Читать книгу Documents Relating to the Constitutional History of Canada 1759-1791, Part I - Adam Shortt - Страница 134

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These have wandered about the Country so very much and have been so unsettled by the continued Wars and frequent revolutions that have happen'd in this part of the Continent, it is hard to give any tolerable account of them at this time. By the best informations we have been able to collect, the Miamies were settled, and some are still, about the Bay des Chaleurs; and upon the Coast and Bays in the Gulph, they are not at present numerous. In 1759 about one hundred of them joined the French.

The Kanibas and Malecites, inhabit about the Rivers S^t John and Pentagouest; their Language and that of the Abenakies is pretty nearly alike, and the three Nations are a good deal intermixed. The latter were settled about Narantsauc and Panaouanské, now wander about the South shore, and range the woods as they find it best answer their purpose, with those of the same tribe at S^t François and Beaconcourt in the Government of Trois Rivieres, it is computed they may amount to twelve or fifteen hundred families and in 1759 about 600 fighting Men of these Nations joined the French army near Quebec.

Under the French these were the only Indians who resorted to this place, where they received from the Government presents of Powder, Shot, Vermillion and other trifles; in time of War Clothing and Provisions.

Montreal was the chief seat of the Fur-trade and the greatest concourse of remote and back Indians or of those who traded with them, was there. There the Governor General used to meet and confer with their Chiefs and all business relative to them was mostly transacted.

From the Governor of Montreal therefore Your Lordship will certainly get fuller and better accounts on this head than I can possibly give.^[s]

I have and ever shall be attentive, that due justice as far as in my power shall be done to them; few Complaints have as yet been made, when there have been any they have met with instant redress.