take the country from the hands of the English, to accord us good treatment under penalty of answering for it in their own persons. It would have taken a heart of bronze not to feel emotion at the sight of this recommendation,[17] which was brought to us in New France by your authority, and which largely dispelled our sadness in seeing this country in such a deplorable state, after so long a time as our French had been in possession of it. But its condition goes on changing every day since you have deigned to honor it with your interest. These Gentlemen of the New Company have done more good here in one year than those who preceded did in all their lives. Families are beginning to multiply, and these already urge us to open a school for the education of their children, which we will begin soon, God helping us. I fear but one misfortune,--that these Gentlemen, who have told no untruth about their great expenses, which are evident in the fine outfits they put to sea, may altogether or partly lose the great courage they now display, if unfortunately their trade in peltries should not always succeed. Monseigneur, you are all-powerful in this matter, as in many others; a single glance of your eyes can protect, animate, and help them, and indeed all these countries, from which France can one day derive great benefits. It is well known, both from experience and from reading historians and geographers, that every year a very great number of people leave France, and cast themselves, some here, some there, among foreigners, because they have no employment in their own country. I have been told, and have heard it only with great regret, that a large part of the artisans in Spain are Frenchmen. How then! must we give men to our enemies to make war upon us, when we have here so many lands, so beautiful and good, where colonies can be introduced which will be loyal to His Majesty and to Your Eminence? The son of a french artisan born in Spain is a Spaniard; but, if he is born in New France, he will be a Frenchman. It all lies in employing strong men to cut down and clear the woods, so that the land may be distributed among families which are here, or will be brought over here. The Gentlemen of the Company are doing wonders in this regard; but the outlay is so great that I would almost have doubts of their continuing in the work, were they not supported by Your Eminence. Monseigneur, you are the heart and soul of this company and of all New France. You not only can give physical life to an infinite number of poor french workmen, who go begging it among strangers for lack of land; but you can give spiritual life to a great number of barbarous people, who die every day in the slavery of Satan for lack of preachers of the Gospel. If Your Eminence continues your