L 1 NOTES. Page 11. A copy, not complete, nor in good condition, of Pory's translation of Leo Africanus is in the library of our Society. Pory's additions slightly exceed a fifth of the whole work. They relate, chiefly, to parts of Africa, not described by Leo, and display great learning and a thorough knowledge of all that had been written on the subject by classical and later authors. Pages 42 to 46. — The vindication, attempted in the notes to these pages, of Argall's capture and dispersion of the French at Mount Desert, is corroborated by the portion, now remaining, of the Reply to the complaint against Argall's proceedings made to King James by the French ambassador, Admiral Montmorency. This Reply, partly consumed by fire, is in the Cottonian Collection in the British Museum. A copy was obtained, and furnished a prominent subject of discussion at the meeting of the Maine Historical Society at York, on the 22d of August, 1870. Ex-President Leonard Woods of Bowdoin College, in his lucid and judicious comments on its various bearings, maintained that the Reply furnishes ample proof that the English authorities were thoroughly confident of the validity of their title to all the territory to the 45° of north latitude, and were determined to defend it; and, besides, that the French acquiesced in their views. From the extracts from the Reply recited at a later hour by the Hon. John A. Poor, as published in the Boston "Advertiser" of the 31st of August, 1870, it is clear, first, that Argall was, by a regular commission from Sir Thomas Dale, not only authorized, but commanded, to expel the French wherever found in the territory; and, secondly, that, in executing the orders given him, he committed no act of inhumanity or cruelty; but, on the contrary, consulted, as far as possible, the wishes and convenience of Monsieur La Saussaye (not Taussy") and his thirty-two companions. La Saussaye, his two Jesuits, and "at least ten others" of his company, acknowledged the offers he made to facilitate their return home, with many attestations of the great humanity and courtesy shown them. 66 The French, by firing the first gun, were the occasion of all the violence that occurred. Argall had a certificate, under the seal of the colony, "that he had in no way exceeded the commission given him." |