IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)

1.0

i.l

^1^ 1^

£ ta. 12.0

1.8

"lUI IIIIIM 11 1.6

^];

'>y

W'^^ ■>

Photographic

Sciences

Corporation

23 WEST MAIN STREET

WEBSTER, NY. 14580

(716) 873-4503

XNV

<^V^\'^6^

CIHM/ICMH

Microfiche

Series.

CIHM/ICMH
Collection de
microfiches.

Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions / Institut Canadian de microreproductions historiques

Technical and Bibliographic Notes/Notes techniques et bibliographiques

The Institute has attempted to obtain the best
origina* copy available for filming. Features of this
copy which may be bibliographically unique,
which may alter any of the irnai^es in the
reproduction, or which may significantly change
the usual method of filming, are checked below.

L'Institut a microfilm^ le meilleur exemplaire
qu'il lui a 6t6 possible de se procurer. Les details
de cet exemplaire qui sont peut-dtre uniques du
point de vue bibliographique, qui peuvent modifier
une image reproduite, ou qui peuvent exiger uno
modification dans la m6thode normale de filmage
sont indiquds ci-dessous.

□ Coloured covers/
Couverture de couleur

□ Covers damaged/
Couverture endommag^e

□ Covers restored and/or laminated/
Couverture restaurde et/ou pell>cul6e

□ Coloured pages/
Pages de couleur

□ Pages damaged/
Pages endommagdes

□ Pages restored and/or laminated/
Pages restaur^es et/ou pelliculdes

Cover title missing/

Le titre de couverture manque

I I Coloured maps/

Cartes g6ographiques en couleur

Pages discoloured, stained or foxed/
Pages d6color6es, tachet^es ou piqu^es

□ Pages detached/
Pages ddtachees

□ Coloured init (i.e. other than blue or black)/
Encre de couleur (i.e. autre que bleue ou noire)

□ Coloured plates and/or illusiaations/
Planches et/ou illustrations en couleur

Bound with other material/
Reli6 avec d'autres documents

Showthrough/
Transparence

I I Quality of print varies/

Quality indgale de I'impression

Includes supplementary material/
Comprend du materiel supplementaire

Tight binding may ca'jse shadows or distortion
along interior margin/

Lareliure serr^e peut causer de I'ombre ou de la
distortion le long de la marge intdrieure

Blank leaves added during restoration may
appear within the text. Whenever possible, these
have been omitted from filming/
II se peut que certaines pages blanches ajout^es
lors d'une restauration apparaissent dans le texte,
mais, lorsque ceia dtait possible, ces pages n'ont
pas 6t6 filmdes.

Only edition available/
Seule Edition disponible

Pages wholly or partially obscured by errata
slips, tissues, etc., have been refilmed to
ensure the best possible image/
Les pages totalement ou partiellement
obsc'ircies par un feuillet d'errata, une pelure,
etc., ont 6X6 film^es 6 nouveau de fapon it
obtenir la meilleure image possible.

Additional comments:/
Con^mentaires suppi6mentaires:

This item is filmed at the reduction ratio checked below/

Ce document est filmd au taux de reduction indiqu6 ci-dessous.

10X 14X 18X 2X

I I I I I I I I Ivl I I I I

26X

30X

12X

16X

20X

24X

28X

32X

ils

lifier

age

The copy filmed here has been reproduced thanks
to the generosity of:

Library of the Pubiic
Archives of Canada

The images appearing here are the best quality
possible considering the condition and legibility
of the original copy and in keeping with the
filming contract specifications.

Original copios in printed paper covers are fiii.ied
beginning wit)) the front cover and ending on
the last page with a printed or illustrated impres-
sion, or the back cover when appropriate. All
other original copies are filmed beginning on the
first page with a printed or illustrated impres-
sion, and ending on the last page with a printed
or illustrated impression.

The last recorded frame on each microfiche
shall contain the symbol —^> (meaning "CON-
TINUED"), or the symbol V (meaning "END"),
whichever applies.

IVIaps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at
different reduction ratios. Those too large to be
entirely included in one exposure are filmed
beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to
right and top to bottom, as many frames as
required. The following diagrams illustrate the
method:

L'exemplaire film* f ut reproduit grAce A la
ginirositA de:

La bibliothdque des Archives
publiques du Canada

Las images suivantes ont 6t6 reproduites avec le
plus grand soin, compte tenu de la condition at
de la netteti de l'exemplaire film6, et en
conformity avec ies conditions du contrat de
filmage.

Les exemplaires originaux dont la couverture en
papier est imprim6e sont fiimds en commenpant
par le premier plat et en terminant soit par la
dernidre page qui compr."te une empreinte
d'impression ou d'illustration, soit par le second
plat, selon le cas. Tous les autres exemplaires
originaux sont film6s en commenpant par la
premiere page qui comporte une empreinte
d'impression ou d'illustration et en terminant par
la dernlAre page qui comporte une telle
empreinte.

Un des symboles suivants apparaitra sur la
dernidre image de cheque microfiche, selon le
cas: le symbols —^ signifie 'A SUIVRE ", le
symbols V signifie "FIN".

Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent dtre
film6s d des taux de reduction diffdrents.
Lorsque le document est trop grand pour dtre
reproduit en un seul clich6, il est filmd d partir
de I'angle supdrieur gauche, de gauche d droite,
et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre
d'images n6cessaire. Les diagrammes suivants
illustrent la methods.

ata

siure,

32X

1 2 3

4 5 6

COPY OF A MAP,

PUBLISHED BY THE JESUITS,

IN 1664.

Ofiafa/m

onnoihtuaji

11 cliataron htf} a f.

Tiohcj-o I etc

\(/unnm+ua _*

'j/t/iuriiuije
Jroqnots

^^ a}na Mctions

tftf

nlsaiiJ-ei-

Jpihmottsi-^eChu7)hj
rSaticj'es,

..=-.J^iii^^;tP;4- Iroquois

jroqnoW

Jjfatior^^

THE

EARLY JESUIT MISSIONS

NORTH AMERICA;

COMPILED AND TRANSLATED FROM THE LETTERS OF
THE FRENCH JESUITS, WITH NOTES.

BY THE

RIGHT REV. WILLIAM INGRAHAM KIP, D.D.,

Bishop of Oxlifomia, Honorarv Member N. T, Historical Society.

ALBANY, N. Y. :
PEASE & PRENTICE, 83 STATE STREET,

1866.

■KB

3 IB

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1846,

By William Ingraham Kip,

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of tlie United States for the
Northern District of New Yorlc.

MUNSELL, PRINTER,
ALBANY.

THE HON. GEORGE FOLSOM,

IN REMEMBRANCE OP

MANY PLEASANT HOURS PASSED IN HIS COMPANY

THIS VOLUME

IS INSCRIBED AS A SLIGHT TESTIMONY OP REGARD.

•>#

PUBLISHERS' NOTICE.

This work was first published in 1845. It was
the first time this ehp.ptcr of history had been
placed before the public in this couutry, and it
met with a hearty reception.

Having been out of print for many years, the
publishers think they are performing an ac-
ceptable service to the public in issuing this
new edition, with the addition of an index.

Albany, 1866.

CONTENTS.

rvlissionary Life among the Abnakis. 1722

The Wanderings o:' Father Rasles. 1689—1723

The Death of Father Rasles. 1724

Catherine, the Iroquois Saint. 1658 — 1715

The Iroquois Martyrs. 1688—1693 .

Montcalm's Expedition to Destroy Fort George. 1757

Father Marest's Journeys through Illinois and Michigan. 1712

\ .-ag3 up the Mississippi. 1727

Mission to the Arkansas. 1727

The Massacre by the Natchez. 1729

',«

Pagb
1

117

137

191

229

255

265

The Mission to the Illinois. 1750 313

iv's

PREFACE.

Page
1

117

137

191

229

. 255

. 265

. 313

There is no page of our country's history more touching
and romantic, than that which records the labors and suf-
ferings of the Jesuit Missionaries. In these western wilds
they were the earliest pioneers of civilization and faith.
The wild hunter or the adventurous traveller, who, pene-
trating the forests, came to new and strange tribes, often
found that years before, the disciples of Loyola had pre-
ceded him in that wilderness. Traditions of the " Black
robes" still lingered among the Indians. On some moss-
grown tree they pointed out the traces of their work, and
in wonder he deciphered, carved side by side on its trunk,
the emblem of our salvation and the lilies of the Bourbons.
Amid the snows of Hudson's Bay — among the woody isl-
ands and beautiful inlets of the St. Lawrence — by the coun-
cil fires of the Hurons and the Algonquins — at the sources
of the Mississippi, where, first of the white men, their eyes
looked upon the Falls of St. Anthony, and then traced down
the course of the bounding river, as it rushed onward to
earn its title of " Father of Waters " — on the vast prairies
of Illinois and Missouri — among the blue hills which hem in
the salubrious dwellings of the Cherokees — and in the thick
canebrakes of Louisiana — everywhere were found the
members of the " Society of Jesus." Marquette, Joliet,
Brebeuf, Jogues, Lallemand, Rasles, and Marest, are the
names which the West should ever hold in remembrance.

via

PREFACE.

But it was only by suffering and trial that these early
laborers won their triumphs. Many of them too were men
who had stood ' ^h in camps and courts, and could con-
trast their desolate state in the solitary wigwam with the
refinement and affluence which had waited on their early
years. But now all these were gone. Home — tl^e love of
kindred — the golden ties of relationship — ail were to be for-
gotten by these stern and high-wrought men, and they
were often to go forth into the wilderness, without an ad-
viser on their way, save their God. Through long and
sorrowful years they were obliged to " sow in tears" before
they could " reap in joy." Every self-denial gathered
around them which could wear upon the spirit and cause
the heart to fail. Mighty forests were to be threaded on
foot, and the great lakes of the West passed in the feeble
bark canoe. Hunger and cold and disease were to be en-
countered, until nothing but the burning zeal within could
keep alive the wasted and sinking frame. But worse than
all we e those spiritual evils which forced them to weep
and pray in darkness. They had to endure the contradic-
tion of those thev came to save, who often after listenino-
for months with apparent interest, so that the Jesuit began
to hope they would soon be numbered with his converts,
suddenly quitted him with cold and derisive words, and
turned again to the superstitions of their tribe.

Most of them too were martyrs to their faith. It will
be noticed in reading this volume, how few of their number
" died the common death of all men," or slept at last in the
grounds which their Church had consecrated. Some, like
Jogues and du Poisson and Souel, sunk beneath the blows
of the infuriated savages, and their bodies were thrown out
to feed the vulture, whose shriek, as he flapped his wings
above them, had been their only requiem. Others, like
Brebeuf and Lallemand and Senat, died at the stake, and
their ashes " flew no marble tells us whither," while the

PREFACE.

3, and

wings

-m

dusky sons of the forest stood around, and mingled their
wild yells of triumph with the martyrs' c'ying prayers.
Others again, like the aged Marquette, sinking beneath
years of toil, fell aslee]) in the wilderness, and their sorrow-
ing companions dug their graves in tiic green turf, where
for many years the rude forest ranger stopped to invoke
their names, and bow in prayer before the cross which
marked the spot.

But did these things stop the progress of the Jesuits ?
The sons of Loyola never retreated The mission they
founded in a tribe ended only with the extinction of the
tribe itself. Their lives were made up of fearless devoted-
ness and heroic self-sacrifice. Though sorrowing for the
dead, they pressed forward at once to occupy their places,
and, if needs be, share their fate. " Nothing " — wrote Father
le Petit after describing the martyrdom of two of his breth-
ren — " nothing has happened to these two excellent mission-
aries for which they were not prepared when they devoted
themselves to the Indian Missions." .If the flesh trembled,
the spirit seemed never to falter. Each, one indeed felt
that he was "baptized for the- dead," and that his own
blood, poured out in the mighty forests of the West, would
bring down perhaps greater blessings on those for whom
he died, than he could win for thom by the labors of a life.
He realized that he was " appointed unto death." " Ibo, et
non redibo," were the prophetic words of Father Jogues,
when, for the last time, he departed to the Mohawks.
When Lallemand was bound to the stake, and for seven-
teen hours his excruciating agonies were prolonged, his
words of encouragement to his (companion were, " Brother !
we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels,
and to men." When Marquette was setting out for the
sources of the Mississippi, and the friendly Indians who
had known him, wished to turn hmi from his purpose by
declaring " Those distant nations never spare the stran-

PREFACE.

gers," the calm reply of the missionaiywas, "I shall gladly-
lay down my life for the salvation of souls." And then,
the red sons of the wilderness bowed with him in prayer
and before the simple cross of ced'ir, and among the stately
groves of elm and maple which line the St. Lawrence,
there rose that old chant which the aged man had been
accustomed to hear in the distant Cathedrals of his own
land —

" Vexilla Regis prodeunt ;
Fulget Crucis mysterium."*

But how little is known of all these men ! The history
of their bravery and sufferings, touching as it is, has been
comparatively neglected. And it is to supply in some de-
gree this deficiency, and to give at least a specimen of
what the early Jesuits endured and dared, that this volume
has been prepared. It is sent forth merely as a contribu-
tion to the historical records of the country. The early
Jesuit missions form indeed a page of our history which
has never yet been written, and the interest which the
writer has taken in them 4s entirely accidental. During
the last year he found in a bookstore in Europe, a set of
the " Lettres Edifiantes et Curieuses, Ecrites des Missions
Etrangeres," in thirty-four volumes, scattered through
which are letters from the Jesuits in our own country.
There are but few copies of this ^^^ork in America, and it is
thus rendered inaccessible to most persons, while its size
would prevent others from attempting to investigate it. It
has therefore remained only as a storehouse from which
some of our historip,ns have drawn occasional facts with
regard to the early discoveries in our country. Having
become interested in reading it, the writer determined to

* The banners of Heaven's king advance.
The myLiery of the Cross shines for.h.

Bancroft's United States^ voh iii. 156

PREFACE.

attempt a literal translation of the letters from our own
part of the continent. The notes he has added throughout
the work are designated by brackets. The map prefixed
is a facsimile of one published by the Jesuits in 1604, and
is to be found in the " Relation de ce qui s'est passe en la
Nouvelle France, en Tannee 1664."

It would have been easy to have woven the history
of some of these missionaries into a romantic and touch-
ing narrative, but the writer preferred allowing them to
speak for themselves, and to tell the"r own story. It is
more interesting to read the very words these earnest
laborers wrote more than a century ago, when camping
in the wilderness, or sharing the wigwams of the rude
savage. They portray their own views ^d feelings.
They lead us, as no one else does, into the inner and pri-
vate hfe of our Aborigines.

Some parts of the volume contain in successive letters
the entiro missionary life of an individual. Such are the
the first two, which give the labors of Rasles as related by
himself, while the third, by Father de la Chasse, concludes
the account by the narrative of his death. So again, the
eighth gives the diary of Father du Poisson from the time
of his arrival in New Orleans, until he reached the distant
scene of his labors among the Arkansas — the ninth is his
own account of his missionary field — and the tenth, by an-
other Jesuit, tells of his martyrdom two years afterwards
in the massacre by the .Natchez. The fourth letter in this
volume, containing the life of the Mohawk maiden whose
reputation still lives in the tradition of the North, as the
Geneveva of New France, shows how the faith was pre-
sented to these savages, and how they received it. The
sixth gives us for the first time an account of the expedition
of Montcalm, written at the time by an eye-witness, while
the journeys of Father Marest over the wide prairies of

■•a

Xii

PREFACE.

Illinois and Michigan, by their romantic interest, we think,
will arrest the attention of every reader.

It has ever been through life the object of the writer,
to reverence goodness wherever seen and by whatever
name it may be cai'<^d, and therefore he is willing to pay
his tribute to the fearless devotedness of these men. His
heart can respond with joy to the triumphs they won for
the Cross, when the wild tribes of the West bowed to the
Emblem of our common faith,* even though he differs
widely from them in their theology, and feels that often, as
in the case of Catherine, the superstitions and errors of
their system broke a noble spirit which might otherwise
have lived for years, a light in the wilderness. Yet beau-
tiful, notwithstanding all this, was the life of the Mohawk
maiden — beautiful for the faith it showed, and the stern
devotion beneath which even the body was crushed, — and
sweetly solemn in the ears of the Iroquois must have
sounded the Dies Ires, as they slowly bore her remains
over the plain of the Madeleine to their last resting-place.

But let not any carry this feeling too far, or from admi-
ration of the romance which gathers around the labors of
the Jesuits, feel as if the claim of devotedness was to be
confined to them alone. Our own Church has equally
her Acta Sanctorum, and he who with an unquickened
puisc can read the record of her sons who " counted not
their lives dear unto themselves," must be sadly wanting

I'he Priest

Believed liimself the fables that he taught :
Corrupt their forms, and yet those forms at least
Preserv'd a salutary faith that "wrought,
Maugre the alloy, the saving end it sought.
Benevolence had gain'd such empire there,
That ever; superstition had heen brought
An aspect of humanity to wear.
And make the weal of man its first and only cfi 5 '^

Sonthe7/s Tale of Paraguay^ Cant. iv. 10.

PREFACE.

xui

X.-'

in a true appreciation of all that is self-denying and holy.
The annals of no Church give a loftier picture of self-
sacrifice than that furnished by Henry Martyn, when he
abandoned the honors of academic life and exchanged
his happy home at Cambridge for the solitary bungalow
at Dinapore — the daily disputes with his Moonshee and
Pundit — or the bitter opposition of the Mahommedans at
Shiraz. And no where do we read of a nobler martyr-
dom than his, when he lay expiring at Tocat, without a
friend to close his eyes or a sympathizing voice to ad-
dress him. So too it was when Heber left the peaceful
retreat of Hodnet, to suffer and die under the burning
heats of India, or Selwyn r\ our day consecrated him-
self to this cause among the wild savages of New Zea-
land. But the time would fail us were we to speak of
Buchanan, or Thomason, or Middleton, or James, or Cor-
rie, — " these all died in the faith" — or of Wilson, and Spen-
cer, and Broughton, and Carr, who in this generation went
out to distant heathen lands, "not knovviiig the things
which should befall them there." Many a humble Mis-
sionary indeed, who is now suffering from poverty and
an unhealthy climate in our own western wilds, and
whose record is written only in Heaven, is " dying daily"
and enduring as true a martyrdom for the Gospel's sake,
as any Jesuit whose history is given in this volume.

There is one thought however which has constantly oc-
curred to us in the preparation of these letters, and which
we cannot but suggest. Look over the world and read
the history of the Jesuit missions. After one or two
generations they have always come to naught. There
is not a recorded instance of their permanency, or their
spreading each generation wider and deeper, like our own
missions in India. Thus it has been in China, Japan,
South America, and our own land. For centuries the
J esuit fore'fi missionaries have been like those " beating

■'■'■/if

10.

tK'

xiv

PREFACE.

H.\

ill

the air." And yet, greater devotion to the cause than
theirs has never been seen since the Apostles' days.
Why then was this result ? If " the blood of the mar-
tyrs be th3 seed of the Church," why is this the only
instance in which it has not proved so ? Must there not
have been something wrong in the whole system — some
grievous errors mingled with their teaching, which thus
denied them a measure of success proportioned to their
efforts ?

The preparation of this volume has formed the relax-
ation of the writer, when he wished at times to turn from
the severer studies of his profession. Probably he should
not have ventured to send it to the press, but for the en-
couragement of one, whose own publications have rendered
his name well known to the students of historical research
in our country, and who amidst the engrossing cares of
active life, can still cultivate those scholar-like tastes and
acquirements, which unfortunately are so rare among u" ^
To him therefore the writer felt he could most appropri-
ately inscribe this volume.

m
h

MISSIONARY LIFE AMONG THE ABNAKIS

1722.

I'i

F£

Mo:

[#(

rians

signs

3eep

[tN

presei

[JT

name :

butaf

thepr

LETTER I.

PEOM FATHET» SEBASTIEN RASLES,* MISSIONAB.Y OP THE SOCIETY
OF JESUS IN NEW FRANCE, 70 MONSIEUR, HIS NEPHEW.

At Nonrantsouak^t this 15th of October, 1723.
MONSIEUR, MY DEAR NEPHEW,

The Peace of our Lord be icith you :

During the more than thirty years that I have passed in the
depth of the forests with the Savages, I have been so occupied in
instructing them, and training them to Christian virtues, that
I have scarcely h?d time to write many letters, even to those who
are most dear to me. I cannot, however refuse you the little
detail of my occupations for which you ask. I owe it, indeed, to
the gratitude I feel for the strong interest which your friendship
induces you to take in all that concerns me.

I am in a district of that vast extent of country which is
between Acadia and New England. Two other Missionaries, as
well as myself, are engaged there among the AhnakisX Indians,

[* Charlevoix .writes the name Rasles. The early New England histo-
rians spell it RalU, while the missionary himself in a letter of Nov, 1712,
signs it Rale. The latter form has been adopted by Francis in his Life.
Seep. 164.]

[t Now Norridgivock in Maine. The little Indian village was near the
present site of this town, on a beautiful bend oi' the river.]

[t The meaning of this Indian word is, " Men of the East," and it was a
name formerly given to all the tribes on the Eastern coast of the continent,
but afterwards restricted to those inhabiting Nova Scotia, the territory of
the present state of Maine, and a part of Canada. Francis^ Life of Rale,

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

V •■

!i;i'i

but wo aro separated very far from each other. Tlio Ahnalcis
ludiaiiH, besides the two vilhige.s which they have in the midst
of the Frencii colony, have also three other considerable settle-
uients on the borders of a river. There arc three rivers which
empty into the sea, to the south of Canada, between New Eng-
land and Acadia.

The village in which I live is called Nanrantsoua/i, and is
situated on the banks of a river which empties into the sea, at the
distance of thirty leagues below. I have erected a Ciiurcli there,
which is neat and elegantly ornamented. I have, indeed, thought
it my duty to spare nothing either in the decoration of the build-
ing itself, or in the beauty of those articles which aro used in our
holy ceremonies. Vestments, chasubles, copes, and holy vessels,
all are highly appropriate, and would be esteemed so even in our
Churches in Europe. I have also formed a little choir of about
forty young Indians, who assist at Divine Service in cassocks and
surplices. They have each their own appropriate functions, as
much to serve in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass as to chant the
Divine Offices for the consecration of the Holy Sacrament, and
for the processions which they make with great crowds of Indians,
who often come from a long distance to engage in these exercises;
and you would be edified by the beautiful order they observe and
the devotion they show.*

p. 1 G6. In all cases through this volume the orthography of proper names
has been strictly preserved, as written by the Jesuits. It is interesting
sometimes to see the changes thi'ough which names have since passed.]

[* The following extract from Whitticr's beautiful poem of Mogg Megone
places before us the scene which in those days must have been witnessed on
the spot : —

" On the brow of a hill, which slopes to meet
The flowing river, and bathe its feet —
The bare-washed rock, and the drooping grass,
And the creeping vine as the waters pass —
A rude and unshapely chapel stands,
Built up in that wild by unskilled hands

MISSIONARY LIFE AMONG THE AUNAKIS.

Megone

They liuvo built two Cluipels at three hundred pticcH distaiieo
from the vilhige ; the one, whieh is dedicated to the Holy Virgin,
and where ean bo Keen her image in relief, is above on tlie river ;
the other, which in dedicated to the Guardian Angel, is below, ou
the same river. As they are both on the road which leads either
into the woods or into the fields, the Indians can never pass
without offering up their prayers. There is a holy emulation
among thi; feuuiles of the village, as to who shall most ornament
the Chapel of which they have care, when the procession is to
take place there : all who have any jewelry, or pieces of silk or
calico, or other things of that kind, employ them to adorn it.

The great blaze of light contributes not a little to the beauty
of the Church and of the Chapels, it not being necessary for mo
to be saving of the wax, for the country itself furnishes it abun-
dantly. The islands of the sea arc bordered by a kind of wild
laurel which in autumn produces a berry a little like that borne
by the juniper. They fill their kettles with these, and boil them
with water. In proportion as the water thickens, the green wax
rises to the surface, where it remains. From a measure of about

Yet the traveller knows it a place of prayer,
For the holy sign of the Cross is there ;
And should he chance at that place to be,
Of a Sabbath morn, or some hallowed day,
When prayers are made and masses are said,
Some for the living, and some for the dead, —
Well might the traveller start to see
The tall dark forms, that take their way
From the birch canoe, on the river shore,
And the forest path.s, to that chapel door ;
And marvel to mark the naked knees

And the du.sky Ibroheads bending these, —
And, stretching his long thin anus over these

In blessing and in i^'ayer.
Like a shrouded spectre, pale and tall,
In his coarse white vesture, Father Rallel"'] •

fj
M
1*,]

I! '

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

ill

;.. ,

iii'^

I:ii

>! i

!;(;i.

ifMf

I- ^

si;.:-.

Ill 1.

three bushels of this berry, can be made almost four pounds of
wax ; it is very pure and beautiful, but neither sweet nor pliable.
After several trials I have found, that by mingling with it an
equal quantity of fat, either of beef or mutton, or of the elk,
beautiful tapers can be made, firm, and excellent for use. With
twenty-four pounds of wax and as much of fat, can be made
two hundred tapers of more than a foot in length. A vast quan-
tity of these laurels are found on the islands and on the borders
of the sea, so that one person in a day can easily gather four
measures, or twelve bushels of the berry. It hangs down like
grapes from the branches of the tree. I have sent one branch of
it to Quebec, together with a cake of the wax, and it has been
found to be very excellent.

None of my neophytes fail to repair twice in each day to the
Church, early in the morning to hear Mass, and in the evening to
assist at the prayers, which I oflFer up at sunset. As it is neces-
sary to fix the imagination of these Indians, which is too easily
distracted, I have composed some appropriate prayers for them to
make, to enable them to enter into the spirit of the august sacri-
fice of our altars. They chant them, or else recite them in a loud
voice during Mass. Besides the Sermons which I deliver before
them on Sundays and festivai-da^s, I scarcely pass a week-day
without making a short exhortation to inspire them with a horror
of those vices to which they are most addicted, or to strengthen
them in the practice of some virtue.

After the Mas^i, I teach the Catechism to the children and
young persons, while a large number of aged people, who are
present, assist and answer with perfect docility the questions
which I put to them. The rest of the morning, even to mid-day,
is set apart for seeing those who wish to speak with me. They
come to me in crowds, to make me a participator in their pain^^
and inquietudes, or to communicate to me causes of complaint
against their countrymen, or to consult me on their marriages

■m

:?^

ft .
If '

MISSIONARY LIFE AMONG THE ABNAKIS.

lages

and other aflFairs of importance. It is, therefore, necessary for me
to instruct some, to console others, to re-establish peace in families
at variance, to calm troubled consciences, to correct others by
reprimands mingled with softness and charity ; in fine, as far as
it is possible, to render them all contented.

After mid-day, I visit the sick and go round among the cabins
of those who require more particular instructions. If they hold
a council, which is often the case with these Indians, they depute
one of the principal men of the assembly to ask me to assist in
their deliberations. I accordingly repair to the place where their
council is held ; if I think that they are pursuing a wise course,
I approve of it ; if, on the contrary, I have anything to say in
opposition to their decision, I declare my sentiments, supporting
them by weighty reasons, to which they conform. My advice
always fixes th.r resolutions. They do not even hold their fgasts
witliout inviting me. Those who have been asked carry each one
a dish, of wood or bark to the place of entertainment. I give the
benediction on the food, and they place in each dish the portion
which has been prepared. After this distribution has been made
I say grace, and each one retires ; for such is the order and usage
of their feasts.

In the midst of such continual occupations, you cannot imagine
with what rapidity the days pass by. There have been seasons,
when I scarcely had time to recite my Office, or to take a little
repose during the night ; for discretion is not a virtue which par-
ticularly belongs to the Indians. But for some years past I have
made it a rule, not to speak with any person from the prayers in
the evening until the time of mass on the next morning. I have
therefore forbidden them to interrupt me during this period,
except for some very important reason, as, for example, to assist
a person who is dying, or some other afi"air of the kind which it
is impossible to put ofi". I set apart this time to spend in prayer,
or to repose myself from the fatigues of the day.

F"!

»*• 1

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

if'

1 '. r

•u-

When tlie Indians repair to tlie sea-shoro, where they paso
some months in hunting the ducks, bustards, and other birds,
which are found there in large numbers, they build on an island
a Church, which they cover with bark, and near it they erect a
little cabin for my residence. I take care to transport thither a
part of our ornaments, and the service is performed with the
same decency and the same crowds of people as at the village.

You see then, my dear nephew, what are my occupations
For that which relates to me personally I will say to you, that I
neither hear, nor see, nor speak to any but the Indians. My
food is very simple and light. I have never been able to con-
form my taste to the meat or the smoked fish of the savages, and
my nourishment is only composed of corn which they pound, and
of which I make each day a kind of hominy, which I boil in
water. The only luxury in which I indulge is a little sugar,
which I mix with it to correct its insipidity. This is never want-
ing in the forest. In the Spring, the maple trees contain a liquor
very similar to that which is found in the sugar canes of the
Southern Islands. The women employ themselves in collecting
this in vessels of bark, as it is distilled from the trees. They
then boil it, and draw ofl" from it a vei-y good sugar. That which
is drawn off first is always the most beautiful.

The whole nation of the Abnakis is Christian, and very zeal-
ous to preserve their religion. This attachment to the Catholic
faith, has induced them, even to this time, to prefer our alliance,
to advantages which might be derived from an alliance with the
English who are their neighbors. These advantages would be
too of very great importance to our Indians. The facility of
trading with the English, from whom they are distant but one or
two days' journey, the ease with which the journey can be made,
the admirable market they would find there for the purchase of
the merchandise which suits them : these things certainly hold
out very great inducements. In place of which, in going to

y zeal-
atliolic
liance,
h the
ulcl be
ity of
one or
made,
asc of
y hold
)mg to

MISSIONARY LIFE AMONG THE ABNAKIS 7

Quebec, it is necessary to take more tlian a fortniglu to reach
there, they hi V3 to furnish themselves with provisions for the
journey, they nave different rivers to pass, and frecj^uent portages
to make.* They are aware of these inconveniences, and are by
no means indiflferent to their interests, but their faith is infinitely
more dear to them, and they believe that if they detach them-
Bc'ves from our alliance, they will shortly find themselves without
a missionary, without sacrameits, without a sacrifice, with
scarcely any exercise of their religion, and in manifest danger
of being replunged into their former heathenism. This is the
bond which unites them to the French. Attempts have been
vainly made to break it, sometimes by wiles which were held out
to their simplicity, and sometimes by acts of violence, which
could not fail to irritate a nation exceedingly jealous of its rights
and liberties. The commencement of this misunderstanding
could not but alarm me, for it made me fear the dispersion of
that little community which Providence had for so many years
confided to my care, and for the sake of which I would willingly
sacrifice what remains to me of life. Let me mention to you
then some of the difibrent artifices to which the English had re-
course to detach them from our alliance.

The Governor-general of New England, some years ago, sent
to the lower part of the river, the most able of the ministers of
Boston,! to establish there a school to instruct the children of
the Indians, and maintain them at the expence of the govern-
■'''..

=* To make a portage is to transport their canoe and baggage from one
river to another, with which it has no communication. These portages are
sometimes of many leagues, and it is the principal reason which induces the
Indians to use canoes of bark, since they are very light and easily trans-
ported.

[t This, as we learn from his Tournal, which is still preserved in Boston,
was the Rev. Joseph Baxter of Medfield, Mass. He graduated at Harvard
College in 1693, and had a high reputation in the colony at that time,]

r-u

Pf,

>.;■

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

t'n

fi!!

: ii

ili

ment. As the pay of the minister was to increase in proportion
to the number of scholars, he neglected nothing which could at-
tract them. He went himself to seek them out; he caressed
them ; he made them little presents ; he pressed them to come
and see him ; in fine, he gave himself the trouble of many use-
less manoeuvres during two months, without being able to gain a
single child. The contempt which they showed for his caresses
and his invitations did not repulse him. He therefore addressed
himself to the Indians themselves ; he put to them different
questions with regard to their belief, and on hearing the answers
they made, he turned into ridicule the Sacraments, Purgatory,
the Invocation of Saints, the Rosary, the Cross and Images, the
lighting of our Churches, and all those practices of piety so sa-
credly observed in the Catholic religion.

I thought it my duty to oppose these first seeds of seduction,
and therefore wrote a frank letter to the minister, in which I re-
marked to him, that my Christians knew how to believe the veri-
ties the Catholic faith set forth, but were not able disputants ;
that since they were not sufficiently learned to resolve the diffi-
culties he had proposed, he apparently had intended they should
be communicated to me, and that I therefore would avail myself
with pleasure of this occasion which oiTered, to confer with him
either orally or by letters ; that with this I would send him a
manuscript, which I would beg him to read with serious atten-
tion. In this manuscript, which was about a hundred pages in
length, I proved from Scripture, from tradition, and from theo-
logical arguments, those truths which he had attacked with so
much misplaced pleasantry. I added also, in finishing my letter,
that if he was not satisfied with my proofs, I should expect from
him a refutation precise and sustained by theological arguments,
not by vague reasons which proved nothing, still less by injurious
reflections, which were neither suited to our profession, nor to the
importance of the subjects in dispute.

MISSIONARY LIFE AMONG THE ABNAKIS.

roportion
could at-
caressed
to come
nany use-
to gain a
J caresses
addressed
different
3 answers
*urgatory,
nages, the
iety so sa-

seduction,
rhich I re-
e the veri-
isputants ;

the diffi-
ley should
ail myself

with him
end him a
ous atten-

pages iu

rom theo-
3d with so

mv letter.

:pcct from
irguments,
y injurious

nor to the

Two days after ho had received my letter, he departed to re-
turn to Boston, sending me a short answer, which I was obliged
to read over many times before I could compreliend its meaning,
the style was so obscure and the Latin so extraordinary. I com-
prehended at last, by dint of study, that he complained I had at-
tacked him without reason ; that zeal for the salvation of their
souls had led him to show the way to Heaven to these Indians,
and that, for the rest, my proofs were childish and ridiculous.
Having sent to him at Boston a second letter, in which I set
forth his blunders,* he answered me at the end of two years,
without entering into the subject in dispute, merely declaring
that I exhibited a spirit jealous and critical, and which bore the
marks of a temperament inclined to be choleric, f Thus termi-
nated our dispute, which banished the minister, and obliged him
to abandon the project he had formed of seducing away my
neophytes.

This first attempt having met with so little success, they had
recourse to another artifice. An Englishman asked permission
of the Indians to build on their river a kind of storehouse, to en-
able him to trade with them, and he promised to sell them his
goods at a much more favorable rate even than they could pur-
chase in Boston. The Indians, who found it for their advantage,
and were thus spared the trouble of a journey to Boston, willing-

[* He found fault -witli amicus, used as an adjective instead of a substan-
tire : with mererc^ which should have been the deponent mereri; with wiixV,
in the sense of a mill instead of a millstone ; with domus for the accusative
plural, which, the critic asserted, should be domos^ and the like." — Francis^
Life, p. 258.]

[t Dr. Francis says, he has seen this letter, which was in the possession of
a connection of the Baxter family. It was either a copy kept by Mr. Bax-
ter, or was sent back to him after the seizure of Rale's papers. It has now
been placed among the papers of the Mass. Hist. Society. In it the writer
gives a stout defence of his grammar, and then, " turns the edge of the
eofitical knife upon Rale's own style."]

ffl

^^%

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

'11 ,i

ly consented. Another Englishman, a short time afterwards,
asked the same permission, offering conditions even more advan-
tageous than the first. It was accorded to him with equal wil-
lingness. This easiness of the Indians emboldened the English
to establish themselves on tne whole length of the river, without
even asking permission, and they built their houses there, and
erected their forts, three of which were of stone.

This proximity of the English was at first a source of pleasure
to tlic Indians, who did not perceive the snare which had been
laid for them, and who only looked at the satisfaction they ex-
perienced in finding their new guests to be all they could desire.
But at length, seeing themselves insensibly surrounded, as it
were, by the habitations of the English, they began to open their
eyes and to feel a mistrust. They demanded of the English, by
what right they thus established themselves on their lands, and
even erected their forts there. The answer which they received,
that the King of France had ceded cheir country to the King of
England, threw them into the greatest alarm ; for there is no In-
dian nation but suffers most impatiently what they regard as sub-
jection to any other power, whatever it may be ; they term them
indeed their allies, but nothing more. The Indians, therefore,
immediately despatched some of their number to M. le Marquis
de Vaudrcuil, Governor-general of New France, to learn whether
it was true that the king had thus indeed disposed of a country
of which he was not the master. It was not difficult to calm
their disquietude, for it was only necessary to explain to them
the articles of the treaty of Utrecht, which related to the Indi-
ans, and they appeared content.

About this time a score of Indians had one day entered the
dwelling of one of the English, either for the purpose of traffic,
or to repose themselves. They had been there but a short time,
when they saw the house suddenly surrounded by a company of
nearly two hundred armed men. " We are lost," said one of

MISSIOxXARY LIFE AMONG THE ABNAKIS.

irwards,
) advan-
aal wil-
English
without
ere, and

pleasure
ad been
they ex-
1 desire,
d, as it
len their
glish, by
nds, and
received,
King of
is no In-
i as sub-
m them
lerefore,
Marquis
whether
country
to calm
to them
lie Indi-

red the
• traffic,
)rt time,
pany of
one of

them; "let us sell our lives dearly." They were preparing
therefore to rush forth upon the company, when the Englisli, per-
ceiving their resolution, and knowing besides of what the savage
is capable in the first burst of his fury, endeavored to appease
them, assuring them that they had no evil design, and uit they
only came to invite some of them to return with them to Boston
to confer with the Governor, on the means of cherishing the peace
and good intelligence which ought to subsist between the two na-
tions. The Indians, a little too credulous, deputed four of their
countrymen who should return with them to Boston, but when
they arrived there, the conference with which they were amused
ended in retaining them as prisoners.

You will be surprised, without doubt, that so small a handful
of Indians should have pretended to make head against so nu-
merous a company as that of the English. But our Indians have
performed an i:;finite number of actions which are much more
hardy. I will relate to you one only, from which you may judge
of the others.

During the late wars, a party of thirty Indians were returning
from a hostile expedition against the English. As the Indians,
and particularly the Abnakis, are entirely unacquainted with
guarding against surprises, they slept at their first stopping-place,
without even thinking to post a sentinel during the night. A
party of six hundred English, commanded by a colonel, pursued
them even to their cahanage* and finding them bvried in sleep,
he surrounded'them with his company, promising himself that not
one of them should escape him. One of the Indians having
awakened, and perceiving the English troops, immediately gave
notice to his countrymen by crying out according to their custom,
" We are lost ; let us sell our lives dearly !" Their resolution

* This is the name by which the I'\dians call their place of encampment.
When they go to war or to the chase, their first care on arriving at the
place where they intend to repose, is to erect their cabins.

ft ' ,

;' '■

*l!T

Hlii

iiili

w,^

\ ■

" i'

' 1

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

was very soon taken. Forming themselves instantly into six
parties of five men each, with the hatchet in one hand and the
knife in the other, they threw themselves on the English with so
much impetuosity and fury, that after having killed more than
sixty men, in which number was their colonel, they put the rest
to flight.

The Abnakis were no sooner informed of the manner in which
their countrymen were treated at Boston, than they complained
bitterly, that' in the midst of a peace which was existing, they
should in this way have violated the rights of nations. The
English answered, that they only retained the prisoners as hos-
tages for an injury which had been done in killing some cattle
belonging to them ; and that as soon as they repaired this dam-
age, which amounted to two hundred pounds of beaver-skins, the
prisoners should be released. Although the Abnakis were not
convinced of the existence of this pretended damage, yet they did
not hesitate to pay the two hundred pounds of beaver, not wish-
ing at all, for so small an affair, that any should be able to re-
proach them with having abandoned their brethren. Yet, not-
withstanding the payment of this contested debt, they refused to
set the prisoners at liberty.

The Governor of Boston, fearing lest this refusal would drive
the Indians to the perpetration of some bold stroke, proposed to
hold a conference for the purpose of treating this affair in a spirit
of conciliation. They even agreed on the day and the place where
it should be held. The Indians repaired thither with Father Bas-
ics, their missionary. Father de la Chasse, Superior General of
the Missions, who made them at this time a visit, went also ; but
Monsieur the Governor did not appear. The Indians drew un-
favorable inferences from his absence, and took measures to ac-
quaint him with their sentiments by means of a letter, written in
their own tongue, in English, and in Latin, which Father de la
Chasse, who was acquainted with these three languages, was

into six

and the

I with so

ore than

the rest

in which
npiaincd
ng, they
IS. The
•s as hos-
ne cattle
:his dam-
kins, the
were not
they did
not wish-
3le to re-
Yet, not-
efused to

did drive
)posed to
a a spirit
ice where
ther Ras-
eneral of
ilso ; but
drew un-
res to ac-
rritten in
ler de la
igeSj was

MISSIONARY LIFK AMONG THE ABNAKIS.

ch irgcd to prepare. It of course appeared useless to employ any
other Uiuguage but the English, yet the Father was well satisfied
that it should be so, bccauj^e on the one hand, the Indians would
know fur tliemselves that the letter contained nothing but what
thoy had dictated, and on the other hand, the English would liavo
no reason to doubt, but that the translation into their own lan-
guage was a faithful one. The amount of the letter was this :
1st. That the Indians could not comprehend, why they still re-
tained their coimtrymen in irons, after the promise which had
been given to restore them to liberty as soon as the two hundred
pounds of beaver were paid. 2d. That they were no less surpris-
ed to see that they had seized on their country without permis-
Bion. 3d. That t'ne English should leave it as soon as possible,
and also release the prisoners : that they would await tlieir an-
swer for two months, and if after that time they should refuse to
give them any satisfaction, they would then know how to obtain
justice for themselves.

It was in the month of July, of the year 1721, that this letter
was carried to Boston by some English who had assisted at the
Conference. As the two months passed without bringing any
answer from Boston, and besides, the English ceased to sell I'o
the Abnakis powder, and lead, and provisions, as they had done
before this dispute, our Indians were disposed to make reprisals.
It required all the influence which the Marquis de Vaudreuil
possessed over their minds, to induce them as yet for some time
to suspend the violence they meditated.

But their patience was pushed to an extreme by two acts of
hostility which the English perpetrated in the end of December,
1721, and in the beginning of the year 1722. The first was their
carrying ofi" M. de Saint-Casteins. This officer was a Lieutenant
in our army. His mother was an Abnakis Indian, and he had al-
ways lived among the Indians, whose esteem and confidence he
had won to such a degree, that they had chosen him their Com-

: I.

i';

1 ;

I ' i

'Mi

jft!

U.J

- V.-r

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

mandcr General. In this capacity he could not excuse himself
from assisting at the conference of wliicli I have spoken, where he
interested himself in promoting the interests of the Abnakis, his
countrymen. The English charged this on him as a crime, and
despatched a small vessel to the place o^ his residence. Tlio cap-
tain took care to conceal his people, with the exception of two or
three men whom he left on the deck. Having invited M. de Saint-
Casteins, with whom ho was acquainted, to come on board and
take some refreshments, the latter havin^g i\o reason to distrust
him accepted it and repaired thither without any attendants,
But scarcely had he arrived, when they set sail and carried him
off to Boston. There, they placed him on the prisoner's stand,
and questioned him as a criminal. They demanded of him among
other things, why, and in what capacity he had assisted at the
conference which was held with the Indians ; what was the mean-
ing of the uniform which he wore ; and whether he had not been
sent to that assembly by the Governor of Canada. M. de Saint-
Casteins answered, that he was an Abnakis on his mother's side ;
that his whole life had been spent among the Indians ; that his
countrymen having elected him chief of their nation, he was
obliged to ttend their councils, to sustain their interests there ;
that it was in this capacity only that he had assisted at the last
conference ; that fc7 the rest, the dress which he wore was not at
all a uniform, as they had imagined ; that it was in truth appro-
priate and sufficiently ornamented, but not above his rank, inde-
pendently even of the honor which he had to be an officer in our
army.

Monsieur, our Governor, having been apprised of the detention
of M, de Saint-Casteins, wrote immediately to the Governor of
Boston to make his complaints to him. He did not receive any
answer to his letter, but as the time drew near when the English
Governor expected to receive a second one, he set the prisoner

MISSIONARY LIFE AMONG THE ABNAKIS.

!c himself
, where he
makiH, his
ii'ime. and
J lie cap-
of two or
. do Saint-
board and

distrust
ttendants,
xried him
)r's stand,
lim among
ed at the
the mean-

1 not been
de Saint-

ler's side ;
that his
he was
ts there ;
t the last
vas not at
ith appro-
mk, inde-
3er in our

detention
vernor of
ceive any
3 English
prisoner

at liberty, after having held him in confinement during five
mouths.

An enterprise of the English against myself, was the second
act of hostility which completed the work of irritating to excess
the Abnakis nation. A missionary can hardly fail of being an
object of hatred to these gentlemen. The love of religion,
which he endeavors to engraven in the hearts of the Indians,
is the most efficient means of retaining these neophytes in an
alliance, and removing them from that of the English. They
therefore regarded me as an invincible obstacle in the way of the
design they had formed of extending themselves over the lands
of the Abnakis, and thus gradually becoming masters of the re-
gion which lies between New England and Acadia. They have
often endeavored to carry me off from my flock, and more than
once a price has been set upon my head. It was towards the
ond of January in the year 1722, that they made a new attempt,
which, however, had no other result than to make manifest the
ill will they bore me.

I had remained alone in the village, with only a small num
ber of old men and infirm persons, while the rest of the Indians
were at the hunting-grounds. The opportunity seemed to them
a favorable one to surprise me, and with this view they sent out
a detachment of two hundred men.* Two young Abnakis who
were engaged in the chase along the sea-shore, learned that the
English had entered the river, and they immediately turned
iheir steps in ihat direction to observe their progress. Having
perceived them at ten leagues distance from the village, they out-
stripped them in traversing the country to give me warning, and
to cause the old men, the females, and infants to retire in haste.
I had barely time to swallow the consecrated wafers, to crowd
the sacred vessels into a little chest, and to save myself in the
woods. The English arrived in the evening at the village, and
[* This was Colonel Westbrook's expedition.]

r'\i

fc^.

,»"'

•i

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

ill

I ,1 i

1 i '

not having found uio, camo the following; morning to search for
mo, cvon in tho very plaoo to which we had retreated. They wero
scarcely a gun-shot distant when wo perceived them, and all I
could do was to hide myself with precipitation in tho depths of
tho forest. 13ut as I had not time to tako my snow-shoes, and,
besides, had considerable weakness remaining from a fall which
took place some years before, when my thigh and leg wero broken,
it was not possible for me to fly very far. Tho only resource
which remained to mo was to conceal myself behind a tree. They
began immediately to e^ amine the diflferent paths worn by tho
Indians, when they went to collect wood, and they penetrated
even to within eight paces of tho tree which concealed me. From
this spot it would seem as if they must inevitably discover me,
for the trees wero stripped of their leaves ; but as if they had
been restrained by an invisible hand, they immediately retraced
their steps, and repaired again to the village.

It is thus that, through the particular protection of God, I
escaped from their hands. They pillaged my Church and humble
dwelling,* and thus almost reduced me to a death by famine in tho

[* Among other papers seized at this time was his Dictionary of th«
Abnaki Language^ on which he had been Ibr years employed. " Tho original
manuscript, carefully preserved in strong binding, is now in the library of
Harvard College. It is a quarto volume in Rale's own handwriting. On
tho first leaf is the following note, written by him in 1691. 'II y a un an
que je suis parmi Ics sauvages ; jo commence a mettro en ordre, en forme do

dictionnaire, les mots quo j'apprens.' The work is divided into two

parts. The first is a dictionary of tho Abnaki dialect, in French and In-
dian, the Fi'ench word or phrase being given first, and then the correspond-
ing Indian expression, generally, though not uniformly, in distinct columns.
Two hundred and five leaves, a comparatively small part of which have
writing on both sides, and the remainder on one side only, make up this
part. The second part has twenty five leaves, both sides of which are
generally filled with writing. It is called Partiatlce, on account of the
particles, the Indian words being placed first, and the explanations given in

MISSIONARY LIFE AMONO THE ABNAKIS.

midst of the woods. It is true, that as soon as they learned my
adventure in Quebec, they immediately sent mo provisions ; but
these could not arrive until very late, and during all that time I
was obliged to live destitute of all succor and in extreme need.

These repeated insults induced the Indians to conclude, that
they had no further answer to expect, and that it was time to
repulse violence, and to cause open force to take the place of
pacific negociations. On their return from the hunting-grounds,
and after having planted their fields, they formed the resolution
to destroy the habitations which the English had lately built, and
to remove far from them these un(j[uict and troublesome guests,
who were encroaching by degrees upon their lands, and who medi-
tated bringing them entirely into subjection. They sent messen-
gers to the different villages to interest them in their cause,
and to engage their aid in the necessity they were under of
making a right defence The deputation met with success. They
chanted the war-song among the Hurons of Lorette, and in all
the villages of the Abnakis nation. Nanrantsouak was the place

French or Latin. One can scarcely look at this important manuscript,
with its dingy and venerable leaves, without associations of deep interest
with those labors, and that life in the wilderness, of which it is now the

only memorial The dictionary was printed in 1833, in the tirst volume

of the new series of the Memoirs of the American Academy, under the caro
and direction of Mr. John Pickering, who furnished it with an introduction
and notes, which enhance its value." Frauds' Life of Rale, p. 294.

" The ' strong-box' which contained his papers and inkstand, is also pre-
served. It is of a curious and complicated construction. In the lower part
is a secret drawer or compartment, to which one unacquainted with the
manner of opening it can scarcely find access without breaking the box.
On the inside of the lid are pasted two engravings, in a rude style, repre-
senting the scourging of Jesus and the crowning with thorns. The box
after long continuing in the possession of Col. Westbrook's family, has been
deposited by one of his descendants in the collection of the Mass, Hist. So-
ciety." Francis> Life, p. 299.J

'ms^

it'

(irV;^

Iti

:i.rii:

I 1

■ "'iiijl

ri:

■' it

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

appointed for the assembling of the warriors, to settle their plans
by mutual concert.

In the meanwhile the Nanrantsoudkians descended the river,
and having arrived at its mouth, they seized three or four little
vessels belonging to the English. After again ascending the same
river, they pillaged and burnt the new dwellings which the
English had erected there. They, however, abstained from all
violence towards the inhabitants, even permitting them to retire
to their own people, with the exception of five whom they retained
as hostages until their countrymen had been given up, who wore
now detained in the prisons at Boston. This moderation of the
Indians, however, had not the desired eflFect. On the contrary,
a party of the English having found sixteen Abnakis asleep on an
islf nd, made a general discharge on them, by which five were
killed and three wounded.

This is a new signal of the war which is about to break out
between the English and the Indians. The' latter do not in any
way expect aid from the French, on account of the peace which
exists between the two nations ; but they have a resource in all
the other Indian nations, who will not fail to enter into their
quarrel, and to take up their defence.

My neophytes, touched by the peril to which I found myself
exposed in their village, often urged me to retire for a time to
Quebec. But what will become of the flock, if it be deprived of
its shepherd ? They have done what they could to represent to
me, that in case I should fall into the hands of our enemies, the
least which could possibly happen to me would be to languish for
the rest of my days in a hard prison. But I close their lips with
the words of the Apostle, which divine goodness has deeply
engraven on my heart. " Do not at all distress yourselves," I
say to them, " as to what concerns me. I do not in the least fear
the threats of those who hate me without a cause, ' and I count
not my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course,

\\ 1.)

■i

leir plans

the river,
bur little
the same
hich the
from all
to retire
' retained
«vho Wore
)n of the
contrary,
jep on an
ive were

MISSIONARY LIFE AMONG THE ABNAKIS.

and the ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus.' "
Pray for me, my dear nephew, that He will strengthen in me
those sentiments which can have their origin only from His
mercy, to the end that I may have power to live and die without
ceasing to labor for the salvation of these neglected souls, who
are the price of His Wood, and whom he condescended to commit
to my care.

>reak out
ot in any
LCe which
:ce in all
Qto their

I myself
I time to
)rived of
resent to
tnies, the
guish for
lips with
s deeply
elves," I
east fear
. I count
J course,

>/ kj

4 '■" :

m (

iiil .'

iii

i .i ;i

"14

.■:i

THE WANDERINGS OF FATHER RASLES,

1689—1723.

'-"m

^!^m

' ^

•1

V^^

■i

Ai:-

'" 1

v,l

v ' 1

'/ '•

1 ''J

' -i

■*«

' ^'1

fi*.!

''1

lit:

i ■ ■ ■

I'O!

^i'

;: 1

FRO]
(

in a fore
was inha

LETTER II.

FROM FATHER SEBASTIEN RASLES, MISSIONARY OF THE SOCIETY
OF JESUS IN NEW FRANCE, TO MONSIEUR HIS BROTHER.

At Nanrantsouak, this 12th of October, 1723.

MONSIEUR, MY VERY DEAR BROTHER,

The Peace of our Lord be with you :

I CANNOT longer resist the kind entreaties which you make in
your letters, that I would inform you a little in detail with regard
to my occupations, and the character of the Indian tribes among
which Providence has for so many years cast my lot. I do so
the more willingly, because I know that in conforming to desire
so urgent on your part, I shall gratify your affection even more
than your curiosity.

It was on the 23d of July in the year 1689, that I embarked
at Rochelle, and after a pleasant voyage of three months, arrived
at Quebec on the 13th of October in the same year. I at once
applied myself to learn the language of our Indians. Their lan-
guage is indeed very difficult, for it is not sufficient to study its
terms and their signification, or to make a collection of words and
phrases ; it is necessary also to know the idiomatic turns and
arrangements which the Indians give them, which it is scarcely
possible to acquire except by intercourse and frequent association
with these people.

I then went to live in a village of the Abnakis nation, situated
in a forest which is but three leagues from Quebec. This village
was inhabited by two hundred Indians, almost all of whom were

-i-m

■'ji&fi

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

! ;. .r'

4^A

ill ;
ji r ■■■ !

lii

Christians. Their cabins were arranged nearly like the houses
in a town, while around them was an enclosure of stakes high
and thick, forming a kind of wall, which they had constructed to
protect them from the incursions of their enemies.

Their cabins are easily built. They plant poles in the earth,
which they join at the top, and then cover them with large pieces
of bark. The fire they make in the middle of the cabin, and all
around it they place mats formed of reeds, on which they sit
during the day, and sleep at night.

The dress of the men consists of a loose robe of skin, or else
of a piece of red or blue cloth. That of the women is one cover-
ing, which hangs from the neck to the middle of the leg, and
which they arrange with a great deal of propriety. They place
another covering on the head, which descends even to their feet,
and serves them for a cloak. Their stockings extend only froDi
the knee to the ankle. Moccasins made of the skin of deer and
lined in the inside with hair or wool, serve them in place of shoes.
This moccasin is absolutely necessary to enable them to wear
their snow-shoes, by means of which they walk with ease on the
snow. These snow-shoes, made in the shape of a lozenge, are
more than two feet in length, and one and a half in breadth. I
did not think that I should ever be able to walk with such ma-
chines ; but when I made the attempt, I found myself imme-
diately so expert, that the Indians could not believe it was the
first time I had used them.

The invention of these snow-shoes is of great use to the Indi-
ans, not only to enable them to run on the snow, with which the
earth is covered the greater part of the year, but also to go in
pursuit of game, and particularly of the elks. These animals,
which are larger than the largest bullocks of France, can walk
with difficulty through the snow. It is thus easy for the Indians
to come up with them, and they often kill them with only a knife '
attached to the end of a stick. They feed on their flesh, and

III I

THE WANDERINGS OF FATHER RASLES.

lOuses
! high
ted to

earth,
pieces
md all

ley sit

or else
i cover-
3g, and
!y place
)ir feet,
ly from
eer and
>f shoes.
to wear
on the

ige,

are

,dth. I

ich ma-

|f imme-

Iwas the

18 Indi-
lich the
bo go in
lanimals.
Ian walk
Indians
a knife
lesh, and

after having well-dressed their skins, in which they are very skil-
ful, they use them as articles of traffic with the French and
En"*lish. From them tliev receive in cxcliange, their cloth
dresses and blankets, their kettles, their guns, their hatchets and
knives.

To give you an idea of an Indian, imagine to yourself a large
man, powerful, active, of a swarthy complexion, without beard,
with black hair, and his t- cth whiter than ivory. If you wish to
sue him in all his finery, you will find that he has no other orna-
ments but beads ; these are a kind of shell or stone, which they
form into the shape of little grains, some white and others black,
which they string together in such a way as to represent different
showy figures with great exactness. It is with these beads that
our Indians bind up and plat their hair on their ears and behind ;
they make of them pendents for the ears, collars, garters, large
sashes of five or six inches in breadth, and on these kinds of or-
naments they pride themselves much more than a European
would on all his gold and jewelry.

The occupation of the men is in the chase or in war ; that of
the women is to remain in the village, and to manufacture there
with bark baskets, sacks, boxes, dishes, platters, &c. They sew
the bark with fibres of roots, and in this way make various arti-
cles for household use, very admirably constructed. Their canoes
are made in like manner of bark alone, but the largest can scarcely
contain more than six or seven persons.

It is with these canoes made of bark, which is scarcely thicker
than a crown piece, that they cross the arms of the sea, and navi-
gate the most dangerous rivers and lakes four or five hundred
leagues around. I have thus made many voyages without having
run any risk. On one single occasion only, it happened that in
crossing the river St. Lawrence, I suddenly found myself sur-
rounded by heaps of ice of enormous magnitude, among which
the canoe was wedged. The two Indians who conducted me at

I' w '. "
^ in}

ii-
.1 :

'■>,

♦ft

■1
■■4

> 1 ■fi'!'

'■■■"• 'il

^:*

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

r i.
I «. .1

liiil riii

i^'

I'lp^^iii

r^'ii-pi^

I': ' W

m^.

once cried out, " Wo arc lost ; it is all over ; we must perish."
Nevertheless, making an effort, they leaped on one of the cakes
of floating ice. I followed their example, and after having drawn
up the canoe, we carried it to the extremity of this piece of ico.
There it was necessary again to embark in the canoe for the pur-
pose of gaining another cake of ice ; and thus, by loa^jing froui
cake to cake, we at length reached the bank of the river, without
any other inconvenience than that of being very wet and be-
numbed with the cold.

Nothing can equal the tenderness which the Indians exhibit
towards their children. As soon as they are born, they place
them on a little piece of board, covered with cloth and a small
bear-skin, in which they wrap them, and this is their cradle.
Their mothers carry them on their backs, in a manner convenient
both for the infants and themselves.

No sooner have the children begun to walk, than they exercise
them in using the bow, and in this they become so skilful that at
ten or twelve years of age they scarcely ever fail to kill the bird
at which they aim. I was very much surprised, and should have
had difficulty in believing it, if I had not myself been a witness
of their skill.

That which was most revolting to me when I commenced living
with the Indians was, the necessity of taking my meals with them.
Nothing could be more disgusting. After having filled their
kettle with victuals, they place it on to boil for about three quar-
ters of an hour, after which they take it off the fire, and serve it
up on dishes of bark, dividing it among all those who are in the
cabin. Each one then eats his food as he would a piece of bread
This sight did not give me much appetite, and they soon per-
ceived my repugnance. " Why do you not eat ?" they asked me.
I answered, that I was not accustomed to eat my food thus, witli-
out adding to it a little piece of bread. " It is necessary for you
to overcome this," said they. " Is it so difficult for a Father who

THE WANDERINGS OF FATHER RASLES.

crisb."
! cakes
Jrawu
of ico.
lie pur-
g from
ivithout
md be-

exhibit
jy place
a small
cradle,
ivenient

exercise
I that at
the hu'd
uld have
witness

ed living
th them,
ed their
rec quar-
serve it
re in the
of bread.
30on per-
shed me,
lus, witli-
^ for you
.ther wlio

understands Prayer* perfectly ? Wc, on our part, have difficul-
ties to get over, in order to have faith in what wc cannot see."
There was then no room for liesitatiou, for it was necessary to
conform to their manners and customs, to the end that I might
gain their confidence and win them to Jesus Christ.

Their meals are not regular, as is the European custom, for
tlicy live from hand to mouth. As long as they have anytliing
with which to make a good entertainment, they avail themselves
of it, without giving themselves any concern as to how they shall
live on the following days.

They are passionately fond of tobacco. Men, women, and
children smoke almost incessantly. The gift of a small piece of
tobacco confers more pleasure upon them tlian the present of their
weight in gold.

In the commencement of Juno, and when the snow is almost
all melted, they plant the skamg)uir, wliich is the name by v/hich
they call the Turkish or Indian corn. Their way of planting it
is, to make with their fingers, or with a small stick, different holes
in the earth, and to throw in each eight or nine grains, which
tliey cover with the same earth that they have taken out to make
the hole. Their harvest takes place in the end of August.

It is among these people, who are esteemed to be less barbar-
ous than all the rest^of the Indians, that I passed my novitiate
as a missionary. My first occupation was to learn their language,
which is very difficult to ac(iuiie, particularly when one has no
other instructors than the Indians themselves. They have many
guttural sounds which arc only uttered with the throat, without
making any movement with the lips. Ou, for example, is of this
number, and therefore in writing it, wc mark it by the character »,
to distinguish it from other sounds. I passed one part of the

[*It ■will be remembered that by the P/rtye/, they mean Cliristianity or
the fiutli generally. This explanation will be found some pages further ou
in this same letter.]

^;.

■ m

.' V'lt.

/■it'^'.'

* •

■hi

:lj

!;t'

.! i

9'M' ''^^ *

^ < ■•ill*

i • -lb

JESUITS IN AMKIIICA.

day in their cabins hearing them talk ; and it was necessary for
mo to pay the most particular attention, to combine what thoy
said, and conjecture its signification. Sometimes I guessed
rightly, but most often I failed, because, not being at all accus-
tomed to the management of their guttural sounds, I only repeat-
ed a part of the word, and thus furnished them with occasion for
laughter.

At last, after five months of constant application, I had ad-
vanced so far as to understand their terms, but this was not suf-
ficient to enable me to express myself according to their taste ;
much, therefore, remained for me to do, to acquire the turn and
genius of the language, which is entirely different from the turn
and genius of our languages in Europe. To shorten the time,
and place myself more in a state to exercise my functions, I made
choice of some Indians who had the most mind, and who spoke
best. I told them in my imperfect way some articles of the
Catechism, and they rendered them for me into all the niceties
of their language. I immediately committed them to paper, and
by this means in a very short time I made for myself a diction-
ary, and a catechism which contained the principles and myste-
ries of our religion.

It cannot be denied that the language of the Indians has its
real beauties, and a certain indescribable energy in the turn and
manner of expression. I will give you an example of this. If I
should ask you, Why God has created you ? You would answer
me, That I might know him, love him, and serve him, and by
this means procure eternal glory. But should I put the same
question to an Indian, he would answer in this way, according to
their manner of expression : Thus thought the Great Spirit con-
cerning us ; Let them know me, let them honor me, let them love
me, and obey me ; that then I may cause them to enter into my
wonderful felicity. If I wish to say in their style, that you will
find difficulty in learning the Indian language, see how it will be

THE WANDEIUNGS OF FATHER RASLES.

necessary for mo to express myself: I think of my dour brother,
that ho will fiud difficulty in learning the Indian language.

The Huron is the chief language of these Indians, and when
one has acijuired it, in less than three months he will be able to
understand that of the five Irocjuois nations. It is the most dig-
nified, and, at the same time, the most difficult of all the Indian
languages. This difficulty arises not only from their guttural
letters, but much more from the difi"erence of accent ; for often
two words composed of the same letters have entirely diflbrent
significations. Father Chaumont, who has lived fifty ycara
aiiiung the Ilurons, has composed a grammar which is very use-
ful to those who have newly arrived in this mission. Neverthe-
less, a missionary is fortunate, if even with this aid, he is able,
after ten years of constant toil, to express himself elegantly in
their language. «

Each Indian nation has its own particular language. Thus,
the Abnakis, the Hurons, the Iroquois, the Algonkins, the Illi-
nois, the Miamis, &c., have each their language. There arc no
books at all with which to learn these languages, and if there
were, they would be almost useless ; practice is the only master
wliich can instruct us. As I have labored in four diiferent mis-
sions of the Indians ; that is to say, among the Abnakis, the Al-
gonkins, the Hurons, and the Illinois, and have been obliged to
acquire their different languages, I will give you a specimen, that
you may know how little resemblance there is between them. I
have chosen the strophe of a hymn of the Holy Sacrament, which
they ordinarily chant during the mass, at tlic elevation of the
Host, and whicli begins with these words : " salutaris Hostia."
Here follows the translation in verse of this strophe in the four
languages of these different nations.

Ill the Abnakis Language.

Kighist ai-nuanursinnB
Spem kik papili go ii damek

i;i4

,'<*'j

\\n

■-.■if

I • :r-'i

• .,»■...

JESUITS l^ AMERICA.

Is'

V '■

it till

'I ,

I: ..■■*

NcDK'tiui fi k»i(liui gUubouk
Taha sail grihino.

In the Algonkin Language.

Kveraia'JcBus togvscnom
Nera vcul ka utitiiau
Ku rio vlligUu uiiang
Vus mama vik uiuong.

In the Huron Language,

Jesfs fcto ctti x'ichio
8to ctti skuaaliclii-axo
J chierche axcra-t/cnsta
D'aotierti xcata-ficn.

In the Illinois Language.

Pekiziano manct to #

Piaro nile hi uaiiglii
Keninaiua »\ u kangha
Mero binang ysiang Li.

The meaning of these lines is this : " saving Sacrifice, who
art continually offered, and who givest life, thou by whom we
enter Heaven, we are constantly assailed, O ^strengthen us !"

After having lived nearly two years among the Abnakis, I was
recalled by my superiors. They destined me to the mission
among the Illinois, who had lost their missionary. I repaired,
therefore, to Quebec, where, after having spent three months in
studying the Algonkin language, I embarked on the loth of Au-
gust in a canoe, to go to the Illinois, whose country is more than
eight hundred leagues distance from Quebec. You can easily
imagine, that so long a voyage in these barbarous regions, was
not performed without running great risks and suffering many
inconveniences. I had to traverse lakes of a vast extent, and
where storms are as frequent as on the ocean. It is true that

THE WANDERINGS OF FATHER RASLES.

5cG, who
lom "we

, I was
mission
cpaired,
on til s in

of Au-
ore than
m easily
ions, was
iig many
ent, and
irue that

wo had the advu.itngo of landing every evening, but ho was fortu-
nate w!io coulil linJ some ilut rock on which to pass the night.
When it rained, our only way of lirotection against it was, by
placing ourselves under the eauoo turued bottom upwards.

The greatest dangers, however, are to bo encountered on thQ
rivers, particularly in places where they run with great rapidity.
There the canoe flies like an arrow, and if it comes in contact
with any of the rocks which are found there in great numbers, it
is at once dashed into a thousand pieces. This misfortune hap-
pened to some of those who accompanied us in other canoes, and
it was by a singular protection of Divine Goodness, that I escaped
the same fate, for my canoe many times touched the rocks, but
without' receiving the least injury.

We risk too the endurance of all that is most distressing in
hunger, for the length and difficulty of this kind of voyage docs
not permit us to carry anything but i sack of Indian corn. One
would naturally suppose, that the chase might furnish us on the
route with sometliing we could live on, but if the game fails we
find ourselves exposed to many days of fasting. Then, the only
resource is to search for a kind of leaves which the Indians call
Kci/g/u'ssanachj and the French Tripe de ruche. One would take
them for chervil* which they much resemble in shape, if they
were not too large. They are prepared either by boiling or roast-
ing, and those of which I have eaten are by no means unpala-
table.

I was not obliged to suffer much from hunger until I reached
the Lake of the Hurons ; but this was by no means the case with
the companions' of my voyage, for the storms having scattered

[* The tr'i])e de roche, or rock-tripe, is one of the Lichens known in bo-
tanyas the Umbilicaria Muhlenbergii, and is much used for food by the North-
ern Indians. The chervil is the Scandix cerefoVmm of botanists, possessing a
slightly aromatic taste, and much used in the South of Europe in soups and
salads. Francis' Life of Rale, p. 175 ]

■ 1

• 1

1 '

:-i

I :. . . .
■ t, ' ' '

'i .■ ;;

Is !■ i ■■ 'v ■'

|!-

mi'

( ■
t

)
f ■

'<'''[

, 1

; 1

■1
■

'!!.

1'^'

' ii

;
ii

; 1

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

their canoes, they were not able to join me. I arrived therefore
first at 3fissilimakinak, from whence I sent them some provisions,
without which they would have starved to death. They had
passed seven days without any other nourishment than what they
could get from a crow which they had killed more by accident
than skill, for they had not strength to hold themselves up.

The season was too far advanced to continue my route to the
Illinois, from whence I was distant as yet about four hundred
leagues. It was therefore necessary for me to remain at 3Iissili-
makiiiak, where there were two of our missionaries, one of whom
was stationed among the Hurons, and the other among the Outa-
ouacks. These last are very superstitious, and very much attach-
ed to the juggleries- if their medi'^ine-men. They claim an origin
equally senseless and ridiculous, pretending that they are derived
from three families, and that each family was composed of five
hundred persons.

Some are from the family of Michabou, that is to say, of the
Great Hare. They pretend that the Great Hare was a man of
prodigious size ; that he could spread nets in the water at eigh-
teen fathoms deep, while the water scarcely came to his arm-pits ;
that one day during the deluge, he sent out the beaver to discov-
er land, but this animal not having returned, he caused the otter
to go out, who brought back a little earth covered with foam ;
that he repaired to the part of the lake where he found this land,
which formed a little island ; he walked in the water all around
it, and this island became extraordinarily large. It is for this
reason that they attribute to him the creation of land. They add.
that after having accomplished this work, he flew up to Heaven,
which is his ordinary residence, but after having left the earth,
he ordered that when his descendants die, they shall burn their
bodies, and then fling their ashes into the air, to the end that
they may be able to raise themselves more easily towards Hea-
ven ; that if they should fail to do so, the snow would not cease

THE WANDERINGS OF FATHER RASLES.

3refore
^sions,
jy had
at they
ccident

) to the
undred
Missili-
f whom
.e Outa-

attach-
n origin

derived
I of five

^, of the
man of
at eigh-

rm-pits ;

D discov-
le otter
h foam ;
lis land,
1 around
for this
hey add.
Heaven,
10 earth,
irn their
end that
rds Ilea-
not cease

■f

to cover the earth, their lakes and rivers would remain frozen,
and not being able to catch fish, which is their ordinary food, they
would all die in the spring.

It happened indeed a few years since, that the winter having
continued much longer than usual, there was one general conster-
nation among the Indians of the family of the Great Hare. They
Lad recourse to their accustomed juggleries, and assembled many
times to consult on the means of dissipating this hostile snow,
which seemed obstinately determined to remain on the earth,
when an old woman approached them. " My children," said she,
" you have no wisdom. You know the orders which were left by
the Great Hare, that we should burn dead bodies, and cast their
ashes to the wind, that they might return more easily to Heaven
their country ; but you have neglected these orders, in leaving at
some days journey from hence, a dead man without burning him,
as if he did not belong to the family of the Great Hare. Repair
your fault forthwith, and take measures to burn him, if you wish
the snow to melt." " You are right, our mother," they answered ;
" you have more wisdom than we, and the counsel which you give
restores us to life." They immediately deputed twenty-five men
to go and burn that body. About a fortnight was spent in the
journey, during which time the thaw came, and the snow melted.
The old woman who had given this advice was overwhelmed with
praises and presents, and this occurrence, which was so entirely
natural, had a great influence in strengthening them in their fol-
ly and superstitious credulity.

The second family of the Outaouaks cljiims to be derived from
Namepich, that is to say, the Carp. Their tradition is, that a
carp having deposited its eggs on the borders of a river, and the
sun having darted its rays upon them, they were formed into a
woman, from whom they are descended : in this way they say
they are of the family of the Carp.

The third family of the Outaouaks attributes its origin to the

i^i:

.■•«'41

■ .m

'■■■'■m

'■ «

; ■ tw

■ i :■

^^.^

•I. '

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

t .

w ■ ■ ■

: ''■V,,

. •'(

llil,

t' I,

' , !

1:, -"

1^ %\e^^

-il'

|.::.-:i-

- '-I

I, ' f ! :

1 '

n(!

paw of a Machova, that is to say, of a Bear, and they claim that
they are of the family «f the Bear, but without explaining in
what manner they are derived. When they kill any of these
animals, they make a feast for him with his own flesh — they speak
to him and harangue him. " Do not have any ill will against
us," they say to him, " because we have killed you. You have
sense — you see that our children are suffering with hunger — they
love you — they wish to make you enter into their bodies. And
is it not a glorious thing for you to be eaten by the children of
the Chief?"

The family of the Great Hare is the only one which burns the
bodies of the dead ; the othor two families inter them. "When
any chief dies, they prepare a vast cofl&n, in which after having
placed the body clothed in its most beautiful garments, they shut
up with it his blanket, his gun, his supply of powder and lead,
his bow and arrows, his kettle, his platter with some provisions,
his tomahawk and pipe, his 1k)x of vermillion, his mirror, his col-
lars of porcelain, and all the presents which were made him at his
death according to their usual custom. They imagine that with
this outfit he will make his journey to the other world more
happily, and will meet with a more favorable reception from the
great chiefs of the nation, who will conduct him to a place of
enjoyment.

While all things are preparing in the coffin, the relatives of
the deceased assist at the ceremony, mourning after their
fashion, that is, chanting in a sorrowful tone, and beating time
with a stick to which they have attached many little rattles.

The particular in which the superstition of these people ap-
pears the most extravagant, is in the worship which they bestow
upon what they call their Manitou. As they are scarcely ac-
quainted with anything but the animals in whose company they
live in the forests, they imagine that in these animals, or rather
in their skins, or in the plumage of the birds, resides a kind of

■ • 11:

'IT'

THE WANDERINGS OF FATHER RASLES.

a that
ing in
: these
r speak
igainst
a have
— they
And
iren of

rns the
When
having
ley shut
lid lead,
)visions,
, his col-
[m at his
lat with
Id more
rom the
place of

tives of
er their
ing time
es.

iople ap-
jjT bestow
rcely ac-
iny they
)r rather
kind of

Spirit which governs all things, and which is master of lii'e and
death. There are, according to them, Manitouf common to the
whole nation, and also particular ones for each individual. Ous-
saJciia, they say, is the grand Manitou of all the animals which
exist on the earth, and of the birds which fly in the air. It is
he who governs them. When therefore they wish to go to the
chase, they offer him tobacco, powder, lead, and skins well dressed,
which they attach to the end of a pole and elevate in the air.
" Oiissakita" say they, " we give you something to smoke, and
we offer you something wherewith to kill the game. Conde-
scend to accept our presents, and do not permit them to escape
our arrows. Permit us to kill them in great numbers, and
very fat, so that our children may want neither clothing or
nourishment."

They call Michibichi the Manitou of waters and fish, and offer
him a sacrifice nearly similar when they wish to engage in fish-
ing, or to undertake a voyage. It consists in casting into the
water tobacco, provisions, kettles, and praying to him that the
waters of the river may flow smoothly, that the rocks may not
break their canoes, and that he will grant them an abundant sup-
ply of fish.

Besides these common Manitous, each one has his own particu-
lar one. which is a bear, or a beaver, or a bustard, or any animal
of the kind. They carry the skin of this animal to war, or to
the chase, and in their voyages, persuading themselves that it
will preserve them from all danger, and ensure them success in
their enterprises.

When an Indian wishes to select a Manitou, for himself, the
first animal which presents itself to his imagination during sleep,
is usually that on which his choice falls. He therefore kills
an animal of that kind, and places its skin, or its plumage if it
; be a bird, in an honorable place in his cabin. He then pre-
pares a feast in its honor, during which he makes it a speech

■■'m

.■■.».■:

>/*,*-

'yM

■■^^^ ■T

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

iti.:

<■ i

1 i.

P^. ^ .'in.

'Hi

illlil

!■ -l

: \

h '

vilj

11.: ;

iip^^ 't:

1 ' •■ '.

i ■ ■, ;W

I;' i : :•' 1' ■•

!;i i r-M

in the most respectful terms, after which it is recognized as his
Manitou.

As soon as the Spring came, I departed from Missilimak'mah to
go to the residence of the Illinois. I found in my route mauj
Indian nations, among whom were the Maskoutings, the Jakk
the Omekoucs, the Iripegouans, the Outagamis, &c. Each of
these nations has its own peculiar language, but in other re
spects they do not differ at all from the Outaouacks. A mission'
ary who resides at the bay of the Puants, makes from time to
time excursions among these Indians, to instruct them in the
truths of religion.

After forty days' journey, I entered the river of the Illinois,
and having followed its course for fifty leagues, I arrived at their
first village, which contained three hundred cabins, all of four or
five fires. One fire is always for two families. They have eleven
villages in their nation. On the day after my arrival I was in
vited by the principal chief to a great feast, which he gave to tlie
most considerable persons in the nation. To prepare for it lie
had caused them to kill a large number of dogs ; an entertain'
ment of this kind passes among the Indians for a most magnifi'
cent festival, and is therefore called the Feast of the Chief;
The ceremonies observed are the same among all these natiou!
It is generally in feasts of this kind that the Indians delil)
crate on all their most important affairs, as for example, when
the question in agitation is, whether they shall undertake a
war against their neighbors, or whether they shall terminate i;
by propositions of peace.

When all the guests have arrived, they range themselvei
around the cabin, sitting either on the bare ground or on tlit
mats, then the chief rises and begins his harangue. I coufesi
to you that I have admired his flow of words, the justice and forct
of the reasons which he advanced, the eloquent turn which lit
gave them, the choice and delicacy of the expressions with whiel

i with

THE WANDERINGS OF FATHER RASLES.

i as his

kinak to
te many
he Jcikk
Each of
other re'
. mission-
L time to
m in the

e Illinois,
d at their
of four 01
ive eleven
I was in-
■ave to tk
for it lie
enter tain-
t magnifi-
he Chief;
nations
^ans delilj-
iiple, wlieij
lertakc a
rminate i;

fchemselvei
or on tlic

I COufoJi

e and foict

which lit

with whict

he adorned his discourse. I believe that if I could commit to
writiuw what this Indian said to us extemporaneously and with-
out preparation, you would be convinced without difficulty, that
the most able Europefins, after much meditation and study, could
scarcely compose a liscourse more solid and better turned.

The harangue finished, two Indians, who filled the office of
carvers, distributed the plates to all the assembly, and each plate
was appropriated to two guests. They eat, conversing together
on iudiffi)rent subjects, and when the repast was finished they re-
tired, carrying with them, according to their custom, what re-
mained on their plates.

The Illinois never give those feasts which are customary among
many other savage nations, where one is obliged to eat all that
is served to him, even if he should die. When therefore any one
finds hi'nsclf unable to fulfil this ridiculous rule, he addresses
some other guest whom he knows to have a better appetite : " My
brother," he says to him, " have pity on me, I shall die if you
do not save my life. Eat what remains to me, and I will make
you a present of something." This is the only way of getting
out of the dilemma.*

The Illinois only cover themselves about the waist, and leave
the rest of the body entirely naked. Different compartments filled
with all kinds of figures which they engrave on their bodies in a
way which is inefiaceable, supply to them the place of garments.
It is only in the visits which they make, or when they assist at
church, that they wrap themselves in a covering, which during
the summer is composed of a skin dressed, and during the winter
of a skin with the hair on, the better to retain the heat. They
ornament their heads with feathers of difi'erent colors, of which
''■: they make garlands and crowns, which they arrange with great

[* This custom is in force to this day among some of our Western Indians.
■ See an amusing account of such a feast among the Pawnees, related by the
I Hon. C. A. Murray, in his " Travels in North America," v. i. pp. 238-— 242 J

n%.

'^M

■Ml

'■■m

~^l

."■•■' 'I

1 i ' i:

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

taste. They take care always to paint their faces with various
colors, but particularly with vermilion. They also use collars
and pendants for the ears of small stones which they cut into
the shape of precious stones ; some of them are blue, others red,
and others white as alabaster. To these it is always necessary
to add a small piece of porcelain, which hangs at the end of the
collar. The Illinois persuade themselves that these fantastic
ornaments confer on them a degree of grace and attract re-
spect.

When the Illinois are not engaged in war or the chase, their
time is passed in sports, or feasting, or dancing. They have two
kinds of dances : the one kind is used as a token of rejoicing,
and they invite to it the women and young girls who are most
distinguished. The otlier kind is to mark their grief at the death
of the most considerable persons in their nation. It is by these
dances that they pretend to honor the deceased, and to dry the
tears of his relatives. All persons indeed have a right to this
kind of mourning at the death of their relations, provided they
make presents for this purpose. The dances last a greater or
less time in proportion to the price and value of the presents,
which are immediately afterwards distributed to the dancers.
Their custom is not to bury the dead, but they wrap them in
skins and attach them by the head and feet to the tops of trees.

AVhen not engaged in games or feasts or dances, the men re-
main quiet on their mats, and pass their time eithptr in sleeping,
or in making bows, arrows, calumets, and other things of the
same kind. As to the women, they toil like slaves from morn-
ing till night. It is their duty during the summer to cultivate
the earth and plant the Indian corn ; and from the commence-
ment of winter they are occupied in manufacturing mats, dress-
ing skins, and many other works of the kind, for their first care
is to provide every thing that is necessary for their cabin.

Of all the nations of Canada, there are none who live in so

ill tht
dischi
iu loa
Th
for fis
lands
fcrent
cm bail

'1!

THE WANDERINGS OF FATHER RASLES.

irious
jollars
t into
•s red,
sessary
of the
ntastic
act re-

e, their
ive two
ijoicing,
re most
le death
ay these
dry the
, to this
ed they
eater or
)resents,
ancers.
them in
of trees.
men re-
sleeping,
9 of the
m morn-
cultivate
»mmence-
,ts, dress-
first care
n.
ive in so

great abundance of everything as the Illinois. Their rivers are
covered with swans, bustards, ducks, and teals, One can scarcely
travel a league without finding a prodigious multitude of turkeys,
who keep together in flocks, often to the number of two hundred.
They are much larger than those we seen in France. I had the
curiosity to weigh one, which I found to be thirty-six pounds.
They have hanging from the neck a kind of tuft of hair, half a
foot in length.

Bears and stags are found there in very great numbers, and
buffaloes and roebucks are also scon in vast herds. Not a year
passes but they kill more than a thousand roebucks and more
than two thousand buffaloes. From four to five thousand of the
latter can often be seen at one view, grazing on the prairies.
They have a hump on the back and an exceedingly large head.
The hair, except that on the head, is curled, and soft as wool.
The flesh has naturally a salt taste, and is so light, that although
eaten entirely raw, it does not cause the least indigestion. "When
they have killed a buffalo which appears to them too lean, they
content themselves with taking the tongue, and going in search
of one which is fatter.

Arrows are the principal arms which they use in war and in
the chase. They are pointed at the end with a stone cut and
sharpened in the shape of a serpent's tongue ; and if no knife is
at hand, they use them also to skin the animals they have killed.
They are so skillful in using the bow, that they scarcely ever fail
in their aim, and they do it with so much quickness that they can
discharge a hundred arrows in the time another person would use
in loading his gun.

They will not take the trouble to labor with the proper nets
for fishing in the rivers, because the abundance of animals of all
kinds which are found for their subsistence, renders them indif-
fLvcut to fish. But when they take a fancy to have some, they
eiuburk in a canoe with their bows and arrows ; standing upright,

( , > '»,

V '.

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

.: V.

ii|

for the purpose of more easily seeing the fish, as soon as tliey
perceive it, they pierce it with an arrow.

The only method among the Illinois of acquiring public esteem
and veneration, is, as is the case with all other savages, to gain
the reputation of an able hunter, or much more of a good warrior.
It is in this particular that they principally consider merit to
consist, and one who possesses it they look upon as being truly a
man. They are bo passionately attached to this kind of glory,
that they do not hesitate to undertake journeys of four hundred
leagues through the depth of the forest, either to capture a slave
or to take the scalp of an enemy they have killed. They count as
nothing the fatigues and long fasts they have to endure, particu-
larly when they appro.'- jh the territory of their enemies ; for then
they do not dare to hunt, lest the animals, being only wounded,
should escape with the arrow in their bodies, and thus warn the
enemy to place himself in a state of defence. Their manner of
making war, the same as among all savage nations, is to surprise
their foes, and they therefore are accustomed to send on scouts,
to observe their number and the direction of their march, or to
examine if they are on their guard. According to the report
which these bring back, they either place an ambush or make an
irruption into their cabins, tomahawk in hand, and do not fail to
kill some of them before they have it in their power to think of
defence.

The tomahawk is made of the horn of a stag, or of wood in the
shape of a cutlass, and terminated by a large ball. They hold
the tomahawk in one hand and a knife in the other. As soon as
they have dealt a blow on the head of an enemy, they immediately
cut it round with the knife, and take off the scalp with extraordi-
nary rapidity.

When a warrior returns to his own country loaded with many
scalps, he is received with great honors ; but he covers himself
with glory when he has made prisoners and brought them with

■I

afii'ceal

THE WANDERINGS OF FATHER RASLES.

in the

ley liold

soon as

jdiately

Itraordi-

th many

lliimself

jm witb

him alive. As soon as he arrives, all the people of the village
assomltlc und range themselves in Hue on the road which the
prisoners have to pass. This reception is most cruel ; some tear
out the nails, others cut oflF the fingers or the ears, while others
again deal blows with their clubs.

After this first reception, the old men assemble to deliberate
whether tliey shall grant the prisoners their lives, or put them to
death. AVhen any dead person is to be revived, that is to say, if
any one of their warriors has been killed, whom they conclude
ouglit to be replaced in his cabin, they give to this cabin one of
their prisoners, who is to take the place of the deceased ; and this
is what they call reviving the dead.

Wiicn the prisoner is condemned to death, they immediately
plant a large post in the earthy to which they attach him by both
hands. They make him sing his death-song, and all the savages
having seated themselves about the stake, they kindle at some
feet from it a large fire, in which they heat hatchets, and gun-
barrels, and other instruments of iron. Then they come forward,
one after tlie other, and apply these things red hot to the different
parts of his body, feome scorch him with burning fire-brands ;
others gash his body with their knives ; and others cut off" a piece
of his flesh which has been already roasted, and eat it in his
presence. You will see one fill his wounds with powder, and rub
it over his whole body, and afterwards apply the fire to it. In
fine, each one torments him according to his caprice, and this
during four or five hours, and sometimes even for two or three
clays. The more shrill and piercing the cries which the violence
of the torments' wrings from him, so much more diverting and
agreeable to these barbarians does the spectacle become. It was
the Iroquois who invented this frightful kind of death, and it is
: only by way of retaliation that the Illinois, in their turn, treat

their Iroquois prisoners with the same cruelty.
I What we understand by the word Ckristianity^ is known among

^'m.

■ 1 1 -Hi'

t'i

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

II)

■•Hi!" ':' ■■ '■■

::li| 111

I f"( Hi

11 ■ ■ ■

all the savages by the name of Fmi/er. When, therefore, I shall
tell you in the remainder of this letter that such an Indian tribe
has embraced Prayer, it is the same as saying that it has become
Christian, or that it is disposed to be so. There would have bccu
less difficulty in converting the Illinois, if the Prayer had per-
mitted polygamy among them. The}/ acknowledged that the
Prayer was good, and were delighted tliat we should teach it to
their women and children ; but when wc spoke on the subject to
themselves, we found how difficult it was to fix their natural
inconstancy, and induce them to resolve that they would have but
one wife, and retain her always.

When the hour arrives for morning and evening prayers, all
repair to the Chapel. There are none among them, even in-
cluding their great medicine-men, that is to say, the worst ene-
mies of our religion, but send their children to be instructed and
baptized. In this consists the best fruits which our mission at
first receives among the Indians, and which is the most certain ;
for among the great number of infants whom we baptize, not a
year passes but many die before they are able to use their rcasoD.
But, even among the adults, the greater part arc so fervent, and
so attached to the Prayer, that they will suffer the most cruel
death sooner than abandon it.

It is a blessing to the Illinois that they are so far distant
from Quebec, because it renders it impossible to transport to
them the " fire-water," as it is carried to others. This drink is
among the Indians the greatest obstacle to Christianity, and the
source of an infinite number of their most shocking crimes. Wc
know that they never purchase it but to plunge into the nio.st
furious intoxication, and the riots and sad deaths of which v;c
were each day the witnesses, ought to outweigh the gain which
can be made by the trade in a liquor so fatal.

It was for two years that I remained among the Illinois, at tlie
end of which time I was recalled to devote the rest of my days

!«H'

1; .,i.

■■•li'f ■

THE WANDERINGS OF FATHER RASLES.

[ shall
1 tribe
)ccome
c been
id per-
at the
h it to
(ject to
natural
avc but

^ers, all
iven in-
rst ene-
ited and
ission at

certain ;
zc, not a
: reason,
ent, and
)st cruel

' distant

sport to

drink is

and the

es. "NVc

the most

hicli T\-e

whicli

iin

)is, at the
my days

to the service of the Abnakis. It was the first mission to which
I had been destined on my arrival in Canada, and it is that in
which, apparently, I shall finish my life. It was necessary,
therefore, for me to return to Quebec, for the purpose of going
thither to rejoin my dear Indians. I have already described to
you the length and difficulties of this journey, and shall thereforo
only mention a most consoling adventure which happened to mo
when about .forty leagues distance from Quebec.

I found myself in u kind of village, where there were twenty-
five French houses, and a Cure who had charge of the inhab-
itants. Near the village, might bo seen an Indian cabin, in
which lived a young female of about sixteen years of ago, but
who had for many years been afflicted with a malady which had
at length reduced her to the last extremity. M. the Cure, who
did not understand the language of these Indians, requested mo
to confess the sick person, and conducted me himself to the
cabin. In the conversation which I had with this young girl on
the truths of religion, I learned that she had been well instructed
by one of our missionaries, but had never as yet received Bap-
tism. After having passed two days in putting to her all the
questions proper to assure myself on these points — " Do not
refuse me," said she, " I conjure you, the grace of Baptism
whicli I demand. You see how much oppression I have upon
my breast, and that but little time remains for me to live. What
a misfortune would it be to me, and how would you reproach
yourself, if I should happen to die without receiving this grace !"
I answered, that she should prepare to receive it on the next
day, and left her. The joy which my reply gavQ»her, cau.sed so
immediate a change, that she was in a state to repair early in
the morning to the chapel. I was beyond measure surprised at
her arrival, and immediately and most solemnly administered to
her the rite of baptism. As soon as it was over she returned to
her cabin, where she did not cease to thank the divine mercy for

pf-m

l:<'

'■V,.

I : I

■ ! ' 1

T 1

iti

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

so great a blcsHhig, and to sigh for tbo happy moment which
should unite her to God for all eternity. Her prayers were
favorably heard, and I was privileged to assist at her death.
What a providential dispensation for this poor girl, and what a
consolation for me to have been the instrument which God was
willing to use in placing her in heaven !

You will not require from me, my dear brother, that I should
enter into detail with regard to all that has happened to me
during the many years that I have been in this mission. My
occupations are always the same ; and I should expose myself to
wearisome repetitions. I will therefore only relate to you
certain facts which seem to me most worthy of your attention.
I feel authorized to assert, in general, that you would find it
difficult to restrain your tears if you should find yourself in my
church when our Indians are assembled there, and be a witnc,<>
of the piety with which they recite their prayers, chant diviue
offices, and participate in the Sacraments of Penance and the
Eucharist. When they have been enlightened by the faith, an]
sincerely embraced it, they are no longer the same persons, and
the greater part preserve undimmed tho purity they have re
ccived at baptism. It is this which fills me with the deepest
joy, when I hear their confessions, which are frequent ; no
matter what questions I put to them, I often can with difficulty
find materials to render absolution neccosary.

My duties among them are unceasing. As they look for as-
sistance no where except from their missionary, and hu/e entire
confidence in him, it is not sufficient for me to confine myself to
the spiritual functions of my ministry, for the sanctification of
their souls. It is necessary, also, that I should interest myself
in their temporal affairs, that I should be always ready to console
them when they come to me for advice, that I should decide
their little diffijrences, that I should take care of them when
they are ill, chat I should bleed them, that I should administer

t'l'inity
C!hrist

THE WANDERINGS OF FATHER RASLES.

b which
rs were
• death,
I what a
GJod was

I should
(1 to mc
on. My
nysclf to

to you
ittcntion,
d tind it
elf iu my
a witness
Lilt divine
3 and the
faith, and
rsons, ami

have rO'

Hc deepest

ucnt ; no

difficulty

3ok for as-
,'G entire
myself to
fication of
est myself
to console
uld decide
hem when
administei

ill

niedicines to them, &o. My days arc often so entirely occupied,
that I am obliged to shut myself up to find timo to attend to my
prayers, and the recital of my Office.

The zeal with which God has filled mc for the welfare of my
Indians, was very much alarmed in the year 1G07, when I learned
that a tribe of the AmaUngaa Indians was coming to establish
themselves within one day's journey of my village. I had reason
to fear lest the arts of their medicino-men, that is, the sacrifices
which they offer to the Evil Spirit, and the disorders which ordi-
narily attend them, might produce an impression on some of my
young neophytes ; but thanks to the Divine Mercy, my fears
were presently dissipated in a way which I am going to relate

to you.

One of our chiefs, celebrated in this country for his valor,
having been killed by the English, who are not far distant from
us, the Amalingans deputed several of their nation to proceed to
our village, for the purpose of drying the tears of the relatives of
the illustrious deceased ; that is to say, as I have already explain-
ed to you, to visit them, to make them presents, and to testify by
their dances the sympathy they felt in their affliction. They ar-
rived in our village on Corpus Christi day.* I was then occu-
pied in receiving the confessions of my Indians, which lasted the
whole of that day, the night following, and the next day even till
noon, when commenced the Procession of the Consecrated Host.
This was conducted with much order and devotion, and although
in the middle of these forests, with more of pomp and magnificence
than you can well imagine. This spectacle, which was entirely
jacw to the Amalingans^ attracted their attention and excited their
fcdmiration. It seemed to me that I ought to avail myself of the
'jfavorable disposition which they showed, and therefore after hav-

[*An annual festival in the Church o" Rome, on the Thursday after
iTrinity Sunday. Its design is to commemorate the corporal presence of
(phrist in the Holy Eucharist.]

'^i

.1 . ,

■ •'■■''I

,■1 '■;

-!i. '^'11

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

': >1

■i (::

ing assembled them, I made the following address in the Indian
style.

" For a long time, my children, I have wished to see you : and
now that I have this happiness, it wants but little that my heart
should burst. Think of the joy which a father will experience
who tenderly loves his children, when they return to him after a
long absence, during which they have been exposed to the great-
est dangers, and you can conceive a portion of what I feel. For
although you do not as yet pray, I shall not cease to regard you
as my children, and to have for you the tenderness of a father,
beeaase you are the children of the Great Spirit, who has given
life to you as well as to those who pray, who has made the Hea-
ven for you as well as for them, who cares for you as he does for
them and for me, that all may together enjoy eternal happiness.
What however gives me pain, and diminishes the joy I feel at
seeing you, is the reflection which is forced upon me, that one
day I must be separated from a part of my children, whose lot
will be eternally miserable, because they will not pray, while the
others who do pray will be in joy which shall never end. When
I think of this sad separation, how can I have a contented heart?
The joy which I receive from the happiness of some, does not
equal my affliction on account of the misery which awaits others.
If you had invincible obstacles to the Prayer, and if while you
remain in the state in which you now are, I could enable you to
enter Heaven, I would spare nothing to procure you this happi-
ness. I would thrust you forward, I would force you to enter
there, so much do I love you, and so mu !h do I desire your wel-
fare ; but this is a thing which is impossible. It is necessary to
pray, it is necessary to be baptized, to enable you to enter that
place of enjoyments."

After this preamble, I explained to them at length the princi-
pal articles of our faith, and I continued thus : —

" All these sayings which I have endeavored to explain to you,

ii#jil

THE WANDERINGS OF FATHER RASLES.

[udian

I : and

' heart

erience

after a

; great-

I. For

ird you

i father,

IS given

he Hea-

does for

,ppiness,

! feel at

that one

rhose lot

yhile the
When

d heart?
oes not
! others,
hile you
e you to
is happi-
to enter
our wel-
lessary to
inter that

le princi-

in to you,

arc not by any means human words ; they are the words of the
Great Spirit : neither are they at all written, as arc the words of
a man, on a collar, which they cause to express what they wish ;
but they arc written in the Book of the Great Spirit, where a
falsehood could not gain entrance."

To enable you to understand this Indian expression, I must
remark, my dear brother, that the custom of these people, when
they write to any nation is to send a collar, or a wide belt, on
which they have made different figures with grains of porcelain of
' different colors. They give instructions to him who carries the col-
lar, telling him, " This is what we mean the collar to say to such a
nation, or to such a person," and so they send him forth. Our In-
dians ',70uld have difficulty in comprehending what was said, and
would give it but little attention, if the speaker did not conform to
their manner of thought and expression. I proceeded thus : —

" Courage, my children, listen to the voice of the Great Spirit,
which speaks to you by my mouth. He loves you, and his love
for you is so great that he has given his life to procure for you
life eternal. Alas, perhaps he has only permitted the death of
one of our chiefs, as a means of drawing yon to the place of the
Prayer, and causing you to hear his voice. Reflect then that you
jure not immortal. A day will come when others in this way will
endeavor to dry the tears which are shed for your death, and
what will it avail you to have been in this life numbered with
great Chiefs, if after death you are cast into eternal flames 1 He
Ifhom you come to mourn with us, had the happiness a thousand
iimes to have listened to the voice of the Great Spirit, and to
j^ave been faithful to the Prayer. Pray as he did, and you shall
live eternally. Courage, my children, we will not separate at
|11, that some should go to one place and the rest to another ;
let us all go to Heaven, it is our country, it is thither you are
fxhorted to attain by the only Master of life, whose interpreter
I am. Think of it seriously."

{'•I'Ml

!., ' '♦'^•f 1

^ '■ ■■■•.■^l

" ' '/'J^"

: ■«

: ■ «*

w f.::

■ li ■

•ill;

It ii :■ f'

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

As soon as I had ceased speaking, they consulted together for
some time, until at length their orator made me this answer on
their part. " My father, I am delighted to hear you. Your
voice has penetrated even to my heart, but my heart is as yet
shut, nor am I able now to open it, to let you know what ij
there, or to which side it will turn. It is necessary that I should
wait for many chiefs and other considerable tribes of our natioa
who will arrive during the next autumn. It is then that I will
disclose my heart to you. Behold, my dear father, all that I
am able to say to you at this time."

" My heart is content," I replied to them ; " I am perfectlj
satisfied since my words have afforded you pleasure, and you asi
time to think of them. You will only be firmer in your attacli-
ment to the Prayer when once you have embraced it. Neverthe-
less, I shall not cease to address myself to the Great Spirit, and
to beg him to regard you with the eyes of mercy, and to strengthen
your thoughts to the end that they may decide in favor of the
Prayer." After this I left the assembly, and they returned to
their own village.

When the autumn came, I learned that one of our Indian;
was about to go to the Amalingans, to obtain corn for planting
the fields. I sent for him, and charged him to tell them on nij
part, that I was impatient again to see my children, that I to
always present with them in spirit, and I prayed them to remeni'
ber the promise they had given me. The Indian faithfully fiil
filled his commission, and this was the answer which the Amalk-i
gam made.

" We are very much obliged to our father for thinking of ui^
without ceasing. For our part, we have meditated much on wha:!
he has said to us. We cannot forget those words while we have |
a heart, for they have been so deeply engraven there that nothin||
can efiace them. We are persuaded that he loves us, we wish tiJ
listen to him, and to obey him in that point which he so muct;|

i tlit '! :

": ■ .

THE WANDERINGS OF FATHER RASLES.

lier for
iwer on
Your
; as yd
what is
[ should
r nation
at I will
.1 that I

perfectlj
[ you ast
r attacli-
^evertlie-
pirit, and
irengtliet
or of the
turned ty

Indian;

planting
3m on m
lat I ^vai
;o remeni'
lifully fill'
le Amalik

dng of Hi
h on wlia:
c we liavt
at notliin?
Iwe wisli t(
3 so mud

desires us. We accept the prayer which he purposes to us, for
we see nothing in it but what is good and praiseworthy. We
are entirely resolved to embrace it, and should at once go to find
our father in his village, if he had there sufficient food for our
sustenance during the time which he should devote to our in-
struction. But how can we find it there ? We know that hunger
i< in the cabin of our father, and it is this which doubly afflicts
us, that our fath' suffers hunger, and that we cannot go to see
him that he may instruct us. If our father could come and pass
some time here with us, he would live and might instruct us.
This is what you must say to our father."

This answer of the Amalingans was returned to me at a most
favorable time. The greater part of my Indians were going to
be away for some days to procure food to last them until the har-
vest of Indian corn. Their absence, therefore, gave me leisure
to visit the Amalingans, and on the next day I embarked in a
canoe to repair to their village. I was about a league distant,
when they perceived me, and immediately saluted me with a con-
tinual discharge of their guns, which lasted until I landed from
the canoe. This honor which they had paid me, assured me of
their present dispositions. I did not lose the least time, but as
soon as I had arrived, I caused them to plant the Cross, and
those who accompanied me raised as soon as possible a Chapel,
which tliey made of bark, in the same way in which they form
their cabins, and within it they erected an altar. While they
were occupied in this work, I visited all the cabins of the Ania-
lingans, to prepare them for the instructions I was about to give.
As soon as I commenced, they gave the most assiduous attention.
I assembled them three times during the day in the Chapel,
namely, in the morning after mass, at noon, and in the evening
after prayer. During the rest of the day I went round the cab-
ins, where I again gave them more particular instructions.

When after some days of continual toil, I judged that they

'■mv

4»;

IM.

. .1.

■ 1

!-■' 1 1

'll'-

!ii

,:|

.;j

. .11,;

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

were sufficiently instructed, I fixed tlie day on wliich they should
come to receive regeneration in the waters of Holy Baptism,
The first who came to the Chapel were- the chief, the or? tor.
three of the most considerable men of the nation, with two fe-
males. Immediately after their baptism, two other bands, eacli
of twenty Indians, succeeded them, who received the same grace.
In fine, all the rest continued to arrive there on that day and
during the next.

You can well believe, my dear brother, that severe as may be
these labors for a missionary, he is at the same time well recom-
pensed for all his fatigues, by the delightful consolation tliat he
has been the means of bringing an entire nation into the path of
safety. I had prepared to leave them and return to my own vil-
lage, when a deputation came to me on their part, with the mes-
sage, that they had all assembled in one place, and prayed me to
repair to their meeting. As soon as I appeared in their midst,
the orator addressed these words to me in the name of all the
rest : " Our father," said he, " we can find no words in which to
testify the inexpressible joy we have felt at having received bap-
tism. It seems to us now that we have a diflFerent heart. Every-
thing which caused us any difficulty is entirely dissipated, our
thoughts are no longer wavering, the baptism has strengthened
us within, and we are firmly resolved to respect it all the days of
our life. Behold what we wish to say to you before you leave
us." I replied to them in a short discourse, in which I exhorted
them to persevere in the grace they had received, and to do no-
thing unworthy of the rank of children of God, with which they
had been honored when they received Holy Baptism. As they
were preparing to depart to the sea-shore, I added, that on theu'
return we would determine which was best, whether we should
go and live with them, or they should come to form with us one
single village.

The village in which I live is called Nanrantsouack, and is sit-

THE WANDERINGS OF FATHER RASLES.

uated ill a country between Acadia and New England. Tliis
mission is about twenty-four leagues distance from I'eulaguuct,
and they reckon it to be a hundred leagues from reutagouet to
Port lloyal. The river which flows through my mission ia the
largest of all those which water the territories of the Indians.
It should bo marked on the maps by the name of Ki/ube/cl, and it
is this which has induced the French to give these Indians the
name of Kanibals. This river empties into the sea at Sciiikde-
raak, which is only five or six leagues from Peinquit. After hav-
ing ascended forty leagues from Sankderank^ you arrive at my vil-
lage, which is on the height of a point of land. We are, at the
f most, distant only two days' journey from the English settlements,
I while it takes us more than a fortnight to reach Quebec, and the
I journey is very painful and difficult. It would therefore be
t natural that our Indians should trade with the English, and
1 every possible inducement has been held out to them to attract
I and gain their friendship ; but all these efforts were useless, and
; nothing was able to detach them from their alliance with the
French. And yet the only tie which unites us so closely is their
firm attachment to the Catholic faith. They are convinced that
if they give themselves up to the English, they will shortly find
I themselves without a missionary, without a sacrifice, without a
% sacrament, and even without any exercise of religion, so that lit-
1 tie by little, they would be plunged again into their former hea-
I thenism. This firmness of our Indians has been subjected to
I many kinds of tests by their powerful neighbors, but without
M their being ever able to gain anything.

m At the time 'that the war was about to be rekindled between
the European powers, the English governor, who had lately ar-
rived at Boston, requested a conference with our Indians by the
M sea-shore, on an island which he designated.* They consented,

1 [*Tliis was Governor Dudley in 1703. They met at Casco. The ac-
f count of this interview given by Rale, differs so much from that of the

if '*•■ ' - t "i 2. .H

i-rr^ll

f1-'

''%

■<-^m

.<^f

joiemk

imiiji

^K'l^^

. )■ ■- Ig'

|^^B>? .

flKi':.

■ '*ii^

^^■''^..t

A ■

^■■■|;:

1 ■ 'ir

Bill

ill

'!ii.:

hi':

. I

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

and beg^jd me to accompany tliem thither, that they might con-
sult me with regard to any artful propositions which might be
made to them, so that they could be assured their answers would
contain nothing contrary to their religion or the interest of the
King's service. I therefore followed them, with the intention of
merely remaining in their quarters, to aid their counsels, without
appearing before the Governor. As we approached the island,
being more than two hundred canoes in number, the English
saluted us with the discharge of all the cannon of their ships, and
the Indians responded to it by a similar discharge from all their
guns. Immediately afterwards the Governor appeared on the
island, the Indians hastily landed, and I thus found myself where
I did not desire to be, and where the Governor did not wish that
I should bo. As soon as he perceived me, he advanced some
steps to where I was, and after the Ubiial compliments returned
to the midst of his people, while I rejoined the Indians.

" It is by the order of our Queen," said he, '• that I have come
to see you : she earnestly desires that you should live in peace.
If any of the English should be so imprudent as to wrong you,
do not think to avenge yourselves, but immediately address your
complaints to me, and I will render you prompt justice. If war
should happen to take place between us and the French, remain
neutral, and do not in any way mix yourselves in our difficulties.
The French are as strong as we arc : permit us therefore to settle
our own quarrels. We will supply your wants, we will take your
furs, and we will afford you our merchandise at a moderate price,"
My presence prevented Lim from saying all that he had intended,
for it was not without design that he had brought a minister with
him.

When he had ceased speaking, the Indians retired to deliber-
ate among themselves on the answer they should make. During

New England historians that it is impossible in any way to reconcile them.
See, for example, Penhallow's Indian warS; N. H. Hist. Coll. vol. 1. p. 20.]

this ti
said 1
replie(
eugag(
luivc S]
by a bj
veruor
cod, an

'I '^''
V man in

French

:^, both fo:

I two fire

I see you
'IthcFrc

I I am so
'^ you hat

■m tend to

I my ma

J: hatchet

-J

I luinc an

i possible

■■I

i mam qi

f to defei

i nothing

I main qi

I Thus

lour Inc

i ship hac

•|and En;

I accord ir

i doffs to

I themsel

THE WANDERINGS OF FATHER RASLES.

this time the Governor took me aside. " I pray you. Monsieur,"
said he, "do not induce the Indians to make war on us." I
replied to him " that my religion, and my character as a priest,
euii-agod me to give them only tiie counsels of peace." I should
have spoken more, had I not found mj self immediately surrounded
by a band of some twenty young warriors, who feared lost the Go-
vernor wished to take me away. Meantime the Indians advan-
ced, and one of them made the Governor the following reply: —
" Great Chief, you have told us not to unite with the French-
man in case that you declare war against him. Know that the
Frenchman is my brother ; we have one and the same Prayer
both for him and ourselves, and we dwell in the same cabin at

two fires, he is at one fire and I am at the other fire. If I should
see you enter the cabin on the side of the fire where my brother
the Frenchman is seated, I should watch you fi*om my mat where
I am seated at the other fire. If, observing you, I perceived that
you had a hatchet, I should think, what does the Englishman in-
tend to do with that hatchet ? Then I should raise myself from
uiy mat to see what he was going to do. If he lifted the
hatchet to strike my brother the Frenchman, I should seize
luinc and rush at the Englishman to strike him. Would it be
possible for me to see my brother struck in my cabin, and I re-
main quiet on my mat? No, no, I love my brother too well not
to defend him. Thus I would say to you, Great Chief, do
nothing to my brother, and I will not do anything to you. Re-
main quiet on your mat, and I will remain quietly on mine."

Thus the conference ended. A short time afterwards some of
our Indians arrived from Quebec, and reported that a French
ship had brought the news of war being renewed between France
and England. Immediately our Indians, after having deliberated
according to their custom, ordered their young people to kill the
dogs to make a war feast, and to learn there who wished to engage
themselves. The feast took place, they arranged the kettle, they

■•.a.S'

' l' I

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

'M-

' .1

W^'^M'

danced, and two hundred and fifty warriors were present. After
the festival they appointed a day to come to confession. I ex-
horted them to preserve the same attachment to their Prayer that
they would have in the village, to observe strictly the laws of
war, not to be guilty of any cruelty, never to kill any one except
in the heat of combat, to treat humanely those who surrendered
themselves prisoners, &c.

The manner in which these people make war, renders a hand-
ful of their warriors more formidable, than would be a body of
two or three thousand European soldiers. As soon as they
have entered the enemy's country, they divide themselves into
different parties, one of thirty warriors, another of forty, &c,
They say to each other, " To you, we give this hamlet to devour,"
(that is their expression), " To tliose others we give this village,
&c." Then they arrange the signal for a simultaneous attack,
and at the same time on different points. In this way our two
hundred and fifty warriors spread themselves over more than
twenty leagues of country, filled with villages, hamlets, and man-
sions ; on the day designated they made their attack together
early in the morning, and in that single day swept away all that
the English possessed there, killed more than two hundred, and
took five hundred prisoners, with the loss on their part of only
a few warriors slightly wounded. They returned from this ex-
pedition to the village, having each one two canoes loaded with
the plunder they had taken.

During the time that the war lasted, they carried desolation
into all the territories which belonged to the English, ravaged
their villages, their forts, their farms, took an immense number
of their cattle, and made more than six hundred prisoners. At
length these gentlemen, pursuaded with reason that in keeping
my Indians in their attachment to the Catholic faith, I was more
and more strengthening the bonds which united them to the
French, set in operation every kind of wile and artifice to detach

it shouh

[* Tliis
ill 171.').
the lithe
hallow ar(

THE WANDERINGS OF FATHER RASLES.

Inuiubei'
irs. At

Ikeeping
las more
to tlic
detach

them from mo. Neither offers nor promises were spared to in-
duce the ludianf* to deliver me into their hands, or at least to
scud me back to Quebec, and take one of their ministers in my
place. They made many attempts to surprise mo and carry mc
oil" by force ; they even went so far as to promise a tliousand
pounds sterling to any one who would bring them my head.
You may well believe, my dear brother, that these threats
arc able neither to intiiaidate me, nor diminish my zeal. I
should be only too happy if I might become their victim, or if
God should judge me worthy to be loaded with irons, and to shed
my blood for the salvation of my dear Indians.

At the first news which arrived of peace liaving been made in
Europe, the Governor of Boston sent word to our Indians, that
if they would assemble in a place which he designated, he would
confer with them on the present conjuncture of affairs.* All the
Indians accordingly repaired to the place appointed, and the
Governor addressed them thus : — " Men of JVamnhous, I would
inform you that peace is made between the King of France and
our Queen, and by this treaty of peace the King of France has
ceded to our Queen, Plaisanco and Portrail, with all the adjacent
territories. Thus, if you wish, we can live in peace together.
We have done so in former times, but the suggestions of the
French have made you break it, and it was to please them that
you came to kill us. Let us forget all these unfortunate affairs,
and cast them into the sea, so that they shall not appear any more,
and we may be good friends."

"It is well", replied the Orator in the name of the In-
dians " that the Kings should be in peace ; I am contented that
it should be so, and have no longer any difficulty in making

[* This was after the war was brought to a close by the Treaty of Utrecht
ill 1713. Gov. Dudley at that time again met the Indians at Portsmouth on
the nth of July, 1713. Here again the accounts given by Rale and Pen-
hallow are widely different.]

'»•»«

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

liVM

In I

i|:r

-!■:

-!j

■ y

111

peace with you. I was not the one who struck you during the last
twelve years ; it was the Frenchmen who used my arm to strike
you. Wo were at peace, it is true. I had even thrown away nij
hatchet I know not where, and as I was reposing on my mat
thinking of nothing, the young men brought a message which tlie
Governor of Canada had sent, and by which ho said to me, ' My
son, the Englishman has struck me ; help me to avenge myself:
take the hatchet, and strike the Englishman.' I, who luive
always listened to the words of the French Governor, search for
my hatchet, I find it entirely rusted, I burnish it up, I place it
at my belt to go and strike. Now, the Frenchman tells nic to
lay it down ; I therefore throw it far from me, that no one raaj
longer see the blood with which it is reddened. Thus, let us live
in peace ; I consent to it,

" But you say that the Frenchman has given you Plaisance and
Portrail, which is in my neighborhood, with all the adjacent tcni
tories. He may give you anything he pleases, but for me. I have uiy
land which the Great Spirit has given me to live on : as long as there
shall be child remaining of my nation, he will fight to preserve it ''

Every thing ended in this friendly way : the Governor made a
great feast for the Indians, after which each one withdrew.

The happy arrival of peace, and the tran(iuillity they began to
enjoy, suggested to the Indians the idea of rebuilding our Clmrcli,
ruined during a sudden irruption which the English made, while
they were absent from the village.* As we were very far re-
moved from Quebec, and were much nearer Boston, they sent a
deputation thither of several of the principal men of the nation
to ask for workmen, with the promise of paying them liberally
for their labor. The Governor received them with great denioii'
strations of friendship, and gave them all kinds of caresses. "I
wish myself to rebuild your Church", said he, " and I will

[*Tlii3 is known in New England history as the expedition of Coloud
Hilton in 1705.J

lians,

^e spok(

one may
it us live

anco and
311 1 tcrii
have uiv
y as there
serve it,'
r made a
w.

began to

Cliurcli,

de, while

y far re-

ey sent a

le nation

liberally

it demon-

ses. "I

d I will

of Colonel

THE WANDERINGS OF FATHER RASLES.

Lneiid more for you, than has been done by the French Governor,
rhom you call your father. It would be his duty to rebuild it,

linco it was in some degree fur his sake that it was ruined, by
iducing you to strike me ; for, as for me, I defend myself as I

im able • he on the contrary, after having used you for his de-

leuce has abandoned you. I will do much more for you, for not

Ljjly ^yill I grant you the workmen, but I wish also to pay them
lysclf, and to defray all the other expences of the edifice which
jow desire to have erected. But as it is not reasonable that I
fho am English should build a Church, without placing there

Llrio an English Minister to guard it, and to teach the Prayer, I
n\\ give you one with whom you will be contented, and you

^Lall send back to Quebec the French Minister who is now in
jom' village."

"Your words astonish mo," replied the deputy of the In-
iians, " and you excite my wonder by the proposition which
bu make to me. When you first came hither, you saw me a .

long time before the French governors ; but neither those who
b-eceded you, nor your ministers have spoken to me of prayer,
^r of the Great Spirit. They have seen my furs, my skins of
le beaver and the elk, and it is about these only they have
lought ; these they have sought with the greatest eagerness, so

|hat I was not able to furnish them enough, and when I carried
lem a large quantity I was their great friend, but no further.
)n the contrary, ray canoe having one day missed the route, I
st my way, and wandered a long time at random, until at last
landed near Quebec, in a great village of the Algonquins, where
e black Robes* Were teaching. Scarcely had I arrived when
ne of the black Robes came to see me. I was loaded with furs,

|ut the French black Robe scarcely deigned to look at them.

^e spoke to me at once of the Great Spirit, of Paradise, of Hell,

|f the Prayer, which is the only way to reach Heaven. I heard

* The Jesuits.

.•I

;fr

^,-1;-

: .■■|-

.*./ifi

■',m

;■ '"is

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

V !'

:'i :l

*; '

i^lii'i in
I

f Hi

1 j, j, ..i„

'^.^uu

him with pleasure, and so much dcliglitcd in his conversatioui,
that I remained a h)ng time in that village to listen to them
In fine, the Prayer pleased me, and 1 asked liim to inHtru(,'t luu;
I demanded JJaptism, and I received it. At last I returned ti
my country, and related what had happened to me. They envied
my happiness, they wished to participate in it, tliey departed to
find the black Robe and demand of him Uaptism. It is thus tliat
the French have acted towards mo. If as soon as you had souii
mo, you had spoken to mc of the Prayer, I sliould have had the
unhappiness to pray as you do, for I was not capable of discover-
ing whether your Prayer was good. Tlius, I tell you that I lioW
to the Prayer of the Freiich ; I agree to it, and I shall be faith-
ful to it even until the earth is burnt and destroyed. Keep i\m
your workmen, your gold, and your minister, I will not speak to
you more of them : I will ask the French Governor y father,
to send them to me."

Indeed, Monsieur the Governor had no sooner been apprised
of the ruin of our Church, than ho sent some workmen to rebuilJ
it. It possesses a beauty which would cause it to be admired
even in Europe, and nothing has been spared to adorn it. You
have been able to see by the detail I have given in my letter to
my Nephew, that in the depths of these forests, and among these
Indian tribes, the Divine service is performed with much pro-
priety and dignity. It is to this point that I am very attentive,
not only when the Indians reside in the village, but also all the
time that they are obliged to remain by the sea-shore, where they
go twice each year, for the purpose of obtaining means of subsis-
tence. Our Indians have so entirely destroyed the game in this
part of the country, that during ten years they have scarcely
found either elk or roebuck. The bears and beavers have also
become very rare. They have scarcely anything on which to
live but Indian corn, beans, and pumpkins. They grind the corn
between two stones to reduce it to meal, ihon they make it into

a kiiii!

fi.sh.

land ['i

com.

0.slio.s ti

lid the
At a

tli.staut,

[(juautiti

;if he cc

jliiigs, vc

ionc upo

L if th

^en days

^jilautiug

i It is 01

liot Ldvc

|Aftcr thii

>hiill go t

'tot ordim

jAssuinpti

iiiesscngc:

have arrii

pf all the

ihosc whc

^e are in

tillage to

harvest, b

le hard fc

lope you

the means

Such and

THE WANDERINGS OF FATHER RASLES.

r.siitioib
to them

•IK.'t lUf;

y envied
artod to
liuH that
had soon
I had tilt
discover-
lit I liold
be fuitli-
!eop thi'U
spcaii to
y father,

apprised
rc])uild

admired
it. You
letter to
)iig these

ich pro-

all the

[ere they

subsis-

le in this

[scarcely

lave also

rhich to

the corn

it into

.fh

which they often

1th dried

season with fat oi
jfisli. When the corn fails them, they search in the ploughed
land for potatoes, or acorns, which last they esteem as much as
[(■((111. After having dried them, they arc boiled in a kettle with
inslics to take away their bitterness. For myself I cat them dry,
[and tlioy answer for bread.

At u particular season of the year, they repair to a river not far
'•distant, where during one month the fish ascend in such great
^(juantitics, that a person could fill fifty thousand barrels in a day,
if he could endure the labor. They are a kind of large lier-
jiugs, very agreeable to the taste when they arc fresh ; crowding
one upon another to the depth of a foot, they are drawn out
lis if tliey were water. The Indians dry them for cigiit or
|teu days, and live on them during all the time that they are
planting their fields.

< It is only in the Spring that they plant their corn, and they do
tiot give them their last tillage until towards Corpus-Christi Day.
,JAftcr this they deliberate as to what spot on the sea-shore they
'jhall go to find something to live on until the harvest, which does
jiot ordinarily take place until a little after the Festival of the
Assumption.* When their deliberations are over, they send a
inessengcr to pray me to repair to their assembly. As soon as I
lave arrived there, one of them addresses me thus in the name
Lttentive, i j,f r^w ^\^q others. " Our father, what I say to you is what all

those whom you see here would say ; you know us, you know that
Ve are in want of food, we have had difficulty in giving the last
tillage to our fields, and now have no other resource until the
larvest, but to go and seek provisions by the sea-shore. It will
le hard for us to abandon our Prayer, and it is for this reason we
lope you will be willing to accompany us, so that while seeking
the means of living, we shall not at all interrupt our Prayer.
Buch and such persons will embark you, and what you have to

[* The 15tli of August.]

^Mi

i%U

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

|-'ls'

f i I

t^'i^

■ .fl;l,

carry with you shall be distvibuted in the other canoes. Tliis i;
what I have to say to you." I have no sooner replied to tb.jc;
keldkberba, (it is an Indian term which implies, I hear you, m:
children, I agree to what you ask,) than they all cry out togotlie
uriuric, which is an expression of thanks. Immediately after
wards we leave the village.

As soon as they reach the place where they are to pass tlv
night, they fix up stakes at intervals in the form of a chape!
they surround them with a large tent made of ticking, which h
no opening except in front. It is all finished in a quarter o" ai
hour. I always carry with me a beautiful board of cedar aboa:
four feet in length, with the necessary supports, and this semi
for an altar, while above it they place an appropriate ca'^opy. :
ornament the interior of the Chapel with very beautiful si!;
cloths ; a mat of reeds dyed and admirably made, a large bes:
skin serves for a carpet. They carry this always prepared, ac:
no sooner are they settled down than the Oiapel is arrange!
At night I take my repose on a carpet ; the Indians sleep in tlii
air in the open fields if it does not rain, but if the snow or tl;
rain falls, they cover themselves with bark which they carry m:
them, and which they have rolled out until it resembles clod
If their journey is made in the winter, they remove the sno'
from a space large enough for the Chapel to occupy, and arraiij;
it as usual. There eacli day is made the morning and eveiiir
prayers, and the Sacrifice of the Mass is oftered up.

When the Indians have reached their destination, the ver
next day they occupy themselves in raising the Church, wlik'
they dress up with their bark cloths. I carry with me my plat:
and every thing which is necessary to ornament the choir, wlii:.
I hang with silk cloths and beautiful calicos. Divine Service i|
performed there as at the village, and in tact they form a kiudd
village with all their wigwams made of bark, which are all ptij
pared in less than an hour. After the Festival of the Assuiii;|

.i(/,i!

THE WANDERINGS OF FATHER RASLES.

This i.
to i\\m

you, 111;

togetlie
ily aftci'

pass tb
1 cliapel
yliicli liiii
ter o" a:
iar aboffi!
his servtif
a^opy.
atiful sil;
large k's:
3arcd, an;

arrange;
leep in \\:
ow or tl;

carry u:
ibles clott •

tlic SHi-'
Ind arraii:

lid cveiiir

L the ver
|irch, wbie
my plat-
)ir. wliK
Service 3
la a kindi:i
ire all p4

Ihoir.

lie

Assum;

tion they leave t^c sea and return to their village for the pur-
pose of reaping their harvest. During this time they are obliged
to live very sparingly until All-Saints' Day,* when they return a
second time to the sea. It is while there, during this season,
that they fare daintily. Besides the large fish, the shell-fish, and
the fruits, they find also bustards, ducks, and all kinds of game,
v.ith wliich the sea is covered at the place where they encamp,
which is divided up by a great number of little islands. The
hunters who go out in the morning to shoot ducks and other
kinds of game, sometimr s kill twenty of them at a single dis-
charge of their guns. Towards the Festival of the Purification, f
or later towards Ash-Wednesday, they return to the village, ex-
cept the hunters, who disperse about in pursuit of the bears, elks,
deer, and beavers.

These good Indians have often given proofs of their sincere

attachment for me, particularly on two occasions, when being with

them r.t the sea-shore, they became exceedingly alarmed on my

account. One day while they were busy in the chase, a rcpors

was suddenly spread, that a party of the English had made an

irruption into iny quarters and carried me off". In that very hour

they assembled, and the result of their deliberation was, that they

would pursue the party until they had overtaken it, and would

I snatch me from their hands, even at the cost of life. The same

I instant they sent two young Indians to my cabin, the night being

;f then far advanced. When they entered my cabin. I was engaged

I in composing the life of a saint in the Indian language. '• Ah,
our father!" they cried out, "how relieved we are to see you!''
'•And I am equally rejoiced to see you," I replied; "but what
has brought you here at so unusual a time V '• Our coming is
indeed useless," said they ; " but we were assured that the Eng-
lish had carried you oif. We came to mark their tracks, and our
warriors could scarcely be restrained from pursuing them, and
., [* The l<jt of November.] [t The 2n(.l of February.]

■;..v

■ii!.'

■ 'i'M

■■^t

' ''*%il

!^M'^

I. .1'

\ k

'^ ■ , i^ll

m $^

■1

■il!

.■ I!

f ;

.,. iff

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

iiiii;

attacking tlie fort, where, if the news had been true, the English
would, without doubt, have imprisoned you." "You see, my
children," I answered, " that your fears are unfounded ; but the
aifectionate care which my children have shown, fills my heart
with joy, for it is a proof of their attachment to the Prayer. To-
morrow you shall depart immediately after Mass, to undeceive as
soon as possible our brave warriors, and to relieve them from
their anxiety."

Another alarm, equally false, placed me in great embarrass-
ment, and exposed me to the danger of perishing by famine and
misery. Two Indians came in haste to my abode, to give me
notice that they had seen the English within a half day's jour-
ney. " Our father," said they to me, " there is not the least time
to lose. You will risk too much by remaining here. We ^vill
wait for them, and perhaps will keep in advance of them. The
runners are going to set out this moment to watch them. But
as for you, it is necessary that you should go to the village witli
the persons whom we have brought to conduct you thitlicr. When
we know that you are in a place of safety, we shall bo easy."

I therefore departed at break of day with ten Indians, wlio
acted as my guides ; but after some days' march, we found our-
selves at the end of our small stock of provisions. My conduc
tors killed a dog which followed them, and eat it ; finally tbey
were obliged to resort to their bags made of the skin of the sea-
wolf, which they also eat. I found it however impossible for iim
to bring myself to taste them. Nevertheless I lived on a kiua
of wood, which they boiled, and which, after being thus prepareil
is as tender as radishes after they have been partially cool{eJ
They use all the wood except the heart, which is very hard, aiil
which they throw aside. It had not a bad taste, but I liai
great difficulty in swallowing it. Sometimes too they fow!'
attached to the trees excrescences of wood which are white. liki
large mushrooms: these they boil and reduce to a kind of jcllv

river w
We, ho
arrived
corn wL
it was, i
making
past wh
might h
feast.

THE WANDERINGS OF FATHER RASLES.

but it is necessary to acquire a taste for them. At other times
tbey dried in the fire the bark of the evergreen oak, then they
pounded it up and made a kind of paste, or else used it dry.
Then there were the leaves which grew in the clefts of the rocks,
and which they call tripes de roche; when these are boiled they make
a paste very black and disagreeable. But of all these I eat, for
there is nothing which famine will not enable us to digest.

"VVith food of this kind we could make very short journeys in
a day. We arrived at last at a lake which had begun to thaw,
and wh'jre there was already four inches depth of water on the
ice. It was necessary to cross it with our snow-shoes, but as
these were made of strips of skin, as soon as they were wet they
became very heavy, and rendered our march exceedingly difficult.
One of our people went before to sound the way, yet I suddenly
found myself sinking into my knees. Another who was at my
side presently sunk to his waist, crying out, " My father, I am
perishing !" As I approached to give him my hand, I found my-
self sinking still deeper. At last, it was not without great diffi-
culty that we extricated ourselves from this danger, through the
incumbrance caused by our snow-shoes, of which we could not rid
ourselves. Nevertheless the risk I ran of drowning was much
less than that of dying of cold in the midst of this half-frozen
lake,

But the next day new dangers awaited us in the passage of a
river which it was necessary for us to cross on the floating ice.
We, however, extricated ourselves happily from it, and at length
arrived at the village. My first step was to dig up a little Indian
corn which I had left in my abode, and I eat it, entirely raw as
it was, to appease my first hunger, while the poor Indians wer
making all kinds of efforts to regale me. And in truth the re-
past which they prepared for me, frugal as it was, and little as it
might have seemed tempting to you, was in their eyes a veritable
feast. At first they served me with a plate of boiled Indian

iwi

■<,;

.i^

■-•J^i

■!>.

■fr-

, - i

;lv

■j

. 17

A.
K

,!■?-.■« 5fi-

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

|iri|l .' -'=i^^'

lii

ill;:::!-,!

1*,

iilif<ili|iii!^!iiiri.iii

iiiliiii

^
4

corn. For the second course, they gave me a small piece of bear's
meat, with acorns, and a thin cake of Indian corn cooked under
the ashes. At last, the third course, which formed the dessert
consisted of an ear of Indian corn roasted before the fire, witli
some grains of the same corn cooked under the ashes. When I
asked them why tliey had provided for me such excellent ftircj
'• How now ! our father," they replied to me, '• is it not two days
since you liave eaten anything? could we do less? would to God
that Ave vrere able often to regale you in this way !"

"Whilst I was thinking to recover from my fatigues, one of the
Indians who were dwelling by the sea-shore, being ignorant of
my return to the village, caused a new alarm. Having come tc
my quarters, and neither finding me anywhere, nor those who
were in the same cabin with mc. he did not at all doubt bat that
we had been taken ofi" by a party of the Englisli, and wdiilc on
his way to give intelligence to those who were in his quarter, lio
reached the banks of a river. There, he took a piece of bark, on
which he drew with charcoal a representation of the English sur-
rounding me, and one of them cutting off my head. (This is tlie
only kind of writing which the Indians possess, and by these
kinds of figures they convey to each other information, in the
same way that we should do by our letters.) He then placed
this kind of letter around a stick which he planted on the bank
of the river, for the purpose of informing those who passed as to
what had happened to me. A short time afterwards, some In
dians who were passing by that spot in six canoes to go to the
village, perceived tliis bark. " See that writing," said they.
'• let us learn what it tells us. Alas !" tliey all cried on reading
it, '• the English have killed those of the quarter in which our
father lives; as for him, they have cut off his head." They im-
mediately plucked off the lock of hair which they are accustomed
to leave negligently flowing on their shoulders, and sat do^vn
about the stick on which they had found the letter, even to the

them

tiuuei

villag

numb

Engli;

to be '

purpoi

site tc

" how

vivcs a

Englis

false."

canoe <

enough

acfreeal

shortly

day.

J thi

yju exj:

of the

occupat

You jii(

neigh bo

long tin;

ill-will

me,* cur

them to

tachmen

Lsli SUV-
is the
■ tliecC
in the
placed
le bank
d as to
nic In-
to the
tl tliev.
catling
cli our
icy im-
stonicd
It (.loT^-n
to tho

THE WANDERINGS OF FATHER RASLES.

next day, without speaking a word. This ceremony is among
them the sign of the deepest affliction. The next day they con-
tinued their route until they arrived within half a league of the
villao-e, where they halted. From thence they sent one of their
number through the woods to the village, to see whether the
En""lish had come to burn the fort and the cabins. I happened
to be walking up and down along the river by the fort, for the
purpose of reciting my Breviary, when the Indian arrived oppo-
site to me on the other side, " Ah, my father," he cried out,
" how relieved I am to see you ! My heart was dead, but it re-
vives at seeing you. We found a writing which told us that the
English had cut off your head. How relieved I am that it was
false.'' When I proposed to him that I should send over a
canoe to enable him to cross the river, " No," he replied, " it is
enough tliat I have seen you. I retrace my steps to carry this
iiLa-eeable news to those who have accompanied me, and we will
shortly join you." And in truth they arrived there that very
day.

J think, my very dear brother, that I have satisfied the desire
you expressed to me, by the summary account I have given you
of the nature of the country, the character of the Indians, my
occupations, my toils, and the dangers to which I am exposed.
You judge, without doubt, that it is from the English in our
neighborhood that I have most to fear. It is true that for a
long time past they have sought my destruction, but neither the
ill-will they bear me, nor the death with which they threaten
me,* can ever separate me from my ancient flock. I commend
them to your holy prayers, and am, with the most tender at-
tachment, &c.

* He was murdered during the following year.

^..^>v

^¥,

raH

■.*!>

* -'^

r4nnl

, '1 .

"■}

' *■- ■

;'t

".i

■J

iitn

ml'

i^;l ■

r .

...1

li'^

DEATH OF FATHER RASLES

17S4.

': a.h^H

> .'^'"^H

" ^'•■''^■^

' '''•!«

\'''M

' •''•■^♦'■^

"/'ijn^ifi''

4 M'<iSH

'■'^I^Bh

' >4nfHffl

' '■^^■^8

"'^■^

' '^tiBi

• '-^>^H

^ ^^^iflffl

' '■ '"'M

■■ >..t

'■> ■.':

' i ,

' *■

>
■ ' ■'■'a

■.;.i
- if

^^^^^^V*

^^H -'

PHUPP. ''

t»-^ ';

■ 1 '■

t '

k ■ " . .

"' ■ ■' V'

■ ■ , *■

1 ..;,: :k

I' '■■■^

i.'l

! 1>

:•■ I-

V l\

I FROM Pj
NE

:! •i;!).

MY REV]

In i

loldost M
:^faIIon a •v

jthc licarl

[by prcvio
t'twcon <

klesirc to
lubjcctioi

that luisu

■rupture.
The Fa

ceedingly

in streiiu't
iest obst.'K

tlieir laiK
pno occasi

last tliey 1

f r hate, ai

at the saiil

which was

:.*

r« -0

f tfl

LETTER III.

; PROM FATHER DE LA CHASSE, SUPERIOR GENERAL OF MISSIONS IN
NEW FRANCE, TO FATHER * * * OF THE SAME SOCIETY.

At Quebec, the 29th of October, 1724.

ImY REVEREND FATHER,

The Peace of our Lord be ivith you :

In the deep grief wliich we feel for the loss of one of our
loldost Missionaries, it is a sweet consolation for us, that he has
jfalleu a victim to his love, and his zeal to preserve the faith in
the hearts of his neophytes. You have been already apprized
by previous letters of the origin of the war which was kindled up
jctwecn the English and the Indians. In the former it was the
Idcsirc to extend their dominions ; in the latter, the horror of all
fgubjection and the attachment to their religion, caused at first
'tluit misunderstanding, which was at length followed by an open
rupture.

The Father Rasles, missionary to the Abiiakis, had become ex-
ceeilingly ndious to the English. Convinced that his industry
in strengthening the Indians in their faith constituted the great-
est obstacle to the design they had formed of encroaching upon
tlicir lands, they set a price upon his head ; and, on more than
one occasion, endeavored either to capture or destroy him. At
last thoy have effected their object in satisfying their transports
of hate, and freeing tliemselves from this apostolical man ; but.
at the same time, they have procured for him a glorious death,
which was always the height of his desires ; for we know that for

'I '

•I, - ; j!Sl

; : I ■ r

i"'!

>'•■<■

t'.f:

■ ' I"

'ilV,i;.'

IlitJi; 1! .

m:. Ill;

■'T

- 1 :■ •»! '

:i- =:.•;■ . '

fiiii

^''i III ^ ■

(I I':.! ." ■ !;1 rat

l:<|i.

'^T,

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

a long timo Lo had aspired to tho happiness of sacrificing his life
for his flock. I will describe to you in a few words tho circum-
stances of this event.

After frequent hostilities had taken place on one side and the
other between the two nations, a small force, composed of the
English and their Indian allies to the number of about eleven
hundred men, came unexpectedly to attack the village of Nan-
rantsouak. Tho thick brushwood by which the village is .sur-
rounded, aided them in concealing their march, and as besides it
was not even enclosed by palisades, the Indians taken by sur-
prise, did not perceive the approach of their enemies, until thoy
received a general discharge of musketry which riddled all the
cabins. There were at that time but about fifty warriors in tho
village. At the first noise of the muskets they tumultuously
seized their arms, and went forth from their cabins to make head
against the enemy. Their design was, not rashly to sustain a
contest with so groat a number of combatants, but to cover the
flight of the women and children, and to give them time to gain
the other side of the river, which was not as yet occupied by the
English.

Father Rasles, warred by tho clamors and the tumult, of the
peril which threatened his neophytes, promptly went forth from
his house, and without fear presented himself before the enemy,
His hope was, either to suspend, by his presence, their firs:
efforts, or, at least, to draw on him silone their attention, and
thus, at the expense of his own life, to procure the safety of his
flock.

The instant they perceived the missionary they raised a gene-
ral shout, followed by a discharge of musket balls which rained
on him. He fell dead at the foot of a large cross which he had
erected in the middle of the village, to mark the public profes-
sion they had made to adore in that place the crucified God,

DEATH OF FATHER RASLES.

Sovcn Indians who surrounded him, and who exposed their lives
ti) preserve tliat of their Father, were killed at his side.*

The death of the shepherd spread eonstcrnatiou through the
flock The Indians took to flight, and crossed the river, part by
tlic ford and part by swimming. Tliey liad to endure all the
furv of their enemies, even to the moment when they took refuge
ill the woods on the other side of the river. There they found
themselves assembled to the number of about a hundred and
fifty. Although more than two thousand muoket shots had been
directed against • them, they had but about thirty persons killed,
including women and children, and fourteen wounded. The
Knglish did not attempt to pursue the fugitives, but contented
tlieuiselves with pillaging and burning the village. The fire
which they kindled in the church was preceded by an unhallowed
profanation of the sacred vessels and of the adorable body of
Jesus Christ.

The precipitate retreat of the enemy permitted the Nanrant-
souakans to return to the village. On the morrow, they visited
the ruins of their cabins, while the women on their part sought
for herbs and plants to dress the wounded. Their first care was
to weep over the body of their missionary ; they found it pierced
with a thousand wounds, his scalp taken oif, the skull split by
blows of a hatchet, the mouth and eyes filled with mud, the bones
of the legs broken, and all the limbs mutilated. They were
scarcely able to attribute except to the Indian allies of the En-

■f

.: '.^

■-;:

I a gene
rained
he had
,c prefer
led God.

I [* Hutchinson's account {Hist. v. ii., p. 311), which is gathered from those
■ present in the actioli, diiFcrs widely from that of Fere de la Cliussc. He
'j states that the force .sent on this expedition only amounted to two hundred
J and eight men. His narrative of Rale's death is, that he shut himself up in
i a Trigwani, from whicli he fired upon the English. Moulton.the commandei',
J luul given orders not to kill the priest. But a wound inllictod upon one of
V ilic English by Rale's fire, so exasperated Jacques, a lieutenant, that h«
I'urst the door, and shot Rale through the head.]

* "■ ' it

■

••■K^

*■'" r'M

-}•■

■h ■ ' "

■y ':

'«•

♦ -

V [■

•-'J:'

m.
t

iif-

,f>f

\-y

: -M

■ 1 r' ; . ••

"ir

'■'' -'tii

IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)

{./

I/.

(/.

1.0

iffl^ III

HM 12.2

li i.l

1.25

2.0

U IIIIII.6

'^i

Photographic

Sciences

Corporation

23 WEST MAIN STREET

WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580

(716) 873-4503

<*
^

N^ ^ V WrS

if'

^1 . .^1

;iil;'li-

If: -I

ir-H'' ■■■,

' ■■ : ifi

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

glish, such an excess of inhumanity on a body deprived of feel-
ing and of life.

After these fervent Christians had washed and kissed many
times the precious remains of their Father, they buried him in
the same spot where the evening before he had celebrated the
Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, that is, on the place where the altar
had stood before the burning of the Church.*

It is by so precious a death that this apostolical man finished,
on the 23rd of August of this year, a career of thirty-seven years
passed in the painful toils of this mission. He was in the G7tli
year of his age. His fasts and continual fatigues had latterly
enfeebled his constitution. During the last nineteen years lie
had dragged himself about with difficulty, in consequence of a

[* In one of the former letters we gave a quotation from Whittier's be;n.-
tiful poem, describing the scene which might have been "witnessed in that
little Indian village, during the ministry of Rale. In the following lines lie
has pictured the ruin as it was presented to some Indian wanderers shortly
after the battle. From that bloody day the Norridgwock tribe was hlottel
out from the list of the Indian nations.

" No wigwam smoke is curling there ;
The very earth is scorched and bare ;
And they pause and listen to catch a sound

Of breathing life, but there comes not one,
Save the fox's bark and the rabbit's bound ;
And here and there, on the blackening ground,

White bones are glistening in the sun.
And where the house of prayer arose.
And the holy hymn at daylight's close.
And the aged priest stood up to bless
The children of the wilderness.
There is naught, save ashes sodden and dank.

And the birchen boats of the Norridgwock,

Tctliered to tree, and stump, and rock.
Rotting along the river bank !"]

I, ■ ,

^\l^

DEATH OF FATHER RASLES.

fall in which he broke his rigjht thigh and his lei't leg. It hap-
pened that the fractured parts having badly united, it became
necessary to break the left leg anew. While they were drawing
it most violently, he sustained this painful operation with cxtra-
ordiuary firmness and admirable tranquillity. Our physician
who was present appeared so astonished, that he could not for-
bear saying to him : " Ah, my Father, permit at least some
groans to escape you, for you have cause for them."

Father Easles joined to talents which made him an excellent
missionary, those virtues which are necessary for the Evangeli-
cal 3Iinistry, to be exercised with eflfcct among our Indians.
He enjoyed robust health, and with the exception of the accident
I have mentioned, I do not know that he ever had the least in-
disposition. We were surprised at his industry and readiness in
ac<]uiiing the different Indian languages. There was not oae on
this continent of which he had not some smattering. Besides
the Abnakis language, which he spoke for a long time, he knew
also the Huron, the Otaouais, and the Illinois. He availed him-
self of them with great effect in the different missions where
they are used, Since his arrival in Canada, he was never seen
to act inconsistently with his character ; he was always firm
and courageous, severe to himself, tender and compassionate in
his regard to others.

It is but three years since, that by order of Monsieur our
Governor, I made a journey through Acadia, In conversation
with Father Easles, I represented to him that in case they de-
clared war against the Indians, he would run the risk ox' his life ;
that his village being but fifteen leagues distant from the En-
glish forts, he would find himself exposed to the fivst irrup-
tions ; that his preservation was necessary to his flock, and that
he ought to take measures for his own security. " My measures
are taken," he answered in a firm tone ; " God has committed
this flock to my care, and I will share its lot, being too happy

^i;-: ^0

oil

•I

U4:.-

'■.i*f

.'i

^:r:-

iiih

i,^" I"

i,|r;;;: t

,>■ I

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

if permitted to sacrifice myself for it." He repeated often the
same thing to his neophytes, to strengthen their constancy in tli'i
faith. " We have had but too good a proof," they themsches
have said to me, " that our dear Father spoke to us from tlio
abundance of his heart ; we have seen him with a tranquil and
serene air meet death, and oppose himself alone to the fury of
the enemy, to retard their first efibrts, for the purpose of giving
us time to escape the danger, and to preserve our lives."

As a price had been set upon his head, and they had attempted
at different times to capture him, the Indians proposed to biin
during the last spring, that they should conduct him farther into
the country on the side towards Quebec^ where he would be pro-
tected from the perils by which his life was menaced. " "What
opinion then have you of me," he answered, with an air of indig-
nation ; " do you take me for a cowardly deserter ? Ah ! what
would become of your faith, if I should desert you ? Your sal-
vation is dearer to me than my life."

He was indefatigable in the exercises of his zeal. Without
cessation being occupied in exhorting the Indians to virtue, lie
thought of nothing but making them earnest Christians. Hi?
manner of preaching, vehement and pathetic, made a vivid im-
pression on their hearts. Some families of the Loups,* arrive]
lately from Crange,t have told me with tears in their eyes, that
they were indebted to him for their conversion to Christianity
Having received Baptism from him about thirty years ago, tlie
instructions which he at that time gave them, had never beeu
effaced from their minds, so efficacious had been his words, and
so deep their traces in the hearts of those who heard them.

He was not contented with instructing the Indians almost every

day in the church, but often visited them in their cabins. Hi?

familiar conversations charmed them, since he knew how to tcni

per them with a holy cheerfulness, which pleased the Indians

* Indian nations. [t Fort Orange — Albany.]

111*.

liiture,

'' .t !■ 1

DEATH OF FATHER RASLES.

;tempted
d to bim :
ther into
\ be pro-
" What
of IndiL'-
l1i! what
STour sal-

Without
i^irtue, 111
ns. Hi<
vivid im-

arrivcil
yes, tliai
istlanity

ado, tilt
3vcr been
ords. and
icm.

lost every

ins. Ili^ 1

w to tell!'

ludiaDs

>auy.]

much more than a grave and sombre air. Thus he had the art
to persuade them whatever he wished, and he was among them
as a master in the midst of his scholars.

Notwithstanding the continual occupations of his ministry, he
never omitted the Holy Exercises which are observed in our re-
ligious houses. He rose and offered his prayers at the hour
which is there appointed. He never excused himself from the
eight days of retreat from the world in each year, and had set
apart for this purpose the first days of Lent, which is the time
that the Saviour entered into the desert. " Unless we fix a par-
ticular time in the year for these holy exercises," he one day
baid to me, " one occupation succeeds another, and after many
delays we run the risk of not finding time to observe them ?"

Religious poverty was exemplifl'ed in all his person, in his fur-
niture, in his food, and in his dress. In a spirit of mortification
he interdicted himself the use of wine, even when he found him-
.Nclf anioiig the French. His ordinary nourishment was a prepar-
ation of meal of Indian corn. During certain winters, when the
Indians were often in want of everything, he found himself re-
duced to live on acorns ; but far from complaining, he never
sceiiied better contented. During the last tnree years of his life,
while the war prevented the Indians from freely entering into
the chase, or planting their fields, their necessities became ex-
treme, and the Missionary often found himself in dreadful want.
It became necessary to send to him from Quebec the provisions
required for his subsistence. " I am ashamed," he wrote to me,
" of the care which you take of me : a Missionary born to suffer
should not be so well treated."

He did not suffer any O'le to lend a hand to assist him in the
most ordinary cares, but always attended to himself He culti-
vated his own garden, prepared his own firewood, attended to
bis cabin and his hominy, repaired his old clothes, endeavoring
in the spirit of poverty to make them last as long as possible.

'>'''i'll

*e-

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

"•'■J,

■;|'r

'''"'■■'it

':i

The cassock which he had on at the time he was killed, seemed
so worn and in so miserable a state to those who stripped him of
it, that they did not think it worth carrying off, as they had at
first intended. They threw it back on his body, and it was sent
to us at Quebec.

To the same extent that he treated himself severely was he
compassionate and charitable to others. He retained nothing for
himself, but everything that he received he immediately distribu-
ted to his poor neophytes. Thus the greater part have given at
his death demonstrations of grief more vivid than if they hud
lost their nearest relations.

He took extraordinary pains to ornament and embellish bis
church, being persuaded that this external show which produced
an efiFect on the senses, animated the devotion of uncivilized peo-
ple, and inspired them with the most profound veneration for
our holy mysteries. As he knew a little of painting, and also
understood the art of turning, it was decorated wivh many works
which he had himself executed.

You will well judge, my Reverend Father, that these virtues
of which New France was the witness during so many years, liad
gained for him the respect and affection both of the Fronch and
Indians.

Thus he was universally regretted. No one can doubt but
that he was put to death out of hatred to his ministry, and his
zeal in establishing the true faith in the hearts of the Indians.
This is the opinion which is entertained by M. de Bellemont,
Superior of the Seminary of Saint Sulpice, at Montreal. Having
asked from him the accustomed suffrages for the deceased, for the
sake of the intercourse of prayers which we have among us, he
replied to me, by using those well known words of St. Augustine,
that it was doing an injury to a martyr to pray for him. " Inju-
riam facit martyri qui orat pro eo."

' ' " cause,

May it pk

just

I time after
^■ of time, -w
i by some i-
•:| erected iu
• the site 01

DEATH OF FATHER RASLES.

iemed
lini of
lad at

IS sent

yas he
iug for
istribu-
Ivcn at
ey had

Usli his
reduced
zed pec-
ition for
and also
ly works

may enrich these heathen lands, so often watered by the blood of
the Evangelical laborers who have preceded us; that it may
render them fertile in earnest Christians, and that it may ani-
mate the zeal of apostolical men to come and reap the abundant
harvest which is oflfered by so many people stil! shrouded in the
shadow of death.

Nevertheless, as it appertains only to the church to declare the
names of the saints, I recommend him to your holy sacrifices,
and to those of all the Fathers. And I pray you not to forget
him who is with much respect, &o.

virtues [ J

ars, had 1 |

nch and I |

ubt but 1

and his |

Indians. 1

llemont; ', |

Having
, for the

us, he
Igustine,

« Inju-

a cause,

[We cannot conclude this letter without quoting from Dr. Convers
Francis' Life of Rale — to which we have been indebted for many of these
notes— a couple of passages, describing the present appearance of the spot
on which this tragedy took place. " Whoever has visited the pleasant town
of Norridgwock, as it now is, must have heard of Indian Old Point, as the
people call the place where Rale's village stood, and perhaps curiosity may
have carried him thither. If so, he has found a lovely, sequestered spot in
the depth of nature's stillness, on a point around which the waters of the
Kennebec, not far from their confluence with those of Sandy River, sweep on
in their beautiful course, as if to the music of the rapids above ; a spot over
which the sad memory of the past, without its passions, will throw a charm,
and on which, he will believe, the ceaseless worship of nature might blend
itself with the aspirations of Christian devotion. He will find, that vestiges
of the old settlement are not wanting now ; that broken utensils, giass beads,
and hatchets, have been turned up by the husbandman's plough, and are pre-
served by the people in the neighborhood ; and ho will turn away from the
place with the feeling, that the hatef ulness of the mad spirit of war is aggra-
vated by such a connection with nature's sweet retirements." — p. 321.

" The spot on which the Norridgwock missionary fell, was marked, some
time after his death, by the erection of a cross. This, it is said, in process
of time, was cut down by a company of hunters. I believe it was replaced
by some rude memorial in stone. But in 1833 a permanent monument was

erected in honor of Rale An acre of land was purchased, including

the site of Rale's church and his grave. Over the grave, on the 23d of

'^*''<^L^

: ■* ■•; f *»

M\^\4

I ■■* M

;;fc

August, 1833, tho anniversary (according to the New Style) of the fight at
Norridgwock, and just one hundred and nine years after its occurrence, the
foundation was laid, and the monument raised, with much ceremony, amidst
a large concourse of people. Bishop Fenwick, of Boston, directed the cere-
monies, and delivered an address full of appropriate interest. Delegates
from the Penobscot, Passamaquoddy, and Canada Indians, were present on
the occasion. The monument is about twenty feet high, including an iron
cross, with which it is surmounted. On the south side of the base, fronting
the Kennebeo River, is an appropriate and somewhat long Latin inscrip-
tion."— p. 329.]

ca:

\'X'<\<'< ;

CATHERINE, THE IROQUOIS SAINT.

1656—1715.

•M

mi^i

^-t

»\^-

I' ■ , ,

>is

'■- -A

•a

.'•h;4f|

l^-:!-

^1^

, ■'-'

fe(r

• <r^>r^W''m'wtm>

afl'T;

MY RE\

Tk.

iatorces
among i
you of t
mo in y(
a witnes
much ze
Prelate
which G
has with
the FroE
her in si
I pray at 1
I mediatel
I ven othe
f Reverem
\ she was

1 1

LETTER IV.

FROM FATHER CHOLONEC, MISSIONARY OF THE SOCIETY OF JESUS,
TO 'FATHER AUGUSTIN LE BLANC OF THE SAME SOCIETY,
PROCURATOR OF MISSIONS IN CANADA.

At Sault de St. Louis, the 27th of August, 1715.
MY REVEREND FATHER,

The Peace of our Lord he with you :

The marvels whicli God is working every day through the
iatorcession of a young Iroquois female who has lived and died
among us in the order of sanctity, have induced me to inform
you of the particulars of her life, although you have not pressed
me in your letters to enter into detail. You have yourself been
a witness of these marvels, when you discharged there with so
much zeal the duties of a Missionary, and you know that the high
Prelate who governs this church, touched by the prodigies with
which God has deigned to honor the memory of this holy maiden,
has with reason called her the Genevieve of New France. All
the French who are in the colonies, as well as the Indians, hold
her in singular veneration. They come from a great distance to
pray at her tomb, and many, by her intercession, have been im-
mediately cured of their maladies, and have received from Hea-
ven other extraordinary favors. I will write you nothing, my
Reverend Father, which I have not myself seen during the time
she was under my care, or which I have not learned of the
Missionary who conferred on her the rite of holy Baptism.
Tegahkouita, (which is the name of this sainted female about

''la

■r 'Mi

^^^BT ^^^.''jh

^^K ' ''^'^

^K.

^B ; ^;^i

^^B.

^k' ' ' '-*%

Wm '''%

^^M\ ''!^-^

^Ku ','■ '^'i-Jii

H:'.||

^'W

„ -JJHijj

!'•

, i ' . Jif ^

■M

I': ^.

■ f .^1

<"■■/ ■'

f" 1

1, 1

■•■1.

■,4V|

P-''

■" ■.■■■

: .

'■ '

^ '■'■iSn

• ! ■

. } ''• fltni

■'■'

' ■■""''!]

I ' '.\

:«l^i'.i'

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

l!4

f '■>.'■'

. V 4(

't''i". •

"^1 fi

ii4'r-i.

whom I am going to inform you,) was born in tho year 1050, at
GaiiJaouaguo, one of tho sottlemcnts of tho lowor Iroquoia, who
are called Agnicz. Her father was an Iroij[uoi8 and a heathen;
her mothor, who was a Christian, was an Algon(iuin, and had
boon baptized at the village of Trois lliviorcs, where she was
brought up among the French. During the time that wo were
at war with the Iroquois, she was taken prisoner by these In.
dians, and remained a captive in their country. Wo havo since
learned, that thus in the very b aom of heathenism, she pre-
served lier faith even to her death. By her marriage she had
two children, one son and one daughter, the latter of whom is
the subject of this narrative, but she had the pain to die without
having been able to procure for them the grace of Baptism. The
small-pox, which ravaged the Iroquois country, in a few days re-
moved her husband, her son, and herself Tegahkouita was also
attacked like the others, but she did not sink as they did under
the violence of the disease. Thus, at the age of four years she
found herself an orphan, under the care of her aunts, and in
the power of an uncle who was the leading man in the settlement.

The small-pox had injured her eyes, and this infirmity having
rendered her incapable of enduring the glare of light, she remain-
ed during whole days shut up in her wigwam. By degrees she
began to love this seclusion, and at length that became her taste
which she had at first endured only from necessity. This incli-
nation for retirement, so contrary to the usual spirit of the young
Iroquois, was the principal cause of her preserving her innocence
of life while living in such scenes of corruption.

When she was a little older, she occupied herself at home in
rendering to her aunts all those services of which she was capa-
ble, and which were in accordance with her sex. She ground the
corn, went in search of water, and carried the wood ; for such,
among these Indians, are the ordinary employments of females.
The rest of her time she spent in the manufacture of little ai ti-

j'illil! "'•

CATIIRRINE, TIIR IROaUOIS SAINT.

)G, at

, who

then ;

I had

was

! wore

30 In.

) sinoo

pre-

10 had

loiu is

i^ithout
The

ays re-

ras also
under

ars she

land in
cment,
having

rcmaiii-
CCS she
er taste
IS inch-
young
Qocence

lome in
IS capa-

clcs. for which she possosHcd an extraordinary skill. IJy tiiis
iiiciiiis she avoided two rocks which would liave been ciiually
I'at.d to her innocence — idleness, so common there among her
own sex, and which is the source of an infinite number of vices ;
nud the extreme pa.ssion thoy luivo to .spend their time in gossip-
ing visits, and to show themselves in public places whore they
can display their finery. For it is nijt necessary to believe that
this kind of vanity is confined to civilized nations ; the females
of our Indians, and especially the young girls, have a great taste
for parading their ornaments, some of which they esteem very
|irooiuus. Their finery consists of cloths which they buy of the
Europeans, mantles of fur, and different kinds of shells, with
which they cover themselves from head to foot. They have al.'-o
liracclcts, and collars, and pendants for the ears and bolts. Tliey
adorn even their moccasons, for these personal ornaments consti-
tute all their riches, and it is in this way, by the difi'erent kinds
of garments, that they mark their rank among themselves.

The young Tegahkouita had naturally a distaste for all this
finery which was appropriate to her sex, but she could not oppose
the persons who stood to her in the place of father and mother,
and to please them she had sometimes recourse to these vain
ornaments. But after she became a Christian, she looked back
upon it as a great sin, and expiated this compliance of which
she had been guilty, by a severe penance and almost continual
tears.

M. do Thracy, having been sent by the government to bring
to reason the Iroquois nations who laid waste our colonies, car-
ried the war into their country and burned three villages of the
Aguicz. This expedition spread terror among the Indians, and
they acceded to the terms of peace which were offered them.
Their deputies were well received by the French, and a peace
concluded to the advantage of both nations.

We availed ourselves of this occasion, which seemed a favora-

^41

: r"'!

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

m<4'

:: 'yl

II ' ■

.*■.

.Iffl .■ ■ .. i

ili :>l

ble one, to send missionaries to the Iroquois. Vhey had already
gained some smattering of the Gospel, which had been preacliel
to them by Father logues, and particularly those of Onnontagiu
amorg whom this Father had fixed his residence. It is well
known that this Missionary received there that recompense of
martyrdom which well befitted his zeal. The Indians at first
held him in a severe captivity and mutilated his fingers, and it
was only by a kind of miracle that he was able for a time to
escape their fury. It seemed however that his blood was destined
to be the seed of Christianity in that heathen land, for haviDg
had the courage, in the following year, to return for the purpose
of continuing his mission among these people who had treated
him so inhumanly, he finished his apostolic career amid the tor-
ments they forced him to endure.* The works of his two coei-
panions were crowned by the same kind of death, and it ij
without doubt to the blood of these first Apostles of the Iroquoii
nation, that wo must ascribe the blessings which God poured out

[* The History of Father Isaac logues is full of romantic interest. H«
was the first to cai-ry the cross into Michigan and among the villages of tlie
Mohawks. On his return fi-om the fulls of St. Mary escorted by some Hu-
ron braves, they were taken by a war party of the Mohawks. His companion-
were all put to death with the usual attendants of savage cruelty, butnc:
befbre logues had baptized two of them, who were neophytes, with son
drops of water he found clinging to the broad blade of an ear of India:
corn they had thrown to him. After suffering every cruelty and beiii;
obliged to run the gauntlet through three villages, he was in 1G12 ransonieii
by the Dutch at Albany and set at liberty. He then sailed for France i;
obtain permission from the Pope to celebrate the divine mysteries witliliif
mutilated hands. The Pope granted his prayer, saying, "Indigmimoss:
C hristi martyrum Christi non libere sanguinem." On his return to the Mc-
hawks for the second time, he was at once received as a prisoner and coi:-
demned to death as an enchanter. He approached the cabin where tlf
death festival was kept, and as he entered, received the death blow. Hi:
head was hung upon the palisades of the village, and his body thrown int.
the Mohawk rivvr. Bancroft^ iii. 138.]

on the

istry.

The

roil, w

accoiii]

to COlif

mitted

made, t

regions

people J

and fou

uuseaso

the adv

uiake u

% She was

I attendiii

f which si

I while dh

i I'ogulari

^idt'd th

' tiiiii, wL

romaiiie(

Tlie t

lOljIiCUj w

pons.
village,
Oiiiieiout
try. Tl
The foui
viHage o
-_•% v.ontouan,
i| villages,
1 the num

CATHERINE, THE IROaUOIS SAINT.

the zeal of tliose who succeeded them in this evangelical min-
istry.
The Father Frcmin, the Father Bruyas, and the Father Pier-

ron who knew the language of the country, were chosen to
accompauy the Iroquois deputies, and on the part of the French
to coufirm the peace which had been granted them. They com-
mitted also to the Missionaries the presents which the Governor
made, that it might facilitate their entrance into these barbarous
regions. They happened to arrive there at a time when these
people are accustomed to plunge into all kinds of debauchery,
and found no one therefore in a fit state to receive them. This
unseasonable period however procured for the young Tegahkouita
the advantage of knowing early those of whom God wished to
make use, to conduct her to the highest degree of perfection.
She was charged with the task of lodging the Missionaries, and
attending to their wants. The modesty and sweetness with
which she acquitted herself of this duty, touched her new guests,
\yhile dhe on her part was struck with their aflfable manners, their
regularity in prayer, and the other exercises into which they di-
vided the day. God even then disposed her to the grace ofBap-
tism, which she would have requested, if the missionaries had
remained longer in her village.

The third day after their arrival they were Sent for ioTionnon-
toquen, where their reception was to take place : it was very pom-
pons. Two of the missionaries established themselves in this
village, while the third commenced a mission in the village of
Oaaciout, which is more than thirty leagues distant in the coun-
try. The next year they formed a third mission at Annontague,
The fourth was established at Tsoimontouan^ and the fifth at the
village of Goiogoen. The natives of the Agnicz and the Tson-
v.ontouans are very .numerous, and separated in many different
villages, which is the reason why they were obliged to increase
the number of the missionaries.

'It

■•-1^

1 t'

/jf

I m

- ."i'l
.Mm

liilitf^^^^^

IT!

I ♦■;

.. -'iiii:if+

■I ■■ '\\'.mw

'lit'.

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

At length Tcgalikouita became of a marriageable age, and lier
relations were anxious to find a husband for her, because, accord
ing to the v.stoni of the country, the game which the husbac]
kills in tne chase, is appropriated to the benefit of his wife an!
the other members of her family. But the young Iroquois li.vj
inclinations very much opposed to the designs of her relatior>
She had a great love of purity, even before she knew the excel
lence of this virtue, and anything which could soil it ever so lit
tie, impressed her with horror, When therefore they proposed to
establish her in life, she excused herself under diflferent pretests,
alleging above all her extreme youth, and the little inclination
she had to enter into marriage.

The relatives seemed to approve of these reasons ; but a little
while after they resolved to betroth her, when she least expected
it, and without even allowing her a choice in the person to whom
she was to be united. They therefore cast their eyes upon 5
young man whose alliance appeared desirable, and made the pro
p 3ition both to him and to the members of his family. Tlie
matter being settled on both sides, the young man in the evening
entered the wigwam which was destined for him, and seated him
self near her. It is thus that marriages are made among tlie
Indians ; and although these heathen extend their dissoluteness
and licentiousness to the greatest excess, there is yet no nation
which in public guards so scrupulously that outward decorum
which is the attendant of perfect modesty. A young man would
be forever dishonored, if he should stop to converse publicly ^itli
a young female. Whenever marriage is in agitation, the busi-
ness is to be settled by the parents, and the parties most inter
ested are not even permitted to meet. It is sufficient that tliej
are talking of the marriage of a young Indian with a young fe
male, to induce them with care to shun seeing and speaking v;\\\
each other. When the parents on both sides have agreed, the
young man comes by night to the wigwam of his future spouse.

CATHERINE, THE IROaUOIS SAINT.

3, and lift
3e, accord-
3 }ms}3aii(]
3 wife aiiii
)quois hi
relatior.5
the excel-
jver so lit
roposed to
t pretexts,
inclination

3ut a

t expected
Q to whom
'es upon a
ie the pro-
lily. Tilt
he evening
eated bini-
imong tlie
isolutencsj
, no nation
I decorum
nan would
blicly witt
the ksi
nost inter-
that tliey
young fe
iking witli
greed, tie
ire spouse.

and .^eats himself near her ; which ia the same as declaring, that
be takes her for his wife, and she takes him for her husband.

Teo'ahkouita appeared utterly disconcerted when she saw the
young man seated by her side. She at flr«*t blushed, and then
rising abruptly, went forth indignantly from the wigwam ; nor
would she re-enter until the young man left it. This firmness
rendered her relatives outrageous. They considered that they
had iu this way received an insult, and resolved that they would
not be disappointed. They therefore attemr oed other stratagems,
which served only to show more clearly the firmness of their
niece.

Artifice not having proved successful, they had recourse to
violence. They now treated her as a slave, obliging her to do
evcrythiag which was most painful and repulsive, and malignantly
interpreting all her actions, ev2n when most innocent. They re-
proached her without ceasing for the want of attachment to her
relations, her uncouth manners, and her stupidity, for it was thus
that they termed the dislike she felt to marriage. They attri-
buted it to a secret hatred of the Iroquois nation, because she
was herself of the Algonquin race. In short, they omitted no
means of shaking her constancy.

The young girl suffered all this ill treatment with unwearied
patience, and without ever losing anything of her equanimity of
mind or her natural sweetness ; she rendered them all the ser-
vices they required with an attention and docility beyond her
years and strength. By degrees, her relatives were softened,
restored to her their kind feelings, and did not further molest
ber in regard to the course she had adopted.

At this very time Father Jacques de Lamberville was con
ducted by Providence to the village of our young Iroquois, and
received orders from his superiors to remain there, although it
seemed most natural that he should go on to join his brother,
who bad charge of the mission to the Iroquois of Otmontague.

' \

l-^--

■ '* . < < J

1 J

:■!)

. . ■■ Of'

mi ■ f'

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

'';i! !:!'

.f--^:l

tM»'

■6^!

Tegalikouita did not fail to be pn sent at the iustructiona and
prayers which took place every day '.n the chapel^ but she did not
dare to disclose the design she had for a long time formed of be-
coming a Christian ; perhaps, because she was restrained by fear
of her uncle, in whose power she entirely was, and who, from in-
terested motives, had joined in the opposition to the Christians •
perhaps, because modesty itself rendered her too timid, and pre-
vented her from discovering her sentiments to the missionary.

But, at length, the occasion of her declaring licr desire for
baptism presented itself, when she least expected it. A wound
which she had received in the foot detained her in the village,
whilst the greater part of the women were in the fields giitlierinc
the harvest of Indian corn. The Missionary had selected tliis
time to go his rounds, and instruct at his leisure those who were
remaining in the wigwams. IIo entered that of Tegahkouita.
This good girl on seeing him was not able to restrain her joy,
She at once began to open her heart to him, even in presence of
her companions, on the earnest desire she had to be admitted into
the fold of the Christians. She disclosed also the obstacles she had
been obliged to surmount on the part of her family, and in this first
conversation showed a courage above her sex. The goodness of
her temper, the vivacity of her spirit, her simplicity and candor,
caused the Missionary to believe that one day she would make
great progress in virtue. He therefore applied himself particu-
larly to instruct her in the truths of Christianity, but did not
think he ought to yield so soon to her entreaties : for the grace
of Baptism should not be accorded to adults, and particularly in
this country, but with great care and after a long probation. All
the winter therefore was employed in her instruction and a rigid
investigation of her manner of life.

It is surprising, that notwitlistanding the propensity these
Indians have for slander, and particularly those of her own sex,
the Missionary did not find any one but gave a high encomium

to the

most

her vi:

tor to

earncs

and w[

, the res

The

engage

herself

j she wai

' tions, a

ticular

i prayers

*' utmost

to the

■t that in

^ T \

In t

; Even h

; of life 1

us by t'

to unite

was ver

drew uj

They lo

their o\

they en

purity.

the (list:

delicacy

a sin, ga

cence.

Thee

CATHERINE, THE IROaUOIS SAINT.

3 village,
;'atliering
3tGd this
jvlio were
alikouita.
. her joy,
3senco of
itted into
s slie had
this first
duess of
d candor,
lid make
particu-
did not
he grace
ularly in
iou. All
d a rigid

lity these
own sex,
mcomium

to the young catechumen. Even those who had persecuted her
most severely were not backward in giving their tostimony to
5 her virtue. He therefore did not hesitate any longer to adminis-
I tcr to her the holy Baptism which she asked with so niueh godly
I earnestness. She received it on Easter Day in the year IG76,
and was named Catherine, and it is thus that I shall call her in
. the rest of this letter.

The only care of the young neophyte was now to fulfill the
^ engagements she had contracted. She did not wish to restrict
herself to the observance of common practices, for she felt that
I she was called to a more perfect life. Besides the public instruc-
tions, at which she was present punctually, she requested also par-
ticular ones for the regulation of her private and secret life. Her
I prayers, her devotions, and her penances were arranged with the
I utmost exactness, and she was so docile to form herself according
to the plan of perfection which had been marked out for her,
I that in a little time she became a model of virtue.

In this manner several months passed away very peaceably.
; Even her relations did not seem to disapprove of the new course
of life which she was leading. But the Holy Spirit has warned
us by the mouth of Wisdom, that the faithful soul which begins
to unite itself to God, should prepare for temptation ; and this
was verified in the case of Catherine. Her extraordinary virtue
drew upon her the persecutions even of those who admired her.
They looked upon a life so pure, as being a tacit reproach to
their own irregularities, and with the design of discrediting it,
they endeavored by divers artifices to throw a taint upon its
' purity. But the confidence which the neophyte had in God,
i the distrust she felt of herself, her constancy in prayer, and that
^ delicacy of conscience which made her dread even the shadow of
■ a sin, gave her a perfect vi'tory over the enemies of her inno-
;■ ceiice.
I The exactness with which she observed the festival days at the

'M iJ

fiT:

V''

?■: i^i

t':.?j

H^ii

■ m

i\i

' \

■ '!

ll*".

Il'te

\i-

f'9 'I-

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

Chapel, was the cause of another storm which came upon her on
the part of her relations. The chaplet recited by two choirs is
an exercise of these holy days ; this kind of psalmody awakens
the attention of the neophytes and animates their devotions.
They execute the hym^'' and sacred canticles which our Indian?
chant, with much exactness p.nd harmony, for they have a fine
car, a good voice, and a rare taste for music. Catherine never
omitted this exercise. But they took it ill in the wigwam that
on these days she abstained from going to work with the others
in the field. At length, they came to bitter words, cast upon her
the reproach, that Christianity had made her effeminate and ac-
customed her to an indolent life ; they did not even allow her
anything to. eat, to oblige her, by means of famine, to follow her
relations and to aid in their labor. The neophyte bore with con-
stancy their reproach and contempt, and preferred in those days
to do without nourishment, rather than violate the law which re-
quired the observance of these festivals, or to omit these ordinary
practices of piety.

This firmness, which nothing could shake, irritated more and
more her heathen relatives. Whenever she went to the Chapel
they caused her to be followed with showers of stones by drunken
people, or those who feigned to be so, so that, to avoid their in-
sults, she was often obliged to take the most circuitous paths,
This extended even to the children, who pointed their fingers at
her, cried after her, and in derision called her " the Christian."
One day, when she had retired to her wigwam, a young man en-
tered abruptly, his eyes sparkling with rage, and a hatchet in liis
hand, which he raised as if to strike her. Perhaps he had no
other design than to frighten her. But whatever might have
been the Indian's intentions, Catherine contented herself with
modestly bowing her head, without showing the least emotion.
This intrepidity, so little expected, astonished the Indian t( such

It was

ur"

CATHERINE, THE IROdUOIS SAINT.

a degree, that he immediately took to flight, as if he had been
Liinself terrified by some invisible power.

It was in such trials of her patience and piety that Catherine
spent the summer and autumn which followed her baptism. The
winter brought her a little more tranquillity, but nevertheless,
she was not freed from suffering some crosses on the part of one
of her aunts. This womfin, who was of a deceitful and dangerous
spirit, could not endure the regular life of her niece, and there-
fore constantly condemned her, even in actions and words the
most indifferent. It is a custom among these Indians, that un-
cles give the name of daughters to their nieces, and the nieces
reciprocally call their uncles by thu name of father. Hence it
happens, that cousin-germans are commonly called brothers. It
happened, however, once or twice, that Catherine called the hus-
band of her aunt by his proper name, and not by that of father ;
but it was entirely owing to mistake or want of thougl^t. Yet
this evil spirit did not need any thing farther as the foundation
on which to build up a most atrocious calumny. She pretended
to believe, that this manner of expressing herself, which seemed
to her so familiar, was an evidence of criminal intimacy, and im-
mediately went to seek the missionary, to decry her to him, and
destroy in his mind those sentiments of esteem which he had al-
ways entertained for the neophyte. " Well !" she said, at once,
" so Catherine whom you esteem so virtuous, is notwithstanding
a hypocrite who deceives you. Even in my presence she solicited
my husband to sin." The missionary, who understood the evil
spirit of this woman, wished to know on what she founded an ac-
cusation of this kind, and having learned what had given occa-
sion to this odious suspicion, he administered to her a severe re-
primand, and sent her away utterly confounded. When he after-
wards mentioned it to the neophyte, she answered him with a
candor and confidence which showed the absence of all falsehood.
It was on this occasion that she declared, what perhaps we should

R , .... ,,it

■ ■^iA

•■Ll

.'h».

•, .. 4

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

l-i t:

v^;H' !:

not have known if she had not been placed on this trial, that by
the kindness of the Lord she could not remember that she had
ever stained the purity of hrr person, and that she did not fear
receiving any reproach on this point in the day of judgment.

It was sad for Catherine to have to sustain so many conflicts
and to see her innocence exposed without cessation to the out-
rages and railleries of her countrywomen. And in other respects
she had everything to fear in a country where so few of the peo-
ple had imbibed a taste for the maxims of the Gospel. She,
therefore, earnestly desired to be transplanted to some other
mission where she might serve God in peace and liberty. This
was the subject of her most fervent prayers, and it was also the
advice of the missionary, but it was not easy to bring about. She
was entirely in the power of an uncle, watchful of all her actions.
and through the aversion he had for Christians, incapable of ap-
preciating her resolution. But God who listens favorably cTon
to the simple desires of those who place their trust in Him. dis-
posed all things for the repose nnd consolation of the neophyte.

A colony of Iroquois had l:^tely been formed among the Froneli.
the peace which existed between the two nations having given
these Indians an opportunity of coming to hunt on our lands.
Many of them stopped near the prairie of the Madeleine, where
the missionaries of our society who dwelt there met thera, and at
different times conversed with them on the necessity of salvation,
God at the same time influencing their hearts by the impressions
of his grace, these Indians found themselves suddenly changed,
and listened without objection to the proposition that they should
renounce their country and settle among us. They received
baptism after the usual instructions and probation.

The example and devotion of these new converts drew to them
many of their countrymen, and in a few years the Mission of
St. Francis Xavier du SauU, (for it was thus that it was named.)
became celebrated for the great number of its neophytes and their

CATHERINE, THE IROaUOIS SAINT.

extraordinary fervor. If an Iroquois had made these a visit,
ever so short, even though he had no other design but to see his
relatives or friends, he seemed to lose entirely the desire to re-
tiu'n to his own country. The charity of these neophytes led
tlicin even to divide with the new comers, the fields which they
had cleared with much labor : but the way in which this feeling
appeared to the greatest advantage was, in the eagerness thoy
showed in instructing them in the tr;thsof our faith. To this
work they devoted entire days and even a portion of the night.
Their conversations, full of unction and piety, made the most
lively impression on the hearts of their guests, and transformed
them, so to speak, into different beings. He who a little while
before breathed of nothing but blood and war, became, softened,
humble, teachable, and ready to obey the most difficult maxims
of our religion.

This zeal did not restrict itself to those who came to visit
them, but induced them also to make excursions into the differ-
ent settlements of their nation, and they always returned accom-
panied by a large number of their countrymen. On the very
day that Catherine received Baptism, one of the most powerful
of the Agiiiez returned to the mission in company with thirty of
the Iroquois of that tribe whom he had gained to Jesus Christ.
The neophyte would very willingly have followed him, but she
depended, as I have said before, on an uncle who did not see with-
out sorrow the depopulation of his village, and who openly de-
clared himself the enemy of those who thought of going to live
among the French.

It was not until the following year that she obtained the facil-
ities she wished for the execution of her design. She had an
adopted sister who had retired with her husband to the Mission
du Sault. The zeal of the recent converts to draw their relatives
and friends to the new colony, inspired her with the same thoughts
with regard to Catherine, and disclosing her designs to her hus-

l-'lji

n>-<%

I'J''!W

,.t:

»«'

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

band, he gave his consent. He joined himself therefore to ai
Indian of Loretto and some other neophytes, who under cover
of going to trade in beaver-skins with the English, travelled to
the villages of the Iroquois, with the intention of engaging tlicir
acquaintances to follow them, and tc share in the blessings of their
conversion.

With difficulty ho reached the village in which Catherine livecl,
and informed her secretly of the object of his journey, and the
desire his wife felt that she should be with her at the Mission du
Sault, whose praise he set forth in a few words. As the neo-
phyte appeared transported with joy at this disclosure, he warned
her to hold herself in readiness to depart immediately on his re-
turn from his journey to tlie English, which he would not have
made except to avoid giving umbrage to his uncle. This " uncle
was then absent, without having any suspicion of his niece's de-
sign. Catherine went immediately to take leave of the mission-
ary, and to ask his recommendation to the Fathers who were over
the Mission du Sault. The missionary on his part, while lie
could not withhold his approval of the resolution of the neophyte,
exhorted her to place her trust in God, and gave her those coud"
sels which he judged necessary in the present juncture.

As the journey of her brother-in-law was o -ly a pretext the
better to conceal his design, he almost immediately returned to
the village, and the day after his arrival, departed with Catherine
and the Indian of Loretto who had kept him company. It was
not long before it was discovered in the village that the neophyte
had disappeared, and they had no doubt but that she had fol-
lower* the two Indians. They immediately therefore despatched
a runner to her uncle to give him the news. The old chief,
jealous of the increase of his nation, foamed with rage at the in-
telligence, and immediately charging his gun with three balls, he
went in pursuit of those who had accompanied his niece. lie
made such haste that in a very short time he came up with them.

CATHERINE, THE IROQUOIS SAINT.

Tlic two Indians, who had known beforehand that ho would not
liiil to pursue them, had concealed the neophyte in a thick wood,
aiul had stopped as if to take a little repose. The old man was
very much astonished at not finding his niece witii tliein, and
after a moment's conversation, coming to the conclusion tl)ut ho
bad credited too easily the first rumor which had been spread, ho
retraced his footsteps to the village. Catherine regarded this
sudden retreat of her uncle as one effect of the protection of
God which she enjoyed, and continuing her route she arrived
at tlic Mission du Sault, in the end of autumn of the year 1077.

She took up her abodo with the family of her brother-in-law.
The cabin belonged to one of the most fervent Christians in the
place, named Anastasia, whose care it was to instruct those of
her own sex who aspired to the grace of baptism. The zeal with
winch she discharged her duty in this employment, her conver-
sations, and her example, charmed Catherine. But what edified
her exceedingly was the piety of all the converts who composed
this numerous mission. Above all, she was struck with seeing
men become so different from what they were when they lived in
their own country. She compared their exemplary life with the
licentious course they had been accustomed to lead, and recog-
nizing the hand of God in so extraordinary a change, she cease-
lessly thanked Him for having conducted her into this land of
blessings.

To make a suitable return for these favors from Heaven, she
felt that she ought to give herself up entirely to God, without
having any reserve, or permitting any thought of herself The
consecrated place became, thenceforth, all her delight. She re-
paired thither at four o'clock in the morning, attended the Mass
at the dawn of day, and afterwards assi ^ted at that of the In-
dians, which was said at sunrise. During the course of the day
she from time to time broke off from her work to go and hold
communion with Jesus Christ at the foot of the altar. In the

■ I

tjl:|M

"VI

■-M

h'Jt<

x|(|

in 'tti

w.-' *■

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

ovoning sho returned again to the cliurcli, and did not leave it
until the night was far advanced. When engaged in her prayers,
she seemed entirely unconscious of what was passing witliout.
and in a short time the Holy Spirit raised her to so subliiuo a
devotion, that she often spent many hours in intimate conimuuion
with God.

To this inclination for prayer, she joined an almost uncca.slng
application to labor. She sustained herself in her toils by the
pious conversations which she held with Anastasia, that fervent
Christian of whom I have already spoken, and with whom she
had formed a most intimate friendship, The topics on wlilcli
they most generally talked were, the delight they received in the
service of God, the means of pleasing him and advancing in
virtue, the peculiar traits seen in the lives of the saints, the
horror they should have of sin, and the care with which they
should expiate by penitence those they had the misfortune to
commit. She always ended the week by an exact investigation
of her faults and imperfections, that she might efface them by
the sacrament of penance, which she underwent every Saturday
evening. For this she prepared herself by different mortifica-
tions with which she afflicted her body, and when she accused
herself of faults even the most light, it was with such vivid feci-
ings of compunction, that she shed tears and her words were
choked by sighs and sobbings. The lofty idea she had of the
majesty of God made her regard the least offence with horror,
and when any had escaped her, she seemed not able to pardon
herself for its commission.

Virtues so marked did not permit me for a very long time to
refuse her the permission which she so earnestly desired, that on
the approaching festival of Christmas she should receive her first
communion. This is a privilege which is not' accorded to those
who come to reside among the Iroquois, until after some years of
probation and many trials ; but the piety of Catherine placed her

CATHERINE, THE IROaUOTS SAINT.

t«*

beyond the ordinary rules. She participated, for tlio first time
iii her life, in tho holy Eucharist, with a degree of fervor propor-
tioned to tho rovoronco she had for this grace, and the earnest-
ness with which she had desired to obtain it. And on every
subsequent occasion on which sho approached the holy sacrament,
it was always with the same disposition. Iler manner alone in-
t;pircd tho most lukewarm with devotion, and when a general
connnunion was about to take place, the most virtuous neophytes
undeavored with emulation to be near her, because, said they, tho
sight alone of Catherine served them for an excellent preparation
for communing worthily.

After tho festival of Christmas, it being the proper season for
tho chase, she was not able to excuse herself from following her
sister and brother-in-law into tho forests. She then made it
apparent, that one is able to serve God in all places where his
providence calls him. She did not relax any of her ordinary
exercises, while her piety even suggested to her holy practices to
substitute in place of those which were incompatible with a resi-
dence in the forests. There was a time set apart for every thing.
In the morning she applied herself to her prayers, and concluded
with those which the Indians make in common according to their
custom, and in the evening she renewed them again, continuing
until the night was far advanced. While the Indians were par-
taking of their repast to prepare themselves to endure the chase
through the whole day, she retired to some secret place to offer
up her devotions ; as this was a little before the time when they
were accustomed to hear Mass at the Mission. She had fixed a
cross in the trunk of a tree which she found by the side of a
stream, and this solitary spot was her oratory. There, she placed
herself in spirit at the foot of the altar, she united her soul with
that of the priest, she prayed her guardian angel to be present
for her at that holy sacrifice, and to apply to her its benefits.
The rest of the day she spent in laboring with the others of her ,

-t

■'i^A

{
J

:?^

'■I •■

1 ^tU'lifc

i i

ill

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

|i"i. 1 '

fry

I " '• 1 ; i. !'

!' 'i; • ;

|;0;;fr

sex, but to banish all frivolous discourse and preserve her union
with God, she always introduced some religious conversation, or
perhaps invited them to sing hymns or anthems in praise of their
Lord. Her repasts were very simple, and often she did not eat
till the end of the day. At other times, she secretly mixed ashes
with tho food provided for her, to deprive it of everything which
might afford pleasure to the taste. This is a self-mortification
which she always practised, when she could do so without being
seen.

This sojourn in the forests was not very agreeable to Catherine,
although generally pleasant to the Indian women, because, freed
from domestic cares, they pass their time in amusements and
feasting. She longed without ceasing for the time to arrive, Fhen
they are accustomed to return to the village. The Church, the
presence of Jesus Christ in the august Sacrament of the Altar,
the holy Sacrifice of the Mass, the frequent exhortations, and the
other exercises of the Mission, of which she was deprived while
engaged in the chase — these were the only objects which inter-
ested her. She had no taste for anything else. She therefore
formed the determination, that if she lived to return once more to
the Mission, she would never again leave it. She arrived there
near the time of Passion Week, and for the first time assisted
in the ceremonies of those holy days.

I shall not stop, my Reverend Father, to describe to you here
how deeply she was afiected by a spectacle so touching as that of
the sorrows and death of a God for the safety of men. She shed
tears almost continually, and formed the resolution to bear, for
the rest of her days, in her own body, the Cross of Jesus Christ,
From that time she sought all occasions of self-mortification,
perhaps to expiate those light faults which she regarded as so
many outrages against the Divine Majesty, perhaps to trace in
her the image of a God crucified for love of us. The conversa-
tions of Anastasia, who often talked with her of the pains of Hell,

CATHERINE, THE IROdUOIS SAINT.

W'^^ 'Ml

aud the severity which the saints exercised upon themselves,
strengthened the desire she had for the austerities of penance.
She found herself also animated to this course by an accident
which placed her in great danger of losing her life. She was
catting a tree in the woods, which fell sooner than she expected ;
she had sufficient time, by drawing bach, to shun the body of the
tree, which would have crushed her by its fall ; but she was not
able to escape from one of the branches, which struck her vio-
lently on the head, and threw her senseless to the ground. She
shortly afterwards recovered from her swoon, and those around
heard her softly ejaculating, " I thank thee, good Jesus, for
having succored me in this danger." She did not doubt but that
God had preserved her to give her time to expiate her sins by
repentance. This she declared to a companion, who felt herself
called, like Catherine, to a life of austerity, and with whom she
was in so close an intimacy that they communicated to each other
the most secret things which took place in their innermost souls.
This new association had indeed so much influence on the life of
Catherine, that I cannot refrain from speaking of it.

Therese (it is thus that she was named) had been baptized by
Father Bruyas in the Iroquois country ; but the licentiousness
which prevailed among her people, and the evil example she
always had before her eyes, caused her shortly to forget the vows
of her baptism. Even a sojourn which she made after some time
at the Mission, where she had come to live with his family, only
produced a partial change in her life. A most strange adven-
ture, however, which happened to her, operated at last to her

■ conversion.

She had gone with her husband and a young nephew to the
cliase, near the river of the Outaouacks. On their way some
otlier Indians joined them, and they made a company of eleven
persons, that is, four men and four women, with three young
persons, Therese was the only Christian. The snow, which this

'-n

'■ .1 ■ . • t '

' ".' i.

> *f

■:v|

'PWh

■4'^

■■Ma

r ■it'

■ *'■

i-.rvli

"i, I'lii

■if%

pi-'-.

100

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

year fell very late, prevented them from having any success in
hunting, their provisions were in a short time consumed, and they
were reduced to eat some skins, which they had brought with
them to make moccasons. At length they eat the moccasons
themselves, and finally, pressed by hunger, were obliged to sus-
tain their lives principally by herbs and the bark of trees. lu
the meantime the husband of Therese fell dangerously ill, and
the hunters were obliged to halt. Two among them, an AgnU
and a lsonno)itona?i,Visked leave of the party to make an excur-
sion to some distance in search of game, promising to return at
the farthest in ten days. The Ag/iie, indeed, returned at the
time appointed, but he came alone, and reported that the Imi.
nontouan had perished by famine and misery. They suspected
him of having murdered his companion, and then fed upon liig
flesh j for, although he declared that he had not found any game,
he was nevertheless in full strength and health. A few days
afterwards the husband of Therese died, experiencing in his last
moments deep regret that he had not received baptism. The
remainder of the company then resumed their journey, to attempt
to reach the bank of the river and gain the French settlements,
After two or three days' march, they became so enfeebled by
want of nourishment, that they were not able to advance farther,
Desperation then inspired them with a strange resolution, whicli
was, to put some of their number to death, that the lives of the
rest might be preserved. They, therefore, selected the wife of
the Tsonnontouan and her two children, who w>re thus in succes-
sion devoured. This spectacle terrified Therese, for she had good
reason to fear the same treatment. Then she reflected on the
deplorable state in which conscience told her she was; she re-
pented bitterly that she had ever entered the forest without
having first purified herself by a full confession ; she asked pardon
of God for the disorders of her life, and promised to confess as
soon as possible and undergo penance. Her prayer was heard,

IliE^"'! .1i

CATHARINE, THE IROCtUOIS SAINT.

101

'<>*J

and after incredible fatigues, she reached the village with four
ethers, who alo' e remained of the company. She did, indeed,
fulfil one part o'' the promise, for she confessed herself soon after
her return, but she was more backward to reform her life and
subject herself to the rigors of penance.

One day, while she was looking at the new Church they were
building at the Sault, after they had removed thither the mis-
sion which before had been at the prairie of the Madeleine, she
met with Catharine, who was also inspecting it. They saluted
each other for the first time, and entering into conversation,
Catherine asked her, which portion of the Church was to be
set apart for the females. Therese pointed out the place which
she thought would be appropriated to them. " Alas !" answered
Catherine, with a sigh, " it is not in this material temple that
God most loves to dwell. It is within ourselves that He wishes
to take up His abode. Our hearts are the Temple which is
most agreeable to Him. But, miserable being that I am, how
many times have I forced Him to abandon this heart in which
He should reign alone! And do I not deserve, that to punish
me for my ingratitude, they should forever exclude me from this
temple which they are raising to His glory?"

The humility of these sentiments deeply touched the heart of
Therese. At the same time, she felt herself pressed by remorse
of conscience to fulfil what she had promised to the Lord, and
she did not doubt but that God had directed to her this holy fe-
male, to support her by her counsels and example in the new
kind of life she wished to embrace. She therefore opened her
heart to Catherine on the holy desires with which God had in-
sph-ed her, and insensibly the conversation led them to disclose
to each other their most secret thoughts. To converse with
greater eas j they went and sat at the foot of a cross which was
erected on the banks of the Elver St. Lawrence. This first in-
terview, which revealed the uniformity of their sentiments and

->M

t.j*

■r- ill

■•'i?.

'{^'

'Mi

nj-m-1

■ ;-.'!.: lit-

/'. ^'' -,•'

i.v: ■■;

ml''

w!'i- ■ ■^■

102

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

incliuationSj began to strengthen the bonds of a holy friendship
which lasted even to the death of Catherine. From this time
they were inseparable. They went together to the Church, to
the forest, and to their daily labor. They animated each other to
the service of God by their religious conversations — they mu-
tually communicated their pains and dislikes — they disclosed
their faults — they encouraged each other to the practice of aus-
tere virtues — and thus were mutually of infinite service in ad-
vancing more and more in their views of perfection.

It was thus that God prepared Catherine for a new contest
which her love of celibacy obliged her to undergo. Interested
views inspired her sister with the design of marrying her. She
supposed there was not a young man then in the Mission du
Sault, who would not be ambitious of the honor of being united to
so virtuous a female, and that thus ha viug the whole village from
which to make her choice, she would be able to select for her
brother-in-law some able hunter who would bring abundance to
the cabin. She expected indeed to meet with difficulties on the
part of Catherine, for she she was not ignorant of the persecu-
tions this generous girl had already suffered, and the constalicj
with which she had sustained them, but she persuaded herself
that the force of reason would finally vanquish her opposition,
She selected therefore a particular day, and after having shown
Catherine even more affection than ordinary, she addressed iier
with that eloquence which is natural to these Indians, when they
are engaged in anything which concerns their interests.

"I must confess, my dear sister," said she, with a manner
full of sweetness and affability, "you are under great obliga-
tions to the Lord for having brought you, as well as ourselves,
from our unhappy country, and for having conducted you to the
Mission du Sault, where everything is favorable to your piety.
If you are rejoiced to be here, I have no less satisfaction at hav
ing you with me. You every day indeed increase our pleasmo

CATHERINE, THE IROGIUOIS SAINT.

103

eiidsliip
liis time
lurcli, to
otlier to
hey mu-
iisclosed
e of aus-
cc in ad-

N contest
aterosted
Lor. She
ission du
miitoJ to
lage from
ct for lier
ndaucc to
ies on the
3 persccu-
coustalicj
3d lierself
)pposition,
ing slioun
resscd her
when tk}'
I.

a manner
eat obliga-
i ourseh-es,
you to the
four piety.
ion at hav
ur pleasure

fcy the wisdom of your conduct, which draws upon you general
esteem and approbation. There only remains one thing for you
to do to complete our happiness, which is to think seriously of
establishing yourself by a good and judicious marriage. All the
j'ouug girls among us take this course ; you are of an age to act
as tlicy do, and you are bound to do so even more particularly
than others, either to shun the occasions of sin, or to supply the
necessities of life. It is true that it is a source of great plea-
sure to us, both to your brother-in-law and myself, to furnish
these things for you, but you know that he is in the decline of
life, and that we are charge ' with the care of a large family. If
you were to be deprived of us, to whom could you have recourse ?
Think of these things, Catherine ; provide for yourself a refuge
from the evils which accompany poverty ; and determine as soon
as possible to prepare to avoid them, while you can do it so
easily, and in a way so advantageous both to yourself and to our
family."

There was nothing which Catherine less expected than a pro-
position of this kind, but the kindness and respect she felt for
her sister induced her to conceal her pain, and she contented
herself with merely answering, that she thanked her for this ad-
vice, but the step was of great consequence and she would think
of it seriously. It was thus that she warded off the first attack.
She immediately came to seek me, to complain bitterly of these
importunate solicitations of her sister. As I did not appear to
accede entirely to her reasoning, and, for the purpose of proving
her, dwelt on those considerations which ought to incline her to
marriage, " Ah, my father," said she, " I am not any longer my
own. I have given myself entirely to Jesus Christ, and it is not
possible for me to change masters. The poverty with which I
am threatened gives me no uneasiness. So little is requisite to
supply the necessities of this wretched life, that my labor can
furnish this, and I can always find some miserable rags to cover

^■" y

^41 .

' f

' I

."^.f ,(:/;:t

j^n

Hbsf:

4 I

104

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

mo." I sent her away, saying, that she should think well on tie
subject, for it was one which merited the most serious attea.
tion.

Scarcely had she returned to the cabin, when her sister, im.
patient to bring her ov r to her views, pressed her anew to
end her wavering by forming an advantageous settlement. But
finding from the reply of Catherine, that it was useless to attempt
to change her mind, phe determined to enlist Anastasia in her in-
terests, since they both regarded her as their mother. In this
she was successful. Anastasia was readily induced to belicTe
that Catherine had too hastily formed her resolution, and there-
fore employed all that influence which age and virtue gave her
over the mind of the young girl, to persuade her that marriage
was the only part she ought to take.

This measure however, had no greater success than the other.
and Anastasia, who had always until that time found so muc!i
docility in Catnerine, was extremelj surprised at the little defer-
ence she paid to her counsels. She even bitterly reproached her,
and threatened to bring her complaints to me. Catherine antici-
pated her in this, and after having related the pains they forced
her to suffer to induce her to adopt a course so little to her taste.
she prayed mo to aid her in consummating the sacrifice she wist
ed to make of herself to Jesus Christ, and to provide her a refuge
from the opposition she had to undergo from Anastasia and her
sister. I praised her design, but at the same time advised her to
take yet threo days to deliberate on an affair of such importance,
and during that time to offer up extraordinary prayers that slie
might be better taught the will of God; after which, if she still
persisted in her resolution, I promised her to put an end to tlic
importunities of her relatives. She at first acquiesced in what I
proposed, but in less than a quarter of an hour came back to seek
me. " It is settled," said she, as she came near me ; " it is not a
question for deliberation ; my part has long since been taken. No,

3ll on tie

•us atteii'

sister, m
anew to
Bnt. But
,0 attempt
in her in-
. In thii
to believe
and there'
gave her
fc marriage

the other,
I so niucli
Lttle defer-
»ached her,
rine antici-
;hey forced
3 her taste,
e she wisli-
er a refuge
iia and her
dsed her to
mportancc,
rs that she
if she still
end to the
d in what I
jack to seek
" it i& not a
taken. No,

CATHERINE, THE IROQUOIS SAINT. 105

1 wy Father, I can have no other spouse but Jesus Christ." I
I tlioufht that it would be wrong for me any longer to oppose a
I resolution which seemed to me inspired by the Holy Spirit, and
; therefore exhorted her to perseverance, assuring her that I would
undertake her defence against those who wished henceforth to
disturb her on that subject. This answer restored her ^'»rmer
traiKjuillity of mind, and reestablished in her soul that inward
peace which she preserved even to the end of her life.
i Scarcely had she gone, when Anastasia came to complain in
i her turn, that Catherine would not listen to any advice, but fol-
] lowed only her own whims. She was running on in this strain,
when I interrupted her by saying that I was acquainted with the
' cause of her dissatisfaction, but was astonished that a Christian
f as old as she was, could disapprove of an action which merited
i the highest praise, and that if she had faith, she ought to know
the value of a state so sublime as that of celibacy, which rendered
; feeble men like to the angels themselves. At these words Anas-
I tasia seemed to be in a perfect dream, and as she possessed a
; deeply seated devotion of spirit, she almost immediately began to
■ turn the blame upon herself ; she admired the courage of this vir-
.< tuous girl, and at length became the foremost to fortify her iu
the holy resolution she had taken. It was thus that Grod turned
these different contradictious to be a benefit to his servant. And
it also furnished Catherine with a new motive to serve God with
greater fervor. She therefore added new practices to the ordi-
nary exercises of piety. Feeble as she was, she redoubled her
diligence in labor, her watchings, fastings, and other austerities.

It was then the end of autumn, when the Indians are accus-
tomed to form their parties to go out to hunt during the winter
iu the forests. The sojourn which Catherine had already made
there, and the pain she had suffered at being deprived of the re-
ligious privileges she possessed in the village, had induced her to
form the resolution, as I have already mentioned, that she would

-■'H

' .1]

' .5 .?;'

-|^1^V.::S':I

•I

Ii''tr'

Itf ■ ;•

li'i'l"'''' •',;!.'

1; ;'■•'!■ .iMt'

!ilil; 1'^: :'.'':: !^^i

■!'H

i:!' ^1 i'

'■fi J'^

'! * i: -I I

106

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

never during her life return there. I thought however that the
change of air, and the diet, which is so much better in the forost
would be able to restore her health, which was now very much im-
paired. It was for this reason that I advised her to follow the
family and others who went to the hunting grounds. She an-
swered me in that deeply devotional manner which was so naiu-
ral to her, "It is true, my Father, that my body is served must
luxuriously in the forest, but the soul languishes theio, and is
not able to satisfy its hunger. On the contrary, in the village
the body suffers ; I am contented that it should be so, but the
soul finds its delight in being near to Jesus Christ. Well then,
I will willingly abandon this miserable body to hunger and suf-
fering, provided that my soul may have its ordinary nourish-
ment."

She remained therefore during the winter in the village, where
she lived only on Indian corn, and was subjected indeed to much
suffering. But not content with allowing her body only this in-
sipid food, which could scarcely sustain it, she subjected it also to
austerities and excessive penances, without taking counsel of any
one, persuading herself that while the object was self-mortifica-
tion, she was right in giving herself up to everything which could
increase her fervor. She was incited to these holy exercises by
the noble examples cf self-mortification which she always had be-
fore her eyes. The spirit of penance reigned among the Chris-
tians at the Sault. Fastings, discipline carried even unto blood,
belts lined with points of iron — these wore their most common
austerities. And some of them, by these voluntary macerations,
prepared themselves, when the time came, to suffer the most fear-
ful torments.

The war was once more rekindled between the French and the
Iroquois, and the latter invited their countrymen who were at
the Mission du Sault to return to their own country, where they
promised them entire libertv in the exercise of thei:

iligic

Iroquoi:
away to
But the
cxcrucia
torturiiij
to cmbrt
One iu
constanc
did not
torture,
■■ the point
of his Mi
sion of tL
of the saT
their cou
tism, and
Thewc
fihowed fc
that when
their zeal
which the
flict suffc:
Bnow whei
to the wai
to the ri^
where the
those who
.fliem3elves
fas necesi
flieir rosai

!u;j;-.:i:

i^N ;ii^«-

and tlie

were at

ere tbty

religion.

CATHERINE, THE IROaU^IS SAINT.

107

The refusal w'tli which these oflFcrs were met transported them
witii fury, and the Christian Indians who remained at the Sault
ncrc immediately declared enemies of their nation. A party of
Irof[uois surprised some of them while hunting, and carried them
.way to their country, where they were burned by a slow fire.
But these noble and faithful men, even in the midst of the most
excruciating torments, preached Jesus Christ to those who were
torturing them so cruelly, and conjured them, as soon aa possible,
to embrace Christianity, to deliver themselves from eternal fires.
One in particular among them, named Etienne, signalized his
constancy and faith. "When environed by the burning flames, he
dill not cease to encourage his wife, who was sufi'ering the same
torture, to invoke with him the holy name of Jesus. Being on
the point of expiring, he rallied all his strength, and in imitation
of bis Master, prayed the Lord with a loud voice for the conver-
Bion of those who had treated him with such inhumanity. Many
of the savages, touched by a spectacle so new to them, abandoned
tlieir country and came to the Mission du Sault, to ask for bap-
tism, and live there in accordance with the laws of the Gospel.

The women were not behind their husbands in the ardor they
ehowcd for a life of penance. They even went to such extremes,
that when it came to our knowledge, we were obliged to moderate
their zeal. Besides the ordinary instruments of mortification
which they employed, they had a thousand new inventions to in-
flict suffering upon themselves. Some placed themselves in the
BDOw when the cold was most severe ; others stripped themselves
to the waist in retired places, and remained a long time exposed
to the rigor of the season, on the banks of a frozen river, and
where the wind was blowing with violence. There were even
ihose who, after having broken the ice in the ponds, plunged
fliemoelves in up to the neck, and remained there as long as it
fas necessary for them to recite many times the ten beads of
ilieir rosary. One of them did this three nights in succession ;

■>.. "i

:i (

lit.*' .j|,,.r.,;'

li '.it !■■>''■,

^ '■,! *i ' -S''. ' '

ill 'C"!''! ""'~ ' J • '1'

mU !1^ '•,■:

108

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

and it was tho cause of so violent a fever, that it was thought she
would have died of it. Another one surprised mo extremely h
her simplicity. I learned that, not content with having herself
used this mortification, she had also plunged her dauglitor, but
three years old, into the frozen river, from which she drew lier
out half dead. When I sharply teproached her indiscretion, she
answered me with a surprising naivete, that she did not thin!;
she was doing anything wrong, but that knowing her daughter
would one day certainly oflfend the Lord, she had wished to ia.
pose on her in advance the pain which her sin merited.

Although those who inflicted these mortifications on themselves
were particular to conceal them from the knowledge of the pul>
lie, yet Catherine, who had a mind quick and penetrathig, di]
not fail from various appearances to conjecture that which thej
held so secret, and as she studied every means to testify mort
and more her love to Jesus Christ, she applied herself to exam'
ine everything that was done pleasing to the Lord, that sk
might herself immediately put it in practice. It was for tlii:
reason that while passing some days at Montreal, where for tk
first time she saw the nuns, she was so charmed with their mo:
esty and devotion, that she informed herself most thorouglil'
with regard to the manner in which these holy sisters lived, ani
the virtues which they practiced. Having learned that tk
were Christian virgins, who were consecrated to God by a vow
perpetual continence, she gave me no peace until I had granteil
her permission to make the same sacrifice of herself, not l]\
simple resolution to guard her virginity, such as she had alreaJj]
made, but by an irrevocable engagement which obliged her til
belong to God without any recall. I would not, however, gbj
my consent to this step until I had well proved her, and ba:
anew convinced that it was the spirit of God acting in this exc(
lent girl, which had thus inspired her with a design of wK
there had never been an example among the Indians.

§.,■•■-'

CATHERINE, THE HlOaUOIS SAIN'i.

100

themselves
»f the puV
ratuig, di'l
which thej
estify moK
If to cxaii'
d, that k
7as for tki:
lere for tt
their wii-
thorough;
:b lived, aii
that tk
hy a vow'i
had grantei'
jclf, not bjil
had alrea^i'
)liged her t
however, f-
icr, and m
in this esft'.
sign of "M'

IS.

Jj'or this great event she chose the day ou which wo celebrate

the Festival of the Annunciation of the most holy Virgin. The

momcut after she had received our Lord in the holy Communion,

she pronounced with admirable fervor the vow she had made of

iicrpotual virginity. She then addressed the Holy Virgin, for

whom she had a most tender devotion, praying her to present to

! her son the oblation of herself which she had just made ; after

, which she passed some hours at the foot of the altar in huly med-

V itatiou and in perfect union with Glod.

From that time Catherine seemed to be entirely divorced from
< this world, and she aspired continually to Heaven, where she had
I fixed all her desires. She seemed even to taste in anticipation
Ithe sweetness of that heavenly state ; but her body was not suf-
ficiently strong to sustain the weight of her austerities, and the
lonstant effort of her spirit to maintain itself in the presence of
iGod. She was at length seized with a violent illness, from which
'Jfflhe never entirely recovered. There always remained an affec-
ition of the stomach, accompanied by frequent vomiting, and a
IbIow fever, which undermined her constitution by degrees, and
Ihrew her into a weakness which insensibly wasted her away. It
as, however, evident that her soul acquired new strength in pro-
lortion as her body decayed. The nearer she approached the
rrination of her career, the more clearly she shone forth in all
ose virtues which she had practiced with so much edification.
ut I need not stop here to particularize them to you, except to
lention a few of those which made the most impression and
;^ere the source and spring of all the others.

She had a most tender love for God. Her only pleasure
leemed to be, to keep herself in contemplation in his presence,
to meditate on His majesty and mercy, to sing His praises, and
Ooutinually to desire new ways of pleasing Him. It was princi-
|ftlly to prevent distraction from other thoughts that she so often
Withdrew into solitude. Anastasia and Therese were the only

;:i»l

. ''Til-

% . M

* i *

' ,,1. -

■f> -I,

■1. ."I

'fo^'ii^

3 ■!••', .■

i.t ► !i..::,':

110

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

two Cliristians with whom who wished much to associate, })ccau«;
thoy talked most of (Jod, and their coiiversations brcatlitJ i^
thing but divine love.

From thence arose the peculiar devotion she had for the Hfjl:
JOuc'hiirist and the Passion of our Saviour. These hvo niystti
of the love of the same God, concealed under the veil of tln' 1
cliai'ist and Ilis dying on the cross, ceaselessly occupiod !.t;|
f^pirit, and kindled in her heart the purest flames of love. Kwr
day slie was seen to pass whole hours at the foot of the altar, in
liioveable as if tran.sndrted beyond herself Iler eyes often ei
plained the sentiments of her breast by the abundance of tear']
she shed, and in these tears she found so great delight that Ai
was, as it were, insensible to the most severe cold of wintirl
Often seeing her benumbed with cold, I have sent her to m
cabin to warm herself; she obeyed immediately, but the inoimi
after returned to the Church, and continued there in long cnii]|
munion with Jesus Christ.

To keep alive her devotion for the mystery of our Saviour |
Passion, and to have it always present to her mind, she caiii
on her breast a little crucifix which I had given her. She ufc;
kissed it with feelings of the most tender compassion for ih .>i:|
fering Jesus, and with the most vivid remembrance of the Im
fits of our redemption. One day wishing particularly to liooj
Jesus Christ in this double mystery of His love, after having irl
ceived the Holy Communion, she made a perpetual oblation '
her soul to Jesus in the Eucharist, and of her body to Jcsiis:
tached to the cross ; and thenceforth, she was ingenious to i:
agine every day new ways of afflicting and crucifying her M

During the winter, while she was in the forest with her cor^
panions, she would follow them at a distance, taking ofi'hersli
and walking with her naked feet over the ice and snow. Had
heard Anastasia say, that of all torments that of fire was the nil
frightful, and that the constancy of the martyrs who had suffertj

CATIIEIUNE, THE IROCIUOIS SAINT.

Ill

this torture would bo a great merit with the Lord, the following
uiiflit she burned her feet and limbs with a hut brand, very mueh
ill the f<uuie way that the Indians mark their slaves, persuading
horsolt'that by this aetion she had declared herself the slave of
her Saviour. At another time she strewed the mat on which she
fileiit with large thorns, the points of which we«) very sharp, and
after the example of the holy and thrico happy Saint Louis de
Gouziiguc, she rolled herself for three nights in succession on
thejjo thorns, which caused her the most iutcnscpain. In conse-
(luencc of these things her countenance was entirely wasted and
pale, which those around her attributed to illness. But Theresc,
the companion whom she had taken so much into her confidence,
having discovered the rcson of this extraordinary paleness,
aroused her scruples by declaring, that she might offend God if
she iuflictcd such austerities on herself without the permission of
her Confessor. Catherine, who trembled at the very appearance
of sin, came immediately to find me,. to confess her fault and
demand pardon of God. I blamed her indiscretion, and directed
her to throw the thorns into the fire. She did so immediately,
for she had an implicit submission to the judgment of those who
directed her conscience, and enlightened as she was by that illu-
mination with which God favored her, she never manifested the
least attachment to her own will.

Her patience was the proof of all her acquirements. In the
midst of her continual infirmities, she always preserved a peace
and serenity of spirit which charmed us. She never forgot her-
self cither to utter a complaint or give the slightest sign of impa-
tience. During the last two months of her life her sufferings were
extraordinary She was obliged to remain night and day in the
same position, and the least movement caused her the most intense
pain. But when these pains were felt with the greatest severity,
then she seemed most content, esteeming herself happy, as she

■I A

^!'

V\r^.

■-■■Jii

'■■'i'

.'■'4 _■!■. !■,'•)-)

112

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

i^f^'K

■ |l

liliSi:

El a

"LI'mI ■ .

■I :

; . •■■ ■ t,<

herself said, to live and to die on the Cross, uniting her sufferings
to those of her Saviour.

As she was full of faith, she had a high idea of everything
relating to religion, and this inspired her with a particular respect
for those whom God called to the holy ministry. Her hope was
firm, her love disinterested, serving God for the sake of God him-
self, and influenced only by the desire to please Him. Her devo-
tion was tender, even to tears, her communion with God intimate
and uninterrupted, never losing sight of Him in all her actions,
and it was this which raised her in so short a time to so sublime
a state of piety.

In short, there was nothing more remarkable in Catherine than
this angelical purity, of which she was so jealous, and which she
preserved even to her latest breath. It was indeed a miracle of
grace, that a young Iroquois should have had so strong an attach-
ment to a virtue so little known in her own country, and that she
should have lived in such innocence of life during twenty years
that she remained in the very midst of licentiousness and disso-
luteness. It was this love of purity which produced in her heart
so tender an affection for the Queen of Virgins. Catherine could
never speak of Our Lady but with transport. She had learned
by heart her Litanies, and recited them all, particularly in the
evening, after the common-prayers of the cabin. She always car-
ried with her a rosary, which she recited many times in the
course of the day. The Saturdays and other days which are par-
ticularly consecrated to her honor, she devoted to extraordinary
austerities, and devoted herself to the practical imitation of some
of her virtues. She redoubled her fervor when they celebrated one
of these Festivals, and she selected such holy days to offer to God
some new sacrifice, or to renew those which she had already made.

It was to be expected that so holy a life would be followed by
a most happy death. And so it was in the last moments of her
life, that she edified us most by the practice of her virtues, and

•■Hfd'

CATHERINE, THE IROaUOIS SAINT.

113

'■»(»

jrything
r respect
lope ms
jod him-
[er devo-
intimate
r actions,
3 sublime

irine than
wrhich she
iiiracle of
an attach-
d tliat she
3nty years
and disso-
her heart
rine could
,d learned
•ly in the
.ways car-
es in the
1 are par-
aordinary
3n of some
bratfcd one
fer to God
ady made,
ollowed by
snts of her
irtues, and

above all by her patience and union with God. She found her-
self very ill towards the time that the men are accustomed to go
out to the hunting grounds in the forest, and when the females are
occupied from morning even till evening in the fields. Those who
are ill are therefore obliged to remain alone through the whole
day in their cabins, a plate of Indian corn and a little water having
in the morning been placed near their mat. It was in this aban-
donment that Catherine passed all the time of her last illness.
But what would have overwhelmed another person with sadness,
contributed rather to increase her joy by furnishing her with
something to increase her merit. Accustomed to commune alone
with God, she turned this solitude to her profit, and made it
serve to attach her more to her Creator by her prayers and fer-
vent meditations.

Nevertheless, the time of her last struggle approached and her
strength each day diminished. She failed considerably during
the Tuesday of Holy Week, and I therefore thought it well to
administer to her the Holy Communion, which she recieved with
her usual feelings of devotion. I wished also at the same time
to give her Extreme Unction, but she told me there was as yet
no pressing necessity,, and from what she said I thought I would
defer it till the next morning. The rest of that day and the
following night she passed in fervent communion with our Lord
and the Holy Virgin. On Wednesday morning she received
Extreme Unction with the same feelings of devotion, and at three
hours after mid-day, after having pronounced the holy names of
jEsrs and Mary, a slight spasm came on, when she entirely lost
the power of speech. As she preserved a perfect consciousness
even to her last breath, I perceived that she was striving to per-
form inwardly all the acts which I suggested to her. After a
short half hour of agony, she peaceably expired, as if she was only
falling into a sweet sleep.

Thus died Catherine Tegahkouita in the twenty-fourth year

' I

i 1

J 'I

• - '.'sV

;i I

liiiit

.il"-iP,!jti

.**

i|i

i!'| ?>'; ft;

i'i;

:H'

:i!'' • '!■'

T^iJ

¥-ir[

114

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

of her age, having filled the Mission with the odor of her sanctity
and the character of holiness which she left behind her. Her
countenance, which had been extremely attenuated by the mala-
dies and constant austerities, appeared so changed and pleasant
some moments after her death, that the Indians who were pres
cnt were not able to restrain the expression of their astonish-
ment, and declared, that a beam of that glory she had gone to
possess was even reflected back on her body. Two Frenchmen
who had come from the prairie of the Madeleine to assist in the
services of Thursday morning, seeing her extended on her mat
with her countenance so fresh and sweet, said one to the other,
" See how peaceably that young female sleeps !" But they were
very much surprised when they learned a moment after, that \,
was the body of Catherine who had just expired. They iiamedi-
ately retraced their steps, and casting themselves on their knees
at her feet, recommended themselves to her prayers. They eveu
wished to give a public evidence of the veneration they had for
the deceased, by immediately assisting to make the coffin whicli
was to enclose those holy relics.

I make use of this expression, my Reverend Father, with tlie
greater confidence, because God did not delay to honor the memory
of this virtuous girl by an infinite number of miraculous cure?,
which took place after her death, and which still continue to
take place daily through her intercession. This is a fact well
known, not only to the Indians, but also to the French at (^lichec
and Montreal, who often make pilgrimages to her tomb to fulfil
their vows, or to return thanks for favors which she has obtained
for them in Heaven. I could here relate to you a great niimher
of these miraculous cures, which have been attested by individ-
uals the most enlightened, and whose probity is above suspicion;
but I will content myself with making you acquainted with tlie
testimony of two persons remarkable for virtue and merit, wlio
having themselves proved the power of this sainted female witli

0'::

■ml ,' .14 t

^-"ip

CATHERINE, THE IROaUOIS SAINT.

115

God, felt they were bound to leave a public monument for pos-
terity, to satisfy at the same time their piety and their gratitude.

The first testimonial is that of M. de la Colombiere, Canon of
the Cathedral of Quebec, Grand- Vicar of the Diocese. He ex-
presses himself in these terms :

" Having been ill at Quebec during the past year, from the
" month of January even to the month of June, of a slow fever,
" against which all remedies had been tried in vain, and of a
" diarrhoea, which even ipecacuana could not cure, it was thought
" v/ell that I should record a vow, in case it should please God to
" relieve me of these two maladies, to make a pilgrimage to the
" Mission of St. Francis Xavier, to pray at the tomb of Cathe-
'• rine Tegahkouita. On the very same day the fever ceased, and
" the diarrhoea having become better, I embarked some days af-
" terwards to fulfil my vow. Scarcely had I accomplished one
" third of my journey, when I found myself perfectly cured. As
" my health is something so very useless that I should not have
" dared to ask for it, if I had not felt myself obliged to do so by
" the deference which I ought to have for the servants of the
" Lord, it is impossible reasonably to withhold the belief, that
'• God in according to me this grace, had no other view than to
" make known the credit which this excellent maiden had with
" Him. For myself I should fear that I was unjustly with-
" holding the truth, and refusing to the Missions of Canada
" the glory which is due to them, if I did not testify as I have
" now done, that I am a debtor for my cure to this Iroquois vir-
" gin. It is for this reason that I have given the present attes-
" tation with every sentiment of gratitude of which I am capa-
•' ble, to increase, as far as is in my power, the confidence which
" is felt in my benefactress, but still more to excite the desire to
"to imitate her virtues. Given at Villemarie, the 14th of Sep-
"tember, 1696. " J. de la Colombiere, P. J.,

" Canon of the Cathedral of Quebec."

, 111

1*1 If

'i>:

( ,'. f»

I; 1. ' .

116

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

il:iP|f'

W «:■;'. -

■ ; ,i ! ' . : :

'<-!.;

The second testimonial is from M. du Luth, Captain in the
Marine Corps, and Commander of Fort Frontinac. It is thus
that he speaks :

" Ij the subscriber, certify to all whom it may concern, that
" having been tormented by the gout for the space of twenty-
" three years, and with such severe pains that it gave me no rest
" for the space of three months at a time, I addressed myself to
" Catherine Tegahkouita, an Iroquois virgin, deceased at the
" Sault Saint Louis in the reputation of sanctity, and I promised
" her to visit her tomb, if God should give me health through her
" intercession. I have been so perfectly cured, at the end of one
" novena* which I made in her honor, that after five months I
" have not perceived the slightest touch of my gout. Given at
" Fort Frontinac, this 15th of August, 1696.

" J. DU Luth,

" Capt. of the Marine Corps, Commander of Fort Frontinac,"

I have thought that a narrative of the virtues of this holy fe-
male, born thus in the midst of heathenism and among savages,
would serve to edify those who having been born in the bosom
of Christianity, have also every possible aid in raising themselves
to the height of holiness.

I have the honor to be, &c.

[* A novena is a course of devotional services extending through nine

days.]

.A::.i4<'f

M It

II: '* 't ■ .!'

■•;.>^;

'< • 'ii

THE IROQUOIS MARTYRS.

1688—1693.

'i,t

iiiiiiii.i

LETTER V.

FROM FATHER CHOLLONFC, MISSIONARY OF THE SOCIETY OP JESUS
IN NEW FRANCE, TO FATHER JEAN-BAPTISTE DU HALDE
OF THE SAME SOCIETY.

MY REVEREND FATHER,

The Peace of our Lord be with you :

I HAVE learned with much consolation that you have been
edified in France by the account which I sent of the virtues of a
young Iroquois virgin, who died here in the odor of sanctity, and
whom we regard as the Protectress of this colony. It is the
mission of St. "Francis Xavier du Sault which trained her to
Christianity, and the impressions which such examples have left
there still remain, and will remain for a long time, as we hope,
through the mercy of God. Long before it occurred, she had
predicted the glorious death of some Christians of this Mission,
and we have reason to believe that she is the one who, from the
Heaven where she is placed, has sustained the courage of these
generous devoted men, who have signalized their constancy and
faith in the midst of the most frightful sufferings. I will re-
late to you, i\ orefore, in a few words, the history of these fer-
vent neophytes, for I am persuaded that you will be touched
by it.

The settlements of the Iroquois had been gradually depopu-
lated by the desertion of many families, who took refuge in the
Mission du Sault, for the purpose of embracing Christianity there.
Etienne te Ganonakoa was of this number. He came to reside

■i-^''

■•■iffwr

M i

V''

':K

!• :i':'- ■, «!.

m. •

120

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

there with his wife, a sister-in-law, and six children. He was then
about thirty-five years of age ; his natural disposition had nothing
in it that was barbarous, and the stability of his marriage in a
country where the most perfect license reigns, and where they easily
change their wives, was one evidence of the innocenc^^ of the life
which he had led. All the new comers urgently desired baptism,
and it was granted them after the customary probation and
instructions. We were immediately edified in the village by the
union which evidently existed in this family, and the care with
which they honored God. Etienne watched the education of his
children with a zeal worthy of a missionary. Every day, both
morning and evening, he sent them to prayers, and to the
instructions which are provided for those of that age. Nor did
he fail himself to set them an example, by the constancy of his
attendance at all the exercises of the Mission, and by his frequent
participation in the Sacraments.

It was by such a course of Christian conduct that he prepared
himself to triumph over the enemies of religion, and to defend his
faith in the midst of the most cruel torments. The Iroquois had
used every means to induce those of their countrymen who were
at the Sault to return to their native land. But their prayers
and presents having been found useless, they resorted to menaces,
and signified to them, that if they persisted in their refusal, they
should no longer regard them as relatives or friends, but their
hate become irreconcilable, and they would treat them as declared
enemies. The war which was then existing between the French
and Iroquois furnished them with a pretext for spending their
rage on those of their countrymen who, after having thus deserted
them, fell into their hands. It was at this time, in the month of
August, 1690, that Etienne set out for the purpose of hunting, in
the autumn, accompanied by his wife and another Indian of the
Sault. In the following month of September, these three neo
-phytes were surprised in the woods by a party of the enemy,

|i:i ■■■

THE IROaUOIS MARTYRS.

121

consisting of fourteen Goiogoms, who seized them, bound them,
and carried them away prisoners into their country.

As soon as Etienno saw himself at the mercy of the Goiogoens^
lie did not for a moment doubt but that ho would shortly be de-
livered up to a most cruel death. He expressed himself thus to
lii^j wife, and recommended to her, above all things, to remaili
B^-^nxifast to her faith, and in case she should ever be permitted to
return to the Sault, to bring up her children in the fear of God.
During the whole journey he did not cease exhorting her to con-
stancy, and endeavoring to fortify her against the dangers to
which she was about to be exposed among those of her own nation.

The three captives were conducted, not to Goiogoen, where it
was most natural that they should carry them, but to Omwncagu^.
God determined, it seemed, that the steadfastness and constancy
of Eticnne should shine forth in a place, which was at that time
celebrated for the crowds of savages who were assembled about it,
and who, while there, plunged themselves in the most infamous
debaucheries. Although it is their custom to await the arrival of
tlieir captives at the entrance of the village, yet the joy they felt
at having some of the inhabitants of the Sault in their power,
induced them to go forth a great distance fro^n their setttlement
to meet their prey. They had arrayed themselves in their finest
dresses as for a day of triumph — they were armed with knives
and hatchets and clubs, and anything on which they could lay
their hands, while fury was painted on their countenances. As
soon as they joined the captives, one of the Indians came up to
Etienne. " My brother," said he, " your end has come. It is
not we who put you to death, but you sealed your own fate when
jou left us to live among the Christian dogs." " It is true," an-
swered Etienne, " that I am a Christian, but it is no less true that
I glory in being one. Inflict on me what you please, for I fear
neither your outrages nor torments. I willingly give up my life
for that God who has shed all his blood for me."

•i!:i

' \«i

•■>"■!

.' ■•' 1

'...,

•*!■

122

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

I :i

Scarcely had ho uttered these words, when they furiously
threw themselves upon him, and cut him cruelly on his arms, Lb
thighs, and over his whole body, which in an instant they covcrcl
with blood. They cut off several of his fingers, and tore out hi.<
nails. Then, one of the troop cried out to him, " pray to God '
" Yes, I will pray to him," said Etienno ; and raising his bound
hands, he made as far as he was able the sign of the cross, at the
same time pronouncing with a loud voice, in their language, these
words, " In the name of the Father," &c. Immediately tlioy cut
off half his fingers which remained, and cried to him a second
time, "pray to God now." Etienne made anew the sign of tlie
cross, and the instant that he did so, they cut oflF all his fingers
down to the palm of his hand. Then a third time they invited
him to pray to God, insulting him, and pouring out against Lini
all the injuries which their rage could dictate. As this generous
neophyte commenced the attempt to make the sign of the cross
with the palm of his hand, they cut it off entirely. Not content
with these first sallies of fury, they gashed his flesh on all tbe
places which ho had marked with the sign of the cross, that is to
say, on his forehead, on his stomach, and from one shoulder to
the other, as if to efface those august marks of religion, which he
had impressed there.

After this bloody prelude, they conducted the prisoners to the
village. They at first bound Etienne before a large fire which
they had kindled there, and in which they had heated some
stones red-hot. These stones they placed between his thighs,
and pressed them violently against each other. They then or-
dered him to chant after the Iroquois manner, and when he
refused to do so, and, on the contrary, repeated in a loud voice
the prayers he was accustomed to recite every day, one of the
furious savages about him seized a burning brand, and struck
him forcibly on the mouth ; then, without giving him time to
breathe, they bound liim to the stake.

THE moauois martyrs.

123

When tlic neophyte found lum.sclf in the midst of the red-hot
irons and burning brands, far from showing any fear, he east a
triUi4uil look upon all the foroeious brutes who surrounded him,
and npoko to them thus : " Satisfy yourselves, my brethren, with
the barbarous pleasure you cxperienee in burning me ; do not
spare me, for my sins merit much more of suffering than you can
procure me ; the more you torment me, the more you augment
the recompense wliich is prepared for me in Heaven."

These words served only to inflame their fury. The savages
all with a kind of emulation, seized the burning brands and red-
hot irons, with which they slowly burned all the body of Etienne.
The courageous neophyte suffered all these torments without
allowing a single sigh to escape him. He seemed to be perfectly
tranquil, his eyes being raised to heaven, whither his soul was
drawn in continual prayer. At length, when he perceived his
strength failing, he requested a cessation for a few moments, and
then reviving all his fervor, he uttered his last prayer. He com-
mended his soul to Jesus Christ, and prayed him to pardon his
death to those who had treated him with so much inhumanity.
At last, after new torments suffered with the same constancy, he
gave up his soul to his Creator, triumphing, by his courage, over
all the cruelty of the Iroquois.

They granted her life to his wife, as he had predicted to her.
She remained sometime longer a prisoner in their country, but
without either entreaties or threats being able to vanquish her
faith. Having returned to Agni^', which was her native place,
she remained there until her son came to seek her, and conducted
her back to the Sault.

With regard to the Indian who was taken at the same time
with Etienne, he escaped with the loss of some of his fingers
which were cut off, and a deep cut which he received on his leg.
He was carried afterwards to Goiogocns, where they granted him
bis life. They used every effort to induce him to marry there

■ ^■'li

Hi- 1

:i:'<i"!j,f'I

■ <,i"!tfr

Hi ':

194

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

;ii|

r»

.'/';'::■*-.:

t.,,i ,1

ji'-'rf. 'V ■

and live in tho customary dcbauchory of tlio nation ; but ho aa-
swcrcd constantly, that his religion forbade him to indulge iu
these excesses. At last, having gone towards Montreal with a
party of warriors, ho secretly withdrew from his companions, uud
returned to the Mission du Sault, where ho has lived since with
much piety.

Two years afterwards, a female of tho same Mission gave an
example of constancy equal to that of Etienno, and finished lar
life, as he did, in tho flames. She was named Fran<joiso Gunanu.
hatcaha. She was from Onnontague, and had been baptized by
the Father Fremin. All the Mission was edified by her piety,
her modesty, and the charity she exercised towards tho poor. As
she herself had abundance, she divided her goods among many
families, who were thus sustained by her liberality. Having lost
her first husband, she married a virtuous Christian who as well as
herself was from Onnontague^ and who had lived a long time at
Chaskau- Guay^ which is three leagues distant from the Sault,
Ho passed all his summers there in fishing, and happened to be
actually there when news was received of an incursion of tlie
enemy. Immediately Franqoiso placed herself in a canoe witli
two of her friends, to go in search of her husband, and deliver
him from the peril in which he was involved. They arrived
there in time, and the little party thought itself in security, when
at the distance of only a quarter of a league from the Sault, they
were unexpectedly surprised by armed enemies, who were com-
posed of the Onnontagu^s^ the Tsonno?itorians, and the Goiogom.
They immediately cut off her husband's head, and the three
women were carried away prisoners.

The cruelty which was exercised towards them the first night
which they passed in the Iroquois camp, led them to realize that
the most inhuman treatment awaited them. The savages di-
verted themselves with tearing out their nails, and burning their
fingers in their pipes, which is, they say, a most dreadful torture

au-

, ho
ulgo iu
L witli a

uc'O ^vitli

gave an
shed lior

GoiUliin.

ptizcd ly
ler piety,
poor. As
)ng many
aviug lost
as well as
ng time at
the Sault.
encd tok
iion of tlie
canoe witli
md deliver
ley arrived
urity, v^lien
Sault, tliey
) were com-
B Goiiogom.
a tlie three

lg first niglit

realize that

savages di-

turning their

idful torture,

THE IllOmJOIS MARTYRS.

125

Their runuers ca-*iod to Onnontai^uc the new.s of tho prize which
they luid taken, and the two friends of Fran<;()i.se wore inimcdi-
ately given to Onnviout and to Tsoaiioiitorian^\s\\'\\Q Fran(;oi.so her-
self was .surrendered to her own sister, who was a person of great
foii.sidi^ration in the village, Hut she, putting aside tlie tender-
ness which her nature and blood should have inspired her, aban-
(luucd her to tho discretion of tho old men and warriors, tliat is
to say, she destined her to the fire.

No sooner had the prisoners arrived at On/iontague, than thoy
forced Francjoise to ascend a scaffolding which was erected in tho
iiiiddlo of the village. There, in the presence of her relatives
and all her nation, she declared with a loud voice that she
was a Christian of the Mission dt Sault, and that she thought
herself happy to die in her country and by tho hands of her kins-
men, after the example of Jesus Christ, who had been placed on
the cross by the members of His own nation, whom he had loaded
with benefits.

One of the relatives of tho neophyte who was present, had
made a journey to the Sault five years before, for the purpose of
inducing her to return with him. But all the artifices which he
employed to persuade her to abandon the Mission were useless.
She constantly answered him, that she prized her faith more than
she did either country or life, and that she was not willing
to risk so precious a treasure. The savage had for a long time
nourished in his heart the indignation which he had conceived
on account of this resistance, and now, being again still more
irrritated by listening to the speeches of Franqoise, he sprang on
the scaffolding, snatched from her a crucifix which hung from her
neck, and with a knife which he held in his hand, made on her
breast a double gash in the form of a cross. " Hold," said he,
"see the cross which you esteem so much, and which prevented
you leaving the Sault when I took the trouble to go and seek
you." " I thank you, my brother," Franqoise answered him, " It

t 1
r

'^/iPWIHI

• lJ»4Ii

^*rM

' *''5|

. --^11

■kl

■p ;

126

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

iliir

'■'PiiiiMpi

■if , fc

I'.. *!" : ; !'

itfe

''!■•'• id 'i"' •' '■

was possible to lose the cross which you have taken from me, but
you have given me one which I can lose only with my life,"

She continued afterwards to address her countrymen on tlie
mysteries of her faith, and she spoke with a force and unction
which were far beyond her ability and talents. " In fine," said
she, in concluding, " however frightful may be the torments to
which you destine me, do not think that my lot will be to com-
plain. Tears and groans rather become you. This fire which
you kindle for my punishment, will only last a few hours, but for
you a fire which will never be extinguished is prepared in hell,
Nevertheless, yor still have the opportunity to escape it. Follow
my example, become Christians, live according to the rules of this
so holy law, and you will avoid these eternal flames. Still how-
ever I declare to you, that I do not wish any evil to those whom
I see preparing everything to take away my life. Not only do I
pardon them for my death, but I again pray the Sovereign Arbi-
ter of life and death to open their eyes to the truth, to touch
their hearts, to give them grace to be converted and to die Chris-
tians like myself"

These words of Fran(;oise, far from softening their savage hearts,
only increased their fury. For three nights in succession they
led her about through all the wigwams to make sport for the bru-
tal populace. On the fourth they bound her to the stake to burn
her. These furies applied to her, in all parts of her body, burn-
ing brands, and gun-barrels red-hot. This suffering lasted many
hours, without this holy victim giving utterance to the least cry
She had her eyes ceaselessly elevated to Heaven, and one would
have said that she was insensible to these excruciating pains
M. de Saint Michel, Seigneur of the place of that name, who was
then a prisoner at Onnontagji^, and who escaped as if by miracle
from the hands of the Iroquois, only one hour before he was to
liave been burned, related to us all these circumstances of whicli
he was a witness. Curiosity attracted around him all the inlial>

THE IROaUOIS MARTYRS.

127

itants of Montreal, and the simple account of what he had seen,
drew tears from every one. They were never tired of hearing
liirn speak of a courage which seemed so wonderful.

Wlien the Iroquois have amused themselves a sufficient length
of time with burning their prisoners by a slow process, they cut
tliem round the head, take off their scalp, cover the crown of the
head with hot ashes, and take them down from the stake. After
which they take a new pleasure in making them seen, pursuing
them with terrific shouts, and beating them unmercifully with
stoues. They adopted this plan with Frangoise. M. de Saint-
Michel says that the spectacle made him shudder ; but a mo-
ment afterwards he was excited even to tears, when he saw this
virtuous neophyte throw herself on her knees, and raising her
eyes to heaven offer to God in sacrifice the last breath of life
which remained. She was immediately overwhelmed with a show-
er of stones which the Iroquois cast at her, and died, as she had
lived, in the exercise of prayer, and in union with our Lord.

In the following year a third victim of the Mission du Sault
was sacrificed to the fury of the Iroquois. Her sex, her extreme
youth, and the excess of torment which they caused her to suffer,
rendered her constancy most memorable. She was named Mar-
guerite Garongouas^ twenty-four years of age, a native of Onnon-
tague, and had received Baptism at the age of thirteen. She was
married shortly afterwards, and God blessed her marriage in
giving her four children, whom she brought up with great care
in the precepts of religion. The youngest was yet at the breast,
and she was carrying it in her arms at the time of her capture.

It was in the autumn of the year 1693, that having gone to
visit her field at a quarter of a league from the fort, she fell into
the hands of two savages of 0/montagu^, who were from her own
country, and it is even probable that they were her relatives.
The joy which had been felt at Otinonlague at the capture of the
first two Christians of the Sault, led these savages to believe that

: :k<^

'■'in

I '..-

■*•' ^'l\.\

■ ■ j'-ij*!!

■i ..rililS

ft , ry!- 1;"
il I !,

;:t

W:''-'. -■:

■•;i' ■'

;^^r .■'!'. V''' k' '' ■

128

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

this new capture would win for them the greatest applause.
They therefore carried tier with all speed to Onmntague.

At the first news of her arrival, all the Indians poured out of
the village, and went to await the prisoner on an eminence
which it was necessary for her to pass. A new fury seemed to
possess their minds. As soon as Marguerite came in sight, she
was received with frightful cries, and when she reached the emi-
nence, she saw herself surrounded by all the savages, to the num-
ber of more than four hundred. They first snatched her in-
fant from her, then tore ofif her clothes, and at last cast them-
selves upon her pell-mell, and began cutting her with their
knives, until her whole body seemed to be but one wound. One
of our Frenchmen who was a witness of this terrible spectacle,
attributed it to a kind of miracle, that she did not expire on the
spot. Marguerite saw him, and calling him by name, exclaimed,
" Alas ! you see my destiny, that only a few moments more of
life remain to me. God be thanked however, I" do not at all
shrink from death, however cruel may be the form in which it
awaits me. My sins merit even greater pains. Pray the Lord
that He will pardon them to me, and give me strength to suffer."
She spoke this with a loud voice, and in their language. One
cannot be sufficiently astonished, that in the sad state to which
she was reduced, she had so much spirit remaining.

After a little while they conducted her to the cabin of a
French woman, an inhabitant of Montreal, who was also a pri-
soner. She availed herself of the opportunity to encourage
Marguerite, and to exhort her to suffer with constancy these
short-lived pains, in view of the eternal recompense by which
they would be followed. Marguerite thanked her for her chari-
table counsels, and repeated to her what she had already said,
that she had no fears of death, but would meet it with good
courage. She added also, that since her baptism she had prayed
to God for grace to suffer for his love, and that seeing her body

THE IROQUOIS MARTYRS.

129

go mangled, she could not doubt but that God had fiivorably
heard her prayer. She was therefore contented to die, and
wished no evil to her relatives or countrymen who were about
to be her executioners, but on the contrary, she prayed God
to pardon their crime, and give them grace to be converted
to the faith. It is indeed a remarkable fact, that the three neo-
phytes of whom I have spoken, all prayed in the hour of death
for the salvation of those who were treating them so cruelly ;
and this is a most tangible proof of the spirit of charity which
reigned at the Mission du Sault.

These two captives were conversing on eternal truths, and the
happiness of the saints in Heaven, when a party of twenty sav-
ages came to seek Marguerite, to conduct her to the place where
she was to be burned. They paid no regard to her youth, nor
her sex, nor her country, nor the advantage she possessed in be-
ing the daughter of one of the most distinguished men of the
village, one who held the rank of chief among them, and in
whose name all the affairs of the nation were carried on. These
things would certainly have saved the life of any one else but a
Christian of the Mission du Sault.

Marguerite was then bound to the stake, where they burned
her over her whole body with a cruelty which it is not easy to
describe. She suffered this long and severe torture without
showing the least sign of sorrow. They only heard her invoke
the holy names of Jesus, of Mary, and of Joseph, and pray
them to sustain her in this rude conflict, even until her sacrifice
was completed. From time to time she asked for a little water,
but after some reflection, she prayed them to refuse it to her,
even when she might ask for it. " My Saviour," said she, " was
thirsty while dying for me upon the Cross. Is it not right there-
fore, that I should suffer the same inconvenience ?" The Iro-
quois tormented her from noon even to sunset. In tlie impa-
tience they felt to see her draw her last breath, before the night

^i.'

. , . 1 '

■'i:Jt

' ■ 1

130

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

III?,;'':';,

!,,?

!'• 'Mi'.' ■

should oblige them to retire, they unbound her from the stake,
took oflf her scalp, covered her head with the hot cinders, and or-
dered her to run. She on the contrary, threw herself on her
knees, and raising her eyes and hands to Heaven, commended
her soul to the Lord. The barbarians then struck her on tLe
head many blows of a club without her discontinuing her prayer,
until at last one of them, crying out, " Is it not possible for this
Christian dog to die?" took a new knife and thrust it into the
lower part of her stomach. The knife, although struck forward
with great swiftness, snapped off to the entire astonishment of
the savages, and the pieces fell at her feet. Another then took the
stake itself to which she had been bound, and struck her violently
on the head. As she still gave some signs of life, they heaped
on the fire a pile of dry wood wliich happened to be in that place,
and then cast her body on it, where it was shortly consumed. It
is from thence that Marguerite went without doubt to receive in
Heaven the recompense which was merited by a sainted life ter-
minated by so precious a death.

It was natural that they should grant its life to her child.
But an Iroquois to whom it had been given, wished to avenge
himself on it for an affront which he thought he had received
from the French. Three days after the death of Marguerite;
they were surprised at hearing, at the beginning of the night,
the cry of death. At this cry, all the savages sallied forth from
their cabins to repair to the place from which it proceeded,
The inhabitant of Montreal, of whom I have spoken, ran thitlier
with the rest. There they found a fire burning, and the infant
ready to be cast into it. The savages could not help being soft-
ened at this spectacle ; but this was still more the case, when the
infant, who was but a year old, raising its little hands to heaven,
with a sweet smile, called three times on its mother, showing by
its gesture that it wished to embrace her. The inhabitant of
Montreal did not doubt but that its mother had appeared to it,

THE IROaUOIS MARTYRS.

131

It is at least probable, that she had asked from God that her
child should be reunited to her before long, that it might be pro-
served from the licentious training it would have, which would
withdraw it as far as possible from Christianity. Although, as
it happened, the infant was not abandoned to the jflames, for one
of the most considerable men of the village delivered it from
tliciii ; yet it was only to devote it to a death scarcely less cruel.
He took it by the feet, and raising it in the air, dashed its head
against a stone.

I cannot forbear, my Reverend Father, speaking to you once
more of a fourth neophyte of this Mission, who, although he
escaped the fire which was prepared for him, nevertheless had
tlie happiness of giving his life rather than be exposed to the
danger of losing his faith. It was a young Aguie, named
Ilaonhouentsiontaoud. He was captured by a party of the Ag-
nies^ who carried him away as a slave into their own country.
As he had many relations, they granted him his life, and gave
him to those who belonged to the same family. These were
urgent in their solicitations that he should live according to the
customs of the nation ; that is to say, indulge in all the disorders
of a licentious life. Etienne, far from listening to them, gave in
reply the truths of salvation, which he explained with much
force and unction, and ceaselessly exhorted them to go with him
to the Mission du Sault, there to embrace Christianity. But he
spoke to people born and educated in vice, the habit of which
was too sweet to enable them to quit it. Thus, the example and
the exhortations of the neophyte served no other purpose than to
render them more guilty in the sight of God.

As it seemed that his residence at Agnie was of no advantage
to his relatives, and that it might be even dangerous to his own
salvation, he adopted the resolution to return to the Sault. He
disclosed his intention to those around him, and they consented
to it the more willingly, because they saw that they would thus

•'■a

'i3

■iJfc

irr' iiw.':' ':■':"

HjlWMil

™p|;,M,i.,&^^,..,

132

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

be delivered from an importunate censor, who was continually
condemning the vices of the nation. He therefore a second time
quitted his country and his family, for the sake of preserving
that faith which was more dear to him than everything else.

Scarcely, however, had he set out on his journey, when the
report of his departure spread through the wigwams. It was
particularly mentioned in one, in which some intoxicated young
men were at that time actually engaged in a debauch. TLey
were enraged against Etienne, and after pouring out their abuse
against him, concluded that it would not do to suffer him thus to
prefer the Christian settlement to his own country, that this was
an affront which reflected on the whole nation, and that they
were bound to constrain the Christian dog to return to the vil-
lage, or cut off his head, for the purpose of intimidating those
who might be tempted to follow his example.

Three of them, therefore, immediately armed themselves with
hatchets, and ran after Jltienne. Thoy shortly came up with
him, and holding a hatchet raised over his head, said roughly,
" Retrace your steps and follow us. It will be your death to
resist, for we have orders from the Sachems to cut off your Lead,"
Etienne answered them with his usual sweetness, that they were
masters of his life, but that he preferred losing that to risking his
faith and salvation in their village ; that he was, therefore, going
to the Mission du Sault, where he was resolved to live and die,

As he saw that after this particular declaraiion of his senti-
ments, these brutes would undoubtedly destroy him, he requested
them to give him a few moments in which to pray to God, They
had this condescension, intoxicated as they were, and Etienne
threw himself on his knee^, and tranquilly offered up his prayer,
in which he thanked God for the grace which had been given hiiii
to die a Christian. He prayed, too, for his heathen relatives,
and in particular for his murderers, who, at that very moment
raised their hatchets and split open his head.

THE IROaUOIS MARTYRS.

133

We were iufonncd of the particulars of this death, so noble and
Christiau, by some Agnics, who came shortly after to fix their
rosiJouce at the Mission du Sault.

I will finish this letter by the history of another Christian of
this Mission, whose life has been a model of patience and piety.
It was the earliest companion of Catherine Tegahkoidta^ and the
most faithful imitator of her virtues. Jeanne Gouastahm, for
such was her name, was of the nation of the Ounciout. She was
married to a young Agaie at the Mission of Notre-Dame de
Lorcttc, and her natural sweetness of character and rare virtue
ou^bt to have attracted to her all the tenderness of her husband.
But the young man abandoned himself to the customary vices of
his nation, that is to say, to intemperance and licentiousness, and
his dissoluteness was to the neophyte a constant source of bad
treatment. He sometime ofterwards left the village of Lorette,
and became a wanderer and a vagabond. His virtuous wife, how-
ever, was not willing to leave him. She followed him wherever
he went, in the hope of at last inducing him to return to himself
and thus gaining him to Jesus Christ ; she endured his debauch-
eries and brutalities with unalterable patience ; she even practised
frequent austerities in secret,, to obtain his conversion from God.
The unhappy man took it into his head to come to the Sault,
where he had relatives, and she accompanied him thither, and
exhibited towards him those attentions and acts of kindness
which should have been able to soften the hardest heart. At
last, after many changes, having plunged deeply into licentious-
ness and dissoluteness, he entirely renounced his faith, and re-
turned to the Agnies. This was the only place to which the
neophyte refused to follow him. She had, however, the prudence
to go and live at Lorette, with the relatives of her unworthy hus-
hand, hoping that this last proof of complaisance would induce
hliu to abandon his debauchertes. But she had not passed a year
there, when she learned that this apostate had been killed by

', ♦.

■•■«■

, ^^

: ■■((:

"i.lO

■ iiil

.«•

J- ■^■■\

ill

m .

134

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

U'm^rr

,,;.!: r:)-::,,, J

■ ^^ pi;', ;,i

mM'- ''

some savages, whose wigwam he had attacked when he had gone
out after a debauch which had been extended to the last excess

A death so bad touched her deeply. Although she was still in
the flower of her age, she forever renounced all thoughts of the
marriage state, and determined to pass the rest of her days near
the tomb of Catherine. There she lived as a Christian widow,
striving to sanctify herself by the practice of all virtues, and by
continual austerities. And there she shortly afterwards died, k
the odor of sanctity. One thing only gave her pain in her last
illness. She was leaving behind her two children, still iu tkir
tender age, the one not having yet reached its sixth year, nor tlie
other its fourth, and she feared lest, in process of time, tliej
should be corrupted, and follow in the steps of their unhappy
father. She had, therefore, recourse to our Lord with that feivur
and confidence which animated all her prayers, and she asked uf
him the favor, that the children should not be separated from
their mother. Her prayer was favorably heard, and althougli tlie
two children were then in perfect health, the one became ill im.
mediately, and died before the mother, while the other followed
eight days after her own departure.

I should continue indefinitely, my Reverend Father, if I were
to speak again of many other neophytes, whose virtue and faitii
were equally tried. What, however, I have already written will
suffice to give some. idea of the fervor which reigns in the Mission
uf St. Francis Xavier du Sault. His Grace the Bishop of Quebec,
who visited our neophytes, has given his public testimony to their
virtue. It is thus that this high Prelate speaks in a relation
which he gave of the state of New France, and which was pul>
lished in 1688 : — " The ordinary life of all these Christians k
" nothing about it which is common, and one might take it for a
" veritable monastery. As they have abandoned all the advau'
" tages of their own country, for the sole reason that they miglit
" secure their salvation near the French, we can there see every'

THE IROQUOIS MARTYRS.

133

:'■ tiling arranged for the practice of the most perfect freedom from
"worldly passions, and they presciTC among themselves so admi-
(. jai^le a method to promote their holiness, that it would be dif-
«ficult to add anything else."

I hope, my Reverend Father, that your zeal will often lead
you to pray to the God of mercy for these new converts, to the
end that He would preserve them in thp^ state of fervor in which
He has placed them by His grace. With every sentiment of
respect,

I. , ;

MONTCALM'S

EXPEDITION TO DESTROY FORT GEORGE.

1767.

■'4'

• ■•*• ■
■;vM

■ y I

'^|i

^m^

.'.>,sa

'*''W'

•!"' iHV;'!'''

f-^-.-.t

^1 '" 1A1

-s-

!l|-^i'

Site'

iil-il

Chd
were
miuj
theii
pare

LETTER VI.

FROM FATHER ROtJBAUD, MISSIONARY AMONG THE ABNAKIS.

At St. Francis, the Slst of October, 1757.

On the twelfth of July I left St. Francis, the principal village
of the Abnakis mission, to return to Montreal. The object of
my voyage was merely to conduct to M. the Marquis de Vau-
(ireuil, a deputation of twenty Abnakis destined to accompany
Fatlier Virot, who has gone to attempt the foundation of a new
mission among the Loups at Oyo, or the beautiful river. The
part which I was able to act in this glorious enterprise, the events
which took place, and the difficulties necessary to be surmounted,
would furnish in succession interesting materials for new letters.
But it is right to expect, that the blessings poured out should
have crowned the efforts we have made to bear the light of our
faith to the people who seem so well disposed to receive it.

Arrived at Montreal, distant one and a half day's journey from
my mission, I thought myself at the end of my travels ; but
Provitlence had ordered otherwise. They were preparing an
expedition against the enemy, and relying on the disposition of
the Indian nation, they anticipated from it great success. It was
necessary that the Abnakis should be of the party, and as all the
Christian Indians were accompanied by their missionaries, who
were eager to render them the appropriate assistance of their
ministry, the Abnakis might be sure that I would not abandon
them in circumstances so critical. I accordingly at once pre-
pared to depart. My equipments were presently ready — one

■ h

if,

.•4

: 'tf'

;^r?i

■ -li

■ ^\'

'•"•■■''iil

■ ■ \ V

' ' ' .

■ ■■ 1

■

140

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

shrine, and the holy oil for Extreme Unction, these were all-
trusting for everything else to that Providence which had never
forsaken me. I embarked two days afterwards on the great river
St. Lawrence, in company with two priests of St. Sulpice. The
one was M. Picquet, Missionary to the Iroquois at Galette, and
the other, M. Mathavet, Missionary to the Nipistingues at tlie
Lake of the Two Mountains. My Abnakis were encamped at
Saint- Jean, one of the forts of the Colony, distant one day's jour-
ney from Montreal. My coming surprised them ; they had not
anticipated it. Scarcely had they perceived me, when they made
the forests and the neighboring mountains echo back the news of
my arrival. Even the children shared in these feeling.s, (for
among the Indians, each one is a warrior as soon as he can carry
a gun,) and gave me proofs of their satisfaction. Nemittanmis-
tena, Nemittangoustciia^ they cried in their language ; Ourioum
eri namihoureg. That is to say, " Our Father, our father, how
much are we obliged for this, that you thus procure us the plea-
sure of seeing you.'' Thanking them in a few words for the good
will which they had testified towards me, I did not delay to
discharge in their presence the appropriate duties of my ministry,
Scarcely had I pitched my tent when I hastened to rejoin them.
Conducting them to the foot of a large Cross erected on the bank
of the river, with a loud voice I offeied up for them the Evening
Prayer. I concluded it by a short t>xhortation, in which I en-
deavored to portray to them the oblij ations of a warrior whom
religion influences in his conflicts, an.' then took leave of them.
after having announced the celebration of the Mass on the mor-
row. I had supposed that would be the time of our departure,
but bad weather disappointed our hopes, and we were obliged
still to remain encamped on that day, which was occupied in
making the proper arrangements for our march.

During the evening the kindness of an ofiicer procured for us
a sight of one of those spectacles connected with Indian warfare

MONTCALM'S EXPEDITION.

141

wliicli most persons admire, as being able to excite even in the
most faint-hearted, that martial ardor which transforms them
into true warriors. For myself, however, I could never look
upon it but as a comic farce, likely to excite violent laughter in
one who was not on his guxrd. I refer to one of their was-feasts.
Inwiue to yourself an immense assembly of savages, adorned
with all the ornaments most likely to disfigure a face to Euro-
pean eyes. The vermilion, the white, the green, the yellow, the
black made with soot or the scrapings of the pots, all these
different colors unite in a single savage visage, and are methodi-
cally applied by the aid of a little tallow, which serves for poma-
tum. Such is the paint which, on these occasions of solemnity,
is called into requisition to embellish, not only the face, but also
the head. This is entirely shaven, except one little tuft of hair,
reserved on the crown to attach to it plumes of birds, or small
pieces of porcelain, or some other similar gewgaw. To each part
of the head there is its peculiar ornament. The nose has its
pendant ; while the ears are equally well furnished, having been
split in infancy, and then stretched out by weights with which
they were loaded, so that at last they rest and flap on the shoul-
ders. The remainder of their equipment corresponds with this
fantastical decoration. A shirt bedaubed with vermilion, collars
of porcelain, bracelets of silver, a large knife suspended on the
breast, a belt of various colors, but always ridiculously assorted,
moccasons of rough skin — such are the accoutrements of an In-
dian ! The chiefs and captains are not distinguished, except the
latter by a gorget or neck-piece, and the former by a medallion,
which has on one side the portrait of the king, and on the re-
verse Mars and Bellona giving each other the hand, with the
motto, Virtus et honos.

Imagine to yourself then, an assembly of people thus adorned,
and arranged in lines. In the midst are placed large kettles
filled with victuals, cooked and cut into pieces, to be more easily

i#.

■it

.ai

\ ;

'^K

^'v;SI

■I

i>-*

vtl

:•"■ i'-iM:

■■-i

!;>',.w^

■»''i|»-'T M

ii',--'-;r

I |l] '"i^S.':"

»''>,i''-' ''

' .« ' '

^* I

•'■■IP "I

142

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

carried about and distributed to the spectators. After a respect-
ful silence which announces the majesty of the assembly, some
captains deputed by the different nations which assist at the fete
commence a chant, which they take up successively. You can
imagine without any difficulty what this savage music must be
in comparison with the delicacy and taste of European. It ig
composed of sounds formed, I should say, almost by chance, and
which sometimes do not badly resemble the cries and bowlings
of wolves. This is but the overture of the meeting — it is only
the announcement and the prelude, to summon the Indians who
are dispersed about, to come to the general rendezvous. The
assembly being at length formed, the orator of the nation com-
mences his speech and solemnly harangues the guests. This is
the most reasonable part of the ceremony. A panegyric of the
king — the praise of the French nation — the reasons which prove
the justness of the war — all those motives of glory and religion
which are proper to induce the young to march with joy to the
combat — these form the foundation of such discourses, which
most commonly do not betray the influence of savage barbarity,
I have more than once heard that which the brightest intellects
of France would not have disavowed. An eloquence derived
from nature has no reason to regret the absence of all assistance
from art.

The speech being finished, they proceed to nominate the lead-
ers who shall command the party. As soon as each one is
named, he rises in his place and comes forward to seize the head
of one of the animals which constitute the staple of the feast.
He lifts it up high to be seen by the whole multitude, crying out
at the same time, " Behold the head of an enemy !" Then cries
of joy and acclamations burst from every side, announcing the
satisfaction of the assembly. The leader then, the head of the
animal still in his hand, passes through all the ranks, chanting
his war song, in which he exhausts himself in the most exagge-

ii!i'

MONTCALM'S EXPEDITION.

143

rated boastings, in insulting defiance of the enemy, and in strange
praises wliicli he lavishes on himself. To hear them set forth
tlicir own merits, in these moments of warlike enthusiasm, you
vould suppose that they are all heroes, able to surpass cvery-
tliing — to crush everything — to vanquish everything. As they
• ;i«s in review before the savages, these respond to their songs
by cries, dull, br \en, drawn apparently from the bottom of the
stomach, and accompanied by movements of the body so ludi-
crous, that it is necessary to be accustomed to these things, to
see them without losing all self-restraint.

In the course of the song he is careful to insert from time to
time some grotesque pleasantry. Then he stops, as if to felici-
tate himself, or rather to receive the plaudits of the savages,
wliich in a thousand confused cries are echoed back to his ears,
lie prolongs his warlike promenade, as long as the sport pleases
him ; when it ceases to do so, he ends it by casting from him with
disdain the head which he had held in his hands, to show by this
gesture of contempt, that it is a viand of an entirely different
kind from that which is necessary to satisfy his military apetite.
Then he goes to resume his place, where he is no sooner seated,
tliau it sometimes happens that some one dresses for him the
liead in a pot of hot cinders ; but this is a sign of friendship and
a mark of tenderness which he would not suffer except on the
part of a friend well declared and well known ; a like familiarity
in an ordinary man would be deemed an insult. To this first
warrior others succeed who protract the meeting, especially when
the object is to form large parties, because it is in ceremonies of
this kind that they make their enrolments. At last the festival
is ended by the distribution and consumption of the viands.

Such was the war-feast given by the Indians, and the ceremo-
nial they observed. The Algonkins, Abnakis, Nipistingues, and
Amenccls wurc at this fete. Nevertheless more serious cares
demanded our presence elsewhere, and as it was getting late we

•.■

■t.'.

-'rV .

•■ ■'■■■if

•■',

!:■■ I!

•li, ;. "'.;■ i

..Hii

■jlfh*; M*^

!\ , ,', 'f'i

■ :": >r

,*>; :„

v.- -I 4'.. 1 • r ■ :- y-'-

!•;'

144

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

rose, and each missionary followed by his neophytes departed to
finish the day with the usual prayers. A part of the niglit -vas
spent in making the last preparations for our departure, wLich
was fixed for the next day. The weather on this occasion proved
favorable. We embarked, after having placed oui^voyage uiulor
the special protection of the Lord, by the celebration of a Mass.
which was solemnly chanted with more method and devotion tliau
one could readily imagine, for the Indians always excelled in this
rite of our faith. The weariness of the march was relieved by
the advantage which I had each day of thus celebrating the holy
Sacrifice of the Mass, sometimes on the islands which were scat-
tered about, sometimes on the banks of the rivers, but always in
some place sufficiently retired to favor the devotion of our little
army. It was indeed no light consolation for the ministers of
the Lord, to hear His praise chanted in each of the difierent Ian-
guages of which there were tribes assembled there. Every day
each nation chose for itself a convenient place where it separately
encamped. They practised too the exercises of religion as regu-
larly as they would have done at home in their villages, so that
the satisfaction of the Missionaries would have been complete, if
all the days of this campaign had been passed as innocently as

were those of our march.

--^

We traversed the length of Lake Champlain, where the des'
terity of the Indians in fishing furnished us with an anuising
spectacle. Standing up in the bow of the canoe, with spear in
hand, they darted it with wonderful address, and struck the
large sturgeons, without their little skiffs, which the least irregu-
lar motion would have overturned, appearing to lean in the
slightest degree either to the right or to the left. Yet useful as
this fishing was, it was not even necessary that we should sus-
pend oui march to favor it. The fisherman alone laid aside his
paddle, but in return he was charged to pfovide for the subsis-
tence of all the others, an office in whose duties he fully succeedeil

sm^.i

MONTCALM'S EXPEDITION.

149

At length, after being six days on our route, we reached Fort
Vaudreuil,* otherwise called Carellon, which had been assigned
as the general rendezvous of our troops. Scarcely had we begun
to distinguish the summit of the fortifications, when our Indians
arranged themselves in order of battle, each tribe under its own
ensign. Two hundred canoes thus formed in beautiful order,
furnished a spectacle which caused even the French officers to
hasten to the banks, judging it not unworthy of their curiosity.

As soon as I had placed my foot on land, I hastened to pay
my i^espects to M. the Marquis de Montcalm, whom I had for-
merly the pleasure to know in Paris. The sentiments of respect
with which he honored our Order were also knojivn to me, and on
this occasion he received me with that affability which announced
the goodness and generosity of his heart. The Abnakis, more to
satisfy their own inclinations and their sense of duty, than to con-
form to mere ceremonials, did not delay to present themselves at
the quarters of the General. Their orator complimented him
briefly as they had directed him. " My father," said he, " do not
fear. These are not mere compliments which I come to give you.
I know your heart ; it disdains such offerings ; it is sufficient for
you to have merited them. Well, in so doing you render me a
service, for I was in no little embarrassment through the vain
endeavor to reveal all I felt. 1 content myself then with as-
suring you, that these your children whom you behold, are all
fully prepared to partake your perils, being well assured that
they shall not delay also to share in the glory which shall follow."
The turn of this compliment, it would seem, (iould hardly have
come from a savage ; but no one could have the least doubt on
this point, if he knew the character of mind of him who pro-
nounced it.

At the quarters of M. de Montcalm, I also heard of the ad-
mirable defence which had been made a few days before by a

[* Ticonderoga.]
8

^%m

''}' I

■ t

' 'i

■"->■'"■.

'-;>■

'■n

■

■J

'<rn

■■■>i

'■ i

^■t' !•

"%'

^'d

■^':¥

.„

"•'•...1'

„ . ' :

-1i

vW\

'■'i\\

':\...-'M

;4'

■ir'i;

;•* *, 1

Ii 't^,

If %f if *£,;.!] ^

iJS'^i •'ml:;'* ''■

146

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

Canadian officer, named M. de Saintout. He had been sent on
a scouting expedition on Lake St. Sacrament, his party conslstinc
of eleven individuals, including himself, in a single frail bark
canoe. In doubling a point of land, he was surprised by two
English boats, which were concealed in ambush, and commenced
a brisk attack upon him. The parties were so unequally matched.
that one single well-aimed volley would have decided the victory.
and at the same time the lives of the French. M. de Saintout.
who was a prudent man, gained in haste an island which was
formed in the lake by a perpendicular cliff of rocks. Thither the
enemy eagerly pursued him, but he presently damped their ar-
dor by a discharge which he made on them with as much judg.
raent as good fortune. The enemy, though disconcerted for
some moments, shortly returned to the charge, but they were
again so warmly received, that they hastened to debark on the
opposite shore, which was within gun-shot. The combat then
recommenced with more obstinacy than before, but success was
ever the same, on our side. M. de Saintout perceiving that the
enemy was in no humour to attempt an attack upon him at his
post, and that he could not go to them without the risk of having
his canoe sunk, determined on a retreat. He conducted it with
coolness, as he had before defended himself iv^ith courage. He
embarked in the presence of the English, who did not dare to
pursue him, but contented themselves with keeping up an in-
cessant fire. Three of our party were wounded in this rencontre,
but only slightly, of whom M. de Saintout was one, and M. do
Grosbois, a cadet of the colonial troops, was killed at his post
The enemy by their own acknowledgment had sent out thirty-
seven from their fort, while only seventeen returned thither.
Blows like this excite astonishment in Europe, but here the valor
of the Canadians has so often multiplied them, that we are rather
surprised not to see them repeated more than once in the course

TIE

MONTCALM'S EXPEDITION.

147

of a single campaign. This letter in its progress will furuish a
'jruuf ill support of this assertion.

After having paid my respects to M. de Montcalm, I returned
to the quarters of the Abnakis. My object was, to direct the
orator immediately to assemble his countrymen, and to inform
them, that during the few days which would intervene before
their departure to attack the English fort, I would attend to their
religious duties, and that they should prepare themselves for this
dangerous expedition by all those steps proper to assure them-
selves success with God. I at the same time let them know that
my tent would be open at all times and for every one, and that I
should always be ready, even at the peril of my life, to furnish
them those succors which my ministry required. My offers
were accepted. One party gave me the satisfaction of seeing
tliem undergo the rite of penance. I thus disposed some of
them to the reception of the August sacrament of our altars. It
was on the following Sunday, the twenty-fourth of July, that they
enjoyed this happiness. I neglected nothing which could invest
this step with the greatest possible pomp. I solemnly chanted
the Mass, during which I made them the first discourse in the
Abnakis language, which I had formally composed. Its subject
was, the obligation they were under to do honor to their religion
by their conduct, in the presence of so many idolatrous nations,
who either did not understand it, or else blasphemed it, and who
had their eyes fixed on them I endeavored to present in glow-
ing colors the motives best adapted to make an impression, nor
did I forget to recal to their minds those perils inseparable from
war, which their courage and valor induced them to multiply,
rather than avoid. If the attention of an audience and their
modest deportment could decide the question as to the effect of a
discourse, I should have had every reason to congratulate myself
on my feeble efforts. These exercises engaged us through most
of the morning ; but the Indian does not count the moments

»?■•,

": 11

-\t

]

:> 1 ^

.i-'i ^

1 .

1 '•>■ firrr.

».>■!

i',. ■'■■ '^ii-

|l|:vi||^^|t,^-'|

148

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

which he gives to religion ; he behaves himself with propriety
and earnestness while in our churches. But he too often finds
cause of scandal in the liberties which the French permit them-
selves to take while there, and the weariness which they bear im-
pressed upon their countenances. Such is the happy disposition
which the Indians show one day to become perfect Christians.

These were the occupations to which I gave myself up with
the greatest satisfaction during the time of our sojourn in the
neighborhood of Fort Vaudreuil. It did not last long, for at the
expiration of the third day, we received orders for our departure
to rejoin the French army which was encamped on the high
grounds near the Portage. This is the place where a great fall
of water obliged us to transport by land to Lake St. Sacrament
the stores necessary foi; the siege. Arrangements were ace ord-
ingly made to depart, when they were arrested by a spectacle
which attracted the attention of every one.

They saw at a distance in a branch of the river, a little fleet
of Indian canoes, which by their arrangement and ornaments an-
nounced a victory. It was M. Marin, a Canadian officer of great
merit, who was returning triumphant and covered with glory from
an expedition with which he had been charged. At the head of
a force of about two hundred Indians, he had been detached to
go in the direction of Fort Lidis,* but had the courage with his
little flying camp to attack the advanced entrenchments, and the
good fortune to carry tha principal quarter. The Indians had
only time to bring oflf thirty-five scalps of the two hundred men
they killed, but without their victory being stained by a drop of
their own blood, or the loss of a single man. The enemy, to the
number of three thousand men, sought in vain to have their re-
venge, by pursuing them in their retreat, but it was made with-

' [* Generally written Lydius, otherwise called Fort Edward, about fifteen
miles from Fort George.]

MONTCALM'S EXPEDITION.

149

out any loss.* While they were busy in counting the number of
their barbarous trophies, that is, the English scalps with which
the canoes were adorned, we perceived on the other side of the
river a French bark, which was bringing us five English bound
aud conducted by the Outaouacs, whose prisoners they were.

A sight of these unhappy captives spread joy and satisfaction
through the hearts of those who were present, but it was, for the
most part, a ferocious and barbarous joy, which showed itself
by fearful cries, and by steps which were sad for humanity.
A thousand Indians drawn from the thirty-six nations who were
united under the French standard, were present, and lined the
bank. In an instant, without any apparent concert between
them, we saw them rush with the greatest precipitation into the
neighboring woods. I did not know what could be the object of
a retreat so hasty and unexpected, but it was almost immediately

.til'

' , i

[♦ In the New York Secretary of State office in Albany, are the docu-
ments relating to our Colonial history, which were brought out during the
past year by the historical agent, J. R. Broadhead, Esq. Among the Paris
documents are the official despatches relating to this expedition. The af-
fair of M. Marin is thus given in a letter of M. Doreil to the Minister of
War, dated July 31st, 1757.

" A detachment of 150 men, the greater part Indians, whom M. de Mont-
calm had sent out on a scouting expedition, between Forts George and Ly-
dius. under the command of M. Marin, lieutenant in the Colonial troops,
have struck a blow remarkable for its boldness. They arrived on the morn-
ing of the 23rd, near Fort Lydius. At first they encountered a patrol of
10 men, who were all killed. They then came up with the guard of 50
men, who met with the same fate. A corps of the enemy of more than
4000 men were arrayed in order of battle, marched forth from their en-
trenchments, and advanced to the borders of the woods where M. Marin
was in anibusL. He kept up a fire for more than an hour, killed many of
the enemy, and at last retired in such good order, that although he was pur-
sued for two leagues, he lost but a single man, a Canadian. Our detach-
ment returned on the 26thj with 32 scalps and one prisoner." Vol xlvi.
p, 202.]

i;:

tr:

I. ,<r-

P.H .;

fc-:

150

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

shown, for a moment afterwards I saw thoui return with every
mark of fury, armed with clubs which they had prepared to give
these unfortunate English a most cruel reception. I could not
restrain my feelings at the sight of these cruel preparations.
Tears streamed from my eyes, but my grief was nevertheless not
inactive. I advanced, without hesitation, to encounter these
savage brutes, in the hope of softening them ; but alas ! what
chance had my feeble voice of being even heard amidst the tu-
mult, and the sounds which did reach them were rendered uniu-
telligible by the difference of language, and much more by the
ferocity of their hearts. However, I did not spare the most bit
ter reproaches towards certain of the Abnakis whom I met in
my way, and the earnest air which animated my words, inclined
them to sentiments of humanity. Confused and ashamed, they
separated themselves from the murderous troop, casting away
the cruel instruments they had prepared to use. But what ef-
fect could this produce, when it was the withdrawal of a few arms
from nearly two thousand which were determined to strike \vitli-
out pity ? Seeing how useless were the attempts I made, I de-
termined to withdraw, that I might not be a witness of the
bloody tragedy which was about to take place. I had taken some
steps when a feeling of compassion recalled me to the bank
from whence T could see those unhappy victims whom they were
preparing for the sacrifice. Their condition renewed all my sen-
sibility. The terror with which they had been seized, had
scarcely left them strength to hold themselves up ; their counte
nances cast down and marked by consternation, displayed the true
image of death. It was indeed a question of life or death, for
they were about to expire under a shower of blows, unless then-
preservation came from the heart of barbarism itself, and their
sentence should be revoked by the same persons, who seemed to
have been the first to pronounce it.

The French officer who commanded in the boat had seen the

MONTCALM'S EXPEDITION.

151

niovciDents which were taking place on the bank ; touched by tho
coraniiseration so natural in an honorable man at the sight of
uubappinesa, he endeavored to awaken the same feeling iu tho
hearts of the Outaouacs, who were masters of the prisoners. So
adroitly did ho manage the matter, that he at last produced
sonic scn.'iibility in their minds, and interested them in favor of
those miserable beings. They indeed entered into his scheme
with a zeal which must have insured its success. No sooner was
the boat near enough to the bank for the voice to be heard, than
one of the Outaouacs speaking boldly, cried in a menacing tone,
'■ These prisoners are mine ; I claim that you shall respect me by
respecting what belongs to me. Let there be an end to all ill
treatment in which what is odious must rebound upon my head."
A hundred French ofl&cers might have spoken in these terms,
but their speech could only have ended in drawing down insult
on themselves, and redoubled blows on the captives ; but an In-
dian fears one who is like him, and fears only him. Their slight-
est disputes end in death, and therefore they occur but seldom.
The wishes of the Outaouac were respected as soon as heard.
The prisoners were landed without tumult and conducted to the
fort, without even their being accompanied by the least shouting.
They were then separated and underwent an examination, in
which it was not necessary to resort to any artifices, to draw from
them the disclosures which were desired. The terror from
which they had not yet entirely recovered unloosed the tongue,
and gave them a volubility which they apparently would not
have had without it. One of them I visited in an apartment of
the fort which was occupied by a friend. I gave him by signs
those assurances which were most proper to tranquillize his fears,
and caused them to present him with some refreshments, which
lie seemed to receive with gratitude.

Having thus as far as possible satisfied my compassion for the
necessities of this miserable man, I went to hasten th'^ embark-

•■ '.t

■.VI

„ ' «!

■ ■■■:«

' ;l

■ K. ■

'* '4 * If'

. , . .+ :r t-.

Ml';..*".,

152

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

mont of my people, which took place at that very hour. Tho
passage was not a long one, and two hours sufficed to accomplish
it. The tent of the Chevalier do Levi was placed at tlio entrance
of tho camp. I took the liberty to present my respects to this
nobleman, whose name announces his merits, but whose other
claims to respect far outweigh those derived from his mere rank.
The conversation turned on the action which had decided the fate
of these live Englishmen, whose perilous adventure I have just
been relating. I was entirely unacquainted with the circum-
stances, in which there is much that is surprising. They are as
follows : —

M. de Corbiesc, a French officer, serving in the Colonial troops,
had been ordered on the preceding night to cross over Lake
St. Sacrament. His force consisted of about fifty ""^r juch, and
little more than three hundred Indians. At the dr m of day he
discovered a body of three hundred English, detached also in that
direction, in fifteen boats. Boats of this kind, high on the sides,
and strong from their thickness, when placed in competition with
the frail canoes, more than compensate for the slight superiority
of numbers which we had on our side. Nevertheless, our people
did not hesitate a moment to engage. The enemy appeared at
first to accept their challenge with a good grace, but their resolu-
tion did not last. The French and Indians, who could have no
reasonable hope of victory except by boarding, which course was
favored by their superiority in number, and who, on the other
hand risked everything by engaging at a distance, endeavored at
once to close with the enemy, notwithstanding the brisk fire they
kept up. But the enemy no sooner saw them at hand, than terror
caused them even to drop their arms. It ceased to be a conflict. I
and became only a flight. Of the alternatives they had, the least
honorable, without any doubt, and what is more, the most danger-
ous, was to attempt to gain the shore ; and yet this was the. one
which they selected. In an instant they were seen pulling in

MONTCALM'S EXPEDITION.

153

the greatest liiisto for the bank, while some, to reach there sooner,
thrcrv themselves into the water for the purpose of swinuning.
They flattered themselves with the prospect of safety under cover
of the woods, but it was a scheme badly conceived, and tiie folly
of which they had ever afterwards to mourn. Whatever speed
the redoubled efforts of the rowers could give to these boats, even
if it ecjualled all of which the skill and art of the builder had
rendered them capable, it could not in any way approach the
swiftness of a bark canoo. The latter sails, or rather flies, over the
water with the rapidity of an arrow. The English, therefore, were
almost immediately overtaken. In the first heat of the conflict
all were massacred without mercy, all were cut to pieces. Those
who had already gained the woods, had no bettor fate. The
woods are the natural home of the Indians, and they can run
there with the swiftness of deer. There they came up with the
enemy, and cut them down separately. At length the Outaouacs,
seeiug that they had no longer an enemy to combat with, but
only those who suiSfcred themselves to be slaughtered without
resistance, thought of making some prisoners. The number
amounted to one hundred and fifty-seven, while a hundred and
thirty-one had been killed ; twelve only were fortunate enough to
escape both captivity and death. The boats, ammunition, pro-
visions, all were taken and plundered.

After all this, Monsieur, you think, I doubt not, that a victory
so indisputable must have cost us dear. The fight took place on
the water, that is, in a place entirely open ; the enemy was not
taken unexpectedly ; he had plenty of time to make his arrange-
ments ; he commenced the fight with a feeling of contempt, so to
speak ; from the height of his boats he discharged his musketry
on the feeble bark canoes, which a little address, or what was
better, a little coolness, would easily have sunk with all who de-
fended them. All this is true, and yet a success so complete was

«-^:-i

* ^

■'1
t

■I 'r.

..:'*'•

.'l,.:^^

I •

;>■!■•-■

V «

164

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

.; ,11 .X'^i?'

i mvM}.f. i'i ■ ■■•V '■

u; -life: 'III'

mwm

achieved at the cost of a single Indian wounded, who;3e wrist was
injured by a shot.*

Such was the fate of the detachment of the unfortunate M.
Copperel, who was the commander, and is said by general report
to have perished in the water. The enemy referred to the disas-
ters of that day, in terms which marked equally their grief and
surprise. They candidly acknowledged the greatness of tlieir
loss. It would have been difficult indeed to disprove it in tlie
slightest particular. The dead bodies of their officers and
soldiers, some floating on the waters of Lake Saint Sacrament,
and some already stretched on the shore, would have testified
against their denial. As to their prisoners, the greater part woro
as yet groaning in captivity to the Chevalier de Levi. I saw
them file ofi" in bands, escorted by their conquerors, who doliglited
with the barbarity of tlieir triumphs, did not even show any dispo-
sition to soften their defeat to the vanquished. In the space of
one league, which it was necessary for me to pass to rejoin my
Abnakis, I met very many little troops of these captives. More
than one Indian stopped me on my way to show me his prize, and

[* M. Doreil's letter to the Minister sub-stantially agrees 'with tliis— "Au
English detachment composed of 350 men under the command of a colonel,
five captains, Ibur lieutenants, and one ensign were sent out from Fort George
in 22 barges, (these bai-ges are large boats), the object of the enemy being to cut
off our advanced corps and to make them prisoners. About 400 of our In-
dians, commanded by M. do Corbiere and some other colonial officers, who
were in ambush among tlic islanils of Luke St. Sacrament, entirely destroyed
the party on the 26th. Only two boats were saved. The Indians have
brought in 180 prisoners. The rest have been killed or drowned, and the
greater part of the boats destroyed. For all this we have but one single In-
dian slightly wounded. The English surrendered thems'^lves, so to speak.
without resistance." Brodheadh Colonial Documents, vol. XL VI. p. S07-S,

Montcalm, in his official report, says — "I have here about 161 prisoners,
of whom five are officers. The English have had about IGO men killed or
drowned"— J^jrf. p. 204.]

MONTCALM'S EXPEDITION.

155

to enjoy my applause as he went along. The love of country did
not permit me to be insensible to these successes which interested
the nation. But misery has a claim not only in religion, but
even in nature. These prisoners moreo\er presented themselves
to me in so sad a condition, their eyes filled with tears, their faces
covered with sweat and even with blood, and a cord around their
necks, that at the sight, sentiments of compassion and humanity
vere excited in my breast. The ardent spirits of which their
new masters had most freely partaken, had heated their blood,
and irritated their nal.ural icrocity, so that I feared every instant
to see some prisoner, the victim of their cruelty and drunkenness,
massacred before my eyes and falling dead at my feet. I there-
fore scarcely dared to raise my head, for fear of encountering the
looks of some of these miserable beings, but I was shortly after-
vrards obliged to be witness to a spectacle of a different kind,
more horrible than any that I had yet seen.

My tent had been placed in the middle of the encampment of
the Outaouacs. The first object which presented itself to my eyes
on arriving there was a large fire, while the wooden spies fixed
in the earth gave signs of a feast. There was indeed one taking
place. But, Heaven ! what a feast ! The remains of the body
of an Englishman war there, the skin stripped off, and more than
oue-half the flesh gone. A moment after I perceived these inhu-
man beings eat with famishing avidity of this human flesh ; I saw
them taking up this detestable broth in large spoons, and apparent-
ly without being able to satisfy themselves with it. They in-
formed me that they had prepared themselves for this feast by
drinking from skulls filled with human blood, while their smeared
faces and stained lips gave evidence of tl^e truth of the story.
What rendered it more sad was, that they had placed very near
them some ten Englishmen to be spectstors of their infamous
repast. The Outaouac closely resembles the Abnakis, and I
thought that, by making some mild representation to these inhu-

■k'^ ■?.

■ )

V > ' I

■'.If

'i " ■

■ 1

• !

■

-■■■■^■4^M

'1. , \,

! i

156

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

I-.^:

,■( ■

JK- «:' :;;-vl

man monsters, I might gain some hold upon them. But I ^as
only flattering myself. A young man, with a resolute air, took
up the conversation, and said to me in bad French — " You have
French taste ; I have Indian : this food is good for me." He
accompanied his remarks by the offer which he made me of a
piece of the broiled Englishman. I could make no reply to Ms
argument, which was so worthy of a savage ; as to his ofiers, one
may easily imagine with what horror I rejected them.

Taught by the failure of this attempt that my efibrts could
not in any way avail the dead, I turned to the living, whose lot
appeared to me a hundred-fold more to be deplored. As I
approached the English, one of their number arrested my atten-
tion. By the military ornaments with which he was still deco-
rated, I recognized an officer. My purpose was immediately
formed to purchase him, and thus secure for him both his liberty
and his life. With this view I approaqhed an aged Outaouac,
believing that the chill of age having moderated his ferocit), I
should find him more favorable to my designs. I extended to
him my hand, saluting him politely, in the hope of gaining him
to me by kindness of manner. But it was not a man with whom
I was dealing; it was something worse than a ferocious beast, wlio
was not to be softened by these caresses. " No," said he to me,
in a thundering and menacing tone, well calculated to fill mewitli
fear, if at that moment I had been susceptible of any other senti-
ments than those which inspired compassion and horror — "No,
I do not at all wish your favors; be gone." I did not think it
by any means necessary to wait till he should repeat a compli-
ment of this kind ; I obeyed him.

I went to shut myself up in my tent, to surrender my mind to
the reflections which religion and humanity were able to suggest
under such circumstances. I had no idea of taking any measures
to warn my Abnakis against an excess so outrageous. Although
the example might be a dangerous rock for all these men, as far

MONTCALM'S EXPEDITION.

157

as tbeir temperance and morals were concerned, yet they were
incapable of going to such extremities. We can even do them
the justice to say, that in the times when they were plunged most
deeply in the darkness of paganism, they had never merited the
odious name of cannibals. Their humane and docile character
ia this respect had, since that time, rendered them honorable ex-
ceptions to the greatest part of the Indians on this continent.
Reflections of this kind occupied me until the night was far ad-
vanced.

The next morning, on awakening, I supposed that no vestige of
the repast of the previous evening would remain about my tent.
I flattered myself that the fumes of their liquor being dissipated,
and the excitement inseparable to action having passed off, their
spirits would have become more settled, and their hearts more
liunian, But I was acquainted with neither the genius nor the
taste of the Outaouacs. It was through choice, through delicacy,
through daintiness, that they nourished themselves with human
flesh. Since the earliest dawn they had done nothing but recom-
meuce their execrable cookery, and now were waiting with anx-
iety for the desired moment when they should be able to glut
their more than canine appetite, by devouring the sad relics of
the body of their enemy.

I have already mentioned that there were three missionaries
attached to the service of the Indians. During all the campaign
our lodgings were together, our deliberations were unanimous,
our movements uniform, and our wishes entirely ag: eed. This
mutual understanding served not a little to sweeten the toils in-
separable from a military march. After consultation we all
agreed, that the respect due to the dignity of our holy mysteries
would not permit us to celebrate the sacrifice of the Lamb with-
out spot, in the very centre of barbarism. The more these peo-
ple were given up to the most extravagant superstitions, would
they bo inclined to desecrate our most holy ceremonies, or even

'■ I;

. , .1..,,

f,h -'I'lil* ; ,

' '■ .' ;i

IK''- ^--^

I i1 ' ,f : ri.-. *■ .

II l".<

hf •■

^ •.! .

i;i.--

158

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

to draw from them materials for the embellishment of their jurr.
gleries. For this reason, we abandoned the place defiled by such
abominations, to take refuge in the woods. I was not able to
make this movement without separating myself a little from my
Abnakis. It seemed as if I was authorized in doing so, and yet
you will judge from what afterwards took place, that I had almost
reason to regret my first place of encampment. I was no sooner
established in my new abode, than I saw the deep desire to par-
take of the benefits of confession renewed in the hearts of my
neophytes. The crowd increased so much, that I was scarcely
able to answer the demands made upon mo by their eagernc-ss,
These occupations, joined to the other duties of my min'stry,
so entirely filled up several days, that they passed by almost
without my perceiving it. Happy should I have been if I had
only been obliged to attend to such worthy functions ; my life
itself would not have been too much to pay for such an honor.
But the consolations of the ministers of Jesus Christ are not last
ing here below, because success does not always attend their la-
bors undertaken for the glory of their master. The enemies who
conspire to defeat them are too numerous, not to enjoy at last tLc
sad triumph of success.

While many of my Abnakis in a Christian way were procur-
ing reconciliation and grace from the Lord, others were rashly
seeking to irritate his wrath and provoke his vengeance. Drink-
ing is the favorite passion and the universal vice of all these Indian
tribes, and unfortunately there are too many greedy hands who
will pour out for them the " fire-water," in despite of laws both
divine and human. There is no doubt but that the presence of
the missionary, by the influence which his character gives liini,
can prevent many of these disorders. For the reasons which I
have given above, I had removed myself a little from my people,
so that I was separated from them by a small woods. This 1
could not think it advisable to paas through at night, to observe

MONTCALM'S EXPEDITION.

153

whether good order reigned in our camp, as I should have ex-
posed myself to some untoward adventure, not only on the part
of the Iroquois attached to the side of the English, who at the
very gate of the camp had a few days before taken the scalp from
one of our grenadiers, but also on the part of our own idolaters,
on whom experience had taught me, I could not depend. Some
young Abnakis therefore, joined with some other Indians of the
different tribes, profited by my absence and the darkness of the
night, to go, while all were wrapped in sleep, to obtain secretly
some drink in the tents of the French. Once having procured
their precious treasure, they hastened to make use of it, and soon
their heads were entirely turned. Drunkenness among the In-
dians is rarely c[uiet, but almost always blustering. These per-
sons showed it at first by songs and dances, in a word by noise,
until finally, they ended in blows. At the dawn of day their
extravagances had reached their height, and this was the first
intimation I had received, on rising, as to what was going on. I
promptly ran to the spot where the tumult was taking place.
Everything there was in alarm and agitation, the natural effects
of drunkenness. But all was immediately restored to order by
the docility of my people. I took them one after the other, fa-
miliarly by the hand, and conducted them without resistance to
their tent, where I ordered them to repose.

This scandal seemed to have passed away, when a Moraigan,
Datm-alized among the Abnakis and adopted by that nation, re-
newed the scene in a manner a little more serious. After hav-
ing some high words with an Iroquois, his companion in the de-
bauch, they at last came to blows. The former, who was much
the most athletic, after having felled his antagonist, rained on
him a shower of blows, and what is worse, tore his shoulder with
his teeth. The conflict was at its height when I arrived. I was
able, however, to obtain no other succor than that of my own arms
to separate the combatants, the savages mutually fearing too

■,.'^:

■ f.

..J

'■ ■ »

160

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

ii' '

■:;;*: I" ■ m

'•f:

^1,

much over to interfere, let the result be what it might, in these
disputes among each other. But my strength was not at all
equal to the greatness of the work I had undertaken, and the vic-
tor was too much excited to release his prey so soon. I \;vas tempted
to leave these furious beings to inflict, with their own hands, a
proper punishment for their excesses, but feared Ic t the scene
might have a bloody termination by the death of one of the cham-
pions, and therefore redoubled my efiForts. By dint of shaking
the Abnakis, he at last perceived that some one had hold of him,
and therefore turned his head. It was not without deep shame
that he recognized me, yet nevertheless he did not at once return
to reason, for it took him some moments to recover himself; when
he gave the Irof|uois free space to escape, of which he availed him-
self with a good grace.

After having taken measures to prevent a renewal of the con-
test, I retired more fatigued than one would believe with the in-
cursion I had been obliged to make ; but it was necessary for me
almost immediately to recommence. I was informed that a troop
of my warriors, assembled on the bank around the boats which
contained the magazines of powder, were amusing themselves
with firing their guns, in despite of the guard, and in contempt
even of the orders, or rather prayers of the officers ; for the Indian
is his own master and his own king, and carries everywhere with
him his feeling of independence. I had not at this time to con-
tend against drunkenness, but the point was to repress the youth-
ful folly of some thoughtless people. The decision therefore was
prompt. Imagine to yourself a crowd of school-boys dreading
the eyes of their masters. Such in my presence were these re-
doubtable warriors ; they disappeared at my approach, to the
great astonishment of the French. With difficulty was I able to
arrest one, from whom I demanded, in a tone of indignation,
whether he was tired of living, or whether he had conspired for
our destruction ? He answered me, ia the mildest possible tone,

MONTCALM'S EXPEDITION.

161

"No, my father." "Why then," I added, "why do you expose
yourself to the danger of being blown into the air, and to blow us
up with you by the explosion of the powder ?" " Reproach us
with ignorance," replied he, "but not with intentional wrong.
W'^e did not know that it was so near." Without at all wishing
to impeach his veracity, one cannot but suspect the truth of his
excuse ; but it was much that he was willing to descend to a justi-
fication, and much more that he was willing to put an end to this
dangerous sport, which was done at once.

The inaction to which I saw our Christian Indians condemned,
joined to their being mingled with so many idolatrous tribes,
made me tremble, not for the steadfastness of their religious prin-
ciples, but for their consistency of conduct. I earnestly longed
for the day when the necessary preparations for the expedition
king finally completed, we should be able to put ourselves in
motion. When the mind is occupied, the heart is more safe. At
last the desired moment arrived. The Chevalier do Levi, at the
head of three thousand men, had commenced his march by land,
on Friday the twenty-ninth of July, to enable him to protect
the descent of the main body of our force, which was to go by
water. His march Jiad none of those facilities which arc fur-
nished in Europe by the great roads made with royal magnifi-
cence for the accommodation of troops. Thick forests were to be
pierced, craggy mountains scaled, and heavy marshes traversed.
After a forced march of an entire day, it was accomplishing much
if they found they had advanced three leagues, so that it took
five days to get over a distance of twelve leagues. On account
of these obstacles, which had been foreseen, this corps had pre-
ceded us several days in its departure. It was on Sunday that
we embarked with the Indians alone, who formed at the time a
body of twelve hundred men by themselves, the others having
gone by land.
We had not advanced more than four or five leagues on the

■ W%
' '■ : I'M

''7 4)1

:1"

4' ■

V'}

' i '. > I
- /• 1

♦ ,

1 "it!

«^ '

<. '

-■'H

.■ ^

.•

< i,i*

:i ■'■•a

il?'^-:,-;:-:

[1 "!llW"' i^'fc-';'

i;,f: V

l!v.

[i!ll',,:l!JHfi :■ '..ii^';;

f: ■' t-'ii

I('-"

'■'t'

'•■• i

'Si
if.-.'

162

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

lake, before we perceived evident proofs of our late victory. There
were the abandoned English boats, which, after having floated a
long time at the sport of the winds and waves, had at last been
thrown upon the shore. But the most striking spectacle was a
great number of the dead bodies of the English, extended on the
banks, or scattered here and there through the woods. Some
were cut to pieces, and almost all mutilated in the most frightful
manner. What a terrible scourge did war seem to me ! It would
have been a great consolation to me could I have procured,
through my instrumentality, the burial of these sad relics of our
enemies, but it was only by peculiar favor that we had been per-
mitted to land in this bay. It was absolutely necessary too that
we should continue our march without interruption, conformably
to the orders which hurried us forward to report ourselves. We
landed at night at the place which had been assigned for our
camp. It was the side of a hill covered with brambles and
thorns, and the haunt of a prodigious number of rattlesnakes.*
Our Indians. hunted them out, and caught many, which they
brought to me.

This venomous reptile, for it deserves this name, if anything
ever did, has a head the smallness of which does not accord with
the large size of the body ; its skin is in some places regularly
marked with a dark spot, and then one of a pale yellow ; the rest
of it is entirely black. It is not armed with any sting, but its teetli
are exceedingly sharp. Its eye is lively and brilliant ; it carries
under the tail many little scales, which it inflates prodigiou.sly.
and strikes violently one against the other, when it is irritated.
The noise which is thus produced is the occasion of the name hy
which it is known. Its gall when smoked, is a specific for the
tooth-ache. Its flesh, also smoked and reduced to powder, is
said to be an excellent remedy for fever. Some salt, wet and

[* Serpens b. sonnettes.]

MONTCALM'S EXPEDITION.

163

applied to the place, is a certain cure for its bite, the venom of
which is so prompt that it causes death in less than an hour.

The next day, at four o'clock in the afternoon, M. de Mont-
calm arrived with the remainder of the army. It became neces-
sary for us to resume our route, notwithstanding the deluge of
raiu by which we were inundated. We marched almost all the
night, until we distinguished the camp of M. de Levi, by three
fires placed in the form of a triangle on the top of a mountain.
^Ve halted there, when a general council was held, after which
the troops on land again put themselves in motion towards Fort
George, now distant only four leagues. It was not till towards
noon that we re-entered our canoes. We floated along slowly,
for the purpose of giving time to the boats which carried the ar-
tillery to follow us. It was very necessary that they should has-
ten on. At evening we were more than a league ahead, never-
theless, as we had reached a bay, the point of land forming which
we could not double, without entirely discovering ourselves to
the enemy, we determined, while waiting for new orders, to pass
the night there. It was marked by a little action, which was the
prelude of the siege.

About eight o'clock, two boats sent out from the fort appeared
on the lake. They sailed along with an assurance and a tran-
(|uillity which they were soon obliged hastily to abandon. One
of my neighbors who was on the watch for the general safety, per-
ceived them when very far off. The news was at once imparted
to all che Indians, and the preparations to receive them were
made with promptness and in admirable silence. I was instant-
ly summoned to provide for my safety, by gaining the shore, and
thence the interior of the woods. It was not at all in consequenco
of a courage, out of place in a man in my position, that I turned
a deaf ear to the advice which they had the goodness to give me ;
but I did not believe the matter was serious, because I thought
there were reasons for suspecting the truth of the news. Four

^^*l

5. -4

.?■ '•

• i<

U-,
■1,1

- \\ "l I

'.•i '.;Vi

i.t

ll'i-

f ■ \'i

«*»v

'^1 • ■ 'l^^*.

i^r!!;''l! •

'fit •'• S'',!-t;^i

If!

#:"

5fx ; .1

V i' if.

■ f ,IJI

>;■'■■■■■ u>''

'ii'i' .i)r i^iWwf 'i

|):««i!rii?J,-;,; .i^Mt? '.
ll'lJIIJ. ',.)..■. .1,,,. ^.'il'-'*

164

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

hundred boats or canoes, which for the space of two days had
covered the waters of Lake Saint-Sacrament, formed too consid-
erable a train to have been able to escape the attentive and ob-
servant eyes of an enemy. For this reason I had difficulty in
persuading myself that two boats would have the temerity, I do
not say to measure themselves with us, but even to present them-
selves before forces so superior. My reasoning was, that it would
only be necessary to show ourselves, to put them to flight. One
of my friends, who was a spectator of all that was going on. warn-
ed me again, in a tone too serious for me not to heed it, that I
was out of place. lie had reason to do so. One boat of a suf-
ficient size contained all the missionaries, and over it was stretch-
ed a tent, which had been furnished to shield us from the inju-
rious eflect of the atmosphere, which in this climate is quite cold
during the nights. This pavilion, thus arranged, formed a kind
of dark object in the air, which they easily discovered by the
light of tlie stars. Curious to investigate what it could be, it
was directly towards that spot that the English steered. To
choose that course, and to rush on death, was almost entirely the
same thing. Slight chance of escape indeed would there have
been, unless by good fortune for them, a little accident had drawn
us out some moments too soon. One of the sheep we had with
us happened to bleat, and at this cry, which disclosed the am-
bush, the enemy turned about and made towards the opposite
bank, using their oars to the utmost to save themselves through
means of the darkness and the woods. This manoeuvre being
immediately seen, what was to be done ? Twelve hundred sav-
ages were at once in motion, and flew to the pursuit with cries
equally frightful by their continuance as by their number. Nev-
ertheless, both sides seemed at first to be backward, as not a
single shot was discharged. The pursuers not having had time to
tbrm, feared to draw the fire upon themselves, and besides wished
to take prisoners. The fugitives employed their arms much more

:1'

MONTCALM'S EXPEDITION.

165

lya bad
(ioiisid-
and ob-
iulty in
ty, I do
it tbem-
it would
it. One
Dri; warn-
,t, tbat 1
of a suf-
s stretch-
the inju.
[uite cold
cd a kind
3d by tk
)uld be, it
ered. To
itirely tlie
iliere have
had drawn
re had with
>d the am-

usefully ill accelerating their flight. They had almost i-euchcd
the opposite side, when the Indians, who perceived that their
prey was escaping, fired, and the English, pressed almost too
close by the foremost canoes, were obliged to return it. Then fol-
lowed a fearful silence succeeding all this uproar. Wu were wait-
ing for the news of success, when a swaggerer took it into hia
head to attempt to gain honor for himself by a fietitious account
of the action, in which he probably had not even taken part, lie
began by assuring us that the battle had been fatal to the Abna-
liis. This was suflicient to put me in motion. Furnished with
oil for Extreme Unction, I threw myself with haste into a canoe
to go and meet the combatants, entreating my guides each mo-
ment to use diligence. But there was no necessity for it, at least
so far as I was concerned. Encountering an Abnakis, who was
better instructed, because he had been more brave, I learned
that the action which had been reported as- so murderous, had
terminated hi one Nipistingue being killed and one other wound-
ed while boarding. I did not wait for the rest of his account,
but hastened to rejoin my people, to yield my place to M. 3Iatha-
vet, missionary of the Nipistingue tribe. I arrived by water at
the same time that M. de Montcalm, who at the sound of the
musketry had landed a little below, reached the spot by coming
through the woods. He learned that I had just come from as-
certaining the state of things, and therefore addressed himself to
me for information. My Abnakis, whom I recalled, gave him a
short account of the combat. The darkness of the night did not
permit them to know the loss on the side of the enemy, but they
had seized their boats and made three prisoners. The rest were
wandering scattered through the woods. M. de Montcalm,
charmed with this detail, retired to make arrangements, with his
accustomed prudence, for the operations of the next day.

The morning had scarcely begun to dawn, when a party of the
Nipistingue tribe, proceeded with the funeral rites of their

4 , ««

Wi-

III.

" ■■(;

*!■

i '

\ ■

i "

».: . i;

; .; r'^ :'•, !

IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)

^' ^° ^,^'

1.0

I.I

^1^ 1^

■u lU 12.2

' KS iiio

11-25 III 1.4

1.6

Hiotographic

Sciences

Corporation

23 WEST MAIN STREET

WEBSTER, NY. 14580

(716) 873-4503

;

166

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

brother, killed during the action of the preceding night, and who
had died in the errors of paganism. His obsequies were cele-
brated with all pomp and savage splendor. The dead body had
been arrayed in all its ornaments, or rather overloaded with all
the trinkets that the most unusual degree of pride would be able
to employ under circumstances so sad in themselves. Collars of
porcelain, silver bracelets, pendants for the ears and the nose,
niagnilicent dresses, all had been lavished on him. They had
even called in the aid of paint and vermilion, to cover up, under
these brilliant colors, the pf.Uid hue of death, and to give to his
countenance an air of life which it did not in reality possess.
They had not been forgetful of any of the decorations of an
Indian warrior. A gorget, or neck-piece, bound with a red rib- ,
bon, hung negligently on his breast ; his gun was resting en his
arm, the tomahawk at his belt, the pipe in his mouth, the lance
in his hand, and the kettle, filled with provisions, at his side.
Clothed in this warlike and animated array, they had seated him
on an eminence covered with grass, which served him for his bed
of state.

The Indians ranged in a circle about the dead body, re-
garded it for some moments in a solemn silence, which did not
badly convey the idea of grief This was broken by the orator,
who pronounced the funeral oration for the dead. Then suc-
ceeded the chants and dances, to the sound of a tabor which is
hung round with little bells. In all this there was an indes-
cribable air of sadness, which agreed well with the melancholy
ceremonial. At length the funeral rites were ended by the in-
terment of the dead, near whom they took good care to bury a
sufl&cient supply of provisions, for fear, without doubt, that for
want of nourishment he might die a second time. I do not at
all give these things as the testimony of an eye-witness ; the
presence of a missionary would scarcely be in accordance witli
these kinds of spectacles, having their origin in superstition, and

MONTCALM'S EXPEDITION.

167

adopted by a stupid credulity. I ^;ive the account whicli I re-
ceived from some spectators.

The bay however iv which we were moored, resounded on all
sides with the noise of war. Everything there was in motion
and action. Our artillery, which consisted of thirty-two pieces
of cannon and five mortars, placed on some platforms, which
were borne on boats fastened together, led the way. In passing
the point of land which had concealed us from the view of the
enemy, they took care to salute the fort by a general discharge.
This at the time was nothing but mere ceremony, but it an-
nounced more serious matters. The rest of the little fleet fol-
lowed, but slowly. Already a body of the Indians had formed
their camp in the rear of Fort George, or on the road to Fort
Lydis, to cut off all communication between the two English
forts. The corps of the Chevalier de Levi, occupied the defiles
of the mountains, which led to the place designated for our land-
iag. Favored by these measures, which were planned with so
much wisdom, our descent was made without opposition, a good
half league below the fort. The enemy however, had too much
at home to employ them, to allow of their leaving there to put
obstacles in our way. They seemed to have been not in the
least expecting a siege, though I cannot imagine from what
source their confidence arose. The environs of their foits were
occupied by a multitude of tents still standing at the time of
our arrival, and we saw there a quantity of barracks which were
well adapted to aid the besiegers. It became necessary there-
fore for them to clear off all these things which were without, to
take down the tents, and to burn the barracks. These move-
ments it was not possible for them to effect, without enduring
constant discharges on the part of the Indians, always ready to
profit by these advantages whioh were afforded them. Their fire
indeed would have ijeen much more lively, and more fatal, if
another object had not drawn off part of their attention. Some

*■ •■JfC ■?

■''M

Kt -fS

■H-

I ■ ■.'is'j I

• :* '

V:.

rh::<.

Ur I

168

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

horses and herds of cattie, which the besieged had not bad time
to place under cover, were wandering about on the low grounds
which were situated in the neighborhood of the fort. For a
time, therefore, the chase of these animals furnished the Indians
with occupation. A hundred and fifty of the cattle either killed
or taken, and fifty horses, were at first the fruits of this petty
warfare ; but these were only, as it were, the preliminaries and
the preparatory steps for the siege.

Fort George was a square, flanked by four bastions ; the cur-
tains were strengthened with stakes ; the trenches were sunk to
the depth of from ei3hteen to twenty feet ; the scarp and coun-
terscarp were shelving and covered with shifting sand ; the walls
were built of large pine trees which had been felled, and sus-
tained by stakes which were extremely massive, and from whence
extended a platform of earth from fifteen to eighteen feet wide,
which they had taken care to cover entirely with gravel. From
four to five hundred men defended it by the aid of nineteen can-
non, of which two were thirty-six pounders, the rest of less
calibre, and also four or five mortars. The place was not pro-
tected by any other exterior work, except by a fortified entrencli-
ment surrounded by palisades, which were strengthe'^ed by heaps
of stones. The garrison Avithin it consisted of seventeen hun-
dred men, and continually recruited that of the fort. The prin-
cipal strength of this entrei shment consisted in its situation,
which commanded all around it, and was inaccessible to artillery
except on the side, on account of the mountains and morasses
which lined the different avenues leading to it.

Such was Fort George according to the information I baye
gained of these places since its surrender. It was not possible
to invest it and block up all the passages. Six thousand Frencli
or Canadians and seventeen hundred Indians, which constituted
all our force, were by no means equal to the immense extent of
ground which it would have been necessary to*encompass to ac-

MONTCALM'S EXPEDITION.

169

; the cur-
e sunk to
and coun-
the "Walls
[, and sus-
)m whence
L feet wide,
^el. l?rom
neteen can-
est of less
as not pro-
d entrencli-
ed by heaps
jnteen hun-
The prin-
ts situation,
to artillery
nd morasses

coiiiplii'li that object. Tweuty thoiisautl men would scarcely
have been sufficient for the purpose. The enemy had, therefore,
always the benefit of one back door to .slip into the woods, which
would have been a useful resource if the Indians had not been
immediately before them ; but rarely did they escape their hands
vvlieu taking thl& road. Their quarters were, besides, on the
Lydis roadj so close in the neighborhood of the woods, and where
they were accustomed so often to send out scouting parties, that
to seek an asylum there would have been only to risk one's life.
At a little distance were the lodges of the Canadians, placed on
tlie summits of the mountains, and always near enough to assist
them. Then the regular troops who had come from France, to
whom properly belonged the labors of the siege, occupied the
borders of the woods very near the ground on which it was
necessary that the trench should be opened. The camp of re-
serve followed, furnished with sufficient forces to protect it from
the danger of any insult.

These arrangements being made, the Marquis de Montcalm
caused propositions to be nradc to the enemy, which, had they
Ijeen accepted, would have saved much blood and many tears.
It was very much in these ternis that the letter of summons was
written, which was addrcs.scd to M. Moreau, commander of the
place in the name of his ]^ritannic Majesty. " Sir, I have arrived
with sufficient force to take the place which you hold, and to cut
off all succors which can possibly come to you from any quarter.
I number in my train a crowd of Indian tribes, whom the least
effusion of blood will enrage to an extent which will forever pre-
vent them from entertaining any sentiments of moderation or
clemency. The love of humanity has therefore induced me to
summon you to surrender at a time when it will not be impos-
sible for me to induce them to agree to a capitulation honorable
to you and useful for all. I have, &c." signed, Montcalm.
The bearer of this letter was M. Fontbranc, Aid de camp of M.

^1l

.;•!,

!'- t

^r;

^'•^

tr'

<* 1'

170

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

de Levi. Ho was received by the English ofl&cers, with many of
whom he was acquainted, with that politeness and attention witb
which the laws of honor never dispense, when the war takes place
between honorable men. But this favorable reception decided
nothing with regard to the surrender of the place, as appeared by
the answer. It was as follows : " Monsieur, the General Mont-
calm, I am obliged to you, for my part, for the courteous oflfers
you have made ; but I cannot accept them : I have little fear of
your Indian forces. Besides, I have under my orders soldiers
who are determined, like myself, to die or to conquer. I have,
&c." signed, Moreau.

The haughtiness of this answer was shortly afterwards pub-
lished amidst the roar of a general discharge of the enemy's
artillery. It was very desirable that we should be in a condition
to give an immediate ^jply, but before we could be able to es-
tablish a single battery, it was necessary for us to transport our
cannon a good half league over the rocks and through the woods.
But owing to the voracity of the Indians, we were not able in
this work to call in the aid of any of our beasts of burden,
Tired, they said, of salt meat, they had no scruples a few days
before in seizing them, to regale themsehes, without consulting
anything but their appetites. But in default of this aid, so many
arms animated by courage and by zeal ♦owards our sovereign,
applied themselves with so good a grace to the labor, that all
obstacles were shortly cleared away and vanquished, and the
business itself carried through to its perfection.

Taring all these movements, I was lodged near tlie hospital,
where I hoped to be at hand to give to the dying and the dead
the appropriate aid of my ministry. I remained there for some
time without receiving the least news of my Indians. This
silence troubled me ; I had a great desire to assemble them yet
once more, to enable them to profit by the perilous circumstanoes
in which they were, and to lead them, if it were possible, to those

') ™t

MONTCALM'S EXPEDITION.

171

feelings which were in accordance with their religion. With thia
view I determined to go and seek them. The journey had its
difficulties and its dangers, besides its length. It was necessary
for me to pasij in the neighborhood of the trench, where a soldier
busy in wondering at the great effect of a cannon ball on a tree,
was shortly after himself, at only a few paces distance from me,
the victim of his indiscretion. In pursuing my route, I will
acknowledge to you, that I was struck with the air with which
tlio French and Canadians bore themselves, in the midst of
the painful toils and dangers which occupied them. To see the
joy with which they transported to the trench the fascines and
gabions, you would have taken them for persons invulnerable to
the active and continual fire of the enemy. Such conduct an-
nounces clearly their bravery and love for their country ; and
this is the character of the nation. I went through all the quar-
ters, without finding any of my Abnakis except a few groups
dispersed here and there, so that I was obliged to retrace my
steps, without gaining anything but the merit of my good inten-
tions. Thus separated from my people, I had not the opportunity
of being of much benefit to them ; but my services were at least
of some use in favor of a Moraigan prisoner, whose tribe is in the
interests and almost entirely under the rule of England. He
was a man whose figure assuredly possessed neither dignity nor
grace. A head enormous in size, with little eyes, excessive cor-
pulence united with a short body, legs thick an-^ stumpy, all these
traits with some others of the same kind, certainly entitled him
to a place among the deformed. But to be thus unfortunate in
appearance, does not at the same time deprive him of his claim
to human nature, that is to say, it does not diminish his right to
the attention and regards of Christian charity. He was indeed
not less the victim of his unpi epossessing appearance than of his
bad fortune. Bound to the trunk of a tree, where his grotesque
figure excited the curiosity of all who passed. Lootings were at

f A.

■ m

m%:^^

<J 'I' h-

ill

l72

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

first not spared, but bad treatment succeeded, uniil at last a blow
rudely given almost tore one of his eyes f :om his head. Tlils
proceeding shocked me ; I came to the aid of the afflicted, and
standing by him I drove off all the spectators in a tone of autho-
rity, which without doubt I should never have dared to assume, if
I had been less sensibly touched by his misfortunes. I stood
sentinel by his side during a part of the day, and at last succeed-
ed so well that I was able to interest these savages (his masters),
in his favor, so that there was no further need of my presence to
free him fvom persecution. I do not know whether he was very
sensible o! my services ; at least, a glance of his dark eye was all
that I could draw from him. But independent of all consi-
derations of religion, I was well repaid by the mere pleasure of
having succored one in misfortune. There were never want-
ing indeed some whose fate was equally to be deplored. Each
day the activity and bravery of the Indians increased the num-
ber of prisoners, that is to say, of those who were doomed to
misery. It was not possiolc for the enemy to stir a single step
from the place, without exposing themselves either tr captivity or
death, so much were the Indians on the alert. You can judge of
this by a single incident. An English woman determined to go
and gather some vegetables in the kitchen gardens, almost con-
tiguous to the trench of the place. Her hardihood cost her dear;
for an Indian, concealed in a square of cabbages, perceived her,
and with his gun struck her down on the spot. The enemy had
no means of recovering and carrying off the dead body, and the
conqueror, always concealed, remained sentinel through the day,
and took away with hira the scalp.

Nevertheless, all the Indian tribes began to grow weary on ac-
count of the silence of our great guns, as they called our cannon :
they did not wish longer to take upon themselves the whole bur-
den of the war, so that to content them, it was necessary to hasten
the trench and to erect there our first battery. The first time it

''I

MONTCALM'S EXPEDITION.

173

played, such were tlio cries of joy that all the mountains resound-
ed \vith the echoes. During the whole course of the siege, it was
uever necessary to make any great movement to learn the success
of our artillery. The cries of the Indians at any time carried
the iuteiligenco to all parts of our camp.

I Lad'been thinking seriously of abandoning my quarters, and
the inaction to which I was condemned while there, by reason of
luy distance from my neophytes, determined me to do so. But
before the change was made, we were forced to suffei a great
alarm. The frequent journeys which during the day the enemy
had made to their boats, had given rise to a suspicion that they
were preparing some decisive stroke. The report had been
spread, that their design was to burn our provisions and muni-
tions of war, and M. de Launay, Captain of the Grenadiers in a
Kcgimcut of France, was therefore appointed to watch with the
guard over the boats in which they were deposited. The arrange-
ments he made were so skilful, that it is almost to be regretted
that the enemy did not show themselves. These alarms having
passed over, I rejoined my Abnakis, not to be separated from
them again during the whole course of the campaign. Nothing
worthy of note occurred during some days, except the prompt-
ness and rapidity with which the works of the trench advanced.
The second battery was established two days afterwards This
was a new fete which the Indians celebrated in a warlike way.
They were always about our artillery men, whose dexterity they
much admired. But their admiration was neither idle nor with-
out its use. They were willing to do anything to make them-
selves useful, and determined even to become gunners. One
among them particularly distinguished himself After having
hhnself pointed the cannon, he directed it against the very angle
of the fort which had been assigned to him as a mark. But he
declined to repeat the experiment, notwithstanding the solicita-
tions of the French, alleging as the reason of his refusal, that

' ,!

.,'■ 5

Lk.i

174

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

3 .

having reached in his attempt that degree of perfection to which
ho aspired, ho did not wish to hazard his reputation in a second
trial.

But their chief cause of astonishment was the covered wa\s
forming the different branches of the tren' h, which like subterra-
nean roads are so useful to protect the assailants from the cannon
of the besieged. They examined with the most eager curiosity
the manner in which the French grenadiers labored to give these
works the degree of perfection which tliey required. Instructed
by seeing, they shortly began to exercise their own hands, iu the
practice. They might bo seen armed with pick-axes, marking
out a branch of the trench towards the fortified embankment, the
attack of which had fallen to them in the division. They pushed
them so far forward, that they were shortly within guu-shot
M. de Veillers, brother of M. de Jamonville, an officer whose
name alone is a eulogy, profited by these advances, to attack the
outworks of the entrenchment at the head of a Canadian corps,
The action was warm, a long time disputed, and deadly to the
enemy. They were driven from their outposts, and we have rea-
son to believe that the grand entrenchments would have been
taken that very day, if their capture could have decided the
surrender of the place. Each day was thus signalized by some
brilliant exploit on the part of the French, the Canadians, and
the Indians.

The enemy however always sustained themselves by the hope
of a speedy succor. A little incident which happened under
those circumstances, ought to have diminished their confitlcnco.
Our scout encountered in the woods three couriers sent out from
Fort Lydis ; they killed the first, captured the second, while the
third saved himself by his swiftness in running. They possessed
themselves of a letter inserted in a hollow musket ball, so well
concealed on the body of the dead, that it had escaped the re-
searches of all the rest but those of a soldier who happened to be

...'! . .'

MONTCALM'S EXPEDITION.

176

wlilcb

1 second

•cd ways
mbtcrra-
e cannon
curiosity
five tlieso
iistructed
ds, in tlic

marking
ment, tlic
ey puslied

gun-sliot,
ccr whose
attack tlie
iian corps,
idly to tlic
e have rea-
have been
ecidcd tlie
ed by some
adianS) and

3y the liope
ened under
confidence,
nt out from
d, while tlie
ey possessed
ball, so well
aped there-
)pened to be

acquainted with thcso kinds of trioka in war. The letter was
sigued by the Commander of Fort Lydis, and addressed to that
of Fort George. It contained in substance tho deposition of a
Canadian, taken prisoner tho first night of our arrival. Accord-
ing to this declaration, our army amounted to cloven thou.sand
men, and tho body of Indians to two thousand, while our artillery
was most formidable. Ho was mistaken in this estimate, for our
forces were amplified far beyond the truth. This error in calcu-
lation was not however to be attributed to fraud or deceit, which
although in a case like this useful to the interests of the country,
could not be justified in tho judgment of an honorable man, even
the most prejudiced and patriotic. Until this war the greatest
number of the Canadian force had scarcely exceeded eight hun-
dred men ; surprise and astonishment increased the size of things
to eyes which were little accustomed to estimate great objects.
I was witness, in tho course of the campaign, of mistakes of this
kind which were much greater. The commander of Fort Lydis
concluded his letter by informing his colleague, that the interests
of the King his master did not permit him to weaken his post,
and that he must therefore capitulate, and obtain conditions as
advantageous as possible.

M. de Montcalm did not think he could make a better use of
this letter, than to forward it to its address by tho same courier
who had fallen alive into our hands. He received in return from
the English officer, his thanks, with an expression of the modest
hope, that the same acts of politeness might for a long time take
place between them. An equal compliment, whether he used the
esprcssion in jest, or he thus promised a long resistance. The
actual condition of the place however did not predict this result,
Ooe part of their batteries was dismounted and rendered unser-
viceable by the success of ours, fear had spread among the besieged,
so that they no longer acted as soldiers except by dint of giving
them ardent spirits, while the frequent desertions announced ita

' 1

:t'' !

:.ii l*"!

'."-.»

\^^ 'i

iff

. ■-
'•h

176

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

Ji'i'i

approaching fall. Such was at least the general opinion of tlio
deserters, of whom the number would have been much more con-
siderublo tlian it was, if the armed aavages had not multipljcil
the perils of such a step.

Among those who came to give himself up to us, was one, tlio
subject of a neighboring nation, wliich was our faithful ally, who
ufl'orded me the sweet consolation of preparing the way fr)r iiis
approaching reconciliation to the Church. I went to v'sit him at
the hospital, where '.o was confined with his wounds. In the
beginning of the conversation, I learned that it was not dilliciilt
to induce him to receive in good faith the dogmas of our true
religion, while the heart was in a situation to be no longer sensi-
bly affected by the deceitful enticements of human passions.

I had scarcely returned from this expedition, which had cost
me a walk of three leagues, but whoso pains were well alleviated
by the motives which had animated it, and the success with which
they had been crowned, when I perceived a general movement in
all quarters of our camp. Each corps was in motion, Froneh.
Canadian, and Indian — all were running to arms, and all were
preparing for the combat. The news of the arrival of the succors
fio long expected by the enemy, had produced this sudden and
general movemcTit. Tn these moments of alarm, M. de Montcalm,
v/ith a coolness which showed the general, was providing for the
security of the trenches, for the service of our batteries, and for
the defence of our boats. He then withdrew, to go and place
himself at the head of the army.

I was sitting quietly at the entrance of my tent, from whence
I could see our troops defile, when an Abnakis came to arouse
me from my tranquillity. Without any formality he thus ad-
dressed nic : " My father, you have given us your word, that even
at the peril of your life, you will not hesitate to furnish us the aid
of your ministry. Can our wounded come to seffk you here over
the mountains which separate you from the place of combat? We

MONTCALM'S KXPEDITION.

177

f'O. anil wo await tho efTcct of tlieae promises." An address so

ciiergotio rt'uderod mo forgetful of my fatigues. Setting out, I

increased my speed, I passed beyond the regular troop.s, and at

last, after a foreed mareli, arrived on the ground, wliero my peo-

pK>, lit tlio head of all tlio forces, were awaiting the conflict. Im-

uu'Ji'itely I deputed some among them to assemble those who

wiro dispersed about. I prepared myself to suggest to them

th.iso religious acts which were proper under the circumst:uices,

ami to give them a general absolution on tho approach of tho

cutiuy; but they did not appear. M. do Montcalm, not to lose

the benefit of so many movements, determined on a stratagem

which might bring on the engagement which we had come to seek

witii so much trouble. lie proposed to order tho French and tho

Cinmdians together, to make a feint, while the Indians concealed

ill the woods should face the enemy, who would not fail to make a

vigorous sortie. The expedient proposed to our Iroquois was an

admirable invention, but they objected, on the ground that tho

day was too far advanced. The rest of the savages had in vain

appealed from this judgment ; the excuse was judged of sufficient

weight, and was accepted ; thus each returned to his post without

having seen anything but the preparation for battle. At length,

on the next day, being the Vigil of St. Laurence, the seventh day

after our arrival, the trench liaving been pushed as far as tho

gardens around the fort, thoy prepared to establish our third and

last battery. Its nearness to the fort gave us reason to hope, that

in three or four days they would be able to make a general

assault, by means of the breach, which would then be of sufficient

size. But the enemy spared us tho labor and danger, for they

hoisted the French flag, and demanded terms of capitulation.

We now come to the surrender of tho place, and the bloody
catastrophe which followed. I doubt not but every corner of
Europe has resounded with the news of this sad scene, as
an outrage which perhaps recoiled upon the nation itself, and

■ f-,
* \

/■'.ft

• ■ ^ I

■ vV:,r

■.1 '

178

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

branded it with dishonor. Your impartiality will enable you to
judge in a moment, whether so flagrant an imputation could be
derived from any source but ignorance or malignity. I shall only
mention those facts, the publicity and truth of which are so in-
contestable, that without any fear of contradiction, I can sustain
them by the testimony even of the English officers, who have
been the witnesses and the victims. The Marquis de Montcalm
before he would listen to any terms, judged it right to take the
opinion of all the Indian nations, for the purpose of conciliating
them by this condescension, and rendering the treaty inviolable
by their agreement. He therefore assembled all the chiefs, to
whom he communicated the terms of capitulation, which granted
the enemy the right of marching out of the place with the honors
of war, and imposed upon them, besides the obligation of not serv-
ing during eighteen months against His Most Christian Majesty,
that also of setting at liberty all the Canadians taken prisoners
during this war. All these articles were universally applauded,
and furnished with this seal of general approbation, the treaty
was signed by the Generals of the two crowns. In consequence
the French army in battle array advanced towards the place, to
take possession in the name of His Most Christian Majesty, while
the English troops, arrayed in beautiful order, marched out to go
and shut themselves up till the next day in their entrenchments,
Their march was not marked by any contravention of the la^s
of nations. But the Indians did not delay to strike their blow.
During the military ceremony which accompanied the taking
possession, they had penetrated into the place in crowds through
the embrasures of the cannon, for the purpose of proceeding to
the pillage, which it had been agreed to give up to them ; but
they did not confine themselves to pillage. There were still re-
maining in the casemates some sick persons whose condition had
not allowed them to follow their countrymen in the honorable re-
treat which had been granted to their valor. These were there-

MONTCALM'S EXPEDITION.

179

fore the first victims on whom they threw themselves without
pity, and sacrificed to their bloodthirstincss. I was a witness of
this spectacle. I saw one of these barbarians come forth from
the casemates, which nothing but the most insatiate avidity for
hlood could have induced him to enter, for the infected atmos-
phere which exhaled from it was insupportable. He carried in
his band a human head, from whence streams of blood were flow-
ing, and which he paraded forth as if it had been the most valu-
able prize he had been able to seize.

But this was only a slight prelude to the cruel tragedy of the
morrow. Early in the morning the Indians began to assemble
about the entrenchments, demanding of the English, goods, pro-
visions, in a word everything valuable which their greedy eyes
could perceive : but these demands were made in a tone which
announced that a thrust of the spear would be the price of a re-
fusal. Nor were these requirements rejected by the English.
They undressed, they stripped themselves, they reduced them-
selves to nothing, to purchase at least their lives by this surren-
der of everything. This compliance should have softened the
savages, but their heart is not like that of any other human
being ; you may say, that naturally it is the very seat of inhu-
manity. Nothing that had been done rendered them less dis-
posed to go to the most severe extremes. A corps of the French
troops, consisting of four hundred men, appointed to protect the
retreat of the enemy, arrived and arranged themselves in haste.
The English commenced filing out. Woe to those who closed
the march, or to the stragglers whom illness or any other reason
separated ever so little from the main body ! They were as good
as dead, and their lifeless bodies soon strewed the ground, and
covered the circuit of the entrenchments. This butchery, which
at first was only the work of some few savages, became the signal
which transformed them all into so many ferocious beasts. They
discharged right and left heavy blows with their hatchets on

li H.rr

\V\

- Y'

; : '■ ', I'
i. '-n't

it . vf ''.p
•■t ; .-* Vt:

'■•i'

I ■•!' : !■

180

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

those wlio came within their reach. The massacre however was
D' ' oi any duration, nor was it by any means as considerable as
so much fury would have seemed to give reason to fear ; it did
not exceed forty or fifty men. The patience of the English in
thus being contented to bow their head ^ to the weapons of tlieir
xecutioners had the effect of shortly stopping the slaughter, but
this did aot turn the savages either to reason or equity. "Witli
fearful cries they engaged themselves in making prisoners.

I arrived while these things were going on, and I do not
think that any one could partake of human nature, and remain
insensible in such sad circumstances. The son snatched from a
father's arms, the daughter torn from the bosom of her mother,
the hu -iband separated from his wife, the ofiicers stripped to tlioir
shirts, without respect for their rank or for decency, a crowd of
unhappy beings who were running about at random, some to-
wards the woods, others towards the tents of the French, tlicse
towards the fort, those towards places which seemed to promise
them an asylum ; such were the pitiable objects which presented
themselves to mv eyes. Nevertheless, the French were not bj
any means indolent spectators, or insensible to this catastrophe,
The Chevalier de Levi ran in all directions where the tumult
seemed most violent, to endeavor to remedy it, with a courage
animated by the kindness so natural to his illustrious blood. A
thousand times he faced death, which, notwithstanding his birth
and his virtues, he could not have escaped, if a particular provi-
dence had not watched over the safety of his life, and arrested
the savags arms already raised to strike him. The French and
Canadian officers imitated his example with a zeal worthy of tlie
humanity which has always characterized the nation, but the
great body of our troops, occupied in guarding our batteries and
the fort, was by its distance entirely prevented from rendering
him any assistance. And what avail were four hundred mcu
against about fifteen hundred furious savages, who could scarcely

MONTCALM'S EXPEDITION.

181

distiuguish us from the enemy ? One of our sergeants who had
opposed himself bravely to tiieir violence, was struck to the earth
by the blow of a spear. One of our French ofl&cers. as the re-
ward of the same zeal, received a severe wound which brought
him to the borders of thu grave. Besides, in this moment of
alarm, one scarcely knew to Nphich side to turn. Those very
measures which seemed to be most dictated by prudence, ended
in disastrous and unfortunate results.

M. de Montcalm, who, on acc' uut of the distance of his tent,
did not learn till a late hour what was going on, at the very first
news of this occurrence repaired to the spot, with a speed which
marked the goodness and generosity of his heart. He multiplied
himself, he seemed endowed with ubiquity, he was everywhere ;
prayers, menaces, promises, were used, he tried everything, and
at last resorted to force. He thought it was due to the birth and
the merit of Colonel Yonu. to wrest by authority and with violence,
his nephew from the hands of an Indian ; but, alas ! his deliver-
ance cost the lives of a number of prisoners whom their tyrants
massacred immediately through the fear of a similar act of
rigor. The tumult nevertheless was constantly on the increase,
when some one happily thought of crying to the English, who
formed a considerable bo(ly, to increase their speed. This forced
march had its effect. Tho Indians, partly on account of the
uselessness of pursuit, and partly because they were satisfied
with their prizes, began to retire, until the few who remained
^ere easily dispersed. The English, without interruption, con-
tinued their route to Fort Lydis, where they arrived at first to
the number of three or four hundred. I am ignorant of the
number of those who having gained the woods, were so happy as
to reach the place by aid of the cannon, which they took care to
fire during several days to guide them.

The rest of the garrison however had not all perished by the
sword, neither were they groaning under a load of chains.

<"■

|fei

,111

11!- 'ft^

la;:

E i'|^.f

11 11

m^l '-'

m'Vu

H^,j ''

1 'K

Kril ' '

J 1

r !

Ri'i "'"

■ ■'

■Bj ^

I i''

II 'M

182

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

Many had found safety in f he tents of the French or in the fort.
It was thither that 1 repaired, after the disorders were in some
degree over. A crowd of weeping females came to surround
me. They threw themselves at my knees, they kissed the bot-
tom of my robe, uttering from time to time lamentable cries
which pierced my heart. It was not in my power to dry up the
source of their tears ; they demanded again their sons, theh'
daughters, their husbands, whose removal they deplored. Could
I restore these to them ? But at least I had an opportunity which
just then offered itself to diminish the number of these miser-
able beings, and I embraced it with avidity. A French officer
informed me that a Huron at that very time in the camp, had in
his possession an infant of six months, whose death was certain
if I difl not immediately hasten to its rescue. I did not fur a
moment hesitate. I ran in haste to the cabin of the savage, in
whose arms I saw the innocent victim, who was tenderly kissing
the hands of his spoiler, and playing with some collars of porce-
lain which he wore. The sight gave new ardor to my zeal. I
began by liattering the Huron with all the praises which truth
enabled me to bestow on the valor of his nation. He saw my
object at once. " Hold," said he to me, very civilly, " do you
see this infant ? I have not by any means stolen it : I found it
left behind in haste ; you want it, but you shall not have it." In
reply to all that I could urge with regard to the uselessness of
his prisoner, and its certain death for want of the nourishment
proper for its tender age. he produced some fat with which to
feed it ; adding, that after all he should find, in case of its death,
some corner of ground in which to bury it, and that then I
should be free to give it my blessing. I replied to his speech by
the offer to give him a sufficiently large sum in silver if he
would surrender up his little capUve, but he persisted in his re-
fusal. He finally lowered his terms to the demand of another
English captive in exchange. If he had made no farther dimi-

MONTCALM'S EXPEDITION.

193

nution in his requirements, it would have been settled with re-
gard to the infant's life. I thought indeed that its sentence of
death was pronounced, when I saw the Huron holding a consul-
tation with his companions ; for until then the conversation had
been carried on in French, which he understood. This parley
disclosed a ray of hope to my eyes ; nor was I disappointed.
The result was, that the infant should be given to me, if I
would deliver to him in return the scalp of an enemy. The
proposition however did not at all embarrass me. " It shall be
forthcoming shortly," I replied to him, rising, " if you JVie a
man of honor."

Departing with haste to the camp of the Abnakis, I demanded
of the first person I met, whether he had any scalps, and whether
he wished to do a favor to gratify me. I had every reason to be
pleased with his complaisance, for he untied his pouch and gave
me my choice. Provided with one of these barbarous trophies, I
carried it off in triumph, followed by a crowd of French and Ca-
nadians, curious to know the Issue of the adventure. Joy seemed
to furnish me with wings, and in a moment I had rejoined my
Huron. "See," said I, in meeting him, "see your payment."
" You are right," he replied, " it is indeed an English scalp, for
it is red." This is in truth the color which ordinarily distin-
guishes the English colonists in these countries. " Well ! there
is the infant, carry it away, it belongs to you." I did not give
him time to retract, but immediately took the unfortunate little
being in my hands. As it was almost naked, I wrapped it in my
robe, but it was not accustomed to be carried by hands as little
used to this business as mine, and the poor infant uttered its
cries, which taught me as much my own awkwardness as its suf
ferings. I consoled myself however, with the hope of presently
calming it, by placing it in more tender hands.

I arrived at the fort, and at the sound of its feeble cries all the
womcL ran towards me. Each one flattered herself with the

■ *.<"

. - '■'■M

4' \

■^w »

■-4-.ti'.

:^h::

B<..4

■■ii.

J I. ,
* 1 1; .

184

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

hope of recovering the object of her maternal tendernes,^. They
eagerly examined it, hut i»oither the eyes nor the heart of any
one recognized in it her child. They therefore retired again to
one side, to give anew free course to their lamentations and com-
plaints. I found myself placed in no little emhariassmeut by
this retreat. Being four or five leagues distant from every
French habitation, how could I procure nourishment for au in-
fant of so tender an age ? I was absorbed in my reflection.s
when I saw an English officer pass who happened to be well ac-
quainted with the French language. I addressed him therefore
in a firm tone : '• Sir, I have just ransomed this young infani
from slavery, but it will not escape death, unless you direct some
one of these women to take the place of its mother, and nurse it,
until I shall be able to provide for it otherwise." The French
officers who were present supported my request. With that h"
spoke to the English women. One of them offered to render it
this service, if I would be willing to answer for her life and that
of her husband, to charge myself with their support, and to see
that they were conveyed to Boston from Montreal. I immediate-
ly accepted the proposition, and requested M. du Bourg-la-Marque
to detach three grenadiers to escort my English to the Cana-
di'-in camp, where I flattered myself that I should find means to
fulfil my new engagements. This worthy officer responded with
kindness to my request.

I was about quitting the fort, when the father of the infant
was found, wounded by the bursting of a bomb, and utterly un-
able to succor himself He could not therefore but acquiesce
with pleasure in the arrangements I had made for the security of
his child, and I departed, accompanied by my English, under the
safeguard of three grenadiers. After a march of two hours.
painful though happy, we arrived at the quarter where the Cana-
dians were posted. I cannot undertake to portray to you faith-
fully the new occurrence which here crowned my enterprise, for

MONTCALM'S EXPEDITION.

185

it is ouc of those events which a pcrsou flatters hiuisclf iu vuiu
with the hope of presenting true to nature. We had scarcely
reached the entrance of the camp, when a shrill and animated cry
suddenly struck my ears. Was it a cry of grief ? or was it of
joy ? It was all this, and much more, for it was that of the
mother, who from a distance had recognized her child, so keen
are the eyes of maternal love. She ran with a precipitation
which showed that this was indeed her child. She snatched it
from the arms of the English woman with an eagerness which
seemed as if she feared that some one might a second time de-
prive her of it. It is easy to imagine to what transports of joj
she abandoned herself, particularly when she was assured of tlie
life and the freedom of her husband, to whom she thought that
she had bid a final adieu, Nothing was wanting to completo
;heir happiness but their reunion, and this I thought should bo
the perfection of my work.

I again directed my course back to the fort. My strength was
scarcely sufficient to carry me thither, for it was more than an
hour after the middle of the day, and I had not as yet taken any
nourishment. I was therefore very near falling through faint-
uess on m.y arrival there, but the politeness and charity of the
French officers presently placed me in a condition to continue the
^■ood work. I went in search of the Englishman in question, but
my i;?<|uiries were for some hours without success. The pain of
his wounds had obliged him to retire to the most solitary place
in the fort, and there I at last found him. I had made arrange-
ments i-o have him carried away, when his wife and child again
made their appearance. Orders had been given to collect all the
English, who were dispersed in the different quarters, to tho
number of nearly five hundred, and to conduct them to the fort,
that we might provide more surely for their support until it
should be possible to send them to Orange, as was happily done
some days afterwards. The demonstrations of joy were renewed

' '^'m

■ il

" I Ml

II,

ij':

'^■^'h

.,,v:ii

pit- '^'^i

■■¥\

l:f M.t

;■■ :i' ''1

186

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

at their meeting, with much more earnestness than before. Ex
pressions of gratitude were not wanting to myself, not ouly on
the part of those most interested, but again from the English offi-
cers, who had the goodness to reiterate them more than once,
As to their offers of service, I cared not for them except as show-
ing the sentiments from which they had their origin. A person
in my condition has no recompense to look for except from God
alone.

I should not here pass over in silence the reward of her chaiitj
which the other English woman received, who had been obliged to
act as mother to the child in the absence of the true mother. Pro-
vidence, through the intervention of M. Picquet, brought about
the recovery of her own child, which had been unjustly taken
from her.

I remained as yet for some days in the neighborhood of the
fort, where my ministry was not unfruitful, both with re.spect to
some prisoners, whose chains I was happy enough to break, and
some French officers whose lives were threatened by the drunken-
ness of the Indians, and to whose rescue I arrived when they
wore in an extremity.

Such have been the circumstances of this unfortunate cspedi-
tion, which has brought di.sgrace on the valor of the Indians.
after it had shone forth so brightly during the whole course of
the siege, and has rendered their services burthensome to us.
They, however, pretend to justify their conduct. The Abuakis
in particular, on the ground of reprisals, alleging that more than
once, even in the midst of peace, or during parleys, such as took
place in the course of the past winter, their warriors had found
their graves through treacherous attacks in the English forts of
Acadia. I have neither the sources of information nor the knov:-
ledge to enable me to judge a nation, who, although our enemy,
has many claims to our respect. For the rest, I do not know
that in the whole progress of this narrative, a single incident has

MONTCALM'S EXPEDITION.

19»

been set forth by mo whose certainty they could with justice iin-
peauh ; and still less can I persuade myself that malignity itself
will be able to discover a single fact which could authorize the
throwing back on the French nation the disgrace of this occur-
rence.

They had made the Indians agree to the terms of the capitu-
lation ; could they take any course more surely to prevent its
infraction ?

They had assigned to the enemy, to protect their retreat, an
escort of four hundred men, some of whom have even been the
victims of a zeal too ardent in repressing the disorder ; were
they able more efficaciously to prevent the breach of the treaty ?

They have indeed since gone so far as to purcha,;e the English
captives at great expcnce, and to procure them at a heavy ran-
som from the hands of the savages, so that nearly four hundred
are now at Quebec, ready to embark for Boston. Could they
more sincerely repair the violation of this treaty ? These consid-
erations seem to me not to admit of a reply.

The Indians then alone arc responsible for this violation of the
laws of nations. And it is to their insatiable ferocity and their
lawlessness alone that we can attribute it. The news of this fatal
execution spread through the English colonies, and caused such
affliction and fear that a single savage dared to push his temerity
so far as to go to take prisoners almost at the gates of Orange,
without suffering any molestation either in his expedition or his
retreat. Thus the enemy formed no enterprise against us during
the days which followed the capture of the fort. Nothing, how-
ever, could be more critical than the situation in which the French
army then fo7.nd itself. The Indians, including even the Ab-
nakis and the Nipistingues, had disappeared since the day of
their unhappy expedition ; twelve hundred men were occupied in
the destruction of the fort, and nearly a thousand were em-
ployed in transporting the immense stores of provisions and

'^■■1

■■a

■ •' m

i I'

->:'!

■'m

: I f

188

MH^f

'1.1

iiiwi

Ffjifl

'■ fc*

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

munitions of war of which we Lad become masters. Thoro
scarcely remained ii handful to make li-jad against the encr.iy if
ho had taken an offensive position. But his (Quietness funiisln;,!
us the opportunity of consummating our work. Fori Oeorgo was
destroyed and entirely deuiolislicd, and even the ruins were con-
sumed by fire. It was only during this burning that we loanioil
the greatness of the enemy's loss. The casemates and the sub-
terranean passages were found to be filled with dead bodies.
which, during several days, furnished new aliment to the activity
of the flames. As to our loss, it consisted of twenty-one killcil,
of whom three were Indians, and about twenty-five wounded.
That was all.

At last, on the Festival of the Assumption, I rc-cnterod nn-
boat to return to 3Iontreal, at the season which is both the most
rainy and the coldest. The voyage was only marked by a con-
tinual succession of storms and tempests, which came near
sinking one of our boats, and destroying the conductors. But our
toils were well alleviated, not only by the company of the otlior
Missionaries, but also by that of M. Fiesch, who was scut to
Montreal in the capacity of hostage. This oflicer, a Swiss by
birth, and formerly in the service of France, is one o^ the most
honorable men that can be found. During his residence in tlio
midst of the colony, he has served the nation to which lie i;
bound with a fidelity worthy of all praise.

Arrived at Montreal, I expected to take some necessary re-
pose ; but the Indians there ,'o multiplied my duties, and wliieli
yet were of a nature so little satisftictory, that I hastened my de-
parture for my mission. ■ I had one reason, indeed, which more
hurried me, that I might endeavor to discharge the promise I M
made to the English officers, to spare no means in the settlement
to induce the Indians to restore the rest of the prisoners. Aui
it was full time that I took hold of this business. One of our
Canadians who had escaped from prison in New England, was

MONTCALM'S EXPEDITION.

ISO

loml iu his donunciatious of tho bad treatment which he had suf
forcil there, and even reported that one of tho Abiiakis, taken in
tliu action of M. do Dieskau, had during the winter perished from
hunger in tho prisons at Orange, This news spread abroad would
havo caused tho death of many innocent persons. I adopted tho
course of burying it in a profound silence, which has favored tho
departure of many of the English unjustly detained in slavery.

Ciich is a faithful history of all the events which have marked
the campaign which ha,, just ended. It has enabled you to seo
^ith satisfaction, that French valor has there sustained itself
with honor, and has worked wonders. 13ut you have been able
also to see that passions, ever tho same, produce everywhere the
same ravages, and that our Indians, iu being Christians, are not
iu this particular more irreprehcnsible in their conduct. Their
wandering and vagabond life is one of the principal causes of
their difficulties. Abandoned to themselves, and to the sway of
their passions, without being even sustained by the aid of any
formal service of their religion, during a greater part of the year
they escape from the influence of the most active zeal which can
be exerted in their behalf, and which condemned during this
long term to the most sad inaction, is reduced to the necessity of
being able to form in their favor nothing but good wishes, which
almost always are futile and superfluous. Perhaps tho God of
mercy will one day enlighten these unhappy beings, on tho dan-
gers of their strange manner of life, and will fix their instability
and wanderings. But if this be an event for which it is permitted
to a Missionary to hope, it is not iu his power to bring it about.

I have the honor to be, &c.

■''It

.t" ;

;■;

:.■["'?'

*4-

>.'i'3

FATHER MAREST'S JOURNEYS

THROUGH ILLINOIS AND MICHIGAN.

*»'

'■n i

1712.

r
I

, J'

LETTER VII.

FROM FATHER GABRIEL MAREST,* MISSIONARY OF THE SOCIETY OF
JESUS, TO FATHER GERMON OF THE SAME SOCIETY.

At Cascaskias, an Illinois Village, otherwise called, ' Of the Immaculate
Conception of the Holy Virgin,' the 9th of November, 1712.

MY REVEREND FATHER,

Ttie Peace of our Lord be loith you :

I WISH I was able to give you such information with regard
to our Missions, as would correspond with the idea which you have
perhaps formed. The account which one hears all his days in
Europe of those vast countries in the East, thickly sown with
villages and settlements, where an innumerable multitude of
idolaters present themselves in crowds to the zeal of the mission-
ary, naturally leads him to believe that things are here in the
same condition. Here, on the contrary, my Reverend Father,
in a great extent of country, we scarcely find three or four vil-
lages, Our life is passed in roaming through thick forests, in

[* In 1694 Father Marest accompanied the expcLlition of the celebrated
d'lberville, from Montreal to Hudson's Bay, with the force intended to
capture the English forts at the latter place. The object of the enterprise
euccecdcd and Marest commenced a mission to the neighboring Indians ■who
Me buried in almost perpetual snows. His diary of the expedition and
winter spent there is full of interest, and the writer had translated it for
publication with these letters. The size of the volume however obliged
him to omit it. In 1695 the forts were retaken by the English, and Father
Marest was sent prisoner to Plymouth. We now find him, after a lapse of
(erenteen years, laboring on the prairies of Illinois.]

i*^

■■lfi.hf-:

• ■ 1*1' -.i;

. .. -. 'A-^i-

^'■//■Mt

■ lyJ,' l-.iisl

' ,;■ '"'ii KJ

' 'Mm

■^Mn

' ^"-li

■ ■ i'''^Lij

'' dm

'{■; P"

i r ■ 1 ?

nll^i-

I. ' ■

uii

lilf '^st i|-''-i

Ilif'J* lilttfl

li'JliJM.'i

194

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

ii'

clambe?'ing over the mountains, in paddling the canoe across
lakes and rivers, to catch a single poor savage who flies from us
and whom we can tame neither by teachings nor by caresses.

Noth'ng is more difficult than the conversion of these Indians •
it is a miracle of the Lord's mercy. It is necessary first to trans-
form them into men, and afterwards to labor to maK them
Christians. As they are absolute masters of themselves, without
being subject to any law, the independence in which they live
-enslaves them to the most brutal passions. There are, however,
chiefs among them, but they have no authority. If they should
resort to threats, so far from making themselves feared, they
would find themselves immediately abandoned by the very per-
sons who had chosen them to i:heir office. They do not draw to
themselves consideration and respect, except when they have, as
they express it here, something to fill the kettle, that is, some-
thing with which to give feasts to those who should obey them.

It is this independence indeed which is the origin of all kinds
of vices which rule them. They are lazy, treacherous, fickle and
inconstant, deceitful, naturally thievish, so as even to glory in
their address in stealing, brutal, without honor, without truth,
ready to promise any thing for those who are liberal to them,
but at the same time ungrateful and without thankfulness. The
only effect produced by conferring a favor freely upon them, is
to strengthen them in their natural arrogance ; it only renders
them more insolent. '• He fears me," they say, " for he courts
me." Thus, whatever good will one may have to oblige them,
he is restrained, that he may force them to value any little ser-
vices he may render them.

Gluttony and the love of pleasure are above all those vices
which are most prominent among our Indians. They become
addicted to a most disgraceful habit of life, even before they are
of sufficient ago to know the yhame which is attached to it. If
you add to this the wandering life they pass in the i jrests in the

FATHER MARESTS JOURNEYS.

195

p'lrsuit of wild beasts, you will easily agree that reason must be
tatirely stupifled in this race, and that they are almost incapable
of submitting themselves to the yoke of the Gospel. But the
farther they are removed from the kingdom of God, so much the
more should our zeal be animated to cause them to approach it,
and to make them enter there. Persuaded that wo can do
uotlung of ourselves, we know at the same time that all things
arc possible through the aid of Him for whom we labor. Wo have
even this advantage in the conversions which God has been will-
ing to efifect through our ministry, that we are freed from all
clanger of pride, or any reference we might make to ourselves.
We cannot attribute these conversions, either to the forcible ar-
('unicnts of the Missionary, or to his eloquence, or to his other
talents which might be useful in other countries, but can produce
no impression on the minds of our Indians : we can render the
glory to Him alone, who even of the stones knows how to make,
when it pleases Him, children unto Abraham.

Our Illinois dwell in a most delightful country. It is, never-
tlieless, not as enchanting as it is represented to us by the author
of the new relation of Southern America, which has appeared
under the name of the Chevalier de Tonti. I have, however,
heard it said by M. de Tonti himself, that he disowned the
work, and that he recognized nothing of it but his own name
upon the title-page.*

.::i

■\i !

'^:i'v

''1,1

1 r

[* Chevalier do Tonti was an Italian veteran, who as lieutenant to La Salle
r.ocompanied him in all his expeditions through the West and South-West,
ft'oui 1680 to the melancholy death of La Salle in 1G87. An apocraphal set
of legends, full of geographical contradiction?*, was published under the
till: — "Les devnii>res Docouvertes dans I'Ameriquc-Soptontrionalc de
Ci'velier De l-r Salle, et les aventures de Chevalier Tonti. Gontilhommo
Italicu, conipagnon de M. De la Salle, depuis 167S jusqu'en 1690: Paris,
\()Ti? This is probably the work to which Father Mare^jt refers. Char-
lovoi.x sooms in some cases to have copied its errors.]

•ft.;

''T'li ''««i

W:-''

196

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

, ',..1, -1 ^!;:-''*'V<l?

We must acknowledge, however, that the country is very beau-
tiful. There are great rivers which water it, vast and dense
forests, delightful prairies, and hills covered with thick woodij.
All these make a charming variety. Although the country is
farther south than Provence, yet the winter is longer, but the
cold is not very severe. During the summer the heat is less op-
pressive, for the air is cooled by the forests, and the multitude of
rivers, lakes, and ponds which intersect the country.

The Illinois river empties into the Mississippi, at the 39th
degree of latitude. It is about one '.lundred and fifty leagues in
length, but can scarcely be said to be very navigable except in
the spring. It runs towards the south-west, and comes from the
north-east, or east-north-east. The plains and prairies i.rc all
covered with buffaloes, r )ebucks, hinds, stags, and different kinds
of fiillow deer. The feathered game is also there in the greatest
abundance. We find particularly quantities of swans, geese, bus-
tards, and ducks. The wild oats which grow naturally on the
plains, fattens them to such a degree, that they often die from
being smothered in their own grease. Turkeys are also found
there in great numbers, and are equally good with those in
France.

The country is not bounded by the river Illinois. It also ex-
tends along the Mississippi on both sides, and is about two hun-
dred leagues in length, and more than one hundred in breadth.
The Mississippi is one of the most beautiful rivers in the world:
during the few last years a boat has ascended it to the extent of
eight hundred leagues, where water-falls* prevented it from going
farther.

Seven leagues below the mouth of the Illinois river, we find a
large river called the Missouri,! or more commonly Pcldtmoui^

[=* Falls of St. Anthony ]

t Some of the other missionaries assert that the water of the Missouri is
better and clearer thai; that of the Mississippi.

lie Missouri is

FATHER MARESTS JOURNEYS.

197

that is to say, muddy water, which discharges itself into the Mis-
(jisbippi ou the western side. It is exceedingly rapid, and soils
tlic beautiful water of the Mississippi, which flows from thence to
the sea. Its source is in the north-west, very near the mines
which the Spaniards have in Mexico, and therefore very conve-
nient for the French who are journeying into that country.

About eighty leagues below, on the side of the river Illinois,
that is to say, on the eastern side, (for the general course of the
Mississippi is from north to south,) is the mouth of again another
fine river, cal 3d Ouabache* It comes from the east-north-east,
and has three branches, one of which extends to the country of
the Irocj^uois. another towards Virginia and Carolina, and the
third even to the Miamis. It is said that silver mines have been
found there. This, however, is certain, that there are in that
country mines of lead and tin, and should some miners by pro-
fession come to make excavations in these lands, they might per-
haps find mines of copper and other metals.

Besides these large rivers which water the country to such an
extent, there are also a great number of those which are smaller.
It is on one of these rivers that our village is situated, on the
eastern side, between the rivers Ouabache and Fekitanoui. We
are in the 38th degree of latitude. Large numbers of buffaloes
and bears can be seen, which feed on the banks of the river
Ouabache. The flesh of the young bears is a very delicate
meat.

The marshes are filled with roots, some of which are excellent,
as are also the potatoes, and other productions of which it would
be useless to give here the barbarous names. The trees too are
very lofty and fine. There is one to which they have given the
name of Cedar of Lebanon; it is a large tree, very straight,
which does not throw out any branches except at the top, where
they form a kind of crown. The copal is another tree from

[* The Ohio River.]

^■•i-i

.■'I

.''■t^^^

*:■'

■„, 4'i

■ ''■

■ '.'

'■ i ■ :

={■11.

i-':

1 , ;_

L..aJiil

I' ■ I,

^4 ,'^^

108

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

which they procure a gum, which spreads an odor equally agree-
able with that of incense.

Fruit trees are not found here in great numbers. There are
some apple-tr jes and wild plum-trees, which would produce per-
haps good fruit if they were grufted. There are plenty of iiuil-
berry-trees, the fruit of which is not as largo as in Frauce, and
different kinds of nut trees. The pacanes^ (the name they have
for one kind of these nuts,) are of better taste than our nuts in
France. They have brought us peach trees up the MissisHippi,
which reached hcic without difficulty. But among the fruUs of
the country, those which appeared to me the best, and whicli
would certainly be esteemed in France, are the riakimlim and
the Racemina. The latter are nearly twice the length of a finger

0"M

and about as large round as the arm of an infant ; the former
most resemble the medlar, with the exception that the crown of it
is smaller. We have also grapes, but they are only moderately
good. The vines grow to the tops of trees, where it is neces-
sary to gather the fruit. We have often been obliged to make
wine of thorn, for want of any other kind for the service of the
Mass. Our Indians are not accustomed to gather the fruit from
the trees, they think it much easier to cut down the trees them-
selves, and to this it is owing that there are scarcely any fruit
trees about the villages.

It would seem as if a country so beautiful, and as widely ex-
tonded as this, ought to be sown with villages thickly populated:
there are however but thiee, counting our own, one of wliicliis
more than a hundred leagues from here, where there are eiglit or
nine hundred savages, and the other is on the Missi.'^slppi, at the
distance of twenty-five leagues from our settlement. The men are
generally of a tall stature, very active and good runners, having
been accustomed from their most tender yoatli to run iu tlie
forests after the game. They only cover themselves at the waist,
leaving the rest of the body entirely naked. As to the females.

%t^

FATHER MAREST'S JOURNEYS.

199

they cover also the breast with a piece of deer skin. But they
arc all modestly clothed when they come to the Church. Then,
tlioy wrap the body in a large skin, or clothe themselves well in
a robe made of many skins sewed together.

The Illinois are much less barbarous th i the other Indians
Christianity and their intercourse with the French have by de-
grees somewhat civilized them. This is particularly remarked in
our village, of which the inhabitants are almost all Christians,
and has brought many French to establish themselves here, three
of whom we have recently married to Illinois women. These In-
dians are not at all wanting in wit, they are naturally curious,
and are able to use raillery in a very ingenious way. The chase
and war are the sole occupations of the men, while the rest of the
labor falls upon the women and girls. They are the persons who
prepare the ground for sowing, do the cooking, pound the corn,
bv'ld the wigwams, and carry them on their shoulders in their
journeys These wigwams arc constructed of mats made of
platted reeds, which they have the skill to sew together in such
a way that the rain cannot penetrate when tliey are new. Be-
sides these things they occupy themselves in manufacturing arti-
cles from buffiilo's hair, and in making bands, belts, and sacks ;
for the buffaloes here are very different from our cattle in
Europe. Besides having a large hump on the back by the
shoulders, they are also entirely covered with a fine wool, which
answers the purpose to our Indians of that which they would
procure from sheep, if they had them in the country.

The women thus occupied and depressed by their daily toils,
arc more docile to the truths of the Gospel. This however is not
the case at the lower end of the Mississippi, where the idleness
which prevails among persons of that sex, gives opportunity for
the most fearful disorders, and removes them entirely from the
way of safety.

It would be difficult to say what is the religion of our Indians.

,!''■. I-

• Si

fe ■''.'!■'

■• !>

' r

■ .ji

• ;t''

200

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

It consists entirely in some superstitions with which their credi'-
lity is amused. As all their knowledge is limited to an acfiunint.
ancc with brutes, and to the necessities of life, it is to these thiiifrs
also that all their worship is confined. Their medicine-men. wlio
have a little more intellect than the rest, gain theii respect by
their ability to deceive them. They persuade them that tbey
hoaor a kind of Spirit, to whom they give the name of Manitou
and teach them, that it is this Spirit which governs all tilings.
and is master of life and of death. A bird, a buffalo, a boar, or
rather the plumage of the birds, and the skin of these beasts, such
is their Manitou. They hang it up in their wigwams, and offer
to it sacrifices of dogs and other animals.

The braves carry their Mamtous in a mat, and unceasing y iu-
voke them to obtain the victory over their enemies. Their medi-
cine-men have in like manner recourse to their Manitoiis wbcn
they compose their remedies, or when they attempt to euro the
diseased. They accompany their invocations with chants, and
dances, and frightful contortions, to induce the belief that tliey
are inspired by their Manitous ; and at the samo time thoy thus
aggravate their diseases, so that they often cause death, Durln"
these different contortions, the medicine-man names sometimes
one animal, and sometimes another, and at last applies himself to
suck that part of the body in which the sick person perceives the
pain. After having done so for some time, he suddenly raises
himself and throws out to him the tooth of a bear, or of some
other animal, which he had kept concealed in his mouth. "Dear
friend," he cries, "you will live. See what it was that was
killing you." After which he says, in applauding himself—
" Who can resist my Manitou ? Is he not the one who is the
master of life ?•" If the patient happens to die, he immediately
has some deceit ready prepared, to ascribe the death to some
other cause which took place after he had left the sick man. But
if on the contrary he should recover his health, it is then that

fi 'i

r.,-]i

FATHER MAllEST'S JOURNEYS.

201

the luodiciiio-miiii rccoivos consideration, and is liimsclf regarded
as a Manitou ; and after having well rewarded his labors, they
procure the host that the village produces, to regale him.

The influence which these kinds of jugglers have, places a great
obytticle in the way of the conversion of the Indians, liy ciu-
Itnichig Christianity they expose themselves to their insults and
violence. It is only a month ago that a young Christian girl
experienced this treatment. Holding a rosary in her hand she
was passing before the wigwam of one of these impostors. He
had imagined that the sight of a similar chapclet had caused the
death of his father, and inspired therefore with fury, he took his
ffim, and was on the point of firing at this poor neophyte, when
he was arrested by some Indians who happened to be present.

I cannot tell you how many times I have received the liko
insults from them, nor how many times I should have expired
under their blows, had it not been for the particular protection
of God, who has preserved me from their fury. On one occasion,
among others, one of them would have split my head with hi^'
hatchet, had I not turned at the very time that his arm was
raised to strike me, Thanks to God, our village is now purged
from these impostors. The care which we have ourselves taken
of the sick, the remedies we have given them, and which have
generally produced a cure, have destroyed the credit and reputa-
tion of these medicine-men, and forced them to go and establish
themselves elsewhere.

There are, however, some among them who arc not so entirely
brutal, and with whom we can sometimes talk, and endeavor to
disabuse them of the vain confidence they have in their Manitous:
but it is not ordinarily with much success. A conversation
which one of our Fathers had with one of these medicine-men,
will enable you to understand the extent of their obstinacy on this
point, and also what ought to be the condescension of a Mission

10*

"HI

^.l'

.1 {i

'4.- . !

i,Nvi:

i"l».

■ife'

203

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

ary, in attempting even to refute opinions as extraordinary as
those with which tlicy arc here met.

The French had established a fort on the river Ounbachu: they
asked for a Missionary, and the Father Mermct was sent to them.
This Father tlioiight that he should also labor for the conversion
of the Masroulcns, who had formed a settlement on the banks of
the same river, a tribe of Indians who understood the Illiuoi.s
language, but whose extreme attachment to the superstitions of
their medicine-men rendered tlieni exceedingly indisposed to
listen to the instructions of the Missionary.

The course which Father Mermet took, was to confound in
their presence one of their medicine-men, who worshipped the
buffiilo as his grand Manltou. After having insensibly led hau to
confess that it was not by any means the bufllilo which ho \^•ol'-
.^hipped, but a Manitou of the buffixlo, which is under the earth,
which animates all the buffaloes, and which gives life to their
sick ; he asked him whether the other beasts, as the bears, for
example, which his comrades worshipped, were not equally
animated by a Manitou which is under the earth. " Certainly,"
replied the medicino-man. " But if this be so," said the MLssiou-
ary, " then men ought also to have a Mnnilou which animates
them." " Nothing can be more certain," said the medicine -man.
" That is sufficient for me," replied the Missionary, " to couvict
you of having but little reason on your side ; for if man who is on
the earth be the master of all the animals — if he kills them, if he
cats them, then it is necessary that the Manitou which animates
the men should also be the master of all the other Maiiilous.
Where is, then, your wisdom, that you do not invoke him who is
the master of all the others ?" This reasoning disconcerted the
medicine-man, but this was the only effect which it produced, for
they were not less attached than before to their ridiculous super-
Btitions.

At that same time a contagious disease desolated their village.

F*"3»>!|

FATHER MARE.ST.S JOURNEYS.

203

aud each day carried oil" luiiny of tlio Indians : the medicine mou
theinselvehi were not .spared, iind died like the rest. The Mis-
sionary thougiit that he wouhl be aLle to win their confidence l»y
his attention to the care of the siiclj, and therefore applied him.
solf to it without intermi.sision ; hut his zeal very often came near
costing him his life. The services which he rendered to them
were repayed only by outrages. Ther^ were even those who pro-
ecetlcd to the extremity of discharging their arrows at him, but
thoy fell at his feet ; it may be that they were fired by hands
ffliicli were too feeble, or because God, who destined the 3Iissiou-
aiy for other labors, had wished to withdraw him at that time
from their fury. Father Mermet, however, was not deterred
fiom conferring baptism on some of the Indians, wlio rcr[ucsted it
with importunity, and who died a short time after they had
received it.

Nevertheless, their medieino-men removed to a short distance
from the fort, to make a great sacrifice to their ManUou. They
killed nearly forty dogs, which they carried on the tops of poles,
^iugiug, dancing, and making a thousand extravagant gestures.
The mortality, however, did not cease, for all their sacrifices.
The chief of the medlcinc-men then imagined that i\\iAv Maidloii.^
Iji'iiig less powerful tlian the Mdidlou of the French, was obliged
to yield to him. In this persuasion he many times made a cir-
cuit around the fort, crying out with all his strength, •■ We are
dead; softly; Maniloi' of the French, strike softly, do not kill us
;ill,'' Then, addressing himself to the Missionary, •■ Cease, good
ManiJoiij let us live ; you have life and death in your possession ;
leave death, give us life." The Missionary calmed him, and
promised to take even more care of the sick than he had hitherto
done ; but notwithstanding all the care ho could bestow, more
tliau half in the village died.

To return to our Illinois ; they arc very different from these
Indians, and also from what they formerly Avere themselves.

■

!31

.'•M

^K*

'*{tal

^^K

' '*'8K

•M

* 11

Vf, '• ':

il^

•••,.

'. ' t

"■;ii

I **

I: \
in" '

'"■^ ' 'y:4;'.

J 1 V

204

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

Christianity, as I have already said, has softened their eavftgc
customs, and their nuumcra arc now marked by a sweetiie^^s and
purity which have induced some of the French to take their
daughters in marriage. \Vc find in them, moreover, a ilocility
and ardor for the practice of Christian virtues. The following
is the order we observe each day in our IMission ; — Early in the
morning we assemble the cateehumens at the (church, where tlicy
have prayers, they receive instruction, and chant some canticles.
When they have retired. Mass is said, at which all the Christians
assist, the men placed on one side and the women on the other
then they have prayers, which are followed by giving them a
homily, after which each one goes to his labor. Wc then ^ipeud
our time in visiting tlie sick, to give them the necessary reiiudies,
to instruct them, and to console those who arc laboring under
any affliction.

After noon the catechising is hold, at which all arc present.
Christians and catechumens, men and children, young and old.
and where each, without distinction of rank or age, answers the
questions put by the Missionary. As these people have no books.
and arc naturally indolent, they would shortly forget the princi-
ples of religion, if the remembrance of them was not recalled by
these almost continual instructions. Our visits to their wigwnrjs
occupy the rest of the day.

In the evening all assemble again at the Church, to listen to the
instructions which arc given, to have prayers, and to sing some
hymns. On Sundays and Festivals they add to the ordinary
exercises, instructions which arc given after the Vespers, The
zeal with which these good neophytes repair to the Churcli at all
such hours is admirable : they break off from their labors, and
run from a great distance to be there at the appointed time,
They generally end the day by private meetings which they hold
at their own residences, the men separately from the women, ami
there they recite the chapelet with alternate choirs, and chant the

FATIIKR ISIAURST'S JOURNEYS.

&05

Ijyiuns, until tlio night is far advanced. Tlic'so liymns arc tlicii*
l,,><t instructions, which tlioy retain the more ca.sitj', since the
words arc Hct to airs witli wliicli thoy arc ac(iuaiutcd and wliich
jilcase thoni.

They often approach tlic Sacraments, and the custom among
tlioia is, to confess and to couiniunicate once in a fortnight. Wo
buvo been (jbliged to appoint particuhir days on wliidi tliey shall
coufcss, or they would not leave us leisure to discharge our own
duties. Tiiese are the Fridays and Sundays of eacli week, when
we hear them, and on these days we are overwhelmed with a
crowd of penitents, The care wliicli we take of the sick gains us
their cuniidonce, and it is particularly at such times that wo
reap the fruits of our labors. Their docility is then perfect, and
we have generally the consolation of seeing them die in great
peace, and with the firm hope of being shortly united to God in
Heaven.

Tliis iMission owes its establishment to the late Father Gravicr.
The Father 3Iar<juet was in truth the first v.dio discovered the
Mis.^issippi about thirty nine years ago, but not being ac(|uaiuted
witli the language of the country, he did not remain. Sometime
iiftci'wards he made a second journey, with the intention of fixing
there his residence, and laboring for the conversion of these peo-
ple, but death, which arretted him on the way, left to another the
care of accomplisliing this enterprise.* This was the Father

f* In 107.0 the Mississippi was first discovered by Jolict aiul Marquette.
They crossed Lulce Mieliigau and were tlio first to enter Wiscousin. —
"Here." says Marquette, "the guides returned, leaving us alone in this un-
kimwu Liud, in the liauds of Providence.'' They embarked on the broad
Wi<roii«;in, and for seven days suffered their canoe to float down, until —
to use his OAvn words, ''they entered happily the Great River, with a joy
that could not bo expressed."' On their Avay down they visited the tribes
ontlie western bank, and were the first white men that trod the soil of Iowa.
Uisking their lives every hour, they tloated past the mouth of the Ohio, and
at length letl behind them the region of the prairies and entered the cane-

is,

: ( 11

■,i '■ si
. ' 1 V

> 'i

'■•<l

-nl

'■h

U;."-

206

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

Daloes, who charged himself with it. He was acquainted witli
the language of the Omniamis^ which approaches very nearly to
that of the Illinois. He however made but a short sojourn, havinrr
the idea while there, that he should be able to accomplish move
in a ditferent country, where indeed he ended his apostolic life.

Thus, the Father Gravier is the one who should properly bo
regarded as the founder of the mission to the Illinois. lie first
investigated the principles of their language, and reduced them
to grammatical rules, so that we have since only been obliged to
bring to perfection what he began with so great success. This
Missionary had at first much to suffer from their medicine-men,
and his life was exposed to continual dangers, but nothing re-
pulsed him, and he surmounted all these obstacles by his patience
and mildness. Being obliged to depart to Mirhillimakiaar^ bis
mission was confided to Father Bincteau and Father Pinet. In
company with these two Missionaries I labored for some time, and

> ■■' i'i 1

brakes of the south. After descending below the Arkansas, pvcacliiug
everywhere that they could make themselves understood the mysteries of
their fiiith, they again ascended to Green Bay. Joliet returned to duoljec
to announce his discovery, and Marquette remained preaching to the jMi-
amis in the north of Illinois.

The account of his death is thus given by Baucrot\ : " Two years after-
wards, sailing from Chicago to Mackinaw, he entex'ed a little ri\er in Micli-
igan. Erecting an altar, he said mass after the rites of tlie Catholic
Church ; then begging the men who conducted the canoe to leave him alone
ft>r half an hour,

' In the darkling wood.
Amidst the cool and silence, he knelt down,
And offered to the Mightiest solemn thanks
And supplication.'

" At the end of the half hour they went to seek him, and he was no more.
The good missionary, discoverer of a world, had fallen asleep on the mar-
gin of the stream that bears his name. Near its mouth the cauoemeu dug
his grave in the sandP— Hist, of U. S., iii. IGLJ

FATHER MAREST'S JOURNEYS.

207

after their death remained in sole charge of all the toilsome
duties of the mission, until the arrival of Father Mermct, My
residence was formerly in the great village of the Pcoiianas,
where Father Gravier, who had returned thither for the second
time, received a wound which caused his death.

We have during this year lost but few of our people. I regret
however most deeply the removal of one of our instructers, whose
life and death have been most edifying. We here call those
mtrudcrs who in other missions are called catechists, because it
is not in the Church, but in the wigwams that they instruct the
catechumens and the new proselytes. There are in the same
way instructresses also for the women and the young girls.
Heury, (for such was the name of the instructor of whom I am
speaking,) although of a very degraded family, had rendered
himself respectable to every one by his great piety. He did not
reside in our village more than seven or eight years, and before
he came there had never seen a Missionary, or received even the
first idea of Christianity. His conversion had in it something
very singular. He was attacked with the small-pox, both himself
and all his family. This disease swept off at first his wife and
several of his children, leaving the others blind or extremely
deformed, while he himself was reduced to the borders of the
grave. When he thought that he had only a few moments longer
to live, he imagined that he saw the Missionaries, who restored
him to life, open to him the gate of Heaven, and urged him to
cuter there. From that moment he began to grow better.

Scarcely was he in a condition to walk, when he came to find
us at our village, and earnestly prayed us to teach him the truths
of religion. In proportion as we instructed him, he taught his
children what he had retained of our lessons, and all the family
were in a short time prepared to receive baptism. One of these
children, entirely blind as he was, charmed us by the deep feel-
ings of piety which we discovered in him. During the painful ill-

I' !(

>:' t

'■i*i

'.1'

'■ 'if!

■;1!

■ ',:>'i

■li'

?!■

■'''■l^■

'■ it ■

;■■■■'

'■. . ''

::ii

,■',., 'tit.:

:i:H'^

208

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

1,1 1

' m

noss which for a long time afflicted him, his prayers were un-
ceasing, and he died after some years in great innocence. His
father, Henry, in the same manner endured the most severe tests.
A long and grievous illness had the effect of purifying his virtue,
and prepared him for a death which has seemed to us precious in
the sight of God.

It is only a short time since that I also conferred baptism on
a young catechumen of seventeen years of age, who has much
edified our Christians by her firmness and by her inviolable at-
tachment to Christianity. The examples which she had at home
were well calculated to lead her astray. The daughtei of a father
and mother who were both idolaters, she found in her own family
the greatest obstacles to the virtues which she practiced. To :ry
her still more, a young libertine took a fancy to marry her, and
omitted nothing which could induce her to consent to the union,
even to the promise that he would become a Christian. The
father and mother of our catechumen, who had been gained over
by the young man, treated her with the greatest inhumanity to
shake her constancy. Her brother even went so far as to threat-
en that he would kill her, if she continued so obstinately to refuse
her consent. But these menaces and this ill treatment produced
no effect on her. All her comfort was in coming to the church,
and she often said to me, " The death which thoy threaten does
not at all terrify me, for I would willingly prefer it to the lot
they propose to me. The young man whom they wish me to
marry is a libertine, who has no thought of 'conversion. But
even if these promises were given in sincerity, neither he nor any
others should at all change the resolution which I have made.
No, my father, I shall never have any other spouse than Jesus
Christ."

The persecution which she continued to receive in her family,
was carried so far, that she was at last obliged to conceal herself
at the residence of one of her relations who had become a Chris-

o:!]

FATHER MARESTS JOURNEYS.

209

tian. There she was tried by different evils, which were not able
to diminish her fervor ; and this is the more surprising as the
least adversity is generally able to discourage these Indians.
Having heard, some time afterwards, that her mother was in
Jauger of losing her sight, by means of two cataracts which had
formed over her eyes, this generous girl, forgetting the unworthy
treatment she had received, immediately hastened to her assist-
ance. Her tenderness and assiduous cares won the heart of her
mother, and even gained her so far that she now accompanies her
daughter to the church, where she seeks instruction, to prepare
herself for the grace of baptism, for which she eagerly asks.

As our Indians live on scarcely anything else but the smoked
meat of animals which they kill in the chase, there are particular
seasons in the year when they all quit the village and disperse
themselves through the forests to hunt the wild beasts. This is
a critical time, when they have more need than ever of the pres-
ence of the missionary, who is obliged to accompany them in all
their excursions.

There are particularly two great hunts ; that of the summer,
which scarcely lasts three weeks, and that which takes place du-
ring the winter, which lasts four or five months. Although the
summer hunt is the shortest, it is nevertheless the most painful,
and it was this which cost the late Father Binetcau his life. He
iViicwed the Indians during the most oppressive heats of the
month of July. Sometimes he was in danger of being stifled in
the midst of the tall grasses, and then suffered cruelly from
thirst, not finding anywhere on the parched-up prairies, a single
drop of water to relieve it. During the day he was drenched in
perspiration, and at night was obliged to take his rest on the bare
ground, exposed to the dews, to the injurious effects of the at-
mosphere, and to many other miseries of which I cannot give you
the detail. These fatigues produced in him a violent illness, of
which he expired in my arms.

'vj

'it'.

i.-t

. ■ ■■•!

■ \

■► ..it '
■ ■., ■ -^ 'J \

■"' ';'|l

I Ik'-

210

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

<■" a! i

ii in-tl

I'liF-

During the winter the Indians divide themselves into different
companies, to search out the places where they think the "•amt
will be most abundant. It is then that we feel the desire to be
able to multiply ourselves, that we may not lose sight of them.
The utmost that wf! can do, is to hasten in succession to the dif-
ferent encampments where we find them, to strengthen them in
their faith, and to administer to them the sacraments. Our vil-
lage is the only one in which it would be permitted to any In-
dians to remain behind during all these expeditions. Many raise
poultry and hogs, after the example of the French who arc estab-
lished there, and these for the most part excuse themselves from
going to the hunting grounds. The Father Mermet, with whom
I have had the happiress to be associated for many years, re-
mains at the village for their instruction, the delicacy of his con-
stitution placing it entirely out of his power to sustain the fatigues
inseparable from these long journeys. Nevertheless, in spite of
his feeble health, I can say that he is the soul of this mission.
It is his virtue, his mildness, his touching instructions, and the
singular talent he has of winning the respect and friendship of
the Indians, which have placed our mission in its present flourish-
ing state. For myself, who am so constituted that I can run on
the snow with the rapidity with which a paddle is worked in a
canoe, and who have, thanks to God, the strength necessary to
endure all these toils, I roam through the forests with the rest of
our Indians, much the greater part of whom pass a part of the win-
ter in the chase.

These expeditions, which it is necessary for us to make from
time to time, sometimes to attend the Indians, and sometimes
for other reasons important to the welfare of our Missions, are
exceedingly painful. You can yourself judge of this by the de-
tails of some which I have made during the last few years, and
which will give you an idea of the manner in which journeys are
performed by us in this country. If our missions are not as

lilTcrcut
le ganit
re to be
)f them,
tlic dif-
tliem in
Our vil-
I any In-
any raise
arc estab-
Ives from
itli wliom
years, re-
)f liis con-
ic fatigues
n spite of
,s mission,

make from
. sometimes
issions. arc
s "by tlic dc-
■ years, and
journeys arc
5 are not as

FATHER MAREST'S JOURNEYS.

211

flourlsliing as others in the great number of conversions, they
are at least precious and useful by the toils and fatigues v/hicli
arc inseparable from them.

About twenty-five leagues from hence is the village of the

Tamayouas. It is a mission which at first had been committed

to Father Periet, whose zeal and labors God had blessed to such

a degree, that I have been myself witness that his church was not

able to contain the multitude of Indians, who resorted thither in

crowds. This father had for his successor M. Bergier, a priest

of the Seminary of Foreign Missions. Having learned that he

was dangerously ill, I immediately repaired thither to his relief.

I remained for eight whole days with this worthy ecclesiastic.

The care which I took of him, and the remedies which I gave,

seemed by degrees to restore him ; and this was so far the case,

that thinking himself better, and knowing too how necessary was

my presence at my mission, on account of the departure of

the Indians, he urged me to return. Before I left him, by way

of precaution, I gave him the holy sacrament, and he instructed

me as to the affairs of his mission, recommending it to my care,

in case that God should remove him. I charged the French who

had care of the sick man, immediately to let us know if he should

be in danger, and set out on the road to my mission.

As there are but twenty-five leagues from one village to the
other, a person need sleep but one night abroad, provided he can
travel well. The food which he takes on the road, consists of
some ears of corn and some pieces of smoked beef, which he car-
ries with him. When hungry, he kindles a fire near a stream,
which furnishes him with something to drink, and roasts his corn
and meat, after which he lies down near the fire, turning himself
sometimes on one side, and sometimes on the other, accordingly
as he feels the need of warmth.

When I arrived at our village, almost all the Indians were
gone. They were scattered along the Mississippi, and I immedi-

it' -'J

;. t

'■')^

... .«■; ■I'iii

■ '.<\

!..«:!

fWl'V < Of '^'5-

212

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

ately resaincd my journey to go and join them. Scarcely had I
advanced six leagues, ^vhen I found three wigwams, in one of
which was an old man very ill. I confessed him, gave hini some
remedies, and promised to come again to see him, judging that
he had yet a number of days to live.

Five or six leagues farther on, I found a great number of wig-
wams, which made a kind of village, and therefore stopped there
some days to perform my accustomed duties. In the absence of
the missionary, they never by any means fail to assemble every
day in one large wigwam, and there they have prayers, they rocito
the chapclet, and chant the hymns, sometimes until the night i-i
far advanced : and especially during the winter, when the nights
are long, they pass a greater part of it in singing the praises of
God. We always take care to appoint some one of our neopliytos,
who is the most fervent and most respected, to preside over meet-
ings of this kind.

I had now remained for some time with these dear neophytes,
when they came to inform me, that at eighteen leagues favthor
off, in descending the Mississippi, there were some sick persons
who had need of prompt succor. I therefore embarked at once
in a jjj/rogue, that is, a kind of boat made of one largo tree, hol-
lowed out to the length of forty feet, and very massivo. Tlie
greatest difficulty is to ascend the river, but happily we had iu
this case to descend, and as its rapidity here is equal to that of
the Rhone, we accomplished the eighteen leagues in a single day,

The sick persons were not in as pressing danger as hail bccu
described to me, and I soon relieved them by my remedies. As
they had there a church, and a large number of wigwams, I re-
mained several days to animate the fervor of my neophytes by
frequent instructions, and by a participation in the sacrameuts
Our Indians have such confidence in the missionary who rulis
them, that they discover to him with the most perfect openness
of heart, everything which happens during his absence. Thus.

;^^i

lyncopliytcs^jy
lie sacraments
mary wlio rulw
erfect openness
ibseucc. Thus.

FATHER MAREST'S JOURNEYS.

213

when any disorder has taken place, or any one lias given occasion
of scandal, the p^issionary having been informed of it, has it in
his power to remedy the evil, and to prevent the unhappy conse-
quences which otherwise might ensue.

I was obliged to separate myself from my neophytes sooner

than I wished. The good old man whom I had left so sick, and

the illness of "M. Bergier, troubled me unceasingly, and rendered

me very desirous to return to the village to learn the news. I

accordingly again ascended the Mississippi, but the voyage was

not accomplished without great fatigue. I had but one Indian

with me, and his want of skill obliged me to row continually, or

to labor in propelling our boat with the pole. At last, I arrived

in sufficient time at the wigwam of this fervent Christian, who

was dying. He confessed for the last time, and received the

Holy Communion with the deepest feelings of piety, exhorting

Ills son and all those who were about him, to live according to

the rules of the Gospel, and to be steadfast even to their last

breath in the faith which they had embraced.

As soon as I had arrived at our village, I wished to go and see
M. Bergier, but those who were there opposed it, alleging as a
reason that no one had been sent with any news, as they had
promised should be done in case he grew worse, and therefore
they had no reason to doubt but that his health was re-estab-
lished, I yielded to this reasoning, but a few days afterwards had
cause for deep regret that I had not followed out my first design.
A young slave arrived about two hours after mid-day, to inform us
of his death, and request us to come and perform the funeral rites.
I set out the very same hour. I had made about sis leagues,
when night overtook me. and a heavy rain which followed pre-
vented nic from taking some hours repose as I had intended. I
tliereforc walked on till the dawn of day. when the weather hav-
iiig somewhat cleared up, I lighted a fire to dry myself, and then
continued my route. I arrived in the evening at the village,

■ '^1

' -Si

.. ft'

■^s

'', I !

.Js':::i

4 ■'•

v;i

wfasi!:

214

JESUITS IN AMERICA

God having given me strength to accompliHli these twenty-five
leagues in one day and one night. Early iu the morning of the
next day I said mass for the deceased, and committed him to the
earth.

The death of M. Bergier was almost unexpected, according to
the report made to me by the French who were with him. H^
himself perceived its sudden approach, and said that it would be
useless to send for me, as he should be dead before my arrival,
He only took the crucifix in his hands, which he afFcctiouately
kissed, and then expired, lie was a Missionary of true merit
and a most austere life. At the beginning of his Mission, ho had
to sustain rude assaults on the part of the medicine-mcr, v;h
taking advantage of the little knowledge he had of the laiiguai^e
of these Indians, were able every day to entice from him some
of the Christian converts, but at length he in his turn knew how
to render himself feared by these impostors. His death was to
them an occasion of triumph. They assembled around tlie cross
which he had erected, and there invoked their Manitou, danciug,
and each one assuming to himself the glory of having killed the
Missionary ; after which they broke the cross into a thousand
pieces. This is the information which some time afterwards I
received with grief.

I thought that such an outrage should not pass with impu-
nity, and for this reason prayed the French ngt to conclude any
treaty with them, until they had made reparation for the iusiilt
which they had offered to our religion. This punishment had
all the effect which I desired. The principal men of tlie village
came twice, one after the other, to testify to me the sincere regret
tliey felt for their fault, and they engaged me by this confcssioD
to go from time to time to see them. But we must acknowledge,
that a Missionary can produce little effect on the Indians, except
he lives with them, and continually watches their conduct

presej

■^fl^

FATHER MAREST'S JOURNEYS.

215

wcnty-five
lug of tlio
hiui to the

ss with impu-

coucliule any

for tlic iusult

uislimcnt liad

of the village

I sincere regret

this confessioi!

it aclmowlcdge,

[ndians, except

tlicir conduct.

Without this, th(y soou forget the instructions ho hu.s given
tlicm, and little by little return to their old disorders.

It is this knowledge we have of thu inconstancy of tlic Indians,
which in the course of time gave us so much uneasiness with re-
gard to the state of our Mission among the Peuuaiias. The dis-
tance of our own village, the largest there was in this (quarter,
prevented us from making frec^uent excursions thither. And
ksidcs this, the bad treatment they had given to the late Father
Gravier, had obliged the Governors of Canada and of ^Mobile to
forbid tlie French making a treaty with them. Many Christians
indeed of that village had come to reside near us, but there were
still many others remaining there, who not being sustained by
the regular instructions^ would become unsteady in the faitli.

At last, at the time wo were thinking of measures to re-estab-
lish this Mission, we learned from some French who had made a
treaty there secretly, that these Indians were very much h ambled
by the destitution in which they had been left — that in raany en-
gagements they had been beaten by their enemies, for the want of
powder which the French had ceased to furnish them — that they
appeared deeply touched at the unworthy manner in which they
Ikul treated the Father Gravier, and that they now most earnestly
a>ked for a Missionary.

This news decided Father Mermet. Father de Ville and my-
self, that wo should avail ourselves of the favorable disposition in
which the Fcouarias then were, to re-establish our Mission on its
old footing. And Providence opened a way which was perfectly
I natural. It became necessary for one of us to make a journey to
}MilUniaJdnac, that is, to a distance of more than three hundred
•leagues from hence, to confer with Father Joseph ]Marest, my
kother, on the affairs of our Missions, of which he is the Supe-
irior, In making this journey we could not avoid passing by the
village of the Peoiiarias, and there was reason to hope that the
presence of a Missionary would determine them to renew the re-

I ■.^■\

.,;■■ »«■ "1, l'

■ r" »!

><il

216

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

P^/'l

i!H>

quest tney had lately made, and the proofs of repentance they
had given.

Ah I was perfectly well acquainted with these Indians, Fatlici-
Marmet and Father de Ville charged nic with the enterprise. I
departed therefore on the Friday of Passion Week in tlic year
1711. One day was all the time 1 had to prepare for so long a
journey, because I was hurried by two Pcoi/arias, who wished to
return thither, and by whom it was convenient for me to ho ac-
companied. Some other Indians went with us as far as the vil-
lage of the Tamarouas, where I arrived the second day after ui'-
departure. I set out again the next day, having nothing with
me but my crucifix and breviary, and being accompanied only Ly
the three Indians. Two of these Indians were not Chribtiau.^
and the third was as yet only a catechumen.

I confess to you, my Reverend Fatlicr, that I was a little em-
barrassed when I saw myself at the mercy of these three sav-
ages, on whom I was scarcely able to depend. I represented to
myself on the one hand, the fickleness of these people, that the
first fimcy would perhaps induce them to abandon mc, or tbe
fear of a hostile party would put them to flight at the least
alarm. On the other hand, the horror of our forests, those vast
uninhabited regions, where I should certainly perish if I was
abandoned, presented itself to my mind, and almost took away
all courage. But at last, reassuring myself by the testimony of
my conscience, which told me within that I was only seekiD'^
God and his glory, I surrendered myself entirely to Provi-
dence.

Journeys which are made in this country should not be
compared with those in Europe. There you find from time
to time villages and towns, and houses in which you can rest,
bridges or boats to cross the rivers, beaten paths wliich lead
to your destination, and persons who can place you in the
right way, if you have strayed. Here there is nothing of

W^'Sf.

FAT[IER MAIIESTS JOUUNEYS:

217

tho kiutl, and \vc travelled for twelve days witliout ineetiug a
single soul. At one time we found ourselves on jirairies which
were boundless to our view, cut up }>y brooks and rivers, but
without discovering any path which could guide us, and thou
ugaiu it became necessary to open a passage through dense for-
ests, in the midst of brushwood covered with thorns and briars,
and at other times we had to cross marshes filled with mire, in
which wo sometimes sank to the waist.

After having been excessively fatigued during the day, wc
were obliged to take our repose at night on the grass or on some
branches, exposed to the wind, to the rain, and to the injurious
cfTccts of the atmosphere. Wc were happy indeed if we found
ourselves near some stream, but if not, no matter how dry wc
were, the night passed without our being able to alleviate our
tliirst. AVe kindled a fire, and when we had killed any game on
our way, we roasted pieces of it, which we cat with some ears of
Indian corn, if wc had any of them.

Besides these inconveniences, common to all those who travel
through these deserted lands, we had the addition also of hun-
ger during the whole of our journey. It was not because we
did not see great numbers of stags, and deer, and particularly of
bufftiloes, but our Indians were not able to kill any. A ru-
mor they had heard the day before our departure that the coun-
try was infested by parties of the enemy, prevented them from
carrying their guns, for fear of being discovered by the report
when they fired, or of being embarrassed, if it should be neces-
sary for them to seek safety in flight. Thus, they could use no-
thing but their arrows, and the bufialocs which they hit, fled, car-
rying with them the arrows by which they had been pierced, and
went to die in some distant place.

In all other things these poor people took great care' of me.
They carried me on "their shoulders when it was necessary to
cross any stream, and when we came to deep rivers, they collected

.!«

I) .

; !l

' 'I n

•' rl

liifuJ

218

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

■).;

many pieces of dry wood which they tied t<»gother. 'iid iiiulvinir
mo Hcat myself on this kind of hoat, thoy ti'uns|H)rtt<l tliciiisf'Ue!,
by swimming, and pushed me before them to the other side.

It was not without reason tliat they feared meeting witli any
war party of the enemy, for tliey wouhl liavc received no (quarter
from them. Eitlicr their heads woidd Inivo been cut off. or nt
best they would liave been made prisoners, to 1)c burnt at l;i(«t
before a slow firo, or to be used for food in their feasts, Nutliiuff
can be more frightful than these wars of our Indians. Tiiey are
commonly found in parties of twenty, or thirty, or forty men.
Sometimes these parties consist of only six or seven persons, and
in this case they arc the most formidal)le. As they make all
their skill to consist in surprising the enemy, the small mnnkT
increases the case with which they conceal themselves, to render
more certain the blow which they meditate. For our warriors
do not pride themselves on attacking an enemy in front, and
when he is on his guard. To attempt this it is necessary that
they should be ten to one ; and when such occasions do happen,
each one excuses himself from advancing first. Their method is
to follow on the trail of their enemies, and to kill each one when
he is sleeping, or what is better, to place themselves in amkisli
iu the neighborhood of the villages, to cut off the head of the
first who comes out, and to carry off his scalp to make of it
a trophy among his countrymen. It is thus that this tiling !>
done.

As soon as one of these braves has killed his enemy, he dra^vs
his knife, and cuts round the head, taking ofT the skin with tlic
hair, which he carries in triumph to his village. There for some
days he suspends this scalp in the top of hia wigwam, and all
who are in the village come to congratulate him on his valor, and
to bring him some presents to testify the interest they fool in liis
victory. At times they content themselves with making pris-
oners, but immediately tie their hands, and force them to run

FATHER MAULSTS JOUILNEYS.

910

l,et<»ro thoni at full .s]»ooil, fur fear they may be pursued, as .soiue-
tiiues liapitcuH, by the eoiupauiuiiM uf those they arc carrying ulV.
The fate of these prisoners is very sad, fur often they burn them
at a sluw fire, and, at other times, cook tlicm in their kettles to
iiiakc a feast for all their warriors.

During the first day of our departure wc found some traces of
a party of these warriors. 1 could not but admire the sharp-
sightoducss of our Indians. They showed me their tracks ou the
grass, distinguished where they had set down, where they had
walked, and what was their uumber. As for myself, after nar-
rowly scrutinizing the place, I was unable to detect the slightest
trace. It was a happy circumstance for mo that a i)anic did not
seize them at this moment, as they would have left me entirely
ulono in the midst of the woods. But a little while afterwards,
I myself, without intending it, gave them a terrible fright. A
swelling which I had in the feet made me walk slowly, and they
had got a very little in advance of me, without my having paid
uuy attention to it. I suddenly perceived that I was alone, and
you may judge how great was my embarrassment. I immedi-
ately began to call them, but they did not make me any answer ;
I accordingly shouted louder, and they, not doubting but that I
had fallen in with a party of warriors, freed themselves at once
from their packets that they might be enabled to run more
easily. I redoubled my cries, and their fear augmented more
aud more. The two Indians who were idolaters now began to
take to flight, but the catechumen, being ashamed to abandon
me, drew a little nearer to sec what was the matter. When he
had perceived that there was nothing to fear, he made a sign to
his comrades : then, approaching me, he said in a trembling voice,
•• You have given us a great fright : my companions have already
fled, but as for me, I was resolved to die with you, rather than
abandon you." This incident taught me to keep close to my

•' i.

■4

■I '■ !

.'L|

I ! I

! ,1

'J ■ 'i

* I, -i 1!

2S>0

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

rcv^

companions on the journey, and they, on their part, were more
attentive not to separate themselves far from me.

Nevertheless, the difficulty which I had in my feet constantly
increased. At the beginning of the journey I had made some
blisters which I neglected, persuading myself that by dint of
walking I should harden myself to the fatigue. As the fear of
meeting with parties of the enemy made us take long journeys,
and we passed the night in the midst of brushwood and thickets,
so that no foe could approach us without making himself heard ;
as at Other times wt did not dare to light a fire for fear of being
discovered, the fatigues we were obliged to undergo reduced me to
a sad state. I could not walk except upon these sores, which so
touched the Indians who accompanied me, that they formed the
resolution of carrying me by turns. This service they rendered
me during the two following days, but having reached the Illinois
river, and not being more than twenty-five leagues from the
Peouarias, I engaged one of my Indians to go on before, to give
notice to the French of my arrival, and of the grievous situation
in which I found myself I endeavored to advance a little
during two days, dragging myself along as I best could, and
being carried from time to time by the two Indians who had re-
mained with me.

On the third day. I saw a number of the French arrive at
noon, who brought me a canoe and some refreshments. They
were astonished to see how much I was drooping : it was the
efiect of the long abstinence we had undergone, and of the pain I
had felt in walking. They embarked me in their canoe, and as I
had not the least inconvenience to suffer, the repose and good
treatment I enjoyed, very soon reestablished me. It was, how-
ever, more than ten days before I was able to bear my weight
upon my feet.

On the other hand I was much comforted by the steps which
the Peouarias took. All the chiefs of the village came to salute

1. ' .'

l?i

.J ■• ■■&

FATHER MARESTS JOURNEYS.

23i

me, giving evidence of the joy they had at seeing me, and con-
juring me to forget their past faults, and to come and live with
them. I answered these marks of friendship by reciprocal testi-
monies of good will, and promised them to fix my residence in
their midst, as soon as I had finished the business which called
me to Michillimak'mac.

After having remained fifteen days in the village of the Fcoua-
rias, and being a little restored by the care which they had taken
of me, I thought of continuing my route. I had hoped that the
French, who returned thither about that time, would carry me
with them even to the end of my journey ; but as the rain had
not yet fallen, it was impossible for them to go by the way of the
river. I therefore determined to cross to the river Saint Joseph,
in the mission of the Fouteauiamis, which is under the direction
of Father Chardon. In nine days time I accomplished this sec-
ond journey, a distance of seventy leagues, making it partly on
the river, which is full of currents, and partly in crossing by land.
God preserved me in a most wonderful manner on this journey.
A party of warriors hostile to the Illinois, came to make a descent
upon some hunters within gunshot of the path on which I was.
They killed one of them, and carried oif another to their village,
that they might cook him in their kettles, and make of him a
war-feast.

As I approached the village of the Pouteaulamis^ the Lord
vouchsafed to recompense me for all my pains, by one of those
unexpected adventures, which He sometimes arranges for the
consolation of His servants. The Indians, who where sowing
their fields, having perceived me from a distance, hastened to
give notice of my arrival to Father Chardon. He met me sud-
denly, followed by another Jesuit. What an agreeable surprise,
when in him I recognized my brother, who threw himself on my
neck to embrace me ! Fifteen years had passed since we had
separated, without the hope of ever seeing each other again. It

■■>M

't ' "bE

-i ■■(;[!.

■:m

■ '! !, f:

.4^

'' i.l':

•I, ;:'.'.,' ■■

222

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

lis

mm 'J

If''"

is true that I was on my way to join him, but MichllUmakinac
was the place where our meeting should have been, and not a
place more than a hundred leagues on this side of it. Without
doubt, God had inspired him with the design of making at this
time his visit to the Mission of Saint Joseph, to enable me in
one moment to forget all my past fatigues. "VVe both blessed the
divine mercy, which induced us to come from places so remote,
to afford us a consolation which we felt more than we could ex-
press. Father Chardon participated in the joy of this happy
meeting., and showed us all those kind attentions which we could
expect from his good will.

After having remained eight days at the Mission of Saint
Joseph, I embarked with my brother in his canoe, to repair to-
gether to MicJiillimakinac. The voyage was very delightful to
me, not only because I had the pleasure of being with a brother
who is very dear, but also because it afforded me an opportuuity
of profiting for a much longer time by his conversation and ex-
ample.

It is, as I have said, more than a hundred leagues from the
Mission of St. Joseph to Michillimakinac. We go the whole
length of Lake Michigan^ which on the maps has the name, with-
out any authority, of the Lake of the Illinois^ since the Illinois do
not at all dwell in its neighborhood. The stormy weather de-
layed us, so that our voyage took seventeen days, though it is
often accomplished in less than eight.

Michillimakiiiac is situated between two great lakes, into which
other lakes and many rivers empty. Tlierofore it is that this
village is the ordinary resort of the French, the Indians, and
almost all those engaged in the fur trade of the country. The
soil there is far inferior to that among the Illinois. Durina'
the greater part of the year one sees nothing but fish, and the
waters which are so agreeable during the summer, render a resi-
dence there dull and wearisome during the winter. The earth is

FATHER MAREST'S JOURNEYS.

223

eutiiely covered with snow from All-Saints day* even to the
mouth of May.

The character of these Indians partakes of that of the climate
uuder which they live. It is harsh and indocile. Religion
among them does not take deep root as should be desired, and
tlicre are hut few souls who from time to time give themselves
truly to God, and console the missionary for all his pains. For
myself, I could not but admire the patience with which my
brother endured their failings, his sweetness under the trial of
their caprices and their coarseness, his diligence in visiting them,
iu teaching them, in arousing them from their indolence for the
exercises of religion, his zeal and his love, capable of embracing
tlioir hearts, if they had been less hard and more tractable ; and
I said to myself, that success is not always the recompence of
the toils of apostolic men, nor the measure of their merit.

Having finished all our business during the two months that
I remained with my brother, it became necessary for us to sepa-
rate. As it was God who ordered this separation. He knew how
to soften all its bitterness. I departed to rejoin Father Chardon,
with whom I remained fifteen days. He is a missionary full of
zeal, and who has a rare talent for acquiring languages. He is
acipaintcd with almost all those of the Indians who are on these
lakes, and has even learned that of the Illinois sufiiciently to
make himself understood, although he has only seen some of
those Indians accidentally, when they came to his village : for
the Poukaulamis and the Illinois \b'Q in terms of friendship and
visit each other from time to time. Their manners however are
Yftry different ; those are brutal and gross, while these on the
contrary are mild and affable.

After having taken leave of the missionary, we ascended the
River Saint-Joseph to where it was necessary to make a portage
about thirty leagues from its mouth. The canoes which are used

[* November 1st.]

V :.

% 'M.

.'■'If

',.;!

' : ' .: Ill

;'-'i

I'Mti

pn'J'.ji'

\'M.

!■*' H!

224

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

f«

' il.

for navigation in this country are only of bark and very liglit
although they carry as much as a large boat. When the canoe
has carried us for a long time on the watci-, we in our turn carry
it on the land to cross over to another river, and it was thus that
we did in this place. We first transported all there was in the
canoe towards the source of the river of the Illinois, which they
call Hauklki, then we carried thither our canoe, and after havhif

launched it, we embarked there to continue our route.

o
We were

but two days in making this portage which is a league and a half
in length. The abundant rains which had fallen during this sea
son had swelled our little rivers, and freed us from the currents
which we feared. At last we perceived our own agreeable country
the savage buffaloes and herds of stags wandering on the borders
of the river, and those who were in the canoe took some of them
from time to time which served for our food.

At the distance of some leagues from the village of the Pcoua-
rias^ many of these Indians came to meet me, to form an escort
to defend me from hostile parties of warriors who might be roam-
ing through the forest, and when I approached the village, they
sent forward one of their number to give notice of my arrival,
The greater part ascended to the fort, which is situated on a rock
on the banks of the river, and when I entered the village made
a general discharge of their guns in sign of rejoicing. Their joy
was indeed pictured plainly on their countenances, and shone
forth in my presence. I was invited with the French and tlie
Illinois chiefs to a feast which was given to us by the most dis-
tinguished of the Pcoitarias. It was there that one of the prin-
cipal chiefs addressed me in the name of the nation, testifying to
mo the vivid grief they felt at the unworthy manner in which
they had treated Father Gravier, and conjured me to forget it,
to have pity on them and their children, and to open to them
the gate of Heaven which they had closed against themselves.

For myself, I returned thanks to God from the bottom of my

FATHER MAREST'S JOURNEYS.

?.'25

heart, that I thus saw that accomplished which I had desired with
the utmost ardor : I answered them in a few words, that I was
toucliecl with their repentance, that I always regarded them as
my clridren, and that after having made a short excursion to my
misrfion, I should come to fix my residence in the midst of them,
to aid them by my instructions to return into the way of salvation,
from which they had perhaps wandered. At these words the
chief uttered a loud cry of joy, and each one with emulation tes-
tified his gratitude. During two days that I remained in the
village, I said Mass in public, and discharged all the duties of a
missionary.

It was towards the end of August that I embarked to return
to my mission of the Cascaskias, distant a hundred and fifty
leagues from the village of the Peouarias. During the first day
of our departure, we found a canoe of the Scioux, broken in some
places, which had drifted away, and we saw an encampment of
their warriors, where we judged by the view there were at least
one hundred persons. We were justly alarmed, and on the point
of returning to the village we had left, from which we were as yet
but ten leagues distance.

These Scioux are the most cruel of all the Indians, and we
should have been lost if we had fallen into their hands. They
are great warriors, but it is principally upon the water that they
are formidable. They have only small canoes of bark made in
the form of a gondola, and scarcely larger than the body of a
man, for they cannot hold more than two or three at the most.
They row on their knees, managing the oar now on one side and
now on the other, that is, giving three or four strokes of the oar
on the right side, and then as many on the left side, but with so
much dexterity and swiftness, that their canoes seem to fly on
the water. After having examined all things with attention, we
concluded that these Indians had struck their intended blow and
were retiring : we however kept on our guard, and advanced with

11*

if,v

*.ffijH|

'! f '

'^^^m

'ffl

■t'M

)

^^^iS

•im

]-'^^M

• ■Vil

•-rl

1 .

1\-

'• . !

■ ;-i'M

"\ ■

M\x.i:

1'!;;

. nl-

:|''h

:V t'

«■,■

, ,1 ;„

l-'i;'l(

r 1 ' ' W

.»; '

sr:.!i.'

226

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

'hH

f. »',»./ V

U. i^^'-' '

\f'

great caution, that we might uot encounter them, But when we
had once gained the Mississippi, we went on by dint of rowiuo'
At List, on the 10th of September, I arrived at my dear mij-slou
in perfect health, after five months' absence.

I will not tell you of the joy which all felt at seeing us ; you can
yourself well imagine that it was great on both sides. But wlion
the question came to be settled with regard to keeping the prom-
ise I had given the Peoiiarias^ to go and live with them the
French and the Indians there opposed it, probably because they
were accustomed to my ways, and were not pleased with the idea
of a change. Father de Ville was therefore sent thither in my
place. This Father, who had been but a short time with us, now
makes it evident by his zeal, by the talent he has for wiLiiiiif
the Indians, and by the progress he makes among them, that
God had destined him to that mission, of which he did not think
me worthy.

"When I was returned to my mission, I blessed God for the
favor with which he had loaded it during my absence. There
had been that year an abundant harvest of wheat and Iiulicm
corn. Besides the beauty of the place, we have also snlt spriDg.s
in the neighborhood, which are of great use to us. Some cows
have just been brought to us, which will render us the same ser-
vices by their labor, that oxen ren.ler in France. The attempt
has been made to tame the wild buffaloes, but alwaj's without .'Suc-
cess. Mines of lead and of tin are not far from hence, and
would perhaps be found to be extensive, as I said above, if some
intelligent person should employ himself in exploring them,
We are but thirty leagues distance from the Missouri or Pdd-
tanoui. This is a large river which empties into the Miississippi,
and they assert that it is of even greater length than that river
It is at the source of this river that the best mines of the Span-
iards are situated. "We are also very near the river Oimhache. which
likewise empties itself below us into the Mississippi. By means

ar mission

FATHER MAREST'S JOURNEYS.

227

of this river one could easily trade with the Mlamis^ and with a
(/reat nunibei; of other nations much more distant, for it extends
even to the country of the Iroquois.

All these advantages exceedingly favor the design which some
Fiouchmen have formed of establishing themselves in our vil-
lage. To inform you whether establishments of this kind will
coutribute to the advantage of our religion, is a point which it
would not be easy for me to settle. Should the French who
come among us resemble those whom I have seen in other places,
who edify our neophytes by their piety and by the regularity of
their lives, nothing would be more comforting to us, or more use-
ful to the progress of the Gospel. But if unhappily any of them
should make a profession of licentiousness, or perhaps of irre-
ligion, as it is to be feared, might take place in our mission, their
pernicious example would make a deeper impression on the
miuds of the Indians than all that we could say to preserve them
from the same disorders. They would not fail to reproach us,
as they have already done in some places, that we take advan-
tage of the facility with which they believe us, that the laws of
Christianity are not as severe as we represent them to be, since
it is not to be credited that persons as enlightened as the French,
and brought up in the bosom of religion, would be willing to
rush to their own destruction, and precipitate themselves into
hell, if it were true that such and such an action merited a pun-
ishment so terrible. All the reasoning which the missionary
could oppose to this impression produced by evil example, would
have no influence over the minds of a people, who are scarcely
touched except by what strikes the senses. Therefore, my Kev-
creud Father, aid me to pray the Lord that He will render my
apprehensions unfounded, and that He will continue to pour out
His blessings on my feeble labors. I commend myself to your
holy prayers, and am with respect, &o.

P. Gabriel Marest, Missionary.

''' 4<89

I i,iii

„ ■•,,1'!

: -M

■\>'.v

'.5"t'i)l

'■ , i

: H

"•It/ ■

'Mxf

"' '.v\

■;:•■! '.IH. I

f;lfc

IKE .■ •:■■

898

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

[The fears of Father Marcst with regard to the Mission were fully
realized. The French who settled there soon degenerated, and graduully
assimilated their manners to those of the Indians among whom they lived
while the evil of their example was of course felt by the Christian Indians
until it became at last ruinous to the Mission.]

F !i«(.ll|i|fi*!ll,l I J 1

''.■•! ■

VOYAGE UP THE MISSISSIPPI.

1727.

' li

' f ■

' ;':,|4

.■it

: i

;■ •ml*'!

"II

J'i

.,„ ,, .... t

■ ■■■ , ■ r I

♦'■ if I. ■■

.■ I

II l' .

'WW

'I if'

I'M

LETTER VIII.

, Vji

FROBI FATHER DU POISSON, MISSIONARY TO THE AKENSAS,

TO FATHER

* * *

Have you no desire, my clear Friend, to receive some informa-
tion with regard to the world, which, while it has the least possi-
ble claim to be considered as curious, yet costs the most to acquire
by experience ? I refer to the manner of a voyage on the Missis-
dppi — the character of this country, so extolled, and also so de-
cried at this time in Franco — and the nature of the people who
are to he found here. There is nothing else indeed about which
lean write you at present ; if, therefore, the relation I am going
to give of our voyage is not interesting, you must ascribe it to the
country ; if it should prove too long, you must refer it to the
great desire I feel of keeping up my intercourse with you.

During our stay at New Orleans, we had seen peace and good
order re-established through the care and wisdom of the new
Commander-General. There were two parties among those at
the Lead of affairs. They called the one, the Great Company,
and the other the Little Company. These divisions are now
broken up, and there is every reason to hope that the Colony
will be re-established on a more solid foundation tlian ever. But
whatever might happen, we expected each day the arrival of the
Gironde^ on board of which were Fathers Tartarin, Doutrcleau,
one of our brethren, and some nuns. This it was which induced
u^ to hasten our departure, that we might spare the Reverend
Father de Beaubois an increase of embarrassment, although this

1, 1

Q3',

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

i V

si' '

was a bad season for a voyage up the Mississippi, besides, tlij-;
Father had on his hands brother Simon, who with some boat-
men had descended from the Illinois country, and had been wait-
iug for us for four or five months. Simon is a proselyte of the mis-
sion among the Illinois, and the boatmen here are persons wiio
arc engaged to row in the pirogue or boat, and we may also add,
to try the patience of those whom they conduct. '

We embarked then on the 25th of May, 1727, the Fathers
Souel and Dumas with myself, under the direction of the good
man Simon. The Fathers de Guieunc and Ic Petit, being obliged
in a few days to take a difiereut route ; the former, as you
know, to the Alibamons^ and the latter to the Chasses. Ouj* Lai^-
gage and that of our boatmen occupied a space, which filled up
our two boats to more than a foot above the sides. Wc were
perched up on a heap of chests and packages, without being able
even to change our position, and it had already been prophesied
to us that wc could not go far with this eijuipagc, In ascending
the Mississippi wc coast along by the shore in eonsccjueuce of
the force of the current. We had scarcely lost sight of Now Or-
leans, when a projecting branch which had not been noticed ly
our helmsman, caught in a chest, overturned it, caused it to mako
a somerset upon a young man who was near, and rudely struck
Father Souel, Fortunately it broke in tiiis first effort, or hutli
the chest and the young man would have been in the river. This
accident decided us, when we arrived at Chapitulas, about three
leagues distance from New Orleans, to despatch some ooo to
Father de Beaubois, to ask him for a much larger boat.

During all this time wc were among old acquaintances. The

[* Throughout this letter Father du Poisson seems fbnd of a play upon
words, the point of which it is impossible to convey in a translation. We
give, therefore, the French : — " On appelle ici engages des gens qui so

louent pour ramer ct I'on pourroit ajouter, pour foire enniger ceux

qu'ils conduisent."]

idos, till-;
luc \)oat-
iceu wait-
f tlic mis-
rsous wli')
r also add,

ing oUigcd
Lcr, as you
Ou!" liaj^-
Lcli filled up
We NYcre
it Ijeiug able
u proplicsiod
In asceudiuiJ
iseiiueucc of
t of New Or-
u noticed by
icd it to mulio
rudely struck
jetYort, or botli
|e river. This
s, about tliree
|i some one to
boat,
.utanccs. Tlio

ll of a play upon
Itranslatioii. \Ve

1 dcs gens q^^i ^^'
|fairee/i/-rtir«^cc«

VOYAGE UP THE MlSSISSim.

233

larbarous naino which tlio country hears, ssliow.s that it ha.s bceu
in utlier times inhahltcd by savages, and at jire.sent they apply
this title to five grants which are along the MissisHlppi. M. Da-
brcuil, a Parisian, received us into his. Tlic next three ])elong
to three Canadian brothers, who came into the country to settle,
wltli nothing but the clothes ou tlieir back and the stick in tiieir
baud, but who have more advanced tlieir fortunes than the grantees
ill France, who have scut out millious to establish their grauts,
which at the present time are for the most part ruined.* The
fifth belongs to M. de Koli, a Swiss by birth, Seigneur of the
Manor of Livry, near Paris, one of the most honorable men that
can be found. Tic had come over in the same ship with us, to see
for liiiiiseli^ tlic condition of his grant, for which he had fitted out
>liips, and subjected himself to endless expenses. There are in
each of these grants at least sixty negroes, who cultivate Indian
corn, rice, indigo, and tobacco. These are the parts of the colony
which arc most flourishing. I now am speaking to you of a
grant ; I shall also have occasion presently to speak of a planta-
tion and a settlement. You perhaps do not know what all tlieso
arc; have patience then to read the explanation.

They call a Grant a certain extent of territory graatal by the
ludia Company to one person alone, or to many who have formed
together a partnership to clear the lands and make them valua-
ble. These were the persons, who in the days of the great Mis-
siwippi bubblcf were called the Counts and the Marquises of

[* Another play tipon words, which he has marked in Italics, that it may
not escape the reader — " Qui ont envoyo dcs millions t^owv fonder leurs con-
toisions qui soat fondues a. present pour la plupart."]
[t This allusion was well understood in 1727. It refers to the Mississippi
Hliemc of Law, the celebrated financial adventurer, who, in 171G, established
Ills b:mk in Paris under the patronage of the Duke of Orlean.s. It had
annexed to it a Mississippi Company, which had grants of land in Louisiana,
f.n(l was expected to realize immense sums by planting and commerce. In
1718 it was declared a Royal Bank, and such was the extent of its business

1 ""m

O.H

r II

*i f

234

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

Mississippi. Thus the grantees are the aristocracy of this
country. The greater part have never left Franco, hut have
equipped shipis filled with directors, stewards, storekeepers, clerks,
workmen of diflferent trades, provisions and goods of all kinds.
Their business was, to penetrate into the woods, to build their
cabins there, to make choice of lands, and to burn the canes and
trees. These beginnings seemed too hard to people not accus-
tomed to such kind of labor ; the directors and their subalterns
for the most part amused themselves in places where there were
some French already settled ; there they consumed their pro-
visions, and the work was scarcely commenced before the grant
was entirely ruined. The workman badly paid, or badly fed,
refused to labor, or else seized on his own pay, and the stores
were plundered. Was not all this perfectly French ? But tliis
was in part the obstacle which has prevented the country from
being settled, as it should have been, after the prodigious expense
which has been lavished upon it.

They call a Plantation a smaller portion of land granted by the
company. A man with his wife, or his associate, clears a small
section, builds him a house with four forked sticks, which he covers
with bark, plants some corn and rice for his food ; another year

and funds, that the shares n se to twenty times their original value. All
France was seized with a ' ige for gambling, and bappy were they t\1io
could acquire this imaginary wealth by entirely stripping themselves of all
their real property. In 1720 Law was made Comptroller-General of the
finances, and regarded as the Plutus of France, saw clients of all ranks at
his Icvec, which rendered him proud and insolent in proportion. At leiigtii
the baseless fabric of this prosperity began to give way, and the shares sunk
in value as rapidly as they had risen. Law was obliged to resign his post.
after having held it only five months, and for personal safety lease tlie
kingdom. He took with him but a remnant of his once immense fortune,
and died in obscurity at Venice in 1729. Gorionh Biog. Diet. The history
of L<}\v'3 own grant in Louisiana will be found in the next letter of tliis
volume.]

.-■^jEij3SKai~>-.

.•.!|

J-b

VOYAGE UP THE MISSISSIPPI.

235

he raises more provisions, and begins a plantation of toLacco, and
if finally he attains to the possession of three or four negroes, be-
hold the extent to which he can reach. This is what they call a
^lanlalioii and a planter. But how many are as wretched as when
they commenced ?

Tliey call a Settlement, a section in which there are many
plantations not far distant from each other, forming a kind of
village.

Besides those grantees and planters, there are also in this
country, people who have no other business than that of vagabond-
izing. 1st, Women and girls taken from the hospitals of Paris,
from Salpetriere, or from other places of equally good reputa-
tion, who find the laws of marriage too strict, and the care of a
single household too troublesome. Voyages of four hundred
leagues present nothing to terrify these heroines ; I have met
with two of them, whose adventures would furnish materials for a
romance. 2d, The voyagers ; these are for the most part young
people sent for some reason to Mississippi by their parents or by
justice, and who, finding it too low to dig the earth, prefer en-
gaging themselves as rowers, and wandering about from one shore
to the other. 3d, The hunters ; these at the end of the summer
ascend the Mississippi to the distance of two or three hundred
leagues to the buiSfalo country ; they dry in the sun the flesh on
the ribs of the buffaloes, salt the rest, and also make bear's oil.
Towards spring they descend, and thus furnish provisions to the
Colony. The country which extends from New Orleans even to
this place, renders this business necessary, because it is not suf-
ficieutly inhabited, or enough cleared to raise cattle there. At
the distance of only thirty leagues from here they begin to find
the buffaloes, and they are in herds on the prairies or by the
rivers. During the past year a Canadian came down to New
Orleans with four hundred and eighty tongues of bufi'aloes he

r4:

1 ■

a- •

■,H

]'f.

1 :

■ 1"

.:■•:,;,!

-■■*: ■ \

:•(!'.

230

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

iltl

*^' jt'V*-

f ^

had killed during his winter campaign with the aid of only one
associate.

We left the Chapitoulas on the 29th. Although we had sent
for a much larger boat, and in spite of the new stowing which our
people made, we were almost as much crowded as before. ,\'e
had but two leagues to make that day, to reach Burnt Canci*
the residence of M. de Benac, director of the grant of M. d'Ar-
tagnan, where we were to sleep. He received us in a very
friendly manner, and regaled us with a carp from the waters of
the Mississippi, which weighed thirty-five pounds. The BunU
Canes is the name given to two or three grants along the Missis-
sippi ; the place is very much like the Chapitoulas^ while the
situation appears to me to be more beautiful.

The next day we advanced six leagues, which is about as much
as they can ever accomplish in ascending the river, and we slept,
or rather encamped at the Gcrmans.\ These are the quarters
assigned to the lingering remnant of that company of Gennans
who had died of misery, some at the East, and some on arriving
in Louisiana. I Great poverty is visible in their dwellings. It
is here properly that we begin to learn what it is to voyage on
the Mississippi, and I am going to give you a little idea of it. so
that I shall not be obliged to repeat the same thing every day.

We had set out at the season of the heavy floods, when the
river had risen more than forty feet above its ordinary level, and
as almost all the country is composed of low lands, it was of
course inundated. Thus we were exposed to the difficulty of not
finding cabanage^ that is to say, ground on which to do our cook-
ing and to sleep. When we could find it we slept in this way
If the ground was still muddy, as was the case when the water

v.i'* a

*j^ '.■ ^' ■■

■

*■

, \

[* Cannes bruldcs.] [t Aux Allemauds.]

[X Some further account of those Germans is given in tlie next letter. Tlioy

were a portion of tlie settlers brought out for Law's grant, but did not arriv-.

until after his fall, when they were sutl'ered to die from want.]

VOYAGE UP THE MISSISSIPPI.

237

' 1^'

began to subside, tliey commenced by making a couch of branches,
that the mattress might not rest on the mud. Thou they spread
upon the earth a skin, or a mattress, and clothes, if they had
them. They bent three or four canes into a semicircle, both
en of which they fixed in the earth, and placed them at proper
distances from each other, according to the length of the mattress ;
on these they fiisten three others crosswise, and then spread over
this slight framework the balrc, that is, a large cloth, the ends
of which they fold under the mattress with great care. It is
under these tombs, where we are stifled with heat, that we are
obliged to sleep. The first thing we do on reaching laud, is to
arrange our bairc with all diligence, for otherwise the musciuitoes
do not permit us to use it. If one could sleep in the open air,
he could enjoy the coolness of the night, and would be too happy.

There is much more cause of complaint when no cahauage can
be found. Then they tie the boat to a tree. If they can find a
raft of trees, they do their cooking on top of it, but if not, we go
to sleep without supper, or rather we neither sup at all nor sleep
at all, since we are resting in the same situation in which we were
during the day, with the addition of being exposed through the
whole night to the fury of the musquitoes. By the way, what is
here called a raft is a collection of floating trees which the flood
has uprooted : the current continually sweeping them down, they
are finally arrested by some tree whose root is in the ground, or
))}' a neck of laud, and there accumulate one upon the other, and
form enormous piles. We have found some which would furnish
the whole of your good city of Tours with wood for three winters.
These places are difficult and dangerous to pass. It is necessary
to sail close to these rafts'; the current there is rapid, and if it
dashes the boat against the floating trees, it disappears at once,
and is swallowed up in the waters under the raft.

It was also the season of the most excessive heats which in-
creased each day. During tlie whole voyage we had but a single

4!"

■■ if il

■- It

' I;' "ill

■!. ':

.K"

238

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

'■• ('Li!

^( I ft.

14*

^^i

|!!5

entire day of cloudy weather, always the burning sun upon our
heads, without being able even to use over our boats a small awn-
ing which might afford us a little shade. Besides, the height of
the trees and the densencss of the woods, which through all the
route, are en both banks of the river, did not permit us to feel
the least breath of wind. Although the river is a half league in
breadth, the breeze does not make itself felt except in the middle
of the stream, and it is necessary to cross it, to catch the slightest
breath of air. "We drew up, without cessation, the water of the
Mississippi through reeds, to quench our thirst, and although it
is very turbid, we experienced no ill effect. Another refreshment
we had, was from the grapes hanging almost everywhere from
the trees, and we snatched them in passing, or gathered them
when we landed. There are in this country, at least among the
Akensas, two kinds of grapes, of which the one ripens in summer.
and the other in autumn. They are of the same species ; the
grapes themselves are very small, and they afford a juice wliicli
is very thick. There is also anotlier kind, the cluster of which
has but three grapes, which are as large as the damask plum,
Our Indians call them asi, contai raisin^ j^rune.

Our stock of provisions consisted of biscuit, butter which was
salt and very rancid, rice, corn, and peas. The biscuit gave out
when we were a little above Natchez. Our butter was gone
when we were only ten or twelve leagues distant from New Or-
leans ; we therefore fed on the peas, and afterwards on the rice,
which did not fail until our arrival at this place. The seasoning
consisted of salt, bear's oil, and a particularly good appetite.
The most ordinary food of this country, almost the only food of
r.iany persons, and above all of the voyagers, is the gru. They
bruise the corn to remove the outer skin, boil it for a long time
in water, the French sometimes seasoning it with oil, and this
constitutes the gru. The Indians pound the corn very fine, cook
it sometimes with fat. but oftcuer with water only, and this is

■r'm

VOYAGE UP THE MISSISSIPPI.

239

)on our
ill awn-
iiglit of

all the
3 to feel
iaguc in
; middle
sliglitest
jr of tliG
liougli it
rcslimcut
ero fnm
•ed tlicni
nong tlie

summer,
}cies ; tlic
ice wliicli

of wliicli
isk plum.

^vliicli was
gave out
was gone
New Gr-
ille rice,
seasoning
appetite.
ly food of
rii. Tlicy
long time
1, and this
fine, cook
md tliis is

the sagamite. The gru^ indeed, is used instead of bread ; a
spoonful of grit and a small piece of meat are taken together.

But the greatest torment, in comparison with which all the

rest would be but sport, which passes all belief, and has never

been even imagined in France, still less actually experienced, is

that of the musquitoes — the cruel persecution of the musquitoes.

The plague of Egypt, I think, was not more cruel — Dimitlam in

ie et in servos tuos et in populum tuum ct in domos tuas omne genus

muscarum et implebiintcr domus JEgyptiorum diversi generis et uni-

versa terra in qua fuerint* They have here the /ra/^c d^abord^

and also the hrulots. The latter is a species of very small gnat,

whose sting is so sharp, or rather so burning, that it seems as if

a spark of fire had fallen on the spot. There are also the mom

tiques, which are like the hrulots, with the exception that they are

much smaller, so that one can with difficulty see them ; their

attacks are particularly directed against the eyes. There are

also the gu^pes, and the thons ; in one word, there are om7ie genus

muscaru7)i.\

But none of tliese others are worthy to be mentioned with the
musquitoes. This little insect has caused more swearing since
the French have been in Mississippi, than had previously taken
place in all the rest of the world. Whatever else may happen, a
swarm of these musquitoes embark in the morning with the voy-
ager. "When they pass among the willows or near the canes, as
very often takes place, a new swarm fastens with fury on the
boat, and never quits it. It is necessary to keep the handker-
chief in continual exercise, and this scarcely frightens them.
They make a short circuit, and return immediately to the attack.

[* Exodug viii. 2S. I will send swarms of flies upon thee, and upon thy
sorvauts, and upon thy people, and into thy houses ; and the houses of the
Egyptians *hall be full of swarms of flies, and also the ground whereon
they are.]

[t Every kind of fly.]

■ r:^§

■ '>'T

:'M

:•;>'

■J';

^'1'

'*■■■

■ 'il*.'

;!■' i

I ■

• It

• ■■'Hi

240

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

iiilr

The arms become weary much sooner than they do. vVhcu we
land to take dinner, which is between ten o'clock and two or
three, there is an entire army to be combattod. We make a
boucanc, that is, a great fire, which we stifle afterwards with green
branches. But it is necessary for us to place ourselves in the
very thickest of the smoke, if we wish to escape the persecution;
and I do not know which is worse, the remedy or the evil. After
dinner we wish to take a short nap at the foot of a tree, but that
is absolutely impossible ; the time allotted to repose is passed in
contending with the musquitoes. We embark again in their
company, and at sunset, on landing, it is necessary immediately
to run to cut canes, wood, ai^d green branches, to make the bain^
the fire for cooking, and the boucanc. There, it is each one for
himself, but it is not one army, but many armies which wo have
to combat, for that time of day belongs to the musquitoes. One
is perfectly eaten and devoured. They get into the mouth, the
nostrils, and the ears ; the face, the hands, the body arc all
covered ; their sting penetrates the dress, and leaves a red mark
on the flesh, which swells on those who are not as yet inured to
their bite. Chicagon, to enable some of his nation to compre-
hend what a multitude of French he had seen, told them, that he
had beheld " as many in the great village" (at Paris) " as there
were boughs on the trees, and musquitoes in the woodsJ^ After
having supped in haste, we are impatient to bury ouiselves under
the hairc^ although we know that we go there to be stifled with
the heat. With what address, with what skill does each one
glide under his baire! But they always find that some have
entered with them, and one or two are sufficient to insure a mis-
erable night.

Such are the inconveniences of a voyage on the Mississippi.
And yet how many voyagers endure them all for the prospect of
a gain even the most moderate ! There was in a boat which
ascended at the same time with our own, one of those heroines of

•y\

VOYAGE UP THE MISSISSIPPI.

241

vLom I liavc alrcaly spoken, wlio was going to rejoin licr hero.
r-'ie dul nothing but chatter, hiugli, and siiig. And if for a little
ipiii|)iiral Ler.efit, if even for crime itself, one can endure a voyage
like this, should men fear it who are appointed to labor for the
.:ihation of souls !

I return to my journal. On the 31st, we made seven leagues.
Ill the evening, no cahanage. AVater and biscuit for supper —
jlept in the boat — devoured by the mus(|uitoes through the night.
Xi/f. — This was the Vigil of Whitsunday, a fiist-day.

The 1st of June we arrived at Oumas, a French plantation,
wlicre wc found enough ground not overflowed to erect our
wbius. We remained there during the next day to give rc.^t to
our crew. In the evening, Father Dumas and I embarked in ca
kit which during the night was to go the same distance wo
should otherwise have to accomplish on the next day. By this
uieaus we avoided the intense heat.

Ou the ord we arrived, early in the morning indeed, at
Bij/agoulas (the destroyed nation), at the house of M. du Buis-
s'jii. director of the grant of the Messieurs Paris. Here w'o
1 mid some beds, which we had almost forgotten how to use, and
lui'iiig the morning took that repose which the niusi|uitoes had
I L'jt permitted us to gain during the night. M. du Buissou
.uiitted nothing which could add to our comfort, and regaled us
with a wild turkey. (This is in every respect like the domestic
turkey, except that the taste is finer.) The grant appeared to us
Tall arrauged and in a good condition. It would have been worth
iiill more if it had always had as good a director. Our people
iii'iivcd in the evening, and the nest day wc left the Ba//agaulas,
clicarmed with the pleasant manners and civilities of M. du Buissou.
Framboise, Chief of the Sitl/iiaclias, who had been a slave to
M, do Bienville, had come hither to see us, and had invited us to
<liue at his home, which we should have to pass about noon. He
Wl before given the same invitation when he descended with his

,r,

•'■I

■ Q

ill)

1 I

.■,?■ '

• *

•;

^ •. f

1 i
J.I

242

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

■7 ^ ->= 13

' ^'^ "',1

tribe to New Orleans to chant the calumet before the new Gov-
ernor. This gave occasion to an adventure, which we were Mad
to get through with, and the recital of which you will perhaps be
eCj^ually glad to get through reading ; but iC'wqwiic^ I will irivL
it you.

The inundation had obliged the Situnachas to penetrate dcoiily
into the wood, and we therefore fired oft" a gun to announce our
arrival. The sound of a gun in the woods of Mississippi i.s lihc
a clap of thunder, and immediately afterwards a little Imliau
presented himself before us. We had a young man with us who I
was acquainted with the language ; he therefore questioned him,
and told us in reply, that the little Indian was sent to conduct
us, and that the village was not far distant. It is nccc!^«l^y to
observe, in passing, that this young man had an excellent appe-
tite, and that he was well aware we should not be able to do any
cooldng where we then were, on account of the water. Trusting
to his word we set out in an Indian boat which happened to be
there, the child guiding us. We had not gone fiir when the
water fur our boat failed, and there was scarcely anything but
mud. Our people, who assured us that it was only a step, pushed 1
on the boat by main strength, encouraged by the hope of their
anticipated feast with Framboise, but at last we came to nothing
but prostrate trees, mud, and deep holes filled with stagnant
water. The little Indian here left us and disappeared in a'
moment. What were we to do in these woods without a guide ]
Father Souel sprang into the water, and we followed him. Il
was certainly pleasant to see us floundering among the rocks and
brambles, and in the water up to our knees. Our greatest diffi-
culty was to withdraw our shoes from the mud. At last, well
bemired and quite exhausted, we arrived at the settlement, Avhich
was distant from the river more than half a league. Framboise
was surprised at our arrival, and coldly remarked, that he had
nothing. In this incident we recognized the traits of an Indian.

: J

VOYAGE UP THE MISSISSIPPI.

213

Our interpreter had deceived us, fur Frauibuise had not sent to
liiul u,s ; he had not expected us, and had thouglit that he risked
nothing by inviting us, being persuaded that the inundation
'.voukl prevent our getting to his residence. Whatever might
liuppcn, we were obliged to sound a speedy retreat and without
a guide. After wandering a little, we found again tlie Indian
boat; stowed ourselves within it, and regained our own p« ople as
we best could. Those who had remained amused themselves
with our appearance and our adventure ; and never did we have
so much laughter, or rather it is the only time that we had any
thing to laugh about. As I said before, there was no ground on
which to do our cooking, and it was necessary to content our-
seh'cs with a piece of biscuit. In the evening we arrived at a
spot above the Ma/ichat, a branch of the Mississippi which
empties into the Lake Maurepas ; no ground for cooking — no
eabanage — millions of musi^uitocs during the niglit. Second note.
This was a fast-day ; the waters began to fall, which gave us
reason to hope that we should not be obliged to sleep jnuch more
iu the boat.

The SUimachas dwelt at the lower end of the river in the early
days of the colony, but having at that time killed M. de Saint-
Come, a Missionary, M. de Bienville, who commanded for the
king, revenged his death. The map of Mississippi incorrectly
places the nation of the Sitimachas, which is not the only fault
we find there. After this little criticism on Mississippian eru-
dition, I return to our voyage.

Oa the 4th we slept at Baton-Rouge. This place receives its
"ame from a tree painted red by the Indians, and which serves
iis a boundary for the hunting grounds of the nations who are
abo^'G and below. We saw there the remains of a French plan-
tation, abandoned on account of the deer, the rabbits, the wild-cats,
and the bears, which ravaged everything. Four of our people

:;^ii

' 4

i ,'

'■'W r

244

JESUITS LV AMERICA.

went on a hunting cxpctlition, and returned next day without
any oilier game than an owl.

On the 7th we dined at the grant of M. Mezicrcs: it has the
air of a phiutation which is just conunencing. We saw there oinj
hovel, some negroes, and a single lal)t)rer, who did us neither
good nor ill. We cabined for the night at i*o////- 6V//^yc''', hcfurc
the house of a planter, who received us with great attention,
The rain detained us there next morning, and permitted us du-
ring the whole day to make l)ut a single league, as fiir as the re-
sidence of another planter, llis house, which was constiueted
from four forked sticks, gave us, for better and for worse, a hliel-
ter from a frightful storm. How much need have these poor
people of consolation, both spiritual and temporal !

On the 0th we had scarcely embarked when there came from
the woods a most execrable odor. Tliey told us tliat it pro-
ceeded from an animal close on shore, which they called hHc pu.
(iiilc and which .spreads tliis disagreeable smell e\ery where aljout
it. AYe cabined for the night at the Lltili' Tonicas^ m tlie canes •
during the winter they set them on fire, but during the siunmer
it is necessary to cut them to be able to cabin there. The ludiuu
village is up tlie country ; from thence to the Gmil Tonlcas it
is ten or twelve leagues by the Mississippi ; but by laud
there is nothing but a mere neck which separates the two vil-
lages. Formerly they made a portage, crossing the land. They
still call this passage Ike poririgc of the Cross. The river li;ul
penetrated this point, and inundated it entirely during tlieso
great floods, and it was this place that we had to cross the next
day, that is to say, a distance of two leagues, to avoid the ten
leagues which it would be necessary to go if we continued our
route by the Mississippi. We accordingly took an Indian at the
Link Tuidcas to act as our guide.

On the 10th we entered these woods, this sea, this torrent, for
it is all these at once. Our guide, whose language none of us

VOYAGE UP THE iMISSISSIPPI.

01.'.

„i^

uuderstooJ, addressed us by signs ; one intorprotod these in ouo
ffay, and another in a diflorent ^vay, no tluit wo did every thing
;it liazard. However, wh(Ui a person has ent(;red tiicse woods, it
is uocessary to go on or perish, for if he allows himself to get
into the current for the purpose of returning, the rapid stream
will certainly dash the bout again.st a tree, whicli will break it
into a thousand pieces. If it had not been fur that, we should
liave retired from such an evil undertaking immediutely, as soon
!is wo saw ourselves embarked in it. It was necessary unceasing-
ly to turn about the hoat in a zigzag course to prevent the hows
from striking against the trees, and we often found it wedged be-
tween two trees which did not give it sufficient space to pass, con-
trary to the expectation of those who steered it. Now there was
a torrent of which the entrance was almost closed by a raft or
perhaps by two trees of great length and enormous thickness,
prostrated across the two banks of the current, and which rcn-
dercd it more impetuous ; now, the entrance would be entirely
barred by a single tree, and it was necessary to cluuige our di-
rection at the risk of finding the same obstacle a moment after-
wards, or of not finding sufficient water, but instead of it, mud
and brambles. Then, it became necessary to push on the boat
by main strength. Often one of our people was obliged to spring
into the water even to his neck, to go and make fast the boat to
It tree which extended out, so that if the strength of the current
slionld exceed that of the oars, and cause the boat to recede, it
liiiiiht not dash itself against a tree. Our own boat ran the
greatest risk; it began to fill in a current which had forced it
buck, and wc saw in a moment that it was going to sink. The
itrcugth of the oars saved us, and by good fortune there happened
not to be at that place either raft or uprooted trees. After
liaving passed another, which only left a space the size of the
boat, it remained for a moment immoveable between the strength
of the current and that of the oars ; we did not know whether it

'»,

■■',. i

■■i!

•a

-t'f'

'11

■H

>«

:.nf

?246

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

n '"'Ji'^fijifi'f

'M'

was going to advance or bo driven back, tliat in to way, for a mo-
jneut wo won^ vibrating between life and death ; for if tlio ours
bad yielded to the strength of the current, wc .should have gone
back to ])e dashed against a large tree which almost entirely bur-
red the current. Our peo^jle in the other boat, who uad i)as.sod
before us, waited in a sad and mournful silence, and utterotl u
loud cry of joy wh'^ii they saw us out of danger. I should never
end if I were to recount to you all the toils of this day. Tho
passage is well named l/ir. pamige of tin' Cross, and a voyagor
who knows what it is, and does not decline attempting it, even if
he should escape its dangers, merits a place in a madhouse. Ainl
by this side-cut they abridge the voyage but a very short duy's
sail. The Lord saved our lives, and we al st reached tlie «nid
and succeeded in accomplishing these two ic.tal leagues.

We arrived then at four or five in the evening at the GiccH
Tonkas. The chief of this nation came to the bank of the river
to receive us, grasped our hands, emljraced us, spread out a mat
and some skins before the cabin, and invited us to sleep there.
Then he presented us with a large plate of blackberries, and a
mannc (that is, a basket) of green beans. It was truly a fou^t
for us, for tlie passage of the Cross had not permitted us to stop
for dinner.

This chief had been baptized, as well as several of his nation.
by M. Uavion, but after the return of this missionary to Franco.
whither he had retired a short time after the arrival of the Ca-
puchin Fathers in the country, he had scarcely retained any trace
of Christianity about him, except the name, a medal, and a oliap-
elet. He spoke a little French, and asked us the news of M.
Davion. Wc answered, that he was dead, at which the chief tes-
tified his regret, and seemed to us to desire to have a missionary.
He showed us also a medal of tho king, which tlic Commander
General had sent him in the name of his Majesty, with a writing
which certified that it was in consideration of the attachment he

■^T!

VOYAGE UP THE MISSISSIPPI.

847

hud alway.s hud fur tho French that this proseut uas giveu him.
Tlit'rc aro hoiuo Fronch ut tho Tonicas, who iiiiido grnit coiii-
jihiiiits to UH witli regard to tlieir having no nii.ssioiuiry. Fallier
Dumas naid Ma.s.s the next day, early in the morning, in the
cabin of the chief, and wo were edilied by the eagerness shown
by some of tlio French to profit by this opportunity of partaking
of the sacraments.

On the 1 1 til we passed the night fur the last time in the boat.
Oii the 12th we cabined at l^rors l/lancs, and on tho 13th at
Xfilr/icz. "We immediately made our visit to the lleverend Father
I'hilibcrt, a Capuchin, who is the Cure. He is a man of good
f^cusc, who was not frightened at seeing us, as his brethren had
been at New Orleans ; in other respects, he is a man of worth
and very zealous. We afterwards descended to the bank of tho
river lo mulcc there our bains.

The French settlement at Natchez has become very important.
Thcj raise there a great deal of tobacco, which is esteenjcd tho
best in tho country. It is a district which is very elevated, and
from whence one can see the Mississippi winding along as in a
cbasm ; about it is a continual succession of mounds and deep
holes, but the ground of the grants is much more level and
beautiful. The excessive heat prevented us from going thither
or to the Indian village.

The village is distant one league from that of the French : it
is the only nation, or almost the only one in which we see any
kind of government and religion. They keep up a perpetual
fire, and have received from tradition, that if it should happen to
be extinguished, it is necessary for them to go and rekindle it
among the Touicas. The chief has considerable authority over
those of his nation, and they are accustomed to obey him. This
IS not tho case among the greater part of the other nations ;
they have their chiefs only in name, each one is his own master,
and yet we never see any sedition among them. When the chief

;,i

' ' I*

• . (

'■''■■;

' ' ' i

.,'1

•!;■''

1 •

■'.;_

248

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

of tlie Natchez dies, a certain niimlber of ineu and women are
obliged to immolate themselves to serve him in the other Avorld.
Many are already devoted to this death against the time wlien
ho shall die. On these occasions they F'rangle them. The
French have done all in their power to prevent this barbarity,
but they find great difficulty in saving any one. These peoplu
say that their ancestors crossed the seas to come to this country,
and those who knew their habits and customs better than myself
issert that they came from China.

However this may be, the Tonkas and the Natchez arc two
considerable nations who ought to have each a missionary. Tlio
chief of the Tonkas is already a Christian, as I have said before •
he has much influence over his own people, and in other respects
every one agrees that this nation is very well disposed for
Christianity. A missionary would find the same advauta'-e
among the Natchez, if he should have the happiness to couvcrt
the chief ; but these two nations arc in the district of the Reve-
rend Capuchin Fathers, who even to this time have n'^vcr ac-
quired a knowledge of any Indian language.

We left Natchez on the 17th, and embarked, the Father Du-
mas and myself, in a boat which went out on a hunting expedi-
tion. Our people had not yet prepared their provisions, that is
to say, they had not purchased and pounded their corn.

As the flats no\'/ began to be seen, we found there the eggs of
the turtle, which were a now feast for us. These eggs are a lit-
tle larger than pigeon's eggs, and arc found in the sand of tbc
flats, where the sun hatches them. The tracks which the turtles
leave, enalilc us to discover the places where they have concealed
their eggs. They are found in great quantities, and are made
into omelettes, which arc much relished by people who arc accus-
tomed to eat nothing but ffrii.

They reckon the distance from New Orleans to Natchez at
nearly a hundred leagues, and from Natchez to Yatous, at forty.

^.>m

VOYAGE UP THE MISSISSIPPI.

219

'):

omen are
icr \Yorld.
ime wlien
cm. The
Ijarbavity,
cse peo^ilc
is country,
lan myself,

•.ez arc tw'O
lary. The
aid before ;
icr respocts
imposed for

advantage
) to convert
f the Eeve-

e n^ver ac-

Fatlier Du-
■iug cxpedi-
ions, that is
ru,

the eggs of
tffs arc a lit-
sand of the
the turtles
c concealed
d are niade
arc accus-

Natchez at
ms, at forty.

Wc made this second passage without any other adventure, ex-
cept that during one night wo were overtaken by a violent storm,
accompanied with thunder and lightning. You may judge
whether a person is well protected from the rain under the cover-
ing of a single cloth. The next day an Indian who was a.scend-
ing the river with us went on shore for the purpose of hunting.
"We continued our route, but had scarcely gone half a league
when he appcar-d on the bank Avith a deer on his .shoulders. We
therefore cabined on the first fiat we came to, for the purp(j,5e of
drying our clothes and making a great feast. These repasts,
which take place after a good chase, arc perfectly savage in the
way they are conducted, though nothing can be more pleasant.
The animal is in pieces in a moment ; nothing is lost ; our voy-
agers place it on the fire or in the pot, each one according to his
taste ; their fingers and some little sticks supply the place of all
kinds of utensils for cooking and for the table. To see them
covered only with a cloth round the loins, more athletic, more
browned than the Indians themselves, stretched out on the sand
or squatting down like monkeys, and eating what they hold in
their hands, one can scarcely know whether it is a troop of gip-
sies, or ot people who are assisting at a witch festival,

On the 23d we arrived at Yafom^, a French post within two
leagues of the mouth of the river of that name, which empties
into the Mississippi, There is an ofiicer with the title of Com-
mander, together with a dozen soldiers, and three or four plant-
ers. The grant of M. le Blanc was at this place, but it has gone
to ruin like the others. The ground is elevated by mounds, little
of it is cleared, and the air is, they say, unwholesome. The
Commander, in honor of our arrival fired off all the artillery of
the fort, which consists of two pieces of very small cannon. The
fort is a barrack in which the Conriuander lodges, surrounded by a
single palisade, but well defcnded by the situation of the place.
He received us in a very friendly way, and we cabined in his court-

12*

: V.

■ M

I ill!

:,.!*

'■ I'
■il,.; •

I,,

..''id

' ; 1 : ■

.•••1.1;

" d

.4
'..•I

250

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

**1 t

.''XT*

yard. Our two boats, one of wliicl) carried Father Souel. Mis-
sionary to the Yatous, arrived two days after us ; the fort paid
him the same honors Avhich had been given to us. This dear Fa-
ther had been dangerously ill during the voyage from Natchez to
Yatous, and had begun to i-ecovcr ; but since my arrival here I
have heard from him. that he had 'iufiered a relapse of his illncjis.
but was again convalescent when he wrote me. During our stay
at Yatous, he purchased a house, or rather the cabin of a French-
man, while waiting till he could make his arrangements to settle
himself among the Indians, who are at a league distance from the
French post. There are three different villages which speak three
diflFereut languages, and compose one nation, which is not very
numerous. Beyond this I know nothing with regard to them.

On the 2Gth we re-embarkcd, the Father Dumas and myself.
From Yatous to the Akensas they reckon the distance at sixty
leagues. We arrived there on the 7th of July, without any other
adventure than having made a great feast of bear's meat, which
one of our people had procured in the chase.

The villages of the Akcimis are incorrectly placed on the map.
The river at its mouth makes a fork, and into the upper branch
empties a river which the Indians call Niskc^ or White Wc;b.i-^
which is not marked at all on tlie map, althougli it is a very large
stream. AVe enter by the lower branch ; from the mouth of this
branch to the place where the river separates into two streams, it
is seven leagues, and from thence it is two leagues to the first
village, which contains two nations, the Tourimas and the Tati-
ghigas ; from this first village to the second there are two leagues
by water and one league by land ; this latter they call the village
of the Saidhouis ; the third village is a little higher up on the
same bank of the river ; this is the village of the Kappas ; ou
the other bank, and opposite to this last village, are the French
habitations. These three Indian villages, which contain four na-
tions bearing different names, are known by the common name

VOYAGE UP THE MISSISSIPPI.

251

of the Akensas, wliicli name the French have also given to tlie
river, although the Indians call it /il gltal, '■ Eed Avater." The^
speak the same language, and are in all about twelve hundred
souls.

We were a short distance from these settlements, when a com-
pany of young Indians having perceived us, uttered a loud cry
and ran to the village : a French boat which had preceded us one
clay, had given notice of our arrival. We found all the village
assembled at the landing place ; no sooner had we landed, than
an Indian enquired of one of our people, whom he knew, and
who understood the language, " How many moons the Black
Chief would remain among them V " Always," replied the
Frenchman. " You are deceiving me," was the Indian's imme-
diate answer. The Frenchman assured him that he was not. but
that " they should always have him among tlicm. to teach tlicm
to know the Great Spirit, as had been done among the Illinois."
The Indian believed him and said — " My heart laughs when you
tell me this." I induced this same Frenchman to conduct me by
land to the village of the Sautkoim ; before arriving there we
found the Chief under his antidion, (this is the name which the
French hove given to a kind of cabin open on all sides, which the
Indians use in the wilderness, that is, their open country, and
when they wish to take the cool air,) He invited me to lie
down on his mat, and presented me with some srigamitc* lie
spoke a single word to his little child who was there, and he im-
mediately uttered the Indian cry, shouting with all his strength,
jKin'iangci sa, ijaaianga sa, " the Black Chief, the Black Chief"
111 an instant the whole village had surrounded the aatkhon. I
caused thein to be told with what design I had come, and could
hear on all sides the word igaton, whicli my interpreter explained
to inc. as meaning; " that is good." All this company conducted

[* This has been explained in the former part of the lettei', as a prcpara
tiou of corn. ]

,'!

'. }

i- 'tl
. ,.. '1'

. ,' '''

■ '1

Si', ■

.; ■!■•■) ,

•y : .f: I

■4.'i :

W'>-'-

1:- ; f< •>'.'.

>,..!}■'

jillii:

252

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

lUG to the bank of the river, uttering loud cries ; an Indian trans-
ported us over the river in his boat, and after having walked
about the eighth of a league, we arrived at the French dwelHugs,
I was lodged in the house of the Company of the Indies, which
was ihat of tlie Commander when he is here, and found with
great satisfaction that I was at the end of these two hiuulieJ
leagues which I had to accomplish, I would rather twice make
the voyage which we had just finished on the sea at the same .sea-
son, than to recommence this one. The Father Dumas was ouly
in tlie middle of his route to go to the Illinois, and embarked
again on the morning after his arrival ; from this place to the
Illinois country he did not find a single habitation, but they
scarcely ever failed to kill some buftaloes, which very well made
amends to people who had nothing to live on but some gru.

I have now reached tlie end of my long and tedious narrative.
I have only written for yourself and for one other friend cvjually
indulgent with yourself ; it is Father Bernard, to whom I [jeg
you to forward this letter, lie is at Dijon. I will endeavor
more fully to satisfy your curiosity, when I am better ac(j[uaiiited
with the customs of tho Indians in this region. You have not
the same excuse as myself, for you are in the midst of that great
theatre where the scene changes every day, and materials arc
furnished for the longest and most curious letters. I wrote you
from New Orleans : have you received my letter 1

I pray you to present my regards to the Ilevcrend Father do
Fontenai. and commend me to his holy prayers. I ask also an
interest in yours. You are both of you always in my memory,
Present also my respects to the Reverend Father Davaugour,
and to the dear brotlior Talard. I pray that dear brother to
write mo l)y the first opportuni*-y there is of sending to the
Reverend Father de Reaubois, and jbn\e all to Airnish me with
the prints, particularly those representing the diHereut mv^teries

myi

in the life of our Lord : M. Cars will give them to him. if ho ask;

W-'W

VOYAGE UP THE MISSISSIPPI.

253

him in ray name ; ho has promised them to me. This is a great
means we are able to adopt of giving some idea of the mysteries
of om' religion to the Indians. They always get into ccstacies
when they see a picture of St. Regis which I have in my eham-
ber, which was engraved by M. Cars. They place the hand upon
the mouth, which is a sign of admiration among them. Ouakan
taque, they cry out — " It is the Great Spirit." I tell them that
it is not, that it is one who was a Black Ilobe Chief like myself,
that he listened attentively to the words of the Great Spirit, and
observed them through life, and that after his death he went to
be with him in Heaven. Some pass their hand at different times
over the face of the Saint, and then carry it to their own face.
It is a ceremony which they use when they wish to show a mark
of veneration to any one ; then they place themselves in different
parts of my chamber, and say each time laughing, '• lie looks at
me, he almost speaks, he wants nothing but words." But these
are trifles, and it is time for both of us to take breath.

Adieu, &c

' ■■'SI

^^^^^^bU'*'

^^^^K^i'-^.<<

>'i:i'

At Akensas, this 3rd of October^ 1727.

:t-:i

MISSION TO THE ARKANSAS,

1727.

n ;♦ f»1J'l 1

i*i

, ' l"

.I.)..

((';■(

wl
fe<
rei
(111

etl

til
in
fl-

LETTER IX.

. ; ;i

FROM FATHER DU POISSON, MISSIONARY TO THE AKENSAS, TO

FATHER PATOUILLET.

MY REVEREND FATHER

Receive the compliments of a poor Mississippieii, who has
always esteemed you, and if you will permit him to say so, has
loved you as much as the best of your friends. The distance
wbich Providence has interposed between us, can never efface the
feelings of regard which I entertain for you, and still less the
remembrance I have of the friendship you bestowed upon me
(luring the years that we lived together. The favor which I ask of
you henceforth is, to think of me a little, to pray God for me, and
to give me from time to time the news with regard to 3 ourself,
which I shall prize so highly. I am not yet sufficiently ac(|uaint-
ed with the country and the customs of the Indians, to give you
much information about them ; I can only tell you that tlio Mis-
sissippi does not present anything beautiful to the voyager, any-
thing as extraordinary as itself ; nothing indeed can disfigure it
more than the continual forest which linos its two banks, and the
frightful solitude in which he is during his voyage. Having
therefore nothing curious to write you concerning this country,
permit me to tell you what has happened to me since my arrival
at this post to which Providence destined m^ .

Two days after my arrival, the village of the SauthnuU deputed
two Indians to ask me, whether I was willing they should come
to chant the calumet. They were in their dress of ceremony,

i»i

51 ■

■■:.\

',")

'1* (■

I M

; ■■■'

"M.i:'

■ i

^■il

t : I

'Mm

iterM-i

258

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

*'V'' ^'.'* tf''">

*■ Is.:: *vr
ili;' .*^ (Xit^O

'fill-

well mato.rh(\ that in, luiving the body entirely paintiMl of dirtoront
colors, with tlie tails of wild eats liaiiging- down from places wIhuu
we usually represent the wings of IMereiiry, the caluiuct in tlu,ir
hands, and on their hodies some little bells, which announced to
nic their arrival even when they were at u distance. I auswrrnl
them, that I was not at all like the French chiefs who c»iu-
niauded warriors, and who came with plunder to malvc thciu
presents ; that I had only come to make known to them the
Great Spirit with whom they wore unacipiainted, and I luid
brought with me only those things which were necessary for my
object, but that nevertheless I accepted their ctilumet for the tlmo
when a small canoe should be built for me ; this was postp()iiiii<T
them indefinitely ; they passed the calumet across my face, i.iul
then returned with it to carry back my answer. Two d;iys after-
wards, the chiefs came to make mc the same re(iuest, adding tluit
it was without design that they wished to dance the caUuuct
before mo. Without design signifies among them, that they luako
a present without any expectation of a return ]5ut I was pro-
pared for all this : I knew that the hope of gaining something
rendered them so pressing, and that when an Indian gives cvuii
u'ithout (JeMgn. it is necessary to give him double in return, or one
displeases them. I therefore made tliem the same answer which
I had given to the deputies. At last they returned again to tlie
charge to ask me whether I was willing that at least their young peo-
ple should come and dance before me ivUhoui design, the dance called
the Sro!.'li//g, (it is this which they dance when they send out a
scouting party against the enemy.) I answered them, that I
should not at all find it tedious, but their young people could
come and dance, and that I should see them with pleasure. All
the village, except the women, accordingly came the next day at
dawn, and there wore nothing but dances, and chants, and
speeches, until the middle of the day. Their dances, as you may
well imagine, are something fantastical: the exactness with which

■'tk-

MissroN TO Trn-: Arkansas.

0.'^!)

thoy keep time is as .surprising as the coiitortions and effurt.s they
make. I .saw very well that it would nut do to .sond them away
without having made a great fea.st for them, fiiul therefore hor-
rowed of one of the French, a kettle similar to those whieh are
used in the kitchen of the Invalidcs.* I gave them maize ar di.s-
cretion, and all things passed without any confusion. Two of
them acted as cooks, divided the parts with the greatest impar-
tiality, and distributed them in the same nianner. Neihing wa«
tu bo heard but the ordinary exelamatiim Jli^ whieh ench one
pronounced when they presented him with his portion. Never
have I seen people cat with a worse grace or better ai)petiios.
Tlicy returned homo very well contented, but first some of the
cliiefs .spoke to me again on the .subject of receiving their calumet^
I amused them as I had done hitherto, for it is a considerable
expense to receive their calumet. In the Ijoginning, when it was
necessary to manngo them, the directors of the grants of M.
Laws, and the Commanders who received their calumet, made
them great presents, and these Indians have supposed that I was
Tiiui!; to revive tlic old custom. But even were T able to do so, I
should act with exceeding caution, because there might be danger
that at last they would not hear me speak of religion except from
motives of interest, since moreover we know from experience that
the more one gives to the Indians, the less proba))ility is there of
his being contented, and that gratitude is a virtue of which he
has not the least idea.

I have not as yet had sufficient leisure to apply myself to the
study of their language ; but as they make nic'frc(iucnt visits, I
put to them the (pcstion, Talon jaja'i ? How do you call that?
I am well enough acquainted with the language to make myself
understood in the most common matters, and there is no French-
man here who knows it thoroughly. They have as yet learned it

[* Meaning probably the Hotel des Invalules in Paris, an asylum for aged
aud iuYulid soldiers.]

II :

;'i

■■ii ,.. (

• h

* ' ^^i

•■■■?■.•'»

Kll.

i?!^

mh:

! '
i',

'->

^"V.

o ^Xt. ^"^

IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)

qj^

f:-;:

f/u

Wd
^

1.0 Sf"- i^

IL25 1 1.4

1.6

'^#

O^ ' V*

•»?

%■ V -^'

Photographic

Sciences
Corporation

23 WEST MAIN STfiEET

WEBSTER, NY. 1 4580

(716) a72-4S03

■1?

^»

260

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

S'i

ri ■*<,:

but superficially, and only as much as is necessary for purposes
of trade, so that I at present am as well acquainted with it as
they are. I foresee, however, that it will be very difficult for me
to learn as much as is necessary to address these Indians on the
subject of religion, while I have reason to believe that they think
I am Tierfectly acquainted with their language. A Frenchman
was lately speaking of me to one of them, when the latter said to
him, "J know that he is a Great Spirit, who understands all
things." You see that they do me infinitely more honor thau I
merit. Another addressed to me a long harangue, of which I
understood nothing but the words indatai^^^ my father," nijgiiigv.ai,
" my sons." I however answered him at random when I saw
that he was questioning me, ae, " yes," and igalon^ " that is good."
Afterwards he passed his hand over my face and my shouldci':<,
and then did the same to himself All these agios being finished.
he went home with a very contented air. Another came some days
afterwards to go through the same ceremony. As soon as I saw
him I sent for a Frenchman, and begged him to explain to me what
was said, without appearing to act as interpreter. I was desirous
of knowing whether or not I had been mistaken in the reply I
made to the other. He asked whether it seemed good to nie to
adopt him as my son, so that when he returned from the chase,
and should without design lay his game at my feet, I should not
ask him, as the other French do, " for what are you hungry ? '
(that is to say, what do you wish me to give you for this ?) but
that I should make him sit down, and should give him something
to eat as I would to my son, and that when ho returned another
time to see me, I should say to him, " sit down my son, but hold,
there is some vermilion and powder." You see from this the
nature of these savages ; they wish to appear generous in giving
uiithout design, but at the same time do not wish to lose anything'.
I answered this speech, ignaton tk^, " that is very good, I approve

MISSION TO THE ARKANSAS.

261

of it, I agree to that ;" after which he passed his hand over me
as the other had done.

Let me give you another incident which shows the extent of
their generosity. The day before yesterday I received the visit
of a chief, and gave him something to smoke, to omit which would
show that I was wanting in politeness. A moment afterwards
be went out to get the skin of a deer matachee which he had left
iu the entry of the house where I am, and placed it on my shoul-
ders, Such is the custom when they make presents of this kind.
I begged th6 Frenchman to ask him, without its appearing to
come from me, what he wished me to give him ? "I give it with-
out desig7i,''^ said he ; " it is the way in which I would trade with
my father!" (To trade signifies here to give.) Nevertheless,
some moments afterwards, he said to the same Frenchman, that
his wife was out of salt, and his son of powder. His object wa.s
that the Frenchman should tell me of it. The Indian never gives
anything for nothing, and it is necessary for their sake to observe
the same rule, or we should expose ourselves to their contempt.
A skin matachee is a skin painted by the Indians with diflferent
colors, and on which they paint calumets, birds, and animals.
Those of the deer serve as cloths for the table, and those of the
buffalo as coverings for the bed.

The French establishment among the Arkansas would have
been considerable, if M. Laws had remained in credit four or five
years longer. The grant which he had procured was at this
place on a prairie boundless to the view, the beginning of which
is about two gun-shots from the house in which I now am. The
India Company had granted him sixteen leagues square, or a
tract of about a hundred leagues round His design was to build
a city there, to establish manufactures, to have numbers of vas-
sals and troops, in short to found there a duchy. He only com-
menced this work a year before his fall. The property which he
had already sent into the country amounted to more than fifteen

■i*
"I

i: t '■

.<!i-

•%

i^'

262

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

hundred thousand livres. Ho had among other things materials
from which to arm and equip superbly two hundred cavalry sol-
diers. He had also purchased three hundred negroes. The
French who were engaged for this grant, were people of all kinds
of trades. The directors and the subalterns, with a hundred
men, ascended the river in five boats, to go there and begin the
establishment. They had first to provide provisions, to be in a
state to receive those whom they had left at the mouth of the
river. The Chaplain died on the way, and was buried on one
of the shallows in the Mississippi. Twelve thousand Germans
also were engaged for this grant. This was not a bad beginning
for the first year, but M. Laws fell into disgrace. Of the three
or four thousand Germans. who had already left their country,
the greater part died at the East, almost aU at landing in the
country, while the others were countermanded. The India Com-
pany took back their grant, and abandoned it a short time after-
wards, so that every thing thus went to ruin. About thirty
French are still here, being induced to remain by the salubrity
of the climate and the excellence of the soil, for they have not
received any aid. My arrival afifbrded them great pleasure, since
it induced them to believe that the India Company had no idea
of abandoning this region, as had been supposed, or they would
not have sent thither a missionary. I cannot express to you the
joy therefore with which these good people received me. I found
them in great want of all things, and this misery, together with
the excessive and even extraordinary heats which had been expe-
rienced that year, had made them all ill in bed. I did what I
could for their relief, and the few remedies which I brought with
me, came most seasonably. The occupation however which tlif^
sick gave me, did not at all prevent my making, on each Sunday
and Festival day, one exhortation during Mass, and also giving
instruction after Vespers. I have had the consolation of seeing
that the greater part have profited by it to come forward to the

Wf^V^S*! •I'Wf il!"

MISSION TO THE ARKANSAS.

2G3

Sacraments, and tLat the others arc disposed to do so. We are
indeed well recompensed for the greatest toils, if they are followed
by the conversion of even a single sinner.

The privations of the sea and those of the Mississippi, which
are indeed much more severe, the change of climate, of food, of
every thing, have produced no alteration in my health. I am
tlie only one of the French who has escaped sickness since we
have been in the country, although they commiserated me for
the feebbness of my health when I left France. But Father
Souel, who on the excellence of his constitution received no such
sympathy, has already been three times ill since he has been in
the country. Pray God that He will give me grace to consecrate
what strength I have to the conversion of these Indians. As fiir
as human reason can enable us to judge, there is little to be ac-
complished among them, at least in the beginning. All my
hope is in the grace of God. I have the honor to be with re-
spect, &c.

^•B

.Sv*f

■ :>•■■•■!

'0,

I A

- \

I, 'Fff

',.i<i

|-*v?'

^'4

• '••'■! IB 1

'! ^ . M

'■/.I

luii iji.i. tvniii^rmn^mmm «if i v> yf "« m

THE MASSACRE BY THE NATCHEZ.

^.»9l

i:*i

1729.

LETTER X.

•I'

FROM FATHER LE PETIT, MISSIONARY, TO FATHER d'aVAUGOUR,
PROCURATOR OF THE MISSIONS IN NORTH AMERICA.

At New Orleans, the 12th of July, 1730.
MY REVEREND FATHER,

2%e Peace of our Lord be loith you :

You cannot be ignorant of the sad event which has desolated
that part of the French Colony established at Natchez^ on the
right bank of the Mississippi river, at the distance of a hundred
and twenty leagues from its mouth. Two of our missionaries
who were engaged in the conversion of the Indians, have been
included in the almost general massacre which this barbarous
nation made of the French, at a time too when they had not the
least reason to suspect their perfidy. A loss so great as this in-
fant mission has sustained, will continue for a long time to excite
our deepest regrets.

As you could only have learned in a confused manner the
events of this dark treachery, I will endeavor to relate to you all
the circumstances ; but first I think that it would be best to
make you acquainted with the character of these perfidious
savages, called the Natchez. When I have described to you the
religion, the manners, and the customs of these barbarians, I will
proceed to the history of the tragical event which I design to
narrate, and will in detail recount all those circumstances, of
which I am certain you have hitherto had no knowledge.

This nation of Indians inhabits one of the most beautiful and

:-';- i '

It'' I

■il, ;''':'

268

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

fertile countries in tlic world, and is the only one on this conti-
nent which appears to have any regular worship. Their religion
in certain points is very similar to that of the ancient llonuuirf.
They have a temple filled with idols, which are different figures
of men and of animals, and for which they have the most pro-
found veneration. Their temple in shape resembles an earthen
oven, a hundred feet in circumference. They enter it by a little
door about four feet high, and not more than three in broadtli.
No window is to be seen there. The arched roof of the edifice
is covered with three rows of mats, placed one upon the other, to
prevent the rain from injuring the masonry. Above on the out-
side are three figures of eagles made of wood, and painted red,
yellow, and v-hite. Before the door is a kind of shed with fold-
ing doors, where the Guardian of the Temple is lodged ; all
around it runs a circle of palisades, on which are seen exposed
the skulls of all the heads which their warriors had brought Lack
from the battles in which they had been engaged with the cue-
mies of their nation.

In the interior of the Temple are some shelves arranged at a
certain distance from each other, on which are placed cane bas-
kets of an oval shape, and in these are enclosed the bones of thoh*
ancient chiefs, while by their side are those of their victims whom
they had caused to be strangled, to fbllow their masters into the
other world. Another separate shelf supports many flat baskets
very gorgeously painted, in which they preserve their idols.
These are figures of men and women made of stone or baked
clay, the heads and the tails of extraordinary serpents, some
stuffed owls, some pieces of crystal, and some jaw ])oncs of large
fish. In the year 1699, they had there a bottle and the foot of a
glass, which they guarded as very precious.

In this temple they take care to keep up a perpctu?^ fire, and
they are very particular to prevent its ever blazing ; they do not
use anything for it but dry wood of tlie walnut or oak. The old

THE MASSACRE BY THE NATCHEZ.

2f.O

inou aro obliged to curry, each oiiu in Ills turn, a largo log of wood
into the enclosure of the juilisade. The number of the tiuardi-
aus of the Temple is fixed, and they serve by the (juarter. lie
who is on duty is placed like a sentinel under the ^hed, from
whence he examines whuther the fire if not in danger of going
out. He feeds it with t^vo or three large logs, which do not burn
except at the extremity, and which they never place one on tho
other, for fear of their getting into a blaze.

Of the women, tho sister.s of the great Chief alone have liberty
to enter within the Temple. The entrance is forbidden to all tho
others, as well as to the coniLion people, even when they carry
something there to feast to the memory of their relations, whoso
bones repose in the Temple. They give the dishes to the
(jiuardian, who carries them to the side of the basket in which are
the bones of the dead ; this ceremony lasts only during one moon.
The dishes arc afterwards placed on the palisades which surround
the Temple, and are abandoned to the fallow-deer.

The sun is the principal object of veneration to these people;
as they cannot conceive of anything which can be above this
heavenly body, nothing else appears to them more worthy of their
homage. It is for the same reason that the great Chief of this
nation, who knows nothing on the earth more dignified than him-
self, takes the title of Brother of the Sun, and the credulity of
the people maintains him in the despotic authority which he
claims. To enable them better to converse together, they rai.se a
mound of artificial soil, on which they build his cabin, which is of
the same construction as the temple. The door fronts the East,
and every morning the great Chief honors by his presence the
rising of his elder brother, and salutes him with many bowlings as
soon as he appears above the horizon. Then he gives orders that
they shall light his calumet;* he makes him an offering of tho first
threq puffs which he draws; afterwards raising his hands above
* The calumet is a large pipe which these Indiaus use.

^ 4

■ i

ill

' ''* ii

' i

■ M

': ■■'■'■il

•■■ i!

270

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

H^'S

% ft' '■•

his head, and tuniing from ihc East to tho West, he shows him
the direction which ho must take in liis course.

There are iu this cabin a number of beds on the left hand at
entering: but oe tlie rigiit is only the bed of the gr^at ('hict'.
ornamented with dillorent painted iigures. This bed consists of
notiiing but a niai tress of canes and reeds, very hard, v;ith ti
stiuare log of wood, which serves for a pillow. In the middle of
tho cabin is seen a SMidil stone, and no one should approach tho
bed until he has made the circuit of this stone. Those who cuter
salute by a howl, and advance even to the bottom of the cahln.
without looking at the right side, where is the Chief Then they
give a new salute by raising their arms above the head, and \iov;\-
ing three times. If it be any one whom the Chief holds in con-
sideration, ho answers by a slight sigh and makes a sign to him to
be seated. He thanks him for his politeness by a new howl. At
every question which the Chief puts to him, he howls once before
he answers, and when ho takes his leave, he prolongs a single
howl until he is out of his presence.

Wheii the great Chief dies, they demolish his cabin, and then
raise a new mound, on which they build the cabin of him who i,s
to replace him in this dignity, for he never lodges in that of his
predecessor. The old men prescribe the laws for the rest of tho
people, and one of their principles is, to have a sovereign respect
for the great Chief, as being the Brother of the Sun and the
blaster of the Temple. They believe in the immortality of the
eoul, and when they leave this world they go, they say, to live in
another, there to be recompensed or punished. The rewards to
which they look forward, consist principally in feasting, and thcii'
chastisement in the privation of every pleasure. Thus they think
that those who have been the faithful observers of their laws avIU
be conducted into a region of pleasures, where all kinds of exqui-
site viands will be furnished them in abundance, that thcii'
delightful and tranquil days will flow on in the midst of festivals,

THE MASSACRE DY THE NAT('lIi:Z.

871

(lances, and women ; in short, that thoy will rovcl in all imagina-
ble plca.suroH. On the t'ontnry, the viohitors ol" their hiw^i will
be cast upon hinds unfruitful and entirely covered with water,
where they will not have any kind f>f corn, hut will ]>e ex^josed
entirely naked to tlic .sharj) bites of the nuisiiuitocs, that all
nations will nuike war ui)on tlu in, that they will never oat meat,
and have no nourishment hut the flesh of crocodiles, spoiled fish,
and shell-fish.

These people blindly obey the least wish of their great Chief.
They look upon him as absolute nnister, not only of their pro-
perty but also of their lives, and not one of them would dare to
refuse him his Lead, if he should demand it; for whatever labors
bo commands them tq^^^xccute, they arc forbidden to exact any
wages. The French, who are often in need of hunters or of
rowers for their long voyages, never apply to any one but the
great Chief. lie furnishes all the men they wish, and receives
payment, without giving any part to those unfortunate individuals,
who are not permitted even to complain. One of the principal
articles of their religion, and particularly for the servants of tho
jrreat Chief, is that of honoring his funeral rites by dying with
iihn, that they may go and servo him in the other world. In
their blindness they willingly submit to this law. in the foolish
belief, that in the train of iheir Chief they will go to enjoy tho
greatest happiness.

To give an idea of this bloody ceremony, it is necessary to
know that as soon as an heir presumptive has been born to tho
gicat Chief, each family that has an infant at the breast is obliged
to pay him homage. From all these infants they choose a cer-
tain number whom they destine for the service of the young
prince, and as soon as they are of a competent age, they furnish
tbem with employments suited to their talents. Some pas-; their
lives in hunting, or in fishing, to furnish supplies for the table ;
others are employed in agriculture, while others serve to fill up

, '»■

", :s

272

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

ft '•;*■'■ I

his retinue. If he happen to die, all these servants sacrifice
themselves with joy to follow their dear master. They first put
on all their finery, and repair to the place opposite to the temple
where all the people are assemhled. After having danced and
sung a sufficiently long time, they pass around their neck a cord
of buffiilo hair with a running knot, and immediately tlie minis-
■ tcrs appointed for executions of this kind, come forward to
strangle them, recouimending them to go and rejoin their master,
and to render to him in the other world services even more hon-
orable than tliose which had occupied them in this.

The principal servants of the great Chief having been strangled
in this way, they strip the flesh off their bones, particularly those
of their arms and thighs, and leave them to dry for two months
in a kind of tomb, after which they take them out to be shut up
in the baskets, which are placed in the temple by the side of the
bones of their master. As for the other servants, their relatives
carry them home with them, and bury them with their arms and
clothes.

The same ceremony is observed in like manner on the death
of the brothers and sisters of the great Chief The women are
always strangled to follow the latter, except they have infants at
the breast, in which case they continue to live, for the purpose of
nourishing them. And we often see many who endeavor to find
nurses, or who themselves strangle their infants, so that they
shall not lose the right of sacrificing themselves in the puhlic
place, according to the ordinary ceremonies, and as the law
prescribes.

This government is hereditary ; it is not, however, the son of
the reigning chief that succeeds his father, but the son of liis
sister, or the first princess of the blood. This policy i>^ founded
on the knowledge they have of the licentiousness of their females.
They are not sure, they say, that the children of the chief's wife

THE MASSACRE BY THE NATCHEZ.

273

may be of the blood royal, whereas the son of the sister of the
great Chief must be, at least on the side of the mother.

The princesses of the blood never espouse any but men of ob-
scure family, and they liave but one husband, but they have the
right of dismissing him whenever it pleases them, and of choosing
another among those of the nation, provided he has not made
any other alliance among them. If the husband has been guilty
of infidelity, the princess may have his head cut off in an instant ;
but she is not herself subject to the same law, for she may have
as many lovers as she pleases, without the husband having any
power to complain. In the presence of his wife he acts with the
most profound respect, never eats with her, and salutes her with
howls, as is done by her servants. The only satisfaction he has
is, that ho is freed from the necessity of laboring, and has entire
authority'- over those who serve the princess.

In former times the nation of the Natcliez was very large. It
counted sixty villages and eight hundred suns or princes ; now
it is reduced to six little villages and eleven suns. In each of
these villages there is a temple where the fire is always kejit
burning as in that of the great Chief, whom all the other chiefs
obey.

The great Chief nominates to the most important offices of the
state ; such are the two war chiefs, the two masters of ceremony
for the worship of the temple, the two officers who preside over
the other ceremonies which arc observed when foreigners come
to treat of peace, another wLo has the inspection of the public
works, four others charged with the arrangement of the festivals
with which tliey publicly entertain the nation, and such strangers
as come to visit them. All these ministers who execute the will
of the great chief arc treated with the same respect and obedi-
ence as if he personally gave the orders.

Each year the people assemble to plant one vast field with In-
dian corn, beans, pumpkins, and melons, and then again they col-

13*

I
ill

■i

■ 'i

• "1

''U

1 '

4l>

••I

.1:1

274

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

hr In the same way to gather the harvest. A large cabin situ-
ated on a beautiful prairie is set apart to hold the fruits of this
harvest. Once in the summerj toAvards the end of July the
people gather by order of the great '^hief, to be present at a
grand feast which he gives them. This festival lasts for thrco
days and three nights, and each one contributes what he can to
furnish it ; some bring game, others fish, &c. They have almost
constant dances, while the great Chief and his sister are in an
elevated lodge covered with boughs, from whence they can see
the joy of their subjects. The princes, the princesses, and those
who by their office are of distinguished rank, are arranged very
near the Chief, to whom they show their respect and submission
by an infinite variety of ceremonies.

The great Chief and his sister make their entrance in the
place of the assembly on a litter borne by eight of their greatest
luen : tlio chief holds in his hand a great sceptre ornamented
v.'ith painted plumes, and all the people dunce and sing about
him in testimony of the public joy. The last day of this feast
he causes all his subjects to approach, and makes them a long
harangue, in Avhich he exhorts them to fulfil all their duties to

religion ;

he recommends them above all things to have a great

veneration for the spirits which reside in the temple, and care-
fully to instruct their children. If any one has distinguished
himself by some act of zeal, he is then publicly praised. Such
a case happened in the year 1702. The temple having been
struck with lightning and reduced to ashes, seven or eight avo-
men cast their infants into the midst of the flames to appease
the wrath of Heaven. The chief called these heroines, and gave
them great praises for the courage with v/hich they had made the
sacrifice of that v/Iiich they held most dear ; he finished Lis pane-
gyric by exhorting the other women to imitate so beautiful an
example in similar circumstances.

The fathers of families do not fail to carry to the temple the

THE MASSACRE BY THE NATCHEZ.

S75

first of their fruits, their com and yogetables. It is the same
even with presents which are made to this nation ; they are im-
mediately o£Fered at the gate of the temple, when the Guardian,
after having displayed aud presented them to the spirits, carries
them to the house of the great Chief, who makes a distribution of
them as he judges best, without any person testifying the least
discontent.

They never planl; their fieMs without having first presented
the seed in the temple with the accustomed ceremonies. As
soon as these people approach the temple, they raise their arms
by way of respect, and utter three howls, after which they place
their hands on the earth, and raise themselves again three times
with as many reiterated howls. When any one has merely to
pass before the temple, he only pauses to salute it by his down-
cast eyes and raised arms. If a father or mother see their son
fail in the performance of this ceremony, they will punish him
immediately with repeated blows of a stick.

Such are the ceremonies of the Natchez Indians with regard
to their religion. Those of marriage are very simple. When a
young man thinks of marrying, he has only to address himself
to the father of the girl, or if s.he have none, to her eldest
brother, and they agree on the price, which he pays in skins or
merchandise. When a girl has even lived a licentious life, they
make no difficulty in receiving her, if there is the least idea that
she will change her conduct when she is married. Neither do
they trouble themselves as to what family she belongs, provided
that she pleases chem. As to the relatives of the girl, their only
caro is to inform themselves whether he who asks her is an able
hunter, a good warrior, and an excellent workman. These
qualities diminish the price which they have a right to ask on
the marriage.

When the parties have agreed, the future husband goes to
the chase with his friends, and when he has sufficient either of

•II*

/ft:

, ■'li

t.:.i::'

■0^ ■ • ':

:,,;m

276

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

game or of fish, to feast the two families who have contracted the
alliance, they assemble at the house of the parents of tho f^irl
They particularly serve the new married pair, who eat from the
same dish. The repast being ended, the bridegroom smokes the
calumet towards the parents of his wife, and then towards his
own parents, after which all the guests retire. The new married
people remain together until the next day, and then tho husband
conducts his wife to the residence of her father-in-law, where
they live until the family has built for him a cabin of his own.
While they are constructing it, he passes the whole day in the
chase to furnish food, which he gives to those who are employed
in this work.

The laws permit the Natchez to have as many wives as they
choose, nevertheless the common people generally have but one
or two. This however is not the case with the chiefs, their number
is greater, because having the right to oblige the people to cvVJi-
vate their fields, without giving them any wages, the number of
their wives is no expense to them.

The marriage of the chiefs is made with less ceremony. They
content themselves with sending to fetch the father of the girl
whom they wish to espouse, and they declare to him that they
will give her the rank of their wives. They do not fail however,
as soon as the marriage is consummated, to make a present to the
father and mother. Although they have many wives, they keep
but one or two in their own cabins : the rest remain at the houses
of their parents, where they go to see them when they wish.

At certain periods of the moon these Indians never live with
their wives. Jealousy has so little place in their hearts, that
many find no difficulty in lending their wives to their friends.
This indifference in the conjugal union results from the liberty
they have of changing when it seems good to them, provided
however that their wives have never borne children to them, for

^■n

THE MASSACRE BY THE NATCHEZ.

277

if any have been born of the marriage, nothing but death can
separate them.

When this nation sends out a detachment for war, the chief of
the party erects two kinds of poles painted red from the top to
the bottom, ornamented with red plumes, and arrows and toma-
hawks, also painted red. These poles are pointed to the side to
which they are to carry the war. Those who wish to join *;hc
party, after having ornamcptcd and daubed themselves wiUi dif-
ferent colors, come to harangue the war chief. This harangue,
which one makes after the other, and which lasts nearly half an
hour, consists of a thousand protestations of service, by which
they assure him that they ask nothing more than to die with
him, that they are charmed to learn of so able a warrior the art
of taking scalps, and that they fear neither the hunger nor fa-
tigues to which they are going to be exposed.

When a sufficient number of braves have presented themselves
to the war chief, he causes to be made at his house a beverage
which they call the War Medicine. This is an emetic, which
they make from a root they boil in large kettles full of water.
The warriors, sometimes to the number of three hundred, having
seated themselves about the kettle, they serve each one with two
pots of it. The ceremony is to swallow them with a single
effort, and then to throw them up immediately by the mouth,
with effortT so violent that they can be heard at a great dis-
tance.

After this ceremony, the war chief appoints the day of depar-
ture, that each one may prepare provisions necessary for the cam-
paign. During this time, the braves repair evening and morning
to the place before the Temple, where after having danced and
related in detail the brilliant actions in which their bravery was
conspicuous, they chant their death songs.

To see the extreme joy they show at their departure, we should
say that they had already signalized their valor by some great

,;,.. 'If"

i m

.'ll :l '11

. ■ t

'. 'i.'"

■ i.i

278

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

victory, but a very small thing alone is necessary to disconcert
their plans. They are so superstitious with respect to dreams, that
a single one of evil augury can arrest the execution of their enter-
prise, anv'- oblige them to return when they are on the march,
We see parties, which after having gone through with all the cer-
emonies I have mentioned, immediately break off from their ex-
pedition, because they have heard a dog bark in an extraordi-
nary manner : in an instant their ardor for glory is changed iuto
a perfect panic.

"When on the war-path, they march in single file : four or five
men who are the best walkers lead the way, and keep in advance
of the army a quarter of a league, to observe every thing, and
give immediate notice. They encamp every evening an hour be-
fore sunset, and lie down about a large fire, each one with his
arms near him. Before they encamp, they take the precaution
to send out twenty warriors to the distance of a half league
around the camp, for the purpose of avoiding all surprise. They
never post sentinels during the night, but as soon as they have
supped, they extinguish all the fires. At night the war chief
exhorts them not to give themselves up to a profound sleep,
and to keep their arms always in a state of readiness. He ap-
points a place where they shall rally in case they are attacked
during the night and put to flight.

As the war Chiefs always catry with them their idols, or what
they call their Spirits, well secured in some skins, at night they
suspend them from a small pole painted red, which they erect in
a slanting position, so that it may be bent on the side towards tjic
enemy. The warriors, before they go to sleep, with tomahawk in
hand, pass one after the other in a dance before these pretended
Spirits, at the same time uttering the fiercest threats towards the
side on which are their enemies.

When the war party is considerable, as it enters the enomy's
country, they march in five or six columns. They have many

' 'J

THE MASSACRE BY THE NATCHEZ.

275

spies, who go out on scouting expeditions. If they perceive that
their march is known, they ordinarily adopt the resolution of
retracing their steps, leaving a small troop of from ten to twenty
men who detach themselves, and endeavor to surprise some hun-
ters at a distance from the villages ; on their return they chant
their songs with reference to the scalps they have taken. If they
liave taken any prisoner^., they force them to sing and dance for
some days before the temple, after which they present them to
the relatives of those who had been killed. These relatives are
dissolved in tears during this ceremony, and drying their eyes
Avith the scalps which have been taken, they contribute aiiong
themselves to recompense the warriors who have taken these cap-
tives, whose lot is to be burned.

The Natchez, like all the other nations of Lousiana, distinguish
by particular names those who have killed a greater or less num-
ber of the enemy. The old war chiefs distribute these names
according to the merit of the wanlors. To deserve the title of a
great man-slayer, it is necessary to have taken ten slaves or to
have carried off twenty scalps. When a person understands their
language, the name itself of a warrior enables him to learn all his
exploits. Those who, for the first time, have taken a scalp or
made a captive, do not sleep at their return with their wives, and
do not eat any meat ; they ought not to partake of anything but
fisii and thickened milk. This abstinence lasts for six months.
If they fail to observe it, they imagine that the soul of him whom
thoy have killed will cause them to die through sorcery, that they
will never again obtain any advantage over their enemies, and
that the slightest wounds they may receive will prove fatal.

They take extreme care that the great Chief shall not .n any
way expose his life when he goes to war. If, carried away by his
valor, he should happen to be killed, the Chiefs of the party and
the other principal warriors would be put to death on their
return ; but executions of this kind are almost without example.

■f %

•U'l

h 'If

■il

■( "

-4

!'i Si- 1

280

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

on account of the precautions they take to preserve him from this
evil.

This nation, like the others, has its medicine-men ; these are
generally old men, who without study or any science, undertake
to cure all complaints. They do not attempt this by simples, or
by drugs ; all their art consists in different juggleries ; that is to
say, that they dance and sing night and day about the sick man,
and smoke without ceasing, swallowing the smoke of the tobacco.
These jugglers eat scarcely anything during all the time that
they are engaged in the cure of the sick, but their chants and
their dances are accompanied by contortions so violent, that
although they are entirely naked and should naturally suffer from
cold, yet they are always foaming at the mouth. They have a
little basket in which they keep what they call their Spirits, that
is to say, small roots of different kinds, heads of owls, small par-
cols of the hair of fallow deer, some teeth of animals, some small
stones or pebbles, aud other similar trifles.

It appears that to restore health to the sick, they invoke with-
out ceasing that which they have in their basket. Some of them
have there a certain root, which by its smell can put serpents to
sleep and render them senseless. After having rubbed their
hands and body with this root, they take hold of these reptiles
without fearing their bite, which is mortal. Sometimes they cut,
with a flint, the part afflicted with the malady, and then suck out
all the blood they can draw from it, and in returning it imme-
diately into a dish, they at the same time spit out a little piece of
wood, or straw, or leather, which they have concealed under the
tongue. Drawing to it the attention of the relatives of the sick
man, " There," say they, " is the cause of the sickness." These
medicine-men are always paid in advance. If the sick man
recovers, their gain is very considerable, but if he should die,
they are sure to have their heads cut off by the relatives or
friends of the deceased. This never fails to be done, and even

li. -^^ '"•»:

THE MASSACRE BY THE NATCHEZ.

2S1

the relatives of the medicine-men find nothing at all of which to
complain, and do not testify any concern.

There is the same rule with some other jugglers, who under-
take to procure rain or fair weather. These arc commonly indo-
lent, old men, who wishing to avoid the labor which is required
in hunting, fishing, and the cultivation of the fields, exercise this
dangerous trade to gain a support for their families. Towards
spring, the nation taxes itself to purchase from these jugglers
favorable weather for the fruits of the earth. If the harvest
prove abundant, they gain a handsome reward, but if it is unfor-
tunate, they take it from them, and cut off their heads. Thus
those who engage in this profession risk everything to gain every-
thing. In other respects their life is very idle ; they have no
other inconvenience than that of fasting and dancing with a pipe
in their mouth, full of water and pierced like a watoring-pot,
which they blow into the air on the side where the clouds are
thickest. In one hand they hold the siclcouct, which is a kind of
rattle, and in the other their spirits, which they stretch out to-
wards the clouds, uttering frightful cries to invite them to burst
upon their fields.

If it is pleasant weather for which they ask, they do not use
these pipes, but they mount on the roof of their cabins, and with
their arms make signs to the clouds, blowing with all their
strength, that it shall not stop over their lands, but pass beyond.
When the clouds are dissipated according to their wish, they
dance and sing about their spirits, which they place reverently on
a kind of pillow ; they redouble their fasts, and when the cloud
has passed, they swallow the smoke of tobacco, and hold up their
pipes to the sky.

Although they never show any favor to these charlatans, when
they do not obtain what they ask, yet the profit thoy receive is
so great, when by chance they succeed, that we see a great num-
ber of these savages who do not at all fear to run the risks. It is

"•'"i:

■Jn

.1 if.!

."lit I:

-;:P'

li'

•u

1, J

, ..I .'I

'r •

283

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

to bo observed, that ho who undertakes to furnisli rain, Ticvor en.
gages to procure pleasant weather. There is another kind of
charlatans to whom this privilege belongs, and when you ask
them the reason, thoy answer boldly that their spirits can give
but the one or the other.

When one of these Indians dies, his relatives come to moiiin
his death during an entire day, then they array him in his most
beautiful dresses, they paint his face and his hair, and ornament
him with plumes, after which they carry him to the grave pre-
pared for him, placing by his side his arms, a kettle, and soinc
provisions. For the space of a month, his relatives como at the
dawn of day and at the beginning of the night, to weep for lialf
an hour at his grave. Each one names his degree of relation.'liip.
If he were the father of a family, the wife cries, " My dear hus-
band, ah ! how I regret you !" The children cry. " My dear
father !" The others, " My uncle ! my cousin !" &c. The near-
est relations continue this ceremony for three months ; they cut
ofiF their hair in sign of grief, they abstain from painting the body,
and are never found at any assembly for festivity.

When any foreign nation comes to treat of peace with the
Natchez Indians, they send their couriers to give notice of the
day and hour when they shall make their entrance. The great
Chief orders the masters of ceremony to prepare all things for
this grand occasion. They begin by naming those who during
each day should support the .strangers, for the expence never Mh
upon the chief, but always on his subjects. Then they clear the
roads, they sweep the cabins, they arrange the seats in a large
hall which is on the mound of the great Chief by the side of his
cabin. His throne, which is on an elevation, is painted and or-
namented, and the bottom is furnished with beautiful mats.

On the day that the ambassadors are to make their entrance,
all the nation assembles. The masters of ceremony place the
princes, the chiefs of the villages, and the old chiefs of quality

THE MASSACRE BY THE NATCHEZ.

283

4 ' 'I

1-]

near the great Chief, on particular scats. When tlic ambassadors
nrrivc, and arc within five hundred steps of the great Ciiief, thoy
stop and chant the song of peace. The ambassage ordinarily
consists of thirty men and six females. Six of the best made,
and who have the finest voices, march in front ; thoy are followed
by the others who chant in like manner, regulating the cadence
with the Hrirouet. The six females are the hist.

When the chief has directed them to approach, they advance ;
those who have the calumets, chant and dunce with much agility,
now turning around each other, and now presenting themselves
in front, but always with violent movements and extraordinary
contortions. When they have entered the circle, they dance
about the chair on which the chief is seated, they rub him with
their calumets from his fee*, even to his head, and after that go
back to find those who belong to their suite. Then they fill one
of their calumets with tobacco, and holding the fire in one hand,
they advance altogether before the chief and smoke it : they di-
rect the first puff of smoke towards the heavens, the second to-
wards the earth, and the others around the horizon, after which
they without ceremony present the pipe to the princes and to the
other chiefs.

This ceremony having been finished, the ambassadors, as a
token of alliance, rub their hands on the stomach of the chief,
and rub themselves over the whole body ; they then place
their calumets before the chief on small forks, while the per-
son among the ambassadors who is particularly charged with
the orders of his nation, delivers an harangue which lasts for
an entire hour. When he has finished, they make a sign to the
strangers to be seatea on the benches ranged near the great Chief,
who responds to them by a discourse of equal length. Then
the master of ceremonies lights the great calumet of peace, and
makes the strangers smoke, who swallow the tobacco smoke.
The great Chief enquires of them, whether they arrived safe ?

(-,

2S4

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

that is, whether they arc well, and those who arc around tlimu go
ouG after the other to discharge the same office of politeness.
After which they conduct them to the cabin whicli has Icon
prepared for them, and where they are feasted.

That same evening at sunset, the ambassadors, with tlie calu-
met in their hands, go with singing to find the great CMiiuf, and
having raised him on their shoulders, they transport him to the
quarter in which their cabin is situated. They spread ou tlio
ground a large skin, on which they cause him to sit down. Oiiu
of them places himself behind him, and putting his hands ou the
Chiefs shoulders, ho agitates all his body, while the others, seated
in a circle on the ground, chant the history of their distinguished
deeds. After this ceremony, which is repeated night and morn-
ing for four days, the great Chief returns to his cabin. AVhon
he pays his last visit to the ambassadors, these place a stake at
his feet, about which they seat themselves : the braves of the
nation having arrayed themselves in all their finery, dance
around, striking the stake, and in turn recounting their great ex-
ploits in war, then follows the presentation of presents to the
ambassadors, which consist of kettles, hatchets, guns, powder,
balls, &c.

The day following this last ceremony, it is permitted to the
ambassadors to walk through the whole village, which before
they were not able to do. Then every evening they give thorn
spectacles, that is to say, the men and women in their most beau-
tiful dresses assemble at the public place, and dance until the
night is far advanced. When they are ready to return home,
the masters of the ceremonies furnish them with the provisions
necessary for the journey.

After having thus given you a slight idea of the character and
customs of the Natchez Indians, I proceed, my Reverend Father,
as I have promised you, to enter on a detail of their perfidy and
treason. It was on the second of December of the year 1729,

Tm,.

THE MASSACRR DY TIIR NATCIIRZ.

SS6

that wo Ictirned thoy had Hiiri»ri.seil the Fronch, and had mas-
sacred almoHt ull of tliem. This sad news was first brought to us
by QUO of the pUiutcrH, who had escaped their fury. It was con-
Grined to us on the following duy by other French fugitives, and
finally, some French women whom they had made slaves, and wcro
forced afterwards to restore, brought us all the particulars.

At the first rumour of an event so sad, tlic alarm and conster-
nation was gcnenil in Now Orleans, Although the niassaero
had taken place more than a hundred leagues from here, you
would have supposed that it had happened under our own eyes ;
each one was mourning the loss of a relative, a friend, or somo
property ; all were alarmed for their own lives, for there was rea-
son to fear that the conspiracy of the Indians had been general.

This unlooked for massacre began on Monday, the 28th of
October, about nine o'clock in the morning. Some cause of dis-
satisfaction which the Natcliez thought thoy had with the Com-
mander,* and the arrival of a number of richly loaded boats for

* [The " cause of dissatisfaction which the Natchez thought they had with
the Commander" was of some importance, rather more so tliau Fatlior lo
Petit gives us to understand. We find it thus related in a history of the
State: — " M. du Chopart, governor of Fort Rosalie, was a man of an over-
bearing disposition and vindictive temper, who had made himself odious to
the Indians by different acts of injustice. Having determined to build a
town, he selected, with wanton cruelty, the site of a village of the Natchez,
then occupied by a numerous population of the unotfending people. Accord-
ingly he directed the chiefs to remove the inhabitants, and plant them iu
another place. The Natchez, perceiving that their ruin was resolved on,
endeavored to gain time, while they effected a union among themselves, and
Ml alliance with the other tribes. By the promise of a tribute for each hut,
they succeeded in inducing the Commander to postpone the execution of his

resolve until after the harvest A general massacre ensued. M. do

Chopart fell by the hands of one of the meanest of the Indians, the Chiefs
disdaining to stain their hands with his blood."

Bancroft says, — "The Commander Chopart, swayed by a brutal avarice,

28G

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

t
fa

the garrison and the colonists, determined them to hasten their
enterprise, and to strike their blow sooner than they had agreed
with the other confederate tribes. And it was thus that tlicy
carried their plan into execution. First they divided themselves
and sent into the fort, into the villagCj and into the two grants as
many Indians as there were French in each of these places ; then
they feigned that they were going out for a grand hunt, and
undertook to trade with the French for guns, powder, and ball,
oflFering to pay them as much, and even more than was customary,
and in truth, as there was no reason to suspect their fidelity, they
made at that time an exchange of their poultry and corn, for
some arms and ammunition which they used advantageously
against us. It is true that some expressed their distrust, but
this was thought to have so little foundation, that they were
treated as cowards who were frightened at their own shadows.
They had been on their guard against the Tchadas, but as for
the Natchez, they had never distrusted them, and they were so
persuaded of their good faith, that it increased their hardihood.
Having thus posted themselves in diiferent houses, provided with
the arms obtained from us, they attacked at the same time each
his man, and in less than two hours they massacred more than
two hundred of the French. The best known are M. de Chepar,
Commander of the post, M. du Codere, Commander among the
Yazous, M. des Ursins, Messieurs de KoUy, father and son.
Messieurs de Longrays, des Noyers, Bailly, &c.

The Father du Poisson* had just performed the funeral rites
of his associate, the Brother Crucy, who had died very suddenly

iVi

^},^i

demanded as a plantation the very site o " tlic principal village." {Hist.
U. States, iii., p. 360.) And the Jesuit Fatlicr Vivicr, in one of the succeed-
ing letters in this volume, from " the Mission to the Illinois." says, when
alluding to this massacre, " La lyrannie qiihiti (Commandant Franrois entreprit
d'exercer sur eux, les poussa a bout."]
* Author of the last two Letters.

THE MASSACRE BY THE NATCHEZ.

2S7

of a sun-stroke : he was on his way to consult 31. Perrier, aud to
adopt with him proper measures to enable ilic Akcnsas to de-
scend to the banks of the Mississippi, for the accommodation of
the voyagers. He arrived among the Natchez on the 2Gth. of
November, that is, two days before the massacre. The next day,
which was the first Sunday of Advent, he said Mass in the Par-
ish, and preached in the absence of the Cure. lie was to have
returned in the afternoon to his Mission among the Akcnsas,
but he was detained by some sick persons, to whom it was neces-
sary to administer the Sacraments. On Monday, he was about
to say Mass, and to carry the Holy Sacrament to one of those
sick persons whom, he had confessed the evening before, when
the massacre began ; a gigantic chief six feet in height, seized
him, and having thrown him to the ground, cut off his head with
hlows of a hatchet. The Father in falling only uttered these
words, " Ah, my God ! ah, my God !" M. du Codere drew his
sword to defend him, when he was himself killed by a musket
ball from another Indian whom he did not perceive.

These barbarians spared but two of the Ticnch, a tailor and a
carpenter, who were able to serve their wants. They did not
treat badly either the negro slaves, or the Indians who were wil-
ling to give themselves up ; but they ripped up the belly of every
pregnant woman, and killed almost all those who were nursing
their children, because they were disturbed by their cries and
tears. They did not kill the other women, but made them their
slaves, and treated them with every indignity during the two or
three months that they were their masters. The least miserable
were those who knew how to sew, because they kept them busy
in malving shirts, dresses, &c. The others were employed in cut-
ting and carrying wood for cooking, and in pounding the corn of
which they make their sagamite. But two- things, above all, ag-
gravated the grief and hardness of their slavery ; it was, in the
first place, to have for masters those same persons whom they had

' ; I

'till

i.Vfi:

111:. :

288

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

seen dipping their cruel Lands in the blood of their husbands •
and, in the second place, to hear them continually saying, that
the French had been treated in the same manner at all the other
posts, Lnd that the country was now entirely freed from them.

During the massacre, the Sun, or the great Chief of the Nat-
chez, was seated quietly under the tobacco shed of the company.
His warriors brought to his feet the head of the Commander
about which they ranged those of the principal French of the
post, leaving their bodies a prey to the dogs, the buzzards, and
other carnivorous birds.

When they were assured that not another Frenchman remained
at the post, they applied themselves to plunder the hous( s, the
magazine of the India Company, and all the boats which were
still loaded by the bank of the river. They employed the ne-
groes to transport the merchandise, which they divided among
themselves, with the exception of the munitions of war, which
they placed for security in a separate cabin. While the brandy
lasted, of which they found a good supply, they passed their days
and nights in drinking, singing, dancing, and insulting in the
most barbarous manner, the dead bodies and the memory of the
French. The Tchadas, and the other Indians being engaged in
the plot with them, they felt at their ease, and did not at all fear
that they would draw on themselves the vengeance which was
merited by their cruelty and perfidy. One night when they
were plunged in drunkenness and sleep, Madame Dcs Noyers
wished to make use of the negroes to revenge the death of her
husband and the French, but she was betrayed by the person to
whom she confided her design, and came very near being burned
alive.

Some of the French escaped the fury of the Indians by taking
refuge in the woods, where they sufiered extremely from hunger
and the effects of the weather. One of them, on arriving here,
relieved us of a little disquietude we felt with regard to the post

I ill

THE MASSACRE BY THE NATCHEZ.

2S9

an remained

f-'S

wu occupy among the Yazous, wliicli is not more than forty or
fifty leagues above the Natchez by water, and only from fifteen
to twenty by land. Not being able longer to endure the extreme
cold from which he suffered, he left the woods under cover of
night, to go and warm himself in the house of a Frenchman.
When he was near it he heard the voices of Indians, and delibe-
rated whether he should enter. He determined, however, to do
so, preferring rather to perish by the hand of these barbarians,
than to die of famine and cold. lie was agreeably surprised when
he found these savages eager to render him a service, to heap
kindnesses upon him, to commiserate him. to console him, to fur-
nish him with provisions, clothes, and a boat to make his escape
to New Orleans. These were the Yazous, who were returning
from chanting the calumet at Oumas. The Chief charged him
to say to M. Perrier, that he had nothing to fear on the part of
the Yazous, that " they would not lose their spirit," that is, that
they would always remain attached to the French, and that he
would be constantly on the watch with his tribe, to warn the
French boats that were descending the river to be on their guard
against the Natchez.

We believed for a long time that the promises of this Chief
were very sincere, and feared no more Indian perfidy for our post
among the Yazous. But learn, my Ileverend Father, the dispo-
sition of these Indians, and how little one is able to trust their
words, even when accompanied by the greatest demonstrations of
friendship. Scarcely had they returned to their own village,
when, loaded with the presents they received from the Natchez,
they followed their example and imitated their treachery. Uniting
with the Corro7/s, they agreed together to exterminate the French.
They began with Father Souel,* the missionary of both tribes,
who was then living in the midst of them, in their own village.

[• Father Souel was the companion of Father du Poisson, in his '' Voyage
up the Mississippi."]

i««i-<

m'-

Jf ill

Mr .

■i'

*\':

iijii

i; ^ .

jii

: '■'

h,^.

i 1'

"l -
1

,.A

290

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

The fidelity of the Ofogoulas, who were then absent at the chaso
has never been shaken, and they now compose one villao-e with
the Tonikas.

On the nth of December, Father Souel was returning in the
evening from visiting the Chief, and while in a ravine, received
many musket-balls, and fell dead on the spot. The Indians im-
mediately rushed to his cabin to plunder it. His negro, wlio
composed all his family and all his defence, armed himself witli
a wood-cutter's knife, to prevent the pillage, and even wounded
one of the savages. This zealous action cost him his life, but
happily, less than a month before he had received baptism, and
was living in a most Christian manner.

These Indians, who even to that time had seemed sensible of
the affection which their Missionary bore them, reproached them-
selves for his death as soon as they were capable of reflection ; but
returning again to their natural ferocity, they adopted the resolu-
tion of putting a finishing stroke to their crime by the destruc-
tion of the whole French post. " Since the Black Chief is dead,"
said they, " it is the same as if all the French were dead — let us
not spare any." •

The next day they executed their barbarous plan. They
repaired early in the morning to the fort, which was not more
than a league distant, and whose occupants supposed, on their
arrival, that the Indians wished to chant the calumet to the
Chevalier des Roches, who commanded that post in the absence
of M. de Codere. He had but seventeen men with him, who had
no suspicion of any evil design on the part of the savages, and were
therefore all massacred, not one escaping their fury. They, how-
ever, granted their lives to four women and five children, whom
they found there, and whom they^ made slaves.

One of the Yazous having stripped the Missionary, clothed
himself in his garments, and shortly after announced to the
Natchez, that his nation had redeemed their pledge, and that

I
I-

tlie cliaso,
lage with

ing in tlie
3, received
idians im-
icgro, who
iiiself with
.1 wounded
s life, but,
ptism, and

sensible of
clied them-
cction ; but
the resoki-
le destruc-
3f is dead,"
;ad — let us

an. They
not more
, on their

net to the
le absence

n, who had
, and were
They, how-
ren, whom

y, clothed
ed to the
!, and that

I-

JS..

THE MASSACRE BY THE NATCHEZ.

291

the French settled among them were all massacred. In this city
there was no longer any doubt on that point, as soon as they
learned what came near being the fate of Father Doutreleau.
This Missionary had availed himself of the time when the In-
dians were engaged in their winter occupations, to come and see
us, for the purpose of regulating some matters relating to his
mission. He set out on the first day of this year, 1730, and not
expecting to arrive at the residence of Father Souel, of whose
fate he wat. ignorant, in time to say Mass, he determined to say it
at the mouth of the little river of the Yazous, where his party
had cabined.

As he was preparing for this sacred office, he saw a boat full
of Indians landing. They demanded from them, of what nation
they were ? " Yazous, comrades of the French," they replied,
making a thousand friendly demonstrations to the voyagers who
accompanied the Missionary, and presenting them with provisions.
While the Father was preparing his altar, a flock of bustards
passed, and the voyagers fired at them the only two guns they
had, without thinking of reloading, as Mass had already com-
menced. The Indians noted this, and placed themselves behind
the voyagers, as if it was their intention to hear Mass, although
they were not Christians.

At the time the Father was saying the Ki/rie Eleison, the In
dians made their discharge. The Missionary perceiving himself
wounded in his right arm, and seeing one of the voyagers killed
at his feet, and the four others fled, threw himself on his knees to
receive the last fatal blow, which he regarded as inevitable. In
this posture he received two or three discharges. But although
the Indians fired while almost touching him, yet they did not
mflict on him any new wounds. Finding himself, then, as it were,
miraculously escaped from so many mortal blows, he took to flight,
having on still his priestly garments, and without any other de-
fence than an entire confidence in God, whose particular protec-

m
m

il'

I'i'iH

mr.

'I t:
iif

292

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

- ^ i ■

tion was given him, as the event proved. Ho threw himself into
the water, and after advancing some steps, gained the boat in
which two .f the voyagers were making their escape. They had
supposed him to be killed by some of the many balls which they
had heard fired on him. In climbing up into the boat, and turn-
ing his head to see whether any one of his pursuers was following
him too closely, he received in the mouth a discharge of small
shot, the greater part of which wore flattened against his teeth,
though some of them entered his gums, and remained there for a
long time. I have myself seen two of them. Father Doutreleau.
all W9unded as ho was, undertook the duty of steering the boat.
while his two companions placed themselves at the oars, l^nfor-
tunately one of them, at setting out, had his thigh broken by a
musket-ball, from the effects of which he has since remained a
cripple.

You may well imagine, my Reverend Father, that the mis-
sionary and hi." companions had no thoughts of ascending the
river. They descended the Mississippi with all the speed possi-
ble, and at last lost sight of the boat of their enemies, who had
pursued them for more tlian an hour, keeping up a continual fire
upon them, and who boasted at the village that they had killed
them. The two rowers were often tempted to give themselves
up, but encouraged by the missionary, they in their turn made
the enemy fear. An old gun which was not loaded, nor in a
condition to be, which they pointed at them from time to time,
made them often dodge in their boat, and at last obliged them to
retire.

As soon as they found themselves freed from their enemies,
they dressed their wounds as well as they could, and for the pur-
pose of aiding their flight from that fatal shoie, they threw into
the river everything they had in their boat, preserving only some
pieces of raw bacon for thoir nourishment.

It had been their intention to stop in passing at the Natchez

THE MASSACRE BY THE NATCHEZ.

293

I'l

msclf into
le boat in
They had
vhicli they

and turn-
i following
e of small

his teeth,
there for a
)outreleau,
g the boat,
•s. Unfor-
roken by a
'cmained a

it the mis-

iending the

ipeed possi-

, who had

ntinual fire

had killed

liemselvcs

turn made

nor in a

me to time,

ed them to

ir enemies,
•or the pur-
threw into
only some

Natchez

but Laving seen that the houses of the French were either de-
molished or burned, they did not think it advisable to listen to
the compliments of the Indians, >Yho fr'^m the bank of the river
invited them to land. They placed a wide distance between
them as soon as possible, and thus shunned the balls which were
ineffectually fired at them. It was then that they began to dis-
trust all these Indian nations, and therefore resolved not to go
near the land until they reached New Orleans, and supposing
that the savages might have rendered themselves masters of it,
to descend even to the Balize, where they hoped to find some
French vessel provided to receive the wreck of the colony.

In passing the Tonikas, they separated themselves as far as
possible from the shore, but they were discovered, and a boat
which had been dispatched to reconnoitre them, was not a long
time in approaching. Their fear and distrust was renewed, and
they did not decide to stop, until they perceived that the persons
in that boat spoke very good French, when they overcame their
fears, and in the weak state they were, gladly availed themselves
of the opportunity to land. There they found the little French
army which had been formed, the officers compassionate and
every way kind, a surgeon and refreshments. After recovering
a little from the great dangers and miseries they had endured,
they on the next day availed themselves of a boat which had been
fitted out for New Orleans.

I cannot express to you, my Reverend Father, the great satis-
faction I felt at seeing Father Doutreleau, his arm in a scarf, ar-
rive after a voyage of more than four hundred leagues, all the
clothes he had on having been borrowed, except his cassock.
My surprise was increased at the recital of his adventures. I
placed him immediately in the hands of brother Parisel, who ex-
amined his wounds, and who dressed them with great care and
speedy success.

The missionary was not yet entirely cured of his wounds,

j^ii:

■Mr

■M

- iiiljl '

111' "!

.1,1 i

294

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

I' i> ■■

when he departed to go and act as chaplain to the French army
as he had promised the ofl&cers, in accordance with their request.
He endured with them the fatigues of the campaign against tlio
Natchez, and there gave new proofs of his zeal, his wisdom, and
his courage.

On his return from the Natchez, he came to recruit himself
here for six weeks, which he found very long, but which appeared
to me very short. He was impatient to return to his dear mis-
sion, but it was necessary for me to fit him out generally with
every thing proper for a missionary, and he was obliged to wait
for the escort which was g')iug to the Illinois. Tho risks which
they ran on the river during this insurrection of the Indiar.s. in-
duced the Commander to forbid voyagers going in separate com-
panies. He set out therefore, on the 16th of April, with many
others, in a body sufficiently large to relieve them from all fear
of their enemies. I learned in fact that they had proceeded
above the Akensas, without any accident.

The pleasure of seeing Father Doutreleau for the first time,
and seeing him too after his escape from such imminent perils,
was much impaired by the vivid grief I felt for the loss of two
missionaries, with whose merit you were as well acquainted as
myself You know that to a most amiable disposition, they united
the appropriate qualifications for apostolical men, that they were
very much attached to their mission, that they had already be-
come well acquainted with the language of the Indians, that tlicir
earliest labors had produced great fruits, and they gave the pro-
mise of still greater results, since neither of them was more tlian
thirty-five or thirty-six years of ago. This deprivation, wliicli
entirely occupied my thoughts, gave me no tiine for thinking of
the loss we had sustained of their negroes and their effects, al
though it very much deranged a mission which had just been
commenced, and whose necessities you know better than any
one else,

THE MASSACRE BY THE NATCHEZ.

295

But nothing has happened to these two excellent missionarica
for which we should mourn, or for which they were not prepared
when they devoted themselves to the Indian missions in this
colony. This disposition alone, independent of every thing else,
has without doubt placed a great diflFcrence in the eyes of Ciod
between their death and that of the others, who have fallen mar-
tyrs to the French name. But I am well persuaded, that the
fear of a similar fate will not in the least diminish the zeal of
those of our Fathers who had thought of following them, neither
will it deter our Superiors from responding to the holy desires
they may have of sharing our labors.

Knowing, as you do, my Reverend Father, the vigilance and
the oversight of our Governor, you can well imagine that he did
not sleep in this sad crisis in which we now found ourselves. Wo
may say without flattery, that he surpassed himself by the rapid
movements he made, and by the wise measures he adopted to
revenge the French blood which had been shed, and to pre-
vent the evils with which almost all the posts of the colony
were threatened.

As soon as he was apprised of this unexpected attack by the
Natchez Indians, he caused the news to be carried to all the
posts, and even as far as the Illinois, not by the direct and ordi-
nary route of the river, which was closed, but on one side by
Natchitoches and the Akensas, and on the other by Mobile and the
Tchicachas* He invited the neighbors who were our allies, and
particularly the Tchactas^\ to avenge this perfidy. He furnished
arms and ammunition to all the houses of this city and to the
plantations. He caused two ships, that is, the Due do Bourbon
md the Alexandre, to ascend the river as far as the Tonikaa. These
?hips were like two good fortresses against the insults of the In-
dians, and in case of attack, two certain asylums for the women
and children. He caused a ditch to be dug entirely around the

[* The Chickasaws.] [t The Choctaws.]

t • •

•i'!

".'!■(!:■■■'

I'll !i

■ (I N ■

:ii;'

206

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

city, and placed guard-Louscs at the four extremities. He or-
ganized for its defence many companies of city militia, who
mounted guard during the wliole night* As tiierc was more to
fear in the grants and in the plantations! than in the city, he for-
tified them with the most care. He had good forts erected at
ChapUoulas, at Cannes brtilcSj at AUemands, at Bayagoulas^ and at
roiate Coupee.

At first, our Governor, listening only to the dictates of his own
courage, adopted the design of placing himself at the head of the
troops, but it was represented to him, that he ought not to quit
New Orleans, where his presence was absolutely necessary, that
there was danger of the Tchadas determining to fall upon the
city, if it should be deprived of its troops ; and the negroes, to
free themselves from slavery, might join them, as some had done
with the Natchez. Moreover he could feel perfectly easy with
regard to the conduct of the troops, as the Chevalier de Loubois,
with whose experience and bravery he was well acquainted, had
been appointed to command them.

Whilst our little army was repairing to the Tonikas, seven
hundred Tchadas mustered, and conducted by M. le Sueur,
marched towards the Natchez. We were informed by a party of
these people, that the Indians were not at all on their guard, but
passed all their nights in dancing. The Tchadas took them
therefore by surprise, and made a descent on them on the 27th
of January, at the break of day. In less than three hours they
had delivered fifty-nine persons, both women and children, with
the tailor and carpenter, and one hundred and six negroes or ne-
gro women with their children ; they made eighteen of the

[* As late as 1750, Father Vivicr thus describes New Orleans, in a letter ;
"It is tolerably handsome, the streets are laid out straight, some of the
houses are brick and others of ■wood, and its population consists of French,
negroes, and some Indian slaves, who together do not seem to amount, as it
appears to me, to more than a thousand or twelve hu.idrcd persons.]

-• '1'*,

THE MASSACRE BY THE NATCHEZ.

297

Natchez prisoners and took sixty scalps. Tliey would have taken
more, if they had not been intent on freeing the slaves, as they
had been directed. They had but two men killed and seven
or eight wounded. They encamped with their prizes at the grant
of St. Catherine, in a mere park enclosed with stakes. The vic-
tory would have been complete, if they had waited the arrival of
the French army, as had been agreed upon with their deputies.

The Natchez seeing themselves attacked by the formidable
Tchactaf!, regarded their defeat as certain, and shutting themselves
up in two forts, passed the following nights in dancing their death
dance. In their speeches we heard them reproaching the T'-li<ir-
tas for their perfidy, in declaring in favor of the French, contrary
to the pledge they had given, to unite with them for our
destruction.

Three days before this action, the Sieur IMcsplex landed at the
Natchez with five other Frenchmen. They had volunteered to
SI. de Loubois, to carry to the Indians negotiations for peace, that
they might be able under this pretext to gain information with
regard to their force, and their present situation. But in
descending from their boat, they encountered a party, who without
giving them time to speak, killed three of their men, and made
the other three prisoners. The next day they sent one of these
prisoners with a letter, in which they demanded as hostages, the
Sieur Broutin, who had formerly been Commander among them,
and the Chief of the Tunikas. Besides, they demanded as the
ransom for the women, children, and slaves, two hundred guns,
two hundred barrels of powder, two hundred barrels of balls, two
thousand gun flints, two hundred knives, two hundred hatchets,
two hundred pickaxes, five hogsheads of brandy, twenty casks of
wine, twenty barrels of vermilion, two hundred shirts, twenty
pieces of limbourg, twenty pieces of cloth, twenty coats with lace
on the seams, twenty hats bordered with plumes, and a hundred
coats of a plainer kind.

Their design was to massacre the French

. i

, !

Ii Jl'

'^iJlfl!'

•ji-;if:

■i

5(1 8

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

who Hliould bring these goods. On the very Mime day, with cviry
refinement in eruclty, tlieir burned the Sieur Mesplex and hia
companion.

On the 8th of February, tlio French, with the Toni/cas, and
eomo other small tribes from the lower end of the Mi.ssl.ssippi,
arrived at the Natchez, and seized their temple dedicated to the
sun.

The impaticnco and impracticability of the Tr/idrtas, who
like all t.'cse Indians arc capable of only striking one blow, uud
then disperse, the small number of French soldiers who found
themselves worn down by fatigues, the want of provisions wli'ich
the Indians stole from the Frcnoh, the failure of ammunition with
which they were not able to satisfy the Tchadas, who wasted uno
part of it, and placed the other in reserve to be used in hunting,
the resistance of the Natchez who were well fortified, and who
fought in desperation, all these things decided us to listen to the
propositions which the besieged made, after the trenches hud
been opened for seven days. They threatened, if avc persisted in
the siege, to burn those of the French who remained, while on tlio
other hand, they oflfered to restore them, if we would withdraw
our .seven pieces of cannon. These, in reality, for want of a good
gunner, and under present circumstances, were scarcely in a fit
state to give them any fear.

These propositions were* accepted, and fulfilled on both sides.
On the 25th of February the besieged fiiithfuUy restored all that
they had promii^ed, while the besiegers retired with their cannon
to a small fort which they had hastily built on the Escore near
the river, for the purpose of always keeping the Natchez in check,
and insuring a passage to the voyagers. 31. Perrier gave the
command of it to M. D'Artaguette, as an acknowledgment of tlio
intrepidity with which, during the seige, he had exposed himself
to the greatest dangers, and everywhere braved death.*
[* D'Artaguette, who thus won fame in the Natchez war, and evcu in

THE MASSACRE BY THE NATrHKZ.

200

IJoforo tlio Tchd'tiis Imd iltermined to full \\\nm the Nutrlioz,
thuy had been to them to carry the calunu't, iiiul wirt.' ncisivotl iu
a very novo! manner. They found them and their horses adorned
with chasubles and drapery of the altars, many wore patens about
their necks, and drank and gave to drink of brandy in the c;!;iiU-
CCS and the pyx. And the Trhartas themselves, when they had
gained these articles by pillaging our enemies, renewed this pro-
fane sacrilege, by making the same use of our ornaments and
sacred vessels in their dances and sports. Wo were never able to

early youth wns looked upon as tho pride of Canada, met iu after yours
with a mehincholy fixte. Appointed to the command of the Illinois, lie was
Bummoncd in 173G to lead his braves nguinst the Chickjisas from the North,
while IJienvillo attacked them from tho South. Accompanied by Father
Scnat, and by the gallant Vinccnnes, whose name is borne by the oldest set-
tlement in Indiana, he stole unobserved into the country of th-j '^'bi( kas;is,
at the head of about fifty French soldiers, and more than a thousand red
men. But Bienville had been driven back, and D'Artagucttc was oblic^e*! to
hazard the attack alone. We give the rest of the narrative in the words of
Bancroft (Hist, in.^ p. 307) : — One fort was carried, ami theChickasas driven
from the cabins it protected ; at the second, the intrepid youth was eipially
successful ; on attacking the third fort, he received one wound, and then
another, and, in the moment of victory, was disabled. The red men from
Illinois, dismayed at the check, fled precipitately. . . . The unhappy D'Ar-
taguctte lay weltering in his blood, and by his side fell others of his bravest
troops. The Jesuit Scnat might have fled : he remained to receive the last
sigh of the wounded, regax-dlcsg of danger, mindful only of duty. Vincennes,
too, the Canadian, refused to fly, and shared the captivity of his g.alUinl
leader. After the Indian custom, their wounds were stanched ; they were
received into the cabins of the Chickasas, ami feasted bountifully. At last,
when Bienville had retreated, the Chickasas brought the captives into a
field ; and, while one was spared to relate the deed, tho adventurous D'Ar-
tagTiette ; the faithful Senat, true to his mission ; Vincennes, whose name
will be perpetuated as long as the Wabash shall flow by the dwellings of
civilized man; — these, with the rest of the captives, were bound to the
stake ; and neither valor nor piety could save them from death by slow tor-
ments and fire.'*]

" V
CI ['■

M\,

300

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

recover more than a small portion of them. The greater part of
their Chiefs have come here to receive payment for the scalp.s
they have taken, and for the French and negroes whom they have
freed. It is necessary for us to buy very dearly their smallest
Bervices, and we have scarcely any desire to employ them again,
particularly as they have appeared much less brave than the
small tribes, who have not made themselves feared by their great
number. Every year disease diminishes thi^j nation, which is now
reduced to three or four thousand warriors. Since these Indians
have shown out their disposition here, we have not been able to
endure them longer. They are insolent, ferocious, disgusting,
importunate, and insatiable. We compassionate, and at the same
time, we admire our Missionaries, that they should renounce all
society, to have only that of these barbarians.

I have renewed my acquaintance with Paatlako, one of the
chiefs, and with a great number of ofchor Tchadas. They have
made me many interesting visits, and have often repeated to mo
very nearly the same compliment which they paid me more than
a year ago when I left them. " Our hearts and those of our
children weep," they said to me, " since we shall not see you
more ; you were beginning to have the same spirit w^ith us, you
listened to us, and we listened to you, you loved us r.nd we loved
you : why have you left us ? will you not return ? come, go with
us !" You know, my Reverend Father, that I was not able to
yield to their wishes. I therefore merely said that I would
come and rejoin them as soon as it was in my power, but that
after all, I should be here only in the body, while my heart was
with them. " That is good," replied one of these Indians, " but,
nevertheless, your heart will say nothing to us, it will give us
nothing." Thus it is that everything comes to that point ; they
do not love us, and do not find us of the same spirit as them-
selves, except when we are giving them something.

It is true that Paatlako has fought with much courage against

THE MASSACRE BY THE NATCHEZ.

301

the Natchez, and has even received a musket ball in the loins,
while to console him for this wound he has had more esteem and
friendship shown him than the rest. Scarcely was he seen in his
village, when, inflated with these trifling marks of distinction, he
said to Father Baudouin, that all New Orleans has been in a
wonderful state of alarm on account of his illness, and that M.
Perrier had informed the king of his bravery and the great ser-
vices he had rendered in the last expedition. In these traits I
recognize the genius of this nation : it is presumption and vanity
itself

They had abandoned to the Tchadas three negroes who had
been most unruly, and who had taken the most active part in be-
half of the Natchez. They have been burned alive with a degree
of cruelty which has inspired all the negroes with a new horror
of tha Indians, but which will have a beneficial effect in securing
the safety of the colony. The Tonikas and other smaller tribes
have gained some new advantages over the Natchez, and have
taken many prisoners, of whom they have burned three women
and four men, after having taken ihoir scalps. Our own people,
it is said, begin to be accustomed to this barbarous spectacle.

We could not forbear being affected, when we saw arrive in
this city, the French women whom the Natchez had made slaves.
The miseries which they had suffered were painted on their
countenances. But it seems as if they shortly forgot them ; at
least, many of them were in great haste to marry again, and we
are told there were great demonstrations of joy at their wed-
dings.

The little girls, whom none of the inhabitants wish to adopt,
have greatly enlarged the interesting company of orphans whom
the nuns are bringing up. The great number of these children
only serves to increase their charity and attentions. They have
formed them into a separate class, and have appointed two special
matrons for their care.

, ; . I'
iil

! S '!

; t

302

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

■*

There is not one of this holy sisterhood but is delighted at
having crossed the ocean, nor do they seek here any other happi-
ness than that of preserving these children in their innocency,
and giving a polished and Christian education to these yoimo-
French, who are in danger of being almost as degraded as the
slaves. We may hope, with regard to these holy women, that
before the end of the year they will occupy the new mansion
which is destined for them, and which they have for so long a
time desired. When they shall once be settled there, to the in-
struction of the boarders, the orphans, the girl ^ who live without,
and the negro women, they will add also the care of the sick in
the hospital, and a house of refuge for women of questionable
character. Perhaps they will Qven at length be able to aid in
affording reg"!arly each year " the retreat" to a large number of
females, in accordance with the taste with which we have inspired
them.*

So many works of charity would, in France, be sufficient to
occupy many associations and different institutions. But what
cannot great zeal effect ? These different labors do not at all
startle seven Ursulines, and by the grace of God they are able to
sustain them, without infringing at all on the observance of their
religious rules. But for myself, I very )"?uch fear, that if some
assistance does not arrive, they may sink under the weight of such
great fatigues. Those who before they were acquainted with
them, said they had come out too soon and in too great a number,
have entirely changed their views and their language ; witnesses
of their edifying conduct and the great services which they render

[* In Europe it is customary for persons at particular seasons to retire for
a time from the world, to give themselves up entirely to prayer and medita-
tion. Some part of the season of Lent is generally selected for this purpose^
and many, for the .sake of more entire seclusion, take up their residence
during this time in some religious house. This is called going into " re-
treat," and la the custom to which Father le Petit here refers.]

THE MASSACRE BY THE NATCHEZ.

303

slighted at
tlier liappi-
innocency,
icse yoimg
ided as the
omen, that
w mansion
• so long a
), to the iu-
ve without,
the sick in
ues'ionable
e to aid in
number of
ve inspired

ufficient to

But what

not at all

are able to

ce of their

at if some

ght of such

inted with

a number,

witnesses

hey render

to retire for
and modita-
;his purpose,
ir residence
ig into " re-

to the colony, they find that they have not arrived soon enough,
and that there could not come too much of the same virtue and
the same merit.

The Tchikachas, a brave nation but treacherous, and little known
to the French, have endeavored to seduce the Illinois tribes from
tlieir allegiance : they have even sounded some particular per-
sons to see whether they could not draw them over lo the party
of those Indians who were enemies of our nation. The Illinois
have replied to them, that they were almost all of the Prayer,
(that is, according to their manner of expression, that they are
Christians,) and that in other ways they are inviolably attached
to the French, by the alliances which many of that nation had
contracted with them, in espousing their daughters.

" We always place ourselves," added they, " before the ene-
mies of the French ; it is necessary to pass over our bodies to
go to them, and to strike us to the heart before a single blow
can reach them."

Their conduct is in accordance with this declaration, and has
not in the least contradicted their words. At the first news of
the war with the Natche'; and the Yazous, they came hither to
weep for the Black Kobes and the French, and to ofi'er the ser-
vices of their nation to M. Perrier, to avenge thoir death. I
happened to be at the Governor's house when they arrived, and
was charmed with the speeches they made. Chikagou* whom
you saw in Paris, was at the head of the Mitchigamias^ and
Mamantouensa at the head of the Kaskakias.

Chikagou spoke first. He spread out in the hall a carpet of
deer skin, bordered with porcupine quills, on which he placed two
calumets, with difierent Indian ornaments, accompanying them
with a present according to the usual custom. " There," said
he, in showing these two calumets, " are two messages which

[* Has not this Chief bequeathed his name to a flourishing city of Illi-
nois — Chicago ?]

11'i
i;'l,i

if'-''.

;|i|„.

■•1?

'"it

Jilj

■Hrv

ili!

304

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

we bring you, the one of religion, and the other of peace or war,
as you shall determine. We have listened with respeov, lo iho
Governors, because they bring us the word of the King our Fa-
ther, and much more to the Black Robes, because they bring us
the word of Grod himself, who is the King of kings. We have
come from a great distance to weep with you for the death of
the French, and to offer our braves to strike those hostile nations
whom you may wish to designate. You have but to speak.
When I went over to France, the king promised me his protec-
tion for the Prayer, and recommended me never to abandon it.
I will always remember it. Grant then your protection to us
and t6 our Black Robes." He then gave utterance to the edify-
ing sentiments wita which he was impressed with regard to the
Faith, as the interpreter Baillarjou enabled us to half understand
them in his miserable French.

Mamantoiiensa spoke next. His address was short, and in a
style widely diflferent from that which is usual among the In-
dians, who a hundred times repeat the same thing in the same
speech.

" There," said he, addressing M. Perrier, " are two young
slaves Padoukas, some skins, and some other trifles. It is but a
small present which I make you ; nor is it at all my design
to induce you to make me one more costly. All that I ask
of you is, your heart and your protection. I am much more
desirous of that than of all the merchandise of the world, and when
I ask this of you, it is solely for the Prayer. My views of the
war are the same as those of Chikagou, who has already spoken.
It is useless therefore for me to repeat what you have just
heard."

Another old Chief, who had the air of an ancient patriarch,
then rose. He contented himself with saying, that he wished to
die as he had lived, in the Prayer. " The last words," added
he, " which our fathers have spnkcn to us, when they were on

p f

THE MASSACRE BY THE NATCHEZ.

305

the point of yielding up their latest breath, was to be always
attached to the Prayer, and that there is no other way of being
happy in this life, and much more in the next which is after
death."

M. Perrier, who has the deepest religious feelings, listened
with evident pleasure to these Indian speeches. He abandoned
himself to the dictates o£ his own heart, without taking the pre-
caution to have recourse to the evasion and disguises which are
often necessary, when one is treating with the generality of
Indians. To each speech he made such an answer as good
Christians should desire. He declined with thanks their oflFers
of service ibr the war, since we were safficiently strong against
the enemies who lived at the lower end of the river, but advised
them to be on their guard, and to undertake our defence against
those who dwelt on the upper part of the same river.

We always felt a distrust of the Fox Indians, although they
did not longer dare to undertake anything, since Father Guignas
has detached from their alliance the tr. jcs of the Kikapous and
the Maskoutins. You know, my Reverend Father, that being in
Canada, he had the courage to penetrate even to the Sioux, wan-
dering Indians near the source of the Mississippi, at the distance
of about eight hundred leagues from New Orleans, and six hum-
dred leagues from Quebec. Obliged to abandon this infant
Mission, by the unfortunate result of the enterprise against the
Foxes, he descended the river to repair to the Illinois. On the
15th of October in the year 1728, he was arrested when half-way
by the Kikapous and the Maskoutins. For five months he was a
captive among these Indians, where he had much to suffer and
every thing to fear. The time at last came when he was to be
burned alive, and he prepared himself to finish his life in this
horrible torment, when he was adopted by an old man, whose
family saved his life, and procured him his liberty. Our mis-
sionaries, who were among the Illinois, were no sooner acquainted

lilli

■'I

h: •. ,

306

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

with his sad situation, than they procured him all the alleviations
they were able. Everything which he received, he employed to
conciliate the Indians, and succeeded even to the extent of
engaging them to conduct him to the Illinois, and while there to
make peace with the French and the Indians of that region.
Seven or eight months after this peace was concluded, the M/ni-
koutins and the Kikapous returned again to the Illinois countvy,
and took away Father Guignas to spend the winter with thciii,
from whence, in all probability he will return to Canada. He
has been exceedingly broken down by these fatiguing journeys,
but his zeal, full of fire and activity, seems to give him new
strength.

The Illinois had no other residence but with us, during tlio
three weeks they remained in this city. They charmed us by
their piety, and by their edifying life. Every evening they
recited the chapelet in alternate choirs, and every morning tlicy
heard me say Mass ; during which, particularly on Sundays and
Festival days, they chanted the different prayers of the church
suitable to the offices of the day. At the end of the ?Iass, they
never fail to chant, with their whole heart, the prayer for the
King. The nuns chanted the first Latin couplet in the ordinary
tone of the Gregorian chant, and the Illinois continued the other
couplets in their language in the same tone. This spectacle,
which was novel, drew great crowds to the church, and inspired
a deep devotion. In the course of the day, and after supper,
they often chant, either alone or together, different prayers o'f the
church, such as the Dies Ira^^ <Sfc..^ Vcxilla Regis, <^c., Siahat
Mater, 6fc. To listen to them, you would easily perceive that
they took more delight and pleasure in chanting these holy can-
ticles, than the generality of the Indians, and even more than
the French receive from charting their frivolous and often disso-
lute songs.

You would be astonished, as I have myself been, on arriving

THE MASSACRE BY THE NATCHEZ.

['07

leviations
iploycd to
extent of
e there to
it region,
the iliirs--
3 country,
ith thorn J
ada. He
journeys,
him new

aring tlie
led us by
ling they
ling they
I days and
le church
[ass, tliey
r for the

ordinary
the other

pectacle,

inspired
' supper,
srs of the
Stabat
jiA'c that

oly can-
ore than
en disso-

arriving

*•■ i

at thi-^' mission, to iiud that a great number of our French arc
not, by any means, so well instructed in religion as are these
neophytes ; they are scarcely miaci^uainted with any of the his-
tories of the Old and New Testament ; the manner in which
they hear the holy mass and receive the sacraments, is most
ex ■client ; their catechism, which has fallen into my hands, with
the literal translation made by Father Le Boullanger, is a perfect
model for those who have need of such works in their new mis-
sions. They do not leave these good Indians to be ignorant of
any of our mysteries, or of our duties, but attach them to the
foundation and the essentials of religion, which they have dis-
played before them in a manner equally instructive and sound.

The first thought which is suggested to those who become
acquainted with these Indians, is, that it must have been at great
cost of labor to the missionaries, and that it will be still more so,
to form them into any kind of Christianity. But their assiduity
and patience is abundantly recompensed by the blessings which
it has pleased God to pour out upon their labors. The Father
Le Boullanger has written me word, that he is obliged, for the
second time, considerably to enlarge his church, on account of the
great number of Indians who each year have received baptism.

The first time that the Illinois saw the nuns, MamaiUoucusaj
perceiving before them a troop of little girls, remarked — " I see,
indeed, that you are not nuns without an object." He wished to
say, that they were not mere solitaries, laboring only for their
own perfection. " You are," he added, " like the Black Robes,
our Fathers ; you labor for others. Ah ! if we had above there
two or three of your number, our wives and daughters would
have more wit, and would be better Christians." " Ah, well !"
the Mother Superior answered him, " choose those whom you
wish." " It is not for me to choose," said Mamantouensa, " it is
for you who know them. The choice should fall on those who
are most attached to God, and who love him most."

•k.:

1',:

mi'.:

■t.

!>,!:

'1'^

iii:

303

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

You may well imagincj my Reverend Father, Low much these
holy females were charmed to find in au ludian, seutimouts so
reasonable and Christian-like. AluJ ! it will take time and pains
to teach the Tchactas to think and speak in this way. This in-
deed can only be the work of Ilim, who knows how, ^Nhen it
pleases Him, to change the stones into children of Abraham.

Chikagoii gaurds most carefully, in a bag made expressly for
the purpose, the magnificent snuff-box which the late Madame,
the Duchess d' Orleans, gave him ?,t Versailles. Notwithstand-
ing all the offers made to him, he has never been willing to part
with it, a degree of consideration very remarkable in an Indian,
whose characteristic generally is, to be in a short time disgusted
with anything he has, and passionately desire whatever he sees,
but does not own.

Everything which Chikagou has related to his countrymen,
with regard to France, has appeared to them incredible. " They
have bribed you," said some to him, " to make us believe all these
beautiful fictions." " We are willing to believe," said his relatives,
and those by whom his sincerity was least suspected, " that you
have really seen all that you tell us, but there must have been
some charm which fascinated your eyes, for it is not possible that
France can be such as you have painted it." When he told them
that in France they were accustomed to have five cabins, one on
top of the other, and that they were as high as the tallest trees,
that there were as many people in the streets of Paris, as there
were blades of grass on the prairies, or musquitoes in the woods,
and that they rode about there, and even made long journeys in
moving cabins of leather, they did not credit it any more than
when he added that he had seen long cabins full of sick people,
where skilful surgeons performed the most wonderful cures,
" Hear !" he would say to them in sport, " you may lose an arm,
a leg, an eye, a tooth, a breast, if you are in France, and they
will supply you with others, so that it will not be noticed."

THE MASSACRE BY THE NATCHEZ.

303

;:!'

ch these
iioutb so
11(1 pains
This in-
wheu it
lam.

essly for
MuJaino,
ithstuiid-
g to part
1 Indian,
Jisgusted
' he sees,

ntrynieu,
» They
all these
relatives,
that you
ave been
sible that
old them
one on
est trees,
as there
le woods,
irneys in
ore than
k people,
111 cures.
D an arm,
xnd they
noticed."

?i. a

What most embarrassed Mama/itoucnsa, when ho saw the ships,
was to know how it was possible to launch them into t\e water
after they had been built on land, where arms enough could
bo found for this purpose, and above all to rai.sc the anchors with
their enormous weights. They explained both these points to
him, and he admired tlic genius of the French who were capablo
of such beautiful inventions.

The Illinois departed on the last day of June ; they were to
unite with the Akensas, for the purpose of falling on the Yazous
and on the Corroys. These last having set out on their retreat
to the TchiJcasas, whither they were carrying the French scalps
they had taken, were met on the way by the Tchatchousmas and
by some Tchadas, who in their contest with them took eighteen
scalps and delivered some French women vith their children.
Some time afterwards, they were again attacked by a party of
the Akeiisas, who took from them four scalps, and made many of
their women prisoners. These good Indians encountered on
their return two boats of French hunters ; they passed their
hands over them from head to foot, according to their custom, in
testifying their sorrow for the death of the French, and of their
Father in Jesus Christ. They made a solemn oath, that while
one Akeasa should be remaining in the world, the Natchez and
the 1 azous should never be without an enemy. They showed a
bell and some books, which they were taking home, they said,
for the first Black Chief who should come to their village.
These were all that they had found in the cabin of Father
Souel.

I was in pain to learn what these barbarians had done with the
body of this missionary, but a French woman who was then their
slave, has informed me, that she at last induced them to give it
burial. " I saw him," she would often say to me, '• lying on his back
in the canes very near his house ; they had not taken from him any-
thing but his cassock. Although he had been dead fifteen days,

jH!i

.. I

1'^

111!

310

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

his skin was still as white, and his checks as red as if he were
merely sleeping. I was tempted to examine where ho had re-
ceived the fatal blow, but respect stopped my curiosity ; I placed
myself a moment at )iis knees, and have brought away his hand-
kerchief which was near him."

The faithful Akctisas mourned every day in their village tlio
death of Father du Poisson, and with the most earnest entrea-
ties, demanded another missionary. Wo could not excuse our-
selves from granting this request to a nation so amiable, and at
all times so attached to the French, possessing too a degree of
modesty of which the other nations were ignorant, and among
whom there exists no peculiar obstacle to Christianity, except
their extreme attachment to jugglery.

But we have endeavored, my Keverend Father, to console our-
selves in our grief with an argument of which you would never
think. It is, that we may congratulate ourselves our loss has
not been more general. In fact, the two dear missionaries for
whom we mourn, did not appear to be by any means as much ex-
posed to the cruelty of the Indians as are many others, particu-
larly Father de Guyenne, and still more Father Baudouin.

The latter is without any defence in the midst of the great na-
tion of the Tchadas. "VVe have always had a great distrust of
these Indians, even at the time when they were making war for
us upon the Natchez. Now they have become so inflated with
their pretended victory, that we have much more need of troops
to repress their insolence, and to keep them in their duty, than
to finish the destruction of our open enemies.

Father de Guyenne, after much opposition on the part of the
Indians in the neighborhood of Carolina, succeeded in building
two cabins in two diiFerent villages, to be near at hand to learn
their language and to instruct them ; but they were both demol-
ished. Ke will be obliged at last to confine his zeal to the

THE MASSACRE BY THE NATCHEZ.

311

French fort of the AlUxiniunx^ or to seek a more ubuuJunt har-
vest on the banks of the IMississippi,

It only remains, my Reverend Father, to inform you of tht
situation of our enemies. They arc united near the river of the
Ouachitaa^ on which they have three forts. \Vc believe that the
Natchez arc as yet in number about five liundred Avarriors, witii-
out counting their women and children ; they were scarcely more
than seven hundred before the war. Among the Ydzons and the
Corroys there are not more than forty warriors. They have
planted their corn between two little rivers which run near their
forts. It would only be necessary to cut ofT this corn, to starve
them during the winter, but the thing is not easy to effect, from
«yhat the smaller tribes inform us, who liarass them continually.
The country is cut up by Bayoulcs* and filled with cane-brakes,
where the inconceivable quantity of mu.squitoes would not permit
an ambuscade to be established for any length of time.

The Natchez, who were shut up in their forts since the last ex-
pedition, have begun again to show themselves. Incensed that
a party from Oumas and Bayagoulas had captured one of their
boats, in which were seven men, a woman, and two children, they
went in great numbers near a small fort, where they have sur-
prised ten Frenchmen and twenty negroes. There was but one
small soldier with two negroes who were able to save themselves.
He had formerly escaped the massacre made by the Natchez by
concealing himself in an oven, and this time he escaped by hid-
ing in the trunk of a tree.

You can well believe, my Reverend Father, that this war has
retarded the French colony ; nevertheless, we flatter ourselves
that this misfortune will be productive of benefit, by determining
the Court to send the forces necessary to tranquillize the colony
and render it flourishing. Although they have nothing to fear
at New Orleans, either from the smaller neighboring tribes,

[* A bayou is a water-course connecting the lakes or rivers.]

'ill!

ll!

3ia

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

whom our negroes nloue couM finish in a single morni'^^) or oven
from the Tr/iartns, who would not dare to expose themselves on
the lake in any great numbers, yet a panic terror lias spread it-
self over almost every spirit, particularly with the females.
They will, however, be reassured by the arrival of tlie first troops
from France, whom we arc now constantly expecting. As far as
our missionaries arc concerned, they arc very tranc^uil. The per-
ils to which they sco themselves exposed seem to increase their
joy and animate their zeal. Bo mindful then of them and of
mc in your holy prayers, in the union with which I am with re
spect, &o.

[It may, perhaps, interest the reader to know the future history of the
Natchez. They had fled across the Mississippi, and erected tlieir fortifica-
tions about 180 miles up the Red River. Here the letter of Father Ic Petit
leaves them. The French, having obtained a reinforcement, pursued them,
attacked them in their fort, and after a sanguinary struggle, obliged them to
surrender at discretion. Their women and cliildren were reduced to slavery,
and compelled to work in the plantations. Of the surviving warriors, some
fled still farther to the West, some remained with the Chickasas, and others
found a shelter among the Muskhogees, among whom their ancient language
is still preserved. The Great Sun and more than four hundred prisoners
were shipped to Hispaniola, and sold aa slaves. Thus perished the tribe of
the Natchez.]

J, or even
Helvi's on
<l>ro:iil it-

fonmlcs.
•st tronpg
Ab far as

The pLT-
msc their
1 and of
I with re

ory of the
r fortifica-
icr Ic Petit
sued them,
c(l tliem to
to slavery,
riors, some
ami others
it language
prisoners
ho tribe of

LETTER XI.

FROM FATHER VIVIER, OF THE COMPANY OF JESUS, TO A FATHER

OF THE SAME COMPANY.

At Illinois, the 17tli of November, 1750.
MY REVEREND FATHER,

The Peace of our Lord be with you :

I ACCEPT with pleasure the proposition which you make.
The slight merit that I can acquire by my labors I willingly
consent to share with you, in the assurance which you give, that
you will aid me with your holy prayers. I gain too much by this
association not to enter into it with all my heart.

Another point which you desire, and on which I am going to
satisfy you, is the detail of our Missions. We have three stations
in .this part of the world, one of Indians, one of French, and a
third composed partly of French and partly of Indians.

The first contains more than six hundred Illinois, all bap-
tized with the exception of five or six; but the "fire water"
which is sold them by the French, and especially by the soldiers,
in spite of the reiterated prohibitions on the part of the king,
and that which is sometimes distributed to them, under pretext
of maintaining them in our interests, has ruined that Mission,
and caused the greater part of its converts to abandon our holy
religion. The Indian, and parficularly the Illinois, who at other
times are the gentlest and most tractable of men, become when
intoxicated, frantic and brutally ferocious. Then, they attack
each other with their knives, inflicting terrible wounds. Some
have lost their ears, and others a part of the nose, in these trr.gi-

316

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

cal scenes. The greatest good that we do among them, is the
administration of baptism to children who are at the point of
death. It is at this station that I have my ordinary residence
with Father Guienne, who acts as my instructor in the study of
the Illinois language.

The French Cure where Father Vattrin labors, is composed
of more than four hundred French of every age, and more than
two hundred and fifty negroes. The third Mission, seventy
leagues from here, is much smaller ; it is under the charge of
Father Meurin. The rest of our Mission in Louisiana consists of
a residence at New Orleans, where the Superior General of the
Mission lives, together with one of the Fathers, and two Lay-
Brethren. "We have there a large plantation, which is now in
a good condition. It is from the revenues of this plantation, to-
gether with their pensions from the king, that the wants of the
Missionaries are supplied.

When the Mission is sufficiently provided with laborers, (and
in this colony they ought to be at least twelve in number,) we
must establish one among the Akansas, another among the
Tchactas, and a third among the Alibamons. The Reverend Fa-
ther Baudouin, the actual Superior General of the Mission, resided
formerly among the Tchactas ; ho remained for eighteen years
among these savages. When he was on the point of reaping some
fruits from his labors, the troubles which the English excited in
that nation, and the peril to which he was evidently exposed,
obliged Father Vitri, then Superior General, in concert with the
Governor, to recall him to New Orleans. Now that these diffi-
culties begin to abate, they think of re-establishing the Mission.
Father Moran has been for some years among the Alibamons.
The impossibility however of exercising his ministry there, for
the benefit either of the Indians or French, has induced the Supe-
rior to recall him, that he might be entrusted with the direction of
the Nuns and of the Royal Hospital which is now under our charge.

MISSION TO THE ILLINOIS.

317

The English trade, as well as the French, among the AHba-
mon Indians. You can easily imagine what an obstacle this
presents to the progress of Religion, for the English are always
ready to excite controversy. Among the Akansas we have now
actually no one, were those poor savages in a state to make any
choice on this subject. Such, my Reverend Father, is the state
of our Mission. The rest of my letter will be taken up with a
short description of the country.*

On ascending the Mississippi, we find French settlements above
New Orleans as well as below. The largest of these is a little
colony originally founded by Germans, [Allemands) at ten leagues
distance from the city. Pointe Coupee is thirty-five leagues
from the Germans ; they have constructed there a fort of pine,
in which a small garrison is maintained. On the western bank
of the river, we can count sixty settlements in a space of five or
six leagues. Fifty leagues from Pointe Coupee is Natchez ; here
we have scarcely more than a garrison imprisoned, so to speak, in
a fort, through fear of the Chicachats and other hostile Indians.
There were formerly as many as sixty dwellings at this point, and
a powerful Indian tribe by the name of the Natchez, who were
much attached to us, and from whom we received important ser-
vices ; but the tyranny which a French Commander exercised to-
wards them, drove them to extremities. In one single day they
put all the French to the sword, with the exception of a few who
managed to escape. One of our Fathers who was descending the
Mississippi, and who was induced to remain for the purpose of

[* We omit the greater part of this letter, because the descriptions of the
Illinois country are but a repetition of those given by Father Marest in the
former letter. The parts we have selected are interesting, as showing the
state in 1750 of those missions and settlements of ■which Fathers du Poissou,
and le Petit gave an account more than twenty years before. This lettei,.
therefore, furnishes a fit conclusion to their nari-atives.]

ill

318

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

saying Mass on Sunday, was involved in the destruction. Since
then we have avenged this blow by bhe almost total annihilation
of the Natchez tribe. There remain but a few of thenl scattered
among the Chicachats and the Oheraquis, where their situation is
as precarious as that of slaves.

A hundred leagues above the Natchez are the Akansas, an In-
dian tribe of about four hundred warriors. We have near them
a garrisoned fort, to furnish succors to the convoys which are as-
cending to the Illinois country. At this place there were formerly
some settlers, but in the month of May, 1748, the Chicachats, our
irreconcilable enemies, aided by other savage tribes, attacked this
post suddenly, killed several persons, and led thirteen away cap-
tive. The rest took refuge in the fort, which contained at that
time not more than a dozen soldiers. They made a show of at-
tacking it, but had not lost more than two men when they beat
a retreat. Their drummer was a French deserter from this same
garrison at the Akansas.

The distance from the Akansas to the Illinois is nearly one
hundred and fifty leagues ; through all that extent of country
there is not a single settlement. Nevertheless, to ensure us its
possession, it would be well if we had a good fort upon the
Ouabache* the only place where the English can enter the Mis-
sissippi.

There are in this part of Louisianaf five French villages, and
three belonging to the Illinois, in a space of twenty-two leagues,
situated on an extensive prairie, bounded at the east by a chain
of mountains, and the river of the Tamarouas, and at the west by
the Mississippi. These five French villages contain about one

[* The Ohio river.]

[t Father Vivier is here speaking of the country now called Illinois. The
name of Louisiana seems then to have been given to the whole West.]

MISSION TO THE ILLINOIS.

310

Since
iliilation
scattered
uatioQ is

ls, an In-
3ar them
h are as-
formerly
zhats^ our
3ked fhis
way cap-
1 at that
DW of at-
;hey beat
bhis same

arly one
country
re us its
ipon the
the Mis-

iges, and
► leagues,
jr a chain
3 west by
bout one

nois. The
est.]

hundred and forty families. The three Indian villages can fur-
nish three hundred men capable of bearing arms.

# * # * # It

At the north and north-west, the country is unlimited in ex-
tent. It comprises that immense tract watered by the Missouri
and its tributary streams, the most beautiful region in the world.
What a field do these Indian tribes offer for the zeal of the mis-
sionary ! They belong to the district of the priests of the For-
eign Missions, to whom for several years past the Bishop of
Quebec has given them in charge. There are three of these
priests here, who have charge of the two French Cures ; nothing
can be more lovely than their character, or more edifying than
their conduct. We live with them as if we were members of the
same fraternity.

Among the tribes in Missouri, there are some who seem most
favorably disposed for the reception of the Gospel ; for example,
the Panismahas. One of the priests of whom I have just spoken,
wrote one day to a Frenchman who was trading with these In-
dians, and begged him in his letter to baptize those of their chil-
dren whom he found at the point of death. The Chief of the
village seeing the letter, asked, "What is the news?" "None,"
answered the Frenchman. " What !" said the Indian, " because
we are red men, may we not know the news ?" " It is from the
Black Chief," replied the Frenchman, " he has written advising
me to baptize the children who are dying, so that they may go to
the Great Spirit." The Indian Chief, perfectly satisfied, said to
him, " Do not put yourself to any trouble in this matter, I will
take upon myself the task of giving you notice whenever there
shall be a child in danger." He assembled his people: "What
do you think," said he to them, " of this Black Chief?" (for it is
, thus that they call the missionaries,) "we have never seen him,
we have never done him any service, he dwells ff>r from u?; to-
wards the rising of the sun, and yet he thinks ot our village ;

320

JESUITS IN AMERICA.

he wishes to do us good, and when our children come to die, he
wishes to send them to the Great Spirit ; this Black Chief must
be very good."

Some merchants who came from his village, told me of traits
which prove, that though a savage, he is not wanting in wit or
good sense. At the death of his predecessor, the votes of his
tribe were unanimously given in his favor. He at first excused
himself from accepting the rank of Chief, but at last, being con-
strained to acquiesce, " You wish, then," said he, " that I should
be your Chief; I consent to it, but know that I will be in reality
Chief, and in this capacity will exact implicit obedience. Hitherto
the widows and orphans have been much neglected ; I require
that in future their wants shall be provided for ; and in order
that they may never be forgotten, I require that they shall receive
the first share." He therefore ordered his Escapia^ who is his
steward, whenever they went to the chase, to reserve a quantity
of food sufiicient for the widows and orphans.

These people have as yet but few guns among them. They
hunt on horseback with arrows and lances. They surround a
herd of buffaloes, and but few of them escape. The animals
being brought down, the Escapia of the Chief lays his hand on a
certain number of them, which form the portion of the widows
and orphans, and no one is perniiLted to touch any of them. One
of the hunters having, inadvertently without doubt, commenced
cutting from this portion, the Chief killed him on the spot with
his gun.

This Chief receives the French with great distinction. He
does not permit them to eat except with himself, or with some
Chief of a strange tribe, if he happens to meet with any. He
honors with the title of the Sun the most despicable of the French
who find their way to his village, and therefore says, that the sky
is always clear as long as the French remain there. A month
ago he came to salute our Commander, and I went to the fort of

MISSION TO THE ILLINOIS.

321

Chartrcs, six leagues from lience, on purpose to see him. I found
him to be an exceedingly handsome man. He treated me with
great politeness, and invited mo to go and give the spirit to hia
people, that is to say, to instruct them. His village, according to
the report of the French who have been there, can furnish nine
hundred men capable of bearing arms.

In conclusion, I would remark, that this country is rf much
greater importance than is commonly supposed. From its situa-
tion alone it is well that France should spare no pains to preserve
it. It is true that it has not yet enriched the coffers of the King,
and that it is expensiA^e to defend it ; but it is not less true that
the tranquillity of Canada and the safety of the whole lower
colony depend on it. Certainly without this post, there would bo
no land communication between Louisiana and Canada. Another
consideration is, that many parts of Canada, and all those below
the river, would be deprived of the provisions which are brought
from the Illinois, and which are often their chief dependence.
By establishing here a permanent settlement, the King would
prevent all these inconveniences, and would confirm himself in
the possession of the most extensive and most beautiful country
in Northern America. To be entirely convinced of this, he has
only to cast his eyes on the map of Louisiana, to consider the
situation of the Illinois, and the multitude of tribes to whom this
post would serve as a barrier.

I am, in the communion of our holy faith, &o
15*

INDEX.

Abnakis, manners and customs

of, 24.
Amalingans, baptism of, 49.
Amalingans, conference with, 45.
Arkansas, mission to the, 267.

Badouin, Father, 310.
Baptism of an Indian girl, 43.
Baton Rouge, 243.
Beaubois, Father de, 231.
Bellemont, M. de, 76.
Benac, M. de, 236.
Bergier, M. de, 211, 214.
Bineteau, Father, 206, 209.
Bourg la Marque, M. du, 184.
Bruyas, Father, 85, 99.
Buisson, M. du, 241.

Cannibals, 155, 167.

Canoes, 25, 153.

Catherine, the Iroquois saint, 81,

86.
Chardon, Father, 221, 223.
Chasse, Father de la, 12, 69.
Chaumont, Father, 29.
Chepar, M. de, 286.
Chollonec, Father, 81, 121.
Church and Chapels, 2, 6, 42, 58,

60.
Codere, M. du, 286, 290.
Colombiere, M. de la, 116.

Copperel, M., 154.
Corbi^se, M. de, 162.

Dalofis, Father, 206.

D'Artaguette, M., 298.

Davion, M., 240.

Des Noyers, Madame, 288.

Doutreleau, Father, 231, 292,294.

Dubreuil, M., 233.

Dudley, Gov., conference with,

51, 56.
Dumas, Father, 231, 241, 260,

252.

English ill treatment of Indians,

9.
English interference with French

missions, 7, 16.
Etienne, the martyr, 119, 131.

Fiesch, M., 188.

Fishing, 39, 58, 61, 144

Fontbranc, M., 169.

Fort George, 168.

Fort George, expedition against,

161, 163.
Fort George, surrender of, 177.
Fort Lidis, 148, 167, 174 81.
Fort Vaudreuil, 145.
Franijoise, the martyr, 124.
French and Indian war, incidents

of, 148, 163, 171, 174, 182.

824

INDEX.

Fremin, Father, 85, 124.

Fruits, 198,238.

Funeral rites of Indians, 1G6, 282.

Germans, 286, 262.
Grant, explanation o':' a, 233.
Gravier, Father, 205, 215, 224.
Great Hare, family of the, 82, 34.
Guienne, Father de, 232.
Guignas, Father, 305.

Hunting and game, 30, 68, Gl,
196, 209, 235.

Illinois country, 196.

Illinois country , journey through,

30, 30, 216.
Illinois, character and customs of,

of, 37, 199, 306, 315.
Indian children, 26.
Indian corn, 27.
Indian devotion to missionary,

61.
Indian dresa and ornaments, 37,

83, 198.
Indian feast, 36.
Indian religion, 6, 44, 106, 147,

200.
Indian warfare, 54, 218, 277.
Indian character, 158, 194, 223,

258.
Indian language, 27.
logues. Father, 84.
Iroquois, missionaries to the, 84.

Jamonville, M. de, 174.
Jeanne, the martyr, 133.

Koli, M. de, 233.

Kolly, Messieurs de, 286^

Lamberville, Father, 87.

Lnurcl, 8.

Luth, M. du, 116.

Launay, M. do, 178.

Laws, M., 201.

Le Petit, Father, 232, 208.

Levi, Chevalier de, 162, 164, 163,

107, 180.
Le Sueur, M., 296.
Longrays, Messieurs de, 286.

Manitou of Indians, 84, 200.
Maple sugar, 6.
Marest, Father, 193, 216.
Marin, M., 148.
Mathavet, M., 140, 165.

Marquet, Father, 20'"
Marguerite, the martyr, 127.
Marriage customs, 86, 275.
Massacre by the Natchez, 285.
Medicine men, 200, 280.
Mermet, Father, 202, 210, 215.
Mezieres, M., 244.
Michigan Lake, 222.
Michniimakinac, 222.
Mississippi river, 196.
Mississippi river, floods on, 236.
Mississippi, voyage up the, 231.
Missouri river, 196, 226.
Montcalm, Marquis de, 145, 163,

165, 169, 177, 175, 181.
Moreau, M., 109.
Musquitoes, 237, 239.

Nanrantsouack village, 2, 50.
Nanrantsouack, attack on, 70.
Natchez, 247, 267, 317.
Natchez, character and customs

of, 209, 282, 300.
Natchez, temple of, 268.

INDEX.

82ft

Ohio or Ouabacho rivor, 197, 220.
Orleans, Mad. la Ducliesse de,
308.

Periet, Father, 211.

Perrier, M., 287, 298, 801, 803.

Philibert, Father, 247.

Picquet, M., 140, 180.

Pinot, Father, 200.

Plantations, 234.

Poisson, Father du, 231, 267, 810.

Polygamy, 42, 270.

Prayer, 27, 41.

Prisoners, treatment of, 41, 149,
165.

Raslcs, Father, 1, 0, 23, 09, 72.
Rasles, Father, death of, 70.
Rattlesnakes, 102.
Religious services, 4, 204, 212.
Roches, Chevalier des, 290.
Roubaud, Father, 139.

Saint Casteins, M. de, 13.
Saint Come, M. de, 243.
Saintout, M. de, 140.

Saint Michel, M. de, 120.
Saint Regis, picture of, 263.
Scioux Indians, 226.

Simon, 232.
Souel, Father, 282, 242, 260, 203,

290.

Tartarin, Father, 231.

Thracy, M. de, 83.

Tonicas, 244.

Tonti, Chevalier de, 195

Tripe de Roche, 31, 03.

Trees, 197.

Turtles' eggs, 248.

Ursins, M. des, 280.

Vaudrcuil, Marquis de, 10, 13,

139.
Veillers, M. de, 174.
Ville, Father de, 220
Virot, Father, 139.

War feast, 141.
Wax, 3.

Yonn, Colonel, 181.