Appendix C. The Letter of Gilles Hocquart (Intendant of New France)
to the Minister of Marine, Jean-Frédéric Phélypeaux.




© 2010 by the Center For Social Research, Parkland College




COLLECTIONS

OF THE

STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY

OF WISCONSIN





EDITED BY
REUBEN GOLD THWAITES, LL. D.
Secretary and Superintendent of the Society


Vol. XVII
The French Regime in Wisconsin - II
1727-1748


MADISON
PUBLISHED BY THE SOCIETY
1906








[Page 119]

1730: DE VILLIERS DEFEATS THE FOXES

[Thwaites: Letter of Hocquart to the French Minister, dated, Nov. 14, 1730. MS. in archives of Ministere des Colonies, Paris; press-mark, "Canada, Corresp. gen., vol. 53, c. 11, fol. 207. "]



MONSEIGNEUR - [Stelle: Presumably Jean-Frédéric Phélypeaux, Count de Maurepas. He was the Minister of Marine from 1723-1749. Both Intendant Hocquart and Governor Beauharnois would have reported to this Minister.]

Monsieur the Marquis de Beauharnois [Stelle: Governor of New France 1726-1746] has the honor to inform you of the defeat of the Renard Savages, whereof The Sieur De Villiers, the Commandant at river St Joseph, has given Him The particulars in the letters that he has written to Him, extracts from which he sends you, Monseigneur. That officer has sent his son here with the Sieur Reaume, his interpreter, to bring us The news and from The notes of the latter whom I have questioned On all the facts, I

[Page 120]

have drawn up the annexed relation [Reaume Narrative] which contains perhaps some details omitted by Monsieur Devilliers. I have even retained the expressions of the Sieur Reaume which are according to Canadian usage.

From the information that the Sieurs Devilliers the younger, and Reaume have given us respecting the situation of the Renards' fort and the Camp of the French and of our allied Indians, Monsieur Chaussegros de Lery has drawn up a plan of the Same with a note accompanying It, which is addressed to you, Monseigneur, by Monsieur De Beauharnois.

The Sieur Devilliers was obliged to incur some expense under the circumstances in which he was placed. He has Merely notified us that it was not considerable. This is a Second advantage. Monsieur The Marquis de Beauharnois has deemed it advisable to Despatch [Stelle: sic] the Sieur Coulon de Villiers, the younger, to carry you the News of the defeat of the Renards. He Embarks on the Ship le Beauharnois which sails for la Rochelle. He is charged with the duty of handing over to Monsieur de Belamy [Stelle: Commissioner of the Navy at La Rochelle] a Renard Slave who has been Sent to Monsieur the general by Monsieur des Noyelles on behalf of the Miami Nation where that officer Commands [see Figure II.A.1.].

The Sieur Belamy will await your orders on the subject, Monseigneur.

I remain with very profound Respect, Monseigneur, Your very humble and very obedient Servant

HOCQUART

Quebec, November 14th, 1730.