Note 30 — Chapter III
Reading edition
"The People of the Sea"—that is, the Winnebagoes—were frequently at war with the Hurons, Nez Percés, and other nations on the Georgian bay, which fact was well known to the governor of Canada. Now, the good offices of Nicolet were to be interposed to bring about a reconciliation between these nations. He, it is believed, was also to carry out Champlain's policy of making the Indian tribes the allies of the French. Vimont (Relation, 1643, p. 3) says, he was chosen to make a journey to the Winnebagoes and treat for peace with them and with the Hurons; showing, it is suggested, that it was not only to bring about a peace between the two tribes, but to attach them both to French interests. The words of Vimont are these:
"Pendant qu'il exerçoit cette charge, il [Nicolet] fut delegué pour faire vn voyage en la nation appellée des Gens de Mer, et traitter la paix auec eux et les Hurons, desquels il sont esloignés, tirant, vers l'Oüest, d'enuiron trois cents lieuës."