John Long's journal, 1768-1782Long, J. (John), Indian trader
History
John Long's journal, 1768-1782
Long, J. (John), Indian trader
Fur trade -- Canada; Indians of North America; Indians of North America -- Languages; Ojibwa language
Mr. Fulton having disposed of all his goods, prepared to leave his
wintering ground, and every thing being properly arranged they departed.
The first night after their departure Mr. Fulton loaded a brace of
pistols, and having previously acquainted his men with the discovery
Dufresne had made, and the punishment he intended for the villain, came
out of his tent and stood by the fire round which the Canadians were
seated. The conversation about St. Ange being purposely renewed, Mr.
Fulton remarked it was cruel to leave him in the woods with the Indians,
and blamed Janvier particularly, as he was the foreman of the party, and
therefore the more responsible. Janvier nettled at the repetition of the
subject, (for guilt is soon angry) replied that St. Ange was able to
take care of himself, and that he had not any controul over him.
Dufresne was then censured; upon which, agreeably to the plan settled
with Mr. Fulton, he divulged the whole transaction, and gave a full
account of every particular of Janvier’s conduct. Janvier attempted to
take instant revenge for the aspersion, as he called it, and denied the
charge with the most hardened effrontery and solemn asseverations. Mr.
Fulton then thought it a proper time {125} to interfere; and to cover
him if possible with confusion, asked him “which was the best part of a
man?” Janvier replied, with ready insolence, that those who had eaten
human flesh could easily tell: but being repeatedly urged, and at length
thrown off his guard, he replied in great wrath, the feet. The party
encouraged by this confession, pressed the charge, till at last he
confessed the facts he was accused of, and declared that in a similar
situation he would kill his brother.
Mr. Fulton could no longer suppress his resentment, and going up to
Janvier, told him he was an abandoned villain, first for killing a
harmless Indian who had generously relieved his wants, and afterwards
eating him like a cannibal; that not content with these atrocious acts,
he had encreased his guilt by another deliberate murder on a defenceless
man, his companion, his fellow-labourer, and friend; that he was a
disgrace to human nature, and ought not to be suffered to live a moment
longer; and without allowing him time to reply, shot him through the
head. The men were ordered to bury him, and in the morning Mr. Fulton
continued his journey to _Michillimakinac_, where on his arrival he
surrendered himself to the commanding officer, who on a close
examination of the men, honourably acquitted him; but recommended him
not to venture again into those parts, where the Indian was killed, lest
the Savages should hear of the transaction, and resent the death of one
of their tribe, whereby the innocent might suffer for the acts of the
guilty.[80]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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