[10] I am inclined to think that Albanel may not have been aware of the
documents which he carried from Quebec to the traders being practically
an offer to bribe Radisson and Groseillers to desert England. Some
accounts say that Albanel was accompanied by Groseillers' son, but I
find no authority for this. On the other hand, Albanel does not
mention the Englishmen being present. Just as Radisson and
Groseillers, ten years before, had taken possession of the old house
battered with bullets, so Albanel took possession of the deserted huts.
Here is what his account says (Cramoisy edition of the _Relations_):
"Le 28 June a peine avions nous avance un quart de lieue, que nous
rencontrasmes a main gauche dans un petit ruisseau un heu avec ses
agrez de dix ou dou tonneaux, qui portoit le Pavilion Anglois et la
voile latine; dela a la portee du fusil, nous entrasmes dans deux
maisons desertes . . . nous rencontrasmes deux ou trois cabanes et un
chien abandonne. . . ." His tampering with the Indians was simply the
presentation of gifts to attract them to Quebec.
[11] See State Papers, Canadian Archives: M. Frontenac, the commander
of French (?) king's troops at Hudson Bay, introduces and recommends
Father Albanel.
[12] State Papers, Canadian Archives.
[13] For some years there were sensational reports that Mistassini was
larger than Lake Superior. Mr. Low, of the Canadian Geological Survey,
in a very exhaustive report, shows this is not so.
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