[A] The figure 8 which occurs in this word in the Relation of 1636, is supposed to be equivalent, in English, to "w," "we," or "oo."
[25] 'Iean Nicolet, en son voyage qu'il fit auec nous iusques à l'Isle souffrit aussi tous les trauaux d'vn des plus robustes Sauuages.'—Brébeuf, Relation, 1635, p. 30.
[26] Parkman's "Jesuits in North America," p. 53.
[27] The Mattawan has its source on the very verge of Lake Nipissing, so that it was easy to make a "portage" there to reach the lake. The Indians, and afterward the French, passed by the Mattawan, Mattouane, or Mattawin ("the residence of the beaver"), went over the small space of land called the "portage," that exists between the two waters, floated on Lake Nipissing, and followed the French river, which flows directly out of that lake to the Georgian bay.
A "portage" is a place, as is well known, where parties had to "port" their baggage in order to reach the next navigable water.
[28] Vimont, Relation, 1643, p. 3.
[29] "Sieur Nicolet, interpreter en langue Algonquine et Huronne," etc.—Vimont, Relation, 1640, p. 35.
The Hurons and Nipissings were, at that date, great friends, having constant intercourse, according to all accounts of those days.
[30] "The People of the Sea"—that is, the Winnebagoes—were frequently at war with the Hurons, Nez Percés, and other nations on the Georgian bay, which fact was well known to the governor of Canada. Now, the good offices of Nicolet were to be interposed to bring about a reconciliation between these nations. He, it is believed, was also to carry out Champlain's policy of making the Indian tribes the allies of the French. Vimont (Relation, 1643, p. 3) says, he was chosen to make a journey to the Winnebagoes and treat for peace with them and with the Hurons; showing, it is suggested, that it was not only to bring about a peace between the two tribes, but to attach them both to French interests. The words of Vimont are these:
"Pendant qu'il exerçoit cette charge, il [Nicolet] fut delegué pour faire vn voyage en la nation appellée des Gens de Mer, et traitter la paix auec eux et les Hurons, desquels il sont esloignés, tirant, vers l'Oüest, d'enuiron trois cents lieuës."