1675-82.] DUCHESNEAU CONDEMNED. 55 



denounced his followers, and sent huge bundles 

 of proces-verbaux and attestations to prove his 

 charges. 



But if Duchesneau wrote letters, so too did 

 Frontenac ; and if the intendant sent proofs, so too 

 did the governor. Upon the unfortunate king and 

 the still more unfortunate minister fell the difficult 

 task of composing the quarrels of their servants, 

 three thousand miles away. They treated Duches- 

 neau without ceremony. Colbert wrote to him : 

 " I have examined all the letters, papers, and 

 memorials that you sent me by the return of the 

 vessels last November, and, though it appears by 

 the letters of M. de Frontenac that his conduct 

 leaves something to be desired, there is assuredly 

 far more to blame in yours than in his. As to 

 what you say concerning his violence, his trade 

 with the Indians, and in general all that you allege 

 against him, the king has written to him his in- 

 tentions ; but since, in the midst of all your com- 

 plaints, you say many things which are without 

 foundation, or which are no concern of yours, it 

 is difficult to believe that you act in the spirit 

 which the service of the king demands ; that is to 

 say, without interest and without passion. If a 

 change does not appear in your conduct before 

 next year, his Majesty will not keep you in your 

 office." l 



At the same time, the king wrote to Frontenac, 

 alluding to the complaints of Duchesneau, and ex- 

 horting the governor to live on good terms with 



1 Colbert a Duchesneau, 15 Mai, 1678. 



