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diff --git a/44669-0.txt b/44669-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..018fa48 --- /dev/null +++ b/44669-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,8816 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 44669 *** + +Transcriber's Note. + +A list of the changes made can be found at the end of the book. +Formatting and special characters are indicated as follows: + + _italic_ + =bold= + ^{superscript} + [C=] reverse C + [~e] e with tilde + [~i] i with tilde + [^a] a with breve + [(c] c with accent + -reversed characters- + + + + + THE JESUIT RELATIONS AND ALLIED DOCUMENTS + + VOL. I. + + + + + The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents + + TRAVELS AND EXPLORATIONS OF THE JESUIT MISSIONARIES IN NEW FRANCE + + 1610-1791. + + THE ORIGINAL FRENCH, LATIN, AND ITALIAN TEXTS, WITH ENGLISH + TRANSLATIONS AND NOTES; ILLUSTRATED BY PORTRAITS, MAPS, AND FACSIMILES + + EDITED BY + + REUBEN GOLD THWAITES + Secretary of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin + + Vol. I. + ACADIA: 1610-1613 + + CLEVELAND: =The Burrows Brothers Company=, PUBLISHERS, M DCCCXCVI + + + + + COPYRIGHT, 1896 + BY + THE BURROWS BROTHERS CO + + ALL RIGHTS RESERVED + + + _The Imperial Press, Cleveland_ + + + + +EDITORIAL STAFF + + + Editor REUBEN GOLD THWAITES + + Translator from the French JOHN CUTLER COVERT + + Assistant Translator from the French MARY SIFTON PEPPER + + Translators from the Latin { WILLIAM FREDERIC GIESE + { JOHN DORSEY WOLCOTT + + Translator from the Italian MARY SIFTON PEPPER + + Assistant Editor EMMA HELEN BLAIR + + + + +GENERAL PREFACE + + +The story of New France is also, in part, the story of much of New +England, and of States whose shores are washed by the Great Lakes and +the Mississippi River. It may truly be said that the history of every +one of our northern tier of commonwealths, from Maine to Minnesota, +has its roots in the French régime. It is not true, as Bancroft avers, +that the Jesuit was ever the pioneer of New France; we now know that in +this land, as elsewhere in all ages, the trader nearly always preceded +the priest. But the trader was not often a letter-writer or a diarist: +hence, we owe our intimate knowledge of New France, particularly in +the seventeenth century, chiefly to the wandering missionaries of the +Society of Jesus. Coming early to the shores of Nova Scotia (1611), +nearly a decade before the landing of the Plymouth Pilgrims, and +eventually spreading throughout the broad expanse of New France, ever +close upon the track of the adventurous coureur de bois, they met +the American savage before contact with civilization had seriously +affected him. With heroic fortitude, often with marvellous enterprise, +they pierced our wilderness while still there were but Indian trails +to connect far-distant villages of semi-naked aborigines. They saw +North America and the North Americans practically in the primitive +stage. Cultivated men, for the most part,--trained to see as well as to +think, and carefully to make record of their experiences,--they left +the most luxurious country in Europe to seek shelter in the foul and +unwelcome huts of one of the most wretched races of man. To win these +crude beings to the Christian Faith, it was necessary to know them +intimately, in their daily walks. No coureur de bois was more expert +in forest lore than were the Jesuit Fathers; and the records made by +these soldiers of the Cross,--explicit and detailed, while familiar +in tone,--are of the highest scientific value, often of considerable +literary interest. The body of contemporary, documentary material +which, in their _Relations_ and Letters, the Jesuits of New France +have bequeathed to the historian, the geographer, and the ethnologist, +entitles them to the enduring gratitude of American scholars. For forty +years, these documents have, in part, been more or less familiar to +Americanists as a rich storehouse of material. But, hitherto, they +have existed only in rare and costly forms, when in print at all,--as +original products of ancient French, Italian, and German presses, or +as reprints issued in sparse number for small circles of bibliophiles; +while many important papers, capable of throwing light upon certain +portions of Canadian history hitherto in shade, have as yet remained in +manuscript. + +We cannot promise for this series the entire body of existing Jesuit +documents, either printed or in manuscript, which illustrate the +history of New France in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. This +would carry us, even were they all obtainable, far beyond the necessary +limits of this series; for the fathers were profuse writers, and their +papers are in many archives. It is of necessity a matter of selection. +We shall, however, reissue all of the documents usually designated +as _Relations_,--the Cramoisys, the Quebec reissue, the Shea and +O'Callaghan reprints; and to these will be added a very considerable +collection of miscellaneous papers of importance, from printed sources +and from manuscripts, in order to fill the chronological gaps and +round out and complete the story. It is the purpose of the Editor to +present this mass of selected material in chronological order, so +far as proves practicable, and to furnish such scholarly helps as +will tend to render it more available than hitherto for daily use by +students of American history. To this end will be given an English +translation, side by side with the original text. While translations +of many of the briefest documents, and of portions of others, have +already appeared in one form of other, this is the first attempt to +translate the entire body of the _Relations_. In many cases, where +corruptions in text have crept in, we shall be enabled, by recourse to +original manuscripts, to restore correct renderings; this care has been +taken, wherever practicable, even to the examination of manuscripts in +European archives; but occasionally we shall be obliged to follow our +predecessors blindly in this regard, either from inability to discover +the whereabouts of the original, or to obtain access to it, when found. +In the case of each document, we shall invariably state the source +whence we obtained our copy, and shall give additional bibliographical +data as to other editions known to us. All maps and other illustrations +appearing in previous editions will be reproduced in this; and these +will be supplemented by other important contemporary aids of like +character. At the end of each volume will appear such Notes as seem +necessary to the elucidation of the text. The closing volume of the +series will contain--and probably will be wholly devoted to--an +exhaustive analytical Index, a feature without which the work would +lose much of its value. In short, no pains have been, or will be, +spared to render all possible service to scholars, in the present +work. But the field is wide, the difficulties are many, and the Editor +makes no claims to perfection. He will be grateful to any who, in the +course of publication,--promising to extend through several years yet +to come,--will offer helpful suggestions in any department of the +undertaking. + +While seeking to reproduce the old texts as closely as practicable, +with their legitimate typographic and orthographic peculiarities, it +has been found advisable here and there to make a few minor changes. +The original printer was sometimes careless,--Cramoisy especially +so,--and his proof-reader negligent. The result was that certain +typographical errors crept into the original prints,--errors not of the +author's making, and therefore not illustrative of his methods. These +consist in the main, of: (1) turned letters; (2) transposed letters; +(3) slipped letters; and (4) mis-spacings. To these obvious errors may +be added such as, e.g., mistaking the verb _gratter_ for _grauer_, +evidently through a failure on the part of the writer to cross his +t's,--the context plainly showing what was written; the printing, +e.g., of _beau[(c]oup_ for _beaucoup_; or the repetition on the next +line of a syllable in a divided word, resulting in such a redundancy +as, _poupouuant_ for _pouuant_. Palpable blemishes like these, we +have deemed it advisable to correct without specific mention; in +some instances, however, the original error has been retained, and in +juxtaposition the correct rendering given within brackets. + +Another and more annoying class of errors is, the wrong numbering of +chapters and pages in the old issues, chiefly the fruit of carelessness +in make-up. We indicate, throughout, the original pagination, by +inclosing within brackets the number of each page at its beginning, +e.g. [148]; in case of misnumbering, the correct figure is also given, +e.g. [150, i.e. 149]. A similar device is adopted as to chapter +misnumbering, e.g. Chapitre XXX. [i.e. XXIX.]. + +A difference in the typographic style of the documents presented in the +present series, will occasionally be noticed. In following originals of +the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, we have of course reproduced +their peculiarities, such as the long "s," and character diphthongs; +but where our sole copy has been a modern reprint, in a modern +typographic dress, we have followed its style, deeming it inadvisable, +for mere sake of uniformity, to masquerade the document in olden guise. + +In the progress of the work, which has now been under way for some +sixteen months, many persons beside the present staff have tendered +helping hands. To them, the Editor returns, for the Publishers and +for himself, grateful acknowledgment. It is impracticable to name +them all in this place; but of a few from whom special favors have +been received, it is only just to speak: The Reverend Arthur E. +Jones, S. J., archivist of St. Mary's College, Montreal, from the +first opened his heart to this enterprise, and has not only given us +_carte blanche_ to ransack his priceless stores, but has contributed +invaluable suggestions and data, almost without number. To Wilberforce +Eames, librarian of Lenox Library, and his assistant, Victor H. +Paltsits, we owe much; for in their institution the greater part +of the transcription is being done, and their daily courtesies and +kindnesses materially lighten the task. Superintendent Robbins Little, +and Librarian Frederick Saunders, of Astor Library, have also been of +much assistance in the conduct of the work. To John Nicholas Brown, +of Providence, R. I., and to his librarian, George Parker Winship, +we are indebted for numerous courtesies and suggestions during the +copying and photographing of documents in the John Carter Brown Library +of Americana. Similar aid is being rendered by Dr. Justin Winsor, of +Harvard College Library, and his assistants, W. H. Tillinghast and T. +J. Kiernan; by the librarians of St. Francis Xavier College, New York, +and the Jesuit Colleges at Georgetown, D. C., and Woodstock, Md.; by L. +P. Sylvani, assistant librarian of the Library of Parliament, Ottawa; +and by C. H. Gould, librarian of McGill University Library, Montreal, +and his assistant, Henry Mott. Donald Guthrie McNab, of Montreal, +has kindly permitted us to photograph and reproduce his excellent +oil portraits of the early fathers; and, in this connection, we feel +under especial obligations to Messrs. Notman & Son, of Montreal, for +their intelligent advice and patience in photographing paintings and +manuscripts for the series. Marked privileges have been granted by +the officials of the Bibliothèque Nationale and the Bibliothèque de +l'Arsenal, of Paris. Numerous antiquarians have rendered generous aid, +notably Peter A. Porter, of Niagara Falls, N. Y.; W. M. Beauchamp, +of Baldwinsville, N. Y.; l'Abbé H. A. B. Verreau, of Montreal; Mgr. +T. E. Hamel, of Quebec; and A. F. Hunter, of Barrie, Ontario. Further +acknowledgment of assistance will be rendered in the several volumes, +as they appear. + + R. G. T. + + MADISON, WIS., August, 1896. + + + + +CONTENTS OF VOL. I + + + GENERAL PREFACE vii + + HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION. _The Editor_ 1 + + PREFACE TO VOLUME I 45 + + DOCUMENTS:-- + + I. La Conversion des Savvages qui ont esté baptizés en la Novvelle + France, cette annee 1610. _Marc Lescarbot_ 49 + + II. Lettre Missive, tovchant la Conversion et baptesme du grand + Sagamos de la nouuelle Frãce. _M. Bertrand_; Port Royal, + June 28, 1610 115 + + III. Lettre au T.-R. P. Claude Aquaviva, Général de la Compagnie de + Jésus, à Rome. _Pierre Biard_; Dieppe, January 21, 1611 125 + + IV. Lettre au R. P. Christophe Baltazar, Provincial de France, à Paris. + _Pierre Biard_; Port Royal, June 10, 1611 138 + + V. Lettre au R. P. Provincial, à Paris. _Ennemond Massé_; Port + Royal, June 10, 1611 184 + + VI. Lettre au T.-R. P. Claude Aquaviva. _Pierre Biard_; Port + Royal, June 11, 1611 188 + + VII. Canadicæ Missionis Relatio ab anno 1611 usque ad annum 1613; cum + statu ejusdem Missionis, annis 1703 & 1710. _Joseph Jouvency_ 193 + + VIII. De Regione et Moribus Canadensium seu Barbarorum Novæ Franciæ. + _Joseph Jouvency_ 239 + + BIBLIOGRAPHICAL DATA: Volume I 299 + + NOTES 305 + + + + +[Decoration] + +ILLUSTRATIONS TO VOL. I + + + I. Photographic facsimile of title-page, Lescarbot's _La Conversion + des Savvages_ 52 + + II. Photographic facsimile of title-page, Bertrand's _Lettre Missive_ + 118 + + III. Map of Port Royal (1609), from Lescarbot's _Histoire de la + Nouvelle France_ (Paris, 1612) _Facing_ 124 + + IV. Map of "La Terre Nevve, Grand Riviere de Canada, et côtes de + l'Ocean en la Novvelle France," from _Ibid_ _Facing_ 192 + + V. Historical map of New France, showing missions, forts, + portage-routes, tribes, etc. _At end of volume_ + + + + +INTRODUCTION + +BY REUBEN GOLD THWAITES + + +Doubtless Norse vikings, venturing far southward from outlying colonies +in Iceland and Greenland, first coasted New France, and beached their +sturdy ships on the shores of New England. But five centuries passed +without result, and we cannot properly call them pioneers of American +civilization. Columbus it was, who unlocked the eastern door of the +New World. Five years later, John Cabot, in behalf of England, was +sighting the gloomy headlands of Cape Breton. Cortereal appeared in +the neighborhood, in 1501, seeking lands for the Portuguese crown. +About this time, at intervals, there came to Newfoundland certain +Norman, Breton, and Basque fishers, who, erecting little huts and +drying-scaffolds along the rocky shore, sowed the first seed of that +polyglot settlement of French, Portuguese, Spanish, and English which +has come down to our day almost uninterruptedly. By 1511, these +fishermen appear to have known the mainland to the west; for on the +map of Sylvanus, in his edition of Ptolemy, that year, we find a +delineation of the "Square Gulf," which answers to the Gulf of St. +Lawrence. In 1520, Fagundus visited these waters for the Portuguese, +and four years later Verrazano was making for the French an exploration +of the coast between North Carolina and Newfoundland. Whether or not +Cartier (1535) was the first to sail up the St. Lawrence "until land +could be seen on either side," no man can now tell; apparently, he was +the first to leave a record of doing so. Progress up the river was +checked by Lachine Rapids, and he spent the winter on Montreal Island. + +France and Spain were just then engaged in one of their periodical +quarrels, and adventurers were needed to fight battles at home, so +that it was six years before any attempts were made to colonize the +river-lands to which Cartier had led the way. In 1541, a Picard +seigneur named Roberval, enjoying the friendship of Francis I., was +commissioned as viceroy of the new country beyond the Atlantic, with +Cartier as his chief pilot and captain-general, and a choice selection +of jail-birds for colonists. Cartier started off before his chief, +built a fort at Quebec, and, after a long and miserable winter, picked +up a quantity of glittering stones which he took to be gold and +diamonds, and gladly set sail for home. Tradition has it that Roberval +met him near the mouth of the river, but was unable to induce him to +return to his cheerless task of founding a state in an inhospitable +wilderness, with convicts for citizens. Roberval, however, proceeded +to Quebec with his consignment of prison dregs, and throughout another +protracted winter the flag of France floated from the little intrenched +camp which Cartier had planted on the summit of the cliff. Roberval's +principal occupation appears to have been the disciplining of his +unruly followers, a work in which the gibbet and the lash were freely +employed. He also essayed explorations up the river; but the rude task +was not to his liking, and, with what remained of his battered band, he +followed Cartier to France. + +It is commonly said that Canada was abandoned by the French between +the going of Roberval and the coming of Champlain. But, though little +was done toward colonizing on the St. Lawrence, Newfoundland was by +no means neglected. Its fishing industry grew apace. The rules of the +Church, prescribing a fish diet on certain holy days, led to a large +use of salted fish throughout Catholic Europe; and, by 1578, full a +hundred and fifty French vessels alone, chiefly Breton, were employed +in the Newfoundland fisheries, while a good trade with the mainland +Indians, as far south as the Potomac, had now sprung up. The island +colony proved valuable as a supply and repair station for traders and +explorers, and thus served as a nucleus of both French and English +settlement in America. + +It is difficult for us of to-day to realize that, at any time in the +world's history, enlightened folk should have thought good colonists +could be made out of the sweepings of the jails and gutters of the Old +World. But in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries that delusion +was quite generally entertained by would-be founders of states across +sea; it required the lessons of more than a hundred years of disastrous +experiments to teach discerning men that only the best of the middle +class and the masses, can successfully plant a new community in +the wilderness. The experiences of Cartier and Roberval on the St. +Lawrence, and of Laudonnière in Florida (1564), were of no avail in +influencing governmental policy at Paris. In 1590, the Marquis de la +Roche was sent out with the usual dissolute crew to succeed Roberval as +the king's agent on the banks of the St. Lawrence. Leaving part of his +ill-favored gang on the desert Sable Isle, off Nova Scotia (where early +in the century Baron de Léry had vainly attempted to plant a colony), +La Roche set forth to explore the mainland for a site. A wild storm +blew his vessels to France, and the wretched skin-clad survivors of the +band which he had left behind were not rescued until thirteen years had +elapsed. Their tale of horror long rang in the ears of France. + +In 1600-1603, Chauvin and Pontgravé made successful trading voyages +to the St. Lawrence. Samuel de Champlain was one of the party +which, in the latter year, followed in Cartier's track to Montreal. +The same season, a Calvinist, named De Monts, was given the +vice-royalty and fur-trade monopoly of Acadia, and in 1604 he landed +a strangely-assorted company of vagabonds and gentlemen on St. Croix +Island, near the present boundary between Maine and New Brunswick; but +in the spring following they settled at Port Royal, near where is now +Annapolis, Nova Scotia, thus planting the first French agricultural +settlement in America. Five years later, Champlain reared a permanent +post on the rock of Quebec, and New France was at last, after a century +of experiments, fairly under way. + +Various motives influenced the men who sought to establish French +colonization in America. The ill-fated agricultural colony of the +Huguenots in Florida (1562-68), was avowedly an attempt of Admiral +Coligny to found an enduring asylum for French Protestants. The +enterprise of New France, on the other hand, was the outgrowth of +interests more or less conflicting. Doubtless the court had deepest +at heart the kingly passion for territorial aggrandizement; next +uppermost, was the pious wish to convert heathen nations to the +Catholic faith, explorers like Cartier being authorized to discover +new lands "in order the better to do what is pleasing to God, our +Creator and Redeemer, and what may be for the increase of his holy +and sacred name, and of our holy mother, the Church;" the desire for +pelf, through the agency of the fur trade, and the possibility of the +discovery of precious metals, gave commercial zest to the undertaking, +and to many was the _raison d'être_ of the colony; and lastly, was the +almost universal yearning for adventure, among a people who in the +seventeenth century were still imbued with that chivalric temper which +among Englishmen is assigned to the Middle Ages. The inner life of New +France, throughout its century and a half of existence, was largely a +warring between these several interests. + +Missionaries came early upon the scene. With the Calvinist De Monts +were Huguenot ministers for the benefit of the settlers, and Catholic +priests to open a mission among the savages, for the court had +stipulated with him that the latter were to be instructed only in the +faith of Rome. But no missionary work was done, for the colony was +through several years on the verge of dissolution, and the priests +became victims of scurvy. Poutrincourt, who held under De Monts the +patent for Port Royal, did nothing to further the purposes of the +court in this regard, until 1610, when, admonished for his neglect, +he brought out with him a secular priest, Messire Jessé Fléché, +of Langres, who on June 24, "apparently in some haste," baptized +twenty-one Abenakis, including the district sagamore, or chief. The +account of this affair, which Poutrincourt sent in triumph to France, +is the initial document in the present series. + +On the twelfth of June, 1611, there arrived at Port Royal, at the +instance of King Henry IV., two Jesuit fathers, Pierre Biard and +Ennemond Massé. They were, however, not favorably received by +Poutrincourt and his followers; they found great practical difficulties +in acquiring the Indian languages and made slight progress in the +herculean task to which they had been set. To them, came the following +year, a lay brother, Gilbert du Thet, who was soon dispatched to the +head of the order, in France, with an account of the situation. In the +spring of 1613, he returned, in company with Father Quentin. The little +band of missionaries had no sooner established themselves at the new +French colony on Mt. Desert Island, than the latter was attacked and +dispersed by the Virginian Argall. Du Thet was killed in the fight, +Massé was, with other colonists, set adrift in a boat, and Biard and +Quentin were taken to Virginia, to be eventually shipped to England, +and thence allowed to return into France. Several of the earlier +documents of our series have to do with this first and apparently +unfruitful mission of the Jesuits to Acadia. + +In 1615, Champlain thought the time ripe for the institution of Indian +missions upon the St. Lawrence, a spiritual field hitherto neglected, +and introduced to Quebec four members of the fraternity of Récollets, +the most austere of the three orders of Franciscans; these were +Fathers Denis Jamay, Jean d'Olbeau, and Joseph le Caron, and a lay +brother, Pacifique du Plessis. To D'Olbeau was assigned the conversion +of the Montagnais of the Lower St. Lawrence; Le Caron went to the +Hurons, or Wyandots, in the vast stretch of forested wilderness west +of the Ottawa River, and before the coming of autumn had established +a bark chapel in their midst; Jamay and Du Plessis remained in the +neighborhood of Quebec, ministering to the colonists and the wandering +savages who came to the little settlement for purposes of trade or +sociability, or through fear of scalp-hunting Iroquois. For ten years +did these gray friars practice the rites of the church in the Canadian +woods, all the way from the fishing and trading outpost of Tadoussac +to the western Lake of the Nipissings. Barefooted, save for heavy +wooden sandals, coarsely clad in gown and hood, enduring in a rigorous +climate, to which they were unused, all manner of hardships by flood +and field, they were earnestly devoted to their laborious calling in a +time when elsewhere the air of New France was noisy with the strife of +self-seeking traders and politicians. Yet somehow their mission seemed +without important result. Even less successful was the enterprise of +some fellow Récollets, who, in 1619, began independent work among the +French fishermen and Micmacs of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Gaspé, +but were forced in 1624, after many disasters, to abandon their task, +three of them joining the party at Quebec. + +The little band on the St. Lawrence, although thus reinforced, felt +impelled, in 1625, to invite the powerful aid of the Jesuits, who +in the face of great odds were just then holding most successful +missions in Asia, Africa, and South America. In response to the call, +three fathers of the black gown came to Quebec this year,--Massé, who +had been of the old Acadian mission, Charles Lalemant, and that giant +among them, in both stature and deeds, Jean de Brébeuf. Immediately +the work began to broaden, but the records of the dual mission do not +give evidence of many converts,--a few Huron youth taken to France, and +there instructed and baptized, being the chief gains. The wandering +habits of the Indians were not favorable to persistent instruction +of the young, and adults were unwilling to commit themselves to the +new doctrine, even when not openly opposed to its promulgation. The +summer months were usually spent by the missionaries at Tadoussac, +Quebec, and Three Rivers, where trading parties from the tribes were +wont to assemble; and, when the latter scattered for their winter +hunts, the missionaries accompanied them, sharing the toils, dangers, +and discomforts of the movable camps, and often suffering much from +positive abuse at the hands of their not over-willing hosts. + +The settlements of Port Royal and Quebec were at this time wretched +little hamlets of a few dozen huts each, surrounded by a palisade, and +these fell an easy prey to small English naval forces (1628-29). With +their fall, ended the slender mission of the Récollets and Jesuits, who +were in triumph carried off to England. For a few months, France did +not hold one foot of ground in North America. But as peace had been +declared between France and England before this conquest, the former +received back all of its possessions, and the inevitable struggle for +the mastery of the continent was postponed for four generations longer. + +With the release of Canada to France, in 1632, the Jesuits were by the +home authorities placed in sole charge of the spiritual interests of +both settlers and Indians, and the history of their greatest missions +begins at this time. On the fifth of July, there landed at Quebec, +Fathers Paul le Jeune and Anne de Nouë, and a lay brother named +Gilbert. Le Jeune was the superior, and at once devoted himself to +learning the language and customs of the savages, and so studying the +enormous field before him as intelligently to dispose of his meagre +forces. + + +THE INDIANS. + +The existence of rival tribes among the Red Indians of North America, +was, perhaps, the most formidable obstacle in the path of the +missionaries. It has always been impossible to make any hard-and-fast +classification; yet the Indians presented a considerable variety +of types, ranging from the Southern Indians, some of whose tribes +were in a relatively high stage of material advancement and mental +calibre, down to the savage root-eaters of the Rocky Mountain region. +The migrations of some of the Indian tribes were frequent, and they +occupied overlapping territories, so that it is impossible to fix the +tribal boundaries with any degree of exactness. Again, the tribes +were so merged by intermarriage, by affiliation, by consolidation, by +the fact that there were numerous polyglot villages of renegades, by +similarities in manner, habits, and appearance, that it is difficult +even to separate the savages into families. It is only on philological +grounds that these divisions can be made at all. In a general way we +may say that between the Atlantic and the Rockies, Hudson Bay and the +Gulf of Mexico, there were four Indian languages in vogue, with great +varieties of local dialect: + +I. The Algonkins were the most numerous, holding the greater portion of +the country from the unoccupied "debatable land" of Kentucky northward +to Hudson Bay, and from the Atlantic westward to the Mississippi. Among +their tribes were the Micmacs of Acadia, the Penobscots of Maine, the +Montagnais of the St. Lawrence, the ill-defined tribes of the country +round about Lake St. John, and the Ottawas, Chippewas, Mascoutens, +Sacs, Foxes, Pottawattomies, and Illinois of the Upper Lakes. These +savages were rude in life and manners, were intensely warlike, depended +for subsistence chiefly on hunting and fishing, lived in rude wigwams +covered with bark, skins, or matted reeds, practised agriculture in +a crude fashion, and were less stable in their habitations than the +Southern Indians. They have made a larger figure in our history than +any other family, because through their lands came the heaviest and +most aggressive movement of white population, French or English. +Estimates of early Indian populations necessarily differ, in the +absence of accurate knowledge; but it is now believed that the number +was never so great as was at first estimated by the Jesuit fathers and +the earliest English colonists. A careful modern estimate is, that the +Algonkins at no time numbered over 90,000 souls, and possibly not over +50,000. + +II. In the heart of this Algonkin land was planted the ethnic group +called the Iroquois, with its several distinct branches, often at war +with each other. The craftiest, most daring, and most intelligent +of North American Indians, yet still in the savage hunter state, the +Iroquois were the terror of every native band east of the Mississippi, +before the coming of the whites, who in turn learned to dread their +ferocious power. The five principal tribes of this family--Mohawks, +Oneidas, Onondagas, Cayugas, and Senecas, all stationed in palisaded +villages south and east of lakes Erie and Ontario--formed a loose +confederacy styled by themselves and the French "The Long House," and +by the English "The Five Nations," which firmly held the waterways +connecting the Hudson and Ohio rivers and the Great Lakes. The +population of the entire group was not over 17,000--a remarkably small +number, considering the active part they played in American history, +and the control which they exercised through wide tracts of wilderness. +Related to, but generally at war with them, were the Hurons of Canada, +among whom the Jesuits planted their earliest missions. Champlain, +in an endeavor to cultivate the friendship of his Huron and Algonkin +neighbors, early made war on the Iroquois, and thus secured for New +France a heritage of savage enmity which contributed more than any +other one cause to cripple its energies and render it at last an easy +prey to the rival power of the English colonies. + +III. The Southern Indians occupied the country between the Tennessee +River and the Gulf, the Appalachian Ranges and the Mississippi. Of +a milder disposition than their Northern cousins, the Cherokees, +Chickasaws, Choctaws, Creeks, and Seminoles were rather in a barbarous +than in a savage state; by the time of the Revolution, they were not +far behind the white proprietors in industrial or domestic methods, +and numbered not above 50,000 persons. With them, this story of the +Jesuit missions has little to do; the Louisiana mission, an offshoot of +that of New France, did faithful work here, but the documentary result +was neither as interesting nor as prolific, and necessarily occupies +but small space in the present series. + +IV. The Dakotah, or Sioux, family occupied for the most part the +country beyond the Mississippi. They were and are a fierce, high-strung +people, genuine nomads, and war appears to have been their chief +occupation. The Jesuits worked among them but in slight measure, on +the waters of the Upper Mississippi; they met this family, chiefly in +the persons of the Winnebagoes, one of their outlying bands, which at +the time of the French occupation was resident on and about Green Bay +of Lake Michigan, at peace and in confederacy with the Algonkins who +hedged them about. + +The mission of the French Jesuits to these widely-scattered hordes of +savages forms one of the most thrilling chapters in human history. It +is impossible, in this brief Introduction, to attempt anything more +than the barest outline of the theme; Rochemonteix, Shea, and Parkman +have told the story in detail, from differing points of view, and with +these authorities the student of the following documents in the case +is presumed to be familiar. A rapid summary of results will, however, +be useful; and this we may best obtain, at the expense of occasional +repetition of narrative, by following the fortunes of the pioneers of +the Cross through the several district missions into which their work +was naturally divided. + + +I. THE ABENAKI MISSION. + +This mission was chiefly in Maine and Acadia, and on Cape Breton +Island. The Abenakis (or Abnakis) were a strong but mild-mannered +Algonkin tribe, settled in villages or cantonments; but, like others +of their race, in the habit of taking long semi-annual journeys,--each +winter to hunt, and each summer to fish. We have seen that the +French Jesuits, Biard and Massé, were in the field as early as 1611, +soon after the establishment of Port Royal; their predecessor being +the secular French priest, Fléché, who had been introduced to the +country by Poutrincourt, the patentee. Biard and Massé met with +many discouragements, chiefly the opposition of Poutrincourt's son, +Biencourt (sometimes called Baron St. Just), who had been left in +charge of the colony. Nevertheless the missionaries learned the native +language, and made many long journeys of exploration, one of Biard's +trips extending as far as the mouth of the Kennebec. They were later +joined by a lay brother, Du Thet, and by Fathers Quentin and Lalemant. +Joining the new French colony on Mt. Desert Island, in the spring +of 1613, the establishment was almost immediately destroyed by the +Virginian Argall. In the skirmish, Du Thet was killed. + +In 1619, a party of Récollets, from Aquitaine, began a mission on St. +John River, in Acadia, but five years later, as we have seen above, +abandoned the task, the survivors joining the Quebec mission of their +order. Other Récollets were in Acadia, however, between 1630 and 1633, +and later we have evidence of a small band of Capuchins ministering to +French settlers on the Penobscot and Kennebec; but it is probable that +they made no attempt to convert the natives. + +A Jesuit mission was founded on Cape Breton in 1634, by Father Julian +Perrault; and a few years later, Father Charles Turgis was at Miscou. +Other missionaries soon came to minister to the Micmacs, but for many +years their efforts were without result; and sickness, resulting from +the hardships of the situation, caused most of the early black gowns to +retreat from the attempt. Finally, an enduring mission was established +among these people, and, until about 1670, was conducted with some +measure of success by Fathers Andrew Richard, Martin de Lyonne, and +James Fremin. About 1673, the Récollets took up the now abandoned work, +occasionally aided by secular priests from the Seminary of Quebec, +and Jesuits, until at last the Micmacs from Gaspé to Nova Scotia were +declared to be entirely converted to the Catholic faith. + +Father Gabriel Druillettes, of the Jesuit mission at Sillery, near +Quebec, went to the Kennebec country in 1646, invited thither by +converted Abenakis who had been at Sillery, and during visits, +extending through a period of eleven years, was more than ordinarily +successful in the task of gaining Indian converts to Christianity. In +1650, he made a notable visit to the Puritans of Eastern Massachusetts, +during which was discussed the proposed union between New France +and New England, against the Iroquois. Upon the final departure of +Druillettes in 1657, the Abenakis were but spasmodically served with +missionaries; occasionally a Jesuit appeared among them, but the field +could not be persistently worked, owing to the demands upon the order +from other quarters. The fathers now sought to draw Abenaki converts +to Sillery, and later to St. Francis de Sales, at the falls of the +Chaudière, which soon became almost exclusively an Abenaki mission. + +In 1688, Father Bigot, of this mission, again entered the field of +the Kennebec, at the same time that Rev. Peter Thury, a priest of the +Quebec Seminary, opened a mission on the Penobscot, and the Récollet +F. Simon gathered a flock at Medoktek, near the mouth of the St. +John. They were in time aided and succeeded by others: the Jesuits +being Julian Binneteau, Joseph Aubery, Peter de la Chasse, Stephen +Lauverjeat, Loyard, and Sebastian Rale; the death of Rale, the greatest +of them all, at the hands of New England partisans in the border +strife of 1724, is a familiar incident in American history. Jesuits +succeeded to the Penobscot mission in 1703, and with great zeal, but +amid continual hardships and discouragements, carried on the principal +work among the Abenakis until the downfall of New France in 1763. The +majority of the Kennebec converts, however, emigrated to the mission +of St. Francis de Sales, and from there frequently went forth upon +avenging expeditions against the New England borderers. + + +II. THE MONTAGNAIS MISSION. + +This was centered at Tadoussac, and ministered to the Montagnais, +Bersiamites, Porcupines, Oumaniwek, Papinachois, and other tribes +of the Lower St. Lawrence and the Saguenay. Tadoussac had, from the +earliest historic times, been a favorite harbor and trading-station +for the French; for, being at the junction of two great rivers, it +was convenient as a place of assembly for the natives of the lower +country. The first priests in the district had said mass there; but it +was not until 1640 that a Jesuit mission was formed by Father Jean du +Quen, its sphere of influence soon reaching to the upper waters of the +Saguenay, Lake St. John, Hudson Bay, and the coast of Labrador. Du Quen +was actively assisted by Charles Meiachkwat, a Montagnais convert, who +erected the first chapel, became a catechist, and made extended tours +through the neighboring tribes. In time, there were associated with +Du Quen, Fathers Buteux and Druillettes. Protracted missionary tours +were made by them, with results which were considered satisfactory as +compared with other missions; although they had serious difficulties +to contend with, in the prevalent intemperance which the fur trade +introduced among the natives, the belief in dreams, the laxity of +morals, and the wiles of medicine-men, or sorcerers, as they were +called by the Jesuits. + +For the first few years, the missionaries spent their winters in +Quebec, ministering to the colonists, and each spring went down to +Tadoussac to meet the summer trading parties; but greater persistency +of effort was deemed desirable, and thereafter, instead of returning +home in the autumn, they followed the Indians upon their winter hunts, +and in the course of these wanderings endured the usual privations and +hardships of traveling camps. Bailloquet, Nouvel, Beaulieu, Albanel, +De Crépieul, Dalmas, Boucher, Peter Michael Laure, and Jean Baptiste +Labrosse, are other names of Jesuit fathers who at different periods +were engaged upon this toilsome mission. + +In 1670, Tadoussac was almost deserted, owing to Iroquois raids and the +ravages of smallpox; the Montagnais and kindred tribes were in hiding, +through the vast country between Lake St. John and Hudson Bay. They +were still followed by their devoted shepherds, whom no hardship could +discourage. The following year, Crépieul began a mission on Hudson Bay, +and here in 1694 his auxiliary Dalmas was killed. Laure (1720-37) left +us a monument of his labors in a Montagnais grammar and dictionary. +Labrosse, the last of his order at Tadoussac, instructed many of his +flock to read and write, and left a legacy of native education, which +has lasted unto the present day; he lived and taught long after his +order had been suppressed in New France, and died at Tadoussac in 1782. + + +III. THE QUEBEC AND MONTREAL MISSIONS. + +These included the several missions at Quebec, Montreal, Three Rivers, +Sillery, Bécancourt, and St. Francis de Sales, which were designed for +the wandering Montagnais of the district, those Algonkins of the West +who could be induced to come and settle on the lower waters, and in +later years such Abenakis of Acadia and Maine as sought an asylum upon +distinctively French soil. + +We have seen that Récollets were first at Quebec, ministering both to +colonists and Indians, and that, in 1625, they invited the Jesuits +to aid them. In 1629, the joint mission came to a close through the +surrender of Quebec to the English. When the mission was reopened in +1632, Jesuits alone were in charge, their operations being at first +confined to the neighboring Montagnais, although they soon spread +throughout the entire Canadian field. In 1658, Bishop Laval founded +the Seminary of Quebec, whereupon the Jesuits resigned their parishes +among the colonists, and thereafter confined themselves to their +college and the Indian missions. In addition to their parish work, the +priests of the seminary conducted missions in Acadia, Illinois, and on +the lower Mississippi. + +The year following the return of the Jesuits to Canada, Father Buteux, +of that order, began his labors at Three Rivers, which was a convenient +gathering-place for the fur trade. The village was frequently raided +by Iroquois, but remained until the fall of New France one of the +prominent centers of missionary influence. The efforts of Buteux, which +lasted until his death at the hands of Iroquois in 1652, met with +considerable success. His custom, like that of the other missionaries, +was to be present at the French posts during the annual trading +"meets," and when the savages returned to the wilderness, to accompany +some selected band. In thus following the nomadic tribes, he made some +of the longest and most toilsome journeys recorded in the annals of the +Society of Jesus, and shared with his flock all the horrors of famine, +pestilence, and inter-tribal war. + +It was soon realized by the missionaries that but meagre results could +be obtained until the Indians were induced to lead a sedentary life. +Their wandering habit nullified all attempts at permanent instruction +to the young; it engendered improvidence and laziness, bred famine and +disease; and the constant struggle to kill fur-bearing animals for +their pelts rapidly depleted the game, while the fur trade wrought +contamination in many forms. Missionary efforts were at first conducive +to the interests of the fur trade, by bringing far-distant tribes +within the sphere of French influence; but so soon as the Jesuit +sought to change the habits of the natives, to cause them to become +agriculturists instead of hunters, and to oppose the rum traffic +among them, then the grasping commercial monopoly which controlled +the fortunes of New France, and was merely "working" the colony for +financial gains, saw in the Jesuit an enemy, and often placed serious +obstacles in his path. + +In pursuance of the sedentary policy, and also to protect the wretched +Montagnais from Iroquois war-parties, the Jesuits, in 1637, established +for them a palisaded mission four miles above Quebec, at first +giving it the name St. Joseph, but later that of Sillery, in honor +of Commander Noël Brulart de Sillery, of France, who had given ample +funds for the founding of this enterprise. Here were at first gathered +twenty of the Indians, who began cultivation of the soil, varied by +occasional hunting and fishing trips, which the missionaries could not +prevent. The little town slowly grew in importance, both Algonkins and +Montagnais being represented in its population. Three years later, +nuns opened a hospital at Sillery, for the reception of both French +and Indian patients, and thus greatly added to the popularity of +the mission. But in 1646 the nuns removed their hospital to Quebec; +a few years later, the church and mission house were destroyed by +fire; disease made sad havoc in the settlement; the thin soil became +exhausted through careless tillage; Iroquois preyed upon the converts, +until at last the Algonkins almost entirely disappeared; and although +their place was taken by Abenakis from Maine and Acadia, until the +attendance became almost solely Abenaki, the enterprise waned. In +1685, it was abandoned in favor of St. Francis de Sales, a new mission +established at the falls of the Chaudière River, not far from the St. +Lawrence. Beyond a monument of later days, to the memory of Fathers +Massé and De Nouë, whose names are prominently connected with this +work, nothing now remains to mark the site of the old Sillery mission. + +From St. Francis, the mission work began to spread into Maine. Of +its character and extent there, mention has already been made. St. +Francis achieved a certain measure of prosperity, as Indian missions +go. It became in time a source of serious trouble to the New England +borderers, for many a French and Indian war-party was here fitted out +against the latter, during the series of bloody conflicts which marked +the three-quarters of a century previous to the fall of New France. +Finally, in September, 1759, Maj. Robert Rogers descended upon the +village with his famous rangers, and in retaliation pillaged and burned +the houses, and killed "at least two hundred Indians." New France +soon after fell into the hands of the English, and, the Jesuits being +suppressed, we hear little more of St. Francis de Sales. + +In 1641, the missionary settlement of Montreal was founded by +Maisonneuve. The Jesuits were the first resident clergy, and soon began +mission work among the neighboring Indians and those who resorted +thither from the valleys of the Lower St. Lawrence and the Ottawa. +Soon, however, the Sulpitians, established in Paris by the Abbé Olier, +one of the Society of Montreal, took charge of the mission on Montreal +Island, which in after years was moved to the Sault au Récollet, and +thence to the Lake of the Two Mountains, where there was gathered a +polyglot village composed of Iroquois, Algonkins, and Nipissings. Upon +the opening of the English régime, the Jesuit and Récollet missions +were suppressed, but those of the Sulpitians were undisturbed, so that +this mission at the lake is the oldest now extant in Canada. + +Among the Algonkins of the Ottawa River (or Grande Rivière), no +permanent missions were attempted by any of the orders. Long the chief +highway to the West, the river was familiar to travelling missionaries, +who frequently ministered to the tribesmen along its banks, either at +the native villages or during the annual trading councils at the French +posts of Montreal, Three Rivers, and Quebec. + + +IV. THE HURON MISSION. + +At the time of the advent of the French, the Hurons (or Wyandots), +allied in origin and language to the Iroquois, numbered about 16,000 +souls, and dwelt in several large villages in a narrow district on the +high ground between Lake Simcoe and Georgian Bay of Lake Huron. Their +dwellings were bark cabins, clustered within stoutly-palisaded walls, +and near each fortified town were fields of corn, beans, pumpkins, +and tobacco. Agricultural in habit, keen traders, and in the main +sedentary, these semi-naked savages made short hunting and fishing +expeditions, and laid up stores for the winter. They were better +fighters than the Algonkins around them, yet were obliged gradually +to withdraw northward and westward from Iroquois persecution, and +during the period of the Jesuit missions were almost annihilated by +the latter. To the southwest, across a wide stretch of unpopulated +forest, were the allies and kindred of the Hurons, the Tionontates, +called also Petuns, or Tobacco Nation, a term having its origin in +their custom of cultivating large fields of tobacco, which commodity +they used in a wide-spread barter with other tribes. To the southeast +of the Petuns, west of Lake Ontario and on both sides of the gorge of +Niagara, were the peaceful Atiwandaronks, who, being friends alike of +Iroquois, Algonkins, and Hurons, were known as the Neutral Nation. To +the eastward of the Neutrals, strongly intrenched in the interlocking +basins of the Genesee and the Mohawk, lay the dread confederacy of the +Iroquois, who in time were to spread like a pestilence over the lands +of all their neighbors. + +The intelligence and mobility of the Hurons rendered the early +prospects for missionary effort among them more promising than with +the rude and nomadic Algonkins. But while at first the missionaries +of New France were well received, the innate savagery of these people +in time asserted itself. Their medicine-men, as bitterly fanatical as +the howling dervishes of the Orient, plotted the destruction of the +messengers of the new faith; the introduction of European diseases +was attributed to the "black gowns;" the ravages of the Iroquois were +thought to be brought on by the presence of the strangers; the rites +of the church were looked upon as infernal incantations, and the lurid +pictures of the Judgment, which were displayed in the little forest +chapels, aroused unspeakable terror among this simple people; finally, +an irresistible wave of superstitious frenzy led to the blotting out of +the mission, accompanied by some of the most heart-rending scenes in +the history of Christian evangelization. + +It will be remembered that in 1615 the Récollet friar, Joseph le +Caron, made his way into the far-away country of the Hurons, but +returned in the following year, having learned much of their language +and customs. Five years later, another of his order, William Poulin, +took up the weary task, being joined in 1623 by Fathers Le Caron and +Nicholas Viel, and the historian of the Récollet missions, Brother +Gabriel Sagard. All of them soon left the field, however, save Viel, +who alone, amid almost incredible hardships, attained some measure of +success; but in 1625, when descending the Ottawa to meet and arrange +for co-operation with the Jesuit Brébeuf, at Three Rivers, he was +willfully drowned by his Indian guide in the last rapid of Des Prairies +River, just back of Montreal. Such is the origin of the name of the +dread Sault au Récollet. + +In 1626, the Jesuits Brébeuf and Anne de Nouë, having received some +linguistic instruction from Récollets who had been in the Huron field, +proceeded thither, with a Récollet friar, Joseph de la Roche Daillon, +to resume the work which the Récollets had abandoned. Daillon attempted +a mission to neighboring Neutrals, but, being roughly handled by +them, rejoined his Jesuit friends among the Hurons. Two years later, +he returned to Quebec, having been preceded by De Nouë, who found it +impossible to master the difficult language of their dusky flock. +Brébeuf, now left alone, labored gallantly among these people, and, +winning the hearts of many by his easy adoption of their manners, +gathered about him a little colony of those favorably inclined to his +views. He was recalled to Quebec in 1629, arriving there just in time +to fall into the hands of Louis Kirk, and be transported to England. + +When Canada was restored to France, by the treaty of St. Germain, the +Jesuits were given sole charge of the Indian missions, but it was 1634 +before the Huron mission could be reopened. In September, Brébeuf, +Antoine Daniel, and Davost returned to Brébeuf's old field, and +commenced, in the large town of Ihonatiria, the greatest Jesuit mission +in the history of New France. Others soon joined them. Additional +missions were opened in neighboring towns, some of the strongest of +these being each served by four fathers, who were assisted by laymen +donnés, or given men; while in the cultivation of the soil, and the +fashioning of implements and utensils both for the fathers and for the +Indians, numerous hired laborers, from the French colonies on the St. +Lawrence, were employed in and about the missions. Charles Garnier and +Isaac Jogues, with their attendants, made a tour of the Petun villages; +other Jesuits were sent among the Neutrals; and even the Algonkins as +far northwestward as Sault Ste. Marie were visited (1641) by Raymbault +and Jogues, and looked and listened with awe at the celebration of the +mass. In 1639, there was built, on the River Wye, the fortified mission +house of St. Mary's, to serve as a center for the wide-spread work, as +a place for ecclesiastical retreat for the fathers, and a refuge when +enemies pressed too closely upon them. + +The story of the hardships and sufferings of the devoted missionaries, +as told us by Rochemonteix, Shea, and Parkman, and with rare modesty +recorded in the documents to be contained in this series, is one of +the most thrilling in the annals of humanity. Space forbids us here +to dwell upon the theme. No men have, in the zealous exercise of +their faith, performed hardier deeds than these Jesuits of the Huron +mission; yet, after three years of unremitting toil, they could (1640) +count but a hundred converts out of a population of 16,000, and these +were for the most part sick infants or aged persons, who had died +soon after baptism. The rugged braves scorned the approaches of the +fathers, and unmercifully tormented their converts; the medicine-men +waged continual warfare on their work; smallpox and the Iroquois were +decimating the people. + +Jogues was (1642) sent down to the colonies for supplies for the +missions, but with his Huron companions was captured by an Iroquois +war-party, who led them to the Mohawk towns. There most of the Hurons +were killed, and Jogues and his donné, René Goupil, were tortured +and mutilated, and made to serve as slaves to their savage jailers. +Finally Goupil, a promising young physician, was killed, and Jogues, +being rescued by the Dutch allies of the Mohawks, was sent to Europe. +Supplies thus failing them, the Huron missionaries were in a sad plight +until finally (1644) relieved by an expedition to the lower country +undertaken at great hazards by Brébeuf, Garreau, and Noël Chabanel. The +same season, Francis Joseph Bressani, attempting to reach the Huron +missions, had been captured and tortured by Mohawks; like Jogues, he +was rescued through Dutch intercession and sent back to Europe, but +both of these zealots were soon back again facing the cruel dangers of +their chosen task. + +A temporary peace followed, in 1645, and the hope of the Jesuits was +rekindled, for they now had five missions in as many Huron towns, and +another established for Algonkins who were resident in the Huron +district. But in July, 1648, the Iroquois attacked Teanaustayé, the +chief Huron village, and while encouraging the frenzied defense Father +Daniel lost his life at the hands of the enemy. He was thus the first +Jesuit martyr in the Huron mission, and the second in New France,--for +Jogues had been tortured to death in the Iroquois towns, two years +before. The spirit of the Hurons was crushed in this bloody foray; +large bands, deserting their towns, fled in terror to seek protection +of the Petuns, while others made their way to the Manitoulin Islands of +Lake Huron, and even as far west as the islands of Green Bay and the +matted pine forests of Northern Wisconsin. Here and there a town was +left, however, and one of the largest of these, called St. Ignatius +by the Jesuits, was stormed by a thousand Iroquois, March 16, 1649. +The three survivors fled through the woods to neighboring St. Louis, +where were Brébeuf, now grown old in his service of toil, and young +Gabriel Lalemant. Bravely did they aid in defending St. Louis, and +administering to wounded and dying; but at last were captured, and +being taken to the ruined town of St. Ignatius were most cruelly +tortured until relieved by death. Early in November, Fathers Garnier +and Chabanel met their death in the Petun country, the former at the +hands of Iroquois, the latter being killed by a Huron who imagined that +the presence of the Jesuits had brought curses upon his tribe. + +The missions in the Huron country were now entirely abandoned. A +few of the surviving Jesuits followed their flocks to the islands +in Lake Huron; but in June, 1650, the enterprise was forsaken, and +the missionaries, with a number of their converts, retired to a +village, founded for them, on the Island of Orleans, near Quebec. This +settlement being in time ravaged by the Iroquois, a final stand was +made at Lorette, also in the outskirts of Quebec, which mission exists +to this day. + +The great Huron mission, which had been conducted for thirty-five +years, had employed twenty-nine missionaries, of whom seven had lost +their lives in the work. This important field forsaken, many of the +missionaries had returned to Europe disheartened, and apparently +the future for Jesuit missions in New France looked gloomy enough. +The Iroquois had now practically destroyed the Montagnais between +Quebec and the Saguenay, the Algonkins of the Ottawa, and the Hurons, +Petuns, and Neutrals. The French colonies of Quebec, Three Rivers, +and Montreal, had suffered from repeated raids of the New York +confederates, and their forest trade was now almost wholly destroyed. +In this hour of darkness, light suddenly broke upon New France. +The politic Iroquois, attacked on either side by the Eries and the +Susquehannas, and fearing that while thus engaged their northern +victims might revive for combined vengeance, sent overtures of peace to +Quebec, and cordially invited to their cantonments the once detested +black gowns. + + +V. THE IROQUOIS MISSION. + +Champlain had early made enemies of the Iroquois, by attacking them +as the allies of his Algonkin neighbors. This enmity extended to all +New France, and lasted, with brief intervals of peace, for over half +a century. We have seen that Jogues was the first of his order (1642) +to enter the Iroquois country, as a prisoner of the Mohawks, the +easternmost of the five tribes of the confederacy. Two years later, +Bressani, while on his way to the Huron missions, was also captured by +the Mohawks, passed through a similar experience of torture, was sold +to the Dutch, and transported back to France, and, again like Jogues +resumed his hazardous task of attempting to tame the American savage. +During the first peace (May, 1646), Jogues, now in civilian costume, +paid a brief visit to his former tormentors on the Mohawk, this time +conveying only expressions of good-will from the governor of New +France. His political errand accomplished, he returned to Quebec; but +in August was back again, with a young French attendant named Lalande, +intent on opening admission among the Iroquois. Meanwhile, there had +been a revulsion of sentiment on their part, and the two Frenchmen had +no sooner reached the Mohawk than they were tortured and killed. + +During an Iroquois attack upon Quebec, seven years later (1653), +Father Joseph Anthony Poncet was taken prisoner by the marauders and +carried to the Mohawk, where he suffered in the same manner as his +predecessors; but his captors being now desirous of a renewal of +peace with the French, spared his life, and sent him back to Quebec +with overtures for a renewal of negotiations. Early in July, 1654, +Father Simon le Moyne was sent forth upon a tour of inspection, and +returned to Quebec in September, with glowing reports of the fervor +of his reception by both Mohawks and Onondagas. It was determined to +rear a mission among the latter, and thither (1655),--a four weeks' +voyage,--proceeded Claude Dablon and Peter Mary Joseph Chaumonot; +while, to appease the jealous Mohawks, Le Moyne at the same time +reopened a brief but unprosperous mission among that tribe. + +At first, Dablon and Chaumonot had high hopes of their Onondaga +enterprise; but mistrust soon arose in the minds of the natives, +and Dablon found it necessary to proceed to Quebec and obtain fresh +evidences of the friendship of the French. He returned in the early +summer of 1656, accompanied by Fathers Francis Le Mercier, superior of +the Canadian mission, and René Ménard, two lay brothers, and a party +of French colonists under a militia captain, who designed founding +a settlement in the land of the Iroquois. By the close of the year, +the work was in a promising stage; a number of Christianized Hurons, +who had been adopted into the confederacy, formed a nucleus for +proselyting, several Iroquois converts had been made, and all five of +the tribes had been visited by the missionaries. + +Fathers Paul Ragueneau and Joseph Imbert Dupéron, who had been sent +out from Quebec in July, 1657, to assist the Onondaga mission, reached +it only after many perils en route; for meanwhile, there had been +a fresh Iroquois uprising against the Hurons and Ottawas, in which +Father Leonard Garreau lost his life near Montreal, and the entire +confederacy was soon in an uproar against the white allies of its +ancient enemies. The intrepid Le Moyne joined the party in November, +and in the following March (1658), on learning that all of the French +had been condemned to death, the entire colony stole away in the night, +and reached Montreal only after a long and hazardous voyage. The great +Iroquois mission, which had promised so happily and cost so much in +blood and treasure, was now thought to be a thing of the past. + +There was, however, still another chapter to the story. In the summer +of 1660, after two years of bloody forays against New France, a Cayuga +sachem, who had been converted at Onondaga, came to Montreal as a peace +messenger, asking for another black gown to minister to the native +converts and a number of French captives in the Iroquois towns. Once +more, Le Moyne cheerfully set out upon what seemed a path to death; but +he passed the winter without molestation, and in the spring following +was allowed to return to Canada with the French prisoners. + +It was five years later (1665), before the government of New France +felt itself sufficiently strong to threaten chastisement of the raiding +Iroquois, who had long been making life a torment in the colonies on +the St. Lawrence. The Oneidas, Onondagas, Cayugas, and Senecas sued +for peace; but the Mohawks were obstinate, and their villages were +wasted by fire until they too asked for mercy and the ministrations of +the Jesuits. Fathers James Fremin, James Bruyas, and John Pierron were +sent out in 1667; later, they were assisted by Julian Garnier, Stephen +de Carheil, Peter Milet, and Boniface, so that by the close of 1668 a +mission was in progress in each of the five cantonments. A few notable +converts were made, among them Catharine Tegakouita, known as the +"Iroquois saint;" Catharine Ganneaktena, an Erie captive who afterwards +founded a native mission village on the banks of the St. Lawrence; +the head-men Assendasé, Kryn, and Soenrese. But a great success +was never possible; here as elsewhere, the vices and superstitions +of the tribesmen were deep-rooted, and they had not yet reached +a stage of culture where the spiritual doctrines of Christianity +appealed strongly, save to a few emotional natures. The converts +were subjected to so many annoyances and dangers, that isolation +was thought essential, and there was established for them opposite +Montreal the palisaded mission of St. Francis Xavier; this settlement, +fostered by the French as a buffer against Iroquois attack on the +colonists, was subsequently removed to Sault St. Louis, and is known +in our day as Caughnawaga. This mission, and that of the Sulpitians on +Montreal Mountain--later removed to the neighboring Lake of the Two +Mountains,--and at Quinté Bay, were frequently recruited by Iroquois +Christians, who were carefully instructed by the missionaries in the +arts of agriculture and the rites of the church. + +This depletion of the Iroquois population alarmed the sachems of the +confederacy. To please them, Governor Dongan of New York, himself a +Catholic, introduced to the Five Nations three English Jesuits, who +sought in vain to counteract the movement. The French did not abandon +the Iroquois mission-field until 1687, when the rising power of the +English obliged them to withdraw from the country. We have, however, +glimpses of occasional attempts thereafter to revive the work, Bruyas +being on the ground in 1701, joined the following year by James de +Lamberville, Garnier, and Le Valliant, and later by James d'Hue +and Peter de Marieul. The entire party were again driven from the +cantonments in 1708, De Marieul being the last of his order to remain +on duty. + +Thereafter, the Jesuits were chiefly devoted to their mission at +Caughnawaga, whither many Iroquois retreated before the inroads of +Dutch and English settlers who were now crowding upon their lands. When +the black gowns were at last expelled from New France, secular priests +continued their work among the remnants of those New York Indians who +had sought protection by settling among the French colonists on the St. +Lawrence. + + +VI. THE OTTAWA MISSION. + +This embraced the tribes beyond Lake Huron,--the Chippewas at Sault +Ste. Marie, the Beavers, the Crees, the Ottawas and refugee Hurons +on Lake Superior, the Menomonees, Pottawattomies, Sacs, Foxes, +Winnebagoes, Miamis, Illinois, and those of the Sioux who lived on or +near the banks of the Mississippi. The Ottawas were the first Indians +from the upper lakes to trade with the French, hence that vast district +became early known as the country of the Ottawas. + +The Huron mission was the door to the Ottawa mission. Jogues and +Raimbault were with the Chippewas at Sault Ste. Marie in 1641; but it +was nineteen years after that (1660), before they were followed by +another Jesuit, the veteran Father Ménard, who accompanied an Ottawa +fleet up the great river of that name, through Lake Huron and the +Sault, and on to Keweenaw Bay, where he said the first mass heard +on the shores of the northern sea. After a wretched winter on that +inhospitable coast, spent in a shanty of fir boughs, with savage +neighbors who reviled his presence, he proceeded inland intent on +ministering to some Hurons who had fled from Iroquois persecution to +the gloomy pine forest about the upper waters of Black River, in what +is now Wisconsin. In August, 1661, he lost his life at a portage, thus +being the first martyr upon the Ottawa mission. + +Four years later, Claude Alloüez set out for Lake Superior, and +reaching Chequamegon Bay in October (1665), built a little chapel of +bark upon the southwest shore of that rock-bound estuary,--the famous +mission of La Pointe. His flock was a medley, Hurons and Algonkins here +clustering in two villages, where they lived on fish, safe at last +from the raging Iroquois, although much pestered by the wild Sioux of +the West. For thirty years did Alloüez travel from tribe to tribe, +through the forests and over the prairies of the vast wilderness which +a century later came to be organized into the Northwest Territory, and +established missions at Green Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, on the Miami, and, +with Marquette, among the Illinois at Kaskaskia. + +Later, there arrived on the scene Fathers Louis Nicholas, James +Marquette, Dablon, Louis André, Druillettes, Albanel, and others. The +field of the Northwest seemed at first, as did the Huron mission, +highly promising. The missionaries were everywhere greeted by large +audiences, and much curiosity was displayed concerning the rites of +the church; but, as usual, the nomadic habits of the Indians rendered +instruction difficult. The fathers, with great toil and misery, and +subject to daily danger and insult, followed their people about upon +long hunting and fishing expeditions; and even when the bands had +returned to the squalid villages, life there was almost as comfortless +as upon the trail. Among the donnés and the Jesuit coadjutor brothers +were skillful workers in metal, who repaired the guns and utensils of +the natives, and taught them how best to obtain and reduce the ore from +lead and copper deposits. We have evidence that the copper region +of Lake Superior was at times resorted to by the lay followers and +their Indian attendants, to obtain material for crucifixes and for the +medals which the missionaries gave to converts; and in the lead mines +centering about where are now Dubuque, Iowa, and Galena, Ill., the +missionary attendants and Indians obtained lead for barter with French +fur-traders, who, like the soldiers of the Cross, were by this time +wandering all over the Northwest. + +Marquette had succeeded Alloüez at La Pointe, in 1669; but it was +not long before the Hurons and Ottawas of Chequamegon Bay foolishly +incurred the fresh hostility of the Sioux, and the following year +were driven eastward like autumn leaves before a blast. Marquette +established them in a new mission, at Point St. Ignace, opposite +Mackinaw; and it was from here that, in 1673, he joined the party of +Louis Joliet, en route to the Mississippi River. The St. Ignace mission +became the largest and most successful in the Northwest, there being +encamped there, during Marquette's time, about 500 Hurons and 1,300 +Ottawas. The interesting story of Marquette, a familiar chapter in +American history, will be fully developed in the documents of this +series; and we shall be able to present for the first time a facsimile +of the original MS. Journal of his final and fatal voyage (1674), which +is preserved among the many treasures of the Jesuit College of St. +Mary's, in Montreal. + +After the suspension of the publication of the _Relations_, in 1673, +we obtain few glimpses of the Ottawa mission, save in the occasional +references of travelers. The several local missions in the district +were, in the main, probably more successful than those in any of the +other fields of endeavor. La Pointe, Green Bay; St. Ignace (later +Mackinac), Sault Ste. Marie, St. Joseph's, and Kaskaskia became the +most important of them all; and at some of these points Catholic +missions are still maintained by Franciscan friars and secular priests, +for resident French Creoles and Indians. The uprising of the Foxes +against French power, which lasted spasmodically from about 1700 to +1755, greatly hampered the work of the Jesuits; they did not, during +this period, entirely absent themselves from the broad country of the +Ottawas, but conversions were few and the records slight. + +There was, for a time, governmental attempt to supplant the Western +Jesuits with Récollets. Several friars were with La Salle, who had +a great antipathy to the disciples of Loyola,--Father Hennepin's +adventures belong to this period of Récollet effort, his colleagues at +Fort Crèvecoeur being Brothers Ribourde and Membré; but their mission +closed with the Iroquois repulse of the French from Crèvecoeur, and +the consequent death of Ribourde. When La Salle retired from the +region, Alloüez resumed the Illinois mission of the Jesuits; and soon +after there arrived upon the ground Fathers Gravier, Marest, Mermet, +and Pinet, who, because of the more docile character of the tribes +collectively known as the Illinois,--Kaskaskias, Cahokias, Peorias, +and Tamaroas,--found here a relatively fruitful field. In time, French +settlements grew up around the palisaded missions, intermarriages +occurred, and the work flourished for many years. Black gowns visited +the prosperous Illinois towns as late as 1781, when the death of Father +Meurin closed the work of his order in the Northwest. + + +VII. THE LOUISIANA MISSION. + +The Jesuit Marquette was in Louisiana in 1673, but established no +mission. Nine years later, Membré, of the Récollets, accompanied +La Salle into the region, and instructed natives as far down the +Mississippi as the mouth; and with La Salle at his death were +Anastasius Douay, of the Récollets, and the Sulpitian Cavalier. In +1698, Francis Jolliet de Montigny and Anthony Davion, priests of the +Seminary of Quebec, established missions on the Yazoo, among the +Natchez, and elsewhere in the neighborhood; to their aid, soon came +others of their house,--St. Côme, Gaulin, Fonçault, and Erborie, who +labored until about 1710, when, St. Côme and Fonçault being killed by +roving Indians, the survivors retired to the North. The Jesuit Du Rue +accompanied Iberville into the country in 1699-1700, followed by De +Limoges and Dongé, of his order, their work continuing until about 1704. + +In 1721, Father Charlevoix reported that but two priests were then +in Louisiana, one at Yazoo and another in New Orleans; at the latter +post, a chaplain of some sort was established throughout the French +régime. Capuchins and Jesuits were both admitted to Louisiana, in +1722, the former to serve as priests to the French of the country, +chiefly at New Orleans and Natchez, while the Jesuits were restricted +to the Indian missions, although permitted to maintain a house in the +outskirts of New Orleans. It was not long before the Illinois mission +became attached to Louisiana, and missionaries for that field usually +entered upon their work by way of the New Orleans house. Missions were +maintained in the villages of the Arkansas, Yazoo, Choctaws, and +Alibamons; but the uprising of the Indians in the Natchez district, in +1727, led to the fall of these several missions, together with that +of French colonies above New Orleans. Father Du Poisson was killed +by savages at Natchez, where he was temporarily supplying the French +settlers in the absence of their Capuchin friar; Souel fell a victim +to the Yazoos, at whose hands Doutreleau narrowly escaped destruction. +However, the Jesuits did not despair, but soon returned to the Lower +Mississippi, where they continued their labors until about 1770, +although the order had in 1762 been suppressed in France. + +The Louisiana mission of the Jesuits, while producing several martyrs, +and rich in striking examples of missionary zeal, has yielded but +meagre documentary results; few of the papers in the present series +touch upon its work, and indeed detailed knowledge thereof is not +easily obtainable. Severed from Canada by a long stretch of wilderness, +communication with the St. Lawrence basin was difficult and spasmodic, +and in the case of the Jesuits generally unnecessary; for, having their +own superior at New Orleans, his allegiance was to the general of the +order in France, not to his fellow-superiors in Quebec and Montreal. +The several missions of New France played a large part in American +history; that of Louisiana, although interesting, is of much less +importance. + + +THE RELATIONS. + +A few explorers like Champlain, Radisson, and Perrot have left valuable +narratives behind them, which are of prime importance in the study +of the beginnings of French settlement in America; but it is to the +Jesuits that we owe the great body of our information concerning the +frontiers of New France in the seventeenth century. It was their +duty annually to transmit to their superior in Quebec, or Montreal, +a written journal of their doings; it was also their duty to pay +occasional visits to their superior, and to go into retreat at the +central house of the Canadian mission. Annually, between 1632 and 1673, +the superior made up a narrative, or _Relation_, of the most important +events which had occurred in the several missionary districts under +his charge, sometimes using the exact words of the missionaries, and +sometimes with considerable editorial skill summarizing the individual +journals in a general account, based in part upon the oral reports +of visiting fathers. This annual _Relation_, which in bibliographies +occasionally bears the name of the superior, and at other times of the +missionary chiefly contributing to it, was forwarded to the provincial +of the order in France, and, after careful scrutiny and re-editing, +published by him in a series of duodecimo volumes, known collectively +as _The Jesuit Relations_. + +The authors of the journals which formed the basis of the _Relations_ +were for the most part men of trained intellect, acute observers, and +practised in the art of keeping records of their experiences. They +had left the most highly civilized country of their times, to plunge +at once into the heart of the American wilderness, and attempt to win +to the Christian faith the fiercest savages known to history. To gain +these savages, it was first necessary to know them intimately,--their +speech, their habits, their manner of thought, their strong points and +their weak. These first students of the North American Indian were +not only amply fitted for their undertaking, but none have since had +better opportunity for its prosecution. They were explorers, as well +as priests. Bancroft was inexact when he said, in oft-quoted phrase, +"Not a cape was turned, not a river entered, but a Jesuit led the +way." The actual pioneers of New France were almost always coureurs de +bois, in the prosecution of the fur trade; but coureurs de bois, for +obvious reasons, seldom kept records, even when capable of doing so, +and as a rule we learn of their previous appearance on the scene only +through chance allusions in the _Relations_. The Jesuits performed +a great service to mankind in publishing their annals, which are, +for historian, geographer, and ethnologist, among our first and best +authorities. + +Many of the _Relations_ were written in Indian camps, amid a chaos of +distractions. Insects innumerable tormented the journalists, they were +immersed in scenes of squalor and degradation, overcome by fatigue and +lack of proper sustenance, often suffering from wounds and disease, +maltreated in a hundred ways by hosts who, at times, might more +properly be called jailers; and not seldom had savage superstition +risen to such a height, that to be seen making a memorandum was certain +to arouse the ferocious enmity of the band. It is not surprising +that the composition of these journals of the Jesuits is sometimes +crude; the wonder is, that they could be written at all. Nearly always +the style is simple and direct. Never does the narrator descend to +self-glorification, or dwell unnecessarily upon the details of his +continual martyrdom; he never complains of his lot; but sets forth +his experience in phrases the most matter-of-fact. His meaning is +seldom obscure. We gain from his pages a vivid picture of life in the +primeval forest, as he lived it; we seem to see him upon his long canoe +journeys, squatted amidst his dusky fellows, working his passage at the +paddles, and carrying cargoes upon the portage trail; we see him the +butt and scorn of the savage camp, sometimes deserted in the heart of +the wilderness, and obliged to wait for another flotilla, or to make +his way alone as best he can. Arrived at last, at his journey's end, +we often find him vainly seeking for shelter in the squalid huts of +the natives, with every man's hand against him, but his own heart open +to them all. We find him, even when at last domiciled in some far-away +village, working against hope to save the unbaptized from eternal +damnation; we seem to see the rising storm of opposition, invoked +by native medicine-men,--who to his seventeenth-century imagination +seem devils indeed,--and at last the bursting climax of superstitious +frenzy which sweeps him and his before it. Not only do these devoted +missionaries,--never, in any field, has been witnessed greater personal +heroism than theirs,--live and breathe before us in the _Relations_; +but we have in them our first competent account of the Red Indian, at +a time when relatively uncontaminated by contact with Europeans. We +seem, in the _Relations_, to know this crafty savage, to measure him +intellectually as well as physically, his inmost thoughts as well as +open speech. The fathers did not understand him from an ethnological +point of view, as well as he is to-day understood; their minds were +tinctured with the scientific fallacies of their time. But, with what +is known to-day, the photographic reports in the _Relations_ help the +student to an accurate picture of the untamed aborigine, and much +that mystified the fathers, is now, by aid of their careful journals, +easily susceptible of explanation. Few periods of history are so well +illuminated as the French régime in North America. This we owe in large +measure to the existence of the Jesuit _Relations_. + +What are generally known as the _Relations_ proper, addressed +to the superior and published in Paris, under direction of the +provincial, commence with Le Jeune's _Brieve Relation du Voyage de la +Nouvelle-France_ (1632); and thereafter a duodecimo volume, neatly +printed and bound in vellum, was issued annually from the press +of Sebastien Cramoisy, in Paris, until 1673, when the series was +discontinued, probably through the influence of Frontenac, to whom +the Jesuits were distasteful. The _Relations_ at once became popular +in the court circles of France; their regular appearance was always +awaited with the keenest interest, and assisted greatly in creating +and fostering the enthusiasm of pious philanthropists, who for many +years substantially maintained the missions of New France. In addition +to these forty volumes, which to collectors are technically known +as "Cramoisys," many similar publications found their way into the +hands of the public, the greater part of them bearing date after the +suppression of the Cramoisy series. Some were printed in Paris and +Lyons by independent publishers; others appeared in Latin and Italian +texts, at Rome, and other cities in Italy; while in such journals as +_Mercure François_ and _Annuæ Litteræ Societatis Jesu_, occasionally +were published letters from the missionaries, of the same nature as the +_Relations_, but briefer and more intimate in tone. + +It does not appear, however, that popular interest in these +publications materially affected the secular literature of the period; +they were largely used in Jesuit histories of New France, but by others +were practically ignored. General literary interest in the _Relations_ +was only created about a half century ago, when Dr. E. B. O'Callaghan, +editor of the _Documentary History of New York_, called attention to +their great value as storehouses of contemporary information. Dr. +John G. Shea, author of _History of the Catholic Missions among the +Indian Tribes of the United States_, and Father Felix Martin, S. J., of +Montreal, soon came forward, with fresh studies of the _Relations_. +Collectors at once commenced searching for Cramoisys, which were found +to be exceedingly scarce,--most of the originals having been literally +worn out in the hands of their devout seventeenth-century readers; +finally, the greatest collector of them all, James Lenox, of New York, +outstripped his competitors and laid the foundation, in the Lenox +Library, of what is to-day probably the only complete collection in +America. In 1858, the Canadian government reprinted the Cramoisys, with +a few additions, in three stout octavo volumes, carefully edited by +Abbés Làverdière, Plante, and Ferland. These, too, are now rare, copies +seldom being offered for sale. + +The Quebec reprint was followed by two admirable series brought +out by Shea and O'Callaghan respectively. Shea's _Cramoisy Series_ +(1857-1866), numbers twenty-five little volumes, the edition of +each of which was limited to a hundred copies, now difficult to +obtain; it contains for the most part entirely new matter, chiefly +_Relations_ prepared for publication by the superiors, after 1672, +and miscellaneously printed; among the volumes, however, are a few +reprints of particularly rare issues of the original Cramoisy press. +The O'Callaghan series, seven in number (the edition limited to +twenty-five copies), contains different material from Shea's, but of +the same character. A further addition to the mass of material was +made by Father Martin, in _Relations Inédites de la Nouvelle-France_, +1672-79 (2 vols., Paris, 1861); and by Father Carayon in _Première +Mission des Jésuites au Canada_ (Paris, 1864). In 1871, there was +published at Quebec, under the editorship of Abbés Laverdière and +Casgrain, _Le Journal des Jésuites_, from the original manuscript in +the archives of the Seminary of Quebec (now Laval University). The +memoranda contained in this volume,--a rarity, for the greater part +of the edition was accidentally destroyed by fire,--were not intended +for publication, being of the character of private records, covering +the operations of the Jesuits in New France between 1645 and 1668. The +_Journal_ is, however, an indispensable complement of the _Relations_. +It was reprinted by a Montreal publisher (J. M. Valois) in 1892, but +even this later edition is already exhausted. Many interesting epistles +are found in _Lettres Édifiantes et Curieuses, écrites des Missions +Étrangères_, which cover the Jesuit missions in many lands, between the +years 1702 and 1776; only a small portion of this publication (there +are several editions, ranging from 1702-1776 to 1875-77) is devoted to +the North American missions. + +American historians, from Shea and Parkman down, have already made +liberal use of the _Relations_, and here and there antiquarians and +historical societies have published fragmentary translations. The +great body of the _Relations_ and their allied documents, however, has +never been Englished. The text is difficult, for their French is not +the French of the modern schools; hence these interesting papers have +been doubly inaccessible to the majority of our historical students. +The present edition, while faithfully reproducing the old French text, +even in most of its errors, offers to the public for the first time, an +English rendering side by side with the original. + +In breadth of scope, also, this edition will, through the generous +enterprise of the publishers, readily be first in the field. Not only +will it embrace all of the original Cramoisy series, the Shea and +O'Callaghan series, those collected by Fathers Martin and Carayon, the +_Journal des Jésuites_, and such of the _Lettres Édifiantes_ as touch +upon the North American missions, but many other valuable documents +which have not previously been reprinted; it will contain, also, +considerable hitherto-unpublished material from the manuscripts in the +archives of St. Mary's College, Montreal, and other depositories. These +several documents will be illustrated by faithful reproductions of all +the maps and other engravings appearing in the old editions, besides +much new material obtained especially for this edition, a prominent +feature of which will be authentic portraits of many of the early +fathers, and photographic facsimiles of pages from their manuscript +letters. + +In the Preface to each volume will be given such Bibliographical +Data concerning its contents, as seem necessary to the scholar. The +appended Notes consist of historical, biographical, archæological, and +miscellaneous comment, which it is hoped may tend to the elucidation of +the text. An exhaustive General Index to the English text will appear +in the final volume of the series. + + + + +PREFACE TO VOL. I + + +There is a dramatic unity in the Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, +as they will be presented in this series. Commencing with a report of +the first conversion of savages in New France, in 1610, by a secular +priest, and soon drifting into the records of Jesuit missionary effort, +they touch upon practically every important enterprise of the Jesuits, +in Canada and Louisiana, from the coming of Fathers Biard and Massé, in +1611, to the death, in the closing decade of the eighteenth century, of +Father Well, "the last Jesuit of Montreal." + +I. The series fitly opens with Lescarbot's _La Conversion des +Savvages_. Marc Lescarbot, a Paris lawyer, a Huguenot poet as well as +historian, and in many respects a picturesque character in the early +scenes of our drama, adroitly seeks in this document to convince the +Catholic Queen of France that his Huguenot patrons, De Monts and +Poutrincourt, are so wisely ordering affairs in their New World domain +that not only will the glory of France be enhanced, but the natives +be won to Christ through the medium of the Church; for it was part of +the agreement entered into with the Crown, by these adventurers, that +while their colonists should be permitted to have Huguenot ministers, +the aborigines must be converted only by Catholic priests. To this end, +Lescarbot describes with unction the sudden conversion by a secular +priest, Messire Jessé Fléché, of old Chief Membertou and twenty other +Micmacs, and their formal baptism on the beach at Port Royal. The +object is, of course, to ward off the threatened invasion of New France +by the Jesuits, by showing how thoroughly the work of proselyting is +being carried forward without their aid. + +II. By the same ship which, in the hands of Poutrincourt's son, +Biencourt, carries to France this ingenious document, one Bertrand, +a Huguenot layman, sends a message to his friend, the Sieur de +la Tronchaie. In his _Lettre Missive_, M. Bertrand describes the +conversion of Membertou and his fellow savages, and speaks with +enthusiasm of the new country: as well he may, for in Volume II. we +shall find Lescarbot testifying that in Paris the worthy Bertrand was +"daily tormented by the gout," while at Port Royal he was "entirely +free" from it. + +III. Lescarbot's fervid description of Father Fléché's conversions +did not succeed in keeping the Jesuits from New France. The present +document is a letter written at Dieppe, by Father Pierre Biard, of the +Society of Jesus, to his general at Rome, telling of the adventures +which had befallen Father Ennemond Massé and himself, since they, +the pioneers of their order in the New World, had been ordered from +France to Port Royal. Certain Huguenot merchants of Dieppe conspired to +prevent the passage of the Jesuits to America; but finally the queen +and other court ladies, favoring the missionaries, purchased control of +the Huguenots' ship and cargo, and the exultant fathers are now on the +eve of sailing. + +IV. In this letter, written by Biard to his provincial, a few weeks +after the arrival at Port Royal, the missionary gives the details +of his voyage, describes the spiritual and material condition +of Poutrincourt's colony, and outlines plans for work among the +Indians--only Huguenot ministers being, as yet, allowed under the +charter to serve the spiritual needs of the colonists themselves. + +V. In this letter, Biard notifies his general of the safe arrival of +Massé and himself. + +VI. A like duty is here performed by Massé. + +VII. Father Jouvency, one of the eighteenth-century historians of the +Society of Jesus, herein gives an historical account of the Canadian +missions of his order, in 1611-13; and, by way of comparison, tells of +the condition of the same missions in 1703, ending with a list of the +Jesuit missions in North America in the year 1710, the date of original +publication. + +VIII. Herein, Jouvency gives a detailed account of the Indian tribes of +Canada,--their customs, characteristics, superstitions, etc. Although +not in strict chronological order, these chapters are given here as +being from the same work as the foregoing. + +In the preparation of several of the Notes to Volume I., the Editor has +had some assistance from Mrs. Jane Marsh Parker, of Rochester, N. Y. + + R. G. T. + + MADISON, WIS., August, 1896. + + + + + I + + LESCARBOT'S LA CONVERSION DES SAVVAGES + + PARIS: JEAN MILLOT, 1610 + + +SOURCE: Title-page and text, reprinted from original in Lenox Library, +New York; the Register of Baptisms from original in the John Carter +Brown Library, Providence, R. I. + +PECULIARITIES IN ORIGINAL PAGINATION: P. 7, misnumbered 1; p. 16, +misnumbered 6; pp. 23, 24, are repeated, except the last sentence on p. +24; p. 46 numbered "[-4-6]." + + + + + LA + CONVERSION + DES SAVVAGES + QVI ONT ESTÉ BAPTIZÉS + EN LA NOVVELLE + France, cette annee 1610. + + _AVEC VN BREF RECIT, + du voyage du Sieur_ DE + POVTRINCOVRT. + + [Illustration] + + A PARIS, + + Chez IEAN MILLOT, tenant sa boutique sur + les degrez de la grand' Salle du Palais. + + + _Avec Priuilege du Roy._ + + + + + THE CONVERSION + OF THE SAVAGES + WHO WERE BAPTIZED + IN NEW FRANCE + during this year, 1610. + + _WITH A BRIEF NARRATIVE + of the voyage of Sieur_ DE + POUTRINCOURT. + + PARIS, + + JEAN MILLOT, keeping shop upon the steps of + the great Hall of the Palace. + + + _By Royal License._ + + + + + [iii] A la Royne. + + _MADAME_, + + _Dieu m'ayant fait naitre amateur de ma nation & zelateur de + sa gloire, ie ne puis moins que de luy faire part de ce qui la + touche, & qui sans doute l'époinçonnera quand elle entendra que + le nom de Iesus-Christ est annoncé és terres d'outre mer qui + portent le nom de France. Mais particulierement cela regarde vôtre + Majesté, laquelle sur ces nouvelles a rendu vn temoignage du grand + contentement_ [iv] _qu'elle en avoit. La Chrétienté doit ceci au + courage & à la pieté du Sieur de Poutrincourt, qui ne peut viure + oisif parmi la trãquillité en laquelle nous vivons par le benefice + du feu Roy vôtre Epoux. Mais (MADAME) si vous desirez bien-tot + voir cet oeuvre avancé, il faut que vous y mettiez la main. Donnez + luy des ailes pour voler sur les eaux, & penetrer si avant dans + les terres de delà, que jusques a l'extremité où l'Occident se + joint à l'Orient, tout lieu retentisse du nom de la France. Ie + sçay qu'il ne manque de volonté & fidelité au service du Roy & de + vôtre Majesté, pour faire (apres ce qui est de Dieu) que vous soyés + obeis par tout le monde. Et pour mon regard en tout ce que i'ay + iamais travaillé, ie me suis efforcé de bien meriter du Roy & du + public, ausquels i'ay dedié mes labeurs._ [v] _S'il m'en arrive + quelque fruit, ie le dedieray volontiers, & tout ce que Dieu m'a + donné d'industrie, à l'accroissement de cette entreprise, & à ce + qui regardera le bien de vôtre service. Cependant ayez (MADAME) + agreable ce petit discours evangelique (c'est à dire portant bonnes + nouvelles) que publie à la France souz vôtre bon plaisir, MADAME, + de vôtre Majesté le tres-humble, tres-obeïssant, & tres-fidele + serviteur & sujet_, + + _MARC LESCARBOT_. + + + [iii] To the Queen.[1] + + _MADAME_, + + _God having created me a lover of my country and zealous for its + glory, I cannot do less than impart to it whatever affects its + interests; and so doubtless it will be greatly encouraged by the + tidings that the name of Jesus Christ has been proclaimed in the + lands beyond the sea, which bear the name of France. But this news + is of especial interest to your Majesty, who, upon hearing it, gave + evidence of your great satisfaction_ [iv] _therein._ + + _The Christian World owes this event to the courage and piety + of Sieur de Poutrincourt,[2] who cannot lead a life of idleness + amid the peaceful prosperity in which we live through the favor + of the deceased King, your Husband. But (MADAME), if you wish to + see immediate advancement in this work, you must lend a helping + hand. Give it wings to fly over the seas, and to penetrate so far + into the lands beyond that, even to the uttermost parts where the + West unites with the East, every place may resound with the name + of France. I know that there is no lack of good-will and loyalty + in the service of the King and of your Majesty, to the end that + (after what is due to God) you may be obeyed by all mankind. And + as for me, in all that I have ever done, I have endeavored to + merit the esteem of the King and of the public, to whom I have + dedicated my labors._ [v] _If I gather any fruit therefrom, I shall + willingly consecrate it, and all the energy God has given me, to + the enlargement of this enterprise and to whatever may concern + the welfare of your service. Meanwhile, be pleased (MADAME) to + accept this little gospel narrative (gospel, because bringing good + tidings), which is published in France under your good pleasure, + MADAME, by your Majesty's very humble, very obedient and very + faithful servant and subject_, + + _MARC LESCARBOT.[3]_ + + + [vi] Extraict du Priuilege du Roy. + + PAR grace & priuilege du Roy, il est permis à Iean Millot Marchant + Libraire en la ville de Paris, d'imprimer, ou faire imprimer, + vendre & distribuer par tout nostre Royaume tant de fois qu'il luy + plaira, en telle forme ou caractere que bon luy semblera, vn liure + intitulé LA CONVERSION DES SAVVAGES composé par MARC LESCARBOT + Advocat en la Cour de Parlement. Et ce jusques au temps & terme de + six ans finis & accomplis, à compter du jour que ledit livre sera + achevé d'imprimer. Pendant lequel temps defences sont faictes à + tous Imprimeurs, Libraires, & autres de quelque estat, qualité, + ou condition qu'ils soient, de non imprimer, vendre, contrefaire, + ou alterer ledit liure, ou aucune partie d'iceluy, sur peine de + confiscation des ex[~e]plaires, & de quinze cens livres d'amende + appliquable moitié à nous, & moitié aux pauvres de L'hostel Dieu + de cette ville de Paris, & despens dommages, & interests dudit + exposant: Nonobstant toute clameur de Haro, Chartre Normande, + Privileges, lettres ou autres appellations & oppositions formees à + ce contraires faictes ou a faire. Donné à Paris le neufiesme iour + de Septembre l'an de grace 1610. Et de nostre regne le premier. + + Par le Roy en son Conseil. + + Signé, BRIGARD. + + + [vi] Extract from the Royal License. + + BY the grace and prerogative of the King, permission is granted + to Jean Millot, Bookseller in the city of Paris, to print or to + have printed, to sell and distribute throughout all our Kingdom, + as often as he may desire, in such form or character as he may see + fit, a book, entitled: THE CONVERSION OF THE SAVAGES, composed by + MARC LESCARBOT, Counsellor in the Court of Parliament. And this to + remain valid until the expiration of six complete years, counting + from the day on which the printing of said book shall be finished. + During said period of time all Printers, Booksellers, and other + persons of whatsoever rank, quality, or condition are prohibited + from publishing, selling, imitating, or changing said book or any + part thereof, under penalty of confiscation of the copies, and of + fifteen hundred livres fine, one-half of which is to be paid to + us, and one-half to the poor of the town hospital in this city + of Paris, together with the costs, damages, and interests of the + aforesaid petitioner: notwithstanding all cries of Haro, Norman + Charter,[4] Licenses, letters, or other appeals and counter-claims, + opposed to this now or in future. Given at Paris on the ninth day + of September, in the year of grace, 1610, and in the first of our + reign. + + By the King in Council. + + Signed, BRIGARD. + + + + +[7] La Conversion des Sauvages qui ont esté baptisez en la +Nouuelle-France, cette annee 1610. + +[_Matth._ 24. _vers._ 14.] + +LA parole immuable de nôtre Sauveur Iesus-Christ nous temoigne par +l'organe de sainct Matthieu que _l'Euangile du royaume des cieux sera +annoncé par tout le monde, pour estre en temoignage à toutes nations, +avant que la consommation vienne_. Nous scavons par les histoires que +la voix des Apôtres a eclaté par tout le monde de deça dés il y a +plusieurs siecles passez, quoy qu'aujourd'hui les royaumes Chrétiens +en soient la moindre partie. Mais quant au nouveau monde decouvert +depuis environ six-vingts ans, nous n'auons aucun vestige que la +parole de Dieu y ait onques [8] esté annoncée avant ces derniers +temps, si ce n'est que nous voulions adjouter quelque foy à ce que +Iehan de Leri rapporte, que comme il racontoit vn jour aux Bresiliens +les grandes merveilles de Dieu en la creation du monde, & mysteres +de nôtre redemption, vn vieillart lui dit qu'il auoit oui dire à son +grand pere qu'autrefois vn homme barbu (or les Bresiliens ne le sont +point) estoit venu vers eux, & leur avoit dit choses semblables: mais +qu'on ne le voulut point écouter, & depuis s'estoi[~e]t entre-tuez & +mangez les vns les autres. Quant aux autres nations de dela quelques +vns ont bien quelque sourde nouvelle du deluge, & de l'immortalité +des ames, ensemble dela beatitude des bi[~e]vivans apres cette vie, +mais ils peuvent avoir retenu cette obscure doctrine de main en main +par tradition depuis le cataclisme vniversel qui avint au temps de +Noé. Reste donc à deplorer la miserable condition de ces peuples +qui occupent vne terre si grande, que le monde de deça ne vient en +comparaison avec elle, si nous comprenons la terre qui est outre le +detroit de Magellan dite, [9] _Terra del fugo_, tant en son etenduë +vers la Chine, & le Iapan, que vers la Nouvelle Guinée: comme aussi +celle qui est outre la grande riviere de Canada, qui s'estend vers +l'Orient & est baignée de la grande mer Occidentale. Toutes lesquelles +contrees sont en vne miserable ignorance, & n'y a point d'apparence +qu'elles aient onques eu le v[~e]t de l'Evangile, sinon qu'en ce +dernier siecle l'Hespagnol parmi la cruauté & l'avarice y a apporté +quelque lumiere de la religion Chrétienne. Mais cela est si peu +de chose, qu'on n'en peut pas faire si grand estat qu'il pourroit +sembler, d'autant que par la confession méme de ceux qui en ont écrit +les histoires ils ont preque tué tous les naturels du païs, & en fait +nombre vn certain historien, de plus de vingt millions, dés il y a +soixante dix ans. L'Anglois depuis vingt-cinq ans a pris pié en vne +terre qui git entre la Floride, & le païs des Armouchiquois, laquelle +terre a esté appellée Virginie en l'honneur de la defuncte Royne +d'Angleterre. Mais cette nation fait ses affaires si secretement, que +peu de gens en sçauent de [10] nouvelles certaines. Peu apres que i'eu +publié mon Histoire de la Nouvelle France on fit vn embarquem[~e]t +de huit cens hommes pour y envoyer. Il n'est point mention qu'ils se +soient lavé les mains au sang de ces peuples. En quoy ils ne sont ni +à loüer, ni à blamer: car il n'y a aucune loy, ni aucun pretexte, +qui permette de tuer qui que ce soit, & méme ceux des biens desquelz +nous-nous emparons. Mais ils sont à priser s'ils montrent à ces +pauvres ignorans le chemin de salut par la vraye & non fardée doctrine +Evangelique. Quant à noz François ie me suis assez plaint en madite +Histoire de la poltronnerie du temps d'aujourd'huy, & du peu de zele +que nous avons soit à redresser ces pauvres errans, soit à faire que +le nom de Dieu soit coneu exalté & glorifié en ces terres d'outre mer, +où jamais il ne le fut. Et toutefois nous voulons que cela porte le +nom de France, nom tant auguste & venerable, que nous ne pouvons sans +honte nous glorifier d'vne France qui n'est point Chrétienne. Ie sçay +qu'il ne manque pas de gens de bõne volonté pour y aller. Mais pourquoy +[11] l'Eglise, qui possede tant de biens; mais pourquoy les Grands, +qui sont tant de depenses superflues, ne financent-ilz quelque chose +pour l'execution d'vn si sainct oeuvre? Deux Gentils-hommes pleins +de courage en ces derniers t[~e]ps se sont trouvez zelés à ceci, les +Sieurs de Monts, & de Poutrincourt, lesquels à leurs dépens se sont +enervés, & ont fait plus que leurs forces ne pouvoient porter. L'vn +& l'autre ont continué jusques à present leurs voyages. Mais l'vn a +esté deceu par deux fois, & est tombé en grand interest pour s'estre +rendu trop credule aux paroles de quelques vns. Or d'autant que les +dernieres nouvelles que nous avons de nôtre Nouvelle-France viennent +de la part du Sieur de Poutrincourt, nous dirons ici ce qui est de son +fait: & avons iuste sujet d'exalter son courage, entant que ne pouvant +viure parmi la tourbe des hommes oisifs, dont nous n'abondons que +trop; & voyant nôtre France comme languir au repos d'vn calme ennuieux +aux hõmes de travail: apres avoir en mille occasions fait preuve de +sa valeur depuis vingt quatre ans ença; il a voulu coroner [12] ses +labeurs vrayement Herculeens par la cause de Dieu, pour laquelle +il employe ses moyens & ses forces, & va hazardant sa vie, pour +accroitre le nombre des citoyens des cieux, & amener à la bergerie de +Iesus-Christ nôtre souverain Pasteur, les brebis egarées, lesquelles il +seroit bien-seant aux Prelats de l'Eglise d'aller recuillir (du moins +contribuer à cet effect) puis qu'ils en ont le moyen. Mais avec combien +de travaux s'est-il employé jusques ici à cela? Voici la troisieme +fois qu'il passe le grand Ocean pour parvenir à ce but. La premiere +année se passa avec le sieur de Monts à chercher vne demeure propre & +vn port asseuré pour la retraite des vaisseaux & des hommes. Ce qui +ne succeda pas bien. La seconde année fut employée à la mesme chose, +& lors il estoit en France. En la troisieme nous fimes epreuve de la +terre, laquelle nous rendit abondamment le fruict de nôtre culture: +Cette annee icy voyant par vne mauvaise experience que les hommes sont +trompeurs, il ne s'est plus voulu attendre à autre qu'à luy-méme, & +[s']est mis en mer le 26. Fevrier, ayant eu [13] temps fort contraire +en sa navigation, laquelle a esté la plus longue dont i'aye jamais ouï +parler. Certes la nôtre nous fut fort ennuieuse il y a trois ans, ayans +esté vagabons l'espace de deux mois & demi sur la mer avant qu'arriver +au Port Royal. Mais en cette-ci ils ont esté trois mois entiers. De +sorte qu'vn indiscret se seroit mutiné jusques à faire de mauvaises +conspirations: toutesfois la benignité dudit Sieur de Poutrincourt & +le respect du lieu où il demeuroit à Paris, lui ont serui de bouclier +pour luy garentir la vie. [_Terrir, c'est à dire decouvrir la terre._] +La premiere côte où territ iceluy Sieur de Poutrincourt fut au port au +Mouton. De là parmi les brouïllas qui sont fort frequens le long de +l'Eté en cette mer, il se trouva en quelques perils, principalement +vers le Cap de Sable, où son vaisseau pensa toucher sur les brisans. +[_Hist. de la Nouvelle-France liv._ 2. _chap._ 37. _p._ 527.] Depuis +voulant gaigner le Port Royal, il fut porté par la violence des vents +quarante lieuës par-dela, c'est à sçavoir à la riviere de Norombega +tant celebrée & fabuleusement décrite par les Geographes & Historiens, +ainsi que i'ay monstré en madite Histoire, là où se pourra voir cette +navigation par la Table geographique [14] que i'y ay mise. De-là il +vint à la riviere sainct Iehan qui est vis à vis du Port Royal pardela +la Baye Françoise, où il trouva vn navire de S. Malo, qui troquoit avec +les Sauvages du païs. Et là il eut plainte d'vn Capitaine Sauvage qu'vn +dudit navire lui auoit ravi sa femme, & en abusoit: dont ledit Sieur +fit informer, & print celui là prisonnier, & le navire aussi. Mais il +laissa aller ledit navire & les matelots se contentant de garder le +malfaiteur: lequel neantmoins s'evada dans vne chaloupe & se retira +avec les Sauvages, les detournant de l'amitié des François, comme nous +dirons ci-apres. En fin arriués audit Port Royal il ne se peut dire +avec combien de ioye ces pauvres peuples receurent ledit Sieur & sa +compagnie. Et de verité le sujet de cette ioye estoit d'autant plus +grand qu'ils n'avoient plus d'esperance de voir les François habiter +aupres d'eux, desquels ils auoient ressenti les courtoisies lors que +nous y estions, dont se voyans priués, aussi pleuroient ils à chaudes +larmes quand nous partimes de là il y a trois ans. En ce Port Royal est +la demeure [15] dudict sieur de Poutrincourt, le plus beau sejour que +Dieu ait formé sur la terre, remparé d'un rang de 12 ou 15. lieuës de +montagnes du côté du Nort, sur lesquelles bat le Soleil tout le iour: & +de cotaux au côte du Su, ou Midi: lequel au reste peut contenir vingt +milles vaisseaux en asseurance, ayant vingt brasses de profond à son +entrée, vne lieuë & demie de large, & quatre de long jusques à vne ile +qui a vne lieuë Françoise de circuit: dans lequel i'ay veu quelquefois +à l'aise noüer vne moyenne Baleine, qui venoit auec le flot à huict +heures au matin par chacun jour. Au reste dans ce port se peche en la +saison grande quantité de harens, d'eplans, (ou eperlans) sardines, +bars, moruës, loups-marins, & autre poissons: & quant aux coquillages, +on y recueille force houmars, crappes, palourdes, coques, moules, +escargots, & chatagines de mer. Mais qui voudra aller au dessus du +flot de la mer il pechera en la riviere force eturgeons & saumons, à +la dessaicte desquels il y a vn singulier plaisir. Or pour reprendre +nôstre fil, le Sieur de Poutrincourt arrivé [6 i.e. 16] là a trouvé +ses batimens tout entiers sans que les Sauvages (ainsi a-on appellé +ces peuples là iusques à maintenant) y eussent touché en aucune façon, +ny méme aux meubles qu'on y avoit laissé. Et soucieux de leurs vieux +amis ils demandoient comme vn chacun d'eux se portoit, les nommant +particulierement par leurs noms communs, & demandans pourquoy tels & +tels n'y estoient retournez. Ceci demontre vne grãde debõnaireté en +ce peuple, lequel aussi ayant en nous reconu toute humanité, ne nous +fuit point; comme il fait l'Hespagnol en tout ce grand monde nouveau. +Et consequemment par vne douceur & courtoisie, qui leur est aussi +familiere qu'à nous, il est aisé de les faire plier à tout ce que l'on +voudra, & particulierement pour ce qui touche le point de la Religion, +de laquelle nous leur avions baillé de bonnes impressiõs lors que nous +estions aupres d'eux, & ne desiroient pas mieux que de se ranger souz +la banniere de Iesus-Christ: à quoy ils eussent esté receuz dés lors, +si nous eussions eu vn pié ferme en la terre. Mais comme nous pensions +continuer, [17] avint que le sieur de Monts ne pouvant plus fournir à +la depense, & le Roy ne l'assistant point, il fut contraint de revoquer +tous ceux qui estoient pardelà, lesquels n'avoient porté les choses +necessaires à vne plus longue demeure. Ainsi c'eust esté temerité +& folie de conferer le baptéme à ceux qu'il eust fallu par apres +abandonner, & leur donner sujet de retourner à leur vomissement. Mais +maintenant que c'est à bon escient, & que ledit sieur de Poutrincourt +fait pardelà sa demeure actuelle, il est loisible de leur imprimer le +charactere Chrétien sur le front & en l'ame, apres les avoir instruit +és principaux articles de nôtre Foy. [_Aux Hebr._ 11. _vers._ 6.] Ce +qu'a eu soin de faire ledit Sieur, sachant ce que dit l'Apôtre, que +_celuy qui s'approche de Dieu doibt croire que Dieu est_: & apres cette +croyance, peu à peu on vient aux choses qui sont plus eloignées du sens +commun, comme de croire que d'vn rien Dieu ait fait toutes choses, +qu'il se soit fait homme, qu'il soit nay d'vne Vierge, qu'il ait voulu +mourir pour l'homme, &c. Et d'autant que les hommes Ecclesiastics qui +ont esté portés pardelà ne sont encore [18] instruits en la langue +de ces peuples, ledit Sieur a pris la peine de les instruire & les +faire instruire par l'organe de son fils ainé jeune Gentilhomme qui +entend & parle fort bien ladite langue, & qui s[~e]ble estre né pour +leur ouvrir le chemin des cieux. Les hommes qui sont au Port Royal, & +terres adjacentes tirant vers la Terre-neuve, s'appellent Souriquois, +& ont leur langue propre. Mais passée la Baye Françoise, qui a environ +40. lieuës de profond dans les terres, & 10. ou 12. lieuës de large, +les hommes de l'autre part s'appellent Etechemins, & plus loin sont +les Armouchiquois peuple distingué de langage de ceux-ci, & lequel +est heureux en quãtité de belles vignes & gros raisins, s'il sçavoit +conoitre l'vtilité de ce fruit, lequel (ainsi que nos vieux Gaullois) +il pense estre poison. [_Ammian Marcellin._] Il a aussi de la chãve +excellente que la nature lui donne, laquelle en beauté and bõté passe +de beaucoup la nôtre: & outre ce le Sassafras, force chenes, noyers, +pruniers, chataigniers, & autres fruits qui ne sont venus à nôtre +conoissance. Quant au Port Royal ie veux confesser qu'il n'y a pas +[19] tant de fruits: & neantmoins la terre y est plantureuse pour y +esperer tout ce que la France Gaulloise nous produit. Tous ces peuples +se gouvernent par Capitaines qu'ils appellent Sagamos, mot qui est +pris és Indes Orientales en méme signification, ainsi que i'ay leu +en l'histoire de Maffeus, & lequel i'estime venir du mot Hebrieu +_Sagan_, qui signifie Grand Prince, selon Rabbi David, & quelquefois +celui qui tient le second lieu apres le souverain Pontife. [_Esai._ +41. _vers._ 25, _Ierem._ 51. _vers._ 23. _Santes Pagnin_, 9.] En +la version ordinaire de la Bible il est pris pour le Magistrat: & +neantmoins là méme les interpretes Hebrieux le tourn[~e]t Prince. +Et de fait nous lisons dans Berose que Noé fut appellé Saga tant +pour ce qu'il estoit grand Prince, que pour ce qu'il avoit enseigné +la Theologie, & les ceremonies du service divin, avec beaucoup de +secrets, des choses natureles, aux Scytes Armeniens, que les anciens +Cosmographes appellerent Sages du nom de Noé. Et paraventure pour +cette méme consideration ont esté appellés nos Tectosages, qui sont +les Tolosains. Car ce bon pere restaurateur du monde vint en Italie, +& envoya [20] repeupler les Gaulles apres le Deluge, donnant son nom +de Gaulois (car Xenophon dit qu'il fut aussi appellé de ce nom) à ceux +qu'il y envoya, par ce qu'il avoit esté echappé des eaux. Et n'est +pas inconvenient que lui-méme n'ait imposé le nom aux Tectosages. +Revenons à nôtre mot de Sagamos lequel est le tiltre d'honneur des +Capitaines en ces Terres neuves dont nous parlons. Au Port Royal le +Capitaine, ou Sagamos dudit lieu s'appelle en son nom Membertou. Il +est âgé de cent ans pour le moins, & peut naturellement vivre encore +plus de cinquante. Il a sous soy plusieurs familles, ausquelles il +commande, non point avec tant d'authorité que fait nôtre Roy sur ses +sujets, mais pour haranguer, donner conseil, marcher à la guerre, faire +raison à celui qui reçoit quelque injure, & choses s[~e]blables. Il +ne met point d'impost sur le peuple. Mais s'il y a de la chasse il +en a sa part sans qu'il soit tenu d'y aller. Vray est qu'on lui fait +quelquefois des presens de peaux de Castors, ou autre chose, quand il +est employé pour la guerison de quelque malade, ou pour interroger [21] +son dæmon (qu'il appelle _Aoutem_) afin d'auoir nouvelle de quelque +chose future, ou absente: car chaque village, ou compagnie de Sauvages, +ayant vn _Aoutmoin_, c'est à dire Devin, qui fait cet office, Membertou +est celui qui de grande ancienneté à prattiqué cela entre ceux parmi +lesquels il a conversé. Si bien qu'il est en credit pardessus tous les +autres Sagamos du païs, aiãt dés sa jeunesse esté grand Capitaine, & +parmi cela exercé l'office de Devin & de Medecin, qui sont les trois +choses plus efficaces à obliger les hommes, & à se rendre necessaire +en ceste vie humaine. Or ce Membertou aujourd'huy par la grace de Dieu +est Chrétien avec toute sa famille, aiant esté baptizé, & vingt autres +apres lui, le jour sainct Iehan dernier 24. Iuin. I'en ay lettres dudit +Sieur de Poutrincourt en datte du vnzieme jour de Iuillet ensuivant. +Ledit Membertou a esté nommé du nom de nôtre feu bon Roy HENRY IIII. +& son fils ainé du nom de Monseigneur le Dauphin aujourd'huy nôtre +Roy LOVIS XIII. que Dieu benie. Et ainsi consequemment la femme de +Membertou a [22] esté nommée MARIE du nom de la Royne Regente, & à sa +fille a esté imposé le nom de la Roine MARGVERITE. Le second fils de +Membertou dit Actaudin fut nommé PAVL du nom de nôtre sainct Pere le +Pape de Rome. La fille du susdit Louis eut nom CHRISTINE en l'honneur +de Madame la soeur ainee du Roy. Et consequemment à chacun fut imposé +le nom de quelque illustre, ou notable personnage de deça. Plusieurs +autres Sauvages estoient lors allez cabanner ailleurs (comme c'est +leur coutume de se disperser par bendes quand l'esté est venu) lors +de ces solennitez de regeneration Chrétienne, lesquels nous estimons +estre aujourd'huy enrollés en la famille de Dieu par le méme lavem[~e]t +du sainct bapteme. Mais le diable, qui iamais ne dort, en ceste +occurrence ici a témoigné la jalousie qu'il avoit du salut annoncé à +ce peuple, & de voir que le nom de Dieu fust glorifié en cette terre: +ayant suscité vn mauvais François, non François, mais Turc: non Turc, +mais Athée, pour detourner du sentier de salut plusieurs Sauvages qui +estoient Chrétiens en leur ame & de [23] volonté dés il y a trois ans: +& entre autres vn Sagamos nommé ChKoudun homme de grand credit, duquel +i'ay fait honorable m[~e]tion en mon Histoire de la Nouvelle-Frãce, +par ce que je l'ay veu sur tous autres aymer les François, & qu'il +admiroit nos inventions au pris de leur ignorance: mémes que s'estant +quelquefois trouvé aux remontrances Chrétiennes qui se faisoient par-de +là à noz Frãçois par chacun Dimanche, il s'y rendoit attentif, encores +qu'il n'y ent[~e]dist rien: & davantage avoit pendu devant sa poitrine +le signe de la Croix, lequel il faisoit aussi porter à ses domestics +& avoit à nôtre imitation planté vne grande Croix en la place de son +village dit _Oigoudi_, sur le port de la riuiere sainct Iehan, à dix +lieuës du port Royal. Or cet homme avec les autres, a esté détourné +d'estre Chrétien par l'avarice maudite de ce mauvais François que +i'ay touché ci-dessus, lequel ie ne veux nõmer pour cette heure pour +l'amour & reverence que ie porte à son pere, mais avec protestation de +l'eterniser s'il ne s'amende. Celui-là, di-ie, pour attraper quelques +Castors de ce Sagamos [24] ChKoudun, l'alla en Iuin dernier suborner, +apres s'estre euadé des mains dudit Sieur de Poutrincourt, disãt que +tout ce qu'icelui Poutrincourt leur disoit de Dieu n'estoit rien qui +vaille, qu'il ne le falloit point croire, & que c'estoit vn abuseur, & +qu'il les feroit mourir pour avoir leurs Castors. Ie laisse beaucoup +de mechans discours qu'il peut avoir adjouté à cela. S'il estoit de la +Religion de ceux qui se disent Reformez ie l'excuserois aucunement: +mais il mõtre bien qu'il n'est ni de l'vne, ny de l'autre. Si diray-ie +toutefois qu'il a sujet de remercier Dieu du dãger où il s'est veu en +nôtre voiage. Ce Sagamos pouvoit estant Chrétien en r[~e]dre bon nombre +semblables à lui, à son imitation. Mais ie veux esperer, ou plustot +croire pour certain qu'il ne demeurera plus gueres long t[~e]ps en cet +erreur, & que ledit Sieur aura trouvé moyen de l'attirer (avec beaucoup +d'autres) pres de soy, pour luy imprimer derechef les vives persuasions +dont il luy avoit autrefois touché l'ame en ma presence. Car l'esprit +de Dieu est puissant pour faire tõber sur ce champ vne nouvelle rousee, +qui fera regermer ce que la grele a desseché & abbatu. Dieu vueille par +sa grace conduire le tout en sorte que la chose reüssisse à sa gloire +& à l'edification de ce peuple, pour lequel tous Chrétiens doivent +faire continuelles prieres à sa divine bonté, à ce qu'il lui plaise +confirmer & avancer l'oeuvre qu'il lui a pleu susciter en ce temps pour +l'exaltation de son nom, & le salut de ses creatures. + +FIN. + +[25] Il y a pardela des hommes d'Eglise de bon sçavoir que le seul +zele de la Religion y a porté, lesquels ne manqueront de faire tout ce +que la pieté requerra en ce regard. Or quant à present il n'est pas +besoin de ces Docteurs sublimes, qui peuvent estre plus vtiles pardeça +à combattre les vices & les heresies. Ioint qu'il y a certaine sorte +de gens desquels on ne se peut pas bien asseurer faisans métier de +censurer tout ce qui ne vient à leurs maximes, & voulans commander par +tout. Il suffit d'estre veillé au dehors sans avoir de ces epilogueurs +qui considerent tous les mouvemens de vôtre corps & de vôtre coeur +pour en faire regitres, desquels les plus grands Rois mémes ne se +peuv[~e]t defendre. Et puis, que serviroi[~e]t pardela tãt de gens de +cette sorte, quãt à present, si ce n'est qu'ils voulussent s'addonner +à la culture de la terre? Car ce n'est pas tout que d'aller là. Il +faut considerer ce que l'on y fera y estant arrivé. Pour ce qui est +de la demeure du Sieur de Poutrincourt il s'est fourni au depart de +ce qui lui estoit necessaire. Mais s'il prenoit envie à quelques gens +de bien d'y [26] avancer l'Evangile, ie seroy d'avis qu'ils fissent +cinq ou six bandes, avec chacun vn navire bien equippé, & qu'ils +allassent planter des colonies en diverses places de ces quartiers +là, comme à Tadoussac, Gachepé, Campseau, la Héve, Oigoudi, Saincte +Croix, Pemptegoet, KinibeKi, & autres endroits où sont les assemblées +de Sauvages, lesquels il faut que le temps ameine à la Religion +Chrétienne: si ce n'est qu'vn grand Pere de famille tel que le Roy +en vueille avoir la gloire totale, & face habiter ces lieux. Car d'y +penser vivre à leur mode i'estime cela estre hors de nôtre pouvoir. +[_Façon de vivre des Souriquois & Ethechemins._] Et pour le montrer, +leur façon de vivre est telle, que depuis la premiere terre (qui est +la Terre-neuve) insques aux Armouchiquois, qui sont pres de trois cens +lieuës, les hommes vivent vagabons, sans labourage, n'estans iamais +plus de cinq ou six semaines en vn lieu. Pline à fait mention de +certains peuples dits Ichthyophages, c'est à dire Mangeurs de poissons, +viuans de cela. Ceux ci sont tout de méme les trois parts de l'année. +Car venant le Print[~e]ps ils se divisent par troupes sur les rives +de mer insques à [27] l'Hiver, lequel venãt, par ce que le poissõ se +retire au fond des grandes eaux salées, ilz cherchent les lacs & ombres +des bois, où ilz pechent les Castors, dont ilz viv[~e]t, & d'autres +chasses, comme Ellans, Caribous, Cerfs, & autres animaux moindres que +ceux-lá. Et neantmoins quelquefois, en Eté méme ilz ne laissent point +de chasser: & d'ailleurs ont infinie quantité d'oyseaux en certaines +iles és mois de May, Iuin, Iuillet, & Aoust. [_le coucher._] Quant à +leur coucher, vne peau etendue sur la terre leur sert de matelas. Et +en cela n'avons dequoy nous mocquer d'eux, par ce que noz vieux peres +Gaullois en faisoient de méme, & dinoi[~e]t aussi sur des peaux de +chiens & de loups, si Diodore & Strabon disent vray. [_Armouchiquois._] +Mais quant au pais des Armouchiquois & Iroquois, il y a plus grande +moisson à faure pour ceux qui sont poussez d'vn zele religieux, par +ce que le peuple y est beaucoup plus frequent, & cultive la terre, +de laquelle il retire vn grand soulagement de vie. Vray est qu'il +n'entent pas bien la façõ de faire le pain, n'ayant les inventiõs des +moulins, ni du levain, ni des fours; ains broye son blé en certaine +façon de [28] mortiers, & l'empâte au mieux qu'il peut pour le faire +cuire entre deux pierres echauffées au feu: ou bien rotit ledit blé en +epic sur la braise, ainsi que faisoient les vieux Romains, au dire de +Pline. [_Plin. liv._ 18. _chap._ 2. _&_ 10.] Depuis on trouva le moyen +de faire des gateaux souz la cendre: & depuis encore les boulengers +trouverent la façon des fours. Or ces peuples cultivans la terre sont +arretés, ce que les autres ne sont point, n'ayans rien de propre, tels +qu'estoient les Allemans au temps de Tacite, lequel a décrit leurs +anciennes façons de vivre. [_Iroquois._] Plus avant dans les terres +au dessus des Armouchiquois sont les Iroquois peuples aussi arretés, +par-ce qu'ilz cultivent la terre, d'où ils recueillent du blé mahis +(ou Sarazin) dés féves, des bõnes racines, & bref tout ce que nous +avons dit du pays desdits Armouchiquois, voire encore plus, car par +necessité ilz vivent de la terre, estans loin de la mer. Neantmoins ils +ont vn grand lac d'étendue merveilleuse, comme d'environ 60. lieuës, +à lentour duquel ils sont cabãnés. Dans ledit lac il y a des iles +belles & grandes, habitées desdits Iroquois, qui sont vn grand peuple, +& plus on va [29] avant dans les terres plus on les trouve habitées: +[_Nouveau Mexique._] si bien que (s'il en faut croire les Hespagnols) +au pays dit le Nouveau Mexique bien loin pardela lesdits Iroquois, en +tirant au Suroüest, il y a des villes baties, & des maisons à trois & +quatre etages: méme du bestial privé: d'où ils ont appellé vne certaine +riviere _Rio de las Vaccas_, La riviere des Vaches, pour y en avoir +veu en grand nombre paturer le lõg de la riviere. [_Grand lac outre +Canada._] Et est-ce pays directement au Nort à plus de cinq cens lieuës +du vieil Mexique, avoisinant, comme ie croy, l'extremité du grand lac +de la riviere de Canada, lequel (selon le rapport des Sauvages) a +trente journées de long. Ie croiroy que des hommes robustes & bien +composés pourroient vivre parmi ces peuples là, & faire grand fruit +à l'avancement de la Religion Chrétienne. Mais quant aux Souriquois, +& Etechemins, qui sont vagabons & divisés, il les faut assembler par +la culture de la terre, & obliger par ce moyen à demeurer en vn lieu. +Car quiconque a pris la peine de cultiver vne terre il ne la quitte +point aisement. Il cõbat pour la conserver de tout son courage. [30] +Mais ie trouve ce dessein de longue execution si nous n'y allons +d'autre zele, & si vn Roy ou riche Prince ne prent cette cause en main, +laquelle certes est digne d'vn royaume tres-Chrétien. [_Conquete de la +Palestine comparee à celle de la Nouvelle-France._] On a jadis fait +tant de depenses & pertes d'hommes à la reconqueste de la Palestine, à +quoy on a peu proufité: & aujourd'hui à peu de frais on pourroit faire +des merveilles, & acquerir infinis peuples à Dieu sans coup ferir: & +nous sommes touchés d'vne ie ne sçay quelle lethargie en ce qui est du +zele religieux qui bruloit noz peres anciennement. Si on n'esperoit +aucun fruit temporel en ceci ie pardonnerois à l'imbecillité humaine. +Mais il y a de si certaines esperances d'vne bõne vsure, qu'elles +ferment la bouche à tous les ennemis de ce pays là, lesquels le +decrient afin de ne perdre la traite des Castors & autres pelleteries +dont ils vivent, & sans cela mourroyent de faim, ou ne sçauroient à +quoy s'employer. [_Au Roy & à la Royne._] Que s'il plaisoit au Roy, +& à la Royne Regente sa mere, en laquelle Dieu a allume vn brasier +de pieté, prendre goust à ceci (cõme certes elle a faict au rapport +de la Conversiõ des Sauvages baptizés par le [31] soin du Sieur de +Poutrincourt) & laisser quelque memoire d'elle, ou plustot s'asseurer +de la beatitude des cieux par cette action qui est toute de Dieu, on ne +peut dire quelle gloire à l'avenir ce lui seroit d'estre la premiere +qui auroit planté l'Evangile en de si grandes terres, qui (par maniere +de dire) n'ont point de bornes. Si Helene mere de l'Empereur Cõstantin +eust trouvé tant de sujet de bien-faire, elle eust beaucoup mieux +aimé edifier à Dieu des temples vivans que tant d'edifices de marbre +dont elle a rempli la terre saincte. Et au bout l'esperance de la +remuneration temporelle n'en est po[~i]t vaine. Car d'une part le Sieur +de Poutrincourt demeure toujours serviteur du Roy en la terre que sa +Maiesté luy a octroyée: en laquelle il seroit le rendezvous & support +de tant de vaisseaux qui vont tous les ans aux Terres neuves, où ilz +reçoivent mille incommodités, & en perit grand nombre, comme nous +avons veu & oui dire. [_Moyens pour aller aux Molucques par le Ponant +& le Nort._] Dailleurs penetrant dans les terres, nous pourrions nous +rendre familier le chemin de la Chine, & des Molucques par vn climat +& parallele t[~e]peré, en faisant quelques statiõs ou [32] demeures +au Saut de la grande riviere de Canada, puis aux lacs qui sont plus +outre, le dernier desquels n'est pas loin de la grande mer Occidentale, +par laquelle les Hespagnols vont aujourd'hui en l'Orient: Ou bien on +pouroit faire la méme entreprise par la riviere de Saguenay, outre +laquelle les Sauvages rapportent qu'il y a vne mer dont ilz n'ont veu +le bout, qui est sans doute ce passage par le Nort, lequel en vain l'on +a tant recherché. [_Vtilités._] De sorte que nous aurions des epices, +& autres drogues sans les mendier desdits Hespagnols, & demeureroit +és mains du Roy le proufit qu'il tire de nous sur ces denrées: +Laissant à part l'vtilité des cuirs, paturages, pecheries, & autres +biens. Mais il faut semer avant que recuillir. Par ces exercices on +occuperoit beaucoup de ieunesse Françoise, dont vne partie languit ou +de pauvreté, ou d'oisiveté: ou vont aux provinces etrangeres enseigner +les metiers qui nous estoient iadis propres & particuliers, au moyen +dequoy la France estoit remplie de biens, au lieu qu'aujourd'hui vne +longue paix ne l'a encore peu remettre en son premier lustre, tant +[33] pour la raison que dessus, que pour le nombre de gens oisifs, & +mendians valides & volontaires que le public nourrit. [_Chiquanerie._] +Entre lesquelles incommodités on pourrait mettre encore le mal de +la chiquanerie qui mange nostre nation, dõt elle a esté blamée de +tout temps. A quoy [_Ammiã Marcellin._] seroit aucunement obvié par +les frequ[~e]tes navigations: estant ainsi qu'une partie de ceux qui +plaident auroient plustot fait de conquester nouvelle terre, demeurans +en l'obeissance du Roy, que de poursuivre ce qu'ilz debattent avec +tant de ruines, longueurs, solicitudes, & travaux. Et en ce ie repute +heureux tous ces pauvres peuples que ie deplore ici. [_Felicité des +Sauvages._] Car la blafarde Envie ne les amaigrit po[~i]t ilz ne +ressentent point les inhumanités d'vn qui sert Dieu en torticoli, pour +souz cette couleur tourmenter les hommes; ilz ne sont point sujets au +calcul de ceux qui manquans de vertu & de bonté s'affublent d'vn faux +pretexte de pieté pour nourrir leur ambition. S'ilz ne conoissent point +Dieu, au moins ne le blasphement ilz point, comme font la pluspart des +Chretiens. Ilz ne sçavent que c'est d'empoisonner, ni de corrompre la +[34] chasteté par artifice diabolique. Il n'y a point de pauvres, ny +de mendians entre eux. Tous sont riches, entant que tous travaillent +& vivent. Mais entre nous il va bien autrement. Car il y en a plus de +la moitié qui vit du labeur d'autrui, ne faisant aucun metier qui soit +necessaire à la vie humaine. Que si ce païs là estoit etabli, tel y a +qui n'ose faire ici ce qu'il feroit là. [_Pour ceux qui vont en la N. +France._] Il n'ose point ici estre bucheron, laboureur, vigneron, &c. +par ce que sõ pere est chiquaneur, barbier, apothicaire &c. Et là il +oublieroit toutes ces aprehensions de reproche, & prendroit plaisir à +cultiver sa terre, ayant beaucoup de compagnons d'aussi bonne maison +que lui. Et cultiver la terre c'est le metier le plus innocent, & plus +certain, exercice de ceux de qui nous sommes tous descendus, & de ces +braves Capitaines Romains qui sçavoient domter & ne point estre domtés. +Mais depuis que la pompe & la malice se sont introduits parmi les +hommes, ce qui estoit vertu a tourné en reproche, & les faineans sont +venus en estime. [_A la Royne._] Or laissons ces gens là, & revenons au +Sieur de Poutrincourt, ains plustot a vous, ô Royne Tres-Chretienne, +[35] la plus grande, & plus cherie des cieux que l'oeil du monde voye +en la rõde qu'il fait chaque iour alentour de cet vnivers. Vous qui +avés le maniement du plus noble Empire dici bas, Quoy souffrirez vous +de voir vn Gentil-hõme de si bonne volonté sans l'employer & sans le +secourir? Voulez vous qu'il emporte la premiere gloire du monde par +dessus vous, & que le triomphe de cet affaire luy demeure sans que +vous y participiés? Non, non, Madame, il faut que le tout vous en soit +rapporté, & que cõme les etoilles empruntent leur lumiere du soleil, +aussi que du Roy & de vous qui nous l'avés dõné toutes les belles +actiõs des François dep[~e]dent. Il faut donc prevenir cette gloire, & +ne la ceder à autre, tandis que vous avés vn Poutrincourt bon François, +& qui a servi le feu Roy de regretable memoire vôtre Epoux (que Dieu +absolve) en des affaires d'Estat dont les histoires ne font mention.: +En haine dequoy sa maison & ses biens ont passé par l'examen du feu. Il +ne passe point l'Ocean pour voir le païs, comme ont fait préque tous +les autres qui ont entrepris de semblables navigations [36] aux dépens +de noz Roys. Mais il mõtre par effect quelle est son intentiõ, si bien +qu'on n'en peut point douter, & ne hazarderez rien maintenant quand +vôtre Majesté l'employera à bon escient à l'amplificatiõ de la religion +Chrétienne és terres Occidentales d'outre mer. Vous reconoissez son +zele, le vôtre est incomparable, mais il faut aviser où se pourra +mieux faire vôtre emploite. Ie louë les Princesses & Dames qui depuis +quinze ans ont dõné de leurs biens pour le repos de ceux ou celles qui +se veulent sequestrer du monde. Mais i'estime (sauf correction) que +leur pieté seroit plus illustre si elle se montroit envers ces pauvres +peuples Occidentaux qui gemissent, & dont le defaut d'instruction crie +vengeance à Dieu contre ceux qui les peuvent ayder à estre Chrétiens, +& ne le font pas. Vne Royne de Castille a esté cause que la religion +Chrétienne a esté portée és terres que tient l'Hespagnol en Occident: +faites ô lumiere des Roynes du monde, que par vous bientot on oye +eclater le nom de Dieu par tout ce monde nouveau où il n'est point +encore coneu. Or reprenant le fil de mõ [37] Histoire, puisque nous +avons parlé du voyage dudit Sieur de Poutrincourt, il ne sera point +hors de propos si apres avoir touché les incommodités & longueurs de sa +navigation, qui l'ont reculé d'vn an, nous disons vn mot du retour de +son vaisseau. Ce qui sera bref, d'autant qu'ordinairement sont bréves +les navigations qui se font des terres Occidentales en deça hors le +Tropique du Cancre. [_Liv. 1. ch._ 24. & _li._ 2. _ch._ 41. & 42.] +I'ay rendu la raison de cela en mon Histoire de la Nouvelle-France, +où ie renvoye le Lecteur: comme aussi pour sçavoir la raison pourquoy +en Eté la mer y est remplie de brumes en telle sorte que pour vn jour +serein il y en a deux de broüillas: & deux fois m'y suis trouvé parmi +des brumes de huict jours entiers. [_Que c'est ce Banc Voy la dite +Histoire liv._ 2. _chap._ 24.] Ceci e esté cause que ledit Sieur de +Poutrincourt renvoyant son fils en France pour faire nouvelle charge, +il a demeuré aussi long temps à gaigner le grand Banc aux Moruës +depuis le Port Royal, comme à gaigner la France depuis ledit Banc: & +toutefois depuis icelui Banc jusques à la terre de France il y a huit +cens bonnes lieuës: & de là méme jusques audit Port Royal il n'y en +a gueres [38] plus de trois cens. C'est sur ledit Banc qu'on trouve +ordinairement tout l'Eté force navires qui font la Pecherie des Moruës +qu'on apporte pardeça, lesquelles on appelle Moruës de Terre-neuve. +Ainsi le fils dudit Sieur de Poutrincourt (dit le Baron de Sainct +Iust) arrivãt audit Banc fit provision de viande freche, & pecherie +de poisson. [_La maniere de cette pecherie, voy au lieu sus-dit._] En +quoy faisant il eut en rencontre vn navire Rochelois & vn autre du +Havre de Grace, d'où il eut nouvelles de la mort lamentable de nôtre +defunct bon Roy, sans sçavoir par qui, ni comment. Mais apres eut en +rencontre vn autre navire Anglois, d'où il entendit la méme chose, +accusans du parricide des gens que ie ne veux ici nõmer: car ils le +disoient par haine & envie, n'ayans plus grans adversaires qu'eux. +[_En_ 15. _jours du Banc en France._] En quinze jours donc ledit +Sieur de Sainct Iust fut rendu dudit Banc en France, ayant toujours +eu vent en poupe: navigation certes beaucoup plus agreable que celle +du vingtsixieme de Février mentionnée-ci-dessus. Les gens du Sieur de +Monts partirent du Havre de Grace neuf ou dix jours apres ledit jour +26. Février pour aller à Kebec, 40. lieuës pardela [39] la riviere de +Saguenay, où icelui Sieur de Monts s'est fortifié. Mais ilz furent +contraints de relacher pour les mauvais vents. Et là dessus courut +vn bruit que le Sieur de Poutrincourt estoit peri en mer, & tout son +equipage. A quoy ie n'adjoutay onques foy, croyant pour certain que +Dieu l'aidera, & le fera passer par-dessus toutes difficultez. [_Kebec +Fort du Sieur de Monts._] Nous n'avons encore nouvelles dudit Kebec, & +en attendons bien-tot. Mais ie puis dire pour la verité que si jamais +quelque chose de bon reüssit de la Nouvelle-France la posterité en +aura de l'obligatiõ audit Sieur de Monts autheur de ces choses, auquel +si on n'eust point oté le privilege qui lui avoit esté baillé pour la +traite de Castors & autres pelleteries, aujourd'hui nous aurions force +bestiaux, arbres fruictiers, peuples, & batim[~e]s en ladite province. +Car il a desiré ardamment de voir pardela les affaires etablies à +l'honneur de Dieu & de la France. Et jaçoit qu'on lui ait oté le sujet +de continuer, si ne s'est il point decouragé jusques à present de +faire ce qu'il a peu, ayant fait batir vn Fort audit Kebec, avec des +logemens fort beaux & commodes. En ce lieu de Kebec cette [40] grande & +immense riviere de Canada est reduite à l'étroit, & n'a que la portée +d'vn fauconneau de large, abõdante en poissons autant que riviere du +monde. Pour le pays il est beau à merveilles, & abondant en chasse. +Mais estant en pays plus froid que le port Royal, assavoir quatre +vingtz lieuës plus au Nort, aussi la pelleterie y est elle beaucoup +plus belle. Car (entre autres) les Renars y sont noirs, & d'vn poil si +beau, qu'il semble faire honte à la Martre. Les Sauvages du Port Royal +y peuvent aller en dix ou douze jours par le moyen des rivieres sur +lesquelles ils navigent préque jusques à la source, & de là portans +leurs petits canots d'écorce par quelque espace dans les bois, ils +gaignent vne autre riviere qui va tomber dans ledit fleuve de Canada, +& ainsi expedient bien-tot de lõgs voyages: ce que de nous-mémes ne +sçaurions faire en l'etat qu'est le païs. Et par mer audit Kebec il +y a dudit Port Royal plus de quatre cens lieuës en allant par le Cap +Breton. Ledit Sieur de Monts y auoit envoyé des vaches dés il y a deux +ans & demi, mais faute de quelque femme de village qui entendist le +[41] gouvernement d'icelles, on en a laissé mourir la pluspart en se +dechargeant de leurs veaux. [_Femmes combien necessaires._] En quoy +se reconoit combien vne femme est necessaire en vne maison, laquelle +ie ne sçay pourquoy tant de gens rejettent, & ne s'en peuvent passer. +Quant à moy ie seray toujours d'auis qu'en quelque habitation que ce +soit on ne fera jamais fruit sans la compagnie des femmes. Sans elles +la vie est triste, les maladies viennent, & meurt on sans secours. +C'est pourquoy ie me mocque de ces mysogames qui leur ont voulu tant +de mal, & particulierement i'en veux à ce fol qu'on a mis au nombre +des sept Sages, lequel disoit que la femme est vn mal necessaire, veu +qu'il n'y a bien au monde comparable à elle. [_Ecclesi._ 4 _vers._ 10.] +Aussi Dieu la il baillée _pour compagne à l'homme, afin de l aider +& consoler_: & le Sage dit que _Malheureux est l'hõme qui est seul, +car il n'a personne qui l echauffe, & s'il tombe en la fosse il n'a +personne pour le relever_. Que s'il y a des femmes folles, il faut +estimer que les hommes ne sont point sãs faute. De ce defaut de vaches +plusieurs se sont ressentis, car estant tombés malades ilz n'ont pas +eu toutes les douceurs [42] qu'autrement ils eussent euës, & s'en sont +allez promener aux champs Elisées. [_Conspiration chatiee._] Vn autre +qui auoit esté de nôtre voyage, n'eut point la patience d'attendre +cela, & voulut gaigner le ciel par escalade dés le commencement de +son arrivée, par vne conspiration contre le sieur Champlein son +Capitaine. Les complices furent condemnés aux galeres, & ramenés en +France. [_Voyage aux Iroquois._] L'Eté venu assavoir il y a vn an, +ledit Champlein desireux de voir le païs des Iroquois, afin qu'en +son absence les Sauvages ne se saisissent point de son Fort, il leur +persuada d'aller là faire la guerre, & partirent avec lui & deux autres +François, en nõbre de quatre-vingts ou cent, iusques au lac desdits +Iroquois, à deux c[~e]s lieües loin dudit Kebec. [_Peuples ennemis._] +De tout temps il y a eu guerre entre ces deux nations, comme entre les +Souriquois & Armouchiquois: & se sont quelquefois elevés les Iroquois +jusques au nõbre de huit mille hommes, pour guerroyer & exterminer +tous ceux qui habitoient la grande riviere de Canada: comme il est +à croire qu'ils ont fait, d'autant que là n'est plus aujourd'hui le +langage qui s'y parloit au [43] temps de Iacques Quartier, qui y fut +il y a quatre-vingts ans. [_Guerre._] Ledit Champlein avec ses troupes +arrivé là, ilz ne se peurent si bien cacher qu'ilz ne fussent apperceuz +de ces peuples, qui ont toujours des sentinelles sur les avenües de +leurs ennemis: & s'estans les vns & les autres bien remparés, il fut +convenu entre eux de ne point combattre pour ce jour là, mais de +remettre l'affaire au lendemain. Le temps lors estoit serein: si bien +que l'Aurore n'eut point plutot chassé les ombres de la nuit, que la +rumeur s'emeût par tout le camp. Quelque enfant perdu des Iroquois +ayant voulu sortir de ses rempars, fut transpercé non d'un trait +d'Apollon, ou de l'Archerot aux yeux bendés, mais d'un vray trait +materiel & bien poignant qui le mit à la renverse. Là dessus, la colere +monte au front des offensés & chacun se met en ordre pour attaquer & +se defendre. Comme la troupe des Iroquois s'avançoit, Champlein qui +avoit chargé son mousquet à deux balles, voyant deux Iroquois marcher +devant avec des panaches sur la tête, se douta que c'estoient deux +Capitaines, & voulut s'avancer [44] pour les mirer. Mais les Sauvages +de Kebec l'empecherent, disans: Il n'est pas bon qu'ilz te voyent, +car incontinent, n'ayans point accoutumé de voir telles gens, ilz +s'en fuiront. Mais retire toy derriere le premier rang des nôtres, & +puis quand nous serons prets, tu devanceras. Ce qu'il fit: & par ce +moyen furent les deux Capitaines tout ensemble emportés d'vn coup de +mousquet. [_Victorie._] Lors victoire gaignée. Car chacun se debende, +& ne restoit qu'à poursuivre. [_Tabagie, c'est fest[~i]._] Ce qui fut +fait avec peu de resistance, & emporterent environ cinquante têtes de +leurs ennemis, dont au retour ilz firent de merveilleuses fêtes en +Tabagies, danses, & chansons continuelles, selon leur coutume. + + + + +[7] The Conversion of the Savages who have been baptized in New France +during this year, 1610. + +[_Matth. 24, verse 14._] + +THE unchangeable word of our Savior Jesus Christ bears witness to us +through the lips of saint Matthew that _This Gospel of the kingdom, +shall be preached in the whole world, for a testimony to all nations, +and then shall the consummation come_. History shows that the voice +of the Apostles has resounded for several centuries past throughout +all the old world, although to-day the Christian kingdoms form the +smallest part of it. But as to the new world, discovered some hundred +and twenty years ago, we have no proof that the word of God has ever +[8] been proclaimed there prior to these later times; unless we are to +believe the story of Jean de Lery,[5] who says that one day as he was +telling the Brazilians about the great miracles of God in the creation +of the world, and the mysteries of our redemption, an old man told +him that he had heard his grandfather say that, many years before, a +bearded man (Brazilians have no beards) had come among them and had +related something similar; but that they would not listen to him, and +since then had been killing and eating each other. As to the other +countries beyond the sea, some of them have indeed a certain vague +knowledge of the deluge, and of the immortality of the soul, together +with the future reward of those who live aright; but they might have +handed this obscure doctrine down, from generation to generation, since +the universal deluge which happened in the time of Noah. It remains +now to deplore the wretched condition of these people who occupy a +country so large that the old world bears no comparison with it, if we +include the land which lies beyond the straits of Magellan, called [9] +_Terra del fugo_, extending as far toward China and Japan as toward +New Guinea; and also the country beyond the great river of Canada,[6] +which stretches out to the East and is washed by the great Western +ocean. Dense ignorance prevails in all these countries, where there is +no evidence that they have ever felt the breath of the Gospel, except +in this last century when the Spaniard carried thither some light of +the Christian religion, together with his cruelty and avarice.[7] But +this was so little that it should not receive much consideration, since +by the very confession of those who have written their histories, they +have killed almost all the natives of the country, who, only seventy +years ago, according to a certain historian,[8] numbered more than +twenty millions. For more than twenty-five years, the English have +retained a foothold in a country called, in honor of the deceased +Queen of England, Virginia, which lies between Florida and the land +of the Armouchiquois.[9] But that country carries on its affairs with +so much secrecy, that very few persons know [10] anything definite +about it. Soon after I published my History of New France,[10] there +was an embarkation of eight hundred men to be sent there. It is not +reported that they bathed their hands in the blood of those people, for +which they are neither to be praised nor blamed: for there is no law +nor pretext which permits us to kill anyone, whosoever he may be, and +especially the persons whose property we have seized. But they are +to be commended if they show to these poor ignorant people the way of +salvation by the true and unvarnished doctrine of the Gospel. As to our +French people, I have complained enough in my History of the cowardice +of these later times, and of our lack of zeal either in reclaiming +these poor erring ones, or in making known, exalted, and glorified, +the name of God in the lands beyond the seas, where it never has been +proclaimed. And yet we wish that country to bear the name of France, +a name so august and venerable that we cannot, without a feeling of +shame, glory in an un-Christianized France. I know that there are any +number of people who are willing to go there. But why is it that [11] +the Church, which has so much wealth; why is it that the Nobility, who +expend so much needlessly, do not establish some fund for the execution +of so holy a work? Two courageous Gentlemen, Sieurs de Monts and de +Poutrincourt, have in these later times shown such great zeal in this +work, that they have weakened their resources by their outlays, and +have done more than their strength justified them in doing. Both have +continued their voyages up to the present time. But one of them has +been frustrated twice, and has had heavy losses through too great +confidence in the words of certain persons. Now, inasmuch as the latest +news of our New France comes from Sieur de Poutrincourt, we shall speak +here of what he has accomplished, and we have good reason to praise his +courage; for (not being able to live among the crowd of idle men, of +whom we have only too many, and seeing our France seeming to languish +in a monotonous calm that was wearisome to men of action), after having +given a thousand proofs of his valor, during the last twenty-four +years, he sought to crown [12] his truly Herculean labors in the cause +of God, for which he employs his means and strength, and endangers his +life, by increasing the number of celestial citizens, and leading to +the fold of Jesus Christ, our sovereign Shepherd, the wandering sheep, +whom it would be becoming to the Prelates of the Church to go out and +gather in (at least to contribute to this end) since they have the +means of doing so. But with what difficulty has he labored in this +cause up to the present time? Thrice has he crossed the great Ocean +to carry on his enterprises. The first year was passed with sieur de +Monts in seeking a suitable dwelling and a safe port for the withdrawal +of the ships and their crews. In this, they did not meet with much +success. The second year passed in the same way, and then he returned +to France. During the third year, we experimented with the soil, which +yielded abundantly to our cultivation. This present year, discovering +through an unfortunate experience that men are not always to be +trusted, he made up his mind to depend upon no one but himself, and put +to sea on the twenty-sixth of February; the [13] weather being very +unfavorable, he made the longest voyage of which I have ever heard; +certainly our own, three years ago, was tedious enough, when we drifted +about upon the sea for the space of two months and a half before +reaching Port Royal. But this one lasted three whole months, so that +one reckless man was about to mutiny, going so far as to form wicked +conspiracies; but Sieur de Poutrincourt's kindness, and respect for the +place where he lived in Paris, served as a shield to protect his life. +[_Terrir, meaning to discover the land._] The first coast which Sieur +de Poutrincourt discovered was port Mouton; there, among the fogs +which are very common in this sea during the Summer, he encountered +serious dangers, principally in the neighborhood of Cape Sable, +where his ship came near foundering. [_History of New France, book +2, chap. 37, p. 527._] Thence, in trying to reach Port Royal, he was +carried by violent winds forty leagues beyond, namely to the Norombega +river,[11] so celebrated and so fabulously described by Geographers and +Historians, as I have shown in my said History, where this voyage may +be seen in the geographical Chart [14] which I have inserted therein. +Thence he came to the river saint John, which is opposite Port Royal +beyond French Bay,[12] where he found a ship from St. Malo trading with +the Savages of the country. Here complaint was made to him by a Captain +of the Savages, that one of the crew of the said ship had stolen +away his wife and was abusing her: the Sieur informed himself about +the matter and then made a prisoner of the malefactor and seized the +ship.[13] But he released the ship and the sailors, contenting himself +by retaining the guilty one, who escaped, however, in a shallop, and +went off with the Savages, prejudicing them against the French, as we +shall relate hereafter. Arrived at last at Port Royal, it is impossible +to describe the joy with which these poor people received the Sieur and +his company. And, in truth, there was still greater reason for this +joy, since they had lost all hope of ever again seeing the French live +among them. They had had some experience of our kind treatment while we +were there, and, seeing themselves deprived of it, they wept bitterly +when we left them three years ago. + +This Port Royal, the home [15] of sieur de Poutrincourt, is the most +beautiful earthly habitation that God has ever made. It is fortified +upon the North by a range of 12 or 15 leagues of mountains, upon +which the Sun beats all day, and by hills on the Southern or Meridian +shore, which forms a port that can securely harbor twenty thousand +ships, being twenty fathoms deep at its entrance, a league and a half +in width, and four leagues long, extending to an island which is a +French league in circumference: here I have sometimes seen swimming +at ease a medium-sized Whale, which came in with the tide at eight +o'clock every morning. Furthermore, there can be caught in this +port, in their season, great quantities of herring, smelt, sardines, +barbels, codfish, seals and other fish; and as to shell-fish, there +is an abundance of lobsters, crabs, palourdes,[14] cockles, mussels, +snails, and porpoises. But whoever is disposed to go beyond the tides +of the sea will find in the river quantities of sturgeon and salmon, +and will have plenty of sport in landing them. Now, to return to our +story; When Sieur de Poutrincourt arrived [6 i.e. 16] there, he found +his buildings entire, the Savages (as these people have been called up +to the present) not having touched them in any way, even the furniture +remaining as we had left it. Anxious about their old friends, they +asked how they were all getting along, calling each individual by his +name, and asking why such and such a one had not come back. This shows +the great amiability of these people, who, having seen in us only the +most humane qualities, never flee from us, as they do from the Spaniard +in this whole new world. And consequently by a certain gentleness and +courtesy, which are as well known to them as to us, it is easy to make +them pliant to all our wishes, and especially so in regard to Religion, +of which we left them some good impressions when we were there; and +they seemed to wish for nothing better than to enroll themselves under +the banner of Jesus Christ, where they would have been received at +once if we had had a firm foothold in the country. But just as we were +hoping to continue [17] the work, it happened that sieur de Monts, +being unable longer to meet the expenses, and not receiving any help +from the King, was obliged to recall all those who were over there, who +had not taken with them the means necessary to a longer sojourn. So it +would have been rash and unwise to administer baptism to people whom +it was necessary afterwards to abandon, and give them an opportunity +to return to their corruption. But now that the work is being carried +on in earnest, and as sieur de Poutrincourt has actually settled +there, it is lawful to impress upon their minds and souls the stamp of +Christianity, after having instructed them in the principal articles of +our Faith. [_Hebrews 11, vers. 6._] Sieur de Poutrincourt is careful +to do this, remembering what the Apostle said, _He that cometh to God, +must believe that he is_; and after believing this, one comes gradually +to ideas which are farther removed from mere sensual apprehension, such +as the belief that out of nothing God created all things, that he made +himself man, that he was born of a Virgin, that he consented to die for +man, etc. And inasmuch as the Ecclesiastics who have been taken over +there, are not [18] familiar with the language of these people, the +Sieur has taken the trouble to teach them and to have them taught by +his eldest son, a young Gentleman who understands and speaks the native +language very well, and who seems to have been destined to open up to +the Savages the way to heaven. The people who are at Port Royal, and +in the adjacent countries extending toward Newfoundland, are called +Souriquois[15] and have a language of their own. But beyond French Bay, +which extends into the land about forty leagues, and is ten or twelve +leagues wide, the people on the other side are called Etechemins; and +still farther away are the Armouchiquois, whose language is different +from that of the Etechemins, and who are fortunate in having an +abundance of vines and large grapes, if they only knew how to make use +of this fruit, which they believe (as did our ancient Gauls) to be +poisonous. [_Ammianus Marcellinus._] They also have excellent hemp, +which grows wild, and in quality and appearance is much superior to +ours. Besides this they have Sassafras, and a great abundance of oak, +walnut, plum and chestnut trees, and other fruits which are unknown to +us. As to Port Royal, I must confess that there is not [19] much fruit +there; and yet the land is productive enough to make us hope from it +all that Gallic France yields to us. All these tribes are governed by +Captains called Sagamores, a word used with the same signification in +the East Indies, as I have read in the History by Maffeus,[16] and +which I believe comes from the Hebrew word _Sagan_, which, according +to Rabbi David, means Great Prince, and sometimes means the one who +holds the second place after the sovereign Pontiff. [_Isaiah 41, vers. +25, Jerem. 51, vers. 23, Santes Pagnin, 9._] In the usual version of +the Bible it is defined "Magistrate," and yet even there the Hebrew +interpreters translate it by the word "Prince." And in fact we read +in Berosus[17] that Noah was called Saga, as much because he was a +great Prince as because he had taught Theology and the ceremonies +of divine service, and also many of the secrets of nature, to the +Armenian Scythians, whom the ancient Cosmographers called "Sages," +after Noah. And perhaps for this very same reason our Tectosages, +who are the Tolosains,[18] are so called. For this good father, who +restored the world, came into Italy and sent [20] a new population +into Gaul after the Deluge, giving his name, Gauls (for Xenophon says +that he was also called by this name), to those whom he sent there, +because he had escaped from the waters. And it is not improbable that +he himself imposed this name upon the Tectosages. Let us return to +our word Sagamore, which is the title of honor given to the Captains +in these new Lands, of which we are speaking. At Port Royal, the name +of the Captain or Sagamore of the place is Membertou.[19] He is at +least a hundred years old, and may in the course of nature live more +than fifty years longer. He has under him a number of families whom he +rules, not with so much authority as does our King over his subjects, +but with sufficient power to harangue, advise, and lead them to war, +to render justice to one who has a grievance, and like matters. He +does not impose taxes upon the people, but if there are any profits +from the chase he has a share of them, without being obliged to take +part in it. It is true that they sometimes make him presents of Beaver +skins and other things, when he is occupied in curing the sick; or in +questioning [21] his demon (whom he calls _Aoutem_) to have news of +some future event or of the absent: for, as each village, or company +of Savages, has an _Aoutmoin_, or Prophet, who performs this office, +Membertou is the one who, from time immemorial, has practiced this art +among his followers. He has done it so well that his reputation is +far above that of all the other Sagamores of the country, he having +been since his youth a great Captain, and also having exercised the +offices of Soothsayer and Medicine-man, which are the three things +most efficacious to the well-being of man, and necessary to this human +life. Now this Membertou to-day, by the grace of God, is a Christian, +together with all his family, having been baptized, and twenty others +with him, on last saint John's day, the 24th of June. I have letters +from Sieur de Poutrincourt about it, dated the eleventh day of July +following. He said Membertou was named after our late good King HENRI +IV., and his eldest son after Monseigneur the Dauphin, to-day our King +LOUIS XIII., whom may God bless. And so, as a natural consequence, the +wife of Membertou [22] was named MARIE after the Queen Regent, and her +daughter received the name of the Queen, MARGUERITE. The second son of +Membertou, called Actaudin, was named PAUL after our holy Father, the +Pope of Rome. The daughter of the aforesaid Louis was named CHRISTINE +in honor of Madame, the eldest sister of the King. And thus to each +one was given the name of some illustrious or notable personage here +in France. A number of other Savages were about to camp elsewhere (as +it is their custom to scatter in bands when summer comes) at the time +of these ceremonies of Christian regeneration, whom we believe to be +to-day enrolled in the family of God by the same cleansing water of +holy baptism.[20] But the devil, who never sleeps, has shown the +jealousy which he felt at the salvation of these people, and at seeing +that the name of God was glorified in this land, by inciting a wicked +Frenchman, not a Frenchman but a Turk, not a Turk but an Atheist, to +divert from the path of righteousness several Savages who had been +Christians in their hearts and [23] souls for three years; and among +others a Sagamore named Chkoudun, a man of great influence, of whom +I have made honorable mention in my History of New France, because I +saw that he, more than all the others, loved the French, and that he +admired our civilization more than their ignorance: to such an extent, +that being present sometimes at the Christian admonitions, which were +given every Sunday to our French people, he listened attentively, +although he did not understand a word; and moreover wore the sign of +the Cross upon his bosom, which he also had his servants wear; and he +had in imitation of us, a great Cross erected in the public place of +his village, called _Oigoudi_, at the port of the river saint John, +ten leagues from Port Royal. Now this man, with others, was turned +away from Christianity, by the cursed avarice of this wicked Frenchman +to whom I have referred above, and whom I do not wish to name now on +account of the love and reverence I bear his father, but I protest that +I will immortalize him if he does not mend his ways. He, I say, in +order to defraud this Sagamore [24], Chkoudun, of a few Beavers, went +last June to bribe him, after having escaped from the hands of Sieur de +Poutrincourt, saying that all this Poutrincourt told them about God was +nonsense, that they need not believe it, that he was an impostor, that +he would kill them and get their Beavers. I omit a great many wicked +stories that he may have added to this. If he were of the religious +belief of those who call themselves Reformed, I might somewhat excuse +him. But he plainly shows that he is neither of the one nor the +other. But I will say, however, that he has reason to thank God for +his escape from imminent peril on our voyage. This Sagamore, being +a Christian, by his good example might have caused a great number of +others to become Christians. But I am willing to hope, or rather firmly +believe, that he will not remain much longer in this error, and that +the Sieur will have found some means of attracting him with many others +to himself, to impress upon him the vital truths with which he had +formerly, in my presence, touched his soul. For the spirit of God has +power to drop upon this field fresh dew, which will bring forth a new +germination where all has been laid waste and beaten down by the hail. +May God, by his grace, guide all in such a way that it will redound +to his glory and to the edification of this people, for whom all +Christians ought to make continual supplication to his divine goodness, +to the end that he may consent to confirm and advance the work, which +he has been pleased to begin at this time for the exaltation of his +name and for the salvation of his creatures.[21] + +END. + +[25] There are in that country some men of the Church, of good +scholarship, whom nothing but their religious zeal has taken there, +and who will not fail to do all that piety requires in this respect. +Now, for the present, there is no need of any learned Doctors who may +be more useful in combating vices and heresies at home. Besides, there +is a certain class of men in whom we cannot have complete confidence, +who are in the habit of censuring everything that is not in harmony +with their maxims, and wish to rule wherever they are. It is enough to +be watched from abroad without having these fault-finders, from whom +even the greatest Kings cannot defend themselves, come near enough to +record every movement of our hearts and souls. And then what would be +the use of so many such men over there at present, unless they wanted +to devote themselves to the cultivation of the soil? For going there +is not all. What they will do, when they get there, must be taken into +consideration. As to Sieur de Poutrincourt's residence, he provided +himself at his departure with everything that was necessary. But if +a few honest people were seized with a desire to [26] advance the +cause of the Gospel there, I would advise them to make up five or six +parties, each one having a well-equipped ship, and to go and establish +colonies in different parts of New France, as at Tadoussac, Gachepé, +Campseau, la Héve, Oigoudi, Ste. Croix, Pemptegoet, Kinibeki, and in +other places, where there are assemblages of Savages, whom time must +lead to the Christian Religion: unless the head of some great family, +like the King, wishes to have the sole glory of peopling these lands. +For to think of living as the Savages do seems to me out of all reason. +And to prove this, the following is an example of their way of living: +[_Manner of living of the Souriquois and Ethechemins._] From the first +land (which is Newfoundland) to the country of the Armouchiquois, +a distance of nearly three hundred leagues, the people are nomads, +without agriculture, never stopping longer than five or six weeks in +a place. Pliny mentions a certain people called Ichthyophagi, i.e., +Fish-eaters, living in the same way. These Savages get their living in +this manner during three seasons of the year. For, when Spring comes, +they divide into bands upon the shores of the sea, until [27] Winter; +and then as the fish withdraw to the bottom of the great salt waters, +they seek the lakes and the shades of the forests, where they catch +Beavers, upon which they live, and other game, as Elk, Caribou, Deer, +and still smaller animals. And yet, sometimes even in Summer, they do +not give up hunting: besides, there are an infinite number of birds on +certain islands in the months of May, June, July and August. [_Their +beds._] As to their beds, a skin spread out upon the ground serves as +mattress. And in this we have nothing to jest about, for our old Gallic +ancestors did the same thing, and even dined from the skins of dogs +and wolves, if Diodorus and Strabo tell the truth. [_Armouchiquois._] +But as to the Armouchiquois and Iroquois countries, there is a greater +harvest to be gathered there by those who are inspired by religious +zeal, because they are not so sparsely populated, and the people +cultivate the soil, from which they derive some of the comforts of +life. It is true that they do not understand very well how to make +bread, not having mills, yeast, or ovens; so they pound their corn in +a kind of [28] mortar, and make a paste of it as best they can, and +bake it between two stones heated at the fire; or they roast this corn +on the ear upon the live coals, as did the old Romans, according to +Pliny. [_Pliny, book 18, chap. 2 and 10._] Afterwards people learned +to bake cakes under the embers; and still later bakers began to make +use of ovens. Now these people who cultivate the soil are stationary, +not like the others who have nothing of their own, just as the Germans +in the time of Tacitus, who has described their ancient way of living. +[_Iroquois._] Farther inland, and beyond the Armouchiquois, are the +Iroquois tribes, also stationary, because they till the soil, whence +they gather maize wheat (or Buckwheat), beans, edible roots, and in +short all that we have mentioned in describing the Armouchiquois, even +more, for from necessity they draw their sustenance from the earth, +as they are far from the sea. However, they have a great lake in their +country, of wonderful extent, perhaps about sixty leagues, around which +they encamp. [_New Mexico._] In this lake there are large and beautiful +islands inhabited by the Iroquois, who are a great people; the farther +[29] we penetrate into the country, the more we find it inhabited: so +much so that (if we can believe the Spaniards) in the country called +New Mexico, a long distance to the Southwest of these Iroquois, there +are regularly built cities and houses of three and four stories, and +even domesticated cattle, whence they have named a certain river, _Rio +de las Vaccas_, or Cow river, because they saw a large number of them +grazing on its banks. [_A great lake beyond Canada._] And this country +is more than five hundred leagues directly to the north of old Mexico, +being near, I believe, the end of the great lake of the river of Canada +which (according to the Savages) is a thirty days' journey in length. +I believe that robust and hardy men could live among these people, and +do great work for the advancement of the Christian Religion. But as to +the Souriquois and Etechemins, who are nomadic and divided, they must +be made sedentary by the cultivation of the land, thus obliging them to +remain in one place. For any one who has taken the trouble to cultivate +a piece of land does not readily abandon it, but struggles valiantly +to keep it. [30] But, I think, the execution of this plan will be very +slow unless we take hold of it with more zeal, and unless a King, or +some rich Prince, take this cause in hand, which is certainly worthy +a most Christian kingdom. [_Conquest of Palestine compared with that +of New France._] Great expense and loss of life were once incurred +in the re-conquest of Palestine, from which there was little profit; +and to-day at slight expense wonders could be accomplished, and an +infinite number of people won over to God, without striking a blow: +and yet we are touched by an inexplicable apathy in religious matters, +which is quite different from the fervid zeal, which of old burned in +the bosoms of our fathers. If we did not expect any temporal fruit +from these labors, I would pardon this human weakness. But there are +such well-founded hopes of good usury, that they close the mouths of +all the enemies of that country, who decry it in order not to lose the +traffic in Beaver and other furs from which they gain a livelihood, and +without which they would die of starvation or would not know what to +do. [_Appeal to the King and the Queen Regent._] But if the King and +the Queen Regent, his mother, in whom God has kindled a fire of piety, +should be pleased to take an interest in this (as she has certainly +done in the report of the Conversion of the Savages, baptized through +the [31] instrumentality of Sieur de Poutrincourt) and would leave some +memorial of herself, or rather would secure for herself the blessedness +of heaven by this most godly act, no one can tell how great would be +her future glory in being the first to establish the Gospel in such +vast territories, which (so to speak) have no bounds. If Helena, the +mother of the Emperor Constantine, had found such a field for good +work, she would have greatly preferred to glorify God with living +temples, instead of building so many marble edifices, with which she +has filled the holy land. And, after all, the hope of temporal profit +is not vain. For on one hand Sieur de Poutrincourt will continue to be +the servant of the King in the country which his Majesty has granted +him; where he would afford a rendezvous and give assistance to all the +vessels which go every year to the new World, where they encounter +a thousand hardships and, as we have seen and heard, great numbers of +them are lost. [_Means of reaching the Moluccas through the Northern +route._] On the other hand, penetrating into the country, we might +become familiar with the route to China and the Moluccas, through +a mild climate and latitude, establishing a few stations, or [32] +settlements, at the Falls of the great Canadian river, then at the +lakes which are beyond, the last of which is not far from the great +Western sea, through which the Spaniards to-day reach the Orient. Or, +indeed, the same enterprise could be carried on through the Saguenay +river, beyond which the Savages say there is a sea of which they have +never seen the end, which is without doubt that Northern passage that +has been so long sought in vain. [_Advantages._] So that we could have +spices and other drugs without begging them from the Spaniards, and +the profits derived from us upon these commodities would remain in +the hands of the King, not counting the advantages of having hides, +pasturage, fisheries, and other sources of wealth. But we must sow +before we can reap. In this work we could give employment to many of +the youth of France, a part of whom languish in poverty or in idleness: +while others go to foreign countries to teach the trades which in +former times belonged strictly and peculiarly to us, and by means of +which France was filled with prosperity; whereas, to-day, a long period +of peace has not yet been able to restore to her her former glory, as +much [33] for the reasons just given, as for the number of idle men, +and of able-bodied and voluntary mendicants, whom the public supports. +[_Chicanery._] Among these obstacles we may place also the evil of +chicanery, which preys upon our nation, and which has always been a +reproach to it. [_Ammianus Marcellinus._] This would be somewhat +obviated by frequent voyages; for a part of these pettifoggers would +sooner conquer some new land, remaining under the dominion of the King, +than follow up their cause here with so much loss, delay, anxiety, and +labor. [_Happiness of the Savages._] And, in this respect, I consider +all these poor savages, whom we commiserate, to be very happy; for pale +Envy doth not emaciate them, neither do they feel the inhumanity of +those who serve God hypocritically, harassing their fellow-creatures +under this mask; nor are they subject to the artifices of those who, +lacking virtue and goodness wrap themselves up in a mantle of false +piety to nourish their ambition. If they do not know God, at least they +do not blaspheme him, as the greater number of Christians do. Nor do +they understand the art of poisoning, or of corrupting [34] chastity by +devilish artifice. There are no poor nor beggars among them. All are +rich, because all labor and live. But among us it is very different, +for more than half of us live from the labors of the others, having +no trades which serve to the support of human life. [_Opportunities +for emigrants to New France._] If that country were settled, there are +men who would do there what they have not courage to do here. Here +they would not dare to be wood-cutters, husbandmen, vinedressers, +etc., because their fathers were pettifoggers, barber-surgeons, and +apothecaries. But over yonder they would forget their fear of being +ridiculed, and would take pleasure in cultivating their land, having a +great many companions of as good families as theirs. Cultivating the +soil is the most innocent of occupations and the most sure; it was +the occupation of those from whom we have all descended, and of those +brave Roman Captains who knew how to subjugate, but not how to be +subjugated. But now, since pomp and malice have been introduced among +men, what was virtue has been turned into reproach, and idlers have +risen into favor. [_To the Queen._] However, let us leave these people, +and return to Sieur de Poutrincourt, or rather to you, O most Christian +Queen, [35] the greatest and most cherished of heaven, whom the eye of +the world looks down upon in its daily round about this universe. You +who have the control of the most noble Empire here below, how can you +see a Gentleman so full of good will, without employing and helping +him? Will you let him carry off the greatest honor in the world when +it might have been yours, and will you let the triumph of this affair +remain with him and not share in it yourself? No, no, Madame, all must +proceed from you, and as the stars borrow their light from the sun, so +upon the King, and upon you who have given him to us, all the great +deeds of the French depend. We must then anticipate this glory, and not +yield it to another, while you have a Poutrincourt, a loyal Frenchman +who served the late lamented King, your Husband (may God give him +absolution), in affairs of State which are not recorded in history. In +revenge for which his house and property passed through the ordeal of +fire. He is not crossing the Ocean to see the country, as have nearly +all the others who have undertaken similar voyages [36] at the expense +of our Kings. But he shows so plainly what his intentions are, that we +cannot doubt them, and your Majesty will risk nothing by employing him +in earnest for the propagation of the Christian religion in the Western +lands beyond the sea. You recognize his zeal, your own is incomparable; +but you must take thought as to how you may best employ it. I commend +the Princesses and Ladies who for fifteen years have given of their +means for the repose of those men or women who wished to sequester +themselves from the world. But I believe (under correction) that their +piety would shine with greater luster if it were shown in behalf of +these poor Western nations, who are in a lamentable condition, and +whose lack of instruction cries to God for vengeance against those +who might help them to become Christians, and will not. A Queen of +Castille caused the Christian religion to be introduced into the lands +of the West which belong to Spain; so act, O light of the Queens of the +world, that through your instrumentality, the name of God may soon be +proclaimed throughout all this new world; where it is not yet known. +Now resuming the thread of our [37] History, as we have spoken of the +voyage of Sieur de Poutrincourt, it will not be out of place, if, after +having touched upon the hardships and tediousness of his journey, +which retarded him one year, we say a word about the return of his +ship, which will be brief, inasmuch as the voyages from the Western +world, this side of the Tropic of Cancer, are usually so. [_Book 1, +ch. 24, and book 2, ch. 41 and 42._] I have given the reason for this +in my History of New France, to which I refer the Reader, where he +will also learn why it is that in Summer the sea there is overhung +with fogs to such an extent that for one clear day there are two foggy +ones; and twice we were in fogs which lasted eight entire days. [_For +these Banks, see the said History, book 2, ch. 24._] This is why Sieur +de Poutrincourt's son, when he was sent back to France for fresh +supplies, was as long in reaching the great Codfish Banks from Port +Royal, as in getting to France from the said Banks; and yet from these +Banks to the coast of France there are eight hundred good leagues; +and thence to Port Royal there are hardly [38] more than three +hundred. It is upon these Banks that a great many ships are usually +found all the Summer, fishing for Cod, which are brought to France +and are called Newfoundland Codfish. [_For their manner of fishing, +see the above-mentioned place._] So Sieur de Poutrincourt's son (who +is called Baron de Sainct Just), on arriving at these Banks, laid in +a supply of fresh meat and fish. While doing this he met a ship from +Rochelle and another from Havre de Grace, whence he heard the news of +the lamentable death of our late good King, without knowing by whom or +how he was killed. But afterwards he met an English ship from which he +heard the same thing, certain persons being accused of this parricide +whom I will not here name; for they brought this accusation through +hatred and envy, being great enemies of those whom they accused. [_In +15 days from the Banks to France._] So in fifteen days Baron de Sainct +Just made the distance between the Banks and France, always sailing +before the wind; a voyage certainly much more agreeable than that of +the twenty-sixth day of February mentioned above. Sieur de Monts's +crew left Havre de Grace nine or ten days after this twenty-sixth +of February to go to Kebec, forty leagues beyond [39] the Saguenay +river, where Sieur de Monts has fortified himself. But contrary winds +compelled them to put into port. And thereupon a report was circulated +that Sieur de Poutrincourt was lost in the sea with all his crew. I +did not believe this for an instant, trusting that God would help him +and would enable him to surmount all difficulties. [_Kebec, Sieur de +Monts's fort._] We have as yet no news from Kebec, but expect to hear +from there soon. I can say truly that if ever any good comes out of New +France, posterity will be indebted for it to Sieur de Monts, author of +these enterprises: and if they had not taken away the license which +was granted him to trade in Beaver and other skins, to-day we should +have had a vast number of cattle, fruit-trees, people, and buildings +in the said province. For he earnestly desired to see everything +established there to the honor of God and of France. And, although he +has been deprived of the motive for continuing, yet up to the present +he does not seem discouraged in doing what he can; for he has had built +at Kebec a Fort and some very good and convenient dwellings. Here at +Kebec this [40] great and mighty river of Canada narrows down and is +only a falcon-shot wide; it has as great a supply of fish as any river +in the world. As to the country, it is wonderfully beautiful, and +abounds in game. But being in a colder region than port Royal, since it +is eighty leagues farther North, the fur there is all the finer. For +(among other animals) the Foxes are black and of such beautiful fur +that they seem to put the Martens to shame. The Savages of Port Royal +can go to Kebec in ten or twelve days by means of the rivers, which +they navigate almost up to their sources; and thence, carrying their +little bark canoes for some distance through the woods, they reach +another stream which flows into the river of Canada, and thus greatly +expedite their long voyages, which we ourselves could not do in the +present state of the country. And from Port Royal to Kebec by sea it +is more than four hundred leagues, going by way of Cape Breton. Sieur +de Monts sent some cows there two years and a half ago, but for want +of some village housewife who understood [41] taking care of them, +they let the greater part die in giving birth to their calves. [_The +need of women._] Which shows how necessary a woman is in a house, +and I cannot understand why so many people slight them, although they +cannot do without them. For my part, I shall always believe that, in +any settlement whatsoever, nothing will be accomplished without the +presence of women. Without them life is sad, sickness comes, and we die +uncared-for. Therefore I despise those woman-haters who have wished +them all sorts of evil, which I hope will overtake that lunatic in +particular, who has been placed among the number of the seven Sages, +who said that woman is a necessary evil, since there is no blessing +in the world to be compared to her. [_Ecclesiastes 4, verse 10._] +Therefore God gave her _as a companion to man, to aid and comfort him_: +and the Wise Man says:--_Woe to him that is alone, for when he falleth, +he hath none to lift him up. And if two lie together, they shall warm +one another_. If there are some worthless women, we must remember that +men are not faultless. Several suffered because of this lack of cows, +for, when they fell ill they did not have all the comforts [42] that +they would have had otherwise, and so they have departed to the Elysian +fields. [_A conspiracy punished._] Another, who had been with us on the +voyage, did not have the patience to wait for death, but must needs +go to heaven by scaling the walls, as soon as he arrived there, by a +conspiracy against sieur de Champlein, his Captain. His accomplices +were condemned to the galleys and sent back to France. [_Journey to the +land of the Iroquois._] When Summer came, that is a year ago, Champlein +wishing to see the country of the Iroquois, to prevent the Savages +from seizing his Fort in his absence, persuaded them to go and make +war against them; so they departed with him and two other Frenchmen, +to the number of eighty or a hundred, to the lake of the Iroquois, +two hundred leagues distant from Kebec. [_Hostile nations._] There has +always been war between these two nations, as there has been between +the Souriquois and Armouchiquois: and sometimes the Iroquois have +raised as many as eight thousand men to war against and exterminate all +those who live near the great river of Canada: and it seems that they +did this, as to-day the language which was spoken in the [43] time of +Jacques Quartier, who was there eighty years ago, is no longer heard +in that region.[22] [_War._] When Champlein arrived there with his +troops, they could not conceal themselves so well but that they were +perceived by the Iroquois, who always have sentinels upon the routes +of their enemies: and each side being well fortified, it was agreed +among them not to fight that day, but to postpone the affair until +the morrow. The weather then was very clear; so clear that scarcely +had Aurora chased away the shadows of the night, than a din was heard +throughout the camp. An Iroquois skirmisher having tried to issue from +the fortifications, was pierced through, not by one of the arrows of +Apollo, nor of the little Archer with the blindfolded eyes, but by a +genuine and very painful arrow, which stretched him out upon his back. +Thereupon the eyes of the offended were full of ire, and each one takes +his place in the line of attack and defense. As the band of Iroquois +advances, Champlein, who had charged his musket with two balls, seeing +two Iroquois, their heads adorned with feathers, marching on in front, +supposed they were two Captains, and wanted to advance [44] and aim at +them. But the Kebec Savages prevented him, saying:--"It is not well +that they should see thee, for, never having been accustomed to see +such people as thou art, they would immediately run away. But withdraw +behind our first rank, and when we are ready, thou shalt advance." He +did so, and in this way the two Captains were both slain by one musket +shot. [_Victory._] Victory ensued at once. For they all disbanded, and +it only remained to pursue them. [_Tabagie is celebrated._] This was +done with little opposition, and they carried off some fifty of their +enemies' heads, a triumph which, upon their return, they celebrated +with great festivities, consisting of continual Tabagies,[23] dances, +and chants, according to their custom.[24] + + + + +[45] Extrait dv Regitre de Bapteme de l'Eglise dv Port Royal en la +Nouvelle France. Le iovr Sainct Iehan Baptiste 24. de Iuin. + + +MEMBERTOV grand Sagamos âgé de plus de cent ans a esté baptizé par +Messire Iessé Fleche Pretre, & nommé HENRY par Monsieur de Poutrincourt +au nom du Roy. + +2. MEMBERTOVCOICHIS (dit Iudas) fils ainé de Membertov âgé de plus de +60. ans, aussi baptizé, & nommé LOVIS par Monsieur de Biencour au nom +de Monsieur le Dauphin. + +3. Le fils ainé de Membertoucoichis dit à present Louïs Membertou, âgé +de cinq ans, baptizé & tenu par Monsieur de Poutrincourt, qui l'a nomme +IEHAN de son nom. + +4. La fille ainée dudit Louïs âgée de treze ans aussi baptizée, & +nommée CHRISTINE par ledit Sieur de Poutrincourt au nom de Madame la +fille ainée de France. + +5. La seconde fille dudit Louïs âgée d'onze ans aussi baptizée, & +nommée ELIZABETH par ledit sieur de Poutrincourt au nom de Madame la +fille puisnée de France. + +6. La troisieme fille dudit Louïs tenuë par ledit Sieur de Poutrincourt +au nom de Madame sa femme aussi baptizée, nommée CLAVDE. + +7. La 4. fille dudit Louïs tenuë par Monsieur de Coullogne pour +Madamoiselle sa mere, a eu nom CATHERINE. + +8. La 5. fille dudit Louïs a eu nom IEHANNE ainsi nõmée par ledit sieur +de Poutrincourt au nõ d'une de ses filles. [46] + +9. La 6. fille dudit Louïs tenuë par René Maheu a esté nommée CHARLOTTE +du nom de sa mere. + +10. ACTAVDINECH, troisieme fils dudit Henri Membertou a esté nommé PAVL +par ledit sieur de Poutrincourt au nom du Pape Paul. + +11. La femme dudit Paul a esté nommée RENEE du nom de Madame +d'Ardanville. + +12. La femme dudit Henri a esté tenuë par ledit sieur de Poutrincourt +au nom de la Royne, & nommée MARIE de son nom. + +13. La fille dudit Henri tenuë par ledit sieur de Poutrincourt, & +nommée MARGVERITE au nom de la Royne Marguerite. + +14. L'vne des femmes dudit Louïs tenuë par Monsieur de Iouï pour Madame +de Sigogne, nommée de son nom. + +15. L'autre femme dudit Louïs tenuë par ledit sieur de Poutrincourt au +nom de Madame de Dampierre. + +16. ARNEST cousin dudit Henri a esté tenu par ledit sieur de +Poutrincourt au nom de Monsieur le Nonce, & nommé ROBERT de son nom. + +17. AGOVDEGOVEN aussi cousin dudit Henri a esté nommé NICOLAS par +ledit sieur de Poutrincourt au nom de Monsieur des Noyers Advocat au +Parlement de Paris. + +18. La femme dudit Nicolas tenuë par ledit sieur de Poutrincourt au nom +de Monsieur son neveu, a eu nom PHILIPPE. + +19. La fille ainée d'icelui Nicolas tenuë par le dit Sieur pour Madame +de Belloy sa niepce, & nommée LOVISE de son nom. + +20. La puis-née dudit Nicolas tenuë par ledit sieur pour Iacques de +Salazar son fils, a esté nommée IACQVELINE. + +21. Vne niepce dudit Henri tenuë par Monsieur de Coullongne au nom de +Madamoiselle de Grandmare, & nommée ANNE de son nom. + +LOVÉ SOIT DIEV. + + + + +[45] Extract from the Register of Baptism in the Church of Port Royal, +New France. The day of Saint John the Baptist, June 24. + + +MEMBERTOU, a great Sagamore, over one hundred years old, has been +baptized by Messire Jessé Fleche,[25] a priest; and named HENRY, by +Monsieur de Poutrincourt, after the late king. + +2. MEMBERTOUCOICHIS (called Judas), eldest son of Membertou, over sixty +years old, also baptized; and named LOUIS, by Monsieur de Biencour, +after Monsieur the Dauphin. + +3. The eldest son of Membertoucoichis, now called Louis Membertou, aged +five years, baptized; Monsieur de Poutrincourt godfather, and named +JOHN, after himself. + +4. The eldest daughter of said Louis, aged thirteen years, also +baptized; and named CHRISTINE by Sieur de Poutrincourt, after Madame +the eldest daughter of France. + +5. The second daughter of the said Louis, eleven years old, also +baptized; and named ELIZABETH by sieur de Poutrincourt, after Madame, +the youngest daughter of France. + +6. The third daughter of said Louis, Sieur de Poutrincourt godfather, +also baptized, and named CLAUDE, in honor of his wife. + +7. The fourth daughter of said Louis, Monsieur de Coullogne godfather, +was named CATHERINE, after his mother. + +8. The fifth daughter of said Louis was named JEANNE, thus named by +sieur de Poutrincourt, after one of his daughters. [46] + +9. The sixth daughter of said Louis, René Maheu godfather, was named +CHARLOTTE, after his mother. + +10. ACTAVDINECH, the third son of Henry Membertou, was named PAUL by +sieur de Poutrincourt, after Pope Paul. + +11. The wife of said Paul was named RENÉE, after Madame d'Ardanville. + +12. The wife of said Henry, sieur de Poutrincourt sponsor in the name +of the Queen, was named MARIE, after her. + +13. The daughter of Henry, sieur de Poutrincourt godfather, was named +MARGUERITE, after Queen Marguerite. + +14. One of the wives of Louis, Monsieur de Jouï sponsor in the name of +Mme. de Sigogne, was named after her. + +15. The other wife of Louis, sieur de Poutrincourt sponsor in the name +of Madame de Dampierre. + +16. ARNEST, cousin of Henry, sieur de Poutrincourt godfather in the +name of Monsieur the Nuncio, was after him named ROBERT. + +17. AGOVDEGOVEN, also cousin of Henry, was by sieur de Poutrincourt +named NICHOLAS, after Monsieur de Noyers, a Lawyer of the Parliament of +Paris. + +18. The wife of said Nicholas, sieur de Poutrincourt godfather in the +name of his nephew, was named PHILIPPE. + +19. The eldest daughter of Nicholas, the said Sieur sponsor in the name +of Madame de Belloy, his niece, was after her named LOUISE. + +20. The younger daughter of Nicholas, the said sieur being godfather +for Jacques de Salazar, his son, was named JACQUELINE. + +21. A niece of Henry, Monsieur de Coullongne sponsor in the name of +Mademoiselle de Grandmare, was after her named ANNE. + +PRAISED BE GOD. + + + + + II + + BERTRAND'S LETTRE MISSIVE + + Touchant la Conversion et Baptesme du grand Sagamos + + Paris: JEAN REGNOUL, 1610 + + SOURCE: Title-page and text reprinted from original in Lenox Library. + + + + + LETTRE MISSIVE, + TOVCHANT LA + CONVERSION ET BAPTESME + du grand Sagamos de + la nouuelle Frãce, qui en estoit + auparauant l'arriuée des François + le chef & souuerain. + + _Contenant sa promesse d'amener ses subjets + à la mesme Conuersion, ou les y contraindre + par la force des armes._ + + Enuoyée du Port Royal de la nouuelle + France au S^{R} de la Tronchaie, dattée + du 28. Iuin 1610. + + [Illustration] + + A PARIS, + + CHEZ IEAN REGNOVL, ruë du Foin, + pres sainct Yues. + + 1610. + + _Auec permission._ + + + + + A LETTER MISSIVE + IN REGARD TO THE + CONVERSION AND BAPTISM + of the grand Sagamore of New + France, who was, before the arrival + of the French, its chief + and sovereign. + + _Containing his promise to secure the conversion + of his subjects also, even by + strength of arms._ + + Sent from Port Royal, in New France, to + Sieur de la Tronchaie, dated + June 28, 1610. + + PARIS, + + JEAN REGNOUL, Rue du Foin, + near Saint Ives. + + 1610. + + _With permission_. + + + + +[3] Lettre Missive, Tovchant la Conversion et Baptesme du Grand +Sagamos de la nouuelle France, qui en estoit auparauant l'arriuée des +François chef & souuerain. + + +MONSIEVR & Frere, Ie n'ay voulu laisser partir le nauire sans vous +faire sçauoir des nouuelles de ce païs que ie croy aurez agreables, +d'autant que ie sçay, qu'estes bon Catholique, C'est que le Grand +Sagamos, qui se dit en nostre langue Grand Capitaine des Sauuages, & le +premier de tous, s'est fait baptiser le iour de la sainct Iean Baptiste +derniere, [4] auec sa femme, ses enfans, & enfans de ses enfans, +iusques au nombre de vingt: auec autant de ferueur, ardeur & zele à la +Religion que pourroit faire vn qui y auroit esté instruict depuis trois +ou quatre ans: Il promet faire baptizer les autres, autrement qu'il +leur fera la guerre: Monsieur de Poutrincourt & Monsieur son fils les +ont tenus au nom du Roy, & de Monseigneur le Dauphin. [_Les nouvelles +de la mort du Roy n'estoi[~e]t encores en ce pays là._] C'est desia vn +beau commencement, ie croy que cy apres ce sera encores mieux: Quant +au pays, iamais ie n'ay veu rien de si beau, meilleur ny plus fertile, +& vous dis auec verité, & sans mentir, que si i'auois trois ou quatre +Laboureurs maintenant auec moy, & [5] pour les nourrir vne année, & +du bled pour ensemencer le labourage qu'ils pourroient faire de leurs +bras seulement, du surplus qui me reuiendroit apres leur nourriture, +i'espererois faire trafiq tous les ans de sept ou huict mille liures +en Castors & Pelleterie: Ie suis bien marry auant que partir que ie ne +sçauois ce que ie sçay, i'eusse employé le verd & le sec ou i'en eusse +amené deux ou trois, & deux muids de bled qui est peu de chose: Vous +asseurant qu'il fait beau trafiquer par deçà & faire vn beau gain: Si +vous voulez y entendre, mandez moy vostre volonté par ce porteur qui +desire retourner & faire trafiq, suiuant ce qu'il a veu. Ie ne vous [6] +en diray dauantage, sinon que ie prieray Dieu Monsieur & frere vous +donner en parfaicte santé tres-longue vie. De la nouuelle France, du +Port Royal ce xxviij. Iuin, 1610. + + _Vostre tres-affectionné Frere & seruiteur_ + + BERTRAND. + + + + +[3] A Letter Missive in regard to the Conversion and Baptism of the +Grand Sagamore of new France, who was, before the arrival of the +French, its chief and sovereign. + + +SIR and Brother, I did not wish the ship to depart without giving you +some news of this country which I believe will be acceptable, as I know +that you are a good Catholic. The Grand Sagamore, whom we call in our +language Grand Captain of the Savages, and chief of all, was baptized +on last saint John the Baptist's day; [4] with his wife, children, and +children's children, to the number of twenty; with as much enthusiasm, +fervor, and zeal for Religion as would have been evinced by a person +who had been instructed in it for three or four years. He promises to +have the others baptized, or else make war upon them. [_The news of the +King's death had not then reached Canada._] Monsieur de Poutrincourt +and his son acted as sponsors for them in the name of the King, and +of Monseigneur the Dauphin. We have already made this good beginning, +which I believe will become still better hereafter. As to the country, +I have never seen anything so beautiful, better, or more fertile; +and I can say to you, truly and honestly, that if I had three or +four Laborers with me now, and [5] the means of supporting them for +one year, and some wheat to sow in the ground tilled by their labor +alone, I should expect to have a yearly trade in Beaver and other +Skins amounting to seven or eight thousand livres, with the surplus +which would remain to me after their support. I am very sorry that I +did not know before my departure what I know now; if I had, I should +have left no stone unturned to bring with me two or three farmers, +and two hogsheads of wheat, which is a mere trifle. I assure you it +is delightful to engage in trade over here and to make such handsome +profits. If you wish to take a hand in it, let me know your intentions +by the bearer, who desires to return and traffic here in pursuance of +what he has seen. I [6] shall say no more, except to pray God to give +you, Sir and Brother, a long life and perfect health. From Port Royal, +New France, this 28th of June, 1610. + + _Your very affectionate Brother and servant_, + BERTRAND. + + + + +[Illustration: FIGVRE DV PORT ROYAL EN LA NOVVELLE FRANCE. Par Marc +Lescarbot. 1609. + +FROM LESCARBOT'S HISTOIRE DE LA NOVVELLE FRANCE; PARIS, 1612. + +(Slightly reduced from original.)] + + + + + III-VI + + + Lettre du P. Pierre Biard, au T. R.-P. Claude + Aquaviva + + Dieppe, Janvier 21, 1611 + + + Lettre du P. Biard, au R.-P. Christophe Baltazar + + Port Royal, Juin 10, 1611 + + + Lettre du P. Ennemond Massé, au T. R.-P. + Aquaviva + + Port Royal, Juin 10, 1611 + + + Lettre du P. Biard, au T. R.-P. Aquaviva + + Port Royal, Juin 11, 1611. + + +SOURCE: Reprinted from _Première Mission des Jésuites au Canada_, by +Auguste Carayon, S. J. Paris: L'Écureux, 1864. + + + + +[1] PREMIÈRE MISSION DES JÉSUITES AU CANADA.[I.] + +Lettre du P. Pierre Biard, au T. R. P. Claude Aquaviva, Général de la +Compagnie de Jésus, à Rome. + +(_Traduite sur l'original latin, conservé dans les Archives du Jésus, à +Rome_). + + + DIEPPE, 21 janvier 1611. + + MON TRÈS-RÉVÉREND PÈRE, + Pax Christi. + +Que je voudrais pouvoir vous raconter combien grandes et nombreuses ont +été, dans notre petite affaire, les miséricordes de Dieu et les fruits +de sa bénédiction et des prières; c'est-à-dire comment [2] nous sommes +sortis de difficultés graves et multipliées, et comment, délivrés de +toute entrave, nous partons pour la Nouvelle-France, lieu de notre [3] +destination, comme Votre Paternité le sait! Elle peut certainement s'en +réjouir avec une grande consolation dans le Seigneur. + +[4] Mais voici déjà minuit sonné, et à la première lueur du jour, nous +mettons à la voile. Je vous donnerai seulement un précis des événements. + +Quand les marchands hérétiques nous virent à Dieppe, au jour fixé pour +le départ, le 27 octobre de l'année dernière, 1610 (nous étions en +effet convenus qu'on partirait de Dieppe), ils imaginèrent un moyen +qu'ils crurent favorable pour nous nuire. Deux d'entre eux avaient fait +un contrat avec M. de Potrincourt pour charger et équiper son navire, +[5] sur lequel nous devions voyager. Ils déclarèrent aussitôt qu'ils ne +voulaient plus s'occuper du vaisseau, s'il devait porter des Jésuites. +C'était une insigne malice, et elle était facile à prouver, surtout +quand les catholiques leur ajoutaient que le devoir ne leur permettait +pas de refuser les Jésuites, puisque c'était l'ordre formel de la Reine. + +On ne put cependant rien gagner sur eux. Il fallut avoir encore recours +à la Reine. Sa Majesté écrit au gouverneur de la ville, catholique +plein de zèle et de piété, et lui enjoint de signifier aux hérétiques +que c'est sa volonté que les Jésuites soient reçus dans le vaisseau qui +va partir pour la Nouvelle-France, et qu'on n'y mette aucun obstacle. + +A la réception de ces lettres, le gouverneur assemble ce qu'on +appelle le consistoire, c'est-à-dire tous les fidèles disciples de +Calvin. Il donne lecture des lettres de la Reine, et les invite à +l'obéissance.--Quelques-uns, c'est-à-dire ceux qui étaient bons, disent +hautement qu'ils sont eux aussi du même avis, et ils engagent les +marchands à se soumettre; mais ils déclarent que pour eux ils ne sont +maîtres de rien. Tel était leur langage en public; mais en particulier, +un des marchands qui était chargé d'équiper le navire, protesta qu'il +n'y mettrait rien; que la Reine, si elle le voulait, pouvait lui [6] +ôter son droit, mais que pour lui, il ne le céderait pas autrement. + +Que faire? Certainement tout était arrêté; car cette société n'avait +pas de contrat écrit, et ces sortes d'engagements entre gens nobles ne +se mettent pas ordinairement sur papier. On ne pouvait donc pas agir +contre ces hérétiques. + +On s'adresse de nouveau à la Reine. A la vue d'une pareille +effronterie, elle dit en manière de proverbe: "Il ne faut s'abaisser à +prier des vilains"; et elle ajouta que les Pères partiraient une autre +fois. + +Les catholiques consternés déclarent alors aux hérétiques que les +Jésuites ne monteront pas dans ce vaisseau, qu'ils peuvent en +conséquence le fréter, et que, dans tous les cas, si les Jésuites y +prenaient place, ils payeraient auparavant eux-mêmes le prix de la +cargaison. + +Cette assurance une fois donnée, on vit à nu toute la malice des +calvinistes; car ils chargèrent aussitôt le navire complétement et de +marchandises et de toute espèce d'objets, ne pouvant s'imaginer que les +catholiques pussent jamais trouver de quoi payer le prix de tant de +choses. + +A cette nouvelle, Madame la marquise de Guercheville, première dame +d'honneur de la Reine, [7] s'indigna de voir les efforts de l'enfer +prévaloir et la malice des hommes pervers détruire ces grandes +espérances que l'on avait de procurer la gloire de Dieu. C'est +pourquoi, afin que Satan ne demeurât pas le maître et ne renversât pas +l'espoir que l'on avait de fonder une église au Canada, elle sollicita +elle-même les aumônes des Grands, des Princes et de toute la Cour pour +soustraire les Jésuites à la méchanceté des hérétiques. + +Qu'arriva-t-il? Le navire déjà chargé était prêt à prendre la mer, +quand cette dame envoya aux catholiques 4,000 livres avec d'autres +secours. Alors, pour ne pas agir par surprise, ils vont dire +adroitement aux hérétiques qu'ils veulent avoir avec eux les Jésuites, +que telle est la volonté de la Reine, et que, par conséquent, il faut +qu'ils les laissent monter dans le vaisseau, ou bien que les marchands +acceptent le prix de la cargaison et qu'ils se retirent. Ceux-ci +déclarent qu'ils veulent le prix de leurs marchandises (Je crois qu'ils +ne pensaient pas que les catholiques eussent assez d'argent, ou qu'ils +espéraient trouver quelque autre moyen de déjouer leurs projets). On +leur donne le prix demandé, et ce à quoi personne ne se serait attendu, +nous sommes si pleinement substitués à leur place, que la moitié du +bâtiment nous appartient, et que nous avons déjà ce qu'il faut pour +commencer [8] cette fondation que le Seigneur daignera bénir dans sa +générosité et dans sa bonté. + +Ainsi donc, mon Très-Révérend et bon Père, Votre Paternité voit combien +la malice du démon et de ses suppôts a tourné à notre avantage. Nous +ne demandions d'abord qu'un petit coin dans ce vaisseau, et à prix +d'argent; maintenant nous y sommes les maîtres. Nous allions dans une +région déserte, sans grande espérance d'un secours de longue durée, et +nous recevons déjà le commencement de la fondation. Nous étions forcés +d'enrichir les hérétiques d'une partie de nos aumônes, et maintenant +ils renoncent d'eux-mêmes à profiter d'une occasion qui les devait +enrichir. + +Mais je crois que le grand sujet de leur douleur, c'est précisément le +triomphe du Seigneur Jésus; et fasse le ciel qu'il triomphe toujours! +Ainsi soit-il! + +Dieppe, le 21 janvier 1611. + + De Votre Paternité + + Le fils en Jésus-Christ et le serviteur indigne, + PIERRE BIARD S. J. + + +NOTES: + +[I.] Nous ajouterons aux lettres de nos premiers missionnaires au +Canada un fragment d'un mémoire intitulé: _Monumenta Novæ Franciæ, +ab anno 1607, ad annum 1737.--Insulæ Martinicæ ab anno 1678.--Insulæ +Cayennensis ab anno 1668._ + +La traduction du chapitre II de ce manuscrit, conservé dans nos +archives de Rome, donnera un ensemble de faits sur la Nouvelle- [2] +France, qui ne se trouve pas dans les lettres que nous publions. + +Parmi les gentilshommes qui s'offrirent à Henri-le-Grand, d'heureuse +mémoire, pour entreprendre la colonisation de la Nouvelle-France, était +le sieur de Potrincourt. Le roi lui accorda tout ce qu'il demandait, +mais en lui signifiant qu'il aurait à emmener avec lui des religieux +pris dans notre Compagnie pour les employer, selon ses ordres, à +procurer le salut des sauvages; que du reste la dépense de cette +mission ne serait nullement à sa charge, mais que le Trésor royal y +pourvoirait. + +Le R. P. Pierre Coton, alors confesseur et prédicateur du roi, et qui +était fort estimé de Sa Majesté, comme on sait, fut chargé par lui de +choisir, dans sa Compagnie, des hommes capables, pour mener à bien +cette périlleuse et sainte entreprise. + +Beaucoup de nos religieux s'offrirent pour cette mission lointaine. +Parmi eux on remarquait le P. Pierre Biard, homme dont la vertu égalait +le talent, et qui occupait alors la chaire de théologie à Lyon. Le +choix des supérieurs tomba sur lui et sur le P. Ennemond Masse, dont +nous aurons à parler plus loin. + +Ils partirent tous les deux en 1608 pour Bordeaux, où ils devaient +s'embarquer, mais il fallut attendre trois ans. Car le gentilhomme, +dont nous avons déjà parlé, retarda son départ; puis ensuite il +prétexta la nécessité de faire un voyage d'essai, afin, disait-il, de +préparer une habitation convenable pour les Pères. Il fit en effet ce +voyage accompagné d'un prêtre séculier, lequel, se laissant aller à un +zèle peu réfléchi, baptisa une centaine de sauvages, sans les avoir +suffisamment instruits et éprouvés. Plus tard, on s'aperçut que ces +pauvres gens n'avaient pas même compris ce qu'ils avaient reçu. + +Trois ans après, de retour de son voyage, le sieur de Potrincourt, +pressé par la reine-mère, se chargea de conduire nos Pères au [3] +Canada. Mais ce ne fut pas sans grandes difficultés et beaucoup de +souffrances que nos Pères arrivèrent au Port-Royal, sur les côtes de +l'Acadie. + +L'année qui suivit leur arrivée, deux autres des Nôtres allèrent les +rejoindre: ce furent le P. Quentin et le Frère coadjuteur Gilbert +du Thet. Deux ans de séjour à Port-Royal démontrèrent à nos Pères +l'impossibilité de fixer là le centre de leur mission, soit à cause de +la difficulté d'y attirer un grand concours de sauvages, soit à cause +des tracasseries de ceux qui commandaient. Ils transportèrent le siége +de leur mission sur un autre point de la même côte, au 45e degré 30 +minutes de latitude, et cela sur un décret du roi. Cette fondation prit +le nom de Saint-Sauveur. Ils y étaient établis depuis peu de temps, +lorsque les anglais, survenant à l'improviste, s'emparèrent du vaisseau +français, saisirent les lettres-patentes du commandant, et, par une +insigne fourberie, le traitèrent de pirate. Au moment de l'attaque, +plusieurs français furent tués, et parmi eux le frère Gilbert du Thet, +homme remarquable par son courage et sa piété. + +Les anglais victorieux, après avoir pillé tout à leur aise, +abandonnèrent dans une mauvaise barque une partie de français, et +emmenèrent avec eux, en Virginie, les PP. Biard et Quentin. Nos deux +prisonniers s'attendaient à être condamnés à mort, surtout lorsque, +reconduits à Port-Royal, ils refusèrent de faire connaître la retraite +des français qui se tenaient cachés dans les environs. Dirigés une +seconde fois sur la Virginie, ils y auraient probablement trouvé la +mort, si la divine Providence n'eût rendu inutiles tous les efforts des +marins anglais pour y aborder. La violence de la tempête les rejeta +sur les îles Açores appartenant aux portugais, et où, malgré eux, ils +furent obligés de prendre terre. + +Les anglais eux-mêmes furent forcés d'admirer la loyauté et la [4] +charité de nos Pères qui, en se montrant aux portugais, pouvaient +amener la saisie du navire et faire condamner les anglais, comme +pirates, au dernier supplice. Avant d'entrer dans le port, ils avaient +exigé de leurs prisonniers la promesse de ne pas les dénoncer et de +se tenir cachés durant tout leur séjour aux Açores. Pendant la visite +du vaisseau faite par les portugais, les Pères restèrent à fond de +cale, où ils échappèrent à tous les regards. Cette générosité et cette +fidélité à garder la parole donnée surprirent tellement les anglais, +qu'ils changèrent immédiatement de procédés envers leurs captifs et les +emmenèrent directement en Angleterre, où ils firent publiquement leur +éloge. + +L'ambassadeur de France, à la nouvelle de leur arrivée, se hâta de les +réclamer et les fit reconduire honorablement dans leur patrie, au mois +de mai 1614. + +Ce premier voyage de nos missionnaires, si stérile en apparence, eut +cependant d'heureux résultats. Outre l'expérience acquise et dont on +profita, le zèle des catholiques français, ranimé par les paroles des +Pères, créa de nouvelles ressources, et dès que la colonie française +fut délivrée des anglais, les Jésuites reprirent la route du Canada, où +ils fondèrent enfin une des plus belles missions de la Compagnie. + + + + +[1] FIRST MISSION OF THE JESUITS IN CANADA.[II.][26] + +Letter from Father Pierre Biard,[27] to the Very Reverend Father Claude +Aquaviva,[28] General of the Society of Jesus, Rome. + +(_Translated from the Latin original, preserved in the Archives of +Jesus, at Rome_.) + + + DIEPPE, January 21st, 1611.[29] + + MY VERY REVEREND FATHER, + The peace of Christ be with you. + +Would that I could recount how great and numerous have been the mercies +of God, the fruits of his blessing and, of our prayers in this our +little enterprise; that is to say, how [2] we have emerged from grave +and multiplied difficulties, and how, delivered from every obstacle, +we depart for New France, the place to which we [3] are bound, as Your +Reverence knows. For this you may rejoice with great consolation in the +name of the Lord. + +[4] But it has already struck midnight, and we are to sail at break of +day, so I shall give you only a summary of the events which have taken +place. + +When the heretic merchants saw us at Dieppe, upon the day fixed for +our departure, the 27th of October of last year, 1610 (we had, in +fact, agreed to sail from Dieppe), they contrived a plan which they +considered capable of injuring us. Two of them[31] had made a contract +with Monsieur de Potrincourt to load and equip his ship, [5] in which +we were to make the voyage. They straightway declared that they would +have nothing more to do with the vessel, if it were going to carry +any Jesuits. It was a remarkable exhibition of malice, as was easy to +prove, especially when the catholics informed them that they were in +duty bound not to reject the Jesuits, since it was the formal order of +the Queen.[32] + +However, nothing could be gained from them, and the Catholics were +again obliged to have recourse to the Queen. Her Majesty writes to the +governor of the city, a zealous and pious catholic, and charges him to +inform the heretics that it is her will that the Jesuits be received in +the ship which is about to depart for New France, and that no obstacle +be put in their way. + +When these letters are received, the governor assembles what is called +the consistory, namely, all faithful disciples of Calvin. He reads the +Queen's letters and urges them to be obedient. Some of them, namely, +those who were well disposed toward us, boldly declare that they also +are of the same opinion; and they try to induce the merchants to yield. +But they declare that for their part they are not the masters. At +least they say this in public; but in private one of the merchants who +was charged with fitting out the vessel, protested that he would put +nothing into it; that the Queen, if she wished, could deprive him [6] +of his right, but that he certainly would not yield it otherwise. + +What was to be done? In truth, all proceedings were at a standstill; +for this society had no written contract, since agreements of this kind +among noblemen are not usually put upon paper. Therefore they could not +prosecute these heretics. + +They address themselves anew to the Queen. In the presence of such +effrontery she quoted the words of the proverb: "Never stoop to entreat +a churl," and added that the Fathers should go another time. + +The dismayed catholics then declare to the heretics that the Jesuits +will not embark upon their vessel, and that consequently they may go +on freighting it; and that, in any event, if the Jesuits did occupy a +place therein, they themselves would first pay the price of the cargo. + +This assurance once given, the malice of these calvinists was exposed +in all its nakedness; for they immediately loaded every part of the +ship not only with merchandise, but with all kinds of goods, never +dreaming that the catholics would be able to find the means of paying +for all these things. + +At this news, the marchioness de Guercheville, first lady of honor to +the Queen, [7] was indignant at seeing the forces of hell prevail, and +the malice of wicked men destroy one's strong hopes of securing the +glory of God.[33] Therefore, in order to prevent the triumph of Satan +and the overthrow of their hopes of founding a church in Canada, she +herself solicited alms from Nobles, Princes, and from all the Court, to +rescue the Jesuits from the malevolence of the heretics. + +What happened? The ship, already loaded, was about to sail, when +this lady sent to the catholics 4,000 livres, with other means of +assistance. Then, not to be underhand, they go directly to the heretics +and say that they want the Jesuits to go with them, that such is the +will of the Queen; and so consequently they must allow them to embark, +or else the merchants must accept the price of the cargo and withdraw. +The latter declare that they want the value of their merchandise. (I +believe they did not think the catholics would have enough money, or +else they hoped to baffle them by some other means.) They give them +the price they asked; and, what no one could have expected, we so +completely take their place, that half the ship belongs to us, and we +have already means enough to begin [8] laying the foundation, which the +Lord, in his generosity and goodness, will condescend to bless. + +So now, my Very Reverend and good Father, you see how entirely the +malice of the evil one and of his tools has been turned to our +advantage. At first we only asked a little corner in this vessel at +their price. Now we are masters of it. We were going into a dreary +wilderness, without much hope of permanent help; and we have already +received enough to begin laying the foundation. We were to enrich the +heretics by a portion of our alms; and now they, of their own accord, +refuse to profit by an occasion which was to benefit them. + +But I believe that the great source of their grief, is nothing else +than the triumph of the Lord Jesus; and may heaven grant that he always +triumph! Amen! + +Dieppe, January 21, 1611. + + Of Your Reverence, + + The son and unworthy servant in Jesus Christ, + PIERRE BIARD S. J. + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[II.] We shall add to the letters of our first missionaries to Canada +a fragment of a memoir entitled: _Records of New France, from the year +1607 to the year 1737.--Of the Island of Martinique from the year +1678.--Of the Island of Cayenne from the year 1668._ + +The translation of chapter II. of this manuscript, preserved in our +archives at Rome, will give a collection of facts about New [2] France, +which are not found in the letters we publish. + +Among the gentlemen who offered themselves to Henry the Great, of happy +memory, to undertake the colonization of New France, was sieur de +Potrincourt. The king granted him all that he asked, but at the same +time gave him to understand that he must take with him some religious +persons from our Society for the purpose of securing, according to his +orders, the salvation of the savages; furthermore, that the expense +of this mission would in no respect devolve upon him, but would be +provided for from the royal Treasury. + +The Reverend Father Pierre Coton, then confessor and preacher to the +king, and who was very highly esteemed by His Majesty, as we know, was +commissioned by him to select, from his Society, some men capable of +conducting to a successful issue this perilous and holy enterprise. + +Many of our religious offered themselves for this distant mission. +Among them was noticed Father Pierre Biard, a man whose integrity +equaled his talent and who then occupied the chair of theology at +Lyons. The choice of the superiors fell upon him and upon Father +Ennemond Masse, of whom we shall speak hereafter. + +They both departed in 1608 for Bordeaux, where they intended to embark, +but they were obliged to wait three years. For the gentleman, of whom +we have already spoken, postponed his departure; then he offered as +an excuse the necessity of making a trial voyage, in order, said +he, to prepare a suitable dwelling for the Fathers. In fact he did +make this journey, accompanied by a secular priest, who, yielding +to a thoughtless zeal, baptized a hundred savages without having +sufficiently instructed and tested them. Later, it was discovered that +these poor people had not even understood what they had received. + +Three years afterwards, on returning from his voyage, sieur de +Potrincourt, urged by the queen-mother, undertook to convey our Fathers +to [3] Canada. But it was not without great difficulty and much +suffering that they reached Port Royal, upon the coast of Acadia. + +The year following their arrival, two others of our Society went +to join them, namely, Father Quentin and Gilbert du Thet, a +Brother-coadjutor.[30] A two years' sojourn in Port Royal demonstrated +to them the impossibility of making that the center of their mission, +either on account of the difficulty of attracting there a great +assemblage of savages, or because of the bickerings of those in +command. They transferred the seat of their mission to another point +upon the same coast, in latitude 45° 30', according to a decree of the +king. This settlement received the name of Saint Savior. They had been +established there but a short time, when the English, coming upon them +suddenly, took possession of the French ship, seized the letters-patent +of the commander, and, by a piece of outrageous rascality, treated him +as a pirate. At the moment of attack several Frenchmen were killed, and +among them brother Gilbert du Thet, a man remarkable for his courage +and piety. + +The victorious English, after having pillaged as much as they liked, +abandoned part of the French in a miserable bark, and took with them +to Virginia Fathers Biard and Quentin. Our two prisoners expected +to be condemned to death, especially when, being taken back to Port +Royal they refused to make known the hiding-place of the French who +were concealed in the neighborhood. Turning their course a second time +toward Virginia, they would probably have met death there, had not +divine Providence frustrated all the efforts of the English sailors +to land. A violent storm cast them upon the Azores islands, which +belong to Portugal; and there, in spite of all their efforts, they were +obliged to disembark. + +Even the English were forced to admire the loyalty and charity [4] +of our Fathers, who, by showing themselves to the Portuguese, might +have caused the seizure of the ship, and had the English condemned +and executed as pirates. Before entering port they exacted from their +prisoners the promise not to denounce them, and to keep themselves +concealed during their entire sojourn at the Azores. While the +Portuguese were visiting the ship, the Fathers remained in the bottom +of the hold, where they escaped observation. This generosity and +loyalty in keeping their word so surprised the English that they +immediately changed their treatment of their captives, and took them +directly to England, where they publicly eulogized them. + +The French ambassador, on hearing of their arrival, hastened to reclaim +them, and had them taken back honorably into their own country, in the +month of May, 1614. + +This first voyage of our missionaries, apparently so futile, had, +however, fortunate results. Beside the experience acquired, of which +good use was made, the zeal of French catholics, revived by the stories +of the Fathers, created new resources; and as soon as the French colony +was delivered from the English, the Jesuits resumed their voyages to +Canada, where they finally founded one of the finest missions of the +Society.--[Carayon.] + + + + +[9] Lettre du P. Biard, au R. P. Christophe Baltazar, Provincial de +France a Paris. + +(_Copiée sur l'autographe conservé aux Archives du Jésus à Rome._) + + + MON REVEREND PERE, + Pax Christi. + +Enfin, par la grace et faveur de Dieu, nous voicy arrivez à Port-Royal, +lieu tant désiré, et après avoir paty et surmonté, pendant l'espace de +sept mois, force contradictions et traverses, que nous susciterent à +Dieppe quelques-uns de la pretendue religion, et sur mer, les fatigues, +orages et tourmentes de l'hyver, des vents et des tempestes. Par la +misericorde de Dieu et par les prieres de Vostre Reverence et de nos +bons Peres et Freres, nous voicy au bout de nostre course, et au lieu +tant souhaité. Voicy aussi la premiere commodité qui se presente pour +escrire à Vostre Reverence, et lui faire sçavoir de nos nouvelles et de +l'estat auquel nous nous retrouvons. Je suis marry que le peu de temps +de nostre arrivée en ce pays ne me permette pas d'en discourir, et +comme je désirerois [10] plus amplement, et de l'estat de cette pauvre +nation; neantmoins je m'efforceray de vous descrire non-seulement +ce qui s'est passé en nostre voyage, mais aussy tout ce qu'avons +peu apprendre de ce peuple depuis que nous y sommes, selon que, je +pense, tous nos bons seigneurs et amis avec Vostre Reverence (doivent) +l'attendre et le desirer. + +Et, pour commencer par le préparatif de nostre voyage, Vostre Reverence +aura sceu l'effort que firent deux marchants de Dieppe de la religion +pretendue, qui avoient charge de fretter le navire, pour empescher que +n'y fussions reçus. Il y avoit jà quelques années que ceux qui avoient +commencé et continué le voyage de Canada, avoient desiré quelques uns +de nostre Compagnie pour s'employer à la conversion de ce peuple là; et +le feu Roy d'heureuse memoire Henry le Grand avoit assigné cinq cents +escus pour le voyage des premiers qui y seroient envoyés, quand le R. +P. Enmond Masse et moy, deputés pour ce voyage, après avoir salué la +Reyne Regente, entendu de sa propre bouche le saint zele qu'elle avoit +de la conversion de ces peuples barbares, reçu les susdicts cinq cents +escus pour nostre viatique, aydés aussi de la pieuse libéralité de +Mesdames les Marquises de Guercheville, Verneuil et de Sourdis, partis +de Paris, arrivasmes à Dieppe au jour que nous avait assigné [11] +Monsieur de Biancourt, fils de Monsieur de Potrincourt, pour nous y +prendre, sçavoir le 27 d'Octobre 1610. + +Les deux susdicts marchants, aussitost qu'ils ouïrent que deux Iesuites +debvoient aller au Canada, s'adresserent à Monsieur de Biancourt[III.] +et luy denoncerent que si lesdicts Iesuites entroient au navire, ils +n'y vouloient rien avoir. On leur respondit que la venuë des Iesuites +ne leur nuyroit en rien; que, Dieu mercy et la Reyne, ils avoient +moyen de payer leur pension sans grever aucunement leur fret. Ils +persistent toute fois en leur negative; et quoyque Monsieur de Sicoine, +gouverneur de la ville, fort zelé catholique, s'en entremeslast de +bonne affection, si ne pût-il rien obtenir d'eux. A cette cause, +Monsieur Robbin,[IV.] le fils, autrement de Coloigne, associé avec +Monsieur de Biancourt pour le voyage, se delibera d'aller en Cour et +déclarer à la Reyne cet accrochement; ce qu'il fit. La Reyne sur cela +donna lettres addressantes à Monsieur de Sicoigne, à ce qu'il eust à +declarer la volonté du Roy à present regnant, être telle, et avoir +pareillement [12] esté telle celle du feu Roy d'eternelle memoire, +que lesdicts Iesuites allent en Canada; et par ainsy entendissent les +contrariants sur ce fait, qu'ils se trouveroient en opposition contre +le bon plaisir de leur Prince. Les lettres estoient fort affectueuses; +et plût à Monsieur de Sicoigne de mander à soy tout le consistoire, et +leur en faire lecture. Si est-ce que pour tout cela, les marchants sus +mentionnés ne voulurent en rien démordre; seulement fut accordé que, +laissant à part la question des Iésuites, on chargeroit promptement +le vaisseau, de peur que cet embarras et dispute n'apportast du +retardement au secours qui promptement debvoit estre donné à Monsieur +de Potrincourt. + +Lors je pensois bien quasi toutes nos attentes estre mises au rouët, et +ne sçavois quelle clef nous en pourroit assez desgager. Mais Monsieur +de Coloigne ne desespera point; ains, se montrant de sa grâce toujours +plus ardent à poursuivre pour nous, fit entendre en Cour, par un +second voyage qu'il fit, y avoir bien moyen de debouter les susdits +marchants, sçavoir est, en leur payant leur marchandise, et ainsi +les dédommageant. Madame de la Guercheville, dame de grande vertu, +recognoissant cet expédient, et jugeant n'estre convenable à la piété +de la cour que pour si peu un oeuvre de Dieu fust arresté, et satan en +eust ainsi le [13] dessus, se délibera de faire un queste pour mettre +ensemble la somme de deniers requise, et le fist avec telle diligence +et si heureusement, par la pieuse liberalité de plusieurs des Seigneurs +et Dames de la cour, qu'elle assembla bientost quatre mil livres, et +les envoya à Dieppe. Ainsy lesdits marchants furent exclus de tout le +droict qu'ils eussent pû avoir sur le vaisseau, sans rien perdre, et +nous y fusmes introduits. + +Cet affaire et plusieurs autres qui survinrent dans l'aprest de nostre +voyage, furent cause que ne pusmes partir de Dieppe avant le 26 +janvier 1611. Monsieur de Biancourt, jeune seigneur fort accomply et +expert en la maryne, estoit nostre conducteur, et chef du vaisseau. +Nous estions 36 personnes dans un navire appelé _la Grace de Dieu_, +d'environ soixante tonneaux. Nous n'eusmes que deux jours de bon vent; +au troisiesme, nous nous vismes subitement, par un vent et marées +contraires, emportés jusques à cent ou deux cents pas des esquillons +l'isle d'Wytht, en Angleterre; et bien nous en print que nous y +rencontrasmes bon ancrage; sans cela resoluement c'estoit faict de nous. + +Eschappés de là, nous relaschasmes à Hyrmice et depuis à Niéport; en +quoy nous consumasmes 18 jours. Le 16 de février, premier jour de +caresme, [14] un bon norouest s'élevant, nous donna moyen de partir, +et nous accompagna jusques hors de la Manche. Ors ont accoustumé les +mariniers, venant à Port-Royal, de ne point prendre la droite route +des isles Ouessants jusqu'au Cap de Sable, ce qui abregeroit beaucoup +le chemin; car en cette façon, de Dieppe à Port-Royal, n'y auroit +qu'environ mil lieues; ains leur coustume est de descendre vers le Sud +jusqu'aux Açores, et de là tirer au grand banc, pour du grand banc, +selon que les vents se présentent, viser au Cap de Sable, ou bien à +Campseaux, ou bien autre part. Ils m'ont dict que pour trois raisons +ils descendent ainsi aux Açores: la première pour esviter la mer du +nort, qui est fort haute, disent-ils; la seconde, pour s'ayder des +vents du sud, qui volontiers reignent le plus; la troisiesme, pour +assurer leur estime: autrement il est difficile qu'ils se recognoissent +et dressent leur voyage sans erreur. Mais nulle de ces causes a eu +effet quant à nous, qui neantmoins avons suivy cette coustume: non la +premiere, parce que nous avons experimenté tant de tempestes et la mer +si rude, que je ne pense pas y avoir beaucoup de gain, nort ou sud, +sud ou nort; non la seconde, parce que souvent, quand nous voulions le +Sud, le Nort souffloit, et à retours; non enfin la troisiesme, d'autant +que nous ne pusmes point voir ces Açores, quoyque nous fussions [15] +descendus jusqu'à 39 degrés et demy. Ainsi toute l'estime de nos +conducteurs s'embrouilla, et nous n'estions pas encore aux Açores du +grand banc, quand quelques-uns opinoient que nous l'eussions desjà +passé. + +Le grand banc aux molües n'est pas, comme j'estimois en France, quelque +banc de sablon ou terre qui apparoisse hors de la mer, ains est une +grande lisiere de terre soubs l'eau à 35, 40 et 45 brasses, large en +quelques endroits de 25 lieuës. On l'appelle banc, parce que c'est là +premierement où venant des abismes de l'ocean, l'on trouve terre avec +la sonde. Or, sur le bord de ce grand banc, les vagues sont d'ordinaire +fort furieuses trois ou quatre lieues durant, et ces trois ou quatre +lieues on appelle les Açores. + +Nous estions environ ces Açores le mardy de Pasques, quand nous +voicy en prouë notre ennemy conjuré, l'Ouest, avec telle furie et +opiniastreté, que peu s'en fallut que nous ne perissions. De huict +jours entiers, il ne nous donna relasche, adjoustant à sa malice le +froid et souvent la pluie ou la neige. + +Naviger en ce traject de la Nouvelle-France, si dangereux et si +aspre, principalement en petits vaisseaux et mal munitionnez, est un +sommaire de toutes les miseres de la vie. Nous n'avions repos ni [16] +jour ni nuict. Si nous pensions prendre nostre refection, nostre plat +subitement eschappoit contre la tête de quelqu'un; un autre tomboit +sour nous, et nous contre quelque coffre, et tourneboulions avec +d'autres pareillement renversez; nostre tasse se versoit sur nostre +lict, et le bidon dans nostre seing, ou bien un coup de mer mandoit +nostre plat. + +Monsieur de Biancourt m'honoroit de tant, que je couchois dans sa +chambre. Une belle nuict ainsy qu'estant au lict nous pensions prendre +quelque repos, voicy qu'un gentil et hardy coup de mer qui faussa +les fermetures de la fenestre, la rompt et nous vient couvrir bien +hautement; autant en eusmes nous une autre fois de jour. En outre, +le froid estoit si violent, et l'a esté plus de six semaines durant, +qu'à peine nous sentions nous d'engourdissement et de gel. Le bon Père +Masse a pati beaucoup. Il a demeuré quelques quarante jours malade sans +manger que bien peu, et quasi sans bouger du lict; encore vouloit-il +jeusner avec tout cela. Après Pasque, il meliora tousjours, Dieu mercy +de plus en plus. Pour moy, j'estois gaillard, quand mesme plusieurs des +matelots se rendoient, et la Dieu grâce, je n'ay jamais tenu le lict +pour mal que j'eusse. + +Eschappés des tourmentes, nous entrasmes dans les glaces sur les Açores +du banc, degrez du nort 46. Aucunes des glaces sembloient des isles, +autres [17] des petits bourgs, autres des grandes églises ou dômes bien +haults, ou superbes chasteaux: toutes flottoient. Pour les esviter, +nous prismes au sud; mais ce fut tomber, comme l'on dict, de Charybdis +en Sylla, car de ces haults rochers, nous tombasmes en un pavé de +basse glace, la mer en estant toute couverte autant que la vue pouvoit +porter. Nous ne savions en passer; et n'eust esté la hardiesse de M. de +Biancourt, nos mariniers demeuroient sans expedient; mais il fit passer +outre, non obstant le murmure de plusieurs, par où la glace estoit plus +rare, et Dieu, par sa bonté, nous assista. + +Le 5 de may, nous descendismes à Campceau, et eusmes le moyen d'y +celebrer la sainte messe après tant de temps, et nous sustenter de +ce pain qui nourit sans deffaut, et console sans fin. Depuis, nous +costoyames terre jusqu'à Port-Royal, et y sommes arrivés à bons et +heureux auspices le saint jour de Pencoste de bon matin, sçavoir est +le 22 de may,[V.] jour auquel le soleil entre dans les Iumeaux. Nostre +voyage avoit duré quatre mois. + +Il n'est possible d'exprimer l'ayse que reçurent de nostre arrivée +Monsieur de Potrincourt et les siens, lesquels, durant tout cet hyver, +se trouvèrent [18] en de très-grandes necessités, comme je vous vais +declarer. + +Monsieur de Potrincourt avoit accompagné son fils revenant en France +sur la fin de juillet 1610, et y estoit venu jusques au port Saint +Iean,[VI.] autrement dict Chachippé, distant du Port-Royal 70 lieuës +est et sud. Revenant et ayant redoublé le Cap de Sable, se trouvant en +la baye courante, accablé de fatigues, il fut contraint de ceder le +gouvernail pour un peu dormir, donnant mandement à celuy qui succedoit +de suivre toujours terre, jusqu'au plus profond de la Baye. Ce +successeur, ne sçay pourquoy, ne suyvit pas le commandement, ains peu +de temps après changea, et abandonna terre. + +Le Sauvage Membertou, qui suyvoit dans sa chaloupe, fut estonné +de cette route; néanmoins, n'en sçachant pas la cause, n'en imita +pas l'exemple, et si n'en dit rien. Aussi arriva-t-il bientost à +Port-Royal, là où M. de Potrincour erra par six semaines en danger de +se perdre; car le bon seigneur, s'estant esveillé, fut bien esbahy de +se veoir en pleine mer, à perte de terre, dans une chaloupe. Il avait +beau regarder son cadran, car ne sçachant [19] quelle route son gentil +gouverneur avoit tenué, il ne pouvoit deviner ni où il estoit, ni où +il convenoit addresser. Un autre mal, sa chaloupe ne pouvoit aller à +la boline,[VII.] ayant esté, ne scay comment, brisée par les flancs. +Ainsi, voulust-il ou non, il estoit necessité à prendre toujours vent +derriere. + +Un tiers inconvenient et grief: ils n'avoient de vivres. Néantmoins, +c'est une homme qui ne se rend pas facilement, et bonheur l'accompagne. +Donc, en cette perplexité de route, il se determina heureusement de +prendre au nord, et Dieu lui envoya ce qu'il souhaitoit, un favorable +Sud. Contre le mal de la faim, sa prudence luy servit; car il avoit +chassé et gardé certain nombre de cormorans.[VIII.] Mais quel moyen +de les rôtir en une chaloupe, pour les manger et garder? De bonne +fortune, il se trouva avoir quelque planche, sur laquelle il dressa +un foyer, et ainsi rotit son gibier, à l'ayde duquel il arriva à +Pentegouët, anciennement la Norembegue, et de là aux Etechemins, puis à +l'embouscheure du Port-Royal, où, par desastre, il pensa faire naufrage. + +Il faisoit obscur quand il se trouva en cette entrée, et ses gens +commencerent à lui, contredire, [20] niant assurément que ce fust +l'embouscheure du Port-Royal. Luy ouït volontiers les opinions de ses +gens, et malheur qu'encore les suyvit-il, et aynsi prenant en bas de la +Baye Françoise, il s'en alla roder bien loing à la mercy des vents et +des marées. Cependant ses gens estoient bien en peine au Port-Royal, et +jà quasi tenoient-ils pour tout assuré qu'il fust peri; à cela aydoit +le sauvage Membertou, qui affirmoit luy avoir veu prendre vers la mer à +perte de vuë; d'où l'on inferoit, comme l'on croit autant facilement ce +que l'on craint comme ce que l'on ayme, que puisque tels ou tels vents +avoient régné, il estoit impossible qu'avec une chaloupe, il eust peu +eschapper. Et jà traitoit-on du retour en France. Or bien esbahis, et +ensemble bien joyeux furent-ils, quand ils virent leur Thésée, revenu +de l'autre monde; ce fut six semaines après son depart, au même temps +que M. de Biancourt arrivoit en France, le retour duquel estoit attendu +à Port-Royal pour tout Novembre de la même annèe 1610. Mais on fut +bien estonné, quand non seulement on ne le vit pas à Noël, mais aussi +on perdit espérance, à cause de l'hiver, de le revoir avant la fin +d'apvril ensuivant. + +Cette fut raison pour quoy on se retrancha de vivres; mais ce +retranchement profitoit peu, d'autant que le Sieur de Potrincourt ne +rabattoit rien [21] de ses libéralités vers les Sauvages, craingnant +les aliener de la foy chrestienne. C'est un seigneur vrayment liberal +et magnanime, mesprisant toute recompense des biens qu'il leur fait; +de maniere que les Sauvages, quand par fois on leur demande pourquoy +ils ne lui redonnent quelque chose pour tant de biens qu'il leur faict, +ont de coustumes de respondre malitieusement: _Endries ninan metaij +Sagamo_: c'est-à-dire, Monsieur ne se soucie point de nos peaux de +castor. Néantmoins ils envoyoient par fois quelques pieces d'orignac, +qui aydoyent à toujours gagner le temps. Or, bon moyen pour espargner, +voicy que, l'hyver venu, leur moulin se glace, et n'y avoit moyen de +faire farine. Bon pour eux, qu'ils trouverent provision de pois et +febves; cette fut leur manne et ambroisie sept semaines durant. + +Là estoit venu Apvril, mais non pas le navire, et lors le moulin eut +beau se glacer, car aussi bien n'y avoit-il rien pour la tremye. Que +fera-on? la faim est un meschant mal. On se met à pescher sur eau, et +fouiller soubs terre: sur eau, on eut des esplans et du harang; soubs +terre, on trouva de fort bonnes racines, qu'on appelle _chiqueli_, et +abondent fort en de certains endroits. + +Ainsi contentoit-on aucunement cet importun crediteur; je dis +aucunement parce que, le pain leur [22] manquant, toute autre chose +leur estoit peu, et jà faisoit-on estat que, si le navire ne venoit +pour tout le mois de may, que l'on se mettroit par la coste en +recherche de quelques navires, pour repasser au doux pays de froment et +vignoble. C'estoyent les gens de Monsieur de Potrincourt qui parloient +ainsi; car pour luy, il avoit le courage, et si sçavoit bien les moyens +de faire attendre jusques à la saint Iean. Il n'en fut pas de besoing, +Dieu mercy, car comme dict est, nous arrivasmes le 22 de may. Or si, +à cette venue, l'allegresse de Monsieur de Potrincourt et de ceux de +l'habitation fut grande, ceux là le pourront conjecturer, qui sçavent +ce que c'est de la faim, du desespoir, de la crainte, de patir, d'estre +pere, et veoir ses entreprises et travaux à volleau. + +Nous pleurasmes tous au rencontre, et nous estimions quasi songer; +puis, quand nous fusmes un peu revenus et entrez en propos, cette +question fut mise en avant, sçavoir: mon (de vrai) qui estoit le plus +ayse des deux, ou M. de Potrincourt et les siens, ou M. de Biancourt +et nous. De vray, nous avions bien tous le coeur bien eslargy, et +Dieu, par sa misericorde, donna signe d'y prendre plaisir; car, après +la messe et le disner, comme ce ne fusse qu'allée et venue du navire +à l'habitation et de l'habitation au [23] navire, chacun voulant +caresser, et estre caressé de ses amis, comme après l'hyver on se +resjouït du beau temps, et après le siége de la liberté, il arriva que +deux de l'habitation prindrent un canot des sauvages pour aller au +navire. Ces canots sont tellement faits que, si on ne s'y tient pas +bien juste et à plomb, aussitost on vire; arriva donc que, voulant +retourner dans le mesme canot du navire à l'habitation ne sçay comment +ne charrierent pas droict, et eux dans l'eau. + +Le bonheur porta que pour lors je me promenois avec M. de Potrincourt +à la rive. Nous voyons l'accident, et, à nostre pouvoir faisions +signe avec nos chapeaux à ceux du navire, de courir au secours; car +de crier, rien n'eust proffité, tant le navire estoit esloigné, et le +vent faisoit du bruit. Personne n'y prenoit garde du commencement; de +maniere que nostre recours fut à l'oraison, et de nous mettre à genou, +n'y voyant autre remede; et Dieu eut pitié de nous. L'un des deux se +saisit du canot renversé, et se jette dessus; l'autre, à la parfin, +fut secouru d'une chaloupe, et tous deux ainsi retirez et sauvez nous +comblerent de liesse, voyant comme la bonté divine, par sa toute +parternelle douceur, n'avoit point voulu permettre que le malin esprit +nous enviast et funestast un si bon jour. A elle soit gloire à tout +jamays. Ainsy soit-il. + +[24] Or maintenant il est temps qu'arrivés par la grâce de Dieu en +santé nous jettions les yeux sur le pays, et y considerions un peu +l'estat de la chrestienté que nous y trouvons. Tout son fondement +consiste après Dieu en cette petite habitation d'une famille +d'environ vingt personnes. Messire Iessé Flesche, vulgairement dict +le Patriarche, en a eu la charge, et, dans un an qu'il y a demeuré, a +baptizé quelque cent ou tant des Sauvages. Le mal a esté qu'il ne les +a pu instruire comme il eust bien désiré, faute de sçavoir la langue, +et avoir de quoy les entretenir; car celui qui leur nourrit l'âme +faut quand et quand qu'il se delibere de sustenter leur corps. Ce bon +personnage nous a fait beaucoup d'amitié, et a remercié Dieu de nostre +venue; car il avoit jà de longtemps resolu de repasser en France à la +premiere commodité; ce qu'il est bien ayse de faire maintenant, sans le +regret d'abandonner une vigne qu'il auroit plantée. + +On n'a pû jusques à maintenant traduire au langage du pays la croyance +commune ou symbole, l'oraison de nostre Seigneur, les commandemens de +Dieu, les Sacremens et autres chefs totalement necessaires à faire un +chrestien. + +Estant dernièrement au port Saint-Iean, je fus adverty qu'entre les +autres Sauvages, il y en avoit cinq jà chrestiens. Ie prends de là +occasion de leur [25] donner des images, et planter une croix devant +leur cabane, chantant un _Salve Regina_. Ie leur fis faire le signe +de la croix; mais je me trouvois bien esbahy, car autant quasi y +entendoient les non-baptizés, que les chrestiens. Ie demandois à un +chacun son nom de baptesme; quelques-uns ne le sçavoient pas, et +ceux-là s'appeloient _Patriarches_; et la cause est parce que c'est le +Patriarche qui leur impose le nom; car ils concluënt ainsy, il faut +qu'ils s'appellent _Patriarches_, quand ils ont oublié leur vray nom. + +Il y eut aussi pour rire, car lorsque je leur demandois s'ils estoient +chrestiens, ils ne m'entendoient pas; quand je leur demandois s'ils +estoient baptizés, ils me respondoient: _Hetaion enderquir Vortmandia +Patriarché_; c'est à-dire: "Oui, le Patriarche nous a fait semblables +aux Normans." Or, appellent-ils Normans tous les Françoys hormis les +Malouins, qu'ils appellent Samaricois, et les Basques qu'ils disent +Bascua. + +Le _sagamo_, c'est-à-dire le seigneur du port Saint-Iean, est un +appelé Cacagous, fin et matois s'il n'y en a point en la coste; c'est +tout ce qu'il a rapporté de France (car il a esté en France), et me +disoit qu'il avoit esté baptizé à Bajonne, me racontant cela comme +qui raconteroit d'avoir esté par amitié conduit à un bal. Sur quoy, +voyant le mal, et [26] voulant esprouver si je luy esmouverois point +la conscience, je luy demandois combien il avoit de femmes. Il me +respondit qu'il en avoit huict; et de fait, il m'en compta sept, qu'il +avoit là presentes, me les désignant avec autant de gloire, tant s'en +faut qu'avec honte, comme si je luy eusse demandé combien il avoit de +fils legitimes. + +Un autre, qui cherchoit plusieurs femmes, comme je luy dissuadasse, +luy alleguant qu'il estoit chrestien, me paya de cette response: +_Reroure quiro Nortmandia_: c'est à-dire Cela est bon pour vous +autres, Normans. Aussi ne voit-on gueres de changement en eux après le +baptesme. La mesme sauvagine et les mesmes moeurs demeurent, ou peu +s'en faut, mesmes coustumes, ceremonies, us, façons et vices, au moins +à ce qu'on en peut sçavoir, sans point observer aucune distinction de +temps, jours, offices, exercices, prieres, debvoirs, vertus ou remedes +spirituels. + +Membertou, comme celuy qui hante le plus M. de Potrincourt dés long +temps, est aussi le plus zelé, et montre le plus de foy; mais encore +il se plaint de ne nous pas assez entendre, et desireroit d'estre +prescheur, dit-il, s'il estoit bien instruict. Ce fut luy qui me fit +l'autre jour une plaisante repartie; car, comme je luy enseignois son +_Pater_, selon la traduction que m'en a fait M. de Biancourt, sur ce +[27] que je lui faisois dire: _Nui en caraco nac iquem esmoi ciscou_; +c'est-à-dire, donne-nous aujourd'huy nostre pain quotidien. "Mais, +dit-il, si je ne luy demandois que du pain, je demeurerois sans orignac +ou poisson." + +Le bon vieillard nous contoit avec grande affection comme Dieu +l'assiste depuis qu'il est chrestien, et nous disoit que ce printemps, +luy arriva de patir grande faim luy et les siens; que sur ce il luy +souvint qu'il estoit chrestien, et par ce il pria Dieu. Après sa +prière, allant veoir à la riviere, il trouva des esplans à suffisance. +Et puisque je suis sur ce vieux sagamo, premices de cette gentilité, je +vous diray encore ce qui luy est arrivé cet hyver. + +Il a esté malade, et ce qui est plus, jugé à mort par les _aoutmoins_ +ou sorciers du pays. Or est la coustume que dès aussitost que les +Aoutmoins ont sentencié la maladie ou plaie estre mortelle, dès lors +le patient ne mange plus; aussy ne luy donne-t-on rien. Ains, prenant +sa belle robe, il entonne luy-mesme le chant de sa mort; après lequel +cantique, s'il tarde trop à mourir, on luy jette force seaux d'eau +dessus, pour l'advancer, et quelquefois l'enterre-t-on à demy vif. Or +les enfants de Membertou, quoy que chrestien, se preparoient à user +de ce beau devoir de pieté envers leur père; jà ils ne luy donnoient +plus à manger, et luy ayant prins sa [28] belle robe de loutre, avoit, +comme un cygne, chanté et conclu sa Nænie ou chant funerail. Une chose +l'affligeoit encore, c'est qu'il ne sçavoit pas pomment il debvoit +bien mourir en chrestien, et qu'il ne disoit point adieu à M. de +Potrincourt. Ces choses entendues, M. de Potrincourt vint à luy, luy +remonstre et l'asseure qu'en despit de tous les Aoutmoins et Pilotois, +il vivroit et recouvreroit santé, s'il vouloit manger; ce qu'il estoit +tenu de faire, estant chrestien. Le bon homme crut, et fut sauvé; +aujourd'huy il raconte cecy avec grand contentement, et rememore bien à +propos comme Dieu a misericordieusement en cela fait entendre la malice +et mensonge de leurs aoutmoins. + +Je raconteray icy un autre faict du mesme Sieur de Potrincourt, et +qui a beaucoup proffité à toute cette gentilité. Un sauvage chrestien +estoit mort, et (marque de sa constance) il avoit mandé icy à +l'habitation, pendant sa maladie, qu'il se recommandoit aux prieres. +Après sa mort, les autres Sauvages se preparoient de l'enterrer à leur +mode: leur mode est qu'ils prennent tout ce qui appartient au defunct, +peaux, arcs, utensiles, cabannes, etc. bruslent tout cela, hurlants, +brayants avec certains clameurs, sorceleries et invocations du malin +esprit. M. de Potrincourt delibera de vertueusement resister à ces +ceremonies. Il met donc en armes toutes ses gens, et [29] s'en va +aux Sauvages en main forte, obtient par ce moyen ce qu'il demandoit, +sçavoir est que le corps fust donné à M. le Patriarche, et ainsi +l'enterrement fut faict à la chrestienne. Cet acte, d'autant qu'il n'a +pû estre contrarié par les Sauvages, a esté loué par eux, et l'est +encores. + +La chappelle qu'on a eue jusque à maintenant, est fort petite, pirement +accomodée, et en toutes façons incommode à tous exercices de religion. +Pour remede, M. de Potrincourt nous a donné tout un quartier de +son habitation, si nous pouvons le couvrir et accomoder. Seulement +j'adjousteray encore un mot, que plusieurs seront bien ayses et édifiés +d'ouïr. + +Après mon arrivée icy à Port-Royal, j'ay esté avec M. de Potrincourt +jusque aux Etechemins. Là, Dieu voulut que je rencontrasse le jeune du +Pont de Sainct Malo, lequel ne sçays comment effarouché,[IX.] avoit +passé toute l'année avec les Sauvages, vivant de mesme qu'eux. C'est un +jeune homme d'une grande force d'esprit et de corps, n'y ayant sauvage +qui courre, agisse ou patisse ou parle mieux que luy. Il estoit en +grandes apprehensions de M. de [30] Potrincourt; mais Dieu me donna +tant de croyance envers luy, que sur ma parole il vint avec moy dans +nostre navire, et, après quelques submissions et debvoir rendu par +luy, la paix fut faite au grand contentement de tous. Au départir, +comme les canonades bruyèrent, il me pria de luy assigner heure pour +sa confession. Au lendemain matin, luy mesme prevint l'heure, tant il +estoit en ferveur, et se confessa en l'orée de la mer, en la présence +de tous les Sauvages, qui s'émerveilloient d'ainsy le voir à genoux +devant moy si long temps. Depuis, il communia avec grand exemple, et +puis dire que les larmes m'en vinrent aux yeux, et ne fus pas seul. Le +diable fut confus de cet acte: aussy pensa-il subitement tout troubler +l'aprés disnée suivante; mais Dieu mercy, par l'équité et bonté de M. +de Potrincourt, le tout a esté remis en son entier. + +Voilà, mon Révérend Pere, le discours de nostre voyage et des choses +survenues tant en yceluy que devant celuy, et depuis nostre arrivée à +cette habitation. Reste maintenant à vous dire que la conversion de ce +pays à l'Evangile, et de ce peuple à la civilité, n'est pas petite, ni +sans beaucoup de difficultez; car en premier lieu, si nous considerons +le pays, ce n'est qu'une forest, sans autre commodité pour la vie +que celles qu'on apportera de France, et avec le temps on pourroit +retirer du terroir, après qu'on [31] l'aura cultivé. La nation est +sauvage, vagabonde, mal habituée, rare et d'assez peu de gens. Elle +est, dis-je, sauvage, courant les bois, sans lettres, sans police, sans +bonnes moeurs; elle est vagabonde, sans aucun arrest, ni des maisons +ni de parenté, ni des possessions ni de patrie; elle est mal habituée, +gens extremement paresseux, gourmans, irreligieux, traitres, cruels +en vengeance, et adonnés à toute luxure, hommes et femmes, les hommes +ayant plusieurs femmes et les abandonnant à autruy, et les femmes ne +leur servant que d'esclaves qu'ils battent et assomment de coups, sans +qu'elles osent se plaindre; et après avoir esté demy meurtries, s'il +plaist au meurtrier, il faut qu'elles rient et luy fassent caresses. + +Avec tous ces maux, ils sont extrêmement glorieux: ils s'estiment +plus vaillans, que nous, meilleurs que nous, plus ingenieux que nous, +et, chose difficile à croire, plus riches que nous. Ils s'estiment, +dis-je, plus vaillants que nous, se vantant qu'ils ont tué des Basques +et Malouins, et fait beaucoup de mal aux navires, sans que jamays on +en ait tiré vengeance, voulant dire que ce a esté faute de coeur. +Ils s'estiment meilleurs: "Car, disent-ils, vous ne cessez de vous +entrebattre et quereller l'un l'autre; nous vivons en paix. Vous +estes envieux les uns des autres, et détractez les uns des autres +ordinairement; [32] vous estes larrons et trompeurs; vous estes +convoiteux, sans liberalité et misericorde: quant à nous, si nous avons +un morceau du pain, nous le partissons entre nous." + +Telles et semblables choses disent-ils communement, voyant les +susdictes imperfections en quelques-uns de nos gens; et, se flattent +de ce que quelques-uns d'entre eux ne les ont si éminentes, ne +considerant (pas) qu'ils ont tous des vices beaucoup plus énormes, et +que la meilleure part des nostres n'ont pas mesmes les vices susdicts, +concluent universellement qu'ils vallent mieux que tous les chrestiens. +C'est l'amour propre qui les aveugle, et le malin esprit qui les +seduit, ne plus ne moins que vous voyez en nostre France les desvoyés +de la foy s'estimer et se vanter estre meilleurs que les catholiques, +d'autant qu'en quelques-uns ils voyent beaucoup de vices, ne regardants +ni les vertus des autres catholiques, ni leurs vices beaucoup plus +grands; ne voulant, comme Cyclopes, avoir, qu'un seul oeil, et celuy +fiché sur aucuns vices de quelques catholiques, et jamays sur les +vertus des autres, ni sur eux, sinon pour se tromper. + +Ils s'estiment aussi plus ingenieux, d'autant qu'ils nous voyent +admirer aucunes de leurs manufactures, comme oeuvres de personnes si +rudes et grossieres, [33] et admirent peu ce que nous leur monstrons, +quoy que beaucoup plus digne d'estre admiré, faute d'esprit. De là +vient qu'ils s'estiment beaucoup plus riches que nous, quoy qu'ils +soyent extremement pauvres et souffreteux. + +Cacagous, duquel j'ai cy-devant parlé, a bonne grace, quand il a un +peu haussé le ton; car pour monstrer sa bonne affection envers les +Françoys, il se vante de vouloir aller veoir le Roy, et luy porter un +present de cent castors, et fait estat, ce faisant, de le faire le plus +riche de tous ses predecesseurs. La cause aussy de ce jugement leur +vient de l'extreme et bruslante convoitise de leurs castors qu'ils +voyent regner en quelques-uns des nostres. + +Non moins plaisant est le discours d'un certain Sagamo, qui ayant ouy +raconter de M. de Potrincourt, que le Roy estoit jeune et à marier: +"Peut-estre, dit-il, luy pourray-je donner ma fille pour femme; mais, +selon les us et coustumes du pays, il faudroit que le Roy lui fist de +grands presens: sçavoir, quatre ou cinq barriques de pain, trois de +pois ou de febves, un de petun, quatre ou cinq chapots de cent sols +pièce, avec quelques arcs, flesches, harpons, et semblables denrées." + +Voylà les marques de l'esprit de cette nation, qui est fort peu +peuplée, principalement les Soriquois et Etechemins qui avoysinent +la mer, combien, que [34] Membertou assure qu'en sa jeunesse il a +veu _chimonuts_, c'est-à-dire des Sauvages aussi dru semés que les +cheveux de la teste. On tient qu'ils sont ainsi diminués depuis que +les François ont commencé à y hanter: car, depuis ce temps-là, ils ne +font tout l'esté que manger; d'où vient que, prenant une tout autre +habitude, et amassant de humeurs, l'automne et l'hyver ils payent +leurs intemperies par pleurésies, esquinances, flux de sang, qui les +font mourir. Seulement cette année, soixante en sont morts au Cap de +la Hève, qui est la plus grande partie de ce qu'ils y estoient; et +neantmoins personne du petit peuple de M. de Potrincourt n'a esté +seulement malade, nonobstant toute l'indigence qu'ils ont paty; ce qui +a faict apprehender les Sauvages que Dieu nous deffend et protége comme +son peuple particulier et bien-aymé. + +Ce que je dis de cette rareté d'habitants de cette contrée, se doict +entendre de ceux qui paroissent en la coste de la mer; car, dans les +terres, principalement des Etechemins, il y a force peuple, à ce qu'on +dit. Toutes ces choses conjoinctes avec la difficulté du langage, le +temps qu'il y faudra consommer, les despends qu'il y faudra faire, +les grandes incommoditez et labeurs et disettes qu'il faudra endurer, +declarent assez la grandeur de cette entreprise, et les difficultés qui +la pourront traverser. Toutes [35] fois plusieurs choses m'encouragent +à la poursuite d'icelle. + +Premierement l'esperance que j'ay en la bonté et providence de Dieu. +Esaïe nous assure que le royaume de nostre Redempteur doict estre +recognu par toute la terre, et qu'il ne doict avoir ni antres de +dragons, ni cavernes de basilisques, ni rochers inaccessibles, ni +abysmes tant profonds que son humanité n'adoucisse, son salut ne +guerisse, son abondance ne fertilise, son humilité ne surhausse, +et enfin que sa croix ne triomphe victorieusement. Et pour quoy +n'esperay-je que le temps est venu auquel cette prophetie doict estre +accomplie en ces quartiers? Que si cela est, qu'y a-t-il de tant +difficile que nostre Dieu ne puisse faciliter? + +En second lieu, je mets la consideration du Roy nostre Sire. C'est +un Roy qui nous promet rien de moindre que le feu Roy son pere +l'incomparable Henri le Grand. Cet oeuvre a commencé avec son reigne, +et peut on dire que depuis cent années la France s'est approprié ce +pays, ou en a si veritablement pris possession, ny tant faict, que +depuis son reigne, que Dieu remplisse de toutes benedictions. Il ne +voudra permettre que son nom et ses armes paroissent en ces regions +avec le paganisme, son authorité avec la barbarie, sa renommée avec la +sauvagine, son pouvoir avec l'indigence, [36] sa foy avec manquement, +ses subjects sans ayde ni secours. Sa mère aussy, une autre Reyne +Blanche, visant à la gloire de Dieu, contemplera ces deserts et +nouveliers siens, où, au commencement de sa Regence, le coutre de +l'Evangile a par son moyen ouvert quelque esperance de moisson, et se +souviendra de ce que le feu Roy, grand de sagesse aussi bien que de +valeur, prononça au Sieur de Potrincourt venant en ce pays: "Allez, +dit-il, je trace l'édifice; mon fils le bastira." Ce que nous supplions +vostre Reverence de luy representer, et ensemble le bon oeuvre que +leurs Majestés peuvent faire en ces quartiers, si c'estoit leur bon +playsir de fonder et donner quelque honneste revenu à cette residence, +de laquelle se pourroit s'epandre par toute cette contrée ceux qui y +seroyent eslevés et entretenus. + +Voylà le second fondement de nostre esperance, auquel j'adjousteray +la pieté et largesse que nous avons experimenté sur nostre depart +ès-seigneurs et dames de cette tres-noble et tres-chrestienne cour, +me promettant qu'ils ne voudront manquer de favoriser de leurs moyens +cette entreprise, pour ne perdre ce que desjà ils y ont employé, ce qui +leur sert d'ares de gloire et de felicité immortelle devant Dieu. + +M. de Potrincourt, Seigneur doux et équitable, [37] vaillant, amé et +experimenté en ces quartiers, et M. de Biancourt son fils, imitateur +des vertus et belles qualitez de son pere, tous deux zelés au service +de Dieu, qui nous honorent et cherissent plus que nous ne meritons, +nous donnent aussi grand courage de nous employer en ceste ouvrage de +tout nostre pouvoir. + +Finalement, l'assiete et condition de ce lieu, qui promet beaucoup pour +l'usage de la vie humaine, s'il est cultivé, et sa beauté, qui me fait +esmerveiller de ce qu'il a esté si peu recherché jusques à maintenant, +où est ce port où nous sommes, fort propre pour d'icy nous estendre +aux Armouchiquois, Iroquois et Montagnes, nos voisins, qui sont grands +peuples, et labourent les terres comme nous; ce lieu, dis-je, nous fait +esperer quelque chose à l'advenir. Que si nos Souriquois sont peu, ils +se peuvent peupler; s'ils sont sauvages, c'est pour les domestiquer +et civiliser qu'on vient icy; s'ils sont rudes; nous ne devons point +estre pour cela paresseux; s'ils ont jusqu'ici peu profité, ce n'est +merveille, ce seroit rigueur d'exiger si tost fruict d'un gref, et +demander sens et barbe d'un enfant. + +Pour conclusion, nous esperons avec le temps les rendre susceptible de +la doctrine de la foy et religion chrestienne et catholique, et après, +passer [38] plus avant aux regions de deçà plus habitées et cultivées, +comme dict est; esperance que nous appuyons sur la bonté et misericorde +de Dieu, sur le zele et fervente charité de tous les gens de bien qui +affectueusement desirent le royaume de Dieu, particulierement sur les +sainctes prieres de Vostre Reverence et de nos RR. PP. et très-chers +FF. auxquels très-affectueusement nous nous recommandons. + +Du Port-Royal en la Nouvelle-France, ce dixiesme juin mil six cents +onze. + + PIERRE BIARD. + + +NOTES: + +[III.] Charles de Biencourt, écuyer, sieur de Saint-Just et fils de +M. de Poutrincourt. Il était alors âgé de dix-neuf ou vingt ans. +(_Lescarbot_ et _Champlain_.) + +[IV.] Thomas Robin, écuyer, sieur de Cologne, demeurant en la ville de +Paris. (_Lescarbot._) + +[V.] Champlain et Charlevoix, qui l'a copié, mettent à tort le 12 de +juin. + +[VI.] Lescarbot dit: «Son père le conduisit jusque au port de la Hève, +à cent lieues loin, ou environ du Port-Royal.» Ce qui donnerait à +entendre que Chachippè, Port Saint-Jean et la Hève sont une même chose. + +[VII.] Aller à la bouline, c'est-à-dire tenir le plus près du vent. + +[VIII.] Le _cormoran_ est un oiseau de mer, qui a le cou fort long, les +pattes très-hautes, et qui vit de poisson. + +[IX.] «L'année prochainement passée, il avoit été fait prisonnier +par le Sieur de Potrincourt, d'où s'estant esvadé subtilement, il +avoit esté contraint courrir les bois en grande misere.» (_Relation +imprimée._) + + + + +[9] Letter from Father Biard to Reverend Father Christopher Baltazar, +Provincial of France, at Paris. + +(_Copied from the autograph preserved in the Archives of Jesus, at +Rome_). + + + MY REVEREND FATHER, + The peace of Christ be with you. + +At last by the grace and favor of God, here we are at Port-Royal, the +place so greatly desired, after having suffered and overcome, during +the space of seven months, a multitude of trials and difficulties +raised up against us at Dieppe by those belonging to the pretended +religion; and after having survived at sea the fatigues, storms, and +discomforts of winter, winds, and tempests. By the mercy of God, +and through the prayers of Your Reverence and of our good Fathers +and Brothers, here we are at the end of our journey and in the +long-wished-for place. And I am now taking the first opportunity which +presents itself to write to Your Reverence, and to communicate to you +news of ourselves and of our present situation. I am sorry that the +short time we have been in this country does not permit me to write +about it at length, as I was desirous [10] of doing, and about the +condition of these poor people; however, I will try to describe to you +not only what happened in our voyage, but also all that we have been +able to learn of these peoples since our arrival, as I believe all our +good noblemen and friends, as well as Your Reverence, expect and desire +me to do. + +So, to begin with the preparations for our voyage, Your Reverence +must know about the effort put forth by two Dieppe merchants of the +pretended religion, who were charged with freighting the ship, to +prevent our being received upon it. For a number of years past, those +who began and continued to make voyages to Canada have wished some of +our Society to be employed for the conversion of the people of that +country; and Henry the Great, the late King, of happy memory, had set +aside five hundred écus[34] for the voyage of the first ones who should +be sent there: at this time Reverend Father Enmond Masse and I, chosen +for this mission, after having saluted the Queen Regent and learned +from her own utterances the holy zeal which she felt for the conversion +of this barbarous people, and having received the above-mentioned five +hundred écus for our viaticum,[35] aided also by the pious liberality +of the Marchionesses de Guercheville, Verneuil, and de Sourdis,[36] +left Paris and arrived at Dieppe upon the day which [11] Monsieur de +Biancourt, son of Monsieur de Potrincourt, had designated for our +departure, the 27th of October, 1610. + +The two above-mentioned merchants, as soon as they heard that two +Jesuits were going to Canada, addressed themselves to Monsieur de +Biancourt[X.] and warned him that, if the said Jesuits intended to +embark upon the ship, they would have nothing to do with it: they were +told that the presence of the Jesuits would in no wise interfere with +them; that, thanks to God and the Queen, they had the money to pay +their passage without in the least disturbing their cargo. They still +persisted, however, in their refusal; and although Monsieur de Sicoine, +governor of the city, a very zealous catholic, kindly interposed, he +could gain nothing from them. For this reason, Monsieur Robbin,[XI.] +his son, otherwise called de Coloigne,[37] a partner of Monsieur de +Biancourt in this voyage, thought he would go to Court and make known +this difficulty to the Queen; he did so. The Queen, thereupon, sent +letters addressed to Monsieur de Sicoigne, telling him to announce that +the will of the present King, as well as [12] that of the late King of +eternal memory, was that these Jesuits should go to Canada; and that +those who were opposing their departure were doing so against the will +of their Prince. The letters were very kind: and Monsieur de Sicoigne +was pleased to assemble the consistory, and read them to that body. +Notwithstanding all this, the merchants would not yield in the least; +it was merely granted that, leaving the Jesuits out of the question, +they should promptly load their ship, lest these perplexities and +disputes should cause some delay in bringing the succor to Monsieur de +Potrincourt, which must be given promptly. Then I almost made up my +mind that all our hopes were doomed to disappointment, for I did not +see how we were to be extricated from these difficulties. Monsieur de +Coloigne did not despair; but, showing himself in his kindness always +more eager to pursue the case for us, by a second journey he convinced +the Court of an excellent plan for thwarting the merchants; namely, by +paying them for their cargo, and thus indemnifying them. Madame de +la Guercheville, a lady of great virtue, recognizing the expediency of +this plan, and deeming it inconsistent with real piety to allow a godly +work to be checked for such a trifle, and thus [13] that satan should +be permitted to triumph, determined to try and raise the sum of money +required; and she did so with such diligence and success, through the +pious generosity of several Noblemen and Ladies of the court, that she +soon collected four thousand livres and sent them to Dieppe. Thus the +merchants were deprived of all the rights which they might have had in +the vessel, without losing anything, and we were admitted into it. + +This, and other incidents interfering with the preparations for our +voyage, were the reasons why we could not leave Dieppe before the 26th +of January, 1611. Monsieur de Biancourt, a very accomplished young +gentleman, and well versed in matters pertaining to the sea, was our +leader and commander. There were thirty-six of us in the ship, which +was called _la Grace de Dieu_, of about sixty tons burden. We had +only two days of favorable winds; on the third day we suddenly found +ourselves carried, by contrary winds and tides, to within a hundred or +two hundred paces of the breakers of the isle of Wight, in England; +and it was fortunate for us that we found good anchorage there, for +otherwise we certainly should have been lost. + +Leaving this place we put into port at Hyrmice, and then at Newport; by +which we lost eighteen days. The 16th of February, first day of lent, +[14] a good northwester arising allowed us to depart, and accompanied +us out of the English Channel. Now mariners, in coming to Port Royal, +are not accustomed to take the direct route from the Ouessant islands +to Cape Sable, which would lessen the distance, for in this way, from +Dieppe to Port Royal, there would only be about one thousand leagues; +but they are in the habit of going South as far as the Azores, and from +there to the great bank, thence, according to the winds, to strike for +Cape Sable, or Campseaux, or elsewhere. They have told me that they go +by way of the Azores for three reasons: first, in order to avoid the +north sea, which is very stormy, they say; second, to make use of the +south winds, which usually prevail there; third, to be sure of their +reckonings; for otherwise it is difficult to take their bearings and +arrange their route without error. But none of these causes affected +us, although we followed this custom. Not the first, for we were so +tossed about by tempests and high seas, that I do not think we gained +much by going north or south, south or north; nor the second, because +often when we wanted the South, the North wind blew, and vice versa; +and certainly not the third, inasmuch as we could not even see the +Azores, although we went [15] down as far as 39° 30'. Thus all the +calculations of our leaders were confounded, and we had not yet reached +the Azores of the great bank when some of them thought we had passed +it.[38] + +The great codfish bank is not, as I thought in France, a kind of sand +or mud-bank, appearing above the surface of the sea; but is a great +sub-marine plateau 35, 40 and 45 fathoms deep, and in some places +twenty-five leagues in extent. They call it bank, because, in coming +from the deep sea, it is the first place where bottom is found with the +sounding lead. Now upon the border of this great bank, for the space of +three or four leagues, the waves are generally very high, and these +three or four leagues are called the Azores. + +We were near these Azores on Tuesday of Easter week, when suddenly we +became a prey to our sworn foe, the West wind, which was so violent and +obstinate that we very nearly perished. For eight entire days it gave +us no quarter, its vindictiveness being augmented by cold and sometimes +rain or snow. + +In taking this route to New France, so rough and dangerous, especially +in small and badly-equipped boats, one experiences the sum total of all +the miseries of life. We could rest neither [16] day nor night. When we +wished to eat, a dish suddenly slipped from us and struck somebody's +head. We fell over each other and against the baggage, and thus found +ourselves mixed up with others who had been upset in the same way; +cups were spilled over our beds, and bowls in our laps, or a big wave +demanded our plates. + +I was so highly honored by Monsieur de Biancourt as to share his cabin. +One fine night, as we were lying in bed, trying to get a little rest, +a neat and impudent wave bent our window fastenings, broke the window, +and covered us over completely; we had the same experience again, +during the day. Furthermore, the cold was so severe, and continued to +be for more than six weeks, that we lost nearly all sensation from +numbness and exposure. Good Father Masse suffered a great deal.[39] He +was ill about forty days, eating very little and seldom leaving his +bed; yet, notwithstanding all that, he wanted to fast. After Easter he +continued to improve, thank God, more and more. As for me, I was gay +and happy, and, by the grace of God, was never ill enough to stay in +bed even when several of the sailors had to give up. + +After escaping from these trials, we entered the ice at the Azores +of the bank, 46 degrees north latitude. Some of these masses of ice +seemed like islands, others [17] little villages, others grand churches +or lofty domes, or magnificent castles: all were floating. To avoid +them we steered towards the south; but this was falling, as they say, +from Charybdis into Scylla, for from these high rocks we fell into a +level field of low ice, with which the sea was entirely covered, as +far as the eye could reach. We did not know how to steer through it; +and had it not been for the fearlessness of Monsieur de Biancourt, our +sailors would have been helpless; but he guided us out, notwithstanding +the protests of many of them, through a place where the ice was more +scattered, and God, in his goodness, assisted us. + +On the 5th of May, we disembarked at Campceau,[40] and there had the +opportunity of celebrating holy mass after so long a time, and of +strengthening ourselves with that bread which never fails to nourish +and console. Then we coasted along until we reached Port Royal, where +we arrived under good and happy auspices early in the morning[41] of +the holy day of Pentecost, the 22nd of May,[XII.] the day upon which +the sun enters the constellation Gemini. Our voyage had lasted four +months. + +The joy of Monsieur de Potrincourt and his followers, at our arrival, +is indescribable. They had been, during the entire winter, reduced [18] +to sore straits, as I am going to explain to you. + +Monsieur de Potrincourt had accompanied his son a part of the way +upon the latter's return to France the last of July, 1610, and had +gone as far as port Saint John,[XIII.] otherwise called Chachippé,[42] +70 leagues east and south of Port Royal. When he was returning, as +he veered around Cape Sable, he found himself in a strong current; +weakened by hardships, he was obliged to yield the helm, in order to +take a little rest, commanding his successor to always keep near the +shore, even in the deepest part of the Bay. This pilot, I know not why, +did not follow his orders, but soon afterward changed his course and +left the shore. + +The Savage, Membertou, who was following in his boat, was astonished +that Poutrincourt should take this route; but, not knowing why he did +so, neither followed him nor said anything about it. So he soon arrived +at Port Royal, while Monsieur de Potrincourt drifted about for six +weeks, in danger of being hopelessly lost; for this worthy gentleman, +when he awoke, was very much surprised at seeing himself in a small +boat in the open sea, out of sight of land. He looked at his dial in +vain, for not knowing [19] what route his amiable pilot had taken, he +could not guess where he was, nor in what direction to turn. Another +misfortune was that his boat would not sail on a bowline,[XIV.] having +been somehow damaged in the sides. So, whether he wished to do so or +not, he was always obliged to sail before the wind. + +A third inconvenience and misfortune was a lack of food. However, he +is a man who does not easily give up, and good luck follows him. Now +in this perplexity about the route, he fortunately decided to turn to +the north, and God sent him what he desired, a favorable South wind. +His thrift served him against the misfortune of hunger, for he had +hunted and kept a certain number of cormorants.[XV.] But how could they +be roasted in a small boat, so as to be eaten and kept? Fortunately +he found he had a few planks, upon which he built a fire-place, and +thus roasted the game; by the aid of which he arrived at Pentegouët, +formerly Norembegue, and from there to the Etechemins, thence to the +harbor of Port Royal, where by a piece of ill luck, he was nearly +shipwrecked. + +It was dark when he entered this harbor, and his crew began to oppose +him, stoutly denying [20] that they were in the harbor of Port Royal. +He was willing to listen to their objections, and unfortunately even +yielded to them; and so turning to the lower part of French Bay, he +went wandering away off at the mercy of the winds and waves. Meanwhile +the colonists of Port Royal were in great anxiety and had already +nearly made up their minds that he was lost; the savage, Membertou, +strengthened this fear by asserting that he had seen him sail out of +sight upon the sea; whence it was inferred, since people believe as +easily what they fear as what they favor, that as such and such a wind +had prevailed, it was impossible for them to escape in such a boat. +And they were already planning their return to France. Now they were +greatly astonished, and at the same time exceedingly happy when they +saw their Theseus return from another world; this was six weeks after +his departure, just when Monsieur de Biancourt arrived in France, +whose return was expected at Port Royal during the whole month of +November of the same year, 1610. But they were very much surprised +when they did not see him at Christmas; then they lost all hope, on +account of the winter weather, of seeing him again before the end of +the following April. + +For this reason they cut down their rations; but such economy was +of little avail, since Sieur de Potrincourt did not lessen [21] his +liberality toward the Savages, fearing to alienate them from the +Christian faith. He is truly a liberal and magnanimous gentleman, +refusing all recompense for the good he does them; so when they are +occasionally asked why they do not give him something in return for so +many favors, they are accustomed to answer, cunningly: _Endries ninan +metaij Sagamo_, that is to say, "Monsieur does not care for our beaver +skins." Nevertheless, they have now and then sent him some pieces of +elk meat, which have helped him to gain time [i.e., to save his own +provisions]. But they, the French, had a good chance of economizing +when winter came, for their mill froze up, and they had no way of +making flour. Happily for them they found a store of peas and beans, +which proved to be their manna and ambrosia for seven weeks. + +Then April came, but not the ship; now it was just as well that the +mill was frozen up, for they had nothing to put in the hopper. What +were they to do? Hunger is a bad complaint. Some began to fish, others +to dig. From their fishing they obtained some smelts and herrings; from +their digging some very good roots, called _chiqueli_, which are very +abundant in certain places. + +Thus this importunate creditor was somewhat satisfied; I say somewhat, +because, when there was no bread, [22] everything else was of little +account; and they had already made up their minds that, if the ship did +not come during the month of May, they would resort to the coast, in +search of ships to take them back to the sweet land of wheat and vines. +It was Monsieur de Potrincourt's followers who talked this way; as for +him, he was full of courage and knew well how he could manage to hold +out until saint John's day [midsummer]. Thank God, there was no need of +this, for, as has been said, we arrived the 22nd of May. Those who know +what hunger, despair, fear and suffering are, what it is to be a leader +and see all one's enterprises and hard work come to nought, can imagine +what must have been the joy of Monsieur de Potrincourt and his colony +upon seeing us arrive. + +We all wept at this meeting, which seemed almost like a dream; then +when we had recovered ourselves a little and had begun to talk, this +question (mine, in fact) was proposed, to wit: Which was the happier +of the two, Monsieur de Potrincourt and his people, or Monsieur de +Biancourt and his? Truly, our hearts swelled within us, and God, in his +mercy, showed that he took pleasure in our joy; for, after mass and +dinner, there was nothing but going and coming from the ship to the +settlement, and from the settlement to the [23] ship, each one wanting +to embrace and be embraced by his friends, just as, after the winter, +we rejoice in the beautiful spring, and after a siege, in our freedom. +It happened that two persons from the settlement took one of the canoes +of the savages to go to the ship. These canoes are so made that, if you +do not sit very straight and steady, they immediately tip over; now +it chanced that, wishing to come back in the same canoe from the ship +to the settlement, somehow they did not properly balance it, and both +fell into the water. + +Fortunately, it occurred at a time when I happened to be walking upon +the shore with Monsieur de Potrincourt. Seeing the accident, we made +signs with our hats as best we could to those upon the ship to come to +their aid; for it would have been useless to call out, so far away was +the ship, and so loud the noise of the wind. At first no one paid any +attention to us, so we had recourse to prayer, and fell upon our knees, +this being our only alternative; and God had pity upon us. One of the +two caught hold of the canoe, which was turned upside down, and threw +himself upon it: the other was finally saved by a boat, and thus both +were rescued; so our cup of joy was full in seeing how God in his all +paternal love and gentleness, would not permit the evil one to trouble +us and to destroy our happiness upon this good day. To him be the glory +forever. Amen! + +[24] But now that we have arrived in good health, by the grace of God, +it is time we were casting our eyes over the country, and were giving +some consideration to the condition in which we find christianity here. +Its whole foundation consists, after God, in this little settlement +of a family of about twenty persons. Messire Jessé Flesche, commonly +called the Patriarch, has had charge of it; and, in the year that he +has lived here, has baptized about one hundred Savages. The trouble is, +he has not been able to instruct them as he would have wished, because +he did not know the language, and had nothing with which to support +them; for he who would minister to their souls, must at the same +time resolve to nourish their bodies. This worthy man has shown great +friendliness toward us, and thanked God for our coming; for he had made +up his mind some time ago to return to France at the first opportunity, +which he is now quite free to do without regret at leaving a vine which +he has planted. + +They have not yet succeeded in translating into the native language the +common creed or symbol, the Lord's prayer, the commandments of God, the +Sacraments, and other principles quite necessary to the making of a +christian. + +Recently, when I was at port Saint John, I was informed that among the +other Savages there were five who were already christians. Thereupon +I took occasion to give them [25] some pictures, and to erect a cross +before their wigwams, singing a _Salve Regina_. I had them make the +sign of the cross; but I was very much astonished, for the unbaptized +understood almost as much about it as the christians. I asked each one +his baptismal name; some did not know theirs, so they called themselves +_Patriarchs_, because it is the Patriarch who gives them their names, +and thus they conclude that, when they have forgotten their own names, +they ought to be called _Patriarchs_. + +It was also rather amusing that, when I asked them if they were +christians, they did not know what I meant; when I asked them if +they had been baptized, they answered: _Hetaion enderquir Vortmandia +Patriarché_, that is to say, "Yes, the Patriarch has made us like +the Normans." Now they call all the French "Normans," except the +Malouins,[43] whom they call Samaricois, and the Basques, Bascua. + +The name of the _sagamore_, that is, the lord of port Saint John, is +Cacagous, a man who is shrewd and cunning as are no others upon the +coast; that is all that he brought back from France (for he has been in +France); he told me he had been baptized in Bayonne, relating his story +to me as one tells about going to a ball out of friendship. Whereupon, +seeing how wicked he was, and [26] wishing to try and arouse his +conscience, I asked him how many wives he had. He answered that he had +eight; and in fact he counted off seven to me who were there present, +pointing them out with as much pride, instead of an equal degree of +shame, as if I had asked him the number of his legitimate children. + +Another, who was looking out for a number of wives, made the following +answer to my objections on the ground that he was a Christian: _Reroure +quiro Nortmandia_: which means, "That is all well enough for you +Normans." So there is scarcely any change in them after their baptism. +The same savagery and the same manners, or but little different, the +same customs, ceremonies, usages, fashions, and vices remain, at least +as far as can be learned; no attention being paid to any distinction of +time, days, offices, exercises, prayers, duties, virtues, or spiritual +remedies. + +Membertou, as the one who has most associated with Monsieur de +Potrincourt for a long time, is also the most zealous and shows the +greatest faith, but even he complains of not understanding us well +enough; he would like to become a preacher, he says, if he were +properly taught. He gave me a witty answer the other day, as I was +teaching him his _Pater_, according to the translation made of it by M. +de Biancourt, when [27] I had him say: _Nui en caraco nac iquem esmoi +ciscou_; that is, "Give us this day our daily bread." "But," said he, +"if I did not ask him for anything but bread, I would be without +moose-meat or fish." + +The good old man told us, with a great deal of feeling, how God is +helping him since he has become a Christian, saying that this spring +it happened that he and his family were suffering much from hunger; +then he remembered that he was a christian, and therefore prayed to +God. After his prayer, he went to the river and found all the smelts he +wanted. And while I am speaking of this old sagamore, the first fruit +of this heathen nation, I will tell you also what happened this winter. + +He was sick, and what is more, had been given up to die by the native +_aoutmoins_, or sorcerers. Now it is the custom, when the Aoutmoins +have pronounced the malady or wound to be mortal, for the sick man to +cease eating from that time on, nor do they give him anything more. +But, donning his beautiful robe, he begins chanting his own death-song; +after this, if he lingers too long, a great many pails of water are +thrown over him to hasten his death, and sometimes he is buried half +alive. Now the children of Membertou, though christians, were prepared +to exercise this noble and pious duty toward their father; already +they had ceased giving him anything to eat and had taken away his [28] +beautiful otter robe, and he had, like the swan, finished his Nænie, +or funeral chant. One thing still troubled him, that he did not know +how to die like a christian, and he had not taken farewell of Monsieur +de Potrincourt. When M. de Potrincourt heard these things, he went to +see him, remonstrated with him, and assured him that, in spite of all +the Aoutmoins and Pilotois, he would live and recover his health if he +would eat something, which he was bound to do, being a christian. The +good man believed and was saved; to-day he tells this story with great +satisfaction, and very aptly points out how God has thereby mercifully +exposed the malice and deceit of their aoutmoins. + +I shall here relate another act of the same Sieur de Potrincourt, which +has been of great benefit to all these heathen. A christian savage had +died, and (as a mark of his constancy) he had sent word here to the +settlement during his sickness, that he desired our prayers. After his +death the other Savages prepared to bury him in their way; they are +accustomed to take everything that belongs to the deceased, skins, +bows, utensils, wigwams, etc., and burn them all, howling and shouting +certain cries, sorceries, and invocations to the evil spirit. M. de +Potrincourt firmly resolved to oppose these ceremonies. So he armed all +his men, and [29] going to the Savages in force, by this means obtained +what he asked, namely, that the body should be given to the Patriarch, +and so the burial took place according to christian customs. This act, +inasmuch as it could not be prevented by the Savages, was and still is, +greatly praised by them. + +The chapel they have been using until now is very small, badly +arranged, and in every way unsuited for religious services. To remedy +this, M. de Poutrincourt has given us an entire quarter of his +habitation, if we can roof it over and adapt it to our needs. But I +shall add one more word which will be pleasant and edifying news to +many. + +After my arrival here at Port Royal, I went with M. de Potrincourt as +far as the Etechemins. There God willed that I should meet young du +Pont, of Sainct Malo,[44] who, having been for some reason frightened +away [from the settlement],[XVI.] had passed the entire year with the +Savages, living just as they did. He is a young man of great physical +and mental strength, excelled by none of the savages in the chase, in +alertness and endurance, and in his ability to speak their language. +He was very much afraid of M. de [30] Potrincourt: but God inspired me +with so much faith in him that, relying upon my word, Du Pont came with +me to our ship; and after making some apologies and promises, peace was +declared, to the great satisfaction of all. When he departed, as the +cannon were sounding, he begged me to appoint an hour to receive his +confession. The next morning, in his great eagerness, he anticipated +the hour, and made his confession upon the shores of the sea in the +presence of all the Savages, who were greatly astonished at thus +seeing him upon his knees so long before me. Then he took communion in +a most exemplary manner, at which I can say tears came into my eyes, +and not into mine alone. The devil was confounded at this act; so he +straightway planned trouble for us that very afternoon; but thank God, +through the justice and goodness of M. de Potrincourt, harmony was +everywhere restored. + +And now you have had, my Reverend Father, an account of our voyage, +of what happened in it, and before it, and since our arrival at this +settlement. It now remains to tell you that the conversion of this +country to the Gospel, and of these people to civilization, is not a +small undertaking nor free from great difficulties; for, in the first +place, if we consider the country, it is only a forest, without other +conveniences of life than those which will be brought from France, +and what in time may be obtained from the soil after [31] it has been +cultivated. The nation is savage, wandering and full of bad habits; the +people few and isolated. They are, I say, savage, haunting the woods, +ignorant, lawless and rude: they are wanderers, with nothing to attach +them to a place, neither homes nor relationship, neither possessions +nor love of country; as a people they have bad habits, are extremely +lazy, gluttonous, profane, treacherous, cruel in their revenge, and +given up to all kinds of lewdness, men and women alike, the men having +several wives and abandoning them to others, and the women only serving +them as slaves, whom they strike and beat unmercifully, and who +dare not complain; and after being half killed, if it so please the +murderer, they must laugh and caress him. + +With all these vices, they are exceedingly vainglorious: they think +they are better, more valiant and more ingenious than the French; +and, what is difficult to believe, richer than we are. They consider +themselves, I say, braver than we are, boasting that they have killed +Basques and Malouins, and that they do a great deal of harm to the +ships, and that no one has ever resented it, insinuating that it was +from a lack of courage. They consider themselves better than the +French; "For," they say, "you are always fighting and quarreling among +yourselves; we live peaceably. You are envious and are all the time +slandering each other; [32] you are thieves and deceivers; you are +covetous, and are neither generous nor kind; as for us, if we have a +morsel of bread we share it with our neighbor." + +They are saying these and like things continually, seeing the +above-mentioned imperfections in some of us, and flattering themselves +that some of their own people do not have them so conspicuously, not +realizing that they all have much greater vices, and that the better +part of our people do not have even these defects, they conclude +generally that they are superior to all christians. It is self-love +that blinds them, and the evil one who leads them on, no more nor +less than in our France, we see those who have deviated from the +faith holding themselves higher and boasting of being better than the +catholics, because in some of them they see many faults; considering +neither the virtues of the other catholics, nor their own still greater +imperfections; wishing to have, like Cyclops, only a single eye, and to +fix that one upon the vices of a few catholics, never upon the virtues +of the others, nor upon themselves, unless it be for the purpose of +self-deception. + +Also they [the savages] consider themselves more ingenious, inasmuch as +they see us admire some of their productions as the work of people so +rude and ignorant; [33] lacking intelligence, they bestow very little +admiration upon what we show them, although much more worthy of being +admired. Hence they regard themselves as much richer than we are, +although they are poor and wretched in the extreme. + +Cacagous, of whom I have already spoken, is quite gracious when he is +a little elated about something; to show his kindly feelings toward +the French he boasts of his willingness to go and see the King, and to +take him a present of a hundred beaver skins, proudly suggesting that +in so doing he will make him richer than all his predecessors. They +get this idea from the extreme covetousness and eagerness which our +people display to obtain their beaver skins. + +Not less amusing is the remark of a certain Sagamore, who, having +heard M. de Potrincourt say that the King was young and unmarried: +"Perhaps," said he, "I may let him marry my daughter; but according +to the usages and customs of the country, the King must make me some +handsome presents; namely, four or five barrels of bread, three of peas +or beans, one of tobacco, four or five cloaks worth one hundred sous +apiece, bows, arrows, harpoons, and other similar articles." + +Such are the marks of intelligence in the people of these countries, +which are very sparsely populated, especially those of the Soriquois +and Etechemins, which are near the sea; although [34] Membertou assures +us that in his youth he has seen _chimonuts_, that is to say, Savages, +as thickly planted there as the hairs upon his head. It is maintained +that they have thus diminished since the French have began to frequent +their country; for, since then they do nothing all summer but eat; +and the result is that, adopting an entirely different custom and +thus breeding new diseases, they pay for their indulgence during the +autumn and winter by pleurisy, quinsy and dysentery, which kill them +off. During this year alone sixty have died at Cape de la Hève, which +is the greater part of those who lived there; yet not one of all M. +de Potrincourt's little colony has even been sick, notwithstanding +all the privations they have suffered; which has caused the Savages +to apprehend that God protects and defends us as his favorite and +well-beloved people. + +What I say about the sparseness of the population of these countries +must be understood as referring to the people who live upon the coast; +for farther inland, principally among the Etechemins, there are, it is +said, a great many people. All these things, added to the difficulty of +acquiring the language, the time that must be consumed, the expenses +that must be incurred, the great distress, toil and poverty that must +be endured, fully proclaim the greatness of this enterprise and the +difficulties which beset it. Yet [35] many things encourage me to +continue in it. + +First, my trust in the goodness and providence of God. Isaiah assures +us that the kingdom of our Redeemer shall be recognized throughout +the earth; and that there shall be neither caves of dragons nor dens +of cockatrices, nor inaccessible rocks, nor abysses so deep, that his +grace will not soften and his salvation cure, his abundance fertilize, +his humility raise up, and over which his cross will not at last +victoriously triumph. And why shall I not hope that the time has come +when this prophecy is to be fulfilled in these lands? If that be so, +what can there be so difficult that our Lord cannot make it easy? + +In the second place, I rely upon the King, our Sire. He is a Sovereign +who promises us nothing less than the late King, his father, the +incomparable Henry the Great. This work began in the latter's reign, +and it may be said that in the century since France has appropriated +this country, or has so completely taken possession of it, there +has not been so much accomplished at any time as since our present +king became sovereign; may God fill his reign with all blessings. He +will not permit his name and arms to stand in these regions side by +side with paganism, his authority with barbarism, his renown with +savagery, his power with poverty, [36] his faith with lack of works, +nor leave his subjects without aid or succor. His mother also, another +Queen Blanche,[45] looking to the glory of God, will contemplate these +lately-acquired wildernesses, where in the beginning of her Regency the +Gospel plough has, through her instrumentality, created some hope of a +harvest; and will recall what the late King, great in wisdom as well as +in courage, said to Sieur de Potrincourt when he came to this country: +"Go," said he. "I plan the edifice; my son will build it." We beg your +Reverence to lay this matter before him, together with the work which +might be done by their Majesties in these lands, if it were their good +pleasure to endow and to give a fair revenue to this mission, from +which all those who would be educated and maintained here might go +forth through the whole country. + +That is the second resource upon which our hopes are founded; to +which I will add the piety and liberality which we experienced upon +our departure from the lords and ladies of this most noble and most +christian court, who promised me that they would not fail to assist +this enterprise with their means, in order not to lose what they have +already invested in it, which serves them as monuments of glory and of +eternal happiness before God. + +M. de Potrincourt, a mild and upright Gentleman, [37] brave, beloved +and well-known in these parts, and M. de Biancourt, his son, who +reflects the virtues and good qualities of his father, both zealous in +serving God, and who honor and cherish us more than we deserve, also +encourage us in devoting all our energy to this work. + +Finally, we are encouraged by the situation and condition of this +place, which, if it is cultivated, promises to furnish a great deal +for the needs of human life; and its beauty causes me to wonder that +it has been so little sought up to the present time. From this port +where we now are, it is very convenient for us to spread out to the +Armouchiquois, Iroquois, and Montagnais, our neighbors, which are +populous nations and till the soil as we do; this situation, I say, +makes us hope something for the future. For, if our Souriquois are few, +they may become numerous; if they are savages, it is to domesticate +and civilize them that we have come here; if they are rude, that is no +reason that we should be idle; if they have until now profited little, +it is no wonder, for it would be too much to expect fruit from this +grafting, and to demand reason and maturity from a child. + +In conclusion, we hope in time to make them susceptible of receiving +the doctrines of the faith and of the christian and catholic religion, +and later, to penetrate [38] farther into the regions beyond, which +they say are more populous and better cultivated. We base this hope +upon Divine goodness and mercy, upon the zeal and fervent charity of +all good people who earnestly desire the kingdom of God, particularly +upon the holy prayers of Your Reverence and of our Reverend Fathers and +very dear Brothers, to whom we most affectionately commend ourselves. + +From Port Royal, New France, this tenth day of June, one thousand six +hundred and eleven. + + PIERRE BIARD. + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[X.] Charles de Biencourt, esquire, sieur de Saint-Just and son of +Monsieur de Poutrincourt. He was then nineteen or twenty years old. +(_Lescarbot_ and _Champlain_.)--[Carayon.] + +[XI.] Thomas Robin, esquire, sieur de Cologne, living in the city of +Paris. (_Lescarbot._)--[Carayon.] + +[XII.] Champlain and Charlevoix, who copied this, were wrong in saying +the 12th of June.--[Carayon.] + +[XIII.] Lescarbot says: "His father accompanied him as far as port de +la Hève, a hundred leagues, more or less, from Port Royal." This makes +it appear that Chachippè, Port Saint John, and la Hève are one and the +same place.--[Carayon.] + +[XIV.] To sail on a bowline means to sail close to the wind.--[Carayon.] + +[XV.] The _cormorant_ is a long-necked, high-stepping sea-bird, which +lives upon fish.--[Carayon.] + +[XVI.] "The year before he had been made a prisoner by Sieur +de Potrincourt; and having slyly escaped from him, he had been +obliged to wander about in the woods in great misery."--(_Printed +Relation._)--[Carayon.] + + + + +[39] Lettre du Père Ennemond Masse au R. P. Claude Aquaviva, Général +de la Compagnie de Jésus. + +_(Traduite sur l'original latin._) + + + PORT-ROYAL, 10 juin 1611. + + MON TRÈS-RÉVÉREND PÈRE, + Pax Christi. + +Si Votre Paternité a vu avec plaisir ma lettre du 13 octobre, j'en ai +éprouvé bien davantage à recevoir la sienne du 7 décembre; d'autant +plus que je suis le premier de la Compagnie qui ait reçu la première +lettre que Votre Paternité ait jamais envoyée au Canada. Je prends ce +fait comme un heureux augure, et je l'accepte comme venant du ciel, +pour m'exciter _à courir avec ferveur dans la carrière_, afin de +mériter et de recevoir _le prix de cette vocation céleste_, et enfin +de me sacrifier moi-même plus promptement et plus complétement pour le +salut de ces peuples. + +Je vous l'avoue; _j'ai dit alors_ franchement à Dieu: _Me voici: Si +vous choisissez ce qu'il y a de faible et de méprisable dans ce monde, +pour renverser_ [40] et _détruire ce qui est fort_, vous trouverez tout +cela dans Ennemond. _Me voici: envoyez-moi, et rendez ma langue_ et +_ma parole intelligible, afin que je ne sois pas barbare pour ceux qui +m'entendront._ + +Vos prières, j'en ai la confiance, ne seront pas sans succès, comme +semble le présager notre arrivée ici, le très-saint jour de la +Pentecôte. _Nous sommes faibles en Jésus-Christ, mais_, je l'espère, +_nous vivrons avec lui par la force de Dieu_. Que Votre Paternité, +je l'en conjure, obtienne par ses saintes prières et ses saints +sacrifices, que le Seigneur accomplisse toutes ces choses en nous. + +Le fils indigne en Jésus-Christ de la Compagnie de Jésus. + + ENNEMOND MASSE. + +Port-Royal, dans la Nouvelle-France, le 10 juin 1611. + + + + +[39] Letter from Father Ennemond Masse to Reverend Father Claude +Aquaviva, General of the Society of Jesus. + +(_Translated from the Latin original._) + + + PORT ROYAL, June 10, 1611. + + MY VERY REVEREND FATHER, + The peace of Christ be with you + +If Your Reverence read with pleasure my letter of October 13th, I felt +a great deal more in receiving yours of December 7th, especially as I +am the first of the Society to receive from Your Reverence the first +letter which you have ever sent to Canada. I take this event as a happy +omen, and accept it as coming from heaven, to incite me _to run with +ardor in the race_, in order to merit and receive _the reward of this +heavenly vocation_, and to sacrifice myself more promptly and more +completely for the salvation of these people. + +I admit to you _that I said then_ freely to God: _Here I am; if you +choose what is weak and despicable in this world to overthrow_ [40] +_and destroy that which is strong_, you will find all this in Ennemond. +_Here I am; send me, and make my tongue and my words intelligible, so +that I may not be a barbarian to those who will hear me._ + +Your prayers, I am sure, will not be in vain, as our arrival here upon +the most holy day of Pentecost seems to presage. _We are weak in Jesus +Christ, but_, I hope, _we shall live with him by the power of God_. +It is my earnest entreaty that Your Reverence, by your prayers and +holy sacrifices, may prevail upon the Lord to accomplish all these +things in us. + +The unworthy son in Jesus Christ, of the Society of Jesus, + + ENNEMOND MASSE. + +Port Royal, New France, June 10, 1611. + + + + +[41] Lettre du P. Pierre Biard, au T.-R. P. Claude Aquaviva, Général +de la Compagnie de Jésus. + +(_Traduite sur l'original latin._) + + + PORT-ROYAL, 11 juin 1611. + + MON TRÈS-RÉVÉREND PÈRE, + Pax Christi. + +Après quatre mois d'une navigation vraiment trèspénible et +très-périlleuse, nous sommes enfin arrivés, grâce à la protection +de Dieu et aux prières de Votre Paternité, à Port-Royal, dans cette +Nouvelle-France, terme de notre voyage. + +Nous avons en effet quitté Dieppe le 26 janvier de cette année 1611, et +nous sommes arrivés cette même année le 22 mai. Je donne en français +au R. P. Provincial la relation de toute notre entreprise et de l'état +où nous avons trouvé les choses ici. C'est ce qui me paraissait plus +urgent et plus utile, puisque j'étais dans l'impossibilité de le faire +en même temps en latin. Je ne me suis pas encore arrêté huit jours à +Port-Royal, et tout le temps est [42] absorbé par des interruptions +continuelles et par les nécessités de la vie. Au reste, le P. Masse et +moi, nous nous portons assez bien, grâce à Dieu: mais il nous a fallu +prendre un serviteur pour les travaux matériels. Nous ne pouvions nous +en passer sans un grand détriment pour l'esprit et pour le coeur. + +M. de Potrincourt, qui commande ici au nom du Roi, nous aime et nous +estime en proportion de sa piété. + +A la première occasion nous nous empresserons, avec la grâce de Dieu, +de dire quelles sont nos espérances de succès. + +Le vaisseau s'est déjà éloigné. Je vais être obligé d'aller le +rejoindre en canot, pour qu'il ne parte sans mes lettres. + +Je conjure Votre Paternité, par les mérites de Jésus-Christ, de se +souvenir de nous et de ces contrées très-solitaires, et de venir à +notre secours, autant qu'elle le pourra, non-seulement par le moyen +des prières très-ferventes de notre Compagnie, mais aussi par la +bénédiction et les faveurs de notre Saint-Père le Pape (comme je les ai +déjà demandées). + +Assurément nous semons dans une grande pauvreté et dans les larmes; +daigne le Seigneur nous accorder de moissonner un jour dans la joie. +C'est ce qui arrivera, comme je l'espère et comme je l'ai [43] dit, +grâce aux prières et aux bénédictions de Votre Paternité, que je +sollicite humblement, + + de Votre Paternité, + Le fils et serviteur indigne, + PIERRE BIARD, S. J. + +A Port-Royal, dans la Nouvelle-France, ou Canada, le 11 de juin 1611. + + + + +[41] Letter from Father Pierre Biard, to the Very Reverend Father +Claude Aquaviva, General of the Society of Jesus. + +(_Translated from the Latin original._) + + PORT ROYAL, June 11, 1611. + + MY VERY REVEREND FATHER, + The peace of Christ be with you. + +After four months of very painful and perilous navigation, we have at +last arrived, thanks to the protection of God and to the prayers of +Your Reverence, at Port Royal, in New France, the end of our journey. + +In truth we left Dieppe the 26th of January this year, 1611, and +arrived May 22nd of this same year. I am giving to the Reverend Father +Provincial the narrative in French of our whole undertaking, and of the +condition in which we found things here. This seemed to me the more +necessary and useful, as it was impossible for me to write it at the +same time in Latin. I have not yet been settled a week in Port Royal, +and all the time has [42] been taken up by continual interruptions and +in providing the necessities of life. As to ourselves, Father Masse +and I, we are feeling very well, thank God; but we have been obliged +to take a servant to do the drudgery. We could not dispense with one +without a great deal of anxiety and trouble. + +M. de Potrincourt, who commands here in the name of the King, loves and +esteems us in proportion to his piety. + +We shall take the first opportunity to impart to you what may be, by +the grace of God, our prospects of success in this country. + +The ship has already gone. I shall be obliged to overtake it in a +canoe, that it may not leave without my letters. + +I conjure Your Reverence, through the merits of Jesus Christ, to +remember us and these solitary lands, and to come to our aid in so far +as you are able, not only by the fervent prayers of our Society, but +also by the blessing and favor of our Holy Father the Pope (which I +have already invoked). Surely we sow in great poverty and in tears; may +the Lord grant that we some day reap in joy. Which will come to pass, +as I hope and have said, [43] through the prayers and blessings of Your +Reverence, which are humbly solicited by your + + Unworthy son and servant, + PIERRE BIARD, S. J. + +Port Royal, New France, or Canada, June 11, 1611. + + + + +[Illustration: FIGVRE DE LA TERRE NEVVE, GRANDE RIVIERE DE CANADA, ET +CÔTES DE L'OCEAN EN LA NOVVELLE FRANCE + +_Ian Swelinc fecit I Millot excudit_ MARCVS: LESCARBOT _nunc primum +delin'auit publicauit donauit Avec privilege du Roy_ + +FROM LESCARBOT'S HISTOIRE DE LA NOVVELLE FRANCE; PARIS, 1612. + +[Reduced to 2/3 the dimensions of original.]] + + + + +VII + +JOUVENCY'S CANADICÆ MISSIONIS RELATIO + +ROME: GIORGIO PLACKO, 1710 + + + SOURCE: We follow the general style of O'Callaghan's Reprint No. + 4. The Title-page, Eulogy of Biard, and Table of Contents, are the + work of that Editor. The Text, and List of Missions in 1710, he + reprinted from Jouvency's _Historia Societatis Jesu_ (Rome, 1710), + part v., pp. 321-325, 961, 962; the proof of these we have read + from a copy of that work, found in the library of the College of + St. Francis Xavier, New York. The bracketed pagination in Arabic + figures is that of Jouvency; that in Roman, of O'Callaghan. + + + + + CANADICÆ + + MISSIONIS + + RELATIO + + + _Ab anno 1611 usque ad annum 1613, cum statu ejusdem Missionis, + annis 1703 & 1710_, + + + Auctore JOSEPHO JUVENCIO, Societatis + Jesu, Sacerdote. + + [Illustration] + + Ex Historiæ Soc. Jesu. Lib. xv. Part. v, impressa + + + ROMÆ + Ex Typographia Georgii Plachi + M. D. CC. X. + + + + + AN ACCOUNT OF THE + + CANADIAN + + MISSION + + + _From the year 1611 until the year 1613, with the condition of the + same Mission in the years 1703 and 1710_, + + + By JOSEPH JOUVENCY, a Priest of the + Society of Jesus. + + + Printed from the History of the Society of Jesus, Book xv., Part v. + + + ROME + From the Press of Giorgio Placko + 1710. + + + + +[i] P. Petri Biardi Eulogium ac Vita. + +DE Patre Petro Biardo qui tantam in Missione Canadica inchoanda partem +gessit hæc scribit Pater Josephus Juvencius in sua Historiâ sub anno +1622. + +"Ex omnibus qui hoc anno vivere in provincia Lugdunensi desierunt, +luctu maximo elatus est Avenione P. PETRUS BIARDUS Gratianopolitanus. +Religionis propagandæ studio navigaverat ad barbaros Canadenses, +fueratque inter primos ejus terræ cultores, ut in quinta parte narratum +est. Inde pulsus ab hæreticis Anglis, & redire in Galliam coactus, +totum se impendit [ii] juvandis popularibus suis, quorum ut saluti +consuleret, nihil sibi reliqui ad laborem diligentiamque faciebat. +Ejus tamen industriam experti maxime sunt Parodienses in præfectura +Carolitana, quam civitatem per usitata ordinis ministeria diu coluit. +Novissime regionis præfectus Marchio Ragnius, jussus a rege copias in +Campaniam ducere contra Ernestum Mansfeldium Galliæ finibus imminentem, +Biardum sibi adsciverat comitem expeditionis, & sacrorum ministrum. +Per eam occasionem nescias, utrum spectata magis sit apostolici viri +charitas, an patientia. Magna erat in castris inopia commeatuum. Diaria +militibus præbebantur adeo maligne, ut nonnulli fame perirent. Biardus +cibario, & demensum suum, ac siquid præterea pecuniolæ a ditioribus +emendicando corrogasset, inter egentissimos militum partiebatur, se +ipsum fraudans diurno victu, ut aliis benigne faceret. Avenionem +concesserat [iii] denique, ut attritas tot laboribus vires paucorum +dierum otio reficeret. Verum quasi divinans, instare sibi omnium +laborum & vitæ finem, totum illud tempus impendit excolendo piis +commentationibus animo inter tirones, seque ad primam tirocinii formam +senex emeritus ita composuit, ut nullam omitteret earum exercitationum, +quibus ad sui mundique contemptum erudiri solent novitii. His intentum, +nihilque jam præter cælestia cogitantem mors oppressit, xv. Cal. +Decembris." + +Adhæc non inutile forsan videbitur adjicere quæ ab auctore antiquiore +Philippo scilicet Alegambe scripta sunt in Catalogo Scriptorum +Societatis Jesu, sub verbo Biard: + +"PETRUS BIARDUS natione Gallus, patriâ Gratianopolitanus, operarius +magni zeli, atque adeò multarum palmarum, quas [iv] in horridis et +inuiis Canadensium Septentrionalis Americæ populorum siluis primus +legit. Extrema ibi omnia passus, nihil tamen inhumanum magis, quàm +Hæreticos, expertus est. Feritatis oblita gens barbara integerrimi +hominis innocentiam venerari discebat; cùm ecce tibi sanctitatis +inimica, Deumque nesciens Hæresis, cum Anglis Canadæ oras irrupit; +difficillimæ expeditionis ingens pretium fuit, exosum inde abducere +Jesuitam. Habitus est in vinculis aliquamdiu; & vix tandem in Galliam +nudus ab omni remissus. Intereà verò dum integrum illi esset ad noualia +Canadæ redire, damnum ab Hæreticis illatum sanctè vitus est: reliquo +vitæ tempore quæsiuit intentissimis studiis ad vitam illos, à quibus +ad necem adductus fuerat. Docuerat olim Theologiam Lugduni, non sine +laude. Reuersus è Missione Castrensi, cùm Auenionem diuertisset, & +opportunitate temporis vsus secessisset in Nouitiatum, in ipsis [v] +penè spiritualium Exercitiorum initiis, ad paradisi contemplationem, vt +credimus, euocatus est, die XIX. Nouembris, Anno MDCXXIJ. + +Præter _Epistolam ad R. P. Præpositum Generalem è Portu Regali_, et +_Relationem Expeditionis Anglorum in Canadam_, P. Biardus scripsit +_Librum pro auctoritate Pontificis_, contra Martinettum Ministrum. +Gallicè etiam edidit seorsim _Relationem Novæ Franciæ & itineris Patrum +Societatis Jesu ad illam_. Lugduni apud L. Muguet, MDCXVI. in 12." + + +[i] Eulogy and Life of Father Peter Biard. + +CONCERNING Father Peter Biard, who performed so great a part in the +establishment of the Canadian Mission, Father Joseph Juvency[46] writes +these things in his History, under the year 1622: + +"Of all who during the present year have departed this life in +the province of Lyons, the most regretted was FATHER PETER BIARD, +of Grenoble, who, was taken away at Avignon. With the desire of +propagating religion, he had journeyed to the barbarous Canadians, +and had been among the first settlers of that country, as has been +narrated in the fifth part (of this volume). Upon being driven +thence by the heretical English, and compelled to return to France, +he entirely devoted himself [ii] to the service of his countrymen; +and, that he might provide for their salvation, in no respect showed +himself deficient either in labor or diligence. His industry, however, +was especially enjoyed by the Paray le Monial, in the prefecture +of Charolles, which community he long served with the customary +ministrations of the order. Finally, the prefect of the district, +Marchio Ragne, upon being ordered by the king to lead troops into +Campania against Ernest von Mansfeld,[47] who was threatening the +frontiers of France, had selected Biard as his companion during the +expedition, and as a minister of sacred rites. Upon that occasion one +would doubt whether the charity of the apostolic man, or his patience, +were the more remarkable. There was in the camp a great scarcity of +provisions. Rations were so poorly furnished to the soldiers that +some perished with hunger. Biard divided among the most needy of +them, both his own allowance and whatever small sums of money he had +collected by begging from the more wealthy, depriving himself of daily +sustenance, that he might do a kindness to others. He had retired to +Avignon, [iii] at last, that he might with a few days' leisure refresh +his energies, which had been worn out by so many toils. But divining, +as it were, that the end of all labors and of life was at hand, he +spent all that period in disciplining his spirit by pious meditations +among the novices; and, although an aged man who had served his time, +so adapted himself to the earliest form of the novitiate, that he +omitted none of those exercises by which beginners are educated to a +contempt of themselves and of the world. While intent upon these, and +already thinking of nothing but heavenly things, death seized him on +the 17th day of November." + +To these things it will perhaps not seem useless to add what has been +written by an earlier author, namely, Philip Alegambe,[48] in the +Bibliography of the Authors of the Society of Jesus, under the word +Biard: + +"PETER BIARD, a French citizen, born in Grenoble, a laborer of great +zeal, and of very many laurels which [iv] he first gathered in the +dreadful and pathless forests of the Canadian tribes of North America. +Although suffering there every extremity, he still experienced nothing +more brutal than the Heretics. The barbarous race, forgetting its +savageness, was learning to venerate the character of this most +righteous man; when, behold, Heresy, hostile to holiness and ignorant +of God, burst, together with the English, upon the shores of Canada. +The reward of a very laborious expedition was great,--to drive thence +the hated Jesuit. For some time he was kept in bonds; and at last, +stripped of everything, he was with difficulty restored to France. But +meanwhile, until it was safe to return to the wilds of Canada, he took +vengeance in a holy manner for the injury inflicted by the Heretics; +during the rest of his life he sought with the greatest enthusiasm to +win to life those by whom he had been devoted to death. He had formerly +taught Theology at Lyons, not without commendation. On his return from +the Military Mission, when he had turned aside to Avignon, and, making +use of his opportunity, had retired into the Novitiate, in [v] almost +the very beginning of his spiritual Exercises, he was called away +to the contemplation of paradise, as we believe, on the 19th day of +November, in the year 1622. + +Besides a _Letter to R. P. General Commander from Port Royal_, and +_An Account of the Expedition of the English against Canada_, Father +Biard wrote _A Book Advocating the authority of the Pontiff_ against +Martinet, a minister. In French, also, he published separately _An +Account of New France and of the journey thither of the Fathers of the +Society of Jesus_. Lyons, by L. Muguet, 1616, in 12mo."--[O'CALLAGHAN.] + + +[vii] Tabvla Rervm. + Pag. + + _SOCIETAS Jesu, in Canadam, seu Novam Franciam inducta_ 5 + + II _Initium Canadicæ Missionis, & primi fructus_ 7 + + III _Domicilia Societatis & Missiones in Nova Francia_ 18 + + IV _Missio Canadensis ab Anglis proturbata_ 25 + + V _Unus è Societate interficitur; alii Canada ejiciuntur_ 27 + + VI _Missiones Societatis Jesu in America septentrionali, Anno 1710_ + 37 + + +[vii] Table of Contents. + +[_The page numbers refer to O'Callaghan's Reprint._] + + + Page. + + _THE Society of Jesus introduced into Canada or New France_ 5 + + II _Beginning and first fruits of the Canadian Mission_ 7 + + III _Settlements and Missions of the Society in New France_ 18 + + IV _The Canadian Mission driven out by the English_ 25 + + V _One of the members of the Society is killed; the others are expelled + from Canada_ 27 + + VI _Missions of the Society of Jesus in North America, in the year + 1710_ 37 + + +Missionis Canadicæ Relatio. + +[321 §. II.] SOCIETAS JESU, IN CANADAM, SEU NOVAM FRANCIAM INDUCTA. + +AMERICAM septentrionalem tres præcipuè nationes obtinent, Hispani, +Galli, & Angli. Mexicum, Floridæ pars & Californiæ, sunt Hispanæ +ditionis. Littora orienti foli opposita & ad Austrum devexa occuparunt +variis temporibus Angli, Sueci, & Hollandi. Quod inter illos & +Mexicanos versus septentriones & occasum campi jacet, Galli tenent, ac +Novam Franciam, sive Canadam, vulgo vocant. Nihil tetrius immaniusve +barbaris Canadensibus fingi poterat, prius quam inducta religione +mitescerent, ut patebit ex iis quæ Paragrapho decimo referentur. Nunc +barbaries, & foeda scelerum cohors, rationi ac virtuti locum dedit, +videturque huic oraculo [_Isai. c. 35._] veteri constare fides: +_Lætabitur deserta & invia, & exultabit solitudo, & florebit quasi +lilium._ + + +An Account of the Canadian Mission. + +[321 §. II.] THE SOCIETY OF JESUS INTRODUCED INTO CANADA, OR NEW FRANCE. + +NORTH AMERICA is occupied principally by three nations--the Spanish, +the French, and the English. Mexico, a part of Florida and of +California, belongs to the Spanish dominions. The shores opposite to +the rising sun, and stretching Southward, have been occupied at various +times by the English, the Swedes, and the Dutch. The French possess the +territory which lies between these and the Mexicans, towards the north +and west, commonly called New France or Canada. Nothing fouler and more +hideous than the savage Canadians could have been imagined, before they +began to soften under the influence of religion, as will appear from +matters to be presented in the tenth Paragraph. Now, barbarism and the +vile array of sins have given place to reason and virtue, which seems +to confirm our faith in this ancient prophecy: [_Isaiah, c. 35._] _The +land that was desolate and impassable shall be glad, and the wilderness +shall rejoice, and shall flourish like the lily._ + + +INITIUM CANADICÆ MISSIONIS, & PRIMI FRUCTUS. + +AMERICÆ littora, Franciæ obversa, Galli jam inde ab anno MDXXIV. +identidem lustraverunt: sed obiter, & quasi prætereuntes. Demum +superiori seculo ineunte, regionem interiorem subiit Samuel Camplenius, +qui Canadensis coloniæ parens merito dici potest. Jamque negotiatio +bellissimè procedebat, cum Henricus IV. de religione magis, quàm de +commercio solicitus, in hanc Orbis novi partem inferre Christiana sacra +decrevit, anno MDCVIII. ac Societatis homines ad hanc Apostolicam +expeditionem postulavit. Certior de consilio Regis factus P. Petrus +Cotonus, regiæ conscientiæ moderator, jussusque strenuos quamprimum +designare sacerdotes, qui solida tanti operis jacerent fundamenta, +Societatis Præpositum admonuit. Ex omni, non juvenum modo, sed etiam +senum, numero, laboriosam Missionem flagitantium, delecti sunt P. +Petrus Biardus, Gratianopolitanus, theologiæ professor in collegio +Lugdunensi; & P. Enemundus Massæus, Lugdunensis. Moram consiliis +felicibus attulit Regis improvisa mors; & Societatis amicorum studia, +qui navem & reliqua itineri necessaria comparabant, debilitavit. Sed +invicta rebus adversis Cotoni pietas, Reginæ auctoritatem interposuit, +ut difficultates objectas profligaret. Ergo indicitur profectio: +Patres Deppam advolant, inde vela Novam in Franciam facturi. Ecce +autem repentè inexpectatus obex. Ea navis erat Potrincurtii, nobilis +Galli: duobus tamen mercatoribus Calvinianis obnoxia, utpote qui +sumptus non leves ad illam armamentis instruendam fecerant. Isti +simul atque imponendos in hanc homines Societatis audierunt, negant +enimvero se passuros ut è portu solvat. Opponitur imperium Reginæ, +mandata ingeminantur. Respondent per se non stare quin sacerdotes +alii quilibet admittantur; at sibi cum nostris hominibus nihil esse +rei velle. Ubi vidit Cotonus improborum pertinaciam frangi non posse, +alia rem aggressus est via. Erat matrona non pietate minus quàm +genere nobilis, Antonia Guerchevillæa. Hæc negotium Missionis haud +secus procurabat, ac suum: utque non vulgarem apud multos gratiam, +virtutis opinione collegerat, magnam subito pecuniæ vim corrogavit, +qua mercatoribus hæreticis summa rependeretur, ab iis in adornandam +navim contributa. Sic illis rejectis & invitis, Patres admissi +suerunt. At, quia interim extractum tempus fuerat, non ante VII. +Kalend. Februarias, cum hyemaret asperum æquor, vela sunt facta. Hinc +mensium quatuor cursus fuit, qui vulgo duorum est; ac morbis intus, +tempestatibus foris, infestus. Ingressi demum ostia Laurentiani fluvii +XI. Kal. Junias, ipso sacro Pentecostes die, vestigia Christianæ +religionis aliqua invenere, leviter ab iis quos è Gallia profectos in +hanc plagam diximus, impressa. Cum enim illis ignotus [322] gentis +sermo, nec certum constansque in humo barbara domicilium esset, +facultas non suppetebat erudiendi quos obiter baptizabant: quique +pristinos in mores revoluti, Christianum vix retinebant nomen, +illudque popularibus vitiis conspurcabant. Prima Patribus cura fuit +ut sacellum construerent, perdiscerent linguam vernaculam, excolerent +Gallos, qui è veteri Francia in novam navigaverant. Instituta est +solennis supplicatio; Christus sanctissimi Sacramenti velo tectus, & +quanto fieri potuit maximo apparatu circumvectus, in terræ felicis, +tot sanctis postea frequentandæ veluti possessionem auspicatò venit. +Proxima infantibus sacro lavandis fonte cura est data, quorum nonnulli, +post susceptum salutis sacramentum, ad terram viventium possidendam, +quasi gentis totius nomine, demigrarunt. Puellam annos natam novem, +oppressam gravi morbo, parentes abjecerant. Cum enim artis medicæ +prorsus ignara natio sit, ægrotos facile desperat, neque cibo, aut +curatione ulla, juvat. Depositam Patres à parentibus postularunt, +ut expiarent lympha salutari. Ultro illis permissa est, quippe quæ +instar mortui canis haberetur. Abductam in mapale separatum curavere +sedulo: edoctam, quantum erat necesse; baptizatam, ac nona post luce +mortuam, coelo intulerunt. Eadem Sociorum caritas lætiorem exitum in +juvene sortita est. Ejus pater Membertous, primus omnium, uti narrant, +barbarorum, cum è Gallia navigatum illuc fuit, in Christianorum numerum +venerat; homo strenuus, & omnium popularium testimonio, ceteris longè +præstans animi robore, belli scientia, clientelarum multitudine, & +gloriosi claritudine cognominis; quippe Magni Imperatoris titulum +publico suffragio consecutus. Hunc obtinebat locum Membertous inter +Souriquios, qui Acadiam, circa ostia Laurentiani amnis, incolunt. +Ejus filium difficili ægritudine conflictatum P. Biardus invisit. +Miratur nihil triste in tugurio; non planctum, non flebiles nænias: +imo epulum, choream, & duos tresve canes alligatos. Quærit quid hæc +sibi velint. Respondent juvenem brevi esse moriturum, amicos vocatos: +illis epulum parari: funebrem choream postea ducendam: canes, quos +videbat, interficiendos, placandis mortui Manibus. Exclamavit Pater +nequaquam ista Christianis hominibus convenire, & impias consuetudines +graviter increpuit. Senior, adolescentis parens, ignorantiam excusavit; +ceterum se ac filium in ipsius esse potestate; doceret, juberet, +imperata facturos. Sacerdos vetuit ne canes interficerentur: saltatores +importunos amandavit: epuli partem, quæ superstitionis habere +nihil videbatur, permisit: in primis autem, ne deponeretur penitus +ægroti cura prohibuit; imo suasit ut ad Gallorum domicilia, quamvis +longè disjuncta, deportaretur; sperare se, favente Deo, futurum ut +convalesceret. Benignè auditus est à Membertoo: delatus æger ad nos +fuit, ridentibus, ac bolum tantum tam subito è faucibus ereptum sibi +dolentibus veneficis, & circulatoribus, quorum sententiâ conclamatus +adolescens vivere posse negabatur. Ac sane agebat animam, cùm triduo +post ad Gallorum domicilia pervenit, fractus itinere ac morbo. Patrum +tamen arte ac studio, & scilicet Dei benignitate, recreatus est; +nec ipse tantum in fide catholica confirmatus, sed ejus capessendæ +desiderio complures inflammati. + +Incidit aliquanto post in morbum pater adolescentis, & ad nos similiter +deferri voluit, ubi nostrum in tugurium, atque adeo in unius è Patribus +lectum acceptus, piè vitam clausit; quodque barbaris novum accidit ac +molestum, illatus est in commune Christianæ plebi sepulcrum: nam ipsi +a sepulcris majorum ægerrime divelluntur. Curatum funus illustri, ut +rerum ferebant angustiæ, pompa. Nec honore isto qualicumque indigna +barbari virtus erat, qui etiam ante quàm Christum nosset, non potuerat +adduci ut plures una duceret uxores: id naturæ ac rationi magis +consentaneum arbitratus. Post susceptam vero Christi Fidem ita vixerat, +ut barbaris admirationi esset, Christianis exemplo. + +Hæc domi gesta. Egressi deinde quasi pomerio præcones Evangelici magnam +regionis partem lustravere. Divina res, ubicumque licuit, facta: +impositæ manus ægrotis, conciliati munusculis parentes ac liberi; +data Gallis, novas condentibus sedes, opera; necnon classiariis atque +vectoribus. Non defuit patientiæ læta seges, ac tanta interdum exstitit +annonæ penuria, ut singulis hebdomadis certum [323] unicuique demensum +daretur, quod vix sufficiebat in unum diem, videlicet panis unciæ +decem, selibra carnis sale maceratæ, & pisorum, fabarumve aliquantulum. +Adhæc, erat sibi quisque faber, sarcinator, pistor, coquus, lignator, +& aquator. Occurrebant interdum Patribus, in his ærumnis, voces +illorum, quibus Moses provinciam explorandæ Chananitidis dederat, +[_Num. c._ 13, 14.] _Terra hæc devorat habitatores suos; ibi vidimus +monstra quædam filiorum Enac, de genere Giganteo, quibus comparati, +quasi locustæ videbamur_. At simul veniebat in mentem oratio Josue, +& Calebi, plena divinæ fiduciæ: _Terra valde bona est. Si propitius +fuerit Dominus, inducet nos in eam. Neque timeatis populum terræ hujus, +Dominus nobiscum est._ + + +BEGINNING AND FIRST FRUITS OF THE CANADIAN MISSION. + +THE French had, since the year 1524, often visited the coasts of +America opposite to France, but cursorily, and, as it were, while +passing by. Finally, at the beginning of the last century, Samuel +Champlain, who well deserves to be called the parent of the Canadian +colony, entered the region of the interior. Already was the undertaking +progressing very favorably, when Henry IV., more solicitous for +religion than for commerce, resolved, in the year 1608, to introduce +Christian rites into this part of the new World, and asked members of +the Society to undertake this Apostolic enterprise. Upon being informed +of the plan of the King, and ordered to choose as soon as possible +energetic priests who would lay solidly the foundations of so great a +work, Father Coton, the confessor of the king, informed the Commander +of the Society. From the whole number, not only of youths but also +of old men, who sought this laborious Duty, there were chosen Father +Peter Biard, of Grenoble, a professor of theology in the college +of Lyons, and Father Enemond Massé, of Lyons. The unforeseen death +of the King delayed this auspicious enterprise, and diminished the +enthusiasm of the friends of the Society, who were providing a ship +and other necessaries for the voyage. But the pious Coton, unconquered +by adversity, brought in the authority of the Queen, in order that +he might overcome the difficulties in his way. As a result, the time +was set for their departure, and the Fathers hastened to Dieppe, in +order that they might sail thence for New France. But, lo! suddenly +an unexpected obstacle. Their ship belonged to Poutrincourt, a French +nobleman; it was, however, subject to the control of two Calvinistic +merchants, since they had incurred no light expense toward providing +her with equipments. As soon as they heard that members of the Society +were to be embarked upon her, they refused to allow her to leave +the port. The authority of the Queen was invoked; her commands were +reiterated. They answered that they would not refuse admission to any +other sort of priests, but that they were unwilling to have anything to +do with our men. When Coton saw that the stubbornness of the rascals +could not be overcome, he approached the matter by another way. There +was a lady distinguished not less for piety than for birth, Antoinette +de Guercheville. This woman was as solicitous for the interests of +the Mission as for her own; and since she had acquired an uncommon +influence among many, because of her reputation for integrity, she +quickly collected a large sum of money, by means of which the heretical +merchants were repaid the amount which they had spent in equipping the +ship. So, although the merchants were disappointed and unwilling, the +Fathers were admitted. But, because of the intervening delay, they +did not sail until the 26th of January, when the storms of winter +caused a raging sea. On this account the voyage was of four months' +duration, although ordinarily of two, and was terrible because of +disease within and tempests without. Having entered at last the mouth +of the St. Lawrence river on the 22nd day of May, on the holy day of +Pentecost, they came upon some traces of the Christian religion, which +had been superficially impressed by those whom we have mentioned as +having journeyed from France into this region. For, since the speech +of the people was unknown [322] to them, and they had no certain and +fixed residence in this savage land, there was no opportunity for +educating those whom they chanced to baptize, and who, plunging again +into their former habits, scarcely retained the Christian name, while +defiling it with their native vices. The first concern of the Fathers +was to build a chapel, to learn the language of the country, and to +instruct the Frenchmen who had emigrated from old to new France. A +solemn Thanksgiving was enjoined; the figure of Christ, covered with a +canopy, was carried about with the greatest possible ceremony; and he +came auspiciously into the possession, so to speak, of the happy land +afterwards to be frequented by so many holy men. Next, attention was +given to laving the infants in the sacred font, of whom some, after +receiving the sacrament of salvation, departed to their homes in the +land of the immortals, in the name, as it were, of the whole race. +A girl aged nine years, afflicted with a grievous disease, had been +abandoned by her parents. For, since the race is altogether ignorant +of the art of medicine, they readily despair of the sick, and neither +provide them with food nor care for them in any way. The Fathers asked +her parents to give them the forsaken child, in order that they might +sanctify her with the water of salvation. She was readily handed over +to them; and naturally, inasmuch as she was considered no better than +a dead dog. Taking her apart to their hut they gave her assiduous +care; she was baptized, and, dying on the ninth day afterward, they +introduced her into Heaven. The same charity of the Associates +resulted more fortunately in the case of a young boy. His father was +Membertou, who, they say, in the early days of navigation thither +from France, first of all the savages became a Christian; he was an +energetic man, and, according to the testimony of all his countrymen, +far excelled others in vigor of mind, in knowledge of war, in number of +dependents, and the distinction of a glorious name, for by public vote +he had acquired the title of "Great Chief." This position Membertou +held among the Souriquois, who inhabit Acadia about the mouth of the +St. Lawrence river. Father Biard visited Membertou's son, who was +suffering from a dangerous illness. He was surprised that there was no +grief in the wigwam; no lamentations, no tearful dirges; instead, a +feast, a dance, and two or three dogs fastened together. He asked what +these things meant. They answered that the youth would die in a short +time; that the friends had been invited, and for them the banquet was +being prepared; that afterwards a funeral dance was to be conducted; +and that the dogs which he saw were to be killed to appease the Spirit +of the dead boy. The Father exclaimed that these things were quite +unfitting for Christian men, and severely censured the impious custom. +The parent of the youth excused his ignorance; he said that henceforth +he and his son should be under the Father's direction; he begged him +to instruct and command them, and said that they would execute his +orders. The Priest forbade the killing of the dogs; he dismissed the +rude dancers; a part of the repast he allowed, as not devoted to +superstitious rites. He insisted that the patient should no longer be +neglected; still more, he persuaded them that the boy should be taken +to the dwellings of the French, although these were far distant, saying +that he hoped, by the favor of God, for his recovery. The priest was +favorably heard by Membertou; the patient was brought to us, although +the sorcerers and medicine-men, who declared that the unhappy youth +could not live, ridiculed this decision, and grieved that such a morsel +should be snatched suddenly from their jaws. And indeed he was at the +point of death, when, three days afterward, exhausted by the journey, +and by sickness, he arrived at the French settlement. Nevertheless, by +the skill and devotion of the Fathers, and by the kindness of God, he +was restored; nor was he alone established in the Catholic faith, but +many of his countrymen were inflamed with the desire of adopting it. + +Some time afterward, the father of the young man fell sick, and wished +to be also brought to us, where, after being received into our hut +and even into the bed of one of the Fathers, he piously departed this +life; and, what was novel and displeasing to the savages, he was buried +among Christian people; for they themselves are very reluctant to be +separated from the tombs of their ancestors. His funeral was observed, +as far as the limitations of the case permitted, with marked ceremony. +Nor was this savage's virtue unworthy in any respect of that honor; +for, even before he had learned of Christ, he could not be induced +to marry more than one wife, considering this more in harmony with +nature and reason. But, after his acceptance of the Faith of Christ, +he so lived that he was to the savages an object of admiration, to the +Christians an example. + +These things were accomplished at home. Then going forth, as it were, +from the city walls, the heralds of the Gospel traversed a great +part of the country. A godly act was performed whenever opportunity +allowed; hands were laid upon the sick; parents and children were +conciliated by means of little gifts; services were rendered to the +French who were establishing new homes; nor were the seamen and ships' +passengers neglected. There was not lacking a glad harvest for their +patience. Meanwhile, so great a scarcity of provisions existed, that +for each week [323] a ration was allotted, so scanty that it was hardly +sufficient for one day; namely, ten ounces of bread, half a pound of +salted meat, and a handful of peas or beans. In addition to this, each +man was his own mechanic, mender, miller, cook, hewer of wood, and +drawer of water. There occurred sometimes to the Fathers, in the midst +of the miseries, the words of those to whom Moses had given the task of +reconnoitering Canaan: [_Num. c. 13, 14._] _This land ... devoureth its +inhabitants; ... there we saw certain monsters of the sons of Enac of +the Giant-kind: in comparison of whom, we seemed like locusts._ But at +the same time there came into mind the speech of Joshua and of Caleb, +full of divine trust: _The land which we have gone round is very good. +If the Lord be favorable, he will bring us into it.... Fear ye not the +people of this land, ... the Lord is with us._ + + +DOMICILIA SOCIETATIS & MISSIONES IN NOVA FRANCIA. + +ET esse cum servis suis, ac militibus Dominum, exitus comprobavit. +Nam hoc anno MDCCIII. ineunte, cum hæc scribimus, præter Quebecense +collegium, numerantur in hac _terra deserta_ prius _& invia_ triginta +& amplius florentissimæ cultissimæque Missiones nostræ Societatis. +Prima in conspectu Quebeci, decimo ab urbe lapide, Lauretana dicitur. +Altera in pago Tadussaco sedet: ad ripam fluvii Laurentiani, leucis +infra Quebecum LX. versus ortum. Tres aliæ supra Quebecum ipsum, +longe procurrunt in Boream, circa lacum S. Joannis: una in eo loco, +qui à septem insulis nomen habet; altera, in pago Chigoutimino; +tertia, secus amnem Saguenæum. Excoluntur ibi Montagnæi, Papinachii, +Mistassini, & aliæ passim gentes errabundæ. Jam, si versus obeuntis +solis partes & fluminis Laurentiani fontem tendas, occurret in ejus +ripâ septentrionali pagus Trium fluminum dictus, quia ibi tria quædam +flumina confluunt: abest Quebeco septem octove dierum iter. Florebat +illic AlgonKinorum Missio longe pulcherrima, sed hanc vinum igne +vaporatum & stillatum, à mercatoribus Europæis, facilem inde quæstum +male captantibus invectum, vehementer labefactavit inducta ebrietate. +Pensat hæc damna virtus ac pietas AbnaKisorum. Triplex apud illos +statio collocata una Quebeco non procul, in XLVI. gradu latitudinis, +nomine S. Francisci Salesii & patrocinio insignita: aliæ duæ sunt +remotiores; loco nomen est NipisiKouit. Trans amnem Laurentianum ad +Meridiem funduntur Iroquæorum quinque nationes. Septem sunt apud illos +præconum Evangelii domicilia, per centum quinquaginta leucas sparsa. Ex +iis sex profligata fuerant bello Gallos inter & Iroquæos conflato circa +annum MDCLXXXII. Revocata cum religione pax anno MDCCII. omnia priorem +in statum restituit. In iis Iroquæorum Missionibus ea præcipuè floret, +quæ à S. Francisco Xaverio nomen habet, ad Montem-Regalem. + +Supra Iroquæos, versus occasum & Aquilonem, intra quadragesimum +gradum & XLV. cernere est majores duos lacus angusto freto junctos: +alter, isque amplior, Ilinæorum; alter Huronum dicitur. Hos ingens +terræ lingua dividit, cujus in apice sedet Missio S. Ignatii, sive +MissilimaKinacana. Supra duos istos lacus tertius est, ambobus major, +quem superiorem lacum appellant. Hujus in aditu constituta est Missio +S. Mariæ à Saltu. Interjectum inter hunc, & binos inferiores lacus +spatium occupant OutaouaKi, apud quos plurima stativa Societas habet. +Ejusmodi arces religionis (sic enim appellare Missiones licet) unde +suos profert milites, & sacra explicat vexilla, tres circa lacum +Ilinæorum positæ sunt, prima inter Puteatamisos: Missio Sancti Josephi +nuncupatur: altera inter KiKarousos, MasKoutensos, & Outagamisos; +S. Francisci Xaverii nomen obtinet: tertia inter Oumiamisos, Angeli +Custodis. Infra memoratos lacus, supra ipsam Floridam, vastissimos +pererrant campos Ilinæi. Ibi amplissima statio, cui nomen ab immaculata +Virginis Matris conceptione impositum, tres in Missiones secatur, & +ad fluvium usque Missisipum procurrit. Insidet ejusdem fluminis ripis +missio Baiogulana, in trigesimo primo gradu latitudinis: demum ultima +protenditur secundum eundem amnem versus Mexicanum sinum. Hæc visum est +enucleare paulo distinctius, & quasi sub uno statim aspectu ponere, ut +intelligatur quò singula referenda sint, quæ postea de Nova Francia +narrabuntur. + +Restat ignota Europæis adhuc pars Canadæ immensa, ultra Missisipum +fluvium, clementiori subjecta coelo, frequens incolis, armentis +frugibusque læta; vitæ veræ ac salutis expers. Hæc generosos Christi +milites vocat. Nec non altera [324] longe isti dissimilis, quæ +rigidis circa Hudsonium finum, à gradu LV. ad LX. aut LXX. subjecta +septentrionibus, nivibus ac pruinis demersa, tanto æquiùs implorat +opem, quanto gravioribus incommodis conflictatur. Hic Societas ante +annos paucos prima coepit figere vestigia. Illucescet illa, spero, +dies, cum obvallatum periculis ac laboribus iter eadem perrumpet. Non +sine magno molimine claustra Tartari, oppressas injusta servitute +animas retinentis, perfringuntur; neque illa ipsa, tot florens modo +coloniis, Missio Canadica statim suam est maturitatem adepta. Ægrè per +sexdecim annos tanquam in salebris hæsit, nec suam quandam nacta formam +est, nisi anno seculi superioris quinto & vigesimo, cùm se aliquando ex +illis angustiis explicuit, P. Petri Cotoni, cui sua debebat primordia, +beneficio, ut sexta Pars Historiæ fusius exponet. + +Nunc ærumnarum ac periculorum plenos natales referimus laboriosæ +Missionis, quæ vix nata, in ipsis cunis per Anglos propemodùm extincta +est. + + +SETTLEMENTS AND MISSIONS OF THE SOCIETY IN NEW FRANCE. + +AND that the Lord is with his servants and soldiers, the outcome has +proved. For, in the beginning of this year 1703, while we are writing +these things, there are numbered in this formerly _solitary and +unexplored country_ more than thirty very prosperous and well-equipped +Missions of our Society, besides the college of Quebec. The first of +these, in sight of Quebec, at the tenth mile-stone from the city, is +called Lorette. Another is situated in the district of Tadoussac, on +the shore of the river St. Lawrence, sixty leagues below Quebec toward +the east. Three others, above Quebec itself, extend far into the North +about lake St. John; one in that place which takes its name from the +seven islands;[49] another in the district of Chigoutimini;[50] the +third on the Saguenay river. There they minister to the Montagnais, the +Papinachois, the Mistassins, and other wandering tribes. Now, if you +journey towards the regions of the setting sun, and the source of the +St. Lawrence river, you will find upon its northern bank a district +called Three rivers, because there three rivers flow together: it is +distant from Quebec seven or eight days' journey. Here, there formerly +flourished the most successful Mission of the Algonquins; but it has +been much weakened through the drunkenness induced by brandy, brought +in by European merchants who thus wickedly derive an easy profit. But +these losses are compensated by the virtue and piety of the Abenakis. +Among them a mission of three stations has been established; one +located among them, not far from Quebec, on the forty-sixth parallel +of latitude, distinguished by the name and patronage of St. Francis de +Sales: the other two are more remote, at a place named Nipisikouit. +Across the St. Lawrence river, to the South, extend the five nations of +the Iroquois. There are among them seven stations of the Evangelists, +scattered through a hundred and fifty leagues. Of these, six were +destroyed in the war which arose between the French and Iroquois, about +the year 1682. Peace, together with the recall of the missionaries, +in the year 1702 restored all things to their previous condition.[51] +Among these Missions of the Iroquois, that one is especially +flourishing which is named for St. Francis Xavier, at Montreal.[52] + +Above the Iroquois, toward the west and North, between the fortieth and +forty-fifth parallels, one may see two great lakes joined by a narrow +strait; the larger one is called the lake of the Ilinois,[53] the other +the lake of the Hurons.[54] These are separated by a large peninsula, +at the point of which is situated the Mission of St. Ignatius, or +Missilimakinac.[55] Above these two lakes there is a third, greater +than either, called lake superior. At the entrance of this lake has +been established the Mission of Ste. Marie at the Sault.[56] The space +between this and two smaller lakes is occupied by the Outaouaki, among +whom the Society has many stations. Three such citadels of religion +(for thus it is proper to call the Missions), whence she leads forth +her soldiers and unfurls her sacred standards, have been located about +the lake of the Ilinois: the first, among the Puteatamis, and called +the Mission of St. Joseph; another, among the Kikarous, Maskoutens, +and Outagamies, and possessing the name of St. Francis Xavier:[57] the +third, among the Oumiamis,[58] has the name of the Guardian Angel. +Below the lakes which have been mentioned, above Florida, the Ilinois +roam through most extensive territories. There, a very large station, +named from the immaculate conception of the Virgin Mother, is divided +into three Missions, and extends as far as the river Mississippi. Upon +the banks of the same river is situated the mission of Baiogula, at the +thirty-first parallel of latitude;[59] and it extends down that stream +towards the gulf of Mexico. It has seemed best to explain these matters +somewhat fully, because the individual facts here specified will be +referred to in what is to be hereafter narrated concerning New France. + +There remains unknown to Europeans, up to the present time, an immense +portion of Canada, beyond the Mississippi river, situated beneath a +milder sky, well-inhabited, and abounding in animal and vegetable life; +the whole, deprived of true life and of salvation. This region calls to +the generous soldiers of Christ. So is it, likewise, [324] with another +region far dissimilar to that, around the frozen Hudson bay, from the +fifty-fifth parallel to the sixtieth or seventieth; lying at the north, +plunged in snows and frosts, it even more justly implores aid, as it +is afflicted by more weighty ills. Here the Society, a few years ago, +first began to plant its footsteps. That day will dawn, I hope, when +it shall break through the barriers of dangers and toils. Not without +great exertion are the gates of Tartarus, which hold burdened souls in +unmerited bondage, broken down; nor did the Canadian Mission itself, +now flourishing with so many settlements, all at once attain its full +development. Grievously, through sixteen years did it, so to speak, +stick in a rough road; indeed, it did not take shape until 1625, when +it was extricated from its perplexities by the aid of Father Peter +Coton, to whom it owed its origin, as the sixth Part of this History +will more fully explain. + +Now we return to the natal days, full of hardships and dangers, of the +toilsome Mission, which, scarcely born, was almost exterminated in its +cradle by the English. + + +MISSIO CANADENSIS AB ANGLIS PROTURBATA. + +SOCIIS illic degentibus venerant auxilio Idibus Maii anni MDCXIII. +Pater Quintinus, & Frater Gilbertus Thetus, regio diplomate instructi, +quo facultas ipsis dabatur novi domicilii commodo loco ædificandi. +Gallos reperiunt incumbentes in condendam urbem, & periculi, quod +instabat, ignaros. Angli paucis ante annis occupaverant Virginiam. +Hæc Americæ septentrionalis ad ortum portio maritima, inter Floridam +Novamque Franciam sita, tricesimo sexto, septimo, & octavo gradibus +substernitur. Eò cum tenderent Angli æstivis anni MDCXIII. mensibus, & +inscii locorum errarent, ob exortam caliginem, quæ huic mari densissima +solet per eos menses incubare, paulatim delapsi sunt ad littus, ubi +Galli consederant, haud procul portu Sancti Salvatoris. Postquam +cognoverunt Gallicas naves ibi consistere, arma expediunt, & in portum +invehuntur. Interea Galli ancipiti opinione suspensi, amicos an hostes +censerent, quos recta in suam stationem ventus inferebat, eventum +trepidi opperiebantur. Brevi, quinam essent patuit. Angli facto impetu +in Gallicum navigium, paucis instructum propugnatoribus, ceteris ad +condenda domicilia digressis, id nullo negotio expugnant. + + +THE CANADIAN MISSION DRIVEN OUT BY THE ENGLISH. + +TO OUR COMRADES residing in that place there had come as a +reinforcement, on the 15th day of May, 1613, Father Quentin and Brother +Gilbert du Thet, provided with a royal commission, by which they were +empowered to establish a new settlement in a suitable location.[60] +They found the French intent upon founding a city, and unaware of the +danger which threatened. The English, a few years before, had occupied +Virginia. This eastern coast-region of North America, situated between +Florida and New France, is comprised between the thirty-sixth and +thirty-eighth parallels. While the English were sailing thither in the +summer months of the year 1613, and, having lost their bearings and +strayed from their course, on account of the fogs, which usually are +very heavy upon this sea in the summer, they were gradually borne to +the shore where the French had settled,[61] not far from the port of +St. Sauveur. When they learned that a French ship was stationed there, +they made ready their weapons and entered the harbor. Meanwhile the +French, uncertain whether they should consider as friends or foes those +whom the wind was bearing directly towards their position, tremblingly +awaited the outcome. Who they were was soon apparent. The English +attacked the French ship,[62] wherein few were drawn up in defense--for +the others had departed to work on the buildings--and with no trouble +captured her. + + +UNUS È SOCIETATE INTERFICITUR; ALII CANADA EJICIUNTUR. + +PRIMO in conflictu Gilbertus Thetus, domesticæ rei adiutor è Societate, +confossus lethali plaga, postridie religiosa morte occubuit. Ceteri +Patres qui stabant in littore, in potestatem Argalli, prætoris Angli, +venerunt. Ille, dum Gallicæ navis prædam & supellectilem recenset, +subduxit clam è Saussæii, navis Gallicæ gubernatoris, qui huic +expeditioni præerat, scrinio regium diploma, cujus fide tota novæ +coloniæ ratio nitebatur. Mox ipsum Saussæium è littore subeuntem +adortus, quærit ex eo quo jure, cujus auctoritate, novas tam prope +Virginiam sedes moliatur. Laudavit Saussæius regium diploma, quod se +in capsis rite conscriptum habere dixit. Ad eas ubi ventum est, vidit +integras, & obseratas, suisque omnia digesta locis agnovit, diploma +nullum apparuit. Tum Argallus, vultu & voce ad severitatem compositis, +fugitivos & prædones conclamat, ac necem commeruisse pronunciat, +simulque navim suis diripiendam tradit. Illum interea Patres obsecrant +ut victis benignè consulat, quibus objici nihil noxæ possit aliud, quàm +quod in pacato solo fuerint nimium securi: auctoritatem Regis Galliæ +non dubiam ac voluntatem testantur. Prætor probè sibi conscius vera +narrari, comiter eos audivit, & omnibus potestatem in Galliam redeundi +fecit. Duas in naviculas infelix turba imponitur, quarum una cursum +in Galliam rectà dirigeret; altera cum aliquot Anglis solveret in +Virginiam, inde Franciam petitura. Hanc PP. Biardus & Quintinus, illam +P. Massæus, & Saussæius conscenderunt. Utriusque sors longè dispar +fuit. Quæ Saussæium & P. Massæum vehebat dum oram maritimam legit, +annonâ, nautis, armamentis destituta, incidit in geminas naves reditum +in Galliam adornantes. Jungit se illis læta, cumque suis vectoribus +Maclovium, Britanniæ Aremoricæ oppidum, paucis diebus tenuit. + +Interim Argallus, classis Anglicæ præfectus, Patres Biardum & Quintinum +deducturus in Virginiam, ut constitutum fuerat, paululum iis præivit +cum sua navi prætoria. Virginiam obtinebat Anglus ferox, nomini +Gallico, ac Societati nostræ [325] perinfensus. Ubi adventare Jesuitas +audivit, vociferatur perdendos homines improbissimos, busta pietatis +ac religionis. Argallus contra nitebatur; seque vivo nihil molestiæ +damnive Patribus inferendum affirmabat: hanc enim ipsis dederat fidem; +& regium diploma, cujus auctoritate colonia Gallica in Novam Franciam +deducebatur, protulit. Hoc diplomate inflammatus homo furiosus, +exturbandos è Nova Francia Gallos clamat. In hanc sententiam Angli +proceres iverunt. Jubetur Argallus viam remetiri; Gallos, quicumque +superessent, ejicere, domicilia evertere, & æquare solo. Rediit: arces +in ora Canadensi extructas incendit, omnia delevit, ac naves duas in +Regio Portu deprehensas, invasit. + +Dum hæc in Canada geruntur, naves Anglicæ, præeuntem Argallum secutæ, +aliæ procul à Virginia ventorum vi abreptæ; aliæ undis haustæ sunt. +Una, cui Turnellus Anglus præerat, & qua Patres Quintinus ac Biardus +vehebantur, continentibus sexdecim dierum procellis vexata, in Azores, +Lusitanorum ad Africæ littus insulas, celerrimè defertur. Hic vero +novum exoritur periculum. Turnellus poenam metuens, quòd Societatis +sacerdotes per summam immanitatem domicilio avulsos spoliatosque secum +traheret, indignisque habuisset modis, de illorum nece agitare consilia +coepit. Satius denique illi visum ad eorum clementiam & humanitatem, +quam in gravissimis injuriis perspexerat, confugere. Operam tamen +dedit, ne intraret portum; sed stante in ancoris navigio, necessariam +annonam immissâ scaphâ pararet. Contra quàm speraverat accidit. Secundo +enim vento impulsus, portum quamlibet invitus reluctansque subiit. +Nostri de illo, quamvis non ita merito, ne verbum quidem ullum, quo +accusaretur, interposuere: læti quod hostem ita servassent. Agnovit +beneficium gubernator Anglus; ac deinceps sæpenumero cum summa Patrum +laude prædicavit. Id vero multo fecit impensiùs, cùm tempestate ad +Angliæ urbem Penbrochium projectus, ejus oppidi magistratibus movit +suspicionem maritimi latronis, quòd & Francicâ veheretur navi, neque +scriptam auctoritatem proferret, qua suam navigationem tueretur. +Asseveranti se à prætore suo Argallo tempestate divulsum, fides non +habebatur. In tanto discrimine sacerdotes duos Societatis testes +citavit, quos haberet in navi, & quorum incorrupta fides nemini +venire posset in dubium. Cum Patres interrogati rem ita se habere +confirmassent, periculo liberatus est. Reddidit quam debebat illorum +humanitati vicem; utque ipsis non solum esset impune, sed etiam ut +à magistratu honor haberetur, curavit. Certior interim factus Regis +Christianissimi orator de Patrum navigatione difficili, & in Angliam +adventu, egit cum Angliæ Rege de remittendis illis in Galliam. Quo +annuente, Ambianum decimo, quàm fuerant capti, mense ad Socios læti +sospitesque pervenerunt. + + +ONE OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY IS KILLED; THE OTHERS ARE EXPELLED +FROM CANADA. + +IN THE FIRST onset, Gilbert du Thet, a household assistant of the +Society, was stricken with a mortal wound, and on the following day +piously departed this life. The rest of the Fathers, who were standing +on the shore, were captured by Argall, the English commander.[63] This +man, while he was taking an inventory of the plunder and equipment of +the French ship, surreptitiously removed from the trunk of Saussaye, +the captain of the French vessel, and commander of the expedition, +the royal commission upon whose authority all the proceedings of the +new colony were based. Soon meeting Saussaye himself, returning from +the shore, Argall asked him by what right, by whose authority, he +was founding a new colony so near Virginia. Saussaye cited the royal +commission, which he asserted that he had, duly drawn up, in one of his +trunks. When they came to these, he saw them untouched and locked, and +all things disposed in their proper places; but no commission appeared. +Thereupon Argall, changing his countenance and voice to severity, +pronounced them runaways and pirates, and declared that they deserved +death; while at the same time he delivered over the ship to his men to +be plundered. Meanwhile the Fathers besought him to adopt mild measures +toward the vanquished, against whom no other fault could be charged +than that, in a peaceful situation, they had been too careless; they +testified that the authority and favor of the King of France had +certainly been given to the colony. The captain, who was thoroughly +conscious of the truth of their statements, listened to them kindly, +and gave to all the opportunity of returning to France. The unhappy +crowd was placed upon two small ships, one of which directed its +course straight towards France; the other, with some of the English, +sailed for Virginia, thence to depart for France. Fathers Biard and +Quentin embarked upon the latter; Father Massé and Saussaye upon the +former. The fortunes of these ships were widely diverse. While that +which carried Saussaye and Father Massé was coasting along the shore, +destitute of provisions, of seamen, and of equipment, she fell upon +two ships preparing to return to France. She gladly joined herself to +these, and, with her passengers, arrived in a few days at St. Malo, a +town of Brittany. + +Meanwhile Argall, the commander of the English fleet, in order that +he might conduct Fathers Biard and Quentin to Virginia, as had been +resolved upon, preceded them a little with his flag-ship. Virginia was +then ruled by a ferocious Englishman,[64] who was extremely hostile +to the French name and to our Society. [325] When he heard that +Jesuits had arrived, he exclaimed that such extremely wicked men, the +sepulchers of piety and religion, ought to be destroyed. Argall strove +against him, and declared that, while he lived, no annoyance or injury +should be offered to the Fathers, for he had given them this assurance; +and he produced the royal commission, by authority of which the French +colony was brought to New France. Incensed by this commission, the man +declared in a rage that the French must be driven from New France. In +this decision the English councilors agreed. Argall was ordered to +retrace his path; to expel those of the French who remained; to destroy +their buildings, and level them with the ground. He returned, burned +the forts built upon the Canadian coast, destroyed everything, and +seized two ships which he found at Port Royal.[65] + +While these things were taking place in Canada, of the English ships +which were following the lead of Argall some were driven far from +Virginia by the violence of the wind; others were swamped by the waves. +One, which the Englishman Turnell[66] commanded, and in which Fathers +Quentin and Biard were being conveyed, after being driven continuously +for sixteen days by tempests, was quickly borne to the Azores, islands +on the coast of Africa belonging to the Portuguese. But here a new +danger arose. Turnell, fearing punishment because he was carrying with +him and was holding under unjust conditions priests of the Society, who +had been torn from their homes and robbed with the greatest brutality, +began to consider plans for making way with them. Finally it seemed +better to him to take refuge in their clemency and mildness, which he +had observed amid the most grievous injuries. Nevertheless, he took +measures that they should not enter the port, thinking that while the +ship stood at anchor he might procure the necessary provisions by +sending in a small boat. The contrary to what he had expected happened. +For, impelled by an inshore breeze, he entered the harbor, although +unwillingly and reluctantly. Our friends, contrary to his deserts, +interposed not even a word by which he might be accused, rejoicing +because they had, in this manner, saved an enemy. The English captain +recognized their kindness, and afterwards often spoke with great +praise of the Fathers. But this he did much more unreservedly when, +borne by a storm to Pembroke, a city of England, he was suspected by +the officials of that town of piracy on the high seas, because he was +sailing in a French ship and produced no written authority by which he +might justify his voyage. When he asserted that he had been separated +by a storm from his commander, Argall, no credence was given to him. In +this crisis he mentioned as witnesses the two priests of the Society +whom he had in the ship, and whose uncorrupted integrity could be +doubted by no one. When the Fathers, on being questioned, had given +assurance that the affair was thus, he was released from danger. He +made the requital which was due to their kindness, and took care that +they should not only suffer no harm, but even that they should be shown +honor by the officials. Meantime the ambassador of the Most Christian +King, upon being informed of the toilsome voyage of the Fathers, +carried on negotiations with the King of England concerning their +restoration to France. With his consent, they arrived, in the tenth +month after their capture, joyfully and safely among their Brethren at +Amiens. + + + + +APPENDIX. + +Missiones Societatis Iesv in America Septentrionali Anno M.DCC.X. [961] + + + APUD Abnaquæos missiones. _Aux Abnaquis._ + + S. Angeli Custodis missio. _De l'Ange Gardien._ + + Baiogulana miss. _Baiogula._ + + Chigutiminiana miss. _Chigoutimini._ + + S. Francisci Salesii miss. _De S. François de Sales._ + + S. Francisci Xaverii miss. _De S. François Xavier._ + + Huronica res. _Aux Hurons._ + + S. Ignatii miss. _De S. Ignace._ + + Immaculatæ Conceptionis miss. _De l'Immaculée Conception._ + + Ad septem Insulas miss. _Aux Sept Isles._ + + S. Josephi miss. _De S. Joseph._ + + Apud Ilinæos missiones. _Aux Ilinois._ + + Apud Iroquæos missiones. _Aux Iroquois._ + + Lauretana missio. _De Lorette._ + + Ad ripas, & ostium fluvii Mississipi missiones. _Aux bords, & a + l'embouchure du Mississipi._ + + [962] Montis regalis res. _Mon[t]-real._ + + Nipisikouitana missio. _Nipisikovit._ + + Apud Outakouacos missiones _Aux Outakovacs._ + + Saguenæa missio. _Du Saguenai._ + + Saltensis missio. _Du Sault de Sainte Marie._ + + In silvis missiones. _Dans les forests._ + + Tadussacensis miss. _De Tadoussak._ + + Trifluviana miss. _Aux trois Rivieres._ + + _Numerantur Socii_ 42. + + + + +APPENDIX. + +Missions of the Society of Jesus in North America in the Year 1710. +[961] + + + MISSIONS among the Abenakis. + + Mission of the Holy Guardian Angel. + + Baiogula mission. + + Chigoutimini mission. + + Mission of St. Francis de Sales. + + Mission of St. Francis Xavier. + + Huron residence. + + Mission of St. Ignatius. + + Mission of the Immaculate Conception. + + Mission at the seven Islands. + + Mission of St. Joseph. + + Missions among the Ilinois. + + Missions among the Iroquois. + + Mission of Lorette. + + Missions on the banks and at the mouth of the Mississippi river. + + [962] Residence of Montreal. + + Nipisikouit mission. + + Missions among the Outakouacs. + + Saguenay mission. + + Mission of Sault de Sainte Marie. + + Forest missions. + + Tadoussac mission. + + Mission at Three Rivers. + + _Number of brethren_ 42 + + + + +VIII + +JOUVENCY'S + +De Regione ac Moribus Canadensium + +ROME: GIORGIO PLACKO, 1710 + + + SOURCE: We follow the general style of O'Callaghan's Reprint No. 5. + The Title-page, Tabula Rerum, and Rerum Insigniorum Indiculus, + are the work of that Editor. The Text, he reprinted from + Jouvency's _Historia Societatis Jesu_ (Rome, 1710), part v., pp. + 344-347; we have read the proof thereof, from a copy of that work + found in the library of the College of St. Francis Xavier, New + York. The bracketed pagination is that of Jouvency; except in the + Tabula Rerum and Rerum Insigniorum Indiculus, which is that of + O'Callaghan. + + + + + DE + + REGIONE ET MORIBUS + + CANADENSIUM + + SEU BARBARORUM + + NOVÆ FRANCIÆ + + + Auctore JOSEPHO JUVENCIO, Societatis + Jesu, Sacerdote. + + [Illustration] + + Ex Historiæ Soc. Jesu. Lib. xv. Parte v, impressa + + + ROMÆ: + Ex Typographia Georgii Plachi + M. D. CC. X. + + + + + CONCERNING THE + + COUNTRY AND MANNERS + + OF THE CANADIANS, + + OR THE SAVAGES OF + + NEW FRANCE + + + By JOSEPH JOUVENCY, a Priest of the + Society of Jesus. + + + Printed from the History of the Society of Jesus, Book + xv., Part v. + + + ROME: + Printing House of Giorgio Placko + 1710. + + + + +[3] Tabula Rerum + + + Pag. + + I _FLUMINA Novæ Franciæ; soli natura; feræ, pisces, aves, &c._ 5 + + II _Canadensium domus & res familiaris; morbi; ægrorum cura & + mortuorum_ 16 + + III _Belli gerendi ratio; arma; crudelitas in captivos_ 27 + + IV _Indoles animi: corporis cultus; cibi, convivia; supellex; + religio, & superstitiones_ 33 + + + + +[3] Table of Contents. + +[_The page numbers refer to O'Callaghan's Reprint._] + + + Page. + + I _RIVERS of New France; nature of the soil; wild beasts, fish, + birds, etc._ 5 + + II _Homes and household economy of the Canadians; diseases; + treatment of the sick and of the dead_ 16 + + III _Mode of warfare; weapons; cruelty to prisoners_ 27 + + IV _Mental characteristics; care of the body; food: feasts; + household utensils; religion and superstitions_ 33 + + + + +[344 §. x.] De regione ac moribus Canadensium, seu barbarorum Novæ +Franciæ. + +FLUMINA NOVÆ FRANCIÆ; SOLI NATURA; FERÆ, PISCES, AVES, &C. + + +DUO sunt in Nova Francia majores fluvii. Unus ab indigenis Canada +nominatus, & à quo tota regio nomen traxit, nunc fluvius Sancti +Laurentii dicitur, & ab occasu in ortum amplissimo fluit alveo. Alter, +cui nomen Missisipus, per vasta, & ignota magnam adhuc partem, terrarum +spatia fertur à Septentrione in Meridiem. Habent hoc singulare hujus +regionis fluvii, quòd certis in locis ex editiore solo præcipitant +in humiliorem planitiem ingenti cum strepitu. Ea loca saltus vocant +Franci. Catadupa recte dixeris, qualia in Nilo celebrantur. Aqua tota +fluminis, in morem arcuati fornicis, ita sæpe cadit, ut infra suspensum +altè amnem sicco vestigio transire liceat. Barbari, cum huc ventum +est, suas naviculas, è levi compactas cortice, imponunt humeris, & in +placidam fluminis, alveo depressiore fluentis, partem eas deportant, +cum sarcinulis. Urbs novæ Franciæ primaria Kebecum nuncupatur, S. +Laurentii fluvio imposita. Coelo salubri tota regio utitur; at hyeme +frigida, & diuturna vexatur. Hanc efficit partim fluminum & lacuum +crebritas; partim opacitas & amplitudo nemorum, quæ vim solis calidam +infringunt; denique nivium copia, quibus terra tres quatuorve menses, +in iis locis quæ ab Boream propius accedunt, & eidem ac vetus Gallia +parallelo subjacent, continenter inhorrescit. Humus omnium arborum +plantarumque feracissima, præsertim ubi excisæ silvæ locum culturæ +majorem præbuerunt. Quadrupedes eædem, quæ in Europa: nonnullæ regionis +propriæ sunt, ut alces. Magnam belluam indigenæ appellant. Id nominis +invenit à mole corporis: bovem enim æquat magnitudine. Mulum capite +refert; cervum cornibus, pedibus, & cauda. Eam canibus immissis barbari +agitant; defatigatam conficiunt jaculis & missilibus. Si desunt +venatici canes, ipsi vicem illorum obeunt. Per medias quippe nives +incredibili celeritate gradiuntur, ac ne corporis pondus vestigia pedum +altius in nivem deprimat, substernunt plantis, inseruntque pedibus, +lata reticula, illis simillima, quibus pilam lusores vulgò pulsant. Hæc +reticula, spatium nivis ac soli satis magnum amplexa, currentes facile +sustinent. Alces vero crura exilia defigens alte in nivem, ægrè se +expedit. Illius carnibus vescuntur, teguntur pelle, ungula posterioris +sinistri pedis sanantur. Huic ungulæ mira quædam & multiplex virtus +inest, medicorum celeberrimorum testimonio commendata. Valet in primis +adversus morbum comitialem, sive admoveatur pectori, qua parte cor +micat; sive indatur palæ annuli, quem digitus lævæ minimo proximus +gestet; sive demum teneatur in ejusdem sinistræ vola, in pugnum +contracta. Nec minorem vim habet ad sanandam pleuritidem, capitis +vertigines, & sexcentos alios, si credimus expertis, morbos. + +Alterum animantis genus illic notissimum & frequentissimum est fiber, +cujus pelle, cum Europæis mercibus mutanda, commercii Canadensis ratio +fere tota constat. Color castaneæ colorem imitatur; modus cor[po]ris +idem, qui exigui vervecis: curti pedes & ad natandum compositi, nam +in aquis perinde ac in terra degit; cauda glabra, crassa & plana, +quæ natanti pro gubernaculo sit: dentes duo, majores ceteris, ex ore +utrimque prominent: iis tanquam gladio & serra utuntur fibri ad arbores +exscindendas, cum domos extruunt; in iis enim fabricandis mira pollent +industria. Eas ponunt ad lacuum fluviorumve ripas: muros è stipitibus +componunt, interjecto cespite uliginoso ac tenaci, calcis instar; vix +ut multa vi effringi opus & convelli possit. Tota casæ fabrica variis +contignationibus distinguitur: infima è transversis lignis crassioribus +constat, instratis desuper ramis, ac relicto foramine & ostiolo, +per quod in fluvium subire, cum videtur, possint: Hæc modice supra +fluminis aquam exstat, aliæ assurgunt altius, in easque, si fluvius +intumescens imum tabulatum vicerit, se receptant. In una è superioribus +contignationibus cubant; præbet molle stratum alga siccior, & arborum +muscus, quo se tutantur a frigore; in altera penum habent, & provisa +in hyemem cibaria. Ædificium fornicato tecto clauditur. Sic hyemem +exigunt: nam æstate, opacum in ripis frigus captant, aut undis immersi +calores æstivos fugiunt. In una sæpe domo ingens, & multorum capitum +familia stabulatur. Quod si loci premuntur angustiis, discedunt +juniores ultro, & sua sibi domicilia moliuntur. In eam curam incumbunt +sub prima autumni frigora, & mutuas sibi invicem operas commodant, +tum ad secanda ligna, tum ad comportanda, ita ut plures uni eidemque +succedant oneri, & ingentia ramalia, nemorisque stragem, devehant. Si +quem fluvium nanciscuntur ad suos accommodatum usus, non tamen satis +alto gurgite, struunt aggerem coercendis aquis, donec ad idoneam +altitudinem assurgant. Ac primo quidem arbores grandiores arrodendo +dejiciunt: deinde transversas ab una ripa ducunt ad alteram. Duplicem +versum & ordinem arborum faciunt; relicto inter illas obliquè sic +positas spatio sex fere pedum, quod referciunt cæmentis, argilla, +ramis, tam solerter, nihil ut perfectius à summo architecto expectes. +Operis longitudo major minorve est, pro fluvii, quem coercere volunt, +modo. Ducenûm aliquando passuum ejusmodi aggeres reperti. At, si amnis +plus justo intumescit, diffringunt aliquam molis partem, ac tantum +emittunt aquæ, quantum satis videtur. + +Ut feris silvæ, sic piscibus abundant flumina. Unus est in Iroquæorum +lacu, de quo nihil à priscis legitur proditum scriptoribus. Causarus +ab indigenis vocatur: octo pedes longus, aliquando decem. Crassitudo, +humani femoris; color leucophæus, candido tamen propior; squamis +totus horret tam duris, tamque validè consertis, ut aciem pugionis, & +hastilium, excludant. Caput amplum, & cranio præduro, tanquam casside, +munitum. Hinc piscis armati nomen illi à Gallis inditum. Et vero +perpetua cum aliis piscibus bella gerit, quorum exitio pascitur. Pro +telo rostrum immane gerit, humani brachii longitudine, gemino dentium +ordine instructum. Hoc venabulo non solum reliquos mactat pisces, +verum etiam avibus, cum mutare dapes cupit, insidiatur & illudit. Eam +ob rem occultat se inter carecta: rostrum exertat aquis, ac paulisper +diducit. Sic perstat immotus donec accedant volucres, & incautæ rostro +insideant, arundinem aut virgultum ratæ: continuo perfidus insidiator, +misellarum pedes contracto rostro stringit, & in gurgitem demersas +vorat. + +Non minor volucrum est copia, quàm piscium. Certis mensibus palumbes è +silvis prorumpunt in agros tanto numero, ut arborum ramos prægravent; +quibus postquam infederunt noctu, facile capiuntur, & barbaras mensas +regali ferculo cumulant. Præterea in vastissimo sinu, in quem evolvit +se flumen sancti Laurentii, cernitur exigua insula, seu potius +biceps scopulus: insulam volucrum dicunt. Tot enim eò convolant è +finitimo pelago, ut inire numerum nequeas. Indigenæ fustibus prædam +non difficilem comminuunt, aut pedibus conculcant; cymbasque lautis +dapibus, & inemptis [345] plenas referunt. Ludunt in aquis passim +anseres, anates, ardeæ, grues, olores, fulicæ; & aves aliæ, victum ex +undis petere solitæ. Peculiare quiddam habet una, gallinæ similis, si +molem spectes; pennis in tergo nigricantibus, sub alvo candidis. Pedum +alter unguibus aduncis armatur; alter digitos levi & continua pelle +junctos habet, qualis est anatum; hoc natat; illo pisces trahit & +eviscerat. + + + + +[344 § x.] Concerning the country and manners of the Savages of New +France. + +RIVERS OF NEW FRANCE; NATURE OF THE SOIL; WILD BEASTS, FISH, BIRDS, ETC. + + +THERE are two great rivers in New France. One, called by the natives +Canada, a name thence extended to the whole country, is now called the +river St. Lawrence, and flows in a very broad channel from west to +east. The other, named Mississippi, flows from North to South, through +vast regions, for the most part still unknown. The rivers of this +land are remarkable because in certain places they are precipitated +with a great uproar from the higher to the lower levels. The French +call those places water-falls. You might justly call them cataracts, +such as are famous in the case of the Nile. The water of an entire +river often falls in the form of an arch, in such fashion that it is +possible to walk dry-shod beneath the stream which rushes overhead. The +savages, when they come to such a spot, shoulder their boats, which are +constructed of light bark, and carry them, together with the baggage, +to the calm portion of the river flowing below. The chief city of new +France is called Kebec, and is situated on the St. Lawrence river. The +whole country possesses a healthful climate, but is harassed by a cold +and long winter. This is caused partly by the frequency of the rivers +and lakes; partly by the thickness and great extent of the forests, +which diminish the force of the sun's heat; finally, by the abundance +of snow with which the land, in its most Northern regions, which lie +upon the same parallel as old France, is continually desolated for +three or four months. The soil is extremely productive of all sorts +of trees and plants, especially where the clearing of the forest has +furnished additional space for cultivation. The same quadrupeds are +found as in Europe; some, as the moose, are peculiar to the country. +The natives call it the "great beast." This name it receives because +of the huge size of its body, for it is as large as an ox. Its head +resembles that of a mule; its horns, hoofs, and tail, those of a stag. +The savages hunt this animal with the aid of dogs; when it is worn +out they dispatch it with spears and missiles. If hunting-dogs are +lacking, they themselves go in place of them. Indeed, they proceed +through the midst of the snow with incredible swiftness; and, in order +that the weight of the body may not sink their feet too deeply into the +snow, they place beneath their soles, and fasten to their feet, broad +pieces of net-work, very similar to those with which players commonly +strike the ball. These pieces of net-work, which cover a sufficiently +large portion of the surface of the snow, readily support them while +running. But the moose, planting their slender legs deeply into the +snow, with difficulty extricate themselves. The savages eat its flesh, +are clothed with its skin, and are cured by the hoof of its left hind +leg. In this hoof there is a certain marvelous and manifold virtue, as +is affirmed by the testimony of the most famous physicians. It avails +especially against the epilepsy, whether it be applied to the breast, +where the heart is throbbing, or whether it be placed in the bezel of +a ring, which is worn upon the finger next to the little finger of the +left hand; or, finally, if it be also held in the hollow of the left +hand, clenched in the fist. Nor does it have less power in the cure of +pleurisy, dizziness, and, if we may believe those familiar with it, six +hundred other diseases. + +Another well-known and common sort of animal there, is the beaver; its +skins, which are exchanged for European merchandise, being the basis +of almost the entire system of Canadian commerce. Its color resembles +that of the chestnut; the shape of its body is like that of a small +wether; its legs are short and formed for swimming; its tail, which +it uses as a rudder while swimming, is smooth, thick and flat; two +teeth, larger than the others, project from its mouth on each side; +these, the beavers use like a sword and a saw in cutting down trees +when they build their houses, for in the construction of these they +exhibit wonderful industry. They locate them on the banks of lakes +or rivers; they build walls of logs, placing between them wet and +sticky sods in the place of mortar, so that the work can, even with +great violence, scarcely be torn apart and destroyed. The entire house +is divided into several stories; the lowest is composed of thicker +cross-beams, with branches strewn upon them, and provided with a hole +or small door through which they can pass into the river whenever they +wish; this story extends somewhat above the water of the river, while +the others rise higher, into which they retire if the swelling stream +submerges the lowest floor. They sleep in one of the upper stories; a +soft bed is furnished by dry seaweed and tree moss, with which they +protect themselves from the cold; on another floor they have their +store-room, and food provided for winter. The building is covered with +a dome-shaped roof. Thus they pass the winter, for in summer they +enjoy the shady coolness upon the shores, or escape the summer heat +by plunging into the water. Often a great colony of many members is +lodged in one house. But, if they be incommoded by the narrowness of +the place, the younger ones depart of their own accord and construct +homes for themselves. Upon the advent of cool weather in autumn, they +devote themselves to this task, and lend mutual services in turn, both +in cutting and carrying logs, so that many assist at one and the same +burden, and thus carry down great branches and logs of forest trees. +If they find any river suitable for their purposes, except in having +sufficient depth, they build a dam to keep back the water until it +rises to the required height. And first, by gnawing them, they fell +trees of large size; then they lay them across, from one shore to the +other. They construct a double barrier and rampart of logs, obliquely +placed, leaving between them a space of about six feet, which they so +ingeniously fill in with stones, clay, and branches that one would +expect nothing better from the most skillful architect. The length of +the structure is greater or less, according to the size of the stream +which they wish to restrain. Dams of this kind a fifth of a mile long +are sometimes found. But, if the river swell more than is safe, they +break open some part of the structure, and let through as much water as +seems sufficient. + +As the forests abound in wild beasts, so the rivers teem with fish. +There is one in the lake of the Iroquois,[67] which is not mentioned +by early authors. It is called by the natives "Causar," and is eight +feet long, sometimes ten. It is as thick as the human thigh; it is +dun-colored, approaching white; it bristles all over with scales, +so hard and so firmly set together that they turn the edge of a +knife or the point of a spear. The head is large, and protected by an +exceedingly hard skull, like a helmet. Hence, the name of "armored +fish" has been given it by the French. It carries on perpetual war +with, and feeds upon, other fishes. For a weapon it carries an immense +beak, of the length of a man's arm and furnished with a double row +of teeth. With this hunting-spear it not only devours other fishes, +but also, whenever it wishes to vary its diet, deceives and ensnares +birds. For this latter purpose it hides itself among the sedge; it +projects its beak from the water and opens it slightly. It thus remains +motionless until the birds approach and thoughtlessly perch upon the +beak, deeming it a reed or a bush; then the treacherous ensnarer seizes +the feet of the unfortunate birds by closing its beak, and, dragging +them into the water, devours them.[68] + +The birds are fully as abundant as the fishes. During certain months +of the year the pigeons sally forth from the woods into the open +country in such great numbers that they overload the branches of the +trees. When they have settled upon the trees at night they are easily +captured, and the savages heap their tables with royal abundance. +Besides this, in the huge gulf into which the river saint Lawrence +flows may be seen a small island, or rather a double rock; they call +it the isle of birds.[69] For so many congregate there from the +neighboring ocean that it is impossible to count their numbers. The +natives make an easy prey of them with clubs, or by trampling them +under foot, and bring back their canoes filled with sumptuous food +acquired without price. [345] Everywhere may be seen, sporting in the +water, geese, ducks, herons, cranes, swans, coots and other birds +whose habit it is to seek their living from the waves. A certain +peculiarity attaches to one, which is about the size of a cock; its +wings are black on the outside and white beneath. One of its feet +is armed with hooked claws, the other has webbed toes, like those +of a duck; with the latter it swims, with the former it seizes and +disembowels fishes. + + +CANADENSIUM DOMUS & RES FAMILIARIS; MORBI; ÆGRORUM CURA & MORTUORUM. + +JAM, si mores & indolem gentis requiras, partim vagi degunt, in silvis +per hyemem, quò venationis uberioris vocat spes; æstate, ad amnium +ripas, ubi præbet facilem annonam piscatus: aliqui pagos incolunt. +Casas fabricantur infixis humi perticis: latera corticibus intexunt; +pellibus, musco, ramis operiunt fastigia. In media casa focus: in summo +tecto foramen, emissarium fumi. Is ægre eluctatus totam, ut plurimum, +casam sic opplet, ut coactis habitare in hoc fumo advenis sæpe oculorum +acies obtundatur, & hebescat: barbari, durum genus & his assuetum +incommodis, rident. Domesticæ rei cura, & quidquid in familia laboris +est, imponitur feminis. Illæ domos figunt, ac refigunt; aquam, & ligna +devehunt, cibos apparant: vicem & locum mancipiorum, opificum, & +jumentorum, implent. Venationis & belli cura, virorum est. Hinc gentis +solitudo, & paucitas. Mulieres enim, ceteroquin haud infecundæ, his +districtæ laboribus, neque maturos edere queunt fetus, neque alere jam +editos: itaque aut abortum patiuntur, aut partus recentes destituunt, +aquationi, lignationi, ceterisque operibus intentæ; vix ut trigesimus +quisque infans adolescat. Accedit rei medicæ inscitia, cujus ignoratio +facit ut è morbis paulo gravioribus raro emergant. + +Duos maximè fontes morborum statuunt: unum ex ipsa ægrotantis mente +ortum, quæ desideret quidpiam, ac tandiu corpus ægrum vexet, dum +re desiderata potiatur. Putant enim inesse in hominum unoquoque +innata quædam desideria, sæpe ipsis ignota, quibus singulorum +felicitas contineatur. Ad ejusmodi desideria & innatas appetitiones +cognoscendas adhibent hariolos, quibus hanc divinitus concessam +facultatem arbitrantur, ut animorum intimos recessus pervideant. Illi, +quodcumque primum occurrit, aut ex quo fieri quæstum aliquem posse +suspicantur, ab ægro desiderari pronunciant. Nec dubitant parentes, +amici, & consanguinei ægrotantis, quidquid illud sit, quantivis +pretii, comparare ac largiri ægro, nunquam postea reposcendum. Ille +dono fruitur, & lucri partem hariolis aspergit; ac sæpe postridie +vita cedit. Vulgo tamen relevantur ægroti, quippe levibus tentati +morbis: nam in gravioribus timidiores sunt isti præstigiatores, +negantque inveniri posse quid ægrotus desideret: tunc eum depositum +conclamant, auctoresque sunt consanguineis ut hominem tollant è medio. +Ita longiore morbo vexatos necant, aut senio fessos; eamque caritatem +summam interpretantur, quia mors ærumnis languentium finem ponit. +Eandem benevolentiam adhibent erga pueros parentibus orbatos, quos +nullos esse malunt, quam miseros. Alterum fontem morborum esse censent +veneficorum occultas artes, & præstigias, quas ridiculis cærimoniis +conantur averruncare. Sæpe noxios humores ejiciunt sudando. Certum +casæ locum corticibus includunt, ac tegunt pellibus, ne qua possit aer +aspirare. Intro congerunt lapides deustos & igne multo saturos. Subeunt +nudi & brachia cantitantes jactant. Sed, quod mireris, ab his thermis +egressi & sudore diffluentes, hyeme perfrigida, in lacum aut amnem se +conjiciunt, de pleuritide securi. + +Mortuorum cadavera nunquam efferunt per casæ januam, sed per eam +partem, in quam conversus eger exspiravit. Animam putant evolare per +camini spiraculum; ac ne moras trahat, casæ pristinæ desiderio, neu +puerulorum aliquem discedens afflet, hoc afflatu videlicet moriturum, +ut putant; crebro fuste tundunt parietes tugurii, ut eam citius +exire compellant. Immortalem esse arbitrantur. Ne porro emoriatur +fame, magnam vim ciborum infodiunt cum corpore; vestes, item, ollas, +variamque supellectilem, magno sumptu, & multorum annorum labore +conquisitam, ut iis utatur, inquiunt, ac decentius versetur in regno +mortuorum. Sepulcra nobilium exstant paulum ab humo: iis perticas in +morem pyramidis compactas imponunt: arcum addunt, sagittas, clypeum, +& alia militiæ decora: feminarum vero tumulis, torques & monilia. +Infantium corpora sepeliunt propter viam, ut eorum anima, quam ab +ipsorum corporibus abire longius non putant, illabatur in prætereuntis +alicujus feminæ sinum, & adhuc informem animare fetum possit. In luctu +vultum inficiunt fuligine. Moniti de funere affines, vicini, & amici +concurrunt in funestum tugurium. Unus aliquis, si mortui conditio +ferat, verba facit, neque rationem ullam ex iis prætermittit, quæ ad +leniendam ægritudinem à dicendi magistris afferri solent. Excurrit in +demortui laudes: hominem eum natum fuisse admonet, atque adeo morti +obnoxium: qui casus emendari nequeant, fieri patientia leviores; alia +id genus in eandem sententiam edisserit. Tertio die funus ducitur. +Epulum funebre apponitur toti pago, singulis suam symbolam, nec +malignè, conferentibus. Hujus epuli causas afferunt maximè tres: +primam, ut communem mærorem leniant: alteram, ut qui amici peregrè +ad funus veniunt, accipiantur honestius: tertiam, ut gratificentur +extincti Manibus, quem ea liberalitate delectari existimant, & +appositis etiam dapibus pasci. Peracto convivio præfectus funeris, quem +in singulis familiis clarioribus, certum atque insignem habent, adesse +tempus exequiarum proclamat. Omnes continuo lamentari, & ululare. +Effertur cadaver propinquorum humeris, intectum fibrinis pellibus, & in +feretro, è corticibus juncisve confecto compositum, collectis in glomum +artubus, ut eo modo terræ mandetur, inquiunt, quo in alvo materna olim +jacuit. Deponitur feretrum in constituto loco, munera quæ quisque +offert mortuo, præfiguntur perticis: & appellantur illorum auctores +à funeris præfecto: instauratur planctus; denique juvenes ludicro +certamine inter se dimicant. + +Majori sepeliuntur apparatu & luctu, qui aquis obruti perierunt. +Nam eorum cadavera laniantur: carnium pars cum visceribus in ignem +projicitur. Id sacrificii quoddam genus est, quo placare coelum +contendunt. Iratum enim esse genti non dubitant, cum in undis +quispiam extinguitur: ac si quid rite atque ordine peractum in istis +funeribus non fuerit, huic piaculo calamitates omnes, quibus postea +conflictantur, acceptas ferunt. Indulgent luctui per annum integrum. +Primis diebus decem jacent humi, diu noctuque in ventrem proni: nefas +tunc vocem ullam, nisi quæ dolorem significet, mittere; aut accedere +ad ignem, aut conviviis interesse. Anno reliquo luctus continuatur; at +levius. Omittuntur omnia urbanitatis officia, colloquia cum vicinis, +congressus amicorum; ac si conjugem amiserint; coelibes, donec annus +fluxerit, perstant. Post octavum aut decimum quemque annum Hurones, +quæ natio latè patet, omnia cadavera certum in locum ex omnibus pagis +deportant, & in foveam prægrandem conjiciunt. Eum diem Mortuorum +vocant. Is ubi de procerum sententia constitutus est, eruunt corpora +sepulcris; alia jam consumpta, & ossibus vix hærentia; alia putri carne +leviter amicta: alia scatentia foedis vermibus, & graviter olentia. +Ossa, dissoluta in saccos abdunt: cadavera nondum dissuta componunt +in sarcophagis, & supplicantium ritu deferunt in destinatum locum, +alto silentio, & composito gradu procedentes, non sine suspiriis, +& lamentabili eiulatu. Ne vero memoria nobilium, & arte præsertim +bellica insignium, qui prole carent, intercidat, eligunt aliquem +ætate ac robore florentem, cui demortui nomen imponunt. Ille militum +statim delectum habet, ac bellum capessit, ut præclaro quopiam edito +facinore, probet se non tantum nominis, sed etiam virtutis ejus, cui +substituitur, heredem esse. Inferioris notæ nomina æterno silentio +damnant. Itaque simul ac in pago quispiam è vita cessit, ejus nomen +alta voce pronunciatur per omnes casas, ne quis illud temere usurpet. +Quod si mortuum tamen appellare necesse fuerit, utuntur verborum +circuitione, & præfantur quidpiam, quo mortis ominosa [346] memoria +leniatur. Idque si omittatur, accipiunt in gravem contumeliam: neque +atrociori maledicto vulnerari filium aut parentem posse putant, quam si +huic filius, illi parens, mortuus exprobretur. + + +HOMES AND HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY OF THE CANADIANS; DISEASES; TREATMENT OF +THE SICK AND OF THE DEAD. + +NOW, if you inquire concerning the customs and character of this +people, I will reply that a part of them are nomads, wandering during +the winter in the woods, whither the hope of better hunting calls +them--in the summer, on the shores of the rivers, where they easily +obtain their food by fishing; while others inhabit villages. They +construct their huts by fixing poles in the ground; they cover the +sides with bark, the roofs with hides, moss and branches. In the +middle of the hut is the hearth, from which the smoke escapes through +an opening at the peak of the roof. As the smoke passes out with +difficulty, it usually fills the whole hut, so that strangers compelled +to live in these cabins suffer injury and weakening of the eyes; the +savages, a coarse race, and accustomed to these discomforts, ridicule +this. The care of household affairs, and whatever work there may be +in the family, are placed upon the women. They build and repair the +wigwams, carry water and wood, and prepare the food; their duties +and position are those of slaves, laborers and beasts of burden. +The pursuits of hunting and war belong to the men. Thence arise the +isolation and numerical weakness of the race. For the women, although +naturally prolific, cannot, on account of their occupation in these +labors, either bring forth fully-developed offspring, or properly +nourish them after they have been brought forth; therefore they either +suffer abortion, or forsake their new-born children, while engaged +in carrying water, procuring wood and other tasks, so that scarcely +one infant in thirty survives until youth. To this there is added +their ignorance of medicine, because of which they seldom recover from +illnesses which are at all severe. + +They believe that there are two main sources of disease: one of these +is in the mind of the patient himself, which desires something, +and will vex the body of the sick man until it possesses the thing +required. For they think that there are in every man certain inborn +desires, often unknown to themselves, upon which the happiness of +individuals depends. For the purpose of ascertaining desires and innate +appetites of this character, they summon soothsayers, who, as they +think, have a divinely-imparted power to look into the inmost recesses +of the mind. These men declare that whatever first occurs to them, or +something from which they suspect some gain can be derived, is desired +by the sick person. Thereupon the parents, friends, and relatives of +the patient do not hesitate to procure and lavish upon him whatever it +may be, however expensive, a return of which is never thereafter to be +sought. The patient enjoys the gift, divides a portion of it among the +soothsayers, and often on the next day departs from life. Commonly, +however, the sick recover, plainly because their illnesses are slight; +for, in the case of more severe complaints, these soothsayers are more +cautious, and deny the possibility of ascertaining what the patient +desires; then they bewail him whom they have given up, and cause the +relatives to put him out of the way. Thus they kill those afflicted +with protracted illness, or exhausted by old age, and consider this the +greatest kindness, because death puts an end to the sufferings of +the sick. They display the same benevolence towards children deprived +of their parents, whom they prefer to see dead rather than to see them +miserable. They believe that another source of disease is the hidden +arts and the charms of sorcerers, which they seek to avert by means +of absurd ceremonies. Often they expel noxious humors by sweating. +They inclose a certain portion of the hut with pieces of bark and +cover it with hides, in order that no air may enter. Within they pile +stones heated to a high temperature. They enter naked and toss their +arms while singing. But, strange to say, they will leave this heat, +dripping with perspiration, and in the very coldest part of winter cast +themselves into a lake or river, careless of pleurisy. + +They never bear out the corpses of the dead through the door of the +lodge, but through that part toward which the sick person turned when +he expired. They think that the soul flies out through the smoke-hole; +and, in order that it may not linger through longing for its old home, +nor while departing breathe upon any of the children, who by such an +act would be, as they think, doomed to death, they beat the walls of +the wigwam with frequent blows of a club, in order that they may compel +the soul to depart more quickly. They believe it to be immortal. That +it may not thereafter perish with hunger, they bury with the body +a large quantity of provisions; also, garments, pots, and various +utensils of great expense, and acquired by many years' labor, in order, +they say, that he may use them and pass his time more suitably in +the kingdom of the dead. The tombs of the chiefs are raised a little +from the ground; upon them they place poles joined in the form of +a pyramid; they add a bow, arrows, shield and other insignia of war; +but upon the tombs of the women they place necklaces and collars. +They bury the bodies of infants beside paths, in order that their +souls, which they think do not depart very far from the body, may slip +into the bosoms of women passing by, and animate the yet undeveloped +fetus. In mourning, they stain the face with soot. When informed of +a death, the relatives, neighbors, and friends assemble at the lodge +where the corpse lies. If the condition of the dead permit, one of +them makes a speech, in which he employs all those arguments that the +most eloquent speakers are wont to use for the solace of grief. He +rehearses the praises of the dead; he reminds them that the latter +was born a man, and therefore liable to death; that those misfortunes +which cannot be repaired are made lighter by patience; he sets forth +other things of that sort to the same effect. On the third day the +funeral is held. A funeral feast is provided for the whole village, +each individual liberally furnishing his share. For this feast they +advance three main reasons: first, that they may assuage the general +grief; secondly, that those friends who come from a distance to the +funeral may be more fittingly entertained; thirdly, that they may +please the spirit of the dead, which, they believe, is delighted by +this exhibition of liberality, and also partakes of the repast placed +for him. When the feast is completed the master of the funeral, who, in +each distinguished family, permanently holds this office and is greatly +honored, proclaims that the time for the burial has come. All give +utterance to continuous lamentations and wailings. The corpse, wrapped +in beaver skins, and placed upon a bier made of bark and rushes, with +his limbs bent and pressed tightly against his body in order that, +as they say, he may be committed to the earth in the same position in +which he once lay in his mother's womb, is borne out on the shoulders +of the relatives. The bier is set down at the appointed place, the +gifts which each one offers to the dead are fastened to poles, and the +donors are named by the master of the funeral. The mourning is renewed; +finally, boys vie with each other in a mock contest. + +Those who have been drowned are buried with greater ceremony and +lamentation. For their bodies are cut open, and a portion of the flesh, +together with the viscera, thrown into the fire. This is a sort of +sacrifice, by means of which they seek to appease heaven. For they are +sure that heaven is enraged against the race whenever any one loses +his life by drowning. If any part of these funeral rites has not been +duly and regularly performed, they believe that all the calamities from +which they afterwards may suffer are a punishment for this neglect. +They indulge their grief throughout an entire year. For the first ten +days they lie upon the ground day and night, flat upon their bellies; +it is impious then to utter any sound unless significant of grief, or +to approach the fire, or to take part in feasts. During the remainder +of the year the mourning continues, but less vigorously. All the +duties of politeness, conversation with neighbors, and association +with friends, are neglected; and, if a man has lost a wife he remains +unmarried until the year has expired. Every eight or ten years the +Hurons, which nation is widely extended, convey all their corpses from +all the villages to a designated place and cast them into an immense +pit. They call it the day of the Dead. When this has been decreed +by resolution of the elders, they drag out the corpses from their +graves, some already decomposed, with flesh scarcely clinging to the +bones, others thinly covered with putrid flesh, others teeming with +vile worms and smelling fearfully. The loose bones they place in sacks, +the bodies not yet disintegrated they place in coffins, and bear them, +in the manner of suppliants, to the appointed place, proceeding amid +deep silence and with regular step, uttering sighs and mournful cries. +But, in order that the memory of chiefs and of those especially famous +in the art of war, who lack offspring, may not fail, they choose +some person in the flower of his age and strength, to whom they give +the name of the dead man. The namesake immediately makes a levy of +warriors and starts for battle, in order that by the achievement of +some glorious deed he may prove himself the heir not only of the name +but also of the valor of him whose place he has taken. Names of lesser +note are condemned to everlasting silence. Therefore, as soon as any +one in the village has departed this life his name is proclaimed in a +loud voice throughout all the lodges, in order that no one may rashly +use it. But if, nevertheless, it be necessary to name the dead man, +they use a circumlocution and preface something by which the unpleasant +[346] recollection of his death may be softened. If that be omitted +they consider it a deadly insult: nor do they think that son or parent +can be wounded by more savage abuse than when their dead relatives are +defamed before them. + + +BELLI GERENDI RATIO; ARMA; CRUDELITAS IN CAPTIVOS. + +BELLA temere ac ferociter suscipiunt, nulla sæpe, aut perlevi de causa. +Duces communi suffragio legunt, eosque vel familiarum præcipuarum natu +maximos, vel quorum virtus bellica, aut etiam eloquentia perspecta +sit. Civili bello nunquam inter se concurrunt; arma in finitimos +tantum movent; neque imperii ac ditionis proferendæ causa, sed ferè ut +illatam sibi, vel foederatis, injuriam ulciscantur. Gladios, & gravidas +nitrato pulvere fistulas, à Batavis & Anglis accepere, quibus armis +freti, certiùs & audacius in hostium, atque adeò Europæorum perniciem +conspirant. Interdum bella singulari certamine finiunt. Agmina duo, +hinc Montanorum, quos vocant, inde Iroquæorum constiterant ante +aliquot annos, velut in procinctu. Duces antegressi jam designabant +locum ad aciem explicandam, cum unus alterum sic allocutus fertur: +Parcamus nostrorum sanguini, imo nostro: manibus nudis rem agamus. Uter +alterum dejecerit, is vincat. Placuit conditio. Manus ambo conferunt. +Montanus Iroquæum ita delassavit, dolum artemque virtuti miscens, ut +humi denique prostratum ligaverit, impositumque humeris ad suum agmen +victor detulerit. Clypeos conficiunt è ligno dolato, plerumque cedrino; +paulum ad oras incurvos: leves, prælongos & peramplos, ita ut totum +corpus protegant. Jam, ne jaculis, aut securibus perrumpantur omnino ac +dissiliant, eos intus consuunt restibus ex animalium corio contextis, +quæ totam clypei molem continent connectuntque. Non gestant è brachio +suspensos, sed funem ex quo pendent, rejiciunt in humerum dextrum: +adeo ut latus corporis sinistrum clypeo protegatur; mox ubi jaculum +emiserunt, aut ferream disploserunt fistulam, paulum retrahunt dextrum +latus, ac sinistrum clypeo tectum obvertunt hosti. + +In prælio id maximè student, vivos ut hostes capiant. Captis & in suos +abductis pagos primum vestes detrahunt; deinde ungues crudis dentibus +singillatim avellunt: tum palo alligatos verberant ad satietatem. Mox +vinculis solutos cogunt ire, ac redire, geminum inter ordinem armatorum +spinis, fustibus & ferramentis. Denique, accenso circum foco, lentis +ignibus miseros torrent. Interim torosas carnes fodicant candentibus +laminis, & verubus, aut recisas ac semiustulatas, sanie fluentes & +sanguine, vorant. Nunc tædis ardentibus totum corpus, ac præsertim +hiatus vulnerum, pertentant: nunc detracta capitis cute inspergunt +nudæ calvæ favillam, & fervidos cineres: nunc brachiorum nervos ac +pedum vellunt, lancinant, aut hebeti secant lente ferro, derepta +parumper cute, in pedis malleolo, & manus carpo. Sæpe cogunt captivum +infelicem ingredi per subjectos ignes: aut frusta suæ carnis mandere, +ac vivo sepulcro condere. Hujusmodi carnificinam non pauci è Patribus +Societatis pertulere. Hanc porro extrahunt in multos dies; utque novis +cruciatibus tristis victima suppetat, intermittunt eosdem aliquandiu, +donec ad extremum fatiscant corpora, & concidant. Tunc è pectore cor +avellunt, torrent subjectis prunis; & cruore condîtum juvenibus avidè +comedendum objiciunt, si captivus suppliciorum acerbitatem generosè +fuerit perpessus: ut viri fortis, inquiunt, masculum robur juventus +bellatrix combibat. Laudatur qui rogum, cultros, vulnera, irretorto +vultu aspexerit, & exceperit: qui non ingemuerit, qui risu cantuque +tortoribus illuserit: nam canere tot inter mortes, amplum ac magnificum +esse putant. Itaque cantilenas ipsi multo ante componunt, quas capti, +si sors ferat, recitent. Reliqua multitudo cadaver absumit in ferali +convivio. Dux reservat sibi verticis pellem cum coma, monumentum +victoriæ, trophæum crudelitatis. + + +METHODS OF WARFARE; WEAPONS; CRUELTY TO PRISONERS. + +THEY engage in war rashly and savagely, often with no cause, or upon a +very slight pretext. They choose as leaders, by general vote, either +the eldest members of illustrious families or those whose warlike +valor, or even eloquence, has been approved. In civil war they never +engage; they carry arms only against their neighbors, and not for the +sake of extending their dominion and sway, but usually, in order that +they may avenge an injury inflicted upon themselves or their allies. +They have obtained swords and guns from the Dutch and English, and, +relying upon these weapons, they plan with greater determination and +boldness the destruction of their enemies, and even of the Europeans. +Sometimes they decide their wars by single combat. Two bands, one of +the so-called Montagnais,[70] the other of Iroquois, had met a few +years ago in readiness for battle. The leaders had advanced and were +already designating the positions for the formation of the lines of +attack, when it is said that one thus addressed the other: "Let us +spare the blood of our followers; nay, rather let us spare our own. +Let us settle the matter with our bare hands, and he who overcomes the +other shall be the victor." The proposition was accepted, and the two +joined battle. The Montagnais, by means of a combination of strategy +and skill with courage, so wearied the Iroquois that he finally hurled +the latter to the ground, bound him, and triumphantly carried him off +upon his shoulders to his own band. They make their shields of hewn +wood, principally cedar, with slightly-curving edges, light, very long +and very large, so that they cover the entire body. Next, in order +that they may not be penetrated and split by spears or tomahawks, they +overlace them on the inner side with thongs made from the skins of +animals, which hold together and connect the whole mass of the shield. +They do not carry the shield suspended from the arm, but cast by a cord +over the right shoulder, so that it protects the left side of the body; +when they have cast their spears or fired their guns they slightly +retire the right side and turn toward the enemy the left side, which is +protected by the shield. + +In battle they strive especially to capture their enemies alive. +Those who have been captured and led off to their villages are first +stripped of their clothing; then they savagely tear off their nails +one by one with their teeth; then they bind them to stakes and beat +them as long as they please. Next they release them from their bonds, +and compel them to pass back and forth between a double row of men +armed with thorns, clubs and instruments of iron. Finally, they kindle +a fire about them, and roast the miserable creatures with slow heat. +Sometimes they pierce the flesh of the muscles with red-hot plates and +with spits, or cut it off and devour it, half-burned and dripping with +gore and blood. Next, they plant blazing torches all over the body, and +especially in the gaping wounds; then, after scalping him they scatter +ashes and live coals upon his naked head; then they tear the tendons of +the arms and legs, lacerate them, or, after removing a little of the +skin, leisurely cut them with a knife at the ankle and wrist. Often +they compel the unhappy prisoner to walk through fire, or to eat, and +thus entomb in a living sepulchre, pieces of his own flesh. Torture of +this sort has been borne by not a few of the Fathers of the Society. +Moreover, they prolong this torment throughout many days, and, in order +that the poor victim may undergo fresh trials, intermit it for some +time, until his vitality is entirely exhausted and he perishes. Then +they tear the heart from the breast, roast it upon the coals, and, if +the prisoner has bravely borne the bitterness of the torture, give +it, seasoned with blood, to the boys, to be greedily eaten, in order, +as they say, that the warlike youth may imbibe the heroic strength of +the valiant man. The prisoner who has beheld and endured stake, knives +and wounds with an unchanging countenance, who has not groaned, who +with laughter and song has ridiculed his tormentors, is praised; for +they think that to sing amid so many deaths is great and noble. So +they themselves compose songs long beforehand, in order that they may +repeat them if they should by chance be captured. The rest of the crowd +consume the corpse in a brutal feast. The chief reserves for himself +the scalp as a sign of victory, a trophy of cruelty. + + +INDOLES ANIMI: CORPORIS CULTUS: CIBI, CONVIVIA; SUPELLEX: RELIGIO, & +SUPERSTITIONES. + +SIC hostes accipiunt: at domi colunt pacem, rixasque diligenter cavent, +nisi quas ebrietatis impotentia excitavit. Fortunati, si nunquam +illis hanc pestem Europa importasset! Irasci ne norunt quidem, ac +vehementer initio mirabantur, cum inveherentur Patres in vitia pro +concione, eosque furere existimabant, qui pacatos inter auditores, & +amicos, tanta contentione se jactarent. Liberalitatis & munificentiæ +famam aucupantur: sua largiuntur ultro; ablata vix repetunt: nec fures +aliter, quam risu & sannis ulciscuntur. Si quem, oborta simultate +nefarie aliquid moliri suspicantur, non minis deterrent hominem, sed +donis. Ex eodem concordiæ studio fit ut assentiantur ultro, quidquid +doceas; nihilo tamen secius tenent mordicus insitam opinionem aut +superstitionem: eoque difficilius erudiuntur. Quid enim agas cum +annuentibus verbo & concedentibus omnia; re nihil præstantibus? +Miserorum egestatem benignè sublevant; viduarum ac senum sustentant +orbitatem, nisi cum senio ætas vieta marcet, vel morbus gravior +incidit: tunc enim abrumpere infelicem vitam satius arbitrantur, quàm +alere ac producere. Quæcumque calamitas ingruat, nunquam se dimoveri de +animi tranquillitate patiuntur, qua felicitatem potissimum definiunt. +Inediam multorum dierum, morbos, & ærumnas lenissime & constantissimè +perferunt. Ipsos partus dolores, licet acerbissimos, ita dissimulant +feminæ vel superant, ut ne ingemiscant quidem: ac si cui lacryma vel +gemitus excideret, æterna flagraret ignominia, neque virum, à quo +duceretur, præterea inveniret, Nihil unquam amicus cum amico, uxor +cum viro, cum uxore vir, queritur & expostulat. Liberos mira caritate +complectuntur: sed modum non tenent; in eos enim neque animadvertunt +ipsi, neque ab aliis animadverti sinunt. Hinc petulantia puerorum +& ferocitas, quæ, postquàm se corroboravit ætate, in omne scelus +erumpit. Quam autem erga liberos & familiares comitatem præ se ferunt, +eandem cum ceteris civibus suis, ac popularibus, usurpant. Si quis +amariore joco quempiam momordit, (nam dicaces vulgo sunt, & in jocos +effusi) belle dissimulant, aut vicem reponunt, & absentes remordent; +nam præsentes cavillari, aut coram dictis incessere, religio est. Non +aliud libentiùs convicium regerunt lacessiti, quàm si hominem ingenio +carere dicant. Scilicet ingenii laudem vindicant sibi; nec temere. +Nemo inter illos hebes, ac tardus; quod nativa illorum in deliberando +prudentia, & in dicendo facundia, declarat. Auditi quidem sæpe sunt tam +appositè ad persuadendum perorare, idque ex tempore, ut admirationem +exercitatissimis in dicendi palæstra moverent. + +Respondet ingenio corpus, aptum membris, proceritate formosum, robore +validum. Idem, qui Gallis, color; tametsi corrumpunt illum unguine, +& oleo putri, quo se perungunt; necnon pigmentis variis, quibus sibi +pulcri, nobis ridiculi, videntur. Alios cernas naso cæruleo, genis +vero & superciliis atratis: alii frontem, nasum, & genas, lineis +versicoloribus discriminant: totidem larvas intueri te putes. Ejusmodi +coloribus credunt se hostibus esse terribiles; suum pariter in acie +metum, quasi velo, tegi: demum pellem ipsam corporis indurari, ad +vim hiberni frigoris facilius tolerandam. Præter istos colores +induci pro cujusque libidine ac deleri solitos, non pauci stabiles +ac perpetuas avium aut animalium, putà serpentis, aquilæ, bufonis, +imagines imprimunt cuti, hunc in modum. Subulis, cuspidibus, aut +spinis collum, pectus, genasve ita pungunt, ut rudia rerum istarum +lineamenta effingant: mox in punctam & cruentam cutem immittunt atrum +è carbone comminuto pulverem, qui cum sanguine concretus impressas +effigies ita inurit vivæ carni, ut eas nulla temporis diuturnitas +expungat. Totæ quædam nationes, ea præsertim quæ a Tabaco nomen habet, +itemque alia quæ Neutra dicitur, id constanti more ac lege usurpat, +nec sine periculo interdum; maxime si est tempestas frigidior, aut +debilior [347] corporis constitutio. Tunc enim dolore victi, licet eum +ne gemitu quidem significent, linquuntur animo, & exanimes aliquando +concidunt. Laudant oculos exiles, labra repanda & prominentia: pars +radunt comam, pars alunt: his nudum sinciput, illis occiput: aliis coma +tota surrigitur in vertice, aliis parcè ad tempora utrimque propendet. +Barbam, instar monstri, execrantur; ac si quis in mento succrescat +pilus, statim vellunt. Viri æque ac feminæ imas auriculas pertundunt: +& iis inaures è vitro, testisve piscium, inferunt. Quo foramen amplius +est, eo censent formosius. Nunquam ungues resecant. Europæos rident, +qui defluentem è naribus humorem candidis sudariis excipiant, &, Quo, +inquiunt, rem adeo sordidam reservant isti? Saltantes curvant arcuatim +corpus prono capite, & brachia sic agitant, ut qui farinam manibus +subigunt, raucùm identidem grunnientes. Alvum infimam succingunt lato +cortice, vel animantis pelle, aut versicolore panno, cetera nudi. +Feminæ pelles ex humeris & collo promittunt ad genua. Zonas atque +armillas, è concha veneria, quam vulgo porcellanam appellamus, aut +seta hystricis non inscite contextas, gestant: torques hunc in modum +confectos magno habent in pretio. Storeas è marisco (junci marini +genus est) satis eleganter elaborant: iis pavimentum sternunt, in +iisdem carpunt somnos, aut in vitulorom marinorum, fibrorumve mollibus +exuviis. Dormiunt circa focum in mapali medio semper ardentem, si +frigus est: sub dio, si æstas. + +Mensam, aut cathedram, in casa tota videas nullam; in clunes subsidunt, +simiarum instar: is vescentium, is deliberantium, & confabulantium +habitus est. Adeuntes amicos salutant inepto risu; sæpius ho, hho, +hhho, conclamantes. Cum vescuntur, potum dapibus non intermiscent, +neque identidem bibunt; sed semel tantùm, sumpto cibo. Qui amicos +convivio accipit, cum iis neque accumbit, nec ciborum partem ullam +attingit, sed epulantibus dividit: aut, si quem adhibet structorem, +sedet seorsum jejunus, & spectat. Inter edendum silent: salem +aversantur, & condimenta: ossa canibus projicere piaculum arbitrantur: +igni cremant, vel terræ infodiunt. Si enim, inquiunt, ursi, fibri, +& aliæ, quas venando captamus, feræ, ossa sua permitti canibus, & +comminui, rescirent; non tam facile capi se paterentur. Adipem è +pinguibus collectum cibis, abstergunt coma; genis interdum brachiisve +allinunt, elegantiæ, ut aiunt, causa, & valetudinis: nam adipe non +solum nitere cutem, sed corroborari membra existimant. Non alio cibo +vescuntur libentius quàm Sagamita. Pulmentum est è farina, præsertim +Indici tritici, confectum: admisto, quod illis condimentum præcipuè +sapit, oleo. Itaque in conviviis pars dapum prima oleum, aut adeps, +in quem concretum & spissum ita dentes infigunt, ut nos in panem aut +pomum. Antequam illis lebetes, cortinæ, aliaque id genus vasa ærea +deferrentur è Gallia, utebantur cacabis è cortice compactis; verùm quia +imponi flammis non poterant impunè, hanc ad coquendas carnes artem +excogitaverant. Silices plurimos conjiciebant in focum, donec penitus +ignem combibissent. Candentes in ollam frigida plenam & carnibus alios +atque alios subinde immittebant. Ad hunc modum aqua calefacta carnes +citius opinione faciliusque percoquit. Ad tergendas manus utuntur +piloso canum tergo, cui illas affricant; item scobe ligni putris. Hæc +matribus vice panniculorum est, ad purgandas infantium sordes; hæc +instar culcitæ languidis corporibus substernitur. Vasa coquinaria, non +extergunt. Quo sunt crasso pingui magis oblita, eo melius, illorum +judicio, nitent. Turpe ducunt & superbum inambulare inter colloquendum. +Odorem mosci graviter ferunt, & meram esse mephitim putant, præ carnis +rancidæ, aut adipis mucidi frusto. + +Sexcenta sunt ejus generis, in quibus longissimè recedunt ab Europæorum +institutis: sed ab illorum vitiis propius absunt, eaque vel æquant, vel +superant. Gulæ irritamenta, & inimicas bonæ ac sanæ menti potiones, ab +Europæis mercatoribus acceperunt, quibus lucri bonus est odor, etiam +ex flagitio, & scelerata nundinatione. Tandiu esse pergunt, dum adest +quod edant: nihil in crastinum, aut hyemem, reponunt: nec famem valde +reformidant, quia se ferre diuturnam posse confidunt. Conviviis ea lex +posita consensu moribusque gentis est, ut omnia fercula consumantur. +Si quis edit parciùs, & excusat valetudinem, plectitur, aut ejicitur, +ut insulsus, quasi qui vivendi artem nesciat. Primaria supellectilis +domesticæ pars, olla est, sive ahenum, in quo carnes coquuntur. Opes +lebetum numero metiuntur: nec regem Galliæ aliam ob causam initio magni +æstimabant; quàm quòd plures habere ollas dicebatur. Quanta sit apud +exleges, & omni freno solutos, intemperantiæ impunitas & licentia, +præsertim in adolescentibus, promptum est intelligere: nam grandiores +natu libidinem certis finibus circumscribunt, cùm æstus cupiditatum +deferbuit: nec impune est peccanti feminæ. + +Religionis apud illos neque lex ulla, neque cura. Nullo stato & certo +cultu Numen prosequuntur. Esse tamen aliquod, velut in sublustri +nocte, vident. Quod quisque puer aspicit in somnis, cum lucescere +ratio incipit, hoc illi deinceps numen est, canis, ursus, avis. +Vivendi normam & agendi plerumque ducunt è somniis; ut si quem +interficiendum, exempli causa, somniaverint, non conquiescant donec +hominem insidiis exceptum necaverint. Piget fabulas referre, quas de +mundi opificio comminiscuntur. His implent otiosas & avidas plebis +aures harioli, & circulatores nequissimi, impietate quæstuosa. +Malorum auctorem genium nescio quem vocant Manitoù, ac vehementissime +perhorrescunt. Hostem procul dubio generis humani, qui à nonnullis +divinos honores & sacrificia quædam extorquet. Circa naturam animarum +non levius delirant. Simulacra fingunt corporea, cibi & potionis +egentia. Destinatum animabus versus occidentem solem, pagum credunt, +in quem obita morte se recipiant: & ubi epulis, venationi, & choreis +indulgeant. Hæc enim apud illos summa. + +Cum primum de sempiternis ignibus, & incendiis sceleri destinatis +audierunt, immane quantum obstupuere: fidem tamen pertinaciter +abrogabant, quòd dicerent ibi esse ignem non posse, ubi nihil ligni +sit: tum, quænam silvæ alere tot ignes, tam diuturnos, possent? Hæc +ratio ineptissima tantam vim apud barbaras mentes habebat, ut iis +persuaderi veritas evangelica non posset. Quippe in homine carnali, ut +ait è SS. PP. nonnemo, tota ratio intelligendi est consuetudo cernendi. +Expugnavit nihilominus pertinaciam sacerdos acer & ingeniosus. Fidenter +affirmavit inferorum terram vices obire ligni, & ipsam ardere per sese. +Risu barbaræ multitudinis exceptus est. Imo, inquit, hujus Avernalis +terræ frustum proferam vobis, ut, quoniam verbis divinis non creditis, +vestris ipsi oculis credatis. Accendit curiositatem promissi novitas & +fiducia. Convenerunt è tota regione ad diem constitutum, & in ingenti +planitie, collibus instar amphitheatri cincta, consederunt. Primores +gentis duodecim lecti fuere, viri graves & cordati, qui sacerdotem +observarent, numquid fraudis ac præstigiarum lateret. Ille sulphuris +glebam depromit, dat istis arbitris & cognitoribus tractandam: hanc +oculis, naso, manu scrutati, haud dubie terram esse confessi sunt. +Aderat olla cum prunis candentibus. Tunc sacerdos populo procul +spectante; inhiantibus, demisso in prunas naso, judicibus, excussit in +carbones è sulphurea gleba particulas aliquot, quæ subito conceperunt +ignem & odore fetido nares curiosas impleverunt. Hoc iterum, ac tertiò +cum esset factum, assurrexit multitudo attonita, manum planam imponens +ori, quo gestu summam admirationem testantur; & inferos esse dicenti +Deo credidit. + + +MENTAL CHARACTERISTICS; CARE OF THE BODY; FOOD; FEASTS; HOUSEHOLD +UTENSILS; RELIGION AND SUPERSTITIONS. + +THUS they treat their enemies; but at home they cultivate peace and +carefully avoid quarrels, except those which the fury of drunkenness +has aroused. Fortunate would they be if Europe had never introduced +this scourge among them! They know nothing of anger, and at first +were greatly surprised when the Fathers censured their faults before +the assembly; they thought that the Fathers were madmen, because +among peaceful hearers and friends they displayed such vehemence. +These people seek a reputation for liberality and generosity; they +give away their property freely and very seldom ask any return; nor +do they punish thieves otherwise than with ridicule and derision. If +they suspect that any one seeks to accomplish an evil deed by means of +false pretences, they do not restrain him with threats, but with gifts. +From the same desire for harmony comes their ready assent to whatever +one teaches them; nevertheless they hold tenaciously to their native +belief or superstition, and on that account are the more difficult to +instruct. For what can one do with those who in word give agreement and +assent to everything, but in reality give none? They kindly relieve +the poverty of the unfortunate; they provide sustenance for widows +and old men in their bereavement, except when, with old age, vitality +is withering away, or some grievous disease arises; for then they +think it better to cut short an unhappy existence than to support and +prolong it. Whatever misfortune may befall them, they never allow +themselves to lose their calm composure of mind, in which they think +that happiness especially consists. They endure many days' fasting, +also diseases and trials, with the greatest cheerfulness and patience. +Even the pangs of childbirth, although most bitter, are so concealed +or conquered by the women that they do not even groan; and if a tear +or a groan should escape any one of them, she would be stigmatized by +everlasting disgrace, nor could she find a man thereafter who would +marry her. Friends never indulge in complaint or expostulation to +friends, wives to their husbands, or husbands to their wives. They +treat their children with wonderful affection, but they preserve no +discipline, for they neither themselves correct them nor allow others +to do so. Hence the impudence and savageness of the boys, which, +after they have reached a vigorous age, breaks forth in all sorts +of wickedness. Moreover, they exercise the same mildness which they +exhibit toward their children and relatives, toward the remainder of +their tribe and their countrymen. If any person has injured another by +means of a rude jest (for they are commonly very talkative, and are +ready jesters), the latter carefully conceals it, or lays it up, and +in retaliation injures his detractor behind his back; for to jest in +the victim's presence, or to make a verbal attack, face to face, is +characteristic of religion. There is nothing which they are more prone +to use as a counter-allegation, when provoked, than to charge a man +with a lack of intelligence. For they claim praise because of their +intelligence, and not without good reason. No one among them is stupid +or sluggish, a fact which is evident in their inborn foresight in +deliberation and their fluency in speaking. Indeed, they have often +been heard to make a peroration so well calculated for persuasion, +and that off-hand, that they would excite the admiration of the most +experienced in the arena of eloquence. + +Their bodies, well proportioned, handsome because of their height, +vigorous in strength, correspond to their minds. They have the same +complexion as the French, although they disfigure it with fat and +rancid oil, with which they grease themselves; nor do they neglect +paints of various colors, by means of which they appear beautiful to +themselves, but to us ridiculous. Some may be seen with blue noses, +but with cheeks and eyebrows black; others mark forehead, nose and +cheeks with lines of various colors; one would think he beheld so many +hobgoblins. They believe that in colors of this description they are +dreadful to their enemies, and that likewise their own fear in line of +battle will be concealed as by a veil; finally, that it hardens the +skin of the body, so that the cold of winter is more easily borne. +Besides these colors, which are usually applied or removed according +to the pleasure of each person, many impress upon the skin fixed and +permanent representations of birds or animals, such as a snake, an +eagle, or a toad, in the following manner: With awls, spear-points, +or thorns they so puncture the neck, breast or cheeks as to trace +rude outlines of those objects; next, they insert into the pierced +and bleeding skin a black powder made from pulverized charcoal, which +unites with the blood and so fixes upon the living flesh the pictures +which have been drawn that no length of time can efface them. Some +entire tribes--that especially which is called the Tobacco nation, +and also another, which is called the Neutral nation--practice it as +a continuous custom and usage; sometimes it is not without danger, +especially if the season be somewhat cold or the physical constitution +rather weak. [347] For then, overcome by suffering, although they do +not betray it by even a groan, they swoon away and sometimes drop dead. +They praise small eyes and turned-up and projecting lips. Some shave +their hair, others cultivate it; some have half the head bare, others +the back of the head; the hair of some is raised upon their heads, that +of others hangs down scantily upon each temple. They detest a beard as +a monstrosity, and straightway pull out whatever hair grows upon their +chins. The men as well as the women pierce the lobes of their ears, and +place in them earrings made of glass or shells. The larger the hole, +the more beautiful they consider it. They never cut their nails. They +ridicule the Europeans, because the latter wipe off the mucus flowing +from the nose with white handkerchiefs, and say: "For what purpose do +they preserve such a vile thing?" In dancing, they bend the body, with +the head lowered, in the form of a bow, and move their arms like those +who knead dough, at the same time emitting hoarse grunts. They gird +the lower portion of the belly with a broad piece of bark or hide or a +parti-colored cloth, and leave the rest of the body naked. The women +wear skins hanging from the shoulders and neck to the knees. They wear +belts and bracelets ingeniously manufactured from Venus shells,[71] +which we commonly call porcelain, or from porcupine quills; and +necklaces made in this fashion they value highly. They make very neat +mats from marisco (a variety of marine rush); with these they cover +their floors, and also take their rest upon them, or upon the soft +furs of the seal or the beaver. In winter they sleep about a fire +constantly burning in the middle of the lodge, in summer under the open +sky. + +Neither table nor chair can be seen in the hut. They squat upon their +haunches like monkeys; this is their custom while eating, deliberating +or conversing. They greet approaching friends with silly laughter, +more often exclaiming, ho, hho, hhho. When they eat they do not take +beverages with their food, nor do they drink often, but only once +after eating. Whoever entertains his friends at a feast neither sits +with them nor touches any part of the food, but divides it among the +feasters; or, if he has some one act as carver, sits apart fasting +and looks on. While eating they keep silence; they reject salt and +condiments; they consider it a sin to throw the bones to the dogs; they +either burn them in the fire or bury them in the ground. For, they +say, if the bears, beaver, and other wild animals which we capture in +hunting should know that their bones were given to dogs and broken to +pieces, they would not suffer themselves to be taken so easily. They +wipe off upon their hair the grease which is collected from fatty +foods; sometimes they smear their cheeks or arms for the sake, as they +say, of elegance and health; for they think that not only is the skin +made resplendent with grease, but that the limbs are thus strengthened. +For no other food do they have such fondness as for Sagamita. It is a +relish made from flour, especially that of Indian corn, mixed with oil, +which as a flavor is held in especial esteem among them. Therefore, in +feasts the first course consists of oil or fat, in hard and compact +lumps, into which they bite as we do into a piece of bread or an apple. +Before pots, kettles and other vessels of the sort were brought to +them from France, they used receptacles of closely joined bark; but, +because they could not place them with safety over the flames, they +devised the following way of cooking meat: They cast a large number of +flint stones into the fire until they had become red-hot. Then they +would drop these hot stones one after another into a vessel full of +cold water and meat. In this manner the water was heated and the meat +cooked more quickly and more easily than one would suppose. For wiping +their hands they use the shaggy back of a dog, also powder of rotten +wood. The last-named is used by mothers, in the place of wash-cloths, +to clean the dirt from their infants; it is also used as a mattress to +support the weary body. They do not cleanse their cooking utensils. +The more they are covered with thick grease, so much the better are +they, in their judgment. They consider it disgraceful and arrogant to +walk while conversing. They dislike the odor of musk, and consider it a +downright pest in comparison with a piece of rancid meat or moldy fat. + +There, are six hundred matters of this sort in which their customs +differ very widely from those of Europeans; but they are less removed +from the faults of the latter, and either equal or excel them. They +have received stimulants of the appetite, and drinks hostile to a good +and sound mind, from European traders, who think much of profit, even +when tainted with the disgrace of a wicked traffic. They continue to +exist so long as they have anything to eat; they store up nothing for +to-morrow, or for the winter; nor do they greatly dread famine, because +they are confident of their ability to bear it for a long time. In +feasts it is the rule, by general consent and custom of the race, that +all the food shall be consumed. If any one eats sparingly and urges +his poor health as an excuse, he is beaten or ejected as ill-bred, just +as if he were ignorant of the art of living. The principal article +of their household utensils is the pot or kettle in which the meat +is cooked. They measure property by the number of kettles, and in +the beginning conceived a high opinion of the king of France, for no +other reason than because he was said to possess a good many kettles. +How great is the impunity and wantonness of licentiousness among men +uncivilized and free from all restraint, especially among the youth, +maybe readily observed; for the elder men confine their lust within +fixed limits, after the violence of their passions has subsided, and an +erring woman does not go unpunished. + +There is among them no system of religion, or care for it. They honor +a Deity who has no definite character or regular code of worship. They +perceive, however, through the twilight, as it were, that some deity +does exist. What each boy sees in his dreams, when his reason begins +to develop, is to him thereafter a deity, whether it be a dog, a bear, +or a bird. They often derive their principles of life and action from +dreams; as, for example, if they dream that any person ought to be +killed, they do not rest until they have caught the man by stealth +and slain him. It is wearisome to recount the tales which they invent +concerning the creation of the world. Soothsayers and worthless quacks +fill with these the idle and greedy ears of the people in order that +they may acquire an impious gain. They call some divinity, who is the +author of evil, "Manitou," and fear him exceedingly. Beyond doubt it +is the enemy of the human race, who extorts from some people divine +honors and sacrifices. Concerning the nature of spirits, they go none +the less astray. They make them corporeal images which require food +and drink. They believe that the appointed place, for souls, to which +after death they are to retire, is in the direction of the setting sun, +and there they are to enjoy feasting, hunting, and dancing; for these +pleasures are held in the highest repute among them. + +When they first heard of the eternal fire and the burning decreed as +a punishment for sin, they were marvelously impressed; still, they +obstinately withheld their belief because, as they said, there could +be no fire where there was no wood; then, what forests could sustain +so many fires through such a long space of time? This absurd reasoning +had so much influence over the minds of the savages, that they could +not be persuaded of the truth of the gospel. For, plainly, in the +physical man, as some one from Sts. Peter and Paul says, the entire +system of knowledge is based on vision. Nevertheless, a clever and +ingenious priest overcame their obstinacy. He confidently declared that +the lower world possessed no wood, and that it burned by itself. He +was greeted by the laughter of the crowd of savages. "But," said he, +"I will exhibit to you a piece of this land of Avernus, in order that, +since you do not believe the words of God, you may trust the evidence +of your own eyes." The novelty and boldness of the promise aroused +their curiosity. Upon the appointed day they assembled from the whole +neighborhood, and sat down together in an immense plain, surrounded by +hills like an amphitheater. Twelve leading men of the tribe, persons +of dignity and sagacity, were chosen to watch the priest, in order +that neither fraud nor sorcery might be concealed. He produced a lump +of sulphur and gave it to the judges and inspectors to be handled; +after examining it with eyes, nose, and hand, they admitted that it +was certainly earth. There stood near by a kettle containing live +coals. Then the priest, under the eyes of the people at a distance, +while the judges were gaping with their noses thrust down toward the +coals, shook some grains from the lump of sulphur upon the coals, which +suddenly took fire and filled the curious noses with a stifling odor. +When this had been done a second and a third time, the crowd arose in +astonishment, placing their hands flat over their mouths, by which +gesture they signify great surprise; and believed in the word of God +that there is a lower world. + + + + +[51] Rerum Insigniorum Indiculus. + + + _ALCES consideratio_, 7 + + _virtus mira ungulæ ejus_, 8 + + _Angli barbaris gladios et gravidas nitrato + pulvere fistulas suppeditant_, 27 + + _Animarum de natura delirant Canadenses_, 20, 46 + + _Aves Novæ Franciæ_, 14 + + _Avis prædatrix_, 15 + + _Batavi barbaris arma vendunt_, 27 + + _Canada fluvius_, 5 + + _Canadensium domus_, 16 + _mulierum labores_, 17 + _morbi et ægrorum cura_, 18 + _funera_, 20 + _bella_, 27 + _arma_, 28 + _crudelitas in captivos_, 29 + _indoles_, 33 + _corporis cultus_, 37 + _cibi_, 42 + _convivia_, 44 + [52] _Canadensium supellex_, 44 + _religio et superstitiones_, 45 + + _Captivorum crudelis sors_, 29 + + _Casæ Canadensium_, 16 + _cadavera perjanuam nunquam esseruntur_, 20 + + _Casæ fibrorum_, 10 + + _Causarus seu Piscis armatus_, 12 + + _Clypei barbarorum_, 28 + + _Coquendi ratio in cacabis è cortice confectis_, 42 + + _Ebrietas ab Europæis discitur_, 44 + + _Exequiarum ritus_, 20 + + _Feminis imponitur quidquid laboris est_, 17 + + _Fibri consideratio_, 9 + + _Fluvii quid habent singulare_, 6 + + _Franciæ Novæ descriptio, flumina_, 5 + _coelum_, 6 + _soli natura_, 7 + _feræ_, 7 + + _Galliæ rex cur magni æstimabatur_, 45 + + _Hurones diem Mortuorum celebrant_, 25 + + _Infantium mira mortalitas_, 17 + _cur corpora propter viam sepeliunt_, 21 + + _Infernales ignes esse probat sacerdos_, 48 + + [53] _Iroquæi bellum cum Montanis singulari certamine finiunt_, 28 + + _Iroquæorum lacus_, 12 + + _Kebecum, urbs primaria Novæ Franciæ_, 6 + + _Magna Bellua, quid_, 7 + + _Manitoù, genius malorum_, 46 + + _Missisipus fluvius_, 6 + + _Montani bellum singulari certamine finiunt_, 28 + + _Morborum fontes duo_, 18 + + _Mortuorum festa celebritas apud Hurones_, 25 + + _Mos Canadensis mortuos suscitandi_, 25 + + _Naviculæ barbarorum_, 6 + + _Neutra Natio_, 38 + + _Numen nullo certo cultu prosequuntur_, 44 + + _Palumbes absque numero_, 14 + + _Pisces armatus_, 13 + + _Patres non pauci Societatis Jesu dire torquentur_, 31 + + _Religio Canadensium_, 45 + + _Reticula pedibus substrata ut super nives de ambulent_, 8 + + _S. Laurentii fluvius_, 5, 6 + + _Sagamita quid_, 42 + + [54] _Saltus seu catadupæ in fluviis_, 6 + + _Sinus Sancti Laurentii_, 14 + + _Somniorum vanitas_, 46 + + _Sudando noxios humores ejiciunt_, 19 + + _Tabacum, natio ejus nominis_, 38 + + _Trophæus_, 32 + + _Volucrum insula_, 14 + + + + +[51] Index of Prominent Topics. + +[_The page numbers refer to O'Callaghan's Reprint._] + + + _ELK: description_, 7 + _wonderful efficacy of its hoof_, 8 + + _The English supply swords, guns and ammunition to the savages_, 27 + + _Absurd ideas of Canadians concerning the soul_, 20, 46 + + _Birds of New France_, 14 + + _A bird of prey_, 15 + + _The Dutch sell arms to the savages_, 27 + + _The river Canada_, 5 + + _Homes of the Canadians_, 16 + _tasks of the women_, 17 + _diseases and treatment of the sick_, 18 + _funerals_, 20 + _wars_, 27 + _weapons_, 28 + _cruelty to prisoners_, 29 + _character_, 33 + _care of the body_, 37 + _food_, 42 + _feasts_, 44 + [52] _Implements of the Canadians_, 44 + _religion and superstitions_, 45 + + _Cruel fate of prisoners_, 29 + + _Houses of the Canadians_, 16 + _corpses are never carried out through the door_, 20 + + _Houses of the beavers_, 10 + + _The Causar or armored Fish_, 12 + + _Shields of the savages_, 28 + + _Manner of cooking in vessels made from bark_, 42 + + _Drunkenness is learned from the Europeans_, 44 + + _Rites of sepulture_, 20 + + _Whatever work there is, is placed upon the women_, 17 + + _Description of the beaver_, 9 + + _Peculiarities of the rivers_, 6 + + _Description of New France, rivers_, 5 + _climate_, 6 + _nature of the soil_, 7 + _wild animals_, 7 + + _Why the king of France was greatly respected_, 45 + + _The Hurons celebrate the day of the Dead_, 25 + + _Remarkable mortality among infants_, 17 + _why they bury the bodies near the road_, 21 + + _A priest proves that there is hell fire_, 48 + + [53] _The Iroquois conclude a war with the Montagnais by single + combat_, 28 + + _Lake of the Iroquois_, 12 + + _Kebec, the chief city of New France_, 6 + + _The Great Beast, what it is_, 7 + + _Manitou, the spirit of evil_, 46 + + _Mississippi river_, 6 + + _The Montaignais conclude a war by single combat_, 28 + + _Two sources of disease_, 18 + + _Festival of the Dead among the Hurons_, 25 + + _Canadian manner of honoring the dead_, 25 + + _Boats of the savages_, 6 + + _The Neutral Nation_, 38 + + _They revere a deity with no fixed form of worship_, 44 + + _Innumerable pigeons_, 14 + + _The armored fish_, 13 + + _Fathers of the Society of Jesus are cruelly tortured_, 31 + + _Religion of the Canadians_, 45 + + _Network bound under the feet, to walk over the snow_, 8 + + _St. Lawrence river_, 5, 6 + + _Sagamita, what it is_, 42 + + [54] _Water-falls, or cataracts, in the rivers_, 6 + + _Gulf of St. Lawrence_, 14 + + _Ignorant belief in dreams_, 46 + + _They expel noxious humors by sweating_, 19 + + _Tobacco, the nation of that name_, 38 + + _The trophy_, 32 + + _Isle of Birds_, 14 + + + + +BIBLIOGRAPHICAL DATA: VOL. I + + +I + +Our text of Lescarbot's _La Conversion_ follows, to the close of p. +44 (original pagination), the copy at Lenox Library: pp. 45, 46, the +"Regitre de Bapteme," follow the copy at John Carter Brown Library, +Providence, R. I., as the Lenox copy does not have these two pages. + +It is a rare book; the two copies above cited are the only ones known +to us, in America. Leclerc, in _Bibliotheca Americana_ (Paris, 1867), +p. 206, says: "Cette pièce est plus rare que l'Histoire de la Nouvelle +France," referring to Lescarbot's better-known work. Sabin speaks of it +(vol. x., no. 40167), as "probably the rarest of Lescarbot's works." + +See further references in the John Carter Brown Catalogue (Bartlett's +_Bibliotheca Americana_, Providence, 1882), vol. ii., no. 99: Graesse's +_Trésor de Livres Rares et Précieux_ (Dresden, 1863), vol. iv., p. +175; Harrisse's _Notes sur la Nouvelle France_ (Paris, 1872), no. 21; +Ternaux's _Bibliothèque Américaine_ (Paris, 1837), no. 330; Winsor's +_Narrative and Critical History of America_, vol. iv., p. 299; and +Lenox _Catalogue of Jesuit Relations_ (N. Y., 1879), p. 3.[XVII.] + +_Title-page._ This is given in photographic facsimile, in this +reissue. The Lenox and Brown copies are alike, in this. It will be +noticed that there is no date of publication, this being established +from the Privilege. + +_Collation._ Title, 1 p.; blank at back of title, 1 p.; dedication +"A LA ROYNE," 3 pp., signed "MARC LESCARBOT;" privilege, 1 p., dated +"Paris, 9 Sep., 1610," and signed "Brigard;" text, pp. 7-44. Page 7 is +misnumbered 1. (The Brown Catalogue says: Page 1 is misnumbered 7." +This is a misprint in the Catalogue.) "FIN," at end of p. 24; then +pp. 23 and 24 are reprinted, all except the last sentence on p. 24: +"Dieu vueille par sa | grace conduire le tout en sorte que la chose | +reüssisse à sa gloire & à l'édification de ce peu-| ple, pour lequel +tous Chrétiens doivent faire | continuelles prieres à sa divine bonté, +à ce qu'il | lui plaise confirmer & avancer l'oeuvre qu'il | lui a pleu +susciter en ce temps pour l'exaltation | de son nom, & le salut de ses +creatures. | FIN." + +It is evident that the intention was to have the first leaf (pp. 23, +24) cut out. This duplication of pp. 23, 24 is in both the Brown and +Lenox copies. + +The "Extrait du Regitre de Bapteme" in the Brown copy (it is not in the +Lenox Copy) forms 2 pages at the end of text. The first page of this +"Regitre" is not numbered; the second is numbered "-4-6" (intended for +46), and this ends the book. The same "Regitre" appears in somewhat +different order in Lescarbot's _Nouvelle France_, (1612 ed.), pp. +638-640, chap. 5, book v.; also, according to Harrisse's _Notes_, in +chap. 3, book v., of the 1611 ed. + + +II + +In Bertrand's _Lettre Missive_, we follow the original Paris edition, +in Lenox. It is a rare publication, the Lenox copy being apparently +the only one in the United States; Brown has a manuscript copy, made +from that at Lenox. Sabin (vol. x., no. 40682), says: "It is a piece of +unusual rarity." Sabin has a previous reference in vol. ii., no. 5025, +under caption "Bertrand," wherein a misprint makes him cite the date of +the letter as "28 June, 1618" (eight years later than the actual date); +a further misprint causes Sabin to record the pamphlet as having "48 +pages or less," the actual number being 8. In his _Notes_, Harrisse +omits a line-ending after the second "nouuelle" in his description of +the title-page. See, for further references: Ternaux, no. 329; Winsor, +p. 299; Lenox Catalogue, p. 3; Brown Catalogue, vol. ii., no. 103. + +_Title-page._ Given in photographic facsimile, in present volume. + +_Collation._ Title, 1 p.; blank at back of title, 1 p.; text, pp. 3-6; +dated on p. 6, "Port Royal xxviij. Iuin, 1610," and signed "Bertrand." +Blank leaf at end, completing 4 leaves = 8 pp. + + +III-VI + +In these four letters, by Biard and Massé, we follow Carayon's +_Première Mission des Jésuites au Canada_ (Paris, 1864). It is a +scarce book, and brought $8 at the Barlow Sale, in New York, 1890. +See references in Harrisse, p. 285; Sabin, no. 10792; Winsor, pp. 151, +292, 300; and Lenox Catalogue, p. 15. The origin of the letters in the +volume is found at the top of the first page of each letter; and these +data, with accompanying notes by Carayon, are reproduced in the present +series, which will, in strict chronological order, contain all of the +papers given by that editor; although in many cases we shall follow the +original issues of the letters, whenever found. Documents III., V., and +VI. were written in Latin; and Document IV. in French. + +_Collation._ Blank, 2 pp.; bastard title, 1 p.; blank, 1 p.; title +proper, 1 p.; blank, 1 p. Preface begins on p. vii. (not numbered), and +ends on p. xvi. Preface acknowledges indebtedness to F. Felix Martin, +S. J., for copying and translating into French (from the Latin) most of +the letters in the volume. Text, pp. 1-302; Table at end, 2 pp.; the +last of these is numbered 304. + + +VII + +We follow the style and make-up of Dr. E. B. O'Callaghan's Reprint +(Albany, N. Y., 1871) of the _Canadicæ Missionis_, in Jouvency's +_Hist. Soc. Jesu_, part v., commencing p. 321. In the Lenox Catalogue, +it is designated "O'Callaghan's Reprint, No. 4." This numbering of +O'Callaghan's reprints, is merely a device peculiar to the Lenox +Catalogue, for sake of easy reference, and has been followed by Winsor; +the reprints themselves bear no numbers. + +The text of this document, however, we have compared with the original +folio edition of Jouvency's work, in the library of St. Francis Xavier +College, New York, and the pagination thereof is indicated instead of +that of the O'Callaghan Reprint. The list, "Missiones Societatis Jesu +in America Septentrionali Anno M. DCC. X.," which O'Callaghan reprints +as if a part of the original _Canadicæ Missionis_, is on pp. 961, 962 +of the same volume of Jouvency in which the latter appears (part v.). + +_Title-page._ The O'Callaghan Reprint is closely imitated. + +_Collation of O'Callaghan Reprint._ Title, 1 p.; reverse of title, +with inscription: "Editio viginti quinque exemplaria. O'C.," 1 p.; +Biardi Eulogium ac Vita, pp. i-v.; blank, 1 p.; Tabula, 1 p.; blank, +1 p.; text, pp. 5-33; colophon: "Albaniae Excvdebat Joel Munsellius +| Mense Aprilis Anno | CI[C=]. I[C=]CCC. LXXI.," 1 p.; half-title, +"Appendix," 1 p.; blank, 1 p.; "Missiones Societatis Iesu | in America +Septentrionali |Anno M.DCC.X.," 2 pp., the last of which is numbered 38. + + +VIII + +We follow the style and make-up of O'Callaghan's Reprint (Albany, +1871), which is numbered 5 in the Lenox Catalogue. The text and +pagination follow the original, in Jouvency's _Hist. Soc. Jesu_, part +v., commencing p. 344. + +_Title-page._ The O'Callaghan Reprint is closely imitated. + +_Collation of O'Callaghan Reprint._ Title, 1 p.; reverse of title, +with inscription: "Editio viginti quinque exemplaria. O'C.," 1 p.; +Tabula Rerum, 1 p.; blank, 1 p.; text, pp. 5-49; blank, 1 p.; Rerum +Insigniorum Indiculus, 4 pp.; colophon: "Albaniae Excvdebat Joel +Munsellius | Mense Qvintilis Anno | CI[C=]. I[C=]CCC. LXXI.," 1 p. + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[XVII.] In order to save needless repetition of long titles, +bibliographical works, when once cited in full, will thereafter be +referred to by the usual cut-shorts: e.g., the John Carter Brown +Catalogue will be hereafter known in our Bibliographical Data as +"Brown Catalogue;" the list of Jesuitica in Winsor's _Narrative and +Critical History_ vol. iv., as "Winsor;" the Lenox _Catalogue of +Jesuit Relations_, as "Lenox Catalogue;" Harrisse's _Notes sur la +Nouvelle France_, as "Harrisse's _Notes_," or simply as "Harrisse;" +etc., etc. The student who is familiar, in a general way, with these +bibliographical sources,--and it is presumed that those are, for whom +this series of reprints is designed,--will not be confused by the +customary method of brief citation. + + + + +NOTES TO VOL. I + +(_Figures in parentheses, following number of note, refer to pages of +English text._) + + +1. (p. 55)--Marie de Médicis, queen regent, widow of Henry of Navarre; +appointed regent by the king, the day before his assassination, May 14, +1610. She was accused of having been privy to his murder. + +2. (p. 55)--The reports of Champlain, and the maps and charts with +which, upon returning from his voyage of 1603, he entertained +Henry IV., so interested the latter that he vowed to encourage the +colonization of New France. To carry on this work he commissioned, +as his lieutenant-general in Acadia, Pierre du Gua, Sieur de Monts, +governor of Pons, a Huguenot resident at court, and, according to +Champlain, "a gentleman of great respectability, zeal, and honesty." De +Monts' commission is given at length in Baird's _Huguenot Emigration +to America_, vol. i., p. 341; his charter of "La Cadie" embraced the +country between the 40th and 46th degrees of latitude, and he held +therein a monopoly of the fur trade. J. G. Bourinot, in _Canadian +Monthly_, vol. vii., pp. 291, 292, says the name Acadia (also written +Acadie, and La Cadie) "comes from àk[^a]de, which is an affix used +by the Souriquois or MIC Macs ... to signify a place where there is +an abundance of some particular thing."--See, also, Laverdière's +_Oeuvres de Champlain_ (Quebec, 1870), p. 115. In 1604, De Monts +sailed from France with a colony composed of Catholics and Huguenots, +served by "a priest and a minister." Champlain and Poutrincourt were +with the expedition, and Pontgravé commanded one of the two ships. +The cancelling of his monopoly (1607), deprived De Monts of the means +to carry on his colonization schemes. The title to Port Royal he had +already ceded to Poutrincourt. The king renewed De Monts' monopoly +for one year, upon his undertaking to found a colony in the interior. +Thereupon De Monts sent Champlain to the St. Lawrence (1608), as +his lieutenant. Upon the death of Henry IV. (1610), De Monts, now +financially ruined, surrendered his commission, selling his proprietary +rights to the Jesuits. + +"Jean de Biencourt, Baron de Poutrincourt, a gentleman of Picardy, +a brave chevalier, had carried arms against Henry IV. in the ranks +of the Catholics, during the wars of the League. Lescarbot tells how +'The king, holding him besieged in his castle of Beaumont, wished +to give him the dukedom of this place in order to attach him to his +service.' Poutrincourt refused. But, when the king had abjured his +faith, he served this prince loyally and followed him to battle, where +he accumulated more honor than fortune. In 1603, he lived in retirement +with his wife, Jeanne de Salazar, and his children, in his barony of +Saint-Just, in Champagne, struggling painfully against the difficulties +of an embarrassed situation, and striving to improve the tillage and +crops of his little domain. It was here that De Monts, his former +companion in arms, found him. He knew his courage, his intelligence, +and his activity, and did not doubt that a voyage to Canada and an +agricultural colony in these distant lands, so fertile and primeval, +would appeal to his ardent soul. Poutrincourt, in fact, received with +enthusiasm the plan of his old friend; however, before binding himself +definitely, he wished to find out, on his own account, something +about the state of the country, and for this purpose to make a trial +voyage."--Rochemonteix's _Les Jésuites et la Nouvelle France_ (Paris, +1896), vol. i., p. 11. + +Pleased with Annapolis harbor, Poutrincourt decided to settle there +with his family, and De Monts gave him a grant of the place. In 1606, +Poutrincourt made a second voyage to Port Royal, exploring the coast +with Champlain and Lescarbot. After the abandonment of the colony +(1607), he went to France, returning to Acadia in 1610, inspired with +zeal to convert the savages, but without the aid of the Jesuits. See +Parkman's _Pioneers of France in the New World_ (ed. 1885, which will +hereafter be cited, unless otherwise noted), pp. 244-322; also Shea's +ed. of Charlevoix's _History of New France_, vol. i., p. 260. By the +destruction of Port Royal in 1613, he was the heaviest loser--the +total loss to the French, according to Charlevoix, being a hundred +thousand crowns. In 1614, Poutrincourt visited the ruins of Port Royal +for the last time, thence returning to France to engage in the service +of the king. He was fatally wounded by a treacherous shot after the +taking of Méry (1615). Baird (_Hug. Emig._, vol. i., p. 94), says: +"This nobleman, if nominally a Roman Catholic, appears to have been in +full sympathy with his Huguenot associates, De Monts and Lescarbot. +His hatred of the Jesuits was undisguised." Lescarbot's account of +Poutrincourt's dispute with them differs essentially from that given by +Biard, _post_. + +3. (p. 55)--Marc Lescarbot (or L'Escarbot), parliamentary advocate, +was born at Vervins, France, between 1570 and 1580. He was more given +to literature than to law, and appears to have been a man of judgment, +tact, and intelligence. He spent the winter of 1606-07 at Port Royal, +which Slafter (Prince Soc. ed. of _Voyages of Samuel Champlain_, vol. +ii., p. 22, _note_ 56) locates "on the north side of the bay [Annapolis +Basin] in the present town of Lower Granville; not, as often alleged, +at Annapolis." See Bourinot's "Some Old Forts by the Sea," in _Trans. +Royal Society of Canada_, sec. ii, pp. 72-74, for description of Port +Royal, which he places on the site of the present Annapolis. In the +spring of 1607, Lescarbot explored the coast between the harbor of St. +John, N. B., and the River St. Croix. On the abandonment of De Monts' +colony, the same year, he returned to France, where he wrote much +on Acadia and in praise of Poutrincourt. Larousse gives the date of +his death as 1630. Parkman's _Pioneers_, pp. 258 _et seq._, gives a +lively account of Lescarbot's winter at the colony. Abbé Faillon, in +_Histoire de la Colonie Française en Canada_ (Montreal, 1865), vol. i, +p. 91, says he has given us the best accounts extant (in the present +document, his _Histoire de la Nouvelle France_, 1609, and his _Les +Muses de la Nouvelle France_, 1618) of the enterprises of De Monts and +Poutrincourt; and that while a Catholic in name, he was a Huguenot at +heart. + +4. (p. 57)--_Clameur de Haro, Chartre Normand_, an expression used in +all the privileges or licenses granted by the king to booksellers. +The latter phrase refers to a deed containing numerous privileges or +concessions, accorded to the inhabitants of Normandy by Louis X., Mar. +19, 1313, and repeatedly confirmed afterward. _Haro_ is supposed to be +derived from, _Ha Rou!_ or _Ha Rollo!_ Hence an appeal to Rollo, the +first Duke of Normandy. + +5. (p. 59)--The first attempt of the Huguenots to establish a colony in +America was at Rio Janeiro, under Villegagnon (1555). A reinforcement +was sent thither in 1557, and among its Calvinist preachers was Jean de +Léri, the historian of the disastrous undertaking. See his _Historia +Navigationis in Brasiliam_ (1586), quoted in Parkman's _Pioneers_, p. +28. + +6. (p. 61)--The St. Lawrence; so named by Cartier (1535), but +frequently called "The Great River," "The River of the Great Bay," +etc., by early annalists. In the account of his second voyage, Cartier +styles it _le grand fleuve de Hochelaga_. See Winsor's _Narrative and +Critical History of America_, vol. iv., p. 163; also his _Cartier to +Frontenac_, p. 28. + +7. (p. 61)--Concerning early European acquaintance with American +Indians: + +"In the yeere 1153 ... it is written, that there came to Lubec, a +citie of Germanie, one Canoa with certaine Indians, like vnto a long +barge: which seemed to haue come from the coast of Baccalaos, which +standeth in the same latitude that Germanie doth." (Antoine Galvano, +in Goldsmid's ed. of _Hakluyt's Voyages_, vol. xvi., p. 293.) + +Harrisse (_Bibliotheca Americana Vetustissima_, no. 71) cites the +_Chronicon_ of Eusebius (Paris, 1512) as having, "under the date 1509, +a notice saying that there had been brought to Rouen seven Savages from +North America." + +The Indians of Newfoundland, when first discovered by the French, +called codfish _bacalos_, which Lescarbot and other early French +writers say is identical with the Basque word for codfish. Many +evidences led Cartier, upon his first voyage (1534), to believe that +the natives had had previous intercourse with Europeans. + +8. (p. 61)--Probably André Thevet. A translation of his description of +the Isles of Demons (now known as Belle Isle and Quirpon), is given +in Parkman's _Pioneers_, p. 191. Thevet's _Cosmographie Universelle_ +(Paris, 1558), and _Singularitez de la France antarctique_ (Paris, +1558), must have been familiar to Lescarbot. De Costa gives a +translation of so much of the _Cosmographie_ as relates to New England, +in _Magazine of American History_, vol. viii., p. 130: "The production +of the mendacious monk, André Thevet." It seems clear that Thevet never +saw the American coast, that his imagination amplified the accounts of +navigators who had visited the region, particularly those of Cartier. +Priceless as are first editions of Thevet, he has a poor reputation for +veracity. + +9. (p. 61)--The Armouchiquois (or Almouchiquois of Champlain) +were, according to Parkman (_Jesuits of N. America_, p. xxi.), the +Algonkin tribes of New England,--Mohicans, Pequots, Massachusetts, +Narragansetts, and others,--"in a chronic state of war with the tribes +of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia." Williamson, in _History of the +State of Maine_ (Hallowell, 1832, vol. i., p. 477), says they were an +Etchemin tribe, the Marechites of the St. John River; but Champlain, +who had, like Biard, visited the Armouchiquois country, says that it +lies beyond Choüacoet (Saco), and that the language is different from +those of the Souriquois and Etchemins. Laverdière affirms that "the +French called Almouchiquois several peoples or tribes that the English +included under the term Massachusetts;" and he conjectures that these +two names are etymologically allied.--See his _Champlain_, pp. 200, +205, 206. + +10. (p. 61)--Lescarbot here refers to his _Histoire de la Nouvelle +France_. The first edition (Paris, 1609) is a rare prize to +collectors,--a London catalogue of 1878 pricing it at £45. The edition +of 1612 is followed in the Tross reprint (Paris, 1866); that of 1618 +contains Lescarbot's assault upon the Jesuits. The fourth and sixth +books, only, were "translated out of the French into English" by P. +Erondelle, 1609. A German version of a brief summary of the work +appeared in 1613. + +11. (p. 67)--The term Norembega, variously spelled, was applied +indifferently to the entire range of Acadian and New England coast; +but apparently the Penobscot is here meant. See Winsor's _N. and C. +Hist._, vol. iv., index; _Documentary History of State of Maine_, vol. +ii., pp. lii., liii.; Prince Society's ed. of _Champlain_, memoir and +index. The claim is made for Bangor, Me., that it is on the site of an +ancient town called Norumbega. Much information on this point is given +in _Maine Hist. Soc. Colls._, vols. ii., iv., v., vii., viii., and ix. +Sewall claims that the true form of Norumbegua is Arâmbec, and that it +was the name of a city of the savages, situated near the head-waters of +the Damariscotta, above Pemaquid.--_Ancient Dominions of Maine_, pp. +30-46. Horsford, in _Discovery of the Ancient City of Norembega_ and +_Defences of Norembega_ (Boston, 1890 and 1891), claims, on slender +evidence, that Watertown, Mass., occupies the site of an old town of +that name founded by Norse vikings in 1000 A. D. + +12. (p. 67)--Bay of Fundy; first shown on map of Diego Homem (1558); +named by De Monts Grande Baye Française (shown on Lescarbot's chart of +Port Royal); appears as Argal's Bay, on Alexander's map (1624); Golfo +di S. Luize, on Dudley's (1647); Fundi Bay, on Moll's (1712); and Bay +of Fundy, or Argal, on that of the English and French Commissioners +(1755). Bourinot (_Canad. Mo._, vol. vii., p. 292) says that Fundy is +a corruption of _Fond de la Baie_, as the lower part of the bay was +called; he follows here Ferland's suggestion, in _Cours d'Histoire du +Canada_ (Quebec, 1861), vol. i., p. 65. + +13. (p. 67)--The son of Pontgravé, who, according to Parkman +(_Pioneers_, p. 290) had exasperated the Indians by an outrage on one +of their women, and had fled to the woods. + +14. (p. 69)--_Palourdes_ is Breton for a kind of shellfish. + +15. (p. 73)--The Souriquois, or Micmacs, of Nova Scotia. Champlain's +map of 1632 places them east of Port Royal. + +16. (p. 73)--Raphael Maffei, Maffeus Volaterranus, or Raffaello +Volterrano, savant and historian; born in Volterra 1451, died 1521 or +1522. Harrisse (_Bib. Amer. Vet._, p. 88) gives a catalogue of his +works, and says, "The _Commentary_ of Maffei has a peculiar interest +from the fact that it preceded the publication of Peter Martyr's +_Decades_" (1511-46). + +Laverdière (_Champlain_, p. 70, _note_) says that _sagamo_ is a +Montagnais word; and he cites Laflèche as deriving it from _tchi_ and +_okimau_, meaning "great chief." + +17. (p. 73)--Berosus (325-255 B. C., _circa_), a Chaldean priest, +astrologer, and historian. His best known work is the _Babylonica_, +a history of Babylonia; its remaining fragments have been reproduced +by several European writers, especially in Richter's _Berosi Chald. +Historiæ quae supersunt_ (Leipsic, 1825). + +18. (p. 75)--The Tolosains were a tribe of the Volcæ of Gaul. Another +tribe of the Volcæ were the Tectosages--so called from their _sagum_ +(frock or cloak). + +19. (p. 75)--Membertou was chief of all the Micmac groups from Gaspé to +Cape Sable. Champlain writes, that he was "a friendly savage, although +he had the name of being the worst and most traitorous man of his +tribe." Lescarbot called him "the _chef d'oeuvre_ of Christian piety," +and Biard had strong faith in him. He claimed to remember the first +visit of Cartier (1534). + +20. (p. 77)--Biard, six years later, complains bitterly of this +overhaste in baptizing, declaring that these savages, when he went +among them in 1611, did not know the first principles of the Faith, and +had even forgotten their Christian names. + +21. (p. 81)--In the original edition, pp. 25 and 26, apparently through +an error in make-up, are verbal repetitions of the two preceding pages. +This duplication has been omitted in the present edition. + +22. (p. 105)--Marked changes occurred in the population of the St. +Lawrence valley, between the visits of Cartier (1535) and Champlain +(1603). Morgan, in _League of the Iroquois_ (Rochester, 1851), p. 5, +maintains the correctness of a tradition that the aborigines whom +Cartier found at Hochelaga were Iroquois, and that they then were +subject to the Algonkins, whom Champlain found in possession of the +valley. Cf. Parkman's _Pioneers_, p. 208, and Schoolcraft's _Hist. +of Indian Tribes of the U. S._, vol. vi., pp. 33, 188. For further +treatment of the migrations of the Iroquois, see Introduction to Hale's +_Iroquois Book of Rites_ (Phila., 1883), and Faillon's _Col. Fr._, vol. +i., pp. 524, _et seq._ + +23. (p. 107)--_Tabagie._ A feast described fully in one of the later +Relations. + +24. (p. 107)--This easy victory of the French and Algonkins over the +Iroquois (July 29, 1609), on the western shores of Lake Champlain, cost +New France dearly, as it secured for the struggling colony the deadly +enmity of the most warlike savages on the continent, for nearly a +century and a half. It was impossible for New France to make permanent +headway when sapped by such an enemy. Slafter's exhaustive notes to +_Champlain's Voyages_ (Prince Soc.), vol. i., p. 91, and vol. ii., +p. 223, make it clear that the site of this momentous skirmish was +Ticonderoga. + +25. (p. 109)--Jessé Fléché, a secular priest from the diocese of +Langres, was invited by Poutrincourt to accompany the first colony to +Acadia. The papal nuncio gave him authority to absolve in all cases, +except those reserved to the pope.--Faillon's _Col. Fr._, vol. i., p. +99. Poutrincourt evidently meant to Christianize Acadia without the aid +of the Jesuits. The wholesale baptism of savages by Fléché, before the +arrival of Biard and Massé, was, according to Faillon (_Ibid._, vol. +i., p. 100), condemned as a profanation by good Catholics, "tous les +théologiens, and notamment la Sorbonne."--Cf. also note 19, _ante_, +and Sagard's _Histoire du Canada_, p. 97. He had been at Port Royal +nearly a year before the arrival of the Jesuits. The name is variously +spelled: Fleche, Fléche, Flèche, Fléché, Flesche, Fleuchy, and Fleuche; +see Sulte's _Poutrincourt en Acadie_, p. 38. See Bourinot's picturesque +description of the baptismal scene, in _Can. Royal Soc. Trans._, sec. +ii, p. 73. Fléché was much esteemed by the Micmacs; his nickname, "Le +Patriarch," is still current among them corrupted into "Patliasse," +as the name for a priest.--See Ferland's _Cours d'Histoire_ (Quebec, +1861), vol. i, p. 80. + +26. (p. 127)--The four letters here given (Biard, Jan. 21, June 10, and +June 11, 1611; and Massé, June 11, 1611) are from Carayon's _Première +Mission des Jésuites au Canada: Lettres et Documents Inédits_ (Paris, +1864). All of the documents in Carayon's collection will be published +in this series, in chronological order, with that Editor's valuable +footnotes. + +Auguste Carayon, S. J., a leading authority upon the history of his +order in New France, was born in Saumur, France, 1813, and died in +Poitiers, 1874. His principal works were: _Bibliographie historique de +la Compagnie de Jésus; Catalogue des ouvrages relatifs à l'histoire +des Jésuites depuis leur origine jusqu'à nos jours_ (Paris, 1864); +_Documents inédits concernant la Compagnie de Jésus_ (Poitiers, +1863-1875, 18 vols.); _Première Mission des Jésuites au Canada_ (Paris, +1864); _Bannissement des Jésuites de la Louisiane_ (Paris, 1865); +_Établissement de la Compagnie de Jésus à Brest, par Louis XIV._ +(1865); _Prisons du Marquis de Pombal, ministre du Portugal, journal +de 1759 à 1777_ (1865); _Notes historiques sur les parlements et les +Jésuites au dix-huitième siécle_ (1867). Carayon also edited numerous +important historical works, between 1864 and 1871. + +27. (p. 127)--Pierre Biard, S. J., writer of several of the early +Acadian _Relations_, was born at Grenoble, France, 1567, and died at +Avignon, November 17, 1622. In 1608, he was called from a chair of +scholastic theology and Hebrew, in Lyons, by Father Coton, the King's +confessor and preacher, to take charge of the Jesuit mission in Acadia. +His several accounts of the colony, with the part taken by himself in +notable episodes, do not always agree with the version of Lescarbot. +See Parkman's _Pioneers_, part ii., chaps, v.-viii.; also, R. P. Felix +Martin's _Life of R. P. Pierre Biard,_ S. J. (Montreal, 1890). + +28. (p. 127)--Claude Aquaviva, S. J., born 1544; elected general of the +Society of Jesus, 1581; died, 1615; a Neapolitan nobleman; chamberlain +of the Court of Rome; fifth general of the order, and ranked by some +historians as its ablest legislator and second founder. See Nicolini's +_History of the Jesuits_, pp. 210, 257. + +29. (p. 127)--Fathers Biard and Massé sailed January 26. + +30. (p. 129)--_Brother-coadjutor._ The six classes of the order +of Jesuits were: (1) novices, (2) lay-brothers, (3) scholars, (4) +coadjutors, (5) Jesuits of the Third Order, and (6) Jesuits of the +Fourth Order. See Thomas D'Arcy McGee's _Lecture on the Jesuits_. + +31. (p. 133)--Biencourt and Robin de Coulogne, not having means to +equip and provision the vessel which was to convey Biard and Massé +to Port Royal, made an arrangement with Dujardin and Duquesne, two +merchants of Dieppe, by which the latter undertook to furnish the +equipment and supplies in consideration of being admitted as partners +in Poutrincourt's fur-trading and cod-fishing enterprise. Concerning +this _Contract d'Association des Jésuites au Trafique du Canada_, +made January 20, 1611, see Parkman's _Pioneers_, p. 288, _note_. Cf. +also, Rochemonteix's _Jésuites_, vol. i., p. 32. These partners, being +Huguenots, objected to the shipment of the Jesuits, but finally sold +their interests for 2,800 livres to Madame de Guercheville, whose +part in this expedition is related in note 33, _post_. See Biard's +succeeding letter, for fuller details of this adventure. + +32. (p. 133)--_Formal order of the Queen._ October 7, 1610, the young +King, Louis XIII., wrote from Monceaux to Baron de Poutrincourt: +"Monsieur de Poutrincourt, as Father Pierre Biard and Father Ennemond +Massé, religious of the Society of Jesus, are being sent over to New +France to celebrate the divine services of the church and to preach the +Gospel to the people of that country, I wish to hereby recommend them +to you, that you may, upon all occasions, assist and protect them in +the exercise of their noble and holy calling, assuring you that I shall +consider it a great service." + +The Queen Mother also wrote: "Monsieur de Poutrincourt, now that the +good Jesuit Fathers are about to try, under the authority of the King, +my son, to establish our faith over there, I hereby request you to +give them, for the success of this good work, all the courtesy and +assistance in your power, as a service very near our heart, and very +acceptable to us, praying God, Monsieur de Poutrincourt, to keep you +under his holy and watchful care."--David Asseline's _Antiquities and +Chronicles of the City of Dieppe_ (Dieppe, 1874; 2 vols.) The letters +are reproduced in Faillon's _Col. Fr._, vol. i., p. 102. + +33. (p. 135)--Antoinette de Pons, Marquise de Guercheville, patroness +of Jesuit missions in New France, was lady of honor to Marie de +Médicis, and accounted one of the most beautiful and zealously +religions women of her time. Taking up the defence of the Jesuits +against Poutrincourt, she not only bought the ship in which to +transport them to America, but the cargo and the royal patent of +De Monts, thus succeeding the latter as proprietor of all Acadia, +excepting Port Royal, which still remained in Poutrincourt's +possession. Concerning her rupture with De Monts, see Shea's +_Charlevoix_, vol. i., p. 274. She resolved to plant a strictly +Catholic colony at Pentagoet (site of Bangor, Me.), and sent out, +under La Saussaye, some fifty settlers and three Jesuit missionaries +(1613). Upon reaching Port Royal, they were joined by Biard and Massé, +and thence proceeded to the eastern side of Mount Desert Island. For +the location of their mission, St. Sauveur, see Parkman's _Pioneers_, +p. 304, _note_. The descent of the English under Argall (1613), was +the end of Madame de Guercheville's mission. See _N. Y. Colonial +Documents_, vol. iii., pp. 1, 2, concerning reparation allowed her +by the government of Great Britain for the loss of her vessel. Cf. +Faillon's _Col. Fr._, vol. i., pp. 110-117; and Baird's _Hug. Emig._, +vol. i., p. 103. Upon the queen regent's high regard for the Jesuits, +see _Col. Fr._, vol. i., pp. 101, 102. + +34. (p. 141)--Several of the old French coins were called écus. They +date from the period of Charles VII.,--_écus à la couronne_, or crowns +of gold, from the crown which formed the type of the reverse.--Prime's +_Coins, Medals, and Seals_, p. 150. The écu of Louis XIV. is first +given in Dye's _Coin Encyclopedia_, p. 621; value in United States +currency, $1.10S. The early écu was equal to three francs; later, to +about five. + +35. (p. 141)--_Viaticum._ In Père de Ravignan's _On the Existence and +Institutions of the Jesuits_ (Paris, 1862), p. 190, _note_ ii., mention +is made of a custom in connection with the viaticum of missionaries, +which was frequently observed at this time. The founders or benefactors +of missions, in order to obtain with greater certainty and abundance +the money which they intended for missionary work in distant lands, +charged the merchants, who acted as agents, to sell the merchandise +which they consigned to them, and to remit the price of it to the +missionaries for their support. Thus Madame de Guercheville furnished +considerable money to Biencourt to invest in the fish and fur trade, +which he was about to undertake, with the sole condition that, for +her share, he should support the missionaries. See Rochemonteix's +_Jésuites_, vol. i., pp. 35-36, _note_. + +36. (p. 141)--The Marchioness de Verneuil furnished their chapel, +Madame de Sourdis their vestments and linen, and Madame de Guercheville +provided other necessaries.--_Annuæ Litteræ S. J._, an. 1612, p. 570. + +Madame de Verneuil founded a convent of Annunciades, and gave her +declining years to religion. She died at Paris, 1633, aged 54. + +37. (p. 143)--In his _Relation_ of 1616, chap, xi., Biard says: "Thomas +Robin de Coulogne enjoyed a modest fortune; he had often heard about +New France from the Dieppe merchants, and had wished to mingle in this +colonization movement. What Baron de Poutrincourt told him about the +attempts made at Port Royal pleased him greatly, and he promised to +assist him." + +The names of Monsieur de Coullogne (Coulogne) and of Madame de +Sigogne (Sicoine) appear in Fléché's list of baptisms, _ante_. Other +contemporary spellings of Coulogne are: Cologne, Coloigne, and Coloine. + +38. (p. 147)--This is an interesting, and we believe a unique +statement of Biard, that the islands off the Gulf of St. Lawrence were +once called the "Azores of the Great Bank." The maps of many early +cartographers and navigators represent Newfoundland as a group of +islands, or a large island with a circlet of smaller ones, or "almost a +single island."--See Winsor's _N. and C. Hist._, vol. i., pp. 74, 77, +79, 93, 379. As Newfoundland was the first land sighted by voyagers in +New France, and as their last sight of land had been the Azores, the +naming of the islands on the Great Bank the Azores is in keeping with +their custom in this regard. + +39. (p. 149)--Ennemond Massé, S. J., born at Lyons, 1574; died at +Sillery, Canada, 1646; admitted to the Society of Jesus at the age of +twenty, and assigned to a chair of theology in Lyons; in 1608, chosen +by Father Coton to accompany Biard to Acadia. He was again sent to +Canada in 1625, with Charles Lalemant, Jean de Brébeuf, and two lay +brothers. During the English occupation of Canada (1629-32), he was in +France, but returned with Brébeuf in 1633. Rochemonteix (_Jésuites_, +vol. i., p. 24). says of him: "Of an impetuous and violent nature, he +had all he could do to restrain it. But, by vigilance and perseverance, +he conquered it so well that he no longer seemed to have any strong +impulses or passions. Industrious, unwearying, of robust health, he +was prepared for the hardships of a distant mission by a life of +penitence and denial, frequently fasting, sleeping upon hard boards, +accustoming his taste to everything, and his body to extreme cold and +heat. Although innocent as a child, he led the life of a penitential +anchorite; in 1608, they made him an Associate to Father Coton, then +confessor and preacher to the king. But this austere apostle preferred +a life of privation and sacrifice to that of the court. He chose +Canada." Bressani's _Relatione_, to be given _post_, describes the +death of Massé, who was one of the most notable of the missionaries +of New France. A monument to his memory has been erected at Sillery. +There is a difference of usage in the matter of accenting his name: +Charlevoix, Winsor, and Parkman do not use the accent; but Champlain, +Biard, and Cretineau-Joly do, and Faillon (_Col. Fr._, vol. i., p. 101) +gives authorities for this usage, which we have preferred to adopt. + +40. (p. 151)--Bourinot (_Canad. Mo._, vol. vii., p. 292) says _Canso_ +is a Souriquois word meaning "facing the frowning cliff;" also, that +"the strait was long called after the Sieur de Fronsac, one of the +early gentlemen adventurers who held large estates in Acadia." It is +shown as _detroit de Fronsac_ on Chabert's map (1750); it is Camceau on +Champlain's map of 1632; it sometimes appears as Campceau on old French +documents; and is spelled both Canceaux and Canso in the official +correspondence between France and England in the eighteenth century. In +1779, the fisheries of Canso were worth £50,000 a year to England. See +Murdoch's _History of Nova Scotia_ (Halifax, 1865-67), vol. ii, p. 597. + +41. (p. 151)--Lescarbot states that they arrived at night, three hours +after sunset.--_Relation dernière_ (Bans, 1612), to be given _post_. + +42. (p. 153)--Cap de la Hève, now known as Cape La Have, is the +southern point of La Have Island, off New Dublin Bay, one of many +indentations of the coast of the township of New Dublin, Lunenburg +County, Nova Scotia. The cape is a picturesque cliff or bluff rising +107 feet above tide level, and visible a long distance out to sea. +When De Monts and Champlain left Havre de Grâce, France, in March, +1604, Cap de la Hève, in the suburb of St. Adresse, must have been the +last land seen by them; as this cliff off New Dublin was probably the +first sighted by them in La Cadie, it was natural that they should +name it after the famous French landmark. There are evidences on La +Have Island of an early French settlement, of which there appear to be +no records; although it is known that Saussaye planted a cross there, +May 16, 1613. De Laet, in describing Cadie (1633) says: "Near Cap de +la Hève lies a port of the same name, 44° 5' north latitude, with safe +anchorage."--See Des Brisay's _Hist. of Co. of Lunenburg, N. S._ (2d +ed., Toronto, 1895), pp. 166 _et seq._ The Editor is also indebted to +F. Blake Crofton, secretary of the Nova Scotia Historical Society, for +information under this head. + +43. (p. 163)--People from St. Malo, France. Spelled also by Biard, +_post_, Malouines. + +44. (p. 169)--Robert, the son of Pontgravé, who had escaped from +custody, and had been in hiding in the forest. See Parkman's +_Pioneers_, pp. 265, 290; also, Lescarbot's reference to him, _ante_. + +45. (p. 181)--Referring to Queen Blanche of Castile (1187-1252), regent +after the death of her husband, Louis VIII., during the absence of her +son, Louis IX. (Saint Louis), in the Holy Land. + +46. (p. 197)--Joseph Jouvency (also written Juvency, Jouvenci, and +Jouvancy), Jesuit historian, an eminent litterateur of his time. Born +in Paris, September 14, 1643; died at Rome, May 29, 1719. In 1659, +he was admitted to the Society of Jesus, for many years filling the +position of professor of rhetoric at La Flèche, and devoting much time +to historical and classical research. After taking his vows in 1677, +he was sent to Rome, as one of the staff of writers upon _Historia +Societatis Jesu_. + +47. (p. 197)--Count Ernest von Mansfeld, soldier of fortune, +conspicuous in the Thirty Years War. Born, 1585; died, 1626, soon after +his defeat by Wallenstein at the bridge of Dessau. His great army of +mercenaries was, according to Motley (_John of Barneveld,_ vol. ii., +p. 32), "the earliest type, perhaps, of the horrible military vermin +destined to feed so many years on the unfortunate dismembered carcass +of Germany." Cf. Kohlrausch's _History of Germany_ (Haas trans.), pp. +320, 326. Concerning the campaign of Louis XIII., against the Huguenots +(1622), and Count von Mansfeld's part therein, see Kitchin's _History +of France_, pp. 497, 498. + +48. (p. 199)--Philip Alegambe, a Jesuit scholar (Flemish). Died in +1652, while superior of the house of his order at Rome. He was the +leading writer upon _Bibliotheca Scriptorum Societatis Jesu_ (1643). + +49. (p. 219)--_Seven Islands._ A group at the mouth of the St. Lawrence +River, near the northerly shore of the gulf. + +50. (p. 219)--Chicoutimi River, rising in numerous small lakes near +Lake St. John, pursues a picturesque course, frequently interrupted by +rapids, eastward and northeastward into the Saguenay. At the junction, +seventy-five miles above the mouth of the latter, is now the important +lumber-shipping port of Chicoutimi, at whose wharves ocean-going +vessels are laden. The old missionary district of that name included +the rugged country lying south and southwest of Lake St. John. + +51. (p. 221)--The French Jesuits definitely abandoned the Iroquois +field in 1687, owing to the rising power of the English. In 1701, +Bruyas was again on the ground, being joined the year following by +De Lamberville, Garnier, and Le Valliant, and later by D'Hue and De +Marieul. The entire party was driven out in 1708, and many of their +Iroquois converts retired with them to the mission of Caughnawaga, near +Montreal. + +52. (p. 221)--The Iroquois Mission of St. Francis Xavier was founded in +1669 by Iroquois Christians,--emigrants from the "castles" of the Five +Nations. The mission was finally removed to Sault St. Louis, on the St. +Lawrence, and called Caughnawaga, from the Indian village of that name +on the Mohawk, where had also been a Jesuit mission. + +53. (p. 221)--Lake Michigan. Called Lac des Puants on Champlain's map +of 1632, in reference to the Winnebago tribe (Puants) on Green Bay; in +several of the _Relations_, and on Marquette's map (1674), it is styled +Lac des Illinois, from the Illinois Indians upon its southern coast; +Allouez calls it (1675) Lac St. Joseph, because of Fort and River St. +Josephs on the southeast coast; Coronelli's map (1688) honors the +Dauphin by calling the lake after him; Hennepin comes the nearest to +modern usage, in his name, Michigonong. + +54. (p. 221)--Lake Huron, which has figured under many titles, in the +old maps and chronicles. This name has reference to the Indian family +upon its eastern shores. Champlain first named it La Mer Douce, ("The +Fresh Sea"), and later Lac des Attigouantan, after the chief tribe of +the Hurons; Sanson's map (1657) names it Karegnondi; Coronelli's map +(1688) christens it Lac d'Orleans; Colden in one place gives it as +Quatoghe, and in another as Caniatare. Lac des Hurons first appears in +the map accompanying the _Relation_ for 1670-71. + +55. (p. 221)--The mission of St. Ignace was founded by Marquette, in +1670, on Point St. Ignace, on the mainland north of and opposite the +Island of Michillimackinac (now shortened to Mackinaw or Mackinac, as +fancy dictates). The term Michillimackinac, variously spelled, was +applied by the earliest French not only to the island and straits of +that name, but in general to the great peninsula lying north of the +straits. + +56. (p. 221)--The mission of Sault Ste. Marie, at the outlet of Lake +Superior, was founded by Raimbault and Jogues in 1640. The place was +always an important rallying-point for the natives, and naturally +became the center of a wide-spreading fur trade, which lasted, under +French, English, and American dominations in turn, until about 1840. + +57. (p. 221)--The Western mission of St. Francis Xavier was founded by +Allouez in 1669, at the first rapids in the Fox River (of Green Bay), +on the east side of the river, in what is now the city of Depere, Wis. +An important Indian village had from the earliest historic times been +located there. + +58. (p. 223)--Outaouaki = Ottawas; Puteatamis = Pottawattomies; +Kikarous = Kickapoos; Outagamies = Foxes; Oumiamis = Miamis. + +59. (p. 223)--Bayagoulas, one of the Louisiana missions, of which +Father Paul du Ru, S. J., was in charge in 1700. Shea's _Catholic +Missions_, p. 443. + +60. (p. 227)--An anonymous writer in _The Catholic World_, (vol. xii., +p. 629) makes the statement that Quentin and Du Thet were sent out to +replace Biard and Massé "if they had perished; otherwise to return to +France." Contemporary writers, however, speak of their coming as a +reinforcement. + +61. (p. 227)--On what came to be known as Frenchman's Bay, on the east +side of the island of Mount Desert. Parkman says (_Pioneers_, ed. 1865, +p. 276, _note_): "Probably all of Frenchman's Bay was included under +the name of the Harbor of St. Sauveur. The landing-place so called +seems to have been near the entrance of the bay, certainly south of Bar +Harbor. The Indian name of the Island of Mount Desert was Penetic. Its +present name was given by Champlain." + +62. (p. 227)--The "Jonas," conspicuous in the annals of Acadia from the +time in which Poutrincourt and Lescarbot sailed in her for Port Royal, +in 1606, to her capture by Argall in 1613. Parkman aptly calls her "the +'Mayflower' of the Jesuits." + +63. (p. 229)--Samuel Argall, born in Bristol, England, 1572; died, +1639. See Cooke's _Virginia_ (Amer. Commonwealths ser.), pp. 111-113, +for a fair estimate of this tempestuous character. Folsom's "Expedition +of Captain Samuel Argal," to _N. Y. Hist. Colls._ (new ser.); vol. i., +pp. 333-342, goes over that ground quite completely. + +64. (p. 231)--Sir Thomas Dale, the predecessor of Argall as governor +of Virginia; he was in the service of the Low Countries, 1588-95, and +1606-10; in 1611, he entered the service of the Virginia Company, where +he remained five years as governor of the colony; and in 1619 he died +at Masulipatam, while in command of an expedition to the East Indies. + +65. (p. 233)--The charge was freely made at the time, that Biard and +Massé, incensed at Biencourt, who had been unkind to them, piloted +Argall to Port Royal. Poutrincourt and Lescarbot, disliking the +Jesuits, naturally believed it, and the former addressed the French +admiralty court on the subject, under the date of July 18, 1614.--See +Lescarbot's _Nouv. France_, book v., chap. 14. Champlain discredited +the charge, saying that Argall compelled an Indian to serve as +pilot. Cf. Parkman's _Pioneers_, pp. 313 _et seq._, and Biard's +own statements, _post_ (Letter to T.-R. Général, May 6, 1614; and +_Relation_ of 1616). + +66. (p. 233)--Argall's lieutenant, in command of the captured "Jonas." +According to Parkman (_Pioneers_, p. 318), he was "an officer of merit, +a scholar, and linguist," treating his prisoners with kindness. + +67. (p. 251)--Reference is here made to Lake Champlain, the Mer des +Iroquois and Lacus Irocoisiensis of the early French cartographers. +Richelieu River was at first styled Rivière des Iroquois. In a letter +of John Winthrop to Lord Arlington, dated Boston, Oct. 25, 1666, Lake +Champlain is referred to as Lake Hiracoies.--_N. Y. Colon. Docs._, +iii., p. 138. See also, Palmer's _History of Lake Champlain_ (Albany, +1866), pp. 12, 13; and Blaeu's maps of 1662 and 1685, in Winsor's _N. +and C. Hist._, vol. iv., p. 391. + +68. (p. 253)--The gar-pike (_Lepidosteus osseus_). A picture of this +"armored fish" is given in Creuxius's _Historia Canadensis_ (Paris, +1664), p. 50. + +69. (p. 253)--Jouvency plainly refers to what is still known as Bird +Island, of Bird Rocks, in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, N. W. of Cabot +Strait. Authorities disagree in locating the Bird Island of Cartier's +first voyage. See _Hakluyt's Voyages_ (Goldsmid ed.), vol. xiii., +pt. i, p. 78; Shea's _Charlevoix_, vol. i., p. 112, _note;_ both +indicating that what is now called Funk Island, off the eastern coast +of Newfoundland, was the Bird Island of Cartier. Kingsford, in _History +of Canada_ (Toronto, 1887), vol. i., p. 3, identifies it, however, with +the present Bird Island of the Gulf. Champlain's map of 1613 has a Bird +Island near the mouth of the Bay of Fundy. Anspach, in _History of +Newfoundland_ (London, 1819), p. 317, says: "Fogo Island [N. W. of Cape +Freels] is described in the old maps by the name of Aves, or Birds' +Island." + +70. (p. 269)--The Montagnais, a wretched tribe of nomads, were, at this +time, chiefly centered upon the banks of the Saguenay River. + +71. (p. 281)--_Venus mercenaria_, the round clam, or quahaug. + + + + +[Illustration: MAP OF NEW FRANCE (PARTS OF UNITED STATES AND CANADA) +1610-1791. + +To Illustrate THE JESUIT RELATIONS AND ALLIED DOCUMENTS. + +THE BURROWS BROTHERS COMPANY, PUBLISHERS.] + + + + +Transcriber's Note. + +Variable spelling and hyphenation have been retained. Minor punctuation +inconsistencies have been silently repaired. + + +Corrections. + +The first line indicates the original, the second the correction. + +p. 49: + + except the last sentence on p. 24; p. 49 numbered "[-4-6]." + except the last sentence on p. 24; p. 46 numbered "[-4-6]." + +p. 110: + +8. La 5. fille dudit Louïs a eu nom IEHANNE ainsi nõmée par ledit sieur +de Poutrincourt au nõ d'une de ses filles. [-46-] + +8. La 5. fille dudit Louïs a eu nom IEHANNE ainsi nõmée par ledit sieur +de Poutrincourt au nõ d'une de ses filles. [46] + +p. 153: + + while Monsieur de Potrincour soon arrived at Port Royal, + while Monsieur de Potrincourt soon arrived at Port Royal, + +p. 196: + + charitas, an patienta. + charitas, an patientia. + +p. 198: + + Deumque nesciens Hærisis + Deumque nesciens Hæresis + +p. 200: + + cùm Auenionem diuertissit + cùm Auenionem diuertisset + +p. 224: + + nisi anno seculi superioris quinto & vigemo + nisi anno seculi superioris quinto & vigesimo + +p. 276: + + præterea in veniret + præterea inveniret + +p. 288: + + Hæc ratio ineptissimat antam vim apud barbaras mentes habebat + Hæc ratio ineptissima tantam vim apud barbaras mentes habebat + +p. 311: + + Pierre Biard, S. J., writer of several of the early Acadian + _Relations_, was born at Grenoble, France, 1657 + + Pierre Biard, S. J., writer of several of the early Acadian + _Relations_, was born at Grenoble, France, 1567 + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Jesuit Relations and Allied +Documents, Vol. I: Acadia, 1610-1613, by Various + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 44669 *** |