The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents Volume 59

The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents

—————

Travels and Explorations

of the Jesuit Missionaries

in New France

1610—1791

THE ORIGINAL FRENCH, LATIN, AND ITALI-

IAN TEXTS, WITH ENGLISH TRANSLA-

TIONS AND NOTES; ILLUSTRATED BY

PORTRAITS, MAPS, AND FACSIMILES

EDITED BY

Reuben Gold Thwaites

Secretary of the State historical Society of Wisconsin

COMPUTERIlED TRANSCRIPTION BY

Tomasz Mentrak

Vol. LIX.

Lower Canada, Illinois, Ottawas

1667—1669

CLEVELAND: The Burrows Brothers

Company, PUBLISHERS, M DCCC XCIX

THE JESUIT RELATIONS

AND

ALLIED DOCUMENTS

Vol. LIX

[Page iii]

The edition consists of sev-

en hundred and fifty sets

all numbered.

No.________

The Burrows Brothers Co.

[Page iv]

EDITORIAL STAFF

Editor	Reuben Gold Thwaites

	\| Finlow Alexander
	\| Percy Favor Bicknell
Translators.	\| William Frederic Giese
	\| Crawford Lindsay
	\| William Price
	\| Hiram Allen Sober

Assistant Editor	Emma Helen Blair

Bibliographical Adviser	Victor Hugo Paltsits

Electronic Transcription	Tomasz Mentrak

[Page v]

The Burrows Company

—————

The Imperial Press, Cleveland

[Page ]

CONTENTS OF VOL. LIX.

Preface To Volume LIX		11
Documents:—
CXXXIXI.	Relation de ce qui s’est passé en la Nouvelle-France, pendant les années 1673 et 74. [Letters from the following missionaries, edited or synopsized by Claude Dablon :] Claude Jean Allouez, Louis André, Pierre Millet, Jean de Lamberville, Julien Garnier, Pierre Rafeix, François de Crépieul, and Louis Nicolas; n.p., n.d. [Second and final installment.].		23
CXXXIV.	Memoiré pour un Miffionaire qui ira aux 7 isles. Louis Nicolas; [La Prairie, 1673].		56
CXXXV.	Lettre au R. P. Pinette. Claude Dablon; Québec, October 24, 1674.		64
CXXXVI.	Le premier Voÿage qu’a fait Le P. Marquette vers le nouueau Mexique & Comment s’en est formé le defsein. Jacques Marquette; [Baye des Puants, 1674].		86
CXXXVII.	Journal incomplet, addressé au R. P. Claude Dablon, supérieur des Missions. Jacques Marquette; n-p., (1675).		164
CXXXVIII.	Recit du second voyage et de la mort du P. Jacques Marquette. Claude Dablon; [Quebec, 1677]		184
CXXXIX.	État présent des Missions des pères de la Compagnie de Jésus en la Nouvelle-France, pendant l’année 1675. Claude Dablon, [Quebec, 1675.] [First installment.].		213
Bibliographical Data; Volume LIX			293
Notes			305

[Page vii]

[INSERT GRAPHIC HERE]

ILLUSTRATIONS TO VOL. LIX.

I.	Statue of Jacques Marquette, S.J., by Sig. Gaetano Trentanove, now in the Capitol at Washington.	Frontispiece
II.	Facsimile, in colors, of Joliet’s MS. Map of 1674.	Facing 86.
III	Photographic facsimile of Marquette’s MS. map, accompanying his Journal, from the original in St. Mary’s College archives, Montreal.	Facing 108
IV.	Photographic facsimile of map published by Thevenot, in 1681, purporting to be made by Marquette.	Facing 154
V.	Photographic facsimiles of the seven pages of Marquette‘s Journal, from the original MS. in St. Mary’s College archives, Montreal.	Facing 212

[Page viii]

PREFACE TO VOL. LIX

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

CXXXIII. The greater part of the Relation of 1673-74 appeared in Vol. LVIII.; the remainder is herewith presented. This comprises only the report on the two Montagnais missions, at Tadoussac and the Seven Islands. The former of these is given in Crépieul’s journal of his winter spent with the savages (October 4, 1673, to May 24, 1674) at Lake St. John. Departing from Quebec, he spends a week at the Jeremie islets, with a small band of Papinachois encamped there, At Chicoutimi, he finds two hundred Indians awaiting him, to whom he ministers during ten days. On November 2, he departs with one of their bands, to accompany them in their winter wanderings. During the entire cold season, they rove about the neighborhood of Lake St. John, wherever a prospect of food attracts them; and their wretched existence is shared by the brave missionary, who, with undaunted zeal and devotion, instructs them and celebrates the rites of the Church, whenever time or place permits these pious services. About the middle of January, he is so fortunate as to obtain news of Father Albanel, whom he visits, finding the latter temporarily disabled by an accident. In February, the savages in the Lake St. John region are overcome with terror by an Iroquois raid. They [Page 11] hastily abandon their cabins, and gather in a rude fort for their defense. Ascertaining, however, that the enemy has gone in another direction, Crepiertl goes to visit the Mistassinis, living near the lake of that name; with them he remains six or seven weeks, and baptizes more than a hundred persons, including two chiefs. On May 6, a part of the band embark for Quebec, to implore Frontenac’s aid against the Iroquois; and Crépieul goes with them.

At the Seven Islands, far down the Labrador coast, Father Nicolas has held a sort of flying mission among the Oumamiois tribes of that region. He finds them friendly, and well disposed toward the faith; but his stay with them lasts only three days, for he and the French traders are compelled by an epidemic of scurvy to leave the islands. He promises, however, to return next year, and instruct the savages more fully.

CXXXIV. After his return to Quebec, Nicolas prepares a “memorandum for a missionary who will go to the Seven Islands.” He informs his successor how many Indians he will find there, and of what tribes. He must understand the Montagnais Language, in order to talk with these savages. Nicolas mentions the scanty natural products of that desolate region, and advises that the French should establish fisheries there, which would be exceedingly profitable to them, and would enable a missionary to labor with the savages during the summer. He adds a list of the Indians who had been baptized in that tribe.

CXXXV. This is a letter (dated October 24, 1674) from Dablon to the French provincial, giving a survey of the mission field at that time. Albanel notwithstanding the obstacles that he has encountered [Page 12] on the way, and the danger of losing his life if he goes on, has continued his journey to Hudson Bay, where the English have already established themselves. Marquette, since his discovery of the Mississippi, has been preparing to labor among the Illinois. The other Fathers in the Ottawa missions have, during the year, “baptized more than five hundred infidels.” In that region are now three permanent residences — those at De Pere, St. Ignace, and Sault Ste. Marie.

In Acadia, Pierron has spent part of the past year. During the winter, he travels in disguise through the English colonies, where he finds “naught but desolation and abomination among the heretics, who will not even baptize the children, and still less the adults.” He is able to baptize but few, “on account of their obstinacy;” he has, however, “the happiness of preparing a heretic to make his abjuration.” At Boston, Pierron is suspected of being a Jesuit, and is cited to appear before the General Court; but he evades the summons. In Maryland he finds a few English Jesuits in disguise; he desires to be sent to assist them, and to establish a mission among the Indians there; but Dablon considers this scheme, for many reasons, impracticable.

The Iroquois missions are prosperous. The Mohawks “are being converted in greater numbers than ever;” but Bruyas’s efforts are greatly hindered by the Dutch heretics. The Senecas are least inclined to embrace the faith; but the missionaries among them “fail not to win many victories over hell.” Among the Montagnais, Crépieul is engaged in tireless labors, both summer and winter. The Iroquois colony at La Prairie, and that of the Hurons [Page 13] at Lorette, bring consolation to the missionaries, on account of their devotion and saintly living. The new church at Lorette, patterned after the Holy souse of Loreto in Italy, is becoming a favorite resort for pilgrims from all parts of Canada. Dablon again extols the zeal and self-renunciation of all the apostles of the faith in New France.

CXXXVI. One of the most valuable and important documents in our series is the journal of Father Marquette, describing the voyage in which he and Joliet discovered and explored the Mississippi River. It is prefaced with a brief note by Dablon, which mentions Marquette’s early desire to carry the gospel to the Southern tribes, and his opportunity for doing so when Joliet is chosen by Frontenac and Talon to explore the then unknown water-routes beyond Lake Michigan. Dablon also praises the fitness of Joliet for this undertaking.

Marquette recounts the details of their voyage, which begins May 17, 1673, at the St. Ignace mission. They journey via Green Bay, visiting on the way the Menomonee Indians, who endeavor to dissuade them from their enterprise — saying that there are ferocious tribes on the great river, some of whom are at war together, who will kill any stranger; that horrible monsters and demons will endanger their lives, etc.

Passing through the bay, and ascending the Fox River, they arrive at the Mascouten village June 7. Marquette describes at length two remarkable plants, the wild rice and snake-root. The Frenchmen at once call the elders, and ask them for guides on their way, which is readily granted. These savages conduct them to the Fox-Wisconsin portage, whence [Page 14] the travelers make their way alone. On June 17, they enter the Mississippi, “with a Joy that I cannot express.” Marquette gives a minute description of the great river, the lands through which it passes, and the fauna of that region, most of which are strange and curious to the Canadians. Among these animals, he gives especial attention to the buffalo.

The voyagers proceed more than sixty leagues without seeing any human being, until June 25, when they discover a beaten path from the river inland. Marquette and Joliet follow this, and reach an Illinois village, the people of which receive them most hospitably, and with elaborate ceremonies, which are fully described. A chapter is devoted to an account of their customs and usages. Marquette praises the gentleness and docility of the Illinois savages. They use guns, and carry on an extensive trade in slaves, whom they capture from more remote tribes. They raise abundant crops of Indian corn and other vegetables. The calumet, or ceremonial pipe, and the dance in honor of it, are fully described. One of these pipes is given to Marquette and his party, as a safeguard for their passage through the hostile nations farther down the river.

After remaining several days with the friendly Illinois savages, the explorers resume their voyage. They find new and curious plants, and agreeable fruits. Near Alton, Illinois, they see on the smooth face of a bluff paintings of strange monsters, so frightful in appearance that “the boldest savages dare not Long rest their eyes” upon them. Shortly after passing these grotesque figures, they narrowly escape being wrecked in the swollen and turbid flood poured forth at the mouth of the Missouri River. [Page 15] The reports which they have already heard from the savages regarding this stream lead them to hope that, by ascending it far enough, they may gain other rivers which will furnish the long-sought Passage to the Western Sea, Near the mouth of the Ohio, they find rich deposits Of iron ore. They now begin to experience the torment of mosquitoes.

Somewhat farther down, they encounter a band of savages, who at first appear to be hostile; they prove, however, to be “as frightened as we were,” and soon become pacified. Again, at the mouth of St. Francis River, they are in danger of losing their lives being attacked by the Mitchigameas, who dwell there. In this emergency, they are saved by displaying the calumet which the Illinois gave them. On the next day they proceed to the mouth of the Arkansas, where another tribe dwells. These savages are friendly, and warn them that they cannot go farther without great danger.

At this point, Marquette and Joliet take counsel together as to their next proceeding. They are now well satisfied that the great river, on which they have voyaged more than a thousand miles, flows into the Gulf of Mexico. If they advance, they are in danger of imprisonment, and perhaps death, — thus risking the loss of all that they have gained from their long and perilous journey. Accordingly, they begin (July 17) their return voyage; but this time they ascend the Illinois and Des Plaines rivers, and enter Lake Michigan by the Chicago River. They stop on the way to visit a Kaskaskia band, who desire Marquette to come again to instruct them; also the Peorias, where he baptizes a dying child, which alone repays the missionary for his long and. [Page 16] toilsome journey. At the close of September, they reach the De Pere mission.

CXXXVII. This is Marquette’s (unfinished) journal of his second voyage to the Illinois tribes — a journey with pathetic ending, for he dies on the way, while striving to reach Mackinac. Departing from De Pere October 25, 1674, accompanied by two Frenchmen, he enters the waters of Lake Michigan via the portage at Sturgeon Bay. There they fortunately meet a party of Illinois Indians, who desire the Father to go under their escort. Now begins a long and tedious voyage, so interrupted by storms and severe cold that it is not until December 4 that the party reach Chicago River. The Father is again ill, on account of his privations and hardships, and finds himself unable to proceed farther. Accordingly, Marquette and his two Frenchmen spend the winter at the portage, — alone, except for occasional visits from the savages. Early in January, a French trader in that region hears of the Father’s illness, and sends him food by a surgeon who is with him. The Illinois savages, among whom he had intended to carry on a mission, also bring him gifts, and beg him to come and dwell with them.

In February, Marquette’s health begins to improve, owing to his devotions to the Virgin. The last week in March brings a south wind, and the river opens; a sudden freshet nearly carries away the Frenchmen and their goods. This gives them, after various delays, an opportunity to resume their journey: but it is not until April 8 that they reach the Illinois village. Marquette’s journal ends upon the 6th, while he and his men are awaiting favorable weather to descend the Des Plaines River. [Page 17]

CXXXVIII. In this document, Dablon briefly relates this second voyage of Marquette, adding details of his death, and of the removal (1677) of his bones to Mackinac. After reaching the Illinois village, the Father holds (three days before Easter) a great council, where over 1,500 men are present, besides the women and children. He explains to them the mysteries of the faith, and celebrates mass; and on Easter Sunday holds similar services. The savages listen with delight, and would gladly retain him among them; but his malady is so increasing that he is compelled to depart. He sets out for Mackinac, hoping to reach the mission-house there in time to die within its walls; but his strength fails so rapidly that he is obliged to land near Ludington, Michigan, where he dies on the same day (May 18, 1675). His faithful companions there inter his body, which is removed two years later, by some of his Ottawa disciples, to the St. Ignace mission at Mackinac, There it is reinterred, with all the solemnity possible; and this tomb becomes a favorite resort for the Christian savages. The document closes with “a brief summary of his virtues,” prominent among which are his zeal and meekness, and his devotion to the Virgin.

CXXXIX. For the year 1675, Dablon sends to his provincial an account of “the present condition of the missions in New France.” It begins with a brief survey of the Ottawa mission, followed by the account Of Marquette’s last voyage and death which we present in Doc. CXXXVIII.

At Sault Ste. Marie, with its dependent missions on the islands and northern shore of Lake Huron, over one hundred and twenty persons have been [Page 18] baptized, “notwithstanding all the opposition that the devil raises up against the Gospel by various superstitions” — to oppose which the missionaries have more than once risked their lives. At St. Ignace (Marquette’s post), the new chapel built last year was, at its opening, “consecrated by sixty-six baptisms,” administered to Hurons and Algonkins who have settled there. At De Pere, André has, by mingled patience and firmness, conquered the minds, “most ferocious and superstitious,” of the savages in that region. He has formed “a church of four or five hundred Christians;” and has baptized a hundred and forty persons during the past year. Among the Central Wisconsin tribes, Allouez has baptized a hundred and sixty. The Mascouten village has been increased, by refugees from many tribes, to a population of 20,000 souls — a parish too large for Allouez, who is now aided by Silvy. Letters from the former give some account of his work there. As usual, the great obstacle in the way of the missionaries is the blind adherence of the savages to their superstitions, especially where dreams are concerned.

A short report is given from each of the Iroquois missions. Bruyas, superior of all these, writes from Agnie that he has baptized eighty persons there. His labors have received much aid from the conversion of Assendassé, a notable Mohawk chief, and from a gift, made to the church of Agnié, of a miraculous image, that of Our Lady of Foye. The Oneidas, most cruel of all the Iroquois, “are now so changed through Father Millet’s care that it may be said that from wolves they have become lambs.” Several prominent chiefs here also have been converted. At Onondaga, also, the church is flourishing. [Page 19] Lamberville has gained much influence among the savages by his ability in using medicines for the cure of sicknesses. Carheil has not been so fortunate at Cayuga; the arrogance of those savages is great, and they insult and abuse him when, as often happens, they become intoxicated. The Senecas also are intolerably insolent since they defeated the Andastes; they talk of going to war against the French; and the three missionaries who labor among them “are in almost continual danger of being murdered by those barbarians.”

As for the missions at the North, no word has been received from Albanel since he set out, two years ago, for Hudson Bay. Vague Indian reports indicate that he has either been killed, or captured by the English and sent back to Europe. Crepieul, his health broken by continual exposure, has been recalled to Quebec for rest, and Boucher takes his place.

A noble record is made by the Iroquois colonists at La Prairie;” although surrounded on all sides by the most scandalous drunkenness,” they are distinguished among their neighbors as “those who do not drink, and who pray to God aright.” Their virtue is illustrated by an account of the pious death of a young man named Skandegorhaksen. Dablon gives an interesting account of visits made to La Prairie by Bishop Lava], and later, by the new intendant, Duchesneau. These distinguished guests are welcomed by the savages in their own fashion, with every mark of honor. During the bishop’s visit, a rumor comes that a hunting-party of prominent men from La Prairie have been attacked and slain by enemies. These good Christians nobly put [Page 20] aside their private griefs, that they may duly honor the visit of the head of the Canadian church; and thus “the whole stratagem which the devil seemed to have invented solely to disturb the minds of the savages, and to prevent the good results of Monseigneur’s visit, served but to make the virtues of our new Christians shine more brightly.”

Duchesneau, the intendant, also visits the La Prairie colony, accompanied by many officials and prominent habitants. He lights the bonfire on St. John’s day, holds a general council with the savages, and provides them with a bountiful feast.

R. G. T.

Madison, Wis., November, 1899.

[Page 21]

CXXXIII (concluded)

Relation of 1673-74

—————

The greater part of this document appeared in Volume LVIII.; its concluding section is herewith presented. [Page 23]

Missions of the Montagnais or Lower Algonquins

during the years 1673 and 1674.

CHAPTER I.

OF THE TADOUSSAC MISSION.

ATHER François de Crépieul, who has charge of this Mission, states that he continues to derive much satisfaction from the conduct of his Christians. The fatigues which he has endured while accompanying them in the woods during the whole winter can be imagined only by those who have experienced them. After all, they are very sweet when one suffers them in searching for poor wandering sheep, whom the Son of God came himself to seek. This small Church of Tadoussac was increased this year by several adults and twenty-two children, who received the grace of baptism. We present here the journal of Father de Crépieul’s journey and labors among the Papinachois, the Mistassins, and other tribes, as he has sent it to us.

FATHER DE CRÉPIEUL’S JOURNAL.

N the 23rd of September, 1673, after journeying seventy or eighty leagues in a canoe, and having encountered various dangers and endured much bad weather in a rather inclement season, sleeping in the sand or on a rock, I reached Quebec. Thence I set out, a few days afterward, to go to the [Page 25] Papinachois, thence to Chegoutimi, and afterward to lake St. John, where I was to pass a third winter with a band of Savages.

On the day of my departure, the 4th of October, I began my mission by baptizing an Etchemin child two years old. We were afterward surprised by a violent gale which endangered our lives, and, by breaking one of the cables of our bark, compelled us to put back. Three days afterward, a very favorable wind carried us a long distance on our voyage, and brought us at the end of two days to the Jérémie islets[1]. There I found five cabins of Papinachois, who awaited us, and I instructed them for six or seven days.

On the 21st of October, we weighed anchor with a very favorable wind, and sailed in the direction of the Saguenay; but, being surprised by darkness, and the wind rising, we were in danger of shipwreck; for the bark was greatly tossed about, and filled with water. It was even a marvel that we did not run aground; for the wind impelled us so violently, although we had no sail set, that about midnight we were close to the land. This storm lasted ten whole hours, during which we expected to be wrecked at any moment. But at last God gave us calm weather again, and enabled us to reach Chegoutimi.[2] I found there two hundred Savages waiting for me; I instructed them for ten days, confessing and administering communion to those who were old enough to receive those sacraments. I also buried the son of the chief of Tadoussac, who in his last moments displayed truly Christian resignation.

On the last day of October, I baptized a child, [Page 27] and administered extreme unction to a dying woman, who was very well prepared for the great journey of eternity. We spent the following day, the feast of All Saints, in the devotional exercises which so important a feast required; nearly all the French and Savages confessed and received communion. Moreover, I gave the viaticum to two sick persons, and baptized a child. The chiefs of Tadoussac and Sillery delivered eloquent harangues in favor of Prayer, on the occasion of the farewell feast given them by the French, who were to leave on the following day. In fact, on the 2nd of November, after performing our duties for the souls in purgatory, the bark set sail for Quebec, and left me alone with my beloved Savages, who prepared to go to their winter quarters, each band to their own district. In the evening, I started in company with six canoes of Savages, with whom I spent the night near the rapid of the large river that flows from lake St. John, and falls into the noble Saguenay river. On the following day, we were obliged to carry our canoe and all our effects for two leagues, with much fatigue — walking sometimes in mud, and sometimes in snow. While we were marching, I observed the disastrous effects of the great earthquake of 1663.[3] I also met four families of Outabitibecs, whom I instructed. At the end of our road I came upon a great rapid, and the fine river of the Papinachois.[4] Two days afterward, these four families whom we had met joined us; and all together we entered the woods, to seek our livelihood, and to meet a great number of Savages who were to come down in the spring.

After successfully passing seven rapids, the ice began to block our way, and this compelled us to [Page 29] stop upon a mountain. We built two cabins, to contain thirty-four persons; I instructed them daily, while waiting until the snow was deep enough to, allow us to walk on snowshoes. It must be admitted that, if a missionary’s life be a painful one it is also full of many consolations. It was no small pleasure to me to see, every day, my instructions sought after, listened to, and followed with incredible fervor by the youngest as well as by the older persons. In, remembrance of our passage here, I erected a cross in this vast solitude.

On the 19th of November, we went a long league thence, to encamp in a place where game is plentiful; but there the want of water, — for melted snow hardly quenches thirst, — and the smoke, which was: very annoying, greatly tried our patience. We did not leave this place until the 6th of December, because the first frosts were later than usual. We celebrated the feast of saint Francis Xavier, and afterward that of the Immaculate Conception, with all possible devotion, — occupying ourselves on those days and during their octave with chanting hymns in the savage tongue. About this time there was a very noticeable earthquake near us. I had still further opportunity, during our journey, to observe the extraordinary ravages of the terrible earthquake that took place some years ago in these wild regions. There may also be seen the recent traces which cruel fires have left in these vast forests. The Savages say that they have spread over more than two hundred leagues.

On the 15th, I baptized a little girl, who was named Marie.

On the 18th, we journeyed through a fine level [Page 31] country, intersected by rivers and lakes, and chose a spot for erecting our cabin. We were so harassed by the smoke that, in order to escape from it, I was very often obliged to expose myself to a cold and freezing wind. The wind blew so violently for seven or eight days that we feared it might at any moment carry away our bark cabin, or uproot trees which would have crushed us in their fall.

I was delighted to see a poor girl drag her mother over the snow for a distance of three or four long leagues, to have the consolation of being near us, and of participating in the prayers that we said and the daily instructions that we gave. I confessed and administered communion to this poor sick woman at her request. She thought she would soon die but God preserved her to exercise her patience and that of her poor daughter.

I was told, at this place, of a noble action performed by one of our Christians last summer. He had been invited to a superstitious feast, without knowing that it was so. But some good Christian women informed him of it, just as he was about to proceed thither; so he retraced his steps, and returned to his cabin. In vain was he told that there was nothing to fear, since the black Gown, who might deem it wrong, was away. “It is not he whom I fear,” he said; “I dread only Him who has made all, and of whom the black Gowns are only the interpreters.” His answer greatly edified some, and shamed the others, who soon repented of their weakness.

We passed the night and festival of Christmas in our wretched bark cabin; and we celebrated the feast, if not with splendor, at least with great [Page 33] manifestations of love and devotion for the adorable mystery of the God-child whose birth we honored.

On the 4th of January, 1674, we started from this place, after leaving a fine cross there to go and erect one in another place, where we arrived greatly fatigued. We had much to suffer from almost continual bad weather, cold, and smoke.

On the 13th of January, some Savages arrived, and informed us where I could find Father Albanel, who was on his way to the Northern bay. I wished to go and see him, and, at the same time, to instruct some Savages who were not far from him, and whom he was prevented from reaching by an accident that had happened to him.

I set out, therefore, on the 16th of January, with an Algonquin captain and two Frenchmen. We started after mass, and walked five long leagues on snowshoes — with much trouble, because the snow was soft and made our snowshoes very heavy. At the end of five leagues, we found ourselves on a lake four or five leagues long, all frozen over, on which the wind caused great quantities of snow to drift, — obscuring the air, and preventing us from seeing whither we were going. After walking another league and a half, with great difficulty, our strength began to fail us. The wind, cold, and snow were so intolerable that they compelled us to retrace our steps a little, to cut some branches of fir which might, in default of bark, serve to build a cabin. After this, we tried to light a fire, but were unable to do so. We were thus reduced to a most pitiful condition. The cold was beginning to seize us to an extraordinary degree, the darkness was great, and the wind blew fearfully. In order, therefore, to keep [Page 35] ourselves from dying with cold, we resumed our march on the lake, in spite of our fatigue, — in the obscurity of the night, without knowing whither we were going. We were, moreover, always greatly impeded by the wind and snow; but, after walking a league and a half, we had to succumb, in spite of ourselves, and stop where we were. The danger we ran of dying from cold caused me to remember the charitable Father de Noue, who on a similar occasion was found dead in the snow, kneeling and with clasped hands. This thought roused me; I made a sacrifice of my life to God, and united my death, which I believed to be near, to that of the pious missionary. The French who were with us, cut some fir-branches, which they laid on the snow; and we threw ourselves down on them, after saying our prayers and taking, for all repast, a little theriac and seven or eight raisins, that we happened to have with us. Fatigue caused us to fall into a slumber, which the wind, the cold, and the snow did not allow us long to enjoy; we therefore remained awake during the rest of the night. Providence, however, preserved us from more serious accidents, and we are no doubt indebted for this to the intercession of the blessed Virgin, to whom we had particularly commended ourselves. On the following morning, two Frenchmen from Father Albanel’s cabin arrived, very opportunely, and kindled a great fire on the snow. One of them went for some water, to quench our excessive thirst. Then we resumed our journey on the same lake, and at last, in spite of the wind and snow drifting in our faces, we reached the spot where Father Albanel was. I found with him four cabins of Savages, whom I instructed. A serious [Page 37] injury, caused by the fall of a heavy load upon his loins, prevented him from moving, and still more from performing a missionary’s duties.

Two days afterward I returned to my own cabin, about ten leagues from there. I administered the last sacraments to a sick woman, who begged me to do so, and who said that she died very happy. This good Savage woman manifested deep sentiments of love for God, and of devotion for and confidence in the Blessed Virgin. I then proceeded to two cabins of Outabitibec Savages, at a distance of about four leagues: and I explained the truths of salvation to them. It is impossible to conceive the avidity with which they listened to my instructions, and the devotion that they manifested for the sacraments of penance and communion.

After remaining two days with them, I returned to my cabin to prepare for the journey that I was to undertake to the Mistassins and Papinachois.

On the 2nd of February, I once more met Father Albanel.

On the 6th, I left him, and went with the Savages who accompanied me to encamp near a very fine river. There we remained some days in peace, until Father Albanel sent a Frenchman to warn me that fear reigned everywhere; that the Iroquois were believed to be on the war-path; that they had surprised a band of our Savages at lake Kinougami; and that the Outabitibecs and other tribes were gathering in a fortified enclosure for shelter and defense. This bad news compelled me to go to them, to confess and encourage them, because Father Albanel was still crippled by his injury. I set out, accompanied by one Frenchman. [Page 39]

We walked twenty leagues in the woods, with incredible difficulty, and in continual dread of being set upon by the Iroquois. On the way we came upon a great number of cabins abandoned through fear.

On the 3rd of March, we reached the spot where the Savages had fortified themselves; there were at least eighty determined men. They were delighted to see us. I consoled them to the best of my ability, and confessed them. Meanwhile, one of their chiefs had gone with three young men to reconnoiter the enemy; while awaiting their return we passed four nights in dread, and, during the first two, we slept in their fort and upon the snow.

On the 5th, those who had gone to reconnoiter came back and somewhat reassured us. They told us that the massacre that had caused the general panic had not taken place so close to us, but at lake Piécouagami; and that the Savages dwelling on its. shores were going to fortify themselves, and gather in great numbers to attack the Iroquois the following spring.

This news, which quieted us, enabled me to return to my first cabin. I had been there a few days when five Savages, sent by the chief of the Mistassins, came to notify me on his behalf to go and instruct him. He had especially charged them to help me as much as they could, so as to smooth the difficulties and shorten the length of the journey that must be performed in order to reach him.

I set out with them on the 26th of March. We were obliged to walk in water half-way up to our thighs, and with great difficulty. We set up our cabin on the top, of a hill that borders on the river called [Page 41] Emenipemagau, on account of its rapidity and of several islets in it. It is moreover very wide and very deep, and exceedingly well stocked with fish. It flows toward the northwest, where, losing a little of its width, it takes the name of “river of the Papinachois.”

We journeyed fully two days to find the waterfall that breaks its course. This was not done without great fatigue, because we were obliged to walk continually on the ice, which was very smooth and slippery. At last, we reached the fine river of Mauchautraganich.[5] I found many Savages there, who received me with all the evidences of joy that their minds could suggest. They spared neither feasts, nor dances, nor songs, and continually came to visit me — so much, that I found these poor people fully disposed to receive my instructions, and I admired the miracles of grace which had thus prepared them to listen to me. I set to work to instruct them, in private and in public, during six or seven weeks, which seemed to me very short. I baptized one hundred and two, both children and adults — and, among others, two of their chiefs. These good Savages publicly manifested to me their joy, and knew not how to thank me for the favor that I had done them by administering to them baptism. Four old men, whom I had deferred baptizing for a year, were among those who received me in this village. They stated in a public discourse how happy they esteemed themselves; and they invited me to instruct them more fully, and to come back to see them again, which I promised to do.

Among these Savages, several who had come from the Northern bay were greatly surprised at seeing [Page 43] Frenchmen come from so great a distance, and were delighted to hear the discourses that I addressed to them upon religion. They all promised to come, in the following spring, to the place where they should learn that I was holding my Mission, in order to be instructed more at leisure than they could then be. They also added that they would endeavor to bring a large number of their countrymen with them, for the same purpose.

Meanwhile, a portion of the Mistassins left shortly afterward for Quebec, to present their respects to Monsieur de Frontenac, the governor of Canada. They also intended to crave his protection against the Iroquois; and to assure him that they took him for their father, and that, to become worthier of being his children, they would continue to love Prayer, for which they knew he was so zealous. I embarked with them. During our journey we were nearly all sick, and four or five of the older ones died. These good Savages had never seen any other missionaries before they saw me; and, as they were converted on receiving the very first instructions, it was God’s will to thus reward their promptness in obeying grace, by granting them the favor of dying shortly after their baptism. I was somewhat weakened by the hunger that I had endured on various occasions, and by the fatigues caused me by so many arduous journeys; but God gave me still sufficient strength to carry out the rest of my undertaking.

We left on the 6th of May, and made three long portages before reaching the river of the Mistassins and that of the Papinachois. Bad weather, rain, and mosquitoes greatly annoyed us. I nevertheless visited some poor sick persons, and four large cabins, [Page 45] that I found on the banks of the Manaouni, a river abundantly stocked with fish, which yielded a great many pike, of extraordinary size. After remaining — some days near the great and deep lake Echitagameth, where I baptized three persons, I continued my journey, accompanied by twenty canoes of Savages. We successfully passed twelve rapids, where the stream was so low that we had to get into the water to drag our canoes ourselves, which could not be done without much difficulty.

On the 24th of May, we arrived at Chécoutimi; there I found some Frenchmen and a great many Savages, to whom I explained the truths of our Faith. I administered baptism to three children and deferred baptizing some adults who asked for it. I wished them to more fully realize its importance, and for myself to have more leisure for ascertaining whether they were worthy of it.

On the 31st, I left Chécoutimi, accompanied by only twelve canoes. We reached Quebec a few days afterward; and the Savages whom I had brought with me proceeded at once to pay their respects to Monsieur the count de Frontenac. He received them with great kindness, and earnestly exhorted them to continue to live as true Christians. [Page 47]

CHAPTER II.

OF THE MISSION OF SEPT ILES.

NDER the name of Sept Iles is comprised a region on the North shore, more than a hundred leagues distant from Quebec, as one descends the Saint Lawrence River. There may indeed be seen seven islands, which are composed only of rocks, — very sterile, and having but stunted shrubs for covering. The largest of the islands is less than two leagues in circumference; and that nearest to the land is only a good league distant therefrom. They are, however, quite noted, on account of the concourse of Savages, who, after hunting in the forests on the mainland, resort from time to time to a river quite near these islands, in order to trade with the French who are drawn thither by commerce.

That region is properly the country of the tribes whom we call Oumamiois; their language takes its origin from that of the Tadoussac Savages, although it has many more words and a greater range of idioms.

Those Savages are naturally good, and very tractable; they manifest a disposition very favorable to Christianity, for although they have only heard of the Faith through their neighbors’ talk, they eagerly desire to be themselves instructed, and to have among them one of our Fathers.

They are not very distant from the Esquimaux; their neighbors among those tribes toward the south are not so fierce as are the hordes of the same name [Page 49] who dwell farther north. These latter, as we have been assured, destroyed last year a vessel which had come from Europe, with all its crew, in order to avenge the deaths of some of their tribesmen; these had been slain by some of the ship’s people, in a quarrel that arose while they were trading together.

All the coast of this sea is frightful to behold; there is naught but rocks piled together, encumbered with low thickets and a dense growth of stunted trees. Our Savages could not hunt there, if they were not entirely clad in skins instead of our stuffs, which would be quickly torn to pieces.

These rocky lands are intersected by numerous rivers; some of these, of considerable volume, discharge their waters into the sea, and at their mouths form very commodious harbors for the reception of barks.[6]

Game is very abundant in this quarter, but it comprises only sea-birds; their flesh is disagreeable to the palate, for it has an oily flavor that is insupportable. In that vicinity could be carried on an extensive fishery of salmon, codfish, seals, — and even whales, which are found in abundance and of great size, — in a fine and large bay, in which they could easily be taken. These two kinds of fish, whales and seals, could supply a great commerce in oil, if it were undertaken in the right way.

As the Savages of that coast are, as I have said, very friendly and desirous of being instructed, Father Louis Nicolas,[7] about the end of spring, made the beginning of that Mission. It is, correctly speaking, only an attempt; for the Father went mainly to ascertain how he ought to go to work, in order to labor efficaciously for the salvation of those peoples. [Page 51] He baptized some children there, and performed the duties of a missionary toward the others, during the short time that he spent there.

The scurvy, which severely tried the French who wintered in that country, and even caused two of them to die, has obliged them, and the missionary also, to leave it as soon as possible. But he promised the Savages that next spring he would return to them, that he might fully instruct them, and make them share in the blood of Jesus Christ, which he has shed not less for these poor barbarians than for the kings of earth.

If one could push farther into those northern regions, one would find still other nations — more untamed, it is true, than are these; but not so much so that the maxims of the Gospel could not win them to God, as well as the other savage peoples of this new world. [Page 53]

CXXXIV-CXXXV

Miscellaneous Documents, 1673-74

CXXXIV. — Memoire pour un Mifionaire qui ira aux 7 isles; Louis Nicolas, [La Prairie, 1673]

CXXXV. — Lettre du P. Claude Dablon au R. P. Pinette; Québec, 24 octobre, 1674

—————

Sources: Doc. CXXXIV. is reproduced from the original MS., which is conserved in the archives of St. Mary’s College, Montreal. The text of Doc. CXXXV. is obtained from Douniol’s Relations inédites, t. ii., pp. 3-15.

Memorandum for a Missionary who will go to

the 7 islands, which the Savages call Mani-

sounagouch, or, Properly, Mansounok.

E will Find there next spring, at various times, about 150 persons, both adults and children, He will probably see all these — and perhaps others, who will come from the Interior or from the shores of the sea. From above, he can have only the Papinachois; from below, the Oumamiwetch, who are a nation of eskimeaux, and even the eskimeaux may come. All these nations speak nearly the same tongue. The foundation of their language is Montagnais; it is Very different from that of the people who come to Tadoussak and chekoutimi and to Pigwagami. To understand them aright, it is necessary to have a Good knowledge of Montagnais.

Those whom I saw, to the number of 26, during the 3 days that I spent in their country, appeared to me very good and quite tractable. They wish to pray, and complain that, at the most, they only see the Fathers for 2 or 3 nights.

Those who are farther down than the 7 Islands are less sociable, for they have Never associated with the french or Europeans. They have, however, gentle natures. Notwithstanding this, they destroyed a European ship; and that in consequence of a quarrel after drinking, and the defeat of some of their people, whom the Europeans had first attacked and killed.

The entire sea-coast is of frightful aspect. There is not even the space of a drying-ground of Soil; it is all rocks, covered with Very small trees of spruce [Page 57] and Fir, — save the little Birch, not one beautiful tree. There is no end to game, all marine birds, — which, to speak Frankly, stink of oil.

There are Many small rivers, and some large ones where there are Beautiful harbors, into which the little ships enter with considerable difficulty when the winds are not favorable. All along the coast, seals are to be seen, upon which the Savages live during the entire summer. The french can make a Great deal of oil from the seals that the savages kill, and from the codfish that they themselves will catch in abundance in a large Bay on this side of the 7 islands, opposite the river St. Eustache and a little beyond Kawi, which is the end of the bay in returning to Quebek. In this Bay, There is great abundance of Whales, large and small. If the french could find the secret of catching these, they could very well furnish oil, and thus carry on a Fine trade with Europe.

A missionary would Easily obtain Opportunity to instruct the savages of all these coasts, if the french conducted fisheries there, especially for Whales, or else for seals, — or, at least, for salmon, which abound here in various rivers, especially in that which the savages call Chimanibit, which is opposite the 7 islands. There is nothing for the french or for a missionary to do in the winter, because the savages go about in too small bands, and do not have Much hunting. Besides, the woods are very hard to pass through, on account of the density of the trees, although these are very small; all french clothes are torn in them. On this account, the savages will wear nothing but skins, because, the forests being very dense, the hunters, in less than a Day, tear all the stuffs that the french Sell them. [Page 59]

All the 26 savages whom I saw were Baptized, with the exception of 3 little children, whom I Baptized.

Here are their names:

╔

║ Louis estamou, a papinachi.

║ françoise apikousiou, a papinachi.

║ Their sons and daughters:

║ ignace nematchiabamat.

║ Joseph Outchaouna.

║ Anne Oumiscimau.

║ Anne Kwakoupana.

║ Marie nipekasou — “feigns to sleep.”

║ Jeanne papamiskweou was Baptized by me on the 3rd of June,

║ 1673; her godfather was monsieur lambert.[8]

╚

╔

║Antoine WabousAbou — ”hare’s Broth,”

║marie magdelaine Iachagasteou. I did not see her husband.

║ignace atwiriniou.

║catherine cheskaiou.

╚

╔

║ These do not recall their names:

║ Westchinisi casou — “pretends to be Young” had two wives; he

║ must be questioned

║ whether etc.; the name of his nation is Wepariwiawi.

╚

╔

║ Kikwanou was Baptized ten years ago; is of the Outchisestigou

║ nation.

║ His wife is named pepisagoutaou, of the Manikwagan tribe.

║ A daughter of his is named Catherine egwasitabeau.

║ A son is named meschiseabamat.

║ Denys, his infant son, was Baptized by me June 3, 1673; the

║ Savages call him Kamachistiewanet — “he who needs must

║ have a stubborn Head;” his godfather was denys Ouron. [Page 61]

╚

╔

║ François takwatchisenapeou — “the little big man” is the son of

║ the wife of Kikwanou.

║ Pierre pepakousinagoutieou — “he who always looks sick” — and

║ Barnabé eitoucha are two sons of Kikwanou.

╚

Pentske Mitchitiou — “the eagle.”

╔

║ His wife is named mischitia; she does not recall her name or her

║ Baptism, but she is very old.

║ His son is named Louis chakaragou; I Baptized him two years

║ ago, October 7, 1671.

║ Kwetinamou, an old woman, does not recall her Baptism,

║ although she is Baptized, as has been affirmed to me by a

║ Savage woman; I am told the same concerning mischitia — that

║ she has been elsewhere Baptized by our fathers.

║ Bernardin, a little boy, was Baptized by me June 3, 1673; his

║ godfather was de Beaulien; the Savages call the boy moutecha.

╚

Joseph Wautichiou — “has a cold hand” Oupapinachiwi.

These do not recall their names:

╔

║ nouseskwewe.

║ Wabisiwisitch.

║ Westchinisikasou.

║ Oukoutaskweou.

║ touskatisiwa.

╚

Charles, Kachinawaougat — ”he who resembles a foot.”

[Crossed out in original] — The number of all whom I saw is 26; they are all Baptized.]

LOUIS NICOLAS.

[Page 63]

Letter of Father Claude Dablon, Superior of the

Missions of Canada and rector of Que-

bec, to Reverend Father Pinette,

Provincial of France.

QUEBEC, the 24th of October, 1674.

y Reverend Father,

Pax Christi.

I address this letter to Your Reverence to give you general information of the state of all our Missions. From the little that I write, you will have the consolation of seeing that the name of Jesus Christ resounds throughout all our forests, and that he is adored — or, at least, is acknowledged by all these tribes; for our Fathers labor among them with ineffable zeal, a courage worthy of apostles, and a holiness befitting the true children of saint Ignatius.

Your Reverence will permit me to refer, in a few words, to all parts of our America; and, after speaking of outside countries and of the most distant Missions, I shall speak of this country itself, and of the missions that are near us, for I find everywhere nothing but good to say and saints to admire.[9]

To begin at the North, Your Reverence knows that Father Charles Albanel started a year ago on a second voyage to the Northern sea, in order to minister to many Christians whom he baptized there, and to increase their number. He wintered on the road at a place over one hundred leagues from here, but [Page 65] not without great suffering. For, in addition to famine and the other hardships which usually accompany such winterings, — after having consumed all the provisions that he had brought, making use of them to win and to retain his Savages; after having slept for a long while on the ground without being able to stir, owing to an unfortunate fall, — he was abandoned by the Savages who were to guide, and by the French who were to accompany him. Notwithstanding all this, when he learned that the English also had proceeded by sea to the very place where he was going; that they had fortified themselves there, and threatened to kill him if he ventured thither, — notwithstanding all this, I say, that noble missionary, who is over sixty years of age and is quite worn out by his former labors — and, above all, by the fatigues of his last voyage — did not fail to continue his journey. He relied solely upon Providence, and exposed himself to a thousand dangers that he foresaw — such is his zeal for the salvation of his beloved flock, and for the glory of the name of Jesus Christ, which he wishes to bear to various nations on the shores of that distant sea who have never heard it.

After the successful attempts made, two years ago, by Father Albanel to secure easier access to the Northern sea, fresh enterprises were expected on our part for the discovery of the Southern sea. This was done this year by Father Marquette, who, after extending his journey to the 33rd degree of latitude, came back safely last spring. He regards it as certain that, after descending for several days the great river that he discovered, he arrived in Florida; and that, if he had continued to descend [Page 67] forty or fifty leagues farther, he would have reached the gulf of Mexico.

Since his return, that Father has remained in the country of the Outaouais that he may be fully prepared to establish Missions among the Illinois, the nearest and the most docile of the tribes that he has discovered. Should he not return to them this year, it will be because we must not abandon those whom we have begun to instruct.

Our other missionaries among the Outaouais labor holily and usefully, each in his Mission. Within a year, they have baptized more than five hundred infidels; and, this summer, Father Bailloquet alone baptized in two months a hundred children and some adults, fully one-half of whom are sure of paradise. He gathered this harvest while the Savages with whom he was were gathering that of certain small blue fruits, on which they and the Father lived during those two months.[10]

We have among the Outaouais three residences, or three permanent dwellings, where we regularly live, and to which the Fathers who labor in those Missions repair from time to time, to take breath for a while. The first is situated at the end of the bay des Puants, and is called the Mission of Saint François Xavier. To this house are attached: Father Allouez, that holy and true missionary; Father Marquette, of whom I have just spoken; and Father Louis André, whose indefatigable constancy and assiduity produce abundant fruits. This year, Father Silvy[11] was sent to their assistance, with one of our lay Brethren, who was to take charge of that house as regards temporal matters. The Fathers hardly ever remain there for they are all engaged in the Missions, to [Page 69] which they devote all their time, that they may solidly establish Christianity therein.

The second house is near lake Huron, at the place where the Mission of Saint Ignace is situated, where Hurons and Algonquins are gathered together. Father Philippe Pierson has charge of the former, and has done excellent work in bringing Christianity into vogue among them; and if he persevere as he has begun, nothing can be better.

The third house is that of Sainte Marie du Sault, where Father Henri Nouvel, the superior of all these Missions, habitually resides; he is a virtuous and truly apostolic man. Father Gabriel Dreuillettes also resides there; his great age and his infirmities do not in the least diminish his zeal. Through his instrumentality, God has worked a great many wonders in the cure of the sick, and in other extraordinary things, by the efficacy of holy water and by the merits of saint Francis Xavier. Father Bailloquet also proceeds there, from time to time; but, as a rule, he lives with the Algonquins of lakes Huron and Nipissing. He it is who, as I have related, lived for two months this summer, with more than a thousand Savages, on small fruits here called bluets [“blueberries”], which grow only on rocks or in rocky soil; and during that time he baptized a hundred children under two years of age, a goodly number of whom were ripe for heaven, We have also at Sainte Marie one of our lay Brethren; he has temporal charge of that house, which was burned a second time in consequence of a sanguinary affray, in which over forty Savages cruelly slaughtered one another. It is a wonder that two of ours, who were there, were not included in that butchery. The devil [Page 71] brought about that misfortune, in order to overthrow the Mission — or, at least, to hinder the good that was done in it; but I trust that everything will turn to his confusion.

After observing what has been done in the North and in the South, we may cast our eyes upon the East, — I mean Acadia, where Father Jean Pierron spent the winter. He did so, in order to assist the French, whose spiritual welfare had long been neglected; but still more to ascertain whether it would be possible to establish Missions for the Savages of that quarter.[12] While wintering there, he took a favorable opportunity, and went through the whole of New England, Maryland, and Virginia, where he found naught but desolation and abomination among the heretics, who will not even baptize the children, and still less the adults. He saw persons 30 and 40 years old, and even as many as ten and twelve persons in a single house, who had not received baptism. He administered that sacrament and the others to but few persons, on account of their obstinacy; he had, however, the happiness of preparing a heretic to make his abjuration. Finally, he had some conferences with the ministers of Boston (the capital of New England), where he was greatly esteemed, and where he is still spoken of with honor. Although he was disguised, it was nevertheless suspected that he was a Jesuit, owing to the unusual knowledge that he displayed. For that reason, he was cited before the Parliament, but he did not appear before it. In Maryland, he found two of our Fathers and a Brother, who are English, the Fathers being dressed like gentlemen, and the Brother like a farmer; in fact, he has charge of a farm, which serves to support [Page 73] the two missionaries. They labor successfully for the reduction of the heretics of the country, where there are, in truth, many Catholics, among others the governor.[13] As these two Fathers alone do not suffice, Father Pierron cheerfully offers to go and assist them, and at the same time to establish a Mission among the neighboring Savages, with whose language he is familiar. But there are many obstacles to this project, which seems to me impossible of execution because it is a Mission belonging to our English Fathers, who should themselves ask for Father Pierron’s aid; because it is within another Assistancy, and the Father does not wish to leave that of France;[14] and, finally, because a considerable sum is needed to commence and carry out the project. Meanwhile, Father Pierron has returned to the Mission among the Iroquois, with very holy intentions; he is a man of great and rare virtue.

Since we are speaking of the Iroquois, Your Reverence will be glad to hear a word about the missionaries of that country.

Father Jacques Bruyas, the superior, is as zealous as he is prudent. He usually resides at Agnie, where he has had much to suffer from the Dutch, who are the neighbors of that village. He has even been compelled to hide, in order to save himself from the evil designs which those heretics entertain toward him. However, it seems that this opposition has served but to touch still more deeply the hearts of the Savages, who are being converted in greater numbers than ever; and the most notable man among them was recently baptized, and publicly renounced his superstitions. We expect a great deal from him; he has promised me that he will work [Page 75] energetically for the conversion of his countrymen.

In the nearest village, Onneiout, dwells Father Millet, upon whom God confers a most special blessing; and so great is it that the Savages of that village, who were the most arrogant and the most averse to the Faith, have become the most tractable, and all ask to become Christians. All the exercises of Christianity are openly practiced, and in this there is something indeed astonishing.

Then comes the village of Onnontagué whose apostle is Father Jean de Lamberville. He it is who so nobly sacrificed himself for the salvation of these Missions, and who labors therein with much courage and constancy.

Farther on is the village of Oiogouin, where Father de Carheil resides. The apostolic zeal of that holy man is such that he does not find that the Savages respond to his efforts; but I think that he exacts too much virtue from them at the beginning. If he does not sanctify as many of them as he would wish, it is certain that he sanctifies himself in a proper manner. So also do Fathers Garnier and Raffeix in the villages of the Sonnontouans, who are the farthest from us, and who also seem to be as remote from the Faith. Nevertheless, these two brave missionaries fail not to win many victories over hell. Father Pierron has gone to join them, to take charge of a large village for which we have hitherto been unable to provide. I must here mention in confidence to Your Reverence something about that Father, which will console you and which proves his great virtue. Before leaving us to return among the Iroquois, — for whom he has a very great natural repugnance, which he very bravely overcomes, — he [Page 77] came to me and, kneeling in my room with bare head and clasped hands, desiring me to remain covered and seated, he asked me for permission to make two vows: the first, ever to comply unquestioningly with the orders of his superiors, and never propose anything contrary to them; the second, to bind himself never to return to France, or to secure that privilege in any way. I would not permit the former, but I allowed the latter, in so far as was consistent with obedience. He afterward thanked me for firmly adhering to my intention of sending him among the Iroquois, because in that I had acted against his own feelings.

I must not forget to say something about the Tadoussac mission wherein Father de Crepieul, who is a true apostle, labors summer and winter. He made his profession here on last Assumption day, for he preferred to postpone it until then, rather than lose the opportunity of wintering among his beloved Savages. He falls ill when I recall him here to rest for a little while; and no sooner has he returned to the labors of his mission, than he is restored to health. He begged me to allow him to go himself this year to tribes very distant from here, named Mistassins. He is preparing for this at present; and, as he is also asked for by two other tribes, he will go and instruct them during the summer.

We have two other Churches near us, which ever preserve their pristine splendor, and whose virtue is of the sweetest odor. One is that of la prairie de la Magdeleine, near Montreal; the fervor, piety, and other Christian virtues of the inhabitants are the admiration of both French and Savages; and assuredly it is a wonderful thing to see how these good neophytes [Page 79] have hitherto lived in rare innocence. In fact, they are governed by Father Jacques Frémin whom I may safely call one of our ablest and most saintly missionaries. I recently caused to be read aloud in the refectory a relation that he sent me, regarding the virtues of those Savages. It brought tears to the eyes of most of our fathers, so touching is the piety of these new Christians.

The other Church is that of the Hurons near Quebec, under the direction of Father Chaumonot, who is a perfect missionary. We are finishing the construction of a Church for these good Hurons, under the name of Notre Dame de Lorette. It is exactly the same as that in Italy, and will become a place of great devotion in the country; in fact, the people already come to it on pilgrimages from all parts, and they are delighted to see the holy chimney, the window through which the angel entered, the Virgin’s cupboards, and all that is to be seen in the holy house of Our Lady of Loretto in Italy.

Such, in a few words, is what relates to the state of our Missions; apparently, to be occupied in these is to become a saint, so apostolic are their occupations, and so extraordinary also the favors that God grants to laborers so courageous. The life that they lead is outwardly most wretched. Imagine what it is to be always with barbarians, whose numberless fits of anger one must endure; to be shut up, most of the time, in cabins where one’s eyes are blinded by smoke; to be exposed to a thousand dangers, either from the waters, or from the barbarity or drunkenness of the Savages; to live on nothing, as it were, and toil without cessation. Yet, notwithstanding all this, the greatest displeasure that I could cause any [Page 81] one of them would be to recall him here, to live a little more comfortably; while the sole desire of those who are here is to go and share the labors and the merits of those apostles. I recommend every one of them, and above all myself, to the Holy Sacrifices of Your Reverence; and I am

Your very humble and very obedient...

CLAUDE DABLON, J.

[Page 83]

CXXXVI-CXXXVIII

Voyages Du P. Jacques Marquette,