Roma at Three Rivers 89

Michel, St. Jean, Le Postillon, L’ Angélique, and La Belle Faucon—were to be employed partly in the transportation of fish to France and of commodities to Isle Saint Jean; and partly, also, in trade between Quebec and Isle Saint Jean and Isle Saint Jean and the West Indian Islands. From Quebec he would bring food for his own establishment and for Isle Saint Jean as a whole, until they should become self- supporting, in which event he could use the same vessels to carry surplus products of the soil to the garrison at Louisburg. To pay for the flour and bis- cuits brought from Quebec, he proposed to carry cod and planks to the West Indies and bring back molasses and sugar and coffee. Thus a three-cornered commerce would be built up in addition to his trade with France.

But the grand designs of Roma were not well re- ceived by his partners. The first year they advanced goods and equipment to the value of 91,000 livres and although he sent back this year in the Company’s vessels fish to the value of 45,000 livres, purchased two bateaux, 15 to 20 shallops, built an admirable fishing establishment at St. Peters, and supported his colony, the partners refused him further financial support and seemed bent upon ruining their own enterprise.” After much mutual recrimination Roma visited France in the autumn of 1736, entered into negotiations with his partners and with the Minister, and in the following May he became sole proprietor

18 C11 IV, Vol, 16, p. 132.