USA > New York > Franklin County > A history of St. Lawrence and Franklin counties, New York : from the earliest period to the present time > Part 4
USA > New York > St Lawrence County > A history of St. Lawrence and Franklin counties, New York : from the earliest period to the present time > Part 4
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" Therefore it having cleared about ten o'clock, the fleet traversed and advanced to the foot of the first rapid of the Long Saut, but one half having passed, a storm sprang up, which obliged the count to go by land as far as the rapid, to hasten on those who were in the middle, and to prevent the last going further on; so that four only were able to pass, and these camped half a league above. He sent the others into a cove, after he had remained more than two hours under the rain, without a cloak ; very uneasy about the bateaux, which experienced much difficulty in ascending the rapid, one of them had run adrift in the current, had not the people behind, thrown themselves into the stream with incredi- ble promptness and bravery.
It is impossible to conceive without witnessing, the fatigue of those who dragged the bateaux. They were for the most part of the time in the water up to the arin-pits, walking on rock so sharp that many had their feet and legs covered with blood, yet their gaiety never failed, and they made such a point of honor of taking these bateaux up, that as soon as they arrived in the camp, some among them commenced jump- ing, playing "prison bars," (jouer aux barres,) and other games of like nature. The night of the 5th and 6th inst. was so wet, that the Count could not sleep, so afraid was he of the biscuit getting wet, that he or- dered Sieur de Chambly, not to allow the canoes to start until he saw settled weather, and to push on the bateaux with experienced hands in them as they did not carry any provisions capable of spoiling. He waited till noon to set out, the weather having cleared up with appear- ances of no more rain; but a league had not been travelled, nor the ba- teaux overtaken, before a tempest burst so furiously, that all thought that the provisions would be wet. With care however, very little harm hap- pened, and after halting about three hours, we proceeded on with some five or six canoes, to find out a place to camp; to give time to the people in the canoes to follow them, with all the troops, and though there were three or four very ugly rapids to be passed; they did not fail to surmount all these difficulties, and to arrive before sundown at the head of the Long Saut, where Count de Frontenac, had traced out the camp, oppo-
* Raquette River?
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site a little Island, at the end of which the northern channel unites with that on the south.
The 7th, started the canoes, (bateaux?) very early, with orders to cross from the north side at the place where they should find the river nar- rower and less rapid, and he left with all the canoes two hours after, and proceeded until eleven o'clock, in better order than during the pre- ceding days, because the navigation was easier. We stopped three or four hours about a quarter of a league from the rapid called the Rapide Plat .*
The weather appeared the finest in the world. This induced us to determine on passing the rapid, which is very difficult, on account of the trees on the water side tumbling into the river, which obliged the cannes to take outside, and so go into the strongest of the current. He detached six canoes in consequence, which he sent along to take axes to cut all the trees that might obstruct the passage of the batteaux, and took with him the Three Rivers' brigade and his staff, to lay out the camp, having left two brigades with the bateaux, and others for a rear guard. But on landing at 5 o'clock in the afternoon, there came a storm accompanied by thunder and lightning, more furious than all the others that preceded it, so that it was necessary to despatch orders in all haste to the bateaux, and to all the fleet to cast anchor, wherever they happened to be, which it was very difficult to effect, in consequence of some of the bateaux heing in the midst of the rapid. The rain lasted nearly the whole night, during which the Count was extremely uneasy, lest precautions may not have been taken to prevent the provisions getting wet.
Next morning at break of day sent for intelligence, and news was brought, about 7 o'clock in the morning, that there was not much harm done, through the care every one took to preserve his provisions, and the bateaux arrived a quarter of an hour afterwards at the camp. As every one had suffered considerably from the fatigue of the night, it was re- solved not to leave the camp before ten or eleven o'clock in order to collect all the people and give them time to rest.
The weather was so unsettled, that, through fear of rain, they waited until noon, and though a pretty strong south-west wind arose, and the river was very rough, we failed not to make considerable headway, and to camp at the foot of the last rapid.
The 9th, we had proceeded scarcely an hour, when the Montreal brig- ade, dispatched by Count Frontenac from our 3d encampment, by Sieur Lieut. de la Valtrie, under the direction of Sieur Morel, ensign, to make a second convoy, and carry provisions beyond the rapids, was found in a place which he had been ordered to occupy as a depot. As soon as our fleet was perceived, he crossed over from the south to the north, and came on board the admiral.
The Count wrote by him to M. Perrot, Governor of Montreal, to whom he sent orders to have new canoes furnished to Lieut. Lebert, to join this fleet, and endeavor to bring, in one voyage, what he had at first resolved to have brought in two. In two hours afterwards, we arrived at the place Sieur de la Valtrie had selected to build a storehouse. It was a
* This rapid is on the north side of Ogden's Island, at the present village of Waddington, in Madrid.
The Island was unknown to the early French voyageurs as the Isle au Rapide Plat, or island at the flat rapid.
The river here is underlaid by a limestone formation of very uniform surface, and has a descent of eleven feet in three miles.
3
1151716
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HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE
point at the head of all the rapids, and at the entrance of the smooth navigation .*
The Count strongly approved Sieur de la Valtrie's selection, and re- solved to sojourn there the whole day, to allow the troops to refresh, and to have leisure to send a second canoe to Montreal, with new orders and to hasten the return of the canoes, which were sent to bring pro- visions. At six o'clock in the evening, two Iroquois canoes arrived, bringing letters from Sieur de la Salle, who, having been sent into their country two months before, advised the Count, that, after some difficulty, founded on the apprehensions the savages entertained of his approach, they had, in fine resolved to come to assure him of their obedience, and that they awaited him at Kent, to the number of more than two hund- red of the most ancient and influential, though they had considerable objection to repair thither, in consequence of the jealousy they felt on seeing Onontio going to Kentè, as it implied a preference for that nation to the others. This obliged him to request the Abbès de Fenelont and D'Urfè, to go in all haste to Kentè, which it had been resolved to visit, having judged by the map, after considerable consultation and different opinions, that it would be a very suitable place on which to erect the proposed establishment.
Though Count de Frontenac had appointed this interview with the savages, only with that view, he did not omit however taking advantage of the jealousy they entertained in their minds, and requested those gentlemen to assure them, that he expected them in that place only to let them know that he did not prefer the one to the other, and that he should be always their common father, so long as they remained in the obedience and respect they owed the king.
The 10th, left the camp about 5 o'clock in the morning, and though Count de Frontenac had determined on the preceding day, and before he received the news of the approach of the Iroquois, to leave the bat- eaux with the greater portion of the troops behind, and to take with him only two or three brigades, to reconnoitre as quickly as possible the outlet of the Great Lake, and the post he was about to fortify at the mouth of the Katarakoui, he changed his design and concluded he ought to proceed with more precaution, until he should be better informed of the intention of the Iroquois.
We therefore proceeded in a body, and in closer column than here- tofore. The weather was so serene, and the navigation so smooth, that we made more than ten leagues, and went to camp at a cove about a league and a half from Otondiata, where the eel fishery begins. We had the pleasure on the march, to catch a small loon, a bird about as large as a European bustard ( Outarde), of the most beautiful plumage, but so difficult to be caught alive, as it plunges constantly under water, that it is no small rarity to be able to take one. A cage was made for it, and orders were given to endeavor to raise it, in order to be able to send it to the king.
* Probably, Indian Point, in Lisbon, a short distance above Gallop Rapids.
+ Fenelon, the Archbishop of Cambray, and author of the celebrated allegorical romance entitled, Les Adventures de Telemaque, was from 1667 till 1674 a missionary of the Sulpi- cian order among the Iroquois, on the north shore of Lake Ontario. He was born, Aug. 6th, 1651; early engaged with zeal in ecclesiastical studies, became eminent as a missionary, author, and preceptor to the Duke of Burgundy, the heir apparent to the throne of France; was raised to the Archbishopric of Cambray in 1697, and died in 1715
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The 11th, the weather continuing fine, a good day's journey was made, having passed all that vast group of islands with which the river is spangled, and camped at a point above the river called by the Indians Onnondakoui,* up which many of them go hunting. It has a very consider- able channel. Two more loons were caught alive, and a scanoutou, which is a kind of deer, but the head and branches of which are handsomer than that of the deer of France."
The narrative continues with an account of the stately and regal man- ner with which the Count de Frontenac entered the lake, and the inter- views which he had with the natives. The pomp and ceremony with which he received the deputation of the savages, the glittering armor and polished steel which flashed and gleamed in the sun, the waving banners gayest colors that floated in the gentle breeze, and above all the roar of cannon and the destructive effect of shot, bewildered the minds of the simple-hearted natives, and impressed them with awe and astonishment. The Count then related to them in glowing colors the grandeur and im- portance of the King his master, whose hunible servant he was, and thus conveyed a vague but overwhelming impression of the omnipotence of the French.
This speech is interesting, as an illustration of the motives which were held out to the natives by the French, and the manner in which they appealed to their passions and their interests in securing their adherence to their cause.
Count de Frontenac, having had a fire lighted near the place where they were seated, answered them in terms adapted to their manner of speaking, as follows :
" My Children : Onnontagues, Mohawks, Oneidas, Cayugas and Se- necas. I am pleased to see you come hither, where I have had a fire lighted for you to smoke by, and for me to talk to you. It is well done, my children, to have followed the orders and commands of your Father. Take courage, then, my children : you will hear his word, which is full of tenderness and peace ; a word which will fill your cabins with joy and happiness, for think not that war is the object of my voyage. My spirit is full of peace, which accompanies me. Courage, then, my children, and rest yourselves."
· The Count then presented them with six fathoms of tobacco, and added :
" My Children : You have taken great pains to come to see me, and I regret to have given you the trouble of so long a voyage, which I, how- ever, tried to abridge, by not obliging you to go to Kenté, and by lighting the fire for you at Katarokoui.
Fear not : close your ears, nor distrust your minds. I am aware that there have been many evil disposed, who were desirous to persuade you that Onontio was coming into the cantons only to devour your villages; but, my children, that is not true. Those are busy bodies who would break the peace and union that exists between us; and you will never find
* Gannonoqui ? from the Huron, Ough-seanoto, a deer. Dr. O'CALLAGHAN.
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in me any other than the feelings of a real father, so long as you will act like true children, and continue obedient.
Cheer up then your spirits, and be persuaded that I had no other design in this voyage, than to visit you ; as it was very reasonable a father should be acquainted with his children, and the children with their father.
I can not, however, sufficiently testify to you the joy I feel to see that you not only fully obey my orders with promptness, and come in great numbers to meet me, but that you have also brought your wives and children with you, because this is a certain mark of the confidence you place in my words.
One regret only remains, that I can not speak your language, or that you do not understand mine, so that there might be no necessity for in- terpreter or spokesmanl.
But in order that you may be fully informed all I have said to you, I have selected Sieur Lemoine, to whom I shall communicate in writing what I have to state to you, so that you may not lose any of my remarks. Listen, then, attentively to him. There is something to open your ears, in order that you may be disposed in a day or two to hear the thoughts of Onontio."
The Count then handed the paper he held to Sieur Lemoine, and presented to each nation a gun, a quantity of prunes and raisins for the women, with some wine, brandy and biscuit.
The Indians appeared highly pleased with the speech which M. Lemoine explained to them in the commencement, and which appeared according to their fashion considerable, caused them to hope that mag- nificent ones would be made them at the close, when Onontio would communicate his intentions to them.
It was remarked that their countenances were much changed, and that Toronteshati, their orator, the ablest, most spiritual, and most influ- ential man among them, from being sad and pensive before, assumed a gaiety not usual to him. He has been always an enemy to the French, and greatly in the interest of the Dutch. Count Frontenac was obliged in consequence, to pay him particular attention, and to keep him to din- ner with him.
Sieur Rendieu was busy meanwhile, tracing out the fort at the place designated by the Count, and according to the plan which had been ap- proved of by him, and as soon as they had dined, men were ordered to work at the trench, where pickets were to be set, until it was determined in what manner the troops should be employed, and until the tools were put in order. He then embarked in a canoe to visit the banks of the river, or harbor and was delighted to find at the head of the bay, a prairie more than a league in length, as handsome and level as any in France, and to see the river winding through its centre, very wide, and capable of admitting barks and vessels for over three leagues continually.
He returned to the camp in great joy, on perceiving that he had found everything according to his wishes, and that God had seemingly blessed his enterprise, but what increased it still more, was to find that every body was so impatient for work, and so anxious to advance the under- taking, whichi he hoped to bring soon to an end. This ardor thus ex- hibited by them, caused him to alter his resolution, to divide the troops into four brigades, and to have them relieved every two hours, in order that the work should not intermit, and he accepted their proposal to di- vide the labor among them, each undertaking what may be allotted to him. This had so good an effect, that early in the evening, they began to make a clearing with such energy, that the officers found difficulty in
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drawing the people off to rest and sleep, so as to be able to work the next morning.
The 14th day had scarcely broken, when the entire brigade fell to work, according to the allotment that had been made, and all the officers and soldiers applied themselves to it with such heartiness and zeal, that the site of the fort was nearly cleared.
Sieur Lamoine had orders from the Count, to bring him at each meal two or three of the principal Iroquois, whom he entertained at his table. He fondled their children every time he met them, and had prunes, raisins. &c., distributed among them, which so gratified the Indians that they would not leave his tent, no more than the women, whom he treated, to induce them to dance in the evening.
The 15th, the work was continued with the same zeal; but the rain which fell throughout the morning of the 16th, prevented operations until noon, when every effort was made to recover lost time. The Indians were astonished to see the large clearance that had been made; some squaring timber in one place; others fetching pickets; others cutting trenches; and that different operations advanced at the same time. In the evening he caused notice to be given to the captain of the Five Na- tions, that he would give them an audience, on the next day, at eight o'clock in the morning.
On the 17th, everything being prepared to receive them, they came to the Count in the same manner as the first time, when he submitted to them in his speech all the conditions he desired of them, as may be seen from the copy annexed of his address, which was accompanied by mag- nificent presents in Indian fashion.
Count de Frontenac's speech to the Iroquois.
FIRST WORD.
"My children ! Onnontagues, Mohawks, Oneidas, Cayugas, and Senecas I signified to you the other day, the joy I felt to see you arrive here with all your proofs of submission that children owe their father, and with such confidence that you have brought your wives and little ones.
You alleviate in truth thereby, all the trouble and fatigues I encoun- tered on my voyage, and oblige me by the respect you have for my com- mands to give you every assurance that you can desire of my friendship, and the king, my majesty's protection, if you continue to observe faith- fully his will, of which I am interpreter, and executor. I have even reason to persuade myself that you will not fail therein after the protest- ations you have given me, and the knowledge you have afforded me of the good understanding in which all the nations now live, inasmuch as you have informed me, that they were all of the same spirit, and had but one opinion. But as it is the duty of children to be obedient to their father, 'tis likewise the duty of a good father to communicate to his children, instructions and information, the most nseful and necessary for them.
Children! Onontagues, Mohawks, Oneidas, Cayugas, and Senecas! I can not give you any advice more important or more profitable to you, than to exhort you to become Christians, and to adore the same GOD that I adore. He is the sovereign Lord of Heaven and Earth ; the absolute master of your lives and properties; who hath created you; who pre- serves you ; who furnishes you with food and drink; who can send death amongst you in a moment, inasmuch as he is Almighty, and acts as he willeth, not like men, who require time, but in an instant and at a word.
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In fine, He it is who can render you happy or miserable, as he pleasetli. This GOD is called JESUS; and the Black Gowns here, who are lis mi- nisters and interpreters, will teach you to know Him, whenever you are so disposed. I leave them among you, and in your villages, only to teach you.
I therefore desire, that you respect them, and prevent any of your young braves daring or presuming to injure them in the smallest degree, as I shall consider the injuries done them as personal to myself, and such I will punish with like severity. Hearken well then to the advice 1 give you, and forget it not, as it is of great importance ; and you ought to be aware that, in giving it, I labor more for you than for myself, and I study only your happiness The Hurons, here present in great numbers, must incline you thereto, since you see with your own eyes that they have learned to honor and serve the Gop of whom I speak to you.
Ancients! give herein the example to your children, as your judgment must be sounder than theirs; or at least, if you be not disposed to be- come Christians, at least do not prevent them becoming such, and learn- ing the prayer of that great Gov whom the Black Gowns will willingly teach them, and his commandments. These consist of only two points, easy of observance. The first is, to love Him with your whole heart, and whole soul, and your whole strength. Ancients! Is there any thing more easy than to love what is perfectly beautiful, what is sovereignly amiable, and what can constitute all our happiness?
The second thing he requires of us is, to love our brother as we love ourselves; that is to say, that we assist them in their necessities, and furnish them drink, and meat and clothing, when they are in need of thein, as we would wish should be done to ourselves.
Again, Ancients-for to you I address myself. believing your minds to be sufficiently endowed to compreliend it-tell me frankly, if there is any thing more reasonable than this commandment? You ought to be more easily persuaded that I came not here save with a heart filled with gentleness and peace, to communicate these to my children, to assist them in all things, and to give them a proof of a true and sincere friendship.
Take courage, then, my children, Onontagues, Mohawks, Oneidas, Cayugas, and Senecas. Lend not an ear to the councils of certain busy bodies, who at my approach desire to excite distrust and suspicions, and who, assuming to be your friends, meditate only your ruin and destruction.
Listen to me, and trust my words. I am frank and sincere, and shall promise you nothing but what I shall exactly perform, desiring that you may on your side do likewise. * * I content myself by telling you only to reflect on the past and on the present; consider well the greatness and power of Onontio; behold the number of persons accompanying and surrounding him; the ease and celerity with which he has surmounted all your sauts and rapids, and passed bateaux, mounted with cannon, over them, which you never thought could be steered through the smoothiest and most tran- quil of rivers, and that in a voyage mnade only through pleasure, and with- out necessity. Infer from this what he could effect if he desired to wage war and crush any of his enemies. If you reflect seriously on all of these things, you will acknowledge he is a good father, who is not cruel, and that he is absolute arbiter of War and Peace."
When we come to give an account of the founding of the mission on the St. Lawrence, nearly three quarters of a century after, it may be well
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to remember the nature of the motives which were brought to bear upon the minds of the savages, when we shall see that they were essentially the same as those offered by the Count de Frontenac.
From this time forward, the St. Lawrence was frequently traversed by French voyagers, and a post was established at La Galette, (meaning in the French language a cake, or muffin,) which is supposed to be near the site of Johnstown in Canada, a short distance below Prescott, or on Chimney Island.
In the celebrated expedition of De la Barre, the governor of Canada, against the Iroquois, in 1684,* La Galette is mentioned as one of his stopping places.
In laying a plan for the conquest of the Five Nations, de la Barre in- dicates the necessity of posting troops in Forts Frontenac and La Galette, to escort provisions, and keep the head of the country guarded and furnished.
This celebrated, and singularly unfortunate expedition, left Quebec on the ninth of July, 1684, and on the first of August arrived at Lake St. Francis, with about two hundred canoes, and fifteen bateaux, where he was joined by the Rev. Father Lamberville, junior, coming on behalf of his brother at Onondaga, and by the Rev. Father Millet, from the Oneidas.
On the second they reached the portage of the Long Saut, which was found very difficult, notwithstanding the care taken to send forward fifty men with axes to cut away the trees that projected from the bank, and prevented those passing who were dragging up the canoes and bateaux ; because the trees being voluminous and the bank precipitous, the people were in the water the moment they abandoned the shore. During this delay, they were joined by the Christian Iroquois of the Saut St. Louis and of Montreal, who undertook for a few presents of brandy and
* See the Documentary History of New York, by E. B. O'Callaghan, Vol. I, p 93-143 where a full history of this event is given in the original documents. La Famine, which was in the work cited, located in Jefferson county, must doubtless have been Salmon river in Os- wego county. In the Journal of Charlevoix, (12mo edition, vol. 5, p. 302-3) the following distances are given:
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