The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. 8: Quebec, Hurons, Cape Breton, 1634-1636
History
The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. 8: Quebec, Hurons, Cape Breton, 1634-1636
Canada -- History -- To 1763 (New France); Indians of North America -- Canada; Jesuits -- Missions; Jesuits -- North America
30 (p. 103).--_Le Borgne_: this name, meaning "the one-eyed," was
applied by the French, during many years, to the Algonkin chief at the
head of the Island tribe (see vol. v., _note_ 57), whose native name
was Tessouehat (or Tessoueatch).
Champlain mentions that, in June, 1603, he met at Tadoussac an Algonkin
sagamore named Besouat; Laverdière (_Champlain_, p. 76) thinks this is
simply an error for Tesouat. Just ten years later, Champlain visited
Tessouat at Allumettes Island, and speaks of the latter as "a good old
Captain."
Again, in 1629, he mentions Le Borgne (apparently the successor of the
first-named) as "a good Savage and a man of intelligence" (Laverdière's
ed., p. 1198). It was this man who is mentioned in our text as alarming
the Hurons by reports of Champlain's intended vengeance for Brulé's
murder; he died in August, 1635. In the spring of that year, he had
gone (as Brébeuf tells us) with an Algonkin embassy to the Huron
country, to ask the latter tribes to unite with them in an attack upon
the Iroquois, which proposal was declined by the Hurons.
A third Le Borgne was Tessouehat (called by the Hurons Andesson or
Ondesson), characterized by the missionaries as "unusually arrogant and
malicious" (_Relation_ for 1641). Much to their surprise, he came down
to Montreal in March, 1643, for Christian instruction, and was baptized
under the name of Paul. In the _Relation_ for that year, Vimont says
of this chief: "As soon as he became a Christian, God gave him the
gentleness and meekness of a little child;" and the missionaries were
greatly delighted and edified by his piety.
In May, 1646, a chief of this name took part in a council held at Three
Rivers with an embassy from the Iroquois; but, as he invoked the sun
to be a witness of the negotiations, he must have been a heathen,
and therefore a successor to the preceding chief. This same man was
rebuked by a converted Indian at Sillery for not being a Christian;
but his pious death, after an illness of two years, is recorded in the
_Relation_ for 1654. He, too, like his predecessor, was renowned as
much for his arrogance as for his eloquence.
31 (p. 105).--_Oënrio_ (Ouenrio, or Wenrio): the site of this village,
which was located in a populous Huron neighborhood, has not been
identified beyond question. Du Creux's map places it near the head of
an inlet--evidently the one now known as Dault's Bay, on the west side
of Tiny township; and he associates it with the mission of St. Charles.
There are remains which correspond very nearly to this position; though
some have supposed that Oënrio was nearer Penetanguishene Bay, where
the remains of another village have been found. As it contained part
of the Hurons from Toanché, it may be assumed that it was not far from
Thunder Bay.--A.F. HUNTER.
32 (p. 111).--_Sagamité_: see vol. v., _note_ 28.
33 (p. 115).--_Mer douce_: see vol. i., _note_ 54.
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