Lettre du R. P. Charles Lallemant Superievr des Missions en Canada au Sievr de Champlain.
[868] MONSIEVR,
Nous voicy graces à Dieu dans le resort de vostre Lieutenance où nous sommes heureusement arriuez, aprés auoir eu vne des belles trauerses [869] qu'on aye encor experimenté. Monsieur le General aprés nous auoir declaré qu'il luy estoit impossible de nous loger ou dans l'habitation où dans le fort, & qu'il faudroit ou, repasser en France, ou nous retirer chez les Peres Recollects, nous a contrainct d'accepter ce dernier offre. Les Peres nous ont receus auec tant de charité qu'il nous ont obligez pour vn iamais. Nostre Seigneur sera leur recompence. Vn de nos Peres estoit allé à la traicte en intention de passer aux Hurons ou aux Hiroquois, auec le Pere Recollect qui est venu de Frãce, selon qu'ils aduiseroient auec le Pere Nicolas, qui se deuoit treuuer à la traicte & conferer auec eux, mais il est arriué que le pauure Pere Nicolas au dernier saut s'est noyé, ce qui a esté cause qu'ils sont retournez, n'ayans ny cognoissance, ny langue, ny information: nous attendons donc vostre venuë, pour resoudre ce qui sera à propos de faire. Vous sçaurez tout ce que vous pourrez desirer de ce pays du P. Ioseph, c'est pourquoy ie me contente de vous asseurer que ie suis,
Monsieur, Vostre tres-affectionné seruiteur,
Charles Lalemant.
De Kebec ce 28. Iuillet 1625.
Letter from the Reverend Father Charles Lallemant,[20] Superior of the Missions in Canada, to Sieur de Champlain.
[868] SIR,
Thanks to God, here we are in the district of your Lieutenancy, where we arrived after having one of the most successful voyages [869] ever yet experienced. Monsieur the General,[21] after having told us that was impossible to give us lodging either in the settlement or in the fort, and that we must either return to France, or withdraw to the Recollect Fathers'[22] obliged us to accept the latter offer. The Fathers received us with so much charity, that we feel forever under obligations to them. Our Lord will be their reward. One of our Fathers, together with the Recollect Father who came from France,[23] went to the trading station[24] with the intention of going to the Hurons or to the Hiroquois, as they should think best after consulting Father Nicolas, who was to be at this station to confer with them. But it happened that poor Father Nicolas was drowned in the last of the rapids,[25] for which reason they returned, as they knew no one there, and had no knowledge of the language or of the country. We are therefore awaiting your arrival, to determine what it will be well to do. You will hear all you wish to know of this country from Father Joseph,[26] therefore I am content to assure you that I am,
Sir, Your very affectionate servant,
Charles Lalemant.
Kebec, this 28th of July, 1625.