IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) % »/ 1.0 I.I i.25 '.7 »" M 2.? t u, ISi^ 1.4 6" 1.6 <^ % /i > /W ^ ^c- !>/ ' . % ''> % %v -^c^ /l <9 ^f."T //%. Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STkEET WEBSTER, N.Y 14530 (716) 872-4503 ■■■B . (meaning "CON- TINUED"), or the symbol y (meaning "END"), whichever applies. Les images suivantes ont 6t6 reproduites avec le plus grand soin, compte tenu de la condition et de la nettetd de l'exemplaire film6, et en conformity avec les conditions du contrat de filmagc. Les exemolaires originaux dont la couverture en papietr est imprim6e sont filmds en commenpant par le premier plat et en terminant soit par la dernidre page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustration, soit par le second plat, selon le cas. Tous les autres exemplaires originaux sont fi!m6s en commenpant par la premiere page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustration et en terminant par la dernidre 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 symbole V signifie "FIN". Maps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at different reduction rati(i3. 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: Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent dtre film6s 6 des taux de reduction diffdrents. Lorsque ie document est trop grand pour ^tre reproduit en un seul clich6, il est film6 d partir de Tangle sup6rieur gauche, de gauche d droite, et de haut en bas, Gn prenant le nombie d'images ndcessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mithode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 9 6 B8BSli1i8iaMi^^ &■ THE ASSUMPTIONS OF THE SEMINABY OF ST, SULPICE TO Be THE OWNERS OF THF SUGNIORY OF THE LAKR OF TWO MUtTKtAlNS AND THK ONE ADJOINING. EXAMINED AND REFUTED, AND THtelR TREATMFNT OF THE INDIANS OF TIIF T.AiCE OK TWO MOUNTAINS, EXPOSED AND DENOUNCED IN FOUR LETTERS iM)HM3SEt) TO TTO Ilo.V«RA«l.B JOREKH '?0*B, SbCAS'iARY OF StAVB, ITOH THK L\nUN D» 'AllTMEST, JiEY^JOIlN BORLAND; U'lcHi of ike Ptvnch nnd Tndian Missiom in the jfumnce of befomjin^ to l/c Wj)Oiied for the education of Iholr children. The house used for these purposes has lon^ baen too small for the numbers that assembled for worship hm^e, a conimoncemcnt was made this last summer for tho erection of a little church suited to their pressing wants. Bnt no sooner hat have lived and died. But with all the care and skill with which this act was drawn, evidently to favor the Seminary, there are certain clauses and expressions found in it which, I cannot but be- lieve, an honest interpreter will deem sufficient, to cover the ca^e of the poor Indian, and save him from the spoliation and eviction designed, if the Seminar}' be but permitted to work to completion the plans it has so deeplj'and skilfully laid. i-Vrsf— There is in this act, the statement of its design, viz., to confirm titles and rii^hts ])reviousl\' held by the Sem- inary, but which had been brought under the influence of "doubts and controversies." Ilenco, then, the object was not to found new titles, but to clear and confirm old ones. There- fore, whatever may be the mode of expro-^siuj' this, it never should be bUppOseJ that the rights of parties, such as tho;.e of the Indians, for instarce, any more than those of the Sem- inary, should be considered as eet aside and destroyed, -i^x Second — That such is not the cage, for while it declares that the right and title of the said ecclesiastics of the Seminary of St. Sul}oice of Montreal, in and to the said several iiefs and seigniories, should be absolutely confirmed, *' lY is under and subject to terms, provisions, conditions and limitations" which " were fully and formally agreed to and accepted by the said ecclesiastics of the said Seminary of St. Sulpice of Montreal." Third — Among those terms, &c., given in the act, is one in favor of the Indians, expressed as follows : " The Mission of the Lake of Tuo Mountains^ for the instruction and spiritual care of the Algonquin and Iroquois Indians." The attempt is clearly seen in the above to restrict the meaning of tlie term Mission, to '■ the instruction and, spiritual care " of the Indians ; but such surely will not be admitted in a community v/here a just con- cern for the interest of the poor and friendless is entertained and cherished. The term " mission '* with such will have a wider and fuller signification as they consider the generous provision made for it by the King of France, when they thoughtfully ponder the considerations offered by the Seminary in argument to sustain their pleas with the King, and the conditions they voluntarily assumed at the time. To them the de-ign of the framersof this act will be seen through, and the holes left in it, despite the skill and craft of its framers, will enable them to rend to pieces the plot framed to despoil the Indians of their fair inheritance. One design of the framers of the Act, now under consider- ation, was evidently to destroy all idea of Trusteeship, so apparent in the original documents drawn at the instance of the French King: An idea entertained in reference to all these religious communities endowed uy the State for the benefit of the people. On this subject, Mr. Garneau, the French histo- rian of Canada, (whose research, and zeal for his church and nation, none who know him will question), says— tlie reference is to the Jesuits, but is equally applicable to each other similar community : — *' It was not till this took place, that the British Government thought of appropriating their (' the Jcsuitb ') estate-^ ; forgetting as it did, that the Jesuits were only tJie depositaries of that jproperty, since it had been given £li: II mmt m^m to them by the King of France for educating the people, and the instruction of the savages of ^ ew France." But if instead of " the Jesuits," he had put in " the St. Sulpicians," would he not have uttered the truth in the one instance as in the other? But the Eev. Mr. Baiie, Superior of the Seminary, says, (see Par. ret., No. 6, p. 13) : " Those are our titles, they are so clear that, in virtue of the Treaty of Peace, concluded between the French Crown and that of England at the time of the ces- sion of Canada in 1760, our Seigniories were considered as private Seigniories, and we had the privilege of selling them and taking the proceeds of such sales to Frtince, the same as the other Seigniors who did not wish to remain under the English domination. The gentlemen of St. Sulpice did not. however, like to abandon the colony at a moment when the fruits of their sacrifices were most wanted." Having had much to do of late with the Rev. ]Mr. Baile'a statement of facts, I feel that all caation is necessary in re- ceiving them. That unless he present vouchers for each state- ment, I feel bound, either to lay it aside for further consider- ation, or to reject it altogether. The statement given above I find I must not make an exceptional instance of; I must treat it on the rule I have laid down in his case, — and strictly. Mr. Baile has an apparent justification for what he says, on the subject of the title of the Seminary as recognised by the British Government — but it is in appearance only, — not in reality. The 34th Article of Capitulation is as follows: "All the communities, and all the priests, shall reserve their moveables; the property and revenues of the Seigniories, and other estates which they possess in the colony, of what nature soever they may be. And the same estates shall be preserved in their privileges, rights, honours, and exemptions. Ans. — Granted." Art. 35. — " If the canons, priests, missionaries, the friends of the ceremony of foreign missions, and of St. Sulpice, as well as the Jesuits and the Recollets, choose to go to France, pas- sage shall be granted to them in his Britannic Majesty's ships ; and they shall all hiive leave to sell in whole or in part, the estates and mctveables which they possess in the colonies, either to the French or to the English, without the least hindrance or obstacle from the British Government." * -^ * ■ , "They shall be masters to dispose of their estates, and to 'I J.,' ■f II send the produce thereof, as well a? their persons, and all that belongs to them, to France." It is not said that this was granted. Here is an a2^parcnt justification for Mr. Baile's statement ; and we ask, why did not the gentlemen of the Seminar}- of St. Sulpice accept the situation and sell their e?^.ates ? Mr. B'a. answer is. " The gentlemen of St. Sulpice did not, however, like to abandon the colony at a moment when the fruits of their sacrifices were most wanted." This is the avowed reason, but what is the true reason, let us see if we can find it. By Mr. Garneau we are informed, (sec vol. 2, p. 10) : " The capitulation was signed September 8, 1760." " By this celebrated act," says Mr. Garneau, " Canada passed finally under British domination. Free exercise of the Catholic religion was guaranteed to its people. Certain eccle- siastical brotherhoods, and all communities of religious were secured in the possession of their goods, constitutions, and privileges; but like advantages were refused (or delayed) to the Jesuits, Franciscans (Recollets) and Sulpicians, until the King should be consulted." This rather breaks in upon Jlr. Baile's fact, taking considerably from its force, while it adds a reason to the one he gives for the remaining of his brethren i.i Canada after the capitulation. "Consequent upon this event," the ratification of the treaty in 1763, says Mr. Garneau, p. 84, " a second emigration took place ; numbers of commercialists, lawyers, exfunction- arie3, with most leading men still remaining in the colony, left for France after selling or abandoning their estates, titles to which became subjects of after litigation, even down to the present times, among their descendants." " None now lingered in the towns, but here and there a few subaltern placemen, some artisans — scarcely a merchant. The members of the different religious confraternities, with the rural population of course, remained. But why did these "religious confraternities" of course remain? Why? Be- cause, among other reasons, they would like to see the result of the cousultation of the King of England with his ministry as to what should be done with their estates, &c. For, as Mr. Garneau observes, (p. 87, vol. 2) : " Schedules were drawn up of the landed estates of divers religious communities, and par- ticulars demanded as to the nature of their constitution, rights. m ^\ IPWP I I privilege?, amonnt of proportj'', &c,, with lists ot'tho several churcho.;;, the number of clergy, amount of income," &c. But what led to such a change in the action of the British Government in reference to the lands, &c., of these religious communities? In 1760, they were authorized to sell and re- move: in 1763, wo find this order suspended, and information sought as to their constitutions, rights, &c. Next, we are in- formed as the result of this investigation (see Garneau's Hist., vol. 2, p. 94) : "With repect to the estates of the religious communities, the Lords of the Treasury wrote to ihe Eecoiver General, Mills, as part of their instructions for the year 1765, * Seeing that the lands of these societies, particularly those of the Jesuits, were being united, or were about to be united to the Crown domains, you are to strive, by means of an arrange- ment with the parties interested in them, to enter into posses- sion thereof in the name of His Majesty ; at the same time, granting to those parties such annuities as you shall judge proper; and you are to see that the estates in question are not transferred, and so be lost to the Crown, by sequestration or alienation.' " In 1770, the matter was not yet decided — as Marriott, the King's advocate, — who with Thurlow, the Attorney General, and Wedderburne, the Solicitor General, was appointed to consider the various matters yet pending in the settlement of the colony, and to report thereon, — reported. Garneau says : He " was for abolishing all the religious communities, both of males and females, as soon as their surviving members died out ; their estates and revenues to be restored to the Crown, and afterwards employed in educating all the young without dis- tinction of communions." And adds, says our historian, p. 100, with " recommendations to forbid all religious processions in the streets; and to relegate the estates of St. Sulpice Seminary.^' Are we to suppose that Mr. Baile knew so littie of so im- portant a portion of the history of his order as i,ot to bo awaro of these facts ? Such is not likely. Then in what light is he to be viewed as a witness of facts ? In what light ? But as one most nnrelii*ble ; as ready to make any statement, however far from the truth by which the interests of his order could be promoted. The end justi- fies the means which is evidently a fundamental principal in his rule of faith and practici. But how art wo to account for 1 4! . m this departure (if departure thei'f* was, for the article is not marked granted,) of the British Iving and Government from the articles of capitulation as affecting these religious commu- nities ? I know of but one, and I think it not only fully justified the change, but oven required, nay, but in the inter- ests of justice, demanded it. The King and his ministers evidently became aware of the fact that Mr. Garneau gives so distinctly in reference to the Jesuits : viz., the communities were but depositaries of the propertifes which they held, and that in belialf of parties who purposed to remain in the coi^ntry. To have allowed the Jesuits, the Franciscans, and the Sulpicians to have sold out the estates they held, and to have taken the proceeds with them to France, would have made the government parties to an act of spoliation towards those for whom the estates had been given, — (the Indians of the Lake of Two Mountains for in- stance,) — and allowed those orders to decamp wicK roperties which were not their own. I will leave it to Mr. Baile, or his friends, to suggest a better reason than the above — if they can. In the meantime I bog his consideration of the above facts, with this one addi- tion : That the truth so long hidden from the Canadian public is coming to the light ; thanks to him, and his brethren for conduct which has led to this. I will not say that those who passed the Act of 1840, — to which the Seminary turn with so much confidence, and by which they think they are justified in putting forward such assumption of proprietorship, knew all the facts by which they should have been goveiued at the time ; 3'et I will say that so far as they can, and that as speedily as they can, they, or those occupying their places, should see to the rights of the Indians in question. The rights of the Seminary have surely had suflScient ventilation and attention, i. e., — from one stand- point; now let us have a practical demonstration that our public men can look at both sides of a grave question like this, and that full justice can, and will be rendered in the case. I shall discuss this question yet further in another letter. I have the honor to be, sir, IToar obedieut servant, John Borland. MBHPP HP in : i !l i 1 1 LETTER III. The Seininary's object insetting the, Act of 1840. — A failure. — A case supposed. — How sustained. — The main question. — Set- tlement. — What it is. — Who should settle the question, and - hou\ — The impression that prevails among some. — IIoio '\ ; made. — Counteracting influences. — From whence they came. — The Indians complainants for a long time. — 3fr. Bailes returns. — Their value. — A proposition to relieve the Sem- inary. , ,; Sir:— Notwithstanding tho evident effort on the part of the framers of the Act of 1840, to put the Seminary forward as the " absolute owners " of the Seigniory of the Lalce of Two Mountains, there are two things which must render their ob- ject a failure. First, the act is made to C(»i/?rm a title previously existing, and does not expressly, — nor should it by implica- tion, — rescind or cajicel the provisions found in the title as originally detailed and understood. Secondly, the Mission to the Indians, as one of those provisions, is distinctly stated in the act as in the original documents, and although it is sought to restrict its meaning to " instruction and spiritual care," yet here the original documents are needed to define what was in- tended by instruction and spiritual care ; and where the Indians should live, in order to receive such at tho hands of the Seminary. The original documents are therefore still im- portant and must necessarily have a place in defining and directing to the proper understanding of these questions. Will not the following supposition establish my position as it serves to illustrate my meaning ? . .> ■ A necessity has arisen that the Government of the Domin- ion should obtain the oak timber w^hich the King of France reserved for himself in the following manner : " That His Majesty will be free at all times, without being held to pay any indemnity, to the oak timber fit for his service, which may be found on the said conceded lands "; would they feel shut out from claiming such according to the wording of the above restriction because of the Act of 1840 ? Would they net say, and be fully justified in so saying, " that as the act did not • e-j't-»y if alter, much loss crcat;, but smplt/ confirmed the title previously held bj' the Semi ruiiy, thcroiore, the ro.-ervalions in our fiivor a8 inhci'itors of the rights of the King of Franco, we must inwiiit upon as lo_j;al and valid." The preamble of this celebrated act reads thus: "That the rigl'ts and tiile of the naid ecclesiastics of the Seminary of St. Sulpice of Montreal, in the said several tiefs and fceigniories, Bhould be absolutely confirmed^ It may bo argued against the Government, — (and here wo have a tine opportunity of showing up '' the glorious uncer- tainty of the liiw," and a justificafion for the noted remark ascribed to the late Daniel O'ConncU : " That there never was an Act of Parliament that ho could not drive a coach and four through,") tha, in " o terms, provisions, conditions," &c., sub- sequently in that act, no restrictions or reservations in behalf of the King of France are named ; and. therefore, no claim by our Governmout could be sustained en that ground. Yet I venture to say, there are lawyers who would urge with much force and efll'ect the plea of Confirmation *; only, and not alteration was intended and made by the Act and therefore by no means barring claims clearly established iu the original grants ; and that there are Judges who would readily decide such plea in their favor. But however the argument might be urged against the • The true import of the idea of " Contirmation" is understood by consulting Mr. Garnufiu's History. By him it is seen that the confiscation of the seigniories of this Seminary, with others, was fully determined by the British Government. That instructions to tliat effect were sent out by the Ministry to the Govirnor of Canada. Bat althougli determined upon, it was never effected ; and hence, the Seminary remained in possession, as at the first. A favorable opportunity for the S.miuary presented itself at the close of the rebellion of 1837-33, and was at onee Seized upon to picsent a petition for the confirmation of their title, bo long in a state of doubt, and a subject of painful controversies. Their application was successful; but it was for Confirmation, kt it be understood, and far confirmation only; and if now the S-'ininary and their friends plead for anything more than this, and do so because they have managed to get into the Act what was not in the original grants ; or have left out of it what was in those grant;^, such may be well denominated presumption, founded on an act of " sharp practice," and what all honorable minds would repudiate with indignation, and which all Christian men, at least, should look upon and reject with abhorenca. i« ■'. -\ , «-rf^»i!sej;i3V» iMf ^*5i * *^ 18 'if: lit i }■ m V Govei-nment, and with whatever results, bo> auso that no <' term, provision, or condition" appeared in the Act in their behalf (allhongh Buch are beyond question found in the original grants), such an objection can have no weight against the Indians ; tf)r ■' the Mission of the Lal^e of Two Mountains " is there not only clearly expressed, but as '^ fully and formally ayreed to and accepted by the Ecclesiastics of the Seminary df St, Su!j)ice, in Montreal." The main question for settlement, I apprehend, is — What is the true import of the mission by the Seminary to the Indians of the Lake of Two Mountains, proposed by them to the King of France, and b}'- him so largely and liberally endowed ? There are abundant means, I submit, for settling this question. The Eornan Catholic Church, and as well the Epis- copal and Methodist Churches have missions to the Indians in Ontario, in Manitoba, and in British Columbia. Similar missions arc maintained also by churches in the United States. Let those churches, or parties managing those missions bo consulted, and in the light of their judgment action maybe safely taken. I have not the slightest hesitancy in saying that each one of these missions is conducted with a view to evangelize, and thus civilize the Indians under their care; and in doing this, to induce them to settle down on lands provided for their use and occupancy. That lands thus possessed and labored by the Indians become theirs in perpetuity, and ever subjected to those harassing restrictions and annoyances, enforced often- times with so much rigor by the Seminary of St. Sulpice. With some the impression obtains acceptance that these Indians have always been well and kindly treated; and that if at any time it has been otherAvise, and complaints have arisen, it was because the letter and spirit of the Seminary's instruc- tions had been departed from ; and, therefore, at best such instances were exceptions rather than the general rule. In support of this, they point to certain retui*ns made up by the Seminary and presented to the Government, and by it to the Parliament and people of the Dominion. By these returns I readily admit such impressions (their designed object), are very natural. And could I rsceive them apart from certain considerations which quite neutralize their ■ecai 1 a e e — ; ---rt-r-;;*,* r 11 ir "9 influence in favor of llio Seminary, 1 too would ece and feoi as tlioy do. 13ut under ilio circuniHtances in which I Htand, and tlie facts with whicli I have been made fully acquainted, I am compelled to come to a very diticrent conclu.sion. It is known that the Indians have been complainants against tlio Seminary for many yonvti — yea, I think such date back fVom the time of the passing of the celebrated Act of ISIO. To others, with myself, it is believed that instead of harsh treatment being the excejjtion, and not the rule, it has boon the rule rather, and the outworkings of a well digested settled policy, thus to drive the Indians away from these lands and to induce them to settle on those sot apart for them by the Government near the Gatinoau River. That failing to effect this, to drive ihoso Indians away from the lands on which for a century and a half tlicir fathers and they have lived, they have tightened the cords that bound them, until at length, almost en massr, they rose up and broke away from the care of, and connection with, the Seminary altogether. And here let me remark, and it is a fact of great weight in this connection, that this revolt was not occasioned by any tampering with their faith as Roman Catholics. They were perfectly isolated from all religious teafliiiigs and inlluences but those of the priests of the Seminary, and it is a question if they knew at the time anything beyond the name of any other church than the Church of Rome. It was, therefore, because of their treatment by the Seminary, and because of that only, that they renounced at once the supervision and religious con- nection with the priests and seminary of St. Sulpice. And does not their act, under these circumstances, speak volumes to those who listen and ponder them ? • For wo may well ask with the patriarch Job, " Doth the wild ass bray when he hath grass? or loweth the ox over his fodder?" Has there ever been known such a case, I am justified in asking, as a whole people, or nearly such, turning away from their spiritual leaders when such have acted consistently towards them ? Never. And I ask the Seminary and its friends to account for this unexampled proceeding on any other grounds than the one I have given above, and the only one, T believe, by whicli it can l.>e explained oi- accounted for. But it may be remarked, as a i^et-off against this, look at ^ tt the returns which the Hov. Mr. Pnilo has made of vhat Iho Seminary hus done for the. o Indinnp, and do they not satisfac- torily fct a,sidcany conclusion which mayLo aiTiveior. In tho tnoaiitinic the procurary of the •cminary i> oMi-^eJ tondvanec very laruc turns of money to kccj) np. and A.r tlie jcpoij-* of tho r ■.^al>!i^hment of the Lake ol Two M< untain?.*' Thoii fv.lIoN.s a statonit 'It of crpon-c:* from the let Oct., 18C5, to Ist Oct.. 1SC8— thrci year*. The cxien:e> .'laiount in thy uggrrgato to 831,J:J0.17. To meet >vhicb the icmir.ary is said to huw advanced or lurni^hed 81 8.250. 4C. It would have added a cry much to tie interest of tho above extract if tho je[»ort of Mr. K'lilc had Iccn more parti- cu'ar in einlainin;? itr« ^evc^al i:cm.«» If he liad lold Uh wli\' * "• tho keeping upof iho mi.^-iun (lo the Imiianf) wa-« '• Iccomit g evcrj- day more onerou»." Iv»e« \\n> lecr to the niis^ion in the mcnn.-« ol their sul»-i!»ten«-c '' ll mii>t leto; lor ho t-a\f, " iho j>nKlucc of the liuut not Icing sufntieiit to rupjiiy tl o wants «if the India!!-, wo croa'cJ Jai m^ aif);ind our domain,'' &f. llc;c the infe;cr.vc i^, that the c fa; m:* arc to nu'«'. tlio wantft of lh«i ]DJiaii>, ina.-much n:* the pPKlucc of the hunt is nol at prc-cnt .«-ujnc.cnl for that purjoc. Now, in the fuco of thi.i I aver that the c farm- arc lor the ler.efit of the ^eminary, and foritoniy; tind toil.e iiiier aid itmj !ec cxi lu.-ion of il.c linlian?. The tcminaiy has in (ehoof and lencfii. and thorcforc to rc.'er to the. e a* de>ignfd in anv war to sur>i>ort or aaaist the Indian?, i.«i to mi'^Icuvl tho reader of 'ho report in a most glaring and reprebcn^ibIe manner. Thin wo hn\e crij cn-ci coverin:: tlircc yca.-f, and iht-y arc p;it i'l suth a way a,» if ^ucli wa- a scr\le of expenditure from year to year, while the income from the tclgniori*. j wa- bO inadejuatc, that wc-e it ml for o:ht'r means wiiirh tho seminary h.ii ai c .immand, a U-arfu! amount of in''cl,;eJne.-.'^ mu>t have accrued long cie thf-. Bui, ^ir. ii this a truthfij representation of the on larms and by pariphei have been tctilcJ. In bO mauli 'sO, that i^.'W {%o I Lavo tooQ ioformoJ by a go'ilU^man wLohae ooooa largo r ^ ■* X v'?r~an"r-»»»-. •ill 'M 0^ 22 himiiicss in luinlior for inniiy yonrs j»asl wiih ilic Fi'ininarj') about two-ill inis of llic-o !:mtajKO of the ^cnlle- mcii of tin* seminary. That a!iiio>t overv iviiiler, if not every winter, lar«;o Itartiexareeii^jairtnl in eulliii;; either i-onlwiMul for tlic Montreal market, or ]u)nl*er tor other ami more j^eiicnil j>urj»osc.T, and from which n|(cnition«i the MMiiinary is deriving a large annual revenue. That for the^e Caiia-lian'', ineroa of ihv -eniinary in these partft, anJ wlu-n* lIu'V <1'» ihe |irin<-!pal j'arl oj* ilu ir business with the numerous ji::rtit-, they jo-e in business relations with, biiildiuijs for the rcHdenee of jiriest^, servants, io.. ehuix'hes, for themselves and t«-n:ints. A:e.. ami for the n'Muei'^Mis pilgrinw who eon ' from dill'eirnt j>hite- lo pei-fuin devotions at a plaeo calleil Calvary (if my ?nemory i-. eorreet as to the name), and and a! tin- -everal statii.ns lea'linir thereto. These and other matters :ii>> irrmvinij on the hands of tlie gentlemen of the seminary, and. a- .Air. Ilailo s:»ys, "the keejiing uj) of the Tiii-sion" — no! i\>v the Inilians. Ik.> it rememl>oro«l, so mueh as lor ihe-e ;r'eil iiiiiiibers of Caiiailians, who, from various reasons ain! ijii;irter>. fhuk to the mi- ion for the purjK)ses of tr.K^c and worship 1 have s|e(ifieeiidiiu)e in iH-halfof the IndioMs. a- tlie sia.emeMt of Mr. I>.ii!i' i-. wlwil 1 am sure, sir, you do nut need that 1 sh'-nld df-iirnati' or < liaraeiei-i/.e. Furlbe!'. in the njiort. we are tojil that for the s:imo thit'C years ihe senrmary expi.iidei in beh.-df »>f the.-e Indians: — For seed-grain 8 4'>4.C4 In alms 1,1)08.07^ And in woik pro(Ui'»>^' * ? «' ^^ . 7 23 In three vears, Iks h oWncJ, the >err.iiiarv has hronght intolhn hnnds ()f these Indians (/.p. aec-Mr.Iiii^^ to Mr. Baile's representation-*") no less a Mini tlian ninr tU n.^md v'fjht hundred find itcrrnttni dulhirit and ticelcc itntf! And iliese not exeep- tional veal's; for Mich i> triven a< a current and regular methrij and jiropoition of treatment which these Indians are rcu'idarlj* receiving: from tlie ^^'nlinary. Allowing; such rejire^'ntaiion to he trne. nn I worthy of all the credit which Mr. Itiilc desiix's it to have. Me may well joli him in s;iyin;r. " NVhat mission would protuic tiicm so many advaiitairo. and mi much nsvistancc ? "' What mi^»ion. indeed! 1 do iw)t kiiuw of any. There is one thiiiir which de*trov< the oiTect of tliis ver * MiKiniin;; repre-enlation ol'the IJev. Superior, and it i^ this. the fiiHilHiiin of ihiM- Inditin.i. Surel\'. ."uroly. wiih ^o great means for ;rfKHl and conifortaM'.' livin;;. there should l»en verv dilleivnt state of thinirs a-, markin*; the eoiiflition of the greater proj>orti(»n of this ]»eople. ivct the doul.ier lto to Oka and examine their state for him>-eli'. Then we are not told wheiher or not the latter sums arc in< luded in the former aniouni^: and if not. why :irc they mt ? If the 831. ^^'mMT are eX)M»nse- from theyear nr..'> to 1*^<»S then wliat are the sums for iriain and aim-, dui-ini,' tho^e s:imc years? Are they not expenses aUo to the -eminary if sU]h plied hy them in the Min»e >en-e a.s the olhci's? Now. sir. ! claim 'ie, have snme«'X]iei'ieiMe in thc'C matters, and, therefore, to ."^jfeak a'Huii them with some authority. Three-fourths <(f these Indians have heen under the eaiv of the Wet rhureh for now over l»)ur years; and during the whole of that j.eri'nl under my immediate suporin- tendcnce and care. ]>uriiii: that time 1 have seen no need of seed-grain, and alms on sueli a >eale a^ tin- al»»\e. WliPii the jtrintiil r<'iurns were jiut into my hanils s.»nie time agi» hy u TneniUT of the Government 1 took an eariy opportunity of cnort.s from the Indians themselves. I wasjhen informeil in the most ]K>>itive manner that thev never got iseeay for it. That alms, at least ujK.)n anyl) ing like the scale rcj'orli'd. was an cn-or and a delusion. Further, that the work procured for the Indian? was, doubt. less, loch 08 they gave them in making roads to their (tho JJW«!'.';"r ■ '!f-.».*-'^.:tv.^- were |kk>:-1v j-.ai'J f>v. and thai •rejicrallv in goods cut of the tcnjinary'^ stoi-c. I dare 'av vo'.i can form a toler- nblj good idea of what vali:c is to be at;nc.lied to mc-h an arrangement, e«pcciallv w]jcu j)u: duwn, as here, to iho ciodit of the cmpl<»ver. Allow me, thn)n:;h von, A,-, to m:r»o a pr.'vp'xition to the eeminar^-; and wliifh, i!* ilio;.- Iiave any fait I) in their own rclurns. thev will af«ci»t vcrv rc.iJilv — ii i>. thai llic Mctho- dist Church will aton-.-i' relieve thein of all care and ro tlmn tlicy have cvor known sin>e the fjr>t d;iy ll-.at the mi sion wa- in^tituu-d to the pre-ent, then all ^hall U' ^iiiTcndcre 1 b:iclc ai;:iin to tbo t-eminary, and that with thr m ciiiicalion of a bumiliatin;; lUiluiti. gnal and I lja\e the honor to le, Sir, Your «;1 cdient Servant, ^ ^ /M^VS; 25 f--.^ I I '■» LETTER lY. The Rev. Mr. Bailees rdnrm again considered. — The Seminary would keep the second grant out of sight —Returns shown to be 7nis leading and deceptive. — Unpleasant exposures made, whg ^—Professions and facts in striking antagonism.— Parental treatment of a novel kind.— An Indian learned — MonopoUj of rights bg the Seminary.— Case of logic, remark- able.— Present case cannot be, should not be, a hopeless one. — Appeal. Sir, In looking over the returns of the Rev. Mr. Bailo, of the amounts expended in various ways for the benefit of the Indians by the Seminary,— such f instance as from 186G to 1867, of $14,497,17, and from 1867 to 1868, of $17,370,412, and these sums, not given as expenditures of an oxtraorJinary character, but as specimens rather of regular and current outlay,— I imagined at first that no person would really credit such who knew anything of the condition of those Indians, and of the relations subsisting between them and the Seminary, But I perceive that full credence is given them by the lion. Mr. Langevin, (and if by him, why not many others ?) for he says in a reply to certain Algonquin Indians of the Lake of Two Mountains: "The Indians should likewise know that the Seminary of St. Sulpico has for several years been expending for the benefit of the Indians, a considerably larger sum than they derive from the Seigniory; and to assist the Indians have done much towards providing them with work and employment, and giving help and aid to the poor and infirm." It is necessary, therefore, to consider these returns with some attention. But before remarking upon them particularly I would point attention to the circumstance, how completely tho Seminary and their friends keep out of sight the fact- -and an important one it is — that the Seigniory of the Lake of Two Mountains is scarcely the one half of the grant made by the King of France to the Seminary for the support of this Indian Mission. That the second grant of the adjoining Soignioryi tnad« becauso of thd Sominary's reprosontation of tho ^ '< \ I J i i i ass! $ 26 inadequacy of tho one Seigniory to componsato them for their wonderful outlay of removing the Ir lians to tho Lake of Two Mountains; and of building a church and erecting a simple and insignificant v/ooden fort for their protection when there. The second grant is carefully left out of account, that, doubtless, it may not have any influence in estimating tho obligations of the Seminary to the Indians of their mission. Allow mo, sir, to request, that in forming your judgment of the doings and " sacrifices," nor less of the responsibilities of the Seminary of St. Sulpice, you keep this fact before you. Tho Eev. Mr. Bail 3 helps us to a proper understanding of tho value of his returns, while he makes the conclusions of the Hon. Mr. Langevin the more unaccountable, when he says, — * The Seminary has for several years been expending for the benefit of the Indians a considerably larger sum than they derive from the Seigniory,'' — and further remarks "For the use of the mission, and of our farms, and to give work to the Indians who were in want." (Why were they in want ? Were there not lands which they might have occupied, and by which have had means to suj)ply their wants ?) " We had repairs made to a road, on an extent of nearly twelve miles. Every year for the last seven years, we have spent, and still spend, nearly one thousand dollars on this road." The real facts being, that having opened up farms for themselves, and needing them to tneir various parishes which they have settled, and for other settliTS whom they are introducing into their Seigniories, tL'^y have roads made in various directions, and one main one in partienlar, to work on which he {^tr. Baile) engages tho Indians; because they have them at hand, and needy, and because they can pay them very moderate wages in provisions at their store ; which arrangement is doubtless very convenient for the seminary. But to call this work expended on the mission, and for the benefit of the Indians, is, I feel con- strained to say, deception and imposition so great as to deserve the strongest reprobation. I dwell on these most unpleasant revelations of character and conduct, mainly because I wish to show how little, if any, credit can be given to any representation made by tho Seminary on the subject of their treatment of those Indians ■ and hovr earnest and determined the Government should be to call tho Seminary to account for their stewardship, and to deliver the Indians out of their hands. 21 *' With rogJird to timber," writes the Hon. Mr. Langevin repeating in all good faith, I will bolicvo, the representations of Mr. Bailo, ''it is found from explanations given by the Superior of the Seminary, that the Indians are allowed to cut such wood as they require for fr.el and for building purposes, but are not permitted to cut wood for sale." Ml". Baile makes the same statement, saying, "If they, (the Indians) want any firewood, or timber for building purposes, we allow them to have it, but we only permit them to talce what they want for their oWn use." And yet, will you believe, sir, that these statements had been made but a short time when, for cutting timber to bv.ild themselves a small house which would answer, either for a council room, a school house, or a place of worshij), six of these Indians wore pounced upon, taken before a magistrate for trespass, and by him sentenced to four months imprisonment, or pay a fine of one hundred and twenty hvo dollars ! And is it not passing strange, that with such statements of their liberality and kindly treatment of these Indians, whom saj's Mr. B, '' we Jiave always treated as our children," as I here give, that a little over a year ago placards were posted up at the instance of the Seminary throughout the Indian village, prohibiting the cutting of wood under any circumstances, on i)ain of prosecution afid imprisonment; and further, in order to stop the making of hoops for tho Montreal market, — (a means of subsistence which sever?' families of Indians have,) — the Seminary, — which, according to its own rejiresentations, has done so much in work and otherwise, for the support and benefit of these Indians, should seek to stop this, first, by causing their farmers to gather up all such young trees as were suitable for their purposes; and when this did not avail, by giving warning to tho Captain t;f a steamer, who called regularly at Oka, as at other places, to take people and freight to market, that he was not to take any hoops or such things for the Indians any more, as they were made of their property, and against their will. An Indian who had made up a bundle of hoops, and being prevented taking them to market by the steamer, made a little raft, and started with them in that way. But no sooner had he arrived in Montreal than he was arrested, and put into prison. After laying thfcfo for three days, an advocate of the 28 City "was requested to call and fee into the affair; and in doing 80 found the Eev. Mr. Vilieneuve, manager of the Seminary'?! busine"3P, assisted in such petty business by no loss a functionary thun the Attorney General of the province, at his place to give attention to the great affair of prosecuting a poor Indian for the wonderful offence of bringing a few bundles of hoops to market, — made by himself, and from the growth of lands given originally for the benefit of his tribe and people! It is astonishing how ready many of the high functionaries of our province are to do the bidding of this great and wealthy Seminary, against the^e poor Indians; — who, with many magistrates in the country round about the Lake, seem to feel honored by the rendering of such services. It would appear that these gentlemen were somewhat taken by surprise by an advocate of respectable standing appearing to defend so insignificant a mortal as an Indian; and hence they at once concluded to pro.secute the matter no further; as, said they, the Indian was sufficiently punished already by his three days imprisonment. This, lat me remark, is a tine illustration of the Rev Mr. Bailo's boast; " The Indians^ whom, we hace always treated as our children " I Other instances of parental treatment to these " children " I feel bound to supply, in order that you may have full evidence that if the Indians have complained, and do now complain, it is not without cause; and that if I now appeal to you, and through you to the Government and people of our country — for effectual interposition in their behalf, it is not without a reason ; ye.-<, a reason not only fully justifying my act, but most clearly rendering such a duty little short of imperative. ;; • • ^^i: ; : f> ; V • :- - . t-^ The Chief" Jose," as ho has been called, thought he would enlarge his little garden, which is next to his house, and of abcat a quarter of an acre in extent. lie did so by adding to it from waste and unoccu])ied land, — such as they have always considered their own, — and such it is if any portion of those lands, can by occupancy be so called. He fenced it round and feared no evil, for he was not conscious of having committed any. But a gentleman of the Seminary being on hand, had him arrested n,nd brought before a magistrate, — one of his obsequious friends of course, — uho committol him to prison for a month! Nor was this all, lor failing to induce any of tho Indians,-—ovon of thoso who still adhero to the Church of tho r ;i Seminary to pull dowi and romcvo the fence, Canadiars with t'leir teumj were emp'oyol, nni bo with the c:)Tnmi(tal and this work, a bill of thirty-nine dollars was filed against the Chief; which, after his enduring a month's imprisonment, had to be paid for him cro he was allowed his freedom from the gaol I Surely, Mr. Baile may well ask : " What mission vcould procure them (these Indians) so many advantages (so many oppor- tunities of lodj nj in gaol,) and so much assistance, (into the gaol though not out of it;) for we have always treated them as our children." •■■ '"'•-"■:'j:.-v' .-.i;-:;.-/; r' ->■•,;'-:, .-,;;.,-:'»;; v,.;- "".-jn A*^ Indian this last Spring, cut and drew some lumber to put up for himself a little building, (stable, I think, it was,) when, lol the priest fent his men and took the lumber away from him. The Indian thinking, as well he might, the act an outrage, came to town and entered an action against the Seminary for the tre.-pass. The case was tried and recently decided, — so I have been informed, — against the Indian. And why should it not be so? This is the direction such events take in these cases. The Indians have no rights, how can they have any, seeing the Seminary have such a monopoly of them f and men in power are so chary of entering the lists against a Corporation, great in name, greater in wx'alth, and 1 know not but as a conh equence, even greater in political and ecclesiastical power. The^e are all recent cases I have here given; with one more I will close this very painful exposition of the Christianly, truthful, and charitable, spirit of this noted Seminary of St. Sulpice, late of Paris, but now, especially since 1840, of Montreal. A few weeks ago an Indian came to a gathering, convened on a visit I recently made to Oka, and informed me that while putting up a little building for him..elf on his own land, and with the timber obtained thereon, the priest came, or sent to him, (I forget now which it was,) to say that he would not be allowed to proceed with his building unleis he returned a^at the name you have acquired by the doings of past years, in defending the injured and of lifting them up to an equality of rights with others, and that with an energy and eloquence which has tri- umphed over all opposition, will yet show that the fire of past years has not gone out in you, and that sympathy for the wronged and injured is as strong and real a passion as it was in any of your former days. An argument of some effect with certain parties, I have almost overlooked. I will however give it tho notice it deserves Mr. Baile observes in a letter to the Hon.. Mr Langovin, a letter from which I have more than once quoted : " In 1859, in order to facilitate the extinction of the Seigniorial rights, and thus simplify Lower Canada Legislation, we consented and offered, not without new sacrifice." (How wonderfully accustomed to making sacrifices are this Seminary of Eev. gentlemen in their doings with this their great burden, these Seigniories. I hope I shall be considered as not violating tho rules of propriety by saying, that the greatest sacrifices I have any idea of their making, are those of principle, simply,) " to abide by the common law as regards the commutation of a part of our rights." (What they did then with tho Indians' rights Mr. B. does not tell us. He doubtless has thought so long and so much of the rights of his Seminary that ho has lost sight of and forgotten the rights of the Indians altogether.) " By the 16th Section of the amended Seigniorial Act of 1859> the non-coded lands in any of said Seigniories have become our unconditional property in franc aleu roturier, and we can sell any of those lands. Tlierefore, the lands binder cultivation and occupied by the Indians an ours." You are charmed with the logic of this rev. gentleman, Hoh. sir, I feel assured, and you now see, if you never did before, how easy it is to prove that " a horse chestnut, must be 31 ^ a chestnut horse." Allow Mr. Bailo his premiss, and of courso he can jump most cleverly to his conclusion : — " All non-ceded lands are ours," But the Indians' lauds are non-ceded. There- fore the Indians' lands, whether under cultivation or otherwise are, — must, and shall ho,— ours. But what right has the Eev. Mr, Bade to put the Indian into such a category at all? Boos it appear from any proposition which the Seminary made in order to get these Seigniories; or from any word dropped by the King of France in bestowing them, that such a relation as that of censitaire was necessary, in order to the Indians being fully and properly treated as the ample provision made for them implies? Not at all; for coeval with the rights of the Seminary are the rights of the Indians; and from such no clumsy and stumbling logic of Mr. Baile's can move them. Nor will it, I venture to predict, if nothing better by him and his friends can be employed. The whole case is anomalous. The Seminary are at onco Trustees and Seigniors, Trustees they are to the Indians ; and Seigniors to all those whom without infringing upon the rights and interests of the Indians, they should settle on these Seigniories. The two aspects of their position w^o must necessarily consider, in oifdor to deal truly and properly with the whole case. And if I have done anything to call attention to the proper view of the matter, I shall esteem my labor abun- dantly remunerated. Still I think I hear an objector remarking: '-If the Seminary are Trustees, then have they not a right to object to the Methodists, or any other section of the Christian church, entering upon their field, and opening up a mission on lands given them for that purpose ? " There is apparent force in this objection, and I will give it the attention it calls for. Suppose 1 hat the Seminary had settled these Indians on the lands given for that purpose, and in such a way that no person could object against ; yet, should the Indians therefore be bound to be members of the Church of the Seminary through all time ? I think not. Taking up those principles of rational and Scriptural liberty which, I am sure w-e are all glad, or should be, to see prevailing and spreading in the world, every man and woman must be left at perfect liberty to chooso their own rule of faith, and mode of worship. If convinced that there are preferences to be given to the Eoman Catholic 38 faith and worship, lot tho?e who wish by nil means embrac© them, Jind that without lot, hindrance, or dibabilify, of any kind; and vice versa, if from lloman Catholici^m a person looks on, and bcliovod in those of Protebtantifcin so Le it, and as above, so treat him. If the iSominary, I repeat it, had treated thoe^e Indians in all roipects Christainly, and therefore properly, I apprehend they would have remained undisturbed in their relations until now; 3'ea, to tenderly, firmly united, as that tcparation, or opposition, would not be once thought of. As it i.s, through treatment of which the Indians have long and bitterly complained, and that without any efl'ect, the Indians have broken away, and separated themselve.s from the Seminary fully, and I trow not, but forever. Shall they then be punished for this ? Christianity, humanity and consistent policy say, no: emphatically and distinctly — no. I call for, j'ea, I entreat, action, — therefore, accordin^'ly. It has become the duty of a Chri.stian public, if they would preserve to our country the praise of having treated our Aborigines, christianly and kindly, not to allow this case of the Lake of Two Mountains to remain an exceptional one any longer. For what if the Seminary of Sulpico be gigantically strong in wealth, and thci-efore ecclo.siadtically and politically strong also, iiave we not in our public men — assuredly we have in public sentiment and opinion, — sutficieiit strength and courage to deal with such aGoliah? The evidence of this, I trust will soon be forthcoming. I have the honour to be, Sir, ? Your obedient servant, John Borland. r- r.-'y,'" : ■i-A^i'-f-*" - ,?«■ *>.- r