Treatment of the Soldiers-Company's Servants. the number to fourteen. They are treated like galleyslaves. For three years past they have received neither clothes nor pay. Count. "At the time of the meeting at Quebec, were not the temporary servants of the company more numerous than your garrison? La Motte. "Yes; there were at that time thirty servants of the company, who might have raised a sedition that would have been serious in its consequences, if they had been disposed to second the movements of the commissioners. The directors say that these acts of violence -for so they designate the punishment which I inflicted upon their commissioners-prove that I have interests separate from those of the company, and for this reason they are opposed to my return to Fort Pontchartrain. They even objected to my remaining at Montreal, at the time of the departure of the convoy for that post, lest I might have some communication with those going thither, and inspire them with opinions contrary to the interests of the company. Count. "Have they demanded any thing more? La Motte. "Yes; they ask that I be ordered to remain at Quebec, to reply to any accusations which they may hereafter bring against me. Finally, they have concluded to hold me responsible for all the harm that has befallen the company. They have obtained the con Cadillac's vouchers-Absurdity of Charges against him. sent of the intendant to grant them a hearing, and he has commanded me to remain in Quebec till farther orders. Count. "Strange that they should inform against you upon points which can be vindicated immediately. I see, by your account, that you have vouchers for your conduct in every thing that affects the interests of the company. Indeed, I know they were satisfied with your conduct until the close of 1703. This is also fully evident from the fact that they have paid you four thousand francs for your services. Doubtless, the directors have preferred these charges against you to retaliate for the information you gave against the two commissioners, Arnaud and Nolan, their relatives. But it is absurd that they should inform against a commandant for an act of imprisonment, when he holds the full power to inflict that punishment, especially when the offense tends to rebellion. It cannot be that the intendant has consented to grant their request? La Motte. "On the contrary, he has permitted the directors to institute a complaint against me, on every head contained in their memorial, and ordered a copy to be transmitted to me, that I might prepare myself to answer. He has also requested M. Ramesay, comman dant at Quebec, to require me to remain in that city till I had given satisfaction to the directors. Illegal arrest-Official intrigue. Count. "It appears, from this, that the intendant has issued orders for your arrest, on a mere complaint, without any legal process. Has M. Ramesay really caused you to be arrested on this requisition of the intendant? La Motte. "He has; though not without first repeatedly informing the intendant that he could see nothing in the memorial of the directors, but a mere complaint without any proof; therefore, he did not believe he ought to arrest an officer holding his commission from the king himself, and especially the commandant at Fort Pontchartrain, a distant post established at the head of the colony. He also wrote to the governor-general concerning the affair. In reply, the governor-general informed him that he had done right in executing the order of the intendant and ordering my arrest. Count. "I no longer doubt that the governor-general, intendant, and directors, have connived together, their object being to save the two commissioners, at the expense of your reputation, and to overthrow the establishment at Detroit, by depriving you of the command. All things at that post would then be under the undisputed management of the Jesuits, who, it is reported, really possess all the authority in the government, and in the administration of justice. Do not be discouraged; if your statements are true, which I do not doubt, you shall not suffer for having obeyed my in Directors and Commissioners. structions and maintained strict integrity. Have you any thing to say against the proceedings of M. Vincelot, who was delegated by the intendant to investigate your affairs at Detroit? La Motte. "M. Vincelot is cousin-german to M. Pinaud, one of the directors, who is my enemy; this is sufficient to make the whole proceeding absolutely null and void. Then the governor-general sent M. Louvigny, an officer of Quebec, and brother-in-law of M. Nolan, under the specious pretext of commanding the convoy to Detroit; though the real object was to aid M. Vincelot in his efforts against me, hoping that their united influence might effect the abandonment of the post. It is also necessary for me to say that, when Messrs. Arnaud and Nolan were recalled, their places were filled by two other relatives, Messrs. Châtellerault and Demeulle. Count. "Pray, stop; I shall soon believe that all who are in the employ of the company at Detroit, and wish to retain you at Quebec, are the relatives of the three directors, and also allied to the governor-general." CHAPTER IX. Cadillac's defense continued-He gives his reasons for appealing to a higher court-Narrates the measures taken to secure the destruction of Detroit-Offer of a pension to M. Tonti-Government sends M. Decouverte to the Ottawas and Miamis with goods-M. Mantet sent with presents and necklaces-M. Vincennes sent to the Miamis with three canoes loaded with goods-Ruin of Detroit determined at Quebec-Fort at Detroit set on fire-Church, house of the Recollets, and dwelling of M. la Motte Cadillac burned-All the provisions of the fort consumed-Generosity of the savages-Miamis attack the Detroit savages-M. Cadillac negotiates a peace between the several nations-War-party of the Illinois made prisoners by the FrenchBrought to the fort-Whipped with rods-Ottawas of Michilimackinac remove to Detroit-Sixty Ottawas make a descent upon the Iroquois at Fort Frontenac-Paganism of the savages. Count. "What were your reasons for bringing your cause before a higher court? La Motte. "I have taken exceptions to the intendant, because, upon the complaint of the directors, without proof, he caused me to be arrested at Quebec, thus preventing my return to Fort Pontchartrain; a proceeding contrary to law, and a manifest act of violence, which proves him my adversary. He cannot pass sentence where he has no legal power to judge. Holding my authority directly from the king, and having always had the power to imprison or otherwise punish offenders, dur |