The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. 3: Acadia, 1611-1616
History
The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. 3: Acadia, 1611-1616
Canada -- History -- To 1763 (New France); Indians of North America -- Canada; Jesuits -- Missions; Jesuits -- North America
encores s'en sont-ils mal trouués, horsmis Champlain en ses dernieres
descouuertes contremont la grãde riuiere, qui ne s'en plaint point.
All this new France is divided into different tribes, each one
having its own separate language and country. They assemble in the
Summer to trade with us, principally at the great river. To this
place come also several other tribes from afar off. They barter
their skins of beaver, otter, [33] deer, marten, seal, etc., for
bread, peas, beans, prunes, tobacco, etc.; kettles, hatchets, iron
arrow-points, awls, puncheons, cloaks, blankets, and all other
such commodities as the French bring them. Certain tribes are now
our implacable enemies, such as the Excomminquois, who inhabit
the Northern coast of the great Gulf of St. Lawrence and do us
a great deal of harm. This warfare was begun (as they say) when
certain Basques tried to commit a wicked outrage. However, they
paid well for their cursed incontinence, but not only they, for on
their account both the St. Malo people and many others suffered,
and still suffer a great deal every year. For these Savages are
passionate, and give themselves up [34] to death with desperation,
if they are in hopes of killing, or doing any one an injury. There
are only three tribes which are on good terms of friendship with
us, the Montaguets, the Souriquois, and the Eteminquois. I myself
can witness to the friendship of the Etechemins and Souriquois, for
I have lived among them, and for the Montaguets I have heard others
speak. As to other tribes, no confidence can be placed in them. The
French have nothing to do with them except to explore their coasts,
and even then they are badly treated, although Champlain does not
complain of these savages at all, in his latest explorations up the
great river.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account