Count Frontenac and New France under Louis XIV | Page 2

by overthrowing the evidence on
which they rest, or bringing forward counter-evidence of equal or
greater strength; and neither task will be found an easy one."
The invitation implied in these words has not been accepted. "The Old
Regime" was met by vehement protest in some quarters; but, so far as I
know, none of the statements of fact contained in it have been attacked
by evidence, or even challenged. The lines just quoted are equally
applicable to this volume. Should there be occasion, a collection of
documentary proofs will be published more than sufficient to make
good the positions taken. Meanwhile, it will, I think, be clear to an
impartial reader that the story is told, not in the interest of any race or
nationality, but simply in that of historical truth.
When, at the age of eighteen, I formed the purpose of writing on
French-American history, I meant at first to limit myself to the great
contest which brought that history to a close. It was by an afterthought
that the plan was extended to cover the whole field, so that the part of
the work, or series of works, first conceived, would, following the
sequence of events, be the last executed. As soon as the original
scheme was formed, I began to prepare for executing it by examining
localities, journeying in forests, visiting Indian tribes, and collecting
materials. I have continued to collect them ever since, so that the
accumulation is now rather formidable; and, if it is to be used at all, it
had better be used at once. Therefore, passing over for the present an
intervening period of less decisive importance, I propose to take, as the
next subject of this series, "Montcalm and the Fall of New France."
BOSTON, 1 Jan., 1877.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I
.
1620-1672.
COUNT AND COUNTESS FRONTENAC.
Mademoiselle de Montpensier and Madame de
Frontenac.--Orleans.--The Maréchale de Camp.--Count
Frontenac.--Conjugal Disputes.--Early Life of Frontenac.--His

Courtship and Marriage.--Estrangement.--Scenes at St. Fargeau.--The
Lady of Honor dismissed.--Frontenac as a Soldier.-- He is made
Governor of New France.--Les Divines.
CHAPTER II
.
1672-1675.
FRONTENAC AT QUEBEC.
Arrival.--Bright Prospects.--The Three Estates of New France.--Speech
of the Governor.--His Innovations.--Royal Displeasure.--Signs of
Storm.--Frontenac and the Priests.--His Attempts to civilize the
Indians.--Opposition.--Complaints and Heart-burnings.
CHAPTER III
.
1673-1675.
FRONTENAC AND PERROT.
La Salle.--Fort Frontenac.--Perrot.--His Speculations.--His
Tyranny.--The Bush-rangers.--Perrot revolts.--Becomes alarmed.--
Dilemma of Frontenac.--Mediation of Fénelon.--Perrot in
Prison.--Excitement of the Sulpitians.--Indignation of Fénelon.--
Passion of Frontenac.--Perrot on Trial.--Strange Scenes.--Appeal to the
King.--Answers of Louis XIV. And Colbert.--Fénelon rebuked.
CHAPTER IV
.
1675-1682.
FRONTENAC AND DUCHESNEAU.
Frontenac receives a Colleague.--He opposes the Clergy.--Disputes in
the Council.--Royal Intervention.--Frontenac rebuked.--Fresh
Outbreaks.--Charges and Countercharges.--The Dispute grows hot.--
Duchesneau condemned and Frontenac warned.--The Quarrel
continues.--The King loses Patience. More Accusations.--Factions and
Feuds.--A Side Quarrel.--The King threatens.--Frontenac denounces the
Priests.--The Governor and the Intendant recalled.--Qualities of
Frontenac.

CHAPTER V
.
1682-1684.
LE FEBVRE DE LA BARRE.
His Arrival at Quebec.--The Great Fire.--A Coming Storm.--Iroquois
Policy.--The Danger imminent.--Indian Allies of France.--Frontenac
and the Iroquois.--Boasts of La Barre.--His Past Life.--His
Speculations.--He takes Alarm.--His Dealings with the Iroquois.--His
Illegal Trade.--His Colleague denounces him.--Fruits of his
Schemes.--His Anger and his Fears.
CHAPTER VI
.
1684.
LA BARRE AND THE IROQUOIS.
Dongan.--New York and its Indian Neighbors.--The Rival Governors.--
Dongan and the Iroquois.--Mission to Onondaga.--An Iroquois
Politician.--Warnings of Lamberville.--Iroquois Boldness.--La Barre
takes the Field.--His Motives.--The March.--Pestilence.--Council at La
Famine.--The Iroquois defiant.--Humiliation of La Barre.--The Indian
Allies.--Their Rage and Disappointment.--Recall of La Barre.
CHAPTER VII
.
1685-1687.
DENONVILLE AND DONGAN.
Troubles of the New Governor.--His Character.--English Rivalry.--
Intrigues of Dongan.--English Claims.--A Diplomatic Duel.--Overt
Acts.--Anger of Denonville.--James II. checks Dongan.--Denonville
emboldened.--Strife in the North.--Hudson's Bay.--Attempted
Pacification.--Artifice of Denonville.--He prepares for War.
CHAPTER VIII
.
1687.

DENONVILLE AND THE SENECAS.
Treachery of Denonville.--Iroquois Generosity.--The Invading
Army.--The Western Allies.--Plunder of English Traders.--Arrival of
the Allies.--Scene at the French Camp.--March of Denonville.--
Ambuscade.--Battle.--Victory.--The Seneca Babylon.--Imperfect
Success.
CHAPTER IX
.
1687-1689.
THE IROQCOIS INVASION.
Altercations.--Attitude of Dongan.--Martial Preparation.--Perplexity of
Denonville.--Angry Correspondence.--Recall of Dongan.--Sir Edmund
Andros.--Humiliation of Denonville.--Distress of Canada.--Appeals for
Help.--Iroquois Diplomacy.--A Huron Macchiavel.--The Catastrophe.--
Ferocity of the Victors.--War with England.--Recall of Denonville.
CHAPTER X
.
1689, 1690.
RETURN OF FRONTENAC.
Versailles.--Frontenac and the King.--Frontenac sails for Quebec.--
Projected Conquest of New York.--Designs of the King.--Failure.--
Energy of Frontenac.--Fort Frontenac.--Panic.--Negotiations.--The
Iroquois in Council.--Chevalier d'Aux.--Taunts of the Indian
Allies.--Boldness of Frontenac.--An Iroquois Defeat.--Cruel
Policy.--The Stroke parried.
CHAPTER XI
.
1690.
THE THREE WAR-PARTIES.
Measures of Frontenac.--Expedition against Schenectady.--The
March.--The Dutch Village.--The Surprise.--The Massacre.--Prisoners
spared.--Retreat.--The English and their Iroquois Friends.--The
Abenaki War.--Revolution at Boston.--Capture of Pemaquid.--Capture
of Salmon Falls.--Capture of Fort Loyal.--Frontenac and his

Prisoner.--The Canadians encouraged.
CHAPTER XII
.
1690.
MASSACHUSETTS ATTACKS QUEBEC.
English Schemes.--Capture of Port Royal.--Acadia reduced.--Conduct
of Phips.--His History and Character.--Boston in Arms.--A Puritan
Crusade.--The March from Albany.--Frontenac and the Council.--
Frontenac at Montreal.--His War Dance.--An Abortive Expedition.--An
English Raid.--Frontenac at Quebec.--Defences of the Town.--The
Enemy arrives.
CHAPTER XIII
.