Professor Kalm, when in Canada, in the middle of the last century, made a similar observation: "The Indians, when in liquor, sometimes kill the missionaries who live with them, calling them spies, or excusing themselves by saying that brandy had killed them."* Some of the governors-general in New France appear to have been particularly active in preventing, as much as they could, the disposal of spirits among the Indians; but one of these, the Baron d'Avougour, finding himself unsupported in his prohibitions by those from whom he had a right to look for assistance, the evil was permitted to go on unpunished, until at length it spread to a most alarming degree. The circumstance is thus mentioned by Charlevoix :- A woman of Quebec was found acting in express disobedience to the governor's proclamation on this subject, and was in consequence sent to prison. Father Lallemant, the Jesuit, was prevailed on by her friends to intercede in her behalf; but he met with a cool reception from the governor, who, although he granted the request, appears to have been offended at the application. He sharply answered the priest, that since the disposing of spirits to the Indians was not to be considered deserving of punishment in the case of this woman, it should thenceforward not * Kalm's Travels in North America, vol. ii. p. 290. be punished in the case of others. The governor seems to have kept his word; and the consequence was, that the disorder rapidly increased; and, as Charlevoix expresses it, "baffled the bishop, priests, and confessors; so that neither the menaces of the Divine wrath, nor the thunders of the church, could stop the torrent which had thus broken down its banks."* When the Count de. Frontenac was at the head of the government in Canada, he also was much blamed by the missionaries for the little discouragement given by him to the growth of this baneful evil. An order of council was in consequence issued in France (in 1678), directing twenty of the principal inhabitants of New France to assemble, and consider this subject, and after making every inquiry, to report their opinions respecting it. This was accordingly done; and these opinions being referred to the Archbishop of Paris, and to Père de la Chaise, the king's confessor, they decided that the introduction of spirituous liquors should be prohibited under the most severe penalties. This was followed up by a royal ordinance, which was transmitted by the Count de Frontenac, with directions that it should be punctually obeyed.† * Charlevoix, Hist. de la Nouvelle France, liv. ix. Some years afterwards, however, the same excesses appear to have prevailed; and application was again made to the crown on the subject. "It appears absolutely necessary," writes the Abbé de Brisacier to the king's confessor, " that his majesty should be informed of the brutalities and murders which have been recently committed in the streets of Quebec by the Indians, male and female, when intoxicated with spirits. The Intendant, touched with these horrible excesses, but restrained by the orders he had received, -to write nothing to France except in concert with the governorgeneral, states, that if they command him to apprize the court of the truth, he will do so; but as the evil presses, and the statements are confirmed by various letters from persons worthy of belief, it will be necessary at once to stop the permission of disposing of spirits, -not only to prevent Heaven from being offended at the continuance of such crimes, but also to retain in our alliance the Indians, who are now quitting us, during the present war. It is only you, my very reverend Father, who are in the situation of speaking upon this subject. The cause of religion and the welfare of the public in New France, are in your hands. Your zeal will not fail to meet its recompense. It does not appear, however, that any very Charlevoix, Hist. de la Nouvelle France, liv. xv. effectual measures were taken on the spot to stop the evil complained of; and we again find Charlevoix lamenting its consequences. "An evident relaxation of morals," says he, "is now observable among our converts, which can only be ascribed to their drunkenness, now almost impossible to remedy. The repeated prohibitions ordered by the king have not proved sufficient, and we cannot now depend even upon our own Iroquois Indians at the Sault St. Louis and La Montagne." In a letter written by the same author, (from Detroit, in June 1721,) he mentions that Monsieur de Tonti, the commandant, had then assembled several of the neighbouring chiefs in council at that place, for the purpose of communicating to them some orders he had received from the governorgeneral; one of which related to a wish that the Indians would not permit any more brandy to be brought into their country. The chiefs heard M. de Tonti without interruption; and, when he had done speaking, the principal orator of the Hurons told him they would consult about his proposal, and give him their answer. Two days afterwards they assembled in great numbers at the commandant's residence; and Charlevoix was present at the council, together with all * Charlevoix, Hist. de la Nouvelle France, liv. xix. the officers of the garrison. The Huron chief, in his speech, stated, among other things, that on the subject of brandy the French might do as they pleased, and supply them or not as they thought fit; but that they would have done well had they never furnished them with a drop of it. "It was impossible," says Charlevoix, "to imagine any thing stronger than what was spoken by this Huron orator whilst exposing the disorders occasioned by that destructive beverage, and the mischiefs produced by it among all the Indian nations. The most zealous missionary could not have said more ; but he added, that unfortunately they were now so accustomed to receive it that they could no longer dispense with the indulgence."* "The Indians well know," says the same writer, "that drunkenness is their ruin ; but when one attempts to persuade them that they ought, of themselves, to request that no more of that destructive poison should be sold to them, they answer you coolly, 'It is you who have taught us; we can now no longer do without it; and should you refuse to supply us, we shall certainly go to the English for it. This liquor, we know, destroys us; but you are the cause of the mischief, which is now past all remedy."" "A disorder," continues Charlevoix, "which attacks the morals never goes alone. It is either * • Charlevoix, Journal Historique, let. 17. |