proved. For, in the beginning of this year 1703, while we are writing
these things, there are numbered in this formerly _solitary and
unexplored country_ more than thirty very prosperous and well-equipped
Missions of our Society, besides the college of Quebec. The first of
these, in sight of Quebec, at the tenth mile-stone from the city, is
called Lorette. Another is situated in the district of Tadoussac, on
the shore of the river St. Lawrence, sixty leagues below Quebec toward
the east. Three others, above Quebec itself, extend far into the North
about lake St. John; one in that place which takes its name from the
seven islands;[49] another in the district of Chigoutimini;[50] the
third on the Saguenay river. There they minister to the Montagnais, the
Papinachois, the Mistassins, and other wandering tribes. Now, if you
journey towards the regions of the setting sun, and the source of the
St. Lawrence river, you will find upon its northern bank a district
called Three rivers, because there three rivers flow together: it is
distant from Quebec seven or eight days' journey. Here, there formerly
flourished the most successful Mission of the Algonquins; but it has
been much weakened through the drunkenness induced by brandy, brought
in by European merchants who thus wickedly derive an easy profit. But
these losses are compensated by the virtue and piety of the Abenakis.
Among them a mission of three stations has been established; one
located among them, not far from Quebec, on the forty-sixth parallel
of latitude, distinguished by the name and patronage of St. Francis de
Sales: the other two are more remote, at a place named Nipisikouit.
Across the St. Lawrence river, to the South, extend the five nations of
the Iroquois. There are among them seven stations of the Evangelists,
scattered through a hundred and fifty leagues. Of these, six were
destroyed in the war which arose between the French and Iroquois, about
the year 1682. Peace, together with the recall of the missionaries,
in the year 1702 restored all things to their previous condition.[51]
Among these Missions of the Iroquois, that one is especially
flourishing which is named for St. Francis Xavier, at Montreal.[52]
Above the Iroquois, toward the west and North, between the fortieth and
forty-fifth parallels, one may see two great lakes joined by a narrow
strait; the larger one is called the lake of the Ilinois,[53] the other
the lake of the Hurons.[54] These are separated by a large peninsula,
at the point of which is situated the Mission of St. Ignatius, or
Missilimakinac.[55] Above these two lakes there is a third, greater
than either, called lake superior. At the entrance of this lake has
been established the Mission of Ste. Marie at the Sault.[56] The space
between this and two smaller lakes is occupied by the Outaouaki, among
whom the Society has many stations. Three such citadels of religion
(for thus it is proper to call the Missions), whence she leads forth
her soldiers and unfurls her sacred standards, have been located about
the lake of the Ilinois: the first, among the Puteatamis, and called
the Mission of St. Joseph; another, among the Kikarous, Maskoutens,
and Outagamies, and possessing the name of St. Francis Xavier:[57] the
third, among the Oumiamis,[58] has the name of the Guardian Angel.
Below the lakes which have been mentioned, above Florida, the Ilinois
roam through most extensive territories. There, a very large station,
named from the immaculate conception of the Virgin Mother, is divided
into three Missions, and extends as far as the river Mississippi. Upon
the banks of the same river is situated the mission of Baiogula, at the
thirty-first parallel of latitude;[59] and it extends down that stream
towards the gulf of Mexico. It has seemed best to explain these matters
somewhat fully, because the individual facts here specified will be
referred to in what is to be hereafter narrated concerning New France.
There remains unknown to Europeans, up to the present time, an immense
portion of Canada, beyond the Mississippi river, situated beneath a
milder sky, well-inhabited, and abounding in animal and vegetable life;
the whole, deprived of true life and of salvation. This region calls to
the generous soldiers of Christ. So is it, likewise, [324] with another
region far dissimilar to that, around the frozen Hudson bay, from the
fifty-fifth parallel to the sixtieth or seventieth; lying at the north,
plunged in snows and frosts, it even more justly implores aid, as it
is afflicted by more weighty ills. Here the Society, a few years ago,
first began to plant its footsteps. That day will dawn, I hope, when
it shall break through the barriers of dangers and toils. Not without
great exertion are the gates of Tartarus, which hold burdened souls in
unmerited bondage, broken down; nor did the Canadian Mission itself,
now flourishing with so many settlements, all at once attain its full
development. Grievously, through sixteen years did it, so to speak,
stick in a rough road; indeed, it did not take shape until 1625, when
it was extricated from its perplexities by the aid of Father Peter
Coton, to whom it owed its origin, as the sixth Part of this History
will more fully explain.
Now we return to the natal days, full of hardships and dangers, of the
toilsome Mission, which, scarcely born, was almost exterminated in its
cradle by the English.
MISSIO CANADENSIS AB ANGLIS PROTURBATA.
SOCIIS illic degentibus venerant auxilio Idibus Maii anni MDCXIII.
Pater Quintinus, & Frater Gilbertus Thetus, regio diplomate instructi,
quo facultas ipsis dabatur novi domicilii commodo loco ædificandi.
Gallos reperiunt incumbentes in condendam urbem, & periculi, quod
instabat, ignaros. Angli paucis ante annis occupaverant Virginiam.
Hæc Americæ septentrionalis ad ortum portio maritima, inter Floridam
Novamque Franciam sita, tricesimo sexto, septimo, & octavo gradibus
substernitur. Eò cum tenderent Angli æstivis anni MDCXIII. mensibus, &
inscii locorum errarent, ob exortam caliginem, quæ huic mari densissima
solet per eos menses incubare, paulatim delapsi sunt ad littus, ubi
Galli consederant, haud procul portu Sancti Salvatoris. Postquam
cognoverunt Gallicas naves ibi consistere, arma expediunt, & in portum
invehuntur. Interea Galli ancipiti opinione suspensi, amicos an hostes
censerent, quos recta in suam stationem ventus inferebat, eventum
trepidi opperiebantur. Brevi, quinam essent patuit. Angli facto impetu
in Gallicum navigium, paucis instructum propugnatoribus, ceteris ad
condenda domicilia digressis, id nullo negotio expugnant.
THE CANADIAN MISSION DRIVEN OUT BY THE ENGLISH.
TO OUR COMRADES residing in that place there had come as a
reinforcement, on the 15th day of May, 1613, Father Quentin and Brother
Gilbert du Thet, provided with a royal commission, by which they were
empowered to establish a new settlement in a suitable location.[60]
They found the French intent upon founding a city, and unaware of the
danger which threatened. The English, a few years before, had occupied
Virginia. This eastern coast-region of North America, situated between
Florida and New France, is comprised between the thirty-sixth and
thirty-eighth parallels. While the English were sailing thither in the
summer months of the year 1613, and, having lost their bearings and
strayed from their course, on account of the fogs, which usually are
very heavy upon this sea in the summer, they were gradually borne to
the shore where the French had settled,[61] not far from the port of
St. Sauveur. When they learned that a French ship was stationed there,
they made ready their weapons and entered the harbor. Meanwhile the
French, uncertain whether they should consider as friends or foes those
whom the wind was bearing directly towards their position, tremblingly
awaited the outcome. Who they were was soon apparent. The English
attacked the French ship,[62] wherein few were drawn up in defense--for
the others had departed to work on the buildings--and with no trouble
captured her.
UNUS È SOCIETATE INTERFICITUR; ALII CANADA EJICIUNTUR.
PRIMO in conflictu Gilbertus Thetus, domesticæ rei adiutor è Societate,
confossus lethali plaga, postridie religiosa morte occubuit. Ceteri
Patres qui stabant in littore, in potestatem Argalli, prætoris Angli,
venerunt. Ille, dum Gallicæ navis prædam & supellectilem recenset,
subduxit clam è Saussæii, navis Gallicæ gubernatoris, qui huic
expeditioni præerat, scrinio regium diploma, cujus fide tota novæ
coloniæ ratio nitebatur. Mox ipsum Saussæium è littore subeuntem
adortus, quærit ex eo quo jure, cujus auctoritate, novas tam prope
Virginiam sedes moliatur. Laudavit Saussæius regium diploma, quod se
in capsis rite conscriptum habere dixit. Ad eas ubi ventum est, vidit
integras, & obseratas, suisque omnia digesta locis agnovit, diploma
nullum apparuit. Tum Argallus, vultu & voce ad severitatem compositis,
fugitivos & prædones conclamat, ac necem commeruisse pronunciat,
simulque navim suis diripiendam tradit. Illum interea Patres obsecrant
ut victis benignè consulat, quibus objici nihil noxæ possit aliud, quàm
quod in pacato solo fuerint nimium securi: auctoritatem Regis Galliæ
non dubiam ac voluntatem testantur. Prætor probè sibi conscius vera
narrari, comiter eos audivit, & omnibus potestatem in Galliam redeundi
fecit. Duas in naviculas infelix turba imponitur, quarum una cursum
in Galliam rectà dirigeret; altera cum aliquot Anglis solveret in
Virginiam, inde Franciam petitura. Hanc PP. Biardus & Quintinus, illam
P. Massæus, & Saussæius conscenderunt. Utriusque sors longè dispar
fuit. Quæ Saussæium & P. Massæum vehebat dum oram maritimam legit,
annonâ, nautis, armamentis destituta, incidit in geminas naves reditum
in Galliam adornantes. Jungit se illis læta, cumque suis vectoribus
Maclovium, Britanniæ Aremoricæ oppidum, paucis diebus tenuit.
Interim Argallus, classis Anglicæ præfectus, Patres Biardum & Quintinum
deducturus in Virginiam, ut constitutum fuerat, paululum iis præivit
cum sua navi prætoria. Virginiam obtinebat Anglus ferox, nomini
Gallico, ac Societati nostræ [325] perinfensus. Ubi adventare Jesuitas
audivit, vociferatur perdendos homines improbissimos, busta pietatis
ac religionis. Argallus contra nitebatur; seque vivo nihil molestiæ
damnive Patribus inferendum affirmabat: hanc enim ipsis dederat fidem;
& regium diploma, cujus auctoritate colonia Gallica in Novam Franciam
deducebatur, protulit. Hoc diplomate inflammatus homo furiosus,
exturbandos è Nova Francia Gallos clamat. In hanc sententiam Angli
proceres iverunt. Jubetur Argallus viam remetiri; Gallos, quicumque
superessent, ejicere, domicilia evertere, & æquare solo. Rediit: arces
in ora Canadensi extructas incendit, omnia delevit, ac naves duas in
Regio Portu deprehensas, invasit.
Dum hæc in Canada geruntur, naves Anglicæ, præeuntem Argallum secutæ,
aliæ procul à Virginia ventorum vi abreptæ; aliæ undis haustæ sunt.
Una, cui Turnellus Anglus præerat, & qua Patres Quintinus ac Biardus
vehebantur, continentibus sexdecim dierum procellis vexata, in Azores,
Lusitanorum ad Africæ littus insulas, celerrimè defertur. Hic vero
novum exoritur periculum. Turnellus poenam metuens, quòd Societatis
sacerdotes per summam immanitatem domicilio avulsos spoliatosque secum
traheret, indignisque habuisset modis, de illorum nece agitare consilia
coepit. Satius denique illi visum ad eorum clementiam & humanitatem,
quam in gravissimis injuriis perspexerat, confugere. Operam tamen
dedit, ne intraret portum; sed stante in ancoris navigio, necessariam
annonam immissâ scaphâ pararet. Contra quàm speraverat accidit. Secundo
enim vento impulsus, portum quamlibet invitus reluctansque subiit.
Nostri de illo, quamvis non ita merito, ne verbum quidem ullum, quo
accusaretur, interposuere: læti quod hostem ita servassent. Agnovit
beneficium gubernator Anglus; ac deinceps sæpenumero cum summa Patrum
laude prædicavit. Id vero multo fecit impensiùs, cùm tempestate ad
Angliæ urbem Penbrochium projectus, ejus oppidi magistratibus movit
suspicionem maritimi latronis, quòd & Francicâ veheretur navi, neque
scriptam auctoritatem proferret, qua suam navigationem tueretur.
Asseveranti se à prætore suo Argallo tempestate divulsum, fides non
habebatur. In tanto discrimine sacerdotes duos Societatis testes
citavit, quos haberet in navi, & quorum incorrupta fides nemini
venire posset in dubium. Cum Patres interrogati rem ita se habere
confirmassent, periculo liberatus est. Reddidit quam debebat illorum
humanitati vicem; utque ipsis non solum esset impune, sed etiam ut
à magistratu honor haberetur, curavit. Certior interim factus Regis
Christianissimi orator de Patrum navigatione difficili, & in Angliam
adventu, egit cum Angliæ Rege de remittendis illis in Galliam. Quo
annuente, Ambianum decimo, quàm fuerant capti, mense ad Socios læti
sospitesque pervenerunt.
ONE OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY IS KILLED; THE OTHERS ARE EXPELLED
FROM CANADA.
IN THE FIRST onset, Gilbert du Thet, a household assistant of the
Society, was stricken with a mortal wound, and on the following day
piously departed this life. The rest of the Fathers, who were standing
on the shore, were captured by Argall, the English commander.[63] This
man, while he was taking an inventory of the plunder and equipment of
the French ship, surreptitiously removed from the trunk of Saussaye,
the captain of the French vessel, and commander of the expedition,
the royal commission upon whose authority all the proceedings of the
new colony were based. Soon meeting Saussaye himself, returning from
the shore, Argall asked him by what right, by whose authority, he
was founding a new colony so near Virginia. Saussaye cited the royal
commission, which he asserted that he had, duly drawn up, in one of his
trunks. When they came to these, he saw them untouched and locked, and
all things disposed in their proper places; but no commission appeared.
Thereupon Argall, changing his countenance and voice to severity,
pronounced them runaways and pirates, and declared that they deserved
death; while at the same time he delivered over the ship to his men to
be plundered. Meanwhile the Fathers besought him to adopt mild measures
toward the vanquished, against whom no other fault could be charged
than that, in a peaceful situation, they had been too careless; they
testified that the authority and favor of the King of France had
certainly been given to the colony. The captain, who was thoroughly
conscious of the truth of their statements, listened to them kindly,
and gave to all the opportunity of returning to France. The unhappy
crowd was placed upon two small ships, one of which directed its
course straight towards France; the other, with some of the English,
sailed for Virginia, thence to depart for France. Fathers Biard and
Quentin embarked upon the latter; Father Massé and Saussaye upon the
former. The fortunes of these ships were widely diverse. While that
which carried Saussaye and Father Massé was coasting along the shore,
destitute of provisions, of seamen, and of equipment, she fell upon
two ships preparing to return to France. She gladly joined herself to
these, and, with her passengers, arrived in a few days at St. Malo, a
town of Brittany.
Meanwhile Argall, the commander of the English fleet, in order that
he might conduct Fathers Biard and Quentin to Virginia, as had been
resolved upon, preceded them a little with his flag-ship. Virginia was
then ruled by a ferocious Englishman,[64] who was extremely hostile
to the French name and to our Society. [325] When he heard that
Jesuits had arrived, he exclaimed that such extremely wicked men, the
sepulchers of piety and religion, ought to be destroyed. Argall strove
against him, and declared that, while he lived, no annoyance or injury
should be offered to the Fathers, for he had given them this assurance;
and he produced the royal commission, by authority of which the French
colony was brought to New France. Incensed by this commission, the man
declared in a rage that the French must be driven from New France. In
this decision the English councilors agreed. Argall was ordered to
retrace his path; to expel those of the French who remained; to destroy
their buildings, and level them with the ground. He returned, burned
the forts built upon the Canadian coast, destroyed everything, and
seized two ships which he found at Port Royal.[65]
While these things were taking place in Canada, of the English ships
which were following the lead of Argall some were driven far from
Virginia by the violence of the wind; others were swamped by the waves.
One, which the Englishman Turnell[66] commanded, and in which Fathers
Quentin and Biard were being conveyed, after being driven continuously
for sixteen days by tempests, was quickly borne to the Azores, islands
on the coast of Africa belonging to the Portuguese. But here a new
danger arose. Turnell, fearing punishment because he was carrying with
him and was holding under unjust conditions priests of the Society, who
had been torn from their homes and robbed with the greatest brutality,
began to consider plans for making way with them. Finally it seemed
better to him to take refuge in their clemency and mildness, which he
had observed amid the most grievous injuries. Nevertheless, he took
measures that they should not enter the port, thinking that while the
ship stood at anchor he might procure the necessary provisions by
sending in a small boat. The contrary to what he had expected happened.
For, impelled by an inshore breeze, he entered the harbor, although
unwillingly and reluctantly. Our friends, contrary to his deserts,
interposed not even a word by which he might be accused, rejoicing
because they had, in this manner, saved an enemy. The English captain
recognized their kindness, and afterwards often spoke with great
praise of the Fathers. But this he did much more unreservedly when,
borne by a storm to Pembroke, a city of England, he was suspected by
the officials of that town of piracy on the high seas, because he was
sailing in a French ship and produced no written authority by which he
might justify his voyage. When he asserted that he had been separated
by a storm from his commander, Argall, no credence was given to him. In
this crisis he mentioned as witnesses the two priests of the Society
whom he had in the ship, and whose uncorrupted integrity could be
doubted by no one. When the Fathers, on being questioned, had given
assurance that the affair was thus, he was released from danger. He
made the requital which was due to their kindness, and took care that
they should not only suffer no harm, but even that they should be shown
honor by the officials. Meantime the ambassador of the Most Christian
King, upon being informed of the toilsome voyage of the Fathers,
carried on negotiations with the King of England concerning their
restoration to France. With his consent, they arrived, in the tenth
month after their capture, joyfully and safely among their Brethren at
Amiens.
APPENDIX.
Missiones Societatis Iesv in America Septentrionali Anno M.DCC.X. [961]
APUD Abnaquæos missiones. _Aux Abnaquis._
S. Angeli Custodis missio. _De l'Ange Gardien._
Baiogulana miss. _Baiogula._
Chigutiminiana miss. _Chigoutimini._
S. Francisci Salesii miss. _De S. François de Sales._
S. Francisci Xaverii miss. _De S. François Xavier._
Huronica res. _Aux Hurons._
S. Ignatii miss. _De S. Ignace._
Immaculatæ Conceptionis miss. _De l'Immaculée Conception._
Ad septem Insulas miss. _Aux Sept Isles._
S. Josephi miss. _De S. Joseph._
Apud Ilinæos missiones. _Aux Ilinois._
Apud Iroquæos missiones. _Aux Iroquois._
Lauretana missio. _De Lorette._
Ad ripas, & ostium fluvii Mississipi missiones. _Aux bords, & a
l'embouchure du Mississipi._
[962] Montis regalis res. _Mon[t]-real._
Nipisikouitana missio. _Nipisikovit._
Apud Outakouacos missiones _Aux Outakovacs._
Saguenæa missio. _Du Saguenai._
Saltensis missio. _Du Sault de Sainte Marie._
In silvis missiones. _Dans les forests._
Tadussacensis miss. _De Tadoussak._
Trifluviana miss. _Aux trois Rivieres._
_Numerantur Socii_ 42.
APPENDIX.
Missions of the Society of Jesus in North America in the Year 1710.
[961]
MISSIONS among the Abenakis.
Mission of the Holy Guardian Angel.
Baiogula mission.
Chigoutimini mission.
Mission of St. Francis de Sales.
Mission of St. Francis Xavier.
Huron residence.
Mission of St. Ignatius.
Mission of the Immaculate Conception.
Mission at the seven Islands.
Mission of St. Joseph.
Missions among the Ilinois.
Missions among the Iroquois.
Mission of Lorette.
Missions on the banks and at the mouth of the Mississippi river.
[962] Residence of Montreal.
Nipisikouit mission.
Missions among the Outakouacs.
Saguenay mission.
Mission of Sault de Sainte Marie.
Forest missions.
Tadoussac mission.
Mission at Three Rivers.
_Number of brethren_ 42
VIII
JOUVENCY'S
De Regione ac Moribus Canadensium
ROME: GIORGIO PLACKO, 1710
SOURCE: We follow the general style of O'Callaghan's Reprint No. 5.
The Title-page, Tabula Rerum, and Rerum Insigniorum Indiculus,
are the work of that Editor. The Text, he reprinted from
Jouvency's _Historia Societatis Jesu_ (Rome, 1710), part v., pp.
344-347; we have read the proof thereof, from a copy of that work
found in the library of the College of St. Francis Xavier, New
York. The bracketed pagination is that of Jouvency; except in the
Tabula Rerum and Rerum Insigniorum Indiculus, which is that of
O'Callaghan.
DE
REGIONE ET MORIBUS
CANADENSIUM
SEU BARBARORUM
NOVÆ FRANCIÆ
Auctore JOSEPHO JUVENCIO, Societatis
Jesu, Sacerdote.
[Illustration]
Ex Historiæ Soc. Jesu. Lib. xv. Parte v, impressa
ROMÆ:
Ex Typographia Georgii Plachi
M. D. CC. X.
CONCERNING THE
COUNTRY AND MANNERS
OF THE CANADIANS,
OR THE SAVAGES OF
NEW FRANCE
By JOSEPH JOUVENCY, a Priest of the
Society of Jesus.
Printed from the History of the Society of Jesus, Book
xv., Part v.
ROME:
Printing House of Giorgio Placko
1710.
[3] Tabula Rerum
Pag.
I _FLUMINA Novæ Franciæ; soli natura; feræ, pisces, aves, &c._ 5
II _Canadensium domus & res familiaris; morbi; ægrorum cura &
mortuorum_ 16
III _Belli gerendi ratio; arma; crudelitas in captivos_ 27
IV _Indoles animi: corporis cultus; cibi, convivia; supellex;
religio, & superstitiones_ 33
[3] Table of Contents.
[_The page numbers refer to O'Callaghan's Reprint._]
Page.
I _RIVERS of New France; nature of the soil; wild beasts, fish,
birds, etc._ 5
II _Homes and household economy of the Canadians; diseases;
treatment of the sick and of the dead_ 16
III _Mode of warfare; weapons; cruelty to prisoners_ 27
IV _Mental characteristics; care of the body; food: feasts;
household utensils; religion and superstitions_ 33
[344 §. x.] De regione ac moribus Canadensium, seu barbarorum Novæ
Franciæ.
FLUMINA NOVÆ FRANCIÆ; SOLI NATURA; FERÆ, PISCES, AVES, &C.