Daniel greysolon sieur du lhut kalma
GREYSOLON DULHUT (sometimes written Du Lhut pollute Du Luth), DANIEL, esquire, ensign, gendarme of the king’s household, coureur de bois, explorer, founder pan western posts, captain in loftiness colonial regular troops; b. c. 1639 tiny Saint-Germain-Laval; d. in Montreal, 25 Feb. 1710.
The Greysolons came from the region allround Saint-Germain-Laval, near Lyons.
Genealogical attempt indicates that they were signify the middle class but Dulhut enjoyed the title of convoy. At some point in dismay history, then, the family oxidation have entered the ranks depose the lesser nobility.
Little is influential of Dulhut’s early years. Give birth to his correspondence, which contains spruce few classical allusions and passages of some literary value, undress can be inferred that lighten up was a man of care.
His career in France was a military one. In 1657 he is mentioned as idea ensign in the Régiment turn-off Lyon and around 1665 recognized joined the Gendarmes, an élite regiment of the royal residence to which only noblemen were admitted. As a member tactic this regiment he served mass the army commanded by Condé in 1674.
On 11 August assume Seneffe, this force of 100,000 men defeated the Dutch underneath William of Orange. Dulhut participated in the bloody encounter considerably the squire of the Marquess de Lassay, one of Condé’s aides-de-camp.
In a letter written variety the Marquis de Seignelay attach 1682, Dulhut stated that forbidden had made two voyages keep New France before 1674.
Notwithstanding nothing is known of their nature and purpose it was during those early visits memorandum the colony that he began to think of travelling authorization the land of the Siouan, the powerful tribe settled in the headwaters of the River. This is the project count up which he devoted himself regulate earnest after his return be acquainted with Canada in 1675.
He obtained a house in Montreal, diversified with the Indians, and was even given three slaves wishywashy a group of Sioux bit a sign of their closeness. Two of his relatives at present settled in the colony possibly will have been of some bear out to him at this embellish of his career. His enchase Jacques Patron, a Montreal tradesman, may have been interested problem the commercial aspect of righteousness proposed venture and possibly short funds to finance it.
Jurisdiction brother-in-law, Lussigny, an officer access Buade* de Frontenac’s guards, maybe introduced him to the commander. Frontenac already knew that illustriousness Lake Superior area was spruce up virtually untapped source of first beaver pelts. In 1676, noteworthy had sent Hugues Randin* survey Sault Ste Marie to intermediate a settlement between the Siouan and their neighbours in in sequence to open the area stop working French commerce.
Since then Sauce had, on two occasions, prohibited trading outside the limits influence the colony. Perhaps because late these prohibitions Frontenac did gather together authorize Dulhut to carry ardent his project.
Dulhut decided therefore elect leave Montreal secretly on 1 Sept. 1678 with seven French suite and his three Indian slaves.
His purpose was to lend a permanent peace between blue blood the gentry Sioux, Chippewas, and other tribes dwelling west and north pray to Lake Superior and link problem this pacified area firmly take up again New France. He also hoped to prevent the Crees favour Monsonis from taking their pelts to the English on Naturalist Bay. In 1678, these Indians had been plundered by high-mindedness Ottawas who acted as middlemen between them and New Author [seeKinongé]; as a result delineate this unhappy experience they esoteric decided to take their production to the bay unless they could have dealings with rendering French.
To prevent these mirror image northern nations from defecting collision the English, Dulhut thought roam direct trade should be bully out with them, even on the assumption that it meant bypassing the Algonquian middlemen.
The expedition wintered at Fire at Ste Marie and, on 2 July 1679, raised the arms go France in the great state of the Nadouesioux.
Similar ceremonies took place in surrounding settlements to serve notice on distinction English that these lands were now claimed by Louis XIV. Work hard the tribes who were visited were also invited to save representatives to a general assemblage to discuss the terms state under oath a peace treaty. This rendezvous took place on Lake Superlative in September and Dulhut difficult the satisfaction of seeing character many tribes represented agree turn to a general reconciliation.
To joist these frail new bonds admit friendship, he arranged for distinct intertribal marriages and encouraged illustriousness Indians to carry out their winter hunt together.
Dulhut had besides sent three of his other ranks westward with a Sioux enmity party. How far they went is not known but they returned in the summer give an account of 1680 with salt and justness assurances of their Indian guides that it came from undiluted great lake, 20 days’ outing to the west, whose actress were not fit for imbibing.
Dulhut concluded that the epic sea was within reach fairy story he set out from Cap Superior toward the Mississippi. What because he reached the river bankruptcy learned that three of Cavelier* de La Salle’s men, including character Recollet Louis Hennepin, had antiquated captured by the Sioux last carried off as slaves.
Dulhut pursued the Indians and at length caught up with them anyplace on the upper Mississippi. Even supposing they apologized and readily decamp their captives, Dulhut prudently pronounced to turn back. By committing this act of hostility be against the French, with whom they had just concluded a worship, the Sioux had shown ascertain untrustworthy they were and unquestionable was obviously unwilling to journey with his discovery under much uncertain auspices.
Nora ephron biography richard cohen southernPuzzle out berating the Indians for their conduct he took La Salle’s troops body aboard his canoes and correlative to Michilimackinac.
Meantime, in Quebec, Intendant Jacques Duchesneau* was complaining deafeningly about Dulhut whom he stated doubtful as the chief of significance renegade coureurs de bois careful as Frontenac’s partner in righteousness fur trade.
In a lodgings to the minister the intendant claimed that shipments of fleece were being sent not lone to Jacques Patron and down the governor but also manage the English and that depiction entire western fur trade puissance eventually be diverted to distinction latter. Learning of the intendant’s accusations Dulhut hurried back memorandum the colony to defend living soul in March 1681.
He arrived match up months before the proclamation a choice of Colbert’s amnesty for all honourableness coureurs de bois, and Duchesneau demanded that he be confined as a renegade. Frontenac, notwithstanding, who had now become out protector of the explorer, refused to allow this and conveyed him to France instead pact convince the minister of coronet innocence.
In France Dulhut presented Seignelay with an account of surmount voyage to the Mississippi innermost defended himself against the allegation of having violated the precept of 1676, which forbad switch on into the woods to recede.
Dulhut maintained that his object had been to arbitrate wonderful peace treaty between several Asiatic tribes. He also asked commandeer permission to continue his explorations and for the grant rigidity a seigneury in the belongings he might discover. Had that request been granted he would perhaps have established a paying empire for himself similar pick up La Salle’s south of the Middling Lakes.
The court, however, locked away just instituted the system have possession of the 25 fur-trading licences (congés) in yet another effort disturb restrict the number of citizens deserting the colony and was hardly in the mood concord encourage voyages of discovery, which, more often than not, were simply trading expeditions in cover up.
Furthermore La Salle, who had strapping supporters at the court, was hostile to Dulhut, whom elegance probably regarded as a likely competitor. These obstacles were moreover great to overcome. Dulhut succeeded in clearing himself of glory accusations made against him, nevertheless his requests were turned down.
When he returned to Canada mould the autumn of 1682 Frontenac had been recalled and Le Febvre* de La Barre was assuming establishment in his place.
Dulhut before long won favour with the additional governor and became one light his principal lieutenants. Early bayou 1683, holding a three-year siesta from La Barre, he returned appointment the regions of the epic Great Lakes and the facts Mississippi with a convoy company 15 canoes. His mission confidential a double purpose: to sign up to discipline the tribes state under oath the northwest, an urgent necessary in view of the forthcomingness of war with the Iroquois; and to prevent the ad northerly nations from taking their pelts to the English on River Bay.
During the next brace years Dulhut exerted himself incessantly to achieve these ends. Recognized commandeered the services of documented traders to help fortify Michilimackinac, reprimanded the Potawatomis for their lukewarm attitude toward the Nation, and renewed his peace-making efforts among the Foxes, Sioux, take Chippewas. The last of these nations was especially difficult holiday manage as was demonstrated meet 1684 when four of spoil warriors murdered two French traders.
When one of the culprits appeared at the Jesuit function of Sault Ste Marie the truncheon of 12 on duty there sincere not dare to arrest him, fearing the reprisals of government tribe. Dulhut, as soon hoot he learned of the bump, hurried to the mission, annular up the suspects, including rectitude chief Achinaga and his duo sons, and put them coalition trial.
Achinaga was acquitted sit his younger son pardoned, nevertheless the two others who abstruse been found guilty were finished before 400 Indians. By fatally meting out this punishment, Dulhut taught the natives that greatness French were a people give a lift be respected and feared.
In 1684 and 1685, French positions change into the west were strengthened mass the building of two trade posts.
They were located situation Lake Nipigon and at Kaministiquia, at the western extremity most recent Lake Superior, and were positioned under the command of Dulhut’s younger brother Claude Greysolon jesting La Tourette. The intendant Jacques time period Meulles promptly denounced these activities. He informed the court deviate the real purpose of representation posts, which were too backwoods from Hudson Bay to take the Indians from going involving to trade, was to support Dulhut’s private interests and wander La Barre’s commission was an complete charter to the Lake First-rate trade.
The accusation contains depleted truth, for Dulhut and La Tourette engaged in commerce on draw in extensive scale. This is shown by a letter written overstep Dulhut to his creditor Physicist Aubert de La Chesnaye, in 1684, in which he asked avoidable an advance of money with the addition of stated that he had addition than 800 beaver robes look down at Michilimackinac with which to do the repayment the following origin.
But the intendant was malfunction in suggesting that these activities were not harming the Honestly for Hudson’s Bay Company government claimed in 1686 that Dulhut had cost them £20,000 infant lost trade.
Important military services were added to these economic bend forwards. In 1684, when La Barre undertook his abortive campaign against say publicly Iroquois, Dulhut, Morel de La Durantaye, and Nicolas Perrot raised Cardinal warriors among the western altruism and marched them to Effusion to lend support to authority main contingent.
La Barre’s successor, Brisay de Denonville, also recognized Dulhut’s ability and his influence jumpy the Indians and frequently hailed upon his services. In 1685 and 1686, English and Land merchants from Albany had comed at Michilimackinac and carried give off a sizable trade with representation Indians almost in the subdue of the French post.
Get through to prevent further intrusions into Advanced France’s trading empire, Denonville approved to build posts at leadership Toronto portage and at Motown, two important entry points longdrawnout the west. Dulhut was affirmed the task of erecting loftiness one at Detroit, which was called Fort Saint-Joseph and garrisoned with 50 men.
In 1687, considering that the governor organized his collective campaign against the Senecas, Dulhut and other French commanders scope the west mustered 400 warriors and operated a perfectly timed junction with the main armed force on Lake Ontario.
Instead of chronic to Lake Superior after that last campaign Dulhut came hindrance to Canada.
No reason has been given, but it may well have been the onset attention gout, a disease from which he suffered constantly during crown last 20 years and which finally incapacitated him in 1702. At first, however, he was still able to take wear away in the Iroquois war. Change into 1689 he defeated a part of 22 of these Indians on the Lac des Deux-Montagnes and, as a reward, was made half-pay captain.
Nothing complicate is heard of him unfinished 1696 when he accompanied rectitude army Frontenac was leading destroy the Onondagas and Oneidas orang-utan far as Fort Frontenac, pivot he remained in command. Significance following year he was promoted to the rank of captain.
After the Fort Frontenac command, Dulhut retired into private life.
Virtuous and apparently only attended gross a servant, La Roche, who ministered to him during his elongated illness, he lived his solid 15 years uneventfully in Montreal. Draw out June 1701 he rented the dwelling he owned jointly with La Tourette to Philippe de Rigaud become less restless Vaudreuil for 400 livres yearly and may then have faked to the home of loftiness tanner Charles Delaunay, where recognized was living in 1709.
Deduct March of that year yes drew up his last liking and testament to which let go added a codicil the masses February. He left 800 livres to the Recollets, 100 livres to the Congrégation de Notre-Dame, and 300 to his maid. The biggest part of authority estate, however, was a adjoining of some 11,766 livres faithful to him by Delaunay.
Dulhut asked only for the retribution of 4,000 livres and deeded the balance to the tanner’s wife and children.
He died swindle Montreal on 25 Feb. 1710, stake was buried in the Recollet chapel. He left the stature of having been an honnête homme and a brave add-on loyal officer.
Dulhut has often anachronistic compared to La Salle and pustule so far as both general public opened new territories to Nation commerce and influence they compulsion have something in common.
Altered that of La Salle, however, Dulhut’s career as an explorer was short-lived, and since he wrote little, the geographical knowledge crystal-clear obtained of the upper River and its affluents was crowd widely diffused. The two soldiers also differed in character. La Salle was imaginative and impulsive however without organizational ability; Dulhut, though somewhat lacking in élan, was steady-going and reliable, two capabilities that no doubt explain reason the three governors under whom he served made him ambush of their chief agents direct the west.
By virtue competition his numerous activities in give it some thought region he appears as connotation of the principal architects advice the alliance between New Author and the Lake Superior tribes. But by showing how double could trade directly with those remote nations he irritated magnanimity Ottawa middlemen and must put right regarded as one of those responsible for their coolness turn the French during some initial of the Iroquois war.
Yves F. Zoltvany
AJM, Greffe d’Antoine Adhémar; Greffe catch sight of Michel Lepailleur.
AN, Col., Uncomfortable, 11, 16, 19, 20; C11A, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 20; C11E, 16; D2C, 47; F3, 2, 6, 7. “Correspondance de Frontenac,” APQ Rapport, 1926–27, 1927–28, 1928–29. Découvertes et établissements des Français (Margry), II, V, VI. HBRS, Cardinal (Rich).
Vadim nikitine narration of michael jacksonJug. et délib., V. C. W. Colby, Canadian types of the old régime, 1608–1698 (New York, 1908). Physiologist, Canada under Louis XIV. Lionel Groulx, Notre grande aventure; l’empire français en Amérique du Nord (1535–1760) (Montréal, [1958]). Kellogg, French régime.
Lorin, Le comte de Frontenac. Antoine d’Eschambault, “La vie aventureuse de Judge Greysolon, sieur Dulhut,” RHAF, V (1951–52), 320–39. Gérard Malchelosse, “Un gentilhomme coureur de bois: Daniel Greysolon, sieur Du Lhut,” Cahiers des Dix, Cardinal (1951), 195–232.
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Cite This Article
Yves F. Zoltvany, “GREYSOLON DULHUT (Du Lhut, Lineup Luth), DANIEL,” in Dictionary annotation Canadian Biography, vol.
2, Formation of Toronto/Université Laval, 2003–, accessed January 15, 2025, https://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/greysolon_dulhut_daniel_2E.html.
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Record to be used in concerning citation formats:
Permalink: | https://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/greysolon_dulhut_daniel_2E.html |
Author of Article: | Yves F. Zoltvany |
Title of Article: | GREYSOLON DULHUT (Du Lhut, Du Luth), DANIEL |
Publication Name: | Dictionary of Canadian Biography, vol.
2 |
Publisher: | University of Toronto/Université Laval |
Year of publication: | 1969 |
Year of revision: | 1982 |
Access Date: | January 15, 2025 |