Brief guide to manuscripts collections| William L. Clements Library The University of Michigan Baron Lahontan Manuscript |
The Baron de Lahontan came to New France with the Troupe de la Marine in 1683 to defend the colony from Iroquois attack. Four years later he was made commander of Fort St. Joseph. Through his intrigues against Governor De Brouillon, he was forced to flee and remained a political exile from France for the remainder of his life. Lahonton's Voyages... (London, 1903) was an immensely popular account of his experiences in New France; however, his claim to have explored the Mississippi in 1688 discredited him with scholars.
Manuscript of Louis-Armand de Lom, baron Lahontan, French adventurer, soldier, entitled 'Brief Discours qui montre en substance Combien il seroit important de réussir dans deux entreprise proposées et contenues en ce mémoire,' 12 pp.
Lahontan eventually offered his services to the British government. This manuscript offers a plan for the British to expel the French from Acadia by capturing Port Royal and establishing trade relations with the Indians in the Lake Huron and Lake Ontario region. It is addressed to the 2nd earl of Nottingham (1647-1730) while he was secretary of state under Queen Anne.
Purchased, 1951
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