the intendant had something to say about the establishment of parishes.  But of the manifold contests between Frontenac and Duchesneau the most distinctive is that relating to the fur trade.  At first sight this matter would appear to lie in the province of the intendant, whose functions embraced the supervision of commerce.  But it was the governor’s duty to defend the colony from attack, and the fur trade was a large factor in all relations with the Indians.  A personal element was also added, for in almost every letter to the minister Frontenac and Duchesneau accused each other of taking an illicit profit from beaver skins.

In support of these accusations the most minute details are given.  Duchesneau even charged Frontenac with spreading a report among the Indians of the Great Lakes that a pestilence had broken out in Montreal.  Thereby the governor’s agents were enabled to buy up beaver skins cheaply, afterwards selling them on his account to the English.  Frontenac rejoined by accusing the intendant of having his own warehouses at Montreal and along the lower St Lawrence, of being truculent, a slave to the bishop, and incompetent.  Behind Duchesneau, Frontenac keeps saying, are the Jesuits and the bishop, from whom the spirit of faction really springs.  Among many of these tirades the most elaborate is the long memorial sent to Colbert in 1677 on the general state of Canada.  Here are some of the items.  The Jesuits keep spies in Frontenac’s own house.  The bishop declares that he has the power to excommunicate the governor if necessary.  The Jesuit missionaries tell the Iroquois that they are equal to Onontio.  Other charges are that the Jesuits meddle in all civil affairs, that their revenues are enormous in proportion to the poverty of the country, and that they are bound to domineer at whatever cost.

When we consider how Canada from end to end was affected by these disputes, we may well feel surprise that Colbert and the king should have suffered them to rage so long.  By 1682 the state of things had become unbearable.  Partisans of Frontenac and Duchesneau attacked each other in the streets.  Duchesneau accused Frontenac of having struck the young Duchesneau, aged sixteen, and torn the sleeve of his jacket.  He also declared that it was necessary to barricade his house.  Frontenac retorted by saying that these were gross libels.  A year earlier Colbert had placed his son, Seignelay, in charge of the Colonial Office.  With matters at such a pass Seignelay rightly thought the time had come to take decisive action.  Three courses were open to him.  The bishop and the Jesuits he could not recall.  But both the governor and the intendant came within his power.  One alternative was to dismiss Frontenac; another, to dismiss Duchesneau.  Seignelay chose the third course and dismissed them both.

CHAPTER V

FRONTENAC’S PUBLIC POLICY

As was said long ago, every one has the defects ef his qualities.  Yet, in justice to a man of strong character and patriotic aim, the chronicler should take care that constructive work is given its due place, for only those who do nothing make no mistakes.