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From Montréal, 1701

Impressive funeral
for The Rat

Kondiaronk, called The Rat, a man of peace of the Huron nation died at the Hotel-Dieu hospital in Montréal, August 2, 1701. He was among the chiefs who, at the invitation of the governor, Louis-Hector de Callières, met in congress in Montréal. This important meeting was to establish a lasting peace between all the Amerindian tribes and guarantee the security of our colony. Becoming ill during the first of the public sessions on August 1, Kondiaronk was taken to hospital where he died around two o'clock the following morning.

Great homage was paid to him on August 3 by the settlers of this town and the surrounding area as well as by the peace negotiators.

Marks or signatures of native chieftains who were present at the peace negotiations held in Montréal in september 1700. The graphic symbols such as heron, fish, turtle, rat, etc. were often used by the signatories.
Illustration: France National Archives, Paris.

Staying in Ville-Marie to attend these historic discussions, we witnessed the presence at this Catholic funeral of the governor of Montréal, Monsieur Phillippe de Rigaud de Vaudreuil and staff officers. We also saw about 60 soldiers there commanded by Pierre de Saint-Ours. Six warrior chiefs carried the coffin on which flowers, a plumed hat and a sword had been placed.

Sixteen Huron warriors dressed in long beaver robes, their faces painted and with rifles under their arms, also escorted the coffin. Other warriors, both Huron and Outaouais, formed a long line. On leaving the ceremony, which took place in Notre Dame church where Kondiaronk was buried, all the armed men fired their muskets.

The following day, 38 chiefs of the various nations undertook to remain neutral in the conflict opposing the English and French. The Montréal peace treaty had finally been signed.

Important Notices

Impressive funeral for The Rat

Impressive funeral
for The Rat