The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents

Travels and Explorations

of the Jesuit Missionaries

in New France

1610—1791

THE ORIGINAL FRENCH, LATIN, AND ITALI-

IAN TEXTS, WITH ENGLISH TRANSLA-

TIONS AND NOTES; ILLUSTRATED BY

PORTRAITS, MAPS, AND FACSIMILES

 

EDITED BY

Reuben Gold Thwaites

Secretary of the State historical Society of Wisconsin

COMPUTERIZED TRANSCRIPTION BY

Thom Mentrak

Historical Interpreter at Ste. Marie Among The Iroquois

Vol. XXXII

Gaspé, Hurons, Lower Canada

1647—1648

CLEVELAND: The Burrows Brothers

Company, PUBLISHERS, M DCCC XCVIII

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EDITORIAL STAFF

Editor Reuben Gold Thwaites

| Finlow Alexander [French]

| Percy Favor Bicknell [French]

| John Cutler Covert [French]

| William Frederic Giese [Latin]

Translators. | Crawford Lindsay [French]

| Mary Sifton Pepper [French & Italian]

| William Price [French]

| Hiram Allen Sober [French]

| John Dorsey Wolcott [Latin]

Assistant Editor Emma Helen Blair

Bibliographical Adviser Victor Hugo Paltsits

 

 

CONTENTS OF VOL. XXXII
Preface To Volume XXXII			9
Documents:—
LXIII	Relation de ce qvi s'est passé en la Novvelle France, svr le Grand Flevve de S. Lavrens en l'année 1647, [Chaps. xiv., xv., concluding the document.] Hierosme Lalemant, Quebek, October 20, 1647.				17
LXIV	Epistola ad R. P. Vincentium Caraffa, Præpositum Generalem Societatis Jesu, Romæ. Joannes de Brebruf, St. Mariæ apud Hurones, June 2, 1648				58
LXV	Journal des PP. Jesuites. Hierosme Lalemant; Quebek, January-December, 1648.				66
LXVI.	Relation de ce qvi s'est passé en la Novvelle France, es années 1647. & 1648. [Chaps. i.-viii. of Part I., first installment of the document.] Hierosme Lalemant, Quebec, October 15, 1648				111
BIBLIOGRAPHICAL DATA: VOLUME XXXII				307
Notes				311

[page 7]

ILLUSTRATlONS TO VOL. XXXII
I	Portrait of Felix Martin, S.J.; enlarged from a daguerreotype	Frontispiece
II	Photographic facsimile of title-page, Relation of 1647-48	114

[page 9]

PREFACE TO VOL. XXXII

Following is a synopsis of the documents contained in the present volume:

LXIII. This document, the Relation of 1647, was commenced in Vol. XXX. of our series, continued through Vol. XXXI., and is here concluded. In the fourteenth chapter, Lalemant describes various incursions of the Iroquois, and their method of warfare. One of them is captured by a French and Huron party, and delivered by Montmagny to his savage allies for vengeance, but with orders that they should not torment him too long or too cruelly. He is converted through the instructions of the Jesuits, and named after Father Isaac Jogues,—who, it is reported, was killed by this very man. "As soon as he was baptized, he was delivered into the hands of the Savage Captain to whom Monsieur the Governor had given him, in order to exact Justice from him. " He is interrogated regarding Jogues's death, but will not confess that it was he who killed the priest. He meets his fate with meekness, and in expectation of heaven. Through fear of the Iroquois, but six Hurons have come down this year, and of these, only two have escaped death or captivity.

The settlement at Miscou is the subject of the final chapter of this Relation, and Lalemant gives an historical sketch of the Jesuit mission there, depicting the hardships and sufferings in which its foundations [page 9] were laid by Richard, De Lyonne, and the other self-denying Fathers who had carried the Gospel into this remote and barbarous region. The greatest obstacle to their labors was, at first, the insalubrious climate; but the Europeans are now inured to this danger, and no longer die from the prearalent disease of those regions, the scurvy. The mission is gaining ground, and five families have been received into the Christian fold. Various instances of piety and faith among these converts are related.

LXIV. In this brief letter to the father general (written in the Huron country, June 2, 1648), Brébeuf reports the Huron mission as, on the whole, prosperous; and he sees many openings for extending its work. But the incursions of the Iroquois still continue, and threaten the ruin of the mission and of the Hurons; while the opposition of infidel savages is, at times, a great hindrance to the work.

The chief object of Brebeuf's letter is to urge that the rule for a triennial change of the superior of the mission be set aside in the case of Ragueneau, Who is in every way most capable of filling that position specially in leadership and executive ability. The father general is entreated, for the good of the mission, to prolong Ragueneau's term.

LXV. The Journal des Jésuites is a rich quarry for the student of the economic and social history of New France. The record for 1648 contains much of interest, in this connection.

As usual, New-year's gifts are exchanged among the French residents. Chastillon is sent to the Hurons, '' to acquaint them with the state of affairs down here." Father De Quen, sent on a mission to Beauport and other outlying settlements, finds there [page 10] "more than 200 souls, and over 140 Communicants." The month of January sees at Quebec much sickness and death; and the w inter is very mild. The workmen of the mission are employed in the woods, until Easter, in cutting timber for the Jesuits' house. Other improvements are in progress at Quebec—barracks for the fort, and a parish church.

At the Easter season, Lalemant makes public announcement of the penalties for neglect to receive communion. Two interpreters, Amyot and Marguerie, are drowned in the great river, on May 23. The Ursulines elect their superior, on June 3. On St. John's day, Montmagny kindles the bonfire, and Lalemant recites various prayers. Abraham Martin goes to the seal-fishery, and in one day captures forty-two seals, which yield six casks of oil. The Sillery Indians go " to 3 rivers, with the Intention of making war; it was only a farce, which ended in nothing, except eating bread and peas at the fort of 3 rivers. The captive yroquois saw all that, and had good reason to make sport of it."

Bressani arrives from Huronia, on July 22, with letters from that mission; this year, 2 50 of the Hurons come down to Three Rivers, which gives opportunity for sending under their escort a reinforcement for the Huron mission; this includes five Fathers, a lay brother, and twenty workmen and soldiers. They also take a heifer, and a small piece of cannon.

On August 14, letters arrive from France which appoint Louis d'Ailleboust governor-general of Canada, in place of Montmagny. The Tadoussac trade, this year, amounts to 250,000 livres; and the profit thereon, to 40,000 livres.

In September, a drummer is brought from Montréal [page 11] , "convicted of the worst crime." Upon his consenting to become " the executioner of Justice," his sentence is commuted, and he escapes death.

"There were few eels this year, and there was a great tendency to destitution." But " there was a prodigious abundance of white partridges; more than 1,200 had been killed at Beauport within a month."

LXVI. The Relation of 1647-48 consists, like most of its predecessors, of two parts. Part I., containing ten chapters, is by the superior, Jerome Lalemant, who dates his report to the provincial in Paris, of affairs on the Lower St. Lawrence, at Quebec, October 15, 1648; Part II., divided into seventeen chapters, treats of the Huron mission, and is by Paul Ragueneau, who writes from the Huron country under date of April 16, 1648. We herewith present the first eight chapters of Part I.; the document will be concluded in Vol. XXXIII.

In commencing his report, Lalemant mention the change in the governorship of Canada, by Which d’Ailleboust supersedes Montmagny. One of the vessels from France brings three new Hospital nuns but also was afflicted on the voyage by an epidemic which caused several deaths; among these was that of Pierre le Gardeur de Repentigny. Some account is given of the three new nuns. Lalemant sketches the career of Jean Amyot, who was drowned in the St. Lawrence, and highly eulogizes his Character—especially in respect to purity. " He was about to be married, when he died. His comrades were surprised at his modesty, for he made love like an Angel, as it were."

An Iroquois band comes to Montreal, pretending to seek peace and desire friendship; but they intend [page 12] treachery, which is frustrated only by Maisonneuve's vigilance. Other instances of their cunning and treachery are related; and, in a raid near Three Rivers, they capture two Frenchmen. An escaped Huron gives the French residents valuable information concerning the designs of the Iroquois. In July, a large band of Iroquois hovers about Three Rivers, planning to surprise the French settlement there; but, opportunely, the Huron trading-fleet arrives, and defeats the Iroquois, killing many, and capturing a score of prisoners. Bressani and two other Frenchmen come down, with the Hurons. One of the fugitive Iroquois flees to Montreal, and, meeting a French lady, stretches out to her his arms. '4 Those who know that the modesty and bashfulness of that good Lady cause her a terrible fear of those barbarians said, through the respect which they feel for her gentleness and virtue, that she had captured a Hiroquois; and that she accomplished more with her prayers and her rosary, which she was saying at the time, than the soldiers with their swords and muskets.'' Then are narrated the proceedings of a council held after this battle, upon the conclusion of which the Hurons return home, taking with them a number of Jesuits for the Huron mission.

Lalemant occupies much space with the good actions and sentiments of Christian savages, showing their piety, devotion, and constancy,—even amid strong temptations and opposition. The missionaries are pleased to observe that the converted Indians "are beginning to give quite a Christian character to the harmless usages that they have derived from their infidel ancestors." One " brings back to life" his dead nephew in order to remind himself that his [page 13] nephew has not ceased to exist, but is only awaiting the final resurrection.

Lalemant praises the charity and devotion of the nuns, who are doing so great and noble a work in Canada. The Ursulines " refuse no girl, whether French or Savage," and are giving many Indian children excellent training in piety and in the rudiments of knowledge. The Hospital nuns are " greatly burdened this year, especially since the arrival of the ships," on board of which a severe epidemic has prevailed; and the sisters have not accommodations or strength to care for all who apply for admittance into the hospital. Occasional mention is made of the Montreal colony. " Only one Savage dwelt this year at Montreal, and he was blind; but, to compensate, he had virtue enough for twenty-five." He praises God that he cannot see; " for, otherwise, I would have been all my life a proud and arrogant man; I would have despised prayer; and the Hiroquois would have eaten me."

Although the Christian Indians have been successful in war, this year, than in the past, have been severely scourged by sickness and death. But they show great patience and devout resignation in these trials, and the old superstitious practices are almost unknown among them. Many have been healed by their faith and prayers. Father Druillettes now winters with the Algonkin tribes of the Lower St. Lawrence. Here he meets gratifying success in ministering to these wandering sheep, though he suffers great privations.

This year, a large fleet of the Attikamègues come down to Three Rivers for instruction. They show great fervor and piety, not only while there, but in [page 14] their usual wandering course of life; and they have spread some knowledge of the Faith among many of the remote Northern tribes.

We take pleasure in publishing, as the frontispiece to this volume, a portrait—the best now obtainable—of the late Rev. Felix Martin, S.J., first rector of St. Mary's College, Montreal. To the scholarly enterprise and enthusiasm of Father Martin is largely due the accumulation of the rich store of documentary material for the study of New France, now in the archives of St. . Mary ' s. American historians owe him a debt of gratitude, and will be pleased, we think, to find his portrait appearing in connection with the present work. For a biographical sketch of this great collector, see Vol. IV., note 49.

R. G. T.

MADISON, WIS., October, 1998.

[page 15]

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LXIII (concluded)

RELATION OF 1647

PARIS: SEBASTIEN ET GABRIEL CRAMOISY, 1648

 

Commenced in Volume XXX., and continued through Volume XXXI.; the remaining two chapters (xiv., xv.) are herewith given, thus concluding the document.

[page 17]

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[251] CHAPTER XIIII.

OF THE CAPTURE AND DEATH OF A HIROQUOIS; AND SOME OTHER OBSERVATIONS WHICH COULD NOT FIND ROOM UNDER THE PRECEDING CHAPTERS.

HE Hiroquois appearing in various places on the banks of our great stream, a squad of French and Savages undertook to give them chase. It is certainly very difficult to overtake those Barbarians, because they are always on the watch at the points or upon elevated headlands discovering from afar the vessels and their Pilots in order to surprise them, or to combat them if they are in small force; but, if their forces are unequal, they stay concealed in the woods without presenting themselves,—unless through bravado, when they [252] see well that their legs give them the advantage over our weapons. But the time will come when the French, trained for war in the manner of the Americans, will easily find means to stop those runners.

Not long ago, a score of these cannibals giving chase to some of our canoes, a shallop of our party went to attack them, and compelled them to go ashore, but not to give way and flee. Having placed themselves behind the shelter of their canoes, they promptly discharge their arquebuses; and while our French were seeking an advantageous place to disembark, those Barbarians in four minutes erected a little wooden fort, into which they shut themselves [page 19] with the resolution to fight stubbornly. They were ,. valiantly attacked; but, in truth, they sustained the shock with unexpected courage and dexterity. After all, however, believing themselves too weak to resist the assaults which they must expect on the following day, they asked that there be no firing on either side during the night; and meanwhile they escaped stealthily, before daybreak. The Sun appearing, our people found no [253] more enemies to combat, though they made search all about their fortification. A young Frenchman, filled with more courage than physical strength, seeking to follow the enemy by their trail, found one of them concealed in the hollow of a tree: he is drawn from that sepulchre, to be given another. Being questioned, he says that he could have escaped as well as the others, but that, his brother having been wounded, he had concealed himself in order to aid him. He says that there were seven Hiroquois severely wounded, and that he believes that two were killed on the spot; their bodies have not been seen,—it may be that they have carried them away to burn them, according to their custom. There were found in their redout some arquebuses, much heavier and far longer than ours. Two Savages of our band were killed, and six Frenchmen wounded, one of whom died some time later. They were taken to the Hostel Dieu at Kebec,—which assists to the utmost the Colony, both French and Savage,—and were there nursed and aided with the greatest care. Those who put arms in the hands of these Barbarians would deserve the punishment due to all the crimes which the avarice of the one party and the fury of the other have engendered.

This poor prisoner was taken first [254] to three [page 21] Rivers; and thence was conducted to Kebec, in order to be delivered to Monsieur the Governor. The latter gave him, a few days later, to a Savage Captain, with orders not to torture him as long as is their wont, or reduce him to a filthy nakedness, or make quarry of him like dogs. This poor man was conducted to Sillery on the sixteenth of October of this year, 1647; we had already begun to instruct him, that he might die a Christian. He was brought into our little house, and we forcibly represented to him the torments and the rewards of the other life, and the goodness of a God who has given his Son in order to save men; and told the prisoner that, by virtue of that Son's blood, he could be washed from his crimes, and enter Heaven. It must be confessed hat the spirit of Jesus Christ breathes where it Pleases. This poor man astonished us all; he gave marked evidence of his belief, and asked pardon of God for his transgressions. " Yes, I believe," he said; " I wish to go to Heaven, but I am grieved to have offended him who has made all. Jesous, pardon me; Jesous, pardon me," he said in his own language. Do not doubt," he added, " that I believe with all my [255] heart what you teach me. And since, according to your saying, we must all appear before God, reproach me then with my treachery, if my heart has not now the belief which my mouth declares to you." These excellent inclinations softened all those who were near; he was baptized, and was made to bear the name of Father Isaac Jogues,—whom, as some said, he himself had killed.

As soon as he was baptized, he was delivered into he hands of the Savage Captain to whom Monsieur he Governor had given him, in order to exact [page 23] Justice from him. This poor man, under the stress of his torments, exclaimed many times: " Jesous, Jesous." He offered no insult to those who were tormenting him. It is the custom of these wretched nations to make the prisoners sing, while in their tortures; this man used no bravado, or any threat but uttered in his song only these few words: "Antaiok,"—the name, in the Savage tongue, of the Frenchman who captured him,—"Antaiok is the cause of my going to Heaven; I am very glad of it."

Now, before this victim was led to the sacrifice, he was questioned on various points, to which his answers w ere as follows: Father [256] Isaac Jogues, he said, was not killed by the general consent of the three Hiroquois villages; he was not beaten or stripped, but simply struck down. I will say in passing, with reference to this matter, that we attach more Credence to the letters sent by the Dutch than to the words of this prisoner, because we have strong suspicions that it was he himself who killed the Father,—since a Huron, who has escaped from that country, having seen him in the hands of the French, said to him, " Comrade, what canst thou expect from those who have captured thee, having unluckily slain a person whom they loved?" Furthermore, when the interpreter asked him how the man who had massacred the Father's companion was called, he named him without delay; but when he was asked the name of him who had taken the Father's life, he hung his head, without saying aught. He was urged during two days, but opened not his lips: finally, he uttered the name of a Hiroquois. He added that that good woman whom Father Isaac Jogues called his aunt, and from whom he had received some aid, said to [page 25] the murderers, " It is I myself whom you kill; what will the two other villages say, whom you [257] have not consulted about this death, so sudden and so rash ? "

He was asked what had become of the two Frenchmen who had been taken at Montreal. He answered that they had not appeared in their country, and that their scalps alone had been brought thither; he named the Hiroquois who had taken and slain them. He said, besides, that three Hurons had been taken at Montreal, and that their lives had been spared; that two had escaped, and that the third had said to his two companions who wished to take him away: " I love my mother too well; she has saved my life, and I cannot leave her." This was a Hiroquois woman to whom they had given him, in place of her children and relatives killed in war. What follows this has no other connection than that which pen and paper give me.

During the first war with the Hiroquois, there was in Montreal a bitch, which never failed to go scouting every day, taking her little ones with her; and if any one of them acted stubbornly, she would bite it, to make it go on. Nay, more, if one of the pups turned back in the midst of its run, she [258] would fall upon it at her return, as if by way of punishment. Moreover, if she scented, while on the patrol, some Hiroquois, she would turn short, moving directly homeward, barking, and announcing that the enemy was not far away. Her natural inclination was for hunting squirrels; but her constancy in making the round every day as faithfully as men, beginning now on one side, now on the other; her perseverance in directing her little ones, and in [page 27] punishing them when they failed to follow; and her fidelity in turning short, when the scent of the enemies caught her sense of smell,—all these caused astonishment.

The fear of the enemies has kept away, this year, the Savages from Montreal: there have appeared there only six Hurons, three of whom have been taken by the Agneronons, the fourth has been lost, the two others have made a narrow escape. These good people cannot help going to the chase: it must also be acknowledged that that is their pleasure and their life. Having gone away some leagues from the settlement, a Frenchman who accompanied them, while aiding them to build their cabin, wounded one of them with a heavy blow of the axe, which he dealt inadvertently upon his hand. All [259] three are astounded; they wrap up the wound as best they can, proceeding as quickly as possible toward the settlement, in order to have that poor man cared for He, feeling that nature would repine at the great pain which he suffered, animated himself with these words: " How? could I indeed complain of a blow that God has given me, when vanity would make me sing in the midst of the fires, if I were taken by my enemies?" While advancing homeward. they found on the snow a trail freshly trodden by a troop of Hiroquois, who were coming to Montreal on the hunt for men. " Ah! now I plainly see," said that poor wounded man, " that this blow is dealt by the goodness of God; it is not an accident,—his goodness has caused me to lose a hand, in order to save the lives of all three of us. It is true that we are not yet in safety,—we may encounter the enemy, whose tracks and trail we have seen: my only regret is that [page 29] I have not confessed for a long time."" His companion was still more grieved. "What will become of me," he said, "of me who am not yet baptized?" Our Lord preserved them from evil encounter. That poor [260] man, although sufficiently courageous otherwise, could not endure the hand of the Surgeon,—who, in truth, caused him pain, for the wound was severe, and in a very sensitive place. They reproached him that he had no courage. " My arm," he said, " has no sense; it shrinks away when it feels pain. Do not you others do the same, in your sufferings?" The interpreter answered him that in France they bound those who could not endure the cure of their wounds. "Very well," he said; "since I am among the French, I must adapt myself to the French fashion; bind me, and make me keep your customs." In fact, they seized him so effectually that he could no longer move either his hand or his arm: but never did this good man take offense,—imagining that he must adapt himself to the French usages, since he lived with them. He endured for several days that severe treatment, without giving any sign of impatience.

His companion, unable to remain at rest, stole away in order to go and kill some beavers or bustards. Approaching a little pond, he saw a quantity of game arise in great confusion; he suspected, indeed, that it was beaten up by some hunters. Having [261] slipped into the rushes, he heard some cries or songs of birds, which were answering one another; fear seized him, for it is the custom of the Hiroquois and other Savages to call one another by the cries of screech-owls during the night, and by the warbling of other birds during the day. Advancing a little [page 31] further, he perceived 7 or 8 Hiroquois, with arquebuses on their shoulders, hunting on the shores of that pond. He commended himself to God; and, as soon as they had taken one route, he hastened to the opposite one, in order to put himself in a place of safety. The hunt for beasts is very often a passion, but the hunt for men is a madness among these Barbarians.

This Huron of whom I have just spoken is one of the most exce nt awns moot agreeable charactcr3 that one could meet. He puts himself in all the positions in the world in order to please his hosts; he acts the soldier, the plowman, the artisan,—so very naively that he is the amusement of all the French; and very often, when they laugh at him, he banters them so cleverly that they cannot take offense at him. [page 33]

[262] CHAPTER XV.

OF THE SETTLEMENT AT MISKOU.

HE Island of Miskou is about 7 leagues round; it is situated in the great Gulf of saint Lawrence, upon the 48th degree of latitude and the three hundred and seventh of longitude. Its soil is not good; the waters are not wholesome there; the woods there are neither as tall nor as beautiful as on the mainland; it abounds in partridges and in hares; there were formerly Elks, but they have all been exterminated. It seems that it is important only for the trade in Elk skins; these are obtained in abundance from the Savages who inhabit three great bays of the mainland, not far distant from this island. Fishing is plentiful there; cod are found in abundance, and every year, as also in the neighboring harbors, many ships are laden with these fish, carrying them to France, Portugal, Italy, and many other regions.

We began, in the year 1635, to build a settlement there; and Fathers Charles Turgis and Charles du Marché were sent thither [263] in order to administer the Sacraments to twenty-three Frenchmen who were to lay its foundations, and to observe the prospects that we might have for the conversion of the Savages. Sufferings were almost the only occupation of all these poor people; sickness prostrated them, and death removed a great part of them. Father du Marché was constrained to return to France; [page 35] Father Turgis resisted for some time, consoling his little fold, hearing some in confession, strengthening others through the Sacraments of the Eucharist and Extreme Unction, and burying those whom death was slaying. But finally toil, and the infection that he contracted beside those poor languishing people, prostrated him as well as the others: yet he must resist, even to the last sigh. He has himself borne to the sick and beside the dying; he animates, strengthens, and encourages them; and, after having buried the Captain, the Agent, and the Surgeon,—in a word, all the Officers, and 8 or 9 workmen besides,—he died there himself, leaving only one person sick unto death, whom he holily prepared for that passage before yielding up his soul.

[264] Father Jacques de la place and Father Nicolas Gondoin—sent the following year into those quarters for the purpose of establishing a mission on the Mainland, to which a part of the Savages might retire—found the French settlement quite desolated; there were left in it only nine persons out of twenty-three, and so weak, moreover, that the Fathers must remain there, in order to assist these. We have been told that some Savages, touched with compassion, took the dead bodies from their beds in order to give them burial,—the French not having the strength to do so. Others, more wicked and barbarous, seeing every one prostrated, tried to plunder the warehouse; but the energy and skill of those who had recovered from the malady—who had more countenance, as the saying is, than money to stake—prevented them from doing this. Now, whatever be the cause of these maladies, it is not long since they were banished from that island. Father Gondoin [page 37] was constrained to leave it; Father Claude Quentin lost his health there, which he came to seek at Kebec after having buried a young lad who assisted him Father Jean Dolbeau became crippled there in all his limbs; and when they carried him back to France in order to find a milder air, he encountered Paradise on the way,—[265] fire, having caught in the powder of the vessel which bore him, sent him to Heaven.

In the year 1643, Father Martin Lyonne, going to the Hurons, passed by Miskou and stopped there seeing that Father André Richard remained a lone through the departure of his companion, who had become a paralytic. This good Father soon followed the path and footsteps of the others; he fell sick the following year, in the month of May, and was cured only in the month of September. We intended to send him back to France, that he might not be exposed to that somewhat harsh air, fearing that the following Winter might carry him off; but, having manifested much resolution to die in Canada, he remained there, and has since enjoyed perfect health,—which he has used for the spiritual assistance of the French, and for the conversion of the Savages. He seems to have buried the diseases, for since that time they have not appeared in Miskou.

Father André Richard, having proved to be the hardiest of all the Fathers of our Society sent to that land of crosses, applied himself with energy to the study of the Savages' language; he associated with them, [266] followed them, and showed them so much good-will that they conceived an affection for him. Father Lyonne has greatly assisted him; Father de la Place, having joined them, has taken [page 39] his share in the work; and all three have laid the foundations of a little Church, which our Lord will bless if it please him.{1}

Monsieur the Abbé de la Magdelaine, Chanter of the Sainte Chappelle{2} at Paris,—impelled by a truly Christian zeal, and wishing to coöperate in the conversion of the Savages,—gave to these good Fathers the means to build a residence on the Bay des Chaleurs, at the Port of Nipigigwi,{3} where he has, with Messieurs of the Company of Miskou, greatly assisted them. Before that abode was ready, the Fathers chose to live there, in order to assist the Savages who usually retire to that place. The snows not being deep enough, during the Winter of the year 1644, to obstruct the wild beasts, a part of those poor people were dying of hunger. Three cabins, composed of twenty-five persons, came to throw themselves into the arms of the Fathers, who found it necessary to save, from their little store, provisions wherewith to relieve the hunger of so many people. They have since then erected little houses [267] in the French fashion, in order to lodge some families who have been instructed and baptized through their care and diligence. It seems that our Lord chooses to treat these poor tribes in a milder manner than those of the upper nations; for not only have they not fallen into any affliction since they have received the Faith, but, on the contrary, you would say that they are blessed of Heaven and earth. Their success in the chase and their health have increased, they say, since their conversion,—so that even the Pagans have been astonished, and several have asked for baptism this year; but we have contented ourselves with granting it to five families, who have increased [page 41] the number of these good Neophytes. Their very notable change has given astonishment to our French, who were not soon expecting so powerful an impulse from the hand of God.

Afflictions, nevertheless, have their good effects; they have brought to Jesus Christ the head of one of those families. He had listened to the voice of the Fathers who publish Christ's Doctrine, but he could not decide to embrace it. Finally, crosses carried the day, notwithstanding his resistance; and he spoke one day, in the presence of the Fathers, as follows: [268] " Some years ago, a contagious disease afflicting our poor country, I was stricken with it, along with several others who died from it. Seeing myself in danger, I had recourse to God; I entreated him with all my heart to restore me my life, firmly resolving to seek my baptism. He cured me, but soon after I forgot him; not so did he forget me, for in order to arouse me, he placed me in another danger. As I was pursuing an Elk, that great animal, feeling himself struck by my javelin, which I hurled at him, turned upon me so suddenly that I could not avoid his rage. Having given me a sharp blow with one of his forefeet, he prostrated me, and left me for dead; my companions coming up, much astonished, deplored my misery. Upon regaining my senses, I again had recourse to him who had already cured me; and again he revived me, contrary to the expectations of those who thought only of my tomb. I turned to my first resolutions; but virtue seeming too difficult to me, and obedience to God's commandments rather hard, I did not keep them, and my health caused me to lose the thoughts of baptism. But at last I have not been able to resist the most [page 43] mighty; he set me back, [269] this Winter, to the point whence he had drawn me,—that is to say, within two fingers of death. Seeing myself in that extremity, I felt deep regret for my treachery. I asked his pardon, and protested that I would no longer be stubborn; he revived me for the third time. It is settled, and I intend to obey him. It is for this reason that you see me with you; I will not go away until my sins be washed in the blood of Jesus Christ.'' He has so effectually knocked at the door that it has been opened to him; he has been made a Christian along with his mother, his brothers, and his sisters.

A Sorcerer, wishing to terrify a Christian, said to him, "I have learned from my Demon that next Winter thy family is to fall into a horrible calamity; that thy little son will soon die; that there is no more hunting for thee, and that thou art going to be miserable, nevertheless, if thou wilt obey my words, I will avert this misfortune from over thy head. Give me the images that thou keepest, and a bottle of wine, and the Demon w ill do thee no harm. " The Christian, mocking at his dreams, answered him: " I belong to God; whether I live or whether I die, I am his. I have already given him [270] my children,—he may take them when he will; it is a happiness for me that they go before me into Paradise. I do not fear thy Demon.'' It is true that his son fell ill, soon afterward; but, when some persons were urging him to obey the Sorcerer, he answered: " I will do nothing of the kind; let them carry my son to the Fathers, and let them pray to God for him,—that is my only recourse." His wife brought the child from a distance of four full [page 45] leagues,—partly on her shoulders, partly dragging him over the snow. she confessed and received communion on the day of the Purification of the Virgin, and the next day carried back her little son, well and sprightly,—our Lord recompensing the mother's Faith by that cure, and the Father's constancy by a successful hunt during the Winter. The Sorcerer, on the Contrary, fell into poverty and want; his weapon broke in his hands; during the Winter he had little success in hunting; and, the following Summer, he was constrained to leave the Country because some, suspecting him of having caused their relatives to die, were seeking his death.

Two Christian Savages, having started from their cabin on Christmas eve, in order to attend the midnight Mass in the Chapel [271] of the Fathers, three leagues distant, encountered on the way the trail of a great Bear. Famine was already beginning in their cabin, and God seemed to give them the best of. all the meats upon which they depend,—for the Bear in their estimations surpasses all other animals. They stopped a little while, in order to consult whether their devotion would get the better of their misery,—seeing, likewise, that the snow which was then falling threatened to conceal from them those footprints. "No matter,'' they said; "let us go and pray to God. It is he who has revealed to us the trail of this beast; it is he who gives it to us, and he intends that we shall eat of it." "Indeed" said one man, "we shall easily be able afterward to pursue this Bear, or any other that God may send us; but we cannot recover the feast of the birth of Jesus, when this night shall be past." They come to Church; they fulfill their duty, confess, and receive [page 47] communion, with much piety and without haste; and then, with the Father's permission, they resume their course. They had not gone far when they again discovered the trail of that Bear; they follow it, and encounter the animal, which they kill, and use as food in their family,—[272] becoming more and more confirmed in the fatherly providence of their Savior Jesus, for so they call him.

A young Christian, seeing himself unsuccessful in the chase, communes with himself. " Whence comes to me," he said within his heart, " this ill fortune? Surely, I have offended God." He examines 'himself, goes to find the Fathers at their residence, twenty leagues from his cabin, and confesses, with much sorrow for his transgressions. He returns to his abode, and meets on the way three Elks; he pursues them, overtakes them, and puts them to death,—blessing God for having opened his eyes through so kindly a check.

A Catechumen, having received a very sharp affront from one of his fellow-countrymen, nursed I know not what rancor in his heart, seeking only an opportunity for revenge; and, as he was a man of importance, he did not lack firebrands, and people who offered him their service against his enemy. He revealed something of this to the Father who instructed him; the Father,—availing himself of those words in the Pater, "Forgive us our offenses, as we forgive those who have offended us,"—seriously warned him that Jesus forbade revenge, [273] and severely punished those who would not forgive; and that, if he aspired to baptism, he must regard his enemy as his brother. This man, admiring the beauty of that Doctrine, received and practiced it; for, as soon as he was baptized, not only did he pardon that injury, but he promised withal to love and to protect as his brother, the one who had offended him,—praying the Father to assure him of this, in his behalf.

A Christian woman, finding herself in the company of some Pagans, was jeered and mocked about her devotions. Her husband,—being unable, although a child of the Church, to endure such derision,—told her that she was too ardent, and that she must moderate her zeal, in order not to give occasion to those who had too large eyes, to have also too large a mouth. " I swish to believe,'' she said, " not by half, but altogether; I will never belie a single point of the faith which I have received from God. They may laugh, and mock, but in vain; nothing confounds me, for I am a Christian'' Her husband, much consoled, said to her, " I love thee the more for it; have good courage, and do not give up the path upon which thou hast entered."

[274] This good soul, urged by her friends to eat meat on days forbidden to those who have any other reasonable food, answered that hunger gave her not so much pain as obedience to the orders of the Church gave her consolation. When one of our Fathers informed her of the intention of the Church regarding this Commandment, she answered him: " I knew it well, but it seemed to me that Jesus said in my heart: ' Hold firm; thou wilt not die for it, and wilt not even be inconvenienced by it.' " In fact, she was always in very good health, and is indefatigable in work. A woman being in child-labor, and seeing herself in danger of death, had recourse to our Lord,—asking [page 51] not life, but baptism for her child. The women who were assisting her, not believing that she would recover, gave notice to the Fathers, who sent her a Sacred Relic. This Christian woman, having received it with much faith in the midst of her great sufferings, was delivered of a child which had sufficient life to receive baptism, and was fortunate enough to pass from the womb of its mother to the [275] bosom of glory. Her relatives and neighbors mourning beside her over the decease of that little Angel, she told them that it was not the time to weep, but to rejoice; and that she felt comforted in the depth of her soul that she had a child in Heaven. "I asked," she said, "for its baptism from Jesus, its Savior and mine; he has granted it to me. Is not this reason for delightful joy and Satisfaction?"

In conclusion, the Fathers of this Missions—who, in the first years, baptized the Savages only when in necessity,—began three years ago to see a lore ample fruit of their little labors, through the conversion of several families of Barbarians, which were making public profession of our holy Faith. Seeing, also, that their new Church had been, within three months, increased by the number of forty Savages, solemnly baptized, they were obliged to go up to Kebec, in order to confer there with the Superior of all our Missions. He—having learned the condition of this new Christendom, and the ardent desire which several Savages, sufficiently instructed in our holy :Mysteries, had for receiving Baptism—sent back, [276] in the month of September, Fathers Jaques de la Place and Andre Richard to satisfy them and to Winter with them; but they were obliged to cross over to France, for want of a bark to convey them [page 53] from Isle Persée (where was anchored the ship which carried them) as far as their new residence, built among the savagesbof the Bay des Chaleurs. God will give to this new Church, as well as to all the others, such blessing as he shall please. [page 55]

END.

LXIV—LXV

MISCELLANEOUS DOCUMENTS, 1648

LXIV.—Epistola Patris Joannis de Brébeuf ad R. P. Vincentium Caraffa, Præpositum Generalem Societatis Jesu, Romæ; St. Mariæ apud Hurones, 2 junii, 1648

LXV.—Journal des PP. Jesuites, en l'annee 1648

SOURCES: For Doc. LXIV., we follow Father Martinis transcript of the original, which latter rests in the archives of the Society; the transcript is in the archives of St. Mary's College, Montréal. In publishing Doc. LXV., we follow the original MS. in the library of Laval University, Quebec. [page 57]

¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯

Letter of Father Jean de Brebeuf to the Very Reverend Father Vincent Caraffa,

General of the Society of Jesus, at Rome.

ERY REVEREND FATHER IN CHRIST,

Pax Christi.

I think it altogether superfluous to write to Your Paternity concerning the state of this our Huron mission: since Reverend Father Paul Ragueneau, our superior, has officially and fully, as I suppose, discharged that duty. Now, in one aspect, the condition of our affairs appears to be most excellent—because at home the utmost peace, union, and tranquillity flourish among ours and those of our household, and all apply themselves most diligently to piety, virtue, and perfection; and because the interests of Christianity make very satisfactory progress, the Christians increasing more and more, not only in number but also in virtue. Moreover, so many opportunities for promulgating the gospel have disclosed themselves, far and wide, that in a short time the faith would make great progress, did not the extreme dearth of laborers hinder our desires, efforts, and opportunities. For this reason, we urgently request that the Reverend Father Provincial send many laborers to cultivate this vineyard,—which, if ever before, seems now to be grooving even white for harvest. I further note, as tending to the stronger condition of our spiritual affairs, prosperity in things [page 59] temporal; for although, in the past year, nothing whatever was brought to us from France, we nevertheless up to this time abound, and more than abound. Therefore, from all these things it may be inferred that our affairs proceed quite well,—which is a very great favor from God.

But on the other hand there are, altogether, many and considerable influences which not only hinder our work, but seem even to threaten the ruin of the whole mission. Some of these, indeed, are common to us with all the Hurons,—especially the enemy, whom we call by the name of Iroquois; they, on one hand, close the roads and obstruct trade, and, on the other, devastate this region by frequent massacre; in short, they fill every place with fear. Other hindrances, however, are altogether peculiar to us,—notably, the hatred toward us of certain infidel Hurons, which has grown to the degree that a few days ago they killed one of our domestics. They were ready to offer the same treatment to us, if opportunity had occurred. However, God has already turned these latter difficulties into good, and abundant satisfaction has been made to us by all the Hurons for the homicide perpetrated. And the faith, far from receiving any detriment from this, has rather increased thereby,—so true it is that all things work together for good to those who love God. We trust that it will be the same with all remaining obstacles; for, if God be for us, who is against us?

There is certainly one thing which gives me especial anxiety; and about which alone Reverend Father Ragueneau, as I think, has desired me to write; nor, indeed, could or should he write it, through modesty. I fear, I say, lest the Bull of the Supreme Pontiff—[page 61] which was issued at the time when Your Paternity was elevated to the rank of General—respecting the triennial term of authority of superiors, may compel us to change our superior, which cannot be done in this condition of affairs and circumstances, without notable injury to the mission. Surely he who now presides, Reverend Father Paul Ragueneau, is in truth most excellent; and, to speak in a single word, is accomplished in every respect, and thorough in all duties. He has not his counterpart here, and I know not whether he will have in the future. The mission owes very much to him, for he has up to this time governed it most prudently, most benignly, and most vigorously. Such, moreover, is the condition of affairs and circumstances, that I regard him as the one and only man who can govern it now, as befits its dignity. For there are many men here, and among ours there are certainly men who are most devout, and illustrious for many gifts of both nature and grace; nevertheless, they are all, in my judgment, far inferior to him in many respects,—in all other things, indeed, but most of all in the matter of administration; and, in fact, there is no one who has governed before. For the rest, if necessity should compel the choice of another superior, it would seem that he ought to be taken only from those who are here, and not from others who have no experience whatever in these regions. Therefore, as early as last year I wrote to the Reverend Father Provincial that, if it could in any way be arranged, Reverend Father Ragueneau ought to be continued in office, and that in him lay the power for good in this mission. Now, however, I suppose the die is cast; and we expect letters this year, concerning either his [page 63] transfer or his retention. But, if the matter be yet unsettled, I ask and beseech Your Paternity, as far as I can, to prolong his term. The times will not always be the same; the same necessities will not always exist. After another three years, some one else can succeed him, if not with equal usefulness, yet certainly with less injury and peril. This one thing is what I beseech of Your Paternity,—being ready, nevertheless, for all things, if it should happen otherwise than I desire, for what I wish, I wish but little, and only in so far as it will conduce to the greater glory of God. It is mine to propose, but for God to dispose. I furthermore beg Your Paternity to bestow on me your blessing.

Your Very Reverend Paternity's

Most humble and most Obedient

Servant in Christ,

JEAN DE BRÉBEUF.

From the Residence of Ste. Marie,

among the Hurons, in New France.

June 2, 1648.

[page 65]

¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯

 

Journal of the Jesuit Fathers, in the year

1648.

1648, JANUARY.

HE Hospital nuns sent a letter in the morning by Monsieur de St. Sauveur, and, the evening before, a small keg of Spanish wine,—about 4 pots.{4} The same Day, I sent them a letter, and a book,—father Suffren s abridgment{5}.

I gave Monsieur de St. Sauveur a wax taper and a gerson;{6} he asked for a Skullcap, which I had made for him.

The Ursulines sent a letter and a relic-cross for me; a cake of candle-wax for father lyonne and father le Jeune; and a dinner on the Day of the Circumcision. I sent them a letter and an Image in a frame, for the oratory of their School.

I gave Pierre,—him who kept the lectern,—a box, an Image, a Rosary, and a little book. To Monsieur and Madame Bourdon, a reliquary, a book of hours, and an Abridgment of father suffren.

To our Fathers and brethren, etc., we gave, in the evening, a great illuminated Picture in vellum; and I sent one like it to Sillery.

After vespers, we said the litany of our Lady; and, the day before, that of the name of Jesus. [page 67]

They came to notify us, about 8 o'clock in the evening, of the disaster which happened on this 1st Day of the year, to wit, that four Frenchmen—Louys Couillart, Chastillon, delessar, and a fourth—having gone to the lake, 3 had been taken by the yroquois, and Chastillon alone had escaped; but, on the next day, the three who were said to have been taken returned .

At epiphany, Monsieur the governor sent 2 Turkeys and four Capons; I sent half thereof to Sillery.

About this time, 2 or three Hurons came from 3 rivers, who brought us some letters.

On the 7th, fire broke out at the brewery of the settlement.

On the 11th, Chastillon, a soldier, left here in Company with the Hurons, to the number of 7, who were returning to 3 rivers. Chastillon went thither to make ready for the journey to the Hurons at the Beginning of spring. He left on deposit with us a trunk with its Key, and another Key to a Chest which he had carried to Denys DuQuet’s.{7} He gave me to understand that, if God disposed of his person, we would find in his trunk the statement of all his affairs and arrangements. He went, as it were, before, to bear monsieur the governor's voice to the Hurons, in order to acquaint them with the state of affairs down here, and with orders to do and to say only what the Father Superior of the Hurons should command him. A few Days later, his Hat also was brought to me to be kept, and an [page 69] arquebus, for having menace Which la fortune, the blacksmith, asked 7 livres and 10 sols.

On the 17th, Joseph A¸onchiarre, of la Chaudiere, died, being accidentally wounded by his companion ochiwentaete, whose arquebus went off against his Leg, which had to be amputated. He was brought to the hospital on the last Day of the year 1647; he was baptized the same Day, then twice received absolution, and died on the above-mentioned Day. He was buried in the Common Cemetery, in a Coffin, at the Entreaty of his Companions, who drew him upon a sledge from the hospital to the Cemetery.

On the 14th, father de Quen returned from his mission at Beauport, Cap de Tourmente, and the Island of orleans: he found there more than 200 souls, and over 140 Communicants.

Toward the end of this month, there were many dead and sick people.

Item, toward the end of this month came a Huron from 3 rivers, who then Straightway returned, with another.

FEBRUARY,

On the eve of the purification, there was nobenediction; on the Day, after the benedicamus domino for vespers, vie said the Litany of ourLady, which is good to be observed at all the feasts of our lady.

We had about 100 small tapers, made by our brother Noircler, with Wax, wicks, etc., [page 71] from the Church, which were distributed in the same manner as last year. But it will certainty be expedient to arrange, as soon as possible, that the people come to get their Tapers according to the rubrics,—observing no order, unless for Monsieur the governor and those who shall be nearest the railing; yet there is difficulty therein, unless on that Day the benches are moved and room is made.

We did not preach at mass; the festival having fallen on a Sunday, and there having been distribution of holy Water, it would have been too long; but the afternoon lesson in the Catechism turned upon the subject of the feast.

This same Day, Drouin's wife, daughter of Master Zacharie,{8} died; she w as brought to the hospital on the 4th, where two Fathers, with the usual Church Choristers, went to say vespers for the dead; and at the end of vespers, they held the Ceremony over the Body, which was then carried to the Cemetery. They did not wish to draw it on the sledge; they were constrained to bear it two by two, because of the narrow roads. We sent from the parish church 4 tapers, 4 torches, the Cross, and the Psalter. The next day, a high Mass was said at the parish church; but the relatives were notified that they should go and Invite Poisson,{9} an Artisan, to help say Mass, together with Pierre, who was a workman of the settlement, thereto appointed. We draped the Altar in black, and lighted 4 tapers; [page 73] there w ere none of our brethren to serve mass.

The same Zacarie and Drouin requested another Mass for the 5th Day following; we allowed them a loin mass, but it would have been better to give it to them on the 3rd, or the 8th, or the 30th, according to the rubrics.

On the 6th, the Hospital nuns regaled the house magnificently, et sœpe alias multa miserunt.

For the Days of Shrovetide, they sent hither from the warehouse and from Monsieur the governor, abundance of meat,—a quarter of Steal, and moose. Four moose had been killed by the Hurons who were wintering here, to the number of three or four, besides those echo were at 3 rivers.

We sent from here four bottles of Spanish wine for the Shrovetide days at Sillery, from that which had been given us from the hospital and from the warehouse: we had sent two bottles previously.

The 3 Days' devotions passed as in the former years; that went well, and they must be continued.

Ash Wednesday went off better than in the two preceding years. We observed it as follows, and gave notice to the people before hand: the 1st bell at 7 o'clock (they might ring it at 6f ); the 2nd at 7½, at which time we said a low mass. At the end of this was rung the 3rd bell for high mass, at the Beginning of which the blessing and the distribution of the Ashes took place,—monsieur de [page 75] St. Sauveur giving me and receiving from me Ashes, according to the rubrics. Then our brethren, Monsieur the governor, and then the people, came to the railing without Ceremony; and, to do this conveniently, they removed the benches which might be in the way,—which is necessary. At the end of high Mass, Monsieur de St. Sauveur said His.

I announced the sermons—for Fridays, at the hospital, by father bailloquet; and for Wednesdays, at the Ursulines', by father lyonne.

On the last Day of February, some Hurons came back from 3 rivers, who brought us letters, and who returned 8 or 10 Days later .

We went to Beauport on feasts and Sundays, and even on Ash Wednesday, as long as the ice on the river allowed it.

The winter, this year, was still milder than that of last year: they began to sow about the same time as last year.

MARCH, 1648.

St. Joseph's day passed quite as in last year, so, too, the Annunciation; all that went well.

Amyot arrives here with 3 Hurons on the 27th, having come by Canoe as far as Cap rouge.

On the 30th, a certain Andre, from Monsieur de Launay ' s, was crushed by another man's fall. He survived 24 hours, received [page 77] extreme Unction, and, after his death, was brought to Quebek,—where, the Chapel steps being too Inconvenient, he was borne to one of the men's rooms at the Ursulines'. The priest who was to say mass went there to get him; and, when he was set down at the Ursulines' Church, with two torches and candles about the Body, wesaid a low mass there; then the closing Ceremony took place, and he was borne thence to the ground in the Cemetery. At the Same times Gabory, one of our men at Sillery, was wounded in the same manner.

On passion Sunday, which was the 29th, we went to the Hospital the same as last year. We said there the Stabat, O crux ave, Ave regina cœlorum, and Domine salvum fac regem; that was at the conclusion of Catechism.

APRIL.

On palm Sunday, everything occurred the same as last year.

The Hospital and Ursuline nuns sang the Tenebrœ entire.

Holy Thursday, the same as last year.

Item, Good Friday, except that Monsieur de St. Sauveur sang the Passion, because he who was officiating had preached it Immediately before. We began the preaching at 7 o'clock; it lasted 2 and ½ hours, and the service was appropriately finished.

Saturday, the same as last year; all went well. Monsieur de St. Sauveur assisted me well throughout; benediction, the same. [page 79]

On Easter Sunday, father le Jeune, at the end of the 1st and 2nd Masses, discoursed upon the Blessed Sacrament during the Communions; and the preaching was put off till afternoon, at the close of Vespers. Benediction at 5½ o'clock. All that went well.

On monday and tuesday, everything occurred the same as last year, except that the nuns sang the o filii responsively.

On Tuesday, we Invited Monsieur de St. Sauveur to dinner; and to the others who assisted in the choir we gave a bottle or so of wine.

Sa¸ondionrhens, a Huron from the village of la Conception, who had wintered here, was baptized on Easter even; his godfather, Monsieur de la fresnaye, named him Charles.

An error was committed at the Ursulines', at the Hospital, and at Sillery, in giving Communion on Easter Day.

During easter week, Amiot returned with the Hurons, and Monsieur de la Tour, who went in a Shallop to make war. I gave Amyot Chastillon's Arquebus, as he had written me that I should do so. They did not leave till Thursday, the 16th of the month of April.

Our people, to the number of ten or twelve, worked in the woods all winter until Easter, for the timber of the great house; all was done and brought thither at Easter; and at Easter they began to work upon the spot. Our brother Nicolas le fauconier had charge of the masonry; our brother liegeois, the superintendence of the whole work; and our brother [page 81] Ambroise Cauvet, of the timber for the joiners, etc.

At the same time, barracks were being built at the fort, and a Church for the parish.

Four or 5 persons were put on the Chevalet for becoming intoxicated at Easter.

Father Bailloquet went at this same season, for the 1st time, to say mass at point levi; and afterward to the isle aux oyes (Monsieur de St. Sauveur to Beaupré).

On the octave of Easter, I announced the Canon of the Council of the lateran, and the penalties declared against those who do not receive communion at Easter (de quo vide Cardinalem de lugo, titulo "de Eucharistia"),—vivens ab Ecclesiœ ingressu arceatur, et moriens Ecclesiastica careat sepultura. I gave 8 Days' respite, and then post octo dies declarandi erant incurrisse excommunicationem, seu potius excommunicandi erant, cum non de facto essent excommunicati, sed excommunicandi, ergo ab habente potestatem, quamnon habent parochi; quod si dicatur nos amplius aliquid habere cum non mihi constaret, proposui non facere, sed petere in gallia quid agendum, si nihil nobis ad solutionem difficultatum hoc anno adveniret.

On the 25th, St. Mark's Day, everything occurred the same as last year. I went, on the day before, to inspect the roads for the procession to the Hospital and Ursuline nuns': they did not appear to me sufficiently passable to malice the Procession in a becoming manner; nevertheless, I afterward repented this. The Church, it seems, and Usage, require greater [page 83] Inconveniences than that, for omitting this procession.

On the 24th of April, Chastillon' s Canoe left 3 rivers to go to the Hurons; he himself was in it with two Christian savages,—René Oheraenti and Michel. They were escorted as far as the river des prairies by a Shallop which proceeded to Montreal, whence father Daran started to come to us, on account of an incipient rupture. He arrived at Quebek on the 5th of May.

On the 26th, I went to Sillery to begin the Retreat; I began it on the evening of the 27th.

MAY, 1648.

On the 7th, the renewal of vows took place at Sillery; Abstinence and Exhortation the day before. This same Day, for the 1st Vespers of St. Michael I invited the choristers, and gave word of this devotion to Monsieur the governor and to others. He was present; and at the conclusion we gave a Collation to them all in four divisions: to Monsieur the governor and the most respectable people, in the refectory; to the musicians, in the little hall; to the sailors, in the carpenter-shop; and to the remainder, soldiers, in the great hall. That went well. Monsieur the governor came ill a shallop, and returned on foot.

On the 8th, after having said mass at Sillery, I returned in a canoe; and, father Druillettes having on the same Day returned from his wintering with the savages, the same canoe brought him back to Sillery. [page 85]

On the 12th, the bark sailed for Montreal,—in which was father bailloquet, who was going away in father Daran's place.

On the 10th was indicated the close or vacation of instruction in the Catechism, which went very well, even to the end; there was Catechism till the 3rd Sunday, Inclusive.

On the 14th, the flyboat or bark for Tadousak sailed, in which were father Dequen and father lyonne, who were going thither upon a Mission.

On the 16th, they secured the person of N. at the hospital, for reasons which will be found at the Hospital, or in the Archives.

On the 17th,—rogation Sunday,—we made the Procession after Vespers, round about the Fields, and over Cap aux Diamans, andreturned by the main street; we sang the litany of the saints and of our Lady: there was just the space necessary for this. We came back to sing the regina cœli at the Church. I gave a collation to Monsieur de St. Sauveur at the return.

On the 18th, the 1st Salmon was caught by Monsieur de St. Sauveur; two days before, they had taken some maigre,{11} and, before that, plenty of carp.

On the 23rd, Amyot and Marguerie were drowned. The news of it was brought by the bark which came back from Montreal, bringing Mademoyselle d'Ailleboust and the news of the conference with the yroquois at Montreal,—Cujes historia will be seen in a letter from father Dendemare in the Archives. [page 87]

On the 30th of May, another meeting with some yroquois, at 3 rivers, Cujes historia ibidem, and others thereafter.

JUNE, 1648.

On Monday and Tuesday in Whitsun-week we were not at the Ursulines’ and Hospital as in the former years, propter defectum musicorum, for the service would have been uninteresting.

At this time, the 40 hours' devotion was observed at the Ursulines' for the Election of the Superior, which occurred on the 3rd of June in pace et benedictione; and the renewal of their vows took place on Monday, the 5th, the day after Trinity. I entered the house with father le Jeune and father Daran, on the 9th, to make the visitation.

On the 10th, the body of Amyot was seen near Sillery, and that of Marguerie near Quebek; both were buried on the same Day—one at Sillery, the other at Quebek.

On the 11th, the festival of the Blessed Sacrament, the procession took place at the time and in the manner of the former years. All went well: 1st Mass as usual; the 2nd, which was high mass, item, as usual, at 7½ o'clock,—at which Monsieur de St. Sauveur was present. At the close, the procession then took place: our brother Nicolas bore the Cross; and Joliet and Coste, two little boys in surplices, were on either Side of the Cross, with wreaths of flowers on their heads. The savages followed, led by father le Jeune in [page 89] surplice and stole; then, twelve torches, of 12 trades; next, four lay choristers with tapers; then Monsieur de St. Sauveur, in Cope; then father Daran and father Greslon in Stole and chasuble. Then followed Louys, clad by the Hospital nuns as an Angel; and he led by the hand trio little savages. Then followed Benjamin as an Angel, dressed by the Ursulines; he bore a corporal-case between two little savages carrying wax candles. Two of our brethren followed, who bore smoking Censers; then four of our brethren at the 4 Corners of the Canopy, with Surplices and silver Candlesticks. Monsieur de Chavigny, Monsieur de la Tour, Monsieur Bourdon, and Jean Baptiste, the Savage, bore the canopy. Beside the priest walked father Druillettes in Dalmatic, and father Gabriel, in a Deacon's stole.

1. error: neither I nor the Deacons should have had maniples.
2. error: we did not sing the Domine salvum fac regum, at the temporary altar by the fort; but not having foreseen this, I said only the prayer for the king.
3. the savages whom Louys was leading were too small for so long a march.
4. There were crosses everywhere upon the altars; there should be none.

The savages were distributed at the Ursulines', at the hospital, and at the Warehouse,—where, after having dined, we gave them wherewith to make a banquet at Sillery in the evening. There were 20 at the hospital, [page 91] and as many at the Ursulines'; the men alone, in less number, at the warehouse.

I doubted whether we ought not to have given Wreaths to those who bore the canopy, and others.

On the 12th came the news brought by the Algonquains and Hurons who started, as early as last Autumn, to winter here; the original accounts will be found in the Archives, titulo Hurons. Leger, a young Lad, arrived at the same time, and remained at Montreal, after having lived about a year among the Hurons.

On the 23rd, the bonfire took place as usual; I was present, as were father le Jeune and Father Greslon. Monsieur the governor came for me, about 8½ o'clock. We went to walk in his Garden, and, about a quarter past 9, we went to the fire. Monsieur the governor set it, as was his wont; after the fire was started, I sang the ut queant laxis, the benedictus and St. John's prayer; the domini salvum fac regum, and the prayer for the king,—all without surplice. We returned at 10 o'clock.

This month, Master Abraham,{12} with two of his sons-in-law, went away for the 1st time to the seal-fishery; he took, on the eve of St. John's day, 42 at Isle rouge, near Tadousac; from which he made 6 casks of oil.

Item, Noel with his people went away to 3 rivers, with the Intention of making war; it was only a farce, which ended in nothing, except eating bread and peas at the fort of 3 rivers. The captive yroquois saw all that, [page 93] and had good reason to make sport of lt. Noel and his people, having left here on the 21st of June, returned on the 3rd of July.

1648, JULY

On the 4th arrived the 1st news from France, through the Montagnais of Sillery, who had gone as far as Gaspé.

During this whole month of July, several events occurred at 3 rivers which concerned the yroquois, and will be found in the letters among the Archives or in the relation,—among others, the capture of two of our Frenchmen, pierre le Febvre,{13} and a nephew of Monsieur de la Poterie. Item, of some Hurons; the slaughter of some others, and of two Yroquois. The news was brought to us, on the 16th, by a Shallop, which left again on the 17th, with a great boat.

On this same 17th, Pierre Onaatichiae—a Huron, called "Sansoucy"—was baptized.

On the 18th, the Savages left, to return to war; father Druillettes went with them.

On the evening of the 17th, there was a squall of wind here, with rain and thunder, and the wind so furious that, it seemed, it could hardly be stronger. The may-poles at the fort and the warehouse fell; nothing of this was felt at Sillery, but only rain.

On the 19th, I announced the procession and the 40 hours' devotion at the two religious houses,—that the entire week might be spent in holiness.

The procession took place ut in rituali [page 95] tempore belli. 1st, to the Ursulines; 2nd, to the hospital: liberum factum est Coadjutoribus ire post crucem, in habitu suo ordinario

The 40 hours' devotion began at the hospital on Monday, with a solemn Mass about 7 o clock, when the Blessed Sacrament was exposed at the Communion, and remained exposed until the Benediction at 7 o'clock in the evening; and, on the 2nd and 3rd Days, it was exposed from 5 o'clock in the morning until 7 o'clock in the evening. On the 1st Day, for benediction, the ordinary benediction with the Blessed Sacrament; on the 2nd Day, the miserere and Tantum ergo, and, on the 3rd, the litany of the name of Jesus, and the Tantum ergo, with several Prayers Appropriate to the circumstances and the season.

On Thursday, we began the same at the Ursulines'; but on the 22nd, at the Beginning of the Mass, arrived father Bressany, who brought letters from the Hurons, and the news of their encounter with the yroquois, of whom they killed or captured 30 or 35.

The Hurons having come downs to the number of 250, father le Jeune and I (nullo alio Consultore prœsente resolved upon the departure for the Hurons of fathers Lalemant, Daran, and Greslon, of our brother Noircler and the little Louys; and we made ready for; going to 3 rivers on the 24th of July. eve returned thence on the 9th of August.

On the last of the month, father lyonne returned from his mission at Tadoussac. The feast occurred at the Ursulines', the same [page 97] as last year; at the Hospital nuns, with the exception that for lack of Musicians and a priest, the nuns alone sa governors; and all the letters brought by want of a priest, no mass was said at the parish church, but only at the Ursulines'.

AUGUST, 1648.

On the 6th, the 50 or 60 huron Canoes started from 3 rivers, which took on board 26 frenchmen, whose names will be found Archives in the annual Catalogue of houses,—5 fathers, one brother, 3 Boys, 9 workmen, and 8 soldiers,—besides 4 that were to be taken at Montreal; a heifer and a small piece of Cannon.

At this same time, the fishery ceased. That for salmon ended 15 Days before; of this fish they salted 9 kegs, and ate or distributed fully as many. The salmon-fishery was followed by that for sturgeon, of which they took 27, very large and fat; and, on the Day of St. Lawrence, they began to take eels.

At the return from 3 rivers, on the 9th of August, there entered our service Pierre honaatichiai, called "Sansoucy." On the next day, he gave me 21 pounds' weight of Beaver, because I was his Father; this was given to the warehouse and valued at 63 livres in silver, which were applied to us; and consequently we are accountable to the said Sansoucy for the aforesaid 63 livres.

In the night between the 13th and 14th, father dequen arrived from Tadousac with a Surgeon named belanger, who bore the [page 99] letters from the king, respecting the change of governors; and all the letters brought by the; Admiral arrived at Tadousac on the 8th.

On the 15th the procession occurred,—like last year's. except that our brother Nicolas, in Surplice, was the one who bore the cross. The savages were not in sufficient number to form in embody, and thus what there were of them went behind. There were two Surpliced Boys, with Candlesticks, on either side of him who bore the image of our Lady.

On the same Day father DeQuen started again for Tadousac, and a Canoe was sent to Monsieur d'Ailleboust.

Benjamin comes from the Ursulines', where he was, to our house, to serve us.

On the 20th, the Day of St. Bernard, Monsieur d’Ailleboust anchored before Quebek, and was received as Governor: the account of the Ceremony will be found in the Archives.

On the Day before, the 3 Hospital nuns{14} arrived with father Vimont, who was returning from France, and a lad named Colivet. Avon, a certain Pierre Oliveau, a Miller,—or sent as such,—and Pierre biron, who was exchanged with Cartron, who had come for Monsieur Macar.

On the 24th, a shallop left for 3 rivers and Montreal, which bore the letters and orders; and Daniel Cartron was placed in the vessel to go and serve at 3 rivers.

On the Day before, the bark returned and brought back from 3 rivers the little Jean, who was employed at Sillery. [page 101]

On the 26th, basile and his nephew entered our service.

On the day of St. Augustine I said mass at the Ursulines', and father Vimont at the Hospital, where the Blessed Sacrament was exposed on account of the Indulgences. These, not having beenz published at the parish church, were posted on the public Tree or May-poll by Monsieur de St. Sauveur (they say), without speaking of the matter to me; et hoc male. Father Vimont preached in the morning at the hospital, publicly; and at evening in private at the Ursulines'. There were no benedictions.

On the 29th, the bark left again in order to go and get the remainder of the Beavers at 3 rivers; and it returned on the 6th of september. There was mademoyselle de la poterie, etc.,—and, among others, Marie Magdelaine, who was placed at board with barbe hybou,{l5} on the 7th of the same month.

The Tadousac Trade this year amounted to forty thousand livres' profit, and, in all, to about 250,000 livres. There were at least 22,400 1ivres' weight, and more than 500 moose.

1648, SEPTEMBER.

On the 3rd, father le Jeune goes to Sillery to take charge of the house, at the return of the savages from their journey in the Canoes.

On the 13th, Monsieur de Tilly and Monsieur Vignar, the priest of the Ursulines, arrived in a shallop.

About this time, there was brought from montreal a drummer, Convictus crimine pessimo, [page 103] whose death our Fathers who were at Montreal opposed, sed occute; he was then sent hither and put in the prison. It was proposed to him, so that he might at least escape the galleys, to accept the office of executioner of Justice; he accepted it, but his trial was first disposed of, and then his sentence was commuted.

On the 20th, the nostre Dame arrived; on the 21st, the St. Sauveur and the Flyboat, which brought the cargo of count d 'oignon 's frigate; and, on this same 21st, arrived the last Shallop from 3 rivers.

On the 23rd, the Admiral sailed again, Commanded by Monsieur de Montmagny; on board were Monsieur Godefroy,—Controller-general, and Admiral for the return,—and father Martin Lyonne; and with it the Flyboat.

On the 29th, a Shallop started for 3 rivers, and father DeQuen went on board.

On the 30th, the Montréal bark sailed, and in it Marie Magdelaine, and on the same Day the flyboat returned from Tadousac.

OCTOBER

Of the three yroquois who escaped on the 6th, who were captives at 3 rivers, the one named le berger came back, and brought with him Pierre le febvre, a captive among the yroquois: the story and its continuation will appear elsewhere.

On the 22nd, the last two vessels sailed,—the nostre dame and the St. Sauveur, in which was our brother Liegeois; and, on the 28th, father Buteux and all those from 3 rivers returned. [page 105]

On the 25th, the Jubilee Began; on Sunday we made a procession, after vespers, to the hospital; and on the Day of St. Simon and St. Jude the savages can e here in Procession. On All Saints' Day, a Procession to the Ursulines'; and on the Sunday, which was the 15th day of the Jubilee for the close of the same, a general Procession,—that is to say, to both the religious houses.

There were few eels this year, and there was a great tendency to destitution.

This year the half of the great main Building was finished, and the foundation of the Cellar.

1648, NOVEMBER

The snow Begins on the 18th.

Two Hurons come from 3 rivers on the 24th, and return on the 27th or 28th.

The Savages withdrew from Sillery this month, and made a fort in the woods at the end of their clearings.

DECEMBER

No salute was fired at the fort, either at the feast of St. Xavier, or at that of the Immaculate Conception. Father Vimon published at the 1st Mass the Indulgence of St. Xavier{l6}; non expedit publicari, because of the impending Indulgence for the Immaculate Conception, which is a festival; and, the Indulgences published on a Workday, not being observed, become unimportant and of little value. Everything takes place as in the former years,—benediction on the eve of the [page 107] Immaculate Conception and on the Day, at the close of Vespers, the litany with Music.

Father Vimont went on a mission to Beauport for the space of 8 Days in the week of Fasts; from the Sault downward, there were more than 50 men bearing arms.

There was a prodigious abundance of white partridges this year; more than 1,200 had been killed at Beauport within a month.

The midnight mass was preceded by matins which were said for the 1st time, and well; there was a great concourse, and the whole Church overflowed even from the commencement of Matins, which began at 10 o'clock. The last bell was rung a quarter of an hour before, and we ended a quarter before Midnight; and this quarter was happily spent in a little address which, though occurring only by chance, showed that it was a thing to be done purposely. We sang the 13 psalms of the Nocturnes in faux-bourdon and the responses of the last Nocturne with music; at the Elevation, music with viols,—and so during the communions, which were administered by another priest, while the one who had said high mass was saying a 2nd Mass in a low tone. All that is well, done thus. We had no need of fire in the Church.

We were not in the Churches at the Christmas feasts.

END

 

 

 

¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯

 

 

 

LXVI

RELATION OF 1647 - 48

PARIS: SEBASTIEN ET GABRIEL CRAMOISY, 1649

SOURCE: we follow a copy of the original Cramoisy, in Lenox Library.

Owing to its length, we publish herewith but eight chapters of Part 1.; the document will be concluded in Volume XXXIII. [page 111]

 

 

¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯

 

 

RELATION

OF WHAT OCCURRED

MOST REMARKABLE

in the Missions of the Fathers

of the Society of JESUS,

IN

NEW FRANCE,

IN THE YEARS 1647 AND 1648.

Sent to the Reverend Father Provincial of

the Province of France.

By the Superior of the Missions of the same

Society.

PARIS

	Sebastien cramoisy,
Print- ed by	Printer in ordinary to the King; and to the Queen Regent,	ruë St. Jac-ques, at the
	AND Gabriel Cramoisy.	sign of the Storks.

M. D C . XLIX

BY ROYAL LICENSE.

 

¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ Table of the Chapters contained in this Book.
Relation of what occurred in New France on the great river Saint Lawrence, in the year one thousand six hundred and fourty-eight		page 1
Chap. I.	Of the arrival of the ships	page 4
II.	Of what passed between the French and the Savages, their allies, and the Hiroquois	12
III.	Of the arrival of the Hurons, and of the defeat of some Hiroquois	34
IV.	Of some good actions and some good sentiments of the Christian Savages	47
V.	Continuation of the same subject	61
VI	Of some other good actions of the Savages	79
VII.	Of the wintering of Father Gabriel Druilletes with the Savages	94
VIII.	Of the tribes called the Attiguamegues	112
IX.	Of the Mission of the Holy Cross at Tadoussac	130
X.	Various matters that could not be related in the foregoing Chapters	144
¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯
Relation of what occurred in the Mission of the Fathers of the Society of Jesus in the Huron Country, in New France, in the years 1647 and 1648		3
Chap. I.	Situation of the Country of the Hurons; of their allies, and of their enemies.	5
II.	Of the general state of the Mission.	10
III.	Of our house of Saine Marie.	14
IV.	Of various defeats of our Hurons by their enemies.	17
V.	Of God’s Providence toward some Christians captured or killed by the enemies.	24
VI.	Of the Baptisms of some Hiroquois taken in war by the Hurons.	32
VII.	Of the negotiations for peace between the Hurons and the Onnontaeronnons.	41
VIII.	Of an Embassy of the Hurons to Andastoé.	50
IX.	Of the progress of Christianity in the Huron Missions.	56
X.	Of the Algonquin Missions.	63
XI.	Good sentiments of some Christians.	72
XII.	Of the chief superstitions of the Hurons in their infidelity; and, in the first place, their opinions respecting dreams.	92
XIII.	Opinions of the Hurons regarding their diseases.	99
XIV.	Of a species of charm which the Hurons use to bring good fortune	108
XV.	Opinion of the Hurons regarding diseases which they consider to be caused by whichcraft. Of their Soothsayers and Magicians.	112
XVI.	What knowledge the pagan Hurons had of the Divinity	117
XVII.	Of the murder of a Frenchman killed by the Hurons, and of the reparation that was made therefore.	120

Extract from the Royal License.

Y grace and Privilege of the King, permission is granted to SEBASTIEN CRAMOISY, Bookseller under Oath in the University of Paris and Printer in ordinary to the King and to the Queen Regent, Burgess and ex-Alderman of this City of Paris, to print or to have printed a Book entitled Relations de ce qui s'est passé de plus remarquable és Missions des Peres de la Compagnie de JESUS en la Nouvelle France, és années 1647. et 1648. envoyée R. P. Provincial de la Province de France, par le Superieur des Missions de la mesme Compagnie. And this during the time and space of ten consecutive years, prohibiting all Booksellers and Printers from printing or causing to be printed the said Book, under pretext of disguise or change that they might make therein, on pain of confiscation and of the fine provided by the said License. Given at Paris, in December, 1648.

By the King in Council,

CRAMOISY.

 

¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯

 

Permission of the Reverend Father Provincial.

WE, Estienne Charlet, Provincial of the Society of JESUS in the Province of France, have granted for the future to sieur Sebastien Cramoisy, Bookseller, Printer in ordinary to the King and to the Queen Regent, and Burgess and ex-Alderman of this City of Paris, the printing of the Relations of New France. Done at Paris, this 30th of December, 1648.

ESTIENNE CHARLET.

¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯

[X] Relation of what occurred in New France,

on the great River St. Lawrence, in

the year one thousand six

hundred and forty-eight.

To Reverend Father Estienne Charlet, Provincial of the Society

of JESUS in the Province of France.

Y REVEREND FATHER,

Here is our annual tribute, which is somewhat larger than that of last year; and, moreover, we have gathered it not only from among the neighboring nations, but also from those more distant.

[2] Your Reverence will observe in these two Relations that a goodly number of Savages have been baptized. You will find that the Faith strikes its roots very deep into the hearts of Believers; that those who have embraced it commence to form a body, and to resist the Pagans who attack it—sometimes in secret, and sometimes openly; that it has been most triumphant in the greatest dangers; that the Hiroquois, the common enemies of the French and of the Savages who are their allies, have this year lost more than they have gained; that, in spite of their ambushes and weapons, we sent assistance to the upper countries,—at least, we think that four of our Fathers, who had been knocking at the door for a year or two, have entered the Huron country with a score of French; and that they who called to us for aid, and whom we have succored as much as [page 127] we could, so as not to lose so excellent an opportunity as that which presented itself, expected a larger number of Gospel laborers. That is the only thing that they desire and need, and the want of it will cause them to lose opportunities of extending their work, and prevent [3] us who are down here from continuing some Missions hat we had begun.

Such, My Reverend Father, is a brief summary of what your Reverence will see in more detail in these Relations. All that remains for me to do is most humbly to entreat your reverence, and all our Fathers and Brethren, to remember that we commend ourselves to their holy Sacrifices and prayers, that we may be careful, by faithful observance of our duty, to carry out the adorable designs of the Divine Majesty respecting these poor peoples.

Your Reverence's,

From Quebec, this Very humble and very obe-

15th of October, 1648. dient servant in Our Lord,

HIEROSME LALEMANT.

¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯

[4] CHAPTER I.

OF THE ARRIVAL OF THE SHIPS.

T is a pleasure to see two persons of merit and virtue vying with each other in deference,—especially when one of them lays aside the interests that might induce him to dispense with it did he not fortify his courage with some thought more worthy and more elevated than those of the commonalty. So soon as Monsieur the Chevalier de Montmagny became aware of the wishes of the King and the Queen, and learned on the arrival of the ships that their Majesties had appointed Monsieur d' Ailleboust to the Government of the country throughout the whole extent of the River St. Lawrence, he not only received the order with honor and respect, but he further manifested a generous magnanimity by making, with much display, all necessary preparations for the reception of the new Governor. The latter was afterward received by all orders of the country, who paid him their compliments. Us] Even the Savages wished to take part in it; and they delivered a short harangue to him through the mouth of a Religious of our Society, who accompanied them. If one carries away our regrets, and leaves us an everlasting recollection of his prudence and his wisdom, the other, whose virtue is already known in this new world, gives us, I may say, not only a hope but an assurance that the fruits that are already well advanced will come [page 131] to maturity, and that the Kingdom of God will continue to extend itself and to increase throughout these regions. He spares no pains to return the compliment to his Predecessor; for he can find no honor great enough to acknowledge the merit and virtue of that brave Chevalier.

But I must not digress from my subject. The first vessel that brought us consolation through the return of Father Barthelemy Vimont, and the coming of three good Hospital Nuns, which caused great rejoicing in their house—also brought us sorrow through the number of sick persons on board, who were carried to that house of charity and mercy. It seldom happens that sickness breaks out [6] in the ships that come to this country; if the voyage be somewhat rough on the sea, it does not generally affect bodily health. Some infection caught in France or the great heat that they experienced near the Azores, or the spoiling of badly selected food, or all these things together? brought on I know not what epidemic in this case, which caused the death of some, and suffering to a good many others. Monsieur de Repentigny was carried off in less than twelve days; but by a special blessing, his death, says the Father who attended him until he had drawn his last breath, was precious before God, so greatly resigned was he to his will. The youngest of the three Nuns called Mother Catherine de St. Augustin, was at the very gates of death,—or, rather, the gates of Paradise. But her Spouse wished to try her still longer by sufferings, and he restored her health. Her vocation to this new world is rather remarkable. Her zeal led her to desire Crosses with affection; and her fathered who feared the danger, so strongly [page 133] opposed her departure that he presented a petition [7] to the Parliament of Rouen to prevent her leaving the Convent of Mercy at Bayeux, where she was a Nun. This poor little Dove was in great distress, and her relatives were resisting her, when her father happened to cast his eye on the Relation of last year; and he was so deeply affected, in reading of the horrible tortures suffered by the good Father Isaac Jogues, that that which would apparently confirm hint most stubbornly in his opposition caused him to relent. " Is it true," he said, "that they suffer so nobly for God in those countries? I wish my two daughters to go there. I refused one, and now I give them both." On this point a contest arose. Those two sisters, who were Nuns in the same institution, both desired to sacrifice themselves, while but one was needed. The Holy Ghost caused the lot and the Cross to fall to the younger, and the tears and regrets to the elder.

The other two Nuns, called Mother Anne de l’Assomption and Mother Jeanne de sainte Agnes, came, one from the Community of the Hospital Mothers of the city of Dieppe—which is [8] the nursery of the other houses, and which gave us the first Nuns for the Hospital of Quebec; the other from the hostel Dieu of Vennes in Brittany. God overcame all the obstacles that impeded the journey, and brought them safe and sound to their little house, which impatiently awaited that aid.

The news that is related on the arrival of the ships very often resembles the days and years of Jacob; if there be good news, there is also very frequently bad. We received one piece of information highly advantageous to many Savages of the upper nations. [page 135] Madame the Princess, the kindness of whose heart extends to the utmost confines of this new world, has declared herself the Mother and foundress of the Mission called that "of the Apostles" in the nation commonly known as the Tobacco nation. She wishes to contribute to the conversion of those peoples; and while her son Monseigneur the Prince enlarges the Kingdom of France, she tries to extend the limits of the Empire of Jesus Christ.

I will finish this Chapter with the death [9] of two young Frenchmen, who have been greatly regretted in this country on account of both their virtue and their knowledge of languages. One was named François Marguerie and the other Jean Amiot. While crossing the great River opposite three Rivers, in a Savage Canoes they were drowned in sight of the French, without its being possible to render them any assistance. Both were brave and Skillful; and, what is to be prized above all, they led, in the opinion of the whole country, a most innocent life. A storm suddenly arose; their bark canoe, which was worthless, split open and caused them to lose their lives.

It was Jean Amiot who last year captured a Hiroquois who amid the fires sang these words: " Antaiok" (thus the Hiroquois and Hurons called him) "is the cause of my going to Heaven. I am very glad of this, and am grateful to him for it." While on his way down to Quebec some time before his death, to obtain leave from Monsieur the Governor to lead a party of French against the Hiroquois, he challenged all the young men to a race, either with snowshoes on their feet; or without snowshoes. Some of them entered the lists against him, but he [page 137] carried off the victory. He was so good-humored that even the vanquished loved and respected him. He was adroit in turning aside evil conversations, or in kindly chiding those who swore or indulged in imprecations; and by this means he prevented a great deal of harm, and offended no one—for his innocence, with his reputation for courage, protected him. He had a most special and constant devotion for St. Joseph, which he had acquired in the house of Sainte Marie, in the Huron country, where he was brought up. As She exposed himself hourly to the dangers and alarms that the Hiroquois caused us, he said to one of our Fathers: " If I should die I desire that this timber and these other materials, which I am preparing in order to build a house, be employed in erecting a small Chapel in honor of St. Joseph." He had made a vow never to refuse anything that might be asked of him in the name of that great Saint. He dedicated to him his walks, his journeys, his battles; and,:[11] when they spoke of a flying camp against the Hiroquois, he said: "If I were permitted to name that little army I would call it the army of St. Joseph." That chaste Spouse of the Virgin had obtained for that young warrior the purity of an Angel. Those who knew him most intimately assert that he had never fallen into any mortal sin, though he was exposed to a thousand dangers; and was so pressingly solicited that, like Joseph of old, he had to leave his robe or his mantle behind. It was God's will that he should rank among the virgins. He was about to be married, when he died. His comrades were Surprised at his modesty for he made love like an angel, as it were. [page 139] Many have believed that God snatched him away in his youth, so that the credit and esteem that he gained by his courage and skill might not affect his innocence or break down his virtue.

I have heard him relate that, having one day gone out hunting where some Hiroquois lay in ambush, he was seized with a great fear,—a thing that never happened to him, for he was brave to the last [12] degree, though prudent, for his courage was based Upon the reliance that he placed in God. He endeavored several times to advance, but all he did was to move around in the woods, and he could never get any farther. He prayed to his Father, St. Joseph, and at the same time he said to a Huron who accompanied him: " Let us retire; it is not good to be here. ' on the following day, some Algonquins who went to the same place fell into a Hiroquois ambush. In conclusion, that brave soldier of St. Joseph performed a journey of twenty-five or thirty leagues after his death, to be buried at the residence of St. Joseph. [page 141]

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CHAPTER II.

OF WHAT PASSED BETWEEN THE FRENCH AND THE SAVAGES, THEIR ALLIES,

AND THE HIROQUOIS.

N the eighteenth of May, two canoes full of Hiroquois crossed the great River in sight of the fort of Montreal. They coolly landed [13] on the Island, and, without manifesting any apprehension, seven or eight of their band went straight to the French quarter. Monsieur de Maison-neufve, the Governor of the Island, sent out some soldiers to reconnoitre. When the Barbarians observed them, they halted, and made signs that they wished a parley. Two Interpreters were sent, and remained with them a very long time. " we have no war with the French," they said; " we war only on the Algonquins who alone are our enemies. Let us forget the past, and renew peace more strongly than ever." our Interpreters were delighted with this fine speech, and reciprocally assured them of the sincerity of our thoughts, and the kindness of our hearts. In a word, they became so confident that two Hiroquois passed in among the party of French, while one of the two interpreters went to join the Hiroquois, for both sides spoke to one another only from a distance. Monsieur de Maison-neufve, who feared a surprise, went with some soldiers to the spot where this parley was going on; and, after having given [14] the Interpreter who was with the Hiroquois to understand thaw he should try to escape [page 143] on the following night, he took with him the two Hiroquois with the intention of sending them to Monsieur our Governor after the Interpreter should escape. The parley being ended, each one retired to his own quarters. The Interpreter passed the night with the Hiroquois, and the two Hiroquois with the French. Mutual inquiries were made for news; the Hiroquois asked what had become of one of their warriors, who had been taken prisoner by the French in the previous Autumn. The Interpreter did not wish to tell them how the poor wretch had been burned, so he endeavored to turn the conversation and to evade their question; but, when the Hiroquois persisted, he retorted: " And you, tell us what has become of Father Jogues and a Frenchman, who went to your country confiding in the plighted word of the people.' The Hiroquois, who were more cunning than they seemed, changed their tune at this retort. " Let us speak of pleasant things," one of them replied. " You will soon see at your gates the oldest and most prominent men of our country, who will come to ask the French fox peace; and to prove their sincerity they are bringing [15] some Dutchman with them." It must be admitted that there is goodness and simplicity among the French, who listened to these discourses with as much pleasure as if they came from innocent lips and hearts.

On the following day, as the Interpreter had not effected his escape,—either because no opportunity of doing so presented itself, or because he considered that he was bound to keep his word with people who have none to keep, and who make a profession of surprising us,—we were obliged, in order to get [page 145] him back, to give up the two hostages whom we had seized. When the Hiroquois received their people,—of whose return they had some doubts, owing to their own treachery,—they felt such joy that they approached our French unarmed, except one alone, who was more distrustful than the others. Now as we were more numerous than they, and well armed, it would have been very easy to capture them all, had we wished to do so.

We have been told that, at about that time, a Frenchman had wandered a little distance from his house. A Hiroquois who lay in ambush waited until he had [16] discharged his arquebus at some pigeons that he was pursuing, and then rushed at him; but the Frenchman bravely extricated himself from the danger. And flow rely on the fine words of those innocents ! In conclusion, they gave us a present of their game, while Monsieur de Maison-neufve had them taste some French bread; and as a proof of their good-will toward us, they stole the nets that had been set in the river at a spot quite close to the fort; this was their last adieu. One must never expect the Hiroquois to keep their word, unless they be influenced by some motive of fear or of hope, because they have no Religion, and their government is not such that, when an individual kills a Frenchman for his pleasure, he need fear any punishment.

If we had a considerable number of Hiroquois in our hands, and by delivering them up could obtain that the children of the principal men of the country be brought to us, the fear that the older ones would have of our doing an injury to the little ones would prevent them from attacking us unseasonably. But so long as they consider us incapable of doing them [page 147] any harm, or of [17] procuring them any great advantage, our kindness w ill not protect us from their treachery and cruelty. Let us continue our route, if you please.

On the thirtieth of the same month of May, some French canoes went to visit their nets that were set on the other side of the great River, opposite the fort of three Rivers. A Hiroquois, who lay hidden in the forest, observed their shallop and swam out to it. As he was alone, he was received without any distrust; and he did his best to explain, by signs, that he was a friend of the French. A Huron, who had become a Hiroquois in his captivity, appeared on the bank and called out, asking to be taken with his comrade. They approached him, held out their hands to him, and took him on board the shallop, where he displayed much affection toward the French, who did the same to him, but in much more innocent kindness. While these compliments were going on, their canoe made its appearance, paddled by three Hiroquois, their companions. Our people spoke to them, received them kindly, offered them fish, and invited them to visit the French with their comrades; but they still kept [18] aloof . When those who were in the shallop saw this, they withdrew, bringing back those two voluntary prisoners to Monsieur de la Poterie, the Governor of three Rivers; he put them in a secure place, and ordered those who were in the shallop to return at once with a reinforcement, to endeavor to attract the three other Hiroquois. They were found at the same spot where they had been left. Now, as they did not think that there were any Savages with us, they were almost on the point of following us, when a [page 149] Huron happened to speak, and that frightened them so much that they fled. Two Hurons and an Algonquin, who had slipped in among our people, started in pursuit. The Algonquin caught one, whom he wished to take alive; but, meeting with too much resistance, he killed him and tore off his scalp which he brought back in token of his victory. The two Others escaped into the woods.