The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. 2: Acadia, 1612-1614
History
The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. 2: Acadia, 1612-1614
Canada -- History -- To 1763 (New France); Indians of North America -- Canada; Jesuits -- Missions; Jesuits -- North America
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.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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