The peace of Christ be with you.
LAST year (about the middle of July) I wrote to Your Reverence in regard to the success of our voyage. I have not been able to communicate with you since then, because the ships touch here only once a year; and therefore news can be expected from us only from year to year. And if these ships failed once, it would not be surprising if you did not receive news before two years; besides, during the intervening year we should be obliged to look entirely to the providence of God for the necessaries of life. Now, since my last letters, the following is what I have been able to learn about this country, and what has been done here. This country is of vast extent, being easily a thousand or twelve hundred leagues long, and in width extending about 40 degrees toward the Orient. It is bounded by the Ocean sea, and towards the West by the sea of China. Many Tribes inhabit it, about 38 or 40 having been named to me, besides those which are unknown; of the existence of which, however, the Savages assure us. The place inhabited by the French, called Kebec, is in 46 and one-half degrees, upon the shore of one of the most beautiful rivers in the world, called by the French the river saint Lawrence. Kebec is about two hundred leagues from the mouth of this river, and yet the tide ascends 35 or 40 leagues above us. [4] The narrowest part of this river is opposite the settlement, and yet its width here is more than one-fourth of a league. Now although the country where we are, being in latitude about 46 and one-half degrees, is farther South than Paris by nearly two degrees, yet the Winter generally lasts here 5 months and a half; the snow is 3 or 4 feet deep, but it is so firm that it does not usually melt until near the middle of April, and it always begins in the month of November. During all this time the earth is never seen; indeed our Frenchmen have even told me that they dragged their maypole over the snow on the first day of May, in the very year of our arrival, and that with snowshoes; for it is the custom in this country to walk on snowshoes during the winter, for fear of sinking into the snow, in imitation of the Savages; who never go otherwise to hunt the moose. The mildest Winter that has been seen is the one that we have passed here (say the Old inhabitants), and yet the snow began to fall on the 16th of November and to melt towards the end of March. The long duration of the snow might cause one to somewhat doubt whether wheat and rye would grow well in this country. But I have seen some as beautiful as that produced in your France, and even that which we have planted here yields to it in nothing. To better provide against scarcity, it would be well to plant some meslin;[37] rye and oats grow here the best in the world, the grains being larger and more abundant than in France. Our peas are so beautiful; it is wonderful to see them. So the earth is not ungrateful (as your Reverence may see.) The farther up the river we go, the more we see of the fertility of the soil. The prevailing winds in this country are the Northeast, Northwest, and Southwest. The Northeast brings the snows in Winter, and the rains in other seasons. The Northwest is so cold that it penetrates even to the marrow of the bones; yet the Sky is very serene when it blows. From the mouth of the River to this place, none of the land is cleared, there being nothing but forests. This Tribe does not occupy itself in tilling the soil; there are only 3 or 4 families who have cleared 2 or 3 acres, where they sow Indian corn, and they have been doing this for only a short time. I have been told that it was the Reverend Recolect Fathers who persuaded them to do it. That cultivated by the French in this place is of small area, only 18 or 20 acres [5] at the most.[38] Two hundred leagues from here, ascending the River, Tribes are found which are more sedentary than those which are here; they build large villages which they fortify against their enemies, and cultivate the land in earnest. It thus happens that they have stores of Indian corn, and do not die of starvation like those here. Yet they are more savage in their customs, and commit all kinds of shameless acts, without disgrace or any attempt at concealment. Now, although this River takes us to these Tribes, yet truly the difficulty in getting there is very great, on account of the rapids which are found in the River; (these are certain falls of water which entirely prevent navigation.) Therefore, when the Savages reach these rapids, they are compelled to carry their boats upon their shoulders with all their baggage, and to go overland, sometimes 2, 3, 4, or 8 leagues; and the French have to do the same when they go there. The Reverend Recolect Fathers made this journey occasionally and carried all their food for a year, or the means of buying it; for to expect the Savages to give it to you is folly, unless they have taken you under their protection, and you wish to live in their villages and cabins; then they would feed you for nothing. But who could make up his mind to do this? Religious eyes could not support the sight of so much lewdness, carried on openly. Therefore, the Reverend Recolect Fathers were compelled to build their cabins apart; but they also, on that account, had to buy their food. There has been no Religious among these Tribes this year. When we arrived here last year, there was one Recolet Father who came with the Savages to the trading station, 35 leagues above this settlement; but when coming down the last of the rapids, his canoe upset and he was drowned.[25] In descending the river, the Savages do not land on reaching the rapids, but only in going up. Thus the rapids make these Tribes difficult of access. Although there have been no Religious among these Tribes, the merchants have not failed to send Frenchmen there to gain the good will of the Savages, and to induce them to come yearly to the trading station. As a consequence, these Frenchmen have not heard Mass during the entire year, have not confessed nor taken the Easter Sacrament, and their surroundings are such that there are frequent opportunities for sin. Quæritur: can they conscientiously go thither under these circumstances? Your [6] Reverence will do me the favor to consult some one of our Fathers, to know his decision and to write to me about it.
Quant aux façons de faire des Sauuages, c'est assez de dire qu'elles sont tout à fait sauuages. Depuis le matin iusques au soir, ils n'ont autre soucy que de remplir leur ventre. Ils ne viennent point [198]nous voir si ce n'est pour demander à manger, & si vous ne leur en donnez ils tesmoignent du mescontentement. Ils sont de vrais gueux s'il en fut iamais, & neantmoins superbes au possible. Ils estiment que les François n'ont point d'esprit au prix d'eux; les vices de la chair sont fort frequẽts chez eux; tel qui y espousera plusieurs femmes qu'il quittera quand bon luy semblera & en prendra d'autres. Il y en a icy vn qui a espousé sa propre fille; mais tous les autres Sauuages s'en sont trouuez indignez; de netteté chez eux il ne s'en parle point, ils sont fort sales en leur manger & dans leurs cabanes, ont force vermine qu'ils mangent quand ils l'ont prise. La coustume de ceste Nation est de tuër leurs peres & meres lors qu'ils sont si vieux qu'ils ne peuuẽt plus marcher, pensans en cela leur rendre de bons seruices; car autrement ils seroient contraints de mourir de faim, ne pouuans plus suiure les autres lors qu'ils changent de lieu; & comme ie fis dire vn iour à vn qu'on luy en feroit autant lors qu'il seroit deuenu vieil; il me respondit qu'il s'y attendoit bien. La façon de faire la guerre auec leurs ennemis c'est pour l'ordinaire par trahison, les allans espier lors qu'ils sont à l'escart; & s'ils ne sont assez forts pour emmener prisonniers ceux ou celuy qu'ils rencontreut, ils tirent des fleches dessus, puis leur couppẽt la teste, qu'ils emportent pour monstrer à leurs gens, que s'ils les peuuent emmener prisonniers iusques en leurs cabanes ils leur font endurer des cruautez nompareilles, les faisant mourir à petit feu: & chose etrange! pendant tous ces tourmens, le patient chante tousiours, resputans à deshonneur s'ils crient & s'ils se plaignent. Apres que le patiẽt est mort, ils le mangent, & n'y a si petit qui n'en ait sa part, ils font des festins ausquels ils se conuient les vns les autres, & mesme ils [200] conuient quelques François de leur cognoissance, & en ces festi[n]s ils donnent à chacun sa part dans des plats ou escuelles d'escorce & lors que ce sont festins à tout manger, il ne faut rien laisser, autremement vous estes obligez à payer quelque chose, & perdriez la reputation de braue [7] homme. Aux festins qu'ils font pour la mort de quelqu'vn ils font la part au defunt aussi bien qu'aux autres, laquelle ils iettent dans le feu, & se donnent bien garde que les chiens ne participeẽt à ce festin; & pource ramassent tous les os & les iettent dans le feu. Ils enterrent les morts & auec eux tout ce qu'ils auoient, comme chandeliers, peaux, cousteaux, &c. Et comme ie demãday vn iour à vn vieillard pourquoy ils mettoient tout ce bagage dans les fosses, il me respondit qu'ils le mettoient afin que le mort s'en seruist dans l'autre monde; & comme ie luy repartis que toutes les fois que lon regardoit dãs les fosses on y trouuoit tousiours le bagage, qui estoit vn temoignage que le mort ne s'en seruoit pas; il me respõdit, qu'à la verité le corps des chaudieres, peaux, cousteaux, &c. demeuroit; mais que l'ame des chaudieres, cousteaux, &c. s'en alloit dans l'autre monde auec le mort, & que là il s'en seruoit. Ainsi ils croyent, (comme V.R. void) l'immortalité de nos Ames; & de fait ils asseurent qu'apres la mort, ils vont au Ciel où elles mangent des champignons, & se communiquent les vnes auec les autres. Ils appellent le Soleil Iesvs; & lon tient en ce païs que ce sont les Basques qui y ont cy-deuant habité, qui sont Autheurs de ceste denomination. De là vient que quand nous faisons nos Prieres, il leur semble que comme eux nous addressons nos Prieres au Soleil. A ce propos du Soleil, ces Sauuages icy croyent que la terre est percee de part en part, & que lors qu'il se couche, il est caché en vn [202] trou de la terre, & sort le lendemain par l'autre. Ils n'ont aucun culte diuin, ny aucunes sortes de Prieres. Ils croyent neantmoins qu'il y en a Vn qui a tout fait; mais pourtant ils ne luy rendent aucun honneur. Entr'eux ils ont quelques personnes qui font estat de parler au Diable; ceux là sont aussi les Medecins, & guarissent de toute maladie. Les Sauuages craignent grandement ces gens-là, & les caressẽt de peur qu'ils n'en reçoiuent du mal. Nous apprendrons peu à peu ce qui est des autres Nations, lesquelles sont plus stables en leurs demeures; Car pour celles-cy où nous sommes maintenant auec les François, elle est seulement vagabonde six mois l'annee, qui sont les six mois d'Hyuer, errans çà & là selon la chasse qu'ils trouuent, & ne se cabanent que deux ou trois familles ensemble en vn endroit, deux ou trois en l'autre, & les autres de mesme. Ez autres [8] six mois de l'annee, vingt ou trente s'assemblent sur le bord de la Riuiere pres de nostre habitation, autant à Thadoussac, & autant à quarante lieuës au dessus de nous, & là ils viuent de la chasse qu'ils ont faicte l'Hyuer, c'est à dire, de viande d'orignac, boucanee, & de viures qu'ils ont traité auec les François. Ie croy auoir escrit l'an passé ce qui est de leurs vestemens, & comme ils sont tousiours nud teste, leurs corps sont seulemẽt couuerts d'vne peau, ou d'orignac, ou d'vne robbe de Castor, qui sont 5. ou 6. Castors cousus ensemble, & vestent ces peaux, comme sans comparaison, les Ecclesiastiques les Chappes, n'estans attachez par deuant que d'vne courroye: quelquefois ils se ceignent d'vne ceinture, quelquefois ils n'en ont point du tout, & neantmoins pour lors on ne void rien de deshonneste, cachans fort decemment les parties que l'honnesteté veut estre couuertes. En Hyuer [204] ils ont des chausses & des souliers faits de peau d'orignac; mais les souliers, tant dessus que dessous sont souples comme vn gand. Ils ont la plus part du temps leurs visages peints de rouge ou de gris brun & ce en diuerses façons, selon la fantaisie des femmes, qui peignent leurs maris & leurs enfans, desquels ils graissent aussi les cheueux de graisse d'ours, ou d'orignac. Les hommes n'ont non plus de barbe que les femmes, ils se l'arrachent afin de plaire dauantage aux femmes. Ie n'en ay veu que trois ou quatre qui ne se la sont point arrachee depuis peu de temps à l'imitation des François; mais pourtant ils n'en sont pas fournis. La couleur de leur chair tire fort sur le noir; on n'en void pas vn qui aye la charnure blanche, neantmoins il n'y a rien de si blanc que leurs dents. Ils võt sur les riuieres dans de petits canaux d'escorce de bouleau, fort proprement faits: dans les moindres il y peut tenir 4 ou 5. personnes, encore y mettent-ils leurs petits bagages. Les auirons sont proportionnez aux canaux l'vn deuant l'autre derriere, c'est d'ordinaire la femme qui tient celuy de derriere, & par consequent qui gouuerne. Ces pauures femmes sont de vrais mulets de charge, portant toute la fatigue; sont-elles accouchees, deux heures apres elles s'en vont aux bois pour fournir au feu de la cabane. En Hyuer lors qu'ils decabanent elles trainent les meilleurs pacquets sur la neige; bref les hommes ne semblent auoir pour partage que la chasse, la guerre, & la traitte. A propos de la [9] traitte, ie n'en ay encores rien dit, aussi est-ce l'vnique chose qui me reste touchant les Sauuages. Toutes leurs richesses sont les peaux de diuers animaux; mais principalement de Castors. Auparauant l'association de ces Messieurs ausquels le Roy a donné ceste traitte pour [206] certain temps, moïennant quelques conditions portees par les Articles, les Sauuages estoient visitez de plusieurs personnes, iusques là qu'vn des Anciẽs m'a dit qu'il a veu iusques à vingt nauires dans le port de Tadoussac; mais maintenant que ceste traitte a esté accordee à l'association qui est auiourd'huy priuatiuement à tous autres, lon ne void plus icy que deux nauires qui appartiennent à l'Association, & ce, vne fois l'an seulement, enuiron le commencement du mois de Iuin. Ces deux nauires apportent toutes les marchandises que ces Messieurs traictent auec les Sauuages, c'est à sçauoir des capaux, des couuertures, bonnets de nuict, chapeaux, chemises, draps, haches, fers de fleches, aleines, espees, des tranches pour rompre la glace en Hyuer, des coutteaux, des chaudieres, pruneaux, raisins, du bled d'Inde, des pois, du biscuit, ou de la galette, & du petun; & outre ce qui est necessaire pour le viure des François, qui demeurẽt en ce païs là, en eschange ils emportent des peaux d'orignac, de loup ceruier, de regnard, de loutre, & quelquefois il s'en rencontre de noires, de mattre, de blaireau, & de rat musqué; mais principalement de Castor, qui est le plus grand de leur gain: On m'a dit que pour vne annee ils en auoient remporté iusques à 22000. L'ordinaire de chaque année est de 15000. ou 12000. à vne pistole la piece, ce n'est pas mal allé; il est bien vray que les frais qu'ils font sont assez grands, ayant icy quarante personnes & plus qui sont gagez & nourris; outre les frais de tout l'equipage de deux nauires, où il se retrouue bien 150. hõmes qui reçoiuent des gages & se nourrissent. Ces gages ne sont pas tous d'vne façon: L'ordinaire est de 106. liures, il y en a qui ont cent escus. Ie cognois vn Truchement qui a cent pistoles, & quelque nombre [208] de peaux qu'il luy est permis d'emporter chaque annee. Il est vray qu'il les traicte de sa marchãdise. Vostre Reuerence le verra ceste annee, c'est vn de ceux qui nous ont grandement aidé. Vostre Reuerence lui fera, s'il luy plaist, bon raqueil; il est pour retourner & rendre icy de grands seruices à N. Seigneur. Reste maintenant [10] à mander à vostre Reuerence ce que nous auons fait depuis nostre arriuee en ce païs, qui fut à la fin de Iuin. Le mois de Iuillet & d'Aoust se passerent, partie à escrire des lettres, partie à nous recognoistre vn peu dans le païs, & à chercher quelque lieu propre pour y establir nostre demeure: Afin de tesmoigner aux RR. PP. Recolects, que nous desiriõs les deliurer au plustost de l'incõmodité que nous leur apportions. Apres auoir bien consideré tous les endroits, & apres auoir pris langue des François, & principalement des Reuerends Peres Recolects le 1. iour de Septembre nous plantasmes la saincte Croix, au lieu que nous auions choisi, auec toute la solemnité qui nous fut possible. Les Reuerends Peres Recolects y assisterent auec les plus apparens des François, qui apres le disner se mirent tous à trauailler. Nous auons depuis tousiours continué, nous cinq, à desraciner ler [les] arbres, & à bescher la terre tant que le tẽps nous a permis. Les neiges venantes nous fusmes contraints de sursoir iusques au Prin-temps pendant le trauail nous ne laissions pas de penser comment nous viendrions à bout du langage du païs; car des Truchemens, disoit-on il ne faut rien attendre; si est-ce neantmoins qu'apres auoir recommandé l'affaire à Dieu, i'ay pris resolution de m'addresser au Truchement de ceste Nation, quitte, disie en moy-mesme pour estre refusé aussi bien que les autres. Donc apres m'estre efforcé par des exhortations [210] que ie faisois & par nostre conuersation, de donner d'autres impressiõs de nostre Compagnie, qu'on n'auoit en ce païs, Vostre Reuerence croiroit-elle bien que nous y auõs trouué l'Anti-Coton, que lon faisoit courir de chambre en chambre, & qu'enfin lon a bruslé quatre mois apres nostre arriuee; ayant, disie, tasché de donner d'autres impressions. Ie m'adressay donc au Truchement de ceste Nation, & le priay de nous donner cognoissance du langage. Chose estrãge, il me promist sur l'heure, qu'il me donneroit pendant l'hyuer tout le cõtentement que ie pourrois desirer de luy. Or c'est icy où il faut admirer vne particuliere prouidence de Dieu: car il faut remarquer, que le General estoit chargé de ses associez de repasser en France, ou bien de luy diminuer ses gages & luy pressoit si fort de retourner la mesme annee que nous arriuasmes qu'il fallut que le General vsast de commandement absolu auec asseurance que ses gages ne luy seroient [11] point diminuees, pour le faire demeurer cette annee; & de fait il est demeuré à nostre grand contentement. Secundo notandum; Que ce Truchement n'auoit iamais voulu communiquer a personne la cognoissance qu'il auoit de ce langage, non pas mesme aux RR. PP. Recolects, qui depuis dix ans n'auoient cessé de l'en importuner; & cependant à la premiere priere que ie luy fis, me promist ce que ie vous ay dit, & s'est acquité fidelement de sa promesse pendant cet Hyuer. Or neantmoins parce que nous n'estions pas asseurez qu'il deust estre fidele en sa promesse, craignans que l'Hyuer se passast sans rien auancer en la cognoissance de la langue. Ie consultay auec nos Peres, s'il ne seroit point à propos que deux de nous allassent passer l'Hyuer auec les Sauuages, bien auant dans les [212] bois, afin que leur hantise nous donnast la cognoissance que nous cherchions; nos Peres furẽt d'auis que ce seroit assez qu'vn y allast, & que l'autre demeureroit pour satisfaire à la deuotion des François. Ainsi ce fut le P. Brebeuf qui eut ce bonheur; il partit le 20. d'Octobre, & retourna le 27. de Mars, ayant tousiours esté esloigné de nous de 20. ou 25. lieux. Pendant son absence ie sommay le Truchement de sa promesse à laquelle il ne manqua point; A peine eusie tiré de luy ce que ie desirois, que ie me resolus d'aller passer le reste de l'Hyuer auec le premier Sauuage qui nous viendroit voir; Ie m'y en allay donc le 8. de Ianuier; mais ie fus contraint de retourner 11. iours apres; car ne trouuans pas dequoy viure eux-mesme, ils furent contraints de retourner voir les François. A mon retour, sans perdre temps, ie sollicitay le Truchement d'vne autre Nation de me communiquer ce qu'il sçauoit; dont ie m'estonne comme il le fit si franchement, ayant esté par le passé si reserué a l'endroit des Reuerends Peres Recolets. Il nous donna tout ce que nous luy demandasmes; il est bien vray que nous ne luy demandasmes pas tout ce qu'eussions bien desiré; car comme nous recogneusmes en luy vn esprit assez grossier, ce n'eust pas esté nostre aduantage de le presser par de la sa portee, nous fusmes neantmoins tres contens de ce qu'il nous donna; & ce qui est à remarquer afin de recognoistre d'auantage la prouidence de Dieu en ce fait, cedit Truchement s'en deuoit retourner en France la mesme annee que nous ariuasmes, & ce par l'entremise des Peres Recolets, & de nous qui le iugiõs necessaire pour [12] le bien de son ame, & de fait nous l'emportasmes pardessus le General de la flotte, qui a toute force le vouloit [214] renuoyer en la Nation de laquelle il est Truchement, le voila donc arriué icy où nous sommes auec des François qui reuenoient de la traitte, en resolution de s'en retourner en France, les vaisseaux sont sur le point de partir: la veille du depart il vint nous voir chez les Reuerends Peres Recolets pour nous dire Adieu. Ce grand Dieu fit ioüer tout à propos vn ressort de sa Prouidence, comme il estoit chez nous voila vne forte pleuresie qui le prend & le voilà couché au lict, si bien & si beau qu'il fallut que les vaisseaux s'en retournassent sans luy; & par ce moyen le voilà qui nous demeure, hors des dangers neantmoins de se perdre, ce qui nous auoit fait solliter son retour. Ie vous laisse à penser si pendant sa maladie nous oubliasmes de luy rendre tout deuoir de charité; il suffit de dire qu'auparauant qu'il fust releué de ceste maladie, pour laquelle il n'attendoit que la mort; il nous asseura qu'il estoit entierement à nostre deuotion, & que s'il plaisoit à Dieu luy rendre la santé, l'Hyuer ne ce passeroit iamais sans nous donner tout contentement, dequoy il s'est fort bien acquitté, graces à Dieu.
As to the customs of the Savages, it is enough to say that they are altogether savage. From morning until night they have no other thought than to fill their stomachs. They come to see us only to ask for something to eat; and if you do not give it to them they show their dissatisfaction. They are real beggars, if there ever were any, and yet proud as they can be. They consider the French less intelligent than they. Vices of the flesh are very common among them. One of them will marry several women, and will leave them when he pleases, and take others. There is one here who married his own daughter, but all the other Savages were indignant at him for it. As to cleanliness among them, that never enters into the question; they are very dirty about their eating, and in their cabins they are covered with vermin, which they eat when they catch them. It is a custom of this Tribe to kill their fathers and mothers when they are so old that they can walk no longer, thinking that they are thus doing them a good service; for otherwise they would be compelled to die of hunger, as they have become unable to follow the others when they change their location. When I had it explained to one of them one day that the same thing would be done for him when he became old, he answered that he certainly expected it. Their method of making war against their enemies is generally through treachery, watching to find them alone; and, if they are not strong enough to make prisoners of those whom they encounter, they shoot them with their arrows, then cut off their heads, which they bring back to show their people. But, if they can take them to their cabins as prisoners, they subject them to unparalleled cruelties, killing them by inches; and, strange to say, during all of these tortures, the victim sings constantly, considering it a dishonor if he cries out or complains. After the victim is dead, they eat him, and no one is so insignificant that he does not get his share. They have feasts to which they invite each other, and even some of their French acquaintances; at these feasts they give to each one his part on a dish or plate of bark; and when they are "eat-all" feasts, nothing must be left, otherwise you would be compelled to pay something, and would lose your reputation as a brave [7] man. At the feasts which are given in honor of the death of some one, they set aside a part for the deceased as well as for the others, which they throw into the fire; they are very careful that the dogs shall not share in this feast, and to this end, they gather up all the bones and throw them into the fire. They bury the dead, and with them all their belongings, such as candlesticks, furs, knives, etc. When I asked an old man one day why they placed all this baggage in the grave, he replied that they did so in order that the deceased might use it in the other world; and when I answered him that when any one looked into the grave all the baggage was seen there, which was a proof that the deceased did not use it, he replied, that in truth the body of the kettles, furs, knives, etc., remained, but that the soul of the kettles, knives, etc., went off to the other world with the deceased, and that he made use of them there. Thus they believe (as Your Reverence sees) in the immortality of our Souls; and, in fact, they assure you that after death they go to Heaven, where they eat mushrooms and hold intercourse with each other. They call the Sun Jesus;[39] and it is believed that the Basques,[40] who formerly frequented these places, Introduced this name. It thus happens that when we offer Prayers, it seems to them that we address our Prayers to the Sun, as they do. While on the subject of the Sun, the Savages here believe that the earth is pierced through and through; and that, when the sun sets, it hides in one hole in the earth, and comes out next morning through the other. They have no form of divine worship, nor any kind of Prayers. They believe, however, that there is One who made all, but they do not render him any homage. Among them there are persons who make a profession of talking to the Devil; these are also the Physicians, and cure all kinds of diseases. The Savages have great fear of these people, and humor them lest they do them some injury. Little by little we shall learn more of the other Tribes, who are more sedentary in their habits; but, as to these where we now are with the French, they are wanderers only during six months of the year, which are the six Winter months,—roving here and there, according as they may find game, only two or three families erecting their cabins together in one place, two or three in another, and so on. The other [8] six months of the year, twenty or thirty come together upon the shore of the River near our settlement, part at Thadoussac, and the same number forty leagues above us; and there they live upon the game which they have captured during the Winter; that is to say, on smoked moose meat, and food for which they have traded with the French. I believe I wrote something about their clothing last year, and how they always go bare-headed; they wear no other clothes than a moose skin or a Beaver robe, which consists of 5 or 6 Beaver Skins sewed together; and they wear these skins as, without making any comparison, the Ecclesiastics wear their Capes, attached in front only by a leather strap. Sometimes they wear a belt, sometimes none at all, and nevertheless, nothing improper is noticed on that account, as they very modestly cover the parts which decency demands should be covered. In Winter they have leggings and shoes made of moose skin, but the shoes, the uppers as well as the soles, are as pliable as a glove. Their faces are usually painted red or grayish brown, and this is done in different styles, according to the fancy of the women, who paint their husbands and children, whose hair they also oil with bear or moose grease. The men are no more bearded than the women; they pull their beards out in order to be more agreeable to the women. I have seen only three or four who had not done so, and this but recently in imitation of the French; yet they did not have beards. The color of their skin is strongly inclined to black; not one is seen whose skin is white, and yet nothing is so white as their teeth. They go upon the rivers in light birch-bark canoes, very neatly made; the smallest of them can hold 4 or 5 persons and leave room for their little baggage. The oars are proportioned to the canoes, one at the bow and one at the stern; ordinarily, the woman holds the one at the stern, and consequently steers. These poor women are real pack mules, enduring all hardships. When delivered of a child, they go to the woods two hours later to replenish the fire of the cabin.[41] In the Winter, when they break camp, the women drag the heaviest loads over the snow; in short, the men seem to have as their share only hunting, war, and trading. Apropos of [9] trading, I have as yet said nothing, and it is also the last thing which remains to be said in regard to the Savages. All of their wealth consists in the furs of different animals, but principally of the Beaver. Before the time of the association of those Gentlemen to whom the King gave this trade for a certain time in consideration of certain conditions mentioned in the Articles,[21] the Savages were visited by many people, to such an extent that an Old Man told me he had seen as many as twenty ships in the port of Tadoussac. But now since this business has been granted to the association, which to-day has a monopoly over all others, we see here not more than two ships which belong to it, and that only once a year, about the beginning of the month of June. These two ships bring all the merchandise which these Gentlemen use in trading with the Savages; that is to say, the cloaks, blankets, nightcaps, hats, shirts, sheets, hatchets, iron arrowheads, bodkins, swords, picks to break the ice in Winter, knives, kettles, prunes, raisins, Indian corn, peas, crackers or sea biscuits, and tobacco; and what is necessary for the sustenance of the French in this country besides. In exchange for these they carry back hides of the moose, lynx, fox, otter, black ones being encountered occasionally, martens, badgers, and muskrats; but they deal principally in Beavers, in which they find their greatest profit. I was told that during one year they carried back as many as 22,000. The usual number for one year is 15,000 or 12,000, at one pistole each, which is not doing badly.[19] It is true their expenses are very heavy, as they keep here forty persons and more, who are paid and maintained; this in addition to the expense of the crews of two ships, which consist of at least 150 men, who receive their wages and food. These wages are not all the same. They are generally 106 livres, but some receive a hundred écus. I know an Interpreter who receives one hundred pistoles, and a certain number of hides which he is permitted to carry away each year.[42] It is true that he trades them off as his own merchandise. Your Reverence will see him this year; he is one of those who have very effectively assisted us. Your Reverence will, if you please, give him a kind greeting; for he is going to return, and do great service here for Our Lord. It remains now [10] to tell your Reverence what we have done since our arrival in this country, which was the last of June. The months of July and August passed by, partly in writing letters, partly in getting a little acquainted with the country, and in seeking a proper place for our settlement, that we might show the Reverend Recolect Fathers that we desired to relieve them as soon as possible of the inconvenience which we caused them. After having carefully considered all the places, and after having consulted with the French people, and especially with the Reverend Recolect Fathers, we planted the holy Cross on the 1st day of September, with all possible solemnity, upon the place which we had chosen. The Reverend Recolect Fathers took part in the ceremony with the most prominent of the French, and after dinner all of them went to work. We have continued this work ever since, we five, uprooting trees and breaking the ground whenever we had time. The snow intervened, and we were compelled to give up our work until Spring. During the work, the thought of acquiring a knowledge of the language of this country was constantly in our minds; for it was said that we could expect nothing from the Interpreters. Nevertheless, after having commended the matter to God, I made up my mind to speak to the Interpreter of this Tribe, saying to myself that at the worst, I could only be refused as the others had been. So, after having striven by my exhortations and our conversation to correct the impressions concerning our Society that exist in this country, can Your Reverence believe that we have found here the "Anti-Coton,"[43] which was circulated from chamber to chamber, and which was finally burned, about four months after our arrival? Having, I say, tried to give other impressions, I applied then to the Interpreter of this Tribe and begged him to teach us the language. Strange to say, he at once promised me that, during the winter, he would give me all the help that I could ask of him. Now in this a special providence of God must be admired, because it must be observed that the General[21] was ordered by his associates to send him back to France, or else to reduce his wages; and he [the interpreter] begged him so earnestly to return the same year that we arrived, that the General was compelled to use imperative authority, and to tell him that his wages would [11] not be reduced, to make him stay this year; and, in fact, he remained, to our great satisfaction. Secundo notandum; This Interpreter had never wanted to communicate his knowledge of the language to any one, not even to the Reverend Recolect Fathers, who had constantly importuned him for ten years; and yet he promised me what I have told you, the first time I urged him to do so, and he kept his promise faithfully during that Winter. However, as we did not feel certain that he would keep his word, and fearing the Winter would pass and we would make no progress in the language, I consulted with our Fathers as to the propriety of two of us going to spend the Winter with the Savages, far into the depths of the forest, in order that, by constant association with them, we might gain the knowledge we sought. Our Fathers were of the opinion that it would be sufficient for one to go, and that the other ought to remain to attend to the spiritual needs of the French. So this good fortune fell to the lot of Father Brebeuf.[30] He left on the 20th of October and returned on the 27th of March, having been distant from us 20 or 25 leagues all the time. During his absence I reminded the Interpreter of his promise, which he did not fail to keep. I had hardly learned from him what I desired, when I determined to go and spend the remainder of the Winter with the first Savage who should come to see us. So I went off with one on the 8th of January, but I was compelled to return 11 days later; for, as they could not find enough for themselves to eat, they were compelled to come back to the French. As soon as I returned, I lost no time in urging the Interpreter of another Tribe to teach me what he knew; and I was astonished that he should do it so freely, as in the past he had been so reserved in regard to the Reverend Recolet Fathers. He gave us all that we asked for; it is quite true that we did not ask all that we would have wished; as we noticed in him a mind somewhat coarse, it would not have been to our advantage to have urged him beyond his depth. We were, however, highly pleased with what he gave us; and what is noteworthy, in order to better recognize the providence of God in this matter, this very Interpreter was to return to France the same year that we arrived, and this was to be done through the intervention of the Recolet Fathers and through our influence, as we deemed it necessary for [12] the good of his soul; and in fact we carried the day over the head of the General of the fleet, who was resolved in any event to send him back to the Tribe whose Interpreter he was. So he arrived here where we are, with the French who were returning from the trading station, resolved to go back to France, the ships being on the point of leaving. The evening before his intended departure, he came to see us at the Reverend Recolet Fathers', to bid us Farewell. The great God showed his Providential designs very propitiously then; while he was with us he was taken with a severe attack of pleurisy and was put to bed, so nicely and comfortably, that the ships were obliged to go back without him, and by this means he remained with us, out of all danger of ruining himself; for it was the fear of this which had caused us to urge his return. You will readily understand that during his sickness we performed every act of charity for him. It suffices to say that, before he recovered from this sickness, in which he expected to die, he assured us that he was entirely devoted to us; and that if it pleased God to restore his health, the Winter would never pass by without his giving us assistance, a promise which he kept in every respect, thank God.
Ie me suis peut-estre estendu plus que de raison à racõpter cecy; mais ie me plais tant à racompter les traits de la prouidence particuliere de Dieu, qu'il me se semble que tout le mõde y doit prendre plaisir; & de fait s'il s'en fust retourné en France ceste annee là, nous estions pour n'auancer gueres plus que les Reuerends Peres Recolets en 10. ans. Dieu soit loüé de tout, voila donc à quoy se passa la meilleure partie de l'hyuer. Outre ces occupatiõs ie n'ay point manqué à mon tour d'aller les festes & Dimanches dire la Messe aux François, ausquels i'ay fait exhortation [216] toutes les fois que i'y ay esté: le Pere Brebeuf de son costé en faisoit autant, & auons si bien auancé par la grace de Dieu, que nous auons gaigné le cœur de tous ceux de l'habitation, auons fait faire des confessions generales à la plus part, & auons vescu en tres-bonne intelligence auec le Chef. Enuiron le milieu du Caresme ie m'hazarday de prier le Capitaine de nous donner les Charpentiers de l'habitation pour nous aider à dresser vne petite cabane au lieu que nous auons commencé à défricher, ce qu'il m'accorda auec beaucoup de courtoisie: les charpentiers ne souhaitoient [13] rien tant que de trauailler pour nous; & de fait ils nous auoient donné le mot auparauant: aussi trauaillerent-ils auec tant d'affection, que nonobstant l'incommodité du temps & de la saison (car il y auoit encore vn pied & demy de neige) ils eurent acheué nostre cabane le Lundy de la semaine Saincte, & cependant ils cierent plus de 250. aix, tant pour la couuerture, que pour le tour de la cabane; vingt cheurons, & dolerent plus de vingt-cinq grosses pieces necessaires pour l'erection de la cabane. Voila des commencemens assez heureux graces à Dieu, ie ne sçay quel sera le progrés à cause de la continuation de mes imperfections. Au reste parmy ces Sauuages nos vies ne sont pas asseurées. Si quelque François leur a fait quelque déplaisir ils s'en vengent par la mort du premier qu'ils rencontrent, sans auoir esgard à plaisir aucun qu'ils ayent receu de celuy qu'ils attaquent. S'ils ont songé la nuict qu'il faut qu'ils tuënt quelque François, gar[d]e le premier qu'ils rencontrent à l'escart. Ils ajoustent grande croyance à leurs songes. Quelques-vns deux vous diront deux iours auparauant la venuë des vaisseaux l'heure à laquelle ils arriueront, & ne vous diront autre chose sinon qu'ils l'ont veu en dormant. [218] Ceux-la sont en reputation parmy eux de parler au Diable. Leur conuersion ne nous donnera pas peu d'affaire. Leur vie libertine & faineante, leur esprit grossier, & qui ne peut guere comprendre, la disette des mots qu'ils ont pour expliquer nos mysteres, n'ayans iamais eu aucun culte diuin, nous exercera à bon escient. Mais pourtant nous ne perdons pas courage graces à Dieu, appuyez sur cette verité, que Dieu n'aura pas tant esgard au fruict que nous ferons, qu'à la bonne volonté & au trauail que nous prendrons; & puis plus il y aura difficulté en leur conuersion, & plus y aura-t'il de défiance de nous-mesmes; tant y a que nostre esperance est en Dieu. Si ie puis ie me transporteray en d'autres nations: si cela est, il ne faut plus attendre de nouuelles, car ie seray si loin d'eux, qu'à grand peine pourray-ie leur écrire; car au cas que cela arriue ie vous dy adieu & à tout le monde iusques à ce que nous nous reuoyons au Ciel. N'oubliez pas les suffrages pour nostre ame, & faites les de fois à autres. A tout hazard lors que vous vous souuiendrez de nous en vos saincts sacrifices, dites pour vn tel vif ou mort. Le secours qui nous est venu de France est vn bon commencement pour cette Mission; mais les affaires [14] ne sont pas encore en tel estat que Dieu puisse y estre seruy fidellement. L'heretique y a autant encore d'empire que iamais, c'est pourquoy ie renuoye le Pere Noiroit selon la permissiõ que les Superieurs m'en ont faite, afin qu'il paracheue ce qu'il a commencé; il est le mieux entendu en cette affaire. Si nos Peres desirent l'affermissement, & le bon succes de cette Mission, il est du tout expedient qu'ils le laissent faire. C'est bien à son corps defendant qu'il s'en retourne, veu principalement qu'il est tant incommodé [220] dessus la mer. I'enuoye son compagnon auec le Pere Brebeuf à 300 lieux d'icy à vne de ces nations qui sont stables en leur demeure, ils y seront bien tost s'ils trouuent des Sauuages qui les y vueillent conduire, autrement ils seront contraints de retourner vers nous; i'attends tous les iours de leurs nouuelles. Ie viens d'apprendre tout maintenant qu'ils sont partis. Le Diable qui craint la touche a voulu jouër des siennes, car nos Peres estans desia embarquez, les Sauuages par deux ou trois fois les voulurent faire desembarquer, alleguans que leurs canaux estoient trop chargez; mais en fin Dieu l'emporta par dessus luy, on gaigna les Sauuages à force de presents. S'il plaist à Dieu faire reüssir cette mission, voila vne entrée dans des nations infinies pour ainsi dire, qui sont tousiours stables en leur demeure. I'eusse bien desiré estre de la partie, mais nos Peres ne l'ont pas iugé à propos, iugeans qu'il estoit necessaire que ie demeurasse icy, tant pour l'éstablissement de nostre petit domicille, que pour l'entretien des François. Vostre R. s'estonnera peut-estre de ce que i'ay enuoyé le P. Brebeuf qui auoit desia quelque commencement à la langue de cette nation, mais les talents que Dieu luy a departy m'y ont fait resoudre; le fruict que l'on attend de ces natiõs là estant bien autre que celuy que l'on espere de celle cy. S'il plaist à Dieu benir leurs trauaux nous aurons grand besoin d'ouuriers; les dispositions du costé des Sauuages sont telles, qu'on en peut esperer quelque chose de bon. Le truchement ayant demandé en ma presence à l'vn de leurs Capitaines s'ils seroiẽt tous contens que quelques-vns des nostres allassent demeurer en leur pays pour leur apprendre à cognoistre Dieu, il respondit qu'il ne falloit demander [222] cela & qu'ils ne souhaittoient rien tant, puis ayant consideré la maison des Recollets où nous estions, il adiousta qu'à la verité ils ne pourroient pas nous bastir vne maison de pierre semblable à celle-là, [15] mais demandés leur, dit-il au truchement, s'ils seroient contans de trouuer à leur arriuee vne cabane faicte semblable aux nostres. Il ne pouuoit nous tesmoigner plus d'affection; De plus il y a eu de la sterilité dans leur pays cette année, & ils l'attribuent à cause qu'ils n'y ont point eu de Religieux, tout cela nous fait bien esperer. Pour ceux de cette Nation ie les ay fait sommer de respondre, s'ils ne vouloient pas se faire instruire; & nous donner leurs enfans pour le mesme sujet: ils nous ont tous respondu qu'ils le desiroient. Ils attendent que nous ayons basty, c'est à nous cependant de mesnager leur affection & apprendre bien leur langue. Au demeurant ie supplirois volontiers ceux qui ont de l'affection pour ce pays, qu'ils ne se dégoustassent point s'ils n'entendent promptement des nouuelles du fruict que l'on espere. La conuersion des Sauuages demande du temps. Les premieres six ou sept annees sembleront steriles à quelques vns. Et si i'adioustois iusqu'à dix ou douze, possible ne m'éloigneroisie pas de la verité. Mais est ce à dire pourtãt qu'il faille tout quitter là? Ne faut-il pas des cõmencemens par tout? Ne faut-il pas des dispositions pour arriuer où on pretend? Quand à moy ie vous confesse que Dieu me fait cette misericorde, qu'encor que ie n'esperasse aucun profit tout le temps qu'il luy plaira me conseruer en vie, pourueu qu'il eust nos trauaux agreables, & qu'il voulust s'en seruir comme de preparation pour ceux qui viendront apres nous, ie me tiendrois trop heureux d'employer & ma vie & mes [224] forces, & n'épargner rien de ce qui seroit en mon pouuoir, non pas mesme mon sang pour semblable suiet. Neantmoins si nos Superieurs ne sont point d'aduis qu'on passe outre, me voicy tout prés de me sousmettre à leur volonté, & suiure leur iugement. Voicy vn petit Huron qui s'en va vous voir, il est passionné de voir la France. Il nous affectionne grandement & fait paroistre vn grand desir d'estre instruict; neantmoins le pere & le Capitaine de la nation, le veulent reuoir l'an prochain, nous asseurant que s'il est contant il le nous donnera pour quelques annees. Il est fort important de le bien contenter; car si vne fois cet enfant est bien instruit, voila vne partie ouuerte pour entrer en beaucoup de nations où il seruira grandement. Et tout à propos le truchement de cetre [cette] nation la est retourn[é] en France. Truchement qu'il aime tant, qu'il l'appelle son pere. Ie prie nostre Seigneur qu'il luy plaise benir le voyage. Au reste ie remercie V. R. du courage [16] qu'elle m'a donné. I'ay leu ses lettres, quatre ou cinq fois; mais ie n'ay peu gaigner sur moy que ce n'ait esté la larme à l'œil, pour plusieurs raisons, mais specialement sur la souuenance de mes imperfections (coram Deo loquor) qui m'éloignent grandement, du merite de cette vocation, & me fait viuement apprehender que ie n'aille trauerser les desseins de la grace de Dieu, en l'établissement du Christianisme en ce pays. Apres cela ie ne crains rien. Ie vous supplie en vertu de ce que vous aimez mieux dans le Ciel, de ne vous lasser point de solliciter la diuine bonté, ou qu'il me face la grace de m'en défaire, ou si mon idignité est venuë iusques là qu'il m'y faille encore tremper, que ce ne soit au preiudice de nos pauures Sauuages; que ma misere n'empesche point les effects de sa misericorde, & le [226] desordre de ma volonté fragile, l'ordre que sa bonté veut établir en ce pays. Nous continuons plus que iamais les bonnes intelligences auec le Pere Ioseph, qui est icy l'vnique Prestre de son Ordre, l'vn estant allé auec nos Peres aux Hurons; & l'autre s'en retournant en France; il a deux bons freres auec luy. Mr. Champlain est tousiours fort affectionné en nostre endroit, m'a pris pour directeur de sa conscience, aussi bien que Gaumont, duquel i'auray vn soin particulier selon les recommandations de vostre R. L'aduis que vostre R. me donne touchant la dedicace de nostre premiere Eglise, est fort conforme à ma deuotion si les Superieurs m'en laissent la liberté, elle ne sera iamais appellee autrement que N. Dame des Anges; c'est pourquoy ie supplie V. R. de nous faire auoir quelque beau Tableau enuironné d'Anges. C'est vne des grãdes Festes des PP. Recolets, qui ont dedié leur Chappelle à S. Charles; & la Riuiere sur laquelle, eux & nous; sommes logez, s'appelle la riuiere S. Charles, ainsi nõmee quelque temps auparauant que nous vinsiõs. Pour les lettres ie ne pense pas auoir obmis personne, tant de nos bien-faiteurs plus signalez, que de ceux qui m'ont escrit. Aussi vous confessay je que ie suis vn peu las; voicy la 68 & si ce n'est pas la derniere. Plaise à nostre bon Dieu que le tout soit à sa gloire. Nostre R. P. Assistant se monstre fort affectiõné à ceste Mission; ie luy enuoye vne charte de ce pays, asseurant que ie demeureray toute ma vie, de Vostre Reuerence,
Seruiteur tres-affectionné en N Seigneur
Charles l'Allemant.
A Kebec ce 1.
d'Aoust 1626.
I have, perhaps, dwelt longer upon this than was necessary, but I am so pleased to relate the special acts of God's providence, as it seems to me every one must take pleasure in them; and in fact, if he had gone back to France that year, we would have made hardly any more progress than the Reverend Recolet Fathers did in 10 years. May God be praised for all! In this way we passed the greater part of the winter. Besides these occupations, I, in my turn, have not failed to go, on holydays and Sundays, to say Mass for the French, to whom I have made an exhortation every time I have been there. Father Brebeuf did the same on his part; and, by the grace of God, we have made such progress that we have won the hearts of all the people of the settlement, and have induced most of them to make general confessions, and have lived on good terms with the Chief. About the middle of Lent, I ventured to ask the Captain to give us the Carpenters of the settlement to help us erect a little cabin at the place we had begun to clear away, and he very courteously granted my request. The carpenters asked for [13] nothing better than to work for us, and in fact they had previously given us their promise; so they worked with such good will, that, notwithstanding the unfavorableness of the weather and of the season (for there was still a foot and a half of snow), they had finished our cabin by Monday of Holy week; and besides, they had sawed over 250 planks, both for the roof and for the sides of the cabin, twenty rafters, and hewn over twenty-five large pieces necessary for the erection of the cabin. These are very happy beginnings, thank God; but, considering my imperfections still continue, I do not know how much progress will be made. Further, there is no security for our lives among these Savages. If a Frenchman has in some way offended them, they take revenge by killing the first one they meet, without any regard for favors which they may have received from the one whom they attack. If during the night they dream they must kill a Frenchman, woe to the first one whom they meet alone. They attach great faith to their dreams. Some of them will tell you two days before the coming of a ship the hour of its arrival, and will give no other explanation except that they have seen it while asleep. These are reputed among them to have intercourse with the Devil. Their conversion will give us no little trouble. Their licentious and lazy lives, their rude and untutored minds, able to comprehend so little, the scarcity of words they have to explain our mysteries, never having had any form of divine worship, will tax our wits. And yet we do not lose courage, thank God; trusting in this truth, that God will not have so much regard to the fruits that we produce, as to our good will and the trouble we take; and besides, the greater the difficulty in their conversion, and the more distrust we have in ourselves, so much the greater will be our trust in God. If I can, I shall go among some of the other tribes; and, in that event, no further news need be expected from me, because I shall be so far away that it will be very hard to communicate with you; and if that should happen, I say farewell to you and to every one until we meet in Heaven. Do not forget the prayers for our souls, and make them from time to time. In any case when you remember us in your holy sacrifices, offer them up for such and such a one, living or dead. The help which has reached us from France is a good beginning for this Mission, but things [14] are not yet in such a condition that God can be faithfully served here. The heretic holds as complete dominion here as ever, and therefore I send back Father Noiroit, according to the permission that I have received from the Superiors, in order that he may finish what he has begun; he is the most capable one for this affair. If our Fathers wish the strengthening and the success of this Mission, it is by all means proper that they should allow him to proceed.[32] He returns very much against his inclination, principally on account of his sufferings upon the sea. I send his companion[31] with Father Brebeuf, 300 leagues from here, to one of those tribes which has a permanent location. They will soon be there if they find Savages to conduct them, otherwise they will be obliged to return here; I am expecting news from them daily. I have just learned that they have gone. The Devil, who feared their approach, tried to play some of his tricks on them, for, when our Fathers had embarked, the Savages tried two or three times to make them go ashore, asserting that their canoes were too heavily loaded; but at last God triumphed over him, and the Savages were won by means of presents. If it please God to give success to this mission, it will open a way, so to speak, to an infinite number of tribes which have permanent settlements. I should have been very glad to be one of the party; but our Fathers did not deem it expedient, considering it well that I should remain here, both for the establishment of our little home and for the welfare of the French. Your Reverence will be astonished, perhaps, at my having sent Father Brebeuf, who already had some knowledge of the language of this tribe; but the talents that God has given him influenced me, the fruits which are expected from those tribes being very different from those hoped for here. If it please God to bless their labors, we shall have great need of workers; the disposition on the part of the Savages is such that something good may be looked for. When the interpreter asked one of their Captains in my presence, if they would all be glad if some one of us should go among them to teach them to know God, he answered that it was not necessary to ask that, that they desired nothing better; then, having examined the house of the Recollets where we were, he added that they indeed could not build us a stone house like that one; [15] "But ask them," said he to the interpreter, "if they will be satisfied upon their arrival to find a cabin made similar to ours." He could not manifest more affection for us than he did. Moreover, there was a drought in their country this year, and they attributed it to the fact that they had no Religious among them; all this gives us strong hopes. As to the people of this Tribe, I had them called together to say whether they wanted to be instructed, and to give us their children for the same purpose. They all answered that they did. They are waiting for us to build; and it is for us, in the meantime, to cultivate their affection and to learn their language. Meanwhile, I would request those who are interested in this country not to be disappointed if they do not promptly receive news of the hoped-for converts. The conversion of the Savages takes time. The first six or seven years will appear sterile to some; and, if I should say ten or twelve, I would possibly not be far from the truth. But is that any reason why all should be abandoned? Are not beginnings necessary everywhere? Are not preparations needed for the attainment of every object? For my part, I confess that, if God shows me mercy, although I expect no fruits as long as it will please him to preserve my life, provided that our labors are acceptable to him, and that he may be pleased to make use of them as a preparation for those who will come after us, I shall hold myself only too happy to employ my life and my strength, and to spare nothing in my power, not even my blood, for such a purpose. However, if our Superiors do not think we should go farther, I am ready to submit to their will and to follow their judgment. A little Huron is going to see you; he longs to see France. He is very fond of us and manifests a strong desire to be instructed; nevertheless, his father and the Captain of the nation wishes to see him next year, assuring us that, if he is satisfied, he will give him to us for some years. It is of importance that he should be thoroughly satisfied; for, if this child is once instructed, it will open the way to many tribes where he will be very useful. And the return of the interpreter of that tribe to France is very opportune,—the Interpreter whom he loves so much, that he calls him his father. I pray our Lord to be pleased to bless his voyage. I also thank Your Reverence for the courage [16] you have given me. I have read your letters four or five times, and I have not been able to keep the tears from my eyes for several reasons; but especially in reflecting upon my imperfections (coram Deo loquor) which are far from the merit necessary for this vocation, and inspire me with grave fears that I am opposing the purposes of God's grace in the establishment of Christianity in this country. After that, I fear nothing. I beseech you, in the name of all you hold most dear in Heaven, not to become weary in appealing to the divine goodness, either to do me the favor of removing me from here, or, if my unworthiness is so great that I must yet be chastened, let it not be to the disadvantage of our poor Savages; let not my shortcomings prevent the effects of his mercy, nor my weak will be a hindrance to the order that his goodness wishes to establish in this country. Our sympathetic relations with Father Joseph[26] are stronger than ever. He is the only Priest of his Order here, one having gone with our Fathers to the Hurons, and the other now returning to France; he has two good brothers with him. Mr. Champlain is always very kind to us, and has chosen me as his confessor. Gaumont has done the same, and I shall take special care of him, according to the recommendations of your Reverence. The advice which your Reverence gives me in regard to the dedication of our first Church, is in thorough harmony with my views. If the Superiors leave it to me, it will never be otherwise named than "N. Dame des Anges." Therefore I beg Your Reverence to send us a beautiful Picture surrounded by Angels. It is one of the great Fête days of the Recolet Fathers, who have dedicated their Chapel to St. Charles; the River upon which they and we live is called the river St. Charles, so called some time before our arrival. As to sending letters, I think I have not passed over any one, either of our well-known benefactors or any of those who have written to me; and I confess to you that I am a little tired; this is the 68th, and it is not the last. May it please our good God that everything may be done here for his glory. Our Reverend Father Assistant manifests a great deal of affection for this Mission; I send him a map of this country. With assurances that I will be, during my life, of Your Reverence,
The very affectionate servant in Our Lord,