Chapter 129

The abovesayde fort is soe well situated that the are able to withstand 10000 men and will not care for them, for whatsoever the can doe, for in winter they cannot staye in the countrey soe that whoesoever goes to beesidge them the cannott staye there above 3 monthes in all in which time the muskett will soe torment them that noe man is able to bee abroad in centry or threnches day nor night without loosinge there sightes for att least eyght dayes.

Soe that if please his Majestie to keepe it wee doe not care what French or any other can doe thoe the have a 100 sayle of shipps and 10000 men as above sayde.

(_Sur le dos est écrit._)

Note of all such thinges as the Company hath in Canada and the number of men.

(_State Paper Office, Colonial Papers_, vol. VI, n. 38.)

XXIII.

Messrs.

Je me remets à respondre à l'agréable vostre que m'a rendu le Sr Alexandre à son retour, qui j'espere sera en bref. Cependant vostre homme Mr Lowe n'est comparu icy, qui certes est venu fort mal à propos, car de luy on eust peu estre esclaircy de beaucoup de doutes qui ont rendu vos affaires avantageuses pour Decan & préjudiciables pour vous; toutesfois je vous asseure qu'on a faict tout ce qui a esté possible, & que ce qui est accordé conste hors des depositions fort clairement. Il y a deux points esquels on a trouvé le plus de peine, l'un la pretension de Decan d'estre payé de ses Castors à 12 £. 10. selon qu'il les avoit enchery & acheptez, à quoy après beaucoup d'altercations on a esté forcé de céder par l'exhibition d'un acte de Messeigneurs du Conseil privé de S. M., auquel est contenue vostre promesse de faire bon ledit prix ou en porter le dechet comme pouvez voir par ledict acte qui est du 22 Janvier 1628/29 auquel je vous remets. L'autre pour le poids des Castors, car le Sr Fitch dit bien d'avoir vendu lb. 4000 de Castors & 200 Castors, mais nous remet pour le nombre des Castors au seigneur Bicher, lequel atteste avoir compté 3500 peaux en un magasin & 620 en un autre, les reduisant à 2409 & 33l Castors compte de Canada, ne disant pas sy les 2409 pesent seuls lb. 4000 ou bien si tous les 2740 pesent 4000 lb. Cecy me met en doubte, & ne sçavons comme le reigler. Decan prétend que Fitch n'a enlevé que les 3500 peaux ou 2409 Castors qui estoyent en son magasin, lesquels doibvent peser 4000 lb poids d'Angleterre, les autres 331, n'ayant esté en sa puissance ny les avoir vendus. En quoy il y a de l'apparence de raison, mais non pas assez pour la pouvoir tellement refuter ny accorder que ce soit selon l'equité. Nous devons nous trouver ensemble aujourd'huy pour voir ce qu'il pourra alléguer pour vérifier son dire. Mais sy vostre homme eust esté icy on eust peu voir & 24/1436 sçavoir les particularitez de tout, & traicter avec luy avec la solidité & resolution qui est requise pour rembarrer son audace. La faute est à vous qui n'avez pourveu Monsr. l'Ambassadeur de meilleures defences, vous asseurant que toutes les armes qu'avez envoyées ont esté employées sans obmission d'aucune part qu'on aye peu esplucher pour vostre advantage; vous verrez le tout à son temps, à quoy me remets.

Préparez vous à partir & soyez les premiers en toute façon pour prendre l'advantage de la traicte à Tadoussac; n'allez pas trop foibles ny aussy ne vous mettez en despences extraordinaires, afin que puissiez faire le voyage à profit & sans perte. Il faut que vous voyez de prendre ordre aux Interlopers, car cela vous gasteroit tout pour ceste année; pour les suivantes, que ceux à qui il touche y prennent esgard. J'ay trouvé bon de vous donner cest advis par avance, & vous baisant les mains je demeure Messieurs

Vostre affectionné serviteur,

PH. BURLAMACHI.

A Metz, ce 30 Janvier 1631.

A Messrs.

Messrs. les Députés de la Comp[e] Angloise & Escossoise, negotians en Canada,

LONDRES.

(_Sur le dos est écrit._)

Copie d'une lettre escrite à Metz le 30e de Janvier 1630, (1631) par le Sr. Burlamachi, aux Députez de la Compagnie Angloise & Escossoise, negotians en Canada.

(_State Paper Office, Colonial Papers_, vol. VI, art. 39.)

XXIV.

That for supposed debtes to du Cane from ye Canada Marchantes (for skins, for debtes from savages and for knives) he hath bound the King to pay 8270 £, sterling within ye space of two months.

That for certeine French shipps etc. he hath likewise obliged his Majestie to pay in Paris unto whom ye French King mall appoynt (and that within two months allso) the tome of 6060 £. sterling.

Soe as in effect he hath condemned his Majestie in 14330 £. sterling and given Bur: in pawn for ye payment with which it may be justly sayd he hath bought ye peace.

For as concerning the first some it is most certeine that ther are butt 1730 skins belonging to ye French as appeers by depositions in the Admiralty ye Copies wherof Mr. Burlemachi hath and thes skins are still entire here. The knives are in ye fort, and ye debts from savages utterly denied.

And as for ye second some nothing is more certaine then that his Majestie never had pennie of it.

Butt suppose that thes sums of money were recoverable here why should the King be bound to pay them.

Why were nott thes articles first consulted with his Majestie before ye signing of them, especially seeing in his name and to be certified under his greate seale Burlemachi is made a pledge.

25/1437 Why was nott caution also given for du Canes payment of ye frayght and charge of ye shipp of 150 tuns; and for payment of ye marchandize which the English are to leave in Canada.

I conceave it most fitting that ye Canada Company should answere my Lo. Embas[ores] long letre.

(_State Paper Office, Colonial Papers_, vol. VI, art. 45.)

XXV.

Trusty and welbeloved etc. For soe much as there is made a finall good agreement betwixt us and our good brother the French King, and that all differences aswell betwixt our Crownes as subjects are settled by a mutuall and perfect accord, and that amongst other particularityes on our side v/e have consented to the restitution of the fort and habitation of Quebec in Canada, as taken by force of armes since the peace, howsoever the Comission were given out to you during the warre betwixt us and the sayd King: We preferring the accomplishment of our royall word and promise before all whatsoever allegations may be made to the contrary in this behalfe, as we have obliged ourselves to that King for the due performance thereof by an act passed under our great Seale of this our realme of England, soe we doe by these our lres. straightly charge and command you, _that upon the fight hereof yee doe give speedy notice and order to all such subjects of ours which are under your Comission and gouvernement aswell souldiers which are in garrison in the foresaid fort and habitation of Quebec for defence thereof, as inhabitants, which are there seated and planted, to [conforme themselves unto the sayde agreement and to] [841] _render according to the sayd agreement the sayd fort and habitation into the hands of such as shalbe by our sayd brother the French King appoynted and authorised to demand and receave the same from them_, in the same state yt was at the tyme of the taking, without demolishing any thing of the fortifications and buildings which were erected at the tyme of the taking, or without carrying away the armes munitions, marchandises or utensills which were then found there in. And yf any thing hath ben formerly carryed away from thence, our pleasure is, yt shalbe restored either in specie or value, according to the quantity of what hath ben made appeare uppon oath and was sett downe in a shedule made by mutuall content of such as had cheife comand on both sides at the taking and rendring thereof. And for soe doeing these our lres. shall not onely serve for warrant but likewise for such expresse signification of our will and pleasure, that whosoever officer, souldyer, or inhabitant shall not readily obey, but shew himselfe crosse or refractory thereunto, shall incurre our highest indignation and such punishment and penalty as shalbe due unto offendors of soe high a nature.

[Note 841: Ces mots sont effacés dans l'original.]

(_Sur le dos est écrit cette note._)

And every of you our subjects remayning in the foresayd fort and habitation, either as soldyers in garrison for defence thereof or inhabitants there seated and planted, imediately uppon sight hereof which shalbe presented by such as our good 26/1438 brother the French King shall appoynt and authorise for that purposse, to render the sayd fort and habitation of Quebec into their hands.

(_State Paper Office, Colonial Papers_, vol. VI, art. 46.)

XXVI.

Charles R.

Trusty and welbeloved wee greete you well. Forasmuch as there is made a finall good agreement betwixt us and our good brother the French King, and that all differences aswell betwixt our Crownes as subjects are settled by a mutuall and perfectt accord, and that amongst other particularytyes on our side, we have consented to the restitution of the fort and habitation of Kebec in Canada, as taken by force of armes since the peace, howsoever the Commission were given out to you during the warre betwixt us and the sayd King: We preferring the accomplishment of our royall word and promise before all whatsoever allegations may be made to the contrary in this behalfe, as wee have obliged ourselves to that King for the due performance thereof by an act passed under our great seale of this our realme of England, soe we doe by these our letres straightly charge and comand you that uppon the first commoditie of sending into parts and meanes for ye people to returne yee doe give notice and order to all such subjects of ours which are under your Commission and government aswell souldiers which are in garrison in the foresaid fort and habitation of Kebec for defence thereof, as inhabitants, which are there seated and planted, to render according to the sayd agreement the sayd fort and habitation into the hands of such as shalbe by our said brother the French King appoynted and authorised to demaunde and receave the same from them, in the same state yt was at the tyme of the taking, without demolishing any thing of the fortifications and buildings which were erected at the tyme of the taking, or without carrying away the armes munitions merchandises or utensills which were then found therin. And yf any thing hath bene formerly carryed away from thence, our pleasure is, it shalbe restored eitheir in speicie or value, according to the quantity of what hath bene made appeare uppon oath and was sett downe in a schedule made by mutuall content of such as had cheife comaund on both sides at the taking and rendring thereof. And for so doeing these our letres shall not onely serve for warrant but likewise for such expresse signification of our will and pleasure, that whosoever officer, souldyer, or inhabitant shall not readily obey, but shew himselfe crosse or refractory therunto, shall incurre our highest indignation and such punishment and penalty as shalbe due unto offenders of soe high a nature.

(Sur le dos est écrit.)

Letters from his Majesty to ye Canada marchants and ye comanders under them for rendring Kebeck corrected as in these first originals appeareth.

(_State Paper Office, Colonial Papers_, vol. VI, art. 47.)

XXVII.

Declaration du Sr. Champlain soubs serment des armes, munitions & autres utensiles laissées au fort de Kebeck lors de la rendition, qui doyvent selon le Traicté estre restituées.

27/1439 4. Quattre pièces d'Artillerie de fonte du poids d'environ 150 lb. piece.

1. Une pièce d'Artillerie de fonte pesant environ 80 lb.

5. Cinq boites de fer servant pour les dites pièces.

2. Deux plus petites pièces d'Artillerie de fer pesant chacune 800 lb.

6. Six Pierriers avec leurs Chambres ou boites pour les charger.

1. une petite pièce d'Artillerie de fer pesant environ 80 lb.

45. Quarante cinq petits boulets de fer pour les cinq pièces d'Artillerie sudite.

6. Six boulets pour les autres pièces, chacun pesant 3 lb.

30. ou 40. Trente ou quarante livres de Poudre à Canon.

30 lb. Trente de Mesche, ou environ.

30. Trente Mousquets entiers & un rompu.

1. Une Harquebuze à croc.

2. Deux longues harquebuzes de cinq ou six pieds.

2. Deux autres harquebuzes.

10. Dix Hallebardes.

12. Douze picques.

5. ou 6000. Cinq ou six mille livres de plomb en boulets, platine & bancs.

60. Soixante Corcelets, desquels deux sont complets & à la preuve du Pistolet.

2. Deux grands pieds fourchus de fonte pesant 80 lb.

1. Un Pavillon ou tente pour loger Vingt hommes.

1. une forge de Mareschal avec les Appartenances.

Toutes sortes de provisions pour la Cuisine.

Tous Outils pour un Charpentier.

Tous outils de fer propres pour un moulin à vent.

Un Moulin à bras pour moudre du bled, etc.

Une cloche de fonte.

(Sur le dos est écrit.)

Copie de la deposition du Sr. de Champlain des armes & utensiles laissées au fort de Kebecq.

(_State Paper Office, Colonial Papers_, vol. VI, art. 49.)

XXVIII.

An answere made by the Adventurers to Canada unto a letre written by the right hon[ble] Sr Isaack Wake Knight Lord Ambassador for his Majestie of England, now resideing in Fraunce beareing date the 9th of Aprill 1632.

To the first Article mentioned in his Lordshipps letre wherein he writes that the instructions he received from us were soe weake and came soe farr short for what was necessary for our defence that had he not gathered light from Monsieur de Caen his owne speeches, he should not have brought our busynes to soe good a passe.

Wee answeare that those depositions and instructions which wee sent and delivered here to Mr. Burlamachi and which he had 28/1440 under the seale of the Admiralty by the Lordes of his Majesties privy Counsell their comaund, were soe authentique and sufficient, that if this cause had byn tryed here in England where witnesses would have byn allowed, which wee earnestly desired, We doubt not but to have recovered charges of de Caen rather then any money should have byn paid unto him. But the French Ambassador and Monsr. de Caen would never permitt any legall proceeding neither in the Admiralty nor in any other Court of justice here in England.

Secondly, Whereas his Lordshipp writes that De Caen his pretentions were for 266000 livers, We marvaile not at his unreasonable demaund, knowing the French at well as we doe, whereof some of us have had woefull experience in the busynes with Morteau and Launay and others. But Monsr. de Caen att his being here claymed in all only 4266 beavors. And Monsr. Champlaine Governor of the Fort when, their goods were taken deposeth there were but 2500 or 3000 beavors belonging to the French att the most. Whereof at the rendring of the Fort the French that were then there, were by composition permitted and did carry away such as they pretended were their owne, and they had each of them a Coat conteyning 7 or 8 beavors a peice besides what they conveyed away secretly. And some were stollen by them as appeares by the depositions of Oliver le Tardiff one of their servauntes. Besides wee bought divers beavors of the said Frenchmen att the returne here of our shipps for which wee paid them above 400 £. as by their acquittances appeareth which beavors they brought then in our shipps from thence. All which being deducted it will plainly appeare there could not come to our hands above 1713 beavors according to the depositions of our Captaynes and factors who kept a just and exact accompt of the same, which beavors were delivered unto us by the French there, upon composition and condition that wee should feed them and bring them home they being almost starved and must have perished without our releife they having fedd upon nothing but rootes for the space of Three monthes before, as appeares by the deposition of Monsr. Champlaine, Mo. Blundell, Mo. Bowley and others. And the victualls we gave them would have bought there above 4000 beavors, as appeares likewise by the depositions of Capteyn Kirke and others. The rest of the Beavors (which with the said 1713 received from the French are still in sequestration) Wee bought of the salvagcs with our owne goodes the French themselves confessing in their depositions that wee traded for 4000 Beavors.

Thirdly, whereas his Lordshipp writes for the restitution of the shipp Hellen and the goods taken in her which were but of a small valewe, We answeare that the said shipp came out of Fraunce the 20th of May 1629 and the peace was proclaimed ten daies before to take effect from the 14th of Aprill before that, which peace they knew and heard of before their coming out of Fraunce as appeareth by the deposition of Jaques Raymond [842] Sieur de Espines Leiutennt to Mo. de Caen. Nevertheless at their comyng into the river of Canada they concealed the said peace and first assaulted and shott att our shallopps and after att our shipps to have surprized them and killed some of our men and wounded many others, which appeareth likewise by 29/1441 the deposition of the said Jaques Raymond and the deposition of our men. Now we conceive that by our lawe and the lawe of nations those men that shall assault us knowing of the peace concluded betweene both Kingdomes ought to suffer as Pyratts and the shipp and goods soe taken are lawfull prize and therefore noe restitution ought to be made but contrarily the French ought to give us satisfaction for our damages in the fight susteyned and also for loss of our mens lives. Howsoever wee wilbe contented to deliver such goods in Canada as were taken in the said shipp Hellen (if it be soe agreed and by his Majesty comaunded).

[Note 842: Jacques Kognard (Couillard), sieur de l'Espiné.]

Fowerthly, whereas de Caen demaundeth satisfaction for Beavors owing to him by the Salvages we answeare that wee never received any of them for him, and therefore he may now goe and receive them himselfe. And for the Knyves which he pretendes to be worth 600 Beavors they remayne still in the Fort to be delivered unto him if it be soe concluded.

Fifthly, concerning the number of Beavors which his Lordmipp saith is playne by the French depositions to be 4200 skynnes, although Mo. Champlaine their Governor whoe should know best deposeth but 2500 or 3000 beavors. We answeare that it is more playne by the depositions of the English that there were but 1713 beavors which came to our hands and they were delivered unto us upon composition by the French. That we should give them food whereby to preserve their lives from perishing and bring them home, which we conceive wee ought to enjoy having paid soe well for them in regard our provisions they had would have bought above 4000 beavors as is before expressed. And if there were any more the French carryed them away with them as they had permission to do. As appeareth by the contract made with Monsr. Champlayne and Monsr. Pountgrave att the rendringe of the Forte.

Sixthly, concernyng the weight of the Beavors, Wee marvell a Calculation of 6625 £. should be concluded on, seing the whole number of 4000 Beavors are still remayneing under their Lordshipps Comaund and may be weighed justly, Soe that they to whome they shalbe adjudged shall have noe losse by them.

And for the price of 25 s. sterling per lb. If Mo. de Caen would have paid us the money for them upon our security to have repaid it to them to whome it should be adjudged he might have had them willingly. But whatsoever he pretended Monsr. de Caen had noe purpose to take them at that rate. For when he had a good part of them att the Lord Mayors house and might have had them from thence upon paying for them he nor his assignee Monsr. de Espines would not bring in money for them, though he was often urged thereunto, but suffered them there to remayne as they doe to this day.

And whereas it appeares that it is concluded that de Caen shall have 82700 livers for such Beavors as were taken from him, Wee conceive that of right he ought to have nothing att all, but rather that he should give his Majestie satisfaction for the lives of his subjects which they tooke away contrary to the peace concluded. Whereof they were not ignorant but concealed the same as is before proved and confessed by them.

And for the Beavors we had from the French, they were delivered unto us by contract to feed them and bring them home as is before expressed, and as appeareth by the contract made with them which cost us twice soe much as the Beavors were worth.

Also wee conceive that the Charges wee have byn att in building 30/1442 and keeping the Fort nowe Three years should have byn considered in some measure. And if the French must be paid according to the price of beavor in England, Wee thinke it had byn very reasonable that they should have paid the Charges of bringing them home, seeing that which is bought in Canada for 2s. is worth here above xx s. And that voyage cost us above 20000 £. which charge wee were att upon his Majesties Comaund and upon promise to enjoy both the goods wee should take the Fort and the Countrey.