Chapter IX: Preface (1)

THE old proverb is true that the Gods sell us all things for work.
This may be recognized in many of the ordinary events of life,
but especially in the matter of which we are about to speak,
and for which we have a subject in the incomparable virtues of
sieur de Poutrincourt, whose more than Herculean labors have for
a long time deserved a very ample fortune, which he might have
succeeded in acquiring during our late struggles, had he not
been too entirely devoted to the party which he had embraced.
For the King, holding him besieged in person in Beaumont castle,
[4] wished to give him the County thereof to attach him to his
service. Refusing the gift at this time, he nevertheless accepted
it freely soon afterwards, when he learned that his Majesty had
embraced the faith of the Roman Catholic Church. It is true that
our late King HENRY the Great had rendered him one service; that
is, he had testified with his own lips that he was one of the
most honorable and valiant men in his kingdom. Again, after our
recent wars, being naturally attracted to difficult enterprises
and shunning a life of idleness, he sought some occasion to more
effectually show his courage, to honor his Prince, and to glorify
his country. This he did by meeting sieur de Monts,[13] who, in the
year 1603, undertook the voyage to New and Western France beyond
the sea; and by associating himself with him, to find a suitable
place where he could settle down, and there render service to God
and the King. To this end he has labored continually ever since,
and would have already greatly advanced the work, had not his
amiable nature been imposed upon by dishonest men, who have been
the cause of great losses to him in time and money. But, as he
was a Gentleman not to be conquered by hardships, and fearing no
dangers, he might have been sure of prompt advancement in his work
had he not been hindered by the greed of those who robbed him of
the fat of his lands, without making any settlement there. These
people, eager to get the Beaver skins of that country, go there for
no other purpose; and so compete with each other, that they have
caused every Beaver skin (which is the chief traffic [5] of these
regions) to be worth here to-day ten livres, when they might have
been sold for one-half that price, if the traffic therein had been
limited to one person. In this way the Christian Religion might
have also been established there; and it certainly would have been
greatly advanced, if such a course had been pursued. Also for the
sake of Religion and of permanent colonization, from which France
can derive both profit and glory, it is well that those who settle
there should enjoy fully and wholly the advantages guaranteed by
them; since no one does anything in this direction for the sake
of the leaders of the enterprise, who, at the risk of their lives
and their fortunes, have discovered coasts and interior lands
where no Christian had ever been. There is another consideration
which I do not wish to set down in writing, and which alone ought
to obtain the above-mentioned privileges to those who present and
offer themselves to settle and defend the province, and indeed
to give assistance to the entire French colony over there. There
has always been a complaint that affairs of general importance
are ruined by giving too much attention to the consideration of
personal interests. It is to be feared this may be the case in the
affairs of the new World, if we neglect them, and do not encourage
those who, with an unchangeable purpose, take great risks for the
welfare, the honor, and the glory of France, and for the exaltation
of the name of God, and of his Church.

[6] VOYAGE EN LA TERRE-NEUVE.

I'ay rapporté en mon histoire de la Nouvelle France ce qui est des deux premiers voyages faits outre mer par le sieur de Poutrincourt. Ici i'ay à écrire ce qui s'est ensuiui és voyages subsequens. Depuis quelques années une succession lui est echeuë a cause de Dame Iehanne de Salazar sa mere, qui est la Baronnie de Sainct Iust en Champagne. Les rivieres de Seine & d'Aulbe rendent le lieu de cette Baronnie autant agreable, que fort & avantageux à la defense. Là au commencement de Février mil six cens dix il fit partie de son equippage, y ayant chargé vn bateau de meubles, viures, & munitions de guerre, voire tellement chargé qu'il n'y restoit que deux doigts de bord hors de l'eau. Cependant la riviere estoit enflée & ne se pouuoit plus tenir en son lict à cause des longues pluies hivernales. Les flots le menaçoient souuent, les perils y estoient presens, mesmement és passages de Nogent, Corbeil, Sainct Clou, Ecorche-veau, & autres où des bateaux perirent à sa veuë, sans qu'il fust aucunement emeu d'apprehension. En fin il parvint à Dieppe, & apres quelque sejour il se mit en mer le 26. dudit mois de Février. Plusieurs en cette ville là benissoient son voyage, & prioient Dieu pour la prosperité d'icelui. La saison estoit rude, & les vents le plus souvent contraires. Mais on peut bien appeller vn [7] voyage heureux, quand en fin on arrive à bon port. [_Forbans, ce sont Pyrates._] Ils ne furent gueres loin qu'ils rencontrerent vers le Casquet vn nauire de Forbans, lesquels voyans ledit Sieur & ses gens bien resolus de se defendre si on les attaquoit, passerent outre. Le 6. de Mars ils rencontrerent vnze navires Flamens, & se saluerent l'vn l'autre de chacun vn coup de canon. Depuis le 8. iusques au 15. il y eut tempéte, durant laquelle vne fois ledit Sieur estant couché à la poupe, fut porté de son lict pardessus la table au lict de son fils. [_Su, c'est Midi._] Ce mauvais temps les fit chercher leur route plus au Su, & virent deux iles des Essores, Corbes, & Flore, là où ils eurent le rafraichissement de quelques Marsoins qu'ils prindrent. Et comme l'on dit que de la guerre vient la paix, Ainsi apres ces tourmentes ils eurent des calmes iusques au iour de Pasques Fleuries plus facheux que les tourmentes: car quoy qu'on soit en repos, il n'y a pourtant sujet de contentement: car les vivres se mangent, & la saison de bien faire se passe: bref vn grand calme est fort mauvais sur la mer. Mais cela n'est point perpetuel: & quelquefois (selon l'inconstance d'Eole) apres le calme suit vn vent favorable, tantost vne tempéte, comme il survint vn peu apres (sçauoir le lendemain de Pasques) laquelle fit faire eau à la soute, qui est le magazin du pain, ou biscuit. [_Peril d'vn charpentier._] Occasion que le Charpentier du navire voulant aller remedier au mal avenu, d'autant qu'en faisant ce qui est de son art il troubloit les prieres publiques qui se faisoient du matin, ledit Sieur lui commanda [8] de besongner par le dehors, là où estant allé il trouva le Gouvernail rompu (chose dangereuse) lequel voulant aller racoutrer, comme il estoit à sa besongne, il tomba de son echaffaut dedans la mer. Et bien vint que le temps s'estoit ammoderé: car autrement c'estoit vn homme perdu. Mais il fut garenti par la diligence des matelots, qui lui tendirent vne corde, par laquelle il se sauva.

[6] VOYAGE TO THE NEW WORLD.

I related in my history of New France what happened in the first
two voyages made by sieur de Poutrincourt to the lands beyond
the sea. Here I shall give an account of what took place in the
subsequent voyages. Some years ago an inheritance, the Barony of
Sainct Just, in Champagne, fell to Sieur de Poutrincourt through
his mother, Lady Jehanne de Salazar. The Seine and Aulbe rivers
render the situation of this domain as beautiful as it is strong
and eligible for defense. Here, in the beginning of February, one
thousand six hundred and ten, he partly equipped his ship, loading
it with furniture, provisions, and munitions of war; and, indeed,
so freighted it down that the sides were only two finger-lengths
out of the water. Meanwhile, the river had risen until it could
no longer be confined in its bed, on account of the long winter
rains. Often threatened by floods and by imminent perils in the
passages from Nogent, Corbeil, Sainct Clou, Ecorche-veau and other
places, where vessels were wrecked before his eyes, he was not in
the least affected by fear. At last he arrived at Dieppe, and,
after a sojourn there, he put to sea upon the 26th of this same
month of February. Many people of that city wished him well in
his voyage and prayed God for its success. The season was stormy,
and contrary winds prevailed the greater part of the time. But we
may indeed call a [7] voyage fortunate, which brings us at last
safe into port. [_Forbans are pirates._] They were not far away
when they met, in the direction of Casquet,[14] a ship of Forbans,
who, seeing that the Sieur and his crew were all ready to defend
themselves if attacked, sailed on past them. On the 6th of March
they met eleven Flemish ships, and they saluted each other by a
discharge of cannon. From the 8th to the 15th there was a tempest,
during which the Sieur, who was lying down on the poop, was thrown
from his bed, over the table, to that of his son. [_South, that
is, Meridian._] This bad weather made them turn their route more
to the South, where they saw two of the Essores islands, Corbes
and Flore; and there they had some fresh food by catching a few
Porpoises. And as, according to the old saying, peace follows war,
so, after these storms, there were calms more trying than the
tempests, until Palm Sunday; for then, although there was rest,
there was no satisfaction in it, for the food was being consumed
and the good season was passing away; in short, a great calm is a
very harmful thing upon the sea. But it does not last always; and
sometimes (according to the fickle moods of Æolus) after the calm
comes a favorable wind, sometimes a tempest; as happened shortly
afterwards (namely, the day after Easter), and this caused a leak
in the soute, which is the storeroom for bread or biscuit. Now the
ship's carpenter, who went to repair the leak, while doing what
his trade demanded, interfered with the public prayers which were
being offered in the morning, and the Sieur commanded him [8] to do
his work outside. [_Peril of a carpenter._] He obeyed, and there
found the Rudder broken (which is a very dangerous thing); wishing
to readjust it, while he was engaged in the work, he fell from his
scaffolding into the sea. And it was well that the weather had
moderated; for otherwise there would have been a man lost. But he
was rescued by the efforts of the sailors, who threw him a rope by
which he saved himself.

[_Voy l'Hist. de la Nouv. France liv. 4. chap. 12._]

Le 11. de May la sonde fut iettée, & se trouva fond à 80. brasses: indice que l'on estoit sur le Banc des Moruës. Là ils s'arréterent pour auoir le rafraichissement de la pecherie soit des poissons, soit des oiseaux qui sont abondamment sur ledit Banc, ainsi que i'ay amplement décrit en madite Histoire de la Nouvelle France. [_Au méme liv. ch. 7._] Le Banc passé, apres auoir soutenu plusieurs vents contraires, en fin ils terrirent vers Pemptegoet (qui est l'endroit que noz Geographes marquent soubs le nom de Norombega) & fit dire la Messe ledit Sieur en vne Isle qu'il nomma de l'Ascension, pour y estre arrivé ce iour là. De ce lieu ils vindrent à Sainte Croix premiere habitation de noz François en cette côte, là où ledit Sieur fit faire des prieres pour les trespassez qui y estoient enterrez dés le premier voyage du sieur de Monts en l'an 1603. & furent au haut de la riviere dudit lieu de Sainte Croix, où ils trouverent telle quantité de Harens à chaque marée, qu'il y en avoit pour nourrir toute vne grosse ville. En autres saisons il y vient d'autres poissons. Mais lors c'estoit le tour aux Harens. Là mesme il y a des arbres d'inestimable [9] beauté en hauteur & grosseur. [_Ceremonies de funerailles._] Sur cette méme côte, devant qu'arriver au Port Royal ils virent les ceremonies funebres d'un corps mort decedé en la terre des Etechemins. Le defunct estoit couché sur vn ais appuyé de quatre fourches, & fut couvert de peaux. Le lendemain arrive là grande assemblée d'hommes, lesquels danserent à leur mode alentour du decedé. Vn des anciens tenoit vn long baton, où il y avoit pendues trois tétes de leurs ennemis; D'autres avoient d'autres marques de leurs victoires: & en cet etat chanterent & danserent deux ou trois heures, disans les loüanges du mort au lieu du _Libera_ que disent les Chrétiens. [_Matachiaz, ce sont carquans, echarpes, & brasselets._] Apres chacun lui fit don de quelque chose, comme de peaux, chaudieres, pois, haches, couteaux, fleches, _Matachiaz_ & autres hardes. Toutes lesquelles ceremonies achevées, on le porta en sepulture en vne ile à l'écart loin de la terre ferme. Et au partir de là tira ledit Sieur au Port Royal lieu de son habitation.

[_See History of New France book 4. ch. 12._]

On the 11th of May, the sounding lead was cast, and bottom was
found at 80 fathoms; a sign that they were upon the Codfish Banks.
There they stopped to obtain fresh food, either fish or birds,
which are abundant upon these Banks, as I have described fully
in my History of New France. [_In the same book ch. 7._] When
the Banks were passed, after having encountered several contrary
winds, at last they landed in the neighborhood of Pemptegoet, (the
place that our Geographers designate by the name Norembega);[15]
and the Sieur caused Mass to be said upon an Island, which he
called Ascension, because they arrived there upon that day. Thence
they came to Sainte Croix,[16] the first settlement of our French
upon this coast, where the Sieur had prayers offered for the dead
who had been buried there since the first voyage made by sieur
de Monts, in the year 1603. Then they went up the river Sainte
Croix, where they found such a great number of Herrings at every
tide, that they had enough to feed a whole city. During the other
seasons there are other kinds of fish, but at that time it was
the Herring season. [_Funeral ceremonies._] Also there are trees
there of [9] indescribable beauty, height, and grandeur. Upon
this same coast, before reaching Port Royal, they saw the funeral
ceremonies over the corpse of a savage who had died in the land of
the Etechemins. The body was resting upon a plank supported by four
stakes and covered with skins. The next day, a great crowd of men
arrived, who performed their customary dances around the corpse.
One of the old men held a long pole, upon which were dangling
three of their enemies' heads; others carried other trophies of
their victories; and thus they continued to sing and dance for
two or three hours, chanting the praises of the dead instead of
the _Libera_ of Christians. [_Matachiaz are necklaces, scarfs and
bracelets._] Afterwards each one made him a gift of some kind, such
as skins, kettles, peas, hatchets, knives, arrows, _Matachiaz_,[17]
and articles of apparel. When all these ceremonies were finished,
they carried him for burial to an isolated island, far from the
mainland. And, leaving there, the Sieur sailed for Port Royal, the
place of his residence.

RELIGION.

Le sieur de Poutrincourt n'eut à-peine pris haleine apres tant de travaux, qu'il envoya chercher Membertou premier & plus ancien Capitaine de cette contrée, pour lui rafrechir la memoire de quelques enseignemens de la Religion Chrétienne que nous lui avions autrefois [10] donné, & l'instruire plus amplement és choses qui concernent le salut de l'ame, afin que cetui-ci reduit, plusieurs autres à son exemple fissent le méme. Comme de fait il arriva. Car apres avoir esté catechizé, & les siens avec lui, par quelque temps, il fut baptizé, & vingt autres de sa troupe, le iour sainct Iehan Baptiste 1610. [_Liv. 5. ch. 5. pa. 638._] les noms desquels i'ay enrollé en mon Histoire de la Nouvelle France selon qu'ils sont écrits au registre des baptémes de l'Eglise metropolitaine de dela, qui est au Port Royal. [_Mission._] Le Pasteur qui fit ce chef d'œuvre fut Messire Iesse Fleuche natif de Lantage, diocese de Langres, homme de bonnes lettres, lequel avoit pris sa mission de Monsieur le Nonce du Sainct Pere Euesque de Rome, qui estoit pour lors, & est encore à Paris. Non qu'un Euéque François ne l'eust peu faire: mais ayant fait ce choix, ie croy que ladite mission est aussi bonne de lui (qui est Evéque) que d'vn autre, encore qu'il soit étranger. Toutefois i'en laisse la cõsideration à ceuq qui y ont plus d'interest que moy, estant chose qui se peut disputer d'une part & d'autre, parce qu'il n'est pas ici en son diocese. Ledit Seigneur Nonce, dit Robert Vbaldin, lui bailla permission d'ouir par dela les confessions de toutes personnes, & les absoudre de tous pechés & crimes non reservés expressement au siege Apostolique; & leur enioindre des penitences selon la qualité du peché. En outre lui donna pouvoir de consacrer & benir des chasubles & autres vétemens sacerdotaux, & des paremens d'autels, excepté [11] des Corporaliers, Calices, & Paténes. C'est ainsi que ie l'ay leu sur les lettres de ce octroyées audit Fleuche premier Patriarche de ces terres là. Ie di patriarche, par ce que communement on l'appelloit ainsi: & ce mot l'a deu semondre à mener vne vie pleine d'integrité & d'innocence, comme ie croy qu'il a fait. Or ces baptizailles ne furent sans solennités. [_confession de Foy de Membertou._] Car Membertou (& consequemment les autres) avant qu'estre introduits en l'Eglise de Dieu, fit vne reconoissance de toute sa vie passée, confessa ses pechés, & renonça au diable, auquel il avoit servi. Là dessus chacun chanta le _Te Deum_ de bon courage, & furent les canons tirés avec grand plaisir, à-cause des Echoz qui durent audit Port Royal, prés d'un quart d'heure. C'est vne grande grace que Dieu a fait à cet homme d'avoir receu le don de la Foy, & de la lumiere Evangelique, en l'âge où il est parvenu, qui est à mon avis de cent dix ans ou plus. Il fut nommé HENRI du nom de nostre feu Roy HENRI le Grand. [_Pa. 638._] D'autres furent nommez des noms du sainct Pere le Pape de Rome, de la Royne, & Messeigneurs & Dames ses enfans, de Monsieur le Nonce, & autres signalez personnages de deça, lesquels on print pour parrins, comme ie l'ay écrit en madite Histoire. Mais ie ne voy point que ces parrins se soient souvenus de leurs filieuls, ni qu'ils leur ayent envoyé aucune chose pour les sustenter, ayder, & encourager à demeurer fermes en la Religion qu'ils ont receuë: Car pour du pain on leur fera croire ce que l'on voudra, & peu à peu leur terre [12] estant cultivée les nourrira. Mais il les faut ayder du commencement. Ce qu'a fait le sieur de Poutrincourt tant qu'il a peu, voire outrepassant son pouvoir il en a ieusné par apres, comme nous dirons ailleurs.

RELIGION.

Sieur de Poutrincourt had hardly taken breath after so many labors,
when he sent for Membertou, chief and oldest Captain of this
country, to refresh his memory in regard to some of the principles
of the Christian Religion, which we had [10] previously taught
him, and to instruct him more fully in things which concern the
salvation of the soul; so that, he being converted, many others
might follow his example. As in truth it came to pass. For after
having been catechized for some time, and his family with him,
he was baptized, as were also twenty others of his company, upon
saint John the Baptist's day, 1610. [_Book 5. ch. 5. page 638._]
I have enrolled their names in my History of New France, just
as they are written over there in the baptismal register of the
mother-Church, which is at Port Royal. The Pastor who accomplished
this master-piece [_chef d'œuvre_] was Messire Jesse Fleuche, a
native of Lantage, in the diocese of Langres; [_Commission._] he
is a scholarly man, and received his commission from Monsieur,
the Ambassador of the Holy Father, the Bishop of Rome, who was
then, and is still, in Paris. Not that a French Bishop might not
have given it to him; but, as this one was chosen, I believe the
said commission is as good from him (since he is a Bishop), as
from another, although he is a stranger. However, I leave the
consideration of this matter to those who have more interest in it
than I have, it being a question that admits of dispute on both
sides, since here he is not in his diocese. This Ambassador, called
Robert Ubaldin,[18] gave him permission to hear confessions from
all people over there, and to absolve them from all sins and crimes
not strictly reserved to the Apostolic see; and to impose upon
them penances, according to the character of the sin. Furthermore,
he gave him power to consecrate and bless the chasubles, and
other priestly vestments, and the altar furnishings, except [11]
the Corporals, Chalices, and Patens. It is thus that I have seen
it stated in the credentials granted to the said Fleuche, first
Patriarch of those lands. I say patriarch, because that is what
he was generally called: and this was an incentive to him to
lead a life full of integrity and innocence, as I believe he has
done. Now these baptismal ceremonies were not without solemnity.
[_Confession of Membertou._] For Membertou (and consequently the
others), before being introduced into the Church of God, made an
examination of all his past life, confessed his sins, and renounced
the devil, whom he had served. Then each one joined heartily in
singing the _Te Deum_, and there was a joyful discharge of cannon,
so that the Echoes lingered in Port Royal nearly a quarter of an
hour. God has shown great mercy in granting that this man should
receive the gift of Faith, and the light of the Gospel, at the age
to which he has attained, which is, I believe, one hundred and ten
years, or more. He was named HENRY, after our late King, HENRY
the Great. [_Page 638._] Others were given the names of the holy
Father, the Pope of Rome, of the Queen, of my Lords and Ladies, her
children, of Monsieur the Nuncio, and of other notable personages
over here, who have been chosen as godparents, as I have written in
my History. But I do not see that these godparents have remembered
their children, nor that they have sent them anything to support,
aid, and encourage them in remaining firm in the Religion which
they have accepted: for, if you give them bread, you can make them
believe almost anything you wish; when, little by little, their
land [12] is cultivated, they will derive from it their support.
But they must be assisted in the beginning. Sieur de Poutrincourt
has done this as far as he was able, even going beyond his means,
for which he fasted afterwards, as we shall relate elsewhere.

RETOUR EN FRANCE.

Trois semaines apres l'arrivée dudit Sieur en sa terre du Port Royal il avisa de renvoyer en France le Baron de sainct Iust son fils ainé, ieune Gentilhomme fort experimenté à la marine, & lequel à cette occasion Monsieur l'Admiral a honoré du tiltre de Vice-Admiral en la mer du Ponant és cótes de dela. Car ayant a nourrir beaucoup d'hommes au moins l'espace d'un an & plus, attendant vne cueillette de blez, il estoit besoin d'une nouvelle charge de vivres & marchandises propres au commun vsage tant de lui & des siens, que des Sauvages. Il le fit donc partir le 8. Iuillet, lui enioignant d'estre de retour dans quatre mois, & le conduisit dans vne Pinasse, ou grande chalouppe environ cent lieuës loin. En cette saison on a beau rire le long de la côte. Car il y a des iles en grand nombre vers le Cap Fourchu, & le Cap de Sable si pleines d'oiseaux, qu'il ne faut qu'assommer & charger, & avec ce le poisson y foisonne en telle sorte, qu'il ne faut que ietter la ligne en mer & la retirer. La contrarieté du vent les ayant plusieurs fois [13] contraint de mouiller l'ancre parmi ces iles, leur fit faire epreuve de ce que ie di. Ainsi ledit de sainct Iust s'en alla rengeant la terre l'espace de deux cens lieuës, iusques à ce qu'il eut passé l'ile de Sable, ile dangereuse pour estre basse & sans port asseuré, sise a vingt lieuës de la terre ferme vis à vis la terre de Bacaillos. [_Voy l'Histoire de la Nouvelle France liv. 4. Chap. 12._] Le 28. de Iuillet il estoit sur le Banc aux Moruës, là où il se rafraichit de vivres, & rencontra plusieurs navires de noz havres de France, & vn Anglois, d'où il eut la premiere nouvelle de la mort de nôtre grand Roy HENRI. Ce qui le troubla & sa compagnie, tant pour l'accident si funeste de cette mort, que de crainte qu'il n'y eust du trouble pardeça. Le Dimanche premier iour d'Aoust ils quitterent ledit Banc, le 20. eurent la veuë de la terre de France, & le 21. entrerent dans le port de Dieppe.

RETURN TO FRANCE.

Three weeks after the Sieur's arrival at his estates in Port
Royal, he made up his mind to send back to France his eldest son,
the Baron de sainct Just, a young Gentleman who is well versed in
seamanship, and whom, upon this occasion, Monsieur the Admiral has
honored with the title of Vice-Admiral of the Western ocean and
its more distant coasts. For, being obliged to furnish food for a
great many men at least during the space of a year and more, while
waiting for the wheat crop, he needed a new supply of provisions
and merchandise suitable for general use, both for himself and his
people, and for the Savages. So he had him leave on the 8th of
July, enjoining him to be upon his return voyage in four months;
and he accompanied him in a Pinnace, or large boat, for about one
hundred leagues. At this season it is pleasant to sail along the
coast, for there are a great many islands in the neighborhood
of Cape Fourchu[19] and Cape Sable, which are so full of birds,
that all there is to do is to knock them down and reload; also,
fish are so plentiful, that it is only necessary to throw out the
line and draw it in. Contrary winds, having several times [13]
forced them to cast anchor among these islands, this gave them an
opportunity of verifying what I have said. So sainct Just continued
to coast along for two hundred leagues, until he had passed Sable
island,[20] a dangerous place because it is low and has no safe
harbor; it is twenty leagues from the mainland opposite the land of
Bacaillos.[21] [_See History of New France, book 4. ch. 12._] On
the 28th of July, he reached the Codfish Banks, where he obtained
fresh food and met several ships from our French ports, and one
English ship, whence he received the first news of the death of our
great King HENRY. This grieved him and his crew, on account of the
sad circumstances surrounding the death, and because they feared
trouble might arise from it. Sunday, the first day of August, they
left these Banks; on the 20th they sighted the land of France and
on the 21st entered the port of Dieppe.

AUANCEMENT DE LA RELIGION.

Comme le sieur de Poutrincourt suivoit la côte conduisant son fils sur le retour, il trouva quelques Sauvages de conoissance en vne ile, où ils s'estoient cabannez, faisans pécherie: lesquels ayant abordé, ils en furent tout ioyeux: [_Acte de pieté._] Et apres quelques propos tenus de Membertou, & des autres, & de ce qui s'estoit passé en leurs baptizailles, il leur demanda s'ils vouloient point estre comme luy, & croire en Dieu pour estre aussi baptizés; A quoy ils [14] s'accorderent apres avoir esté instruits. Et là dessus il les envoya au Port Royal pour estre plus à loisir confirmés en la Foy & doctrine Evangelique: là où estans ils furent baptizés. Cependant ledit Sieur poursuivoit sa route allant toujours avant le long de la côte, tant qu'il vint au Cap de la Héve, environ lequel endroit il laissa aller à la garde de Dieu ledit sieur de sainct Iust son fils, & virant le cap en arriere cingla vers la riviere dudit lieu de la Héve, qui est vn port large de plus de deux lieuës & long de six, cuidant y trouver vn Capitaine dés long temps appellé Martin par noz François. Mais il s'en estoit retiré, à-cause de quelque mortalité là survenuë par des maladies dysenteriaques. Depuis, ledit Martin ayant entendu que ledit Sieur lui avoit fait tant d'honneur que de l'aller chercher, il le suivit à la piste avec trente-cinq ou 40. hommes, & le vint trouver vers le Cap de Sable pour le remercier d'une telle visite. Ledit Sieur homme accort & benin le receut humainement, encores qu'auparavant en l'an 1607. il y eust eu quelque colere contre lui, sur ce que passant icelui Sieur par ledit lieu de la Héve foible de gens, & se voyant environné de trois chaloupes de Sauvages pleines de peuple, il les fit ranger toutes d'un côté. Sur quoy ledit Martin ayant dit qu'il avoit donc peur d'eux, il fut en danger de voir par effet que sa conclusion estoit fausse. [_Acte de pieté._] A cette derniere rencontre ledit Martin fut caressé & invité à se faire Chrétien, comme Membertou, & plusieurs autres: & [15] s'en aller au Port Royal pour y recevoir plus ample instruction. Ce qu'il promit faire avec sa troupe. Et d'autant que les Sauvages ne vont iamais voir leurs amis les mains vuides, il alla à la chasse, afin de porter de la venaison audit lieu: & cependant ledit Sieur s'avance & va devant pour les y attendre. [_Peril._] Mais étant environ le Cap Fourchu, le voila porté d'un vent de terre droit à la mer, & ce si avant, qu'il fut six iours sans aucune provision de vivres (que de quelques oiseaux pris és iles, qu'il avoit de reste) & sans autre eau douce que celle qui se recuilloit quelquefois dans les voiles: Bref sans rien voir que ciel & eau; & s'il n'eust eu vne petite boussolle il estoit en danger d'estre porté à la côte de la Floride par la violence des vents, des tempétes, & des vagues. En fin par son industrie & iugement il vint terrir vers l'ile sainte Croix, là où Oagimont Capitaine dudit lieu lui apporta des galettes de biscuit qu'il avoit troquées avec noz François. Et delà estant en lieu de conoissance il traversa la baye Françoise large en cet endroit de vingt lieuës, & vint au Port Royal cinq semaines apres sa departie où il trouva des gens bien etonnés pour sa longue absence, & qui desia pourpensoient vn changement qui ne pouvoit estre que funeste. C'est ainsi qu'au peril de sa vie, avec des fatigues & souffrances incroyables il va chercher des brebis egarées pour les amener à la bergerie de Iesus-Christ, & accroitre le Royaume celeste. Que si la conversion de ces peuples ne se fait par milliers, il faut penser [16] que nul Prince ou Seigneur n'a iusques ici assisté ledit sieur de Poutrincourt, auquel méme les avares vont ravir ce qui est de sa province, & sa bonté souffre cela, pour ne faire rien qui puisse aigrir les grands de deça, encores que le Roy luy ayant donné la terre il puisse iustement empecher qu'on ne lui enleve les fruits d'icelle, & qu'on n'entre dans ses ports, & qu'on ne lui coupe ses bois. Quand il aura de plus amples moyens il pourra envoyer des hommes aux terres plus peuplées, où il faut aller fort, & faire vne grande moisson pour l'amplification de l'Eglise. Mais il faut premierement batir la Republique, sans laquelle l'Eglise ne peut estre. Et pour ce le premier secours doit estre à cette Republique, & non à ce qui a le pretexte de pieté. Car cette Republique estant établie, ce sera à elle à pourvoir à ce qui regarde le spirituel. Retournons au Port Royal. Là ledit Sieur arrivé trouva Martin & ses gens baptizés, & tous portés d'un grand zele à la Religion Chrétienne, oyans fort devotement le service divin, lequel estoit ordinairement chanté en Musique de la composition dudit Sieur.

PROGRESS OF RELIGION.

As sieur de Poutrincourt sailed along the coast, while accompanying
his son upon his return, he found some Savages whom he knew,
encamped upon an island and engaged in fishing; [_Act of piety._]
they were overjoyed at his arrival, and after some talk about
Membertou and others, and about what had taken place at their
baptism, he asked them if they did not wish to be like him, to
believe in God and be baptized: this they [14] agreed to do after
they had been instructed. And thereupon he sent them to Port
Royal, where more time could be given to confirm them in the Faith
and doctrines of the Gospel; they went there and were baptized.
Meanwhile the Sieur continued on his way, always following the
coast, until he came to Cape de la Héve, near which place he
consigned his son, sieur de sainct Just, to the care of God; and,
veering around the cape, he sailed toward the river of la Héve,
which forms a port more than two leagues wide and six leagues
long, expecting to find there a Chief, whom the French had for
a long time called Martin. But he had gone away, on account of
the deaths which had occurred there from some form of dysentery.
Afterwards, this Martin, having heard that the Sieur had done him
the honor of coming to visit him, followed him up with thirty-five
or forty men, and near Cape Sable overtook him and thanked him for
this visit. The Sieur, who is a pleasant and agreeable gentleman,
received him kindly; although some time before, in the year 1607,
he had been somewhat angry at him, because when he, (the Sieur),
with only a few men, was passing this same la Héve, seeing himself
surrounded by three canoes full of Savages, he made them all get
in line upon one side. Thereupon, Martin having remarked that the
Sieur was afraid of them, the former was, in fact, in danger of
seeing that his conclusion was wrong. [_Act of piety._] At this
last meeting, Martin was treated with great kindness, and invited
to become a Christian like Membertou and several others, and [15]
to go to Port Royal to be more fully instructed. He promised to do
this and to bring all his company. And, as the Savages never go to
visit their friends empty-handed, he went hunting, that he might
get some venison for this occasion; [_Peril._] meanwhile the Sieur
went on ahead, in order to meet them there (i.e. at Port Royal).
But near Cape Fourchu, behold him carried by a land breeze straight
out to sea, and so far, that he was six days without food (except
some birds caught upon an island, which he still had), and without
other fresh water than what he could sometimes catch in the sails;
in short, seeing nothing but sky and water; and if he had not had
a small compass, he would have been in danger of being carried to
the coast of Florida by the violence of the winds, the tempests,
and the waves. At last, owing to his good judgment and energy, he
was able to land near the island of sainte Croix, where Oagimont,
Captain of the place, brought him some sea-biscuits, for which
he had traded with the French people. And thence, being familiar
with the place, he crossed French bay, about twenty leagues wide
here, and reached Port Royal, five weeks after his departure. Here
he found his people wondering greatly at his long absence, and
already meditating a change, which could not have been otherwise
than disastrous. It is thus, at the peril of his life, and with
incredible hardships and sufferings, he goes out to seek the lost
sheep, to lead them back into the fold of Jesus Christ, and to add
to the heavenly Kingdom. And if these people are not converted
by the thousand, it must be remembered [16] that no Prince or
Lord has, up to the present, given any assistance to sieur de
Poutrincourt; the avaricious are even stealing from him the wealth
of his province, and he permits this in his goodness, in order to
do nothing that will exasperate the nobles over here; although, as
the King has given him the land, he would be justified in refusing
to others the fruits thereof, as well as entry into his ports, and
the cutting down of his forests. When he has more ample means, he
can send men into the more populous districts, where they must go
in strength, and reap a great harvest for the extension of the
Church. But we must first establish the State, without which the
Church cannot exist. And for this reason the first help should be
given to this State, and not to what has the pretext of piety. For,
when the State is founded, it will be its duty to provide for that
which is spiritual. Let us return to Port Royal. When the Sieur
arrived there he found Martin and his friends, baptized, and all
strongly imbued with zeal for the Christian Religion, listening
very devoutly to divine service, which was usually sung to Music
composed by the Sieur.

Ce zele s'est reconu non seulement aux neophytes Chrétiens, comme nous particulariserons cy-apres; mais aussi en ceux qui n'estoient point encore initiés aux sacrez mysteres de nôtre Religion. Car lors que ledit Martin fut baptizé, il y en eut vn tout décharné, n'ayant plus que les os, lequel n'ayant esté en la compagnie des autres, se porta, à toute peine, en trois cabannes [17] cherchant ledit Fleuches Patriarche pour estre instruit & baptizé.

This zeal is noticeable, not only in the Christian neophytes, as
we shall state more in detail hereafter; but also in those who
are not yet initiated into the sacred mysteries of Religion. For,
as soon as Martin was baptized, there was one who was absolutely
fleshless, having nothing left but bones, who, not having been with
the others, dragged himself, with great suffering, through three
cabins, [17] seeking the Patriarch Fleuches, to be instructed and
baptized.

Vn autre demeurant en la baye saincte Marie à plus de douze lieuës du Port Royal, se trouvant malade, envoya en diligence faire sçavoir audit Patriarche qu'il estoit detenu de maladie, & craignant de mourir, qu'il desiroit estre baptizé. Ledit Patriarche y alla, & avec vn truchement fit envers lui ce qui estoit de l'office d'un bon Pasteur.

Another living at the bay saincte Marie,[22] more than a dozen
leagues from Port Royal, being sick, sent posthaste to the
Patriarch, to let him know he was detained by sickness, and fearing
that he might die, desired to be baptized. The Patriarch went
to him, and, with the help of an interpreter, did for him what
pertained to his office as a good Pastor.

Quant aux Chrétiens, vn desdits Sauvages neophytes ci-devant nommé Acoüanis, & maintenant Loth, se trouvant malade, enuoya son fils en diligence de plus de vingt lieues loin se recommander aux prieres de l'Eglise: & dire que s'il mouroit il vouloit estre enterré au cimetiere des Chrétiens.

As to the Christians, one of these Savage neophytes, previously
named Acoüanis, and now Loth, becoming ill, sent his son with all
speed more than twenty leagues distant, to request the prayers of
the Church, and to say that, if he died, he wished to be buried in
the Christian cemetery.

Vn iour le sieur de Poutrincourt estant allé à la dépouïlle d'un Cerf tué par Louïs fils ainé de Henri Membertou, comme au retour chacun s'estoit embarqué en sa chaloupe & voguoit sur le large espace de la riviere du Port Royal, avint que la femme dudit Louïs accoucha, & voyans que l'enfant estoit de petite vie, ils crierent hautement à noz gens _Tagaria, Tagaria_, c'est à dire Venez ça, Venez ça, si bien que l'enfant fut sur l'heure baptizé par le Pasteur susdit.

One day sieur de Poutrincourt went to see the dismemberment of a
Deer which had been killed by Louis, eldest son of Henry Membertou;
and, when they had all embarked for their return and were riding
upon the waves of the broad river of Port Royal, it happened that
the wife of Louis was delivered of a child; and, seeing that it was
short-lived, they cried loudly to our people, _Tagaria, Tagaria_,
that is, "Come here, Come here." So the child was immediately
baptized by the aforenamed Pastor.

Cette année il a couru par dela plusieurs maladies de dysenteries, qui ont esté mortelles à ceux qui en estoient attaints. Est avenu que ledit Martin huit iours apres son baptéme a esté frappé de ce mal, dont il est mort. Mais [18] c'est chose digne de memoire que cet homme mourant avoit touiours le sacré nom de IESVS en la bouche. Et requit en ces extremités d'estre enterré apres sa mort avec les Chrétiens. Sur quoy il y eut de la difficulté. Car les Sauvages ayans encore de la reverence aux sepultures de leurs peres & amis, le vouloient porter au Cap de Sable à 40. lieuës dudit Port. Ledit Sieur d'autre part le vouloit faire enterrer selon qu'il l'avoit demandé. Là dessus vn debat se prepare. Car lesditz Sauvages prenans en main leurs arcs & fleches, vouloient emporter le corps. Mais ledit Sieur fit armer vne douzaine d'arquebuziers, qui l'enleverent sans resistance, apres leur avoir remonstré quelle avoit esté l'intention du decedé, & qu'estant Chrétien il falloit qu'il fust enterré avec ses semblables, comme en fin il fut, avec les prieres accoutumées en l'Eglise. Cela fait on leur bailla à tous du pain, & s'en allerent contens.

This year the country has been visited, here and there, by
dysenteric troubles, which have been fatal to those affected
by them. It happened that Martin was stricken a week after his
baptism with the disease, and died thereof. But [18] it is worthy
of being remembered that this dying man always had the sacred name
of JESUS upon his lips. In his last moments he requested that when
he died he should be buried with the Christians. There was some
trouble about this. For the Savages having still some reverence
for the burial places of their fathers and friends, wished to take
him to Cape Sable, forty leagues distant from the Port. On the
other hand, the Sieur wished to have him buried according to his
request. Thereupon a dispute arose, and the Savages, seizing their
bows and arrows, wanted to take away the corpse. But the Sieur
placed a dozen arquebusiers under arms, who carried it off without
resistance, after he had demonstrated to them that this had been
the intention of the deceased, and that, being a Christian, he must
be buried with his fellow-Christians; and so he was, with the usual
prayers of the Church. When this was done, they were all given some
bread, and went away happy.

Mais puis que nous sommes sur le propos des maladies & mortuaires, ie ne veux passer souz silence chose que ie ne sçauoy pas, & laquelle pour ne l'avoir veu pratiquer, ie n'ay point écrite en mon Histoire de la Nouvelle France. C'est que noz Sauvages voyans vne personne languissante de vieillesse ou de maladie par vne certaine compassion ilz lui avancent ses iours, lui remonstrent qu'il faut qu'il meure pour acquerir vn repos, que c'est chose miserable de touiours languir, qu'il ne leur sert plus que de fardeau, & autres choses semblables, par lesquelles ils font resoudre le patient à [19] la mort. Et lors ilz lui ôtent tous les vivres, luy baillent sa belle robbe de Castors, ou d'autre pelleterie, & le mettent comme vn homme qui est à demi couché sur son lict, lui chantans des louanges de sa vie passee, & de sa constance à la mort: A quoy il s'accorde, & repond comme le Cygne fait sa derniere chanson: Cela fait, chacun le laisse, & s'estime heureux de mourir plustot que de languir. Car ce peuple estant vagabond, & ne pouvant touiours vivre en vne place, ils ne peuvent trainer apres eux leurs peres, ou amis, vieillars, ou malades. C'est pourquoy ilz les traitent ainsi. Si ce sont malades, ilz leur font premierement des incisions au ventre, desquelles les Pilotois, ou de vins succent le sang. Et en quelque façon que ce soit, s'ilz voyent qu'un homme ne se puisse plus trainer, ilz le mettent en l'estat que dessus, & lui iettent contre le nombril tant d'eau froide, que la Nature se debilite peu à peu, & meurent ainsi fort resolument & constamment.

But as we are now on the subject of sickness and death, I do not
wish to pass over in silence a custom which I did not know about,
and which, never having seen practiced, I did not speak of in my
History of New France. It is, that when our Savages see a person
gradually failing from old age or sickness, through a certain
compassion they hasten his death; showing him that he must die to
procure rest, that it is a wretched thing to languish from day to
day, that he is only a burden to them, and offer other similar
arguments, by means of which they make the sick man resolve to
[19] die. And then they take away from him all food, give him
his beautiful robe of Beaver or other fur, and place him in a
half-reclining posture upon his bed, singing to him praises of his
past life, and of his fortitude in death; to this he agrees, and
replies with his last chant, like the Swan; When it is finished,
all leave him, and he considers himself happy to die rather than to
linger on. For these people, being nomadic, and not being able to
continue living in one place, cannot drag after them their fathers
or friends, the aged, or the sick. That is why they treat them
in this manner. If they are sick, they first make incisions into
their stomachs, from which the Pilotois,[23] or sorcerers, suck the
blood. And, whatever the cause, if they see a man can no longer
drag himself along, they put him in the condition above described,
and throw upon his navel so much cold water, that Nature weakens
little by little, and thus he dies with great steadfastness and
fortitude.

Ainsi en avoit-on fait à Henri Membertou, qui se trouvoit indisposé. Mais il manda au sieur de Poutrincourt qu'il le vinst voir ce iour là, autrement qu'il estoit mort. Au mandement ledit Sieur va trouver Membertou au fond du Port Royal à quatre lieuës loin de son fort, auquel ledit Membertou conte son affaire, disant qu'il n'avoit point encore envie de mourir. Ledit Sieur le console, & le fait enlever de la pour le mener avec lui. Ce qu'ayant fait, & arrivé audit Fort, il lui fait preparer vn bon feu, le couche aupres sur vn bon lict, le fait frotter, dorlotter, [20] & bien penser, lui fait prendre medecine, d'où s'ensuivit qu'au bout de trois iours voila Membertou debout, prest à vivre encore cinquante ans.

This is the way they had treated Henry Membertou when he was sick.
But he sent and asked sieur de Poutrincourt to come and see him
that very day, otherwise he would be dead. At this request the
Sieur went to seek Membertou at the farther end of Port Royal, four
leagues away from his fort; to him the said Membertou related his
story, saying he did not care to die yet. The Sieur consoled him,
and had him lifted up and taken away with him. Then, when they
arrived at the Fort, he had a good fire prepared for him, and,
placing him near it upon a good bed, had him rubbed, [20] nursed,
well cared for, and doctored; and the result was, at the end of
three days, behold Membertou up and about, ready to live fifty
years longer.

On ne peut arracher tout d'un coup les coutumes & façons de faire inveterées d'un peuple quel que ce soit. Les Apôtres ni plusieurs siecles apres eux ne l'ont pas fait, témoins les ceremonies des chandeles de la Chandeleur, les Processions des Rogations, les Feuz de ioye de la sainct Iehan Baptiste, l'Eau benite, & plusieurs autres traditions que nous avons en l'Eglise, lesquelles ont esté introduites à bonne fin, pour tourner en bon vsage ce que l'on faisoit par abus. Ainsi iaçoit que la famille de Membertou soit Chrétienne, toutefois elle n'avoit esté encore enseignée qu'il n'est pas loisible aux hommes d'abbreger les iours aux vieillars, ou malades, quoy qu'ilz pensent bien faire, mais faut attendre la volonté de Dieu, & laisser faire son office à la Nature. Et de verité vn Pasteur est excusable qui manque à faire chose dont il n'a connoissance.

You cannot all at once eradicate the deep-rooted customs and
habits of any people, whoever they may be. The Apostles did not
do it, neither was it done several centuries after them; witness
the ceremonies of the candles on Candlemas, the Processions of the
Rogation-days, the Bonfires of saint John the Baptist's day, the
holy Water, and many other traditions that we have in the Church,
which have been introduced for a laudable purpose, to convert to
a good usage what had only been abused. So, although Membertou's
family were Christians, nevertheless they had not yet been taught
that it is not lawful for men to shorten the days of the aged, or
sick, although they think they are doing right; but rather that
they must await the will of God, and leave Nature to do her work.
And certainly a Pastor is excusable who fails to do things of which
he has no knowledge.

Vne chose de méme merite avint en la maladie de Martin. Car on lui ietta de l'eau semblablement, pour ne le voir languir: & estant malade comme ledit Patriarche, & vn nommé de Montfort lui eussent pris à la chasse & fait manger quelques tourtres, lesquelles il trouva bonnes, il demandoit lors qu'on luy parloit de Paradis, si l'on y en mangeoit: A quoy on lui répondit qu'il y auoit chose meilleure, & qu'il y seroit content. Voila la simplicité d'un peuple [21] plus capable de posseder le royaume des cieux que ceux qui sçavent beaucoup, & font des œuvres mauvaises. Car ce qu'on leur propose, ilz le croyent & gardent soigneusement, voire reprochent aux nóstres leurs fautes, quand ilz ne prient point Dieu avant & apres le repas: ce qu'a fait plusieurs fois ledit Henri Membertou, lequel assiste volontiers au service divin, & porte toujours le signe de la Croix au devant de sa poitrine. Méme ne se sentant assez capable de former des prieres convenables à Dieu, il prioit le Pasteur de se souvenir de lui, & de tous ses freres Sauvages baptizés. Depuis le dernier bapteme duquel nous avons fait mention, il y en a eu plusieurs autres du 14. & 16. d'Aoust, 8. & 9. d'Octobre 1. de Decembre 1610. Et en somme ledit Pasteur fait estat d'en auoir baptizé sept vingts en vn an, ausquels ont esté imposez les noms de plusieurs personnes signalées de pardeça, selon l'affection de ceux qui faisoient l'office de parins, ou marines, lesquels ont baillé des filleuls à ceux & celles qui ensuiuent.