390 THE SENECA NATION 



called to Albany to meet two Maryland Commissioners, Henry 

 Coursey and Philemon Lloyd who signed a treaty of peace with 

 them on behalf of Maryland and the Indians dependent on it. 

 The Seneca signers were: Adondareicha, Degonhondie, Kaneen- 

 dodo, Sockkadowanne, Anooskaheiko, Soniadoway, Panotohaio. 



The year, 1678, was made noteworthy by the fact that then 

 for the first time, the shadow of the Seneca Nation fell athwart 

 the French plans for an imperial domain in America. In May 

 of that year, Louis XIV of France, influenced by the enthusiasm 

 of La Salle's friends, gave him gracious leave to "labor at the 

 discovery of the western parts of New France" and furthermore 

 to "build forts at such places" as he thought necessary. For 

 La Salle this was the first step toward the realization of his great 

 plans, a beginning toward which was to build a fort at Niagara. 

 As this was in territory belonging to the Senecas, he must first 

 of all obtain their permission. 



In December, 1678, La Motte de Lussiere, and Louis Hen- 

 nepin, the latter a priest of the Recollets, both attached to La 

 Salle's party, left their temporary base at Niagara and visited 

 the country of the Senecas, under orders from La Salle to obtain 

 the desired permission. They came overland and therefore 

 entered Sonnontouan from the west. They were entertained at 

 one of the great towns, called by Hennepin, "Tagarondies"' 

 where he preached in the presence of Fathers Gamier and Raf- 

 feix, the resident missionaries. La Motte convoked a council of 

 forty-two sachems. The two Jesuits came to this council, but 

 La Motte was suspicious of their designs and requested the 

 sachems that they be excluded. Hennepin withdrew with them, 

 "to bear part of the affront" as he said, or perhaps to be sure 

 that they did not eaves-drop. 



The council was conducted in Indian fashion by La Motte, 

 through Anthony Brossard, interpreter. First, he was come to 

 smoke in amity with the Senecas. Second, the French wished 

 to build a great canoe above the Falls of Niagara. Third, the 

 French were willing to provide a gun-smith and a blacksmith at 

 Niagara for the convenience of the Senecas. At the end of his 

 first period, in token of the friendship of the French, he gave a 

 present of axes and knives, a great belt of white and purple 

 wampum, and some gowns. His offer of a smith he emphasized 

 by a gift of more gowns and some fine cloth. 



