WEST INDIES. 
45 
CHAP. II.] 
tre, whose account exhibits such a monstrous mix¬ 
ture of fanaticism and knavery in the conduct of 
its leaders, as cannot be contemplated without in¬ 
dignation and horror. Although it is evident, that 
the French had not the smallest justifiable pretence 
for this invasion, yet we find the commanders ad¬ 
ministering the holy sacrament, in the most solemn 
manner, to all the soldiers on their embarkation; 
and again, on their landing, Du Parquet, causing 
a Cross to be erected, compelled them to kneel 
down before it, and join in devout prayer to Al¬ 
mighty God, for success to their enterprize. 
This commander seems, however, to have had a 
few scruples of conscience concerning the justice 
of his proceedings; for, having been received and 
entertained with the utmost kindness and cordiality 
by the natives, (contrary to his expectations, and 
perhaps, to his wishes), he thought it necessary to 
affect some little regard to moderation, by pretend¬ 
ing to open a treaty with the chief of the Charaibes 
for the purchase of the country. He gave the na¬ 
tives (observes Du Tertre) some knives and hatch¬ 
ets, and a large quantity of glass beads, besides 
two bottles of brandy for the chief himself; and 
thus (continues he) was the island fairly ceded to 
the French nation by the natives themselves in law¬ 
ful purchase! After this notable transaction, it it 
not wonderful that the French should consider the 
refusal of the poor savages to confirm the agree¬ 
ment, as contumacy and rebellion. 
