PREFACE TO VOL. XXXIV

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

LXVIII. This is a letter by Buteux to the father general, dated at Three Rivers, September 21, 1649. In reply to a note from the latter, the missionary returns thanks for promised aid, which is especially needed at this time, when the French are continually harassed by Iroquois raids. The little settlement of Three Rivers is so slightly defended that the French are in daily peril of their lives; but all connected with the mission—not only the priests, but their servants—are ready to lay down their lives, if need be, for the sake of the little Indian church which they have there founded.

LXIX. his is a vivid and sympathetic account of the martyrdom of Brebeuf and Gabriel Lalemant, written by Christophe Regnaut, one of the donnés in the Huron mission. Although he did not witness this tragedy, he obtained full particulars of it from the Christian Hurons taken captive by the Iroquois, who were present throughout the horrible torments inflicted upon the unfortunate Jesuits. He relates these in detail, and then describes the condition of the martyrs' remains, which he has helped to bring from St. Ignace to Ste. Marie, and afterward carefully examines, finding that the appearance of the bodies [page 9] fully confirms the statements of the Hurons. The bones of these victims are carried to Quebec, " where they are held in great veneration. "

LXX. he annals of the Quebec colony are continued by the Journal des Jésuites for 1649. Little is recorded for January outside of the usual list of New-year's gifts; but " on the pith, occurred the first execution by the hand of the hangman, in the case of a Creature of 15 or 16 years, a thief." At the same time, Abraham Martin is imprisoned on a scandalous charge connected with this poor girl; but "his trial is postponed till the arrival of the vessels." A few weeks later, " the 2nd execution of Justice took place."

Little else of importance occurs during the cold season. " The winter's Work was to pile sand for building and wood for heating." The bonfire was again made, this year, on St. Joseph's eve; " but the material was separated from the spiritual." At the governor's request, Lalemant kindles the fire. " The river St. Charles became open on the 27th and 28th, and sowing was begun."

Early in May, news comes from Three Rivers and Montreal that famine prevails there. There is also great scarcity at Quebec; but the Jesuits are able to aid the people there, with "more than 40 casks of grain," for seed and for food. On June 6, thirty-four Frenchmen are sent to the Huron country. A grant of two leagues of land, opposite Montreal, is made to the Jesuits.

" At 3 rivers, no bonfire was made on St. John's day,—the governor claiming that the warehouse ought to make it, and the warehouse referring it to the governor." The usual fisheries, especially that [page 10] of salmon, are this year almost a failure, except that of sturgeon, of which unusual numbers are caught.

In July, thirty Abenaki Indians come to Quebec; but they are forbidden to come hither again. They bring the first news of the year from France, for the fleet has not yet arrived. Savages from Tadoussac also bring items of information which they have gathered from the fishermen on the coast. On the 20th, the sad tidings come from Huronia that those tribes are destroyed, and that some of the Fathers have become martyrs. A few weeks later, aid is sent to the Huron mission,—a detachment of soldiers, and several donné.

The long-delayed fleet finally arrives, August 23 and 24; it brings a new missionary, Charles Albanel. Another ship had, in March, left France for Canada; but, as it has not arrived, it is accounted lost; the Jesuits thus incur a loss of 4,000 livres.

September 20 - 22, Father Bressani arrives from the Huron country, with two bands of Indians; and the French traders and soldiers come down, bringing 5,000 livres' weight of beaver skins. Bressani sets out on his return to the Huron mission; but, a few days later, he comes back with his Huron companions, who probably through fear of the Iroquois—refuse to go beyond the river Des Prairies. When the last vessel returns to France, it conveys an Iroquois captive. This year's trade amounts to 100,000 livres. A number of Hurons come down to three Rivers and Quebec to spend the winter; they are aided by the Jesuits with food, blankets, etc.

At the departure of the vessels, this year, begins ''an exaction of 20 sols on each passenger ticket, to be paid to the Governor's secretary; and money was [page 11] taken from the fines, for salary or perquisites to the same secretary, and to other officers." The king has " appropriated 19,000 livres for the affairs of the country; " and out of this sum a defensive wall is begun at Sillery. The masonry of the Jesuits' building is finished, this season, and the roof put on. Their estate of Notre Dame des Anges is rented, at 100 écus.

LXXI. The Relation of 1648 - 49 contains only Ragueneau's report of the Huron mission for the year ending May 1, 1649. It recounts the destruction of that mission, the martyrdom of three priests, and the dispersion of the Huron converts, in a sanguinary raid made by the Iroquois. Accompanying it is a brief note from Lalemant, superior of the Canadian missions, to his provincial in France, explaining why he sends this year no report for the St. Lawrence missions.

Ragueneau begins by relating the capture, by the Iroquois, of the mission village of St. Joseph (Teanaustayé), on July 4 of the preceding summer (1648). Father Daniel, in charge of that mission, is killed while encouraging his flock to resist the enemy, whose sudden and unexpected attack finds the Christians at their little church, attending the celebration of mass. They make such resistance as they can, but it avails little; the enemy soon master the village, and set it on fire, massacring the helpless inhabitants—men, women, and children alike. Daniel soon sees that all is lost; and he hastens through the cabins, baptizing all whom he can reach, that at least their souls may be saved. Finally, as the enemy approach the church, Daniel goes forth alone to meet them, that he may engage [page 12] their attention, and give his disciples a better opportunity to escape. They overwhelm him with arrow and gun shots, and throw his naked corpse into the flames which are consuming the church,—truly a noble funeral pyre. While they delay thus, many of the converts are enabled to escape; but many others are slain or captured—especially mothers burdened with their infants. Ragueneau describes the zeal and devotion which animated Daniel throughout his missionary career; and the apparitions of his departed spirit which were visible to his brethren. In the capture of St. Joseph, about 700 Hurons are slain or taken captive; but a much larger number than this escape, and take refuge in other villages,—many at Ste. Marie. The relief, both temporal and spiritual, needed by these desolate fugitives casts a heavy burden upon the mission.

Early in September, a reinforcement arrives, consisting of four additional missionaries, and a score of Frenchmen besides. This gives the Fathers new courage, and they even strive to extend their labors to more distant tribes. They maintain eleven missions,—eight Huron, and three Algonkin. " Everywhere, the progress of the Faith has surpassed our hopes,—most minds, even those formerly most fierce, becoming so docile, and submissive to the preaching of the Gospel, that it was sufficiently apparent that the Angels were laboring there much more than w e. " About 1,800 persons have been baptized during the year, not including those baptized by Daniel at the destruction of St. Joseph. A new mission has been established among the Ottawas on Manitoulin Island. The writer gives a brief survey of the older missions in the country, among [page 13] which La Conception (Ossossané) is conspicuous for the number and zeal of its Christians; numerous instances of their piety are related. In this mission, the Father in charge has entire control of his people, and is regarded as the chief of all their captains. The other missions show the blessed results of these noble examples; and the superior is rejoiced at the piety and devotion which he sees everywhere among the native Christians. " But what has most delighted me is, to see that the sentiments of the Faith have so far entered these hearts, which we formerly called Barbarian, that I may truthfully say that grace has stifled in many of them the fears, the desires, the joys, and the feelings of Nature."

" The blessings of Heaven were Rowing down in abundance upon these peoples," when another and more crushing blow was dealt them by their enemies. On March 16, 1649, a thousand Iroquois, well armed—" mostly with firearms, which they obtain from the Dutch, their allies "—make a sudden attack, at daybreak, on the village Of St. Ignace (not more than ten miles southeast of Ste. Marie itself). This place, although well fortified, is taken " almost without a blow, " the people being asleep; and nearly all of them are slain or captured. Not stopping here, the enemy immediately proceed to the attack of St. Louis, the next village on the road to Ste. Marie. This, although bravely defended by its few warriors, is soon captured and burned; and the enemy cast into the flames all whom they cannot take with them as prisoners—the old, the sick and wounded, and the little children. Here occur two more martyrdoms; Father Jean de Brebeuf and Gabriel Lalemant are in charge of this mission, and [page 14] they refuse to desert their flock in order to save their own lives; and, like Daniel, they devote themselves to comforting! encouraging, or baptizing all who need their ministrations. At last, the enemy forces an entrance, and most of the Christians are made prisoners, as well as the two Fathers. The Iroquois plan to attack Ste. Marie next; but a partial defeat of their advance-guard, and a sudden panic which, on St. Joseph's day, seizes them, induce them to give up this scheme. They accordingly depart homeward, after having burned to death many captives, most of these being Christians.

A chapter is devoted to " the blessed deaths " of Fathers Brebeuf and Lalemant; this is mainly a repetition, in somewhat different form, of Regnaut's account in document LXIX. preceding. Ragueneau adds a sketch of Gabriel Lalemant's life and character, with a copy of certain pious meditations written by the latter and found after his death; he also devotes more than a fourth part of this Relation to a similar account of Brebeuf,—recounting at length the religious experiences and visions, and praising the virtues, of this pioneer missionary. For the former, he finds material in the personal memoirs written by Brebeuf at his superior's command.

Ragueneau concludes this Relation with a review of "the present state of Christianity, and means of helping these Peoples." The blows dealt by the Iroquois have filled the Huron land with consternation, and its people are dispersing in every direction. To add to their wretchedness, famine is raging everywhere—worse than for fifty years past. The Jesuits help all whom they can; in less than a year, they have received and aided at Ste. Marie over [page 15] 6,000 persons. Fifteen villages have been abandoned by their inhabitants, who have fled—some westward, to the Tobacco tribes; others to St. Joseph (Charity) Island in Georgian Bay; others still talk of going to the Manitoulin Islands. To this last refuge the Fathers intend at first to follow their flock, abandoning their residence of Ste. Marie; they consider it a central and convenient location from which to extend their work among the Northern and Western Algonkin tribes, and to maintain the trade of these with Quebec and Three Rivers. Ragueneau's final decision, however, is to go to St. Joseph Island, whither most of the fugitive Hurons decide to flee. To that island the residence of Ste. Marie will be transferred; and it will be, as at the old location, the center of mission activities in Western Canada. A letter is appended, written by Chaumonot, who during the past year has been in charge of a mission on St. Joseph .

This Relation, as originally published, ends with Chaumonot's letter; but the second edition appends a postscript, containing additional nears—brought by a later vessel from Canada—of the fortunes of the Huron mission. One of the letters thus received—written from St. Joseph Island, in August, 1649—states that three hundred Huron families have taken refuge on that island; and that the Jesuits have also gone thither, having abandoned Ste. Marie. Here all suffer fearful privations; for, having fled from their cultivated fields to a wilderness, they must resort for food to wild roots and fruits. The Fathers are, however, consoled by the eagerness of these people to embrace the Faith; during the past thirteen months, they have baptized [page 16] over 2,700 persons, besides those who received that rite at the hands of the martyrs, at the storming of their villages. The Paris editor adds the description of a terrible shipwreck which occurred last summer off the Great Banks; and the miraculous rescue, by an English vessel, of the lost ship's crew, when, reduced to the last extremity, they were about to eat the flesh of one of their own number. This shipwreck is apparently that of the vessel mentioned as lost, by Lalemant, in the Journal des Jésuites, in the last entry under August, 1649 (q.v. in the present volume).

In this volume, we take pleasure in presenting an excellent portrait of Rev. Arthur Edward Jones, S. J the learned archivist of St. Mary's College, Montreal, in whose keeping are many of the precious literary remains of the early Jesuit missionaries in New France. To Father Jones's friendly counsels and active bibliographical assistance the Editor has, from the first inception of the present enterprise, been deeply indebted. We also publish herewith Father Jones's map of Huronia, made for this series; and his accompanying notes, which have geographical as well as antiquarian interest.

R. G. T.

Madison, Wis., November, 1898. [page 17]

LXVIII—LXX

MISCELLANEOUS DOCUN\ENTS, 1649

 

XVIII.—	Epistola P. Jacobi Buteux ad R. P. Vincentium Caraffam, Præpositum Generalem Societatis Jesu; ad Tria flumina, 21 septembri, 1649
LXIX.—	Recit veritable du Martyre et de la Bien heureuse mort, du Pere Jean de Brebœuf et du Pere Gabriel L'Alemant, par Christophe Regnaut; undated
LXX.—	Journal des PP. Jesuites, en l'annee 1649

Sources: Doc. LXVIII. is from Martin's apograph of the original Latin (ex. MSS. Soc. Jes.), in the archives of St. Mary's College, Montreal. Doc. LXIX. we take from Brymner's Report on Canadian Archives, 1884, pp. Xiv, xv, lxiii - lxvii. Doc. LXX. we obtain from the original MS. in the library of Laval University, Quebec. [page 19]

¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯

Letter of Father Jacques Buteux to the Very Reverend Father Vincent Caraffa, General of the Society of Jesus.

ery Reverend Father In Christ,

Father Vincent Caraffa, Very Reverend General of the Society of Jesus, Pax Christi. Your Paternity's letter, dated September 29, came to us. . . . Just when misfortunes were surrounding us on all sides: conflicts without, which the fierce barbarians, most vindictive enemies of the Christian name, were stirring up; fears within, lest a great multitude of neophytes be abandoned by us, to wander, as before, like beasts through the forests. He who consoles the lowly has consoled us through Your Paternity' s letter, in which you promise relief to us,—not only those workmen from France whom we have already received, but also what we hope for in the way of masses from the Fathers of the society; if ever w e have needed these, we need them most at this time, when we are involved in manifest' peril of our safety. For indeed we are likely to undergo the same tortures and afflictions (Unless God avert them) which our Fathers among the Hurons have undergone, as will be evident to Your Paternity from their own letters. For here at Three rivers, where we take charge of the French as well as of the savages, there are no defenses except of wood; no walls except palings, which easily catch fire; there is no house except of bark or thatch; and in these we live, [page 21] with no defense against barbarian attach dub If God in his goodness deliver me, a sinner, to their fury, gladly and willingly for his glory, and for my sheep, will I lay down my life, which I do not hold more precious than their salvation. Of quite the same disposition are all of our Fathers and brethren who live here,—nay, even the domestics. We are five in all, of the society,—three priests and two brethren; and we have six domestics, whose labor we greatly need for cultivating the earth, and for aiding the savages in the same way. I mean the neophytes, and especially the newly-sprouted plants f this year,—with whom we all are prostrate at Your Paternity's feet, expecting to receive your holy blessing.

Jacques buteux.

At Three rivers,

September 21, 1649.

[page 23]

A veritable Account of the Martyrdom and Blessed death of Father Jean de Brebœuf and of Father Gabriel L'Alemant, in New France, in the country of the Hurons, by the Iroquois, enemies of the Faith.

ATHER Jean de Brebœuf and Father Gabriel L'Alemant had set out from our cabin, to go to a small Village, called St. Ignace, distant from our cabin about a short quarter of a League, to instruct the Savages and the new Christians of that Village. It was on the 16th Day of March, in the morning, that we perceived a great fire at the place to which these two good Fathers had gone. This fire made us very uneasy; we did not know whether it were enemies, or if the fire had caught in some of the huts of the village. The Reverend Father Paul Ragueneau, our Superior, immediately Resolved to send some one to learn what might be the cause. But no sooner had we formed the design of going there to see, than we perceived several savages on the road, coming straight toward us. We all thought it was the Iroquois who were coming to attack us; but, having considered them more closely, we perceived that they were Hurons who were fleeing from the fight, and who had escaped from the combat. these poor savages caused great pity in us. They were all covered with wounds. One had his head fractured; another his arm broken; another had an [page 25] arrow in his eye; another had his hand cut off by a blow from a hatchet. In fine, the day was passed in receiving into our cabins all these poor wounded people, and in looking with compassion toward the fire, and the place where were those two good Fathers. We saw the fire and the barbarians, but we could not see anything of the two Fathers.

This is what these Savages told us of the taking of the Village of St. Ignace, and about Fathers Jean de Brebceuf and Gabriel L'Allemant:

"The Iroquois came, to the number of twelve hundred men; took our village, and seized Father Breboauf and his companion; and set fire to all the huts. They proceeded to vent their rage on those two Fathers; for they took them both and stripped them entirely naked, and fastened each to a post. They tied both of their hands together. They tore the nails from their fingers. They beat them with a shower of blows from cudgels, on the shoulders, the loins, the belly, the legs, and the face,—there being no part of their body which did not endure this torment. " The savages told us further, that, although Father de Brebceuf was overwhelmed under the weight of these blows, he did not cease continually to speak of God, and to encourage all the new Christians who were captives like himself to suffer well, that they might die well, in order to go in company with him to Paradise. While the good Father was us encouraging these good people, a wretched Iron renegade,—who had remained a captive with he Iroquois, and whom Father de Brebœuf had formerly instructed and baptized,—hearing him speak Paradise and Holy Baptism, was irritated, and said [page 27] to him, " Echon," that is Father de Brebœuf's name in Huron, " thou sayest that Baptism and the sufferings of this life lead straight to Paradise; thou wilt go soon, for I am going to baptize thee, and to make thee suffer well, in order to go the sooner to thy Paradise." The barbarian, having said that, took a kettle full of boiling water, which he poured over his body three different times, in derision of Holy baptism. And, each time that he baptized him in this manner, the barbarian said to him, with bitter sarcasm, " Go to Heaven, for thou art well baptized." After that, they made him suffer several other torments. The 1st was to make hatchets red-hot, and to apply them to the loins and under the armpits. They made a collar of these red-hot hatchets, and put it on the neck of this good Father. This is the fashion in which I have seen the collar made for other prisoners: They make six hatchets red-hot, take a large withe of green wood, pass the 6 hatchets over the large end of the withe, take the two ends together, and then put it over the neck of the sufferer. I slave seen no torment which more moved me to compassion than that. For you see a man, bound naked to a post, who, having this collar on his neck, cannot tell what posture to take. For, if he lean forward, those above his shoulders weigh the more on him; if he lean back, those on his stomach make him suffer the same torment; if he keep erect, without leaning to one side or other, the burning ratchets, applied equally on both sides, give him a trouble torture.

After that they put on him a belt of bark, full of pitch and resin, and set fire to it, which roasted his whole body. During all these torments, Father de [page 29] Brebœuf endured like a rock, insensible to fire and flames, which astonished all the bloodthirsty wretches who tormented him. His zeal was so great that he preached continually to these infidels, to try to convert them. His executioners were enraged against him for constantly speaking to them of God and of their conversion. To prevent him from speaking more, they cut off his tongue, and both his upper and lower lips. After that, they set themselves to strip the flesh from his legs, thighs, and arms, to the very bone; and then put it to roast before his eyes, in order to eat it.

While they tormented him in this manner, those wretches derided him, saying: " Thou seest plainly that we treat thee as a friend, since we shall be the cause of thy Eternal happiness; thank us, then, for these good offices which we render thee,—for, the more thou shalt suffer, the more will thy God reward thee. "

Those butchers, seeing that the good Father began to grow weak, made him sit down on the ground; and, one of them, taking a knife, cut off the skin covering his skull. Another one of those barbarians, seeing that the good Father would soon die, made an opening in the upper part of his chest, and tore out his heart, which he roasted and ate. Others came to drink his blood, still warm, which they drank with both hands,—saying that Father de Brebceuf had been very courageous to endure so much pain as they had given him, and that, by drinking his blood, they would become courageous like him.

This is what we learned of the Martyrdom and blessed death of Father Jean de Brebœuf, by several Christian savages worthy of belief, who had been [page 31] constantly present from the time the good Father was taken until his death. These good Christians were prisoners to the Iroquois, who were taking them into their country to be put to death. But our good God granted them the favor of enabling them to escape by the way; and they came to us to recount all that I have set down in writing.

Father de Brebœuf was captured on the 16th day of March, in the morning, with Father Lalemant, in the year 1649. Father de Brebceuf died the same day as his capture, about 4 o'clock in the afternoon. Those barbarians threw the remains of his body into the fire; but the fat which still remained on his body extinguished the fire, and he was not consumed. I do not doubt that all which I have just related is true, and I would seal it with my blood; for I have seen the same treatment given to Iroquois prisoners whom the Huron savages had taken in war, with the exception of the boiling water, which I have not seen poured on any one.

I am about to describe to you truly what I saw of the Martyrdom and of the Blessed deaths of Father Jean de Brebceuf and of Father Gabriel L'Alemant On the next morning, when we had assurance of the departure of the enemy, we went to the spot to seek for the remains of their bodies, to the place where their lives had been taken. We found them both but a little apart from each other. They were brought to our cabin, and laid uncovered upon the bark of trees,—where I examined them at leisure for more than two hours, to see if what the savages had told us of their martyrdom and death were true examined first the Body of Father de Brebeuf which was pitiful to see, as well as that of Father [page 33] L'Alemant. Father de Brebceuf had his legs, thighs, and arms stripped of flesh to the very bone; I flaw and touched a large number of great blisters, which he had on several places on his body, from the boiling water which these barbarians had poured over him in mockery of Holy Baptism. I saw and touched the wound from a belt of bark, full of pitch and resin, which roasted his whole body. I saw and touched the marks of burns from the Collar of hatchets placed on his shoulders and stomach. I saw and touched his two lips, which they had cut off because he constantly spoke of God while they made him suffer.

I saw and touched all parts of his body, which had received more than two hundred blows from a stick. I saw and touched the top of his scalped head; I saw and touched the opening which these barbarians had made to tear out his heart.

In fine, I saw and touched all the wounds of his body, as the savages had told and declared to us; we buried these precious Relics on Sunday, the 21st day of March, 1649, with much Consolation.

I had the happiness of carrying them to the grave, and of burying them with those of Father Gabriel L'Alemant. When we left the country of the Hurons, we raised both bodies out of the ground, and set them to boil in strong lye. All the bones were well scraped, and the care of drying them was given me. I put them every day into a little oven which we had, made of clay, after having heated it slightly; and, when in a state to be packed, they were separately enveloped in silk stuff. Then they were put into two small chests, and we brought them to Québek, where they are held in great veneration. [page 35]

It is not a Doctor of the Sorbonne who has composed this, as you may easily see; it is a relic from the Iroquois, and a person who has lived more than thought,—who is, and shall ever be,

Sir,

Your Very Humble and very obedient Servant

Christophe Regnaut.

[page 37]

Journal of the Jesuit Fathers, in the year

1649.

JANUARY, 1649.

N the 1st Day, news was brought from 3 rivers of the suffocation of three soldiers in prison, by the fumes of charcoal and brandy; they were drunken blasphemers, and mutineers

Monsieur the governor sent his butler in the morning, to bring us two bottles of Spanish wine, a Turkey, and an Agnus dei;

The same to father Vimon, and twice as much Spanish wine to father le Jeune.

The Hospital nuns sent us a cask of Spanish wine, and two Capons.

The Ursulines sent nothing; but—as we sent a few bouquets of flowers to them, as well as to the Hospital nuns—they sent at evening a Rosary with a reliquary medal.

Toward the end of the year, and at the beginning of the new one, the cold was excessive .

I gave a little book to Mademoyselle the governor's wife, and a relic-cross to Monsieur the governor; a gerson to his Nephew.

Father duperon, propter N., came to live at Quebek on the 24th.

On the 19th, occurred the first execution by the hand of the hangman, in the case of a [page 39] Creature of 15 or 16 years, a thief. At the same time, they accused Monsieur Abraham of having violated her; he was imprisoned for this, and his trial was postponed till the arrival of the vessels. On the 15th of February, The 2nd execution of Justice took place.

 

FEBRUARY.

On the Day of the purification, we did as in preceding years; we furnished Wax for the parish church, but with the resolution to furnish it no more, when the Church should be finished. One of our brethren, in surplice, carried to Monsieur the governor and to Mademoyselle his wife two handsomer tapers. There were two other priests to do the same for two of the Gentlemen of the Council,—who, it was thought, were to be present; but they were not present. Monsieur de St. Sauveur did not assist, as there appeared to be no need therefor. Litany after vespers, as usual at the feasts of our Lady. There was merely Instruction before the blessing, and a word about our lady after the Gospel; this is enough.

Shrovetide as usual; benediction after, Vespers on Sunday, at the parish church; on Monday at the hospital, on Tuesday at the Ursulines', at 4 o'clock. They expose the Blessed Sacrament from morning forward that is done in behalf of the country's affairs; and with some effort to approach what is done in France. [page 41]

Our fathers of Sillery were invited to come and see us.

Ash Wednesday, as last year.

MARCH, 1649.

Father Vimont preached This Lent at the Ursulines' and at the Hospital nuns', on Wednesday and Friday, and heard the Catechism at the parish church; father bailloquet on Sundays at the Ursulines'.

I ended the Lecturing at the Friday Assemblies held during the winter, with a general review of the actions for warning in regard to faults; and the two last, by reading the rules for priests and Coadjutors,—but the latter, on a feast-Day or Sunday. At these usual Friday Lectures, I read the rules or the last treatise of rodriguez, which is excellent and very suitable.

The winter's Work was to pile sand for building, and wood for heating.

The bonfire was made again this year, on the eve of St. Joseph's day; but the material was separated from the spiritual. Benediction was held about 6 o'clock; and, about 7, Monsieur the governor came to beg me to attend, and wished me to start the fire, which I did. At the Ursulines', the same as last year; but the prayer for the foundress, and that pro devotis amicis, were forgotten. On the Day, everything took place as last year, and went well.

On St. Joachim's Day occurred the investiture of sister de bologne,—called sister St. Dominique,—at the Ursulines'. [page 43]

About this time, or a little before, the savages started for their great hunt, with St. Denys and the son of Thomas Hayot.

On Passion Sunday at the hospital, everything occurred the same as last year,—except that the laudate Dominum omnes gentes was sung, instead of Domine salvum fac regem. However, neither the one nor the other is proper; but, instead of that, there should be added after the Ave regina the prayer pro devotis amicis, in the singular, in behalf of Madame the duchess d'Eguillon, the foundress.

On Annunciation Day the Cross and Images were uncovered; dulium est utrum fieri debeat,—suffice it for a picture or statue of our Lady, but not the Cross, etc.

On palm Sunday, all took place the same as last year. one of our brethren, in surplice, carried to monsieur the governor his palm (Mademoyselle the governor's wife was not there; they would have carried one to her, if she had been there with her husband); and the same brother afterward went to carry two palms to Monsieur de Chavigny and to monsieur Giffar, as members of the Council. The rest, as is usual with the consecrated bread. I gave notice that the palms must be held at the passion and at the Elevation,—and this last is not correct, but only the 1st. I sang the passion alone.

1649, APRIL.

All took place in Holy week very nearly as last year; the washing of feet at the hospital [page 45] was on Thursday afternoon, at 2 o'clock, at which I officiated, as superior, the hour being convenient. I had not done so in the preceding years, because the hour was Inconvenient in the morning; doing this at such an hour, expedit ad œdificationem Superiorem hœc facere. At the Ursulines', in the morning, was the 1st Communion of their girls; I preached there half an hour.

The Ursulines and Hospital nuns made no mistake, in truth, by ringing after us on Thursday, or before us on Saturday; but they were at fault in this, that they did not ring with us. For they ought to do so, either on Thursday or on Saturday, but especially on Saturday,—whether they have or have not said the prophecies. They may ring the Elevation bell during the Gloria, if they have finished before us, but not the great bell outside,—this they should do only when the parish bell has begun, and should ring with it.

The Ursulines made a remarkable mistake in that, during the tenebræ of the 3 Days, they had no Triangular candlestick or Taper lighted on the Altar,—save, on the 1st or 2nd Day, two white tapers.

Father le Jeune announced at Sillery, on palm Sunday, that they must go to the parish church; but that he had fortunately obtained leave to receive Communion at Sillery.

On Easter Sunday, father Vimont at the end of his Class did something similar to what father le Jeune did last year. Experience showed me that it would be quite proper that, [page 47] instead of a sermon in the morning,—as soon after five o'clock as there are people in the, Church,—there should be a Father to occupy the people until the 1st Mass: sive ex libro,—for instance, with the meditations of Dupont; or about the feast, or the Communion. One might take one's place at the lectern, turning it conveniently to be understood; and. at high Mass, a quarter-hour is sufficient after the Gospel, as usual.

Monsieur de St. Sauveur was not too fast at the lessons of Easter Even; but, as usual with him, he was too slow with the litany. He assisted me satisfactorily, as is his wont. I sang the passion alone, on Friday.

I gave notice on Easter Day that the benediction would take place at evening about 7 o'clock and, on the following Days, the benediction at the religious houses at the end of vespers at the parish church.

The great stress of Easter Day, and the great crowd, ceased after high Mass. There were 4 masses.

On Low Sunday I gave warning of the principal shortcomings of the parish, which might cause us to fear the wrath of God.

I went into Retreat on the subsequent Tuesday,—namely, the 13th. Our brother feoté went to 3 rivers in a shallop with 8 or 9 excellent sailors; he left on the 22nd, and came back on the 28th, but he should have waited Will later. They risked too much; the ice not vet having passed away, they found themselves much embarrassed. The journey, [page 49] despite this, was very successful; he brought back at least 14 or 15 casks of grain.

On St. Mark's Day, which was on Sunday, we made a procession to the Ursulines'; only that was feasible, after Vespers.

The river St. Charles became open on the 27th and 28th, and sowing was begun.

On the last of April, an old man,—Head servant at the warehouse,—suspected of theft and threatened with Justice, proved to be lost; it was believed that he went to drown him self.

MAY.

Return of the Shallops from 3 rivers and Montreal, where famine was found on all sides. We succored the people down here, in the matter of seed and food,—and this to the number of more than [blank space],—with 16 casks of wheat sent from 3 rivers, and several puncheons of peas and Indian corn; and, furthermore, by the grist of the mill,—making in all more than 40 casks of grain.

On the 8th, I went to say low mass at St. Michel de Sillery, and that is all that was done there in the way of Solemnity this year; hoc est nihil, neque expedit.

On the 9th, father Drueilletes left for Tadousac with l'Epinay.

This same Day the procession was made at the Conclusion of vespers; we went to the hospital, then past Monsieur Hebou's; and, along the grande allée we came to the Ursulines'. That went well; the other half of the [page 51] circuit was made last year by way of the cap aux diamans, the grange, etc.

At the hospital and at the Ursulines', we Sang some articles of the litany of the virgin, and then was said the prayer defende, and that of rogation; then, at the hospital, o crux ave. and the prayer of the mass de cruce; and at the Ursulines', the Anthem of St. Joseph and the prayer as usual,—according to the tenor of the ritual, for the Churches by which the processions pass. The paschal Taper was borne in the procession.

At the beginning of may, I made a visitation at the hospital.

On the 17th, we left for 3 rivers. We arrived there the next day, and, two Days later, three Captive yroquois iced. We started on the 29th for Montreal, where, on the 30th, a poor French locksmith was captured.

JUNE.

On the 1st of June, we arrived at Montreal. On the third, which was the Day of Corpus Christi, we made no procession anywhere, on account of the rain; but on Sunday one was made at Quebek, also at Montreal, where I bore the Blessed Sacrament; 12 soldiers marched in front, their heads Covered,—quod grave mihi admodum fuit, nec deinceps tolerandum.

On that same 6th of June, those who were going to the Hurons left,—to the number of 34 Frenchmen and two Hurons, in twelve Canoes. [page 53]

I took possession of the two leagues of land opposite Montreal, from the Grant of Monsieur de Lauzon.

More than 300 Sturgeon were taken in 15 Days, as Montreal, during our sojourn.

We started thence on the 11th, and arrived the next day at 3 rivers, where we learned of the capture of 14 Algonquains by the yroquois, above the 2nd sault from 3 rivers.

A little later, arrived the great boat from Montreal, which brought the Savages and their peltry,—Algonquain savages, I mean, who had gone to trade with the petite nation. 3 of these having been surprised by fire catching in some powder that they had, one or two had died; and a 3rd had remained on the spot, very sick. They brought news that 7 Yroquois had been killed by those of the petite nation.

At 3 rivers, no bonfire was made on St. John's day,—the governor claiming that the warehouse ought to make it, and the warehouse referring it to the governor. They made one at Quebek: it was father Vimont who took part therein, for want of another.

We left 3 rivers on the 26th, and returned hither on the 27th. On arriving, we learned that a poor sailor had been drowned, and that there had been but little fishing,—the fish having failed, and every one having taken up his nets after a month of time lost. There were plenty of fine Sturgeon, which helped people to live; but there were few if any salmon.

JULY, 1649.

On the 1st, Monsieur Bourdon sailed in a bark, to cruise as far as Gaspé, and pick up commodities; with him went 12 or 15 habitans. Father bailloquet also went, to stop at Tadousac and assist father Druillettes for some time.

On the 16th and 17th, the Abnakiois arrived, to the number of 30; they are notified that they are not to come again, and that their goods will be plundered if they return. They brought letters from the English. There was one from Mademoyselle de Repentigny to her husband, dated 31st of July, 1648, with news of the death of Monsieur de chastelets.

Item, came from Tadousac, by way of the savages, news of father lyonne's return to Miskou; of the troubles in France, etc.; and of the uncertainty as to the vessels.

On the 20th at night, arrived the sad news of the destruction of the Hurons, and of the martyrdom of 3 fathers. Vide relationem hujus anni.

The Abnaquiois take their departure, and carry away 20 bundles of Beaver.

The Day of St. Ignatius passed in this manner: there was no benediction on the eve; high mass was said on the Day; Vespers and sermon at the hospital, sung by the Mothers; and benediction at the Ursulines'.

AUGUST.

On the 2nd, Monsieur Bourdon returns [page 57] with father bailloquet; the journey was quite successful: he brought salt, codfish, etch

On the 7th, news of the arrival of 20 Herons at 3 rivers; and then, on the 12th, departure of the soldiers, and of Domestics for the Hurons,—Tourmente, roger, Oliveau, and raison.

On the same 12th, departure of maurice and pierre Oliveau, for 3 rivers.

General inspection of the grains of the country.

On the 23rd, the arrival of three vessels, and, among others, next day, of the Cardinal. Father Charles Albanel, of the province of Toulouse, came in the first; and father la place and our brother liegeois, the next day, in the Cardinal with Medar.

The ship Næuf, which sailed from France in the month of march, not having arrived, was accounted lost. We lost thereby the value of 4000 livres.

 

1649, SEPTEMBER.

On the 7th, Captain poulet's vessel Arrived, in which was father lyonne.

On the 19th, our brother liegeois left again with the Anglois; and, a little previously, Captain faloup.

Arrival of father Bressany with two bands—one from the Huron country, and the other encountered on the way. On the 22nd, the French brought back five thousand livres' weight of Beaver, which was more than 26 thousand livres for them; one desfosses, a soldier, with his brother, who had been a year [page 59] among the Hurons, brought for their share 747 livres' weight, for which they were paid at 4 francs a livre, and the rest at 5 livres, 5 sols.

On the 27th, arrived father André richar; and, on the 28th, our brother feuville. They came on board the nostra Dame, which did not arrive here until the month of October.

On the 28th, father Bressany left again for the Hurons, and father Charles Albanel for Montreal.

OCTOBER.

On the 3rd, father Bressany left 3 rivers again, with 4 Canoes.

On the 7th, Captain Poulet sailed; and about the same time father Bressany returned with his Hurons,—who, having arrived at the river des prairies, had turned back.

On the last day of October, father le Jeune sailed in the frigate, also the entire crew, with a captive yroquois. Item, sailed the nostra dame.

This year the trade reached 100 puncheons; the orders, a hundred thousand livres.

About the end of this same month, father Druillettes departed to winter with the Savages.

NOVEMBER.

The bark for Montreal, which sailed from here the 27th of September, arrived at Montreal on the 3rd of November, and returned hither by the 22nd or 23rd.

On the 1st Sunday in Advent, which fell on the 28th, the 40 hours' devotion was observed at the hospital, with plenary Indulgence,—and this for the space of 4 Days. [page 61]

On the 2nd, the same Indulgences at the Ursulines',—all by virtue of the authority, and special privilege sent to the superior here for 15 years.

Many Hurons wintered here below,—20 at 3 rivers, and 20 down Here,—half of whom, or thereabout, lodged at the hospital. To assist them, we gave them, at the start, a cask of Eels, and a barrel of Indian corn; also 6 Blankets, 2 pairs of snowshoes, etc. For their Cabin, vide Infra.

END OF THE YEAR 1649.

This year, at the departure of the vessels, there began an exaction of 20 sols on each passenger ticket, to be paid to the Governor's secretary; and money was taken from the' fines, for salary or perquisites to the same secretary, and to other officers.

This same year, the wall at Sillery was begun with the Community's funds,—that is to say, the 19,000 livres appropriated by the king for the affairs of the country.

Our building also was finished as to the outside masonry, and covered; but the inside was not yet done.

I went to Sillery in the months of November and December, on a Friday, to give an exhortation; item, in January, February, and March.;

Father Bressany preached at the Church, and father Vimont taught Catechism there.

Father la place was procuror and Minister there .

We rented nostre dame des Anges at the [page 63] price of a hundred écus, without any encumbrance.

At Sillery, the savages withdrew from the enclosure as early as All Saints' day, and I went away to the woods; our brother pierre and robert le Coq spent the winter there, at the forge.

Christmas matins were said, the same as last year; one might be satisfied with ringing the last bell a little before 10 o'clock. All went well; father Bressany said the midnight mass and preached. There were four Confessors during matins; three are enough. I went to say the midnight mass at the Ursulines', with a low mass following, and the last one about 9 o ' clock .

We went, on the two following feast-days, to the religious houses, in order to salute there the Blessed Virgin and their Manger. We said the litanies of the Virgin and of the Infant Jesus, at the close.

News from 3 rivers, by the Hurons and, Algonquains. On the last Day, at evening, I gave Images in vellum. [page 65]

 

LXXI

Relation OF 1648 - 49

PARIS: SEBASTIEN ET GABRIEL CRAMOISY, 1650

Source: For the body of the Relation, we follow the "Lamoignon copy" of the first edition, in Lenox Library; for the addendum (pp. 104-114, original pagination), the Lenox copy of the second edition

¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯

 

RELATION

OF

WHAT OCCURRED

in the Mission of the Fathers of the Society of Jesus, among the Hurons, a country of New France, in the years 1647 and 1648.

 

Sent to

REV. FATHER HIEROSME LALEMANT

Superior of the Missions of the Society of Jesus, in New France.

By Father Paul Ragueneau, of the same Society.

To be forwarded to the Reverend Father Provincial 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 Relation.
Relation of what occurred in the Mission of the Fathers of the Society of Jesus among the Hurons, a country of New France, in the years one thousands six hundred and forty-eight and one thousand six hundred and forty-nine.		Page 1
Chap. I.	Of the capture of the Villages of the Mission of St. Joseph, in the Summer of the year one thousand six hundred and forty-eight.	8
II.	State of Christianity it these Countries, in the Winter of the same year, one thousand six hundred and forty-eight.	17
III.	Of the capture of the Villages of thg Mission of St. Ignace, in the month of March of the year 1649.	33
IV.	Of the blessed deaths of Father Jean de Brebeuf, and Father Gabriel Lalement.	44
V.	Some remarks on the life of Father Jean de Brebeuf	58
VI.	Present state of Christianity, and means of helping these Peoples	86

Extract from the Royal License.

Y grace and Privilege of the King, SEBASTIEN CRAMOISY. Sworn Merchant Book-seller in the University of Paris, and Printer in ordinary to the King and to the Queen Regent, Citizen and sometime Alderman of this City of Paris, is permitted to print, or cause to be printed, a Book entitled, Relation de ce qui s'est passé en la Mission des Peres de la Compagnie de Jesus aux Hurons, pays de la Nouvelle France, és années 1648. et 1649. Envoyée au R. P. Jerosme Lalemant Superieur des Missions de la Compagnie de Jesus, en la Nouvelle France, etc. And this, during the time and space of ten consecutive years; with prohibition to all Booksellers and Printers to print, or cause to be printed, the said Book, under pretext of disguise or alteration that they might make in it; under penalty of confiscation, and the fine imposed by the said License. Given at Paris, in December, 1649.

Signed By the King in his Council,

Cramoisy.

 

Permission of the Rev. Father Vice-Provincial. |

WE, Louis le Mairat, Vice-Provincial of the Society of JESUS in the Province of France, have granted for the future to sieur Sebastien Cramoisy, Merchant Bookseller, Printer in ordinary to the King and to the Queen Regent, Citizen and sometime Alderman of this City of Paris, the right to print the Relations of New France. Done at Paris, this 24th of November, 1649.

LOUIS LE MAIRAT.

[1] Relation of what occurred in the Mission

of the Fathers of the Society of JESUS

among the Hurons, a country of New

France, in the years 1648 and 1649.

To the Reverend Father Hierosme Lalemant, Superior of the

Missions of the Society of Jesus in New France.

Pax Christi.

Y REVEREND FATHER,

This Relation which I address to your Reverence will show you the progress of the Faith with regard to these peoples,—more notable than ever it had been in the past, and, next, the desolation of these Countries during the time in which Christianity has appeared in them with greatest luster. What consoles us in these desolations is that Heaven becomes enriched by our losses, and is filled with the spoils of this Church militant,—which sustains itself in the storm, and which, at the climax of the miseries which assail it on all sides, maintains itself steadfastly in its faith, and animates itself in the hope of an immortal life, which is its sole support. We see the work of our hands scattered,—or, rather, the work of the hand of God alone. a number of rising Churches which bear upon themselves the true mark of Christianity,—I mean to say, the cross of Jesus Christ. We see a great number of our Christians, who have died by the edge of the sword; Others, who have suffered both the fires and the flames,—men, women, and children, and those who have escaped the scourge of war, constrained to abandon their goods their houses, their country, and to go into the woods,—to [page 79] die from privations and hunger, in order to avoid [3] a more cruel death. It is a blessing for us that a part of this truly heavy cross is our portion for ourselves; that we have seen some of our brethren there shedding their blood and enduring torments, the cause of which may indeed enable them to pass some day for martyrs; that there is not one of us who may not expect to follow them in the midst of the burning fires, wherein they have been consumed; and that now the state of affairs is such that we are happily compelled to suffer much, and to fear everything, in the service of the great Master whose grandeur we announce in these Barbarous countries. We adore his divine guidance, over both us and our flock, we bless him for the past, and we await with love—and, I may say, with joy in our hearts—that which our nature would especially dread, for it is thus alone that he deserves to be served. We pray him that his divine will be accomplished [4] upon us, both in life and in death. Your Reverence will assist us for this purpose with your prayers, as will all those who have any love for the conversion of these Peoples.

MY REVEREND FATHER,

From the House of Sainte Marie among the Hurons,

this 1st day of May, 1649.

Your very humble and obedient

servant in our Lord,

Paul Ragueneau.

[5] To the Reverend Father, Father Claude de

Lingendes, Provincial of the Society of

JESUS in the Province of France.

Y REVEREND FATHER,

The Relation of the Hurons which I send to your Reverence will show you the discomfiture and desolation of those poor upper nations, the massacre of the flower of our Christians, the glorious death of three of their Pastors, and their retreat with a part of their flock into an Island of their great lake.

After all, the Baptism of more than two thousand Savages, and the courage and hope for the future wherewith God fills the minds and hearts of all those who are among the Hurons, cause me to hope much for the future.

[6] Monsieur d'Ailleboust, our Governor, has done his utmost to help the country on this occasion, sending thither forces and munitions to resist the enemies. about sixty Frenchmen have gone up thither this year in two bands, the first of which was to return this Autumn, and the other to winter in the country. We do not yet know the outcome of their journey, I pray God that it be fortunate.

I do not send for this year any other relation to Your Reverence than that of the Hurons,—not that we lack cause for furnishing as much consolation as ever to Your Reverence in regard to the Missions down here, where the Savage Christians are increasing in number and in virtue beyond all our hopes,—but in order to interrupt the course of the usual Relations for this lower region. Their continuation without intermission, particularly on the [page 83] occasion of so extraordinary a relation [7] for the upper countries, might seem intrusive and affected.

The Iroquois have given us a little repose down here, but I know not whether it will be for long. our consolation is, that the differences of tines are as subject to God as those of places, and that we ought to be only too content with everything which it shall please his divine Majesty to ordain .

Be this as it may, Your Reverence sufficiently sees that we have need of extraordinary help from your holy Sacrifices and Prayers, which we very humbly pray you to grant us, and which we confidently expect from your goodness and charity toward us.

YOUR REVERENCE'S

From Quebec, this 8th Very humble and very obe-

of September, 1649. dient servant in Our Lord,

Hierosme Lalemant.

[page 85]

[8] CHAPTER FIRST.

OF THE CAPTURE OF THE VILLAGES OF THE MISSION OF ST. JOSEPH, IN THE SUMMER OF THE YEAR 1648

AST Summer, in the past year, 1648, the Iroquois, enemies of the Hurons, took from them two frontier villages, from which most of the defenders had gone forth,—some for the chase, and others for purposes of war, in which they could meet no success. These two frontier places composed the Mission which we named for St. Joseph; the principal of these villages contained about 400 families, where the Faith had long sustained itself with luster, and where the Christians were increasing in number, and still more in holiness, through the indefatigable labors of Father Antoine Daniel, one of the earliest Missionaries in these regions.

Hardly had the Father ended Mass, and the Christians—who, according to their custom, had filled the Church after the rising of the [9] Sun—were still continuing their devotions there, when the cry arose, " To arms! and repel the enemy! "—who, having come unexpectedly, had made his approaches by night. Some hasten to the combat, others to flight: there is naught but alarm and terror everywhere. The Father, among the first to rush where he sees the danger greatest, encourages his people to a brave defense; and—as if he had seen Paradise open for the Christians, and Hell on the point of swallowing up all the Infidels—he speaks to them in a tone so [page 87] animated with the spirit which was possessing him, that, having made a breach in hearts which till then had been most rebellious, he gave them a Christian heart. The number of these proved to be so great that, unable to cope with it by baptizing them one after the other, he was constrained to dip his handkerchief in the water (which was all that necessity then offered him), in order to shed abroad as quickly as possible this grace on those poor Savages, who cried mercy to him,—using the manner of baptizing which is called " by aspersion."

Meanwhile, the enemy continued his attacks more furiously than ever; and, without doubt, it was a great blessing [10] for the salvation of some that, at the moment of their death, Baptism had given them the life of the soul, and put them in possession of an immortal life.

When the Father saw that the Iroquois were becoming masters of the place, he,—instead of taking flight with those who were inviting him to escape in their company,—forgetting himself, remembered some old men and sick people, whom he had long ago prepared for Baptism. He goes through the cabins, and proceeds to fill them with his zeal,—the Infidels themselves presenting their children in crowds, in order to make Christians of them.

Meanwhile the enemy, already victorious, had set everything on fire, and the blood of even the women and children irritated their fury. The Father, wishing to die in his Church, finds it full of Christians, and of Catechumens who ask him for Baptism. It was indeed at that time that their faith animated their prayers, and that their hearts could not belie their tongues. He baptizes some, gives absolution [page 89] to others, and consoles them all with the sweetest hope of the Saints,—having hardly other words on his lips than these: " My Brothers, [11] to day we shall be in Heaven."

The enemy was warned that the Christians had betaken themselves, in very great number, into the Church, and that it was the easiest and the richest prey that he could have hoped for; he hastens thither, with barbarous howls and stunning yells. At the noise of these approaches, " Flee, my Brothers," said the Father to his new Christians, " and bear with you your faith even to the last sigh. As for me " (he added), " I must face death here, as long as I shall see here any soul to be gained for Heaven; and, dying here to save you, my life is no longer anything to me; we shall see one another again in Heaven." At the same time, he goes out in the direction whence come the enemy, who stop in astonishment to see one man alone come to meet them, and even recoil backward, as if he bore upon his face the terrible and frightful appearance of a whole company. Finally,—having come to their senses a little, and being astonished at themselves,—they incite one another; they surround him on all sides, and cover him with arrows, until, having inflicted upon him a mortal wound from an arquebus shot,—which pierced him through and through, in the very middle of his breast,—he fell. Pronouncing [12] the name of JESUS, he blessedly yielded up his soul to God,—truly as a good Pastor, who exposes both his soul and his life for the salvation of his Rock.

It was then that those Barbarians rushed upon him with as much rage as if he alone had been the object of their hatred. They strip him naked, they exercise [page 91] upon him a thousand indignities; and there was hardly any one who did not try to assume the glory of having given him the final blow, even on seeing him dead.

The fire meanwhile was consuming the cabins; and when it had spread as far as the Church, the Father was cast into it, at the height of the flames, which soon made of him a whole burnt-offering. Be this as it may, he could not have been more gloriously consumed than in the fires and lights of a Chapelle ardente.

While the enemy delayed around the Pastor of that Church, his poor scattered flock had at least more leisure to escape; and many, in fact, betook themselves to a place of safety,—indebted for their lives to the death of their father. The others could not escape promptly enough,—especially some poor distressed mothers, who succumbed beneath the burden of three [13] or four children; or who, having attempted to hide themselves in the depth of the forest, saw themselves discovered there through the innocent cries of an age which betrays itself, calling upon itself the misfortune which it most fears.

It was fourteen years during which this good Father had been working in this Mission of the Hurons,—with an indefatigable care, a generous courage in enterprises, an insurmountable patience, and an unalterable meekness; and with a charity which knew how to excuse everything, bear everything, and love every one. His humility was sincere; his obedience was thorough, and always ready to endure all and to do all. His zeal accompanied him even to death, which did not surprise him unexpectedly, although it was very sudden. For he always [page 93] bore his soul in his hands,—it being over nine years that he had spent in the most frontier districts of this country, and in the Missions most exposed to the enemy,—awaiting with hope and love the blessing of the death which fell to his portion.

But, no doubt, the Providence of God had led him to this death in a special manner; for it was only two days since he had made a general confession, [14] and had finished, in this House of Sainte Marie, the Spiritual Exercises of the Society in a retreat of eight days, which he had taken expressly for dealing with God alone, and for preparing himself for the passage to Eternity. It was there that he became more than ever inflamed with the desire to lavish his blood and his life for the salvation of souls,—in such sort that, having finished his Exercises, he would not take even a day of rest, feeling himself called by God to the labors of his Mission, whereinto he bore that fire from Heaven with which, no doubt, his soul was more ablaze than ever his body has been, though blessedly consumed in the midst of the flames. He had separated himself from us on the second day of July; the next day, having arrived in his Mission, he preached to all the Christians, and confessed a great number of them,—telling them that they should prepare themselves for death. On the 4th day of July, at the very time when the enemy appeared, he had just left the altar, and was again preaching to those good Neophytes about the joys of Paradise, and the happiness of those who die in the service of God. These were his last discourses,—being nearer to death than he thought; but [15] God was conducting him thither with as much blessedness as if he had had some assurance of it. [page 95]

He is the first of our Society who has died in this Mission of the Hurons. He was a native of Dieppe, being born of very honest and worthy parents,; He seemed to have been born only for the salvation of these Peoples, and had no stronger desire than to die for them. We hope that in Heaven all this country will have in him a powerful intercessor before God.

Although some reasons might oblige me, perhaps, to be more reserved in publishing what follows, I have nevertheless believed it my duty to render to God the glory which is due him herein. That good Father appeared after his death to one of ours, on two different occasions; on one, he showed himself in a state of glory, wearing the aspect of a man about thirty years old, although he died at the age of forty-eight. The thought which most readily occurred to the person to whom he appeared was, to ask him how the divine goodness had permitted the body of his servant to be so unworthily treated after his death, and so reduced to powder that we even [16] had not had the happiness of being able to gather up its ashes. Magnus Dominus, et laudabilis nimis, he answered,—" Truly, God is great and adorable forever; he has regarded the reproaches cast upon this his servant, and, in order to recompense them in God, great as he is, he has given me many souls which were in Purgatory,—who have accompanied my entrance into Heaven and my triumph there."

Another time, he was seen to be present at an assembly that we held in regard to means for advancing the Faith in these countries,—when he appeared, strengthening us with his courage, and filling us with his light, and with the spirit of God with which he was completely invested. [page 97]

Be this as it may, he has left behind him with us the example of all his virtues; and with all the Savages, even the Infidels, so tender an affection for his memory, that I may say in truth that he has ravished the hearts of all those who have ever known him.

A part of those who had escaped from the capture and burning of that Mission of Saint Joseph came to take refuge near our house of Sainte Marie. The number of those who had there been [17] killed or taken captive was probably about seven hundred souls, mostly women and children; the number of those who escaped was much greater. We tried to assist them out of our poverty,—to clothe the naked, and to feed those poor people, who were dying of hunger; to mourn with the afflicted, and to console them with the hope of Paradise. If only God receive his glory from our losses they will always be a source of gladness to us; and that is enough for us, whatever it may cost us, provided that we see the number of the Elect increase for eternity, since it is for Heaven that we labor, and not for the earth. [page 99]

CHAPTER II.

STATE OF CHRISTIANITY IN THESE COUNTRIES, IN

THE WINTER OF THE SAME YEAR, 1648.

HE victorious return of the Huron fleet, which had gone down to three rivers in the Spring, and the aid received,—four of our Fathers, and a score of Frenchmen, who fortunately arrived here at the beginning of the month of September,—[18] was an act of God's love over these Peoples, and the salvation of many souls whom he wished to prepare for Heaven. For, finding ourselves more capable of bearing to a greater distance the word and the name of God,—our number being increased above the eighteen of our Fathers who were here,—fifteen were distributed among eleven various Missions. I felt myself obliged to send the greater part of them without other company save that of the guardian Angels of these Peoples, having given the four newly-arrived Fathers to serve as assistants in the most arduous Missions,—where, while rendering some assistance, they could at the same time learn the language of the country.

Of these eleven Missions, eight have been for the people of the Huron tongue, and the three others for the Missions of the Algonquin language. Everywhere, the progress of the Faith has surpassed our hopes,—most minds, even those formerly most fierce, becoming so docile, and so submissive to the preaching of the Gospel, that it was sufficiently apparent that [page 101] the Angels were laboring there much more than we.

The number of those who have received [19] holy Baptism within a year is about eighteen hundred persons, without including therein a multitude of people who were baptized by Father Antoine Daniel on the day of the capture of Saint Joseph. Of these we have been as little able to keep account, as of those whom Father Jean de Brebeuf and Father Gabriel Lalemant baptized at the capture of the villages in the Mission of saint Ignace, as we shall relate hereafter. It is enough for us that Heaven has kept good account of them; since, truly speaking, these Baptisms have served only to enrich the Church triumphant.

We do not yet know the success of a new Mission which we began last Autumn in an Algonquin Nation, about sixty leagues distant from us. one of our Fathers was sent thither to winter with those Peoples, who had been urging us for several years to go and instruct them.

We have not been able to receive any news of him during the eight months since he left us. What we cannot doubt is, that he must have had much to suffer there: but what consoles us is, our certain knowledge that everywhere sufferings [20] have been the price due for the conversion of the Nations conquered for the Kingdom of Jesus Christ. These peoples inhabit an Island which has a circumference of about sixty leagues, in our great Lake or fresh-water Sea, as we go toward the West. This Island is named Ekaentoton, which has given the name to the peoples who inhabit it; we have named it the Island of Sainte Marie.

The Mission of la Conception, being older than [page 103] all the others, not only has continued to bear the ripest fruits for Heaven, but it has become so fashioned in the true spirit of Christianity that it has served as example and model for all the other Nations, which have seen in its morals what the Faith can do in a country although Barbarian, when it has become Christian. Men, women, and children there have made so open a profession of what they wished to be till death, that often the neighboring nations gave them no other name save this, " the Nation of Christians. "

In fact, their Captains have been ardent there in maintaining the faith; and all the families have so generally submitted themselves to it [21] that, as very few Infidels remained among them, the Christians would no longer tolerate any of their former customs which remained from Infidelity, or which clashed with good morals.

At the beginning of the Winter, these good Neophytes assembled a general Council, in order to confer upon means of strengthening the Faith among them. Their conclusion was that it was necessary to apply to the Father who has charge of that Mission, that he might cut off, in their customs, those which are contrary to the Faith; that he should correct in others, unimportant in themselves all evil which might in any way corrupt the use of them; and that they would obey him in every point, and would regard him as bearing the word of God,—and, hereafter, as the chief of their Captains. The best is, that they have kept their word in that; and that in the slightest doubts which could arise, the Captains themselves came to the Father to receive and execute his orders. [page 105]

Toward the end of the Winter, some of the more stubborn Infidels having wished, for the cure of a sick man, to have recourse to certain [22] remedies, wherein indecency is, as it were, in its kingdom,—the girls deeming it an honor, on these occasions, to prostitute their honor itself,—not one of these Christians could be found who would listen to it. Some Infidel Captains of the neighboring Nations, who had been called in to aid this design, and to lend their voices to it, were constrained to withdraw, to their own confusion,—having found both hearts that were proof against temptation, and ears which were no longer open save for the words of Heaven.

Here is an act of zeal which has appeared to me considerable, in an old man aged nearly eighty years, who can have no warmth but that which the Faith gives him. It happened at a public recreation, where the custom of the country is, that the warriors, entering into a kind of martial fury, are permitted to burst open and break in the doors of the cabins,—as they would do while giving assault, and attacking some hostile place. A certain Infidel, a man of great credit for making a bold stroke,—and, as is supposed, in order to avenge himself, under a specious pretext, for some refusal which the Christians had given him in some matter wherein they feared sin,—undertook to break open [23] the door of the Church, and to fell a tree, at the top of which was hung the bell which rang as a signal for Masses and for public Prayers. In order to deal his blow with more assurance, this Infidel went about, entering the cabins, and singing, in a tone animated with fury, that has dream had commanded him to strike down t e Frenchmen's bell. This means that, according to [page 107] the customs of this country, it would have been an unheard of crime to oppose in the least degree the fulfillment of a dream proclaimed so openly. A good old Christian, hearing these threats, had recourse to our Lord, and, adoring him, offered him his life, rather than to permit an insolence which, he judged, would be to the reproach of Christianity. After having offered his prayer, hearing the voice of the Infidel,—who was advancing, hatchet in hand, on the point of dealing his blow,—he puts himself in between. " A blow from the hatchet," he said, " will better fall on my head than on a house consecrated to the honor of God." The Infidel is quite astonished. " No, no," said the Christian, " I openly profess that, as regards my death, I do not wish that any justice be exacted for it; neither the public, nor the man [24] who should kill me, will be in trouble about that. But I cannot be a witness of such profanation to the holiness of a house where God is adored; nor can I consent that the voice be brought low which summons us to invoke him" (thus he named the Church bell). The Infidel—who, according to the custom of these Countries, ought rather to have let himself be slain than to stop his own blow—found himself so surprised by this kind of opposition, which he had never expected, that he became colder than marble,—both admiring the zeal of that good old man, and wondering at himself for having met with resistance, at once so earnest in its purpose and so gentle, through a working which indeed had nothing of Nature about it.

The other Missions have been efficiently aided by these examples, which have preached louder than our words; and, no doubt, the Angels of Heaven have [page 109] taken pleasure in seeing, in all the regions of this country, the Faith respected, and the Christians glorying in that name which was in reproach there oil very few years ago. As for me, I would never have believed that I could see, after fifty years of labor, the tenth part of the piety, the virtue, and [25] the holiness of which I have everywhere been witness in the visits that I have made to these Churches, which have been arising in the midst of Infidelity. It has been a most heartfelt joy to me, to see the diligence of the Christians, which anticipated the Sunrise, in order to come to the public prayers, and how these poor people, harassed with toil, would come in a crowd before night, to render new homage to God; to see the children imitate the piety of their fathers,—accustoming themselves, at that innocent age, to offer to God their pains, their griefs, and their little labors Often little girls, going into the forest to cut some firewood there, have no more delightful conversation than to say their Rosaries; and, with a holy emulation, they take all their pleasure in seeing who might surpass her little companions in this piety. But what has most delighted me is to see that the sentiments of the Faith have so far entered these hearts, which we formerly called Barbarian, that I may truthfully say that grace has stifled in many of them the fears, the desires, the joys, and the feelings of Nature.

A little child of six years was extremely [26] sick in the Mission of saint Michel. His mother was unable to contain her tears, seeing the excess of his pain, and the approach of death to this her only son. " My mother," said to her this child, " why do you weep your tears will not give me back my health; but rather let us pray to God together, so that I may [page 111] be very happy in Heaven." After some prayers, his mother said to him, " My son, I must carry thee to Sainte Marie, so that the French may restore thee thy health." " Alas! my mother," said to her thief little innocent, " I have a fire burning in my head could they indeed quench it? I no longer think o life,—have no desire of it for me; but I will wart you of my death, and, when it is near, I will pray you to carry me to Sainte Marie, for I wish to die there, and to be buried there with the excellent Christians." In fact, some days later, this child warned his mother that his death was near, and that it was time to carry him to us. It is the custom in these countries, when any one is near death, to make a solemn feast to which are invited all the friends and the most considerable persons,—about a hundred. The mother would not [27] fail in this obligation,—desiring also to apprise all the people of the sentiments which her son had toward the Faith. This child, having seen the preparations for the feasts said to her: " What! my mother, would you have me sin so nigh to my death? I renounce all these superstitions of the country; I wish to die a good Christian." This child believed that that custom was among the number of those forbidden; and although his mother, an excellent Christian, assured him that there was no evil in that, he would never believe her, and could not resolve to comply with her wish, until the Father who has charge of that Mission had assured him that in that feast there was no sin. This little Angel was brought to us; and he died in our arms, praying even till death, and telling us that he was going straight to Heaven, and that he would pray to God for us; and he even asked his mother [page 113] for which of his relatives she wished him to pray chiefly, when he should be near God,—saying that no doubt he would be heard. He has been; for, shortly after his death, an uncle of his, one of those most rebellious against the Faith in these countries, and an aunt of his, asked us for instruction, and have become Christians.

[28] A little girl of five years, at the Mission of saint Ignace, of Infidel parents, came every day to prayers, morning and evening. She had so constantly adhered to this duty, even against the wishes and the prohibitions of her parents, that we could not refuse her Holy Baptism,—seeing that the spirit of the Faith was abundantly compensating in her for the years that she might lack in order freely to dispose of herself in a matter wherein grace has more right than nature. Some time after, this child fell sick; the Infidel parents, having recourse to the superstitions of the country, sent to fetch the Magician,—or, to speak more correctly, an impostor who made profession of that trade of hell. This juggler does not fail to say, as is his wont, that a certain Demon had reduced their daughter to that state; and that, in order to expel him, it was necessary to present the patient with some embellishments and ornaments of clothing, of which the girls of that age are sufficiently desirous. The little sick girl, although she was very low, nevertheless had strength enough, and her faith gave her courage enough, to belie this impostor. " I am a Christian," she said to her parents; " the Devils have no longer [29] any power over me. I do not consent to the sin that you have just committed, in consulting the Demons; I do not wish their remedies. God alone will cure me; let [page 115] this Magician go away." The father and mothers and all those present, were much astonished at this rebuke,—so innocent, but yet so efficacious that they made that juggler withdraw, not wishing to grieve this sick child. But their astonishment increased when, on that very day, this child asked to be carried to the Church, asserting that she would get well,—as, in fact, it happened. This event has beers the means of converting the father and the mother, who have adopted their daughter's faith, and have received Baptism after her,—blessing God for having called them with so much gentleness.

A young girl of fifteen years, among the most accomplished in the country, still a Catechumen, had been taken captive toward the end of last year's disinter; the enemies, however, had spared her life, and she remained with them in her captivity. She was the daughter and sister of two excellent Christians, who had no greater regret in the loss which they had incurred, than that this poor captive had not [30] yet been baptized. She, too, in her captivity did not forget her faith and often exclaimed to God: " My God,—and the God of my mother and my sister, who know you better than I, and who serve you so faithfully,—have pity on me! I have not been baptized; grant me this favor before I diets One day, when this poor afflicted one was in a field of Indian corn, which she was planting for those whose slave she was, she heard voices from Heaven which were singing a ravishing music in the air, from the chant of our Vespers, which she had formerly heard. She looks about her, supposing that some Frenchmen would accost her; but she sees nothing else. she kneels down, and prays to God [page 117] with all her heart; and she conceives a hope of seeing herself delivered from her captivity, though she sees neither means nor any probability of this Some days afterward, the same thing happens to her; she kneels again, with the same sentiments. Finally, having for the third time heard these same voices from Heaven,—and feeling her confidence increased, and her courage more animated,—she prays to God and hastens into a road which she [31] did not know, in order to return to these countries, without victuals, without provisions, without escort, but not without the guidance of him alone who had inspired her, and who gave her sufficient strength to arrive here, having traveled more than eighty leagues without any evil encounter.

She asked us for Baptism from the day of her arrival; and, seeing the hand of God over her with so much love, we could not put her off. she had come straight to this house of Sainte Marie, although her shorter way would have carried her to the village to which her parents belonged. Since then, she has continually increased in fervor, and cannot grow weary with relating to every one the mercies of God. Often, in her captivity, she found herself solicited to what she could not grant without losing innocence; but never could they draw from her lips even a single word of agreement. She even carried this so far that, seeing her in this disposition, which was not pleasing to those shameless Barbarians, some had often spoken of beating her to death; and she was awaiting that death with patience, preferring to die rather than to commit any sin.

This chapter would have no end, if I [32] should relate the effects of grace upon these poor Savages,—[page 119] which we admire every day, and for which we will bless God forever in Heaven, without weariness and without distaste. I cannot, however, omit a sufficiently prevailing sentiment of many good Christians, who—having lost all their property, their children, and what they had most precious in this world, and being even upon the point of undergoing a voluntary exile from their country which they were forsaking in order to avoid the cruelty of the Iroquois, their enemies—thanked God for it, and said to him: " My God, may you be blessed; I cannot regret these losses, since the Faith has taught me that the love which you have for the Christians is not in regard to the goods of this world, but for eternity. I bless you in my losses, with as good a heart as I have ever done; for you are my Father, and it is enough that I know that you love me, that I should be content with all the evils which can happen to me.

But what most astonishes me in these encounters is, that these feelings do not come at a late flour, after nature and passion might have possessed the first [33] emotions of the heart; grace often anticipates them, and becomes mistress even of the first impulses, which incline toward Heaven more readily than to the things of earth. May God be forever blessed for this. [page 121]

CHAPTER III.

OF THE CAPTURE OF THE VILLAGES OF THE MISSION OF ST. IGNACE, IN THE MONTH OF MARCH OF THE YEAR 1649.

HE progress of the Faith kept increasing from day to day, and the blessings of Heaven were flowing down in abundance upon these peoples, when God chose to derive from them his glory in ways which are adorable, and which belong to the jurisdiction of his divine providence,—although they have been very severe for us, and were not in our expectations.

The 16th day of March in the present year, 1649, marked the beginning of our misfortunes,—if, however, that be a misfortune which no doubt has been the salvation of many of God's elect.

[34] The Iroquois, enemies of the Hurons, to the number of about a thousand men, well furnished with weapons,—and mostly with firearms, which they obtain from the Dutch, their allies,—arrived by night at the frontier of this country, without our having had any knowledge of their approach; although they had started from their country in the Autumn, hunting in the forests throughout the Winter, and had made over the snow nearly two hundred leagues of a very difficult road, in order to come and surprise us. They reconnoitered by night the condition of the first place upon which they had designs,—which was Surrounded with a stockade of pine trees, [page 123] from fifteen to sixteen feet in height, and with a deep ditch, wherewith nature had strongly fortified this place on three sides,—there remaining only a little a space which was weaker than the others.

It was at that point that the enemy made a breach at daybreak, but so secretly and promptly that he was master of the place before people had put themselves on the defensive,—all being then in a deep sleep, and not having leisure to reconnoiter their situation. Thus this village was taken, almost without striking a blow, there having been only ten Iroquois [35] killed. Part of the Hurons—men, women, and children—were massacred then and there; the others were made captives, and reserved for cruelties more terrible than death.

Three men alone escaped, almost naked, across the snows; they bore the alarm and terror to another and neighboring village, about a league distant. This first village was the one which we called Saint Ignace, which had been abandoned by most of its people at the beginning of the Winter,—the most apprehensive and most clear-sighted having withdrawn from it, foreboding the danger; thus the loss of it was not so considerable, and amounted only to about four hundred souls.

The enemy does not stop there; he follows up his victory, and before Sunrise he appears in arms to attack the village of Saint Louys, which was fortified with a fairly good stockade. Most of the women, and the children, had just gone from it, upon hearing the news which had arrived regarding the approach of the Iroquois. The people of most courage, about eighty persons, being resolved to [36] defend themselves well, repulse with courage the [page 125] first and the second assault, having killed among the enemy some thirty of their most venturesome men, besides many wounded. But, finally, number has the advantage,—the Iroquois having undermined with blows of their hatchets the palisade of stakes, and having made a passage for themselves through considerable breaches.

Toward nine o'clock in the morning, we perceived from our house at Sainte Marie the fire which was consuming the cabins of that village, where the enemy, having entered victoriously, had reduced everything to desolation,—casting into the midst of the flames the old men, the sick, the children who had not been able to escape, and all those who, being too severely wounded, could not have followed them into captivity. At the sight of those flames, and by the color of the smoke which issued from them, we understood sufficiently what was happening,—this village of Saint Louys not being farther distant from us than one league. Two Christians, who escaped from the fire, arrived almost at the same time, and gave us assurance of it.

In this village of Saint Louys were at that time two of our Fathers,—Father Jean de Brebeuf and Father Gabriel Lallement, [37] who had charge of five closely neighboring villages; these formed but one of the eleven Missions of which we have spoken above; we named it the Mission of St. Ignace.

Some Christians had begged the Fathers to preserve their lives for the glory of God,—which would have been as easy for them as for the more than 500 persons who went away at the first alarm, and had abundant leisure to reach a place of security; but their zeal could not permit them, and the salvation [page 127] of their flock was dearer to them than love for their own lives. They employed all the moments of that time, as the most precious which they had ever had in the world; and, during the heat of the combat, their hearts were only fire for the salvation of souls. One was at the breach, baptizing the Catechumens; the other, giving absolution to the Neophytes,—both animating the Christians to die in the sentiments of piety, with which they consoled them in their miseries. Accordingly, never was their faith, or the love which they had for their good Fathers and Pastors, more lively.

An Infidel, seeing affairs in a desperate condition, spoke of taking to flight; a [38] Christian, named Estienne Annaotaha, the most esteemed in the country for his courage and his exploits over the enemy, would never allow it. " What! " he said, " could we ever abandon these two good Fathers, who for us have exposed their lives? The love which they have had for our salvation will be the cause of their death; there is no longer time for them to flee across the snows. Let us then die with them, and we shall go in company to Heaven."

This man had made a general confession a very few days previously,—having had a presentiment of the danger wherein he saw himself involved, and saying that he wished that death should find him disposed for Heaven. And indeed he, as well as many other Christians, had abandoned himself to fervor in a manner so extraordinary, that we shall never be sufficiently able to bless the guidance of God over so many predestinated souls, for whom his divine Providence continues directing with love all the moments, both of life and of death. [page 129]

All this band of Christians fell, mostly alive, into the hands of the enemy; and with them, our two Fathers, the Pastors of that Church. They were [39] not killed on the spot; God was reserving them for much nobler crowns, of which we will speak hereafter.

The Iroquois having dealt their blow, and wholly reduced to fire the village of Saint Louys, retraced their steps into that of Saint Ignace, where they had left a good garrison, that it might be for them a sure retreat in case of misfortune, and that the victuals which they had found there might serve them as refreshments and provisions for their return.

On the evening of the same day, they sent scouts to reconnoiter the condition of our house at Sainte Marie; their report having been made in the Council of war, the decision was adopted to come and attack us the next morning,—promising themselves a victory which would be more glorious to them than all the successes of their arms in the past. We were in a good state of defense, and saw not one of our Frenchmen who was not resolved to sell his life very dear, and to die in a cause which—being for the interests of the Faith, and the maintenance of Christianity in these countries—was more the cause of God than ours; moreover, our greatest confidence as in him.

[40] Meanwhile, a part of the Hurons, who are called Atinniaoenten (that is to say, the nation of those who wear a Bear on their coat of arms), having armed in haste, were at hand the next morning, the seventeenth of March, about three hundred warriors,—who, while awaiting a more powerful help, [page 131] secreted themselves in the ways of approach, intending to surprise some portion of the enemy.

About two hundred Iroquois having detached themselves from their main body, in order to get the start and proceed to the attack of our house, encountered some advance-guards of that Huron troop. The latter straightway took flight after some skirmishing, and were eagerly pursued until within sight of our fort,—many having been killed while they were in disorder in the midst of the snows. But the more courageous of the Hurons, having stood firm against those who joined combat with them, had some advantage on their side, and constrained the Iroquois to take refuge within the palisades of the village of Saint Louys,—which had not been burned, but only the cabins. These Iroquois were forced into that palisade, and about thirty of them were taken captives.

[41] The main body of the enemy, having heard of the defeat of their men, came to attack our people in the very midst of their victory. Our men were the choicest Christians of the village of la Conception, and some others of the village of la Magdelaine. Their courage was not depressed, although they were only about one hundred and fifty. They proceed to prayers, and sustain the assault of a place which, having been so recently captured and recaptured, was no longer adequate for defense. The shock was furious on both sides,—our people having made many sallies, notwithstanding their small number, and having often constrained the enemy to give way. But,—the combat having continued quite far into the night,—as not more than a score of Christians, mostly wounded, were left, the victory remained wholly in the hands of the Infidels. It had, however, [page 133] cost them very dear, as their Chief had been seriously wounded, and they had lost nearly a hundred men on the spot, of their best and most courageous.

All night our French were in arms, waiting to see at our gates this victorious enemy. We redoubled our devotions, in which were our strongest [42] hopes, since our help could only come from Heaven. Seeing ourselves on the eve of the feast of the glorious Saint Joseph, the Patron of this country, we felt ourselves constrained to have recourse to a Protector so powerful. We made a vow to say, every month, each a Mass in his honor, during the space of a whole year, for those who should be Priests. And all, as many as there were people here, joined to this, by vow, sundry Penances, to the end of preparing us more holily for the accomplishment of the will of God concerning us, whether for life or for death; for we all regarded ourselves as so many victims consecrated to Our Lord, who must await from his hand the hour when they should be sacrificed for his glory, without undertaking to delay or to wish to hasten the moments thereof.

The whole day passed in a profound silence on both sides,—the country being in terror and in the expectation of some new misfortune.

On the nineteenth, the day of the great Saint Joseph, a sudden panic fell upon the hostile camp,—some withdrawing in disorder, and others thinking only of [43] flight. Their Captains were constrained to yield to the terror which had seized them; they precipitated their retreat, driving forth in haste a part of their captives, who were burdened above their strength, like packhorses, with the spoils which the victorious were carrying off,—their captors [page 135] reserving for some other occasion the matter of their death.

As for the other captives who were left to them, destined to die on the spot, they attached them to stakes fastened in the earth, which they had arranged in various cabins. To these, on leaving the village, they set fire on all sides,—taking pleasure, at their departure, in feasting upon the frightful cries which these poor victims uttered in the midst of those flames, where children were broiling beside their mothers; where a husband saw his wife roasting near him; where cruelty itself would have had compassion at a spectacle which had nothing human about it, except the innocence of those who were in torture, most of whom were Christians.

An old woman, escaped from the midst of that fire, bore the news of it to the village of Saint Michel, where there were about [44] seven hundred men in arms, who charged upon the enemy; but, not having been able to overtake him after two days' march, partly the want of provisions, partly the dread of combatting without advantage an enemy encouraged by his victories, and one who had mostly firearms, of which our Hurons have very few,—all these things obliged them to retrace their steps, without having done aught. They found upon the roads, from time to time, various captives, who—not having strength enough to follow the conqueror, who was precipitating his retreat—had had their heads split by a blow of the hatchet; others remained, half burned, at a post. [page 137]

CHAPTER IV.

OF THE BLESSED DEATHS OF FATHER JEAN DE BREBEUF, AND FATHER GABRIEL LALLEMENT.

S early as the next morning, when we had assurance of the departure of the enemy,—having had, before that, certain news, through some escaped captives, of the deaths of Father Jean de Brebeuf and of Father Gabriel Lallement,—we sent [45] one of our Fathers and seven other Frenchmen to seek their bodies at the place of their torture. They found there a spectacle of horror,—the remains of cruelty itself: or rather the relics of the love of God, which alone triumphs in the death of Martyrs.

I would gladly call them, if I were allowed, by that glorious name, not only because voluntarily, for the love of

God and for the salvation of their neighbor, they exposed themselves to death, and to a cruel death, if ever there was one in the world,—for they could easily and without sin have put their lives in safety, if they had not been filled with love for God rather than for themselves. But much rather would I thus call them, because, in addition to the charitable dispositions which they have manifested on their side, hatred for the Faith and contempt for the name of God have been among the most powerful incentives which have influenced the mind of the Barbarians to practice upon them as many cruelties as ever the rage of tyrants obliged the Martyrs to [page 139] endure, who, at the climax of their tortures, have triumphed over both life and death.

As soon as they were taken captive, they were stripped naked, and [46] some of their nails were torn out; and the welcome which they received upon entering the village of St. Ignace was a hailstorm of blows with sticks upon their shoulders, their loins, their legs, their breasts, their bellies, and their faces,—there being no part of their bodies which did not then endure its torment.

Father Jean de Brebeuf, overwhelmed under the burden of these blows, did not on that account lose care for his flock; seeing himself surrounded with Christians whom he had instructed, and who were in captivity with him, he said to them: " My children, let us lift our eyes to Heaven at the height of our afflictions; let us remember that God is the witness of our sufferings, and will soon be our exceeding great reward. Let us die in this faith; and let us hope from his goodness the fulfillment of his promises. I have more pity for you than for myself; but sustain with courage the few remaining torments. They will end with our lives; the glory which follows them will never have an end." " Echon," they said to him (this is the name which the Hurons gave the Father), " our spirits will be in Heaven when our bodies shall be suffering on earth. Pray to God for us, that he may show us mercy; we will invoke him [47] even until death."

Some Huron Infidels—former captives of the Iroquois, naturalized among them, and former enemies of the Faith—were irritated by these words, and because our Fathers in their captivity had not their tongues captive. They cut off the hands of one, and [page 141] pierce the other with sharp awls and iron points; they apply under their armpits and upon their loins hatchets heated red in the fire, and put a necklace of these about their necks in such a way that all the motions of their bodies gave them a new torture. For, if they attempted to lean forward, the red-hot hatchets which hung behind them burned the shoulders everywhere; and if they thought to avoid that pain, bending back a little, their stomachs and breasts experienced a similar torment; if they stood upright, without leaning to one side or the other, these glowing hatchets, touching them alike on all sides, were a double torture to them. They put about them belts of bark, filled with pitch and resin, to which they set fire, which scorched the whole of their bodies.

At the height of these torments, [48] Father Gabriel Lallement lifted his eyes to Heaven, clasping his hands from time to time, and uttering sighs to God, whom he invoked to his aid. Father Jean de Brebeuf suffered like a rock, insensible to the fires and the flames, without uttering any cry, and keeping a profound silence, which astonished his executioners themselves: no doubt, his heart was then reposing in his God. Then, returning to himself, he preached to those Infidels, and still more to many good Christian captives, who had compassion on him.

Those butchers, indignant at his zeal, in order to hinder him from further speaking of God, girdled his mouth, cut off his nose, and tore off his lips; but his blood spoke much more loudly than his lips had done; and, his heart not being yet torn out, his tongue did not fail to render him service until the last sigh, for blessing God for these torments, and [page 143] for animating the Christians more vigorously than he had ever done.

In derision of holy Baptism,—which these good Fathers had so charitably administered even at the breach, and in the hottest of the fight,—those wretches, enemies [49] of the Faith, bethought themselves to baptize them with boiling water. Their bodies were entirely bathed with it, two or three times, and more, with biting gibes, which accompanied these torments. " we baptize thee," said these wretches, " to the end that thou mayst be blessed in Heaven; for without proper Baptism one cannot be saved." Others added, mocking, " we treat thee as a friend, since we shall be the cause of thy greatest happiness up in Heaven; thank us for so many good offices,—for, the more thou sufferest, the more thy God will reward thee. "

These were Infidel Hurons, former captives of the Iroquois, and, of old, enemies of the Faith,—who, having previously had sufficient instruction for their salvation, impiously abused it,—in reality, for the glory of the Fathers; but it is much to be feared that it was also for their own misfortune.

The more these torments were augmented, the more the Fathers entreated God that their sins should not be the cause of the reprobation of these poor blind ones, whom they pardoned with all their heart. It is surely now that they say in repose, Transivimus [50] per ignem et aquam, et eduxisti nos in refrigerium.

When they were fastened to the post where they suffered these torments, and where they were to die, they knelt down, they embraced it with joy, and kissed it piously as the object of their desires and their love, and as a sure and final pledge of their [page 145] salvation. They were there some time in prayers, and longer than those butchers were willing to permit them. They put out Father Gabriel Lallement's eyes and applied burning coals in the hollows of the same.

Their tortures were not of the same duration. Father Jean de Brebeuf was at the height of his torments at about three o'clock on the same day of the capture, the 16th day of March, and rendered up his soul about four o ' clock in the evening. Father Gabriel Lallement endured longer, from six o'clock in the evening until about nine o'clock the next morning, the seventeenth of March.

Before their death, both their hearts were torn out, by means of an opening above the breast; and those Barbarians inhumanly feasted thereon, drinking their blood quite warm, which they drew from [51] its source with sacrilegious hands. While still quite full of life, pieces of flesh were removed from their thighs, from the calves of the legs, and from their arms,—which those executioners placed on coals to roast, and ate in their sight.

They had slashed their bodies in various parts; and, in order to increase the feeling of pain, they had thrust into these wounds red-hot hatchets.

Father Jean de Brebeuf had had the skin which covered his skull torn away; they had cut off his feet and torn the flesh from his thighs, even to the bone, and had split, with the blow of a hatchet, one of his jaws in two.

Father Gabriel Lallement had received a hatchet- blow on the left ear, which they had driven into his brain, which appeared exposed; we saw no part of his body, from the feet even to the head, which had [page 147] not been broiled, and in which he had not been burned alive,—even the eyes, into which those impious ones had thrust burning coals.

They had broiled their tongues, repeatedly putting into their mouths flaming brands, and burning pieces of bark,—[52] not willing that they should invoke, in dying, him for whom they were suffering, and who could never die in their hearts. I have learned all this from persons worthy of credence, who have seen it, and reported it to me personally, and who were then captives with them,—but whoa having been reserved to be put to death at another time, found means to escape.

But let us leave these objects of horror, and these monsters of cruelty; since one day all those parts will be endowed with an immortal glory, the greatness of their torments will be the measure of their happiness, and, from now on, they live in the repose of the Saints, and will dwell in it forever.

We buried these precious relics on Sunday, the 21st day of March, with so much consolation and such tender feelings of devotion in all those who were present at their obsequies, that I know none who did not desire a similar death, rather than fear it; and who did not regard himself as blest to stand in a place where, it might be, two days thence, God would accord him the grace of shedding both his blood [53] and his life on a like occasion. Not one of us could ever prevail upon himself to pray to God for them, as if they had had any need of it; but our spirits were at once directed toward Heaven, where we doubted not that their souls were. Be this as it may I entreat God that he fulfill upon [page 149] us his will, even to death, as he has done in their persons.

Father Gabriel Lallement was the last to come to the combat, and yet has fortunately borne away one of the first crowns. I mean to say that, although it is but six months since he arrived in this Mission of the Hurons,—and that, last of all,—he has been chosen by God as one of the first victims sacrificed to the hatred for the Christian name and Faith.

For several years, he had been asking God, with tears and sighs, to be sent to this Mission in the end f the world, notwithstanding his very delicate constitution. and the fact that his body had no strength except what the spirit of God, and the desire of suffering for his name, could give him. I cannot grudge to the public a private writing from his hand, which I found after his death, concerning the motives which he [54] had had, for so ardently desiring occupation in these Missions. Here are his own words:

" It is, my God, my Savior; 1st, to make good the obligations which I feel toward you: for if you abandoned your contentments, your honors, your comforts your joys, and your life, in order to save me, wretched one,—is it more than reasonable that I abandon, after your example, all these things for the salvation of souls,—which you esteem yours, which have cost you your blood; which you have loved even until death, and of which you have said, Quod uni em minimis meis fecistis, mihi fecistis?

"2. Even though, indeed, I were not moved by a spirit of gratitude, in making you these burnt-offerings of myself, I would do so with all my heart in consideration of the grandeurs of your adorable Majesty, and of your infinitely infinite goodness,—[page 151] which deserves that a man sacrifice himself to your service, and that he blessedly cast himself away, in order to accomplish faithfully what he judges to be your will concerning him, and special inspirations which it pleases you to give him for the good of your [55] greater glory.

"3. Since I have been so wicked as to offend so greatly your goodness, O my Jesus, it is right to make amends to you by extraordinary pains: and thus I must walk before your face the remainder of my life, with my heart humbled and contrite in the endurance of the evils which you first suffered for me.

"4. I am indebted to my parents, to my mother, and to my brothers, and I must draw upon them the effects of your mercies. My God, never permit that any of this family, for which you have had so much love, shall perish in your presence, or that he be of the number of those who are destined to blaspheme you eternally. Let me be for them the victim,—Quoniam ego in flagella paratus sum; hîc ure, hîc seca, ut in œternum parcas.

"5. Yes, my Jesus and my love, it must therefore be that your blood, shed for the Barbarians as well as for us, be efficaciously applied for their salvation; and this is wherein I wish to coöperate with your grace, and to sacrifice myself for them

"6. It must be that your name be adored, that your Kingdom be extended through all the [56] Nations of the world; and that I consume my life, in order to withdraw from the hands of Satan, your enemy, these poor souls who have cost you both your blood and your life.

"7. Finally, if it be reasonable that some one [page 153] incline, from love, to give this satisfaction to Jesus Christ,—though at the risk of a hundred thousand lives, if he had so many, and with the loss of everything which is sweetest and most agreeable to nature,—thou wilt never find any one who is more obliged to undertake it than thou. Up then, my soul, let us blessedly cast ourselves away, in order to give this satisfaction to the sacred heart of Jesus Christ; he deserves it, and thou canst not forego it, if thou wouldst not live and die ungrateful to his love."

Such are the motives which had animated his zeal to come and die with us in the midst of this barbarism. There was no one more innocent than he, for he had left the world since his tender youth; and, in the nineteen years since he had been a Religious of our Society, he had always walked with a conscience so pure that the least shadow,—I will not say of sin, but of thoughts which approach it, and are not at all criminal—served only [57] to aid him in uniting himself more to God.

After his arrival here among the Hurons, he had applied himself with so much ardor to learn the language,—thankless, if ever there were such a one in the world,—and subsequently had made in it so much progress, that we did not doubt that God wished to use him in these countries for the advancement of his glory. His charity found no difference between the study of the higher sciences, which had occupied him until then, and the thorny difficulties of a barbarous language, which has nothing attractive about it,—except in so far as zeal for the salvation of one's neighbor leads one to find beauties in it. It is not one of the least difficulties in these countries, [page 155] that it is necessary to become a child at the age of 39 years, in order to learn to speak.

After all, his course has been quickly finished; but in this little time he has fulfilled the expectations which earth and Heaven could have for his labors. He has died in the cause of God, and has found in these countries the Cross of Jesus Christ which he sought in them,—of which he has borne upon himself the truly bloody marks.

Although, in leaving the world, he had left the share which his birth gave him in [58] honorable offices, yet I can say, with truth, that the robe which he has crimsoned with his blood is a thousand times more precious than the purple, or the loftiest expectations which the world could have promised him.

He was born at Paris, on the 31st of October in the year 1610. He entered our Society on the 24th of March in the year 1630; he died in it, upon a bed of glory, on the 17th of March in the current year, 1649, The Hurons named him Atironta. [page 157]

CHAPTER V.

SOME REMARKS ON THE LIFE OF FATHER JEAN DE BREBEUF .

ATHER Jean de Brebeuf had been chosen by God to be the first Apostle of the Hurons, the first of our Society who set foot there,—and who, not having found there a single Savage who invoked the name of God, labored there so successfully for the salvation of those poor Barbarians that before his death he had the consolation of seeing nearly seven thousand baptized there, and the Cross of Jesus Christ planted [59] everywhere with glory, and adored in a country which, from the birth of the world, had never been Christian.

He was sent to New France in the year 1625, by