1G83.] HE TAKES ALARM. 83 



But hopes seemed vain and prognostics illusory, 

 when, early in spring, a report came that the 

 Seneca Iroquois were preparing to attack, in force, 

 not only the Illinois, but the Hurons and Ottawas 

 of the lakes. La Barre and his confederates were 

 in dismay. They already had large quantities of 

 goods at Michillimackinac, the point immediately 

 threatened ; and an officer was hastily despatched, 

 with men and munitions, to strengthen the de- 

 fences of the place. 1 A small vessel was sent to 

 France with letters begging for troops. " I will 

 perish at their head," wrote La Barre to the king, 

 " or destroy your enemies ; " 2 and he assures 

 the minister that the Senecas must be attacked or 

 the country abandoned. 3 The intend ant, Meules, 

 shared something of his alarm, and informed the king 

 that " the Iroquois are the only people on earth 

 who do not know the grandeur of your Majesty." 4 



While thus appealing to the king, La Barre sent 

 Charles le Moyne as envoy to Onondaga. Through 

 his influence, a deputation of forty-three Iroquois 

 chiefs was sent to meet the governor at Montreal. 

 Here a grand council was held in the newly built 

 church. Presents were given the deputies to the 

 value of more than two thousand crowns. Sooth- 

 ing speeches were made them ; and they were 

 urged not to attack the tribes of the lakes, nor 

 to plunder French traders, without permission. 5 



1 La Barre au Ministre, 4 Nov., 1683. 



2 La Barre au Boy, 30 Mai, 1683. 



3 La Barre au Ministre, 30 Mai, 1683. 

 * Meuks au Roy, 2 Juin, 1683. 



6 Soon after La Barre's arrival, La Chesnaye is said to have induced 



