PREFACE TO VOL. XLV Following is a synopsis of the documents contained in the present volume: XCIX. The new bishop, Laval, writes (August, 1659) to the father general, expressing his obligations to the Jesuits for the care and instruction he had received from them in his youth; and praising the excellent work done by them in Canada, among not only the savages but the French. C. There is no formal Relation for the year 1659; but early in the following year appeared from the Cramoisy press a thin volume, containing three (unsigned) letters from Quebec, forwarded by Jerome Lalemant, the superior, which gave a brief outline of affairs in the Canada mission for the past year. The first of these epistles (dated September 12, 1659) is mainly devoted to the coming of Bishop Laval to Canada. The joy of this event is shadowed by the treachery of the Iroquois, who—notwithstanding they had made "a thousand promises of peace, with oaths as solemn as can be expected from a barbarous nation"-have again commenced hostilities. The Mohawks have taken several French captives, whom they have tortured, and intend to burn to death,—although their own tribesmen who had been imprisoned at Quebec were kindly treated, and were set free without any injury to of their heads." Even the Onondagas, forgetting even a hair I. François Xavier de Laval-Montmorency, first Bishop of Quebec; photo-engraving from original oil portrait in Laval University, Quebec Frontispiece II. Photographic facsimile of title-page, Let- III. Photographic facsimile of signature of 28 Facing 160 . 172 IV. Photographic facsimile of title-page, Rela tion of 1659-60 PREFACE TO VOL. XLV Following is a synopsis of the documents contained in the present volume: XCIX. The new bishop, Laval, writes (August, 1659) to the father general, expressing his obligations to the Jesuits for the care and instruction he had received from them in his youth; and praising the excellent work done by them in Canada, among not only the savages but the French. C. There is no formal Relation for the year 1659; but early in the following year appeared from the Cramoisy press a thin volume, containing three (unsigned) letters from Quebec, forwarded by Jerome Lalemant, the superior, which gave a brief outline of affairs in the Canada mission for the past year. The first of these epistles (dated September 12, 1659) is mainly devoted to the coming of Bishop Laval to Canada. The joy of this event is shadowed by the treachery of the Iroquois, who-notwithstanding they had made "a thousand promises of peace, with oaths as solemn as can be expected from a barbarous nation "-have again commenced hostilities. The Mohawks have taken several French captives, whom they have tortured, and intend to burn to death,- although their own tribesmen who had been imprisoned at Quebec were kindly treated, and were set free without any injury to even a hair of their heads." 66 Even the Onondagas, forgetting the labors of the Jesuits in their behalf, have tortured a French prisoner. François de Laval, the new bishop, is "received as an Angel of consolation, sent from Heaven." He shows great interest in the savages, and at once begins ministrations to their spiritual needs. He administers the rite of confirmation to a hundred of the best Christians, Algonkin and Huron; and then makes a feast for them, at which he serves them with his own hands, as an example of humility. The second letter (dated October 10, 1659), describes the piety and devotion manifested by the Huron and Algonkin converts; the blessed deaths of several are described. Laval is full of zeal for the spread of the gospel, and plans to send the Jesuits on missions to far-distant peoples. For such work some are already preparing, by learning the languages of those tribes. In the third letter (dated October 16, 1659), is an account of the mission in Acadia. Three priests are laboring there; one of these, Jacques Frémin, has wintered with the savages, among whom he has gained several converts. Among these is a captive belonging to an Eskimo tribe, of which people and their customs some description is given. becomes crazed, on one occasion, but is quickly cured by sprinkling with holy water. This occurrence converts from heresy the interpreter of the post. Bishop Laval has visited Gaspé and confirmed 140 persons. She CI. In this volume we give the Journal des Jésuites for the two years 1659-60. It is written by De Quen until September, 1659; thereafter by Jerome Lalemant. In March of the former year, the habitants of Beaupré lodge complaint against a priest there, one Vaillant. By command of the governor, the matter is investigated, eighty-three witnesses being examined; and Vaillant is condemned to pay the costs. In the course of the summer, he returns to France. Early in April, Oneida ambassadors come to Quebec, to secure the release of the Iroquois prisoners there, and to invite the Jesuits to return to Onondaga. Some of the captives are released, but the envoys are rebuked for the perfidy hitherto shown toward the French; and the Jesuits will not go back until there is some prospect of safety for them. On the seventeenth of May, Le Moyne goes on an embassy to the Mohawks, accompanied by the prisoners of that tribe released by the governor, two Algonkin envoys, and a Frenchman. Early in June, various bands of Iroquois are seen prowling about the French settlements; they even capture three Frenchmen. On the sixteenth, Bishop Laval arrives. Le Moyne returns from the Mohawk country July 3, accompanied by envoys from that tribe; they are allowed to take away their hostages from Quebec. Several trading fleets from the North come down, laden with furs. August 7, the Abbé de Queylus arrives from Montreal; he is lodged in the fort. Notwithstanding the professions of the Iroquois that they desire peace, they again attack the French, late in August, capturing eight near Three Rivers; these they carry home, to burn them. News comes that the French prisoner at Onondaga has been burned to death; and that the Mohawks, having secured the release of their prisoners, intend to carry on war with the French and their allies. |