The French and the Micmacs 217

those of Ile Royale and the remainder of Acadia met at Toulouse. This may be illustrated by de Pensens’ report of 1732, in which he says that when entrusted by Bourville with the presents for the Indians, he went first to Toulouse to meet those of Ile Royale, Antigonish, Bay of All Isles, La Have, and Cape Sable. As they had not arrived he left the presents in charge of de La Valliére, Commandant at Toulouse. A few days after his arrival in Isle Saint Jean, those of that island, and of Miramichi, Richibuctou, Baye de Chaleurs, Gediak, Les Mines, and Beaubassin met him in Port La Joye. He made a feast and distrib- uted presents, receiving the usual assurances. Likewise, in 1734, St. Ovide met 250 Indians of Acadia in Port La Joye. Here he learned that the English had been trying to win them over by pres- ents but that one of the chiefs had chased the Eng- lish agent away, threatening to “crack his skull.” He first distributed flour, biscuits, and peas for a feast and arranged with the missionary Pére Gelas, who had come with his village from Miramichi, to select six representatives from each village for a council on the following morning. Fifty-two arrived for the council and they commenced by asking if it was war with the English. He replied, “Not yet, but if so, can you be relied upon to make sacrifices for the French King, who cares for you, and gives you presents, unlike the English who aim to destroy you and carry you off to die in prison at Boston?” They thereupon pledged their faith anew and seemed to resent the fact that he could doubt their fidelity. On