Historical Collections (Volume 33)

Book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1904. Excerpt: ... It iB also with these same objects that we take the liberty of representing to you that, if Detroit is made use of as the Sr. Riverin writes to the Board of Directors, the trade of Montreal which has already fallen away will be entirely ruined in less than four years. Of this, My Lord, the Sr. de la Valliere, major of that place, will be able to give you a faithful account. Your very humble, very obedient and most obliged servants, Vaudreuil. Beauharnois. Quebec, the 17th of Nov. MEMORANDUM OF M. DE LA MOTHE CADILLAC CONCERNING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF DETROIT, FROM QUEBEC. Endorsed--19th Nov. 1704. Canada. La Mothe Cadillac gives an account of his conduct concerning the establishment of Detroit by questions and answers; it is Monseigneur who questions him and Lamothe replies. Q. signifies the question; A. the answer. Q. Was it not in 1699 that you proposed to me the establishment of Detroit which divides Lake Erie from Lake Huron? A. Yes, My Lord. Q. What were the motives you had in wishing to fortify that place, and establish it? A. I had several. The first was to make a strong post of it, which should not be liable to the revolutions of the other posts, by getting it inhabited by a good number of Frenchmen, and savages, in order to subdue the Iroquois who have always spoiled the Colony and have prevented its enlargement. Q. That would be good if what you propose could be achieved without great difficulties; but it appears to me that instead of strengthening the Colony by this establishment, it would weaken it, since it would divide the strength of the French? A. That would be true if the Iroquois were established near the French settlements; but as the strength of that tribe consists in distance, it is absolutely essential to advance towards it, becaus...