The money with which they will buy their food, wood, bark house, and other necessaries, is little beads or tubes of glass, knives, awls, blankets, kettles, hatchets, and similar things; this is the money they must carry with them. If peace is negotiated between the Hurons and Hiroquois, I foresee a splendid opening for the Gospel. [33 i.e., 335] We can say then with joy and with sadness,messis, quidem multa operarii vero pauci, for we shall see few persons who understand these languages. I learn thatin the 25 or 30 leagues of country which the Hurons occupy,—others estimate it at much less,—there are more than thirty thousand souls. The neutral nation is much more populous, the Hiroquois largely so, and the Algonquains have a country of very great extent. I would like to have now only five or six of our Fathers in each of these nations; and yet I would not dare to ask for them, although for one that we desire ten would volunteer, all ready to die in these countries. But I learn that all we have in France for this mission is little; how then shall we take the children, especially those of these populous nations, to maintain and instruct them? Alas, must it be that the goods of this world are a barrier to the blessings of Heaven? Oh, that we had only the crumbs of bread that fall from the tables of the rich of the world, to give to these little children! I do not [336] complain, I ask nothing from any one whomsoever; but I cannot restrain my emotion when I see that dirt (for what else is wealth here below?) prevents these people from knowing and adoring God. And if any one thinks it strange that I speak in this way, let him come, let him open his eyes, let him see these people crying for the bread of the word of God; and, if he is not touched with compassion, and if he does not cry louder than I do, I will condemn myself to perpetual silence.
The money with which they will buy their food, wood, bark house, and other necessaries, is little beads or tubes of glass, knives, awls, blankets, kettles, hatchets, and similar things; this is the money they must carry with them. If peace is negotiated between the Hurons and Hiroquois, I foresee a splendid opening for the Gospel. [33 i.e., 335] We can say then with joy and with sadness,messis, quidem multa operarii vero pauci, for we shall see few persons who understand these languages. I learn thatin the 25 or 30 leagues of country which the Hurons occupy,—others estimate it at much less,—there are more than thirty thousand souls. The neutral nation is much more populous, the Hiroquois largely so, and the Algonquains have a country of very great extent. I would like to have now only five or six of our Fathers in each of these nations; and yet I would not dare to ask for them, although for one that we desire ten would volunteer, all ready to die in these countries. But I learn that all we have in France for this mission is little; how then shall we take the children, especially those of these populous nations, to maintain and instruct them? Alas, must it be that the goods of this world are a barrier to the blessings of Heaven? Oh, that we had only the crumbs of bread that fall from the tables of the rich of the world, to give to these little children! I do not [336] complain, I ask nothing from any one whomsoever; but I cannot restrain my emotion when I see that dirt (for what else is wealth here below?) prevents these people from knowing and adoring God. And if any one thinks it strange that I speak in this way, let him come, let him open his eyes, let him see these people crying for the bread of the word of God; and, if he is not touched with compassion, and if he does not cry louder than I do, I will condemn myself to perpetual silence.
Le troisiesme d'Aoust Monsieur de Champlain retournant des trois Riuieres où il estoit allé apres le depart de nos Peres, nous dit qu'vn truchement François pour la nation Algonquine venant d'auec les226Hurons, auoit rapporté nouuelle que le Pere Brebeuf souffroit grãdement, que ses Sauuages estoient malades, qu'il ramoit incessamment pour les soulager: que le Pere Daniel estoit mort de faim, où en grand danger d'en mourir, à raison que les Sauuages qui l'ont embarqué quittans le chemin ordinaire où ils auoient faict les chaches [337] de leurs viures, auoient tiré dans les bois, esperant trouuer vne certaine nation qui leur dõneroit à manger, mais n'ayant point trouué ce peuple errant qui s'estoit transporté ailleurs, on conjecture qu'ils sont tous, Sauuages & François en danger de mort; veu mesmement qu'il n'y a point de chasse en ce quartier là, & que la pluspart de ces Barbares sont malades, Dieu soit beny de tout. Ceux qui meurent allants au martyre, ne laissent pas d'estre martyrs. Quand au Pere Dauost, il se porte bien; mais les Sauuages qui le menent luy ont desrobé vne partie de son bagage; i'ay desia dit qu'estre Huron & Larron, ce n'est qu'vne mesme chose; voila ce qu'a rapporté ce truchement. Les Peres nous escrirons l'an qui vient, s'il plaist à Dieu, toutes les particularitez de leur voyage, nous ne sçaurions pas auoir de leurs nouuelles deuant ce temps-là: si leur petit equipage est perdu ou volé, ils sont pour beaucoup endurer en ces contrée[s], si esloignées de tout secours.
Le troisiesme d'Aoust Monsieur de Champlain retournant des trois Riuieres où il estoit allé apres le depart de nos Peres, nous dit qu'vn truchement François pour la nation Algonquine venant d'auec les226Hurons, auoit rapporté nouuelle que le Pere Brebeuf souffroit grãdement, que ses Sauuages estoient malades, qu'il ramoit incessamment pour les soulager: que le Pere Daniel estoit mort de faim, où en grand danger d'en mourir, à raison que les Sauuages qui l'ont embarqué quittans le chemin ordinaire où ils auoient faict les chaches [337] de leurs viures, auoient tiré dans les bois, esperant trouuer vne certaine nation qui leur dõneroit à manger, mais n'ayant point trouué ce peuple errant qui s'estoit transporté ailleurs, on conjecture qu'ils sont tous, Sauuages & François en danger de mort; veu mesmement qu'il n'y a point de chasse en ce quartier là, & que la pluspart de ces Barbares sont malades, Dieu soit beny de tout. Ceux qui meurent allants au martyre, ne laissent pas d'estre martyrs. Quand au Pere Dauost, il se porte bien; mais les Sauuages qui le menent luy ont desrobé vne partie de son bagage; i'ay desia dit qu'estre Huron & Larron, ce n'est qu'vne mesme chose; voila ce qu'a rapporté ce truchement. Les Peres nous escrirons l'an qui vient, s'il plaist à Dieu, toutes les particularitez de leur voyage, nous ne sçaurions pas auoir de leurs nouuelles deuant ce temps-là: si leur petit equipage est perdu ou volé, ils sont pour beaucoup endurer en ces contrée[s], si esloignées de tout secours.
On the third of August, Monsieur de Champlain, having returned from three Rivers, where he had gone after the departure of our Fathers, told us that a French interpreter for the Algonquin nation had come from the Hurons and brought the tidings that Father Brebeuf was suffering greatly; that his Savages were sick, and that he had to paddle continually,to relieve them; that Father Daniel had died of starvation, or was in great danger of dying, because the Savages who had taken him on board had left the usual route, where they had hidden [337] their food, and had turned off into the woods, hoping to find a certain tribe who would give them something to eat; but, not having found these wandering people, who had gone to some other place, they supposed that they all, Savages and French, were in danger of death, especially as there is no game in that quarter, and as the greater part of these Barbarians are sick. God be praised for all. Those who die on the way to martyrdom are surely martyrs. As to Father Davost, he is getting along very well, but the Savages who are taking him have stolen part of his baggage; I have already said that to be a Huron, and to be a Thief, is one and the same thing. So much for what this interpreter reported. The Fathers will write us next year, please God, all the particulars of their journey; but we cannot have news from them before that time. If their little outfit is lost or stolen, they will have to endure a great deal in those countries, so far from all help.
On the third of August, Monsieur de Champlain, having returned from three Rivers, where he had gone after the departure of our Fathers, told us that a French interpreter for the Algonquin nation had come from the Hurons and brought the tidings that Father Brebeuf was suffering greatly; that his Savages were sick, and that he had to paddle continually,to relieve them; that Father Daniel had died of starvation, or was in great danger of dying, because the Savages who had taken him on board had left the usual route, where they had hidden [337] their food, and had turned off into the woods, hoping to find a certain tribe who would give them something to eat; but, not having found these wandering people, who had gone to some other place, they supposed that they all, Savages and French, were in danger of death, especially as there is no game in that quarter, and as the greater part of these Barbarians are sick. God be praised for all. Those who die on the way to martyrdom are surely martyrs. As to Father Davost, he is getting along very well, but the Savages who are taking him have stolen part of his baggage; I have already said that to be a Huron, and to be a Thief, is one and the same thing. So much for what this interpreter reported. The Fathers will write us next year, please God, all the particulars of their journey; but we cannot have news from them before that time. If their little outfit is lost or stolen, they will have to endure a great deal in those countries, so far from all help.
Le quatrième, Monsieur du Plessis descendit des trois Riuieres comme ie [338] l'allay saluër, il me dit qu'il nous amenoit vn petit Sauuage orphelin, nous en faisant present, pour luy seruir de pere; si tost qu'on aura moyen de recueillir ces pauures enfans, on en pourra auoir quelque nombre, qui seruiront par apres à la conuersion de leurs Compatriottes. Il228nous dit encore qu'on trauailloit fort & ferme au lieu nommé les trois Riuieres, si bien que nos François ont maintenant trois habitations sur le grand fleuue de sainct Laurens, vne à Kebec fortifiée de nouueau, l'autre à quinze lieuës plus haut dans l'Isle de saincte Croix, où Monsieur de Champlain a faict bastir le fort de Richelieu. La troisiéme demeure se bastit aux trois Riuieres, quinze autres lieuës plus haut, c'est à dire a trente lieuës de Kebec. Incontinent apres le depart des vaisseaux, le Pere Iacques Buteux & moy irons là demeurer pour assister nos François, les nouuelles habitations estant ordinairement dangereuses, ie n'ay pas veu qu'il fut à propos d'y exposer le Pere Charles Lallemant, ny autres, le Pere Buteux y vient auec moy [339] pour estudier à la langue.
Le quatrième, Monsieur du Plessis descendit des trois Riuieres comme ie [338] l'allay saluër, il me dit qu'il nous amenoit vn petit Sauuage orphelin, nous en faisant present, pour luy seruir de pere; si tost qu'on aura moyen de recueillir ces pauures enfans, on en pourra auoir quelque nombre, qui seruiront par apres à la conuersion de leurs Compatriottes. Il228nous dit encore qu'on trauailloit fort & ferme au lieu nommé les trois Riuieres, si bien que nos François ont maintenant trois habitations sur le grand fleuue de sainct Laurens, vne à Kebec fortifiée de nouueau, l'autre à quinze lieuës plus haut dans l'Isle de saincte Croix, où Monsieur de Champlain a faict bastir le fort de Richelieu. La troisiéme demeure se bastit aux trois Riuieres, quinze autres lieuës plus haut, c'est à dire a trente lieuës de Kebec. Incontinent apres le depart des vaisseaux, le Pere Iacques Buteux & moy irons là demeurer pour assister nos François, les nouuelles habitations estant ordinairement dangereuses, ie n'ay pas veu qu'il fut à propos d'y exposer le Pere Charles Lallemant, ny autres, le Pere Buteux y vient auec moy [339] pour estudier à la langue.
On the fourth, Monsieur du Plessis came down from three Rivers. As I [338] went to greet him, he told me that he had brought us a little orphan Savage, making a present of him to us, to take the place of his father. As soon as we shall have the means for gathering in these poor children, we shall have a number of them who will afterwards serve in the conversion of their Compatriots. He also told us that they were working with might and main in the place called the three Rivers; so, indeed, our French now have three settlements upon the great riversaint Lawrence,—one at Kebec, newly fortified; another fifteen leagues farther up the river, on the Island of sainte Croix, where Monsieur de Champlain has had fort Richelieu built;13the third colony is being established at three Rivers, fifteen leagues still higher up the river, that is to say thirty leagues from Kebec. Immediately after the departure of the vessels, Father Jacques Buteux and I will go there to live, to assist our French. As new settlements are usually dangerous, it has not seemed to me proper to expose Father Charles Lallemant or others there. Father Buteux goes there with me [339] to study the language.
On the fourth, Monsieur du Plessis came down from three Rivers. As I [338] went to greet him, he told me that he had brought us a little orphan Savage, making a present of him to us, to take the place of his father. As soon as we shall have the means for gathering in these poor children, we shall have a number of them who will afterwards serve in the conversion of their Compatriots. He also told us that they were working with might and main in the place called the three Rivers; so, indeed, our French now have three settlements upon the great riversaint Lawrence,—one at Kebec, newly fortified; another fifteen leagues farther up the river, on the Island of sainte Croix, where Monsieur de Champlain has had fort Richelieu built;13the third colony is being established at three Rivers, fifteen leagues still higher up the river, that is to say thirty leagues from Kebec. Immediately after the departure of the vessels, Father Jacques Buteux and I will go there to live, to assist our French. As new settlements are usually dangerous, it has not seemed to me proper to expose Father Charles Lallemant or others there. Father Buteux goes there with me [339] to study the language.
V. R. connoistra maintenant, que la crainte qu'ont eu quelques vns que l'estranger ne vint vne autre fois rauager le pays, & empescher la conuersion de ces pauures Barbares n'est pas bien fondée; puis que les familles s'habituent icy, puis qu'on y bastit des forts & des demeures en plusieurs endroits, & que Monseigneur le Cardinal fauorise cette entreprise honorable deuant Dieu, & deuant les hommes. Cet esprit capable d'animer quatre corps, à ce que i'apprend, void de bien loing, ie le confesse, mais i'ay quelque creance, qu'il n'attend point de nos Sauuages qui entendent la parole de Dieu, & les veritez du Ciel par son entremise, car c'est luy qui nous a honorez de ses cõmandements; nous renuoyant en ces contrées auec la bien-veillance de Messieurs les Associez: Ie croy, dis-je, qu'il n'attend point de cette vigne, qu'il arrouse de ses soings les fruicts qu'elle luy presentera en terre, & qu'il les goustera vn iour dedans230les Cieux. Pleust à Dieu qu'il veist cinq ou six cens Hurons, hommes [340] grands, forts, & bien faits, prester l'oreille aux bonnes nouuelles de l'Euangile qu'on leur va porter cette année: Ie me figure qu'il honoreroit par fois la nouuelle France d'vn de ses regards, & que cette veuë luy donneroit autant de contentement, que ces grandes actions dont il remplit l'Europe; car de procurer que le sang de Iesus-Christ soit appliqué aux ames pour lesquelles il est respandu, c'est vne gloire peu connuë des hommes, mais enuiée des grandes intelligences du Ciel & de la terre.
V. R. connoistra maintenant, que la crainte qu'ont eu quelques vns que l'estranger ne vint vne autre fois rauager le pays, & empescher la conuersion de ces pauures Barbares n'est pas bien fondée; puis que les familles s'habituent icy, puis qu'on y bastit des forts & des demeures en plusieurs endroits, & que Monseigneur le Cardinal fauorise cette entreprise honorable deuant Dieu, & deuant les hommes. Cet esprit capable d'animer quatre corps, à ce que i'apprend, void de bien loing, ie le confesse, mais i'ay quelque creance, qu'il n'attend point de nos Sauuages qui entendent la parole de Dieu, & les veritez du Ciel par son entremise, car c'est luy qui nous a honorez de ses cõmandements; nous renuoyant en ces contrées auec la bien-veillance de Messieurs les Associez: Ie croy, dis-je, qu'il n'attend point de cette vigne, qu'il arrouse de ses soings les fruicts qu'elle luy presentera en terre, & qu'il les goustera vn iour dedans230les Cieux. Pleust à Dieu qu'il veist cinq ou six cens Hurons, hommes [340] grands, forts, & bien faits, prester l'oreille aux bonnes nouuelles de l'Euangile qu'on leur va porter cette année: Ie me figure qu'il honoreroit par fois la nouuelle France d'vn de ses regards, & que cette veuë luy donneroit autant de contentement, que ces grandes actions dont il remplit l'Europe; car de procurer que le sang de Iesus-Christ soit appliqué aux ames pour lesquelles il est respandu, c'est vne gloire peu connuë des hommes, mais enuiée des grandes intelligences du Ciel & de la terre.
Your Reverence will now see that the fear some people had that the foreigner would again come to ravage the country, and prevent the conversion of these poor Barbarians, is not well founded; since households have been established here, since forts and dwellings are being built in several places, and as Monseigneur the Cardinal favors this enterprise, honorable in the eyes of God and of man. That mind,—capable of animating four bodies, according to what I have heard,—sees far indeed, I confess; but I am of the opinion that he does not expect from our Savages, who hear the word of God and the truths of Heaven through his agency,—for it is he who has honored us with his commands, sending us again into these countries under the care of Messieurs the Associates,—I believe, I say, that he does not expect from this vine, which he waters with his care, the fruits which it will bear for him on earth, and which he will enjoy one day in Heaven. God grant that he may see five or six hundred Hurons,—large, [340] strong, well-made men,—ready to listen to the goodnews of the Gospel which is being carried to them this year. I imagine that he would honor occasionally new France by a look, and that this glance would give him as much satisfaction as those great deeds with which he is filling Europe; but to cause the blood of Jesus Christ to be applied to the souls for whom it was shed, is a glory little known among men, but longed for by the great powers of Heaven and earth.
Your Reverence will now see that the fear some people had that the foreigner would again come to ravage the country, and prevent the conversion of these poor Barbarians, is not well founded; since households have been established here, since forts and dwellings are being built in several places, and as Monseigneur the Cardinal favors this enterprise, honorable in the eyes of God and of man. That mind,—capable of animating four bodies, according to what I have heard,—sees far indeed, I confess; but I am of the opinion that he does not expect from our Savages, who hear the word of God and the truths of Heaven through his agency,—for it is he who has honored us with his commands, sending us again into these countries under the care of Messieurs the Associates,—I believe, I say, that he does not expect from this vine, which he waters with his care, the fruits which it will bear for him on earth, and which he will enjoy one day in Heaven. God grant that he may see five or six hundred Hurons,—large, [340] strong, well-made men,—ready to listen to the goodnews of the Gospel which is being carried to them this year. I imagine that he would honor occasionally new France by a look, and that this glance would give him as much satisfaction as those great deeds with which he is filling Europe; but to cause the blood of Jesus Christ to be applied to the souls for whom it was shed, is a glory little known among men, but longed for by the great powers of Heaven and earth.
Il est temps de sonner la retraitte, les vaisseaux sont prests à partir, & cependant ie n'ay pas encore releu ny interponctué cette grãde Relation, qui peut suffir pour trois années: V. R. iugera par la necessité que i'ay eu d'emprunter la main d'autruy, pour luy escrire que ie n'ay pas tout le loisir que ie pourrois desirer. Ie ne sçay cõme cela se fait, que les nouuelles s'escriuent tousiours auec empressement, aussi n'y recherche-on pas tant de politesse que la verité & la naïfueté, mon cœur a plus parlé que mes lettres, & n'estoit la pensée que i'ay, [341] qu'en escriuant à vne personne, ie parle à plusieurs, il se respandroit bien dauantage.
Il est temps de sonner la retraitte, les vaisseaux sont prests à partir, & cependant ie n'ay pas encore releu ny interponctué cette grãde Relation, qui peut suffir pour trois années: V. R. iugera par la necessité que i'ay eu d'emprunter la main d'autruy, pour luy escrire que ie n'ay pas tout le loisir que ie pourrois desirer. Ie ne sçay cõme cela se fait, que les nouuelles s'escriuent tousiours auec empressement, aussi n'y recherche-on pas tant de politesse que la verité & la naïfueté, mon cœur a plus parlé que mes lettres, & n'estoit la pensée que i'ay, [341] qu'en escriuant à vne personne, ie parle à plusieurs, il se respandroit bien dauantage.
It is time to sound the retreat; the vessels are ready to depart, and still I have not yet read over nor repunctuated this long Relation, which ought to be enough for three years. Your Reverence will understand, through the necessity that has obliged me to borrow the hand of another to write to you, that I have not all the leisure I could desire. I do not know how it happens that news is always written in haste. Let no one seek herein elegance, so much as truth and simplicity; my heart has spoken more than my lips, and were it not for the feeling I have [341] that, in writing to one person, I speak to many, it would overflow still more.
It is time to sound the retreat; the vessels are ready to depart, and still I have not yet read over nor repunctuated this long Relation, which ought to be enough for three years. Your Reverence will understand, through the necessity that has obliged me to borrow the hand of another to write to you, that I have not all the leisure I could desire. I do not know how it happens that news is always written in haste. Let no one seek herein elegance, so much as truth and simplicity; my heart has spoken more than my lips, and were it not for the feeling I have [341] that, in writing to one person, I speak to many, it would overflow still more.
Encore ce mot, puisque V. R. nous ayme si tendrement, & que ses soins nous viennent si puissamment secourir iusques au bout du mõde, dõnez nous, mon R. P. s'il vous plaist des personnes capables d'apprendre les langues, nous pensions nous y appliquer, cette année, le Pere Lallemant, le Pere Buteux & moy, cette nouuelle habitation nous separe. Qui sçait si le Pere Daniel est encore en vie? & si le Pere Dauost232arriuera auec les Hurons: car ses Sauuages ayans commencé à le derober, luy pourront bien iouër vn autre plus mauuais traict. Depuis la mort d'vn pauure miserable François massacré aux Hurons, on a découuert que ces Barbares auoiẽt fait noyer le R. P. Nicolas Recolect, tenu pour vn grand homme de bien; tout cecy nous fait voir qu'il est besoing de tenir icy le plus de Peres qu'on pourra; car si par exemple le Pere Brebœuf & moy venions à mourir, tout le peu que nous sçauons de la langue Huronne [342] & Montagnaise se perdroit, & ainsi ce seroit tousiours à recommencer & à retarder le fruict que l'on desire recueillir de cette Mission, Dieu suscitera des personnes qui auront compassion de tant d'ames, secourãs ceux qui les viennent chercher parmy tant de dangers; c'est en luy que nous remercions tous V. R. de son affection si cordiale, & de son assistance, la suppliant tres-humblement de se souuenir à l'Autel & à l'Oratoire de ses enfans, & de ses subjets, notamment de celuy qui en a plus de besoin; lequel se dira confidemment ce qu'il est de tout son cœur.Mon R. PERE.Vostre tres-humble & tres-obeïssantseruiteur enN. S. Iesvs-Christ.PAVL LE IEVNE.De la petite Maison deN. Dame des Anges,en la NouuelleFrance, ce 7, d'Aoust1634.V. R. Nous permettera, s'il luy plaist, d'implorer prieres de tous nos Peres, & de tous nos freres de sa Prouince. Nostre grand secours doit venir du Ciel.
Encore ce mot, puisque V. R. nous ayme si tendrement, & que ses soins nous viennent si puissamment secourir iusques au bout du mõde, dõnez nous, mon R. P. s'il vous plaist des personnes capables d'apprendre les langues, nous pensions nous y appliquer, cette année, le Pere Lallemant, le Pere Buteux & moy, cette nouuelle habitation nous separe. Qui sçait si le Pere Daniel est encore en vie? & si le Pere Dauost232arriuera auec les Hurons: car ses Sauuages ayans commencé à le derober, luy pourront bien iouër vn autre plus mauuais traict. Depuis la mort d'vn pauure miserable François massacré aux Hurons, on a découuert que ces Barbares auoiẽt fait noyer le R. P. Nicolas Recolect, tenu pour vn grand homme de bien; tout cecy nous fait voir qu'il est besoing de tenir icy le plus de Peres qu'on pourra; car si par exemple le Pere Brebœuf & moy venions à mourir, tout le peu que nous sçauons de la langue Huronne [342] & Montagnaise se perdroit, & ainsi ce seroit tousiours à recommencer & à retarder le fruict que l'on desire recueillir de cette Mission, Dieu suscitera des personnes qui auront compassion de tant d'ames, secourãs ceux qui les viennent chercher parmy tant de dangers; c'est en luy que nous remercions tous V. R. de son affection si cordiale, & de son assistance, la suppliant tres-humblement de se souuenir à l'Autel & à l'Oratoire de ses enfans, & de ses subjets, notamment de celuy qui en a plus de besoin; lequel se dira confidemment ce qu'il est de tout son cœur.
Mon R. PERE.
Vostre tres-humble & tres-obeïssantseruiteur enN. S. Iesvs-Christ.
PAVL LE IEVNE.
De la petite Maison deN. Dame des Anges,en la NouuelleFrance, ce 7, d'Aoust1634.
V. R. Nous permettera, s'il luy plaist, d'implorer prieres de tous nos Peres, & de tous nos freres de sa Prouince. Nostre grand secours doit venir du Ciel.
One word more. Since Your Reverence loves us so tenderly, and your kind care reaches out so effectively to help us, even to the ends of the earth, give us, my Reverend Father, if you please, persons capable of learning these languages. We intended to apply ourselves to this work this year, Father Lallemant, Father Buteux, and I; but this new settlement separates us. Who knows whether Father Daniel is still living, whether Father Davost will reach the Hurons? For, as his Savages have begun to rob him, they may truly play a still worse game upon him. Since the death of a poor unhappy Frenchman,murdered by the Hurons, it has been discovered that these Barbarians caused the drowning of Reverend Father Nicolas, Recolect, considered a very worthy man.14All this convinces us that we must retain here as many of our Fathers as we can; because if, for example, Father Brebœuf and I should happen to die, all the little we know of the Huron [342] and Montagnais languages would be lost; and thus they would always be beginning over again, and retarding the fruits that they wish to gather from this Mission. God will raise up persons who will have pity upon so many souls, and who will succor those who come to seek them in the midst of so many dangers. It is he whom we thank for Your Reverence's so cordial affection and assistance, very humbly supplicating you to remember at the Altar and at the Oratory your children and subjects,—especially the one who is most in need of it, who will sign himself confidently and from the depths of his heart, what he is,MyREVEREND FATHER,Your very humble and very obedientservant in Our LordJesus Christ,PAUL LE JEUNE.From the little houseof N. Dame des Anges,in New France,this 7th of August,1634.Your Reverence will permit Us, if you please, to implore the prayers of all our Fathers, and of all our brothers of your Province. Our great help must come from Heaven.
One word more. Since Your Reverence loves us so tenderly, and your kind care reaches out so effectively to help us, even to the ends of the earth, give us, my Reverend Father, if you please, persons capable of learning these languages. We intended to apply ourselves to this work this year, Father Lallemant, Father Buteux, and I; but this new settlement separates us. Who knows whether Father Daniel is still living, whether Father Davost will reach the Hurons? For, as his Savages have begun to rob him, they may truly play a still worse game upon him. Since the death of a poor unhappy Frenchman,murdered by the Hurons, it has been discovered that these Barbarians caused the drowning of Reverend Father Nicolas, Recolect, considered a very worthy man.14All this convinces us that we must retain here as many of our Fathers as we can; because if, for example, Father Brebœuf and I should happen to die, all the little we know of the Huron [342] and Montagnais languages would be lost; and thus they would always be beginning over again, and retarding the fruits that they wish to gather from this Mission. God will raise up persons who will have pity upon so many souls, and who will succor those who come to seek them in the midst of so many dangers. It is he whom we thank for Your Reverence's so cordial affection and assistance, very humbly supplicating you to remember at the Altar and at the Oratory your children and subjects,—especially the one who is most in need of it, who will sign himself confidently and from the depths of his heart, what he is,
MyREVEREND FATHER,
Your very humble and very obedientservant in Our LordJesus Christ,
PAUL LE JEUNE.
From the little houseof N. Dame des Anges,in New France,this 7th of August,1634.
Your Reverence will permit Us, if you please, to implore the prayers of all our Fathers, and of all our brothers of your Province. Our great help must come from Heaven.