The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. 7: Quebec, Hurons, Cape Breton, 1634-1635
History
The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. 7: Quebec, Hurons, Cape Breton, 1634-1635
Canada -- History -- To 1763 (New France); Indians of North America -- Canada; Jesuits -- Missions; Jesuits -- North America
After the departure of the Sorcerer, my host took pleasure in
asking me questions, especially about the things of nature. One
day he asked me how the earth was made; and, bringing me a piece
of bark and some charcoal, he had me describe it. So I drew for
him the two Hemispheres; and, after having traced Europe, Asia and
Africa, I came to our America, showing him that it is an immense
Island. I described for him the coast of Acadia, the great Island
of Newfoundland, the entrance and gulf of our great river saint
Lawrence, the people who inhabit its banks, the place where we
then were. I went up as far as the Algonquains, the Hiroquois,
the Hurons, to the neutral nation, etc., showing him the places
more and less populous. I passed to Florida, to Peru, to Brazil,
etc., speaking to him in my jargon the best I could about these
countries. He asked me [305] more particularly about the countries
of which he had some knowledge. Then having listened to me
patiently, he exclaimed, using one of their words expressive of
great admiration, _Amonitatinaniouikhi!_ "This black robe tells
the truth," speaking to an old man who was looking at me; and
turning toward me, he said, "_nicanis_, my well-beloved, thou dost
indeed cause our wonder; for we are acquainted with the greater
part of these lands and tribes, and thou hast described them as
they are." Thereupon I urge, "As thou seest I tell the truth in
speaking of thy country, thou shouldst also believe that I do not
lie in speaking of the others." "I do believe thus," he replied. I
followed up my point: "As I am truthful in speaking about things of
the earth, also thou shouldst persuade thyself that I am not lying
when I speak to thee about the things of Heaven; and therefore thou
oughtst believe what I have told thee about the other life." He
paused a few moments, and then, having reflected a little, said, "I
will believe thee when thou shalt know how to speak; but we have
now too much trouble in understanding each other."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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