VI _Missions of the Society of Jesus in North America, in the year 1710_ 37 Missionis Canadicæ Relatio. [321 §. II.] SOCIETAS JESU, IN CANADAM, SEU NOVAM FRANCIAM INDUCTA. AMERICAM septentrionalem tres præcipuè nationes obtinent, Hispani, Galli, & Angli. Mexicum, Floridæ pars & Californiæ, sunt Hispanæ ditionis. Littora orienti foli opposita & ad Austrum devexa occuparunt variis temporibus Angli, Sueci, & Hollandi. Quod inter illos & Mexicanos versus septentriones & occasum campi jacet, Galli tenent, ac Novam Franciam, sive Canadam, vulgo vocant. Nihil tetrius immaniusve barbaris Canadensibus fingi poterat, prius quam inducta religione mitescerent, ut patebit ex iis quæ Paragrapho decimo referentur. Nunc barbaries, & foeda scelerum cohors, rationi ac virtuti locum dedit, videturque huic oraculo [_Isai. c. 35._] veteri constare fides: _Lætabitur deserta & invia, & exultabit solitudo, & florebit quasi lilium._ An Account of the Canadian Mission. [321 §. II.] THE SOCIETY OF JESUS INTRODUCED INTO CANADA, OR NEW FRANCE. NORTH AMERICA is occupied principally by three nations--the Spanish, the French, and the English. Mexico, a part of Florida and of California, belongs to the Spanish dominions. The shores opposite to the rising sun, and stretching Southward, have been occupied at various times by the English, the Swedes, and the Dutch. The French possess the territory which lies between these and the Mexicans, towards the north and west, commonly called New France or Canada. Nothing fouler and more hideous than the savage Canadians could have been imagined, before they began to soften under the influence of religion, as will appear from matters to be presented in the tenth Paragraph. Now, barbarism and the vile array of sins have given place to reason and virtue, which seems to confirm our faith in this ancient prophecy: [_Isaiah, c. 35._] _The land that was desolate and impassable shall be glad, and the wilderness shall rejoice, and shall flourish like the lily._ INITIUM CANADICÆ MISSIONIS, & PRIMI FRUCTUS.