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The Pontiac Manuscript
that the merchants might remain with their merchandise at their pleasure, and that he was good . indeed to give them their life and promise that no evil should befall them, neither from his part nor from that of his men, and that he would be responsible for the tranquility of all the other nations; and that if the commander would not consent to what he had laid down in this letter, he would re-commence the attack and storm the fort, and if he took him alive he would treat him as the Indians do amongst themselves, when they are in war, and that he must answer him as soon as possible.
This letter a Frenchman took to the commander, who read it, and, without becoming greatly alarmed at the message of the Indian, made answer that neither he nor his officers felt like tearing off their noses to make them laugh, besides if he should go away he would run the risk of losing his life in his own country; that the king had sent him to command the fort, and there he would remain unto death; and that he cared very little for his threats or for those of other Indians.
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