Addenda: October 1686

Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 12 1685-1688 and Addenda 1653-1687. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1899.

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'Addenda: October 1686', in Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 12 1685-1688 and Addenda 1653-1687, (London, 1899) pp. 656-657. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/colonial/america-west-indies/vol12/pp656-657 [accessed 27 April 2024]

October 1686

Oct. 1.
Quebec.
2,151. Mons. de Denonville to Governor Dongan. I have received by Father Lamberville the elder, missionary with the Iroquois, your letter of 27 July. I repeat that it will not be my fault if we do not live on a good understanding, and I am willing to believe that you on your side will contribute to the same end. I do not believe that the King your master would approve of your giving presents to the Iroquois, arming them to make war against us this year, and encouraging them to pillage French traders. You proposed to remit all disputes to the decision of our masters, but your envoy to the Onandagas has told all the tribes to plunder us and make war on us. Whether he did so by your orders or by those of the traders at Orange, he has done it. You know what your traders did at Michillimackinac. I ask you, do you expect me to think such conduct in accordance with your letter of the 27th July, full as it is of friendly professions as to religion and a good understanding between us? You told me that you will send me back all the deserters who have taken refuge with you, but you cannot but be aware that there are some with you now; and as they are all bankrupts or thieves, I hope that they will some day regret that you sheltered them, and that your traders will pay for employing rogues who will be as faithless to you as they have been to us. I am satisfied of your King's zeal as to religion. He has given proofs enough of it in his own dominions since his accession; but I wish that his piety was equally effective under your orders, and that you might find means to restrain his enemies from destroying the fruit of our missions by their wars and their cruelty. You know that they spare neither the Ottawas, our oldest allies, nor the other tribes among whom our evangelists are at work. You know also the barbarity that they have shewn towards the missionaries whom they here martyred. Will not such considerations lead you to second the pious intentions of your master? Religion can make no progress while your traders give them abundance of brandy, which turns them into demons and their abodes into hells. Be assured that I shall gladly try to obtain from you the favour which you desire from my king, who does not neglect men who, like you, have served him well. I wish you had explained that matter further, and sent me the vouchers or proofs of your claim. So many things pass through the hands of ministers that I fear M. de Louvois may not have remembered yours. And you do not give the name of the intendant of Nancy to whom you refer; but I will do my best for you. Signed, Le M. de Denonville. French. 3¼ pp. Endorsed. [Col. Papers, Vol. LXIV., No. 156.]
Oct. 21. 2,152. Minutes of Council of New England. Order for Mr. Addington and Mr. Bullivant to take over the records from Mr. Rawson and deliver them to the Secretary. Captains George and St. Loe, R.N., being summoned to attend the Council, replied that if the President had any orders to them for the King's service, they would obey him, but that they knew nothing of the Council. Being called thrice, they did not appear. Order for a summons to be issued to them with the seal of the President and Council, ordering them to appear to-morrow, and that the Secretary write and inform them that, in consequence of many misdemeanours committed by their men, they are required not to allow them ashore after dark. David Simpson, of H.M.S. Rose, examined for his refusal to allow Mr. Randolph's officers to board the ship Adventure. He said that he had orders to seize the ship.
Oct. 22. A question as to purchase of Indian lands on Concord river by Jonathan Tyng and Thomas Hinchman settled. Letter ordered to Captain George St. Loe, reqiring his attendance on Thursday next, 27th. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXIV., pp. 75–78.]
Oct. 27. 2,153. Minutes of Council of New England. A complaint lodged against Giles Smith, one of Captain St. Loe's seamen, for abusive language and swearing. Ordered that he be fined twenty shillings and be handed over to his captain for punishment for swearing. Colonel Dongan's letter read. The business of Mr. Pierce, the printer, referred to the Secretary and Mr. Winthrop. Adjourned to 9 November. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXIV., p. 79.]