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.
Memorandum to Cadillac- 1708
Vaudreuil, Marquis de and Raudot, "Memorandum by MM.
de Vaudreuil and Raudot, on the Proposal of the Sr. de La
Mothe to Establish Four Companies of Savages at Detroit"
in: Michigan Historical Collections,
XXXIII, pp. 399-400.
(page 399) not be able to say that I make use of these same permissions to send to the Outtavois. It appears to me that, if these voyageurs set out all together and returned in like manner, desertions of this kind would not occur, and it would also have a wholesome effect on the savages, whereas, since these boats often proceed alone, whether going or returning, that makes no impression on their minds.
* * * *
The Sieur de Brussy having died on his way to France, the Sieur de Bourmont having deserted from Detroit, and the Sr. de Verehive having been killed by the English I have had the Sieurs de l'Inetot1 and Dussy taken in place of the two latter.
* * *
Your most humble and most obedient servant,
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Vaudreuil. |
Quebec, this 5th of Novr. 1708.
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MEMORANDUM BY MM. DE VAUDREUIL AND RAUDOT, ON THE
PROPOSAL OF THE SR. DE LA MOTHE TO ESTABLISH
FOUR COMPANIES OF SAVAGES AT DETROIT.
Endorsed- 1708.
The Sieur de La Mothe proposes to My Lord, to establish four companies of savages at Detroit, or two at least in addition to the French Companies there. He contends that this would be very advantageous to the Colony, because these savages would be attached to the French, and we should have nothing more to fear from the Iroquois, nor from the English; for if they made any attempt against Canada, it would be within the reach of the French and savage troops to pillage the villages of the Iroquois at once, and take away their wives and children as slaves. His scheme would be to place these companies on the same footing as those of the French; to have them commanded by the savages who have the most influence among the tribes; to make a separate corps of them by ordering that the last French captain, etc.
The proposal of the Sieur de La Mothe to form the savages into companies cannot be expedient for the Colony; for, even if the savages could be formed into companies, it would appear to the Sieurs de Vaudreuil and Raudot that we ought not to do so, seeing that these savages by (page 400) educating themselves up to discipline would become more formidable to the Colony than they are already.
The savages would not be more attached to the French service by these companies. We saw no example of that in the savages who received officers' pay in this country and afterwards withdrew into the woods. These companies would not shield this country from attacks by the Iroquois and the English; on the contrary, it is more likely that, as Detroit brings the savages nearer to the English, they will be attracted by the good trade they will find with our enemies; the pay they will receive from the King will not attach them to us more. The savages being near the Iroquois will be able to form alliances with them; they will all become related to one another, and if the Colony should be at war with the Iroquois we should have great difficulty in making them declare it.
They are not within such easy reach as the Sr. de La Mothe assures him, for falling upon the village of the Iroquois. They could not go in a large party, for making a great attack, all of a sudden; moreover, before such an attack could be made, the French and savages at Detroit, would have perished of hunger, seeing that they would have the Iroquois to contend with every day, and that hardly any assistance could be furnished to Detroit from this country.
Since the savages are all on an equality with one another, they could not be formed into companies, for the captains would have very little authority. It is true that these savages have chiefs among themselves, but these chiefs have no absolute command; they only say a certain thing must be done, and after that the others do it if they like. As there is no punishment among them, there can be no discipline; that is how the savages arrange matters.
The Sieurs de Vaudreuil and Raudot believe that we should not teach them, even if we could, to form companies. It would be found afterwards that this colony would reap an ill harvest from this instruction which had been given them, though the said Sieurs de Vaudreuil and Raudot are convinced that we could never succeed in imparting it.
Given at Quebec, the 13th of Novr. 1708.
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Vaudreuil. |
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Raudot. |
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Raudot. |
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