“Par la Bouche de Mes Canons”

In the autumn of 1690 the New England fleet under Sir William Phips anchored off Quebec and demanded of Louis, Count Frontenac, that he surrender New France to the English.

Phips picked a fight with the wrong guy.

Governor Frontenac, with his long and legendary military history, was not one to back away from a challenge. But as w
ell as being courageous, Frontenac was also shrewd.

He received Phips’ emissary at the wharf, blindfolded him, and took him up the steep streets to the Chateau.

But not directly.

Leading the young English officer back and forth, through this alley and up that street, the guides took three, four, and perhaps five times as long as the direct route. Frontenac had assembled his meager population in small but boisterous throngs, and instructed them that once the English emissary had passed by, they were to quietly move further up the route and re-assemble, again sounding as busy as possible, creating the impression of a large, industrious and unafraid colonial city, taunting the emissary and all that he represented. The young soldier later reported to Phips that Quebec was well populated, well fortified, and ill-disposed toward the invaders.

Having arrived at the Chateau, the emissary had his blindfold removed. He looked around, surprised at the splendid surroundings, and somewhat ill at ease, he began to read Phips’ demand for surrender.

The room fell silent, all eyes on Frontenac. They knew what was about to transpire.

The haughty Governor, purple with rage, his face pushed into that of the young officer, roared, “Je n’ai point de réponse à faire à votre général que par la bouche de mes canons et de mes mousquets.” (“I have no reply to make to your general other than from the mouths of my cannons and muskets.”)

His answer was a good one. A few weeks later, their ships pounded by cannon, their landing parties repulsed by musket, and winter looming, the remnants of the devastated New England fleet slunk home.

There is a communication lesson in every story, and the one here is that when a fight becomes inevitable, there must be no half-measures. You must tell yourself and your followers that you expect to win, you must tell your enemy that you expect to win, you must outwit your enemy, and you must carry through on your intent.

No wise person goes looking for trouble, but when trouble visits you, keep your wits, keep your courage, and keep your word.