THE VOYAGE TO QUINIBEQUI, AND THE RETURN TO PORT ROYAL.
WE remarked a little while ago that this visit to St. John
river was only a diversion from the greater expedition to the
Armouchiquois to get some corn. Now when we had thus come to terms
with the Maloüins, we unfurled our sails to the wind and turned
towards the land of the Armouchiquois. Before departing, sieur du
Pont and Merveille begged Father Biard to consent to remain with
them; but he answered [175] that for the present he could not do
it, as it would not be right to leave sieur de Biencourt in such a
dangerous voyage; and that it was important to him in his mission
to study the people and location of the places, and, little by
little, to familiarize the minds of the Savages with the sight,
uses, and ways of Christianity, visiting them and giving them some
taste of piety, although it might be only in passing by. But that
he hoped, with God's blessing, when this journey was over, to come
and pass the Winter with them, and with their aid to compose his
Catechism. For this he begged sieur du Pont to prepare himself,
questioning the Savages about the fitness of words which might
correspond to those of our language and Religion. And in order that
he might be able to do it properly, he left him quite an ample
explanation of the [176] principal articles of our holy Faith.
Nous arriuasmes à Kinibequi sur la fin d'Octobre. Kinibequi est vne
riuiere proche des Armouchiquoys à quarante trois degrez, & deux tiers
d'eleuation, & au Suroüest de Port Royal, à soixante dix lieües, ou
enuiron. Elle a deux emboucheures bien grandes, distantes l'vne de
l'autre au moins deux lieües, elle a aussi plusieurs bras, & Isles,
qui la decoupent. Au reste, belle & grande riuiere, mais nous n'y
vismes point de bonnes terres, non plus qu'à la riuiere S. Iean. On dit
toutesfois qu'en haut, loin de la mer, elles y sont fort belles, & le
sejour aggreable, & que les peuples y labourent. Nous ne montasmes pas
plus auant de trois lieües, nous tournoyames par tant de vireuoltes, &
sautames tant de precipices, [177] que grand miracle de Dieu fut que
ne perismes plusieurs fois. Aucuns de nos gens s'escrierent par deux
diuerses fois, que nous estions perdus; mais ils crierent auant le
temps; Nostre Seigneur en soit beny. Les Sauuages nous emmielloyent de
l'esperance d'auoir du bled; puis ils changerent la promesse du bled en
trocque de castors.
We arrived at Kinibequi[41] towards the end of October. Kinibequi
is a river near the Armouchiquois, in latitude forty-three and
two-thirds degrees, and Southwest of Port Royal about seventy
leagues or thereabouts. It has two quite large mouths, one distant
from the other at least two leagues; it is also cut up by numerous
arms and branches. Besides, it is a great and beautiful river; but
we did not see good soil there any more than at the St. John river.
They say, however, that farther up, away from the sea, the country
is very fine and life there agreeable, and that the people till
the soil. We did not go farther up than three leagues; we whirled
about through so many eddies, and shot over so many precipices,
[177] that several times it was a great miracle of God that we did
not perish. Some of our crew cried out at two different times that
we were lost: but they cried too soon, blessed be Our Lord. The
Savages cajoled us with the hope of getting corn; then they changed
their promise of corn to that of trade in beaver skins.
Or pendant qu'on faisoit ceste trocque, le P. Biard s'en estoit allé
en vne Isle proche, auec vn garçõ pour celebrer la saincte Messe. Les
Sauuages à l'occasion de la traicte qui se deuoit faire, se ietterent
fort auidement, & à la foule dans nostre barque; de curiosité (comme
i'estime) pource qu'ils ne voyent pas souu[~e]t tels spectacles.
Nos gens auoient peur, que ce ne fust malice, & que soubs couleur
de trocque, ils ne se voulussent [178] saisir de la barque: aussi
s'estoyent ils armez, & barricadez, à fin de n'estre surprins voyant
donc, que nonobstant leurs menaces, & crieries, ils ne cessoyent
d'entrer à la file, & que ja ils estoyent bien trente sur le tillac,
ils cuiderent que tout à faict c'estoit à bon jeu, qu'on les vouloit
surprendre: & ja couchoi[~e]t en iouë pour tirer. Mõsieur de Biencourt
a souuent dit, & souuent repeté despuis, qu'il eut plusieurs fois sur
la langue de crier, tuë, tuë: Mais que ceste consideration le retint,
que le Pere Biard estoit à terre, qui ne falliroit d'estre massacré
si lon meffaisoit à aucun Sauuage. Ceste consideration obligea le P.
Biard, & nous sauua trestous: car si lon eust comm[~e]cé la charge, il
n'est pas croyable, qu'on eust iamais peu eschapper la chaude chole &
furieuse poursuite des Sauuages dedãs vne [179] riuiere, qui a tant
de tours, & retours, & souuent bien estroicts, & perilleux: outre
que de cent ans après ceste coste n'eust peu estre reconciliable, ny
hospitaliere aux François, tant les Sauuages euss[~e]t eu ceste offense
dessus le coeur. Dieu doncques nous sauua par ceste consideration. Et
de là tous Capitaines retiendront de n'estre point trop subits aux
executions de perilleuse suite. Or les Sagamos s'apperceuans d'eux
mesmes de la iuste apprehension, où leurs gens poussoient nos François,
se prindrent à les retirer hastiuement, & mirent ordre à la confusion.
Now, while this trading was going on, Father Biard had gone,
with a boy to an Island near by, to celebrate holy Mass. The
Savages, on account of the trading to take place, crowded very
eagerly into our barque; from curiosity (I think) because they did
not often see such sights. Our people were afraid that this was
only a trick, and that under the pretense of trading they wanted
[178] to get possession of the barque; therefore they armed and
barricaded themselves not to be taken unawares. Seeing then that,
notwithstanding their threats and cries, they continued to file in,
and there were already about thirty of them upon the deck, they
decided that it was all in good earnest and that they were trying
to take them by surprise, so they had already taken aim to shoot.
Monsieur de Biencourt has often said, and often repeated since
then, that several times he had at his tongue's end the words,
"Kill, kill." But that he was restrained by the consideration
that Father Biard was on shore, and that he would not escape
being massacred if harm were done to any of the Savages. This
consideration was a blessing to Father Biard, and saved us all: for
if the attack had been begun it is not to be supposed that they
could ever have escaped the passionate wrath and furious pursuit of
the Savages, in a [179] river which has so many turns and windings,
and which is often very narrow and dangerous; besides, this coast
could not have become hospitable or reconciled towards the French
for a hundred years afterwards, so much would the Savages have
taken the offense to heart. So on this account God saved us; hence,
all Captains should restrain themselves from rash and perilous
conduct. Now the Sagamores, themselves perceiving to what a state
of just apprehension their people had driven the French, began to
draw them off hastily and to bring order out of the confusion.
Ce peuple ne monstre point d'estre meschant, quoy qu'il aye deffaict
les Anglois, qui vouloient habiter parmy eux l'an 1608. & 1609. ils
s'excusoient à nous de ce faict, & nous racontoient les outrages, [180]
qu'ils auoyent receu desdicts Anglois, & nous flattoient: disans qu'ils
nous aymoient bien, parce qu'ils sçauoient, que nous ne fermions point
nos portes aux Sauuages comme les Anglois & que nous ne les chassions
pas de nostre table à coups de baston, ny ne les faisions point mordre
à nos chiens. Ils ne sont point larrons comme les Armouchiquoys, &
sont les plus grands harangueurs du monde. Ils ne font rien sans cela.
Le P. Biard les alla voir par deux fois: & (ce qu'il faisoit par tout)
pria Dieu en leur presence, & leur mõstra des images, & marques de
nostre creance, lesquelles ils baisoient volontiers, faisants faire
le signe de la saincte Croix à leurs enfans, qu'ils luy offroyent, à
fin qu'il les benist: & oyoient auec attention grande, & respect ce
qu'on leur annonçoit. Le mal [181] estoit, qu'ils ont vne langue toute
diuerse, & falloit qu'vn Sauuage seruist de truchemant, lequel sçachant
bien peu de la Religion Chresti[~e]ne, se bailloit neantmoins du
credit enuers les autres Sauuages: & à voir sa contenance, & ouyr son
long parler, il faisoit grãdement du Docteur: si bien ou mal, ie m'en
rapporte.
These people do not seem to be bad, although they drove away the
English who wished to settle among them in 1608 and 1609.[41] They
made excuses to us for this act, and recounted the outrages [180]
that they had experienced from these English; and they flattered
us, saying that they loved us very much, because they knew we
would not close our doors to the Savages as the English did, and
that we would not drive them from our table with blows from a
club, nor set our dogs upon them. They are not thieves like the
Armouchiquoys, and are the greatest speech-makers on earth. Nothing
is done without speeches. Father Biard went to see them twice, and
(as he did everywhere) prayed God in their presence, and showed
them some pictures and tokens of our faith which they willingly
kissed, having their children make the sign of the holy Cross, and
presenting them to him for his blessing: they listened with great
attention and respect to what was told them. The trouble [181] was,
that they have an altogether different language, and a Savage had
to serve as interpreter, who, knowing very little of the Christian
Religion, nevertheless acquitted himself with credit in the eyes
of the other Savages; and to look at his face and hear his talk,
he played the Doctor very grandly; whether successfully or not, I
cannot tell.
Nous fusmes à Kinibequi iusques au quatre, ou cinquiesme de Nouembre,
saison ja trop auancée pour passer outre selon nostre premier dessein:
c'est pourquoy le sieur de Biencourt se mit au retour d'autant qu'il
pensoit estre moindre mal de souffrir l'Hyuer, & la disette à Port
Royal, y estans bien logés, & chauffés, & attendãts la misericorde
de Dieu; que non pas de risquer sur mer en vn temps de tempestes,
parmy des Barbares & ennemis, ayants [182] encores de plus la faim à
craindre; car nos prouisions commençoy[~e]t fort à faillir: ainsi donc
nous adressasmes à P[~e]tegoet pour nous en retourner à Port Royal.
We were at Kinibequi until the fourth or fifth of November, a
season already too advanced to go on any farther, according to our
first intention; hence sieur de Biencourt set out upon his return,
thinking it the lesser evil to endure Winter and want at Port
Royal, comfortably lodged and warm, awaiting God's mercy, than to
risk passage upon the sea in this stormy season, being now among
Barbarians and enemies, with [182] famine to fear besides; for our
provisions began to be very scarce: therefore we turned towards
Pentegoet, on our way back to Port Royal.
A Pentegoet nous trouuasmes vn'assemblee de quatre vingts cauots
Sauuages, & vne chaloupe. C'estoit en tout enuiron trois cents ames.
De là nous repassasmes à l'Isle S. Croix, où Platrier nous donna deux
barils de pois, ou de febues: l'vn & l'autre nous fut vn bien grand
present.
At Pentegoet we found an assemblage of eighty canoes of Savages,
and a boat, in all about three hundred souls. Thence we passed on
to the Island of Ste. Croix, where Platrier gave us two barrels of
peas or beans; they both proved a very great boon to us.
Icy le P. Biard supplia le sieur de Biencour de le faire passer à la
riuiere S. Ieã à ce qu'il peust aller trouuer du Pont & trauailler au
Catechisme, ainsi qu'ils auoyent conuenu au depart. Mais ledit sieur
ne luy voulust point accorder sa requeste, sinon aux conditions, qu'il
entretinst & nourrist auec soy les matelots, qui le conduiroyent [183]
iusques au Printemps suiuant; Condition totalement impossible. Ainsi
fallust qu'il laissast son Catechisme, & s'en reuinst auec les autres à
Port Royal à son grand regret.
Here Father Biard begged sieur de Biencour to let him go on to the
river St. John so that he could find du Pont and go to work on
the Catechism, as they had agreed at his departure. But the said
sieur was not willing to grant his request, unless on the condition
that he would feed and keep with him, [183] until the following
Spring, the sailors who would take him there; a Condition totally
impossible. Therefore he had to give up his Catechism, and return
with the others to Port Royal, much to his regret.
Tandis que nous estions en voyage aucun n'estoit resté dãs l'habitation
de Port Royal, sinon le P. Enemond Massé, & vn ieune Parisien, appellé
Valentin Pageau. Ledit Pere viuoit en Hermite bien austere, ne voyant
aucun, sinon quelque fois deux, ou trois François qui labouroyent à
deux lieuës de là: & si par fortune, quelque Sauuage passoit. Le P.
Biard tomba peu apres son retour en vne legere maladie, mais lente, &
chronique, qui donna subiect de charité audit Pere Enemond.
While we were away, no one had remained at the settlement of Port
Royal except Father Enemond Massé and a young Parisian, called
Valentin Pageau. The Father lived very austerely, in the manner of
a Hermit, seeing no one, except occasionally two or three Frenchmen
who were cultivating the land two leagues away, and perchance some
Savage who was passing by. Shortly after his return, Father Biard
fell ill of a light but slow and chronic malady, which gave to
Father Enemond an occasion for charity.
On leur auoit assigné vn garçon pour les aider en leurs necessités;
[184] & ils l'auoyent accommodé bien honnestement: mais il les quitta
au gros des neges, & au coeur de l'Hyuer.
They had been given a boy to help them in their needs, [184] whom
they had treated very kindly; but he left them in the depths of the
snow and in the heart of Winter.
Les neges commencerent le 26. de Nouembre, & auec elles (ce qui
faschoit le plus) le retranchement des viures. On ne donnoit à chaque
personne pour toute la sepmaine, qu'enuiron dix onces de pain, demy
liure de lard, trois escuelées de pois, ou de febues, & vne de
pruneaux. Les Iesuites n'en eurent iamais plus, ny autrement qu'vn
chacun de la troupe. Et est mensonge très-impudente ce que le Factieux
allegue du contraire.
The snow began on the 26th of November, and with it (what grieved
them the most) the cutting down of their rations. There was given
to each individual for the entire week only about ten ounces of
bread, half a pound of lard, three bowls of peas or beans, and one
of prunes. The Jesuits never had more nor different things than the
other members of the company and it is a very impudent lie which
the Factionist alleges to the contrary.
Pendant tout ce temps les Sauuages ne nous venoy[~e]t point voir, sinon
rarement quelques vns de la maison de Membertou, pour nous apporter
quelque present de leur chasse. C'estoit lors bonne [185] feste, &
jouine: nos gens en reprenoient vn peu de courage. Ce qui faschoit le
plus, estoit l'apprehension du temps, quand on consideroit l'estenduë
lõgue des mauuais moys, qu'on auoit à passer.
During all this time the Savages did not come to see us, except
rarely some of Membertou's family, to bring us some offering from
the chase. Then there was great [185] feasting and hilarity, and
our people would begin to feel a little encouraged. The most
grievous thing was their dread of the season, when they considered
the long duration of disagreeable months to be endured.
Les Iesuites taschoient, & en priué, & en public de consoler tous, &
vn chacun parmy ceste misere. Et aduint, que le troisiesme Dim[~e]che
apres Noël, auquel on lit l'Euangile _Vinum non habent_: Le P.
Biard exhorta la Compagnie à bien esperer, & prendre la glorieuse
vierge Marie pour aduocare enuers son misericordieux Fils, en toutes
necessitez, & spirituelles, & corporelles, estant ainsi, que par son
intercession iamais le vin de consolation ne manque à ceux qui l'ont
pour hostesse & pour mere. Le seruice finy, le P. Biard s'addressant au
sieur de Bi[~e]court, & luy monstrant les compagnõs, [186] luy dit en
riant: _Vinum non habent_. Le priant de leur en donner de ce peu qui
restoit, adioustant, que le coeur luy disoit qu'on auroit bien tost
secours, & au plus long, dans le moys qui couroit, sçauoir est, dans
Ianuier: & que peut estre verroit-on, qu'il deuineroit sans y penser.
Les Compagnons furent bien-aises, & se gaudissants apres auoir beu,
disoyent: Or bien, nous voy-cy de bon courage, pour attendre si le Pere
sera point Prophete. Et certes il le fut de bonne aduenture: car vn
nauire nous arriua iustement huict iours apres, lequel il nous fallut
aller querir assez loin.
The Jesuits tried, both privately and in public, to comfort all
and every one during this season of misery. And it happened that
on the third Sunday after Christmas, when the Gospel _Vinum non
habent_ is read, Father Biard exhorted the Company to be of good
cheer, and to take the glorious virgin Mary for an advocate with
her compassionate son in every need, spiritual and corporal, as
through her intercession the wine of consolation would never be
wanting to those who have her as a guest and a mother. The service
ended, Father Biard addressed himself to sieur de Biencourt,
and, pointing to his companions, [186] said laughingly, _Vinum
non habent_: begging him to give them the little that remained,
adding that his heart told him they would soon have succor,--at
the farthest, during the present month, namely, in January; and
perhaps it would be seen that he had unwittingly prophesied. His
Companions were delighted, and, in their joy after drinking, said,
"Now, truly, we have the courage to wait and see if the Father is a
Prophet." And certainly he made a lucky hit, for a ship reached us
just one week afterward, which we had to go a long way out to seek.
CHAPITRE XX. [i.e., xix.]
COMME MADAME LA MARQUISE DE GUERCHEUILLE OBTINT DU ROY LES TERRES DE LA
[187] NOUUELLE FRANCE, & LE SECOURS QU'ELLE Y MOYENNA.
LE sieur du Potrincourt estãt reuenu en France au mois d'Aoust de
l'an 1611. ainsi qu'a esté dit cy deuant, esuentoit de tous costés la
trace, & le moyen de pouuoir secourir ses g[~e]ts, lesquels il sçauoit
ne pouuoir long temps durer sans renfort, & rauitaillement nouueau.
La peine estoit de trouuer quelque bon Æole, Roy des Autans Bursins,
qui les voulust donner, non comme ils le furent à Vlysses, liés dans
le cuir pour ne souffler pas, ains deliés, & de bon cours pour bouffer
dans les voiles, car sans cela point de nauire ne sçauroit auancer.
Or considerant que Madame la Marquise de Guercheuille affectionnoit
extremement la conuersion des Sauuages; qu'ell'auoit [188] ja procuré
des aumosnes aux Iesuites, à laquelle ils faisoit fort bõ accueil, &
voyãt que plusieurs rares vertus brilloyent en elle, il cuida qu'elle
pourroit bien encliner à ceste bonn'oeuure. Il luy en parla, & ladicte
Dame respondit, que volontiers ell'entreroit en l'association que le
sieur Robin, & les Iesuites auoyent auecques luy pour le secours de
Canada, moyennant que ce fust de la bonne volonté des associés, &
qu'elle les aideroit trestous de bonn'affectiõ. Vous pouuez estimer
si les Iesuites deuoyent resister à ceste proposition, ou si le
sieur Robin en estoit malcontent, à qui ja Canada ne pesoit que trop.
Ainsi donc contract fut passé d'association. Ladicte Dame estant à ce
autorisee par le sieur de Liencourt premier Escuyer de sa Majesté, &
Gouuerneur de Paris son honnoré, [189] & digne mary. Par ce contract
estoit arresté qu'icelle Dame dõneroit presentement mille escus pour
la cargaison d'vn nauire, & moyennant ce ell'entreroit en part, &
des profits que ledit nauire rapporteroit du pays, & des terres que
sa Majesté auoit donné audit sieur de Potrincourt, ainsi qu'il est
amplement porté dans la minute. En ce contract, le sieur de Potrincourt
se reserue Port Royal & ses terres, & dit n'entendre point, qu'il
entre en diuision, ny communication des autres Seigneuries, Caps,
Haures, & Prouinces, qu'il donne à entendre d'auoir audit pays, outre
Port Royal. Or Madame la Marquise somma ledit sieur de Potrincourt
de produire les papiers & instruments, par lesquels il constast de
ces siennes appartenances & domaine si grand; il s'excusa, disant,
[190] qu'il les auoit laissé en la nouuelle France. Ceste response fit
soupçõner ladicte Dame & comme ell'est prudente, engin ne luy manqua
pas pour se garder d'estre surprise: car elle fit auec le sieur Pierre
du Gua, dit de Monts, qu'il luy retrocedast tous les droicts, actiõs,
& pretensions qu'il auoit, & auoit oncques eu, en la nouuelle France
à cause de la donation à luy faicte par feu Henry le Grand. Item
d'autre part, elle impetra lettres de sa Majesté à present regnant, par
lesquelles donation luy est faicte de nouueau de toutes les terres,
portes & haures de la nouuelle France dés la grande riuiere, iusques
à la Floride, horsmis seulement Port Royal. Et en ceste façon celuy
qu'on eust pensé estre le plus fin se retrouua contre son opinion serré
& confiné comm'en prison dedans son Port [181 i.e., 191] Royal, parce
qu'en verité, il n'a, ny n'a iamais eu autres terres, Caps, ny aures,
Isles, ny continent, sinon Port Royal, & sa coste: Là où maintenant la
dicte Dame tient tout le reste par double tiltre, sçauoir est, & de
donation ou cession du sieur de Monts, & de donation nouuelle faicte
par sa Majesté à present regnant.
CHAPTER XX. [i.e., xix.]
HOW MADAME LA MARQUISE DE GUERCHEVILLE OBTAINED FROM THE KING THE
LANDS OF [187] NEW FRANCE, AND THE HELP WHICH SHE SENT THERE.
SIEUR du Potrincourt having returned to France in the month of
August of the year 1611, as has been said above, searched on all
sides for ways and means of being able to help his people, who
he knew could not continue long without reinforcements and fresh
food. The trouble was to find some good Æolus, King of the South
and North winds, who would be willing to give them, not as they
were given to Ulysses, bound up in a leather bag so as not to
blow, but free and propitious to swell the sails, for without this
no ship could advance. Now considering that Madame la Marquise
de Guercheville had the conversion of the Savages very much at
heart; that she had [188] already procured some donations for the
Jesuits, which they received very gratefully; and seeing that many
rare virtues shone in her character, he thought that she might
readily favor this good work. He spoke to her about it, and the
Lady responded that she would willingly enter into the partnership
which sieur Robin and the Jesuits had formed with him for assisting
Canada, provided that this was the wish of the partners, and
that she would aid them all with affectionate interest. You may
judge whether the Jesuits ought to have refused this proposition,
or whether sieur Robin, upon whom Canada already weighed rather
heavily, was dissatisfied with it. Thus then the contract of
association[33] was entered into, the Lady being authorized to
do this by sieur de Liencourt, chief Equerry of his Majesty, and
Governor of Paris, her honored [189] and worthy husband.[42] By
this contract it was arranged that the Lady should give at once a
thousand écus for the lading of a ship, and in consideration of
this she would have a share both in the profits which said ship
would bring back from the country, and in the lands which his
Majesty had given to sieur de Potrincourt, as is amply set forth
in the minutes. In this contract, sieur de Potrincourt reserves
for himself Port Royal and its lands, and says that it is not to
be understood that he enters into partition or transference of
other Seigneuries, Capes, Harbors, and Provinces, which he gives
to understand he possesses in that country, outside of Port Royal.
Now Madame la Marquise summoned sieur de Potrincourt to produce the
papers and documents, by which he could prove these his so great
appurtenances and domains; he excused himself, saying [190] that he
had left them in new France. This answer made the Lady suspicious,
and, as she is prudent, means were not lacking to guard against
fraud; for she arranged with sieur Pierre du Gua, called de Monts,
that he should give up to her all rights, claims and pretensions
that he had, and ever had had, in new France, based upon the deed
of gift made to him by the late Henry the Great. Also on the other
hand she secured letters from his Majesty now reigning, by which
a deed of gift was newly granted her of all the lands, ports, and
harbors of new France from the great river to Florida, with the
sole exception of Port Royal. And in this way he, who was thought
to be so shrewd, found himself, against his choice, locked up and
confined as in a prison within his Port [181 i.e., 191] Royal;
because, in truth, he has not and never has had, other lands, Capes
or harbors, Islands or continent, except Port Royal and its coasts.
Whereas now this Lady holds all the rest by a double title; namely,
by donation or cession of sieur de Monts, and by a deed of gift
newly granted by his Majesty now reigning.
Or icelle craignant, que son argent ne fist naufrage auãt que de monter
sur mer, elle l'auoit confié entre les mains d'vn Iesuite coadiuteur,
qu'on enuoyoit à la nouuelle France, pour aider les Prestres qui ja
y estoyent. Le Iesuite deuoit consigner cest argent à Dieppe entre
les mains d'vn marchand, qui l'employast en l'achept de victuailles,
marchandises, & affretement; mais il fut trop à la bonne foy. Car à la
requisition du sieur de Potrincourt il s'en laissa [192] tirer quatre
c[~e]ts escus sans autre caution, que d'en retirer vne cedule. Ainsi il
n'y eust que six cents escus employez en tout cet affretement; Emplete
bien digne de Canada.
Now she, fearing her money might be wrecked before it had embarked
upon the sea, confided it to the hands of a Jesuit lay brother,[43]
who was being sent to new France to help the Priests who were
already there. The Jesuit was to deliver this money at Dieppe into
the hands of a merchant, that he might use it in the purchase of
food, merchandise, and freight; but he was too confiding. For at
the requisition of sieur de Potrincourt, he allowed [192] four
hundred écus to be drawn without other security than a note of
hand. Therefore he used only six hundred écus for this entire
cargo; an investment very worthy of Canada.
Ce n'est pas tout. Le sieur de Potrincourt cõmit à l'administratiõ du
nauire, & maniem[~e]t des affaires vn certain sien seruiteur, appellé
Simon Imbert, anciennement tauernier à Paris, & alors cherchant parmy
les bois de la nouuelle France de quoy payer ses creanciers. Le
nauire appartenoit à vn Capitaine, appellé Nicolas l'Abbé, de Dieppe,
honneste, & sage personne. Ce nauire donc ainsi equippé & freté partit
de Dieppe le 31. de Decembre au le plus fort de l'hyuer, & paruint
heureusement à Port Royal le 23. de Ianuier en l'an suiuant 1612.
n'ayant consumé que deux moys en chemin.
This is not all. Sieur de Potrincourt confided the
administration of the ship and the management of affairs, to a
certain servant of his called Simon Imbert, a former innkeeper
at Paris, and at that time seeking in the woods of new France
something with which to pay his creditors. The ship belonged
to a Captain, called Nicolas l'Abbé, of Dieppe, an honest and
prudent man. So this vessel, thus equipped and freighted, departed
from Dieppe the 31st of December in the very depth of winter,
and arrived happily at Port Royal on the 23rd of January in the
following year, 1612, having consumed only two months in the
journey.
CHAPITRE XXI. [i.e., xx.]
[193] LE COMMENCEMENT DES DISPUTES ENTRE LE SIEUR DE BIENCOURT, & LES
IESUITES & LES CAUSES D'ICELLES, L'ACCUSATION, QU'ON FIT DE GILBERT DU
THET, & SA DEFENSE.
LA ioye fut grande aux secourus de ceste arriuée de nauire pour
l'estroitte necessité où ils se retrouuoyent, & les frayeurs, qu'ils
auoyent conçeu de l'aduenir. Mais ceste resiouissance ne fut pas
longue, le sieur de Biencour n'estant point à son aise dés que Simon
Imbert, luy eust porté nouuelles de l'association faicte auec Madame
la Marquise de Guercheuille. Or parce que le Iesuite Gilbert du Thet,
estant dans le nauire, quoy qu'il ne se fust meslé des affaires,
toutesfois [194] n'auoit pas esté si borgne (comme l'on dit) qu'il ny
eust tousiours veu d'vn oeil; comme il en auoit charge, & commandement.
Iceluy doncques pour s'acquitter de son deuoir, & garder le droit,
s'en alla trouuer le sieur de Biencourt, en presence du P. Biard
luy dit, Qu'il s'esmerueilloit bien fort, que Simon Imbert ayant eu
l'administration de tout l'embarquement, ce neantmoins il n'auoit
apporté aucun roolle, ny charte-partie, ny memoires de ce qui auoit
esté embarqué, ny où, ny comment l'argent de Madame la Marquise
auoit esté employé. Qu'il deuoit bien l'auoir faict au moins pour
iustification de sa probité, & bonne foy mesmes, puis qu'il apportait
plusieurs marchandises qu'il asseuroit estre à luy en proprieté, &
desquelles on pourroit auoir soupçon, qu'il se fust accommodé [195]
au detriment de la dicte Dame, & d'eux. Qu'ils ne vouloyent point
l'accuser auant que de l'auoir trouué coulpable, neãtmoins qu'auant
aussi de le recognoistre non coulpable, il y auoit bien de quoy
s'enquerir en tout cela, & mesmes de ce qu'il auoit vendu à Dieppe du
bled, qui luy auoit esté dõné pour l'embarquement: chose qui tournoit
au grand preiudice de l'habitation, laquelle defailloit principalement
en victuailles. Item, qu'il comptoit sept barrils de Galette despensez
durant le voyage, & il ne disoit rien que de ces sept il y en auoit
deux, qu'vn certain Robert de Roüen auoit fourny pour sa part: car en
ceste façon il ne falloit pas compter sur la compagnie sept barrils,
ains cinq tant seulement. Qu'on supplioit ledit sieur de s'enquester
de tout l'affaire prudemment, [196] & s'y conduire tousiours comme
nous deuons par tout, auec charité, & retenuë. Telle fut la simple
remonstrance, que luy fit le Iesuite, & le sieur de Biencourt a
souuent depuis rendu tesmoignage, qu'on ne luy pouuoit indiquer ce
mesnage, auec plus de modestie que lon fit. Neantmoins au lieu de
faire ce dequoy on l'auoit requis, & à quoy il estoit tenu, il s'en
alla rapporter le tout audit Simon Imbert, adioustant que le Iesuite
coadiuteur l'auoit accusé.
CHAPTER XXI. [i.e., xx.]
[193] THE BEGINNING OF THE DISPUTES BETWEEN SIEUR DE BIENCOURT AND
THE JESUITS, AND THE CAUSES THEREOF; THE ACCUSATION MADE AGAINST
GILBERT DU THET, AND HIS DEFENSE.
GREAT was the rejoicing over the relief afforded by the arrival of
this ship, on account of the severe straits to which the colonists
had been reduced, and the dread which they felt for the future. But
this joy did not last long, sieur de Biencour being ill at ease on
account of the news brought by Simon Imbert about the partnership
formed with the Marquise de Guercheville. Now the Jesuit, Gilbert
du Thet, being in the ship, although he had not meddled with
affairs, nevertheless [194] had not been so blind of one eye (as
the saying is) that he had not always kept watch with the other,
as he had been charged and commanded to do. Now in order to acquit
himself of his duty, and to uphold the right, he went to see sieur
de Biencourt; and, in the presence of Father Biard, he said to
him: That he was very much surprised that, as Simon Imbert had had
the management of the entire embarkation, nevertheless he had not
brought any list of the ship's company, nor charter party,[44] nor
invoice of what had been shipped, nor statement of where or how
the money of Madame la Marquise de Guercheville had been spent.
That he ought to have done this at least for the vindication of
his own honesty and good faith, since he had brought a great deal
of merchandise which he claimed belonged to him, and which it
would be suspected he had appropriated [195] to the detriment of
the said Lady, and of themselves. That they did not wish to accuse
him before having found him guilty; nevertheless, before admitting
his innocence, there was a great deal to investigate in the whole
matter, and especially in regard to his having sold at Dieppe wheat
which had been given him to be shipped--an act which would prove
to be a great disadvantage to the settlement, which was in need of
provisions more than of anything else. Also, that he counted seven
barrels of Sea-biscuits dispensed during the voyage, and he did not
say that of these seven, two were furnished by a certain Robert de
Roüen as his share; so, for this reason, seven barrels should not
have been charged to the company, but only five. That the sieur
was entreated to investigate the whole affair prudently, [196] and
to conduct himself always in the matter as we ought to do in all
things, with charity and dignity. Such was the simple remonstrance
that was made to him by the Jesuit; and sieur de Biencourt has
often testified since then, that this matter could not have been
called to his attention with greater delicacy than it was. But,
instead of doing what he was requested, and what he was bound to
do, he went and reported the whole affair to Simon Imbert, adding
that the Jesuit lay brother had accused him.
Or quels conseils furent prins là dessus, & quelles menées, ou
pretensions, ie n'en sçay rien. Tant y a, que comme de petites
exhalaisons & vapeurs, qui au commencement ne sont rien, s'esleuent
d'espaisses nuees, vents furieux, & horribles tempestes qui à traict
de temps s'effarouchent & [197] gastent les cãpagnes & moissons: Ainsi
de ce peu de cause par l'agitation de l'esprit malin se grossit en vn
tourbillon malencontreux de discorde, qui a dissipé, & rauagé tous les
fruicts, & les esperances de ce premier essartem[~e]t. Car Imbert luy
depeignit l'association faicte auec la Dame Marquise de de Guercheuille
comm'vn moyen inuenté par les Iesuites, à fin de l'expulser hors de ses
amples Seigneuries de Canada.
Now what counsels were held thereupon, and what underhand
dealings or claims, I know not. However, as from little exhalations
and vapors, which at first amount to nothing, arise dense clouds,
furious winds, and horrible tempests, which suddenly sweep over
and [197] destroy fields and harvests; so from this slight cause,
through the agitation of the evil spirit, the trouble increased
to a mischievous whirlwind of discord, which has scattered and
ravaged all the fruits and hopes of this first clearing. For Imbert
represented to him that the partnership formed with Madame la
Marquise de Guercheville was a means invented by the Jesuits to
drive him out of his broad Seigneuries of Canada.
Or les Iesuites n'estants point aises de se voir loger en si ioly
predicament, par deux fois en presence du sieur de Biencourt, & de
toute l'habitation conuainquirent de fausseté ledit Imbert par les
tesmoins mesmes qu'il alleguoit; & en la secõde le presserent tellement
qu'il fut contrainct de dire qu'il auoit esté yure quand il auoit ainsi
parlé. Desquelles verités [198] & innocence, y a bons & authentiques
actes, & tesmoignages faicts & rendus iuridiquem[~e]t à Dieppe par
deuant le Magistrat, apres le retour du nauire.
Now the Jesuits, not pleased at seeing themselves placed in such a
pretty predicament, twice in the presence of sieur de Biencourt and
of the whole settlement, convicted the said Imbert of duplicity,
by the very same witnesses which he had put forward; and the
second time they pressed him so hard that he was compelled to say
he had been drunk when he had spoken thus. Of their truth [198]
and innocence in this, there are good and authentic records and
proofs, made and rendered according to law at Dieppe, before the
Magistrate, after the return of the ship.
CHAPITRE XXIII. [i.e., xxi.]
VN VOYAGE DU PERE ENEMOND MASSÉ & VN AUTRE DU P. BIARD.
LA reconciliation ayant esté faicte du depuis, & toutes choses
pacifiées, les Iesuites se r'adonnans à l'estude, & apprentissage du
langage Sauuaginois, estimerent vn bon moyen de s'y cõtraindre, &
d'apprendre mieux les vs, façons, & vie du pays, s'ils alloyent, &
demeuroyent auec les naturels, errants, & courants auec eux par monts
& vallées; & viuants à leur mode quant au ciuil, [199] & corporel.
Ils s'offrirent à Louys Membertou, pour en ceste façon demeurer auec
luy, s'il luy plaisoit l'agréer: ce qu'il accepta fort volontiers. Le
P. Enemond Massé, comm'il est courageux, voulut que cest'entreprinse
fust pour luy; aussi fut-il iugé plus propre à cela par la cõmune voix
de ceux de l'habitation, à cause de son industrie, & engin practic,
idoine de trouuer tous remedes à tous inconueniens. Il s'en alla dõc
auec Louys Membertou, & sa famille, au delà de la Baye Françoise à la
riuiere S. Iean, & commença son nouitiat de ceste vie Nomadique, bien
aspre de vray, & de fort essay.
CHAPTER XXIII. [i.e., xxi.]
A JOURNEY MADE BY FATHER ENEMOND MASSÉ, AND ANOTHER BY FATHER BIARD.
A RECONCILIATION was effected afterward, and everything calmed
down. The Jesuits, devoting themselves to the study and
apprenticeship of the Savage language, thought a good way to force
themselves to this, and to better learn the usages, habits and life
of the country, would be to go away and live with the natives,
wandering and roving about as they did through mountains and
valleys, and adopting their ways, civil [199] as well as physical.
They offered themselves to Louys Membertou, to live with him in
that way, if he were pleased to receive them: he agreed to do so
very willingly. Father Enemond Massé, as he was full of courage,
desired that this enterprise should fall to him; also he was judged
more suitable for it by the common voice of the settlement, on
account of his industry and practical ingenuity, ready to find
a remedy for every inconvenience. He went away then, with Louys
Membertou and his family, beyond French Bay to St. John river, and
began his novitiate in this Nomadic life, truly a very hard and
trying ordeal.
Ceste vie est sans ordre, & sans ordinaire, sans pain, sans sel, &
bien souuent auec rien; tousiours en courses, & changements, au vent,
à l'air, & mauuais temps; [200] pour toict, vne meschante cabane:
pour reposoir, la terre: pour repos les crys, & chants odieux: pour
remedes, la faim, & le trauail. C'estoit à la verité, vne regle
bien forte. Ledit P. Enemond à fin de garder par tout l'honnesteté
religieuse auoit amené auec soy vn ieune garçõ François bi[~e]
gaillard, qui l'aidoit, luy assistoit par tout, & luy seruoit à la
Messe. Mais & maistre & seruiteur tous deux se trouuerent bien tost
rudement examinés par vne diete si distemperée; tout leur en-bon-point
decheut; leurs forces, couleur, & gaillardise; les iambes leur
deuindrent grosses & pesantes, les esprits assopis, & succeda vne
fieure lente: laquelle toutesfois se passa bien tost: & depuis peu
à peu ils prindrent ply, & reuindrent aucunement à leur vigueur. Le
Pere Enemond y pensa perdre la veuë [201] sans aucun mal des yeux:
L'atrophie à mon aduis causoit ceste debilité de sens, & des esprits.
This life is without order and without daily fare, without
bread, without salt, and often without anything; always moving on
and changing, in the wind, in the air, and in bad weather; [200]
for roof, a wretched cabin; for couch, the earth; for rest and
quiet, odious cries and songs; for medicine, hunger, and hard work.
It was, in truth, a very painful mode of living. Father Enemond,
in order to everywhere preserve a religious propriety, had taken
with him a young and vigorous French boy, who helped him, attended
him wherever he went, and assisted him at the Mass. But both master
and servant soon found themselves in a bad condition through such
irregular diet: they became thin, and lost their strength, color,
and cheerfulness; their legs grew big and heavy, their minds were
dulled, and a low fever set in; however, this soon passed away, and
then little by little they regained their usual appearance, and
each was restored to his customary vigor. Father Enemond thought he
was going to lose his sight, [201] without any disease of the eyes;
atrophy, it seems to me, caused this debility of the senses and of
the mind.
Ce temps pendant, le P. Biard demeuroit à Port Royal, ayant pris auec
soy vn Sauuage, lequel il nourrissoit, & s'en seruoit comme de maistre
en langue Sauuagine. Il le nourrissoit, dis-je, de ce qu'il auoit peu
espargner de son ordinaire, & mesme le seruoit, parce que les Sauuages,
ou de paresse, ou plustost de hautaineté de courage ne se daigneroyent
faire aucuns seruice, comme d'aller à l'eau, au bois, à la cuisine, &c.
d'autant que, disent-ils, cela appartient aux femmes. Il entretint donc
ce Sauuage, & fut son appr[~e]tif au lãgage trois semaines durant, mais
il ne peut plus long temps, faute d'auoir dequoy le nourrir, ce qui luy
fut fort grief, parce que le Sauuage estoit de [202] bon naturel, &
demeuroit auec luy bien volontiers.
During this time, Father Biard remained at Port Royal, having with
him a Savage whom he fed and made use of as a master in the Savage
tongue. He fed him, I say, from what he had been able to save
from his own daily fare, and even waited on him; for the Savages,
either from laziness, or from lofty courage, do not deign to do
any work, such as going for water, for wood, to the kitchen, etc.,
for they say that belongs to the women. So he entertained this
Savage, and was his apprentice in the language for three weeks,
but he could keep it up no longer, for want of something to give
him to eat; this grieved him exceedingly, for the Savage was [202]
good-natured, and willing to live with him.
Or tandis que le P. Enemond estoit malade entre les Sauuages, arriua
vn plaisant rencontre. Ledit Pere s'estant cabané à part pour cause
de sa maladie, Loys Membertou le vint trouuer fort en peine (comm'il
monstroit,) & luy dit: Escoute Pere. Tu t'en vas mourir, ie le deuine.
Escry donc à Biencourt, & à ton frere, que tu es mort de maladie, & que
nous ne t'auons pas tué. Ie m'en garderay bien (dit le P. Enemond:) car
possible apres que i'aurois escrit la lettre, tu me tuerois, cependant
tu porterois ta lettre d'innocence, que tu ne m'aurois pas tué. Icy le
Sauuage reuint à soy, & se recogneut (car il n'est pas lourd:) & se
prenant à rire. Bien donc (dit-il,) prie Iesus que tu ne meure pas, à
fin qu'on ne nous accuse de t'auoir [203] faict mourir. Aussi fais-je,
dit le P. Enemond, n'aye peur, ie ne mourray pas.
Now while Father Enemond was sick among the Savages, an amusing
incident occurred. As the Father was in a cabin, apart from the
others on account of his illness, Loys Membertou, apparently in
great trouble came to see him, and said to him: "Listen, Father.
Thou art going to die; I predict it. Write now to Biencourt and
to thy brother, that thou hast died of disease, and that we did
not kill thee." "I shall take care not to do that" (said Father
Enemond), "for possibly after I had written this letter, thou
wouldst kill me, and then thou wouldst take there thy innocent
letter, saying thou hadst not killed me." Here the Savage, seeing
what was meant (for he is not dull) and recovering his equanimity
began to laugh. "Well then" (said he), "pray Jesus that thou mayest
not die, so they will not accuse us of having [203] killed thee."
"Indeed, I am doing so," said Father Enemond; "do not fear, I shall
not die."
Sur la fin d'Aoust d'icell'année 1612. le sieur de Biencourt voulut
aller à la Baye des Mines à 21. ou 22. lieuës de Port Royal: de vray
il y alloit bien mal en conche, dans vne pietre chaloupe, n'ayant que
pour huict iours de viures, & manquant de toutes autres prouisions. Le
P. Biard neantmoins s'offrit à l'accompagner, parce que ledit sieur
promettoit de s'enquester, & rechercher nouuelles du P. Enemond, duquel
ja dés deux mois nous n'auions rien ouy, & nous nous craignions fort,
qu'il ne fust tombé en quelque inconuenient, ou maladie.
Towards the end of August of this year, 1612, sieur de Biencourt
wished to go to the Bay of Mines, 21 or 22 leagues from Port Royal:
he was certainly ill-prepared to go there, in a wretched boat,
having food for only eight days, and lacking all other provisions.
Father Biard, however, offered to accompany him, because the sieur
promised to inquire about and seek news of Father Enemond, of whom
we had heard nothing for two months, and who, we greatly feared,
had fallen into some trouble or sickness.
Or quoy que si mal prouisionnés, toutesfois nous n'allasmes pas
seulement à la Baye des Mines: ains aussi à Chinictou; Champlain [204]
appelle ceste Baye, la Baye de Genes. A ce Chinictou y a de fort
belles, & grandes prairies à perte de veuë, plusieurs riuieres se
deschargent dans ladicte Baye, & par aucunes d'icelles on monte bien
haut pour aller à Gachepé. Les Sauuages de cest endroit peuuent monter
à soixante, ou quatre vingts ames, & ne sont point si vagabons, que
les autres, soit pource que le lieu est plus retiré, soit qu'il est
plus abondant en chasse, n'estant point de besoin d'en sortir pour
viure. Le pays est pour la pluspart agreable; & à mon aduis, de grande
fertilité s'il estoit cultiué. Il est dans le quarente six degré
d'eleuation polaire.
Now although so badly provisioned, nevertheless we went not
only to the Bay of Mines, but also to Chinictou; Champlain [204]
calls this Bay, the Baye de Genes. At this Chinictou there are many
large and beautiful meadows, extending farther than the eye can
reach; many rivers discharge their waters into it, through some of
which one can sail quite far up on the route to Gachepé.[45] The
Savages of this place may number sixty or eighty souls, and they
are not so nomadic as the others, either because the place is more
retired, or because game is more abundant, there being no need of
their going out to seek food. The country is, for the most part,
agreeable, and, in my opinion, would be very fertile if it were
cultivated. It is within the forty-sixth degree of north latitude.
A nostre retour de la dicte Baye Dieu nous preserua euidemment deux
fois emmy la tempeste. Et la troisiesme fut celle que [205] ie m'en
vais raconter. Nous n'auions apporté que pour huit iours de viures, &
ja y en auoit quinze de nostre despart. Le mauuais temps nous tenoit
au delà de la Baye des mines, du costé de la riuiere S. Iean, si le
contrastre ou contrarieté de vents eust duré, c'en estoit fait, il
falloit mourir de faim, car nous n'auions rien. La nuict venuë le P.
Biard persuada à la compagnie de faire vn voeu à nostre Seigneur, &
à sa benoiste Mere, que s'il leur plaisoit nous donner vent propice,
les quatre Sauuages qui estoyent auec nous se feroyent Chrestiens. Les
Sauuages en furent bien contans, & ainsi le voeu fut faict. Le matin
venu le vent fut esueillé tel qu'il le nous falloit, & à son ayde
nous trauersasmes la dicte Baye, qui est de huict lieües de large. Or
arriuez à terre du costé de Port Royal [206] le vent nous manqua. Et si
auions marée contre nous & quinze lieües iusques à Port Royal.
Upon our return from this Bay, God manifestly preserved us twice
in the midst of the tempest. And the third escape is that which
[205] I am going to describe. We had carried with us food for only
eight days and it had already been fifteen since our departure.
Bad weather kept us beyond the Bay of mines, on the St. John river
side; and, if the contrary or adverse winds had continued, it would
have been all over with us, as we would have had to die of hunger,
for we had nothing. When night came, Father Biard persuaded the
company to make a vow to our Lord, and to his blessed Mother, that
if it pleased them, to send propitious winds, the four Savages who
were with us would become Christians. The Savages were willing to
do this, and the vow was made. In the morning the wind arose, such
a one as we were in need of, and by its aid we crossed the Bay,
which is eight leagues wide. Now when we reached shore on the Port
Royal side, [206] the wind failed us; also we had the tide against
us, and we were fifteen leagues from Port Royal.
A ceste cause le sieur de Biencourt nous quitta, aymant mieux s'en
aller à pied auec les Sauuages: Mais il fut trompé, car aussi tost,
qu'il nous eust delaissez, le bon temps nous reuint a l'aide duquel,
& du bon courage des compagnons, nous arriuasmes ce mesme iour à Port
Royal; là où ledit sieur n'y reuint, que trois iours apres ayant prou
paty. Or les Sauuages estoyent prests à receuoir le S. Baptesme, mais
on n'auoit pas dequoy les nourrir quatre ou cinq iours, qu'il eust
fallu pour les Catechiser. Car tout nous manquoit. On les differa
iusques à ce que le nauire sut venu qu'on attendoit de iour à autre.
Mais l'attente fut vayne, ainsi qu'ouïrez. Et ainsi l'occasion de ce
bien se perdit à [207] nostre grand regret.
For this reason sieur de Biencourt left us, preferring to go on
foot with the Savages: but he made a mistake, for immediately
after his departure, good weather returned, by the aid of which,
and owing to the good courage of our companions, we arrived the
same day at Port Royal; whereas the sieur did not get there until
three days later, after much suffering. Now the Savages were
ready to receive Holy Baptism, but there was nothing for them to
eat during the four or five days in which they would have to be
Catechized. For we were in need of everything. It was put off until
the coming of the ship, which was expected from day to day; but the
expectation was vain, as you will hear. And thus the opportunity
for this good deed was lost, to [207] our great regret.
Or le P. Biard reuenu à la maison comme il estoit bien aise d'auoir si
merueilleusement euadé la mort, la faim & les orages; Aussi estoit-il
en tristesse fort grande pour n'auoir sceu nouuelles aucunes de son
cher Confrere le P. Enemond, qu'il aymoit vniquement. Mais Dieu le
resiouyt plenierement ce mesme iour. Car comme si le rendez-vous leur
eust esté donné à mesme assignation, il arriua ce mesme iour sur le
vespre, sain & sauue, & chargé de merites & bonnes oeuures: tant pour
auoir beaucoup paty, comme pour auoir mis au Paradis quelques ames, qui
estoyent passées aussi tost apres le S. Baptesme. De vray ils eurent
tous deux grande occasion de benir d'vn grand coeur leur bon Dieu, &
Seigneur, qui les cõsoloit si paternellement, [208] & si oculairement
les protegeoit en tout, & par tout.
Now Father Biard, being again at home, although he was very happy
at having so wonderfully escaped death, famine, and tempest;
nevertheless was exceedingly cast down at not having heard any news
of his dear Brother, Father Enemond, for whom he had a singular
attachment. But God completely relieved his fears that very day.
For, as if the rendezvous had been assigned them at this very
place, he arrived the same day, safe and sound, and loaded with
merit and good works: as much for having suffered so greatly, as
for having placed in Paradise some souls, which had passed away
immediately after Holy Baptism. In truth they both had reason to
bless with full hearts their good God and Lord, who comforted them
like a father, [208] and so visibly protected them in all things,
and everywhere.
CHAPITRE XXIV. [i.e., xxii.]
CE QU'ARRIUA L'HYUER, & LE PRINTEMPS SUIUANT, DE L'AN 1613.
LE sieur de Biencourt s'attendoit totalement de receuoir secours de
France auant l'Hyuer, voyre mesme on auoit dit qu'il y auoit trois, ou
quatre nauires en chemin, & ja recherchoit-on, où l'on pourroit loger
tant & tant de biens, qui venoyent en flotte. Sur ceste confiance le
sieur de Biencourt auoit trocqué quasi tout. Et partant se vit bien
esbahy, quand à la Toussaincts il se trouua hors de tout espoir de
secours pour ceste année là.
CHAPTER XXIV. [i.e., xxii.]
WHAT HAPPENED DURING THE WINTER AND SPRING FOLLOWING, OF THE YEAR
1613.
Sieur de Biencourt fully expected to receive help from France
before Winter, especially as it had been said that there were three
or four ships on the way, and already we were looking about to see
where we could store so many things as were coming in this fleet.
Trusting in this, sieur de Biencourt had traded almost everything.
He was therefore very much astonished, when on All Saints' day, he
found himself without hope of any relief that year.
[209] Or les Iesuites, qui n'auoyent point mis cuire (comme l'on dit)
sur ces imaginatiues attentes, auoyent reserué dans leur magasin cinq
grands poinçons de bled; quatre de pur froment, & vn d'orge qu'on
leur auoit enuoyé de France pour leur particulier. Tout cela faisoit
quatorze barils de bon grain. Eux donc voyants la necessité du sieur
de Biencourt, l'allerent trouuer, & luy offrirent leurs moyens de
bonne volonté, & qu'il prinst tout leur bled, hors seulement deux
barrils de froment, & vn d'orge, qu'ils se desiroyent reseruer pour
diuers accidents de necessitez, & maladies tant d'eux, que des autres.
Quant au reste, qu'on n'innoueroit rien, ains à leur accoustumée ils
receuroyent la distribution quotidienne à l'egal des autres. Le sieur
de Biencourt accepta l'offre, & les [210] conditiõs, & selon icelles on
commença de viure.
[209] Now the Jesuits, who had not built much (as the saying is)
upon these visionary expectations, had reserved in their storeroom
five large puncheons of grain, four of pure wheat and one of
barley, which had been sent from France for their own use. It made
in all fourteen barrels of good grain. Now, when they saw sieur
de Biencourt's necessity, they went to him and cheerfully offered
him their means, saying that he should take all their grain with
the sole exception of two barrels of wheat and one of barley,
which they wished to reserve for various emergencies of want and
sickness, both for themselves and the others. As to the remainder,
they would not touch it, except to receive as usual their daily
portion like the others. Sieur de Biencourt accepted the offer, and
its [210] conditions, and according to these we began to live.
Ce pendant les Iesuites ayants Dieu pour appuy, ne perdoyent point
courage, ains selon la lumiere, & l'engin, que leur estoit donné,
pouruoyoyent à l'aduenir. Partant ils s'auiserent de bastir vne
chaloupe, tandis que les autres demeuroyent au pres du feu à leur
aise sans trauailler. Car ils preuoyoyent, que sans bateau, il leur
conuiendroit mourir de faim apres deux mois que leur pourroit durer
leur orge, parce qu'ils ne pourroyent aller sans bateau ny au gland, ny
aux coques, ny aux racines, ny à la pesche, ny autre part, où seroit
quelque esperance de queste. Parce que les chemins de ce païs là sont
les riuieres, & la mer.
Meanwhile the Jesuits, with God as their support, did not lose
heart, but, according to the light and ingenuity given them,
provided for the future. Thus they decided to construct a boat
while the others were sitting around the fire doing nothing. For
they foresaw that, without this, they would surely die of hunger
after the two months in which their barley would last; and, having
no boat, they could not go for acorns, shells, roots, or fish, nor
to any place where there would be hope of finding something. For
the roads in that country are the rivers and the sea.
Au commencements de ceste leur entreprinse de bastir vne [211]
chaloupe, on se mocquoit deux: car le cõducteur de l'oeuure estoit
leur garçon, qui n'en sçauoit pas plus qu'vn apprentif: ses aides
estoyent deux Prestres, qui iamais n'auoyent faict tel mestier.
Neãtmoins (disoit-on) le P. Enemond sçait tout faire, & au besoin il se
trouuera bon Scieur d'ais, bon calfeutreur, & bõ Architecte. Mais le
P. Biard dequoy seruira-il à cela? Ne sçais-tu pas, (disoit l'autre,)
que quand la chaloupe sera faicte, il luy donnera la benediction.
Ainsi causoyent-ils, & en auoyent beau loisir, aupres du feu. Mais
les Iesuites ne perdoyent point de temps à scier planches, à raboter
ais, rechercher courbes, à faire estoupes des bouts de cordages
qu'ils recouuroyent, à courir les bois pour amasser de la resine. Que
voulez-vous? A la my-Mars leur gaillarde chaloupe fut [212] dans l'eau
equippée, parée, accommodée brauement auec l'admiration de ceux qui
s'en estoyent moquez: & tout au contraire, le sieur de Biencourt, qui
au commencement de l'Hyuer auoit eu trois bonnes chaloupes, à la fin
ne s'en trouua du tout point, & fut contraint du bris d'icelles faire
rauauder vn malotru bateau pour trois personnes au plus, qui n'eust
sceu faire trois lieües continuellement en mer, qu'il ne fust pery,
tant il faisoit d'eau.
When they began to carry out this plan of constructing a [211]
boat they were both laughed at; for the master of the work was
their servant, who knew nothing more about it than an apprentice;
his assistants were two Priests, who had never followed this trade.
"Nevertheless" (some one said) "Father Enemond can do anything; and
in case of need he will be found to be a good Sawyer of planks, a
good caulker, and a good Architect. But of what use will Father
Biard be in such work?" "Dost thou not know" (answered the other)
"that when the boat is done he will give it his blessing?" Thus
they chattered, and talked it over leisurely around the fire. But
the Jesuits lost no time in sawing planks, planing boards, seeking
bent wood, making oakum out of bits of rope which they found, and
tramping over the woods in search of resin. What came of it? In the
middle of March their jolly-boat was [212] upon the water equipped,
adorned and fitted up bravely, to the admiration of those who had
sneered at it: and on the other hand, sieur de Biencourt, who in
the beginning of Winter had had three good shallops, at the end
did not have any at all; and he was obliged, out of the wrecks of
these, to patch up a clumsy boat large enough for three people
at the most, which leaked so badly that it could not go three
continuous leagues upon the sea, without sinking.
Or la chaloupe estant preste, & appareillée, le P. Biard s'en alla
premierement en haut contre la riuiere auec leur seruiteur, & vn
tiers qui se ioignist à eux, appellé Iean Baptiste Charp[~e]tier.
Ils allerent à la queste du gland, & des racines. Ces racines sont
appellées en Sauuageois _Chiquebi_, & s'engendrent volontiers aupres
[213] des chesnes. Elles sont comme des truffes, mais meilleures, &
croissent sous terre enfilées l'vne à l'autre en forme de chapelet. Il
y en a beaucoup en certains endroits. Vray est qu'il est bien difficile
d'aller aucune part où les Sauuages n'ayent de ja foüillé, par ainsi
on n'en trouue guieres que des bien petites. Et encores faut-il bien
trauailler pour en viure vn iour.
Now the boat being ready and under sail, Father Biard, with the
servant and another who had joined them, named Jean Baptiste
Charpentier, first made a trip up the river. They went in search
of acorns and roots. These roots in the Savage language are called
_Chiquebi_,[46] and grow readily near [213] oak trees. They are
like truffles, but better, and grow under the ground strung to each
other like a rosary. There are many of them in certain places,
yet it is very difficult to find any place where the Savages have
not already been digging, and thus only very small ones are to be
found. Also we must work hard to get enough of them for a day's
food.
Apres auoir couru en haut contre la riuiere pour les glands, & racines,
il s'en alla à l'Eplan. Eplan ou Epelã est vn petit poisson cõme
les sardines de Roü[~e], qui venãt de la mer, fraye contre certains
ruisseaux sur le commencement d'Auril. Il y en a vn à quatre lieües de
l'habitation de Port Royal, qui aucunesfois en fourmille tout en ce
temps là. Pour ceste cause les Sauuages aussi s'y vont cabaner, & en
viuent.
After having gone to the upper part of the river for acorns and
roots, he went to get some Smelts. The Eplan or Epelan is a little
fish like the sardine of Roüen, which, coming from the sea, spawns
in certain brooks toward the beginning of April. There is one
of these brooks four leagues from Port Royal, which sometimes
completely swarms with them at that season. For this reason the
Savages also go there to camp and live.
[214] Apres l'Eplan succedent les Harencs, qui frayent de mesme en vn
autre riuiere. Le P. Enemond Massé entreprit ceste pesche des harencs,
& apres celle-cy celle de molües, ja le mois de May estant venu. En
ceste façon nous boutames le temps (comme l'on dit) auec les espaules;
ou plus tost auec les pieds & bras, trainants nostre miserable vie
iusques à ce que le nauire arriua. Le voyage, & route duquel il nous
faut reprendre de plus haut.
[214] After the Smelts come the Herrings, which in like manner
spawn in another river. Father Enemond Massé engaged in this
fishing for herring, and later for cod, until the coming of the
month of May. And thus we were butting against time (as the saying
is) with our shoulders, or rather with our hands and feet, dragging
on our miserable lives until the arrival of the ship, whose voyage
and route we must take up from farther back.
CHAPITRE XXV. [i.e., xxiii.]
L'ARRIUÉE DE LA SAUSSAYE À PORT ROYAL, & & DE LÀ, À S. SAUUEUR.
ON dressoit en France vn equipage pour retirer les Iesuites de Port
Royal, & fonder [215] vne nouuelle habitation de François en vn autre
lieu plus commode.
CHAPTER XXV. [i.e., xxiii.]
LA SAUSSAYE'S ARRIVAL AT PORT ROYAL, AND AFTERWARDS, AT ST. SAUVEUR.
THEY fitted up a ship in France to take the Jesuits away from
Port Royal, and to found [215] a new French settlement in a more
suitable place.
Le chef de cet equipage estoit le Capitaine la Saussaye ayant trente
personnes, qui deuoyent hyuerner sur le pays, en contant les deux
Iesuites, & leur seruiteur qu'il deuoit prendre à Port Royal. Il auoit
de plus auec soy deux autres Iesuites, le Pere Quantin, & Gilbert du
Thet qu'il conduisoit: mais ils deuoyent reuenir en France au cas que
les deux de Port Royal ne fussent pas morts, de quoy on se doutoit.
Tout l'equipage en contant les Matelots, montoit à 48. personnes. Le
maistre du nauire estoit Charles Flory de Habbe-ville, homme iudicieux,
hardy & paisible. La Royne de sa grace auoit cõtribué aux despenses
quatre tentes ou pauillons du Roy, & quelques munitions [216] de
guerres. Le sieur Simon le Maistre auoit vacqué serieusement à tout
l'affretement & auitaillement. Et Gilbert du Thet, Iesuite coadiuteur,
homme fort industrieux, ne s'y estoit point espargné, de maniere qu'on
estoit richement prouisionné de toutes choses pour plus d'vn an. Outre
les cheuaux, & cheures qu'on y conduisoit ja pour commencem[~e]t de
mesnage. Le nauire estoit de cent tonneaux.
The chief of this expedition was Captain la Saussaye, who was to
winter in the country with thirty persons, counting in the two
Jesuits and their servant, whom he was to take up at Port Royal.
He had with him, besides, two other Jesuits, Father Quantin and
Gilbert du Thet, whom he was to take there; but they were to return
to France in case the two at Port Royal were not dead, of which
there was some doubt. The entire company, counting the Sailors,
numbered 48 persons. The master of the ship was Charles Flory of
Habbe-ville, a discreet, hardy and peaceable man. The Queen in her
goodness had contributed four of the King's tents or pavilions, and
some munitions [216] of war. Sieur Simon le Maistre had devoted
himself earnestly to the freighting and provisioning, and Gilbert
du Thet, the Jesuit lay brother, a very industrious man, had not
spared himself; so they were amply provided with everything for
more than a year, besides the horses and goats which were being
taken over for domestic purposes. The ship was of a hundred tons
burthen.
Cest equipage ainsi ordonné partit de Honfleur le 12. de Mars, l'an
1613. & territ premierement au Cap de la Heue en la coste de l'Acadie,
le 16. de May ayant consumé en son traiect deux mois entiers. Au Cap
de la Heue ils dirent Messe, & dresser[~e]t vne Croix, y apposants
les armoiries de Madame la Marquise de Guercheuille, pour marque de
possession [217] prinse en son nom. De là se remettans en mer, ils
vindrent à Port Royal.
This expedition, thus fitted out, departed from Honfleur on the
12th of March, 1613, and landed first at Cap de la Heve on the
coast of Acadie, on the 16th of May, having consumed two entire
months in the passage. At Cap de la Heve Mass was said, and a
Cross erected, upon which was placed the coat of arms of Madame
la Marquise de Guercheville, as a sign of having taken [217]
possession of it in her name. Thence putting to sea again, they
came to Port Royal.
A Port Royal ils ne trouuerent que cinq personnes, sçauoir est, les
deux Iesuites, leur seruiteur, l'Apothicaire Herbert, & vn autre.
Le sieur de Bi[~e]court & ses autres gens estoyent tous bien loin,
qui çà, qui là. Or parce que Hebert tenoit la place dudit sieur: on
luy presenta les lettres de la Royne, par lesquelles iussion estoit
faicte de relacher les Iesuites, & leur permettre d'aller, où bon leur
s[~e]bleroit: ainsi les Iesuites retirerent leurs hardes en bonne paix.
Et tant ce iour-là, que le suiuant on fit la meilleur chere qu'on peut
à Hebert, & à son compagnon, à fin que ceste venuë ne leur fust point
triste. Au depart (quoy qu'ils ne fuss[~e]t point en disette:) on leur
laissa vn barril de pain, & quelques [218] flaccons de vin, à ce que
l'Adieu fust pareillement de bonne grace.
At Port Royal they only found five persons; namely, the two
Jesuits, their servant, the Apothecary Herbert[37], and another.
Sieur de Biencourt and the rest of his people were all quite far
away, some here, some there. Now because Hebert was taking the
place of the sieur, they presented to him the Queen's letters,
which contained the royal command to release the Jesuits and
to let them go wherever they pleased; so the Jesuits took away
their property in great peace. And on that day as well as on the
following, they made it as pleasant for Hebert and his company as
they could, so that this arrival would not be a cause of sadness
to them. At their departure, (although they were not in need of
anything) they left them a barrel of bread and some [218] bottles
of wine, that the Farewell might be received with equally good
grace.
La contrarieté des vents nous retint enuiron cinq iours à Port Royal,
d'où s'esleuant vn prospere Nordest, nous partimes, en intention
d'aller à la riuiere de Pentegoet, au lieu appellé _Kadesquit_, lieu
qu'on auoit destiné pour la nouuelle habitation, & ayant à tel effect
beaucoup de grãds auãtages. Mais Dieu en disposa autrement. Car comme
nous fusmes au Suest de l'Isle de Menauo, le temps se change, & suruint
en mer vne si espaisse brume, que nous n'y voyons non plus de iour
que de nuict. Nous apprehendions grandement ce danger, pourtãt qu'en
cest endroit y a beaucoup de brisants, & rochers, contre lesquels
nous craignions de donner parmy les tenebres; le vent ne nous [219]
permettant point de nous tirer hors, & nous mettre au large. Nous
demeurasmes en ceste façõ deux iours & deux nuicts, virants tantost
d'vn costé, tantost de l'autre comme Dieu nous inspiroit. L'affliction
nous esmeut de faire prieres & voeux à Dieu à ce qu'il luy pleust
nous deliurer du peril, & nous adresser à quelque bon lieu pour sa
gloire. De sa bonté il nous exauça, car au soir nous cõmençames à voir
des estoiles, & auec le matin les brouëes se dissiperent. Nous nous
recogneusmes estre au deuant des Monts deserts, Isle que les Sauuages
appellent _Pemetiq_. Le Pilote adressa au costé Oriental de l'Isle, où
il nous logea en vn beau, & grand port, & nous y rendismes nos voeus,
esleuants vne Croix, & chantans à Dieu ses loüanges auec le sacrifice
de la saincte Messe. Nous appellasmes [220] ce lieu & port Sainct
Sauueur.
Unfavorable winds kept us about five days at Port Royal, and
then a propitious Northeaster arising, we departed, intending to go
to the river Pentegoet, to the place called _Kadesquit_,[47] the
site destined for the new colony, and having many great advantages
for such a purpose. But God ordained otherwise. For when we were to
the Southeast of the Island of Menauo,[48] the weather changed, and
there came upon the sea such a dense fog that we could see no more
by day than by night. We had serious misgivings in this time of
danger, because in this place there are breakers and rocks, against
which we were afraid of striking in the darkness; the wind not
[219] permitting us to draw away and stand out to sea. We continued
thus two days and two nights, veering now to one side, now to the
other, as God inspired us. We were moved by our affliction to offer
prayers and vows to God, that he might be pleased to deliver us
from the danger, and direct us to some good place for his glory. In
his goodness he hearkened to us, for when evening came on we began
to see the stars, and by morning the fogs had all disappeared. We
recognized that we were opposite Mount desert, an Island, which the
Savages call _Pemetiq_.[49] The pilot turned to the Eastern shore
of the Island, and there located us in a large and beautiful port,
where we made our thanksgiving to God, raising a Cross and singing
to God his praises with the sacrifice of the holy Mass. We called
[220] this place and port Saint Sauveur.
CHAPITRE XXVI. [i.e., xxiv.]
A QUELLE OCCASION NOUS NOUS ARRESTAMES À SAINCT SAUUEUR, LA BONTÉ DU
LIEU.