The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. 6: Quebec, 1633-1634
History
The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. 6: Quebec, 1633-1634
Canada -- History -- To 1763 (New France); Indians of North America -- Canada; Jesuits -- Missions; Jesuits -- North America
Le Jeune, as the superior of his order in New France, describes the
good conduct and piety of the French settlers, and the wisdom and
goodness of the governor, Champlain. An account is given, from hearsay,
of the sudden death of Jacques Michel, a profane Huguenot, a tragedy
which is thought to have been a direct punishment for his blasphemies.
This is followed by a long description of the conversion and baptism of
certain savages, and the happy death of some of these. A definite plan
is advocated for the conversion of the natives in the neighborhood of
Quebec: that the French, their protectors, should make themselves more
formidable to the common enemy, the Iroquois; that the friendly natives
should be systematically taught agriculture, and induced to become
sedentary, and, while thus acquiring this technical education, should
be aided with food; that seminaries should be established, in which
Indian children, both boys and girls, can be educated at Quebec.
The superior then gives a detailed account of the religious belief,
traditions, and superstitions, of the Montagnais tribe, among whom he
had passed the preceding winter,--their fasts, rites, and customs.
He praises their intelligence, contentment, fortitude, good nature,
generosity; but condemns their filthy habits, their inveterate habit
of mockery and ridicule, their fierce cruelty towards enemies,
their disposition to utter slander, their deceitfulness, gluttony,
intemperance, vile language, and impudent habits of begging. He
enumerates the animals, birds, fishes, fruits, and roots eaten by the
savages. Their numerous feasts are described, and the customs and
superstitions connected therewith; also, their mode of hunting elks,
beavers, and other animals, and of fishing, both by nets and harpoons.
He also describes some of the fauna peculiar to Canada,--the singing
marmot, the skunk, the squirrels, and the humming-bird.
We take much pleasure in announcing that arrangements have been
concluded with Mr. Victor Hugo Paltsits, of the staff of Lenox Library,
to furnish notes for and to revise the Bibliographical Data for our
series, his services commencing with the present volume. Mr. Paltsits
is one of the members of the Bibliographical Society of London, and an
expert of wide repute in this important field.
We are under obligations to the Rev. Rudolph Meyer, S.J., of Rome,
for valuable advice and encouragement; and to the Rev. T. O'Leary, of
Edgegrove, Pa., for kindly suggestions.
R. G. T.
MADISON, WIS. April, 1897.
XXI (concluded)
LE JEUNE'S RELATION, 1633
PARIS: SEBASTIEN CRAMOISY, 1634
Continued from Vol. V.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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