THE OHIO VALLEY-GREAT LAKES ETHNOHISTORY
ARCHIVES: THE MIAMI COLLECTION
It is noted that the following work from the Miami Archives should be read and
considered within the historical context in which it was composed and printed.
The opinions expressed and the language used do not reflect the opinions or
standards of the Glenn A. Black Laboratory of Archaeology, but are, rather,
indicative of thought in that historical moment during which the document was
published.
Instructions Given by Sieur de La Barre to Sieur de Salvaye
(July 25, 1684)
de La Barre, "Instructions which Sieur de la Barre (Member of the King's Council, Governor & Lieutenant General of all the countries of New France and Acadie) gives to Sieur de Salvaye his Ambassador to Colonel Dongan, Governor of New York, to explain to him the unfaithfulness and violences committed by the Senecas and Cayugas against the French" in: Documents Relative to the Colonial History of the State of New York, (Lon. Doc: V), v. III, pp. 450-451.
He is, in the first place, to make known to him the quarter where the pillage of the seven Canoes was perpetrated, as well as the attack on Fort St Louis and that it is more than (page 451) leagues distant from here and an equal distance at least, southwest from Albany, between the 39th and 40th degrees.
That that place has been occupied over 25 years by the French who there established Catholic Missions of the Jesuit Fathers, and traded there (ont fait la traitte) since that time, without the English having ever known, or spoken of, that country.
That the question is not about the country of the Iroquois, nor of the Eastern shores of Lake Erie.
That the Iroquois having lived, previous to the arrival of M. de la Barre, in this Government with little consideration for the French, he was desirous to speak with them, to see if they were friends or foes, and for August where every thing was arranged on a friendly basis; even the Senecas and Cayugas had demanded Sieur de la Barre to withdraw Sieur de la Salle from the government of Fort St Louis, in Illinois; which he had done and caused the said Sieur de la Salle to be sent to France in the month of last November.
That notwithstanding this, and all the protestations of friendship they had made, a band of 200 warriors, Senecas and Cayugas, having met in the month of March of this year, seven canoes manned by 14 Frenchmen, with fifteen or sixteen thousand pounds worth of Merchandize, who were going to trade with the Scious, towards the southwest, robbed, pillaged and took them prisoners, without any resistance from the French, who considered them friends, and after having detained them nine days naked, released them with thousands of taunts and insults, without having given them either arms or canoes for provisions, and to enable them to cross the rivers. After which the said Iroquois went and attacked Fort St Louis, where Sieur Chevalier de Baugy was in the place of said Sieur de la Salle, who had been withdrawn at their request. Having made three assaults and been vigorously repulsed, they withdrew from before the said Fort the 29th of March.
That Sieur de la Barre having seen these acts of hostility committed in time of established peace and which Tegaucout their Ambassador was coming to him to confirm, he had adopted two courses, one to detain the said Ambassador, and the other to wage war against them, not being able to endure a treachery of that description against the Christian name and French Nation.
That, things being in this condition, he could not believe that Colonel Dongan would interfere therein in any way, if it were not to unite with him in destroying these traitors and infidels.
That the Mohawks and Oneidas, neighbours of Albany, took no part in all this war, and that he has envoys at Onnontague to see if they will take a part.
That his troops being assembled and on the march, he cannot postpone attacking the Senecas unless by losing the campaign.
That in his despatches dated the 5th of August last, the King his master was pleased to communicate to him the information which he had received from the King of England, of the appointment of Colonel Dongan as Governor of New-York, with express orders to maintain good understanding and correspondence with Sieur de la Barre, who, on that account, could have no idea that he had any intention to protect a treachery and injustice such as has been committed by villains on Frenchmen.
That as regards the affair of Pentagouet, Sieur de la Barre refers to the treaty of Breda, which he considers the rule to which the one and the other ought to conform themselves.
Done at the Camp of Lachine, [July 25, 1684].
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