xt7ht7279w5w https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt7ht7279w5w/data/mets.xml Mereness, Newton Dennison. 1916  books b92-160-29919431 English Macmillan, : New York : Contact the Special Collections Research Center for information regarding rights and use of this collection. United States Description and travel. Travels in the American colonies  / edited under the auspices of the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America, by Newton D. Mereness. text Travels in the American colonies  / edited under the auspices of the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America, by Newton D. Mereness. 1916 2002 true xt7ht7279w5w section xt7ht7279w5w 




























TRAVELS IN THE AMERICAN COLONIES

 















































     THE MACMILLAN COMPANY
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THE MACMILLAN CO. OF CANADA, Lom
              TORONtO

 




TRAVELS

    IN THE



AMERICAN



COLONIES



EDITED UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE NATIONAL
    SOCIETY OF THE COLONIAL DAMES
           OF AMERICA
               BY



NEWTON



D MERENESS



        Nto Lona
THE MACMILLAN
          i9x6



COMPANY



All rights reserved

 

































         COPYRIGHT, x916,
BY THE MACMILLAN COMPANY.


Printed from type. Published April, 19:6.


























           Narlob vuss
 J. S. Cushing Co. - Berwick  Smith Co.
       Norwood, Mass., U.S.A.

 




                       CONTENTS


                                                            PAGE
CUTHBERT POTTER'S JOURNAL OF A JOURNEY FROM VIRGINIA TO NEW
    ENGLAND, 1690    .    .    .    .         .    .    .    3
JOURNAL OF DIRON D'ARTAGUIETTE, INSPECTOR GENERAL OF Louisi-

    ANA, 1722-1723                                          15
JOURNAL OF COLONEL GEORGE CHICKEN'S MISSION FROM CHARLESTON,
    S. C., TO THE CHEROKEES, 1726   .    .    .    .    .   95
JOURNAL OF CAPTAIN TOBIAS FITCH'S MISSION FROM CHARLESTON TO
    THE CREEKS, 1726   .    .    .    .    .       .    . 175
A RANGER'S REPORT OF TRAVELS WITH GENERAL OGLETHORPE IN
    GEORGIA AND FLORIDA, 1739-1742  .    .    .            215
JOURNAL OF ANTOINE BONNEFOY'S CAPTIVITY AMONG THE CHEROKEE
    INDIANS, 1741-1742 7                                   239
JOURNAL OF BEAUCHAMP'S JOURNEY FROM MOBILE TO THE CHOC-
    TAWS, 1746       .    .    .    .    .    .       .    259
JOURNAL OF CAPTAIN PHINEAS STEVENS' JOURNEY FROM CHARLESTOWN,

    N. H., TO CANADA, 1752                            301
DIARY OF A JOURNEY OF MORAVIANS FROM BETHLEHEM, PA., TO
    BETHABARA, N. C., 1753                                3 2 5
MINUTES FROM THE JOURNAL OF MR. HAMBURGH'S TRAVELS IN THE
    MICHIGAN AND ILLINOIS COUNTRY, 1763  .    .    .    . 359
JOURNAL OF AN OFFICER'S [LORD ADAM GORDON'S] TRAVELS IN
    AMERICA AND THE WEST INDIES, 1764-1765    .    .    . 367
JOURNAL OF CAPTAIN HARRY GORDON'S JOURNEY FROM PITTSBURG
    DOWN THE OHIO AND THE MISSISSIPPI TO NEW ORLEANS, MO-
    BILE, AND PENSACOLA, 1766  .    .    .    .    .    . 457
                               v



 




                         CONTENTS

                                                            PAGE
DAVID TAITT'S JOURNAL OF A JOURNEY THROUGH THE CREEK COUN-
    TRY, 177Z     .     .    .    .    .    .    .      . 493
DR. JOHN BERKENHOUT'S JOURNAL OF AN EXCURSION FROM NEW
    YORK TO PHILADELPHIA, 1778   .     .      .    .    .    9
TRAVEL DIARY OF BISHOP REICHEL, MRS. REICHEL, AND THEIR
    COMPANY FROM LITiTz, PA., TO SALEM, N. C., 1780     . 585
EXrRACTS FROM THE TRAVEL DIARY OF BISHOP REICHEL, MRS.
    REICHEL, AND CHRISTIAN HECKEWELDER FROM SALEM TO LITITZ,
    1780  .     .    .    .    .    .    .    .    .    .  603
COLONEL WILLIAM FLEMING'S JOURNAL OF TRAVELS IN KENTUCKY,
    1779-1780  .    .          .    .    .    .    .    .617
COLONEL WILLIAM FLEMING'S JOURNAL OF TRAVELS IN KENTUCKY,

    1783  .    .     .    .    .    .    .    .    .    .  659

 























CUTHBERT POTTER'S JOURNAL OF A JOURNEY
  FROM VIRGINIA TO NEW ENGLAND, i69o


 
This page in the original text is blank.

 


INTRODUCTION



  VIRGINIA was but slightly affected by the fall of the
Stuart regime in i688, but in consequence of the overthrow
of the Andros government in Massachusetts, the uprising
under Leisler in New York, and "great depredations com-
mitted by the Indians " in those parts, the Council of Virginia,
on the 5th of June, i690, resolved to send a messenger north-
ward with instructions "to ascertain the truth of matters
in New England and New York." Colonel Cuthbert Potter
was forthwith named for the mission and on the 24th of the
following month Governor Nicholson announced to the Coun-
cil that the Colonel had agreed to perform the service for pound;6o.
  Colonel Potter was practicing law in Lancaster County,
Virginia, as early as i653, and three years later his name
appears among the justices of the Lancaster County Court.
In later years he was one of the large landholders of Middle-
sex County and was closely associated with Ralph Wormeley,
a leading member of the Council. The narrative of his
journey to New England shows that he was an advocate of
strong government. Shortly after making that journey he
removed in his own sloop, the Hopewell, to the Island of
Barbados, where, as stated in his will, dated June 20, i69i, he
was "suddenly seized and taken with bodily sickness." In
return for his ill treatment in Boston the Governor and
Council of Virginia warned the Government of Massachu-
setts that as "contrary to the Acts of Parliament divers
goods are imported into New England not directly from
England, and that no Collector is in New England, we have
ordered that any ships bringing European goods hither from
New England must produce their cocquets from England or
be proceeded against at law."
  An official copy of this journal has been preserved in the
Public Record Office, London: Colonial Office, Class 5,
No. 1305, pp. 176-179.
                           3

 


MR. POTTER'S JOURNALL FROM            VIRGINIA TO
                    N. ENGLAND

A Journall and Narrative of a Journey made by me
    Cuthbert Potter from Middxl County in Virginia to
    Boston in New England.
  July 6. In the Evening I departed from the honble
Ralph Wormley Esqre his house in a Shallop but having
very rainy, Stormey weather, It was Sunday morning follow-
ing before I could get to Casparas Harmans in Bohemia 2
and there tarried all day.
  July 14. I took horses and guide and went to New Castle,
that night, 'tis accounted 30 miles, I met with Mr. Williams
the Collector deliver'd him his Letter, and discours'd him
about the trade Betwixt the head of the Bey and that Town
for tobacco, he told me there had been formerly much tobacco
brought over to that Town, but now not so much, he had
lately seised some tobacco that had been brought, but by
others I perceived It is frequently carried over to that Town.3
  July 15. I went from New Castle to Chester alias Up-
lands accounted 20 miles by water.
  July i6. I went from Chester to Philadelphia by water
accounted 20 miles more. I met President Loyd 4 and Mr.
Plowman, and deliver'd their Letters also Mr. Markham,5
  1 Middlesex.
  2 Augustine Herrman, the founder of Bohemia Manor, at the
head of Chesapeake Bay, died in I686 and his second son, Casparus
Herrman, took possession of the manor house in June, i690.
  3 There was at this time a Maryland export duty on tobacco of
two shillings per hogshead.
  4 Thomas Lloyd, president of the Provincial Council of Penn-
sylvania.
  'William  Markham, secretary of the Provincial Council of
Pennsylvania.
                           4

 


CUTHBERT POTTER'S JOURNAL



Mr. Delaval ' Mr. Barbery and Mr. Ducay with whom
I discourst some time, the two last forced to fly from
York.2
  July i8. I went from thence by water 30 miles up to the
falls 3 and stopt about half an hour at Mr. Penns and lodged
that night at Mr. Wheelers.
  July i9. I took horses and guid[e] for Eliza4 Town being
72 miles, but reached no farther than Onions."
  July 20. I went from Onions to Eliza Town, there having
been very much rain, in sight of Collonel Townlies 6 my
horse fell with me, and by Gods mercy I escaped drowning
having been twice under water wet all my linnen and
papers.
  July 21. I tarried all day with Mr. Townley, dried my
linnen and papers, and left two or three letters with him
for some New York gentlemen that were then escaped into
East Jersey which he promised to deliver with his own
hand.
  July 22. I went to New York by water, i6 miles, pre-
understanding the severity they used in that Town towards
strangers by securing and searching them, with the assistance
of the watermen I put my portmanteaus on board a ship in
the harbour and went privately ashore to Mr. Thompsons,
and so soon as it was night that I could get my Portmanteaus
on shore, I deliver'd all the letters I had for the Gentlemen
in those parts.
  July 23 and 24. I was brought acquainted with most of
the honest Gent: of that Town who very much deplored the
present state of affairs there,7 but generally exceeding Joy-
'John Delavall, a member of the Council of the City of New
York. He subsequently removed to Philadelphia, became a
member of the Philadelphia Council in i6gi, and a member of
the Provincial Council in i692.
2 New York.           3 Trenton.
4 Elizabeth.          I Mr. Onions.
6 Col. Richard Townley, who came to Virginia with Lord
Effingham in x683, removed to Elizabeth Town in i684, and
married the widow of Philip Carteret in i685.
7The Leisler uprising.
                           S

 


TRAVELS IN THE AMERICAN COLONIES



full for the welfare of this our honorable Governor,' every
one speaking highly in his commendacion, and earnestly
wishing for the arrival of Governor Slaughter there, which
might put a period to their present distraccions. I was
inform'd the Indians had cut of a small village,2 near Fort
Albany which caused the Inhabitants to keep a very strict
watch and guard, the alarm of the French Pyrates being then
upon the Coast, caused them to prepare a force for their
defence, and all the masters of ships then in harbour and all
the Gentlemen of the Town were by the Governor I sent for
to consult the present safety, who most willingly assented
for the common good to use their utmost endeavours to
oppose and resist the common enemy, by which means
Lashler 4 could find no time to send for me as was inform'd
he intended and I expected.
  July 25. I took horses and guide for New England, and
that night went to Horsneck 5 being 40 miles.
  July 26. I went to Fairfeilds 6 being 25 miles, and very
bad way and tarried there the next day being Sunday.
  July 28. Major Gold 7 provided me horses to Guilford
being 42 miles.
  July 29. I went to Sebrook 8 being 20 miles: It rained
very fast all day.
  July 30. I went from Sebrook to New London being
20 miles where I understood Major Winthrop was gone for
Albany,9 I deliver'd his letter to his brother Major Palmes,'0

  1 Francis Nicholson, who, in i689, was made Lieutenant Gover-
nor of the Dominion of New England with residence at New
York, was appointed Lieutenant Governor of Virginia in i690.
  2 Schenectady.        3Jacob Leisler.    4Leisler.
  5 West Greenwich.     6 Fairfield.
  I Major Nathan Gold, a member of the Connecticut Court of
Assistants.             8 Saybrook.
  9 Major-General Fitz-John Winthrop was commander of the New
York-Connecticut expedition that set out in the spring of i690
against Montreal but was soon abandoned because of desertion by
the Indians and lack of supplies and means of transportation.
10 Major Edward Palmes was a brother-in-law of Major Fitz-
John Winthrop.
                           6

 


CUTHBERT POTTER'S JOURNAL



and took his receipt, was told that the French Pyrates had
come to an anchor before the town, but finding too great an
appearance to oppose them, they departed without doing any
dammage, the Inhabitants there seeming no way in dread of
the French Indians, In respect Major Winthrop with a
convenient force was then gone for Albany.
July 31. I went from thence to Bulls in the Narragansit
Government being 45 miles.
  Jugust i. I hired a shallop, and went for Newport in
Rode Island being IO miles, where I met Mr. Brinley,l Mr.
Newbery and Mr. Clark, and deliver'd them their Letters
and left Mr. Smith's letter with Mr. Brinley.
  August 2. I went for New Bristoll being i6 miles, the
next day being Sunday I tarried at Mr. Lavins.
  August 4. I took horses and guide and went for Boston
being 50 miles, about midnight I got to the Townsend -there
lay, in the morning I went into the Town to Md Usher and
Mr. Jeffreys, and deliver'd them their letters.
  August 6. I waited on the Governor Bradstreet,2 and
deliver'd him the Letter for that Government, who did not
then open it, I told him it came from the Present Governor
of Virginia, and requested an answer to which he replyed he
was going to the Councill and then I should be sent for and
have an answer. I rested there two or three dayes and in the
mean time deliver'd what Letters I had for other Gentlemen
in the Town, I went to Salem and waited on Major Brown,
and deliver'd the Letters I had for that place then return'd
to Boston, and waited on Bradstreet the Governor who told
me he would write back to our Governor and shortly after
I received his Letter, there I caused 700 copies of his Majes-
ties Letter to the Bishop of London to be printed and dis-
perst them all along according to order: In which time they
were very busy in setting forth their Fleet for Canada, which
consisted of 32 ships and vessels of all sorts, and 2200 men
which set sail about the 9th.
  1 Francis Brinley was the leader of a Rhode Island faction
favoring strong government.
  2 Simon Bradstreet was governor of Massachusetts in i689-92.
                           7

 


TRAVELS IN THE AMERICAN COLONIES



   August 9. The people [are] generally much dissatis-
fied with their present Government, and blame it very
much for all their sufferings, which have happen'd onely
through their ill management of affairs and sending away Sir
Edmond Andrews,' that caused all those great losses to the
Eastward. I went over to Cambridge and Charles Town,
where I deliver'd all the Letters I had for those places, and
having spent some time in discoursing severall Gentlemen
and others, I generally observ'd that many who had been
for, were now inveterate enemies to the present Govern-
ment.
  August 13. I prepared to return for Virginia, but hearing
a rumour or whispering that the Governor had order'd
officers to seize, and search me for Letters and papers I went
and informed Collonel Shrimpton and Collonel Dongan what
I had heard, who said they did not think that they would be
so unworthy, yet they stopt Mr. Peacock and severall others.
I went to Governor Broadstreet, and acquainted him what
I had heard touching my self, he replyed he had heard noth-
ing of it, he was going to the Councill and if any such thing
was intended he would acquaint me with it, and in the time
the Governor was at the Councill, Officers were sent out to
seize, search me and my papers.
  August I4. The officers found my Portmanteaus at Mr.
Seawards where I intended to take horse, and brought them
away, but as it happened by chance I met them in the street,
and demanded by what power they seised my goods, they
shewed an order of Councill, but would not let me read it.
We went into Monks at the Anchor, I there demanded a copey
of their order, but they refused and two of them took me
into a private room, search'd my pockets and breeches,
found severall letters and papers which they took, but gave
me leave to lock them up in my portmanteau, they then
sent to the Councill, who order'd me to be brought in the
afternoon so I was dismist for the Present, and went home
1 Sir Edmund Andros, governor of the Dominion of New Eng-
land from April i688 until his deposition by the people of Massa-
chusetts in April i689.
                          8

 


CUTHBERT POTTER'S JOURNAL



to dinner, then took out those letters and papers I had saved
about my breast and back, in the afternoon I attended at
the coffee house till near four of the clock then I was sent for
by an Officer, when I came the Governor told me, there
were a great many seditious people, about the Town, dis-
persing scandalous papers tending to the subversion of the
present Government, and that they had reason to fear some
of them kept correspondence with the enemy. They were
at great charge in fitting out their fleet, which would cost
them near 50 or 6o,ooo pounds so it behooved them to be
carefull, they had made an order to stop and examine all
Strangers, and see what papers and pamphlets they had
against the Government. I desired to see the order, and
have a copey of it that I might give an account to those that
send me, they replyed I was before them which was sufficient,
and bid me open my Portmanteau. I refused and began to
argue the affront offered to our honorable Governor, whose
pass I shewed, was chid and called sawcy, and a smith was
sent for to break my locks, which done the Officers turn'd
out all my papers, and linnen, the papers lying all before
them on the table, they then bid me to with draw with the
rest of my things. I replyed I could not carry them my self,
they ordered an officer to carry them to the coffee house
where I waited untill they broke open and perused what
they pleased, then sent for me and told me they found cause
to stop some letters, they sent for Mr. Jeffreys and ordered
him to give security to answer next Court, turned the publick
Notary out of Office, kept about five or six letters directed to
the Right Honble Governor of this Colony, besides other
papers, examined my being at Cambrige and Charles
Town, shewed me Bradstreet's letter broke open, and told
me they would write next day to the Governor, bid me take
the remainder of my papers, and so dismist me.
  August 15. I waited on the Governor Bradstreet, and
importuned him for his pass, that I might be no more mo-
lested, which having received from him with a Letter to
this honorable Governor, I took my leave and came to Mr.
Billings at night.
                           9

 


TRAVELS IN THE AMERICAN COLONIES



  August i6. I came to New Bristoll where I staid with
Mr. Jno Smith, Captain Andrews and some others.
  August 17. I came to Newport where I stayed wind bound
till 23d.
  August 23. I took a sloop for Long Island, and was seven
dayes in getting within three miles of Flushing.
  August 30. I took horses and guide for New York, I
tarried there all day and received answers of those letters
I had deliver'd, but was advised that Milburn I the present
deputy Governor would seize all my papers as I was ready to
depart, I forthwith got a boat and hands and came in haste
away.
  Sept. i. In the morning I got to Collonel Townlies in
Eliza Town, with whom I tarried two dayes expecting some
Friend from York, with letters but they came not.
  Sept. 3. I came from Collonel Townlys to Mr. Onions.
  Sept. 4. I came to the falls and thence to Burlington.
  Sept. 5. I came to Philadelphia was with Mr. Loyd,
Mr. Markham, Mr. Delaval, and Mr. Test.
  Sept. 6. I came to Chester thence to Newcastle, and there
tarried the next day.
  Sept. 8. I came to Casparas Harmans at Bohemia where
I tarried three dayes before I could hire a boat.
  Sept. I2. I hired a boat and came from Casparas Har-
mans, down the Bey 2 but by contrary wind and weather, I
could not attain into Rappa 3 River till the 24th day of the
moneth,
  Sept. 24. On which I by the blessing of God safely arrived,
at the house of the honorable Ralph Wormley Esqre.
Memorandum:
  When I was in Boston I understood there was great plenty
of Canary wine, and discoursing with several Gentlemen
there they told me they had four ships with Canary wine,
two of which belonged to Bristoll. I was asked twenty four

                   I Jacob Milborne.
                   2 Chesapeake Bay.
                   3 Rappahannock.
                          I0

 


           CUTHBERT POTTER'S JOURNAL

pounds a pipe but told by others I might have my choice of
good wine for Eighteen, and in the time I was at Salem, wait-
ing on Major Brown I met with a master of a small vessell,
that was lately arrived from Spain, belonging to Salem, who
treated me with a Glass of good wine, and anchovies, and
told me he had made twenty pounds a hogshead of that
little tobacco he had with him and that he came directly from
Cales.
[Endorsed]
             I690
   Mr. Potter's Journall from
      Virginia to New England.
        Received 29 January i690/I.

 
This page in the original text is blank.



 























JOURNAL OF DIRON D'ARTAGUIETrE, I722-1723

 
This page in the original text is blank.

 


INTRODUCTION



  LOUISIANA, comprising the French possessions in the
Mississippi Valley, was granted in 1717 by the Regent, the
Duke of Orleans, to the Western Company, the grant being
a part of John Law's project for replenishing the exchequer
of France when the wars of Louis XIV's reign had brought
that country to the verge of bankruptcy. The charter made
the Company proprietors of the territory for twenty-five
years, promised it full ownership of all mines that should be
opened during that period, and full title to all lands that
should be peopled. The Company was to -enjoy the exclu-
sive right of trade within its territory and to have a monop-
oly of the beaver trade with Canada. The Crown was to
pay a bounty on vessels constructed in Louisiana for carry-
ing goods to France, and for ten years the import duty on
goods from Louisiana was to be but one half of that levied
on goods from other French colonies. The Company was
authorized to provide armed vessels for the protection of its
trade, to construct forts within its territory, to make treaties
with the Indians, to appoint officers, and to enact necessary
statutes. The colonists were promised the same liberties
and immunities as they enjoyed in France and exemption
from taxation by the Crown.
The charter required that the stock of the company be



divided into shares of 500 livres
bills, and that every holder of
a vote in the board of directors
for each additional fifty shares.
general and 200,000 shares were
Western Company was merged
stitutions, the Royal Bank, and
pany. For a brief period shares
                           '5



each, payable in exchequer
fifty shares be entitled to
and to one additional vote
 Law was made director-
issued. Subsequently the
with another of Law's in-
with the East India Com-
were fifty per cent or more

 


TRAVELS IN THE AMERICAN COLONIES



above par, but security for the stock was almost wholly lack-
ing, the Royal Bank failed in I720, and fear for his life drove
Law from France.
  The Company, however, did much for the growth of the
colony. Bienville, who for years had been its leading spirit,
was appointed governor; the white population increased
from a few hundred in 1717 to more than five thousand in
I721; and settlements were established on concessions of
the Company at Baton Rouge, Natchez, Natchitoches,
Pointe Coupee, Cannes Brules, Tunicas, Bayagoulas, on
the Yazoo River, on Pascagoulas Bay, and at other places.
In 1721 the Duke of Orleans intrusted the direction of the
affairs of the Company to three commissioners, and they
appointed Diron d'Artaguiette inspector-general. Arta-
guiette, as royal commissary in the colony, defended Bien-
ville against malicious attacks in 1707. He was one of the
board of directors of the Western Company, and was the
founder of Baton Rouge. His journal was a report to the
Commissioners on conditions in the colony in 1722-1723 as
observed by Artaguiette at New Orleans and while on a
tour of inspection up the Mississippi to the Illinois Country.
  There is a transcript of the journal in the Library of Con-
gress which was made from a copy in the Archives Nationales,
Paris: C 13 C 2, if. i8-269. The translation is by Miss
Georgia Sanderlin.

 


JOURNAL OF DIRON D'ARTAGUIETTE



Journal from the rst of September to the xxth of the same month

  SEPT. I. New Orleans. There died here Monsieur MacEe,
chaplain of the ship L'Avanturier.
  Sept. 2. We have been informed that six men - habit-
ants or traders - had deserted from this post and that a
detachment, commanded by Sr. De St. Esteve, had gone
out in search of them.
  Sept. 3. We have learned that Sr. de St. Esteve arrived
at Fort Louis 1 three days after his departure and that he
had brought back the six deserters, who made no resistance.
They were only put in chains for a short time.
  Sept. 4. An officer, accompanied by four fuzileers, set
out to carry a large packet of letters, which he delivered in
the bayou 2 to the master of a canoe. The latter imme-
diately departed for Fort Louis du Biloxcy.3
  Sept. 5. A man named Traverse, living in New Orleans,
was today let out of prison. The cause for which he was
imprisoned was this. This man had built a house in New
Orleans. This house was not set in accord with the align-
ment of the streets, as he had built it before the plan had
been proposed. M. Peauger 4 had it torn down. Traverse
being not well pleased about this, presented a petition to the
council, asking them to recompense him for his house in
order that he might have the means to build another. M.

  ' Fort Louis was on the site of the present Biloxi, Mississippi.
  Bayou Saint John, on the south side of Lake Pontchartrain.
  'The capital of Louisiana was at this time removing from Biloxi
to New Orleans.
  4 M. de Pauger, engineer, assistant to M. de Latour, the chief
engineer.
                           17

 


TRAVELS IN THE AMERICAN COLONIES



Peauger had hirp sent for, and, after having regaled him with
a volley of blows with his stick, had him thrown into prison,
with irons about his feet, and today this man has come out
of prison almost blind.
  Sept. 6. We have been informed that twelve soldiers and
three sailors - the soldiers from the Company of St. George
- had deserted. These people had made an agreement with
the skipper, who was steering a canoe in which were Mes-
sieurs Dharcourt and Nolan, the former the treasurer, and
the latter an officer, who were going from Mobile to Fort
Louis. The skipper running very close in shore, these gentle-
men asked him where he was going and why he was not carry-
ing them on their journey, upon which the skipper replied
that the currents were carrying them ashore. Having
arrived at the Pointe des Chutaux, twelve soldiers came to
them with bayonets at the end of their guns, and asked them
civilly to lend them their canoe, they having a long journey
to make, and to give them a present of some flasks of brandy.
These gentlemen, seeing themselves the weaker party,
responded, also civilly, that they (the soldiers) were the mas-
ters. The soldiers took the canoe and some flasks of brandy
and set sail, leaving these gentlemen and their effects behind.
  Sept. 7. Today the ship L'Avanturier was preparing to
sail for France, but M. Bienville 1 detained her to see what
news there was from France, three ships having recently cast
anchor in the. roads of Fort Louis.
  Sept. 8. Nothing of interest took place.
  Sept. 9. M. Delatour,2 having some small jobs to be
done, sent for four soldiers, but all refused to come.
  Sept. I0. Today at two o'clock in the afternoon, the ship
L'Avanturier was to have set sail, but a heavy wind, con-
trary and violent, having sprung up, her departure was put
off until tomorrow.
  1 Jean Baptiste le Moyne, Sieur de Bienville, Governor of
Louisiana in I701-1713, 1718-1724, and 1733-1743, and founder
of New Orleans.
  2 M. de Latour was lieutenant-general of Louisiana and chief
engineer.
                           I8

 


JOURNAL OF DIRON D'ARTAGUIETTE



  The same day Sr. Feaucon Dumanoir, director of the Con-
cession of the Malouins,' presented us with the memoirs
set forth below. You will see there the grievances which
they have to allege against the company,2 what it has made
them suffer in spite of the conventions and agreements made
between them. You will also see enumerated the things
which are absolutely necessary for the establishment of
the colony.
                       Grievances

  i. The lack of lodgings and store-houses, which the com-
pany ought to furnish to the concessionnaires immediately
upon their arrival.
  z. The lack of a hospital for the sick.
  3. The lack of goods to trade with, and necessary to have,
so as to secure fresh provisions to restore those who have
been enfeebled by their journeys and to feed others.
  4. The lack of such supplies as flour, wine, meat and
brandy.
  5. The lack of boats and vessels for transportation to the
said concessionnaires. From this deficiency have arisen
many inconveniences, to wit:
  That the concessionnaires have remained upon arid sand
for eight months. This stay has been the cause of their
consuming the whole food supply intended for their estab-
lishments, the company being in want almost continually.
That all the greater part of the workmen have died in extreme
wretchedness for lack of fresh provisions and lodgings, being
exposed to injury from the weather and from the cold through
lack of clothing and storehouses, not having the materials
for making the latter. The greater part of the goods of the
said concessionnaires have rotted or have been plundered,
damaged or stolen.

1 Merchants of Saint Malo who had a grant or concession of
land near the site of the present Natchez, Mississippi.
2 The Western or Mississippi Company by whom the concessions
were made; at the head of it was John Law.
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TRAVELS IN THE AMERICAN COLONIES



  As to the seizure of the food supplies of the concessionnaires,
which the Company has made:
  6. As soon as the concessionnaires had found themselves
lodged and had storehouses in which to put their goods under
cover, which they had made while consuming their food
supplies, the company had immediately seized them, forcing
open the doors of the storehouses and lodgings, although
the goods of the said concessionnaires were still within.
  7. Although the company had sent here many food sup-
plies and much merchandise, both for trading purposes and
otherwise, the council of this place replied nothing worth
while to the demands of the concessionnaires, and yet the
convicts had more of them than was for their good.
  8. Note, I beseech you, that there are among the conces-
sionnaires those who, for a year, have had from the company
only 25 quarters of flour, 3 casks of white wine and perhaps
about 30 pistoles worth of merchandise, in spite of the fact
that the company has received more than 8000 quarters of
flour, 6oo casks of wine, 300 quarters of meat, and an infinite
quantity of merchandise. They prefer to support a great
number of people in idleness rather than to feed and main-
tain the concessionnaires, who are the pillars and the base of
the establishment of this colony. One notes today two con-
cessions in particular - that of the Sr. Dumanoir, which is
in a condition to receive four or five hundred negroes, having
supplies sufficient for two years, and that of Sr. Ceard, both
of which form the ground-work upon which this establish-
ment rests and which deserve to be sustained more than they
have been up to the present time. As to the protest of the
letters of exchange drawn by Sr. Du Manoir and Sr. Ceard
upon M. Colly, in favor of Messrs. Hubert Trefontaine and
Massy for the purchase of their dwellings, situated at the
Natchez and at the Chapitoulas, the council ordered the
seizure of the effects of the said concessionnaires, parties
neither heard nor called, to which the said Sr. du Manoir
made much opposition, representing that if these effects
were seized he would be without the power to continue his
enterprise, and that he would be obliged to abandon it alto-
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JOURNAL OF DIRON D'ARTAGUIETTE



gether. To this the council made no reply, permitting the
seizure to proceed, with no desire to put a stop to these evil
prosecutions and chicanery. It is proper to remark here
that for an establishment as large as this one, such seizures
interrupt the course of work, discourage the inhabitants and
make them abandon everything. This would bring about
total and irremediable ruin to the whole country. In regard
to Sr. Ceard: In order to avert the seizure of his effects,
he was forced to enter into a very onerous agreement with
Monsieurs Trefontaine an