USA > New York > Albany County > Albany > The annals of Albany, Vol. IV > Part 20
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After we should have become masters of the town and fort of Manathe I shall cause the Inhabitants to be dis- armed and send my Canadians back by the Albany river to Orange on their way to their batteaux and on their re- turn home. I should winter at Manathe with all the troops I would have brought with me except the 200 sol- diers left to guard Orange ; and as I shall have nothing to fear from the land side, being master of the rivers, I would work through the winter to strengthen myself against at- tacks of the English whilst waiting until H. M. should be pleased to send what may be necessary to secure this im- portant conquest.
It would render H. M. absolute Master of the whole of Iroquois who derive from this Colony all the arms and ammunition with which they make war on us. This will afford the means to disarm them whenever considered necessary, and thereby impose on them such laws as H. M. may please ; the town of Boston the capital of New England being too far from them to afford any aid.
Having mastered the Iroquois we shall have equal con- trol of all the other Savages who will come without hesi- tation and bring us all their peltrics. This will cause the trade of our Colony to flourish; will considerably aug- ment H. M.'s revenues and eventually diminish the ex- penses he is obliged to incur for the preservation of Canada.
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It will firmly establish the Christian Religion as well among the Iroquois as among the other Savages to whom we shall be able to speak as Masters when they are encircled on the side of Canada as well as of New York.
It will secure and facilitate the Cod fishery which is carried on along our Coasts of La Cadie and on the Great Bank. It will give H. M. one of the finest har- bours in America which can be entered during almost all seasons of the year in less than one month of very casy navigation ; whilst that from France to Quebec cannot be prosecuted except in summer on account of the Ice which closes the River St. Lawrence, itself long and perilous.
It may be objected to this plan, that the Colony of Orange and Manathe may remain faithful to the King of England and in this case it would not be apropos to attack it and draw down an open war with that English Colony to the prejudice of the Treaty of Neutrality concluded between the two nations.
It may be answered to this, that the Colony of Manathe and Orange, being the same as that formerly called New Netherland which the English took from the Dutch, and the greater part of which is still of this latter nation and all protestants, it is not to be doubted but that they would receive the orders of the Prince of Orange and even force their Governor, did he not consent, to acknow- ledge him, and therefore we must look on as certain a war between that Colony and us, and not give it the time to push its intrigues with the Savages to ruin us by means of them, if we do not anticipate them. And in case that, contrary to all appearances, they remain faithful to the King of England during the general rebellion of the English, we might, if H. M. thought proper, being on terms with that King, confide to him the secret of this expedi- tion, draw from him an order to the Commandant of Orange and Manathe to surrender these places into H. M.'s hands, who would keep them for him and pre- vent the Rebels becoming masters of them, so as to have an opportunity to treat them as rebels did they not obey that order, being besides this, in a position to force them to it, on condition of negotiating eventually
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with the King for that Colony, which is the only means of securing Canada, firmly establishing Religion, Trade and the Kings authority throughout all North America. If the favorable opportunity which presents of becoming master of that Colony be neglected, it may surely be cal- culated that, through its intrigues with the Iroquois and other Savages, it will destroy Canada in a little time; whose ruin will entail that of the establishment at Hud- son's bay, the beaver and other peltry trade; that of Acadia, the local fishery, and that of Newfoundland ; and if we be forced to abandon Canada, it will, hereafter, in consequence of the frequent chasing of our fishermen by English vessels, render very difficult and dangerous for H. M.'s subjects the Codfishery on the Great Bank, which produces several millions to France, and is one of the most profitable investments that we have.
MEMOIR OF INSTRUCTIONS TO COUNT DE FRONTENAC
Respecting the Expedition against New-York. 7th June, 1689. [ Paris Doc. IV.]
The King, having examined the proposition made him by Sieur Chevalier de Callieres Bonnevue of Montreal to attack New York with his Majesty's troops in Canada and a number of the militia of that country, has the more wil- lingly assented to it as he knows that the English inhabiting that quarter have resolved since the last year to excite the Iroquois Nation, His Majesty's subjects, and force them to wage war against the French, having furnished them for that purpose with arms and ammunition, and endeav- oured in every way, even to the prejudice of the King of England's orders and the faith of Treaties, to usurp the trade of the French in the country in possession of which they have been from all time.
To accomplish this project His Majesty has given orders to Sieur Begon to prepare the munitions necessary for the expedition and has caused two of his ships of war to be equipped in the port of Rochefort under the command of
21
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Sieur de la Caffiniere whom he has ordered to follow ex- actly the directions which said Sieur de Frontenac will give him regarding this expedition.
He will set out with all diligence to embark at Rochelle in one of the ships and sail without loss of time for the entrance of the gulf of St. Lawrence and Campseaux bay, where he will embark in the best of the merchantmen that will follow and repair to Quebec. *
Therefore on his arrival at Quebec he will take advan- tage of the state in which he will find things, to complete the suitable arrangements for departing with batteaux, canoes and all the equipage necessary for this expedition with the Chevalier de Callieres who will command the troops under his orders.
He will despatch by land or water as he shall deem most certain, orders and instructions to Sieur de la Caffinere, to the place he will have designated, as to what he shall have to do, in order to repair to Manathe, he making use of the cypher which shall have been furnished him.
He will order him to sail directly and without under- taking any thing along his coursc, follow the cost of Aca- die (where he will leave in passing what he shall have for the said coast of Acadie) down to Manathe, and order him to anchor as safely as possible and to observe well the quarter where he will make his landing when said Sieur de Frontenac shall have arrived there.
He will give orders to the Sieur de la Caffiniere to seize the veseels he will find in the bay of the said Manathe, without exposing himself to any accident that may render him unable to cooperate in that enterprise.
As it is impossible to fix on a certain rendezvous for the arrival of said vessels at Manathe at the same time that the Sieur de Frontenac will arrive there with the troops, without alarming those at that place, the two vessels of war must go right into the bay, more especially as the attack on the frontier post of New York will give warning to those of Manathe; and the vessels thus arriving before the land forces, will cause a diversion. *
The said Sieur de Frontenac having informed himself
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of the route he is to take, of which he will make more particular enquiries on the spot, as regard the convenience, security and expedition of the troops, His Majesty will not enter into further detail on this subject, nor on the attack on Orange and Manatte nor on any thing that re- lates thereto. He will solely recommend him to act as much as possible, in such a manner as that those of Orange may not be advised of his march, so that he may surprise this first post and cut in below Orange to secure the num- ber of vessels he may require to descend on Manathe, and to place things in such order as not to be uneasy when he shall depart for and be established at, the said Manathe. For this purpose he ought to leave a confidential officer at Orange with such detachment as he will find necessary to be left there, with orders to be on his guard and to for- tify himself, and to obtain all information possible for the success of the expedition against Manathe. He will also cause all the inhabitants to be disarmed and their effects to be seized, giving them to hope every good treatment with which they can flatter themselves until he entertains no further apprehensions; then His Majesty desires that what is hereinafter prescribed to him, may be executed.
He wishes particular care to be taken to prevent any 'under of provisions, merchandize, amunition, property, cattle, utensils and principal household furniture ; and as his object must be to place Forts Orange and Manathe in a state of defence, and to support the Frenchmen who will have remained there, he must not only victual the forts for the longest time possible but collect there all he can of provisions, and in default of a sufficient quantity of magazines in said forts he will lock them up in the towns, taking care not to touch those which he should deposit in said forts except when obliged.
His Majesty does not wish any suspected inhabitants be left in that Colony. His intention also is that an exact Inventory be made in the settlements and plantations by Commissiary Gaillard (whom His Majesty wishes him to take with him,) of all cattle, grain, merchandize, furniture, effects and utensils he may find in each of the said settle- ments ; that he select from among the inhabitants of Canada
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and the officers and soldiers of the troops those who will be found qualified to maintain and improve them, and that he furnish these with farms in His Majesty's name leav- ing them of the provisions that will be found there, as much as shall be necessary to support them until they have produced some and he will examine one with another, those to whom he will think proper to grant said farms, so as to distribute the greater number in proportion to their skill and strength, observing to associate several in the same settlement when he shall deem such necessary. He will inform His Majesty of all he shall have done in this regard by sending him the enumeration of all that he shall have left in each such settlement, and furnish his opinion of the Quit rents which they will be in a condition to pay him. After having settled on what he shall judge abso- lutely necessary to leave to those to whom he will have given these farms, he will place in store all the surplus, such as grain, whale oil and all sorts of merchandize and other principal effects of which also inventories shall be made to be equally sent to his Majesty.
He will examine into the means of distributing said property so that from what he will acquire there, his Majesty may order, on his advice, the gratuities he shall judge fitting to bestow on said militia, the army and navy officers, soldiers and sailors who shall have distinguished themselves and given individual marks of that satisfaction which he expects from their zeal and industry on this oc- casion.
If he find among the inhabitants of New York, whether English or Dutch, any Catholics on whose fidelity he can rely he may leave them in their habitations after making them take the oath of allegiance to His Majesty, provided there be not too many of them and they do not excite any suspicion, having regard, in that, only to what will best promote the preservation and advantage of the Colony and its security at the same time as well as that of the French.
He may likewise retain, if he think proper, mechanics and other working people necessary to cultivate the land and work at fortifications in the capacity of prisoners,
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distributing them among the French inhabitants who may require them, until matters being in a state of entire secu- rity, they may be restored to liberty.
The officers and principal inhabitants, from whom ran- som can be exacted, must be detained in prison.
Respecting all other foreigners, men, women and children, His Majesty deems it proper that they should be put out of the Colony and sent to New England, Pennsylvania and to such other quarters as shall be considered expedient, either by land or sea, together or in divisions-all accord- ing as he shall find will best secure their dispersion and prevent them, by reunion, affording enemies an opportu- nity to get up expeditions against the Colony.
He will send to France the French Refugees whom he will find there, particularly those of the pretended Re- formed religion. When he will have captured the fort and conquered that Colony he must think particulary of his return to Canada to convey thither the Militia and Soldiers he shall deem necessary for the King's service, according to the disposition in which he shall find things both as regards the Iroquois as well on the side of Canada as on that of New York, and in proportion to what troops he will calculate necessary to be left to guard the forts and country.
And as nothing appears more important, after his expe- dition, than to take advantage of the season to return to Canada, he must, in case he can not execute all that is above contained, confide its execution to Sieur Chevalier de Cail'ieres, giving him orders conformable and according to what he shall consider most fitting the King's service ; His Majesty having determined to confer on the said Chevalier de Caillieres the Government of New York, and of the town and fort of Manathe in particular, under the au- thorityof His Majesty's Lieutenant General in New France.
He will select before leaving, the officers and soldiers he will deem proper to leave at New York and put over the post the officers best qualified to maintain and fortify them.
In case he find, after having provided sufficient troops for New York and concluded on the number of soldiers necessary for His Majesty's service in Canada, that he has
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a supcrabundance he can send some to France in the King's Ships, and retain thirty-five to forty men to be sent eventually to Acadia.
His Majesty is very glad to observe to him on this head, that he must regulate himself, as regards the number of men he will leave in New York, by the means of subsistance there and the necessity of guarding the country; and he will also consider that his return to Canada will be more convenient for those he will have to convey back there, when they will not be more numerous.
In case, contrary to all appearance, the season be too far advanced to admit his return to Canada during the remainder of the Fall, he will give advice of his expedition and sojourn there until the Spring, and he will employ himself during the winter in securing his conquests and waging war on the enemy.
However that be, he ought if he be obliged to remain, either personally or through Chevalier de Caillieres, if that be convenient, profit by circumstances to conclude a solid and advantageous peace with the Iroquois, whom he will, doubtless find disposed to sue for it. being deprived of aid from and communication with the English.
In order to deprive the English of the facility of under- taking land expeditions against New York from New England, His Majesty desires that the English Settlements adjoining Manathe and further off if necessary, be destroy- ed: and that the more distant be put under contribution.
He will send an exact report of all the observations he will be able to make regarding the trade of the new inhab- itants of New York, the security of the navigation thence to France, the communication with Canada,so that His Majes- ty may give him on those points the necessary orders to de- rive from that conquest all the advantages to be expected from it. But should this expedition contrary to all appear- ances and for reasons which His Majesty can not forsee, not be executed, he will convey his orders to the said Sieur de la Caffiniere to make war against the English, and to range along the Coast of New England and New York to capture there as many prizes as possible, and to remain there un- til he have no more provisions than are necessary for his return to France.
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Burning of Schenectady. AN ACCOUNT
Of the most remarkable occurrences in Canada from the departure of the vessels, from the month of November, 1689, to the month of November, 1690. By Mons. de Monseignat, Comptroller General of the Marine in Canada. [ Paris Doc. IV.]
[EXTRACT.] The orders received by M. le Comte (de Frontenac) to commence hostilities against New England and New York, which had declared for the Prince of Orange, afforded him considerable pleasure, and were very necessary for the country. He allowed no more time to elapse before carrying them into execution than was required to send off some despatches to France-im- mediately after which he determined to organize three different detachments, to attack those rebels at all points at the same moment, and to punish them at various places for having afforded protection to our enemies, the Mohawks. The first party was to rendezvous at Montreal, and pro- ceed towards Orange ; the second at three Rivers, and to make a descent on New York, at some place between Boston and Orange ;* and the third was to depart from Quebec, and gain the seaboard between Boston and Penta- gouet, verging towards Acadia. They all succeeded per- fectly well, and I shall communicate to you the details. * * *
* *
The detachment which formed at Montreal, may have been composed of about two hundred and ten men. namely : eighty savages from the Sault and from La Montagne; sixteen Algonquins; and the remainder Frenchmen-all under the command of the Sieur Le Moyne de Sainte Helene, and Lieutenant Daillebout de Mantet, both of whom are Canadians. The Sieurs le Moyne d' Iberville and Repentigny de Montesson commanded under these. The best qualified Frenchmen were, the Sieurs de Boure- pos, and de La Brosse, Calvinist officers, the Sieur la Moyne de Blainvill, Le Bert du Chene, and la Marque de Mon- tigny, who all served as volunteers. They took their de- parture from Montreal at the commencement of February. After having marched for the course of five or six days,
* This detachment entered New Hampshire where they burned a place called Salmon Falls.
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they called a council to determine the route they should follow, and the point they should attack.
The Indians demanded of the French what was their intention. Messieurs de Sainte Helene and Mantet replied that they had left in the hope of attacking Orange if pos- sible, as it is the Capital of New York and a place of con- siderable importance, though they had no orders to that effect, but generally to act according as they should judge on the spot of their chances of success, without running too much risk. This appeared to the savages somewhat rash. They represented the difficulties and the weakness of the party for so bold an undertaking. There was even one among them who, his mind filled with the recollections of the disasters which he had witnessed last year, en- quired of our Frenchmen, "since when had they become so desperate?" In reply to their raillery, 'twas answered that it was our intention, now, to regain the honor of which our misfortunes had deprived us, and the sole means to accomplish that was to carry Orange, or to perish in so glorious an enterprise.
As the Indians, who had an intimate acquaintance with the localities, and nore experienced than the French, could not be brought to agree with the latter, it was de- termined to postpone coming to a conclusion until the party should arrive at the spot where the two routes separate-the one leading to Orange, and the other to Corlear (Schenectady). In the course of the journey, which occupied eight days, the Frenchmen judged proper to diverge towards Corlear, according to the advice of the Indians; and this road was taken without calling a new council. Nine days more elapsed before they arrived, having experienced inconceivable difficulties, and having been obliged to march up to their knees in water, and to break the ice with their feet in order to find a solid footing.
They arrived within two leagues of Corlear about four o'clock in the evening, and were harrangued by the great Mohawk chief of the Iroquois from the Sault. He urged on all to perform their duty, and to lose all recollections of their fatigue, in the hope of taking ample revenge for
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the injuries they had received from the Iroquois at the solicitation of the English, and of washing them out in the blood of the traitors. This savage was without contra- diction the most considerable of his tribe-an honest man -as full of spirit, prudence and generosity as it was possible, and capable at the same time of the grandest undertakings. Shortly after four Squaws were discovered in a wigwam who gave every information necessary for the attack on the town. The fire found in their hut served to warm those who were benumbed, and they continued their route having previously detached Giguieres, a Canadian, with nine Indians, on the look out. They discovered no one, and returned to join the main body within one league of Corlear.
At eleven of the clock that night, they came within sight of the town, resolved to defer the assault until two o'clock of the morning. But the excessive cold admitted of no further delay.
The town of Corlear forms a sortof oblong with only two gates-one opposite the road we had taken; the other leading to Orange, which is only six leagues distant. Messieurs de Sainte Helene and de Mantet were to enter at the first which the squaws pointed out, and which in fact was found wide open. Messieurs d'Iberville and de Montesson took the left with another detachment, in order to make themselves masters of that leading to Orange. But they could not discover it, and returned to join the remainder of the party. A profound silence was every where observed, until the two commanders, who separated, at their entrance into the town for the purpose of encircling it, had met at the other extremity.
The signal of attack was given Indian fashion, and the entire force rushed on simultaneously. M. de Mantet placed himself at the head of a detachment, and reached a small fort where the garrison was under arms. The gate was burst in after a good deal of difficulty, the whole set on fire, and all who defended the place slaughtered.
The sack of the town began a moment before the attack on the fort. Few houses made any resistance. M. de Montigny discovered some which he attempted to carry
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sword in hand, having tried the musket in vain. He received two thrusts of a spear-one in the body and the other in the arm. But M. de Sainte Helene having come to his aid, effected an entrance, and put every one who defended the place to the sword. The Massacre lasted two hours. The remainder of the night was spent in pla- cing sentinels, and in taking some repose.
The house belonging to the Minister was ordered to be saved, so as to take him alive to obtain information from him; but as it was not known it was not spared any more than the others. He was slain and his papers burnt before he could be recognized.
At daybreak some men were sent to the dwelling of Mr. Coudre [Sander], who was Major of the place, and who lived at the other side of the river. He was not willing to surrender, and began to put himself on the defensive with his servants and some Indians; but as it was resolved not to do him any harm, in consequence of the good treatment that the French had formerly experi- enced at his hands, M. d'Iberville and the great Mohawk proceeded thither alone, promised him quarter for himself, his people, and his property, whereupon he laid down his arms, on parole, entertaining them in his fort, and returned with them to see the commandants of the town.
In order to occupy the savages who would otherwise have taken to drink and thus rendered themselves unable for defence, the houses had already been set on fire. None were spared in the town but one house belonging to Coudre, and that of a widow with six children, whither M. de Montigny had been carried when wounded. All the rest were consumed. . The lives of between fifty and sixty persons, old men, women and children, were spared, they having escaped the first fury of the attack. Sonie twenty Mohawks were also spared, in order to show them that it was the English and not they against whom the grudge was entertained. The loss on this occasion in houses, cattle and grain, amounts to more than four hundred thousand livres. There were upwards of eighty well built and well furnished houses in the town.
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