58 FRONTENAC AXD DUCHESNEAU. [1675-82. 



the Indians to pay his guards for protecting them ; 

 and he has never allowed them to trade with 

 the inhabitants till they had first given him a cer- 

 tain number of packs of beaver skins, which he 

 calls his presents. His guards trade with them 

 openly at the fair, with their bandoleers on their 

 shoulders." 



He says, farther, that Frontenac sends up goods 

 to Montreal, and employs persons to trade in his 

 behalf; and that, what with the beaver skins ex- 

 acted by him and his guards under the name of 

 presents, and those which he and his favorites 

 obtain in trade, only the smaller part of what the 

 Indians bring to market ever reaches the people of 

 the colony. 1 



This despatch, and the proofs accompanying it, 

 drew from the king a sharp reproof to Frontenac. 



" What has passed in regard to the coureurs cle 

 hois is entirely contrary to my orders ; and I can- 

 not receive in excuse for it your allegation that it 

 is the intend ant who countenances them by the 

 trade he carries on, for I perceive clearly that the 

 fault is your own. As I see that you often turn 

 the orders that I give you against the very object 

 for which they are given, beware not to do so on 

 this occasion. I shall hold you answerable for 

 bringing the disorder of the coureurs de bois to 

 an end throughout Canada ; and this you will 

 easily succeed in doing, if you make a proper use 

 of my authority. Take care not to persuade your- 

 self that what I write to you comes from the ill 



1 Duchesneau au Ministre, 10 Nov., 1679. 



