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

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

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1683.] LA SALLE AND LA BARRE. 321neighboring tribes from coming to settle at St.as <strong>the</strong>y are about to do.Louis," Some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Hurons <strong>and</strong> French tell <strong>the</strong> Miamisthat I am keeping <strong>the</strong>m here for <strong>the</strong> Iroquois todestroy. I pray that you will let me hear from you,that I may give<strong>the</strong>se people some assurances <strong>of</strong> protectionbefore <strong>the</strong>y are destroyed in my sight. Donot suffer my men who have come down to <strong>the</strong> settlementsto be longer prevented from returning.Thereis <strong>great</strong> need here <strong>of</strong> reinforcements. The Iroquois,as I have said,have lately entered <strong>the</strong> country; <strong>and</strong>a <strong>great</strong> terror prevails. I have postponed going toMichilimackinac, because, if <strong>the</strong> Iroquois strike anyblow in my absence, <strong>the</strong> Miamis willthink that I amin league with <strong>the</strong>m; whereas, if I <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> Frenchstay among <strong>the</strong>m, <strong>the</strong>y will regard us as protectors.But, Monsieur, it is in vain that we risk our liveshere, <strong>and</strong> that I exhaust my means inorder to fulfil<strong>the</strong> intentions <strong>of</strong> his Majesty, if all my measures arecrossed in <strong>the</strong> settlements below, <strong>and</strong> if those whogo down to bring munitions, without which wecannot defend ourselves, are detained under pretextstrumped up for <strong>the</strong> occasion. If I am preventedfrom bringing up men <strong>and</strong> supplies, as I am allowedto do by <strong>the</strong> permit <strong>of</strong> Count Frontenac, <strong>the</strong>n mypatent from <strong>the</strong> King is useless. It would be veryhard for us, after having done what was required,even before <strong>the</strong> time prescribed, <strong>and</strong> after sufferingsevere losses, to have our efforts frustrated byobstacles got up designedly.21

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