, than that thii Fifiiery fiiould be equally plentiful in all years. Trois Rivieres is a little paltry Town, feated in the Latitude of forty Degrees ; 'tis not fortified neither with Stone, nor Pales. The River to whicli it owes its nnme, takes its rife an hundred League; to the North- Weft, from the greateft ridge o( Mountains in the Univerfe. The Algonkins who are at prefent an Erratick fort of Savages, and, like the Aral^Sj have no fetled Abode ; that People, I fay, feldom ftragt;le far from the banks of this River, upon which they have excellent Beaver-hunting. In former rimes the Irofjeje cut off three fourths of that Nation ; but tiiey have not dar'd to renew their In- curlions, fmce the French have Peopled the Cour^- tries that lie higher up upon the River of St, Lau- rence. I cali'd 'trois Rivieres a little Town, with refe- 1§ rence to the paucity of the Inhabitants ; diough ;i:{| the fime time they are very rich, and live in ftately Houles. The King has made ic the Rclidence of ^:^ a Governor, wha would die for Hunger, if hejj did not trade with the Natives for Beavers, whcn|l| his finall allowance is out ; Bsfides, a Man thac i i would live there, muft be ol"' the like temper with a Dog^ or at kkil he muft take pkalure in Icratch- ^tle T ing ■ to North'AmQiica, Now as 6f- iking out for s the Shoar, lindcr 'em af- ' ; upon that he abovcmen- I over-cram'd, 2r, the Inha- ; certainly the i d. They fait a whole year ive an admira. nothing that than that thii ill years, m, feated M not fortified Uver to which idred Leagues |^ teft ridge d^ mkins who are ^ and, like thfi eople, 1 fay, this River, ;| hunting. In' ' burths of that , new their In- *' the Coun- sr of St Lau- with refe- ; «t hough .u ive in (lately Rcrideiice c( if hc^ when il thacll «9 :s inger , javcrs, Man sinper with ;| re in fcratch- w Ing ^' jng his Skin, for the Flea*a are there more nume- rous than the grains of Sand. I am informed, that the Natives of this place make the beft Soldiers in he Country. Three Leagues higher we entered St. ?eter*s Lake, hich is fix Leagues long, and had difficulty enough n crofling it ; for the frequent Calms obliged us to aft Anchor feveral times. It receives three or bur Rivers that abound with Fiflij upon the outh of which, I defcry'd with my Telefcope ery fine Houfes. Towards the Evening we fail'd ut of that Lake with a frefh Eafterly Gale; and hough we hoifted up all our Sails, the Current run ftrong againft us, that 'twas three hours before e could make Sorel, which was two fmall Leagues iff. Sorel is a Canton of four Leagues in front , the neighbourhood of which, a certain River onveys the waters of ChampUin Lake, to the Ri- er of St. Laurence, after having form'd a Water-fall f two Leagues at Chambli. Though we reckon but ght Leagues from Sorel to Monreal, yet we Ipcnt ree days in failing between 'em ; by reafon partly flack Winds, and partly of the ftrength of the urrents. In this courfe we fiw nothing but I- nds; and both fides of the River all along from lebec to this place, are fo replenifli*d with Inhabit ts, that one may juftly call 'em two continued illagesof fixty Leagues in length. I This place, which goes by the name of ViUemariet Monrealy lies in the Latitude of forty five De- ees, and fome Minutes ; being feated in an Ifland ' the fame name, which is about five I eagues broad, d fourteen Leagues long. The Dire<5iors of the niinary of St. Sulpitius at Varts^ are the Proprietors of e lOand, and have the nomination of a Bailiff, and veral other Magiftrates ; nay, in former times they d the priviledge oftiominating a Governor. This tie Town lies all open without any Fortification C 2 either • :(: ■'•H, \i I ' 20 Some Tiew Voyages either of Stone or Wood : But its fituation is fo ad- vantageouS) notwithflanding that it itands upon an uneven and Tandy Ground, that it might eafily be I made an impregnable Poft. The River of St. Lau-\ rence which runs juft by the Houfes, on one fide of tiiis Town, is not Navigable further, by reafon of its rapidity ; for about half a quarter of a League higher, 'tis full of rapid falls, Eddy's, &c\ Mr. Paot the Governor of the Town, who has but a thoufmd Crowns a year Sallary ; has madej fhitc to get fifty thoufand in a few years, by tra. ding with the Savages in Skins and Furs. The] Bailiff of the Town gets but little by his placeJ no more than his Officers: So that the Mer-j chants are the only Perfons that make Money here,] for the Savages that frequent the great Lakes ofj CamuLi^ come down hither almoft every year wittil a prodigious quantity of Beavers-Skins, to be giv-j en in exchange for Arms, Kettles, Axes, Knives, and a ihouHind fucli things, upon which the Merl chants clear two hundred fer Cent. Commonly theS Governor General comes hither about the time cf | their coming down, in order to fhare the proHt,^ and receive Prefents fi:om that People. The Ped- '^ lers caird Coureurs de Bois, export from hence every year fevcral Canows full of Merchandife, whidi they difpofa of among all tlie Savage Nations of the Continent, by w.iy of exchange for Beaver- Skins. Seven or eight days ago, I faw twenty iivs. Gr thirty of thell: Canows return with heavy Cari goes ; each Canow was managed by two or threjf Men, and carry'd twenty hundred weight, i. e. for-| ty packs of Beaver Skins, which are worth an hun- dred Crowns a piece. Thefe Canows had been a| year and eighteen Months out. You would be a-| maz/d if you Ciw how lewd thefe Pedlers arc when they return ; how they Feaft and Game, and how, prodigal they are, not only in their Cloaths, bn^l ' upon to Korth'Ammc^l ^\ upon Women. Such of 'em as are married , have the wifdom to retire to their own Iloufesj but the Batchelors ad juft as our Eafi-India-Mtny and Pi- rates are wont to do ; for they Lavifh, Eat, Drink, land Play all away as long as the Goods Md out ; and when thefe are gone, they e'en fell their Em- broidery, their Lace, and tlieir Cloaths. This done, they are lorc'd to go upon a new Voyage for Sub- Ififlance. The Directors of the Seminary of St. Sulpitim, Itake care to fend Miflionarics hither from time to time, who live under the dire(5lion of a Supsriour, that is very much rcfped:ed in the Country. They lave Apartments allotted for 'em in a Itatcly, great, md pleafant Iloufe, built of Free-ftone. This [loule is built after the Model of that of St. Sul- 9ice at Tarts; and the Altar ftands by it felf, juft like that at Paris. Their Seignories or Cantons that lye on the South-fide of the Ifland, produce a con- [iderable Revenue ; for the Plantations are good, md the Inhabitants are rich in Corn, Cattle, Fowl, md a thoufand other Commodities, for which they ind aMercat in the City: But the North p.irt of Ihe Ifland lies wafie. Thefe Dire6i:ors would ne- rer fuffer the Jefuirs or RecolleAs to difplay their sanners here; though *cis conjecfliir'd, that at the )ng run they'll be forc'd to confent to it. At the |iftancc of a League from the Town, Ifawatthe )0t of a Mountain, a Plantation of Iro^uefe Chn- Hans, who are inftruc'led by two Priefts ot the Or- !er of Salpitias ; and Fm informed of a larger and nore populous Plantation on t'other fide of the Ri- rer, at the diltance of two Leagues from hence, 'hich is took care of by Father Bruyas thejefuir, hope to fet out from hence, as f^on as Mr. Je la Urre receives advice from Fra^ice ; for he defigns to leave Quebec upon the arrival of the firft Ship. I [efolve to go to Fort FrofJtenacy upon the Lake that I . C X , goes Ill . '-»! ' '■'I iti J r il •tl.'l :^' "h f;l' '■'>• 21 Some Hew Voyages goes by the (ame nain«. If I may credit tliofc wlio hnvc been formerly in Adion againll the iro^««/i, I fhall be able upon my return from this Campaign, to inform you of fomc things that will feem as (Ir.inge to you, as they will be difagrceable to my fclF. I an^, S I R, 7ms, &c. L E T T E R V. . Dated at Monrealjtme 1 8. 1684. ./ } ^ ,., . , In ivh'nh is contain d a fl:ort account of the Iro qucfc, with a view of the War and Peace the] made with the. French, and of the means h which it Wi!s biouil^t about, SIR, I wrote to you but four daysago,and did notthliu to have heard from you fo foon ; but this Morn- ing I met with a very agreeable Surprifal, in receiv* ing a Packet addrcfs'd to me by your Brother. Yot may be fure I was inhniteiy well pleas'd, in beinj given to undct (land what lias pafs'd in Eurofe fincel left ir. The knowledge of the Affairs of Earopei comfortable to one that's doomed to another World, . fuch as this is, and I cannot but acknowledge m) fclf infinitely indebted to you, for the exatflnefsol your Intelligence. In as much as you require ofe me an account of the lyccjucje, and would have m; to prefenc you with a jult view of their Tempe: and Government; I would willingly fatisfie and oblige you in that, or any other point : But in re- fi F to Korthfitamci. »3 gard that I am oblig'd to fee out for Fort Fionttnai the day after to morrow^ I have not time to in- [iorm my felf of things^ or to confute thofc who have been in the Country before : So that all I can [do atpreicnt, is only toacnuaint you with what I lave Icarn'd this Winter, from Pcrfons that have )journ*d twenty years among 'em. As foon as I ave an opportunity of inlarging my knowledge jpon that Head, by a more immediate converfation vith themfelves, you may aflfurj your felf that Til Impart it to you. In the mean time, be pleas'd to iccept of what follows. Thefe Earbariam are drawn up in five Cantons, lot unlike thofe of the SwiJJes, Tho' theib Can- tons are all of one Nation, and united in one joynt jntcreft, yet they go by different names, vlz^. the tjonontouansj the Goyogoans, the Onmtagues, the Onoy^ fmtty and the Agnih. Their Language is almofl the tfame ; and the five Villages or Plantations in which >;ithey live, lie at the diftance of thirty Leagues one *^from another, being all feated near the South fide of the Lake of 0»r/3na, ov oi Frontenac. Every year Ijthe five Cantons fend Deputies to afliil at theUni' )n Feaft, and to fmoak in the great Calumet ^ or Pipe )f the five Nations. Each Village or Canton con- tains about fourteen thoufand Souls^ /. e. i^uo that jear Arms, 2000 Superannuated Men, 4000 Wo- len, 2C00 Maids, and 4000 Children : Tho' indeed jbme will tell yoi4, that each Village has not above 10000 or 1 1000 Souls. There has been an Alliance )f long ftanding between thefe Nations ar.d the Znglijl), and by trading in Furrs to NQw-Tork, they ue fupply'd by the £w|/(//; with Arms, Aiiimuniti- )n, and all other Neceflaries, at a cheapci rate than [the French c3Ln afford 'em at. Thsy have no other Iconfideration for England or France, dian what de- jpends upon the occafion they have ior the Commo- idid^s of thefe twq Nations; though after all they u C4 give -j!;v,.' ^i 14 Some New Voyages give an over-purchafe ; for they pay for them four times more than they are worth. They laugh at the Menaces of our Kings and Governors, for they have no notion of dependance, nay, the very word is to them infupportable. They look upon them- felves as Soveraigns, accountable to none but God alone, whom they call lie Great Spirit. They wa- ged War with us almoft always, from the firft fet- tlement of our Colonies in Canada, to the firft years of the Count of Frontenacs Government. Mejfieuri de Ccurfcllesy and de Traci', both of 'em Governors- Gener.!!, made Head againft the Jgnies upon the Cham^fain f.ake, in Winter as well as in Sum- ner; hue they could not boaffc of any great Suc- cefs. They only burnt their Villages, and carry'd oft foms hundred of their Children, of whom the abo\-e-mention'd ho^uefe Chriftians are fprung. 'Tis true^ they cut off ninety or an hundred Warriours ; but in compenfation for that, feveral Canadans, and feveral Soldiers of the Regiment of Carignan, being unprovided ag.iind the unfufFerablc cold of the Cli- mate, left thdf Limbs, and even their Life it felf. Count Frcute?iac who fucceeded yix.CourfeUe, per- ceiving that the Barbarians had the advantage of the Eurvpiansy as to che waging of War in that Coun- try ; upon tills apprehenllon, I fay, he declin'd fuch fruitkis Lxpeditions, which were very chargeable to the King, .ind us'd all his efforts to difpofe the Sa- vages to a iincere and lafting Peace. This judici- ous Governor had three things in view; The firft was to incourage the greateft part of the French In- habitants, who would have abdicated the Colony, and returned to France, if the War had continued. His fecond Topick was, that the conclufion of a Peace would difpofe an infinity of People to mar- ry, and to grub up the Trees, upon which the Co- lony would be better Peopled and inlarg'd. The third Argument that diffuaded him from carrying on to Nmfc. America. ij on the War, was a defign of purfuing the difcove- ry of the Lakes, and otthe Savages that live upon their banks, in order to fettle a Commerce with 'em, and at the fame time to ingage them in our interefts, by good Alliances, in cafe of a Rupture with the Iroquefe. Upon the confideration of thefe Reaibns, he fent fomc Canadans by way of a for- mal Embaffy to the Iroquefe Villages , in order to acquaint them, that the King being inform'd that a groundlefs War was carried on againft them, had fent him from France to make peace with 'em. At the fame time the Ambaffadors had orders to flipu- late all the advantages they could obtain with refe- rence to the Commarce. The Iroquefe hsaid this Propofal with a great deal of Satisfadion ; for Charles II. King of England, had order'd his Gover- nor in NeW'Tork to reprefent to 'em, that if they continu'd to wage War with the French, they were ruin'd, and that they would find themfelves crufti'd by the numerous Forces that were ready to fail from France. In efFed-, they promised to the Am- baffadors that four hundred of their number fhould meet Count Frontenacy attended by an equal number of his Men, at the place where Fort Frontenac now ftands. Accordingly, fome Months after, both the one and the other met at the place appointed, and fo a Peace was concluded. Mr. de la Salle was very ferviceable to this Governor, in giving him good and feafonable Advices, which I cannot now enter upon,, being oblig'd to make fome preparations t jr my Voyage. When the Campaign is over, you may expeS to hear from me. In the mean time^ I am, SIR, Tours, &c. LET- t6 Some tJew Foyages I 1 ' I"" Kill « ' LETTER VL Dated at Monreal June 20. 1684. Being an ample Defcripthn of the Canows made of Birch-larky in which the Canadans per^ form all their f^oyages; with an account of the manner in which they are made and ma* nai ci, SIR, ' ; I thought to have fet out as this day ; but in regard that our Compleraent of great Canows is not yet brought up, our Voyage is put off for two days. Having fo much leifure time upon my Hands,I have a mind to imploy n in prefenting you with a fhort view of thefe flender Contrivances in which the Canadans perform all their Voyages : And this will furni(h you with an Idaa of the yoiture of this Country. I faw but now above an hundred Ca- nows, fome great and fome little ; but confidering that the former are only proper for Martial Expedi- tions, and long Voyages, I fhall confine my Def^ cription to that fort. Even the great ones are of different fizes ; for they run from ten to twenty eight Foot long. Indeed the lead of all hold but two Perfons fet upon their Breech, as in a Coffin ; and are apt to over-fet, if the Paffengers move to one fide or t'och ; : Bui. thofe of a larger fize will eafily afford ftowage for fourteen Perfons; tho' they are commonly maqn'd only with three Men, wheri they arc imploy 'd in tranfporting Provifions and Merchandize ; and even then they'll carry twenty hundred weight. The largeft tort are fafe and deddy, Anlrcauf^e c'^Tnr/t' tiiac/t o/" c/m Sflt'aae^ raiviit^. a ■:, ,tCanatv and statidtno iiarta/it .Acanart' if/'i'ire/i AarA tvt'ffy SJeatJ. ?! ? n I \m \m m m \i -,iM*^ •«• . »(>«*■■'■ Jt,?,^»«tiiij». ^h^" nil to Northhrntik^, 17 fteddy^ when they are made of the Bark of the Birch-tree, which comes off ^ich hot Water in the Winter time. The greatefl Trees afford the beft Barks for Canows ; but oftentimes the Bark of one Tree is not fufl[icient# The bottom of the Boat is all of one piece, to which the fides are fo artfully few*d by the Savages, that the whole Boat appears as one continued Bark. They are trimm'd and flrengthn'd with wicker Wreaths, and ribs of Cedar- Wood, which are almoft as light as Cork; the Wreaths are. as thick as a Crown-piece ; but the Bark has the thicknefs of two Crowns, and the Ribs are as thick as three. On the two fides of the JBoat, there runs from one end to the other two principal Head bars, in which the ends cf the Ribs are inchas'd, and in which the Spars are made fa(V« that run a-crofs the Boat and keep it compa<£b. Thele Boats have twenty Inches in depth, that is, from the upper edge to the Platform of the Ribs; their length extends to twenty eight Foot, and the width at the middle Rib is computed to be four Foot and a half. They are very convenient upon the ac* count of their extream lightnefs, and the drawing of very little Water ; but at the fame time their brit- tle and tender Fabrick, is an Argument of an e- quivalent inconveniency ; for if they do but touch or grate upon Stone or Sand, the cracks of the Bark fly open, upon which the Water gets in, and fpoils the Provifions and Merchandize : Every day there is fome new chink or feam to begumm d over. At Night they are always unloaded, and carried on Ihoar where they are made faft with Pegs, left the Wind fhould blow 'em away : For they are fo light,that two Men carry 'cm upon their flioulders with eafe. This conveniency of lightnefs and eafie carriage, renders 'em very fervjceable iii the Rivers oiCanada, which are full of Cataracts, Water-falls , and Currents : for in thefe Rivers we are oblig'd ?itl^er to tranfport ■'em ■4\ "t l^'ijli'^^ ' .•H• t8 5owie New Foyages 'em over-land where fuch obftru ; !' " 0t' 1 ,1 ''H'U^: i>, I. JO Some New Voyages pleas'd to know that in two or three days after the date of my laft, I imbarqu'd on board of a Ca- now that was work'd by three expert Canow-Men. Every Canow contain'd two Soldiers; and we ail row'd up againft the Current of the River till we arrived at Saut de St, Louu, about three Leagues a- bove this Town, which is a little Water-fall, but fo rapid, that our Watermen were forc'd to ftand in the water up to their Middle, in order to drag the Canows againft the Stream for half a quarter of a League. We reinibarqu'd above this Pals, and low'd about twelve Leagues up the River, and thro' the I>ake of St. LourSy till we arriv'd at a place call'd die Cafcadesy where we were forc'd to turn out and carry our Boats and Baggage over-land, about half a quarter of a League. 'Tis true, we might have tow'd our boats again/): the Stream in this place with fome labour ; but there was a Catara(5t a little above it, which they call le Cataraih du Trou. I had raken up a notion that the only difficulty of fail- ing up the River, confided in the trouble of Land- cariiage ; but when I came to be a Spectator of ihQ matter, I found that the Hemming of the Cur- rents whether in towing of the Canows, or in fet- cing them along with Poles, was equally laborious. About five or lix Leagues higher we came to the Water- fails call'd Saufs des Cedres, and du BmJJony where we were forc'd to tranfport our Boats five hundred paces over Land. Some Leagues above that, we enter 'd the Lake of St. Francis^ which is faid robe twenty Leagues in Circumference; and having crofs'd it, met witli as ftrong Currents as before, particularly at a fall calfd Long Saut^ where we had recourfe to La nd^ carriage for half a League. Then we were forc'd to drag up the Boats againit the rapid Stream ; and after a great deal of fatigue came at lalt to a PafscalPd la Galete, from whence we had . but twenty Leagues failing to Fore FroTHemK. This Pals to Norrfc America. ?» Pafs was the laft difficulty we had to furmount ; for above it the water was as ftill as that of a Pool, and then our Watermen ply'd wich their Oars in ftead ^ of Poles. T\ie Maringouins, which we call MlJges, areun- fufferably troubiefom in all the Countries of Cana- da. We were haunted with fuch clouds of *eni, chat we thought to be eat up ; and fmoaking being the only Artifice that could keep 'em off, the Remedy was worfe than the Difeafe : In the Night-time the People fheltcr themfelves from 'em in Bowers or Arboujs, made after the following manner. They drive into the Ground Stakes or little branches of Trees, at a certain dift ance one from another, (b as to form a femicircular Figure; in which they put a Quilt and Bedcloaths^ covering it above with a large Sheet that falls down to the Ground on all fides, and fo hinders the Infers to enter. We landed at Fort Frontenac after twenty days failing ; and immediately upon our arrival, Mr. Duta our Commander in chief, view'd the Fortifi- cations of the place, and three large Barques that lay at Anchor in the Port. We repair'd the Forti- fications in a very little time, and fitted up the three Barques. This Fort was a Square, confifting of large Curtains flanked with four little Baftions ; thcfe ^ Flanks had but two Battlements, and the Walls were fo low, that one might eafily climb upon 'em with^ out a Ladder. After Mr. de la Salle concluded the Peace with the Irofjefe, the King beftow'd upon him , and his Heirs the property of this place ; but he was fo negligent, that inftead of enriching himfelf by the Commerce it might have afforded, he was confiderably out of pocket upon it. To my mind this Fort is fituated very advantageoufly for a Trade with the five Iro^uefe Nations : For thei: Villages lye in the Neighbourhood of the Lake, upon which they may tranfport their Furs in Canows with more eale, I',, I' 'il'" m w Mm: ,'; 31 Some New Voyages eafe, than they can carry 'em over-land to New- Tork. In time of War I take ic to be indefenfible ; for the Catarads and Currents of the River are fuch, that fifty Iro^uefe may there ftop five hundred French^ without any other Arms but Stones. Do but con- fider^ Sir, that for twenty Leagues together the River is fo rapid, that we dare not fet the Canow four paces off the (hoar ; Befides, Canada being no- thing but a Forrefl, as I intimated above, 'tis im- poflible to travel there without falling every foot into Ambufcades, efpecially upon the banks of this | River, which are lin'd with thick Woods, that ren- der 'em inacceilible. None but the Savages can skip from Rock to Rock, and fcour thro' the Thickets, as | if 'twere an open Field. If we were capable of | fuch Adventures, we might march five or fix hun- dred Men by Land to guard the Canows that carry the Provifions ; but at the fame time 'tis to be con- fider'd, that before they arriv'd at the Fort, they would confume more Provifions than the Canows can carry ; Not to mention that the Irocjuefe would flill out-number 'em. As to the particulars relating to the Fort, I fhall take notice of 'em when I come to give a general defcription of New-F/f a Net: At the fame time he gave the Granded to underftand, that he congratulated his Arrlvaf^ md would be glad to have an Interview with him ifcer he had refted himfelf for fome days. You mft know that he had us'd the precaution of (end- ing the fick back to the Colony, that the Iro^fuefe light not perceive the weaknefs of his Forces; and ro favour the Stratagem, Mr le Maine reprefented to [he Grangula, that the Body of the Army was left )ehind at Fort Frontenac, and that the Troops he 'iw in our Camp, were the General's Guards. Buc inhappily one of the iro^uefe that had a fmattering )f the Frem:b Tongue, having ftrourd in the Night- [ime towards our Tents, over-heard what We uid, fnd fo revcal'd the Secret. Two days after their irrival, the Grangula gave notice to Mr. de la Barre |hat he was ready for an Interview; and according-* an hour being appointed^ the whole Company ^ppear'd as the figure reprefents it. The Grangula fat on the £aft fide, beiiig plac'd It the head of his Men^ with his Pipe in his [outh , and the great Calttmet of Peace befors iim. He was very attentive to the following Ha- [angue, pronounc'd by our Interpreters ; which you bannot well underftand> without a previous explica- [ion of the C0lnmet^ and the Colters that h menti- ms. t> t Th« m n %i J 6 Some New Voyaj^es The CnJumet of Peact is made of ccream Stone?, or of Marble, whether red, black, or white Th: Pipe or Stalk is four or five foot lon(» ; the body of 1 the Calumet is eight Inches long, and the Mouth or Mead in which the Tobacco is lodg'd, is three In- n chcs tn length; its hgure approaclics to chat of a Hammer. The red Calumets are molt cllecni'd The Sav.iges make ufc of 'cm for Negotiations and State Affairs, and cfpecially in Voyages; for when they have a C*a/«r»(fMn their hand, they go wherc^^ tlicy will iji " fcty. The Gi/r/wtf is trim m'd with yellow, whiic, and green Teathers, and has tlic fame cfl'c«it among the Savages, that the Flag of f riendlhip has amongil^ us ; for to violate the Rights of this venerable Pipe, is among them a flamini;^ Crime, chat will draw down niifchicf upon their Nations. As lor the CoZ/trj, they arc certain fwatlici^ of two or three Foot in length, and Hx Inches in breadth ; being deck'd with little Peads made of a certain fort of (hells that they fmd upon the Sea ihoar, between New roj A and r/>^iw/V». ThcfcBcadi are round, and as thick as a little Pea ; but they are twice as long as a grain of Corn : Their colour is either blew or white ; and they are bor'd thro' \vSi like Pearl, being run after the fame manner wpon filings that lye fideways one to another. Without the intcrvencion of thefe Coliers, there's no bulinefs to be negotiated with the Savages ; for be- ing altogether unacquainted with writing , they make ufe of them for Contracts and Obligations. Sometimes they keep for an Age che Coliera that they, have receiv'd from their Neighbours ; and in regard that c\ciy Col icr has its peculiar Mark, they learn ;J from the oldPcrfons, theCircumftanccs of the tims and place in which they were delivered ; but after! that age is ovefj they are made ufe of for ne\v Tieacics. ^/•^ to Korth'AmmcA. j^ Mr, de la B^rrc's Uaranguty was to this purpofe, 'The King, my Matter, being inform 'd that the five Irofjucjis Nations have for a long time made iiifra(^ions upon thcmeafures of Peace, ordered me to come hither with a Guard, and to fend Akouejfan to the Canton of the Onmtafrties, in order to an Interview with their principal Leaders, in the Neighbourhood of my Camp. This great Monarch means, that you and I fhould fmoak to- gethcr in the great Calumet of Peace , with the Provifo, that you ingagc in the name of the I'fonnmtouans, Goyoguam^Onnotaguis, Onmyoutes, and Agnies, to make reparation to his Subje^s, and (o be guilty ot' nothing for the future, chat may oc- cafion a fatal rppture. * Tlie Tfonnontouans^ Goyogouans, Onmt agues y Onmy- outes and Agnksy have (hip'd, rob'd, and abu!>'(i all the Fored-Rangers, that traveled in the way of Trade to the Country of the lUincfiy of the Ottmamisy and of feveral other Nations, who are my Matter's Children. Now this ufage being in high violation of the Treaties of Peace concluc!ed with my Predeceifor , I am commanded to de-^ mand Reparation, and at the fame time to de« clare, that in cafe of their refufal to comply with my demands, or of relapfing into the like Robbe- ries, War is pofitively proclaiin'd. This Colier makes my v^ords good, * The Warrioursof thefefive Nations have intro- duced the English to the Lakes, belonging to the King my Mafter, and into the Country of thofe Nations to whom my Mafter is a Father : This they have done with a defign to ruine the Com- merce of his Subjeds, and to oblige thcfe Nati- ons to depart from their due Allegiance; not- withftapding the Remonftranccs of the late Go- P 3 * vernor A^[ -^rtf I""!|i '1.7 n*.: ^3 Some fiew Voyages vernor of Ncw-Tork, who faw thro the danger that both they and the Eftglifh expos'd ihemfelves to. At prefem I am willing to forget thofe Actions; but if ever you be guilty of the like for the future,, I have cxprefs orders to declare War. This Colier warrants my Words. ^ The fame Warriours have made feveral barba. * rous Incurfions upon the Country of the Illinc[t^ and t\\zOumamJ6. They have malTacred Men, Women, and Children ; they have took, bound, and carried off an infinite number of the Nativesfi of thofe Countries, who thought themfelves fe- cure in their Villages in a time of Peace. Thefe People are my Mafter's Children, and therefore muu hereafcer ceafe to be your Slaves. I charge you to reftore 'em to their Liberty, and to fenc 'em home without delay ; for if the five Nation! refufe to comply with this demand^ I have expreli orders to declare War. This Colier mahs my worh good, * This is all I had to fay to the Grangula, whom ^I defire to report to the five Nations, this D& ' claration, that my Mafler commanded me tc * make. He wifhes chey had not oblig'd him to ' fend a potent Army to the Fort o( * The Vven^h ^ * Cataracouy, in order to carry on ar Fromena7 ' ^^^ ^^^^ ^*" P'^^^® ^^^^^ ^^ ^^^^'' ^ And he will be very much troubled, ' if it fo falls out, that this Fort which is a worii * of Peace, muft be imploy'd for a Prifon to your ' Militia. Thefe mifchiefs ought to be prevented * by mutual endeavours: The French who are the^ ' Brethren and Friends of the tive Nations, will 'never difturb their Rcpofe; provided they mak? ' the fatisfadion I now demand, and prove religi' * ous obfervers of their Treaties, I wiih my words *niay »ti to Narth-Ametka,. if may produce the defir'd efFe* 44 Some New Foyages tslAs in the fame Canow that brought me up, for every body thought we fhould have been caft a- way at thefe Paffes, which are full of Eddy's and Rocks ; and 'twas never heard before, that fuch Pre- cipices were pafs'd with Deal Boats either upwards or downwards. But we were forc'd to run all hazards, and had certainly been fwallow'd up in thofe Moun- tains of Water, if we had not oblig'd feveral Ca- nows to fhooc the Catara(5^sat the head of our Boats, in order to (hew us the way ; at the fame time we had prepared our Soldiers for rowing, and fhieving upon occafion. Do but confider. Sir, that the Cur- rents run as fafl as a Cannon Ball ; and that one falfe liroak of the Oar, would have run us unavoid- ably upon the Rocks ; for we are oblig'd to ileer a Zig-zag courfe purfuant to the thread of the Stream, which has fifty windings. The Boats which are loaded are fometimes loft in thofc places. But after all, tho' the rifque we run be very great, yet by way of Compenfation, one has the facisfadion of running a great way in a little time ; for we run from Gahte to this Town in two days time, not- withflanding that we crofs'd the two ftagnating Lakes I took notice of before. As foonas we landed, we receiv'd advice that the Chevalier de Callleres was come to fupply the room of Mr. Ferrots the Goverr^or of this place. Mr. Per- rot has had feveral fcufHes with Mr. de Frontenac^ and Mr. de la Barre ; of which you may expe(ft a far- ther account, when I am better informed. All thq World blames our General for his bad Succefs ; 'Tis t?.lk*d publickly, that his only defign was to cover the fending of feveral Canows to traffick with the Sa7agesin thofe Lakes for Beaver-Skins. The People here are very bufie in wafting over to Court a thoufand Calumnies againft him ; both the Cler- gy and the Gentlemen of the long Robe, write to ^fs difadvantage. Thp' after all, the whglewharge |s falfe i ^^ *iyi^-»9»* JL ^.f- 'rite t'uiii'iw ii't,/ ame time we and fhieving that theCur- ind that one I us unavoid- g'd to fteer a )f the Stream, ts which are 2s. Bui after reat, yet by (isfad^ion of for we run ys time, not- nating Lakes advice that >ly the room e. Mr. Vtr- rontenacj and KpeA a far- 'd. All thq ad Succefs : ign was to trafiick with Skins. Ths iver to Court h the Cler- }e, write to glecharge \s f aife i .ak hL IIW. ilW tik hL wL ^ m! de k\ •■'! ■ 'ii, Ki 1 w i' ||f!i || iP' l| 1 u t/ • ' ' ' m did Mr Shii the and an him 1 for( irecu lit 1 SI i\\, '^*i . " •• , 4 -.'I " „, k>'U' ^^ ■Htl- ■ -.^te 4 4-1 \ ^,. -,,., "1 *■ «K ■v'jjj to North-hmet'ici. 4J falfe ; for the poor Man could do no more than he did. Juft noWj I was informed chac Mr. Hainaut, Mr. Morttortier, and Mr. Durivau, three Captains of Ships, are arriv'd at (luelfecy with a defjgn to pals the Winter there, and to aflifl him as Counfellors ; and that the laftof thefe three has brought with him an Independent Company, to be commanded by himfelf. I (hall have no opportunity of writing again be- fore the next Spring ; for the lad Ships that are to I return for France this year, are now ready to fail. lam, SIRj Toursy &c. ■i LETTER Vlll. Dated at Monreal, June iS. i68f. Reprefenting the Ft>rtifications of Monreal, and the indijcreet Zeal of the Priefis^ who are Lords of that Town : With a Defcriptton of Chambli, and of the Commerce of the Sa^agei upon the great Lakes, -" ' . ... S 1 Ry I Have juft receiv'd yours, by a fmall Veffel of Bowrdeaux loaded with Wine ; which is the firft that came to Quebec this Year. I am mightily pleas'd to hear that the King has granted to Mr, de la Salle four Ships, to go upon the Difcovery of the Mouth of the Mijftfifi ; and cannot but admire your Curio- fity, in defiring to know the Occurrences of this Place, and how 1 fpent my time in the Winter, Mr. de Callieres was no fooner poffefs'd of his Go- vernment, than he order'd all the Inhabitants of this Town, and of the adjacent Country, to cut down and bring in great Stakes, of fifteen Foot in length, to i m '» ;t»:''h. J , I 4^ Some 2Sr(?«> f^qy^gw to fortifie the Town. During the Winter, thefeOr- ders were purfued with fo much Application, that all things are now ready for making the Inclofure; in which five or fix hundred Men are to be imploy'd. I fpent part of the Winter in Hunting with the Ah gonkinsy in order to a more perfed): knowledge of their Language ; and the ref} I (pent in this Place, with a great deal of uneafinefs : for^ here we can- not enjoy our felves, cither at Play, or in vifiting the Ladies, but 'tis prefently carried to the Cu- rate's ears, who t^ikes publick notice of it in the Pulpit. His Zeal goes fo far, as even to name the Perfons: and fince he refufes the Sacrament of the Holy Supper to Ladies of Quality, upon the mof} (lender Pretences, you may eafily guefs at the other Heps of his Indifcretion. You cannot imagine to what a pitch thefe Ecclefiaftical Lords have tcrew'd their Authority: They excommunicate all the Masks, and wherever they fpy 'em, they run after 'em to uncover their Faces, and abufe 'em in a re- proachful manner : In fine, they have a more watch- ful eye over the Conduft of the Girls and married Women, than their Fathers and Husbands have. They cry out againfl thofe that do not receive the Sacrament once a Month ; and at Eafier they oblige all forts of Perfons to give in Bills to their ConfefTors^ They prohibit and burn all the Books that treat of any other SubjeA but Devotion. When I think of this Tyranny, I cannot but be inrag'd at the imper- tinet\t Zeal of the Curate of this City. This inhu- mane Fellow came one day to my Lodging, and finding the Romance of the Adventures of Vetronius upon my Table, he fell upon it with an unimagina- ble fury, and tore out almofl all the Leaves. This Book I valued more than my Life, becaufe 'twas not caff rated ; and indeed I was fo provok'd when I faW it all in wrack, that if my Landlord had not held me^ I had gone immediately co chat turbulent Pa- ftof'l to Nor//; America. 47 Iter, thefeOr. >lication, that the Inclofure; be imploy'd. ; with the Ah knowledge of in this Place, here we can< or in viHting 1 to the Cu- I of it in the yen to name Sacrament of ipon the moft s at the other )t imagine to have fcrew'd cate all the tiey run after p 'em in a re- , more watch- > and married sbands have. >t receive the r they oblige r ConfeiTors^ that treat of n I think of t the imper- This inhu- od^ing, and of Petronius unimagina- taves. This fe 'twas not when I faw id not held rbulent Pa- ftof's ftor's Houfe, and would have pluck'd out the Hairs of his Beard with as little mercy as he did the Leaves of my Book. Thefe Animals cannot content them- ifelves with theltudying of M.ns A<^ions, but they muft likewife dive into their Thoughts. By this j Sketch, Sir, you may judge what a pleafant Life we [lead here. The 50th of the laft March the Ice melted ; and [the River being then open, I was fent vvitli a fmall Detachment to Chambli : for commonly the Sun re- [fumes its Vigour here much about that time. Ckam- \bli ftands on the brink of a Bafin, about five or fix [Leagues pif this Place: That Bafin is two Leagues in [circumference, and receives the Lake of Chahjplain )by a Water-fall that is a League and a half in length; out of which there arifes a River that difemhogues at ': Sorel into the River of St. Laurence, as I intimated a- bove in my fourth Letter. In former times this I'lace had a great Trade in Beaver-skins, which is now decay'd : for the Soccoku, the Mahivgans, and the Openangos, us*d formerly to refort thither in Ihoals, Ito exchange their Furs for other Goods ; but at pre- [fent they are retir'd to the EngUJlj Colonies, to avoid [the purfuit of the Irocjuefe. The Cbamplain Lake, which lies above that Water- fall, is eighty Leagues in [circumference. At the end of this Lake we met with another, call'd S. Sacremmt, by which one may go livery eafily to Ntw-TorkythQXQ being but a Land-carri- I age of two Leagues from thence to the River Du Fer, "'which falls into the Manathe. While I was at Cham- hit, I faw two Canows loaded with Beaver-skins pafs privately by that way ; and 'twas thought they were lent thither by Mr. de la Barre. This fmuggling way ^ of Trade is exprefly prohibited : for they are oblig'd to carry thefe Skins before the Office of the Compa- ny, where they are rated at an Hundred and 60 per Cent, lefs than the Englijh buy 'em at in their Colo- nies. But the little Fore that (lands at the bottom of 'Ml H^, mm f i > ^1: i '. 48 Some New Foyages of the Water- fall^ upon the brink of the Bafin d Cbambliy -'Cing only fingle Pallifadoes^ it cannot hin< der People to pafs that way ; efpecially confideriog that the Profpec^^ of fo great a profit^ renders the PaiTengers the more daring. The Inhabitants of the adjacent Villages are very much expos'd to the Incur- fions of the Iroefuefe in time of War. Notwithftand- ing the weaknefs of the Fort, I continued in that place a Month and a half, and then I returi^'d hither^ where Mr. de la Barm arriv'd fome days after ; being accompany'd with Mr. Hennaut, Mr. Montoirtier, and Mr. du Rivau. Much about the fame day there ar- riv'd 2y or ;o Canows, belonging to the (^oureurs de BotSy being homeward bound from the great Lakes, and laden with Beaver-skins. The Cargb of each Ganow amounted to 40 Packs, each of whicl^ weighs | 5*0 pound, and will fetch yo Crowns at the Farmers Ofiice. Thefe Canows were followed by jo more of the Qutaouas and Hurons, who come down every Year to the Colony, in order to make a better Mar- ket than they can do in their own Country of Mijfi' limakinacy which lies on the Banks of the Lake oi Harons, at the Mouth of the Lake of the Illineje,\ Their way of Trading is as follows. Upon their firft Arrival, they incamp at the di- ftance of five or fix hundred Paces from the Town, The next day is (pent in ranging their Canows, un- loading their Goods, and pitching their Tents, which are made of Birch Bark. The next day after, they demand Audience of the Governour General ; which is granted *eni that fame day in a publick place. Up- on this Occafion, each Nation makes a Ring for it felf ; the Savages fit upon the Giound with their Pipes in their Mouths, and the Governour is feated in an arm'd Chair ; after which, there ftarts up an Orator or Speaker from one of thefe Nations, who makes an Harangue, importing, * That his Brethien are * come to vifit the Governour ^-neral, and to renew * with to Korth-Ametica.. 49 yanows, un- * with him their wonted Frienu/hip 2 That their chief I* View is, to promote the Interelt of the French^ fome * of whom being unacquainted with the way of r Traffick, and being too weak for the tranfporting r of Goods from the Lakes, would be unable to deal I* in Beaver-skins, if his Brethren did not come in r perfbn to deal with 'em in their own Colonies s »* That they know very well how acceptable their Arrival is to the Inhabitants o{Monreal,m regard of the Advantage they reap by ic : That in regard rh© [*^ Beaver- skins are much valued in France j and the French Goods given in exchange are of an inconfi- I' derable Value, they mean to give the French fuffici* r ent proof of their readinefs to furnifh ''em with f what they defiie fo earneftly : That by way of pre- (* paration for another Years Cargo, they are come I* to take in Exchange, Fufees, Powder, and Ball^ in order to hunt great numbers of Beavers, or to gall the Iroquefe, m cafe they offer to difturb ths Fr«»c^ Settlements : And, in fine, That in confir- j* mation of their Words, they throw a Purcelain Colier witli fome Beaver-skins to the Kiuhi-Okinsa (fo they call the Governour-General) whofe Pro-* tedion they lay claim to in cafe of any Robbery ot \ Abufe committed upon 'em in the Town- The Spokefman having mads an end of his )peech, returns to his Place, snd takes up his Pipe j^ [and then the Interpreter explains the Subflance cs [the Harangue to the Governour, who commonly [gives a very civil Anfwer, efpecially if the Prefenc Ibe valuable : in confideratiun of which, he likewifa makes them a Prefent of fom<; trifling things. Thii done, the Savages rife up, and return to their Hut.t9 [to make fuitable Preparations for the enfuing Truck* The next day the Savages make their Slaves carry I the Skins to the Hocfes of the Merchants, who bar" gain with 'em for fuch Cloaths as they want. All the llnhabitancs of Mcnreal are allow'd to traffick with i!^; 11 ilj E" •'' ». I ■ l>\ 4,. JO Some Kew Voyage i 'cm in any Commodity but Wine and Brandy ; thcfc^ two being excepted upon the account that w! J the Savages have got vi?hat they wanted, and have ai ny Skins left, they drink to excefs, and then kill! tlicir Slaves; for when they arc in drink, they quaJ rel and fight ; and if they were not held by thofej who are fobcr, woifd certainly make llavock one! of another. However, you mull obfcrvc, that nonti of *cm will touch eitlicr Gold or Silver. 'Tis a cc| mic.il fight, to fee 'cm running from Shop to ShopJ ihik flaked, with their Bow and Arrow. The ni] cer fort of Women are wont to hold their Fans be] fore their eyes, to prevent their being frighted witl| the view of their ugly Parts. But thefe merry Gomf panions, who know the brisk She-Merchants as wdl as we, are not wanting in making an Offer, whid is fometimes accepted oi, when the Prefent is ck good Mettle. If we may credit che common Reporfl there are more than one or two of the Ladies of thil Country, whofe Conllancy and Vertuc has held ouj againft the Attacks of icveral OHicers, and at tli| fame time vouchfaf 'd a free accefs to tliefe nnftyl Lechers. 'Tis prefunrd their Compliance was tlil EUcd of Curiolity, rather than of any nice Rell/h| for^ in a word, the Savages arc neither brisk, noi| conftanc. But whatever is in the matter, the Wol men .mc tlic more exculablc upon this Head, thatj fuch Opportunities arc very unfrequcnt. As foon as tlic Savages have made an end of theiri Truck, they take leave of the Governour, and lb m turn home by the River of Outaouas, To conclude,! they did a great deal of good both to the Poor andf Rich; for yeu will readily apprehend, that every| tody turns Merchant upon fucii occaiions. Im, SIR, Toursy Sec. LETTERS to 1S[orth'AmQric<\. .1 f..^ -W'f "0 •• 5» ■■••-f^//::*;^ LETTER IX. Dated at Boudervllle, Oclob. 2. 168;. » Be/Mg an Account of the Commerce and Trarlc of Monrcal: Of the Arrival of the Marquis of Dcnonvillc with fome Troops j and of the recal" liiK of Mr. dc la 13;irrc. With a curious Dc^ fcription of certain Licenjcs for Trading in Be a-' ver-skins in the remote Countries, SIR, IRcceiv'd your fecond Letter three Weeks ngo, but conld not fend a fpeedier Anfwer, by reafon that [none of our Ships have yet fet Sail for France, Since ^ou want to know the nature of the Trade ol Mon- ^caly be pleas'd to take the following Account. Almoll all the Merchants of that City a6t only on the behalf of the Quebec Merchants, whole Fa6l-ors they are. The Barques which carry thither dry Commodities, as well as Wine and Brandy, are but cw in number; but then they make feveral Voyages In one Year from the one City to the other. The fnhabitants of the Ifland of Monrealy and the adja- :ent Cantons, repair twice a Year to the City of fonreal, where they buy Commodities fifty per Cent. learer than at Quebec. The Savages of the neigli- )ouring Countries, whether fettled or erratick, car- ry thither the Skins of Beavers, Elks, Caribous, To- :es, and wild Cats; all which, they truck for Fufees, *^owder. Lead, and other Neceffaries. There every )ne is allow'd to trade ; and indeed 'tis the beft place for the getting- of an Eftate in a ihort time. All the Merc^^ants have fuch a perfe<5l good underftanding me with another^ that they all fell at the fame price. £ 2 But m •1 ri I '*: S :r ""'■:i |lf*>.:")l^l •riri . ?; ; "Is l^^'h . i^i w 5 2 Some Ne«? Toji^^w But when the Inhabitants of the Country find theif Prices exorbitant, they raife their Commodities in proportion. The Gentlemen that have a Charge oj Children, efpecially Daughters, are obliged to he good Husbands, in order to bear the Expence of tl ; magnificent Cloaths with which they are fet oft; for Pridi, Vanity, and Luxury, reign as much in Neiv France as in Old Fram e. In my opinion, 'twould do well, if the King would order Commodities to be rated at a reafonable Price, and prohibit the fd ling of Gold or Silver Brocadoes, Fringes, and Rib- band?, as well as Points and rich Laces. The Marquis of Denonville is come to fucceed Mr. de la Bane in the quality of Governour-General; for the King has recall'd Mr. de la Bane, upon the Accufations laid againft him by his Enemies. To b; fure, you who are in France know better than I, that Mr. de Denonville was Maitre de Camp to t^e Queen i Regiment of Dragoons, which Place he fold to Mr. Murcey when the King beftow'd this Govern- ment upon him ; and, that he brought with hini| fome Companies of Marines, befides his Lady anii his Children : for it feems the danger and inconve- niencics that attend fuch a long and troublefomfi Voyage, made no Impreffion upon her. This Go| vernour flay'd at lirft fbme Weeks at Quebec, aftef| whicli he CcLme to Monreal, with 500 or 600 Men of Regular Troops, and fent back the Captains Hni- naut, Montortkr, and dtt Rivo^ with (everal other Ok ricers. His Army is now in Winter Qjaarters allj routed Monreal. My Quarters are at a l^lace caird| Bouditrvilley which lii:s at the dithnce of three Leagussj from Monreal. 1 have been here fifteen Days, and in all appearance fhall live more happily than in the Town, abating for the Solitude ; for at leaft I /hall have no other oppofition to encounter in the cafe of Balls, Gaming, or Feafting, but the zealous Freaks of a liliy Tiieit. I am inforni'd, that the Goveraous has to North- Amtncz. J3 has given Orders to compleat the Fortifications of Afonrealj and is now ready to embarque for Quebec, where our Governours commonly pafs the Winter. The Savages I fpoke of in my laft, met the Iroquefe upon the great River of the Outaouas, who inform'd 'em that the Englijlj were making Preparations to tranfport to their Villages in Miffilimakimc, better and cheaper Commodities than thofe they had from the FrmL This piece of News did equally alarm the Gentlemen 3 the Pedlers caU'd Courews de Bou, and the Merchants^ who, at that rate, would be confiderable Lofers : for you muft know, that Cana,- da fubfifts only upon the Trade of Skins or Furrs, three fourths of which come from the People that live round the great Lakes : So that if the ETjgliJh fhould put fuch a Defign in execution, the whole Country would fufFer by it ; efpeciaily confideringj that 'twould fink certain Licenfes : an Account of which will be proper in this place. Tiicfe Licenfes are granted in Writing by the Go^ vernours General, to poor Gentlemen and old Offi- cers who have a Charge ot" Children. They are dif- pos'd of by the King's Orders ; and the Defign of 'em is, to enable fuch Perfons to fend Commodities to thefe Lakes. The Wujr.ber of zUq Perfons thus impower'd, ought not to exceed twenty (ive in one tut God knows how many more have private 1 !ar ILicenfes. All other Perfons, of what Quality or [Condition foever, are pro!iibited to go or fend to I thefe Lakes, without fuch Licenfes, under the pain of Death. Each Licenfc extends to the lading of two great Canows; and whoever procures a whole or a half Ltcenfe for himfelf, may either make ufe of if himfelf, or fell it to the highcft Bidder. Com- monly they are bought at fix hundred Crowns a- piece. Thofe who purchafe 'em are at no trouble in finding Pedlari or Foreft-Rang^^rs to undertake I the lon^ Voyages^ which fetch the moft confiderablt) E -^ Gain!»| I 'I \m iilrl Jr:'1- 54 Sowe Ne«? Voyages Gains, and commonly extend to a Year, and fome« times more. The Merchants put into the two Ca- nows ftipulated in the Licenle, fix Men with a thou* (and Crowns- worth of Goods, which are rated to the Pedlars at fifteen per Cent, more than what they are fold for in ready Money in the Colony. When the Voyage is performed, this Sum of a thoufand Crowns commoni}' brings in feven hundred per Cent. clQan profit, and ibmetimes more, fometimes lefs ; for thefe Sparks called Coureurs de Bois bite the Sava- ges mofl dexteroufly, and the lading of two Ca- nows^ computed at a thoufand Crowns, is a Pur- chafe for as many Beaver>skins as will load four Ca- nnws : Now, four Canows will carry a hundred and fixty Packs of Skins, that is, forty apiece; and reckoning each Pack to be worth fifty Crowns, the value of the whole amounts to eight thoufand Crowns. As to the Repartition of this extravagant Profit, 'tis made after the following manner : In the firft place, the Merchant takes out of the whole bulk fix hundred Crowns for the Purchafe of his Licenfe; then a thoufand Crowns for the prime Coft of the exported Ccmmoditiss. After this, there remains 6400 Crowns of Surplufage, out of which the Mer- chant takes forty pr Cent, for Bottomree, which a- mounts to 25-60 Crowns; and the Remainder is di- vided equally among the I'l: . Joureurs de Bots, who gee little more than 600 Crowns a-piece ; and indeed 1 muft ixy 'tib fairly earn'd ; for their Fatigue is in- conceivable. In the mean time, you muft remark, that over and above the foregoing profit, tht Mer- chant gets 2f per Cmt. upon his Beaver- skins by car- rying them to the Office of the Farmers General, where the Price of four forts of Beaver-skins is fix'd. If the Merchant fells thefe Skins to any private Man in the Country for ready Money, he is paid in the current Money of the Country, which is of lefs va- lue than the Bills of Exchange that the Diredor of that to Konh'Ammcsi] 5 y that Office draws upon RoM or Taru ; for there ithey are paid in French Livres, which are twenty \Sols, whereas a Canada Livre is but fifteen Sols. This Advantage of 2^ per Cent, is call'd le Benefice; but take notice, that 'tis only to be had upon Beavsr- skini : for, if you pay to a (Quebec Merchant 400 Ca- \nada Livres in Silver, and take from him a Bill of Exchange upon his Correfpondent in France, his Correfpondent will pay no more than 500 French [Livres, which is a Juft Equivalent. This is the laft Intelligence I fliall give you for jthis Year, which has already brought in a very cold \Autumn. The Quebec Ships muft fet Sail in the mid- ]\qo{ November i purfuant to the wonted Cuftom. |Iam, S I R, Toursy Sec. LETTERS Dated at Bouchervilk July 8. 1686. melating the Arrival : •.SI VM* \^ Some New Voyaget roua, with fome Companies of Marines. He comej to fupply the place of Mr. de Mettksy whom the King recalls upon the unjuft complaints that arc mads of him. He is charged with preferring his private Intereft to the publick Good ; but the charge is falfe, and he will caHIy clear himfelf. I am apt to believe lie may have cairy'd on fome under- hand Commerce, but in fo doing he injur'd no bo- dy ; nay, on the contrary he has procur'd Bread for a thoufand poor Creatures, that without his At fiO"ance would have ftarv'd for Hunger. This new Intenuan; is defcended of one of the moft Illuftri. ous Families of the Robe in France. He is faidto be a Man of Honour, and Fame entitles his Lady to a diitinguKhing Merit : I uiiderftand, he and Mr, Venonvi He Arc bound ipeediiy for Adonnal, where they mean to take a review of the Inhabitants of thh IQand, and of the Neighbouring Cantons. Proba- bly, they take fucli precautions in order to fome Slew effort againlt the Iro^ueje. Laft Winter we had no new Occurrences in the Colony. I fpent the whole Winter at the hunting of Orignals or Elks a- long with the Savages, whole Language I am lear- ning, as I have intimated to you feveral times. The hunting of Elks is performed upon tbe Snow, with fuch Rackets as you fee defign'd in theannex'd Cutt. Thefe fi^cj^ef^ are two Foot and a half long, and fourteen Inches bioad>; their ledges arc made of a very hard VVood, about an Inch thick, that fattens the Net juft like a Tennis Racket, from which they differ only in this ; that thpfe for the Tennis are made of Gut-ftrings, whereas the others are made of little thongs of the skins of Harts or Elks. In the Cut, you may perceive two little fpars of Wood, which run a-crofs to render the Net fir- mer and ftifler. The hole that appears by the two J.atcheci', is the place in wliich they put the Toes sndfoie-partof the Foot j lb that 'tis tied ftft by mes. cbe Snow, ic aiinex'd half long, arc made hick, that ketj from fc for the the others ^arts or little fpars le Net' fir- )y the two t the Toes :d m by i »l ■»»■ • ■ f »■ ^ ••« ' i^ ♦ w» *. » • ♦ ♦ Mt 1 ||f ilB !'f-« .•*K --•»'' to NortA America! 5^7 the two Latchets, which run twice round about chQ Hcci, and every ftep they make upon the Snow, the fore-pare of the Foot (inks into that hole, as of- fen as they laife their Heel. By the help of this Contrivance they walk fafter upon the Snow, than one can do with Shoes upon a beaten path : And indeed 'tisfo neceflary for thsin, that twould be otherwife impoffiblc not only to hunt and range the Woods, but even to go to Church, notwith- ftanding they are fo near ; for commonly the Snow is three or four Foot deep in that Country during the Winter. Being oblig'd to march thirty or forty Leagues in the Wood? in purfiiit of the above- mentioned Animals, I found that the fatigue of the Journey equal'd the pl^afure of it. The Orignal is a fort of Elk, not much different from that we find in Mufcovy. *ris as big as an Auvcrgnc Moyle, and much of the fame fhape, aba- ting for its Muzzle, its Tail, and its great flit Horns, v/hich weigh fometimes 500, and fonietimes 40Q weight, if we may credit thofe who pretend to have weigh'd 'em. This Animal ufually reforts to planted Countries. Its Hair is long and brown ; and the Skin is ftrongand hard, but not thick. The Flefh of the Orignal, efpecially that of the Female fort, eats delicioufly ; and 'cis faid, that the far hind Foot of the Female kind, is a Cure for the Falling-Sicknefs ; it neither runs nor skips, but its trot will almoft keep up with the running cf a Hart. The Savages alTure us, that in Summer 'twill trot three Days and three Nights without intermiffion. This fort of Animals commonly gather into a body towards the latter end of Autumn; and the Herds are largeft in the beginning of the Spring, at which time the fhe ones are in rutting ; but after their heat is over, they all difperfe themfelves. We hunted 'em in the following manner : Firft of all, we wen. 40 Leagues to the Northward of the River of St. Lu '- : nnct 'M IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) ?'■ A ^/ 1.0 I.I ■a 12.8 u m 12.5 lU 1 4.0 2.0 IL25 i 1.4 m 1.6 6" - (?%i ^ y] . his Body of Brafs^ and his Eyes of Glafs : And I muft iay, he had fome ground for what he fpoke, for we were forc'd to keep a Fire all round us^ all the Night long. As lone as the Flefh of thefe Ani- mals iafts, the Savages feldom think of ftirring ; but when 'tis all confum'd, they then look out for a new Difcovery. Thus they continue to hunt, till the Snow and the Ice are melted. As foon as the great thaw commencesj 'tis impoflible for 'em to travel far ; fo that they content themfelves with thQ killing of Hares and Partridges, which are very numerous in the Woods. When the Rivers are clear of the Ice, they make Canows of the Elk-skins, which they fow together very eafily, covering the Seams with a fat fort of Earth inftead of pitch. This work is over in four or five days time, after which they return home in the Canows with all their Baggage. This, Sir, was our Diverfion for three Months in the Woods. We took fifty fix Elks, and might have kiird twice as many, if we had hunted for the be-- nefit of the Skins. In the Summer feafon, the Sa- vages have two ways of killing 'em, both of which are equally troublefom. One confifts in hanging a Rope- gin between two Trees, upon a Pafs furroun- ded with Thorns ; the other is compafs'd by craui- ing like Snakes among the Trees and Thickets; and approaching to 'em upon the Leeward fide, fo that they may be (hot with a Fufee. Harts and Cari- bous are kill'd both in Summer and Winter, after the fame manner with the Elks ; excepting that the Caribou's, which are a kind of wild Affes, make an eafie efcape when the Snow is hard, by vertue of their broad Feet; whereas the Elk finks as fad as he rifes. In fine, I am fo well pleas'd with the hunting of this Country, that I haverelblv'd to im- ploy all my leifure time upon that Exercife. The Ravages have promifed^ that in three Months time r H ^O Some New Voyagei I (hall fee other forts of chafes, which will provo lefs fatiguing, and more agreeable. I am. SIR, TourSf &c. H ' . n ; ^^' I ■•— n LETTER XL Dated at BomhtrvlUe May 28. 1687. Being a curious Defcriftionof the Hunting of Ji- vers Animals, SIR, YO U cbmplain that the laft year you received but one of my Letters, dated July 8. and with the fame breath aflure me, that you writ two to me, neither of which is come to hand. I received a Letter from you this Day, which is fo much the more acceptable, that I thought you had b /en dead, and that I find you continue to give proof of your remembrance of me. I find by your Letter, that you have an agreeable reliHi for the curious Elk- Hunting in this Country, and that a further ac- countof our other hunting Adventures, would meet with a welcome Reception. This Curiofity, indeed, is worthy of fo great a Hunts-Man as your felf j but at prefent I mui) beg your excufe as to the Bea- ver-hunting, for I know nothing of it yet but by hear- fay* In the beginning of Seftemher, I fet out in a Ca- now upon feveral Rivers, Mar(hes, and Pools, that difembogue in the Champlain Lake, being accom- pany'd with thirty or forty of the Savages that are very expert in Shooting ^nd Hunting, and perti? Deer^ and other fallow Beafts. The ^rft Poft we took up was upon the fide of a Marfh or fen of four or five Leagues in Circumference; and after we had fitted up our Hutts, the Savages made Hutts upon the Water in feveral places. Thefe Wa- ter-Huas are made of the branches and leaves of Trees^and contain three or four Men : For a Decoy they have the skins of Geefe, Buftards, and Ducks^ dry'd and ftufF'd with Hay, the two feet being made fail with two Nails to a fmall piece of a light plank, which floats round the Hurt. This place being fre- . quented by wonderful numbers of Geefe, Ducks, Buftards, Teals, and an infinity of other Fowl un- known to ihQ Europeans; when thele Fowls fee the fluff 'd Skins fwimming with the Heads eredted, as if they were alive, they repair to the fame place, and fo give the Savages an opportunity of fhooting 'em, either flying, or upon the Water ; after which the Savages get into their Canows and gather 'em up. They have likewife a way of catching 'em with Nets, flretch*d upon the furfaceof the Water at the Entries of the Rivers. In a word, we eat nothing but Water- fowl for fifteen Days ; after which we refolv'd to declare War againft the Turtle-Doves, which are fo numerous in Camada, that the Bifhop has been forc'd to excommunicate 'cm cftner than upon the account of the Damage they do once. to the Product of the Earth. With that view, we imbarqued and made towards a Meadow, in the Neighbourhood of which, the Trees were cover'd with that fort of FqwI, more than with Leaves: For jud then 'twas the feafon in which they retire from the North Countries, and repair to the Southern Ciimates; and one would have thought, that all the Turtle-Doves upon Earth had chofe to pals thro* this place. For the eighteen or twenty days that we ftay'd there, I firmly believe that a thoufand Men •f!! m, 6 1 Some New Voyages Men might have fed upon 'em heartily, without putting themfel ves to any trouble. You mud know, that through the middle of this Meadow there runs a Brook, upon which I and two young Savages (hot feveral Snipes^ Rayles, and a certain fort of Fowl caird BateursdefauXy which is as big as a Quail, and eats very delicioufly. In the fame place we kiird fome Musk-Rats^ or a fort of Animals which rcfemble a Rat in their fhape, and are as big as a Rabbet. The Skins of | ' thefe Rats are very much valued, as differing but little from thofe of Beavers. Their TefticleS fmell fo flrong of Musk, that no Civet or Antilope that jifia affords, can boaft of fuch a ff rong and fweec fmell. We fpy'd 'em in the Mornings and Evenings, at which time they ufually appear upon the Water with their Kofeto the Windward, and betray them^ felves to the Huntfmen, by the curling of the Wa- ter. ThQ Fouterauxy which are an amphibious (brt of little Pole-Cats, are catch'd after the fame manner. I was likewife entertain'd upon this occalion. With the killing of certain little Beaffs, cali'd Siffleurs, or Whifllers, with allufion to their wonted way of whiffling or whizzing at the Mouth of their Holes in fair Weather. They are as big as Hares, but fomewhat ihorter, their Flefh is good for nothing, but their Skins are recommended by their rarity. The Savages gave me an opportunity of hearing one of thefe Creatures whittle for an hour together, after which they fhot it. To gratifie the curiofity I had to fee fuch diverfity of Animals, they made a diligent fearch for the Holes or Dens of the Car* caicuXi and having found fome at the dittance of two or three Leagues from the Fen upon which we were pofted, they condudled me to the place. Ac the break of day we planted our felves round the Holes, with our Bellies upon the Ground ; and left fome Slaves to hold the Dogs a Muskec-ihot behind * us. to Norffc America. ^i OS. As (bon as thefe Animals perceiv'd Day-light, they came out of their Holes, which were immedi- ately ftop'd up by the Savages, and upon that the Dogs fetch'd 'emup with cafe. We faw buttwd of crtiy which made a vigorous defence againft thd Dogs, but were ftrangled after a difpute of half an hour. Thefe Animals are not unlike a Badger, on- ly they are biggti-; and more mifchievous. Tho* our Dpgsfhew'da great deal of Courage in attack* ing thGCarcaiouXy they betray 'd their Cowardice the next day in a rencounter with a Porcupine, which we fpy'd upon a little Tree. To obtain the pleafure of feeingthe Porcupine fall, we cut down the Tree; but neither the Dogs nor we durft go near it : The Dogs only bark*d and jump'd round it ; for it dart- ed its long and hard hair like fo many Bodkins, three or four paces off. At lail we pelted it to death, and put it upon the fire to burn off its Darts ; after which we fcalded it like a Pig, took out the Intrails, and roafled it : But tho' 'twas very far, I could notreliHi itfo well as to comply with the aflercion of the Natives, who alledge, that it eats as well as a Capon or a Partridge. After the Turtle-Doves had all pafs'd over the place, in queftof their Southern retreats, the Sa- vages ofFer'd to fend fome of their number with Canows to conduA me home, before the Rivers and Lakes w«re frozen over; for themfelves were to tarry out for the £lk while the reft were imploy'd in laying Traps for the Otters upon the brinks of the Lake. Thefe Traps are made of five Stakes placed in the form of an oblong Qudranglej fo as to make a little Chamber, the Door of which is kept up, and fupported by a Stake. To the mid- dle of this 3take they tyea ftring which palTes thro' a little fork, and has a Trout well faften'd to the end of it. Now, when the Otter comes on (hoar, and fees this bait, he puts above half hb Body in^ to that fatal Cage, in order to fwallow the Fifh; but he nofooner touches, than the ftrin^oto which 'cis made faft pulls away the Stake that fupports the Door, upon which an heavy and loaded Door falls upon his Reins and quafbes him. During our Pil- grimage in that part of the Country, the Savages took above two hundred and fifty Canada Otters ; the Skins of which are infinitely prittier than thofe of Mufcovy or Sweden. The beft of 'em which are not worth two Crowns ii^ this place, are ibid in France for four or hve, and fometimes for ten, if they are black and very rough. As foon as the Sa- vages had fet their Traps, they gave orders to their Slaves to go round the Lake every Morning, in or^ der to take out the amphibious Animals. After that they conduded me to the above-meniton'd Ifth- mus, where I was furpriz'd to lee a fort of a Park or Fence made of Trees, UM'd one upon another; mil Pfofir> 9xA the Skim d argoe« Ac* and haying cRiverj till . in Circum- lother great^ii tnuf of 150 s at the di- : and Ibme heccft were rs upon the nude of five Quadrangle^ or of wluch To the mid- ipalTes thro' ten'd to the nes on (hoar, his Body in- IV the Fifh; npfito which fupports the id Door falls ing our Pil- the Savages nada Otters ; er than chofe m which are are (old in for ten, \i )on as the Sa- ders to their rning, in or- mals. After ention'd Ifth- brt of a Park ■pon another; ^' J ?. /• '••• r %^ ^ »iil ^*^ la ^L^ {fef i ft ol'i^ lifil .1 iVi-c 1 ' II i '/< KU /'Y.T /I ..vMi/ ant/ fo Nor^/> America. 6j and interlac'd with Thorns and Branches $ with a quadrangular inclofure of Stakes at the end of ic^ the entry of which was very narrow. They gave me to know, that they ufedfto hunt Harts in that place, andpromis'd to divert me with the (hew, as foon as the Inclofures were a little mended. In ef- k&, they carry'd me two or three Leagues off, up- on fuch Roads as had nothing on either fide but Fens and Marfhes ; and after they had difpers^d them- felves, feme on one hand and fome on the other^ with a Dog for every Man ; I faw a great many Marts running to and again, in queft of places of Safety. The Savage that I kept company with, aiTur'd me, that he and I had no occafion to walk very faO, becaufe he had took the ftraighteft and the neareft Road. Before us we faw above ten I Harts, which wereforc'd to turn back, rather than throw themfelves into the Marfh, oi which they could never get clear. At laft, after walking a great pace, and running now and then, we arrived at the Park, and found the Savages lying flat upon the Ground all round ic^ in order to fhut up the the entry of the ftake Inclofure as foon as the Harts enter'd. We found thirty five Harts in the place, and, if the Park had been better fenc'd, we might have had above fixty ; for the nimbleft and lighted of *em, skip'd over before they came to enter the Inclofure. We kill'd a great many of 'em, but fpar'd the Dams, becaufe they were great with young, lask'd of the Savages the Tongues and the Marrow of the Harts, which they gave me very readily.* The Fle/hwas very fat, butnoc delicious, except- ing fome few bits about the Ribs. But after all, this was not our only Game; for two days after we went a Bear-hunting, and the Savages whofpend three pcjrtsof four of their life in Hunting in the Woods, are very dexterous at that Exercilb, efpeci- |ally in fmgling out the Trunks of the Trees upon F whiclt ■? •'t 66 Some New Voyages which the Bears Neftle. I could not but admire their knowledge in that Point, when^ as we were walking up and down in a Foreft, at the diftance i of an hundred Paces one from another, I heard one Savage call to another, Heres a Bear, I askt 'em how | he knew that there was a Bear upon the Tree which he knocked with his Axe ; and they all reply'd, that | 'twas as eafily diftinguiih'd as the print of an Elks : foot in the Snow. For five or fix times they never niifs'd; for after they had knock'd two or three times upon the Trunk of the Tree, the Bear canie| out of its hole, and was prefently {hot. The Cam. ila Bears are extream black, but not mifchievous, I for they never attack one, unlefs they be wounded or fir'd upon. They are fo fat, efpecially in the Autumn, that they can fcarce walk : Thofe which we kiird were extream fat, but their fat is good for nothing bht to be burnt, whereas their Flelh, and, above all, their Feet are very nice Victuals. The Savages affirm, that no Flefh is fo delicious as that of Bears ; and indeed, I think they are in the right! of it. While we ranged up and down in queft of Bears, we had the pleafure of fpying feme Martins and wild Cats upon the branches of the Trees, which the Savages (hot in the Head to preferve their Skin. | Bur the molt Comical thing I faw, was the Stupi- dity of the Wood-hens, which fit upon the Trees I in whole Flocks, and are kiird one after another, without ever offering to ftir. Commonly the Sa- vages Ihoot at 'em with Arrows, for they fay they are not worth a ihoot of Powder, which is able to kill an Elk or an Hart. I have ply'd this fort of Fowling in the Neighbourhood of our Cantons or Habitations in the Winter time, with the help of a Dog who found out the Trees by fcent, and then bark'd 5 upon which I approach'd to the Tree, and I found the Fowls upon the Branches. When the thaw came, I went two or three Leagues fur- • -V--- • > ther to Nbr^/;- America. 6^ ihet up the Lake, in Company with fome CanaJifi, on purpofe to fee that Fowl flap with its Wings. Believe me, Sir, this fight is one of the greatcft Cu- riofities in the World ; for their flapping makes a noife much like that of a Drum all about, for the fpace of a Minute or thereabouts ;^ then the noife ceafes for half a quarter of an Hour, after which ic begins again. By this noife we were diredled to the place where the unfortunate Moor-hens, lac, and found 'em upon rotten mofly Trees. By flap- ping one Wing againft the other, they mean to call their Mates ; and the humming noife that infues thereupon, may be heard half a quarter of a League off. This they do only in the Months of ^pril^ May J September, and OMer 5 and, which is very re- markable, a Moorhen never flaps in this manner, but upon one Tree. It begins at the break of day> and gives over at nine a Clock in the Morning, till about an hour before Sunfet that it flutters again, and continues fo to do till Night : I protefl to you, that I have frequently contented my felf with fee- ing and admiring the flapping of their Wings with- out oflfering to fliooc at 'em. Befides the pleafure of fo many different forts of Diverfion, I was likewife entertained in the Woods with the company of the honefl: old Gentlemen that Hv'd in former Ages. Honeft Homer, the amiable Anacreon, and my dear Lucian, were my infepara-* ble Companions. Arifiotk too defir'd paffionately to go along with us, but my Canow was coo little to hold his bulky Equipage of Peripatetick Silo- gifms : Sq that he was e'en fain to trudge back tor the Jefuits, who vouchfaf 'd him a very honourable , Reception. I had a great deal of reafon to rid my felf of that great Philofopher's Company ; for his ridiculous Jargon, and his fenfelefs Terms, would have frighted the Savages out of their wits. Fare- ^ell^ Sir, I am now arriv'd at once at the end of F a my ^ny conducted by fom§ Iroefuffe^ who had fifty thouf^ntl h iM!i *. 74 Some New Voyages thouland Crowns- worth of Goods in their Canow?, to be difpos'd of in exchange with the Nations that dwell upon thefe Lakes: as alfo, That Mv.Dulhm had taken another Englipi Convoy, being aflifted by the Coureurs de Bois, and the Savages, who had Ihar'd the former Capture ; and that he had kept the Eng- IJh and Iroquefe as Prifoners, as well as their Com* mancier, who was call'd Major Gregory, In fine, he reprefented to Mr. de Denonville, that 'twas high time for him to fet out from Fort Frontenac, if he mcan'd to appear at the general Rendezvous, where the Auxiliary Troops fent from the Lakes would arrive very fpeediiy. The next day, being the 3d of jF«/;, the Sieur de la Fare(t embarqued again for Ni^igara, and fteer'd to the North-fide of the Lake. At the fame time we embarqued, and ftood to the oppofite fide of the Lake, being favoured by the Calms which in that Month are very common. By good luck, our whole Body arriv'd almoft at one and the fame time in the River of the ffimntcu- ans\ and upon that occafion, the Savages, our Al- lies, who draw Predidions from the moft trifling Accidents, fhew'd their wonted Superftition in ta- king this for an infallible Prefage of the utter De- ftrudlon of the Irot^uefe : tho' after all they prov'd falle Prophets, as you will find by the fequel of this Letter. The fame Night that, we Landed, we hawl'd our Canows and Boats out of the Water, and fet a ftrong Guard upon 'em. This done, we built a Fort of Stakes or Pales, where we left the Sieur DorvlJltrs with four hundred Men to guard our Shipping and Baggage. Tue next day, a young Canadefe, caird Fon- taine Marion, was unjuftly fliot to death. His cafe ftood thus : Having travell'd frequently all over this Continent, he was perfectly well acquainted with the Country, and with the Savages of Canada ; and after the doing of feveral good Services to the King, defir'd Le^^e from the Governour general to. conti- ^ . iius to Non/; America.' 71 nue his Travels, in order to carry on fome little Trade : but l»is Requcft was never granted. Upon that he refolv'd to remove to New England, the two Crowns being then in Peace. The Planters of Mw^ England gave him a very welcome Reception ; for he was an a(^Hyc Fellow, and one that underftood almoft all the Languages of the Savages. Upon this Confideration he was employed to conduct: the two Engll^i Convoys I fpoke of but now, and had the Misfortune to be taken along with them. Now, to my mind, the Ufage he met witli from us was ex- cream hard ; for, we are in Peace with England : and befides, that Crown lays Claim to the Property of the Lakes of C^w^// mit fome Letters for my Relations^ which I beg you would convey to their Hands. If I meet with any opportunity, I'll fend you a Journal of my Voyage the next year. In the mean time^ I am^ 5 I R, Tours, &c. LETTER XIV. Dated at MiJJilimakinac May 26. 1688. The Author leaves Niagara, and has an [ncoun-^ tcr with the Iroquefe at the end of the Land' ' Carriage, The after part of his Voyage, A Defcription of the Countr"^, He arrives at Fort St. Jofeph in the Mouth of the Lake oj Hurons. A Detachment of the Hurons arrive . at the fame pUcc, After an Tngagement^ they fet out for Miirilimakinac. A firange Adven* ture of Mr, de la Salle's Brother, Miflilima- kinac defcriFd, 5 7 if?, - I Am at a lofs to determine whether 'tis owing to Stupidity, or greatnefs of Mind , chat the lofs of mv EOate, which I infallibly forcfee, do's not at all affedl me. Your Letter is but too fhrev^d a confir- madon of my Prophecy : However, I cannot but purfue your feafonable advice in writing co Court ; in to Korth-Aitienca^ ' Si In the mean time fuffer me to fatisfie my promifs, in prefenting you with a relation of my Voyages. I imbarqued at Niagara Auguji 5. on board a Ca- now mann'd with eight Soldiers of my Detach- ment; and after running three Leagues againfV the Current of the Streight, came that fame day co the place where the Navigation flops. There / met with the Sieur Qrifolon dt la Tourette, Brother to Mr. Dulhutf who had ventured to come from Mffilima^ kinac with a fingle Canow to joyn the Army The 4fj& we commenced our great Land-Carriage to the Southward, being oblig'd to tranfporc our Canows from a League and a half below the great Fall of Niagara, to half a League above it. Before we goc at any beaten or level Path, we were forc'd to climb up three Mountains, upon which an hundred Iro<^uefe might have knocked us all on the head with Stones. While we were imploy'd in this tranfporc Service, we werealarm'd twice or thrice; which caution'd us to keep a ftrid guard, and co tranfporc Our Baggage with all poffible Expedition : Nay, after all our precautions we were forc'd to leave one! half of our Baggage about half way, upon the dif- covery of a thoufand Iro<^uefe that march'd towards us. Do you judge, Sir, if we had not fome rea- fon to be alarm'd ; and whether we would ftand to Sacrifice all to the natural principle of Selfprefer- vation ; tho' indeed we were in danger of lofing our Lives as well a$ our Baggage : for we had noc imbarqued above the Fall half a quarter of an hour^< when the Enemy appeared upon the Streight fide, laflureyou, I Tcap'd very narrowly; for about ai quarter of an hour before, I and three or four Savages had gone five hundred paces out of our Road, to look upon that fearful Catara<5t; and 'twas as much as I could do, to gee at the GanoW* be- fere they p^t ofF^ To be taken by fiieh cruel Fel^ Ml '» fir'ir> J 8i Some New Voyages lows, was to me no trifling thing, I * The Prlfoners ta- ^^ f ''^^J « »'«»'^J '^^ ^^,'"*'^^^^ %'' ken by the frequcfi ana& & troppo. To die is nothM are frequently buinc. but to live in the mldji of Fin * iit(^\ much. As for the Waterfall of Niagara ; 'tis feven or I eight hundred foot high, and half a League broad. Towards the middle of it we defcry an Ifland that leans towards the Precipice, as if it were ready to | fall. All the Beafts that crofs the Water within half a quarter of a League above this unfortunate Ifland, are llick'd in by force of the Stream ; And theBeai^s and Fifh that are thus kill'd by the prodi.| gious fall, fcrve for food to fifty Iro^uefe, who are I fetled about two Leagues oif, and take 'em out of the water with their Canows. Between the furfacel of the water that ihslves off prodigioufly, and the foot of the Precipice, three Men may crofs in a ] bread without any other dammage, than a fprink- ling of feme few drops of water. To return to tlie Story of the thoufand Iro^uefe ; I niuft tell yoUj that we crofs'dtheStreight with all the vigour we wem mailers of, and after rowing all Night, arriv'd next Morning at the mouth of the Lake, which appear'd to be indifferent rapid. Then we were fecure from all danger, for the Ircquefe Ca- nows are i'o dull and large, that they cannot fail near fo quick as tiiofe made of Birch- bark. The former are made of Elm-bark, which is very heavy, and their form is very aukard ; for they are fo long and broad that thirty Men row in them, two a- breafl:, whether lilting or Handing, and the Tides are lb low, that they dare not venture 'em upon the Lakes, tho' the wind be very flack. We coafted a- long the North- Coaif of the Lake of JEn>, being favour'd by the Calnis,which are in a manner conflar.t in that feafon, efpecially in the Southern Countries. Upon the biink of this Lake wc frequently faw flocks to Nbr/^-America. h Rocks of fifty or fixty Turkey's, which run incredi- bly fad upon the Sands : And tlie Savages of our Company kill'd great numbers of 'em, which they gave to us in exchange for the Fifh that we catch'd. ThQ2$tb we arriv'dat a long point of Land which fhoots out 14 or If Leagues into the Lake ; and the heat being exceffive, we chofe to tranfport our Boats and Baggage two hundred paces over-land, rather than coaft about for thirty five I^eagues. Septemb. 6. Weenter'd the Streightof the Lake of Huron, where we met with a flack Current of half a League in breadth, that continued till we axriv'd in the Lake of St. Claire, which is twelve Leagues in Circumfe- rence. The Sth of the fame Month we fteer'd on to the other end, from whence we had but fix Leagues to run f^gaind the dream, till we arrived in the Mouth of the Lake of Hurom, where we landed on the i^tb. You cannot imagine the pleafant profpeft of this Streight, and of the little Lake ; for their banks are covered with all forts of wild Fruic- Trees. 'Tis true, the want of Agriculture finks the agreeablenefs of the Fruit ; but their plenty is very furprifing. We fpy'd no other Animals upon the fhoar, but Herds of Harts, and Roe-bucks: And when we came to little Iflands, we fcour'd 'em, in order to oblige thefe Beads to crofs over to the Con- tinent, upon which they offering to fwim over, were knock'd on the head by our Canow-men that were planted all round the Iflands. After our ar- rival at the Fort, of which I was orderd to take poffeffion, Mr. Dtilhut and Mr. de Tonti had a mind to red themfelves for fome days, as wellj as tha Savages that accompany'd us. This Fort, which was built by Mr. Dulhut, was Garrifon'd upon his own charges by the Courcurs de Bois, who had taken eare to fow in it fome Bufiiels of Twry^^;'- Wheat, which afforded a plentiful Crop, that prov'd of greaic tife to me. The Garrifon furrendrcd their l^oit ve- B 2; if ■r • 'hW $4 Some New Voyages ry chearf ully to my Detachment ; and then purfu^ | cd their Commerce with our Savages, for every one had leave to go where he pleas'd. This gave me an op- 1 portunity of fending two Canows under a guard of | Soldiers, to difpofe of a great Roll of Tobacco of 200 weight, that Mr. Dt*lhut had kindly prefent- cd me with ; for that honeft Gentleman informed me, that my Soldiers might eafily purchafe Corn in exchange for Tobacco, (boner than for any other Commodities. I am oblig'd to him as long as I live ; but I am much afFraid, the Treafurer of the Navy will make him no better compenfation for thh piece of Service, than for a thoufand other disburfe- ments upon the King's account. The Soldiers [ fent with the Tobacco, returned in the latter end of November, and brought with *em the Reverend Father Avenaa the Jefuit, who found no occafion to trouble himfelf with preaching up AbiHnence from Meat in the time of Lent, They brought ad- vice, that a Party of the Hurom being prepar'd to march out of their Villages, to attack the Iro(^mlt Beaver-hunters, would fpeedily repair to the Fort to reft themfelves. In the mean time I waited with impatience for the arrival of one Turat, and four more of the Couratrt de Boh, who were to come to mj in the beginning of December, along with fome other Huntfmen that Mr. de DenonvlUe had promis'd to fend me : But hearing nothing of *em, and our Commons being at that time very fhort, I fhould l)ive been very much pinch d, if four young Cans- thfe who were expert Huntfmso, had not tarry'd with me all Winter. The above-mention'd Party of the Hurons arriv'd Decemb. 2. being headed by one Saentjouatty who left me hisCanow and his Bag- gage, to keep till he return'd ; for he could no; pollibly continue his Navigation longer, upon the account that the furhce of the water began tlien to be cover'd with Ice. Tliefe Savages chole to march over- to North'Amtxici. 85 over-land to the Fort of Niagara, where they cx- peded to receive intelligence before they enter'd the Country of the Iro^ueje. They march'd ten days, i. e. fifty Leagues, without feeing one Soul. But at laft their Scouts perceiv'd the foot-f^eps of fome Huntfnien , which they trac'd at a great pace for a whole Night, the Snow being then a foot deep. Towards the break of day they return'd, and gave notice to their Fellow- Ad venturers, that they had difcover'd iOL Hutts, with ten Men lodged in each of *em. Upon this Intelligence the whole party made a halt, in order to paint their faces, to pre* pare their Arms, and to concert proper Meafur'es. The attack was fo form'd, that two Men made foftly up to the two doors of the Hutts with their Clubs in their Hands, to knock down any one that ofFer'd to come out,while the reft were imploy'd in fi- ring their pieces. And the Adion was crown'd with wonderful Succefs ; for the Iroquefe being furpriz'd and (hut up in their bark Piifons, there was but two out of fixty four that made their eicape; and thefe two being naked and deftitute of Fire-Arms, could not but perifh in the Woods. Three of the Uunns indeed were kill'd upon the fpot, but to at- tone for that lofs, the Agreflbrs cnrry'd off four* teen Prifoners, and four Women. This done, they march'd back to my Fort with all poflible Expedi- tion. Among the Captive Slaves, there were three who had made part of the number of the looo Iro* cjuefe that thought to have furpris'd us the year be- fore, when we were imploy'd in the great Land- Carriage at Niagara, They gave us to under* ftand, that the Fort of Niagara was block'd up by eight hundred Ircquefe, who mean'd to appear be- fore my Port without any delay. This troublefom piece of news gall'd me to the laft degree, for fear of being reduc'd to extremities; and with that view I was a v^ry nice Husband of what Corn I had G ; ' Isfr, mi t" I Some Ne» Voyages U Icfr. I was not apprehenfive of being attack'd by 'em, for the Savages never fight fairly, neither do they ever attempt to pull up Palifladoes ; but I was aflVaid that they would ftarve us out by cramping our Huntfmen in their due range. However, the Hurons continuing fifteen days in my Fort to refreft themfelves, 1 us'd the precaution of ingaging them to aflift my Huntfmen in providing Meat: But as foon as they took leave of me in order to return home, our hunting was at at end^ and the Gates were kept fliur. At lal- , finding that my Provifions were almoft out, I relblv'd to go to Mijftlimakinac, to buy up Corn from tlie Hurons and the Ontaouans. Accor- dingly, having left fome Soldiers to guard the Fort in my abfcnce, 1 imbarqu'd with the reft of my Detachment on the firit of Jpril, with a gentle South- Eaft Gale; by the help of which we infenfi- bly crofs'd the Bay of Sagu'man. That little Gulf is fix hours over, and in the middle of it there are two little Iflands, which afford a very feafonable fhelter when a wind arifes in the croffing over. Before you have crofs'd this Bay, the Coaft is all a long full of Rocks and Shelves, one of which that 1 faw was fix Leagues broad : But above it the Coaft is clean and low, efpecially towards the Sand-Ri- ver, which lies half way between that Bay and a place caird I'/hija du I'onm-e. Now this laft place is reckoned thirty Leagues off the Bay. Having paft that, we had but thirty Leagues more to fail ; which we did without any danger, by the help of an Eafl-Souil>Ea(t Gale, that fvvcird the Waves prodigioufly. In the Mouth of the lllinefe Lake we met the party of the Htironsi\\n I mcntion'd before; and four or five hundred 0«/(.".•<•«: ill >r. 1 (ill -. ■ I -i :ur \ 'k ivt.' H^ m "5 ^ '^ •< •» fo Norr/; America. 89 You can fcarce believe, Sir, what vaft (holes of white Fifhare catch'd about the middle of the Chan- nel, between the Continent and the IfleofA//^/'//- makinac. The Out aouas nn6 the Hurons could never fublift here, without that Fifhery; for they are ob- liged to travel above twenty Leagues in the Woods, before they Mn kill any Harts or Elks, and 'twould be an infinite fatigue to carry their Carcafcs fo far over Land. Tiiis fort of white Fi(h in my o- pinion, is the only one in all thefc Lakes that can be caird good ; and indeed it goes beyond all o- ther forts of River Fifii. Above all, it has one fin- gular property, namely , that all forts of Sauces fpoil it, fo that 'tis always eat either boil'd orbroil'd, without any manner of feafoning. In the Chan- nel 1 now fpeak of the Currents are fo ftrong, that they fometimes fuck in the JNets, though they are two or three Leagues off. In fome feafons, it fo falls out that the Currents run three days Eaftward, two days to the Weft, one to the South, and four Northward ; fometimes more, and fometimes Icfs. The caufe of this diverfity of Currents could ne- ver be fathom'd, for in a calm, they'l run ia^ the fpace of one day to all the points of the Com.pafs, i. e. fometimes one way, fometimes another, with- out any limitation of time ; fo that the decilion of this matter muft be left to the Difciples of Copcrm^ cm. Here the Savages catch Trouts as high as one'. Thigh, with a fort of Fping-Hook made in the form of an Awl, and made faft to a piece of Brafs wire, which is joyn'd to the Line that reaches to the bottom of tb<; Lake. This fort of Fifhery is carried on not only with Hooks, bat with Nets, and that in Winter, as well as in Summer : For they make holes in the Ice at a certain difbnce one from another, thro' which they condu^ the Nets with poles. The Outaouas and the Hurons have very plea- fant pieldsj in which they fpvy Indian Corn^ Peafe, 'ti'i if. ■I t ■i lit. 1^1 lii 1 ill mi ffl II HI 11 Jo Some New Voyages and Beans, befidcs a fort of Citruls, and Melons,' which differs much fromours^ and of which I fhall take occalion to fpeak in another place. Some- times , thefe Savages fell their Corn very dear , efpecially when the Beaver-hunting happens not to take well : Upon which occafion they make fufficient reprifals upon us for the extravagant price of our Commodities. As foon as 1 have bought up fixty facks of Corn, each of which may weigh fifty pound, I am to march with my Detachment alone to St. Mary\ Fort, in order to ingnge the Sauteurs or the Inhabi- tants of Saut Saint Mark, to joyn the Outaouas ; af- ter which we mean to march with joynt Forces to the Country of the Iroefuefe. Befides thefe, there j a party of a hundred Hurom ready to march, un- der the Command of the great Leader Adarioy whom the French call the Rat ; but they do not march our way.I fhall write to you with the firft Op- porunity after my return from this Expedition. Per- haps the Jefuits will fend your Letters for me along with Mr. Denonville's to Fort St. JofephjWi.uQ lam to refide. I fhall exped their arrival with the utmoft impatience. In the mean time I fend you a Letter direded to Mr. Je Se'ignelai, the purport of which \ have here fubjoyn'd. 'Twill be a very fenfible ob- ligation laid upon me, if you vouchfafe to believe fhat I always am, ^Vy SIR, Yomsj 6cc» iET- tid Melons,' t'hich I fhall ce. Some- very dear, lappens not they make agant price ks of Corn, , I am to ' St. Marfi the Inhabi- itaouasi af- to Nortfc America^ 91 4"' 4j 4" The Letter dire^edto Mr, de Seignclay. Honoured Sir, ' S, f Am the Son of a Gentleman that fpent thrie hun- ■* dred thoufand Crowns in deepening the Water of the two Gaves of Beam: He had the good luck to compafs his End by conveying a great many Brooks to thefe two Rivers ; and the Current of the Mour was by that means io far ftrengthen'd as to render the Bar of Bayonne paflable by a fifty Gun Ship, whereas in former times a Frigot of ten Guns durft not venture over it. 'Twas in confideration of this great and fuccefsful Attempt, that his Majefty gran- ted to my Father and his Heirs for ever, certain Du- ties and Taxes, amounting to the Sum of three thou- fand Livres a Year. This Grant was confirm'd by an Ad of the Council of State, dated January 9. 16 y 8, Sign'd BoJJuet, Collated, &c. Another Ad- vantage accruing to the King and the Province from my Father's Services, confilh in the bringing down of Mafts and Yards from the Pyreman Mountains, which could never have been efteded, if he had not by his Care, and by the disburfing of immenfe Sums, enlarged the quantity of Water in the Gave of Okron to a double proportion. Thefe Duties and Taxes which had been juftly intail'd upon him and his Heirs, ceas'd to be ours when he dy'd ; and to in- flame the Difgrace, I lott his Places, viz,, that of be- ing a Honorary Judge of the Parliament of 2V«, and Chief Juftice in Eyre for the Province of Bearn^ all which were mine by Inheritance. Thefe Lolles are now follow'd by an unjuft Seizure that fome pre- tended Creditors have made of the Barony of A? Uon- " " ■ tajt. i|il 9 1 Some Ke» Voyages tatty of a piece of Ground chat lies contiguous to it, and of a tiundred thoufand Li vies that lay in the hands of the Chamber of Rayome. Thefe faichlefs Creditors have no other reafon to fue me, but that 1 am now in the fagg end of the World, and that they are ricii, and fupported by the Credit and Protediion of the Parliament oi Paris, where they hope to make good their unjuil Pretenfions in my Abfence. Lad Year I obtain d Leave to return to France, in order to take care of this matter; but now Mr. Je Denonvik has fent me with a Detachment to thefe Lakes; from whence I humbly petition that your Honour would vouchfafe me Leave to come liome the next Year, and at the fame time honour mo with your Prote<> <^ion. I am, with all podible refpet^t. Tour Honours, &c. LETTER XV. Dsitsd at Miffilimakinac, Sept. iS, %6SB. Defcriliftg the Fall calf^Saut St. Marie, where the Author perjwa^es the Inhabitants to joyn the Outaouas, and march agaivfl the Iroquefe. And containing an Account of the Occurrences of the Voyage between that Place and Millili- makinac. SIR, I Am now return'd from the Irotjuefe Country, and have quitted the Fort of St. Jofeph, againft my Will. I cannot allow my felf to doubt, but that you (cok care of the Letter direded for Mr. «- mnville with the Intrigue, that he might get clear of it as well as he could. If it pleafes God to allow me a fafe Return to France , I ihall tell you the Story b/ word of mouth. I underftand by your lad, that the King has pre- ferr'd his Almoner, the Abbot of St. Valiers, to tho Bi/hoprick of Quebec; and that this BiHiop was con- fecrated in St. Sulpice's Church. This piece of News would be very welcome to me, if I thought he would be lefs rigid than Mr. Je Laval, his Predeceffor. Bnc what likelyhood is there that the new Bifhop will be of a tradable temper? If *tis true that he has refus'd other good Bifhopricks, he mufl be as fcrupulous as the Monk Dracontins^ that St. Athanafius cenfures for not accepting of a Prefentation to a Bilhopdck that was oifer'd him. In fine, if he is of that fcrupulous Temper, his critical Stridnefs will fcarce go down in this Country ; for the People are already tyr'd put with his PredeceiTor's Excommunications. 1 I am. S I R, Totirs^ &c. . iW L ii um XPt**" H4 LETTER 104 Some New Voyages LETTER XVr. Dated at Mifilimakinac, May 28. 1689. Containing an Account of the Authors Departure from^ and Return to^ Miflilimakinac. A De- fer ipt ion of the Bay ng the Sa- to a - , . - I •*!_, •^y ■.».■,: ,t- A.^ ■.-. il/,. HiSi'-l ■» 1 i I . f • , ■^"» .."r number aftifwa to acqi to wor are by are lor and mo in the ther fo rub'd o on'd b^ refurn The out, in TefticU which t theTefl to have this Ba{ ter the fing th^ the Cal I ble for rending feated ji and fev ed witl thing < of the \ from tJ built ; leaft r danger ble of 'em, tl Skin ( the C to Nortf)' America. 1 07 number of 80. Thcfe Kennels I mean to defcribc afttrwards; in the mean time I only take occafion to acquaint you, that the idle fort being unwilling to work, are expell'd by the others, juft as Wafps are by Bees ; and are k) teas'd by 'em> that they are forced to quit the Kennels, which the better and more induftrious Race huddles up to themfelves in the Fens. This fupine Beaver refembles the n- ther fort in its Figure, excepting that the Hair i^ rub'd off the Back and the Belly, which is occafi- on'd by their rubbing againft the Earth wlien they refurn to, or ftir out from their Holes. The Writers of Natural Hiftory are very much out, in fancying that the Beavers cut off their ^wn Tefticles, when purfued by the Huntfmen ; for that which the Phyficians call Cafioreum^ is not lodg'd in the Tefticles, but in a certain B^g that Nature feems to have form'don purpofe for thefe Animals, and this Bag they make ufe of to clear their Teeth, af- ter the biting of fome gummy Shrub. But fuppo- fing the Tefticles to be the proper Receptacle of the Caftor, we muft ftill conceive that 'tis impofli- ble for a Beaver to pull out his Tefticles, without rending the Nerves of the Groin, in which they are feated juft by the Sharebone. 'Tis manifeft that Elian and feveral other Naturalifts, were fcarce acquaint- ed with Beaver-hunting ; for had they known any thing of the matter, they would never have talk'd of the purfuing of thefe Animals, which never go from the fide of the Pond where their Kennels are built ; and which dive under water upon the leaft noife, and return to their Dens wh'^n the danger is over. If thefe Creatures were but fenfj- ble of the reafon for which War is declared againft 'em, they would flea themfelves alive ; for 'tis their Skin only that the Huntfmen want, the value of the Caftor being nothing in comparifon with that. h great Beaver is twenty fij^ Ingres long, from thQ ri ■il 111 1 08 Some New Voyages the hind- Head, to the root of the Tail. 'Tis a. bout three Foot and eight Inches round, its Head is feven Inches long, and fix broad; itsTailisfoui. teen Inches long, atid fix broad, and about the mid- dle it has the thicknefs of an Inch and two lines. The figure of the Tail is Oval ; the Scale with which 'tis covered, and which performs the Office of what the Phyficians call the E/>/^erw« or Scarf-skin, is an irregular Hexagon. The Beaver carries upon its Tail the Clay, the Earth and other Materials of vvhich they make their Banks and Kennels, or Hutts, by a wonderful Inftin(5l. Its Ears are fiiorr, round and hollow ; its Legs are five Inches long, its Feet fix Inches and eight Lines, and its Paws are three Inches and a half from the Heel to the end of the great Toe, Its Paws are form'd much like a Man's Hand, and they make ufe of 'em in feeding, as Apes do. The five Tob are joyn'd like thofe of a Duck, with a Membrane of a Slate-colour. Its Eyes are of the lef> fer fize, in proportion to the bulk of its Body, and bear the figure of a Rats Eyes. Before its Muzzle there are four Fore-Teeth or Cutters, viz,, two in each Jaw, as in a Rabbet, befides which it has fix- teen Grinders, that is, eight in the upper, and as many in the lower Mandible. The Cutters are a- bove an Inch long, and ~ of an Inch broad, being very ftrong and inarp like a Cutlas ; for a Beaver affifted by its Affociates, ( if I may fo call its fellow Beavers ) cuts down Trees as big as a Hogfliead ; which I could never have bcliev'd, if I had not ob- ferv'd with my own Eyes, above twenty Trunks of Trees cut dow '\ in that fafhion. A Beaver has two lays of ILiir ; one is long, and of a fhining black colour, with a grain as big as that of Mans Hair ; the other is fine and fmooth, and in Winter fifteen lines long : In a word, the laft is the fineft Down in the World. The Skin of fuch a Beaver as I have aow defcrib'd, will be two pound weight, but the price to Norrfc-America. lop price varies according to the goodnefs. In Winter and Autumn the Fleih of a Beaver eats very well^if it be roafted. Thus, Sir, 1 have prefentcd you with an exadt Defcription of thefe reputed Amphibious A- nimals which make fuch Structures, that all the Art of Man can fcarce equal. Upon another occafion perhaps I may give you a circumftantial Account of their wonderful Structure, which I decline at prefent, becaufe the Digreffion would be too te- dious. To return to my Voyage. After our arrival in the Bay of Vonteouatamts, we bid adieu to the Na- vigation upon the Lakes of Canada \ and fettingooc Smmiber 50, arriv'd OBober 2. at the foot of the fall of Kakalin, after ilemming fome little Currents in the River of Puantt, The next day we accomplifh'd the fmall Lanl- carriage, and on the y/i6arriv'd be- fore the Villa PI '^ Kikapousy in the Neighbourhood of whichliiic pJ the next day, in order to re- ceive Intelligence. That Village (lands upon the brink of a little Lake, in which the Savages fiili great quantities of Pikes and Gudgeons. I found only thirty or forty Men fit for War in the place, for the re^ were gone a Beaver-hunting fome days before. The jth I reimbarq'd, and rowing hard made in the Evening the little Lake of MalomlniSf where we kill'd Bucks and Puftards enough for Sup- per. We went afhoar thai Night, and built Hucts for our felves upon a point of Land that fhootsout; by break of day I wentin a Onow to the Village, and after an hours Conference with for.e of the Sa- vages, prefented 'em with two Rolls of Tobacco, and they by way of Acknowledgment, m.ide me a prefent of two or three Sacks of Oatmeal : Foe the fides of the Lake are covered with a fort of Oats, which grows in tufts with a tall Stalky and of which the Savages reap plentiful Crops. The f)th 1 arriv'd at the foot of Omagamis Forc^ where I found but few 7^1 ;imw m. I 11 1 li > 1 1 o Some NeiP Foyages few People ; however, they gave me a very kind Reception, for after dancing the Calumet before the Door of my Hutt, they made me a Prefent of Venifon and Fifli. Next day they convey'd me up the River, to the place where their folks were hunt- ing the Beavers. The ii^i» weimbarq'd, and lan- ded the ipb upon the Ihoarof a little Lake, where the Head of that Nation refided. After we had reai'd up our Hucts, that General gave me a Vifit, and inquir'd which way I intended to move. I made anfwcr, that I was fo far from defigning to march toward tlie Nadoueffioas his Enemies, that I fhould not come near 'em by loo Leagues; and to confirm the innocence of my Intentions, I pray'd him to fend fix Warrious to accompany me to the long River, which I defign'd to trace up to its Source. He reply 'd, that he was extream glad to find that I carry'd neither Arms nor Cloathstothe Nadoueffioasi that he faw I had not the equipage of a Coureur k Bois, but that on the contrary, I had fome difcove- ry in my view. At the fame time he caution'd me not to venture too far up that Noble River, bv reafbn of the multitudes of People that I would find there, though they have no ftomach for War : He mean'd, that fome numerous Party might fur- priie me in the Night-time. In the meantime, in- Itead of the fix Warriours that I defir'd, he gave me ten, who u-nderftood the Lingua, and knew the Country of the Eokons, with whom his Na- tion had maintain'd a Peace of twenty years land- ing. 1 (tay'd two days with this General, during which time he regaPd me nobly, and walk'd about with me to give me the Satisfaction of obferving the difpofure of the Cottages of the Beaver-hunters \ a defcription of which, you may exped in another place ; 1 prefented him with a Fufee, twelve Flinr- ilones, two pound of Powder, four pound of Ball, and a little Axc^ and I gave each of his two Sons a ' to Korth America. i s i great Coat, and a Roll of Brafil Tobacco; Two of tho ten Warriours that he gave me, could fpeak the Language of the Outaouas, which I was well pleas'd with ; not that I was a Granger to their own Lan- guage, for between that and the Algonkin there is no great difference, but in regard that there were fe- veral words thatpuzled me. My four Om^^om^ were tranfported with this little Reinforcement, and were then fo incouraged, that they told me above four times, that we might venture fafely fofar as the Plantation of the Sun. I embarqedwith thisfmall Guard the \6th about Noon, and arriv'd that Nighc at the Land-carriage of Omjconfinc, which we fi- nilh'd in two days, that is, we left the River of VuantSy and traniported our Canows and Baggage to the River Ouijconfinc, which is not above three quarters of a League diftant, or thereabouts. I Ihall fay nothing of the River we left, but that 'twas Muddy, full of Shelves, and inclofed with a (ieep Coaft, Marfhes, and frightful Rocks. The i^tb we embarqu'd upon the River Ouif- confine, and being favoured by a flack Current, ar- riv'd in four days at the place, where it empties it felf into the River Mijfifipl, which is about half a League broad in that part. The force of the Cur- rent, and the breadth of that River, is much the fame as that of the LmV^. It lies North-Eaft, and South- Weft ; and its fides are adorn d with Meadows, lofty Trees and Firs. lobferv'd but two Iflands up- on it, though there may be more, which the dark- nefs of the Night hid from us as we came down. The 2^4 WQ landed upon an Ifland in the River Mijfififtj over againft the River I fpoke of but now, and were in hopes to find fome wild Goats there, but had the ill fortune to find none. The day af- ter we croft to t*other fide of the River, founding it every where, as we had done the day before, and found nine loot water in the fhalloweft place. The Zd of 1 m 111 Some Kern Foyages -id of Novemher we made the Mouth of the Limg River, having firft Qem'd feveral rapid Currents of that River, though 'twas then at loweft Ebb. In this little paflage we kill'd feveral wild Beeves which we broil'd, and catch*d feveral large Dabs. On the ; iiiards. My Miflake was occafion'd by the great dif- ference between thefe two American Nations ; for, the MozeemUk Savages were cloath'd, they had a thick bufhy Beard, and their Hair hung down un- der their E irs ; their Complexion was fwarthy, their Addrefs was civil and fubmiffive, their Meen grave, and their Carriage engaging. Upon thefe Confide- rations I could not imagine that they were Savages, tho' after all I found my felf miftaken. Thefe four Slaves gave me a Defcription of their Country , which the Gnacfitares reprefented by way of a Map upon a Deer's Skin ; as you fee it drawn in this Map. Their Villages ftand upon a River that fprings out of a ridge of Mountains, from which the Long River likewife derives its Source, there being a great many Brooks there which by a joint Contiuence form the River. When the Gnacfitares have a mind to hunt wild Beeves, they fet out in Pirogues, which they make ufe oftill they wome to theCrofs marked tiiMS ( + ) in the Map, at the Confluence of two little Rives. The Hunting of the wild Bulls, with which all the Val- leys are. cover'd in Summer, is lometimes the occafi- on of a cruel War : For the other Crofs ("-|-) which you fee in the Map is one of the Boundaries or Li- mits of Mozeemlek; and if either of thefe two Nati- ons advances but a little beyond their Limits, it gives Rife to a bloody Engagement. The Mountains I (poke of but now, are fix Leagues broad, and la higli that to Norffc America. 115 that one muft caft an infinity of Windings and Tur- nings before he can crofs 'em. Bears and wild Beails are their only Inhabitants. The Mozeemleck Nation is numerous and puifTant. The four Slaves of that Country informed me, that at the diftance of i f o Leagues from the Place where I then was, their principal River empties it felf into 3 S.ilt Lake of three hundred Leagues in Circumfe- rence, the mouth of which is about two Leagues broad: That the lower part of that River is adorn'd with fix noble Cities> furrounded with Stone cemen- ted with tat Earth : That the Houfes of thefe Cities have no Roofb, but are open above like a Platform, as you fee 'em drawn in the Map : That befides the abovemention'd Cities, there were above an hundred Towns, great and fmall, round that fort of Sea, up- on which they navigate with fuch Boats as you (ee drawn in the Map : That the People of that Country made Stuffs, Copper Axes, and feveral other Manu- fadlures, which the Outagamis and my other Inter- preters could not give me to underftand, as being al- together unacquainted with fuch things : That their Government was Defpotick, and lodg'd in the hands of one great Head, to whom the reft paid a trem- bling Submiflion : That the People upon that Lake call themfelves Tahuglauk, and are as numerous as the Leaves of Trees, ( fuch is the Expreffion that the Savages ufe for an Hyperbole : ) That the Mozcemlek People fupply the Cities or Towns of the 7ahuglauk with great numbers of little Calves, which they take upon the abovemention'd Mountains: and. That the Tahuglauk make ufe of thefe Calves for feveral ends; for, they not only eat their Flefh, but bring 'em up to Labour^ and make Cloaths, Boots, &c, of their Skins. They added, That twas their MiC fortune to be took Prifoners by ehe Gnacfitarei in the War which had lafted for eighteen Yeais ; but, that they hoped a Peace would be fpeedily concluded, ypon ff) 1 \i6 ' Some Kew Fo}\iges upon which the Prifoners would be exchang'd, pur- fuanr to the ufual Cuftom. They glory^'d in the poircfliou of a greater tneafure of Reafon than the Gnacjitarcs could pretend to, to wliom they allow no mcf tiian the limine of a Man; for they look upon 'em aS !3c.ifts orherwire To my mind, their Notion upon this Head is not lb very extravagant; for I ob- ferv'd fo much Honour and Politenefs in the Con- verlation ot thefe four Slaves, that I thought I had to do with Europeans: But, after all, I mufYconfefs, that the Gnacjitayes are the moH tracftable Nation I met with among all the Savages. One of the four Moz,eemkk Slaves had a reddijh fort of a Copper Me- dal ha ging upon his Neck, the Figure of which is reprefcnted in the Map. 1 had it melted by Mr. dt Fontis, Gun-fmith, who undei flood fomething of Mettals; but it became thereupon heavier, and deep- er coloured, and withal fomewhat tradlablc. I defir'd the Slaves to give me a circi;mftantial Account of thefe Medrls; and accordingly they gave me to un- derfland, that they are made by the TahugJauk, who are excellent Artii^jns, and put a great value upon fuch Medals. I could pump nothing farther out of em, with relation to the Country, Commerce and Cultoms of that remote Nation. All they could fay was, that the great River of that Nation runs all a- long Weftward, and that the fait Lake into which it falls is three hundred Leagues in Circumference, and thirty in breadth, its Mouth (tretching a great way to the Southward. I would fain have fatisficd my Curiofity in being an eye-wirnefs of the Manners and Cuftoms of the Tahuilauk'y but that being im- pradicable, I was forc'd to be inihuded at fecond hand by thefe ALzecwltk Slaves; who aiTur'd me, upon the Faith of a Savage, that the Tahuglauk wear tlieir Beards two Fingers breadth long; that their Garments reach down to their Knees; that they co- ver their Heads with a /harp-pointed Cap > that they always ig'd, pur- ''d in the 1 than th« I allow no look upon sir Notion ; for 1 ob- i the Con- ught 1 had LilY confefs, e Nation I f the four ,opper Mc- Df which is by Mr. de iiething of , and deep- Ic. I defir'd Account of p me to un- glaukf who value upcn ther out of imerce and y could fay runs all a- co which it :rence, and great way atisticd my le Manners being im- at fecond affur'd me, iglauk wear that their lat they co- that they always to Norffc America. i27 always wear a long Stick or Cane in their hands, which is tipp'd, not unlike what we ufe in Eu- rope; that they wear a fort of Boots upon their Legs which reach up to the Knee ; that their Women ne- ver Ihew themfelves wliich perhaps proceeds from the fame Principle that prevails in Italj and pain ; and, in fine, that this People are always at War with the puiflant Nations that arc fcated in the Neigh- bourhood of the Lake ; but withal, that they never difquiet the ftrowling Nations that fall in their way, by realon of their Weaknefs : An admirable LelTon for fome Princes in the World, who are fo nuich in- tent upon the making ufe of the ftrongeft hand. This was all I could gather upon that Subjed. My Curiofity prompted me to defire a more particular Account ; but unluckily I wanted a good Interpre- ter : and having to do with feveral Perfons that did not well underftand themfelves, I could make no- thing of their incoherent Fiiftian. 1 prefented the poor miferable Slaves with fomething in proportion to the Cuftom of that Country, and endeavour'd to perfwade em to gn with me to Canada, by making 'em fuch Offers as in their elteem would appear like Mountains of Gold : but the love they had for their Country ftifled all Perfwafion ; fo true it is, that Na- ture reduc'd to its juft Limits cares but little for Riches. In the mean time it began to thaw, and the Wind cliop'd about to the South- welt ; upon which I gave notice to the great Cariejue of the Gnacfiares, tfnt I had a mind to return to Canada. Upr n rha r nccnfion 1 1 repeated my Prefents ; in ccmp>.'i.l,)iion of wlM:;h, my Pirogues wen: Itow'd wirh Hccf as fuT as rt ey could hold. Tnis done. I embark d and cr'^fsd o- ver from the little Ifland to tne Continent, whtr^ I fixd a great long; Pole, with the Arms of Fr nee done upon a Plate of Lead. I fet out the lOth of Jamaryy [and arriv'd fafe on the 5th oiFebraarj in the Country •; of '^''M m ^ * ■>. Hi ia8 Some Neuf Foya^es i of the Effanapet, We had much more pleafure in (ailing down the River, than we had in going up ; for we had the agreeable diverfion of feeing feveral Huntfnien Hiooting the Water-Fowl, that are plen- tiful upon that lliver. You muft know, that the Stream of the Long River is all along very flack and eafie, abating for about three Leagues between the fourteenth and fifteenth Village ; for there indeed its Current may be call'd rapid. The Channel is fo ftraight, that it fcarce winds at all from the Head to the Lake. 'Tis true 'tis not very pleafant ; for mod of its Banks have a difmal Profped, and the Water it felf has an ugly Tafte: but then its Ufc:fulnefs at- tones for fuch Inconveniencies ; for, 'tis navigable with the greateft eafe, and will bear Barques of fifty Tun, till you come to that place which is mark'd with a Flower-de-luce in the Map, and where I put up the Poft that my Soldiers chriften'd la Hontaus Li- mit. March 2. I arriv'd in the Mijfi/ipi, which was then much deeper and more rapid than before, by reafon of the Rains and Land-iioods. Tofavethe Labour of Rowing, we then left our Boats to the Current, and arii/'d on the loth in the Ifldnd of Rencontres J which took ics Name from the Defeat of 400 Ircqm'fe, accompli/h'd there by ;oo Nadousfis, The Story of the Encounter is briefly this: -A Party of 400 Irocjtiefe having a mind to furprife a certain People in the Neighbourhood of the Otmtas (of whom more anon ) march'd to the Country of the lllinefii where they built Canows, and were furniih'd with Provifions. After that they embark'd upon the Ri- ver Mijjififi^ and were difcover'd by another little Fleet that was (iiiiing down the other fide of the lame River. The Irocjueje crofs'd over immediately to that Ifland, which is lince calVd Aux Rencontres. The ISIaclouiJJii, i. €. the other little Fleet, being fufpici- ous of foms ill Delign, without knowing what Peo- ple they were^ ( for they had no knowledge of the Iro^ueje to North- Amtt'ica.. up Iro^ttefe but by Hear-fay ; upon this fufpicion, I fay, they tugg'd hard to come up with 'em. The two Armies potted themfelves upon the point of the Ifland, where the two Grofles are put down in the Map ; and as foon as the TSfadoueffis came in fight^ the Irot^tteje cry'd out in the Illhefe Language, Who areje? To which the Nadouejfis anfwer'd, Some body: And putting the like Queftion to the Iroqueje^ received the fame Anfwer. Then the Inefuefe put this Queftion to 'cm, TVhere are you agoing ?Tb hunt Beeves, reply 'd the Nadoueffis. But fray, fays the Nadoueffis, what's jour bufinefs ? To hunt Men, reply'd the Irotjueft. 'Tii mllf lays the Nardoufjfii, wt are men^ and [o you need p no farther. Upon this Challenge the two Parties difembark'd, and the Leader of the NadoueJJis cut his Canows to pieces ; and after reprefenting to his War- riours that they behov'd either to Conquer or DiCj. march'd up to the Iro^uefe; who receiv'd 'em at firft Onfet with a Cloud of Arrows: But the Nadouefpt having ftood their firft Difcharge, which kili'd 'eni eighty Men, fell in upon 'em with their Clubs in their hands, before the others could charge again; and fo routed 'em entirely. This Engagement lafted [for two hours, and was fo hoc, that two hundred and fixty Irotjuefe fell upon the fpot, and the reft were all taken Prifoners. Some of the Irotjuefe indeed at- tempted to make their Efcape after the Adion was over ; but the vidorious General fent ten or twelve of his Men to purfue 'em in one of the Canows that he had taken: and accordingly they were all ovei- taken and drown'd. The Nadoueffis having obtained this Vidory, cut oflf'the Nofes and Ears of two of the clivereft Prifoners ; and fupplying 'em with Fu* I fees, Powder, and Ball, gave 'em the liberty of re- turning to their own Country, in order to give their Country-men to underftand, that they ought not to employ Women to hunt after Men any longen 1i' m ,]S.'>f K Th^ II 1^0 Some New Voyages The 1 2th we arriv'd at the Village of the Otentdj,\ where we took in a plentiful Provifion of Turkiyl Corn, of which thefe People have great (lore. They inform'd us, that their River was pretty rapid, and took its Rife from the neighbouring Mountains; and| that the upper part of it was adorn*d with feveral Villa- ges inhabited by the People call'd Panimaha, PaneaJfA and Vanctonka. But confidering that I was ftraitned for time, and that I faw no probability of learning! what I wanted to know with reference to the Spani- ards , I took leave of 'em the next day, which wajl the 13 th, and in four days time, by the help of the Current and our Oars, made the River of the MiJjmA This done, we run up againft the Stream of that RiJ ver, which was at lead as rapid as the Mifftfipi was at that time; and arriv'd on the i8th at the hrit Village of the Mijjourts, where I only ftop'd to make the People fomc Prefetus that procur'd me a hundred Turkeys, with which that People are wonderfully well ftock'd. After that, we row'd hard againft the| Stream, and landed next night near the fecond V lage. As foon as I arriv'd, I detach'd a Sergeant wittil ten Soldiers to convoy the Outagamis to the Village, while the reft of my Crew were bulied in fitting up our Hurts and unloading our Canows. It happen'd unluckily that neither the Soldiers nor the 0«/^^^tf/, and encamped by its Mouth. That Night we had feveral falfe Alarms from the wild Beeves^ up- on which we made fufficient Reprifals afterwards;, for the next day we kill'd many or em notwithftand- ing that it rain'd fo heavily that we could fcarce ftir out of our Hutts. Towards the Evening, when | the Rain was over, and while we were tranfport- ing two or three of thefe Beeves to our little I Camp, wc fpy'd an Army of the Savages upon a full March towards us. Upon that, my Men began to intrench themfelves, and to unload their Pieces with Worms, in order to charge 'em afrefii; but one of the Pieces happening to go oft^ the whole Body of the Enemy difappear'd, fome ftraggling one way, and fome another : for thefe People were upon the fame foot with the Nations that live upon the Long River, forafmuch as neither of them had ever feen or handled Fire- Arms. However, this Adventure mov'd the Outagawis fo much, that to fatisfie them, | I was obliged to re- embark that very night, and re- turn the fame way that I carne. Towards Midnight i we came before a Village, and kept a profound Si- lence till Day-break, at which time we row'd uptoj their Fort; and upon our entring there, and difchar- ging our Pieces in the Air, the Women, Children, | and fuperannuated Men, were put into Tuch a Con- fternaiion, that they run from place to place calling out for Mercy. You muft know, all their Warriours | were sbro^d, and 'twas a Body of them that offer'd to attack us the day before. The Outagamis percei- ving the Confternation of the Women and Children, I caird out, that they behov'd to depart the Village, and that the Women fhould have time to take up their Children. Upon that the whole Crew turn'd out, and we fet fire to the Village on all fides. This done, wc purfu'd our Courfe down that rapid River, I and enter'd the River MiJJi/tpi on the 2 jth, early in the Morning ; the 26th, about three a clock in the '' Aftsr- to Norffc- America. i j j Afternoon, we defcry*d three or four hundred Sava- ges employ'd in the tlunting of Beeves, which fwar- med in all the Meads to the Weftward. As foon as the Hunters fpy'd us, they made a fign that we Ihould make towards *eni. Being ignorant who, or how numerous they were, we made a halt at firft ; but at laft we put in about a Musket-fhot above 'cm, calling out to 'em that they fhould not approach to us in a Body, Upon that, four of their number came up to us with a fmiling Countenance, and gave us to know, in the llinefe Language, that they wer« Akanfof. We could not but credit their Report, for they had Knives and ScilTars hanging upon their Necks, and little Axes about 'em, which the Ilinefe prcfent 'em with when they meet. In hne, being alTur'd that they were of that Nation, which Mr (U la Salle and fevera! other Vrench rmn were intimately acquainted with, we landed at the fame place ; and they entertain'd us firft vyith Dancing and Singing, and then with all forts of Meat. The next day they Ihew'd us a Crocodile that they had knock'd in the head two days before, by a Stratagem that you'll find defcrib'd in another place: After that they gave us the diverfion of a Hunting Match ; for 'tis cufto- mary with them, when they mean to divert them- felves, to catch the Beeves by the different Methods laid down in this Cut. I put fome CHieftions to 'em relating to the Spaniards^ but they could not refolve em. All that I learn'd from 'em was, that the /V///- lottris and the Ofages are numerous and mifchievous Nations, equally void both of Courcge and Honefty ; that their Countries were water'd with very great llivers ; and, in a word, were too good for them. After we had fpent two days with them, we pur- fued our Voyage to the River Oualach, taking care to watch the Crocodiles very narrowly, of which they had told us incredible Stories. The next day we enter'd the Moiuh of chat Rivwj and founded ic, ^.v ."Ji: - (« ■IL 4 1 i m 1 i i 1 J 4 Some Nerp Voyages ? lb try ''le truth of what the Savages reported of itj depth. In effe<5l, we found there three Fathom and a half Water ; but the Savages of our Company al- ledg'd, that 'twas more (well'd than ufually. They all agreed, that 'twas Navigable an hundred Leagues up, and I wiili'd heai tily, that my time had allow'd me to run up to its Source; but rhat being unfeafo- nable, I fail'd up againft the Stream, till we came to the River of the Illinefe, which we made on the ^th of April with feme difficulty, for the Wind was againft us the firft two days, and the Currents was very rapid. All 1 can fay of the River Miffijtft, now that I am to take leave of it, is, that its narroweft part is half a League over, and the /hallo weft is a Fa- thom and a half deep ; and that according to the infornriation of the Savages, its ftream is pretty gen- tle for feven or eight Months of the year. As for Shelves or Banks of Sand, I met with none in it. ^Tis full of Ifles which look like Groves, by reafon of the great plenty of Trees, and in the verdant feafon of the year afKiru a very agreeable profpe(ft. Its Banks are Woods, Meadows and Hills. 1 cannot be pofitive, whether ^,t winds much in other places; but as far as I could fee, its courfe is very different from that of our Rivers in France ; for 1 muft tell you by the way, that all the Rivers of America run pretty ftraight. The River of the lilinefe is intitled to Riches, by vertue of rhe benign Climate, and of the great quan- tities of Deer, Roe- Bucks, and Turkeys that teed upon its brinks : Not to menfion feveral other Bealis and Fowls, a defcripticn of which would require an intire Volume. If you faw but my Journal, you would be lick of the tedious particulars of our dai- \y Adventures both in Hunting and Fifhing divers Ipecies of AniuiAlSjand in Rencounters with the Sava- ges, In fliorf, tt^e !aft thing I Ihall mention of shis to Norf/;-America. currents was none in it. MJ River, is, that the Banks are replenifli'd with an infinity of Fruit-Trees, which we faw in a difnial condition , as being ilrip'd of their verdure ; and that among thefe Fruit-Trees, there are many Vines, which bear moft beautiful Clufters of very large Grapes. I ate fome of thefe Grapes dry'd in the Sun, which had a moft delicious Tafte. The Beavers are as unfrequent in this, as in the long River, where I faw nothing but Otters, of which the People make Furs for the Winter. Ifetoutfrom the IHinefe River on the loth of jipril, and by the help of a Weft South- Weft Wind, arriv'd in fix days at the Fort of Crevccotur, where I met with Mr. ^e Tonti, who received me with all ima- ginable Civility , and is juftly refpeded and ho- noured by the Iroefueje. I ftay'd three days in this Fort, where there were thitty Coureurs de Rots that traded with the Illmje, The ^oth I arriv'd at the Village of the Ill'mefe ; and to Icften the drudgery of a great Land-carriage of twelve great Leagues, in- gag'd four hundred Men to transport our Baggage, which they did in the fpace of four days, being incourag'd by a Bribe of a great Roll of BrafilTo- bacco, an hundred pound weight of Powder, two hundred weight of Ball, and fome Arms, which I gave to the moft confiderable Men of their number. The 2^tb I arriv'd at Chekakou, where my Oittagamis took leave of me in order to return to their own Country, being very well fatisfied with a Prefent I niade 'cm of fome Fufees, and fome Piftols. The I'ith I reimbarqued, and by rowing hard in a Calm, inade the River of the Oumamis on the I'&th There I Kifit four hundred Warriours, upon the very fams place where Mr. de la Salle had formerly built a Fort. Thefe Warriours were then imploy'd in burn- ing three Irofisfey who, as they faid, deferv'd the Punilhment J and invited us to Ihare in the pleafure of the Show J for the Savages take it very ill if one K. 4 refufes m !!: I'M W ■ i*M) ir j V' Ml 'I \y I i}6 Some New ^o^ages refufes the diverfion of fuch real Tragedies. The Tragical fpectacle niide me (hrink, for the poor wretches were put to inconceiveable Torture ; and upon that I refolv'd to reimbarque with ail ex- pedition 5 aliedging for an Apology, that my Men had great ftore of Brandy with 'em, and would cer- tainly make themfelves drunk, in folemnifing their Vi(flory, upon which they would be apt to commie diforders, that I could not poffibly prevent. Ac- cordingly I went immediately on board, and after coafting along tie Lake, crofs'd the Bay del'Ours, and landed at Miffdimahnac the iid. , I am informed by the Sieur de S, Pierre de Repantig* Hi, who travePd from Quebec hither upon the Ice, that Mr. da Dcnonville has took up a refolutionof making a Peace with the Irocjiufej in which he means to comprehend the other Nations that are his Al- lies 5 and with that view had given notice to his Al- lies, that they /hould not inifeft the Ireejuefe. He acquaints me fuuher, that Mr. de Demnville hasfent orders to theGovernour of this place, toperfwade the Rat, ( one of the Commanders of the Hurons ) to go down to the Colony, with a defign, to have him hang'd ; and chat the Savage General being a- warc of the dellgn, has made a publick Declaration, that he will go thither on purpofe to defie him. Ac- cordingly hedeHgnsto ic tout to Morrow with a gr^ar body of Outaoitasj and fome Courcurs de Bo'uj undv^r the ccmmand of Mr. Dulbut. As for the Soldiers of my Lctachmenr, I have difpers'd 'em in feveral Canows among tlie lavages, and the Coureurs de Boa ; but having Tome bufinels to adjuft in this place, I am oblig d to tar. y my lelf ieveo or eight days longer Tins, Sir, is the true account of my little Voy- age. I have related nothing but the Effential Cir- cumflanccs; choojcf^ to overlook the relt. which are io tillling, as tube unv^orthyof yourCuriofi- ty- to NonhAmaici. M7 ey. As for the lUlnefe Lake, 'tis three hundred Leagues in Circumference, as you may fee by the Scale of Leagues upon the Map. 'Tis feated in an admira- ble Climate ; its Banksar6 cloath'd with fine and tall Trees, and have but few Meads. The River of the Oumamis is not worth your regard. The Bay de rOurs qui dort, is of an indifferent large extent, and receives the River upon which the Outaouas are wont to hunt Beavers every third year. In fhort, it has neither Shelves, Rocks, nor Banks of Sand. The Land which bounds ir on rhe South fide, is re- plenifh'd with Roe-bucks, Deer, and Turkeys. Fare- wel. Good Sir : And affure your felf, that 'twill al- ways be a fenfible pleafure to me, to amufe you with an account of the greateft Cuiiofities I meet with. But now, Sir, I hope you will not take it ill, that the Relation I here give you, is only an Abridg- ment of my Voyage : For, in earnert, to be mi- nute upon every particular Curiofity, would require more time and leifiire than 1 can fpare. 1 have here fent you a view of the fubftantial parr ; and (hall afterwards hope for an opportunity of recount- ing to you by word of Mouth, an infinity of Ad- ventures, Rencounters, and Obfervations, which may call up the reflcding faculty of thinking Men. My own Thought is too Superficial to phMofophife upon the Origin, the Belief, the Manners and Cu- ftoms of fo many Savages; or to make any advan- ces with reference to the extent of this Continent to the Weftward. I ha . e contented my felf with offering fome thoughts upon the caufes of the bad fuccefs of the Difcoveries, that feveral experienced Men have attempted in America, both by Sea and Land: And I flatter my felf, that my thoughts up- on that head are juil. The frefh Inftances of Mr. deU ^allcy and feveral other unlucky Difcoverers, may afford a fufficient and fealunable caudon to thofe, i I I'i'W I ; [■» I J 8 Some New Foynges thole, who for the future fhall undertake to difcovcr all the unknown Countries of this New World. 'Tis not every one that's qualify*d for fuch an En- terprife, non licet omnibus adire Corinthum, 'Twere an eaiie matter to trace the utmoft limits of the Coun^ try that lies to the Weft of Canada^ provided it be gone about in a proper Method. In the firft place^ inftead of Canows, I would have fuch Adventurers to make ufe of certain Sloops of a peculiar Stru- <9:ure, which might draw but little Water, and be portable, as being made of light Wood ; and with- all carry thirteen Men, with ; y or4o hundred weight of Stowage, and be able to bear the fhock of the Waves in the great Lakes. Courage, Health, and Vigilance, are not fufficient of themfelvcs to quali- fie a Man for fuch Adventures ; he ought to ba poiTefs^d of other Talents, which are rarely met with in one and the fame Perfon. Th*- Conduft of the three hundred Men that accompany'd me upon this Difcovery, gave me a great deal of trou- ble. It requires a large ftockof Induftry and Pati- ence, to keep fuch a Company up to their Dmy. Sedition, Mutinies, Quarrels, and an infinity of dif- orders frequently take place among thofe, who be- ing in remote and folitary Places, think they have a right of ufing force againft their Superiours. One muft di({emble, and even fhut his Eyes upon occa- sion, leaft the growing Evil fhould be inflam'd : The gentleft Methods are the fureft, for him that commands in Chief; and if any Mutiny or Sediti- ous Plot is in view, 'tis the bulinefs of the inferior Officers CO ftifle it, by perfwading the Mutineers, that the difcovery of fuch things to the Command- ing Officer, would create a great deal of uneafinefsc So, the thief Officer muft ftill make as if he were ignorant of what pafles, unlefsitbe, that the flame breaks cut in his Prefence ; then indeed he lies un- der an indifpenfible Obligation^ of inflicting fpeedy ^n4 to ^Zor(^ America. M9 and private! punifhrnent, without his prudence di- reds him to put ofF the Execution^ upon an appre- henHon of fome pernicious confequences that may infue thereupon. In fuch Voyages he muft over- look a thoufand things, which upon other occaH- ons he has all reafon to punifh. He muft counter- feit a downright ignorance of their Intrigues with the She-Savages, of their Quarrels among themfelves, of their negligence in not mounting the Guard, and not obferving the other points of Duty ; in a word, he muft pretend to know nothing of an Infinity of fuch Difordecs, as have no diredl tendency to a Revolt. He ought to ufe the precaution offing- ling out a Spy in his little Army, and reward him handfomly for a dexterous Intelligence as to all that happens ; to the end that he may remedy the grow- ing diforders either dirediy or indiredtly. This Spie may by good management, and due fecre- cy find out the Ringleader of a Club or Cabal ; and when the Commanding Officer has receiv'd fuch fatisfadion upon the matter, that there's no room left to doubt of the Criminal's Demerit; 'twill then bs very convenient to make away with him, and that with fuch management, that no body Ihould know what became of him. Farther : He ought to give 'em Tobacco and Brandy now and then, to ask their advice upon fome occdfions, to fatigue *em as little aspoffible, tocaiJ 'em up to dance and make merry, and at the fame time to exhort 'em to live in a good underrtanding with one another. The beft Topick he can make ufe of for inforcing their Duty, is Religion, and ihe Honour of their Country, and this he ought to defcant upon himfelf : For though 1 have a great deal of Faith in the power of the Clergy ; yet I i^now that fort of Men do's more harm than good, in Voyages of this nature ; and for that reafon I'd ^hoqie to tjQ without thQJr Company. The Pei fan who J* LETTER XVII. ^ ■ I'i Diiit^ SX Quebec Seftemher 2^. i6Z<), The Author fets out from Miflilimakinac to the Colony^ and dejcrihes the Country^ Rivers, and Pajfes that he [aw ly the way. The Iroquefe make a fatal incur lion into the Ijland oj Mon- real : Fort Frontenac is abandon d. Count Frontenac // fent to Canada, and the Marr^uis oj Denonville is recalled: SIR, I Writ to you from Miffitirnakinac on the l^th o\ May. I left that place June the ^tb, and fet out for Mcnreal, accompany'd with twelve Outaouas, who were divided into two Canows, and row'd very hard. The 2;^, I overtook the Coureurs de Bou in the River Creufe, who had got the flart of me for feme days. Mr. Dulhut us'd his utmoft efforts to diflwade me from going further with (b weak a Retinue. He would have had me to go down along with him; and remonftrated to me, that if my twelve Condudlers perceiv'd either in the Land- carriage or upon the Rivers, any thing that might call up an apprehenfion of falling into the hands of the Iroquefe, they would defert me and the Canows, and fly to the Woods to avoid the Enemy. I re- jeded his Advice, though I had like to have repent- ed of my refolution not long after ; for according to his Prediction, my Canow-Men threatn'd to run away to the Forrefts, at the Fall call'd Low^ 5/7«/ ; And indeed if they had done it, I had followed 'em, upon the refle(Slion^ that of two Evils a Man ought w to North Aalmca.. •4? to choofe the leaft ; but this Storm blew over. In the great River of the Outaouasy not far from the River of Lievre, I met Mr. de St. Helene at the Head of a Party of the Coureurs de Bois, who was bound for Hudfons Bay, in order to retake fome Forts ehac the Efiglijh had feiz'd upon. He acquainted me with the Prince of Oranges Expedition for England ; and gave me to underltand, that upon his arrival King James retir'd to France, and that the Prince was pro- claimed King, which feem'd to prefage a bloody and iharp War in Europe. I affure you. Sir, this piece of News furpriz'd me extreamly ; and not- withftanding that I had it from the Mouth of a Man, whofe word I rely very much upon, yet I had all the difficulty in the World to make my felf believe^, that a Revolution of fuch Importance could be ac- complifh'd in fo fhort a time, without the effufion of Blood ; efpecially confidering what a ftrid Alli- ance there was between our Court, and the Court of England^ and how much 'twas the intereft of both thefe Monarchs to give mutual affiftance to one another. Jdy the 9? A I arriv'd at MonreaL after ven- turing down feveral fearful Cataradls in the River of the OMtaouas, and indurin^ the hard/hips of fifteen or twenty Land-carriages, fome of which are above a League in length. The Navigation is prety fure from Mljfdimakinae to the River des Francois ; for in coafting along the Lake of Hurons, we meet with an infinity of Iflands, which ferve for a fhelter. But in going up that Ri- ver, there's fome difficulty, for it has five Cataratiis which oblige us to turn out and carry all over-land for thirty, fifty, and a hundred Paces. Having pafs'd that River, we enter'd the Lake of the Nc- ficermsy from whence we are forc'd to tranfport our Canows and Baggage two Leagues over-land, to a~ nother River which has fix or feven Water-falls that we commonly fiioot. From that River we have a- \ nocher 't.l- ;-i; ,'i« '.%-:^ '. ;U, it'*' "I tl! M 144 Some T^ew Voyages nother land-carriage to the River Creufty which falls with rapid Currents into the great River of the Outaouofy near a place call'd Mataouan, We conti- nue our courfc upon this great River, till we come ' to the point of the Jfl.ind of Monreal, where 'tis loft in the great River of St. Laurenct. Thcfe two Ri- vers joyn one .mother with very gentle Streams, and quitting their fearful Channels form the little Lake of St. Lottis. I thought to have loft my Life at the fall, call'd the fall of St. Lmisy about three Leagues from Monreal, for our Canow having over- fet in the Eddy, I was carry'd by the Current to the foot of that Cataradt, from whence the Cheva- lier de Vnudreuil drag'd me out by a great chance. The Canows and the Skins belonging to the lix Savages were loft ; and one of the Savages was drowned. This is the only time I was in danger, through the whole courfe of my Voyages. Asfoon as I landed here, I repaired with diligence to a Ta- vern to refrefh my felf, and to make up the loffes I had fuftain'd by a neceilary Abftinence. The next day I waited upon Mr. de Denonvilley and Mr. de Cbamftgni, to whom I gave an account of my Voy- ages, and withal, gave in the News that a greac company of the Coureurs de Bois and Savages would arrive very fpeedily ; which they did accor- dingly after fifteen days. The Rat I mention'd a- bove came down hither, and returned home not- withftanding the threats that were levelled againft him. By this Adventure, he fliew'd that he laugh'd at their Intrigues. But now that I have mention'd his name, I cannot forbear mentioning a malicious Stratagem that this cunning Savage made ufe of hft year, to prevent the conclulion of a Peace be- tween Mr. de Denonvilli' And the Iro<^ueJe. This Savage is the general and chief Counfellour of the Hnrcns^\ he is a Man of forty years of Age, and brave in his waj'. When he found himfelf jprefs'd l)is Warr ther. T! «'itb this fidering t his Nati( Wellfare made an knowledg ble, but vice, he ^ifladour: they wer( to North-Amencx, M5 ^refs'd and importun'd by Mr. rk Demwllle, to en- ter into the Alli^jnce concluded in t'c year 1687, that I took notice of before ; he at laft comgly'd with his defire, with this referve, that the War Ihould not be put to an end till the Irromje were totally routed. This claufc the Governoui promis'd to make good, and gave him alluranceS to tliat pur- pofe on the 3 J of September^ in the fame year, which liappen'd about two days befoie 1 fee out from JV/> diara, upon my Voyage to the great Lakes. This Savage-General relying upon Mr./Ze Derionvilk\ pro- mife, march*d from Mljfilimakinac at the Mead of an hundred Warriours, as i infinuated in my i^th Let- ter, in order to invade the Irc^nefe Counny, and atchieve fome glorious feats among 'em. In the mean time, to cany on his defign the more ciuti- oufly, he thought it proper to pafs by the way of Fort frontcnac, where he might receive Ibme intel- ligence. Upon his arrival at this Fort, the Gover- nour told him tliat Mr. tie DcmnviUe was negotiating a Peace with the five Jrcqutfe Nations, whofe Em- balladors and Hoftages he expeded in a iliorttime, in order to conclude and ratifi:: the Peace, he having orders to condu<5t *em to Monnal : And that upon that Conlideration, 'twas moft proper for him and his Warriours to return home, and to pafs no fur- ther. The Savage General was mightily furpris'd with this unexpeded piece of News j efpecially con- fidering that by the means of that Peace, he and his Nation would be given up as a Sacrifice for the' Wellfare of the French. When the Governor had made an end of his Remonllrance, the Rat ac- knowledged, that what he oiTer'd was very reafona- ble, but withal, that inftead of following his Ad- vice, he would go and tarry for the Iroqtiefe Em- biiffadours and Hoftages at the Catarads, by which they were oblig'd to pafs. He had not tarry'd there' ^bovei five or im days; b-sfors the unhappy ^'^"ju- - f . i:'^J V ^ 'M IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) k / /'/^^f^ '^^ \5^ 1.0 1.1 1^128 125 mm ^.. ^ m Wuu lAO \m III 1.4 R2.0 Photographic Sciences Corporation 33 WIST MAIN STIIiET WEBSTER, N.Y. U5S0 (7t6)a73-4S03 >.V^ 5^ m M 14^ Some Hew Voyages ties arriv'd with a Train of forty young Men> who were all either kill'd or taken as they difembarqued. The Prifoners were no fooner fetter'd, than this crafty General of the Hurom reprefented to *em, that the French Governour had fent him notice to take up that Poft, in order to lie in wait for a Par- ty of fifty Warriours, that were to pafs that way at a certain fet time. The Iroejuefe being much fur- pris'd with the apprehenfion of the perfidioufnefs that he charg'd upon Mr. de Denonville, acquainted the Rat with thedefign upon which they came. Up- on that the Rat counterfeited a fort of Rage and Fury ; and to play his Cards the better, fiew out in invedives againft Mr. de DenonvilU, declaring, that fome time or other he would be reveng'd upon that Governour, for making him the Inftrumenc of the moft barbarous Treachery that ever was afted. Then he fix'd his Eyes upon all the, Prifoners, a- mong whom was the chief EmbaiTadour call'd Thegamjorens, and fpoke to this purpofe ; Go my Bre- thren y though I am at War "with you, yet I releafe you, and allow you to go home, 'Tis the Governcur of the French that put me upon this black ABion, which I full never be able to digefi, unlejs your five Nations revenge themfelvesy and make their jufi Reprifals. This was fufficient to convince the Iroejuefe of the fincerity of his words ; and they aflur'd him upon the fpot, that if he had a mind to make a feparate Peace, the five Nations would agree to it; However, the Rat ha- ving loft one Man in this Adventure, kept an Iro- ^'Aefe Slave to fupply\the place of the Man he had loft : And after furniftiing the Prifoners with Guns, Powder, and Bail, in order to their return home- ward, march'd to Mljjilimakinacy where he prefent- ed the French Governour with the Slave that he brought off! The poor wretch was no fooner de- liver'd, than he was condemn'd to be ihot j for at that time the Fnnch Qarrifon did not know that to Notth'AmcrksL. -147 )At. Je Demnville defign'd to clap up a Peace with thf troejuife. The condemn'd Prifoner gave an ac- count of his Adventure, and that of the Ambaffa- dours ; but the French thought that the fear of Death made the fellow talk ideiy, and were confirm'd iti that .thought, by hearing the Rat and his Men fay that he was Light-headed : Infomuch, that the poor Fellow was put to death, notwithflanding all the reafbns he could offer. The fame day that he was {hot, th&'Rat caird an old Iro^uefe Slave that had ferv'd him a long while, and told him he had re- folv'd to allow him the liberty of returning to his own Country, and fpending the reft of his days among his Friends and Country-men. At the fame time he gave him to know, that fmce he had been an Eye-witnefs of the barbarous ufage that his Country- men had met with from the French, notwithftand- ing what he oifer'd in his own defence, it behoved him to acquaint his Countrymen with the black- nefs of that A<5lion. The manumitted Slave obey'd his orders fo pundlually, that foon after the Iroquefe made an JncurHon, at a time when the Governour did not dream of any (uch thing, for he had us'd the Precaution of giving the Iroquefe to underftand, that he dilailow'd of the Rat's Treachery ; info* much, that he had a mind to have him hang'd ; and upon this profpedt, expeded hourly ten or twelve Deputies to conclude the Peace he fo much defir'd. In effed the Deputies did come, but neither their ' Number nor their Delign was fuitable to what the Governour had promifed to himfelf. Twelve hun- dred Warriours landed at the Lands-end of the Ifland \QlMonrealt and burnt and fack'd all the Plantations I in that Quarter : They maiTacred Men, Women, and Children ; and Madam de Denonville, who was then at Monreal with her Husband, did not think I her felf fafe in that place. A general Conflernation was fpread all about { for the Barbarians were not a- L 2 bove ;.«^'A'4 I IS i . r'tei ^1 '■1 tm 1 48 Some New Voyages bove three Leagues from MonreaL They burnt all the adjacent Settlements^ and block'd up two Forts. Mr. de Denonville fent out a Detachment of a hundred Soldiers and fifty Savages to oppofe 'em, being un- willing to fpare a greater number out of the City: but all the Men of the Detachment were either taken or cut in pieces, excepting twelve Savages, one Sol- dier, and Mr.de Lo»|«c/7 who commanded the Party, and was carried off by the twelve Savages after his Thigh was broke : The other Officers, namely, the Skurs de la Ralf erre, Denis Ja Plante,ind VHUdeneyVJQXt all taken Prilbners. In a word, the Barbariam laid al- moft the whole Ifland wafte, and loft only three Men, who having drank to excefs of the Wine they found in the Plantations, were decoy 'd into a Fort by a Canadefe Cow- keeper, that had been their Slave for fofne Years. As foon as the three unfortunate Iroqmfe arrived in the Fort, they were thrown into a Cellar to fleep themfelves fober; and, queftionlefs, as foon as they wak'd they repented of their excef- five drinking. When they wak'd, they fell imme- diately a finging ; and when the Garrifon offsr'd to fetter 'ern, and carry 'em to MomcaL they flew to fome Clubs that lay in the Cellar, and mads fuch a vigorous and brave -defence, that the Garrifon was foic'd to Ihoot 'em upon the fpot. The Cow-keeper being brought before Mr« de Deno7tvMe, he told him, That the Breach made by the Rat's Conciivance was irreparable; that the five Iroquefe Nations refented that Adventure with fo much warmth, that 'twas im- poilible to difpoft; 'em to a Peace in a fhort time; that they were fo far from being angry with that Hu- ron for what he did, that they were willing to enter into a Treaty with him, owning that he and his Party had done nothing but what became a braveMan and a good Ally. Doubtlefs this fatal Incurfion was a great Surprifal to Mr. de Denonvillet and afforded him 4. copious Field for Reflection. 'Twas already im- poffible burnt all wo Forts. I hundred being un- the City : ther taken , one Sol- the Party, s after his imely, the 77e,were all ans laid al- Dnly three Wine they nto a Fort their Slave mfortunate own into a [ueftionlefs, their excef- fell imnie- i offsr'dto ley tlew to lade fucha arrifon was ,ow-keep2i: s told him, ivance was ns refented at 'twas im- fliort time ; ith that H«- ing to enter he and his a brave Man urfion vvas a ffbrded him already iin- poffible to North AtncvioL. 14.9 poflible to continue the Poifeflion of Fort Frontenac, where they began to want Provifions^ and which could not be relieved without expofmg a great many Men to the danger of the PafTes or Catarrads, which I have mention's fo often. There was a downright neceflity of calling out the Garrifon, and blowing up the Fort; but the difficulty lay in finding a Man to carry Orders for that effect to the Governour, for no body durll undertake it, till the Sieur Veter i'Arpentigni ofFer'd to go all alone through the Fo- reils ; and accordingly he went^ and did his Bullnefs fuccefsfully. The Orders were extream welcome to Mr. (le Valremsy the Governour of the Fort for the time ; who, upon the receiving of 'em, run a Mine uflder the four Baftions, which, with the Powder lie put in, was reckoned fufficient to blow it up. This done, he embark'd, and came down tiie River through the Catarads to Monnaly where he found Mr. de Denonvilky and accompany 'd him iiither. That Officer did not only abdicate the Fort of frcn- \macjo\it fet fire to three great Barques that they us'd to ply with upon the Lake, both to awe the Iroejuefe iQ time of War, and to convey Commodities to 'em ia time of Peace. Mr. de DemnvilU adcd a prudent part in relinquifhing both this Fort and that of Nia- p^j for, in earneft, thefe two Pofls are indefen- lible, by reafon of the inacceffible Catarads, upon which an Ambufcado of ten Iroquefe may repulfea thoufand Frenchmin by the throwing of Stones. But sfter all I muft own, that the Weltarc and Preferva- tion of our Colonies had an abfolute dependance upon thefe two Forts, which feenVd to infure the ut- ter Deftrudlion of the Iro^ueje; for they c- uld not liir out of their Villages to Hunt, or to Fifh, with- |cut r'^nning the rifque of having their Throats cut py the Savages in Alliance with us, who being then ffur'd of a lafe Retreat, w^uld have m^^de continual 'icurfions into the Country of thofo Barbariavi : L 5 And ■'' '"V, \2 ■'iii. ■ m '%m n'-i^-^ i ; vy fl , I J o Some New Voyages And by this means the Iroquefe being unprovided with Beaver-skins to be given in exchange for Guns^ Pow- der, Ball, an6 Nets, would be (larv'd to death, or at leaft be oblig'd to depart their Country. In the end of September Mr- de Bonaventure, Cap- tain and Owner of a Merchant Ship, arriv'd in this Port , and brought the News of Mr. de Frontenacs Reinftallment in the place of Governour-General of Canada^ and of the Re- calling of Mr. de Denm- 'vlUe, whom the Duke de Beawvilliers has recommen- ded to the King, for the place of Sub-Governourto the Princes his Grandfons. Some People are uneafie at the re-ca'ling of this Governour; and 'tis faid, that the Reverend Fathers the Jefuits, fall under the number of the Malecontents : For if we may credit the reports of the Country, they contributed in a great tneafure, to the recalling of Mr. de Frontenac feven or eight years agoe, by ading in concert with the Intendant of Chefneauj and the fupreme Coun- cil, and drawing up Accufatioos againft him which had the defired effpd ; though now the King (hews that he is undeceiv'd, by reinftating that Gentleman once more in this Government. In the mean time the Statefmen of the Country that are moft guilty , know not how to drefs this kettle of Fiih; for they make no queftiorj but the New Governour will re- tain a ju(i refentmentof what's paft. But the Gen- tlemen, Merchants, and other Inhabitants, are ma- king preparations for folemnifmg his Arrival, which they exped with as much impatience, as the Jf.wi do the Mtjjias. The very Savages that live in the skirts of the Colony, fhew an uncommon Joy up- on the hopes of his return : And indeed, we need not think it ftrange, for that Governour drew Efteem and Veneration, not only from the French, but from all the Nations of this vaft Continent, who look'd upon him as their Guardian Angel. Mr- de VcmnA 'vHle begins to pack up his Baggage^ and that in ef- SIR, THE ^ oft! (fne to de l^imetime, of years, "pon the four, the that I was niotc partj fold. To to North-Amelia,. «J» (re, Cap- 'd ill this rontenacs •-General ie DenoH' commen- ^ernour to re uneafie 'tis faid, under the nay credit 3Uted in a k Frontenac icert with ne Coun- riim which jng ftiews Sentleman nean time oft guilty J i; for they ur will re- It the Gen- ts, are ma- ival, which IS the Jeti^i live in the ion Joy up- 1, we need rew Efteem h, but from who look'^ r. de Vcnott' J that in ef- feA, is all I can fay of him. 'Tis none of my bu- (inefs to meddle with an infinity of Affairs^ that re- late CO the Gentleman's private Intereft. As to the queftion^ whether he has manag'd well or ill, du- ring the courfe of his Government, or whether he was iov'd or hated, I know nothing of the matter. I am at a lofs to know whether he kept a good or a forry Table, for indeed I was never at it. Adieu. I make account to fet out for RoMj when the VelTel that brings our new Governour, returns for France, I am^ ■ V ^ :J^ SIR, Tours, &c. h-. LETTER XVIII. Dated at Quebec November ly, 1689. Giving an Account oj /Wr. de Frontenac'j Arri^ val, his Reception, his Foyage to Monreal, and the repairing of Fort Frontenac, SIR, ' '...- . V ,- -':,;' ■■ TH E Intelligence you give me of the adjudging of the Lands of Lahontan, would have drove I me to defpair ; if you had not affur'd me at the fame time, that I might recover it after a Century of years, ( if I had the misfortune to live fo long ) I upon the condition of. reimburfing to the Poffef- four, the Sum that he pay'd for it, and of proving that I was ad:ually in the Kings Service in the re- mote parts of the World, when that Eftate was I fold. To freak to the purpofe, Mr, 4e Frontenac has L 4 counter-* r 'ti. ijj Some New' Foya^es countermanded the leave I had to go for France, 3nd has offered me a free accefs to his Pocket and his Tabic. All the Arguments I offer'd^ have no In- fluence upon him, and fo I am bound to obey. . This new Governour arriv'd at Quel^ec the i^tboi OBokr. He came on fhoar at eight a Clock at Ni^hr, and v^as receiv'd by the Supreme Council, and all the Inhabitants in Arms, with Flambeau's both in the City, and upon the Harbour, with a triple Difcharge of the great and fmall Guns, and Illuminations in all the Windows of the City, That fame Night he was complimented by all the Com. panies or the Town, and above all, by the Jefuits, vvho upon that occafion made a very pathetick Speechj though the Heart had lefs haiid in it, than the Mouth. The next day he wasvifited by all the La- dies, iwhofe inward joy appear'd in their Counte- nances, as much as in their Words. Several Per- fons m?.de Fire-works, while the Governour and his Retinue fung Te Dcum in the great Church. Thefe folemn Deniondrations of Joy, increas'd from day p day, till the new Governour fet out for Monreal] and the Condiicft of the People upon this Head, af- forded fignal proofs of the fatisfadion they had in his return, and of their refting alTur'd, that his wife Condud^, and noble Spirit, would preferve the Re- pofe and Tranquility that he always kept up., du- ring his firft ten years Government. All the World adord him,andftyrd him Redemptor Vatria ; to which Title he had a juQ claim, for all the Inhabitants of fhefe Colonies agree, that when he came firft to Canada, he found all things in Confufion and Di- ftrefs. At that time the Iroqucje had burnt all the Plantations, and cut the Throats of fome thoufp.nds of the French ; the Farmer was knock'd on|the Head in his Field ; the Traveller was murder'd upon the Road, and the Merchant ruin'd for want of Com- jperce : All the Planters were pinch'^, with famine, to North hmet'ici. •n r France^ :c and his ; no In- )bey. :ie 1516 of Clock at Council, lambeau's r, with a juns, and ity. That the Com. he Jcfuits, ick Speech, than the all the La- sir Counte- >everal Per- our and his ch. Thefe d from day or Monreal] Head, af- ,ey had in lathis wife rve the Re- ept up. du- (he World ^ ; to which habitants of me ftrft to on andDi- urnt all the thouf^ndi )n;the Head upon the nt of Com- th famine, the War render'd the Country delblate; and in a word, New-France had infallibly perifh'd, if this Governour had not made that Peace with the Bar- barlam, that I fpoke of in my fifth Letter. The bringing of that Peace to bear,was an adlion of great- er Importance, than you can well imagine; for thefe Barbarians grounded all their Wars upon a perfonal Enmity, whereas the European Ruptures depend more upon Interefl: than upon pure Revenge. Mr. de St. Walters the Bifhop of Quebecy arriv'd likewife on the 1 ^tb at the fame Port. He had iinbarqu*d ill the preceding Spring , on board of a Bark that he had hir'd to tranfport him to Acadia, to l^ewfound-land, and to the other Countries of his Diocefs. Mr. de Frontenac our Governour, fet out for Monreal in a Canow, four or five days after his Arrival; and I had the honour to accompany him. All Indeavours were us'd to diffwade him from un- dertaking that Voyage, when the feafon was fo cold, and fo far advanced ; For, as I informed you before, the Ice is thicker and ftronger here in Oclob, ihan 'tis at Paris in January; which, is very ftrange. Notwithftanding all the Remonftrances drawn from the Hardfhips and Inconveniences of the Voyage, he flighted the Fatigues of the Water, and threw him- felf into a Canow in the fixty eighth year of his his Age. Nay, he took the abdication of Fort Fron- tenac fo much to Heart, that he had gone ftraight thither, if the Nobility, the Priefts, and the Inha- bitants of Monreal, had not intreated him with joynt Supplications, not to expofe his Perfon to the dan- ger of the Falls and Catarads that lie in that Paf- fage. In the mean time fome Gentlemen of Cana- da, follow'd by a hundred Coureurs de Bois, under the command V)f Mr. Mantet, ventur'd upon the Voyage, with in:ent to learn the State of the Fort. 1 acquainted you in my laft Letter, that Mr. d^ Val- rms had yown up the Walls of the Fort^ when ^ he n '.'■m IP i '"m: 1 J4 Some New Voyages he made his Retreat ; but by good luck^ the da- mage was not fo great as 'twas took to be ; for the Party commanded by Mr. Mantet, have already rear'd up the ruinous Wall to the heigiit of fome Fathoms^ and will continue to work upon the re« pair of the Fort all this Winter. This News Mr. de Frontcnac received la ft Night, which was the fixth after his return to this City. I had forgot to tell you that he brought with him out of France^ fome of thofe Iro^ue/e that Mr. de DeMonville h^d fent to the Galleys, as I intimated in my thirteenth Le: ter ; the refl having perifti*d in their Chains. Of al! thef unfortunate Barbarians that he has brought bic*v, the moft confiderable is one that goes by the name of Oreouahk. He was not us'd as a Galley Slave, in regard that he was the Leader of the Goyoguam, and the Governour has lodg'd him in the Caftie, in confideration of the efteem he fliews both for Mr. '!♦! isfeert near 1 of his Bri- mbaique in nd Day to ppily put in ders to Mr. the Inhabi- ! with fudi iv'd the 5^/ itenac debar- ind order'd ; : He raised in that ca- ns, and but be refolutely le efforts of I time flood wo Leapjues of their flow ut our felves our Militia, I to us on alj Iijh Admiral /al at (hicl;ec, 'd the place nvi there was , which hy Lit inft>iad of the poinc ot iiys in con- , before thsy z SivUi* Jolht ■s in a Bark in lerchant-men sr- Skins from nieaajj by ihs d, and afrer ^ good Batte. ri©5< &^^ i '■■'"''.m 'il>-it>.{ ,..»';. itf"'. 4«iBlr , _ _ if nes. Fleet four c time H Iniiabi on of namel) h'rench City V Fronten* meet it who ga' of a L( Canada^ liinifelf. into his dui'led I liis Face the fubil v*,v w.y\' ' I Sir YNew-R 'nac, G( 'and in ' md Qu 'Mafler 'luve nd 'of the 'der at ' Towns, 'the fam ' ner of ^ 'you do 'Rdtricii ' Heaven, Arms, t( !te?iac to f^rovide for me as handfomly as he could, when an occadon ofFer'd : So that I was forc'd to reft fuisfi'd with my Anfwer, and re- folvc to continue a C.iprain for ever; fori know very well that the Governour of Canada can not prefer me to a higher Poft. Hiving left I'^erfa.lles, I came hither with all ex- pedition , and then went to receive the com- jnands of ilie Intendant of Rochefort. lie acquainted me. that the Sliip call'd /-/t7;W was fitting up, and ihat I might fail as foon as 'twas ready. He re- commended to me tlie Chevalier de Meaupouj Ma- dam Vontchanrains Nephew, who is to go along with me. This Gentleman having the curiofity to \^cQ Canada, is* come hither from /V/j, with a hand- fom Retinue. 'Tis in vain to fet forth to him the tedioufjiefs of the Paflage, the inconveniencies of the Sea, and the difagreeablenefs of the Goun- rrv ; for all thefe Arguments ff'rve only to inflame his Cui iofity. The Count / Amay is to convoy •js to the Latitude of Caps Fmlhrre, at which place tie to North' America. 1 7 « he IS to take leave of u?, and return to Rochcfort. We only ftay for a fair Wind to put to Sea. 1 am^ SIR, Tours, 6cc. LETTER XXII. Dated at Quebec Nov. lo. 1691. Which contains an Account of the Authors eiepar' parture from Rochel to Quebec, of his Voy* age to the Mouth of the River St. Laurence, of a Ren'counter he had with an Englifli Ship which he fought ; of the Jtranding ej his Ship; of his failing through the River St. Laurence ; of the News he receivd^ that a Party of the Engliih and Iroquefe had defeated a Bodj of the French Troops, SIR, TW O days after I wrote to you, we fet fail from the Harbour ot" Rochd, upon our great Voyage to Canada. On the ^th of Augufi we per- ceiv'd a great Ship, which the Count of Aunay pave chafe CO, who having a better Sailer, cime up with her in three hours time, whereupon fhe on a fud- den put up Genoefe Colours. Some Guns were fir'd upon the Prow, to oblige her to firike ; but the Cap- tain was fo obftinate, that Mr. d'Aunay was forc'd to give her a Broadfide, which kill'd four or five of the Seamen, whereupon the reft were obliged to put out their Long-boat, and carry to his Ship their PafTports and Bills of Lading. On the \ah, afcer thev "•KiftfJ: hwAM Urn ii;/ 'i^ ii'-iflU '■♦ '; 1! m l,-;:!^l ■ ■Ilii '",■ Ir ii^'' 1 17* Some Kew Foyages ehey had taken the Latitude, the Pilots thinking that they were even with Cape Fimfier, Mr. d'Aunay fent out his Long-boat, to acquaint me that he was then upon his return home, upon which I wrote him a Lerter of thanks. F AthQv Bechefen Jdmt, who had been many years Superior of the College of Quebtc, whither he was now going in the fame Capacity, was forc'd to throw himfelf into this Long-boat, in order to his return into France, having found himfelf con- tinually indifpos'd, from '! j firftday we put to Sea. On the 2%doi Atdguft iv hid a great Storm of Wind from the North- Weft, ^jh lafted about twenty four hours, being then a h :; ir^d. Leagues off the Bank of Newfound- Land, This Bank takes its Name from the I- JJandofNQwiound-LsLTidj a Map of which it here annex d. When the Storm was over, there fucceeded a Wind from the North-Eaft, which drove us in tenor twelve hours, to the Mouth of the River of St. Lau- On the 6th of September we difcover'd a Ship rence. failing from the Coaft of Gafpe, which tore down upon us with a full fail. W^ thought at firft that they were French coming from Quebec, but their way of working the Ship difcover'd co us within ah hour after, that they were Enemies. After we knew them, we prepar'dto fight them, and they being a- bout a League to the Windward of us, came quick- ly down upon us with full Sail, within Musket- fhot. Prefendy they put up Englljh Colours, and gave a Broad-fide ; and we put up our own Colours^ us and paid them home in their own Coyn. The Fight lafted two hours, and both fides nr'd continually one upon another, but the Sea being tempeftuous, we were oblig'd to /hear off as Night came on, without fuffering any other lofs, than the wound- ing of two Seamen, and the receiving of twenty eiglit or thirty fiiot in our Mafts, Sails, and Rig- ging. Two days after we met Mr.Dutay Captain of the Haz^ardom^ who, vyas homevyard bound for '" ' . , . France i king that may fent was then ite him a who had of Quehtc, Lcity, was :, in order ifelf con- utto Sea. of Wind i^enty four le Bank of from the I- \ere annex L cceeded a IS in tenor of St. La^' er'd a Ship )ore down I firft that i their way in ah hour we knew ;y being a- ime quick- 1 Musket- s, and gave n Colours, The Fight :ontinaally mpeftuous, came on, he wound- of twemy and Rig- ;, Captain bound for to Nort^- America. ^7% franeet being a Convoy to ten or twelve Merchant Ships. He gave me fome Refrelliments, and told me fome news of Canada, which were very accep- table. We purfu'd our courfe in fpight of the South* Eaft Wind, which oblig'd us to tack about feveral ways, till we came to Portneuf, near to Tadoujfac. tn this place we were ftranded by the fault of the Coafting-Pilot, who being obftinate for cafting An- chor near the Land, was like to have been the caufe of a Ship wrack. At Midnight the Ship was fo dafh'd againft the Sand, that I thought (he was fplit in pieces, but the Tide ebbing by degrees, fhe was left lying upon the Coaft, without any apparent Dam- age. I prefently caus'd a Kedger to be dropt in the deep Water belag'd with feveral Ropes call'd Grelim EpiJJes ( fee the Explication Tabky ) and the next Morning the Tide returning fet the Ship afloat, and then we haul'd it in with the Capeftan. On the ipbwQ caft anchor near the Red IJland, and the next day being the i^th, we pafs'd that Channel without danger, by the favour of a freftiGale from the North- Eaft. On the I sth we eaft Anchor at the Ip of Harts : On the i6thwQ pafs'd the Ifle of Coudres : On the 17?/^ we weather'd the Cape of Tourmente, and the next day we anchored in this Port. From the Mouth of the River to this place, we had the fineft Sunfhine days that ever were feen : During which time, I had both leifure and opportunity to view the Coafts on the right Hand and the left, while we tack'd about and about as the wind ferv'd. When I (aw a great many Rivers on the South fide, lask'd the Pilots why the Ships us'd to fteer their courfe on the North fide, where there is no Anchorage to be found, but at Paplnachefc, the fcven IJIest and Portneuf. They anfwer'd nie, that the ordinary Bree- zes of the rough North- Weft Wind, which blows upon this River for three quarters of a year, were ir fi»; 0^1 174 Some T^ieip Voyages the true caufe why they durft not go far from the North fide ; and chat no body could enfure a Ship that fhould fteer on the South fide, except it were in the Months of June, July, and Augufi. If it were not for that, 1 believe it would be more plea- lane, more eafie, and Icfs dangerous to fail on the Souch, than On the North fide, becaufe one might cilt Anchor every Night at the entrance of ihofe Rivers which difcharge themfelves all along that Co.ift, and would not be oblig'd to be veering a- bouc continually Night and Day, as he is forc'd to <3o, when he (kers his courfe on the North fide. This, Sir, is all I had to fay at prefent about our failing in this River, which 1 (hall have occafion to mention to yoj again. After our Ship caft Anchor bdoit Quebec, 1 landed with the Chevalier iWlf<»«/)o«, vvhoiTi i conduced to the Houfe of Mi. Frontenac, who ofTcr'd to him as well as to me, the ufe of his Table and Moufc. lam inform'dthat 300 En^lijh, and 200 Irc^ueje, npproach'd about two Months agoe to the Iflo of AL/jreal* That the Governour oi that Ifle traniported 15- Companies from the other fide of the River, to watch tiieir Motions; That a Detach- ment of the Enemy having furpriz'd our Out- Guards, attack'd the whole Body of them, and our Camp at the fime time with fo much Vigour and Courage, that they kill'd upon the fpot more than three hundred Soldiers^befides two Captains,fix Lieu- tenants, and five Enfigns; and that after this fatal Expedirion, Mr. Valrcna, a Captain of the Ma- rines, fee out from Alonrealj with a Detachment of French and Savages, to go to Fort Chatnbli, ( for fear the Irajneje Jhould attack that Poft ) who ha- ving met in their palTage a party ofEngliJh and IropCjH, attack'd them vigorouQy, and defeated them. All thefe different Adventures give me ground to conJ5^urc, that it will be much more difficult than fo Nbrf/; America. •from the Lire a Ship pt it were ;«/?. If it more plea- fail on the one might :e of thofe along that veering a- is forc'd to North fide, about our occafion to call Anchor ier MtaupUy •ontenac, who of his Table lijh, and 200 i agoe to the ot that Ifle ler fide of the a Detach- our Out- m, and our Vigour and : more than insjlix Lieu- :er this fatal of the Ma- achment of mMi, (for ) who ha- and Iroqn>!jii) fhem. me ground ire difficult than «75 than 'tis imagin'd, to make a good Peace with thu five Nations of the Iro^ueje. Mr. Fronunac has given the neceffary Orders to all the neighbouring Habi- tations, that they ihould tranfport a* grccit quantity of Stakes and Lime in the Winter time to t!:e Neigh> bourhood of this City. Farewel Sir, the laft Slu'ps which are to depart hence for France, will fail in three or four days. I am^ S I k, Tours J &c. LETTER XXIII. Dated at Nants 0M> 2 j. 1692. Containing an Account of the taking of feme Englilh f^ejjels^ of defeating a Party of the Iroquefe, of an Iroquefe hurnt alive at Que- bec; of another Party ofthefe Barbarians^ who having furprizd fome Coureurs de Bois, were afterwards furprizd themfelves. Of the Pro- je^ of an Enterprize proposd hy Mr. Fronte- nac to the Author. Of the Authors departure in a Frigatfor France, and his ftopptrg at lia- centia, which was attacked hy an Englilh Fleet that came to take that Pojl from us. How tic EngUfh faitd in their Defign^ and the Author purfudhis Voyage, SIR, THIS Letter comes from Britany, and not from Canada, from whence I parted fuddenly to re- turn into France y about two Montlis after I re- ceived your Letter, which I could not then anfwer for want of an opportunity. You tell me, that you are fatisfi'd with the Deicription I have fent you of the ■*% iM mk r ii! 17^ Some Kew Voyages the River St. Laurence^ and that you would be very glad to have as exa(5t an account of the whole Coun- try of Canada, lean fcarce fatisfie your defire at prefent, becaufe I have not yet had time to fort all my Memoirs, and therefore you muft not take ic amifs, that I pray you to fafpend your curiofity for fome time. In the mean time, here follows the Relation of fome things that happened in Canada, which may be acceptable to you. Immediately after the Ships parted from Quehec the laft year, Mr. Frontenac ordered a Plan to be drawn of a Wall to encompafs the City, and ha- ving tranfported thither all the Materials neceffary for building fome Redoubts of Stone, he took care to fortifie it during the Summer. Some days agoe a Gentleman of New- England call'd Nelfon , was brought prifoner to Quebec, who was taken in the River of KenebekiyVi^on the Coaft of Acadia, together with three Ships belonging to him, and becaufe he was a very gallant Man, Mr. Frontenac gave him a Lodging at his own Houfe, and treated him with all manner of Civility. About the beginning of this year, this Govcrnour gave the command of a Party confifting of lyo Soldiers, to Chevalier £ ^^ . « ^ J remarq over th Forrefti deftroy are ncc ges tha themfel compaf be fubd pen'd t be their Jiti\ ] fign, w< means < (ily belie are not hundred againft place of felves, ai therefore of the // Teeth. agoeto ] aic ftill t( maintain with fon I will bu ling light either wi( bear the of the E tnoft dexi ' IVorld. jchofen oi three littl( of the La to North-Ametiai. i8t remarqu'd the advantages which the Savages have over the Europemkt, by their way of fighting in the Forrefls of this \aik Continent. Since we cannot deftroy the Iro^fe with our own fingle Forces, we are ncceffarily oL lig'd to have recourfe to the Sava- ges that are our Allies : And 'tis certain^ as they themfelves forefee, that if thefe Barbarians could compafs the De(lru(5lion of our Colonies, they would be (ubdued by them fooner or later, as it has hap- pened to many other Nations, fo they know it to be their Imereft to joy n with us to deftroy thefe B^iw- iltts. Now fince they are well ai!e(5led to this de« (ign, we muft endeavour to facilitate to them the means of putting it in execution, for you may ea- fdy believe that theCe People, as favagc as they are^ are not fo void of Senfe, as to travel two or three hundred Leagues from their own Country, to fight againft their Enemies , without being fure of a place of retreat, where they may repofe them- felves, and find Provifions. There is no queftion therefore, but we fhould build Forts upon the Lands of the Irotfuefcy and maintain them in fpite of their Teeth. This, Sir, is what I propos'd above a year 3goe to Mr. Fronrenac, and it is what he would have Die ftill to undertake. I project therefore,to build and maintain three Forts upon the courfe of the Lakes, with fomeVeffels that (hall go with Oars, which I will build according to my Fancy j but they be- ing light, and of great carriage, may be managed either with Oars or a Sail, and will alfo be able to bear the fhocks of the Waves. I demand fifty Seamen of the Blench Bifcay^ for they are known to be the I mod dexterous and able Mariners that are in the World. I muft alfo have two hundred Soldiers , diofen out of the Troops of Canada, I will build three little Caftles in feveral places, one at the mouth of the Lake Enie, which you fee in my Map of \Cam(l{f^ under the name of Fore Suppoje, befides two N 3 others. I m > 11 ' h- li'ElfS ■ *i4- ' irMn .; *?. ^mf vt l8l Some N.cip Voyages otliers. The fecond I will build in the fame place whete it was when I maintain'd it, in the years 1687, and 1^88. whereof I liave wrote to you in my i4f/&and i^r/j Letter: and tlie third at the Mouth of the Bay of Toronto^ upon the fame Lake. Ninety Men will be fuiricient to Garrifcn thefe three Re- doubts, and perhaps a rniailcr nt mbcr ; for the iro- ^Mf/ewho never law a Canon, hut in a Picture, and to whom an ounce of Powder i« more precious than a Lewis- D or, can never lie peifwaded to attack any kind of Fortification. I defne of the King for put- ting this Project in execution, i ^000 Crowns a year, for the Maintenance, Entertainment, Subfiltance, and pay of thefe 2^0 Men, It will be very eafie for nie to tranlport with the ahovemention'd Vef- fels 400 Savages, into the Country of the Iroqucfey whenever I have a mind. I can carry Provifionsfor 2000, and tranfport as many Sacks of Indian Corn, as are necefl'ary for maintaining thefe Forts both in Winter and Summer. "1 is ealie to have plenty of Hunting and Shooting in all the Ifles, and to con- trive ways for crofling the Lakes ; and it will be fo much the more eafie to pujfue the Ironjttefe in their Canows, and fink them, that my Veflels are lighf, and my Men fight under a Cover. In fine, if you faw the Memorial which I am to prefent to Mr. Pontchartrain, you would find that this Enterprize IS the fineft and mofl ufeful that can be invented, to diflrefs the Iromtcfe in time of War, and confine tiKm within bounds in time of Peace. Mr. Fronu- n K has joyn'd to it a private Letter to Mr. Vontchar- ty,:'if7, wherein he obferves to him, that if this Pro- ject were well put in execution, thefe terrible Ene- mies would be oblig'd in two years time, to aban- don their Country. After this he adds, that he judg- es me fufficiently qualified to go upon fuch an In- terpi ife ; and believes I will make my point good. Perhaps he might have light on others that know the Country and Culloms of the Savages better than ^ Ido to North' America, 18} I do r But by an accident which do*s not tend much to my rdvantage, I have purchas'd the Efleem and Friendfhip of thefe Savages, which in my opinion was the only reafon that mov'd Mr. de Frovuiwc to fingle out me for this Service. July the 2jtb the Govcrnour having given me his Packet for the Court, and the St. ^nn Frigat being rigg'd and fitted out according to his Orders, I im- barqu'd in the Port of Quebec, and after five days failing, we met in the River of St. Laurence, over againft Monts notre damcy twelve Merchantmen bound from France for Quebec, under the Convoy of Mr. d* Ikwllky Captain of the ?oU. Augu[i the 8/^, we got clear of the Bay of St. Laurence, by the help of a Wefterly Gale, and that in fuch fair and clear Wea- ther, that wedefcry'd the Iflandsof Cape Breton snd Newfound- Land, as diftindlly, as if we had been with- in a Musket- /hot of 'em. The nine or ten follow- ing days were fo far of a different ffamp, that we could fcarce fee from the Prow to the Poop of the Ship, for all of a fudden there fell the thickefi and darkeft Fo^ that ever I faw. At the end of thsfe days the Horifon clearing up, we ftood in for NcW' found- Land, defcrying Cape St. Mary ; and by ma- king all the fail we could, arriv'd that very day in the Port of Vlacentia. In that Port I found fifty Fifhermen, moft of which were of French Bijcay, and thouj^ht to have fet out for France along with them in a few days : But they were longer in g;;tting ready than I thought for,and when we were juft ready to break ground,we were informed by fome Fifhermen, that five large ^nglifii Ships were come to an Anchor near Cape St. Mary, This Intelligence prov'd very true, for on the iffA of September they caft Anchor in fight of Placen- tla. The i6th they weigh'd, and came to an An- chor in the Road, out of the reach of our Guns. Upon this the Governour was not a little per plex'd,for b had but fifty Soldiers in his Fort, and a very N 4 fmall i kr...'i' : IV^V IKElif' \H '*^ .m I iifli ill ■■r>' i- ./t;//j/j put in to the Land in twenty Sloops, with adelign to have landed at that place; upon which my vigorous Cantahriatts be\n^ full of fire and forwardnefs, appeared too foon upon the ihoar, in fpite of my Teeth, and by that means ob- li;'/d the Evirjijh to take another courfe^and row with all their might to the back of a little Cape, where they threw in a Barrel oi Pitch and Tar that burnt two arpents of Thickets. The iSth about Noon, per- ceiving that a little Sloop pur oiF from the Admiral with a white Flag on its Prow, and made towards the Fort, I run in thither immediately. The Go- vcrnour had took care to fend out one of his own Sloops wich the lame Flag, to meet the other, and was fiirpris'd when fhe return'd with two Enjflifli Of- ficers on board. Thefe Officers gave the Governour to undcrlbnd, that the Admiral defir'd he would fend an Officer on board of him, which was done ciiccordingly ; for Mr. de Cofic-klle And I, went on hoard of the Admiral, who receiv'd us with all Ref-j peA and Civility, and regafd us with Sweet-meats, | and feveral forts of Wines, witii which we drank tiie Healths of the Admirals of France, and Englatill Ilc! fliew'd us his whole Ship, to the very Carriages tif the Guns, and then gave tficSieur tieCo/icMetol know, that 'twould be a great trouble to him to be| oblig'd to take Tlaccntia by the force of Arms, inre* f.ard that hcforefaw, fuch an Enterprife would provcl Utdlto the Governour^. to the Ganifon, andallthe| Inluhi' , the Fort whence he lings; and themfelves ixty of the (•event their e a Dcfcent I rompafs'd ^r, fixorfe- I in twenty that place; icing i'uilof II upon the at means ob- nd row with Cape, where ar that burnt It Noon,per- i the Admiml lade towards i. The Go- of his own ie other, and /o Ens^HP' Of- le Governour 'd he would ich was done 3 I, went on with all Ref- Sweet-meats, ch we drank and Englanll rciy Carriages dc Cofieklle to\ to him to be I Arms, inre- e would prove .n, andalltlie Inhahi- . f .K.i/i- .ji^.Arfi-/i>ii/>f /T-mi-Ad out. 'I mf- f A nO/aJ'i./i. >. X [*/"//.• Ay../// iilt/l/:ft.\-,c:it{r. \'\^ ■\ SJ Tht rii'tr iv/iprr f'l'i/ .V .V/? Jarircn. ■\ \ Q^1Vtefiivt,in,/K'm^tji'i^Eiu,li.'fi/''e'-t V.^ ^^JN^f-'rfiiifijfiajr.it.tiit/icii-i'' ij m If' WV- ■-tyWBH, . .i y^ ji I to North America. 1 8 j Inhabitants, upon the account that he would find a great deal of difficulty in preventing the PilLigin^and other Diforders ; That in order to avoid this Misfor- tune, 'twould be a prudential part in tlie Govcr- nour, to come to a Conipofuion. Our OHicer be- ing fully acquainted with the Governour's Mind, made anfwer in his name, that he was refolv d up- on a vigorous defence, and would rather fpring the place in the Air, than furrender it to ihe Enemies of the King his Mafier. After a mutual exchange of Compliments, we took leave of him, and being rea- dy to get into our Sloop, he told us with embraces, that he was infinitely forry he could not faluie us with his Guns, in the room of whicli heorder'd five or fix Muz^a's, with a Long live the King. When we went into the Boat, we rcturn'd him the fame number of (houts, to which he returned a fcventh that finifli'd the Ceremony. Upon our return to the Fort, Mr. de O^ebdle gave the Govei nour an act count of the force of the Admiral's Ship. The St. Alham ffo the Ship wascall'd) carried fixty fix Guns inounted, and fix hundred Men Complement, but the other Ships appeared to be of lefs force. The next day, which was the 19//&, theyadvnnc'd within Canon fliot of the Port, where they lay bye, while a Sloop row'd up to the Batteries. Tlic Go- vernour lent out another Sloop to know what the matter was, and was anfwer d, that if he had a mind for a Parley in the time of the Ingagement, lie fhould put up a red Flag for a Signal, i was then ported at la Fontaine, to oppofe a Defcent ; for that was the only place that could be lerviceable to the Englijhi in order to mafter Vlacentia. The Englijh ought to have confider'd, that their Cannon would do no fervice againft an impenetrable Rampart, and that they would lofe their labour in fhooting again fi: Flints and Earth. But it feems, they were oblig'd by exprefs Orders from the Prince of Orange^ to do it. If;: 4k ■ 'r1 4 ffS mi "11 m 1^6 Some New Voyages and at the fame time :o expofe themfelves to the It danger of being funk, which had certainly been effe^ed, if we had had Powder and Ball enough , for theCanonading lafted ahiioftfive hours. The loth a Ftmch Pilot who was Prifoner on board of the Admiral, made his efcape by throw- ing himfelf into the Sea in the Night-time. He landed at the place where I lay in Ambufcade ; and after he had given me an account of what pafs'd in the Fleet, I fent him to the Governour's Houfe. He inform'd me, that they had defign'd a Defcent with feven or eight hundred Men, but alter'd their Refolution, upon the apprehenfion, that there were fourteen or fifteen hundred Seamen ready to oppofe tlicni ; that they were of the opinion, that my fixty Bifcayam who difcover'd themfelves upon thefhoar at la Fontaine, m fpite of all I could do, had no o- ther view but to draw 'em into an Ambufcade, by tempting 'em to come up. The 217? they fet fail with a North- Eaft Gale, after having burnt all the Houfes at Vo'mte Verte, where the Governour had fent a Detachment by way of Precaution that fame very day ; but the ways were fo impracticable, that the Detachment could not get there in time to op- pofe the Enemy. This one may juftly fay, that if it had not been for the Captains of the Bifcaj Ships that were then at Vlacentia, that place had un- doubtedly fallen into the hands of the Englifh : And chis I can convince you of, when you and I meet. In this bloody Expedition, the Englijhlo^ fix Men ; and on our fide the Sieur Boat, Lieutenant of a Nantes Veifel, had his Arm fliot off. In fine, the Englijlj did all that Men could do, fo that nothing can be faid againft their ConduA. OMer the 6th, I took (hipping in purfuit of my Voyage to- France, being accompany'd with feveral other Veffels. The Wefterly Winds were fo favou- rable to us in our paffage, that we came to an An- chor m i\ to Nortt-America. 187 Ives to the linly been II enough , s. 'rifoner on by throw- time. He fcade ; and ivhat pafs'd ur's Houfe. I a Defcent alter'd their ; there were y to oppofe :hat my fixty on the (hoar I, had no 0- ibufcade, by theyfet fail burnt all the vernour had on that fame Vicablc, that time toop- ly fay, that rf the Bifiaj )lace had un- ',nglilh: And and I meet. jft fix Men ; [utenant of a In fine, the that nothing iurfuit of my [with feveral /ere fo favou- iQ to an An- chor chor on the 23^/ at St. Nazere, which lies but eight or nine Leagues for this place. I am to let out immediately for Verjaillei ; in the mean time, 1 am. S I R, Toursj 5cc. ^ L E T T E R XXIV. D^tad at ISfantes May 10, 169^, Containing an Account of Mr, Frontenac'^ Pr(7- ;> ^, which was rejetled at Court ^ and the reu' Jon why it was reje^ed. The King gives the Author the Lieutenancy of the I lie of New- found-Land, ©*<:. together with a free Inde^ pendant Company, SIR, I Am now once more at Nantes, from whence I wrote to you in October lafi. I am now return'd from Court, where 1 prefented to Mr. Pontcbar^ train Mr. Frontenacs Letters, and the Memorial I mention 'd in my laft. I was anfwer'd, that it would not be proper to execute the Proje6t I propos'd, be- caufe the forty Seamen which were neceffary for my purpofe, could not now be allowed me, and befides the King had given Orders to Mr. Frontenac, to make Peace with the Iroe^uefe upon any terms whatfoever. This Inconveniency alfo was found to attend the Projedt, that after the Forts which I intended to build upon the Lakes were intirely fi- nifli'd, the Savages that are our Friends and Con- federates, would rather feek after Glory, by making War '^9-1 .'■Iv-"" . kill' Jl i 8 8 Some Kem Voynyts • War upon the lrorj:icfc, tlian take picafure in Hunt- ing tlic Heavci'^, which would be a conliclorable da- in.»L;c lu the Coli)iiics of Canada, tliat fubfid only as one may lay, by the trade oF Skin^, as 1 /hall Jhew you more particulai ly in a popcr place. The Vm- glijh will by no means take it ill, that wc do not huild thcfe ['orts, for belidcs tiiat, they are too much concerned for the preicrvation of the Iror^mje^ they will always be ready to furnilh with Merchan- dize the Savage Nations, that are our Allies, as tiit:y have dojie liithci to. 1 muft own niy felf migh- tily o!)l![Vd to the J'-wJifh, who attacked us at Flacen- tin the l.ill year; they declar'd publickly, though vviihoiic any ju(l giound, after they arriv'd \nEng- landi that they would infallibly liave taken that place, if I had not oppos'd their Defcent. I have already infonn'd you, that I did not at all hinder them froni Landing at the place where 1 was poll- ed with fixty Blfcayan Seamen : So that they attri- bute to me a glorious A(5lion, in which I had no \\iX'Q, and by that means have done me fo much Honour, that bis Majefty hath beflow'd upon me the Lieutenancy of thelfle o( Nevfouml- Land And yicatlia, which I never deferv'd upon that fcore. Thasyou fee, Sir, that many times fuch Pcrfons are preferr'd, who have no other Patrons in the World, but pure Ch mce. However, I ihould have been better pleas'd, if I could have put the abovemention'd Projed in tXwCutioii, for a folitary Life is moft grateful to me, and the manners of the Savages are perfeiStly agree- able to my Palate. The corruption of our Age is fo great, that it feems the Europeans have made a Law, to tear one another in pieces by cruel Ufage and Reproaches, and therefore you muft not think it rt range, if I have a kindnefs for the poor Ameri' uviSy who have done me fo many favours. I am :o fet out the next day after to Morrow^ from this place. in Hiint- orable da- ill only as ihall Ihew The En- vc do not ! are too he Irofjuefet , Merchant Alhes, as ^felt*mi[;h- IS at t^laccn- ly, thoui^U taken that nt. I have : aU hinder 1 1 was poU- they attri- 1 I had no ne To much upon nie the ( and Acadia, Thus you re preferr'd, Id, but pure etter pleas'd, 1 proje<^ in .teful to me, feaiy agree- " out Age is ,ve made a cruel Ufage ift not think poor Anteri- urs. I am '^ from this place, to North- Amcric:i, 189 place, in order to embark at St. Ni.'ztre. Tlic M/- fieurs tl'Angui, two Nrtwr^i Mercli.ints, have t.ikcti upon them to maintain the G.urifbn ot VUnntht^ upon condition of certain Grants made by tlieOwrc, who furnilhes thcni widi a Ship, wherein I afii to have my Paliagc. Pray fend nie your Newij bv fome Ships oH S.Jobn de Inr^, wMcli are H) frfii from this place within two Months, in oick'r to truck with the Inhabitants of iLmuna. 1 cannot conclude this Letter, wirhout j^iving yon fome account of a Difpute [ had very lately at my Inn, with a l*orti4guezc Phyllcian, wlio iiul made many Voyages to Angola, HrczH, and Goa. He maintained, that the People of tlic Continent of A- mericay A/ia, and Africa^ were defccnded from three different Fathers, which he thus attempted to prove. The Americans differ from the A/iatics, for they haves neither Hair nor Beard ; the features of their Face, their colour and their cufloms are different ; befides that, they know neither meant nor tuum, but have all things in |:ommon, without making any property of Goods, which is quite contrary to the A/iatic way of living. He added, that America was fb fardiflant from the other parts of the World, that no body can imagine, how a Voyage fhould be made into this New Continent, before the ufe of theCompafs was found out ; That the Africans being black and flat Nos'd, had fuch monftrous thick Lips, fuch a Hat Face, fuch foft woolly Hair on their Headwind were in their Conftitution, Manners, and Temper, fo different from the Amerlcam, that he thought it im- pofliblo, that thefe two forts of People ihould de- rive their Original from Adam^ whom this Phylici- an would have to rcfemble a Turk or a Vcrftan m his Air and Figure, I anfwer'd him prefently, that fup- pofing the Scripture did not give convincing evi- dence, that all Men in general are defcended from one firft Father, yet his reafoning would not befuf- ficicrt it' r^ m \L 'mi *>.>' ,'!«(, i \l^4 ■'\^}' loo ' Some New Poya^es it'iit to prove the contrary, fincc the difFerence »ii^ th.u is foMiicl between the People of /Imerk^ and ^ urka, proceeds from no other caufe but the diffc- ivnc qualities of the Air and Climat in ihcfe two < ontinciitij: Th.u this appears plainly to be true, bt caufe a Nrrr^) Man and SVonian, or a Savage Man .li d Woman, bein^ tranfplantcd into Euroj)ey will I reduce fuch Children there, who in four or five ti;'nerations, will infallibly be as white, as the molt .iiicient Eiiropcam. The Phyfician dcny'd this mat- f ' 1 of l'.u^^ and maintained, that the Children def- ceiuled from this JSIe^ro Man or Woman, would be hoin there as black as'they are in Guinea; but that afterwards the Rays of the Sun being more oblique .ini\ Icfs fcorching than in Africa^ thcfc Infants would not have that black (hining Luftre, which is lb eallly diltingui/hed upon the Skin of {wchNegron as are brought up in their own Country. To con- liimhis [lypofhefisf he alfur'd me, that he had fcen ni.my Negroes at Lisbon^ as black as in Africa, tho' tiieir Great Grandtather's Grandfather had been tranf- pl.inted into Portu^ul many years agce. lie added alio, that thofe who were defcended from the ZV/m- ^'■icz^i', that dwelt at Avgoliy Cape ^ert, O'c. about a iiuridred years agoe, are fo little tawn'd, that 'tis impotlible todiltinguilh them from the Natives ol 'Pi!nu(r,:l : lie further confirm'd his way oi reafon- ing, from an unconieftable matter of fadt, for, fays he, it the Rays of the Sun were the caufe of the blacknefs of die Negroesy from hence it would fol- low, that the Hriiz^Uians being lituate in the fame degree from the Equator with the Africansy fhould be as black as they are ; but fo they are not, for 'tis cerc.Mn their v>kin appears to be as clear as that of the Pcrtr'iraeje. But this was not all, he maintain'd farther, that dieie who are defcended from the firu Savages of BniZjil, that were tranfported into Portu- gal, abcvt; aa Age agoe, have as little Hair and J3eaid flifFcrence terk^ and the dlffc- Lhcfe two be true, v«ige Man :t4ropef will lUi* or five as the moft d this niat- lildren def I, would be i; but that lore oblique cfe Infants e, which is (uch Negroes I, To con- he had fcen Africa, tho' .dbecntranf- 'lle added )m theJV/K- crc. about a ;d, that 'tis c Natives ot of leafon- la, tor, lays caufe of til*-' it would fol- in the fame ■icans, ftiould are not, for lear as that ot ^ maintain d 'rem the fir^^ .d into P^rtii- [tie Hair and jBeaid y /o Norf/r America. 191 Eeardas their Anccflors, and on the confnry, thofe who are dcfcendcd from the liilt Portii{riieze, who peopl'd the Colonics of liraZjU^ are as liaiiy, and have as j^reat Beards, as it ilicy had been bom in Vorttijral. But after all, continued lie, though all (hat Ihavcfaid is abfolutciy true, yet chcre arc fome People, who rafhly maintain, that the Children of the Africans and Americans^ will by de/^recs de;;enc- rate in Europe. This may happen to thofe wluife Mothers receive tlie inibraccs (;f Kmuptumt, which is the reafon wliy we fee fo many AJullattoi m tiie Iflcsof America, in Spaifty and in VoYtmrali Whereas if thefe Women had been as clofcly k^;pt up in Eu- rofe, as the Portuji;nez,c Women arc in yifrica and A- mcrica, the Children of the lirajiliam would no more degenerate than thofe of the Vorttigmx.". Such Sir, was the reafoning of this Dortor, wlio hits tiie matter pretty juftly towards tlie end of his Dif- courfe ; but his Principle is moll talfe, and moll ab- furd, for no Man can doubt, unlcfs lie l)e void of Faith, good Senfe and Judgment, but that /^/^j7« was the only Father of all Mankind. Tiscoitain, that the Savages of Canada, and all the other People of America, have nor naturally either Hair or Beard ; that the features of their Face, and their colour ap- proaching to an Olive, fhow a vaft difference be- tween them and the Europeans. Wiiat is the caufe of thefe things I know not, and yet I cannot be- lieve them to be the effed: of their Air and Food. For at that rate, thofe who are defjended from the French, that firll fetled in Cara^ln near a hundred years agoe, and for the molt part run up and down in the Woods, and live like the Savages, lliould ['ave neither Beard nor Hair, but dc^y^^nerate aUb by de- grees into Savages, which yet uqvc: happens. Af- ter this Phyfician had alledg'd all cn:;fe Reafons, he digrefs'd from this Subjedl, and having a mind to dif- cover his extravagant Opinions, ask'd me what I thought :0* ' iU '!ll. -m 1 9 1 Some New Voyages thought of the Salvation o' To many ^Merhatis, to whom in all probability rhcGofpel wasncvcrprcach'd. You may very well believe, th.u I made no fcruple to condemn them by wholel'alc to Eternal Fire, which he took very ill. 'How can you, faid he, condemn thefe poor People with fo much affu- rance: Tis probable that their firft Father, having never finn'd as our Mam did, had a good Soul, and an upright Heait, llnce his Pofterity do ex- ad\y ohfervc the Law of natural Equity, which is expreCs'd in Latifjc in thefe well known words, Aittri ne fccerls rjuod tlbi ftri non vis j and allow no property of Goods, nor any Diftin^ion or Sub- ordination among them, but live as Brethren, with- out Difputes, without Suits, without Laws, and without Malice. JJut fuppofing, added he, that they were originally dcfcended from Adam, we ought not ro believe, that they are damn'd for their ignorance ot the Chriiiian Doctrine, for who can tell hut God may impute to them the Merits of Chrill's Blood, by wa\ s fecrcc and incomprehcn- fible tons; and befides, ( fuppofing that Man has a Free Will) his Divine Majelty without doubt will have a greater regard to his moral Adions, than to his Worlhip and Belief. The want of Knowledge, continued he, is an Unhappinefs, but not a Crime, and who can tell but God has a mind to be honourd by infinite ways of paying him Homage and Helped, as by Sacrifices, Dances, Songs, and the other Ceremonies of the Americans} He had fcarce made an end of his Difcourfe, when I fell foul upon him with all my might, as to the preceding Points^ but after I had given him to un- dcrftand, that if among the multi vocati, i. e. thofc who profifb the true Religion, who are but a hand- ful of Men, there are found but Vauci dectly all the /imtricans mult be in a very deplorable condition : He anfwer'd me impudently, that I was very rafh ro Nor/^ America. 19^ 10 determine who /hould be in the number of tlio Reprobate at the laft Judgment, and to condemn them without giving any Quarter; for, fjys 1;^, this is to infult the Wifdom of God, and to make him deal as capricioufly by his Creatures, as Sr. Paul's Potter did by his two Vcflels. Neverthtlefti, when he faw that { treated him like an impious, unbelieving Wretch, he to ha even wirii me, re- ply 'd in thefefoolirti words, Fulem ego hk r , LETTER XXV/ Dated at Viana in Portugal January 3 r. 1694. The Author^s departure from France for Placen- tia. A Fleet ^/ 30 EngUfli Ships came to feize upon that place ; hut is difappointed^ and fheers off. The Reafons why the EngUfli have had Juccefs in all their Enter prifes heyond Sea, The Author* s Adventure with the Governour of Pla- centia. His departure for Portugal An En* gagement with a Flujhing Privateer,, SIR, I Do not at all doubt but you will he fenfibly alfehtsout ofthe fh would have Men, he had |the Head, on his own Mif- ir behalf, ifed me to go end to all his |me,that I was fi eft hie Jermo, an advice fo con- contrary to nature, which, I muft confefs, ftrug- gled furioufiy within me, yet ] offer'd fo much vi- olence to my felf, that I fubmiited to it. I was at his Houfe, went into his Chamber, and being with him all alone, F fpoke to him for a rjuarter of an hour in the moll lubmidive Terms, that any Slave could ufe. I am afham'd to make this Confedion to you, for 1 blufli to my felf every time I think of fo mean a fubmirtion. However, inficad of his liftening to my Reafons, and treating', friendly with mc, he fell into a moft furious Rillion, and loaded me witli a torrent of moll bitter Reproaches. In this cafe, Sir, 1 preferr'd the Sim vice of the King, before the Pundilio's of Honour, for I did nothing hut retir'd to my pwn Houfe,being well fatisfy*d that I was not aflfaffinated by his Domefticks : Hut the difo.cii • which this Affair prodiic'd, would require a If) i :ourfe. It will be more to the purpofe, to couiw to matter of Fad ; I do aflure you, that he would iiave laid me up, if the Inhabitants had appeared to be in his Intercfh He pretended that he had been infuUed, and consequently that he was in the right in revenging himfclf, whatever it coll him. But the tragical end of aGoveinour, whofe Throat was cut in this Country about thirty or for- ty years agoe, furnilh'd him with abundant matter of Reflexion. He juclg'd it tliereforc hislafeflway to diiremble his Anger, being peifwadcd, that if I (hould have run him through with my Sword, the Soldiers and Inhabitants would have tavour'd my efcape to the Englijh, in the neighbourhood of Pla^ centia. In the mean time the Recollets, who had a mind to compofe thefe growing Differences, found no great trouble in reconciling us, for they Remon- ftrated to him, of what confequence it would be for us to live in a good Correfpondcnco,and to avoid the troubles that would enfue upon our quancls. Tliis propofal of an Accommodation, was in 3i>- O 3 pear.mcc mm. ,.;'i(!'i^''i'., ip8 Some New Voyages pearance moft agreeable to him^ and (b much the rather, becaufelie was glad to diffemble his Refenc* merits by the external figns of Friendfliip. So we faw and embrac'd one another with mutual Pro- teftations of forgetting all that had pafs'd be« tween us. After this Reconciliation^ I had reafon to believe, that his Heart would not give the lye to his Mouth, becaufe \ thought he was not fo imprudent as toin^ form the Court of fome Trifles, wherein he would appear co have proftiruted his Honour ; but I was deceiv'd, for he took the pains to add afterwards to the Verbal Procefs he had given in before our Ac- commodation, feme falfhoods which he ought to have conceard 'Tis needlefs to acquaint you, how by chance ins Papers fell into my Hands; that In- difcredon might prove a difadvantage to fome Per- fons, whom Heaven blefs. I fhall only tell you, (hat after the Recollets had feen and read the Alle- gations containd in his Papers, they made no fcru- ple to advife me to take care of my felf, and inge- nuoufly declar'd to me, that they never intended to meddle any more in that Affair, becaufe they per- ceiv'd that they had innocently contributed to do me a prejudice, by reftoring peace between him and me. This wholfom advice made me perceive the <5anger to which I fhould be expos'd, if \ continued any longer at Vlacentia, infomuch, that the fear I had of being fent to the Baftiky afrer the arrival of (he Ships from France^ made me refolve to abandon ail hopes of making my fortune here, and to throw up my Places. After the Inhabitants were acc^^aint- ed with this News, all of 'em except three or four, came running to my Iloufe, to alTure me they were ready to fign my Verbal Procels, in cafe I would change rny Refoiution : But inftead of ac- cepting their offer, I gave them to underfland, ha- ying thank'd them firl^ for their Good-will/ '^*' to Korth'AmmcSL, nuch tho is Rcfcnt- . So we utual Pro- pafs'd be- to believe, bis Mouth, nt as to in^ in he would ; but ! was terwards to re our Ac- le ought to It you, how Is; thatln- j fomePer- ily tell you, ad the Alle- ladenofcru- If, and inge- intended to ife they per- buted to do een him and lerceive the I continued t the fear I [he arrival of to abandon Liid to throw re acc^^iaint- ireeor four, re me they in cafe I [lead of ac- irftand, ha- id-will, that they 199 they would bring Mifchief upon themfelves, and be look'd upon at Court as Seditious Perfons , and Difturbers of the publick Peace ; fince by a deteftabie principle of Politicks, an inferior Perlbn is always judg*d to be in the wrong , whatever reafon he may have on his fide. Indeed I would gladly have avoided this fatal necefltcy of throwing up my Places, which feem'd infenfibly to lead me to fome great Fortune ; but at lafl the con- finement in the Bafiile, made fucb a deep impreflion upon my Mind, after I had ferioufly refledled upon the troublefom Circumftances of my Affairs, that I made no fcruple to embark in a little Veflel, which was the only one, and the laft that was to go to Franae. The Propofal I made to the Captain of prefenting hira with a 1000 Crowns, was fo well received, that he engag'd to land me upon the Coaftof Portugal for that Sum, upon condition that I fhould keep the Secret. The beft of the matter was, that my Enemy had ufed the precaution of writing to the Governors of Belle Ifle, of the Ifle of Re, and of Rochelle, to feize me as foon as I fhould land. He reckon'd, and not without realon indeed, that this Veffel would put into one of thefe three Ports : But three hundred Piftoles, dexteroufly con- veyed to the hands of fome People that are not much accuQom'd to finger Gold, have a wonderful efFed ; for that very Sum, which indeed I was loth to pare with, fav'd me my Liberty, and perhaps my Life. Purfuant to this Refolution, I imbarqu'd the i/[th of the laft Month, notwithftanding the rifque that one runs by failing in the Winter time, through fuch a Sea as lies between Newfound-Land and France^ Tis needlefs to inform you, that I left at Vlacmtia a great deal of Houlhold Furniture, which I could neither fell nor carry off, "Twill be more cdify^ ing for you to hear the Journal of our Voyage. We incquqter^cl three terrible Storms i(i our Paftage, O 4 widiouc* i lOo Some New Foya^es without any damage; and in the laft of thefe, which lalted three days, the Wind at North- Weft, we run a hundred and fifty Leagues without any Sail. This laft Storm was fo violent, that the Seamen im- brac'd, and bid an eternal adieu to one another ; for every Minute they expected to be funk without relief. As this Storm alarm'd us, fo the contrary Winds from the Eaft and NorthEaft, that fprung upon us a hundred Leagues to the Weft ward of Cape Fittifferre^ ©(icafion'd an equal dread ; for we were oblig'd to traverfc the Sea for three or four and twen- ty days, after which we defcry'd the Cape by ver- tue of our frequent tackings, and by a ftrange ac- cident, were attack'd by a Flujlm^ Privateer, which could not board us, becaufe the Sea roU'd fo high, but contented her felf with firing upon us, and that with fo little effed, that we did not lofe one Man. Our Mafts and Rigging indeed was fo dammag'd, that after we were parted from the Privateer, by the help of the Night and a great Fog, we could fcarce make ufe of our Sails. However, we refit- ted with all poffiblc diligence, and the Captain of the Ship having then a fair pretence to luft out of the dired: courfe flood to the South-Eaft in the Night-time. This ^feign'd couife did not fecure us from the Privateer, which might happen to fteer the fime courfe; fo that in the Night-time we piic our ielves in a readinefs to renew the fight in the Day- time. In effedt, he did not pur- ("ue us, as we apprehended : But about Noon we efcap'd yet more narrowly, for we were purfu'd by a Sallyman in fight of the Coaft for four hours, and were within a hairs breadth of being taken, before we got under the Canon of the Fort of this City. Had we been catch'd, the Governour of Placentia would have had fome ground for the joyful Excla- mation, ImiMt in Sciliam, &c. But thank God we vvere only frighted. As to Nm/; America. 201 As foon as we came to an Anchor, I paid down my 1000 Crowns to the Captain, who has reafon to look upon this AAion, as one of the beft he ever did in his Life- time. The Long-boat was no fooner in the Water , than I went aflioar with all my Baggage ; and as foon as I came into this City, I procured Ammunition and Provifions for the Ship with that Expedition, that the Cap- tain weigh'd Anchor the very next day, and fo con- tinu'd his courfe to France. As for the Memoirs of the Country of CanaJa, which you have fo often defir'd, Ihaveaddrefs'd'eni to the Rochel Merchant, wiio convey'd your Letters to me all the while I was in Canada. To thefe I have tack'd a fmall Catalogue of the moft neceflary words of the Algonkin Language ; which, as I have often told you, is the fineft and the moft univerfal Language in that Continent. If your Nephew conti- nues his defign of undertaking a Voyage to that Coun- try, I would advife him to learn thefe words in the time of his Paflage, that fo he may be able to ftay five or fix Months with the Jlgonkins, and under- ftand what they fay. I have likewife fent you an explication of the Sea-Terms, made ufc ot in my Letters. The making of this little Table, was a di- version to me in my Voyage ; for in perufing my Letters, I drew out feme remarks which I defign to impart to you, if I find that the infuing Memoirs give you fatisfad:ion. You will readily guefs, that from theyear i68;, , to this very day, I have renoiinc'd all manner of ties to my Country. The curious Adventures that I have related to you in Writing fince that time, will undoubtedly afford an agreeable diverfion to your Friends ; provided they are not of the number of thoie unfi.ferable Devotees, who would rather be ciucifi d, thanfeean Eccieiiaflick expos'd. Pray be fo kind as to wiics to me to Liil/on, and inform nis ,i*v MB loi Some New Foynges me of what you hear, iti reference to my concern. You have fuch good Correfpondents at Varis^ that you cannot mils of knowing how things go. I doubt not but my Adverfary feeds himfelf with the hopes, that his ulual Prefents would procure the ap- prehending of me in France^ where he thinks I would be the fool to land : But now to be fure he'll fret his Heart out, for that he cannot gall me to his Wiflies. However, 'tis as much his intereft to fol- licit my Death, ( purfuant to his unjuft Charge a- gainil me ) as 'tis my Glory to procure him a long Life. Upon this foot. Sir, the longer he lives, the more revenge I ihall have ; and coniequently I Hiall have an opportunity of an eafie folace for the lofs of my Places, and the Difgrace I have met with from the King. I am^ ^ . . S Itl, Tours, &C, Memoirs loj ly concern. Parts, that ngs go, I If with the ;ure the ap- iksl would re he'll fret me CO his sreft to fol- [ Charge a- him a long le lives, the intly I Hiall For the lofs emec with &c, Memoirs MEMOIRS \ OF North-Amf^j Contatmng a Geographical Dejcripthn of that vafl Continent ; the Cuftoms and Commerce^ of the Inhahitants^ &c. SIR, IN my former Letters, I prefented you with a view of the Englijh and French Colonies, the Commerce of Ctf;t ' Kit' to6 Some New Voyages eel out the Earth in their Clofets^ according to their fancy ; thefe Gentlemen, I fay, might have been aware of this advance, if they had been more care- ful. But, to come to Canada ; All the World knows, that Canada reaches from the %()tb to the 6y//&Deg. of Latitude, that is, from the South fide of the Lake Erri^^ to the North fide of Hudfon's Bay ; and from the iS^tb, to the ;; 6/)6 De- gree of Longitude, viz. from the River Mifflfipi, to Cape Rafe in th-; Ifland of NQW-Foundland. 1 af- firm therefore, that Et4rope has but ii Degrees of Latitude, and 3 3 of Longitude, more than Canada, in which I comprehend the Ifland of New-Found^ land, Acadia, and all the other Countries that lye to the Northward of the River of St. Laurence, which is the pretended great boundary that fevers the French Colonies from the En^liflj, Were I to reckon in all the Countries that lye to the North- Weft of Canada, I fhould find it larger than Europe : But I confina my felf to what is difcover'd, known and own'd ; I mean, to the Countries in which the French trade with the Natives for Beavers, and in which they have Forts, Magazines, Miflionaries, and fniall Settlements. 'Tis above a Century and a half fince Canada was difcover'd. John Verajan was the firft Difcoverer, though he got nothing by it, for the Savages eat himi up. James Cartler was the next that went thither, but after failing with his Ship above Quebecy he re- turned to France with a forry opinion ot the Coun- try, At laft better Sailors were imploy'd in theDif- covery, and trac'd the River of St. Laurence more narrowly : And about the beginning of the laft Cen- tury, a Colony was fent thither from Rouan, which fetled there after a great deal of oppofition from the Natives. At this day the Colony is fo populous, that 'tis computed to contain 180000 Souls. I have already given you fomc account of that Country in my Lauren the mi afii, longs little fc and h to North AmmcsL. lO'f iJing to their have been 1 more care- jachcs from ^at IS, from Jorth fide of tie;^6/ADe- ;r Miffifipi, to Hand, i af- Degrees of than Canada, esthat lye to .urence, which It fevers the e I to reckon orth-Weft of Europe: But I known and n which the vers, and in lionaries, and :e Canada was . Difcoverer, vages eat him went thither, htebccy he re- jTrhe Coun- I'd in Che Dif- .^urcnce more thelaftCen- .ouan, which [ion from the Ifo populous, louls. I have ,t Country in my my Letters, and therefore (hall now only point to the mod noted places,and take notice of what may grati- fie your curiofity beyond what you have yet heard. We are at a lofs to find the Head of the River of St. Lattrence, for tho' wc have trac'd it feven or eight hundred Leagues up, yet we could never reach its fource ; the remoteu place that the Coureurs Je Boit go to, being the Lake Lendwipigon, which difimbogues into the Upper Lake, as the Upper Lake do*s into th hzkc of Hurons, the Lake of H«ro»iinto that of Erni alias Conti^ and that of ErrU, into the Lake of Frow- tmac, which forms this laft great River, that runs for twenty Leagues with a pretty gentle Stream, and fweeps thro* thirty more with a very rapid Current,till it reaches the City of Monreal; from whence it con- tinues its courfe with fome moderation to the City of Qttehec ; and after that fpreads out, and inlar- ges it felf by degre«s to its Mouth, which lies a I lun- dred Leagues further. If we may credit the North- Country Savages, this River takes its rife from the great Lake of the AJfmipouah, which they give out to be larger than any of the Lakes I mentioned but now, being fituated at the diflance of fifty or fixty Leagues from the Lake of Lenewipigon, The River of Sr« Laurence is 20 or 22 Leagues broad at its Mouth, in the middle of which there's an Ifland call'd Anth ccfti, which is twenty Leagues long. This Ifland be- longs to theSieur Jolict a Canadan, who has built a little fortify 'd Magazine upon it, to guard his Goods and his Family from the Incurfions of the Eski- man::, of whom more anon. He deals with the o- ther Savage Nations, namely, the Montagmis, and thzFaplpanachois in Arms and Ammunition, by way of exchange for the Skins of Sea- Wolves or Sca- Calves, and fome other Furs. Over againft this Ifland, to the Southward of it, we Hnd the Ifle call'd V IJlePercee, which is a great Rock with a paffage bor'd tlirough it, in which the Wm 'tis" mm. ao8 Some TSLew Voyages the Sloops can only pafs. In time of Peace the Bifcayans of France, and the Normans , us'd to fifh for Cod at this place : For here that Fifh are very pleti* tiful^ and at the fame time larger^ and more proper for drying than thofe of New-Foundland. But there are two great Inconveniencies that attend the fiih. ing upon this Ifland ; one is^ that the Ships ride in great danger, unlefs they have good Anchors and (irong Cables ; another Inconvenience is, that this place affords neither Gravel nor Flint- Hones to uretch ou^ "he Fifh upon before the Sun, and that the Fifherii.c^n are forc'd to make, ufe of a fort of Hurdles. There are other Fifhing-places befides this, which lie fome Leagues higher up upon the fame fide of the River. Such is that call'd Gafpe, where the Ships Crew fometimes trade in Skins . >vith the Gafpejians, to the prejudice of the Proprietors of this River. The other places for Cod-fi(h lie toward Monts notre (lame, in the little Bays or Rivers that empty them- felves into the River of St. Laurence. On the other fide of the River,there lies the wide ex- tended Country of Labrador , or of the Eikimaux, who are fuch a wild barbarous People,that|nb means what- foever, have hitherto been able to civilifs 'em. One would think that good old Homer had this People in his view, when he fpeaks of the Cyclopes ; for the CharaAer of the one, fuits the other admirably well, as it appears from thefe four Verfes, in the ninth Book oihisOailJea^ which are fo pretty, that lean- not forbear inferting them in this place. A??\.* oiy' v-\fYiX(av opt w vatom Kama. '<'' '""Ef anneal y?\.a(pvp6i'(n* Qifjuigtvei ^ exagvs That to Nbrf/;- America. a op ^That is ; this People do not perplex themfelves tirith voluminous Laws, and vexatious Suits ; they delight only in the tops of Mountains^ and dee^ Caves, and every one confines his care to the ma- nagement of his own Family, without troubling his Head about his Neighbour. The Danes were the firft difcoverers of this Country, which is full of Ports, Havens, and Bays, that the (^w^cc Barques tefort to in the Summer, in order to truck with the Savages for the Skins of Sea- Calves. The Com^ merce I fpeak of, is carried on after this manner. As foDn as the Quihec Barques come to an Anchor, thefe Devils come on board of them in their little Canows made of the Skins of Sea-Calves, in the form of a Weavers Shuttle, with a hole in the middle of it, refembling that of a Purfe, in which they ftow themfelves with Ropes, fitting fuqat upon their Brec^. Being fet in this fafhion they roW with little Slices, fometimes to the Right, 2nd ibme- times to the Left, without bending their Body for fear of Over-fetting. As foon as they are near the Barque, they hold up their Skins upon the end of the Oar, and at the fame time make a demand of fo many Knives, Powder, Ball, Fufees, Axes, Kettles, &c. In fine, every one jhews what he has, and men- tions what he experts in exchange : And fo when the Bargain is concluded, they deliver and receive their Goods upon the end of a Stick. As thcfe pi- tiful Fellows ufe the precaution of not going oni ' bo^rd of our Boats, fo we take care not to mffer ; too great a number of Canows tofurround us ; for. they have carry 'd off oftner than ones, fome of our fmall Veflels, at a time when the Seamen were bufied in hauling in the Skins, and delivering out the other Goods, Here, we are oblig'd to be very vi- gilant in the Night- time, for they know how to make great Sloops, that will hold thirty or forty Men^ aftd runasfaftas the Wind: And 'tis for this . P reafoflf : I 1 1 1. ■■■«!! ii ;ii 't!il im m i:i ml V. 1 1 o Some New Voyages reafon that the Malottlns, who fi(h for Cod at Pe'^t^ Nordf and the Spaniards who follow the fame Filhery at Vcrtocboua, are obligM to fit out long Barques to fcour the Coaft and purfue *em ; for a! molt every year they fui prife fome of the Crew on fhoar, and cut their Throats, and fometimes they carry off the VelTel. We areaflur'd, that their number of Warriours, or Men that bear Arms, amounts to thirty thoufand ; but they are fuch cowardly fel- lows, that five hundred Cllfiims from Hudjons Bay, ufed to defeat five or fix thoufand of them. They are pofTefs'd of a very large Country, extending from over againfl the Ifles of Mingan to Hudfom Streight. They crofs over to the Ifland of Newfound- Land Qvery day, at the Streight of Belle 1([q, which is not above fcven Leagues over ; but they never came fo far as Placentia, for fear of meeting with other Savages there. Hudj'ms Bay adjoj ns to this Terra of Labrador, and extends from the ^id Degree and thirty Mi- nutes to the 6; oi' Latitude. The Original of its name was this. Captain Her.rj Hudfon, an Englifi Man by Birth, obtained a Ship from the Dutch, m order to tr.ice a paliage to China through an imagi- nary Streight to the Northward of North- America. Me had ftrll form'd a defign of going by the way of NovaZemUa; but upon feeing the Memoirs of a Danijh Pilot, who was a friend of liis, he drop'd that thought. This Pilot, namely , Frederick An- (childj h.ul fetout from Norway or TJlandia, fonie years before, with a defign to find out a Paffage to Jafan by Davus Streight, whicli is the Chimerical Streight 1 fpoke of. The firit Land he defcry'd was Savage Bay, feaied on the Nordi fi^e of the Tara of Labrador ; then fweeping along the Coait, he en- ter'd a Streight, which about twenty or thirty years afterwards, was chriften'd Hudfons Streight. After tlut^ fleering to t||e Weiiward, he came upon fome Coalls to Nbrr/;- America. 1 1 1 Coafts that run North and South ; upon w! ich he ftood to the North, flattering himfelf with the hopes of finding an open palTage to ciofe ^lie Sea ofjdjfi ; but after failing to the Latitude cf :he Polar Cir- cle, ard running the rifque of periming in the Ice, I do not know how often, without meeting with a- ny paffage or open Sea, he took up a refoiutionof turning back; but the Seafon was then lo far advanced, and the Ice fo cover'd up the furfrice of the W.iter, that he was forc'd to put in to Hudfons Bay, and win- ter there in a Harjjour, where (evei a! Savages fur- nifh'd his Crew with Provifions and excellent Skins, As foon as the Sea was open, he return'd to Den* mark. Now, Captain Hudfon being afterwards ac- quainted with this Dane, undertook uoon his Jour- nals to attempt a paffage to Japan through . the Streight of Davis ; but the Enterprife fail'd, as well as that of one Button, and fome others. However, Hudfon put in to the Bay that now goes by his name, where he received a great quantity of Skins from the Savages ; after that, he difcover'd New Holland, which is now call'd Nav^-Tcrk, and fome other Countries retaining to New- En^^land: upon the whole, 'lis not fair to call this Streight and this Bay, by the name of i/««//^« ; in regard that the abovemen- tion'd Dane, Frederick Anfchddj was the firtt difcoverer of them ; he being the firft European that defcry'd the Countries of Nonh- America, and chalk'd out the way to the others. Upon this Hm^//Ws Journals, the Englifl) made feveral attempts to fettle a Commerce with the Americans. The great quantity of Beaver- Skins and other Furs that he purchased of the Savages while he Wintered in the Bay, put the notion in- to the lieads of fome Englijh Merchants, who there- upon (orm'd a Company for the carrying on of this New Commerce. With this view, they fitted out fome Ships under the command of Captain ISfclfon, who loft fome of 'em in the Ice not far from the P 2 Streighci Ill Some Ke0 Vopges Streight, having efcap'd narrowly himfelf. Howe^ ver, he encer'd the Bay, and plac'd himfelf at the Mouth of a great River, which rifes towards the Lake of the AfmfouaUy and falls into the Bay at a place where he built a Redoubt, and mounted fome Cannon upon it. In the fpace of three or four years after, the EngUjh made fome other little Forts near that River, which prov'd a confiderable baulk to the Commerce of the French^ who found that the Savages who us'd to deal with 'em in Furs on the Morth fide of the upper Lake,,werenot thentobe feen. It came to pafs in proccfs of time, but how I cannot tell, that one Ratijjon, and one Qroztlierf met in that great Lake fome Cliftino% who pro- mis'd to condu(5l 'em to the bottom of the Bay, where the Englijli had not yet penetrated. In ef- fed, the Clifiim's were as good as their word ; for they fhcw'd 'em the place they fpoke of, beiides feveral other Rivers upon which there was a fair profpeA of making fuch Settlements , as would carry on a great trade in Skins with feveral Savage Nations. Thefe two Frenchmen returned to the Up- per Lake, the fame way that they went, and from thence made the beft of their way to Quebec^ whera they ofFer'd to the chief Merchants ok the place, to carry Ships to Hudfvns Bay ; but their Project was rejected. In fine, havin^; met with this re- pulfe, they went to France, in ho^. ?s of a more fa- vourable hearing at Court : But after the prefenyig of Memoiial upon Memorial, and fpending a great deal of Money, they were treated as whimfical Fellows. Upon that occafion the King of England's Ambaffadour did not lofe the opportunity of per- iWading them to go to London ^ where they met with fuch a favourable Reception, tliat they got feveral Sliips, which tliey carry 'd to the Bay, not without difficulty, and built feveral Fores ia diiferent places, th^c to North'Ametia. >«J Howe^ If at the ards the 3ay at a ited fome our years •orts near baulk to that the s on the then to be )ut how I who pro- ' the Bay, d. In ef- word ; for of, beiides was a fair L as would eral Savage to the Up- , and from }ehc^ whera the place, eir Project th this re- more fa- prefenyig Iding a great Is whimfical f England'i \m of per- lymet with got feveral 01 without irent places, thac that did great fervice in promoting the Commerce. Then the Court of France repented, though too jate, that tliey did not give ear to their Memorials; and finding no other remedy, refolv'd to diflodge the Englipj at any rate. In effe<5t, they attacked 'em vigoroufly by Sea and Land, and difpoffcfs'd 'em of all their Forts, excepting Fort Nelfin, where they could not exped: fuch an eafle Conqueft. Some years after, the Englijf} refolv'd to ufe their utmoft efforts to retake thel'e Pofls; and their refolution was crown'd with Succefs, for they diflodg'd the French in their turn, and at this day the French are making preparations to repay 'em in their own Coin. That Country is fo cold for feven or eight Months of the year, that the Sea freezes ten Foot deep, the Trees and the very Stones fplit,the Snow is ten or twelve Foot deep upon the Ground, for above fix Months of the year, and during that feafon, no body can flir out of Doors, without running the rifque of having their Nofe, Ears and Feet mortifi- ed by the Cold. The paffage from Europe to that Country is fo diiHcult and dangerous, by reafon of the Ice and the Currents, that one muAbereduc'd to the laft degree of mifery, or be blind to a foolifh heighth, that undertakes fuch a wretched Voyage. 'Tis now time to pafs from Hudfons Bay, to the Superior or Upper Lake. 'Tis eafier to make this Voyage upop Paper, than to go actually through it ; for youmuft fail almofl a hundred Leagues up the River of Machakandiht, which is fo rapid and full of Cataradts, that a light Canow work'd by fix Watermen, fhall not fail 'env under thirty or thirty fiv';days. At the head ofthis River we meet with a little Lake of the fam^ name, from whence we areoblig'd to a Land- carnage of feven Leagues, to get at the JUver of Adichipikoton, which we run dowp in ten or twelve days, thpugh at th$ fame P ^ ^me "; m m 114 Some New Voyages time we have feveral Land-carriages upon it : For going down this River we pafs feveral Catarads, where we are oblig'd either to carry our Canowf by Land, or to drag 'em back again. Thus we ai rive at the Upper Lake, which is reckoned to be fi^^e hundred Leagues in Circumference, including the wijidjngs of the Creeks, and little Gulfs. This little frefh- water Sea is calm enough from the be- ginning of May, to the end of Septmkr, The South fide is the fafeft for the Canows, by reafon of the many Bays, and little Rivers, where one may put in in cafe of a Storm. There is no fetled Savage Nation upon the brinks of the Lake> that I know of. 'Ti's true indeed, that in Summer feveral Nor* thern Nations come to Hunt and Fifli in thefe parts, and bring with 'em the Beaver-Skins they have got in the Winter, in order to truck with the Coureurs de Bois, who do not fail to meet 'em there every year. The places where the Interview happens, are Bagouafibj Lemipifaki, and Chagouamlgon. 'Tis fome years fince Mr. Vulhut built a Fort of Pales or Stakes upon this Lake, where he had large Ma- gazines of all forts of Goods. That Fort was call'd Camanifiigo)an, and did confiderableDifTervice to the Englijh Settlements in Hudjon$ Bay ; by reafon that it fav'd feveral Nations the trouble of tranfporting their Skins to that Bay. Upon that Lake we find Cppper Mines, the Mettal of which is fo fine and plentiful, that there is not a feventh part lofs from the Oar. It has fome pretty large Iflands, which are replenifti'd with Elks and wild Affes ; but there's fcarce any that goes to hunt upon 'em, by reafon of the danger ot croffingover. In fine, this Lake abounds with Sturgeons, Trouts, and white Fiih. The Climate is unfufFerably cold for fix Months of the year, and the Snow joyn'd to the Froft, com- monly freezes the Water of the Lake for ten or twelve Leagues over, Fcom ■1 to North- AmeTtOL. 2IJ From the Supmour or Upper Lake, I fteer to that of Hurons, to which I allot four hundred Leagues in Circumference. Now to make this Lake, you muft fail down by the fall call'd Saut St. Mary, which I defcrib'd in my fifteenth Letter. This Lake is fitu- ated in a fine Climate, as you'll perceive from che Map. The North fide of it is belt for the Naviga- tion of Canows, by reafon of the frequency of Ifles which afford fheker in bad Weather. The South fide is pleafanter, and more convenient for the Hunting of Deer, which are there very plentiful. The figure of this Lake comes near to an equilateral Tri- angle. Of all its Ifles, that call'd Manitoualln, is the moft confiderable , being above twenty Leagues long, and ten broad. In former times, the Outaouat of the Nations of Talon and .S^^/^ dwelt in it ; but the dread they were under upon the account of the Irofjuefey oblig'd both them and their NeigfJbours to retire to MlffiUmakijiac, That part of the Conti- nent that faces this Ifland , is inhibited by the Nockes and the Miffitagues, in two different Villa- ges, which are twenty Leagues diftant, the ontf from the other. Towards the Eaft end of this I- fland, we fall in with the River cks Francois, which I took notice of in my fixteenth Letter. 'Tis as broad as the Seine is at ?aris, and runs not above for- ty Leagues' in length from its fource in the Lake Nepicerini, to its Mouth. To the North- Welt of this River, there lies the Bay of Toranto, which is twenty, or five and twenty Leagues long, and fif- teen broad at its Mouth. This Bay receives a Ri- ver that fprings from a little Lake of the fame name, and forms feveral Catarafts that are equally im- pradticable both upon the afcent and defcent. Up- on the fide of this River you 11 fee a Man's Head mark'd in my Map, which fignifie3 a large Village of the Huronsj that was deftroy'd by the Irof^wje. You may go from the fource of this River to the P 4 Lake 1 1 6 Some New Voyages J^ake Frontenacy by making a Land-carriage to the River of Tanaouatc, that falls into that Lake. Upon the South fide of tlie Bay of Toronto^ you fee the Fort call'd Fort Suppofi, which I mentioned in my 2;^ Letter, and about thirty Leagues to the Southward of that, you fmd the Country of Theonontate, which being formerly inhabited by the Ilurom, was en- tirely depopulated by the Irc/^ueje. From thence I pafs dire^ly to my Fort, with- out amufing you with the different Landskips 1 met with in the fpace of thirty Leagues. That Fori I tiave fpoke fo often of already, that without (lop- ping there, I (hall run diredly to the Bay of Saki- fiac, reckoning it needlefs at the fame time, to take any notice of the many Shelves and Rocks that lye hid under the Water for two Leagues off the Coaft. This, Bay is fixteenor feventeen Leagues long, and fix broad at its Mouth : In the middle of which we meet with two little Iflands, that are very fervice- able to the Paffengers ; for if it were not for the conveniency of putting in there, they would be ob- liged for the moil part, rather to march quite round the Bay, than to run the hazard of croffing diredly over in a Canow. The River of Sakinac falls into the bottom of the Bay. This Riveriunsfixty Leagues in length, with a gentle Current, having only three little Cataracts that one may fhoot without dan< ger. 'Tis as broad as the Seine is at Seve Bridge. ' Once in two years the Outaouas and the Ilurons, are wont to hunt great quantities of Beavers upon the confines of the River of Sakinac. Between the Ri- ver I now fpeak of, and Mijfiliwakinac, we meet with no place that is worth our regard. As forM/- ' plimakinac it felf, I have already imparted to you all that I can fay of that Poft, which is of fo great importance to our Commerce, and at the fame time fent you a draught of it. X (hall therefore purfus my qourfe to the Lake Errie, remenibring that I to North America. 117 idercrib'd the Ilimje Lv'ka in my fixteenth Letter. The Lake Errii is julily dignified with the illu- ftrious name of Com; for alTuredly 'tis the finely Lake upon Earth. You may judge of the goodneG of the Climate, from the Latitudes of the Countries that furroundit. Its Circumference extends to two hundred and thirty Leagues ; but it affords every where fuch a charming Profpedt, that its Banks are deck'd with Oak-Trees, Elms, Chefnut-Trees, Wal- nut-Trees, Apple-Trees, Plum-Trees, and Vines which bear their fine cluflers up to the very top of the Trees, upon a fort of ground that lies as fmooth as one*s Hand. Such Ornaments as thefe, are fuf- ficient to give rife to the moft agreeable Uea of a Landskip in the World. I cannot exprefs what vaft quantities of Deer and Turkeys are to be found in thefe Woods, and in the vaft Meads that lye up- on the South fide of the Lake. At the bottom of the Lake, we find wild Beeves upon the Banks of two pleafant Rivers that difembogue into it, with- out Catarads or rapid Currents. It abounds with Sturgeon and white Fiih ; but Trouts are very fcarce in it, as well as the other Fifh that we take in the Lakes of H//r(>»i and Ilinefe. 'Tis clear of Shelves, Rocks, and Banks of Sand ; and has fourteen or fifteen fathom Water. The Savages affure us, that 'tis never difturb'd with high Winds, but in the Months of December, Januar'^, and February, and e- yen then but feldom, which indeed I am very apt to believe, for we had but very few Storms, when I winter'd in my Fort in 1688, though the Fort lay open to the Lake of Hurons, The Banks of this Lake are commonly frequented by none but Warri- purs, whether the IroejMei'e, the Ilinefe, the OurKam'u^ &c, and 'tis very dangerous to flop there. By this means it comi's to pals, that the Stags, Roe-Bucks and Turkeys, run in great Bodies up and down the Ihoar, all round ;he Lake. In former times the Er- rkrovonu !| (f.; ii 1 1 8 Some New Voyages rieroncns, and the Andaflogueronons, liv'd Uf)on the Confines of this Lake^ but they were extirpated by the Irot^uefey as well as the other Nations mark'd in the Map. Upon the North (ide of the Lake we defcry a point of Land^ that (hoots fifteen Leagues into the Main; and about thirty Leagues beyond that to the Eaflward, we meet with a fmall River that takes its rife near the Bay of Ganaraske, in the Lake of Frontenac ; and would afford a fhort pafTage from the one Lake to the other, if 'twere not incumbered with Cataradts. From thence to the Streight or Mouth of the Lake, you have thirty Leagues ; the Streight being a League over, and fourteen Leagues long. Upon this Streight you fee Fort Suppoje mark'd in the Map, which is one of the Forts chat I men- tioned in my 2 5 <^ Letter. From that imaginary Fort to the Rivei o^Conde, we have twenty Leagues. The River of Condh runs fixty Leagues in length without Cataradls, if we may credit the Savages, who affur'd me, that one may go from its fource to another River that falls into the Sea, without any other Land-carriage than one of a League in length, between the River and the other. I faw only the Mouth of the firft River, where our Outaouas tried their Limbs, as 1 told you in my fifteenth Letter. The Iflands that you fee mark'd in the Map at the bottom of the Lake Erriet are replenilh'd with Roe- Bucks, and with Fruic>Trees, which nature has ge- neroufly provided, in order to entertain the Tur- keys, Feafants and Deer wi:h their Fruit. In fine, if there were a clear and free palTage for Vef- fels, from Quebec to this Lake, it might bs made the fineft, the richeft, and the moft fertile Kingdom in the World : For over and above all the beauties I have niention'd, there are excellent Silver Mines a* bout twenty Leagues up the Country , upon a pertain Hill , from whence the Savages brought us to Nortt America. 119 US great lumps, that have yielded chat precious Mec- tal with little wafte. From the Lake JSrr/^, I fker my courfe to that of Frontenacy which I could not forbear to fpeak of in my feventh and fevenceenth Letters. This Lake ( as I intimated above ) is 180 Leagues in Circumfe- rence, its figure is Oval, and its depth runs between twenty and twenty five Fathom. On the South fide it receives feveral little Rivers, particularly thofe of thcTfortontouanSjOftheOnnontagues, and of the Famine ^ on the North fide *tis joyn'd by the Rivers of Ga- naraske, and of Teonmtatk, Its fides are deck'd with tall Trees, and the ground is indifferent even and level, for it has no fteep Coafts. On the North fide we meet with feveral little Gulfs. You may go from this Lake to that of Hurons, by going up the River Tanaouate, from whence you have a Land-car- riage of fix or eight Leagues to the River of Torofi' tOj which falls into it. You may likewife have a paffage from the Lake of Frontenac, to that of Erfi^, through the Bay of Ganaraskh, by making a Land- carriage from thence to a little River that's full of Catarads. The Villages of the Onnontagues, Tfonon^ touans, Goyogouans, and Onnojoutesj are not far diflant from the Lake of Frontenac. Thefe Irotjuefe Nations are very advantageoufly feated. They have a plea- fant and fertile Country ; but they want Roe-Bucks and Turkeys, as well as Fifh, of which their Ri- vers are altogether deilicute, infomuch that they are forced to fifh in the Lake, and to broil or dry their Fifh with a Fire, in order to keep 'em and tranf- port *em to their Villages. They are in like man- nsr forc'd to range oat of their own Territories, in quefl of Beavers in the Winter^time, either towards Ganaraske , or to the fides of the Lake of Toron* tOy or elfe towards the great River of the Outaouas ; where 'twould be an eafie matter to cut all their Throats, by purfuing the gourfe I laid down in my Letters. ■■%• i z 1 o Some New Voydges Letters. I have already touch'd upon the Forts of Fronunac and Niagara ; as well as upon ihs River of St. Laurence^ which here cakes leave of the Lakes, and purfues a comparer courfe to Mmreal and Que- becy where its waters mingling with thofe of the StAy become fo brackifh^ that they are not drinH- able. It remains only to give you a Defcription of A" eajia, and the Idand of Newfound- Land, which are two Countries that differ widely from one another. The Coaft of Acadia extends from Kemkki, one of the Frontiers of New-England, to Tljle Verde, near the Mouth of the River of St. Laurence, This Sea- Coaft runs almoft three hundred Leagues in length, and hap upon it two great Navigable Bays, name* ly, the Bay caird Franpife, and the Bay des Cha* kurs. ;It has a great many little Rivers, the Mouths of which are deep, and cle^n enough for the greateft Ships. Thefe Rivers would afford a plentiful Salmon- fiihery^ if there were any body to undertake it ; and moft of em as well as the Gulfs that lies before 'em, furniih fuch Cods as we take at the Ifle Percee^ For in the Summer time, that fort of Fiin make in to the Coafl in Shoals, efpecially about the Iflands of Cape Breton, and of St. John. 'Tis true, the latter has no Harbours, and the former has none that receive any VeiTel above the burthen of a Barque ; but if thefe two Ifljnds were peopled, the Inhabitants might fit out Sloops to manage the Filhery ; and tO' wards the latter end of Augufi, when the Fifii ars <;ur*d and ready, the Ships might come to an An- chor near the Land, and fo take 'em in. Two Gentlemen of the name of Amour of Quebec, have Si. Settlement for Beaver-hunting upon the River of 6t. John ; which is a very pleafant River, and a- dorn'd with Fields that are very fertile in Grain. 'Tis Navigable for twelve Leagues up,, from its Mouth, Between the point of Acadia, and the I- time. to North hmcnci. Hi (land of Cape Breton, there is a Channel or Streight about two Leagues in breadth, which is deep enough to carry the greateft Ships in Frame, 'Tis call'd the pafs des Canjeaux, and would be much more fre- quented than it is, if the Merchant-men boujid to Canada, would fet out from France about the i ^th of March ; for then they might pafs that way, being alTur'd of a clear paUage at all feafons of the year, whereas the Channel of Gape de Raye, is oftentimes cover'd with Ice in April : And by this contrivance, the Ships would arrive at Quebec in the beginning of Maj. Moft of the Countries of Jcadia abound with Corn, Peafe, Fruit, and Pulfe; and have a plain dilHndionof the four Seafons of the year, notwith- ftanding that 'tis extream cold for three Months ia Winter. Several places of Acadia, afford Mafts aii ftrong as thofe we have from Norway ; and if therd were occadon, all forts of Ships might be built there : For if you'll believe the Carpenters, the Oak of that Country i<( better than ours in Europe. In a word, 'tis a very fine Country ; the Climate is in- different temperate, the Air is pure and wholefom, the Waters clear and light, and there's good accon»- modation for Hunting, Shooting, and Fifhing. Th« Animals that we meet with there moft commonly, are Beavers, Otters, and Sea-Calves, all of 'em ber ing very numerous. Thofe who love Meat are in- debted to the Doftors, who perfwaded the Popes to Metamorphofe thefe terreftrial Animals into Fifh; for they are allow'd to eat of 'em without fcruple in the time of Lent, To be plain, the knowledge 1 have of that Country, makes me forefee that the Evgllfj will be mafters of it feme time or other. I could give very plaufible reafons for the Prophecy. They have already begun to rufne the Commerce that the Frevch had with the Savages, and in a fhorc time, they'll compafs its intire Deftrudion. The FnnLh V^l S.:l' ^i, S m \> I*' 22 2 Some New f^oyages Frento they will prize their Goods too high, though they are not fo good as thofe of the Englijb ; and yet the Englifi) fell their Commodities cheaper. Twerc a piiy that we fhoiild tamely leave to the Englifh a Country, the Conqueft of which they have attempt- ed fo often, in confideration of our Fur*trade and and Cod-fifliing. 'Tis impoifible to hinder 'em to poffefs thcmfelves of the Settlements upon the Coaft of Acadia, by reafon that they lye at fuch a difiance from one another ; fo that they'll certainly fucceed in fuch Enterprifes; as indeed they have done already. The French Governours, they aik with the fame view, as many of thoft him and after which he The three principal Savage Nations that live upon theCoaftsof ^c<^^«j,6'ofro)&//,and Optnan^ go. Th e firft three ("having fix'd Habitations) are in- tirely in the intereih of the French'^ and 1 mufl iay, that in time of War they gall the Englif) Colonies with their Incurfions, fo much, that we ought to take care to perpetuate a good underftanding between them and us. The Baron of Saint difteins, a Gen- tleman of Oleron in Beam, having liv'd among the Abenakis after the Savage way, for above twenty years, is fo much refpedled by the Savages, that they look upon him as their Tutelar God. He was for- merly An Officer of the Carignan Regiment in C^^ nada'y and upon the breaking of that Regiment, threw himfelf among the Savages, whofe Linguagc he had learn'd. He married among 'ern after their fafhion, and prefer'd the Forrefts of Acadia to the Vyrenean Mountains, that encompafs the place of his Nativity : For the firft years of liis abode with the Savages, he behav'd himfelf fo, as to draw an inex- prellible cfteem from 'em. They made him their Great Chief or Lea der, who is in a manner the So- veraign of the Nation ; and by degrees he has work*d himfelf into fuch a Fortune, which ?ny Man but he would have made fuch ufe of, as to draw out of that Country above two or three hundred thoufand Crowns, which he has now in his Pocket in goo.i dry Gold. But all the ufe he makes of it, is, to buy up Goods for Prefents to his Fellow-Sa- Vages, who upon their return from Hunting, prc- fent him with Beaver-Skins to a treble value. The Governours General of Canada keep in with him, and the Governours of Ncv^-EfigUnd are afraid of him. He has feveral Daughters, who are, all of 'em. §li^ r>;-:\ m ¥ HI 4 - ' 1 .,sr>.»rr*i((*»te» 214 ^^^^ ^^^ Voyages 'cm, mMtkd very \utid[om\y to Frenchmettj and had good Dowries. He has never chang'd his Wifej by which means he mean'd to give the Savages to under ftand, that God do's not love inconftant Folks, 'Tis faid, that he indeavour'd to convert thefe poor People, but his indeavours proved fuccefslefs ; fothat 'tis in vain for thejefuits to preach up the Truths of Chriftianity to 'em ; though after all, thefe good Fathers are not difcourag'd, nay, they think that the adminiflring of Baptifm to a dying Child, is worth ten times the pains and uneafinefs of living among that People. Port^Rcyalj the Capital or the only City of Aa- flia, is in efFci^l no more than a little paultry Town, that is fomewhat inlarg'd fmce the War broke out in 1689. by the acceflion of the Inhabitants that liv'd near Bmce feme pieces of it for a Pauern^ which were Q, lound i:J ■,, ■■■f h', "'!' ';« U-u, : ''i WA 41 gW'.'T-^- fe ii6 Some New Voyages found to be very pretty, only they were hard to cut. I havefeen fome of 'em that were red Hreak'd with green, and feem'd to be extream fine ; but the mif- cliief is, itfplits fo when 'tis taken out of the Quar- ries, that it cannot be made ufeof^ but byway of incruilation. This Ifland of Cape Byeton affords likewife black Marble, or a fort of BreJ'cbe with grey Veins, which is hard, and not eafily poHfh'd. This Stone is apt to fplit, for 'tis not equally hard, and it has knots in ic. There are no fetled Savages in the I- Hand of Nav found- Land, 'Tis true, t\\Q Esklmaux dio fometimes crofs over to it at the Streight of BeUe JJle in great Sloops, with intent to furprife the Crew of the Fiflierniei\ upon the Coaftcall'd Vetit Nord. Our Settlements are Jt Vhicentia, at the Ifland of St. Veter, and in the Bay of Irepajftz. From Cape Rafe to Cba- pau Rouge, the Coaft is very clean, but from Chateau Rouge to Cape Rafe, the Rocks render it dangerous. There are two conliderable Inconveniences, that at- tend the landing upon this Ifland. In the firft place, the Fogs are here (o thick in the Summer, for twenty Leagues off into the Main, that the ableft and moft expert Sailor dare not fbnd into the Land while they laft : So that all Ships are oblig'd to lye bye for a clear driy, in ordf^r to make the Land. The lecond Inconveniency, which is yet greater, pro- ceeds tioni the Currents which run to and again, without any perceivable variation, by which means the Sliips are fometimes drove in upon the Coafl, when they reckon upon ten Leagues ouing. But, which is woiii of all, the infenfible motion of the rowling Waves,throw's "eminfenfibly upon theRocks, which they cannot poffibly avoid,for want of ground to anchor upon. 'Twas by this means that the King's Ship the Vretty was lolt in 1692, as well as a great many others upon feveral occalions. •, . 21 Of ta Nor^fc- America. 2 27 Of all bur Settlements in Novth- Afnericay Vlacen- UA is the Poft of the greateft Importance and Ser- vice to the King, in regard that 'tis a place of re- fuge to the Ships that are oblig'd to put inroa Har- bour, when they go or come from Canaday and even to thofe which come fn^m South- /4wem<«, when they want to take in frefli Water or Proviii- ons, and have (prung their Mafis, or been dam- mag'd in a Storm. This place is lituated in the La- titude of 47 Degrees, and fome Minutes, aln'oftac the bottom of the Bay that goes by the lame name. The Bay is ten or twelve Leagues broad, and twenty odd Leagues long. The Fort ftands upon the fide of a Neck or narrow Streight, which is fixty Paces over, and fix Fathoms water deep. The Ships that enter into the Port, are obliged to graze, ( fo to fpeak ) upon the angle of the Baftions. The Port or Harbour is a League long, and a quarter of a League over : Before the Port there's a large, fine road, which is a League and a half wide ; but lies fo bleak to the North* Weft, and Weft-North- Weft Winds, the ftrongeft and moft boifterous Winds that are, that neither Cables nor Anchors, nor large ftout Ships can withftand their furious (hocks; tho' indeed thefe violent ftorms feldom happen but in the lat- ter end of Autumn. The fame year that the Pretty was loft, the King loft another of 69 Guns call'd the Good, in this Road j and if dje four or five other Ships that belonged to the fame Squadron, had not took the precaution of fteering into the Port, they had certainly underwent the fame fate. This Road then which is only exposed to the North- Weft, and Weft- North- Weft Winds, has fome hidden Rocks on the North fide, befides thofe at Fofjinte Verte, where leveralof the Inhabitants are wont m filh. All thefe things you may fee plainly upon the Plan that I Tent you along with my 2;^ Letter. ^"m if! '.'' t' f!!-:, ci Coffl- — ■of^^ .«* 1ff» ^ yi»IU| lj W- , .*■)" \ 2l8 Some New Voyages Commonly, there comes thirty or forty Ships from France to Placentia every year, and fometimes (ixty; Some come with intent to fifh, and others have no other defign than to truck with the Inha- bitants, who live in the Summer time on the other fide of the Fort. The ground upon which their Hou- fes ftand, is call'd La grand Grave, for in efFeftj they have nothing but Gravel to fpread their Cod-filli upon, in order to have 'em dry'd by the Sun after they are faked. The Inhabitants and the French Fifher- mjn,<*end their Sloops every day two Leagues off the Port ro purfue the Filhery ; and fometimes the Sloops return fo over- loaded, that they are in a manner bu- ry'd in the Water. You cannot imagine how deep they (ink, and 'tis impoflible you fhould believe it, unlefs you faw it. The Fifliery commences in the beginning of Jtme, and is at an end about the mid- dle of Aiigu(i: In the Harbour they catch a little fort of a firti, vyhich they put upon their Hooks as a bait for the Cod. Placentia is in great want of Gravel, which oc- cafwns the thinnefs of the Inhabitants, if the Go- vernours prefer'd the Kings Service to Avarice, they might make it a confiderable Poft, and a great ma- 1 ny would make gravel Walks at their own charge ; | but as long as the Governours prey upon the for- tunes of private Men, under the fair pretence of 1 the King's Service, which is always in their Mouths, [ 1 can't fee that this Settlement will ever be in- larg'd or improved. Do's not the Governour dif- grace his Prince, and fink the charader of his Poft,| in turning Fifherman, Merchant, Vintner, and add- ing in the way of a thoufand meaner and morej Mechanical Trades ? Is not this a piece of Tyran- ny? To force the Inhabitants to buy what Goods- they want, out of dich and fuch a Ship, and to fc!i their Cod to fuch other Ships as the Governour isj interefs'd in, and that as a principal Owner : Toj appro-. to Kortl>kmtx\c2L, aij) appropriate to himfelf the Rigging and Tackle of the Ships that are calt away upon the Coaft, to ftop the Crew of Merchantmen for his own Fifhery, to fell Habitations or Settlements, to ftifle the bidding up for EfFedts fold by way of Audion that he may in- grofsthem by hisfiDJeAuthorityjto change the Provi- fions laid up in Magazines for his Majeliy's Troops^ to carry oif the good Biskuit and put bad in the room of it, to make fo much Beef and Bacon for the fubfiftance of the Garrifon, to force the Inha- bitants to fend their Servants and Carpenters to feme work, in which his Majefty's Service is lefs concerned than his own Pocket : Thcfe, I fay, are things that I take to be plain infradions of the Or- ders ilTued forth by Lewis the XIV. Thefe are a- bufes that muft be redrefs'd, if we would have the King to be well ferv'd : And yet there's nothing done in it. For my part, I am unacquainted with the reafon of the delay ; thofe that have a mind to know, had belt ask the Deputies of Monfieur /^/^ P * * *. I am fully perfwaded, that all thefe Pyracies do not come to the King's Ear, for he's too juft to fuffer 'em. To conclude ; Vlacentia bears neither Corn, not' Rie, nor Peafe, for the Soil is good for nothing ; not to mention, that if it were as good and as fer^ tile as any inCanaJa, yet no body would give them- felves the trouble to cultivate it ; .for one Man earns I more in Cod-tilhing in one Summer, than ten would do in the way of Agriculture, in the great Bay of flacentia, there are fome little ILubours^ (befjdes that of the Fort ) which the Bijcay FiftisrmeJi re-r (ort CO, Such arc the little and the great Burh, St, Uurcvve} Martk^ Cbapean Rou^e, &c. u 1 , ' l«';t l\i •i ■ i|- i' ~im "-'^•'^mmi'/mmvwi^ 1}0 S$mc Ne» Foya^s A Lift of the Sttvagt N^timt «f Canadl. 7hfe in Acadia. The AhenAkis. The Canihtts. Thefe arc all of 'cm good War- riours ; tl.cy arc more adive and The Alihiti^^ans, >ltfs cruel than rhe Irotjmfe. Their I an^,iKigc differs a little fiom that ot ih<; Aliotikins. 1 lie Opmaugos. J he Soccoku. The Etccbemins. The Nat'i ens that i)e upr.n the River a/ 5;. I^urencc, from (be Sea to Mom cal. k the Algonkln Lan- Thc Vapm/ichois. ) ,-nt r r . The Mwuavms.> ^''^^'^ ^^'^^^ ThQ Ga/pcfiam S^"^^^'* The Ihrons of Lorao, the Irorjuefi Tongue. The A'>cnakiso£ Scillcri.} ^, ,, ,. , The dlgrnklns. f The Algonhn F..nguage. The W^?;ii.f of the Fall called Saut St. Lvttu ; they fpcak the Iroqueje Language, and are good War- riours. 1 he Irc^uefe of the Mountain of Monreal ; they fpeak the Iro^ucje Language, and area brave People 7hfe upon the Lake of Ilurons.. - • The thronsy the Irotjuefe Language. The Out actios, y TheS%«"( The ^fe<.»*;» Language. The Attikamek. ) The Outehipcuesj alias SaHtcurs, good WarriourSc ^■ Upoff to Korth Amer/cj. *J« ft Vfon the Ilificfe Lake, ami the arljacent Cowttrf. Some Vtnefe a( Cbe^ttkou Tlic Oumamu, good Warrioiirs/ The Maikouttns. The Kikapous, good Warriours. •> f T ^' They fpcak the i an- The Ostta^amu. good Warriours. . ^(t5'^''^''I^jngungc. The Ai^/.«.i>««. |^-»"^! '^'"^* rprightly The Po«re.r/^/^m«. ^f »^^ ^"""t ot I'to- The Ojatimm, good Warriours. | ^ * The Sakv. J ^ /w ///c Ndghbourbood of tU Lake o/'I'roiUcnac. The Tfomiitouans.l rri r r i vir ^ r The Onmyoutes and A'nies, at a fmall dilKince. Ni?= ^A'"'- The Nfpifirim. \ '='" "'<= '"='>' cow,.rc]l) . The Temiikamiuk, -j i Jtf the North of Miffifipi, <7«^ «/><»« the Confmi of the Upper Lake J and Hudfon's Baj, The Nadoutjfis. "* '* ' ^ '* The Ajjimpouali* The Sonkaskitom. Tlie Ouadbatons. The Atintons. >Thefe fpeak AlgonkUu TJieC////»o/ brave' Warriour's and adive brisk Men. The Ekimaux, Q4 i'-^* *i ' IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 !f >^ l££ I.I mm 184 ■AO ■ 2.2 US 1^ |l.25 11 ..4 ly^ ^ 6" ► V] VQ ^/ ^ ^'^ v^""^ /^ ^w^ '> /f^ # Photogr^hic Sciences Corporation 23 WIST MAIN STRUT WEBSTIR.N.Y. M5S0 (716)87}-4S03 \ N5 \^ '4 #^ 4s ^^ "^ J5 ^ 2jX Some New Voyages irs «. A Lift of the AmmaU of the South Countries cf Ca- nada. Wild Beeves. ' ; ^v;* [ Little Stags or Harts. Roebucks of three different Species. Wolves, fuch as we have in Europe. Lynx*s, fuch as we have in Europe, Michibichi, a fort of baftard Tygre. Weefels O^^^ ^^ ^^ ^^^® ^" Europe. Afli-colour'd Squirrels. . , , R ^hh^' H"^^ ^^ ^® ^^^^ '" Europe. Badgers, fuch as we have in Europe, , , . .' ',= i White Beavers, but very fcarce. Reddifh Bears. Uu ^; . Musk Rats. Reddifh Foxes, as in E«ro/>e. - ''^*' Crocodiles in the MiJJlJipi. «' v O^, an Animal like a Hare, upon the MiJftfipL " A Lifi of the Animals of the North Countries o/* Canada .. ..^..^.w L/ fembles a Sutffes Doublet. Great Harts. Sea-Wolves or Calves, ?:,,„, s ,. i --,., ji Defcrlption offuch Anintah or Beafis, as are not men- tion d in the Letters, Ji«: WW THe Michihicbi is a fort of Tyger, The Animals only 'tis lefs than the common Ty- ^/„^'^;f/"'* ger, and notfomuchfpeckl'd. Asfoon as it defcries a Man^ it runs away, and climbs up ' ' the firfl: Tree it meets with; It attacks all brute Animals whatfoever, and conquers 'em with ea(e ; and, which is very fingular and peculiar to it alx^ve all other Animals, it runs in to the affiftance pf tiie j^avages, when they purfue Bears and wild Beeves ; upon fuch occafioriS it makes as if 'twere affraid of no body, and fally's out with fury upon the hunted Animaj. The Savages call thefe Animals a fort of Manitousy that is, Spirits that love Mer^ ; and 'tis upon that fcore they efteem and refped 'em to fuch a degree, that they would choofe rather todiej, fhan to kill one of 'em. . «; . : . rii a The white Beavers are much valued, upon the ac- count, of their being uftcommon, though at the iame time, their Hair is neither fo large norfofii^ as that of the common Beavers^ As there are but few of the^e vvhite Beavwrs> fo thofe \yhich are quite Wack are very fcarce. / |,„, .■ -^ii V jj I! i I ui I r iJw'H '»'»if A 1)4 "Sowe New Voyages The RedMJh Bears are mirchievous Creatures, for they fall fiercely upon the Huntfmen, whereas the black ones fly from 'em. The former fort arc lefs, and more nimble than the latter. The Crocodiles of MiJJt/tpiy are exaAly the fame with thofe of the Nile and other places. I have feen that Crocodile that is at Engolifma in A^uitaine, and find that it has the fame figure with thefe, on- ly 'tisfomewhat lefs. The moft ufual method that the Savages have for taking 'em alive, is to throw great Wreaths or Cords made of the barks of Trees with a running knot, upon their Neck, the middle of their Body, their Paws, &c. After they are thus fi€X*d, they fhut 'em up between ten or twelve Stakes, and there tie 'em after their Belly is turn'd upwards. While they lie in this pofture, they flea 'em without touching their Head or their Tail, ind give 'em a Coat of Fir- bark, to which they fet fire, having cut the Ropes that keep'd 'em fai^. Upon fuch occafions, thefe Animals make a fearful houl- ing and crying. To conclude, the Savages are fre- quently fwallow'd up by thefe Creatures, whether in fwimming over a River, or in fleeping upon its Banks. Jriofie in the 68Diapafon of his i$tll) Song, gives this Defcription of a Crocodile. ' r. ? I ' ort; Vive flih litd e dentro a la Riviera, Ei Corpi Umani {on le fue Vivandt, De le Perfone tnifere i incantey Di Viandanti i d'infelice naitte. " V\j: '.n That is, it lives both in the River, dfid lipoti its Banks ; it fquafhes People with its murdering Tooth; it feeds upon the Bodies ot* poor Travellers, of un- fortunate Paifengers, andSailours. The Offa, are little Animals like Hares, and re- femble 'em i|i every thing, excepting the Ears and Hind-feet. They run, and csiniiot climb. Their V f i Females fo Nm^ America. 1J5 Females have a Bag under their Belly, where their young ones enter upon a purfuic, in order to fave chemwltes along with the Mother^ who immedi- ately betakes her fell to flight* m The SiWercolour*d Fexef arc of the Tht Anintait fame fliape with thofc of Emm^^s trBe^p^oftht well as the black ones. The black ^'l^;' ^'"r ones are very fcarce, and whofoever " catches one, is fure to fell it for its weight in Gold. This fpecies is met with only in the coldeft Coun- tries. Tht White Bean are a monftrous Animal, and ex^ traordinary long ; their Head has a formidable Af- ped, and their Hair is very large and thick ; they are ib fierce, that they'll come and attack a Sloop in the Sea, with feven or eight Men in it. 'Tis faid, that they'll fwim fix or (even Leagues without being tyr'd. They live upon Fifli and Shells upon the Sea-fhoar, from whence they fcldom ftraggle far. I never faw but one of 'em in my Life-time, which had certainly tore me to pieces, if I had not fpy'd it at a diftance, and fo had time to run back for fhelter to FortL^wftr at PUcetitia. ' '^ The Flying S^imrrels are as big as a large Rat, and of a greyiih white colour. They are as droufie, as thofe of the other Species are watchful. They are call'd Flying Sejuirrels, in regard that they fiy from one Tree to another, by the means of a certain Skin which flretches it felf out in the form of a Wing, when they make thefe little Flights. Theff^hiteHares are only fuch in Winter,for as foon as the Spring comes on, they begin to turn grayiffa^ and by degrees recover the fame colour as our Hares have in France, which they hold till the end of Autumn. The SuiJ/e Squirrels are little Animals, refembling little Rats. The Epithet of SuiJJe is beftow'd upon 'em, in regard that the Hair which covers their Bo- fiij 1^6 Some New Voyages dy^ is (Ireak'd with black and white, and fefem* bies a Suijfes Doublet ; and that thefe ftreaks make a ring on each Thigh, which bears a great deal of relemblance to a Smfes Cap. The large Stags are neither higher nor thickcr,than thofe we nave, in Europe ; but they are call'd large in proportion to two other Species of Harts that frequent the Southern Countries. Ttie leiTer fore aflfords the moft delicious Meat. The Sea-Wolves^ which fome call Sea-Calves^ are as big as Mafliffs. They are almoft always in the Water, or at leaft they never go far from the Sea fide. Thefe Animals do not walk fo much a< they crawl, for when they raife themfelves out of the Wa- ter, they only creep upon the Sand or Clay. Their Head has the form of an Otter's Head, and their Feet, which have no Legs, refemble thofeof aGoofe. The Female kind bring forth their young on^s upon the Rocks, or upon fome little Illands, juftbythe Sea^ The Sea^Wolves live upon Fifh, and refort to cold Countries. There's a prodigious number of ■em about the Mouth of the River of St. Laurence. As for the remaining Animals of Canada, I gave you an account of 'em in my Letters. I will noi offer to /hew you what methods the Savages take to catch or kill all thefe Animals, for fuch an under- taking would be endlefs. This I can aiTure you of in the general, that they rarely go a Hiinting to no purpofe, and that they majce no ufe of their Dogs, but in the Hunting of Elks, and fometimes in Hunt- ing of Beavers, as you fhall fee under the Head cf the Diverfioiis of Hunting and Shooting among the iB.aYages. : .. . ' .. lib i>^, ^ ■T- ' - *■ , «Vb to North- Atna'ia. *J7 A lift of the Fowl or Birds that frequent the South Couh- tries of Canada. o < r I . . .^ r Vultures. Huards^ a River-fowl as big as a Goofe. Swans. -^ Black Geele./ ! ;! • Black Ducks.V Plungeons. Yuch as we have in Europe, Coots. *» Rayles. Turkeys. ^ Red Partridges. ^; ■ . ^ " Pheafants. Large Eagles. Cranes. 7 Blackbirds. >ruch as we have in Enrope^ Thrufhes. S Wood-Pigeons. ; i ' . - . - Parrots. SwIuoUf"^'' « ^"^ ^''^ •" ^'''''- Several forts of Birds of Prey chat are not known in Europe. 2- Nightingales unknown in Europe^ as well as (everal other little Birds of different colours^ particularly that caird Oifeaa Mouche, a very little Bird refem- blingaFly; and great quantities of Pelicans. The Birds of the North Countries of Canada. Whi?e Geefe.}^"^^ ^' ""^ '^^^^ »" ^""'f'' Ducks of ten or twelve forts. Teals. ' •-:> Sea- Mews. Grelans. .. i"; .v.- ' •■-* ;^, '• ■:'«• Sterlets. S-L * - U-: Sea- ii f'' ''(I fj, 4 ^ jiJii i; II ■•f I'i t J 8 Some Vkm Varfagts Sea-Parrots. Moyacks. Cormorants. "* Heath-Cocks. Snipes. Piungeons. Plovers. Lapwings. Vfuch as we have in Zwi^t, Herns. Courbeious* The Water- Fowl call'd Chevalier. Beateurs de Faux, a Fowl as big as a Quail. White Partridges. Large black Partridges. Reddifh Partridges. Woodhens. . .^f > « Turtledoves, White Ortolans^ a Bird no bigger than a Lark. Ravens K^^^ ^^ ^® ^^^® *" Europe, Vultures. Spar-Hawks.p ' ' " ' --^ *i Merlins. ^like ours in Eurofe* Swallows. S Beci Pe /a>, a fort of a Duck. J *;.; •si A Table of the Infers that an found in Canada. ■'i^'^ifr Adders. Alps. ^;;;. Rattle-Snakes. Lowing Frogs. ] ; vr; Gnats or Midges. Gad- Bees. Brulocs or burning Hand worms. jUi -^\c to Nort^.America. »jj> finw A Defcription of fuch Birds as are not accounted fir in my Letters. TH E Huards arc a Frcfli water- Fowl, itft w»/ $r as big as a Goofe, and as dull and f^^fyf^^/ heavy as an Afs. They have black and /JUt!^ """" whice Feathers, a pointed Beak, and a very (horcNcck. They only duck or dive in the Sum- mer, for they cannot ufe their Wings ; and in thae Seafon, the Savages take the Diverfion of furround- ing 'em with feven or eight Canows, difpers'd here and there, and fo obliging 'em to dive down, when they offer to come up to take breath. The Savages have Entertained me feveral times with this agree- able Amufement, during the courfe of the Voyages I made with them. The Red Partridges are wild and little, and much different from the Red Fartridge we have in Europe, as well as the Pheafant, whole Feathers being of a white colour with black fpecks, make a very agree- Lble diverfity. The largeft Eagles we find in this Country, are no bigger than Swans. Their Head and their Tail is whice, and they have frequent Ingagements with a fort of Vultures, that commonly have the better of it. In our Voyages we had frequent occafi- ons of feeing thefe Ingagements, which laft as long as the Eagle can keep up the force of its Wings, The Parrots are met with in the I/lnefe Country, and upon the .River of MiJJi/ipi. They are very fmall, and are the fame wich thofe that we bring from Brazil and Cayenne. . That fort of Nightingale that I faw, is of a pecu- liar form ; for 'tis of a leffer fize than the European, and of a blewifh colour, and its notes are more di- verfified ; befides that, it lodges in the holes of Trees, and four or five of 'em do commonly keep together ! ! m h^'M?* V ' 240 Some tiew Voyages together upon the thickeft Trees, and with joynt Notes Warble o'er their Songs. The Flylike Bird is no bigger than one's Thumb, and the colour of its Feathers is fo changeable, that 'tis hard to fafien any one colour upon it. They appear fometimes red, fomecimes of a Gold colour, at other times they are blew and red ; and proper- ly fpeaking, 'tis only the brightnefs of the Sun that makes us unfenfible of the change of its gold and red colours. Its beak is as (harp as a Needle. It flies from Flower to Flower, like a Bee, and by its fluttering fucks the flowery Sap. Sometimes about Noon it pearches upon the little branches of Plum- trees or Cherry-trees. I have fent fome of 'em dead to Franccy it being impoffible to keep 'em alive, and they were look'd upon as a great Curiofity. There are ten or twelve forts of ft'Sm; Ducks in this Country. Thofe call'd Countries* Branchus, are the fmalleft indeed, but they are much the pretty eft. The Fea- thers upon their Neck looks fo bright, byvertueof the variety and livelinefs of their colours, that a Fur of that nature would be invaluable in Mufcovy or Turky. They owe the name of Branchus^ to their refting upon the branches of Trees. There's ano- ther Species of Ducks in this Country, that are as black as Jackdaws, only their Beak and the circle of their Eyes are red. The Seamews, Grelam and Sterlets, are Fowls that f?y incefTantly over Seas, Lakes, and Rivers, in or- der to catch little Fifh. Their Flefii is good for no- thing, befides that, they have no fubftance of Bo- dy, though they feem to be as big as Pigeons. The Sea-Parrots bear the name of Farrotsf upon the account that their Beak is of the fame form with that of the Land Parrot. They never quit the Sea or the Shoar ; and are always flying upon the furface of the Water, in queft of little Fifh. Their , . A colour to Non/; America. 241 colour is black, and cheir Hzeis much the fame with that of a Pullet. There are great numbers of 'em upon the bank of Newfound- Land , and near the Coafl of the Ifland, which the Seamen catch with Hooks covered with a Cod's Roe, and hung over the Prow of the Ship. The Moyach are a fort of Fowl, as big as a Goofe, having a (hort Neck, and a broad Foot; and which is very (Grange, their Eggs are half as big again as a Swan's, and yet they are all Yelk, and that fo thick, that they muft be diluted with Waterj before they can be us'd in Pancakes. The fVhite Vartridga, are as big as our red Par* fridges. Their Feet are cover'd with fuch a thick down, that they refemble thofe of a young Rab- bet. They are only feen in the Winter time, and fome years they are fcarce feen at all, though on the other hand, in other years they are fo plenti^ ful, that you may buy a dozen for Nine-pence. This is the mod flupid Animal in the World ; it fits upon the Snow, and fuflPers it felf to be knocked on the head with a pole without offering to ftir. I am of the opinion, that this unaccountable num- nefs is occafion'd by its long flight from Greenland to Canada. This conjeAure is not altogether ground* lefs, for 'tis obferv'd, that they never come in flocks to Canada, but after the long continuance of a North or a North-Eafl Wind. The Black Partridges arc truly very pretty. They are bigger than ours ; and their beak together with the circle of the Eyes, and the Feet are red ; their plumage being of a iliining black colour. Thefe A- nimals are very proud, and feem to have a fenfb of their beauty as they walk. They are but very uncommon, as well as the reddifh Partridges, which refemble Quails in their bulk and brisknefs. The fVhite Ortolans are only met with in Winter $ but I am of the opinion^ that their Feathers are na- K rurally 141 S(nne New Vydges turally of a white colour, and chac they retrieve their natural colour in thc^ places they retire to, when they difappear in Canada, They arc indifferent good to ear when they are fat, but that they feldom are. In the Winter great quantities of 'em are catch'd about the Barns, with Nets ftretch*d out upon the Straw. Y A Defcriftlm of the InJeEit of Canada. TH E Adders of Canada do no harm at all. The Afpi indeed are very dangerous,when the People bathe in the (tagnating Water towards the SouthCoun- tries. The Rattle- Snake ot Sounding ^£r/>«»/isrocaird,in regard that at the extremity of its Tail, it has a fort ot a Cafe, containing certain bones which make fuch a noife when the Serpent creeps along, that 'tis heard thirty Paces oE Thefe Serpents betake themfelves to flight when they hear the found of Mens Feet, and commonly deep in the Sun either in green Fields, or open Woods. They never fting but when they are trod upon. The Lowing Frcgs are fo call'd with refpe * Cockles* Mufcles. Tie SheU^Ftfh, The Fijh that are found in the Lakes of Can;iida, atidh§ the Rivers that fallint»*em* Sturgeons* The Armed Fiflu K i froQfltf Mil :iii' ' l;"i Trouts. White- rifli. A fort of Herrings. Eels. Mullets. Carp. GulUFifli. Gadgeons. Some Nc/c yoy(tgei ^8 77j« Fip) found in the Rivtr of Miflifipi. Pikes, fuch as we have in Europe, Carps. Tench. Perches. Dabs, and fcveral others that arc not known in Europe, . A Defcription of the Fijh that are not mention d in the Letters, T^H E Baknot is a fort of a Whale, Thoft httffttn the Mouth of JIL only 'tis lefs and more ncfliy, and $bf River. ana j ., ^ ^ ,• u f\'t • • 1 tbt Lskit. °^^^ ^^^ y*^'" ^" *" proportion to the Northern Whales. This Filh goes fifty or fixty Leagues up the River. The Soujjieurs are much of the fame fize, only they are (horter and blacker. When they mean to take breath after diving, they fquirt out the Water through a hole behind their Head, after the fame manner with the Whales. Commonly, they dog the Ships in the River of St. Laurence. The IVhite Varpoijes are as big as Oxen. They al- ways go along with the Current; and go up with the tide till they come at frefli Water, upon which they retire with the ebb Water. They are a gliaftly fore of Animals, and ate frequently taken before iluebtc. The ro Nor^fc. America. 14J The Gafperott arc a fmall Fifli, not unlike a Her- ring. In the Summer time they make in to the (hoar in ibch fhoals, that the Cod-filhers take as many of 'em as fci ves for Bait lor that Fi/hcry. Thclc Fifhermcn do likewife make ufc of Herrings, when the r::a(bn obliges them to put into the fhoar to Spawn. In a word, all the Fifh that are made ufc of for a Bait to make the Codiiih hite at the Hook, are calPd Boete in the Mfhermcns Dialed. The GoU-colburd fijh arc nice Food. They are about fifteen Inches long ; their Scales are yellow^ and they are valued very high. The Sea-Cows, which are a fort of Porpoifcs, are bigger than the Normandy Beeves. They have a fort or Paws cut like a Goofe's Foot, their Head refem- bles that of an Occer ; and their Teeth, which are two Inches thick, and nine Inches long, are reck- oned the fincft Ivoiy that is. 'Tis faid that they range wide of thcdioar, towards Sandy and Marfliy places. ^YhtLobflen o^ this River fecm to be exatftly the fame witli thofc we have in Europe. The Cockles arc of a piece, wirli thofe we have upon the coiiil of France, excepting that they are larger, and have a more agreeable taftc, though their Flelh feems to partake more of crudity and indigeftion. The Mujcles of this River are prodigious large, and taOe very well; but 'tis next to an impoflibility to eat em without breaking one's Teeth, by reafon of theJr being ftufF'd with Pearl ; I call it Vearly Mio* the name of Gravel or Sand may be more proper, with rcfped to its value, for I brought 10 Paris fifty or llxty of tiie largeft and finelt, which were rated only at a penny a piece ; notwithilanding that we had broke above two thoufand Mufcles to make up that number. -m R? The m % IS] 'm'< m mi '^^' Mi 1'. A,'f4 11 ; :.l i|i«;J 14^ Some New Vopges The Lake-Sturgeons are commonly five or fix Foot long : But I once faw one of ten Foot, and ano« Cher of twelve in length. The Savages catch 'em with Nets in the Winter, and Grapples in the Sum- mer. Tis faid, they have a certain fort of Flefh a- bout their Head, that tafts like Beef, Mutton, and Veal ; but I have eat of it (everal times, and ne- ver could obferve any fuch thing, which makes me look upon the allegation as chimerical. The Fifli in Armour, is about three Foot and a half long. 'Tis defended by fuch ftrong and hard Scales, that 'ds impoflible for any other Fifh to hurt St. Its Enemies are Trouts and Roaches, but 'tis admirably well provided for the repulfing of their Attacks, by vertue of its pointed Snout, which is a Foot long, and as hard as its Skin. It edts very well, and' its Flefh or Subftance is as (irm as 'tis white. ' The Lfikc Dahs or Sandings arc not above a Foot long, but they are very thick all over. They are caird Bar hues in French, with alludon to a certain fort of Beards that hang down from the fide of their Muzzle, and are as big as ears of Corn. Thole which we find in the River of Mijjijipi, are of a mondrous fize. Both the one and the other are catch^d with a Hook, as well as with a Net $ and piake very good Vi<^uals, The Mijjifift Carp are likewife of an extraordina- ry fize, and admirably well tafted. They are of iiie fame form with ours. In the Autumn they put in towards the fhoar, and are eafily catch'd with ^ Net. ; ^ ' • ' The largeft Trouts we meet with in the Lakes, are five Foot and a half long, and of one Foot Diameter. Their flefh is red, and they are catch'd with great Hooks made fafl to pieces of Wire. TheFilh caich'd in the Lakes, ^re better than thofe we take ft Sea, or in the Rivers, particularly the to North-America, 14^ the white Fifh^ which for goodnefi and nice £at- ingi are far beyond all the other Species. The Sa- vages that live upon the fides of thofe little fre(h« water Seas, prefer the Broth of Fifh, to Meat- broth, when they are indifposU This choice they ground upon experience; whereas the French on the other hand find that Venifon Broth is at once more fub- fiantial and reftorative. The Rtvers of Canada are replenifh'd with anin- (inicy of other fifhes, that are not known in Europe, The Fifh catch'd in the North- Country Rivers, are different from thofe of the South ; and thofe taken in the Long River, which difimbogues into the Ri- ver of Miffifipi, favour To rank of Mud and Clay, that 'tis impoflible to eat of 'em ; abating for a fore of little Trouts that the Savages take in the adjacent Lakes, which make a tolerable Mefs. The Rivers of the Otentats, and the MiJJotiris, pro- duce fuch odd fhap'd filhes, that 'tis impoflible to defcribe 'em without they were drawn upon Paper. Thefe Fifties tafls but forrily,and yet the Savages love it mightily, which I take to proceed from their know- ing no better. V I; it ;!^ !rl ■4 mi M TheTrees aud Fruits of the South Countries of Canada* R^d^-olk ^^^'K"^^ as we have in Europe. ' Bitter Cherry-trees, Maple- trees. Afti-trees. . ^ Lbden-trees 1^"^^ ^' ^^ ^^^^ ^^ ^'''^> Nut-trees of two forts, Chefnut-trees. , ■' Apple-trees, ' ; ;: / ^ I R 4 Pear trees. r, ' '■ f .'-'ii' 24^ Some New Voyages Pear-trees. l^lum-trees. ,^ . ^ Cherry-trees. Hazel- trees^ fuch as we have in E0rof§. Vines. ■ ,;';': A (brt of Citrons. .". ' ^'' r Water Melons. Sweet Citruls. Wild Goofeberries. Pine-apples. Xobacco, fuch as our 5p4»?/Z» Tobacco. The Trees and Fruits of the North Cpuntrifs f/Canadat White Oa^. ' Red Oak. - Birch- trees. Bitter Cherry-trees, ^y ' Mapple-tfees. ^ ■ Pine-trees. . , Epinettes. Fir-trees of three (brt^. Peruffes. -» • ' Cedar-trees. — Afpin- trees. White Wood. > Alder- trees. Maiden Hair. ' Strawberries. Rasbenies. _ iGoofeberries. Bluets. A Dejcriptkn of the above-mention d Trees and Fruits* YOU muft remark, that all the Wood of Canada is good of its kind. The Trees that iland expos'd tp the North- Winds are ape to to North America. 149 to be influenc'd by the Froft, as ic appears from the chops and chinks that it occafions. The Bitter Cherry-tree, has a hard and whitifli Wood, with a grey Bark. Some of 'em are as tall as the loftyeft Oaks, and as big as a Hogfhead. This Tree grows (freight ; it has an oval Leaf, and is made ufeof in Beams, Rafters, and other Car- penter's work. The Mapple-tree is much of the fame height and bulk ; but it has a brown Bark, and the Wood is reddilh. It bears norefemblance to that fort we have in Europe. It yields a Sap, which has a much plea- fanter tafte than the beft Limonade or Cherry-wa- ter, and makes the wholfomefl drink in the World. This Liquor is drawn by cutting the Tree two In- ches deep in the Wood, the cut being run Hoping CO the length of ten or twelve Inches. At the lower end of this gafh, a Knife is thruft into the Tree ilopingly, fo that the water running along the Cut or Gam, as through a Gutter, and falling upon the Knife that lies acrofs the Channel, runs out upon the Knife, which has VelTels plac'd underneath to receive it. Some Trees will yield five or fix Bottles of this water a Day ; and fome Inhabitants of Ca- nada, might draw twenty Hogfiieads of it in one day, if they would thus cut and notch all the Map- fles of their refpe^ive Plantations. The gafii do's no harm to the Tree. Of this Sap they make Su- gar and Syrup, which isfo valuable, that there can't be a better remedy for fortifying the Stomach. *Ti$ but few of the Inhabitants that have the patience to tn2^siQ Mapple-JVater, for as common and ufual things are always flighted, fo there's fcarce any bo- dy but Children that give themfelves the trouble of gafhing thefe Trees. To conclude, the North-Coun- try Mapples have more Sap than thofe of the South Countries \ but at the fame time the Sap is not fo Iweet. There I" i W^'^ 2^o Some New Voyages There are two forts of Nut-trees in this Country. The one bears rounds and the other long, Nuts ; but neither of *em is good for any thing, no more than the wild Chefnuts that grow in the ll'mtfi Country. The Apples that grow upon fome of their Ap- pie-trees, eat well when they are Codled, but they are good for nothing when they're Raw. Upon the M^yJjpi indeed, there's a fort of Apples that have a tafle not unlike that of fome European Apples. The Pears are good, but very fcarce. The Cherries are fmall, and extream red ; and though their tafteisnot good, yec the Roe-bucks like 'em fo well, that in the Summer time they fcarce ever mifs to lye under the Cherry-trees all Night Ions- efpecially if it blows hard. This Country affords threeforts of excellent Plums, which bear no refemblance to ours either in figure or colour. Some are long and fmall, fome are round and thick, and fome very little. The Vines twine round the Trees to the very top ; and the Branches of thofe Trees are fo cover'd with Grapes, that one would take the Grape to be the fruit of the Tree. In fome Countries of North- America, the Grape is little, but very well tafted ; but towards the MlJJiJipit 'tis long and thick, and fo IS the clufter. There has been fome Wine prefs'd from the Grapes of that Country, which after long i^anding became as fweet as Canary^ and as black as Ink. The Citrons of 'Honh- America are focall'd, only becaufe their form refembles that of our Citron. Inftead of a Rind, they have only a fingle Skin. They grow upon a Plant that rifes three Foot high,and do's not bear above three or four at a time. This Fruit is as wholfom as its Root is dangerous ; for the one is very Healthy, and the juice of the other is a mor- tal fubtile Poyfon. While I ftay'd at Fort Fronu- vacy rtac, 11 taked low h of her Forma es. 1 Ibr th looked ty, hai than / expir'd. I'he Melons, red, am very la As for the Spa\ The< difFereni form'd, Europe. Pulp is bak'd ir under tl is much Apples, much of order fr< . The VI for Com made, fc ploy'd fo to NorfA America. «J« nac, in the year 1684, I faw an Iro(juefe Woman take down this fatal Potion, with a defign to fol- low her deceas'd Husband ; after Ihe had took leave of her Friends, and fung the Death Song, with tbe Formalities that are nfual among thefe blind Wretch- es. The Poifon quickly work'd the defir'd efFeiSk ; for this Widdow, who in Europe would be juftly look'd upon as a miracle of Conftancy and Fideli- ty, had no fooner fwallowed the murdering Juice, than fhe fell into two or three ihiveiing Fits, and fo expir'd. The WateT'Mekns, call'd by the Spaniards Algiers Melons, are round and thick like a Ball ; fome are red, and fome white, and the kernels, which are very large, ^re fometimes black, fometimes red. As for their caite, 'tis exadly the fame with that of the Spanijl) or Portugueze Melops. The Citruls of this Country are fweet, and of a different nature from thofe of Europe ; and I'm in- form'd, that the American Citruls will not grow in Europe, They are as big as our Melons ; and their Pulp is as yellow as Saffron. Commonly they are bak'd in Ovens, but the better way is to roaft 'em under the Embers, as the Savages do. Their tafte is much the fame with that of the Marmeiade of Apples, only they are fweeter. One rrwy eat as much of 'em as he pleafes, without fearing any dif- order from 'em. ^ • / The wild Goofeberries are good for nothing, but for Confits: But that foit of Confits are fddom made, for Sugar is too dear in Canada, to be im- ploy'd for fuch ufes. ./i »I» Some ticw Foya\^es A Ot'fcripdofi of the Tries and Fruits of the Northtm Conn* tries. T\\ E CmaJa Birch-trccs arc much different from tlu)fc wc liAvc in Ionic Provinces of Frsnce ; both for bulk and quality The Savages make Ca- nowsof their Hark, fonie of which ik red, and fome wliitc; but both are equally proper for that ufc. That which has the fewef^ Veins and Chops, is the bell ; but the red birk mikcs the fiiieft fliow. There arc fonic little H.Jskcts made of the young Birches, that lie much efleemVI in France ; and Books may be ni.jtK! of 'em, the Leaves of which will be as fine as Paper. This I can fpcak by experience, for I have frequently made ufc of 'cm lor want of Pa- per, in writin{^ the Journal of my Voyages. Nay, I rcmcmbfcr I have fccn in a certain Library in Fviimey a Manufcript of the Gofpel of St. Matthew, written in (Jreclk upon this fort of Bark ; and, which is yet more furpriling, I was then told, that it had been written .nbove a thoufand years ; and at the fame time I dare fwear, that 'twas the Genuine Birch- bark of New- France, which in all appearance was not then difcover'd. The Pine-trees are very tall, (Iraight, and thick ; and arc made ufe of for Malts, which the King's Pinks do oftentimes tranfport to France, *Tis faid, that ft>me of thefe Trees are big enough, to fervo for a Mad to a Fird-rate Ship. The Epinettt is a fort of a Pine, with a /harper and thicker Leaf 'Tis made ufe of in Carpenters work, and the matter which drains from ic^ fmells as fweec as Incenfe. There are three forts of Hninihis Country, which are faw'd into Dales by certain Mills, chauhe Que- he Merchants have caus'd to be bulk in, fome places. '^ the to Norr/; America. *?? The PeruJJi is the propcrdt of all green Woodi for the building of Ships, upon the cunddeiAtion thnc 'cii comparer, and has ck)ll'r Pores, i'u that it do's not foaic or drink in t!ie muidiirc as much as others. Mere are two lurts of ( W^r, namely, the wliitc and the red ; but one mult view 'cm nanowly be- fore he can dilhnguijh 'em, by rcaCon that both of *eni have much tiic fame fort of Haik. The(e Trees are low, bulhy, and full of branches and lit- tle Leaves, refembrmg the t;ig of a l.acc. The Wood of this Tree, is aimed as light as Coik ; and the Savages make ufe of it in the Wreaths and Ribs of their Canows. The red fort looks admirably well, and may be made into HouHiold Goods, which will retain an agreeable fmcU for ever. The /Ijps are little Shrubs, which grow upon the fides of Pools or Rivers ; and in a word , in moid and marfhy Countries. This Wood is the common food of the Beavers, who, in imitation of the AntSj cake care to make a colie(5lion of it round their Hutcsin the Autumn, which fcrvcs'em tor fuflenance when the Ice imprifons 'em in Winter. The IVbite Wood is a midling fort of Tree, that's neither too big nor coo little. Tis almofl as light as Cedar, and as ealily work'd upon. The lnh.i- bicants of Canada make little Canows of it, for fifh- ing and eroding the Rivers. Maidenhair is as common in the Forrefls of Cana» da, as Fern is in chofe of Frana, and is eiteem'd be- yond that of ocher Countries ; iiifomuch, that the Inhabitants of Quehec prepare great quantities of its Syrup, which they fend to Paris, Nants, Rouan, and feveral other Cities in I'rance. Strawherries and Rasherries, are wonderfully plenti- ful in Canada, and tade excream well. Wc meec likewift with fome white Goofeberries in this Coun- try ;but they ferve for no ufe, unlefs it be to make a fort of Vinegar of 'em^ that is very (trong. The ;ili' ' 1^1)' 'V '■ 1^4 Some Kew Voyages The Rlmts are certain little Berries^ not unlike fmall Cherries, only they are black, and pcrfeaiy round. The Plant upon which they grow, is as big as a Rasberry-buih. Thcfe Berries fervc for feveral ufes, attcrthey are dry 'd in the Sun, or in an Oven; for then they make Confits of 'em, or put 'cm into Pyes, or infufe 'em in Brandy. The North-Coun- try Savages make a Crop of 'em in the Summer, which affords ^m very lealbnable relief, efpecially when their hunting comes ihort. A General View of the Ccmmerce of Canada. rCome now to give a brief and general account of the Commerce of Canada, which I have al- ready touched upon in my Letters. The Norman j were the firft that fet up this trade, and ufually they fet out from Havre tie Grace , or Dkfpe ; but the Ro* (hellers have now work'd *em out o\ it, for as much as the Rochel Ships furnifh the Inhabitants of that Continent with the necelTary Commodities. There are likewife feme Ships fcnt to Canada from Bour- ileaux and Bapnne, with Wines, Brandy, Tobacco, and Iron. i The Ships bound from France to that Country, pay no Cultom for their Cargo, whether in clear- ing in France, or in their entries at Quekc ; abating for the Bra::.il Tobacco which pays five Sols sl pound; that is to fay, a Roll of 400 pound weight, pays a hundred Livres by way of Entry, to the Office of the Farmers General. Moft of the Ships go laden xoCanada, and return light or empty. Some indeed bring home Peafe when they are good cheap in the Colony, and o- thers take rn a Cargo of Planks and Boards: Others again go to the llland of Cape Breton, and there take to Norft-America. M5 nlike Peaiy IS big iveral )vcn; 1 into ^oun- nmer, icially take in a Cargoe of Pit-Coal, which they carry to the Iflands oi Martlnico or Guartlaloupa, where the refining of Sugars occafions a great confumption of Coals. But chofe Ships which either belong, or are recommended to the topping Merchants of the Co- lony, are fraughted with Skins, which turns to a great account. I have feen fonie Ships unload ac Quebec^ and then fteer to Vlacentlay to take in Cod- filh which they purchased with ready Mony ; but generally fpeaking, there's more loft than got by that way of trading. The Merchant that has carried on the greateft trade in Canada, is the Sieur Samud Bernon of Rochel^ who has great Ware-Moufes at Quel/u, from which the Inhabitants of the other Towns arefupplied wi.hfuch Commodities as they want. 'Tis true, there are feme Merchants at Que- bec, who are indifferent rich, and fit out Ships upon their own bottom, that ply to and again between France and Canada ; and thefe Merchants have their Correfpondents at RoM^ who fend out and take in every year the Cargoes of their Ships. There's no difference between the Pyrates that fcowr the Seas, and the Canada Merchants ; unlefs it be this, that the former fometimes inrich 'emfelves all of a fudden by a good Prize; and that the lat- ter can't make their fortune without trading for five or fix years, and that without running the hazard of their Lives. I have known twenty little Ped- lars that had not above a thoufand Crowns flock when I arriv'd at Quebec, in the year i68; ; and when I left that place, had got to the tune of twelve thoufand Crowns. 'Tis an unqueflion'd truth, that they get fifty fer Cent upon all the Goods they deal in, whether they buy 'em up upon the arrival of the Ships at Quebec, or have 'em i^om France by way of Commiiiion i but over and above that, there are Tome licde gaudy Trinkets, fuch as Rib- bands, Laces, Embroideries, Tobacco- BoxeSj Watch- ■.\ ,- ■? ,^-,... 1)6 Some New Voyages C5, and an infinity of other baubles of Iron Ware, upon which they get a hundred and fifty fer Cm, all Cods clear. In this Country a Hogfliead of Bourdeaux Wine, which contains zfo Bottles, is worth about forty French Livres, in time of Peace, and flxty in time of War. A Hog/head of Nants or Bayonne Brandy, will fetch 80 or a 100 Livres. fn the Taverns a Bottle of Wine cofts fix French Sous, and a Bottle of Brandy is fold for twenty. As for dry Com- modities, their ptice rifes and falls upon occafinn. BrAZj'tl Tobacco is worth 40 Sous a pound by way of Retail, and ; f by Wholefale Sugar will fetch at lead 20 Sous a pound, and fometimes ly or ;o. The earlicft Ships that come from France, fet ou commonly ill the latter end o^Apnl.ox the beginning of May*y but to my mind, they might fliorten their Voyage by one half, if thev put to Sea about the middle of March, and then (weep'd alone the North Conft of the Az,ores Iflands ; for in thofe Seas the South and South Eaft Winds commonly blow from the beginning of April^ to the end of May. I have mention d this feveral times to the moft expert Pi- lots ; but they ftill pat me off with the plea, that they dare noc fteer that Courfe for fear of fome Rocks : And yet thefe Rocks are not to be met with but in their Charts. I have read fome Defcripti- onsof the Ports, Roads, and Coafts of thefe Iflands, and of the adjacent Seas, done by the Portuguezej which make no mention of the Shelves that are chalk'd down in all our Charts : On the contrary, they affirm that the Coaft of thefe Iflands is alto- gether clear, and that for twenty Leagues off into the Main, thefe imaginary Rocks were never met with. As foon as the French Ships arrive at Quelfec, the Merchants of that City who have their Factours in the other Towns, load their Barques with Goods in order to Horth America, »jr order to tranfporc cm to ihefc other Towns. Sucli Merchants as a < in; im m 158 Some New Voyages Short and light Fufees. Powder. ' . Ball and cut Lead, or Small-lhot. Axes both great and fniall. Knives with their Sheaths. Sword blades to make Diits of. Kettles of all ll/es. . \ Shoomakers Awls. Fiih-hooks, ofalllizes. Flint Stones. Caps of blew Serge Shirts made of the common Brittany Linnen. Woolfted Stockins, ihort and coarfe. Brafl Tobacco. Coarfe white Thread for Nets. Sewing Thread of feveral colours. Pack-thread Vermillion. Needles, both large and final!. l^criice Beads. Some Iron Heads for Arrows, but few of cm. A fmall quantity of So«ip. A few Sabres or CutlaiTes. Brandy goes o(F incomparably well. 7'/je Names of the Skhn given in cxchiW^e, with their Rdtcs. THE Skins of Winter Beavers, alias Alufiovy | Beavers, are worth per pound In the Farmer Ge- nerals Warehoule. 4 Livres. 10 Sow. The Skins o\ fat Beavers, the Hair of which falls offj while the Savages make ufe of 'em, per potmf, — „._ J L. o S, Of Beavers taken in Aminin, per pouml 3 10 Of to ^orth Amctksi, ijp Livrcs. Sous, t)f dry or common Bcivcrs, per fotpul ; o Of Summer Beavers, fer pouniL :} o The Skin of a white Heaver is not to be vahjcd, no more than that of a Fox that's quite black. The Skins of Silver-colour'd Foxes a piece. 4 Of common Foxes, in good order, Of the common Martins. — Of the prcttycll Ibrt of Martins. Of red and faiooth Otters. — Of the Winter and brown Otters. or more. Of the fineft black Bears. 2 I 4 2 4 7 o o o o o 10 The Skins of Elks before they're drcfs'd, are worth per pound about The Skins of Stags are worth per pound about The wild Cats or Enfan: de Piahle, a piece Sea Wolves — '— - a piece. or more. Pole-Cats, and Wcafels Musk Rats. • Their Teflicles. — Wolves. o o I I p o o 2 12 8 If 10 6 S 10 The white Elk-skins, /. e. thofe drcfs'd by the Sava- ges a piece Adrefs'd Hares Skin is worth A Caribous ■ - A Roe-buck's 8orm. f orm. 6 ' 'til,,' 0*1, ,m m «'.« Il- To conclude, you mufl take notice that thefe Skins are upon fome particular occalions dearer thaijf 1 rate 'em, but the difference is but very fmali,, whether under or over. U ^'h\ Ci i 'M n il'f' l^O Some New Voyages An Account of the Government of Canada in Gc neral. IN Canada the Politick, Civil, Ecclefiaftical and Military Government, are all in a manner one thing, in le^ird, that the wifcft Governours have fubjct'-.ted thtir Authority to that of tlie ILcckfi- ajt'uh ; and Ibch Governours as would not imbarquc in that Intereft, have found their Poft fo uneafie, that they have been recalled with difj^race. 1 could jnlhince in feveral, who for not adiiering to the Sentiments of the Bi/hop and the Jefuits, and for i efuling to lodge their Power in the hands of thefe infallible Gentlemen, have been turn'd out, and ireaccd at Court like hot-headed Incendiaries. Mr. m 'tIM 1|,„ ■t: i i:'» ■t1 '^ t6i Some Kew Vo)iigei its and the Recollets agree as ill as the Molinifts and the Janfenifts. The former pretend that die latter have no right to confefs. Do but look back to my cightli Letter, and there you'll fee fome in- (lances of the indifcreet zeal of the Ecclefiailicks. The Governour General has the difpolal of all Military Ports ; He beitows Companies, Lieute- nancies, and Under- Lieutenancies, upon who he pleafes, with his Majefty's gracious Approbation; but he is not allowed to difpole of particular Gover- nourfliips, or of the place of a Lord Lisutenant of a Province, or of the Major of any Town. He is impower'd to grant to the Gentry and the other In- habitants, Lands and Settlements all over Canada j but thcfe Grants mud be given in concert with the Intendanr. He is likewife authoris'd to give five and twenty Licences a year to whom he thinks fit, for trading with the Savage Nations of that vaft Con- tinent. He is inverted with the power of fufpend- ing the execution of Sentences againft Criminals ; and by vertue of this Reprieve, can ealily pro- cure 'em a Pardon, if he has a mind to favour 'em. But hecan'c difpofe of the King's Money, without tie confentof the Intendant, who is the only Man that can call it out of the hands of the Treafurer of the Navy. The Governour General can't be without tlie (er- vicc of the Jefuics, in making Treaties with the Go- vernours of Isnw-Englcwd, and Nt-w-Tork, as well as with the Ircnitefe. I am at a lofs to know, whether thefe good Fathers are imploy'd in fuch Services, upon thefcore of their judicious Counfels, and their being perfedly well acquainted with the Country, and the King's true interelts; or upon the conli- deration of their fpsaklng to a Miracle, the Lan- guages of fo many different Nations, whofe inte- reft are quite oppofite ; or but of a fcnfe of that con- defccnfion and fubmiflion, that is due to thefe worthy Companions of our Saviour. The to North America^ i6i The Members of thefupreme Council of Ca»a^ ii •v'i z^4 ^^^^ '^^^ Voyages Jook after that of the Soldiers, by preventing the Diforders they might conimicin their Quarters. Cotnmonly the Troops are quarter'd upon the In- habitants of the Cd/cj, or Scignonesoi Carta Ja, from OMtr to May. The Mafler of the Houfe furnilhes liis Military Gucftsonly with Utenfils, and imploys him all the while at the rare often Sous a Day befides his Vi<5tuals, in the cutting of Wood, grubbing up of Grounds, rooting out Sttimps , or the threfh- ing of Corn \n a Barn. The Captain gets likewife by their work ; for to make 'em difcount the half of their pay to him, he orders 'em to come tlirice a Week to exercife their Arms at his Quarters. Now, their Habitations being diHant four or five Arpmts from one another, and one Cote or Seignory being two or three Leagues in Front, the Soldiers choofe rather to give the Captain a fpill, than to walk fo far in the Snow and the Dirt : And the Captain takes it very confcientioufly, upon the plea that VoUnti ■mm fit Injuria, As for fuch Soldiers as are good Tradefmen, he's fure of putting their wliole pay in his Pocket, by vertueof a Licence that he gives 'em to work in the Towns, or any where elfe. In fine, moft of the Officers marry in this Country, but God knows what fort of Marriages they mAke, in taking Girls with a Dowry, confifting oi eleven Crowns, a Cock, a Hen, an Ox, a Cow, and fometimes a Calf. I knew feveral young Women, whofe Lov- ers, after denying the FaA, and proving before the Judges the fcandalous Converfation of their Miftref- fes, were forc'd upon the pcrfwafion of the Ecck- fiafilcks to fwallow the bitter Pill, and take the very fame Girls in Marriage. Some Officers indeed marry well, but there are few fuch. The occalion of their marrying fo readily in that Country, proceeds from the difficulty of converfing with the foft Sex. After ^ Man has mcide foui Vifiis to a young Woman, he isoblig'd to unfold his Mind £0 her Father and Mo- ther s to Norrb America. kJj ther; he muft then cither talk of Marriage, or break oft sl\ Correfpondence ; or if he do's not, both he and (he lies under a Scandal. In this Country a Man can't vifit another Man's Wife, without being cen- fui 'd, as if her Husband was a Cuckold. In fine, a Man can meet with no diverfion here, but that of reading, or eating, or drinking. Though after all, there are fome Intrigues carry'd on, but with the fame caution as in ifpaJn, where the vertue of the Ladies confifis only in dilguifing the matter hand- fomly. Now, that I am upon the Subjed of Marriage, I can't forbear to acquaint you with a comical Ad^ venture that happen'd to a young Captain, who was prefs'd to marry againft his will, becaufe all his Companions and Acquaintances were already buck- led. This young Officer having made fome Vifits to a Counfellor's Daughter, he was defir'd to tell ^ what Errand he came upon ; and Mr. Je Frontenac ' himfelf, being related to the young lady, who is certainly one of the moft accomplilh'd Ladies of this Age, us'd his utmoft efforts to ing.ige the Cap- tain to marry her. The Captain being equally well pieas'd with a free accefs to the Governour's Table, and the company of the Lady whom he met there not unfrcquently ; the Captain, 1 fay, being equally fond of thefe two Advanta^,'es, en- deavoured to ward off the defign, by asking fome time to confider of it. Accordingly, two Months were gi anted him ; and after that time wasexpir'd, he had (till a mind to let out his Traces, and fo de- fir d two Months more, which were granted him by the BiHiop's inrercf^ffion. When the lafl of thefe two wa& at an end, the Cavalier began to be nppre- henfivt: that he was in danger of lofing both his good Ciicer, and the agreeable company of the La- dy. However, he w;is cbi'g'd to be prefent at a Treat that ^4^. Ndjon ( the EngUfj Gentleman I fpoke H, Si m ;ii'»' !!*'i;; P tf w u "ftJ^-f^^C t66 Some tiew Voyages fpoke of in my 2 ;- ftrated to the Warriours of the five Nations, that 'twas expedient to cut of!* all the Savage Nations of Canada^ in order to ruine the Commerce of the French, and after that to diflodge 'em of the Conti- nent. With this view they have carry'd the War above four or five hundred Leagues off their Coun- try, after the deftroying of feveral different Nations in feveral places, as I fhew'd you before. 'T would be no difficult matter for the French to draw the Iroejuefe ovct to their fide, to keep 'em from plaguing the French Allies, and at the fame time to ingrofs all th« Commerce with the five Irorjuefa Nations^ to Norf/^-Amcrica. 171 It, cf- IC Jro^ »lonies reftoC )lifli'd, would rid of call in ies are ours; at wide • t of the fee 'em liey are Throats ;y have it Nati- r fo re- ifs to re- e now [not go thirty lremor>- IS, that [ations of the Conti- le Wat Coun- lations \ench to p frdni le time Iro^uefn Nations, that is now in the hands of the K»^////; in NeW'Tork, This might be eafily put in execution, provided the King would allow ten thoufand Crowns a year, for that end. The method of efFciftina it is this. Ir the firft place, the Barques that were for- merly made ufe of about Fort Frontenac^ miift be rebuiic,in orde* to convey to the Rivers of tlie Tfonon- touant and the Onontaguesy fuch Commodities as are proper for 'em, and to fell 'em for the prime •oft in France, Now this would put the King to the charge of about ten thoufand Crowns for fraight ; and I'm perfwaded, that upon that foot the Irocfuefe would not be fuch f.iols as to carry fo much as one Beaver to the Englifl) Colonies, and that for four Reafons. The firft is, that, whereas they muft tranfporir 'em fixty or eighty Leagues upon their backs to NfW'Torki they have not above feven or eight Le.^.c;ues travelling from their own Villages, to the banks of the Lake of Frontenac, For a fe- cond reafon, 'tis manifeft that the Englijh can't pof- fibly let 'em have their Commodities fo cheap , without being confiderable lofers, and that there- upon every Merchant would drop that fort of Trade. The third is drawn from the difficulty of having Subfiftance upon the Road between the Iroquefe Vil- lages and New-Tork*^ for ths Ircquefe go thither in great Bodies, for fear of being lurpris'd, and I acquainted you before feveral times, that there's no Venifon in that fide of the Country. The fourth reafon is this. In marching fo Lr from their Villa- ges, they expofe their Wives, their Children, and their Superannuated Men, for a prey to their Ene- mies, who upon that occafion may either kill 'em, or carry 'em off; and of this we have two Inftan- ces already. Over and above the cheapnefs of our Commodities, 'twould likewife be requifice that we made em Prefents every year, and at the fame time intreated 'srr not to difturb the repofe of our Con- '11 I •n< 171 Some Kew Voyages Confedlerate Savages , who are fuch fools, as to wage War one with another, inftead of entring in- to a joint League in oppofirion to the Iroejuefey the nioft redoubted of their Enemies, and thofe whom they have moft reafon to fear. In a word, if we would manage our affairs with the Iroe^uej'e to the belt advantage, we ought to put in execution that Projeiit that 1 mcncion'd in my i%d Letter. •To alledge that thefe fi^r^^jriwrn have a dcpendance upon the Eti^lifl), is a foolifh Plea : For they are fo far from owning any dependance, that when they go u; JSJcvj-T'ork to truck their Skins, they have the conliJence to put rates upon the Goods tl^ey have occdjjon for, when the Merchants offer to raife their price. I have intimated already fcvera! times, that their refpCi^l: f )r tlie En^^lijh, is cack'd to the occafion they have to make ufo of 'em ; that this is the only motive which induces 'em to treat the ErjgliJJj as their Brethren, and their Friends; and that if the FrctJcb would fell 'em the Neceffai ies of Life, as well as A.rms and Ammunition, ateafier rates, they would not make iiLiny journeys to the Enz^ijJ} Colonies, This is a confideration that ought to be chiefly in our view; for if we minded it to the purpofe, they would be cautious of infuking our Savage Confederates, as well as our felves. The Governours General of Canada would do well to imploy the fenfible Men of the Country that are acquainted with our Confederates, in preffing 'em to live in a good correfpondcnce with one another, without waging War among themfelves ; for moft of the Southern Nations worm out one another in- fenfibly, which affords matter of joy to the Irofjuefe, Mow, 'twere an eafie matter to prevent this fatal iiioulderingj by threatning to give 'em no further fupplies of Commodiries in their Villages. To this precaution, we ought to add that of indeavouring to ingage two or three Nations to live together j th© to North Amcika. ^7^ as to tig in- fe, the whom if we to the )n that ndance are fo jn they ave the ;y have ;o raife 1 times, to the It this is eat the 3s; and aiies of at eafier to the it ought cd it to ifulting Is. The Iwell to [hat are ng 'em nother, [or moft :her in- Jro<}uefe, [is fatal farther 'o this roaring lether ; the Outaou/u, for inflancCj vvitli the Ilitfom; the Sakid with the PottraiutitaMis J ah is /V/j«/j. liallthofe Nations who are inibaiqucd in a ( nnftdcracy with us, would but a^ree one wi(h iii. other, and put up their quarrels, they would give thcnifclvci wholly to the hunting of lieavers, whicii vvcmld tend to the inlarging of rmr Comincrce ; and bc'fides, they would be in acoiiditioji ol ni.ikliig one joint B<)dy, when the hocjitejc otk"r\l toattack tiithci one or t'other. ^Tis the intcrert of the Efjgliflj to perlwadethcfe Nations, that the French have nothing Icfs in view, than to dellroy them as foon as they nicec with an opportunity ; that the growing populoufnefs of Ca- vaday is a futlicient ground oi alarm ; that they ought to avoid all Commerce with the French, for fear of being betray'd in any way whatfoever ; that to hinder the repairing of Fort Frontenac, and the rebuilding of Barques for that Lake, is to them a thing of the laft Importance, by rcafon that the French might in four and twenty hours, make a Del- cent from thence to vheir Villages, and carry off their ancient Men, their Women and their Chil- dren, at a time when the Warrianrs might be in- gag'd in the hunting of Beavers; That ilicy would promote their own intered by waging War with the French from time to time, by ravaging the Seignories and Settlements in the upper part of the Country, in order to oblige the Inhabitants to abdicate the Colony, and to difcourage thofe who would other- wife remove out of i'V^wa, and fettle \n Canada^ and in fine, That in time of peace 'twould be very proper to flop the Coureurs dc Bois at the Catara<^ts of theOutaouas Rivcr,and to feize the Arms and Ammu- nition that they carry to the Savages upon the Lakes. Farther, ifthe£w^///fc would puifue their mea- fures to the beft adv-^ntage, they ought to 'inga^e the Tjonontouam or the Goyoguam to go and fetde upon the B.anks of the Lake Errie, near the Mouth T of 1' I 2 74 Some tlew Voyages of the River of Conde ; and at the fame time they ought to build a Fort there, with feme long Barques or Brigantines : For this is the moft convenient and advantageous Poft of all that Country, and that for an infinity of Reafons which I am oblig'd to con- ceal. Befides this Fort, they fhould build another at the Mouth of the River des Francis ; and then 'twould be abfDlutely impoflible for the Counurs de Bois to reach the Lakes. They ought likewilc to ingage the Savages of Acadia in their intereft ; which they may do with little charge. The Planters of Ni2i;-£»g/W fhould mind tliis, as well as the fortifying of the Ports in which they fifh their Cod. As for the fitting out of Fleets to deftroy the Colony, I would not advife the Evglijh to give themfelves that trouble ; for fuppofing they were affur'd of Succefs, *tis but feme places that can be reckoned worth the while. To conclude; I muft fay the Engliffj in thefe Colonies are too carelefs and lazy: The French Coureurs de Bois , are much readier for Enterpri- fes , and the Canadefe are certainly more vigi- lant and more atfiive. It behoves the Inhabi- tants of Ne'iif'York to inlarge their Fur-trade by well concerted Enterpiifes ; and thofe of JsleiV' Euglandy to render the Cod-fifhing more benefici- al to the Colony, by taking fuch meafures as many other People would, if they were as advan- tageonfly feated. I do not intend to fpeak of the limits of Nciv- Franc Si and New- England, for they were never well adjulied j though indeed 'twould feern that in feveral Treaties of Peace between ehefe two Kingdoms, the Boundaries were in a mai.ner maik'd out in fome places. Whatever is in that matter^ the decifion of it is too nice a point for one that can't open his mind without pulling an old Houfe upon his Head. T/je End of the Firjl Volume, 275 A TABLE explaining fome Terms made life of in both Volumes. A. Astrolabe // a Mathematical Jnftrument that can [cane be ufed in the Ocean by reafon of the iVaves, There are two forts of them. The frfi are made ufe of by £a(l> India Mafters, at a time -whm the Sea isasjmoothas the face of a Lonking-glafs. This fort are ferviceable in taking the heighth of the Sun, bjf ths means of two little Vinsy which are bordjo as to have two dioptrick Perforations, that ferve to condtiB the rays of light to that Luminary. The latter areft4ch as the Mathematicians commonly make ufe of for Ajirommi* cal Obfervationsj and are furbiflj'd with Azimuths, Almucantarasy Loxodromick Tables^ and the Concentrick and Excentrick Tables of the Sphere, B. Bank of New-found-land, or Bank in general, is a rijing Ground in the Sea, which flwets like a Hat beyond the other brims. The Bank of New-found land has thirty or forty Fathom Water, and is favd with Codfijlj. Bafin, is a head of fiagnating Water , not unlike a fool or Lake. Bouteuxyig»//5i?j little Nets belagd to the end of a Stick, The Fijhermen make ufe of them to catch Filh upon a fandy Ground, and efpecially Eels, upon the fide of St, Laurence River. Bouts de Quievres, are Nets not unlike Bouteux^ which ferve for the fame ufe. Breaking ground Jignifiestbe weighing Anchor and put <, ting to Sea, Brigaatine, a fmaU Veffel one Deck, built of light of T 2 Wood, I ( H 8WB«*»v'J «Wirwj »7o A T A B L E. Woo^, ivhlih flies both with Oars and Sails. *Tis e- ^f4a!ly [Ijarp at Vroiv and Poop, and is built for a ejuick Sailer, Calumet in general jignifies a Tipe^being a Norman Word, derived from Chalumeau. The Savages do not under- fiand this PFord, for *twas introducd to Canada hy the Normans when they fir fi fettled there ; and has fiill con- tinued in ufe amongji the French Planter s. The Calu- met or Pipe is caWd in the Iroquefe Language Ga- nondaoe, and by the other Savage Nations Poagan. Canadefe or Canadans, are the Natives of Canada fprung from a French Father and Mother. In the Jjlands 0/ South- America the Natives born of French Parents are called Creoles. Capa y defpada, A Gafcogne Title which the People of that Province gave in f rmer times by way of Irony, to the Members of the (tipream Oiuncil of Canada^ he» caufe the fr(t Coimfcltors wore neither Robe nor Sword, hutvja'k\l very gravely with a Cane in their Hands^ both in the City tf 'QnzhQck, andinthe Hall. Qsi^QAQiQ (ignifi.s a Club, or a Ht^ad- breaker. The Sa- vages call it Affan Ouftick, Ouftick fignifying the Head, and AfTan, to break. Channel /i a fpace of pretty deep IVater between two Banks, or between two Shoars. Commonly the Chan- nels are inclofed by Flats, and for that reafon Bouys or Mafis are fxt itpon 'em, in order to diretl the Pilots, who fieer either by theje Marks, or by founding, for they would run the rifque ofloofmg thtir Ships, if they did not keep cxadly to the Channel. Coaft along, fee Sweep. Compafs of Variation. 'Tis larger than the erdinary Compaffes, and fcrves to point out the ineejud Motions of the Needle, which leans always to the North- Eafi in the other Hemifphere, whereas it (lill plies to the North-fVefl; . in thhf I mean on this fide the Equinoilial line : The Needlt T^- A TABLE. 177 iJeedU touched with the Loadflone departs from the true North a certain number of Degrees to the right and left; and Mariners compute the Degrees of its departure hy the means of an Alhidada, and a thread which divides the Glafs of the Compafs into two eejual parts, and Jo Jhews the lariat ion of the Needle at Sun-fet, that being the true proper time for making the Obftrvation\ for at Sun-rifingy and at Noon, one may be deceivd by RcfraBions, &c. Coureurs de Bois^, i. e, Forefi Rangers^ are French or Canadefe, fo caWd from employing their whole Life in the rough Exercife of tranjporting Merchandize Goods to the Lakes o/'Canada, and to all the other Countries of that Continent J in order to Trade with the Savages .' And in regard that they run in Canows a thou/and Leagues up the Country, notwithftanding the danger of the Sea and Enemies, I take it, theyjl7ould rather be cal- led Coureurs dc Rifques, than Coureurs de Bois. E. . Eddy, or boyling U'ater, is little Watery Mountains that rife at the foot cf iVater-falls or CataraBs, jufi as wejce the Water plays In the Clfierns of Water-worki, Edge of a Bank, is thelhelving part of it that runs JleeP like a Wall F. Fathom, among the French is the meafure of fix foot, Feaft of Union, a Term us*d by the Iroquefe to figmfy the renewing of the Alliance between the five Iroquele Nations. Flars are a ridge of Rocks running under Water from one Station to another, and rifing within five or fix foot at leafiofthe Surface of that Element, fo as to hinder Ships, Bare^uciy &c. to float upon 'em. Fraight, fignlfies in this Book the Cargo, tho' in other . Cafes it fignlfies llkewlfe the Hire or Fare, Furl the Sails, fignlfies the drawing them up to a heap, towards f 278 A T A B L E. tou'cirds thcTop-rnafiy not longways as we dothcCuf' tains of a Btd, but from below upwards. "This is done by two Ropes ^that draw up the Sail as a String does a Purje. H. Head- Bars an two round pieces of Wood, reaching on each Jide from om aid of a Canow to the other, Tbeje art the Supporters of the Canow, for the Ribs and Spars are wadefafi upon them. K. Keel of a Ship, is a long piece of the ftrongefi JVood, or at leafi J ever a I pieces joynd together y to bear the gnat waght of nil the other Timber, Kitciii Oi-ima^/j the general Name for theGovernour Ge- ncYixl of Canada among all the Savages j whofc Langua- ges approach to that of the Algorikins. Y>Aic\i\ ftgnifes Grear, and Okima, Captain. The Iroquefe and Hurons call the Governor General OnnoniXQ, L. Lautr.ds. Every Body knows thn it imports the Ek" ViZtion of the Pole, or the difiauce from a fixd Point of the li^cjuator. l.^nd c^XYU^Q fignificsthe tranfportingofCanows by Land fern the Foot to the Head of a Catara^, or from one Rivfr to another. LigliC Ships arefucb as are empty ^ without any Cargo, P. Poop is the Stern or After-part of the Ship in which tk Rudder is fixd. Precipice of a Bank, fee Edge. ^ Prow // the Head or Fore-part of a Ship, which cuts the IVattrfirJt, Q: Quarter. Tho the Word Quarter in a Maritime Senje, is not wdl explain d I I put ths rwmlng of it to be this, Tht A TABLE. 179 e Cur^ lont by \ Purfe. m each eje are >ars «n i, or at be gnat tour Gt- LanguA" [Jtgnipes efe and the "Ek* Toint of ihy Land ^rom one * \rgo, \hich tU Uuts the te Senje, U this. fbi l^e North Quarter comprehends the [pace that lies be- tiveen North-tVefi and North- Eafi. The Eafi Quarter runs from North- Eafi to South- Eafi. The South Qjfar- ter comprehends that part of the Heavens that fails he- tween South-Eafi and South'Wefi : And the Wefi Quar- ter extends from South-lVefi to North-lVefi. R. Refitting of a Ship, fignipes the repairing and dreffing of it, and putting it into a Condition to fail, by putting in new flanks, caulking the Seams, &c. Ribs of a Canow, are much like thoje of a Vink, only there s this difference, that they line the Camw only on the in-Jtde from one Head Bar to another, upon which they are inchas'd. They have the thicknefs of three Crowns^ and the breadth of four Inches. Ruche, an Inftrumentfor fijhing, refembling a Bee-hive, S. Scurvy, is a Corruption of the Mafs of Blood. There are two forts of it ; one called the Land Scurvy, which loads a Man with Infirmities that gradually bring him to his Grave ; the other is the Sea Scurvy, which infallibly kills a Man in 8 days unlefs he gets a-Jhoar. Shieve, i. e. Row the wrong way, in order to njpfi ths Steerf- man tofieer the Boat, and to keep the Boat /w the Channel. Shoot. Tojhoot a iVater-fall or Catarati, implies the run- ning a Boat down theje dangerous Precipices, foilc-wimi the fir earn of the Water ^ and peering very nicely. Sledges are a Conveniency for travelling, built in an ob- long quadrangular form, upon two pieces of IVcod, which are 4 foot long, and 6 foot broad ^ upon the lived there are [everal pieces of Cloath or Hide nad\l to keep the Wind off, Thefe two pieces of Wovd are vtry bard, and wellJmootFd, that they way fiide the better on Sm:i' or Ice- Such are the H(!^fe Sledges. But ihojc dra-irn by ^m. £^ are open, and ma^t. of fwo littk pieces of hard jn^th, andjhining Wood, which are half an Inch thick, ^ footlongy and a foot and a half broad. Spa IS, : I ' '**' "WHjij'fl'"*'"" I 28o A TABLE. Spars are little pieces of Cedar H^oo^i, office thickntft of a Crovffty and the breadth of % Inches y and as long as thi) can be made. They do the fame Service to a Ca- naw, that a good lining does to a Coat. Stand in for Landy fignifies to fail direElly towards it. Steer a Sliip, irr^purts the managing of a Ship by the means of a Rudder, (as we do a Horfe with a Bridle) when there's li'lhUtmiugh to work her ; but if there be no IVindf a Ship is more unmoveable than a Gouty Perfon in jan Elbow Chair. Stem a Tide or the Current of a River y i. e. to fail againfi the Current J or tofieerfor the place from whence the Tides ■ ' or Currents come. Strike^ tofrike the Sails or Flag fignifies the lowering of ■: *cm, whether it be tofubmit $9 an Enemy^or by reafon if high fVinds. •' , ^v . -i > Sweep a Coa(l, fignifies to fail along the Coafi fide at a rea- fonahledi fiance, ■ ' .; • Top-gallAiit-Mafls are two little Mafsfet upon the two Top-M^(fs, and have two Sails fitted for \m. Top-Sails are two Sails fitted for the twoTop-Mafis, which (iafid dtrtitly above the two great Mafis, Traverfe. To traverfe fignifies failing Zigzag, or from fide to fide as a drunken Man reels, when the iVind is contrary, for then they are obligdto tack Jometlmes to '■ the right, 'and jometlmes to the left, keeping as near to the Wind as they can, in order to make what way they can, or at Icafi to prevent their lofing Ground. Tree ofFeace, a Symbolick Metaphor for Vme itfelf 1(5 * ••»! n * % •/»; 1 ^ ! f 7^> '■r \i »g as t. hj the hulle) 't be no irfon in agalnfi e Tuks ring of tajon of ■', ■* ■ t a rea- ^ .'" « *«5 the two which \or from ^ind is \imes to near to 'ay they lelf 1 '