222 THE THREE WAR-PARTIES. [1688-89. 



for Denonville himself wrote to the minister at 

 Versailles that the successes of the Abenakis on 

 this occasion were clue to the " good understanding 

 which he had with them," by means of the two 

 brothers Bigot and other Jesuits. 1 



Whatever were the influences that kindled and 

 maintained the war, it spread dismay and havoc 

 through the English settlements. Anclros at first 

 made light of it, and complained of the authorities 

 of Boston, because in his absence they had sent 

 troops to protect the settlers ; but he soon changed 

 his mind, and in the winter went himself to the 

 scene of action with seven hundred men. Not an 

 Indian did he find. They had all withdrawn into 



1 "En partant de Canada, j'ay laisse une tres grande disposition a 

 attirer au Christianisme la plus grande partie des sauvages Abenakis 

 qui abitent les bois du voisinage de Baston. Pour cela il faut les attirer 

 a la mission nouvellement etablie pres Quebec sous le nom de S. Fran- 

 cois de Sale. Je l'ai vue en peu de temps au nombre de six cents ames 

 venues du voisinage de Baston. Je l'ay laisse'e en estat d'augmenter 

 beaucoup si elle est protege'e ; j'y ai fait quelque de'pense qui n'est pas 

 inutile. La bonne intelligence que fax eue avec ces sauvages par les soins des 

 Je'suites, et surtout des deux pkres Bigot J re res a fait le succes de toutes les at- 

 taques qu'ils ont faites sur les Anglois cet este', aux quels ils ont enleve 16 

 forts, outre celuy de Pemcuit (Pemaquid) ou il y avoit 20 pieces de 

 canon, et leur ont tue' plus de 200 hommes." Denonville au Ministre, 

 Jan., 1690. 



It is to be observed that this Indian outbreak began in the summer of 

 1688, when there was peace between France and England. News of the 

 declaration of war did not reach Canada till July, 1689. (Belmont.) 

 Dover and other places were attacked in June of the same year. 



The intendantChampigny says that most of the Indians who attacked 

 the English were from the mission villages near Quebec. Champigny au 

 Ministre, 16 Nov., 1689. He says also that he supplied them with gun- 

 powder for the war. 



The "forts" taken by the Indians on the Kennebec at this time were 

 nothing but houses protected by palisades. They were taken by treach- 

 ery and surprise. Lettre du Pere Thury, 1689. Thury says that 142 

 men, women, and children were killed. 



