Louis-Armand de Lom d'Arce de Lahontan, Baron de Lahontan
October 21, 2023
Louis Armand, Baron de Lahontan (9 June 1666 – prior to 1716) served in the French military in Canada where he traveled extensively in the Wisconsin and Minnesota region and the upper Mississippi Valley. Upon his return to Europe he wrote an enormously popular travelogue. In it he recounted his voyage up the "Long River," now thought to be the Missouri. He wrote at length and in very positive terms about Native American culture, portraying Indian people as free, rational, and generally admirable.
He was born into the aristocracy and inherited the title Baron Lahontan upon his father's death in 1674. De Lahontan joined the troupes de la marine and was sent to New France in 1683 at age 17 along with two other officers and three companies of troops.[1] After arriving at Quebec in November and settling in Beaupré, he would lead his company in 1684 on an unsuccessful offense against the Iroquois from Fort Frontenac.[1]
ExplorerEdit
Map depicting Baron de Lahontan's west-east Long River (Riviere Longue), rising in distant western mountains and emptying into the upper Mississippi.
Having already faced the reality of settler life in Beaupré, de Lahontan again led his men to Boucherville to live with local habitants between 1685 and 1687 – himself dividing his time between hunting and classical literature.[1] Just prior to a decision to return to France, Lahontan was ordered –at least in part because of his knowledge of the Algonkian language- to head a detachment of French and native troops towards Fort St. Joseph where he would launch another attack on the Iroquois.[2] He was a restless commander and spent much of his time exploring the region. In 1688 following news of the abandonment of the post at Niagara and renewed attacks of the Iroquois, he burned his fort and led his men to Michillimackinac in search of supplies and possibly entertainment for his men.[2] De Lahontan felt that without supplies from Niagara his dwindling stores would not be enough to last the winter. During the winter and spring months he explored the upper Mississippi valley where he ascended the “Rivière Longue”; some scholars consider this a fanciful tale, others argue that he had discovered the Missouri River.[3]
King William's WarEdit
During King William's War, De Lahontan submitted several proposals for military fortification and equipment in New France such as a Great Lakes Flotilla for defense against the Iroquois[4] and a line of forts meant for defence along the western frontier,[2] both on behalf of Governor Frontenac in 1692. Further, he led a successful offense against five English frigates of Phipp's invasion fleet in the Gulf of St. Lawrence in 1690 under Frontenac. Though his proposal for a Great Lakes flotilla was ultimately rejected on the basis of cost, de Lahontan would be promoted to King's Lieutenant.
He deserted and took ship for Viana, Portugal. Deprived of his inheritance and unable to return to France, he eventually arrived in Amsterdam on 14 April.[6] During an unknown period of time in Saragossa, Spain, until at least 1696, de Lahontan recorded his memoirs for the English government explaining how and why they should take French controlled Canada.[6]
AuthorEdit
Upon return to Amsterdam in 1703 he published his three most famous works: Nouveaux Voyages dans l’Amerique Septentrionale, Memoires de l’Amerique Septentrionale, and Supplement aux Voyages ou Dialogues avec le sauvage Adario. Nouveaux Voyages dans l’Amerique Septentrionale provides a thorough and detailed account of de Lahontan's life and stay in New France, while Memoires de l’Amerique Septentrionale describes his observations of geography, institutions, commerce as well as information about native tribes. Finally, Supplement aux Voyages ou Dialogues avec le sauvage Adario lambasts institutional Christianity by means of a dialogue between de Lahontan and a Huron Chief named Adario (The Rat).[6] The author attempts to contrast the injustice of Christianity with the freedom and justice of native people.
^ abcHayne, David M. (1979) [1969]. "Lom d'Arce de Lahontan, Louis-Armand de, Baron de Lahontan". In Hayne, David (ed.). Dictionary of Canadian Biography. Vol. II (1701–1740) (online ed.). University of Toronto Press. Retrieved February 19, 2012.
^Lanctôt, Gustave. The Oakes Collection. Ottawa: J.O. Patenaude, 1940. 13; Paul Mapp, The Elusive West and the Contest for Empire, 1713-1763. Chapel Hill, NC: University of North Carolina Press, 2011), 197
^Lanctôt, Gustave. The Oakes Collection;. Ottawa: J.O. Patenaude, 1940. 15.
^"New voyages to North-America. : Containing an account of the several nations of that vast continent; their customs, commerce, and way of navigation upon the lakes and rivers; the several attempts of the English and French to dispossess one another; with the reasons of the miscarriage of the former; and the various adventures between the French, and the Iroquese confederates of England, from 1683 to 1694. A geographical description of Canada, and a natural history of the country, with remarks upon their government, and the interest of the English and French in their commerce. Also a dialogue between the author and a general of the savages, giving a full view of the religion and strange opinions of those people; with an account of the authors retreat to Portugal and Denmark, and his remarks on those courts. To which is added, a dictionary of the Algonkine language, which is generally spoke in North-America. Illustrated with twenty three mapps and cutts". 1703.
louis, armand, arce, lahontan, baron, lahontan, louis, armand, baron, lahontan, june, 1666, prior, 1716, served, french, military, canada, where, traveled, extensively, wisconsin, minnesota, region, upper, mississippi, valley, upon, return, europe, wrote, enor. Louis Armand Baron de Lahontan 9 June 1666 prior to 1716 served in the French military in Canada where he traveled extensively in the Wisconsin and Minnesota region and the upper Mississippi Valley Upon his return to Europe he wrote an enormously popular travelogue In it he recounted his voyage up the Long River now thought to be the Missouri He wrote at length and in very positive terms about Native American culture portraying Indian people as free rational and generally admirable Louis Armand de Lom d Arce de LahontanBorn 1666 06 09 9 June 1666DiedPrior to 1716NationalityFrenchOccupation s Soldier explorer writer Contents 1 Early life 2 Explorer 3 King William s War 4 Author 5 See also 6 Links 7 ReferencesEarly life EditHe was born into the aristocracy and inherited the title Baron Lahontan upon his father s death in 1674 De Lahontan joined the troupes de la marine and was sent to New France in 1683 at age 17 along with two other officers and three companies of troops 1 After arriving at Quebec in November and settling in Beaupre he would lead his company in 1684 on an unsuccessful offense against the Iroquois from Fort Frontenac 1 Explorer Edit nbsp Map depicting Baron de Lahontan s west east Long River Riviere Longue rising in distant western mountains and emptying into the upper Mississippi Having already faced the reality of settler life in Beaupre de Lahontan again led his men to Boucherville to live with local habitants between 1685 and 1687 himself dividing his time between hunting and classical literature 1 Just prior to a decision to return to France Lahontan was ordered at least in part because of his knowledge of the Algonkian language to head a detachment of French and native troops towards Fort St Joseph where he would launch another attack on the Iroquois 2 He was a restless commander and spent much of his time exploring the region In 1688 following news of the abandonment of the post at Niagara and renewed attacks of the Iroquois he burned his fort and led his men to Michillimackinac in search of supplies and possibly entertainment for his men 2 De Lahontan felt that without supplies from Niagara his dwindling stores would not be enough to last the winter During the winter and spring months he explored the upper Mississippi valley where he ascended the Riviere Longue some scholars consider this a fanciful tale others argue that he had discovered the Missouri River 3 King William s War EditDuring King William s War De Lahontan submitted several proposals for military fortification and equipment in New France such as a Great Lakes Flotilla for defense against the Iroquois 4 and a line of forts meant for defence along the western frontier 2 both on behalf of Governor Frontenac in 1692 Further he led a successful offense against five English frigates of Phipp s invasion fleet in the Gulf of St Lawrence in 1690 under Frontenac Though his proposal for a Great Lakes flotilla was ultimately rejected on the basis of cost de Lahontan would be promoted to King s Lieutenant At Placentia he defended the capital from a siege in 1692 5 On 13 December 1692 following a conflict with the governor of Placentia Newfoundland Jacques Francois de Monbeton de Brouillan de Lahontan decided to abandon his office and New France altogether He deserted and took ship for Viana Portugal Deprived of his inheritance and unable to return to France he eventually arrived in Amsterdam on 14 April 6 During an unknown period of time in Saragossa Spain until at least 1696 de Lahontan recorded his memoirs for the English government explaining how and why they should take French controlled Canada 6 Author EditUpon return to Amsterdam in 1703 he published his three most famous works Nouveaux Voyages dans l Amerique Septentrionale Memoires de l Amerique Septentrionale and Supplement aux Voyages ou Dialogues avec le sauvage Adario Nouveaux Voyages dans l Amerique Septentrionale provides a thorough and detailed account of de Lahontan s life and stay in New France while Memoires de l Amerique Septentrionale describes his observations of geography institutions commerce as well as information about native tribes Finally Supplement aux Voyages ou Dialogues avec le sauvage Adario lambasts institutional Christianity by means of a dialogue between de Lahontan and a Huron Chief named Adario The Rat 6 The author attempts to contrast the injustice of Christianity with the freedom and justice of native people See also Edit nbsp France portal nbsp North America portal nbsp History portalNew Voyages to North AmericaLinks EditLahontan Baron 1703 New Voyages to North America Vol 1 London H Bonwicke et al Lom d Arce at the Canadian Museum of History CV animated map of his expedition to Saint Louis English or FrenchReferences Edit a b c Lanctot Gustave The Oakes Collection Ottawa J O Patenaude 1940 11 a b c Hayne David M 1979 1969 Lom d Arce de Lahontan Louis Armand de Baron de Lahontan In Hayne David ed Dictionary of Canadian Biography Vol II 1701 1740 online ed University of Toronto Press Retrieved February 19 2012 Lanctot Gustave The Oakes Collection Ottawa J O Patenaude 1940 13 Paul Mapp The Elusive West and the Contest for Empire 1713 1763 Chapel Hill NC University of North Carolina Press 2011 197 Lanctot Gustave The Oakes Collection Ottawa J O Patenaude 1940 15 New voyages to North America Containing an account of the several nations of that vast continent their customs commerce and way of navigation upon the lakes and rivers the several attempts of the English and French to dispossess one another with the reasons of the miscarriage of the former and the various adventures between the French and the Iroquese confederates of England from 1683 to 1694 A geographical description of Canada and a natural history of the country with remarks upon their government and the interest of the English and French in their commerce Also a dialogue between the author and a general of the savages giving a full view of the religion and strange opinions of those people with an account of the authors retreat to Portugal and Denmark and his remarks on those courts To which is added a dictionary of the Algonkine language which is generally spoke in North America Illustrated with twenty three mapps and cutts 1703 a b c Lanctot Gustave The Oakes Collection Ottawa J O Patenaude 1940 17 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Louis Armand de Lom d 27Arce de Lahontan Baron de Lahontan amp oldid 1112338487, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
