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THE JESUIT RELATIONS AND ALLIED DOCUMENTS
VOL. II
The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents
TRAVELS AND EXPLORATIONS OF THE JESUIT MISSIONARIES IN NEW FRANCE
1610-1791
THE ORIGINAL FRENCH, LATIN, AND ITALIAN TEXTS, WITH ENGLISH
TRANSLATIONS AND NOTES; ILLUSTRATED BY PORTRAITS, MAPS, AND
FACSIMILES
EDITED BY
REUBEN GOLD THWAITES
Secretary of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin
Vol. II
ACADIA: 1612-1614
CLEVELAND: =The Burrows Brothers Company=, PUBLISHERS, M DCCC XCVI
COPYRIGHT, 1896
BY
THE BURROWS BROTHERS CO
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
_The Imperial Press, Cleveland_
EDITORIAL STAFF
Editor REUBEN GOLD THWAITES
Translator from the French JOHN CUTLER COVERT
Assistant Translator from the French MARY SIFTON PEPPER
Translators from the Latin { WILLIAM FREDERIC GIESE
{ JOHN DORSEY WOLCOTT
Translator from the Italian MARY SIFTON PEPPER
Assistant Editor EMMA HELEN BLAIR
CONTENTS OF VOL. II
PREFACE TO VOLUME II 1
DOCUMENTS:--
IX. Lettre au R. P. Provincial, à Paris. _Pierre Biard_; Port Royal,
January 31, 1612 3
X. Missio Canadensis. Epistola ex Porturegali in Acadia, transmissa
ad Praepositvm Generalem Societatis Jesu. _Pierre Biard_; Port Royal,
January 31, 1612 57
XI. Relation Dernière de ce qui s'est Passé au Voyage du Sieur de
Potrincourt. _Marc Lescarbot_; Paris, 1612 119
XII. Relatio Rervm Gestarum in Novo-Francica Missione, Annis 1613 &
1614 193
BIBLIOGRAPHICAL DATA: VOLUME II 287
NOTES 291
[Illustration]
ILLUSTRATIONS TO VOL. II
I. Photographic facsimile of General Map, from _Les Voyages du Sieur
de Champlain_, (Paris, 1613) _Facing_ 56
II. Photographic facsimile of Map of Port Royal, from _Ibid_
_Facing_ 118
III. Photographic facsimile of title-page, Lescarbot's _Relation
Dernière_ 122
IV. Photographic facsimile of plan of Fort at Port Royal, from _Ibid_
_Facing_ 192
PREFACE TO VOL. II
Following is a synopsis of the documents contained in the present
volume:
IX. The indefatigable Biard presents, herein, a graphic recital of his
work among the Acadian savages, and particularly his journeys into
the wilderness. His report of a trip with a party of Port Royalists
to French trading posts on the St. Croix and St. John rivers, to an
Etchemin town probably on the site of the present Castine, Me., and to
an English fishing station on the Kennebec, is full of interest.
X. Herein, Biard sends to the general of his order a full report
concerning: (1) New France, its physical characteristics, and its
aborigines; (2) the circumstances attending the opening of the Jesuit
mission in Acadia; (3) Fléché's work previous to the coming of the
Jesuits; (4) visits to savage tribes by Massé and himself, with
descriptions of conversions and baptisms, and a statement of the
conditions and prospects of spiritual work among the aborigines.
XI. Lescarbot's _Relation Dernière_ gives an account of Poutrincourt's
voyage to New France, in 1610; of the conversion and baptism of
the savage chief, Membertou, and others, by the priest, Fléché; of
Biencourt's return to France; and of the experiences of Poutrincourt at
Port Royal. The writer praises Poutrincourt for his exertions in Canada
in behalf of both religion and civilization; and urges that he should
be aided in his colonial enterprise, as a necessary basis for religious
work in this portion of the New World. He gives a list of the sponsors
of the baptized Indians, who included many of the French nobility
and clergy. The life at Port Royal is pictured in some detail; its
labors and privations are dwelt upon; and the customs of the natives
described. Lescarbot does not fail, although cautiously, to exhibit his
dislike of the Jesuits, and endeavors to show that their coming to Port
Royal involved delay and expense to the colonial enterprise, thereby
injuring Poutrincourt. Our author's closing chapter devoutly catalogues
the "Effects of God's Grace in New France;" he describes how Providence
cared for the colonists in their distress, saved them from shipwreck,
kindly disposed the savages toward them and the Christian religion, and
returned to the Frenchmen their ship, in time to prevent starvation.
The rescue of Aubry is also mentioned.
XII. The _Relatio Rerum Gestarum (1613 & 1614)_ opens with a
description of New France, its geography, its climate, its peoples
and their customs. The experience of the Jesuit fathers at Port Royal
is related at length, from their own point of view. A description is
given of the settlement of St. Sauveur, on Mount Desert Island, and its
destruction by the Virginian, Argall. Then follows an account of the
life of the Jesuit prisoners, in Virginia and England. The conclusion
is reached that, despite these drawbacks, the Jesuit mission in Canada
has made a hopeful beginning.
R. G. T.
MADISON, WIS., September, 1896.
IX
LETTRE DU P. BIARD
au R. P. Provincial à Paris
PORT ROYAL, Janvier 31, 1612
SOURCE: Reprinted from Carayon's Première Mission des Jésuites au
Canada, pp. 44-76.
[44] Lettre du P. Pierre Biard au R. P. Provincial à Paris.
(_Copiée sur l'autographe conservé dans les archives du Jésus, à Rome._)
PORT-ROYAL, 31 janvier 1612.
MON REVEREND PERE,
Pax Christi.
S'il nous failloit entrer en compte devant Dieu et Vostre Reverence
du geré et negocié par nous en ceste nouvelle acquisition du Fils de
Dieu, ceste nouvelle France et Chrestienté, depuis nostre arrivée
jusques à ce commencement de nouvel an, je ne doubte point certes,
qu'en la sommation et calcul final, la perte ne surmontast les profits;
le despensé follement en offençant, le bien et sagement ménagé en
obeyssant, et le receu des talents, graces et tolerances divines,
le mis et employé au royal et amiable service de nostre grand et
autant bening Createur. Neantmoins, d'autant que (comme je croy) nos
ruines n'édifiroyent personne, et nos rentes n'establiroyent aucun,
il vaudroit mieux que pour le malacquitté, nous le plorions à part;
[45] pour le receu, nous imitions le metayer d'iniquité loué par
Nostre Seigneur en l'Evangile, sçavoir est que, faisant part à autruy
des biens de nostre Maistre, nous nous en faisions des amis, et que
communiquant à plusieurs ce qui est d'édification en ces premiers
fondemens de Chrestienté, nous obtenions plusieurs intercesseurs
envers Dieu, et fauteurs de cet œuvre. Mesme que ce faisant, nous
ne defrauderons en rien la debte, ainsy que fit le Censier inique,
baillant à plusieurs le bien de Nostre Maistre avec profit, et
peut-estre acquitterons par ceste œconomie une partie des redevances et
de leur surcroy. Ainsy soit-il.
[44] Letter from Father Pierre Biard to the Reverend Father
Provincial, at Paris.
(_Copied from the autograph preserved in the archives of Jesus, at
Rome._)
PORT ROYAL, January 31, 1612.
MY REVEREND FATHER,
The peace of Christ be with you.
Were we compelled to give an account before God and Your Reverence
of our administration and our transactions in this newly acquired
kingdom of the Son of God, this new France and new Christendom,
from the time of our arrival up to the beginning of this new
year, I certainly do not doubt that, in the aggregate and final
summing up, the loss would exceed the profits; the foolish cost
of transgression, the goodness and wisdom of obedience; and the
reception of divine talents, graces, and indulgence would exceed
their outlay and use in the royal and agreeable service of our
great and so benign Creator. Nevertheless, inasmuch as (I believe)
no one would be edified by our losses, or greatly benefited by our
gains, it is better that we mourn our losses apart; [45] as to our
receipts, we shall be like the unjust steward commended by Our Lord
in the Gospels, namely, by sharing our Master's goods with others
we shall make them our friends; and in communicating to many what
is edifying in these early foundations of Christianity, we shall
obtain intercessors with God and supporters of this work. Yet in
doing this we shall in no wise diminish the debt, as did the wicked
Steward, giving out Our Master's goods with profit; but we shall,
perhaps, by this prudence acquit ourselves of a part of the dues
and interests. So be it.
Aujourd'huy, 22 Ianvier, 1612, neuf [huict] mois sont passez dés notre
arrivée en ceste nouvelle France. Peu aprés nostre arrivée, i'escrivy
l'estat auquel nous avons retrouvé ceste Eglise et Colonie naissante.
Voicy ce qui s'en est ensuivy.
To-day, January 22nd, 1612, eight[1] months have passed since our
arrival in this new France. Soon after that, I wrote you in regard
to the condition in which we found this infant Church and Colony.
Here is what followed:
Monsieur de Potrincourt s'en allant en France le mois de Iuin dernier,
laissa icy son fils Monsieur de Biencourt, ieune seigneur de grande
vertu et fort recommandable, avec environ 18 siens domestiques, et
nous deux prestres de la Compagnie. Or la tasche et travail de nous
deux prestres, selon nostre vocation, a esté, et icy dans la maison
et habitation en residant, et dehors en voyageant. Commençons, comme
l'on dict, de chez nous, de [46] la maison et habitation; puis nous
sortirons dehors.
When Monsieur de Potrincourt went to France last June he left his
son here, Monsieur de Biencourt, a young man of great integrity and
of very estimable qualities, with about eighteen of his servants
and us two priests of the Society. Now our duties and offices, in
accordance with our calling as priests, have been performed while
residing here at the house and settlement, and by making journeys
abroad. Let us begin, as they say, at home, that is, at [46] the
residence and settlement; then we shall go outside.
Icy donc nos exercices sont: dire messe tous les jours, la chanter
solemnellement les dimanches et festes, avec les Vespres, et souvent
la procession; faire prieres publiques matin et soir; exhorter,
consoler, donner les sacremens, ensevelir les morts; enfin faire les
offices de Curé, puisque autres prestres n'y a en ces quartiers que
nous. Et de vray, bon besoing seroit que fussions meilleurs ouvriers
de Nostre Seigneur; d'autant que gens de marine, tels que sont quasi
nos paroissiens, sont assez d'ordinaire totalement insensibles au
sentiment de leur ame, n'ayans marque de religion sinon leurs juremens
et reniemens, ny cognoissance de Dieu sinon autant qu'en apporte la
pratique connue de France, offusquée du libertinage et des objections
et bouffonneries mesdisantes des heretiques. D'où l'on peut aussy
veoir, quelle esperance il y a de planter une belle chrestienté
par tels evangelistes. La première chose que ces pauvres Sauvages
apprennent, ce sont les juremens, parolles sales et injures; et orriés
souvent les Sauvagesses (lesquelles autrement sont fort craintives et
pudiques), mais vous les orriés souvent charger nos gens de grosses
pourries et eshontées opprobres, en langage françois; non qu'elles en
sachent la signification, ains seulement parce qu'elles voyent qu'en
telles parolles est leur [47] commun rire et ordinaire passetemps.
Et quel moyen de remedier à cecy en des hommes qui mesprennent
(malparlent) avec (d'autant) plus d'abandon qu'ils mesprisent avec
audace.
Here then are our occupations: to say mass every day, and to
solemnly sing it sundays and holidays, together with Vespers, and
frequently the procession; to offer public prayers morning and
evening; to exhort, console, administer the sacraments, bury the
dead; in short, to perform the offices of the Curate, since there
are no other priests in these quarters. And in truth it would be
much better if we were more earnest workers here for Our Lord,
since sailors, who form the greater part of our parishioners
are ordinarily quite deficient in any spiritual feeling, having
no sign of religion except in their oaths and blasphemies, nor
any knowledge of God beyond the simplest conceptions which they
bring with them from France, clouded with licentiousness and the
cavilings and revilings of heretics. Hence it can be seen what hope
there is of establishing a flourishing christian church by such
evangelists. The first things the poor Savages learn are oaths and
vile and insulting words; and you will often hear the women Savages
(who otherwise are very timid and modest), hurl vulgar, vile, and
shameless epithets at our people, in the French language; not that
they know the meaning of them, but only because they see that
when such words are used there is [47] generally a great deal of
laughter and amusement. And what remedy can there be for this evil
in men whose abandonment to evil-speaking (or cursing) is as great
as or greater than their insolence in showing their contempt?
A ces exercices chrestiens que nous faisons icy à l'habitation,
assistent aucune fois les Sauvages, quand aucuns y en a dans le port.
Ie dis, aucune fois, d'autant qu'ils n'y sont gueres stylés, non
plus les baptisés que les payens, ne sçachant gueres davantage les
uns que les autres faute d'instruction. Telle fut la cause pourquoy
nous resolusmes dés nostre arrivée de ne point baptiser aucun adulte,
sans que prealablement il ne fust bien catechisé. Or catechiser ne
pouvons-nous avant que sçavoir le langage.
At these christian services which we conduct here at the
settlement, the Savages are occasionally present, when some of them
happen to be at the port. I say, occasionally, inasmuch as they
are but little trained in the principles of the faith--those who
have been baptized, no more than the heathen; the former, from lack
of instruction, knowing but little more than the latter. This was
why we resolved, at the time of our arrival, not to baptize any
adults unless they were previously well catechized. Now in order to
catechize we must first know the language.
De vray, Monsieur de Biancourt, qui entend le sauvage le mieux de
tous ceux qui sont icy, a pris d'un grand zele, et prend chaque jour
beaucoup de peine à nous servir de truchement. Mais, ne sçay comment,
aussi tost qu'on vient à traitter de Dieu, il se sent le mesme que
Moyse, l'esprit estonné, le gosier tary, et la langue nouée. La cause
en est d'autant que ces sauvages n'ont point de religion formée, point
de magistrature ou police, point d'arts ou libéraux ou mechaniques,
point de commerce ou vie civile; et par consequent les mots leur
défaillent [48] des choses qu'ils n'ont jamais veues ou apprehendées.
It is true that Monsieur de Biancourt, who understands the savage
tongue better than any one else here, is filled with earnest
zeal, and every day takes a great deal of trouble to serve as our
interpreter. But, somehow, as soon as we begin to talk about God he
feels as Moses did,--his mind is bewildered, his throat dry, his
tongue tied. The reason for this is that, as the savages have no
definite religion, magistracy or government, liberal or mechanical
arts, commercial or civil life, they have consequently no words to
describe [48] things which they have never seen or even conceived.
D'avantage, comme rudes et incultes qu'ils sont, ils ont toutes leurs
conceptions attachées aux sens et à la matiere; rien d'abstraict,
interne, spirituel ou distinct. _Bon, fort, rouge, noir, grand,
dur_, ils le vous diront en leur patois; _bonté, force, rougeur,
noircissure_, ils ne scavent que c'est. Et pour toutes les vertus que
vous leur sauriez dire, _sagesse, fidelité, justice, misericorde,
recognoissance, pieté_, et autres, tout chez eux tout n'est sinon
_l'heureux, tendre amour, bon cœur_. Semblablement un loup, un renard,
un esquirieu, un orignac, ils les vous nommeront, et ainsy chaque
espece de celle qu'ils ont, les quelles, hors les chiens, sont toutes
sauvages; mais une beste, un animal, un corps, une substance, et ainsy
les semblables universels et genres, cela est par trop docte pour eux.
Furthermore, rude and untutored as they are, all their conceptions
are limited to sensible and material things; there is nothing
abstract, internal, spiritual, or distinct. _Good, strong, red,
black, large, hard_, they will repeat to you in their jargon;
_goodness, strength, redness, blackness_--they do not know what
they are. And as to all the virtues you may enumerate to them,
_wisdom, fidelity, justice, mercy, gratitude, piety_, and others,
these are not found among them at all except as expressed in the
words _happy, tender love, good heart_. Likewise they will name to
you a wolf, a fox, a squirrel, a moose, and so on to every kind of
animal they have, all of which are wild, except the dog; but as
to words expressing universal and generic ideas, such as beast,
animal, body, substance, and the like, these are altogether too
learned for them.
Ajoutez à cecy, s'il vous plaist, la grande difficulté qu'il y a de
tirer d'eux les mots mesmes qu'ils ont. Car, comme ny eux ne sçavent
nostre langage, ny nous le leur, sinon fort peu, touchant le commerce
et vie commune, il nous faut faire mille gesticulations et chimagrées
pour leur exprimer nos conceptions, et ainsy tirer d'eux quelques noms
des choses qui ne se peuvent monstrer avec [49] le sens. Par exemple,
penser, oublier, se ressouvenir, doubter: pour sçavoir ces quatre mots,
il vous faudra donner beau rire à nos messieurs au moins toute une
aprés-disner, en faisant le basteleur; et encore, aprés tout cela, vous
trouverez-vous trompé et mocqué de nouveau, ayant eu, comme l'on dit,
le mortier pour un niveau, et le marteau pour la truelle. Enfin nous
en sommes là encore, après plusieurs enquestes et travaux, à disputer
s'ils ont aucune parolle qui corresponde droictement à ce mot _Credo_,
je croy. Estimez un peu que c'est du reste du symbole et fondemens
chrestiens.
Add to this, if you please, the great difficulty of obtaining from
them even the words that they have. For, as they neither know our
language nor we theirs, except a very little which pertains to
daily and commercial life, we are compelled to make a thousand
gesticulations and signs to express to them our ideas, and thus
to draw from them the names of some of the things which cannot be
pointed out [49] to them. For example, to think, to forget, to
remember, to doubt; to know these four words, you will be obliged
to amuse our gentlemen for a whole afternoon at least by playing
the clown; and then, after all that; you will find yourself
deceived, and mocked anew, having received, as the saying is, the
mortar for the level, and the hammer for the trowel. In short we
are still disputing, after a great deal of research and labor,
whether they have any word to correspond directly to the word
_Credo_, I believe. Judge for yourself the difficulty surrounding
the remainder of the symbols and fundamental truths of christianity.
Or tout ce discours de la difficulté du langage, ne me servira pas
seulement pour monstrer en quels efforts et ahan de langue nous sommes,
ains aussy pour faire veoir à nos Europeans leur felicité mesme civile:
car il est assuré qu'encore mesme enhanée,[I.] cette miserable nation
demeure touiours en une perpetuelle enfance de langue et de raison.
Ie dis, de langue et de raison, parce qu'il est évident que là où
la parolle, messagere et despensière de l'esprit et discours, reste
totalement rude, pauvre et confuse, il est impossible que l'esprit
et raison soient beaucoup polis, abondans et en ordre. Cependant ces
pauvres chetifs et enfants s'estiment [50] plus que tous les hommes de
la terre, et pour rien du monde ne voudroyent quitter leur enfance et
chetiveté. Mais ce n'est pas de merveille; car, comme j'ay dict, ils
sont enfans.
Now all this talk about the difficulty of the language will not
only serve to show how laborious is our task in learning it, but
also will make our Europeans appreciate their own blessings, even
in civil affairs; for it is certain that these miserable people,
continually weakened by hardships [_enhanée_],[II.] will always
remain in a perpetual infancy as to language and reason. I say
language and reason, because it is evident that where words, the
messengers and dispensers of thought and speech, remain totally
rude, poor and confused, it is impossible that the mind and
reason be greatly refined, rich, and disciplined. However, these
poor weaklings and children consider themselves [50] superior to
all other men, and they would not for the world give up their
childishness and wretchedness. And this is not to be wondered at,
for, as I have said, they are children.
Ne pouvans doncques pour encores baptiser les adultes, comme nous avons
dict, nous restent les enfans, à qui appartient le royaume des cieux;
ainsy nous les baptisons de la volonté des parens et soubs la caution
des parrains. Et en cette façon, en avons jà baptisé quatre, Dieu
mercy. Les adultes qui sont en extreme necessité, nous les instruisons
autant que Dieu nous en donne le moyen; et la pratique nous a faict
veoir, que lors Dieu supplée interieurement le défaut de son outil
externe. Ainsy, une vieille femme dangereusement malade, et une jeune
fille, ont esté receues au nombre des enfans de Dieu. La vieille est
encore debout; la fille est allée à Dieu.
Since we cannot yet baptize the adults, as we have said, there
remain for us the children, to whom the kingdom of heaven belongs;
these we baptize with the consent of their parents and the pledge
of the god-parents. And under these conditions we have already,
thank God, baptized four of them. We instruct the adults who are
in danger of death, as far as God gives us the means to do so;
and experience has shown us that then God inwardly supplements
the defects of his exterior instruments. Thus, an old woman,
dangerously ill, and a young girl have been added to the number of
the children of God. The woman still lives, the girl has gone to
Heaven.
Je vis cette fille de 8 a 9 ans, toute transie et n'ayant plus que
la peau et les os. Je la demanday à ses parens pour la baptiser.
Ils me respondirent que si je la voulois, ils me la donnoyent tout
à faict. Car aussy bien, elle et un chien mort, c'estoit tout un.
Ainsy parloyent-ils, d'autant que c'est leur coustume d'abandonner
entierement ceux qu'ils ont une fois entierement jugés incurables.
Nous acceptasmes l'offre, affin qu'ils vissent la difference du [51]
Christianisme et de leur impieté. Nous fismes conduire ce pauvre
squelette en une cabane de l'habitation, la secourusmes et nourrismes
à nostre possible, et l'ayant tolerablement instruite, la baptisasmes.
Elle fut appelée Antoynette de Pons, en memoire et recognoissance de
tant de benefices qu'avons receus et recevons de Madame la Marquise de
Guercheville; et laditte Dame se peut resjouir que jà son nom est au
ciel, car quelques jours aprés son baptesme, cette ame choysie s'envola
en ce lieu de gloire.
I saw this girl, eight or nine years old, all benumbed and nothing
but skin and bone. I asked the parents to give her to me to
baptize. They answered that if I wished to have her they would
give her up to me entirely. For to them she was no better than
a dead dog. They spoke like this because they are accustomed to
abandon altogether those whom they have once judged incurable. We
accepted the offer, so that they might see the difference between
[51] Christianity and their ungodliness. We had this poor skeleton
brought into one of the cabins of the settlement, where we cared
for and nourished her as well as we could, and when she had been
fairly well instructed we baptized her. She was named Antoynette de
Pons, in grateful remembrance of the many favors we have received
and are receiving from Madame la Marquise de Guercheville, who may
rejoice that already her name is in heaven, for a few days after
baptism this chosen soul flew away to that glorious place.
Ce luy aussy fut nostre premier né, sur lequel nous avons pu dire ce
que Ioseph prononça sur le sien, que Dieu nous avoit faict oublier
tous nos travaux passés et la maison de nostre Père. Mais à propos de
ce que les Sauvages abandonnent leurs malades, une autre occasion de
semblablement exercer la charité chrestienne envers ces délaissés, a eu
son issüe plus joyeuse, et profitable pour détromper ces nations. Cette
occasion fut telle.
This was also our firstborn, for whose sake we could say, as Joseph
did about his, that God had made us forget all our past hardships
and the homes of our Fathers. But in speaking of the Savages
abandoning their sick, another similar occasion to exercise charity
toward those who are deserted has had a more happy issue and one
more useful in undeceiving these people. This occasion was as
follows:
Le second fils du grand sagamo Membertou, de qui nous parlerons
tantost, appelé _Actodin_, jà chrestien et marrié, estoit tombé en
une griefve maladie. Monsieur de Potrincourt, s'en allant en France,
l'avoit visité, et, comme il est bon seigneur, l'avoit invité de se
faire porter en l'habitation, pour y estre medicamenté. Je m'attendois
à cela, qu'on [52] le nous apporteroit; mais on n'en faisoit rien. Ce
voyant, pour ne laisser cette ame en danger, je m'y en allay de là à
quelques jours (car il estoit à 5 lieuës de l'habitation). Mais je
trouvay mon malade en un bel estat. On estoit sur le poinct de faire
tabagie ou convive solemnel sur son dernier adieu. Trois ou quatre
vastes chaudieres bouilloyent sur le feu. Il avoit sa belle robe soubs
soy (car c'estoit en esté), et se preparoit à sa harangue funebre.
La harangue devoit finir en l'adieu et comploration commune de tous.
L'adieu et le deuil se clost par l'occision des chiens à ce que le
mourant ait des avants-coureurs en l'autre monde. L'Occision des chiens
est accostée de la tabagie et de ce qui suyt la tabagie, du chant et
des danses. Après cela, il n'est plus loysible au malade de manger ou
demander aucun secours, ains se doibt jà tenir pour un des manes ou
citoyens de l'autre vie. Je trouvay donc mon hoste en tel estat.
The second son of the grand sagamore Membertou, of whom we shall
speak by and by, named _Actodin_, already a christian, and married,
fell dangerously ill. Monsieur de Potrincourt, as he was about
to depart for France, had visited him; and being a kind-hearted
gentleman, had asked him to let himself be taken to the settlement
for treatment. I was expecting this suggestion [52] to be carried
out; but they did nothing of the kind. When this became evident,
not to leave this soul in danger, I went there after a few days
(for it was five leagues from the settlement). But I found my
patient in a fine state. They were just about to celebrate tabagie,
or a solemn feast, over his last farewell. Three or four immense
kettles were boiling over the fire. He had his beautiful robe under
him (for it was summer), and was preparing for his funeral oration.
The oration was to close with the usual adieus and lamentations
of all present. The farewell and the mourning are finished by the
slaughter of dogs, that the dying man may have forerunners in the
other world. This slaughter is accompanied by the tabagie and what
follows it--namely, the singing and dancing. After that it is no
longer lawful for the sick man to eat or to ask any help, but he
must already consider himself one of the "manes," or citizens of
the other world. Now it was in this state that I found my host.
I'invectivay contre cette façon de faire, plus de geste que de langue,
car pour la langue, mes interpretes ne disoyent pas la dixiesme partie
de ce que je voulois. Neantmoins le vieil Membertou, pere du malade,
conceut assés l'affaire, et me promit qu'on s'arresteroit à tout ce
que j'en dirois. Ie luy dis donc que pour l'adieu et deuil moderé, et
encores pour la tabagie, cela se pourroit tolerer; mais [53] que le
carnage des chiens, et les chants et danses sur un trespassant, et
beaucoup moins l'abandonnement d'iceluy, ne me playsoyent point; que
plus tost, selon qu'ils avoyent promis à Monsieur de Potrincourt, ils
l'envoyassent en l'habitation; qu'à l'ayde de Dieu, il pourroit bien
encore guerir. Ils me donnerent parolle d'ainsy faire le tout; ce
neantmoins, le languissant ne nous fut apporté que deux jours après.
I denounced this way of doing things, more by actions than by
words; for, as to talking, my interpreters did not repeat the tenth
part of what I wanted them to say. Nevertheless, old Membertou,
father of the sick man, understood the affair well enough, and
promised me that they would stop just where I wanted them to.
Then I told him that the farewells and a moderate display of
mourning, and even the tabagie, would be permitted, but [53]
that the slaughter of the dogs, and the songs and dances over a
dying person, and what was much worse, leaving him to die alone,
displeased me very much; that it would be better, according to
their promise to Monsieur de Potrincourt, to have him brought
to the settlement, that, with the help of God, he might yet
recover. They gave me their word that they would do all that I
wished; nevertheless, the dying man was not brought until two days
afterward.
Il prenoit des symptomes si mortels, que souvent nous n'attendions
sinon qu'il nous demeurast entre les mains. En effet un soir, sa
femme et enfans l'abandonnerent entierement, et s'en allerent cabaner
ailleurs, pensant que c'en estoit vuidé. Si pleut-il à Dieu tromper
heureusement leur desespoir; car, de là à peu de jours, il fut plein de
santé, et l'est encore aujourd'hui (à Dieu en soit la gloire); ce que
M. Hébert, Parisien et maistre en Pharmacie assés cognu, qui solicitoit
ledit malade, m'a souvent asseuré estre un vray miracle. De moi, je ne
sçay qu'en dire, d'autant que je ne veux affirmer ny le si ny le non
en ce dont je n'ay évidence. Cela scay-je, que nous mismes sur le dit
languissant un os des precieuses reliques du glorieux Sainct Laurens,
archevesque de Dublin en Hibernie, que M. de la Place, digne abbé
d'Eu, et Messieurs les Prieurs et Chapitre de laditte abbaye d'Eu nous
donnerent de leur grace pour convoyer nostre voyage en ces quartiers.
Nous [54] doncques mismes sur le malade de ces sainctes reliques,
faisant vœu pour luy, et depuis il emmeilleura.
His symptoms became so serious that often we expected nothing less
than that he would die on our hands. In fact, one evening, his wife
and children deserted him entirely and went to settle elsewhere,
thinking it was all over with him. But it pleased God to prove
their despair unfounded; for a few days afterwards he was in good
health and is so to-day (to God be the glory); which M. Hébert,
of Paris, a well-known master in Pharmacy, who attended the said
patient, often assured me was a genuine miracle. For my part, I
scarcely know what to say; inasmuch as I do not care either to
affirm or deny a thing of which I have no proof. This I do know,
that we put upon the sufferer a bone taken from the precious relics
of the glorified Saint Lawrence, archbishop of Dublin in Ireland,
which M. de la Place, the estimable abbé d'Eu, and the Priors and
Canons of the said abbey d'Eu, kindly gave us for our protection
during the voyage to these lands. So we [54] placed some of these
holy relics upon the sick man, at the same time offering our vows
for him, and then he improved.
Par cet exemple, Membertou, le pere du guery, comme j'ay dict cy
devant, fut fort confirmé en la foy, et à cette cause sentant le mal
dont depuis il est decedé, voulut aussy tost estre apporté icy; et
quoyque nostre cabane soit tant estroitte que trois personnes estant
dedans, à peine s'y peuvent-elles remuer, neantmoins si demanda-t-il
de grande confiance qu'il avoit en nous, d'estre logé dans l'un de nos
deux licts; ce qu'il fut pour six jours. Mais après, sa femme, fille
et brue estans venues, il cogneut bien de luy mesme qu'il falloit
tramarcher; ce qu'il fit, s'excusant fort, et nous demandant pardon du
continuel travail qu'il nous avoit donné jour et nuict en son service.
Certes le changement de lieu et traitement ne lui allegea pas son mal.
Par ainsy, le voyant sur son declin, je le confessay au mieux que je
pus, et luy après (c'est tout leur testament) fit sa harangue. Or en
sa harangue, entre autres choses il dict sa volonté estre d'avoir
sepulture avec ses femmes et enfants, ez-anciens monumens de sa maison.
Influenced by this example, Membertou, the father of the one who
had recovered, as I have said before, was very strongly confirmed
in the faith; and because he was then feeling the approach of the
malady from which he has since died, he wished to be brought here
immediately; and although our cabin is so narrow that when three
people are in it they can scarcely turn around, nevertheless,
showing his implicit confidence in us, he asked to be placed in one
of our two beds, where he remained for six days. But afterwards
his wife, daughter, and daughter-in-law having come, he himself
recognized the necessity of leaving, and did so with profuse
excuses, asking our pardon for the continual trouble he had given
us in waiting upon him day and night. Certainly the change of
location and treatment did not improve him any. So then, seeing
that his life was drawing to a close, I confessed him as well as I
could; and after that he delivered his oration (this is their sole
testament). Now, among other things in this speech, he said that
he wished to be buried with his wife and children, and among the
ancient tombs of his family.
Ie me monstray fort mal content de cecy, craingnant que les Françoys
et Sauvages ne prinssent de la suspicion qu'il n'estoit mort gueres
bon Chrestien. [55] Mais on m'opposa que telle promesse lui avoit esté
faicte avant qu'il fut baptisé; et qu'autrement si on l'enterroit en
nostre cimetière, ses enfans et amis ne nous viendroyent jamais plus
veoir, puisque c'est la façon de cette nation d'abhorrer toute memoire
de la mort et des morts.
I manifested great dissatisfaction with this, fearing that the
French and Savages would suspect that he had not died a good
Christian. [55] But I was assured that this promise had been made
before he was baptized, and that otherwise, if he were buried
in our cemetery, his children and his friends would never again
come to see us, since it is the custom of this nation to shun all
reminders of death and of the dead.
Je disputay contre, et avec moy M. de Biancourt (car c'est quasi mon
unique truchement), neantmoins en vain; le mourant demeuroit resolu.
Le soir assez tard, nous luy donnasmes l'extreme onction, puisque
autrement il y estoit assez preparé. Voyez l'efficace du sacrement:
le lendemain matin, il mande M. de Biancourt et moy, et de nouveau il
recommence sa harangue. Par icelle il declaroit avoir de soy mesme
changé de volonté; qu'il entendoit d'estre inhumé avec nous, commandant
à ses enfans de ne point pour cela fuyr le lieu comme infideles, ains
d'autant plus le frequenter comme chrestiens, à celle fin d'y prier
pour son ame et pleurer ses pechez. Il recommanda aussi la paix avec
M. de Potrincourt et son fils; que de luy, il avait toujours aymé les
Françoys, et avoit souvent empesché plusieurs conspirations contre eux.
De là à peu d'heures il mourut entre mes mains fort chrestiennement.
I opposed this, and M. de Biancourt, for he is almost my only
interpreter, joined with me, but in vain; the dying man was
obdurate. Rather late that evening we administered extreme unction
to him, for otherwise he was sufficiently prepared for it. Behold
now the efficacy of the sacrament; the next morning he asks for
M. de Biancourt and me, and again begins his harangue. In this he
declares that he has, of his own free will, changed his mind; that
he intends to be buried with us, commanding his children not, for
that reason, to shun the place like unbelievers, but to frequent
it all the more, like christians, to pray for his soul and to weep
over his sins. He also recommended peace with M. de Potrincourt and
his son; as for him, he had always loved the French, and had often
prevented conspiracies against them. A few hours afterward he died
a christian death in my arms.
C'a esté le plus grand, renommé et redouté sauvage qui ayt esté
de memoire d'homme: de riche [56] taille, et plus hault et membru
que n'est l'ordinaire des autres, barbu comme un françoys, estant
ainsy que quasi pas un des autres n'a du poil au menton; discret et
grave, ressentant bien son homme de commandement. Dieu luy gravoit
en l'ame une apprehension plus grande du Christianisme, que n'estoit
ce qu'il en avoit pu ouyr, et m'a souvent dict en son sauvageois.
"Apprend vistement nostre langue, car aussy tost que tu la sçauras
et m'auras bien enseingné, je veux estre prescheur comme toy." Avant
mesme sa conversion, il n'a jamais voulu avoir plus d'une femme
vivante; ce qu'est esmerveillable, d'autant que les grands sagamos
de ce païs entretiennent un nombreux serail, non plus pour luxure,
que pour ambition, gloire et necessité: pour ambition, à celle fin
d'avoir plusieurs enfans, en quoy gist leur puissance; pour gloire et
necessité, d'autant qu'ils n'ont autres artisans, agens, serviteurs,
pourvoyeurs ou esclaves que les femmes; elles soustiennent tout le faix
et fatigue de la vie.
This was the greatest, most renowned and most formidable savage
within the memory of man; of splendid [56] physique, taller and
larger-limbed than is usual among them; bearded like a Frenchman,
although scarcely any of the others have hair upon the chin;
grave and reserved; feeling a proper sense of dignity for his
position as commander. God impressed upon his soul a greater idea
of Christianity than he has been able to form from hearing about
it, and he has often said to me in his savage tongue: "Learn our
language quickly, for as soon as thou knowest it and hast taught
me well I wish to become a preacher like thee." Even before his
conversion he never cared to have more than one living wife, which
is wonderful, as the great sagamores of this country maintain a
numerous seraglio, no more through licentiousness than through
ambition, glory and necessity; for ambition, to the end that they
may have many children, wherein lies their power; for fame and
necessity, since they have no other artisans, agents, servants,
purveyors or slaves than the women; they bear all the burdens and
toil of life.
C'a esté le premier de tous les Sauvages qui en ces régions aye receu
le baptesme et l'extreme-onction, le premier et le dernier sacrement,
et le premier qui, de son mandement et ordonnance, aye été inhumé
chrestiennement. Monsieur de Biancourt honora ses obsèques, imitant
à son possible les [57] honneurs qu'on rend en France aux grands
Capitaines et Seigneurs.
He was the first of all the Savages in these parts to receive
baptism and extreme unction, the first and the last sacraments;
and the first one who, by his own command and decree, has received
a christian burial. Monsieur de Biancourt honored his obsequies,
imitating as far as possible the [57] honors which are shown to
great Captains and Noblemen in France.
Or, à ce que l'on craigne les jugemens de Dieu, aussy bien que l'on
ayme sa misericorde, je mettray icy la fin d'un françoys, en laquelle
Dieu a monstré sa justice, aussy bien qu'en celle de Membertou nous
recognoissons sa grâce. Celuy-cy avoit souvent esvadé le danger d'estre
noyé, et tout fraischement le beau jour de la Pentecoste derniére. Le
bénéfice fut mal recogneu. Pour n'en rien dire de plus, la veille de S.
Pierre et S. Paul, comme le soir on fust entré en discours des perils
de mer, et des vœux qu'on faict aux Saincts en semblables hazards, ce
miserable se print à s'en rire et moquer impudemment, se gaudissant
de ceux de la compagnie qu'on disoit en telles rencontre savoir esté
religieu. Il eut tost son guerdon. Le lendemain matin, un coup de vent
l'emporta tout seul dehors de la chaloupe dans les vagues, et jamais
depuis, n'est apparu.
Now, that the judgments of God may be feared as much as his mercies
are loved, I shall here record the death of a Frenchman, in which
God has shown his justice as much as he has given us evidence of
his mercy, in the death of Membertou. This man had often escaped
drowning, and only recently upon the blessed day of last Pentecost.
He showed but little gratitude for this favor. Not to make the
story too long, the evening before St. Peter's and St. Paul's day,
as they were discoursing upon the perils of the sea, and upon the
vows made to the Saints in similar dangers, this wretch began
impudently to laugh and to sneer, jeering at those of the company
who were said to have been religious upon such occasions. He soon
had his reward. The next morning a gust of wind carried him, and
him only, out of the boat into the waves, and he was never seen
again.
Mais laissons l'eau et venons à la rive. Si la terre de cette nouvelle
France avoit aucun sentiment, ainsy que les Poëtes feignent de leur
deesse Tellus, sans doubte elle eust eu un ressentiment bien nouveau de
liesse cette année; car, Dieu mercy, ayans eu fort heureuses moissons
de ce peu qui avoit esté labouré du recueilly nous avons faict des
hosties, et nous les avons offertes à Dieu. Ce sont, comme nous [58]
croyons, les premieres hosties qui ayent esté faites du froment de ce
terroir. Notre Seigneur par sa bonté les aye voulu recevoir en odeur
de suavité, et, comme dict le Psalmiste, _veuille donner benignité,
puisque la terre luy a rendu son fruict_.
But let us leave the water and come on shore. If the ground of
this new France had feeling, as the Poets pretend their goddess
Tellus had, doubtless it would have experienced an altogether
novel sensation of joy this year, for, thank God, having had very
successful crops from the little that was tilled, we made from the
harvest some hosts [wafers for consecration] and offered them to
God. These are, as we [58] believe, the first hosts which have been
made from the wheat of these lands. May Our Lord, in his goodness,
have consented to receive them as fragrant offerings and in the
words of the Psalmist, _may he give graciously, since the earth has
yielded him its fruits_.
C'est assés demeuré à la maison; sortons un peu dehors, comme nous
avons promis de faire, et racontons ce qui s'est passé par le pays.
We have stayed at home long enough; let us go abroad a little, as
we promised to do, and relate what has taken place in the country.
J'ay faict deux voyages avec M. de Biancourt, l'un de quelques douze
jours, l'autre d'un mois et demy, et avons rodé toute la coste dés
Port-Royal jusques à Kinibéqui, ouest-sud ouest. Nous sommes entrez
dans les grandes rivières de S. Iean, de Saincte Croix, de Pentegoet
et du sus-nommé Kinibéqui; avons visité les Françoys, qui ont hyverné
icy cette année en deux parts, en la rivière S. Iean et en celle de
Saincte-Croix: les Malouins en la riviere S. Iean, et le capitaine
Plastrier à Saincte Croix.
I made two journeys with M. de Biancourt, the one lasting about
twelve days, the other a month and a half; and we have ranged the
entire coast from Port Royal to Kinibéqui,[2] west southwest. We
entered the great rivers St. John, Saincte Croix, Pentegoët,[3] and
the above-named Kinibéqui; we visited the French who have wintered
there this year in two places, at the St. John river and at the
river Saincte Croix; the Malouins at the former place, and captain
Plastrier at the latter.[4]
Durant ces voyages, Dieu nous a sauvez de grands et bien éminents
dangers, et souvent; mais quoy que nous les debvions tousjours retenir
en la mémoire pour n'en estre ingrats, il n'est pas necessaire que
nous les couchions tous sur le papier, de peur d'être ennuyeux. Ie
raconteray seulement ce qu'à mon advis on orroit plus volontiers.
During these journeys, God often delivered us from great and very
conspicuous dangers; but, although we ought always to bear them in
mind, that we may not be ungrateful, there is no need of setting
them all down upon paper, lest we become wearisome. I shall relate
only what, in my opinion, will be the most interesting.
Nous allions voir les Malouins, sçavoir est, le [59] Sieur du Pont
le jeune, et le capitaine Merveilles, qui, comme nous avons dict,
hyvernoyent en la rivière S. Jean, en une isle appelée Emenenic, avant
contremont le fleuve quelques six lieues. Nous estions encore à une
lieuë et demye de l'isle, qu'il estoit jà soir et la fin du crepuscule.
Ià les estoilles commençoyent à se monstrer, quand voicy que vers le
Nord soudainement une partie du ciel devint aussy rouge et sanguine
qu'escarlate, et s'estendant peu à peu en piques et fuseaux, s'en alla
droict reposer sur l'habitation des Malouins. La rougeur estoit si
esclatante, que toute la rivière s'en teingnoit et en reluysoit. Cette
apparition dura demy quart d'heure, et aussy tost après la disparition,
en recommença une autre de mesme forme, cours et consistance.
We went to see the Malouins; namely, [59] Sieur du Pont, the
younger, and captain Merveilles, who, as we have said, were
wintering at St. John river, upon an island called Emenenic, some
six leagues up the river. We were still one league and a half from
the island when the twilight ended and night came on. The stars
had already begun to appear, when suddenly, toward the Northward,
a part of the heavens became blood-red: and this light spreading,
little by little, in vivid streaks and flashes, moved directly over
the settlement of the Malouins and there stopped. The red glow was
so brilliant that the whole river was tinged and made luminous by
it. This apparition lasted some eight minutes, and as soon as it
disappeared another came of the same form, direction and appearance.
Il n'y eut celuy de nous qui ne jugeast tel metheore prodigieux. Pour
nos Sauvages, ils s'escrierent aussy tost: _Gara gara enderquir Gara
gara_; c'est-à-dire, nous aurons guerre; tels signales denoncent
guerre. Neantmoins, et nostre abord cette soirée, et le lendemain
matin nostre descente fut fort amiable et pacifique. Le jour, rien
qu'amitié. Mais (malheur!) le soir venu, tout se vira, ne sçay comment,
le dessus dessous; entre nos gens et ceux de S. Malo, confusion,
brouillis, fureur, tintamarre. Ie ne doubte point qu'une mauditte bande
de furieux et [60] sanguinaires esprits ne voltigeast toute cette nuit
là, attendant à chaque heure et moment un horrible massacre de ce peu
de Chrestiens qui estions là; mais la bonté de Dieu les brida, les
malheureux. Il n'y eut aucun sang espandu, et le jour suyvant, cette
nocturne bourrasque finit en un beau et plaisant calme, les ombrages et
fantosmes ténébreux s'estant esvanouis en serenité lumineuse.
There was not one of us who did not consider this meteoric display
prophetic. As to the Savages, they immediately cried out, _Gara
gara enderquir Gara gara_, meaning we shall have war, such signs
announce war. Nevertheless, both our arrival that evening and our
landing the next morning were very quiet and peaceful. During the
day, nothing but friendliness. But (alas!) when evening came,
I know not how, everything was turned topsy-turvy; confusion,
discord, rage, uproar reigned between our people and those of
St. Malo. I do not doubt that a cursed band of furious and [60]
sanguinary spirits were hovering about all this night, expecting
every hour and moment a horrible massacre of the few Christians who
were there; but the goodness of God restrained the poor wretches.
There was no bloodshed; and the next day, this nocturnal storm
ended in a beautiful and delightful calm, the dark shadows and
spectres giving way to a luminous peace.
De vray, la bonté et prudence de M. de Biancourt parust fort emmy ce
fortunal de passions humaines. Mais aussy je recogneus assés que le feu
et les armes estans une fois entre les mains de gens mal disciplinés,
les maistres ont beaucoup à craindre et à souffrir de leurs propres. Ie
ne sçay s'il y eust aucun qui fermast l'œil de toute cette nuit. Pour
moy je fis prou de belles propositions et promesses à Nostre Seigneur,
de ne jamais oublier ce sien benefice, s'il plaisoit faire qu'aucun
sang ne fust respandu. Ce qu'il nous donna de son infinie misericorde.