Page:History of the Ojibway Nation.djvu/431

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INDIAN COUNCIL AT MONTREAL.
421

GOVERNOR FRONTENAC'S REPLY TO CHINGOUABÉ.

After the council was over, the Indians passed several days in trading their furs, and wondering at the ways of the white man, but on the 29th, they were called together again, and Frontenac replied to the Ojibway chief: "Chingouabé, my son, I am very glad to have learned, by the thanks you present me, for having giving you some Frenchmen to reside with your nation, that you are sensible of the advantages you derive from the articles they convey you; and to behold your family now clothed like my other children, instead of wearing bear skins as you formerly were in the habit of doing. If you wish me to continue sending you the same aid, and to increase it more hereafter, you must also resolve to listen attentively to my voice; to obey the orders that will be given to you in my name, by Le Sueur, whom I again send to command at Chagouamigon, and to think only of making war on the Iroquois tribe, your mortal enemy, as well as the deadly foe of all the upper nations, and who has become mine, because I have taken your part, and prevented him oppressing you.

"Embarrass not yourself then with new quarrels, nor meddle with those the Sioux have with the Foxes and Mascoutens, and others, except for the purpose of allaying their resentments. I reply not to the regret you have expressed to me, for the misfortune that overtook the Frenchman named Jobin, because I am informed that it was an accident, and that you are not to blame therefore."

REPLY OF CHINGOUABÉ.

After the distribution of presents, Chingouabé said: "Father! it is not the same with us, as with you. When you command, all the French obey you and go to war. But I shall not be heeded, and obeyed by my nation in like manner. Therefore I cannot answer, except for my-