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.
Jesuit Relations
Vol. 58, (1673)
(p. 265) CHAPTER IV. OF THE MISSION OF SAINT FRANCIS XAVIER.
The church that we have in this Mission summons from a very great distance the Savages who dwell beyond the Mississipi, to come and live among the Machkoutens; it calls the Illinois from a still greater distance to come and settle in their former country, near the lake that bears their name, six days' journey from the Machkoutens. (see fn. 25)
Those who are called Caskakias [Kaskaskias] have already been here for a year or two, as they had promised Father Dablon when I was his companion in the Mission to the Miamis.
The other Illinois, called Peoualeas [Peorias], are gradually coming here to settle, in the conviction that the house of God will protect them, and keep them safer than they formerly were. Accordingly, all the fine missions already begun in these barbarous countries are no less important through the hope of the fruits they promise, than through the multitude of tribes to whom the Gospel is preached there.
I have already visited the Caskakias, and have baptized many of their children; I have borne the first words of the Faith to the Peoualeas, who dwell among the Miamis, and they have listened to me with much docility. They have even begun to pray, and have promised me to come and dwell (p. 267) nearer to us to have the advantage of being instructed at leisure.
The Savages of this country show sufficiently . . . The Pouteouatamis came here bringing theirs, [presents--JRM] to ask pardon from God because, when a cross that we had planted near their village had fallen down, it was burned by one among them who knew not its value.
. . . In the month of January, while passing near little lake Saint Francois, ten leagues from here, (see fn. 26) I came upon a Christian Savage who way dying, and I prepared him for death. . . .
(p. 269) When I arrived among the Outagamis, I was taken to a poor Savage who had been languishing for a long time. I prepared him for a happy death by administering baptism to him. At the same place, although I visited the cabins daily, a child who had not been baptized died suddenly, an hour after I had left the cabin in which it was.
These are the greatest crosses with which God afflicts a missionary; but he consoles him when he pleases. Shortly after this accident, some Savages arrived at this spot. I baptized one of their children, who was just born, and who died a day afterward. Before I left the Outagamis, the Holy Ghost caused two very sick children to be brought to our chapel. I administered holy baptism to them, and their souls soared to heaven a few moments after my departure.
When my mission among the Outagamis was
ended, I learned that the Miami captain who had been my host was dying. I had
deferred his baptism, although he seemed to be very well disposed; but it was
difficult for him in his capacity of captain to dispense, through politeness,
with certain superstitions in vogue among their warriors. . . .
_______________
25--This chapter is written by Allouez.
26--This allusion to "little Lake St. Francois," and its distance from St. Francois Xavier, would seem to identify it as Little Lake Butte des Morts, the expansion of the Fox River, lying in the township of Menasha, at the north end of Lake Winnebago. The U. S. government survey gives the distance from De Pere to Winnebago Rapids as 30 miles. Cf. Lawson's claim, vol. lv, note 10.
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