Page:History of the Ojibway Nation.djvu/429

Rh farmer, and other individuals who might have some peltries there, were dying of hunger, with property they did not enjoy. Credit was exhausted, and the apprehension universal, that the enemy would become masters, on the way, of the last resource of the country."

Frontenac came down from Quebec, and on the sixth of September, which was Sunday, he entertained the principal chiefs, and the next day distributed presents, and made arrangements for the reoccupation of the Northwest.

Pierre Le Sueur was sent to remain at Chagouamigon, and the Narrative of Occurrences of 1692–93 writes that he was "to endeavor to maintain the peace lately concluded between the Sauteurs and the Sioux. This is of the greatest consequence, as it is now the sole pass by which access can be had to the latter nation, whose trade is very profitable, the country to the south being occupied by the Foxes and the Mascontins, who have already several times plundered the French, under pretence that they were carrying ammunition to the Sioux their ancient enemies. These frequent interruptions would have been punished ere this, had we not been occupied elsewhere. Le Sueur it is to be hoped will facilitate the northern route for us, by means of the great influence he possesses among the Sioux."