296 THE SCOURGE OF CANADA. [1691-94. 



who joined to each remittance a lecture on econ- 

 omy and a warning against extravagance. 1 



The intendant received his share of blame on 

 these occasions, and he usually defended himself 

 vigorously. He tells his master that " war-parties 

 are necessary, but very expensive. We rarely pay 

 money ; but we must give presents to our Indians, 

 and fit out the Canadians with provisions, arms, 

 ammunition, moccasons, snow-shoes, sledges, canoes, 

 capotes, breeches, stockings, and blankets. This 

 costs a great deal, but without it we should have 

 to abandon Canada." The king complained that, 

 while the great sums he was spending in the colony 

 turned to the profit of the inhabitants, they con- 

 tributed nothing to their own defence. The com- 

 plaint was scarcely just ; for, if they gave no money, 

 they gave their blood with sufficient readiness. 

 Excepting a few merchants, they had nothing else 

 to give ; and, in the years when the fur trade was 

 cut off, they lived chiefly on the pay they received 

 for supplying the troops and other public services. 

 Far from being able to support the war, they looked 

 to the war to support them. 2 



1 Lettres du Roy et da Ministre, 1690-1694. In 1691, the amount 

 allowed for extraordinaires de guerre was 99,000 livres (francs). In 1692, 

 it was 193.000 livres, a part of which was for fortifications. In the fol- 

 lowing year, no less than 750,000 livres were drawn for Canada, " ce qui 

 ne se pourroit pas supporter, si cela continuoit de la mesme force," writes 

 the minister. (Le Ministre a Frontenac, 13 Mars, 1694.) This last sum 

 probably included the pay of the troops. 



2 " Sa Majeste fait depuis plusieurs annees des sacrifices immenses en 

 Canada. L'avantage en demeure presque tout entier au profit des ha- 

 bitans et des marchands qui y resident. Ces depenses se font pour leur 

 seurete et pour leur conservation. II est juste que ceux qui sont en 

 estat secourent le public." Me moire da Roy, 1693. "Les habitans de la 



