Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1906-01-04

talked freely of the plans for the fur
trade that La Sale hoped to be able
to build up. Frontenac, as a sort of
partner in the enterprise, offered adj
vice and gave his views frankly on all
subjects discussed.
A knock at the door and a servant
entered to that the members
of the superior council were awaiting
the governors pleasure to begin the
business of the meeting. Frontenac
had called for the reading of the dis
patches that had arrived on the Saint
Honore' and the transaction of other
important business. Tonti and La
Sale accordingly withdrew and the
governor passed to the council cham
Der. The relation of his wrongs to his
friends had tended to arouse the irri-
liability that was so prominent a char
~acteristic Of the man. On entering the
room a cloud gathered on his brow, as
he saw all the members of the council
seated about a large table engaged in
earnest conversation. No one stirred
as he appeared, and it was only. after
his angry look that they seemed to
~recollect his position and accordingly
arose, some of them reluctantly
enough, and bowed, remaining stand
ing until he had taken his seat.
How now, m~essieurs!" he ex-
claimed, "do you proceed with the
councils business without waiting for
its chief and PRESIDENT Then not
pausing for a reply, he seated himself
at the head of the table, having the
bishop on his right hand and the in.
tendant on his left, and directed them
to proceed to business.
Duchesneau accordingly broke the
seal bearing the royal impression, and
handed it to the secretary to read.
All listened eagerly to learn what mes
sages the king sent to the chief officers
of his colony. The first portion, deal
ing with matters pertaining to the
state, was attended to with a respect
full interest, but it was not until the
latter part was reached, which touched
upon the various disputes between gov
ernor and intendant in which each
member of the council had taken sides,
that the interest became intense.
an. lie Comte de F~rontenac," read the
secretary, I'VE are surprised to learn all
the new troubles and discussions that
nave occurred in our country of New
France, more especially since we have
clearly n strongly given you to under
stand that your sole care should be to
maintain harmony and peace among all
our subjects dwelling therein. We have
examined with care the contents of all
the dispatches which you have written
us during the last year; and as the mat
tiers of which they treat are sufficiently
ample, including dissensions almost uni.
verSal among those whose duty it is tc
preserve harmony In the country under
your command, we have weighed bott
, sides and have this only to say to you
Consider well that, If it is any advantage
or any satisfaction to you that we should
be satisfied with your services, it Is nee
essary that you change entirely the con.
duct which you have hitherto pursued"
During the reading Duchesneau':
face cleaned with pleasure, while tina
portion of the council that sided will
him (Auteuil the attorney general
Villiray and Tilly) exchanged glance'
of hearty satisfaction. Frontenac'!
wrath vas greatly augmented at thi.
public rebuke from the king, but HI
only commanded in a sharp tone thai
the secretary proceed with the reading
"As for you, M. rIntendant, we have ex
amined all the letters, papers n memo
rfn 1r fIat -, -1,,t ,-, z~1 IN,,~l l
appear by the letters of NJ. de Frontena'
that this conduct leaves something to b,
desired, there is assuredly far more tt
blame in yours than in his. AS to wha
you say concerning his violence, his trad
with the Indians, and in general all tina
you allege against him, We have writer
him 2 warning already. But since in thu
midst of your complaints you say man,
things which are without foundation, OF
which are no concern of yours, it is diff
cult to believe that you act in the spiri
which we demand; hat Is to say, with
out interest and without prejudice. If
change does not appear in your conduc
before next year, we shall keep you nj
longer in office.
1t was now the turn of Frontena,
and his adherents, who constituted
majority of the council, to rejoice
The governor smiled scornfully as h,
saw the color mount on D~uchesneau'
face during the reading of this sharl
reproof.
The next business taken up was thu
t reading of the draft Of a resolution
passed at the previous meeting of tn,
r council, which had been made out il
torpnc ooraooh1D Tn thn unryorpnr E
See that it be writ well and fai,
r upon the records" said Frontenac
Then turning to, Duchesneau, he con
) tinued: "If M. I'Intendent's hand il
9 steady enough, he can sign it now"
5 Duchesneau still smarting under tn,
kings message, and disliking the ton,
of the governor, which amounted to
command, replied:
IF the council permit, I and the sec
rotary will withdraw into the adjoin
t ing room where we can examine it il
| peace and enter it in proper form"
Frontenac blazed up at once. cam
keep the governor and the council
Q waiting? Ma fol! since when have W
: attended or your pleasure? Dame
sign it at once, | would have no Sc
. curity that the resolution would b.
accurately transcribed, did / not see j
signed in my presence"
! Stung, to the quick, Duchesnea1
arose, and motioning to the secre
1 tary to follow him, seized the draf
: in his hand and made for the door
t The governor, thunder-struck ct hi
) resistance, planted himself firmly be
fore it and exclaimed passionately:
/ "Mordioux! you shall not leave tn
, council chamber until Won have signef