100 LA BAKTCE AND THE IROQUOIS. [1684. 



us. I trust the story is untrue, and that 3-011 will 

 listen to no overtures. The expense has been 

 enormous. The whole population is roused." l 

 Not satisfied with this, Meules sent the general 

 a second letter, meant, like the first, as a tonic 

 and a stimulant. " If Ave come to terms with 

 the Iroquois, without first making them feel the 

 strength of our arms, we may expect that, in 

 future, they will do every thing they can to 

 humiliate us, because we drew the sword against 

 them, and showed them our teeth. I do not think 

 that any course is now left for us but to carry the 

 war to their very doors, and do our utmost to 

 reduce them to such a point that they shall never 

 again be heard of as a nation, but only as our sub- 

 jects and slaves. If, after having gone so far, we 

 do not fight them, we shall lose all our trade, and 

 bring this country to the brink of ruin. The 

 Iroquois, and especially the Senecas, pass for great 

 cowards. The Eeverencl Father Jesuit, who is at 

 Prairie de la Madeleine, told me as much yester- 

 day ; and, though he has never been among them, 

 he assured me that he has heard everybody say 

 so. But, even if they were brave, we ought to be 

 very glad of it ; since then we could hope that 

 they would wait our attack, and give us a chance 

 to beat them. If we do not destroy them, they 

 will destroy us. I think you see but too well that 

 your honor and the safety of the country are 

 involved in the results of this war." 2 



1 MevJes a La Barre, 15 July, 1684. 



2 Meules a La Barre, 14 Aout, 1684. This and the preceding letter 

 stand, by a copyist's error, in the name of La Barre. They are certainly 

 written by Meules. 



