La Salle and the discovery of the great West - North Central ...

;94 LA SALLE AND FRONTENAC. [1673.Beware how you offend him "! And he warned themnot to molest the Indian allies of the French, tellingthem, sharply, that he would chastise them for theleast infraction of the peace.From threats he passed to blandishments, andurged them to confide in his paternal kindness, sayingthat, in proof of his affection, he was building astorehouse at Cataraqui, where they could be suppliedwith all the goods they needed, without the necessityof a long and dangerous journey. He warned themagainst listening to bad men, who might seek todelude them by misrepresentations and falsehoods;and he urged them to give heed to none but " men ofcharacter, like the Sieur de la Salle.' ' He expresseda hope that they would suffer theirchildren to learnFrench from the missionaries, in order that they andhis nephews — meaning the French colonists — mightbecome one people ;and he concluded by requestingchem to give him a number of their children to beeducated in the French manner, at Quebec.This speech, every clauseof which was reinforcedby abundant presents, was extremely well receivedthough one speaker reminded him that he had forgottenone important point, inasmuch as he had nottold them at what pricesthey could obtain goods atCataraqui. Frontenac evaded a precise answer, butpromised them that the goods should be as cheap aspossible, in view of the great difficulty of transportation.As to the request concerning their children,they said that they could not accede to it till they