account which the old man has given me, as well of our father as of all he has seen below. Thou wilt find many people at thy Fort of Lake of the Woods,[1] all the chiefs expect thee. In finishing my speech to them, I recommended them to continue faithful to the French, not ta forget your words, to hunt well, so as to satisfy the traders. He answered with loud acclamations of gratitude, assuring me that he would never forget all that I had told him. I did my best to encourage him and went to Fort St. Charles, Lake of the Woods.
On the 31st[2] I did not find Lacolle, chief of the Monsony; I sent to notify him. Wishing to speak to all the chiefs together, I deferred speaking to them till the 3rd of September, when I collected all the headmen in my room and made a present in your name to the three chiefs, Lacolle, Lamicoine and leChenail, of whom I have several times spoken in my previous journals. I began by the answers to their speeches, which you had had the goodness to make, emphasizing strongly each paragraph, in order to make them understand the (kindness) you felt for them; that all (you) had allowed them was well assured to them, so long as they on their side should be obedient to your word. I knew that the old man whom I had brought with me, entrusted with their words, although with empty hands, had made a faithful report to them of the kindness (you) had shown him; he constantly sang your praises; that they had a good father, who should be pleased by doing his will. LaColle answered for all the others, that he did not cease to weep for my son and all the French men; that the lake was still red with their (blood), which called for vengeance, which he had not been able to take as he wished. It was not for them, people without intellect, to ask your reasons
for keeping them quiet for the present; that they were
