In New France it is necessary to forge alliances with the Natives for they put a great store in making common cause against an enemy. Harsh criticism has been levelled at me for taking the side of the Algonkian, Montagnais and later the Huron against the Iroquois, because of the misery they wrecked on the colony. I have defended my position many times, as I wrote “…it was very necessary to assist [the Hurons to make war with the Iroquois], not only to make them love us more, but also to pave the way for my undertakings and discoveries which, to all appearances, could not be accomplished except by their help; and also because this would be for them a first step and preparation to coming into Christianity.” (Quoted in H.A. Innis, The Fur Trade in Canada. P. 31) With the
greatest part of the fur trade in the north and west
of the St. Lawrence, it was logical to make allies of the tribes that
controlled access to the furs. Would I do differently now? Hindsight
is wonderful in giving us the outcome, but doesn’t always tell us
if we did the right thing. The Iroquois have taken little
action against the colony. I have only heard of two Frenchmen
killed by them since my three attacks in their territories. I believe it
is the presence of Dutch traders on the Hudson River close to their territories
that has taken their attention away from us. The peace we signed with the
Iroquois in 1624 bodes well for future relations with the Five Nations.
It will remain for others to judge the extent of any threat from the Iroquois. |
