University of Virginia Library

"A SUMMONS,

Nothing can surprise me more than to see you attempt
a settlement upon the lands of the king, my master,
which obliges me now, sir, to send you this gentleman, Chevalier
Le Mercier, captain of the artillery of Canada, to know
of you, sir, by virtue of what authority you are come to
fortify yourself within the dominions of the king, my master.
This action seems so contrary to the last treaty of peace, at
Aix La Chapelle, between his most Christian Majesty and
the King of Great Britain, that I do not know to whom to
impute such an usurpation, as it is incontestable that the lands
situated along the Beautiful River belong to his most Christian
majesty.

"I am informed, sir, that your undertaking has been concerted
by none else than by a Company, who have more in
view the advantage of a trade than to endeavor to keep the
union and harmony which subsists between the two crowns of
France and Great Britain, although it is as much the interest,
sir, of your nation as ours to preserve it.

"Let it be as it will, sir, if you come out into this place,
charged with orders, I summon you in the name of the king,
my master, by virtue of orders which I got from my general,
to retreat peaceably with your troops from off the lands of
the king, and not to return, or else I will find myself obliged
to fulfil my duty, and compel you to it. I hope, sir, you will
not defer an instant, and that you will not force me to the
last extremity. In that case, sir, you may be persuaded that
I will give orders that there shall be no damage done by my
detachment.

"I prevent you, sir, from asking me one hour of delay,
nor to wait for my consent to receive orders from your governor.
He can give none within the dominions of the king,
my master. Those I have received of my general are my
laws, so that I cannot depart from them.

"On the contrary, sir, if you have not got orders, and only

come to trade, I am sorry to tell you, that I can't avoid seizing
you, and to confiscate your effects to the use of the Indians,
our children, allies and friends, as you are not allowed to carry
on a contraband trade. It is for this reason, sir, that we
stopped two Englishmen, last year, who were trading upon
our lands: moreover, the king, my master, asks nothing but
his right; he has not the least intention to trouble the good
harmony and friendship which reigns between his Majesty
and the King of Great Britain.

"The Governor of Canada can give proof of his having
done his utmost endeavors to maintain the perfect union
which reigns between two friendly princes. As he had learned
that the Iroquois and the Nipissingues of the Lake of the
Two Mountains had struck and destroyed an English family,
towards Carolina, he has barred up the road, and forced them
to give him a little boy belonging to that family, and which
Mr. Ulerich, a merchant of Montreal, has carried to Boston;
and what is more, he has forbid the savages from exercising
their accustomed cruelty upon the English, our friends.

"I could complain bitterly, sir, of the means taken all last
winter to instigate the Indians to accept the hatchet and to
strike us, while we were striving to maintain the peace. I
am well persuaded, sir, of the polite manner in which you
will receive M. Le Mercier, as well out of regard to his business
as his distinction and personal merit. I expect you will
send him back with one of your officers, who will bring me a
precise answer. As you have got some Indians with you, sir,
I join with M. Le Mercier, an interpreter, that he may inform
them of my intentions upon that subject.