710        ILLINOIS HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS
grande application, La quelle ne diminiiera jamais non plus que Mon Zel, puisque je quitterais plustot le service que de Changer de Santiments."
Enfin, Mon General, on ne Sauroit m'oster de l'jdee que M. Michel, est mortiffie de ne pas pouvoir procurer La place d' jngenieur a un autre avant moy sans jnjustice marque, Je Vois de la Connivance, Si jose me servir de ce terme. On ma assure que l'jntantion de M. amelot Capi8ne etoit d'entrer dans le genie, c'est un M. qui m'a paras d'un merite, jl est allie a la grande Maison et par consequant amy protege.
Mr De Macarty m'a communique, Vos Reflexions Sur la positions du fort projettez, et pensant plus au solide qu'a La depense, jl donneroit comme moy Le Choix aux hauteurs qui Sont de l'autre coste de la petitte Riviere. Je vous en detail par ma lettre commune Tous les avantages et les Motif d'une plus grande depense ce qui me fait croire, Monsieur, que Vous ne L'approuv-erez pas.
[Translation]
greater application to duty on my part, which will never decrease any more than will my zeal, since I would sooner leave the service than alter my principles."
Finally, My General, I cannot be disabused of the idea that M. Michel is mortified at not having been able to procure the place of engineer for some one else in preference to me without marked injustice. I see connivance if I dare use the word. I was assured that the intention of M. Amelot, captain, was to enter the engineering service. He is a gentleman who has seemed to me to have merit, he is allied to a great house, and consequently is to be favored.
M. de Macarty has communicated to me your reflections as to the placing of the proposed fort; and thinking more of permanence than of expense, he gave, like me, the preference to the heights which are on the other side of the little river. In my joint letter I detail to you, Monsieur, all the advantages and the reasons for a greater expense which makes me think, Monsieur, that you will not approve it.