254 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



His party came to Onondaga Sep. 26, by the old trail over the 

 hills, and on horseback, and visited Onondaga lake and Seneca 

 river. Three River Point did not suit him for a fort, a sound 

 conclusion. On a high bank on Chittenango creek he found a 

 good site, and this was used at a later day. His reception at 

 Onondaga was not cordial ; for the Albany people had made 

 ready for his coming. In preparation for the fort, £500 were 

 sent from England, as much more raised in New York, arms 

 and tools were provided, but the fort was not built. 



The coming of Maricourt, Bruyas and Joncaire was occa- 

 sioned by the Iroquois embassy to Canada early in the year. 

 They then condoled Frontenac's death and asked that Lamber- 

 ville and Bruyas might return to them. Peace was arranged 

 and a treaty signed at Montreal Sep. 8. There was a prelim- 

 inary conference at Montreal July 18 with the Onondagas and 

 Senecas, and on Sep. 3 the 19 Iroquois deputies brought back 13 

 French prisoners. At Onondaga Bruyas had profited by the 

 tone of Bellomont's message, and Joncaire went to the Senecas, 

 who liberated all their prisoners. Some would not return and 

 but 10 came back. 



The Iroquois had hardly returned from this peace conference 

 before word came that the Ottawas had attacked their hunters, 

 killing some and capturing others. At this council the Iroquois 

 were so well received that the Hurons said " that fear made the 

 French show more respect to their enemies than love did to their 

 friends." There was reason for this, and Bellomont said : 



I pretend to be able to demonstrate that if the Five Nations 

 should at any time in conjunction with the Eastern Indians, and 

 those that live within these plantations, revolt from the English 

 to the French, they would in a short time drive us out of this 

 Continent. 



Their mode of warfare made them powerful, but he had trials 

 in meeting them. Of a council in Albany he said : 



It Avas the greatest fatigue I ever underwent in my whole life. 

 I was shut up in a close chamber with 50 Sachems, who besides 

 the stink of bears' grease, with which they plentifully dawb'd 

 themselves, were either smoaking tobacco or drinking drams 

 of rum. 



