THE OHIO VALLEY-GREAT LAKES ETHNOHISTORY
ARCHIVES: THE MIAMI COLLECTION
It is noted that the following work from the Miami Archives should be read and
considered within the historical context in which it was composed and printed.
The opinions expressed and the language used do not reflect the opinions or
standards of the Glenn A. Black Laboratory of Archaeology, but are, rather,
indicative of thought in that historical moment during which the document was
published.
Of the first voyage by Father
Marquette toward new Mexico
and How the idea thereof was conceived
Marquette, Father Jacques: Jesuit
Relations,
1673, Vol. 59, pp. 86-163.
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pp. |
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(p. 101) Section 3rd. Description of the Village of
Maskoutens; What passed there Between the Father and the Savages. The French
Begin to Enter a New and Unknown Country, and arrive at Missisipi.
Here we are at Maskoutens. This Word may, in Algonquin, mean "the fire Nation,"-- which indeed, is the name given to this tribe. Here is the limit of the discoveries which the french have made, For they have not yet gone any farther.
This Village consists of three Nations who have gathered here-- Miamis, Maskoutens, and Kikabous. The former are the most civil, the most liberal, and the most shapely. They wear two long locks over their ears, which give them a pleasing appearance. (p. 103) They are regarded as warriors, and rarely undertake expeditions without being successful. They are very docile, and listen quietly to what is said to Them; and they appeared so eager to hear Father Alloues when he instructed them that they gave him but little rest, even during the night. The Maskoutens and Kikabous are ruder, and seem peasants in Comparison with the others. As Bark for making Cabins is scarce in this country, They use Rushes; these serve Them for making walls and Roofs, but do not afford them much protection against the winds, and still less against the rains when they fall abundantly. The Advantages of Cabins of this kind is, that they make packages of them, and easily transport them wherever they wish, while they are hunting.
When I visited them, I was greatly Consoled at seeing a handsome Cross erected in the middle of the village, and adorned with many white skins, red Belts, and bows and arrows, which these good people had offered to the great Manitou (This is the name which they give to God). They did this to thank him for having had pity on them during the winter, by giving them an abundance of game when they most dreaded famine.
I took pleasure in observing the situation of this village. It is beautiful and very pleasing; For, from an Eminence upon which it is placed, one beholds on every side prairies, extending farther than the eye can see, intersperse with groves or with lofty trees. The soil is very fertile, and yields much indian corn. The savages gather quantities of plums and grapes, wherewith much wine could be made if desired."
(p. 105) On the following day, the tenth of June, two Miamis who were given us as guides embarked with us, in the sight of a great crowd, who could not sufficiently express their astonishment at the sight of seven frenchmen, alone and in two Canoes, daring to undertake so extraordinary and so hazardous an Expedition.
We knew that, at three leagues from Maskoutens, was a River which discharged into Missisipi. We knew also that the direction we were to follow in order to reach it was west-southwesterly. But the road is broken by so many swamps and small lakes that it is easy to lose one's way, especially as the River leading thither is so full of wild oats that it is difficult to find the Channel. For this reason we greatly needed our two guides, who safely Conducted us to a portage of 2,700 paces, and helped us to transport our Canoes to enter that river; after (p. 107) which they returned home, leaving us alone in this Unknown country, in the hands of providence.
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