Odawa of Michilimakina to Monsier de Vaudreuil

My father, my father, this spring Monsieur de La Mothe sent us word that he barred the great river [to us], that he set a barrier there as high as the trees, that no one might make use of this way to come down here.  But I said, why does Monsieur de La Motile block up this way against me?  Is it not the way by which I go to see my father?  What have I to fear since I obey him?  And I passed through his barrier.  I remembered, it is true, that this way had formerly been filled with ("ferdoches") and with weeds, and that through the wrong that I had done.  But I also remembered that, by obeying my father as I did, by complying with his will, this way was to be better than it had ever been; nevertheless I cleared it again by coming here, so that nothing might be able to detain the canoes in going up or coming down when we return to see our father.

My father, my father, Monsieur de Vaudreuil, although Monsieur de La Mothe has sent to tell us to go to Detroit, we have no inclination to do so: we wish to dwell at Michilimakina.  Why does he want to prevent us from coming to see you?  Is it that you will not take pity on us as you have hitherto done?  As you are our father, our condition now is all the more deserving of compassion, for war has burst forth on all sides around us.  It is for you, our father, to make the country united again and to give peace to the tribes.

I know not whether I am doing well or ill, I have no sense, for I have no one to guide me; judge, my father, whether I have done well.  However, it seems to me that Monsieur de La Mothe ought to be content with having divided our village.  As those of our people who are with him, were settled with him before, we do not regret that; but as for us, who have always lived.at Michilimakina, why does he annoy us, why does he not leave us in peace where we are, since we do not wish to abandon Michilimakina?  That will not prevent us from having dealings with the savages of Detroit. They will give us some of their corn when they have any, and we will give them our beaver skins in exchange. But as for going to dwell there, we will not do so.