?. />** 77 */ ^ ~; «-c- £* ; ^cy ; ^ AA **^ /Wj ^, ,;,:! *. f / VA ^-f"< ^7 •s xi MISSIONS Western New York CHURCH HISTORY DIOCESE OF BUFFALO, THE BISHOP OF BUFFALO. BUFFALO: CATHOLIC SENTINEL PRINT, 1862. \3&3lougbed up within the area ! " At the head of a deep gorge, a mile west of Lockport, in the early settlement of the country, a circular. raised work-, or ring fort, could be distinctly traced. Leading from the area, there had been a covered way to a spring of pure cold water, that issues from a fissure of a rock, some fifty, or sixty feet down the declivity." There is an ancient battle field upon the Buffalo Creek, six miles from Buffalo, near the Mission station. The Sene- cas have a tradition that here was a last decisive battle between their people and their enemies, the Kah-Kwahs. A MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. i 1 mile north of Aurora village in Erie County, there are several small lakes or ponds, around and between -which there are knobs or elevations thickly covered with a tal! growth of pine;- upon them are several mounds, where many human bones have been excavated. Belies around Aurora in Erie county, abound perhaps to a greater extent,. than in any other locality in western iN'ew York. An area, from three to four miles in extent, would seem- to have been thickly populated. There are in Aurora vil- lage and vicinity few gardens and fields where ancient In- dian relics are not found at each successive ploughing. Few cellars are excavated without discovering them. In digging a cellar a few years since a skeleton was exhumed, the thigh bones of which, would indicate great height. In digging another cellar, a large number of skeletons or de- tached bones were thrown out upon the farm of M. B. Crooks, two miles from the village; where a tree had been turned up several hundred pounds of axes were found . The ancient works at Forthill, Le Roy, are especially wor- thy of observation % they are three miles north of Le Roy. There are undoubted evidences of its having constituted a valuable point of defence to a rude and half civilized peo- ple. Such skeletons as have been found, in and about this locality indicate a race of men averaging, one third larger than the present race. From the fortification a trench leads to a spring of water. Arrow heads, pipes , beads, gouges, pestles, stone hatchets, have. been, found upon the ground. The growth of timber would show that these works were over five hundred years old; It even seems possible that other growths may have preceded them ! About one and a half miles west of Shelby centre, Orleans county, is an ancient work — =trees of four hundred years' growth stand upon the embankment, and underneath thena have been found earthen wAre, pieces of plate or 12 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. dishes, wrought with skill, presenting ornaments in relief of various patterns. Some skeletons, almost entire, have been exhumed; man} 7 of giant size — not less than from seven to eight feet in length. The late Hon. S. M. Burrough says : u This was doubtless a spot where a great battle had been fought. Were not these people a branch of the Aztecsi" Upon the middle branch of Buffalo Creek, three and a half miles from the village of Aurora, there are remains of one of the largest class of ancient fortifications. The spot had attractions for successive Indian nations — the Eries, the Neuter Nation, and the Iriquois; for there are evidences of continued occupancy to our own period. When the French Franciscans and the Jesuit Missionaries came to this region, they undoubtedly made it one of their principal stations. In the year 1809, a copper plate was ploughed up, twelve inches broad and sixteen long. It had engraven upon it, in regular lines extending the whole length of the plate, characters that appear to have been some record." — Turner's History of Hoi. Pur. Certain it is that indications, both in the physical and moral order, point to some early but long since forgotten intercourse with the Old World. The learned researches of the Danish antiquaries make it almost certain that our country was discovered long before Columbus. Baron Henrion, in his "Missions Catholiques," Liv. i., chap. 31, gives in much detail the proofs that the Northmen of Scandinavia discovered Iceland in the ninth century, and that they found on the shores crosses, bells, and sacred vessels of Irish workmanship. Iceland is about one-fifth larger than Ireland. Its area is estimated at 40,000 square miles. It seems to have been discovered in 861 by Naddor, who called it ^lowland. Three years after, Garder and Floki visited it, and from the -drift ice, along the northern shores, called it "Iceland." In MISSIONS IN WESTERN SEW YORK. 13 £74, Norwegian nobles who had rebelled, and been defeated in Norway, reached Iceland. In golf and Leif conducted them. They finally settled at Reykjawk. Leif, enriched with plunder from Ireland, was killed by some of his captive Irish. The colony was soon augmented by plunder and slaves from abroad. Among their captives were many Christians, monks, priests, and even bishops. The truths of Christianity insinuated themselves, into the hearts of the worshippers of Woden. Frederick) a Saxon bishop, who came, or was brought there in 981, seems to have been the apostle of Iceland; we know that Christianity was adopted by the National Assembly in A. D. 1000. In the year 1057, Isleif, Bishop of Ikaholt, introduced into Iceland the art of writing aud the Latin alphabet, modified according to German forms. As usual, the monks, especially those of the Benedictine Monastery of Thingeyra, were large con- tributors to Icelandic literature. Nothing can compensate for the national loss sustained by the sack of convents, and the wholesale destruction of valuable manuscripts and relics of antiquity, at the introduction of Lutheranism in 1550. With the introduction of writing, a great and general educational and literary movement -commenced in Iceland; which continued unabated for five centuries. And Iceland became a country Which, in point of general education, has hardly, if at all, been equalled. The natural result was a refinement of manners, and an advanced civilization, which seems wonderful in that wild age of lawlessness and violence The records and memorials of this vanished civilization, and the monuments of this dead literature, still subsist in piles of dusty manuscripts preserved in the Royal Library of Copenhagen, in the British Museum, and elsewhere. Iceland is about one hundred and eighty miles from Greenland. Grenbiorn, who first discovered Greenland, gave a .sad description of its ice-bound shores ; a few years 34 MISSIONS IS WESTERN NEW YORK. later, Eric the Red, under more favorable circumstances and a better season, found the same- land, was pleased with, it and, from its then verdure, called it Greenland., Notwith- standing awful privations, the colony was established, and began to flourish In 999, Leif, son of Eric, was converted to Christianity. All the settlers of Greenland followed bis example. A bishoprick was founded at Garde, convents of nuns were established. There were twelve parishes and two houses of religious men in the eastern division, and four parishes in the western. We have an authentic account of a voyage undertaken by some priests of the diocese of Garder, in 1266, in the course of whieh they penetrated through Lancaster Sound and Barrow's Strait, and examined shores, *the re-discovery of which lately has been vaunted as among the most intrepid fruits of modern nautical daring. These priests, fortunately, have given us some astronomical observations, from which it appears that they advanced almost to the seventy-sixth degree of north latitude. The colonists of Greenland frequently visited the mother countries, Iceland and Norway. There was a continuous intercourse between Greenland and these countries; the inmates of the Greenland monasteries were often sent over to the convents of Iceland and Norway. The Bishops of Garder were Suffragans of the Archbishop of Trondhjem, a city of Norway, on the river " Nid," (whence its ancient name "Nidrosia;") and for their consecration, and for many other reasons, had frequent necessity of going to Europe. Greenland was the pioneer station, on the road to America. Biorni sailed from Norway to visit Herulf, his father, in Greenland. Driven by storms too far south, he discovered Newfoundland and the mainland of America. Returning northeastwardly with favorable but strong winds, fo four days be. reached Greenland.. Fourteen years after.. MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK-. I'S Eric Rande bought Biorni's vessel, and with thirty-five companions started to explore this "Newfoundland." They reached Newfoundland, which, from its barren aspect, they called "EEelluland," or "The Barren Land.'* Continuing on west, they reached Nova Scotia; they called it "Mark- land," or " The Land of Woods.* Coasting down, they reached the southern part of Massachusetts ; a colony was. planted in Vinland, " Land of the Yine," on the continent, opposite to " Martha's Yineyard." The succeeding naviga- tors examined the coast of Long Island, the coasts of T)ela- ware and Maryland, and even farther so«sith. A commerce in furs, etc., began; the intercourse between America, Greenland and northern Europe continued for at least three centuries. The latest mention of it occurs in a document compiled in 1348, where an Icelandic vessel is spoken of as having been to Markland for a cargo of timber, the very commodity, even now, for a vessel in the Canada or Nova Scotia trade. Some notices in the ancient documents are curious and interesting. One of them speaks of the shipwreck on a part of the American coast called "Ireland it mikla" (Great Ireland,) of Arc Marson, a wealthy Icelandic lord, in 983, during a voyage from Dublin to Reikjavik. The people are represented as white and Christians, speaking a dialect of the Erse. They baptised Arc Marson, and detained him thirty years. Arc Frode, one of the most trustworthy of Icelandic writers, to whom we owe the most detailed account of the settlement of Greenland, and of the American discoveries, was the great grandson of this Arc Marson, who, as well as Arc Frode, believed this American people to be an Irish colony that long before had made, their way across the ocean. Other relations, such as that of Biorni Asbrandson, are equally strange. But they haye a counterpart in. many lb MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. Indian traditions. The southern Indians, before their expulsion from Florida, had a tradition that the Florida, and Carolinas were, ages ago, inhabited by a race of white men, who used iron tools, cultivated the earth, and wor- shipped the -Great Spirit in houses built for that purpose. The Mexicans had similar traditiens. The records of the discovery of America by the Ice- landers are too consistent, too truthful to be rejected. The whole Scandinavian people must have conspired to invent a o-ig^ntic fiction, were it false, even in one of its leading features; and they must have engaged unborn generations in the conspiracy. Such a fiction, too, must have guessed the configuration of some two or three thousand miles of coast, the distances and bearings of places, hundreds of miles apart, the zoology and botany of countries differing widely*" in soil, climate, and physical conformation. It was no fiction, surely, when Thornfinn exhibited the ears of maize in the streets of Trondhjem; nor when he sold the slab of bird's-eye maple to the Bishop of Bremen, for a mark of gold. More than eight centuries and a half have rolled away since Leif wintered in Vinland; yet his descriptions are pictures of Newfoundland and the country around Martha's Vineyard, to this hour-" — Dublin Review, May, 1861. Iceland and Greenland, almost from their discovery, had their churches, their convents, their bishops, 'their colleges, their libraries, their apostolic men, aud when the explorers Beorn and Leif and their followers coasted southernly along the Atlantic shore aud discovered a great part of the United States, missionaries immediately offered to go and preach the gospel to the savages. In 1120, Bishop Eric visited in person this country, then called Vinland, or Land of Vines. The colonies of the Northmen on the west coast of Green- land continued to flourish till 1406, when the seventeenth MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 1 < and last Bisliop of Garcia w*as sent from Norway; those on the eastern coast subsisted till 1540, when they were destroyed by a physical revolution which accumulated the ice iu that zone. Thus a focus of Christianity not only lono- existed in Greenland, but from it, rays of faith for a time illuminated part of the territory now embraced in the United States. As to the position of Yinland, there can be --little doubt. A careful study of the narratives of the early voyagers, narratives, stamped with the imprint of truth, leaves no doubt that they turned Cape Cod, and entered the water of the Narragansett Bay. To corroborate this, a ruin exists near Newport, evidently, of Runic or Scandinavian origin, It was found on the settlement of the country, and is clearly no Indian work ; while its resemblance to aeknowded Scan- dinavian works in Greenland and Iceland places the question beyond a doubt " The ancient tholus iu Newport, the erection of which," says the Royal Society of Antiquarians, "appears to be co-eval with the time of Bishop Eric, belonged to a Scan- dinavian church or monastery, where in alternation with Latin masses, the old Danish tongue was heard seven hundred years ago/' Dr. Holland, in a " Dissertation on the History and Literature of Iceland," remarks that the description given of a great country to the southwest of Greenland, which had formerly been visited by Icelanders, proves at least that the discoveries of the Northmen were not entirely unknown in Southern Europe. Antonio Zeno found in Yinland Latin books brought thither by a Bishop of Greenland in the beginning of the twelfth century. Baron Henrion gives along article on the veneration of the cross by savages along the Saint Lawrence, and on their traditions, which seem to point to a 18 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. visit from Bishop Eric about the year 1120. Malte Brun thinks that the traditions of the savages on this subject are reasonable, and point to Bishop Eric, and to deliverance from an epidemic through him. Christianity was forgotten when the missionaries withdrew or were martyred ; but the veneration of the cross remained. Father Lafitau attests that the veneration of the cross was practiced in America before the coming of Columbus. " Meurs des Sauvages. Americains," vol. i., p. 424. This, learned Father mates on this subject the following reflexions "Although the Evil One might pervert anything,, still, can it be thought that he would excite his adorers, to venerate the sacred sign by which he was vanquished ?■ Or, may not this be a proof that Christianity had penetrated into America, before the discovery of later days !"' From 1120 up to 1493 we only have vague accounts of Greenland : even these disappear about the time that Columbus discovered America, in which country the light seems to have faded away, amidst the murderous enmities and the dark passions of a savage people, who had perhaps despised and abused their first grace. " The antiquarian, as he excavates the mounds, and surveys the remains, which are scattered over the Western valleys, meets w r ith relics of a remote antiquity and memorials of a populous, race, advanced in civilization, who ' { - ' Heaped with long toil the earth, while yet the Greek Was hewing the I'entelieus to forms Of symmetry, and rearing on its rock The glittering Parthenon.' il The various tribes of aboriginal inhabitants which were found in possession of this country at its discovery, exhibited a diversity of institutions, customs, and language, which could ouly have resulted from a separation at a period far remote in their history." Marshall MlSSl'ONS IN WESEERN NEW YORK. 19 CHAPTER II. ON THE SUCCESS OF EARLY MISSIONS. Ancient and recent monuments and discoveries, make it then almost certain, that at a very early period Catholic Priests exercised their ministry in this New World. Cer- tain, at least it is, that the first discoverers, and the first set- tlers were Catholics. Ambition, and the cursed thirst for gold, too much indeed, influenced many, yet, as the most lawless had still faith and conscience, which, could restrain unlimited power, they frequently aided the Catholic Priest in his efforts to civilize and save the Indians; hence the In- dian race was preserved where Catholics ruled, but exter- minated, or nearly exterminated, wherever the Catholic re- ligion was either powerless or persecuted. The results at this day will show how differently the non-Catholics, as a body acted. From the north of Mexico to Cape Horn there yet exists about twenty millions of Indians; they are Christians; their civilization has not reached that of our race; but it may be much less than we imagine, behind that of England or of other countries, 300 years after their con- version. And, though the Christian Indians of the South are far in advance of the Northern tribes^ yet are they not now,what they would have been, had not a stronger race, with .adverse social and religious ideas, Undermined their principles and weakened their morality* Even now, in the far North the Catholic Indians are greatly in advance of the non- Catholic savages . These remarks are not intended as re- proach against respected Protestant fellow citizens, who gen- erally condemn, sometimes in stronger terms than we dare use, the wrongs inflicted upon the Aborigines. But, the Catholic historian is forced, however unwilling, 20 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW Y.ORK. to make such remarks, in answer to the oft-repeated asser- tion, of some Protestant writers.. The same in substance as the following quotation from Rev. W. I. Kip, M. A. r li Look over the world and' read the history of the Jesuit missions. After one or two centuries, they have always come to naught. There is not a recorded instance of their permanency, or of their spreading each generation, wider and deeper, like our own missions in India. Thus it has been in China, Japan, South America, and our own land. For centuries the Jesuit foreign missionaries have been like those ' beating the air.'" And yet, greater devotion to the' cause than theirs, has never been since the Apostle's days. Must there not have been something wrong in the whole system — some grievous error mingled with their teaching, which, thus denied them a measure of success, proportioned to their efforts." Kip, Jes. Miss. Pref. It seems a duty respectfully to remove erroneous impressions. Hence we' must point out retarding causes, which the Church could not remove. Unless, as in Japan, where about two mil- lions of converts died martyrs; unless, as in the , North Eastern States, when the converted tribes were extermina- ted, the assertion above made is the very reverse of the truth. Jesuits may have been chased away, or murdered like Resl.es ; but other Jesuits, or other Priests took their place; even after a price had been put upon the head of God's minister, as was the case in our own state. Every one knows that the Catholic missions in India are immense- ly superior, and far more successful than the Protestant mis- sions there, notwithstanding the boast of Mr. Kip. Mis- representation, craft, and. British power, destroyed the Indi- an. missions in this State, but not. the entire Indian Christi- anity of "the State, which was transferred to Canada, where- very many Catholic descendants of the Christian Indians of" New York,, still -worship with fervor before their MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 21 Catholic altars. In many parts of the United States, in Michigan, Kansas, etc., etc., there are many Churches- and large congregations of faithful Indians, many of whose fathers had to fly from persecution in this State. Rev. Eugene Vetranile, Pastor of Biddeford, says in a let- ter to the writer of these memoirs: "In the State of '•Maine there are two tribes of Indians of the Etchimin, "nation, a division of the great Algonquin family. They " number one thousand, and are all Catholics. There are " no Protestant Indians in the State. These Indians have " a right to send two men to the Legislature of Maine. I '•' am informed by fishermen, who frequent Labrador, that " they are continually visited by Catholic Esquimeaux In- " dians. " Where are the Protestant Churches, or the Protestant Christian Indians of all. the tribes that swarmed in New England, and in Eastern New York. The power, the wealth, the religious zeal, of "old " and "New" England were brought to aid the Indian Missions of Rev. John Eliot and others. Let a Protestant writer tell the result: Joshua R. Clark, A. M., corresponding member of the New York Historical Society., says in." Onondaga," vol. i. ; " Two hun- dred years have, not yet rolled around, and a Bible, (the Indian Bible printed through the aid of the British Parlia- ment,) the fruit of many years of diligent labor, translated expressly for a people, whose salvation was the end and aim of the great, the gracious,.. and the good of that era, lives only as a literary curiosity on the shelves of a very few libraries in Christendom... . . The race for whose benefit these holy words were arranged, has passed away, and with. them their literature, and even their very names." p. 211. Gov. Andros, in his official report in 1678, makes no mention of Catholics, in enumerating the religious denomi- •22 missions iw Western new yor£. nations in the State; and this, because Catholics, publicly known as such, did not exist in the civilized districts. Gov. Dongan, in 1687, in his report to the British Par- Hament, says, "New York has first a chaplain, belonging to "the Fort, of the Church of England 5 secondly, a Dutch '" Calvinist; thirdly, a French Calvinist; fourthly, a Dutch " Lutheran. Here be not many of the Church of England, "few Roman Catholics, abundance *of Quaker preachers, "nien, and women especially, Singing Quakers, Ranting " Quakers, Sabbatharians, Antisabbatharians, some Anabap- " tists, some Independents, some Jews; in short, of all sorts " of opinions there are some, and the most part, of none at "all." Doc. Hist, of N. Y. Vol. I., 116. Various intolerant laws soon forced most of the few in the State to leave it In 1700, an Act was passed with this preample : " Whereas divers Jesuits, Priests, and Popish " Missionaries have of late come, and for some time have "had their residence in the remote parts of this province." (New Y'ork.) It is then enacted that every priest, etc., remaining in or coming into the province after November 1, 1700, "shall be adjudged to suffer perpetual imprisonment" In case of escape and capture, to suffer death ! By the same law, harborers of Priests were to pay a fine of two hundred pounds and to stand two days in the pillory. Smith speaks of this law as "One for hanging any Popish Priest who would come voluntarily into the Province," and he says, " It continues in full force to this day, as it forever ought" A man then did not dare to avow himself a Catho- lic; it was odious; a chapel then would have been pulled down. It used to be said, " John Leary goes once a year "■to Philadelphia to get absolution." In 1741, John UrY was hung in New York ostensibly on account of a pre^ tended participation in a plot, but in reality on account of his being thought to be a Priest, as it seems he was. fibk MISSIONS IN WESTERN XEW YORK. 23 bloody law against Catholics was repealed by special act of the New York State Legislature, in 1784.) "In the year 1700, the Earl of Bellmont Governor of New York, memoralised the Lords of trade and plantations, ''to prevent their being practised upon by the French Priests, and Jesuits. (Laws enacted to hang the poor Priests who came into the Province must have appeared quite effica- cious.) "The Queen gave directions for the erection of a fort, with a chapel and house for the Clergyman, in the country of the Mohawks After about six years of labor, trial, and disappointment, the Reverend W. Andrews solicited removal from that Mission, which was done. He gives anything but a favorable report of the success of his labors, saying, "There is no hope of making them better. Heathen they are, and Heathen they still must be." — 213. Great efforts were also made among the Onondagas. The result is thus stated by the learned Author: "The general character and condition of the Onondagas, as a body of this clay, is not remarkable either for industry, thrift, perseve- rance, temperance, or any of those higher virtues and graces which tend to exalt and elevate mankind." Clark, Vol. 1. p. 321. In 1778, in the month of February, a large French ship was taken by the British, near the Chesapeake, and sent for condemnation iuto New York, at that time still in pos- session of the English. Amongst her officers was a Priest, of the name of De la Motte, of the Order of St. Augustin, who was Chaplain of the vessel. Being permitted to go at large in the city, he was solicited by his countrymen, and by those of his own faith, to celebrate Mass. Being advised of the existence of a prohibitory law, he applied to the commanding officer for permission, which was refused: but M. de la Motte, not knowing the language very well, mis- took what was intended for a refusal as a permission, and 24 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. accordingly celebrated Mass. For this lie was arrested, and kept in close confinement until exchanged. This was under Governor Tryon's administration. His. of C. C. in N. Y. p. 29 & 35." That the Catholic Church under such circum- stances, could, not continue its work of conversion among the Indians, and that the converted Indians would be forced into exile, is evident, That the Protestant religion, under such favorable circumstauces, should have zero for the result of gigantic efforts and expenditures, can easily be explained, by thinking men. CHAPTERIII. EARLIEST missions. Under God the discovery of America by Columbus, was greatly due to the Franciscan Monk John Perez di Mar- chena. But for him Columbus could not have sailed from Spain. On the 12th of October, 1492, in the Isle of San Salvador, another Monk, the Reverend Father Solozano, made the hills and forests of the New World witness the solemn rites, and re-echo to the sacred chants of Catholic worship; and, first in the Southern part of America, did that Monk plant the sign of man's salvation, on a soil, the discovery of which saved the life of Columbus. Thence onward, through difficulties, dangers and death, the Cath- olic missionaries pressed on, in their labors of love, to every part of the New World. In 1542 The Franciscans Father Padilla and Brother John of the Cross cheerfully died martyrs in the present diocese of Saute Fe. Before the English had formed a single settlement either in Virginia or New England, all the tribes on the Rio Grande were converted and civilized: "The Dominicans, Franciscans and Jesuits labored in Florida. "Villages of converted Indians gathered around the Spanish MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 2-D "ports. Devotional works were translated and printed in "the Indian dialect. The ' Doctrina Christiana 1 , of Pareja, "is the oldest published work in any Indian dialect of the "United States. The convent of Saint Helena, in the City "of St. Augustine, became the centre whence the Franciscans "spread in every direction. The faith prospered among the "tribes, and the cross towered in every Indian village, till "the increasing English colony of Carolina brought war into "those peaceful regions. In 1703 the valley of the Appa- "lachicola was ravaged by an armed body of covetous fan- "atics; the Indian towns were destroyed; the missionaries "slaughtered, and their neophytes shared their fate, or still " more unfortunate, were hurried away, and sold as slaves in "the English West Indies. Fifty years after the whole " colony of Florida fell into the hands of England, and Cath- "olicity, under its crushing power, languished or escaped to "less intolerant rule. The Missions were destroyed, the " Indians dispersed, and St. Helena, the convent whence " Christianity had radiated over the Peninsula, became a "barrack. Driven from their villages, the unhappy Indians "wandered in the wilderness, and resumed their nomadic "life, from which Christianity had reclaimed them. Buried "in the pathless everglades, they took the name of Semi- " noles, (wanderers,) gradually lost the faith, and became "the scourge of the whites." Discovery, by Shea. Cortier sailed into the Gulf of St. Lawrence on the feast of St. Lawrence, the 10th of August, 1585. The pious Frenchmen celebrated the feast of the glorious martyr, and gave his name to the Gulf and River. The cross was erected perhaps where Bishop Eric had blessed it three hundred years before. In 1604, permanent settlements were begun at Quebec and Port Royal, now^ Annapolis. Bancroft says, "In 1608, the Apostolic Benediction of the "Roman Pontiff was solicited on families which exiled 26 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW. YORK. " themselves to evangelize infidels, and by a compact with De "Biencourt, the proprietory's son, the Order of the Jesuits " was enriched by an imposition on the fisheries and on the "fur trade. The arrival of the Jesuit priests was signalized "by conversions among the natives. In the following year, " De Biencourt and Father BiarT, explored the coast as far " as the Kenebeek. and ascended that river, The Canibas, "Algonquins, of the Abenaki nations, touched by the con— " tiding humanity of the French, listened reverently to the " message of Redemption. A French colony within the " United States followed. Under the auspices of Guerche- " ville and Mary of Medieis, the rude intrench ments of St. " Sauveur were raised on the eastern shore of Mount Desert " Isle. The natives venerated BiarT as a messenger from " heaven; and under the summer sky, round a cross in the "center of the hamlet, matins [mass, we suppose,] and " vespers were regularly chanted. France and the Roman "Religion had appropriated the soil of Maine." Vol. L, p. 27. The English, conducted by Argal, attacked St. Sauveur; one of the missionaries was mortally wounded, and his companions were carried off prisoners — the Chris- tian colony was broken up ! ! However desirable it is to abridge, yet there is something so touching in the following letter that it would scarcely be right to omit it; particularly as giving the key to the success of the missionaries of God's Church. Let it be read, remembering the axiom, "By one learn what all were." Letter from Father Sebastien JZasks, Missionary of the Society of Jesus in New France to Monsieur his Nephew: At Nanrantsonak, this 15th of Oct. 1722. Monsieur, My Dear Nephew : The Peace of our Lord be with you. During the more than thirty years that I have passed in the depth of the forests with the Savages, I have been so MISSIONS IX WESTERN NEW YORK. 27 occupied in instructing them and training them to Christian virtues, that I have scarcely had time to write many letters, even to those who are most dear to me. I cannot, however, refuse you the little detail Gf my occupations for which you ask. I owe it, indeed, to the gratitude I feel for the strong interest which your friendship induces you to take in all that concerns me. I am in a district of that vast extent of country which is between .Acadia and New England. Two other Mission- aries as well as myself are engaged there among the Abna- kis Indians; but we are separated very far from each other. The Abnakis Indians, besides the two villages which they have in the midst of the French Colony, have also three other considerable settlements, on the border of a river. There are three rivers, which empty into the sea to the south of Canada, between New England and Acadia. The village in which I live is called Nanrantsouak, and is situated on the banks of a river, which empties into the sea at the distance of thirty leagues below. I have erected a church there, which is neat and elegantly ornamented. I have indeed thought it my duty to spare nothing, either in the decoration of the building itself, or in the beauty of those articles, which are used in our holy ceremonies. Vestments, chasubles ? copes, and holy vessels, all are highly appropri- ate, and would be esteemed so even in our churches of Europe. I have also formed a little choir of about forty young Indians, who assist at Divine service in cassocks and surplices. They have each their own appropriate functions, as much to serve in the holy sacrifice of the Mass, as to chant the Divine Offices for the adoration of the Holy Sac- rament, and for the processions which are made by great crowds of Indians, who often come from a long distance to engage in these exercises; and you would be edified by the beautiful order they observe aod the devotion they show. 28 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. They have built two chapels at three hundred paces dis- tance from the village: one, above on the river, dedicated to God under the invocation of the Holy Virgin, and where can be seen her image in relief; the other, under the invo- cation of the Angel Guardians, is below, on the same river. As they are both on the road which leads, both into the woods and into the fields, the Indians can never pass without offering up their prayers. There is a holy emula- tion among the females of the village as to who shall most ornament the chapel of which they have care; when the procession is to take place there, all who have any jewelry or pieces of silk or calico, or other things of that kind, employ them to adorn it. The great blaze of light contributes, not a little, to the beauty of the church and of the chapels, it not being neces- sary for me to be saving of the wax, for the country itself furnishes it abundantly. None of my neophytes fail to repair twice in each day to the church, early in the morning to hear Mass, and in the evening to assist at the prayers which I offer up at sunset. As it is necessary to fix the imagination of these Indians, which is too easily distracted, I have composed some appro- priate prayers for them to make, to enable them to enter into the spirit of the august sacrifice of our altars. They chant them, or recite them in a loud voice during Mass. Besides the sermons which I deliver before them on Sun-, days and festival days, I scarcely pass a week-day without making a short exhortation, to inspire them with a horrer of those vices, to which they are most addicted, or to strengthen them in the practice of some virtue. After the Mass, I teach catechism to the children and young persons, while a large number of aged people, who are present, assist and answer, with perfect docility, the questions which I put to them. The rest of the morning, even to mid-day, is set MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 29 apart for seeing those who may wish to speak with me. They come to me in crowds, to make me a participator in their pains and inquietudes, or to communicate to me causes of complaint against their countrymen, or to consult me on their marriages, and other affairs of importance. It is therefore necessary for me to instruct some, to console others, to re-establish peace in families at variance, to calm troubled consciences, to correct others by reprimands min- o-led with softness and charity; in fine, as far as it is possi- ble, to render them all contented. After mid-day, I visit the sick and go around among the cabins of those, who require more particular instruc- tions. If they hold a council, which is often the case with those Indians, they depute one of the principal men of the assemblv, to ask me to assist in their deliberations; I accordingly repair to the place where their council is held; if I think they are pursuing a wise course, I approve of it; if on the contrary, I have anything to say in opposition to their decision, I declare my sentiments, supporting them with weighty reasons, to which they conform. My advice always fixes their resolutions. They do not even hold their feasts without inviting me. Those who have been asked carry each one a dish, of wood or bark, to the place of entertainment 1 give the benediction on the food, and they place, in each dish, the portion which has been prepar- ed. After this distribution has been made, I say grace, and each one retires; for such is the order and usage of their feast In the midst of such continued occupations, you cannot imagine with what rapidity the days pass by. There have been seasons, when I scarcely had time to recite my office, or take a little repose during the night; for discretion is not a virtue which particularly belongs to the Indians. "But, for some years past, I have made it a rule, not to speak 30 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. with any person from the prayers in the evening, until the time of it, on the next morning. I have therefore forbidden them to interrupt me during this period, except for some very important reasons, as, for example to assist a person who is dying, or some other affair of the kind which it is impossible to put off. I set apart this time to spend in prayer, or to repose myself from fatigues of the day. When the Indians repair to the sea shore, where they pass ,some months in hunting the ducks, bustards, and other birds, which are found there in large numbers, they build on an island a church, which they cover with bark, and near it they erect a little cabin for ray residence. I take care to transport a part of our ornaments, and the service is performed with the same decency, and the same crowds of people, as at the village. You see then, my dear nephew, what are my occupations. For that which relates to me personally, I will say to you that I neither hear, nor see, nor speak to any but Indians. My food is very simple and light. I have never been able to conform my taste to the meat, or smoked fish of the savages, and my nourishment is only composed of corn, which they pound, and of which I make each day a kind of hominy which I boil in water. Tho only luxury in which I indulge is a little sugar, which I mix with it to correct its insipidity. This is never wanting in the forest. In the spring, the maple trees contain a liquor very similar to that which is found in the sugar-canes of the Southern Islands. The women employ themselves in collecting this in Vessels of bark, as it is distilled from the trees. They then boil it, and draw off from it a very good sugar. That which is drawn off first is always the most beautiful. The whole nation of the Abnakis is Christian, and very zealous to preserve their religion. This attachment to the Catholic faith has induced them, even to this time, to prefer MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 31 our alliance to advantages which might be derived from an alliance with the English, who are their neighbors. These advantages would be, too, of very great importance to our Indians. The facility of trading with the English, from whom they are distant but one of two days' journey, the ease with which the journey can be made, the admirable market they would find there for the purchase of the mer- chandise that suits them—these things certainly hold out very great inducements. In place of which, in going to Quebec, it is necessary to take more than a fortnight, to reach there, they have to furnish themselves with provi- sions for the journey, they have different rivers to cross, and frequent portages to make. They are aware of these inconveniences, and are by no means indifferent to their interests, but their faith is infinitely more dear to them, and they believe that if they detach themselves from our alliance, they will shortly find themselves without a missionary without sacraments, without a sacrifice, with scarcely an v exercise of their religion, and in manifest danger of being replunged into their former heathenism. This is the bond which unites them to the French. Attempts have been vainly made to break it, sometimes by wiles which were held out to their simplicity, and sometimes by acts of vio- lence which could not fail to irritate a nation exceedingly jealous of its rights and liberties. The commencement of this misunderstanding could not but alarm me, for it made me fear the dispersion of that little community which Prov- idence had for so many years confided to my care, and for the sake of which I would willingly sacn'fice what remains to me of life. Let me mention to you, then, some of the artifices to which the English had recourse to detach them from our alliance." . . . But however striking the instances Father Rasles gires, it 32 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. is necessary to refrain. But the poetry of Whittier, given by Rev. M. Kip, should not be refused a place here: On the brow of a hill, which slopes to meet The flowing river, and bathe its feet — The bare washed rock, and the drooping grass, And the creeping vine as the waters pass — A rude and unshapely chapel stands, Built up in that wild by unskilled hands; Yet the traveler knows a place of prayer For the holy sign of the Cross is there ; And should he chance at that place to be, Of a Sabbath morn, or some hallowed day, When prayers are made and masses said Some for the living, and some for the dead, — Well might the traveler start to see The tall dark forms, that take their way From the birch canoe, on the river shore, And the forest paths, to that chapel door; And marvel to mark the naked knees And the dusky foreheads bending these, — And stretching his long thin arms o\er these In blessing and in prayer, Like a shrouded spectre, pale and fall, In his coarse white vesture, Father Bade !" Omitting the most interesting letters on that mission, space will only suffice to admit the last, which depicts the tragic end : From Father De La Chasse, Superior General of Missions in New France, to Father of the same Society. At Quebec, 29th of October, 1724. My Reverend Father The Peace of our Lord be with you ! In the deep grief which we feel for the loss of one of our oldest missioners, it is a sweet consolation for us, that he lias fallen a victim to his love, and his zeal to preserve the faith, in the heart of his neophytes. You have been already apprized by previous letters of the origin of the war which MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 33 was kindled up, between the English and the Indians. In the former, the desire to extend their dominions; in the latter, the horror of all subjection and the attachment to their religion, caused at first that misunderstanding, which was at length followed by an open rupture. Father Rasles, missionary to the Abnakis, had become exceedingly odious to the English. Convinced that his industry in strengthening the Indians in their faith, consti- tuted the greatest obstacle to the design they had formed, of encroaching upon the Indian lands; they set a price upon his head ; and, on more than one occasion, endeavored either to capture or destroy him. At last they have effected their object, in satisfying their transport of hate, and freeing themselves from this apostolical man; but at the same time they have procured for him a glorious death, which was always the height of his desires; for we know that, for a long time, he had aspired to the happiness of sacrificing his life for his flock. I will describe to you in a few words, the circumstances of this event. After frequent hostilities had taken place, on each side, between the two nations, a small force composed of the English and their Indian allies, to the number of about eleven hundred men, came unexpectedly to attack the village of ISTanrantsouak. The thick brushwood by which the village is surrounded, aided them in concealing their march, besides not being enclosed by palisades, the Indians taken by surprise, did not perceive the approach of their enemies, until they received a general discharge of musketry, which riddled all the cabins. There were at that time about fifty warriors in the village. At the first noise of the musketry they simultaneously seized their arms, and went forth from their cabins to make head against the enemy. Their design was, not rashly to sustain a contest with so great a number of combatants, but to cover the flight of the women and 34 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. children, and to give them time to gain the other side of the river, which was not as vet occupied by the Knglish. Father Rasles, warned by the clamors and the tumult, of the peril which threatened his neopli^tes, promptly went forth from his house, and, without fear, presented himself before the enemy. His hope was, either to suspend, by his presence, their first efforts, or, at least, to draw on him alone, their attention, and thus, at the expense of his own life, to procure the safety of his flock. The instant they perceived the missionary, they raised a general shout, followed by a discharge of musket balls, which rained on him. He fell dead at the foot of a large cross, which he had erected in the middle of the village, to mark the public profession they had made to adore, in that place, the crucified God. fcJeven Indians, who surrounded him, and who exposed their lives to preserve that of their father, were killed at his side. The death of the shepherd spread consternation through the flock. The Indians took to flight and crossed the river, part by the ford, and part by swimming. They had to endure all the fury of their enemies, even to the moment when they took refuge in the woods on the other side of the river. There they found themselves assembled to the number of about a hundred and fifty. Although more than two thousand musket-shots had been directed against them, they had but about thirty persons killed, including women , and children, and fourteen wounded. The English did not attempt to pursue the fugitives, but contented themselves with pillaging and burning the village. The fire which they kindled in the church, was preceded by an unhallowed profanation of the sacred vessels, and of the adorable body of Jesus Christ. The precipitate retreat of the enemy per- mitted the Nanrantsouakans to return to the village. On the morrow, they visited the ruins of their cabins, while the MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 35 women, on their part, sought for herbs and plants to dress the wounded. Their first care was to weep over the body of their missionary ; they found it pierced with a thousand wounds, his scalp taken off, the skull split by blows of a hatchet, the mouth and eyes filled with mud, the bones of the legs broken, and all the limbs mutilated. They were scarcely able to attribute, except to the Indian allies of the English, such an excess of inhumanity on a body, deprived of feeling and of life. After these fervent Christians had washed and kissed, many times, the precious remains of their Father, they buried him in the same spot where, the day before, he had cele- brated the holy sacrifice of the Mass, that is, on the place where the altar had stood before the burning of the church. It is by so precious a death that this apostolic man finished, on the 23rd of August of this year, [1724,] a career of thirty seven years passed in the painful toils of this mis- sion. He was in the sixty-seventh year of his age. His fasts and continual fatigues had latterly enfeebled his con- stitution. During the last nineteen years, he had dragged himself about with difficulty, in consequence of a fall in which he broke his right thigh and his left leg. It happened that the fractured parts having badly united, it became necessary to break the left ieg anew. While they were drawing it most violently, he sustained this painful operation with extraordinary firmness and admirable tran- quility. Our physician, who was present, appeared so astonished, that he could not forbear saying to him, "Ah, my Father, permit at least some groans to escapt you, for you have cause for them." Father RaslEs joined to talents which made him an excellent missionary, those virtues which are necessary for that Evangelical Ministry, to be exercised with eft'ect among our Indians. He enjoyed robust health, and with the 36 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW .YORK. exception of the accident I have mentioned, I do not know that be ever had the least indisposition . We were surprised nt his industry and readiness in acquiring the different Indian languages. There was not one on this continent of which he had not some knowledge. Besides the Abna- kis language, which he spoke for a long time, he knew also the Huron, the Otaonais, and the Illinois. He availed himself of them with great effect in the different missions where they are used. Since his arrival in Canada, he was never seen to act inconsistently with his character; he was always firm and courageous, severe to himself, tender and compassionate in his regard to others. Three years ago by order of Monsieur, our Governor, I made a journey through Acadia. In conversation with Father Rasles, I represented to him, that in case they declared war against the Indians, he would run the risk of his life; that his village, being but fifteen leagues distant from the English forts, he would find himself exposed to the first irruptions; that his preservation was necessary to his flock, and that he ought to take measures for his own security. "My measures are taken," he answered in a firm tone; " God has committed this flock to my care, and I will share its lot, being too happy, if permitted to sacrifice my life for it." He repeated often the same thing to his neo- phytes to strengthen their constaacy in the faith. " We have had but too good a proof," they themselves have said to me, ' "that our dear Father spoke to us from the abundance of his heart; we have seen him, with a tranquil and serene air, meeV death, and oppose himself alone to the fury of the enemy, to retard their first efforts, for the purpose of giving us time to escape the danger and to preserve our lives. May it please the Lord that his blood, shed for so just a cause, may enrich these heathen lands so often watered by the blood of the evangelical laborers who have preceded us; MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 37 that it may render theru fertile in earnest Christians, and that it may animate the zeal of apostolical men to come and reap the abundant harvest which is offered by so many people still shrouded in the shadow of death. Nevertheless, as it appertains only to the Church to declare the names of the saints, I recommend him to. your holy sacrifices, and to those of all the Fathers. And I pray you not to forget him who is, with much respect, etc." We cannot conclude this letter without quoting from Dr. ♦Convers Francis' Life of Rale — to which we have been indebted for many of these notes — a couple of passages describing the present appearance of the spot on which this tragedy of Rasles' death took place: " Whoever has visited the pleasant town of Korridgwoek, as it now is, must have heard of Indian Old Point, as the people call the place where Rasles' village stood, and perhaps curiosity may have carried him thither. If so, he has found a lovely sequestred spot in the depths of nature's stillness, on a point around which the waters of the Kennebec, not far from their con- fluence with those of Sandy River, sweep on their beauti- ful course, as if to the music of the rapids above — a spot over which the sad memory of the past, without its passions, will throw a charm, and on which he will believe that the ceaseless worship of nature, might blend itself with' the aspi- rations of Christian devotion. He will find, that vestiges of the old settlement are not wanting now; that broken uten- sils, glass beads, and hatchets have been turned up, by the husbandman's plough, and are preserved by the people of the neighborhood ; he will turn away from the place with the feeling, that the hatefulness of the mad spirit of war, is aggravated by such connection with nature's sweet retire- ments. With the Rev. W. J. Kip, now Protestant Bishop of California, we close this greatly abridged, yet still most 38 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. touching narration with another quotation from Whittier's poem of " Mogg Megone," describing Rasles' Indian village after the ruin : " No wigwam smoke is curling there; The very earth is scorched and bare * And they pause and listen to catch a sound Of breathing life, but there comes not one, Save the fox's bark and the rabbit's bound ; And here and there, on the blackened ground, White bones are glistening in the sun. And where the house of prayer arose. And the holy hymn at daylight's close, And the aged priest stood up to bless The chil Iren of the wilderness, There is naught, save ashes sodden and dank, And the birchen boats of the Norridgwock, Tethered to tree, and stump, and rock, Rotting along the river bank! " The spot on which the Xorridgwock missionary fell, was marked, some time after his death, by the erection of a cross. This, it is said, in process of time, was cut down by a company of hunters. I believe it was replaced by some rude memorial in stone. But in 1833, a permanent monu- ment was erected in honor of Rale. . > . An acre of land was purchased, including the site of Rale's church and his orave. - Over the grave, on the 23d of August, 1833, the anniversary (according to the New Style) of the fight at Xorridgwock, and just one hundred and nine years after its occurrence, the foundation was laid and the monument raised with much ceremony, amidst a large concourse of people. Bishop Fenwick, of Boston, directed the cere- monies and delivered an address full of appropriate interest. Delegates from the Penobscot, Passamaquaddy, and Canada Indians were present on the occasion. The monument is about twenty feet bigrh, including an iron cross with which it is surmounted. On the south side of the base, fronting MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 69 the Kennebec River, is an appropriate and somewhat 'long Latin inscription." p. 329, All that is generally read of this interesting mission is contained in the following words of an estimable historian: " In 1640 the Jesuits were invited, by a deputation from the Abanakis Indians, to resume their missions in Maine. The Jesuit Fathers La Chasse, two Fathers Bigot, Logard, and Sirenne, and Aubry, preached the gospel so 'effectually as to convert that powerful tribe. The mission long retained its zeal and fervour. But when Canada was conquered by England, the English from Massachusetts spread fire and death through the villages of the Abanakis; the missionaries were driven away, or slain-; the churches destroyed; and the Indians deprived of all the consolations of faith. Yet these poor Indians remained true to their religion. Down to our day, they have resisted the preachers of Protestantism, and the remnants of this tribe, still occupy five villages in Maine and Canada, they are all Catholics, as their forefathers have been for two centuries. CHAPTER IV. INDIANS. In the preliminary details of this history, it was wished to give an idea of all the early Catholic Missionaries by authentic details of one who, though heroic, was surpassed in austerities and sufferings by many others. 0. H. Mar- shall, Esq., passing over the dead and martyred Francis- cans, says of the Jesuits: "During this same period, fifty-five of the Order arrived in Canada, of which number sixteen returned. One was frozen, two were drowned, fourteen died, seven suffered martyrdom by the Iroquois, five were otherwise killed, leaving ten remaining in the c 40 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. country in 1657. Thus, in a few years, of fifty-five priests, but twenty-six escaped from violent death or martyrdom . And most of the small remnant soon passed away to eternal rest, on account of fatigues and sufferings for souls redeemed by Christ. In few but eloquent words, Mr. Marshall follows the successors of those martyred" missionaries, " as they located at Sau It St. Marie and the Fond d'u Lac of Green Bay, on the pictoresque islands of Mackinaw and along the borders of the Illinois and Mississppi rivets. They doubled in their frail canoes, the head lands of Lake Superior, discovered the mines which abound on its shores and founded a mission at its farthest extremity." But it is time to return from herioc personal' virtue, to consider tlirose sacred ways of God's Providence by which t*he light of faith first dawned on Western New- York and on this diocese. " Savage indeed, in many respects, as the Indians appeared to be," says Turner, "yet the kindest hospitality, from the purest motives was always readily extended to their foreign guests; and perhaps the golden cord of friendship would forever have remained unbroken,, had (Jie red man been the first to begin hostilities. ''Welcome English;;!' "welcome English," (The word " English," was too bard for Indian pronunciation, hence, in Indian mouths the welcome was: "welcome Yingees," "welcome Yingees;" hence the name Yankee;) are words intimately associated ■ with early American history. These were the first accents our Pilgrim Fathers heard on the American strand, and ever have the same grateful sounds greeted the ears of the whites, upon their first interview with the rude sons of the forest. Had the disposition of the Aborigines been any other than friendly, the feeble colonies first planted on American soil would have been speedily annihilated." The following is an extract, from the first sermon e^er ; MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 41 preached in New England. It was by one of the Pilgrims. "To us the Indians have been like lambs, so kind, so sub- missive, and trusty, as a man may truly say, many Chris- tians are not so kind and sincere; when we first came into this country, we were few, and many of us sick, and many died by reason of the cold and wet, it being the depth of winter, and we having no horses or shelter; yet, when there were not six able persons among us, though the Indians cam? daily to us, by hundreds, with their sachems or kings, and might, in one hour, have made a dispatch of us, yet they never offered us the least injury. The greatest com- mander cometh often to visit us, often sends us presents, &ev" The Respectable Protestant writer who quotes this ser- mon, continues thus ''And yet aggressions and wrongs commenced on the part of our race, in its earliest intercourse with theirs; were some of his own race, the chronicler of events — commencing with the discovery of Columbus and coming down to our own day of pre-emption bribes, and treaties attained with wrong and outrage — he would gather up a fearful account." — Turner, Hist, of the H. P. 76. k * The Pilgrim Fathers" begun the war of oppression "and cruelty; the Indians, savagely retaliated." The last law of the " Holy Pilgrims" destroyed the Indian race within their reach. We quote Bancrofts Hist, of U.S. Vol. III. p. 217. The Indians could not be reduced by the usual method of warfare: hence lt a bounty was offered for every Indian scalp; to regular forces under pay, the grant Avas ten pounds; to volunteers, in- actual service, twice that sum; but if men would, of themselves, without pay, make up parties and patrol the forests, in search of Indians, as of old the woods were scoured for wild beasts, the chase was invig- orated by the promised encouragement of fifty pounds, (two hundred and fifty dollars) for each scalp." An educated Cayuga chief spoke thus before the New 42 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. York Historical Society. " The land of Ya-nun-no, or the "Empire State," as you love to call it, was once traced by our trails, from Alban'y to Huftalo. fYais that we had trod for centuries — trails worn so deep by 'the feet of the Iroquois, that they became your road of travel, as your possessions gradually eat into those of my people. Your roads still traverse those same lines of communication, which bound "one part of the long house to the other. Have we, the 'first-holders of this prosperous region, no longer a share in Vont history ? Glad were your fathers to sit down upon 'the treshold of the Long House. Rich did they hold them- selves in getting the mere sweepings from its door. Had our Forefathers spurned you from it, when the French were thundering at the opposite side; to get a passage through; and drive you into the sea; whatever has been the fate of other Indians, we might still have had a nation, and I — I, instead of pleading here for the privelege of lingering within .your borders, I— -I might have a country. 1 ' [Turner.] It is sad, yet often instructive, to take a review of sins long past, and of the retribution in time which follow them. When our forefathers reached this land, the Indians were numerous, confiding and generous. The State of New York, especially, was filled with Indians. In it, and stretching into Ohio, were the Erie or Cat Nation ; where Buffalo now stands, and west and east of it, was the Neuter Nation, then, bending eastward, with the course of the waters, were the Senecas, the Cayugas, the Gnondagas, the Oneidas, and the Mohawks; on the Susquehana were the Andastas or Canes- togues. The Delawares and ethers dwelt south and west of these tribes. Thirteen different tribes of Indians, all of whom are now extinct, dwelt on Long Island; many others to the east, amongst which the Massachusetts early attached themselves to the English, their name means " Toward the Big Moun- tain, Massatzoick. MISSIONS IN "WES^IJSNk NEW YORft; 4fe£ A writer who supposed Hudson to. have been, the first to* visit our State says: "The first, Eivropean advent to our State was marked by inflicting en the Indian race a curse, more terrible in its consequences than all else combined. While Hudson's vessel lay in the river, near Albany, great multitudes of savages flocked on boards In order to discover whether "any of the chiefe men, of the country, had any treacherie in them,' 7 our master and mate took them into, the cabin, and gave them- so much wine and aquavitce, that they were all merrie.. One of them became intoxicated, staggered and fell, at which the natives were astonished.''* It was *'* strange to them, for they could not tell how to* take it.'' Thev all Hurried ashore in their canoes. The. intoxicated Indian remaining." In 1609, Hudson entered the Hudson river, lie testifies, to the friendly disposition of the natives. They soon com- plained that efforts had heed made on his part to kidnap, two Indians. Afterwards some Indians attracted by curiosity,, and having, perhaps, imperfect ideas of 'the- rights of prop- erty, stole iiito-'the cabin window, and pilfered" a pillow and some wearing apparel. The Indian was shot at and 1 killed j; another Indian was killed in recovering* the- property. Following after these events, was a concerted attempt oris the part of the natives kh get possession of the ship. It failed. Nine of the Indians were killed, none of the Eu-. ropeans. Thus a relation that begin in friendship, ended in war. [Turner 83';]* The English " Plymouth Company," in T613, fitted out two vessels, and placed! one of them under the command of' Capt. Smith and the other, Capt. Hunt This expedition ex- plored with care the whole coast from Cape Cod to Penob- scot. Captain Hhint, who commanded one of the vessels, instead of returning with Smith, enticed a number of In- dians aboart.1 Ms- vessel, aud, touching at Mjalagar,, on his. 44 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. homeward voyage, sold them as slaves; thus, upon the threshold of New England civilization, provoking the na- tives to abandon their pacific policy, and look upon the new coiners as enemies. The very next vessel that visited the coast of New England brought news of their vindictive hos- tility." Turner, 82. "In the autumn of 1650 and spring of 1651, two fron- tier villages of the Neutral Nation, one of which was located near what is now Buffalo, were sacked and destroyed by the Senecas. The largest village contained 1,600 men. Those spared from death were taken to Ganuogareo, a Sen- eca village east of the Genesee River, where they were, found by Father F rem in, in 1669. The "relations," which will be here continued, of the mission, will also afford glimpses of the Indian history. Wlnm the Indian missions on the American side were crushed, the Indian race rapidly sunk into almost vassal- age. The following remarks from a distinguished Protes- tant writer, may be considered their epitaph: "It becomes us not to forget those distinguished braves, (the Six Nations,) who so freely shed their blood for their English allies. . . . Had it not been for the long contin- ued friendship of these distinguished people, and the inesti- mable service rendered by them in the English wars with the French, it is not at all certain that the English would have been successful; and it is possible, if not probable, that the colonies would have been governed by the French/' He then tells us that these Indians, in the war of Ameri- can independence, were on the side of England, "and ren- dered essential service to the Crown." Page .SI 7. "But, after the war of the Revolution, the English treated their Indian allies with great indifference and neglect." In the treaty there was no stipulation made in behalf of the In- dians. By treaties, they were gradually deprived of their MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 45 lands. In 1814, in council at Buffalo, the OneiJas, Onon- dagas, Cayugas, and Senecas pledged themselves to the American cause, against England. They fought and bled at Chippewa, Lundy's Lane, etc., under the gallant gener- als, Brown, Scott, Ripley, and Porter. "Their services have never been duly appreciated, and the scanty piitance meted out for their services (he might also say for their land,) is but a common illustration of the gratitude and magnanimi- ty of powerful nations toward the w T eaker. " History of On- ondagas, "page Si 6. Among the old traditions of the Indians, the following speech 'is stated to have caused the celebrated Confederacy of the Indians. The prediction of ruin through division was too well accomplished. God grant that the sad experience of a once powerful race, now fast passing away, may aid in restoring union to our far nobler, our far more prosperous confederacy. " The council assembled, and all were anxious to hear the words of Hi-a-wat ha. A breathless silence ensued, and the venerable counselor began : " Friends and Brothers:: You are members of many tribes and nations. You have come here, many of you, a great distance from your homes. We have convened tor one common purpose, to promote one common interest, and that is, to provide for our mutual safety, and how it shall be best accomplished. To oppose these hordes of northern foes by tribes, singly and alone, woul 1 .prove our certain de- struction; we can make no progress in that way. We must unite ourselves into one common hand of brothers. Our warriors, United, would surely repel these rude invaders, and drive them from our borders. This must be done and we shall be safe. *' You, the Mohawks, siting under the shadow of the Great T-r-ee^ whose roots sink deep into the earth, and whose 4§; MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. "branches spread over a vast country, shall be the first na- tion, becau.se you are warlike and mighty. "And you, Gneidas, a people who recline your bodies ao-ainst the Everlasting Stone, that can not be moved, shall be the second nation,, because you give wise counsel. "And you, Onoadagas, who have your habitation at the Great Mountain, and are overshadowed by its crags, shall be the third nation, because you are greatly gifted in speech, and mighty in wai\ "And you, Cayugas, a people whose habitation is the Park Forest, and whose home is everywhere, shall be the fourth nation, because of your superior cunning in hunting. "And you, Senecas, a people who live in the Open Coun- try, and possess much wisdom, shall be the fifth nation, be- cause you. understand better the art of raising corn and beans, and making cabins. " You, five great and powerful nations, must unite, and have but one common interest, and no foe shall be able to disturb or subdue you, '•'And you, Manhattees, Nyacks, Montauks, and others, who are as the feeble Bushes; and you, Naragansetts, Mo- hegans, Wampanoags, and your neighbors, who are a Fish- ing People, may place yourselves under our protection. Be with us, and we will defend yon, lou of the South, and you of the West may do the same, and. we will protect you. "We earnestly desire your alliance and friendship. "Brothers, if we unite in this bond, the Great Spirit will smile upon us, and w.e shall be free, prosperous, and happy. But if we remain as we are, we shall be subject to his frown; we shall be enslaved^ ruined, perhaps, annihilated forever. We shall perish, and our names be blotted out from among the nations of men. Brothers, these are the words of Hi-a- wat-ha; let them S-in^ deep into, your hearts. I hare said K * MISSIONS IN WESTERN KEW YORK. 4/ CHAPTER V. RELIGION, RITES AND CEREMONIES. These Indians believe in one Great and Good Spirit, styled in the language of the Onondagas, Ha-vvah-ne-u, who is the Creator of the world ; the Holder of the Heavens; the Master of Breath; the Maker of men and useful animals. He is the controller of events; He rules the destinies of men; supplies them with the comforts and conveniences of life: makes abundance of game in the hunting grounds, and supplies the streams with fish, and the air with birds. He is believed to be the peculiar Deity of the red man, and they are his peculiar people. To this Great and Good Being they address their prayers, render thanks for success in hunting, and for victories in war. To him they offer sacrifices and chant their songs of praise. These things they do with a regularity, devotion, and rev- erence, in the midst of a Christian people, within the influ- ences of the Gospel; and adhere to them with a tenacity that should make their Christian neighbors ashamed. In each year, they hold five stated festivals, for a general assembling of their clans. Upon these occasions, all join in thanksgiving to the Great and Good Spirit for blessings re- ceived from his beneficent hand; the old men converse upon the best means of meriting hk favors, and of continuing to merit them in future. The fifth ov last festival, the crowning one of the year, and the one to which most importance is attached, is cele- brated late in the month of January, or early in the month of February, according; to, the phases of the moon. The Indian year is reckoned by moons,, an-d this great national festival is hekl at the full moo-o,, nearest the first of our month Febnvarv*. 48 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. The hunters having all returned from the chase, and having brought in their venison and skins, that have been taken, and a portion of these trophies having been deposited in the council house, two sets of managers are appointed, numbering from ten to twenty young men on a side. These are chosen to superintend all the concerns relative to the grand festival, thanksgiving, and sacrifice, which is im- mediately to take place. Arrangements are made at the council house for the re- ception and accommodation of the whole nation. This being done, the managers are ready to commence their appropri- ate duties, during the whole of which they act with great formality, order, and decorum. On the first day, a select number from each party of the managers, some four or live, start from the council house, and run with all possible speed to every cabin in the nation, knocking on the doors and sides of the houses, informing the people that all things are now ready, and that they must immediately repair to the council house, and partake of the festivities of the occasion. The fire is now extin- guished in every cabin, the committee enter the dwelling, (the inmates expecting them.) and, with a small wooden shovel, scatter the ashes in every direction. The hearths are made clean; new fire is struck from the flint and rekin- dled: thus they proceed from house to house till every one is visited and purified. During these proceedings the re- maining part of the managers are engaged at the council house in firing guns, hallooing, shouting, una in everything some affinity between these people and the children of God. Indeed, there are, in some things, a strong resemblance. The origin of the institution of sacrifice, as before remark- ed, is clearly traceable to Divine authority. Cain brought of the fruits of the ground an offering; and his brother Abel, of the firstlings of his flock and the fat thereof. From the examples of the early chosen people of God, the Gentile nations received or retained their notions of sac- rifice, and on this account, we need not wonder to find so many coincidences in the sacrificial systems of the Jews, and the neighboring nations. All false religions can be consid- ered only as departures from the true The principal yearly sacrifice of the Jews, were the Pas- chal lamb, at the Passover, celebrated at the commencement of the sacred year, the day of Pentecost, or first fruits, lastly, the day of expiation or great day of atonement. Two MISSIONS IN WESTERN KEW YORK. 5? others were afterwards added. Besides these, were the monthly festivals, and others of less importance; yet they were nevertheless attended with the greatest punctuality, but never more so, than are the five stated festivals of the Six Nations to this day, at Onondaga. Before the law was given to Moses, burnt offerings served for all purposes of Divine worship, whether they gave thanks for blessings, or deprecated evil, or prayed for good. These sacrifices expi- ated sins of omission, as" well as those of commission. This rite has been transmitted, with more or less of corruption, even to the w r ilds of America, and continued to the present time, among a people, shut out, we know not. how long, from all intercourse with the old world. The priests office was at first, undoubtedly, exercised by beads of families, and afterwards by heads of clans. And, previous to the consecration of Aaron and his sons to the priesthood, the office of priest and of magistrate were blend- ed in the same person. Melchisedeck was both a king and priest of Salem and offered sacrifice. Abraham, who was styled a prince, performed the sacer- dotal functions; and Jethro, a prince and priest of Midian, offered burnt sacrifices as a priest, being at the same time a ruler of his people. So the chiefs of the Six Nations, invariably officiate as priests at their festivals or sacrifices. The place of sacrifice was directed, bv the Jewish cere- monial, to be at the door of the tabernacle or place of worship; and, in like manner, is the Indian sacrifice univer- sally made at the door of their council house, their only place of worship. The Jewish priests, on all sacrificial occasions, were clothed in robes of pure white; and so are those clothed who officiate as priests at the Indian sacrifices. 58 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. On sacrificial occasions, the alms and offerings of trio Jews were, gathered in baskets, brought to the altar, and set before the priest, with the strictest order and propriety* Almost precisely the same practice exists among the In- dians, who gather the alms and oblations of the people, and present them to the officiating high priest in a basket. The Jews offered in sacrifice only oxen, sheep, and goats; other animals, although they might be esteemed good for food, were unsuited for sacrifice. It may be asked, then, Why the dog, an animal entirely rejected from the Jewish ceremonial, should be received among the Indians as an an- imal suitable for sacrifice? Let it be borne in mind that, not many years since, dogs were their only domestic ani- mals; wild animals being nowhere commanded for sacri- fice, these were the only ones they could have always at hand. They were forced to adopt them or reject the rite entirely. By the Jews, in the selection of "Victims for sacrifice, the utmost care was taken to choose such only as were free fronl blemish. " Without spot and without blemish," are the terms in frequent use throughout the Jewish ritual. And it was a custom among the nations surrounding Judea, and among the Egyptians* to set a seal upon the victim deemed proper for sacrifice. Among the Indians, a spot, or blem-- ish, or maim, renders the animal as unfit for sacrifice, as did the same faults, among the Jews. We have endeavored to point out a few of the coinciden- ces which maybe supposed to exist between some of the ceremonies of the Jews, and those of the Indians as prac j ticed at Onondaga.' We are satisfied that they prove noth- ing positively, as to their origin from that peculiar people. If any thing, they may illustrate the common origin of all men* and the high origin of all religious institutions, which at first must have emanated from the same source* MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 59 The learned and estimable Protestant author of 4l Onan- daga," from whom the above is copied, might go further — be might show that nearly the same strange mingling of sublime truth with dangerous or ridiculous error, has been found in every pao-e of human history, whenever men have separated from a teaching Church. Sophocles, Eschylus, Meander assert at times, in sublime language, the uuity, eternity and sanctity of God. Cleanthus has a hymn or prayer, which was cited by St. Paul at Athens: ''Glorious and immortal King, adored under various names, eternally all-powerful, Author ot nature, governing the world by thy laws, I salute thee! Mortals are permitted to invoke thee, for we are thy off- spring! In the Philosophers and Poets, sometimes most clearly expressed, sometimes mingling with human fancies, we read of the Creation, the Fall, Immortality, and Judg- ment beyond the grave; the Guardian Angels, the minis- tering spirits that protect; the evil ones that tempt; the Supreme Mighty God, who directs and modifies their actions. Herodotus, who wrote about four hundred and fifty years before Christ, remarks that it was Hesiod and Homer who first gave a genealogy of the Gods, assigned to each of them a name and form; that before those poets, who, he remarks, lived only four hundred years before him, men adored the Gods who had submitted the universe to order, without giving them any name; for, says he, they never heard their name. Her. c. 2, 6, 52, 53. Euripides has a strong passage on this subject. He introduces Theseus reasoning with Hercules, and alleging the crimes of the Gods in extenuation of those of mortals; Hercules answers: "I have never believed, nor ever will 1 believe, that the Gods give themselves up to incestuous love. A God, if he be God indeed, is in need of no one; it is the poets that have invented those miserable fictions." 60 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. The learned are now more and more convinced that in Ancient Egypt; philosophy had the same religious founds tion as in India — a Sup erne and Only God, manifesting Iris Being under three principal forms or persons, a Creating Word, the Sovereign Intelligence, the Fall of Man, the Lope of a Redemption, Divine Incarnations, a Heaven, a Hell. Purgatory, (in most instances, by metempsychosis,) personifications of all that exist, the sun, moon, and stars, the Nile, the winds, the seasons, or rather the Divinity, manifested, reproduced in all these things, in some manner transformed into them; in a word, every truth serving as a base for e\ery error: tor no error can he presented unless mixed with some truth. A pure error is an impossibility: as a pure poison is impossible. The most active poison is ever united with water, or with something that is good, without which it could not be exhibited to man. C H AFTER VI. CATHOLIC MISSIONARIES. The eternal Providence of the Saviour God, who died 44 that he might present to Himself a glorious Church, not having spot or wrinkle," ever watches over it, and, tar in advance, directs events to pi epare for the sanet.fication of each member "• of his body, which is the Church." Often, as in the Sacrfed Head, so in the members, this is visibly accomplished by the cross. From C.-mada began the work of converting the Indians of Western New York: to Can- ada, when persecution was aided by the penal laws of England; those converted Indians, who did not migrate to heaven, migrated. And i here, in their descendants, per- haps more numerous than ever, do they still worship the Son of Mary, in the land whence his blessed light, first MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 61 shone upon (hem. It must not, tbon, seem strange tliat «mne space is here devo t*i, to missions on the Canadian side of the waters, that mark our boundary. A certain knowledge of them is necessary in order to understand our own missions. The rich mine, there glowing in generous, Christian, heroic virtue, may tempt ttse h storian a litie farther than is absolutely necessary. I' fforts, will be made to resist that temptation ; and if these efforts be not always successful, the reader will still be editied, and the time lost will be well repaid, by one generous thrill of holy desire, or of generous sympathy. In 1603, Champlain accompanied Pontorave to Canada, and examined carefully the River St. Lawrence. Even then lie is supposed to have planned a settlement there. On his second voyage, he reached Quebec in 1608. The place was called by the Indians " Kebhek," which means u a narrow passage." His views were comprehensive, his cour- age extraordinary, his labors great, his zeal for the missions truly Christian. Of his secular exploits, no judgment can here be pronounced. In 1615. he returned from France with Franciscan Fathers: their steps we will follow, but remark in passing tint, in 1633, Champlain, worn out by fatigue and preparing for deah, established an admirable order among his soldiers. The fort appeared to be a well- regulated Academy. Following the example of Champlain, all approached the sacraments; their deportment was edify- ing. During the repast^ one read: at dinner they read some pious history; at supper, the Lives of the Paints. At ni-iht. Champlain, like a good father, reunited them in his room, to make the examination of conscience, and recite night prayers. He also established in Canada the custom, so faithfully observed to our day, of ringing the Anr/elus Domini thrice each day. He died on December the 25tb, 1635, having received with great piety, the sacraments of 62 MISSIONS IN WESTERN N &^ YORK. the Church. Father Le Jeune. pronouuced the funeral diseoursa. His wife became a nun of the Ursuline Order, Jived holily and died in her convent in blessed hopes of eternal life, on the 20th of December, 1654. A splendid monument was erected over his grave, and when the vene- rable Father Charles Raymbould, worn out by apostolic labors, died in 1642, the Government, as a mark of special honor, had the remains of the honored priest, buried along- side of Champlain. The Franciscans who accompanied Champlain, on his yetum to Canada from his visit to Fiance, in 1615, were- four in number, and were of the Reform called Recollects. When Father James Garnier, Provincial of the Recollect Franciscans in Paris, sent a mission to Canada, that Society had already many missions in the New World. In 1621, the Recollects had in Spanish America five hundred con-. vents, distributed in twenty-two provinces. The Papal Brief given to the Franciscan Missionaries for Canada, con- tains ample powers, and was expedited in 1618. father Dennis Jamay was named first Commissary of the Mission* His companions were Fathers John Dolbeau, Joseph Le Caron, and Brother Pacific Du Plessis. The mission- aries reached Quebec in 1615. The first simple chapel was soon built; the first Mass was celebrated on the 25th of June, 1615. Other chapels were soon built in different places. Since then the ^ clean oblation" has indeed been perpetual in Canada. Le Caron soon started westward for the Huron country ; through almost incredible fatigues, incessantly working, though half starved, but never complaining, he reached the Huron country, and built the Franciscan chapel and altar,, near a Huron village. Great was the humble self-sacrificing zeal of those first missionaries; it is well to publish it, in the following eloquent passage, from the discourse of 0. H. MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. G3 Marshall, Esq. " The glowing narrative of Bancroft Las thrown the drapery of romance, over the Jifes and labours of the Jesuits, whilst only a bare allusion is made, to the daring intrepidity, and self denying zeal of Le Caron, D'Albion, Du Plessis, and Jam ly, the humble Franciscans who with naked feet, and uncovered heads, threaded the forests, and first met the untamed Indian, in his home, on the borders of the northern Lakes." The labours of these zealous and self-sacrificing mission- aries, were repaid by many conversions. Henry de Levi, Duke of Ventadoiu, in 1623, retired from the Court took holy orders, became a priest, and organized a mission to Canada. Divine Providence thus disposed to meet the wants of the Franciscans; for whilst they were pursuing their labors in the mission, another Franciscan, Father Piat, went to Fiance to obtain the assistance of the Jesuits, who received the invitation with joy, and the following mission- aries, (already promised to the noble priest, Henri de Levj\) Father Claude, Sallamant, Father Edmont Massi, and Father John de Broebeuf, were ready to sail early in the year 1625. These first Jesuit missionaries soon arrived in Canada, prepared to announce the gospel to the heathen. Before the Franciscans, none had intercourse with the Aborogines of our land, except either in the character of traders, using every means to overreach, or in the garb of military adventurers. ''These sons of the forest, now fur the first time saw men entering their villages, whose word breathed peace and love; whose business was only to suffer, and to teach humility; whose sword was the cross, and who preached sobriety, good will, charity, and bright hopes beyond the grave. The privations of the wilderness, and rigors of the climate, were borne with fortitude; native languages were mastered, the dispositions and customs of a strange people were studied, and conformed to; and diffi- 64 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YOUK. culti »s sufficient to appal the stoutest heart, were encoun- tered and overcome. These de voted men, and their suc- cessors, entered upon their labours, with >■ z< j al that knew no limit; and with a devoted ness that shrunk fiom no trial. They were successful in winning these strange men, to their stranger doctrines and faith. The establishment of .missions among the natives naturally led to the exploration of the country. And thus the pioneers of the cross became the first discoverers and historians of the whole interior of North America. They widely extended geographical know ledge, and did not overlook the importance, of providing the means of education, for the youth of the land. So impor- tant have their Relations become, that they may well be termed an elaborate history of the country. In proportion to their high value, is, at the same time their scarcity. Clark, History ..f Om.ndaga, Vol. I. p. 128 Brgebeuf and his associates under the guidance of the Franciscan priest Dallion, a man no less distinguished for his illustrious birth, than for his piety, and religious zeal; landed in Quebec in 162o, the Jesuits met with a cool re- ception, on the part ot the inhabitant-; no one offered to give them a shelter, or t» supply them with provisions, and they were on the point of abandoning the enterprise. The Franciscans, after using much persuasion, obtained fiom the Governor, leave to receive the je nits into their estab- lishment. One Imlf of their convent garden, and farm, was generously surrcn lered t<> the new comers; and the two societies lived, and labored together, in uuiuter upted friend- ship, and harmony, for two years. The vows wh'ch the Jesuits took, the austerities which they practiced., then- rigid disci pi ne anil untiring zeal, rend- ered them peculiarly adapted (say- 0. H. Marshall, H s encounter and overcome the obstacles incident to mission- ary life in the savage wilds of Aifieika. There is much in MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 65 the history of their efforts, which the heralds of a move spiritual faith might well admire ami emulate." (The learned and estimable writer, would he puzzled to show how, the heralds of any Protectant sect is. or can he, as spiritual as the heralds of the Reman Calholic Chmch.) Many of them were of high v biith, and entitled to princely fortunes, all of which, wi h every wo? dry prospect and ad- vantage, they laid on the altar of their faith, and sacrificed in the course of their missions." In 1624 the Jesuits set out for the Huron country, with Dallion, the Franciscan, over the same piinful and toilsome route, which T.e Caron had pursued, eleven years before. They had some difficulty in inducing the Hurons to give Father Broebeuf a seat in one of their canoes, as he was cor] \\h nt, and they fe- red his weight might overset it. They re-established the mis- sions which had been founded by the Franciscans. Father Dallion, of the noble house of the Counts DuLeid, stimu- lated by the desire of pro; abating his faith in remote !eg ; o: s, visited the Neuter Naion^; he set out the 18th of October, 162d" Afer a perilous journey, through many villages of the Neuter Nation, he entered the country bordeiing on the Niagara River, and lying around the western extremity of Lake Ontario. Through many dangers and sufferings he tried to open a mission among the tribe of Neutral-." They dwelt near and on the Niagara River, He was at first well received, and being adopted by Soharissest, the chief of (he whole nation, took up his residence among them. He was, however, soon after robbed and brutally beaten, and returned to the Hurons. In 1629, the English captured Quebec, and the Catholic missionaries had to return to France. In 1632, when Canada was restored to France, the Jes- uits returned to their missions among the savages. Cham- plain had intended to aid and arm the Hurons, He died. 68 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. His successor had not such extensive views. The Hurons were left without aid. But the Jesuits went to their spiri- tual relief. Broebeuf, Chaumont, and others started for the Huron Mission. Broebeuf narrates, in simple and touching terms, their great sufferings on the rout. Almost in the last extremity, they reach a Huron Village. Broe- beuf was recognized and most kindly received, a chapel was soon erected, the Mass said, and the Mission dedicated to St. Joseph. Around its altars an extensive mission soon flourished. Refore the end of the year 1636, six Jesuit priests were employed in different villages. Broebeuf and Chaumont resolved to visit the Neuter Nation. The Neuter Nation, which, before the Seneca conquests, occupied both sides of the Niagara River, and claimed the territory west of the Genesee, and west as far as the Eries, were estimated, in 1641, at twelve thousand souls. They were visited by Catholic priests, but no dis- tinct records of their labors have reached us. Their affec- tion or veneration for the dead induced them to treasure up the bones of the departed for ten or twelve years, when, at an appointed time, all repaired, to a fixed spot, a vant grave was made, the bones from every quarter, wrapped in furs, were brought, deposited together with religious rites, and a mound became the memorial. Some of these mounds exist around Buffalo. Many similar tumuli are found, of whose origin the Senecas disclaim all knowledge. They were conquered by the Iroquois, many killed, the rest led into captivity to the Seneca country beyond the Genesee River. Father Fremin found them there, in 1669, eighteen years after their capture. Many of them had become Cath- olics. After leaving Sainte Marie, Broebeuf and Chaumont, pursued a southerly course through the territories of the Hurons, until they reached their last village. Here they MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW .YORK. 67 procured provisions and a guide for their journey, and pur* suing their way, slept, four nights, in the woods, before read liner the territories of the Neutral Nation. The first village they entered they named "All Saints* on their arrival at the residence of the principal chief, whose approval of their mission was necessary, they found him absent on a war expedition. His return was not expected Until spring-, and they were told by the remaining chiefs* that they must wait that event. The Jesuits eagerly embraced the opportunity, thus afford- ed of acquiring a knowledge of the language, character, and genius of the people. Suspicion was soon excited however, in the minds of the savages, which exposed them to a series of insults and in-= dignities, during their visit. They were accused of witch-- craft and of conspiracy with the neighboring Senecas "who " lived," says Broebeuf, "but a days journey from the easter- " most villages of the neutral nation." Their breviaries, iukhorns, and manuscripts, were considered as so many in- struments of sorcery, and their prayers as magical iucanta - tions. The chiefs withdrew their protection, and there seem- ed to be no alternative but to retrace their steps. In the course of their travels they visiaed 18 villages, but they tar- ried principally in ten, these contained 500 families and 3,000 souls, to whom those Jesuits announced the Gospel* On the return to Sainte Marie, a deep fall of stiow arres- ted them in a village, beyond which it was impossible to proceed, What they at first considered a calamity, soon proved a providential occurrence. A female of the village received them into her hut, ministered to their wants, and substituted fi-li and vegetables, for the usual animal diet, during their observance of Lent. She also took great pains to learn them her language, articulating the words, syllable by syllable, as a teacher to a scholar. Notwithstanding the 68 MISSIONS IN WESTERS NEW YORK. ridicule and jeers, heaped upon her by her own people, she continued these kind offices, until the Jesuits we«e enabled to construct a dictionary of the language, a work which Lalemand remarks, would be cheaply purchased, at the cost of many years' residence in the country, inasmuch as the savages are easy of access, to those who speak their language, all others being regarded as strangers. After undergoing incredible hardships they safety reached the Huron Mission, where they rejoined their brethren, who had almost despaired of their return. It is not certain how far they penetrated, it this time, towards the River Niagara. It appears from their journal that they acquired, while in this vicinity, an accurate knowledge of the configuration of the lakes which it connects, though no mention is made of the Cataract which constitutes so striking a featuere in its scenery. In 1623 Father Nicholas Veil, and brother Gabriel Sagard, the first historian of the Huron missions, started for the Huron missions; Sagard in hi? " Great journey to the Huron country" thus describes the life of the Franciscan Missionaries. '• We took our repas's on straw mats, a log of wood served us for a pillow at night, our cloaks, were our blankets, we had no other towel than corn husks, we had a few knives, but they were of little use, we had no bread to cut; and meat was so scarce, that we would pass, from six weeks to two mouths, without eating a mouthful. Our u>ual food was Sagnmite, made with water and corn m^al, some pumpkins, or beans were added, and a little parsely, or a kind of spice wood, with wild onions tr> give a better taste; our drink was from the stream. If, «?MUt the sugar maple was running in season, any of our pariy got sick, we would make an inscission in the tree, which then ozed out its sugary water, and this the sick man would use as a great reine iy. Unremittingly the good Franciscans employed MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 69 every leisure hour, iti learning the Huron language, and in composing a Huron dictionary, hut during the long nights of winter, they had only the light of 'lie fire, or light fiom pine, or bark torches, which frequently had to he renewed, and which tilled their cabin with smoke. Father Nicholas Viel and' a ne -phyte were cruelly miirde ed two years after by some brutal savage Hurons, enemies of the faith. Such, with little variation, amidst great labours, was the life (if the missionaries, until in 1634 5, Father Broeheauf returned to the Huron mission. He brought with him from France many nrticfes of great use; but wli»ch caused the greatest wonder among the Indians; what most excited f the burning church. A part of the Hurons, who succeeded in escaping found refuse among; their brethren, in the neighboring village of Sairtte Marie, About seven hundred, consisting principally of women and children, were taken captives by the Iroquois, and carried home to their country, to undergo the torture, or supply the waste of disease and war, by adoption into their tribes. The winter passed away among the Hurons without further disturbance, and the mission continued to flourish until the next year. On the evening of the 16th day of March, 1649, about two thousand Iroquois, well supplied with firearms procured from the Dutch at Albany, arrived at the frontier settlement of the Huronsj and silently surrounded the village called by the French St. Ignace. This place, in additional to the natural strength of its position, was fortified with palisades fifteen w sixteen feet high, and surrounded by a deep ditch. The •enemy reconnoitred its situation, and at break of day, while the Hurons were wrappad in profound sleep, effected an an trance, before any resistance could be made. Only ten Iroquois were slain, and all but three of the Hurons, num- bering more than four hundred souls, were either immedi- ately massacred, or reserved for the more terrible torture. The three that escaped, nearly naked, made their way over the snow to a neighboring village, to which they cariied the alarm. The Iroquois pursuing their victory, appeared before sun- rise in front of the adjacent village of St. Louis, also fortified with palisades. The women and children escaped on hear- ing the approach of the enemy, leaving about 80 warriors to defend the place. They repulsed with vigour the nVt and second assault, killing and wounding a large number of the assailants. But they were finally overpowered by numbers. MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 75 The Iroquois having cut a passage through the palisades, were enabled to enter, and the fire and smoke from the consuming village, soon revealed to the anxious missionaries at Sainte Marie, about a league distant, that the work of destruction had commenced. The Iroquois raged, like incarnate fiends, among the consuming dwellings. The old men and children, the sick, the infirm, and the wounded, were alike thrown into the devouring flames, as useless in- cumbrances upon their emptors. Two Hurons escaped to Sainte Marie and told the sad particulars. At the time of the attack, the Jesuits Brokbeuf and Lalemand, were re- siding in the village. They had charge of the five contigous settlements, which were all comprised under the name of St. Ignace, and formed one of the eleven Huron missions, then carried on by the Jesuits. The Huron neophites be- sought the Fathers to flee, and it would be easy for them to have done so, but they considered the few moments of that terrible conflict, as the most precious of their existence, and laboured incessantly during the heat of the combat, for what they deemed the welfare of their chosen flock. One stationed himself at the point, where the enemy had made a break in the palisades, baptizing the converts, and giving absolution to the neophites. Both encouraged the Christian Hurons to suffer death, under the influence of those senti- ments with which their teachings had inspired them. The Iroquois captured and secured the two Fathers, with many Huron prisoners, and returned to St. Ignace. In the evening their scouts reconnoitred Sainte Marie for the pur- pose of an attack next morning. The Hurons in the latter village, remained all night under arms, in momentary ex- pectation of an assault, bit it passed away in profound silence. On the 19th, a sudden panic seized the enemy, and disregarding the remonstrances of their chiefs, they commenced a rapid and disorderly retreat. 76 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW - YORK. Loading their captives like beasts of burden, tbey corii- pelled them to carry the spoils which they secured. Those not needed for the purpose were put to death, with excru- ciating torture. Some were bound to stakes driven w 7 ithin the consuming dwellings, and the captors regaled their ears with the cries, uttered by their dying victims. Parents and children were tortured side by side, a spectacle at which it would seem that even cruelty itself, would have revolted. When it was ascertained that the Iroquois had retreated, a detachment of seven hundred Hurons Were sent in pursuit, but the scarcity of provisions, and their fear of the fire arms of the enemv, induced them soon to abandon the chase. ^They found on their way, many of the captives, who, not being strong enough to keep pace with the Iroquois* had been knocked on the head, or half burned at the stake* When the Jesuit Ra&neneau and his companions at Sainte Marie, had full assurance of the departure of the enemy, they searched for the remains of BRaEEE!^ and Lalemand, of whose death they had been informed. Their eyes rested on a spectacle of horror, and they heard a tale of cruelty, of which history scarcely affords a parallel. As soon as the Jesuits had been captured, they were stripped, their nails were torn out, and on entering the village of St. Ignace, they were compelled to run the gauntlet. Their bodies were covered with bruises, inflicted by the clubs of their captors. Broebuef sunk under the weight of their blows, but his spirit was unsubdued. The savages now resorted to every species of cruelty to torture their victims. They cut off the hands of one of the Fathers, and pierced those of the others with sharp awls and pointed irons. They applied to their arm-pits and loin«, red hot hatchets, with which they also formed necklaces, to hang around them in such a manner, that every movement of their bodies would cause MISSIONS FN WESTERN NEW YORK, 77 excruciating pain. Whether they leaned backwards of forwards, the red hot iron would enter the flesh. They bound bark girdles around their persons, filled with pitch, which, being set on fire, roasted the whole surface of their bodies. In the height of these agonies, Father Lalemand, of gentler mould than his companion, his strength scarcely equal to his will, joining kis hands from time to time, sup- plicated heaven for aid. Father Broebeuf endured like a rock. Insensible to torture, without a groan, he maintained unbroken silence for a long time, to the great astonishment of his tormentors. At length he began to speak, and to preach to the Iroquois and to his companions in misery. Indignant at his zeal, the captors mutilated his mouth, and cut off his nose, but he continued, as far as he was able, to encourage those around him. In derision of the baptism, which the priests bad admin- istered so freely, in the hottest of the conflict, these fiends in human guise, poured boiling water over their naked persons. "We baptize you," said they, "that you may be happy in heaven for no one can be saved unless baptised ;" others said, " What we thus do, is in friendship, since we w T ill be the cause of your highest happiness in Heaven. Thank us for our kindness, for the more you suffer, the more your God will recompense you." They tore out the eyes of Lalemand and placed burning coals in their sockets. Both did not suffer at the same time. Broebeuf was undergoing the severest of his torments for nearly three hours, of the same day he was captured and expired about four o'clock in the afternoon. Lalemand suf- fered, from six in the evening until nine the next morning. While they were yet alive, pieces of flesh were cut from their bodies, broiled on coals, and devoured in their presence. Into the wounds thus made, red hot axes were repeatedly thrust. To complete the tragedy, their hearts were torn Y» MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. out, and the inhuman barbarians drank their blood gushing warm from its source. It appeared from the examination of their remains, that Broebeuf had been scalped, that his feet were cut off, and his jaw split open, with an axe. Lalbmanr had a gash over his left ear, which had laid bare his brain. There was no part of his body which had not been huvnt, while he was yet living. Their tongues had been destroyed by thrusting into their mouths at various times firebrands and bark torches. Thus perished these de- voted Jesuits. Lalemand at the age of 39, having labored six months, among the Huron-; and Broebeuf at the age of 56, after a residence of eighteen years in the same mission. "But let us leave these objects of horror, and these mon- sters of cruelty, since, in one day, all their victims were robed in the glory of immortality; since, also, the greater their torments, the richer their crown, and since they now live in the repose of the saints, which they will enjoy for eternity. "On Sunday, the 21st of March* we buried these precious relics, with so much consolation from the tender sentiments of those who assisted at the ceremony, I think that not one present did not desire death; not one who feared the thought of it, and who would not have believed himself happy to be at once in a place where God would give him the grace to sacrifice his blood and life in a similar manner. Not one of us can make up our minds to pray for them, as though they needed our prayer; but our minds rise continually to heaven, where we believe their souls are. I pray God that it is so, and that he will accomplish hi* holy will iii us, even unto death, as he has done with them." "Relations, 1649," p. 15. The Huron country was now desolated. The Nation de- spaired of recovering from the disastrous effects of these war- MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 79 like incursions, and in less than eight days, accompanied by the reinajnihgf Jesuits, they abandoned their homes, and bid fa re we 1 1 forever, to their ancient domains. The Lake, which bears their name, still washes the shores they so long inhab- ited, an abiding memorial of the race; but, scattered by the exterminating hand of the Iroquois, they from thenceforth ceased to exist as a nation, (Not far from their old grounds, through Upper Canada, and Michigan, many villages of faithful christian Hurons still exist,) and wandered in fugi- tive hands, seeking shelter in remote Islands and secluded and inaccessible retreats. A few, under the auspices of Fa- ther Ragneneau, settled in the Island of Orleans near Que- bec, and even th^re deemed themselves scarcely safe under French protection. Others escaped to the Islands of Lake Huron, from whence they subsequently joined their brethern near Quebec. Some went Smith of Lake Erie and buried themselves in the forests of Pennsylvania and we find them at a later day in the vicinity of Sandusky under the name <5f Wyandots. The greater part however found the death from which they fled, and more perished by famine and disease, than by the hand of the enemy. The prisoners were, for the most part, adopted by the Iroquois, and, subsequent to that period, settlements were found among the latter, composed almost entirely of Huron captives, and which wi.l be more fully noticed, when treating* of the Jesuit missions among that people. The Iroquois en- gaged in this foray, were principally Senecas. Father Lemoyne in his mission to that tribe five years afterwards found the testament of Broebeuf in their possession, which he preserved as a, precious relic of the martyr.^ 0. H. 80 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. CHAPTER VIII. MISSIONS JN WESTERN NEW YORK. The holy Providence of God displayed itself, in a won- derful manner, by making the cruelty of the Iroquois against the Huron*, a source of many noble virtues, producing rich crops of generous martyrs for heaven; whilst it also sent the captive Hurous to be the nucleus of Christianitv, among their conquerors. The five nations, among whom the Jesuits labored, on the south side of Lake Oniaiio and Eri'% have long had the nick-name of Iroquois, from the word "Hiro," I have said it, (dixi,) with which they end every discourse, and the exclamation, "Koue," denoting joy or sadness, according to the manner in which it is pronounced. Charlevois, says that their right name is *■ Agonnonsionnis," (Mikers of Cabins.) Nor was Huron more Jian the nuk-name for that people. When the French saw Lhem, with their cropped, and bristling hair, they cried out in French, ''Quelles Hures," (what wild boar heads,) hence Huron. The Iroquois Confederation was, by them, compared to a Long House, the eastern door of which opened on the Hudson, guarded by the Mohawks, the western on Lake Erie guarded by the Senecas. The council fires of the Seneeas burned, for a l>>ng time, within what is now the limits of Buffalo ciiy. The Recollect Franciscan, Father Willtam Poulain, was a prisoner in the hands of the Indians, in 1621, and, in his suffering, consoled himself, by instructing in ihe faith some of the Iroquois prisoners. When the Jesuits came to the aid of the Franciscans, it was resolved, that some priests from the Huron missions should cross the river, and found a mission among the Senecas. Various causes retarded MTSSlGNS IN WRStERN SEW YORK. 81 llie mission. Father Joques, and other missionaries, who ba>l just planted the Cross in Michigan, set out for Q lebec, they were captured by the Iroqfiioi* Joques might have fted, but "could a minister of Christ abandon the wound- ed and the dying?" Joojjes. after stooping to baptise a 'catechumen in his canoe, surrendered himself up, and join- ed the captives. The savages rej need at taking so imp >r- tant a prisoner. They led their captives towards the valley of the Mohawk. The wearied prisoners hi 1, sever il tim^s, to run the gauntlet; most painful were the wounds and bruises they received. Toiture soon began. The brave Frenchman Cautuke had slain a chief, in the struggle at the capture; he was strippe'd, beaten, and mangled: and Father Joques, who consoled and strengthened in faith, the mangled victim, was himself violently attacked, and beaten until he fell senseless; they rushed on him like wolves, and not content with blows, tore out his nails, and gnawed his fingers to the very bone. Terrible were the tortures which Joques and Rene endured on their route to the River Mohawk. "God alone," writes Joques, "for whose love and glory it is sweet and glorious to suffer, can tell what cruelties they then perpetrated on me." 0. H. Marshall, Esq., in his lecture to the New York Historical Societv, says: ''In 1642, Father Joques, an I Rene Goupil were tortured by the Iroquois, at different points along the Mohawk River: one of tha vil!ag3 scenes of torture, was at Fort Plain; another at East Canadi Creek, At length, Rene was killed, and thus the soil of New York drank the blood of the first martyr who sacrificed his life in the New World, in the cause of the Jesuit Missions." Who will give us, in popular form, and in full detail, the touching incidents of the devoted zeal, the patient, m< j ek, heroic sufferings of these and other early martyr priests and Christians, on the virgin soil of America? It would prove that truth is 82 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. Stranger than fiction. No romance could create the thrill- ing interest which true, sublime, heroic virtue, in scenes like these, would excite. Another Wiseman might here, in true history, write, with all the charms of Fabiola, historic truth, ** in thoughts that breathe, and words that burn." It seems that but one has attempted this labor of love, and he was a Protestant minister, the Rev. W. I. Kipp, M. A., now Protestant Bishop of California, in his "Earlv Jesuit Missions," which are simply a translation of a few of the most interesting letters of the early Jesuit missionaries. Though abridging so closely, as to lose some of the charm and unction of the narratives, it may appear that these hur- ried details, have al hired this history from the main object, by flowers of sweetest fragrance, blooming with unearthly charms, amidst thorns of direst suffering. Yet even this wandering will lead back, whilst affording some bright vistas into the past, present and future of the region to be explored. Suffice it heie to say, that the devoted- ness of these Apostles of a new world, so well rivalled the devoted heroism of the first Apostles, that the Protestant minister above alluded to, speaks of them in these Words: ''There is* no page of our country's history, more touch- ing and romantic than that, which records the labors, and sufferings, of the Jesuit Missionaries. In these western wilds they were the earliest pioneers of civilization and faith. The wild hunter or the adventurous traveller, who, penetrating the forests, came to new and strange tribes, often found that years before, the disciples of Loyola had preceded him in that wilderness, Traditions of the "Black robes" still lingered among the Indians. On some moss-grown tree, they pointed out the traces of their work, and in wonder deciphered, carved, side by side on its trunk, the emblem of our salvation, and the lilies of the Bourbons. Amid the snows, of Hudson's Bay— among the woody islands, and MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 83 beautiful inlets of the St. Lawrence, by the council fires of the Hurons, and the Algonquinee; at the sources of the Mississippi, where, first of the white men, their eyes looked upon the Falls of St. Anthony, and then traced down, the course of the bounding river, as it rushed onward to earn its title of '* Father of Waters" — on the vast prairies of Illinios, and Missouri; — among the blue hills, which hem in the salubrious dwellings of the Cherokees, and in the thick canebrakes of Louisiana — 3verywhere, were found the members of the " Society of Jesus." Mar- QUEITE, JOLIET. BrOEBEUF, JoQURS, LaLEMAND, RaSLES, Marsst, are the names which the West should ever hold in remembrance. " But it was only by suffering and trial, that these early- laborers won their triumphs,, Many of them too were men who had stood high in camps and courts, and could con- trast their desolate state, in the solitary wigwam, with the refinement and affluence, which had waited on their early years. But now ail these were gone. Home — the love of kindred — the golden ties of relationship — all were to be forgotten, by these stem and high- wrought men, and they were often to go forth into the wilderness, without an ad- viser on their way, save their God. Through long and sorrowful years they were obliged to "Sow in tears" before they could " reap in joy." Every self-denial gathered around them, which could wear upon the spirit, and cause the heart to fail; Mighty fbtests were to be threaded on foot, and the great lakes of the West, passed in the feeble bark canoe. Hunger and cold, and disease, were to be encountered, until nothing but the burn- ing zeal within, could keep alive the wasted and sinking frame. But worse than all w ere those spiritual evils, which forced them to weep and pray in darkness. Thev had to en- dura contradiction from those they came to save, who often, 84 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. after listening for months with apparent interest, so thafc the Jesuit began to hope they would soon be numbered with their eon verts, suddenly quitted him, with cold and derisive words, and turned again to the superstitions of their tribe.. M ost of the in,, too, were martyrs to their faith. It will be noticed in reading this volume, how few of their number u died the common death of all men," or slept at last in the grourr Is which their Church had consecrated. Some, like Joques, and Du Poisson and Suuel; sunk beneath the blows of 'the infuriated savages, and their holies were thrown out, to feed the vulture, whose sh-iek, as he flapped his wings above them, had been their only requiem. Others like Broeb uf and L\leman t d and Ss^vt, died at the stake, and their ashes "flew, no marble tells us whither," while the dusky sons o't the forest stood around, and mingled their wild yells of triumph, with the martyrs' dying prayers. Others again, like the aged Marquette, sinking beneath years of toil, fell asleep in the wilderness, and their sorrow- ing companions, dug their graves in the green turf where, for many years, the rude forest ranger stopped to invoke their names, and bow in prayer before the cross which marked the *«pot. But did these sufferings stop the progress of the Jesuits? The sons of Loyola never retreated. The mission they founded in a tribe, ended only with the extinction of the tribe itself. Their lives were made up of fearless devoied- ness and heroic self sacrifice. Others, whilst sorrowing for the dead, pressed forward at once to occupy their places, and if needs be, share their fate. "Nothing" — wrote Father le Petit after describing the martyrdom of two of his brethern — " nothing has happened to these two excel- lent missionaries, for which they were not prepared, when they devoted themselves to the Indian missions." If the flesh trembled, the spirit seemed never to falter. Each MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 85 one indeed felt that he was u baptized for the dead," and that his own blood, poured out in the might/ forests of the West, would being down perhaps greater blessings, on those for whom he died, than he could win for them by the labors of a life. He realized that he was " appointed unto death." " Ibo et non redibo," " I will go, but will not come back" were the prophetic words of Father Joques, when, after previous most horrible torture, he for the last time, departed to the Mohawks. When Lalemand was bound to the stake, and for seventeen hours his excruciating agonies were prolonged, his words -of encour- agement to his companions wee, "Brothers! we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.' When Marquette was setting out, for the sources of the Mississippi, and the friendly Indians who had known him, wished to turn him from his purpose by declaring " Those distaut nations never spare the strangers," the calm reply of the missionary was, "I shall gladly lay down my life for the salvation of souls." And then, the led sons of the wilderness bowed wish him in prayer, and before the simple cross of cedar, and among the stately groves of elm , and maple which line the St. Lawrence, them rose that old chant, which the aged man had been accustomed to bear, in . the distant Cathedrals of his own land— " Wxilla Regis prodeunt ; Jfulget Crucis mysteriu r&." "But how little is known of all th^se men ! The history of their bravery and sufferings, touching as it is, has been comparatively neglected." Rev. W. I. Kipp, Early Jesuit Missions, In March, 1649, the Iroquois, chiefly Senecas and Onon- dagas, destroyed the Huron Missions, and brought many Huron captives back with them. Five years after, the Jesuit, LeMotne, found the martyred Broebeuf's New 86 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. Testament and the prayer-book of Gaknier in the hands of those captive Hurons. "On the 20th August, 1653, a party of Mohawks, lying in ambush near Quebec, captured the Jesuit, Father Joseph Poncet, and another Frenchman, and hurried them away to the Mohawk country, to a place at or near the more re- cent site of Fort Hunter. They were compelled to sing for the amusement of their captors. Father .Poncet chanted the Litanies of the Holy Virgin, the Veni Creator, and oth- er hymns of the Church. lk Whilst we were crossing the river of the L)utch," says he, "I confessed my companion, who wished to prepare for death, ms we had perceived forty or fifty Iroquois, waiting for us on the other side, with clubs in their hands. They strip- ped us nearly naked, and compelled us to pass through two rows of the savages, (to run the gauntlet.) They struck me several blows with their sticks upon the hack; and, as I in- creased my pace, one of them seized me by "the arm, which he extended, in order to strike me a blow with a short hea- vy club, which he held in his hand. I surrendered my arm, thinking he was about to break, and beat to pieces, the hone between the elbow and wrist. But the blow fell upon the joint, and I escaped with a bruise which disappeared in time. "As soon as I reached the village, they compelled me to ascend a scaffold, elevated about five feet, in the middle of the public place. My companion soon after arrived, bear- ing the marks of the blows he had received. I saw, among other wounds, a cruel and painful cut across his breast." The details of the torture that was inflicted upon Father Poncst and his companion must be passed over. It contin- ued for several days, when the latter was condemned to the stake and burnt. Poncet was spared by adoption, and, soon after, succeeded in inducing his new relatives, to carry him to the Dutch settlement at Fort Orange, (Albany.) MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. b / In 1654, an embassy of fifty Onondaga* appeared before Quebec. Tbey, impelled by some unseen power, demanded peace, asked for missionaries, and invited them to visit their cantons, and establish their missions within their borders* The opportunity was eagerly embraced, and on the 2d day of July, 1654, Father Simon LeMoyne departed from Que- bec for the country of the Onondagas, by a route which the fear of the Iroquois, had hitherto prevented the French from pursuing. He ascended the St. Lawrence into Lnke Onta- rio, coasted along its southern shore, and landed at a con- venient point, from whence he went overland to the princi- pal village of the Onoudagas. They received him with marked attention, and permitted him to commence his min- isterial labors. The readers of this history will surely prefer the very words of the holy missionary, written about two hundred and eight years ago, and translated from the missionary letters : '•On the second day of the mouth of July, 1654, the fes- tival of the Visitation of the Most Holy Virgin, always friendly to our undertakings, Father LeMoyne departed from Quebec on a voyage to the Iroquois and Onondagas. He passed Three Rivers, and from thence by Montreal, where a young man of good courage, and an old inhabitant, join- ed him, with much piety, "On the first day of the month of August, some Iroquois fishermen having perceived us from a distance, got together to receive us. One of them runs towards us, advancing: a half a league to communicate the earliest news, and the state of the country. It is a Huron prisoner, and a good Christian, whom I formerly instructed during n winter that I passed among the savages. This poor lad could not be-* lie\ e that it was I, whom he never hoped to see again. We disembarked at a little village of Fishermen. Th^v crowd ba MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. to see who might carry our baggage. They are apparent- ly Huron squaws, and for the most part Christian women, formerly rich and at their ease, whom captivity has reduced to servitude. They requested me to pray to God, and I had the consolation to hear their confessions, and that of Hostagehtak, our ancient host of the Petun Nation. His sentiments and devotion drew tears from my eyes. He is the fruit o( the labors of Father Charles Garnier, that ho- ly missionary, . whose death has been so precious before God. The second day of August, we walked from twelve to fifteen leagues through the woods. We camp wherever the day-close finds us. "The 3d. — At noon we were on the bank of a river, one hundred or one hundred and twenty paces wide, beyond which there was a hamlet of fishermen. An Iroquois whom I, at one time, had treated kindly at Montreal, put me across in his canoe, and through respect, carried me on his shoul- ders, being unwilling to suffer me to wet my feet. Every one received me with joy, and these poor people enriched me from their poverty. I was conducted to another vil- lage, a league distant, where there was a young man of consideration, who made a feast for me, because [ bore his father's name, Ondessouk. The chiefs came to harrangue us. one after the other. I baptized little skeletons, (sick children,} who awaited perhaps only this drop of .the pre- cious blood of Jesus Christ. " The 4th. — They ask me why we are dressed jri black, and I take occasiou to speak to them of our mysteries. They listened with great attention. They bring me a little moribund whom I call Dominick. The time is passed when they used to hide the little innocents from us. They took me for a great Medicine-man, though I hai no other reme- dy for the sick but a pinch ©f sugar. We pursued our route, in the middle of which wa found our dinner waiting MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 8® for us. The nephew of the first chief of the country, who. is to lodge me in his cabin, is. deputed by his uncle to escort us, bringing us every delicacy that tUe season could afford, especially new corn bread, and ears, (of corn,) which wo had roasted at the fire-. We slept again that night by the beautiful light of the stars. The 6th. I was called to divers quarters to. ad mini- ter my medicine; to- weakly and hect : c little things. I baptised some of them. [ confessed seme of our old Huron Chris- tian-, and found God everywhere, and that He is pleased to work in hearts where faith reigns. He- builds himself a temple there, where- He is adored in spirit and in truth. He He blessed for ever!. At night our host draws me aside, and tells me, very affectionately,, that he- always loved ns, that finally his heajt, was satisfied, seeing- all the- tribes of his nation demanded nothing but peace; that the Seneeas had recently come to. exhort them, to manage this matter well for peace, and that in this view, lie had made splendid presents;, that the Cay- uga had brought three belts, for that purpose: and that the Oneidas were glad to get rid of such bad affairs, through his means, and that he desired nothing but peace; that the Mohawk would,, no doubt, follow the others, and thus, I might take courage, since- 1 bore with me the happiness ol the whole land. 7th. A good, Christian named Terese, a Huron, captive, wish- ing to pour out IvdY soul 10 me, away from noise and tumult. invited me- to visit Iter in a field cabin, wh,ere- she lived. My (rod ! What sweet consolation, to witness so much faith, in savage hearts, in captivity, and without other assistance than that of heaven, God raises up Apostles everywhere. This good Christian woman had with bei: v a young captive of the Neutral Nation, whom she loved as her own daughter. &he had so well, instructed her, in the mysteries of the faith. SO MISSIONS Itf WESTERS >~EW 1'OKK. and in sentiments of piety, in the prayers they mate in this holy solitude, that I was much surprised. "Eli! sister,' I asked, tl why did you not baptize her, since she has the 1" litb, like you ; and she is Christ/an in her morals, and she wishes to die n Christian \* " Alas, brother," this happy captive replied, " I did not think it was allowed me to bap- tise, except in danger of death. Baptise her now yourself, since you consider her worthy, and give her toy name." This was the first adult baptism at Onondaga \ we are in- debted for it to the piety of a Huron captive. *' m 4s : '- ■ . * & ■ * * % * On the 10th day of August, the deputies of the three neighboring nations having arrived, after the usual summons of the chiefs, that all should assemble in Ondessonk's cabin j 1 opened the proceedings by public prayer, which I said on my knees, and in a loud voice, all in the Huron tongue, I invoked the great master of heaven and earth to inspire u* with what should be for His glory, and our good. 1 cursed till the demons of Hel), who are spirits of division; 1 prayed the Guardian Angels of the whole country, to touch the hearts of those who heard me, when my words should strike their ear. I greatly astonished them, when they heard me naming all by nations, by tribes, by families, and each particular individual of any note; and all by aid of my manuscript, which was a matter as wonderful, as it was new to them. At each present they heaved a powerful ejaculation from the bottom of the chest, in testimony of their joy. I was full two hours making my whole speech, talking like a chief* and walking about like an actor over a stage, as is their custom. After that they grouped together apart in nations and tribes, calling to them a Mohawk , who by good luck, was there. They consulted together for the space of two hours MISSIONS l» WESTERN NEW YORK. 91 longer. Finally they called me among them, and seated rne in an honorable place. The Chief.who is the tongue of the country, repeated faith- fully, as orator, the substance of all my words. Then all set to singing in token of their gratification; I was told to pray God on my side, which I did very willingly. After these songs he spoke to me in the name of his nation. 1. Ha thanked Onnontio for his good disposition towards them; b3 brought forward, for this purpose, two large belts of Wampum. 2. He thanked us, in the name of the Mohawk Iroquois, for having given their lives to five of their allies of the Mohegan nation. Two other belts for that. 3. He thanked us, in the name of the Seneca Iroquois, for having drawn five of their tribe, out of the fire, two more bells; ejaculations, from the whole assembly, follow each present. In concluding these remarks, the Onondaga Chief took up the word. Listen, Oxdessonk, said he to me; five entire nations speak to thee through my mouth ; my breast contains the sentiments of the Iroquois Nations; and my tongue', responds faithfully to my breast. Thou wilt tell Ownontio, the Governor of Canada, four things, the sum of ail our councils. 1. We are willing to acknowledge Him of whom thou hast spoken, who is the Master of our lives, who is as yet unknown to us. 2. Cur council tree is this clay planted at Onondaga, (meaning that there would be, henceforth, the place of their meetings, and of their negotiations for peace.) 3. We conjure you to select, on the banks of our great lake, an advantageous site, for a French settlement. Fix yourself in the heart of the country, since you ought to possess our 1 ' hearts. There we shall go for instruction, and from that point -jm will be able to spread yourself abroad ; 32 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NSW f ORK. in every direction. Be nnto us careful as Fathers, and we ■sLall he unto you, submissive as children. 4. We are now engaged in new wars; Qn.vostio encour- ages us; we shall entertain so other thought towards him-, than those of peace. They reserved their richest presents for these last four words; but lean assure.you that their countenances told more than their tongues, and expressed such joy, mingled with gladness, that my heart was full. What appeared t:> me- most endearing in all this, was that our Huron christians and the captive women lighted this fire, which melts the hearts of the Iroquois. These poor captives had told them much good of us, and spoke so often of the great value of the Faith, that they prise it, without being acquainted with it;, and they love us> in the hope that we shall be for them what we have been for the Huron Indians. The 12th of August Our Christian captive:?, wishing to confess before my departure gave me employment, or rather the repose whish I wished for, I baptised a llttie girl of four Years who was dying. I recovered from the hands of the*e barbarians, the New Testament of the late Father Jean db Buoebeuf, whom they put to a cruel death five years ago, and a small book of devotion, which was used by the late Father Charles Garnier, whom they also killed four years aor>. The 13th. Came the leave taking. Observing the cus- tom of friends on similar occasions, having convoked the council, I made them two presents to console them. And with this view, I first planted in the name of AchiEs&asse ; (which is the general appellation of the General Superior of sill our Society's missions in this country,) the first post of which to begin a cabin. This is like laying in France, the first or corner stone of a house, one intends to build. My second present was to place the first strip of bark to cover MISSIONS IX WESTERS SEW YORK. 93 the cabin. This evidence of affection satisfied them, and three or four of their chiefs thanked me publicly in speeches which, one could not be persuaded, issued from the lips of men called savages. We arrive at the entrance of a small lake, in a large half dried basin; we take the water of a spring that they durst •not drink, saving that there is a demon in it, which renders it fceted, having tasted it I found it was a fountain of salt- water; and, in fact, we made salt from it, as natural as that from the sea; of which we carried a sample to Quebec." (When the report reached New York, then New Amster- dam, that Le Moyne had made the discovery of salt water at Onondaga, the Dutch pronounced it, '' a Jesuit lie! " The 17th. We enter their river, and at a quarter of a league meet on the left the Seneca river, which increases this; it leads they say to Cayuga (Onion) and to the Sen- eeas in two sunsets. At three leagues of a fine road from there, we have the river Oneida, (Oneiout) which appears to us very deep. Finally a good league lower down we meet a rapid which gives the name to a village of fisher- men. I found there some of our Christians and some Hu- ron Christian women whom I have not yet seen. Before the return of Le Moyne an embassy of Ononda- gas arrived at Quebec, soliciting the Jesuits to establish a permanent residence among them. This request was immediately granted and Father ChAu- monet, a veteran Missionary in New France, and Claude Dallon, who had recently arrived an the country, were assigned to the duty. They left Quebec on the 19th of September 1655, and proceeding by the way of St. Lawrence and Lake Ontario, arrived on the oth of October within a quarter of a league of the "Onondaga village. Here they were met by a de- ■ putation of chiefs, who received them with speeches and 94 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. welcomed them to their country. As they passed to the Council House, the roof of the wig-warns were crowded with persons, anxious to obtain a sight of the pale faces. The Jesuits immediately assembled the scattered mem- bers of the church which had formerly existed in the Hu- ron country, now captive among the Onondagas, but which might serve as a nucleus for their future operations. They visited the salt springs, which they describe as near the Onondaga lakes, and as flowing through a beautiful meadow, surrounded by trees of lofty height. Near by the Springs, and within one hundred paces, they found fresh water issuing from the same hill. On the 12th of November, they witnessed the torture of a young Erie, nine or ten years old, who was burnt alive before a slow fire, and expired in two hours, without utter- ing a groan or complaint. On the 17th they finished their chapel, which they nam- ed the church of St. Peter and Paul, it being the first house dedicated to Christian worship in the Northern or Western part of our State. D' Albion remained with the Onondagas until the following Spring, when, leaving CnAi> mont in the Mission, lie returned toMontreal. In September 165a, three distinguished Seneca Chiefs arrived at Quebec from the Genesee country; called Sonon- tonan, for the purpose of forming a friendly alliance with the Algonquins, French and remnants of the Hurons. They were followed by a larger delegation in January 1656, con- sisting of ten Chiefs, the principal one of v%hom is described fts wise and skillful in managing the affairs of the nation, and possessed of rare and persuasive eloquence. They de- sired the Jesuits to visit their country, and teach them those truths, of which their Huron captives had informed th^m. The cantons of the Fiva Nations being now apparently MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 95 thrown open to the operations of the Jesuits, preparations were made to occupy the field in full force. There was still great distrust of the sincerity of the Iro- quois for their former perfidy fc and cruelty and the tragedies they enacted in the Huron country, were still fresh, in the memory of the French. A captive Huron, who had escaped from Onondagn, told them the design was, to induce as many French as possible, to trust themselves in the country, and then to put them all to death. "But it was no part of the Jesuit creed to shrink from danger. ' The blood of martyrs is the seed of Christians,' was his axiom; and the blood shed by the Iroquois cried not for vengeance, but for pardon and mercy. The Mission must go on, and Fathers Mesnard, D'Ablon, Frenieu, Broar and Boursier, under the guidance of their spiritual head, Francois Le Mercier, left for the Central Iroquois tribe on the 1 7th May, 1656/' (0. II. Marshall.) They suffered much in their journey. Not far from the present village of Liverpool, on the northern shore of the Lake, they fixed their habitation. The u Te Denm" was p 11110 ■; a firm treaty of peace was ratified, and the Onondagas and Senecas were adopted as brothers; the Oneidas and Cayu- gas as children of the great Oxnontio, Governor of New France. On iheir arrival, they met twenty Christian Huron cap- tives, who showed their unbounded joy at seeing Father Ciialwioxt, whom- they had known in the Huron country. Some threw themselves on his neck; some invited him to a feast; others gave hka presents.. Prayers were said in the open air, a cabin being too smaJi to contain them. The Father heard their confessions, and instructed these poor souls who had heard nothing of God since their captivity. He also says; "The Ilurons of the upper country, who had. 9b MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. never been instructed, on account of their aversion to the faith, have also begun to yield; so true it is, that affliction gives a right understanding. We have baptised in different times, in sundry places, more than four huudred and fifty savages, of all ages, notwithstanding the obstacles of the wars in which they are engaged. If we can sustain preachers of the Gospel in these countries, which I call the country of martyrs, many more will be baptised." Truly they might expect success for these missionaries, since all could truly utter the words of Father Chaumont, who ?poke the Indian language fluently, and who, in his address to the assembled Council of savages, said : "Not for traffic, do we appear in your country; our aim is much higher. Keep your beaver, if you like, for the Dutch. What comes to our hand shall be employed for your 'service. We seek not perishable things. For the faith alone, have we left our land; for the faith, have we traversed the ocean; for the faith, have we left the great ships of the French, to enter \our tiny canoes; for the faith, I hold in my hand this present, and open my lips to summon you to keep your word, given at Quebec. There you solemnly promised io hearken to the words of the Great God ; they are in my mouth ; hear them V Then running over the principal doc- trines of Christianity, he called upon them to say whether they were not just, and summoned them by their hope of bliss, or fear of chastisement, to embrace the faith. 11 is discourse produced a profound sensation: they built the Church of St. Mary, the Christian captives hastened to receive the sacraments many were baptised. " From that time the missionaries performed all their duties with the same freedom as if they were in the midst of a colony of French, and the missionaries well knew, in their hearts, those of whom the Holy Spirit had taken possession. The next year, it became necessary to enlarge the chapel, which MISSION'S IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 9< could not contain all those who wished to be instructed. " — Clark. In the year 1657, the harvest appearing plentiful in all the villages of the upper Iroquois, (Oayugas and Seneeas,) the common people listening to the words of tbe Gospel with simplicity, and the chiefs with a well-disguised dis- simulation — Father Paul Ragueneau, Father Francois Du Peron, some Frenchmen and several Hurons, departed from Montreal, the 26th July, to aid their brethren and compatriots. On the third day of the month of August, of the same year, 16.57, the perfilyof the Iroquois chiefs, urged on by emissaries from New York, began to develop itself, by the massacre of the poor Hurons who had been brought into the country, after thousands of protestations of kindness, and thousands of oaths, in Indian style, that they should threat them as brothers. Had not a number of Iroquois remained among the French, near Quebec, to endeavor to bring with them the rest of the Hurons, who, distrusting these traitors, would not embark with the others, the Fath- ers and the Frenchmen who ascended with them, would have then been destroyed; and all those who remained on the banks of Lake Ganatoa, near to Onnontaque, would, shortly after, have shared the same fate. But the fear that the French would wreak vengeance on their countrymen retarded their design, of which our Fathers had had secret intelligence, immediately on their arrival in the country. Even a captain, who was acquainted with the secret of the chiefs, having taken some liking to the preachings of the Gospel, and finding himself very sick, demanded baptism ; having received it with sufficient instruction, he revealed the evil designs of his countrymen to those who attended him, and went a short time afterwards to Heaven. The diplomacy of the Dutch, who from New Amsterdam, 93 ' MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORE!. now New York, sought to detach the Indians, from the French; and the jealousies of trade, caused the Indian mind to be poisoned by hundreds of slanders, vain fancies, and suspicions ; to this a missionary adds, at the dis- astrous time just mentioned, the following: " I believe rather that the Onnontaque Iroquois, demand- ed some Frenchmen in sincerity, but with views very different. The chiefs, finding themselves engaged in heavy wars, against a number of nations whom they had provoked, asked for Huron's as reinforcements to their warriors; they wished for the French to obtain firearms for them, and to repair those which might be broken. Further, as the Mohawks treated them very ill, when passing through their villages to trade with the Dutch,, they were anxious to rise out of this dependence, by opening a trade with the French. This is not all, the fate of arms being fickle, they demanded, that our Frenchmen should erect a vast fort in their country, to serve as a retreat for them, or at least for their wives and children, in case their enemies pressed too close on them. Here are the views of the Iroquois politi- cians. The common people did not penetrate so far ahead ; curiosity to see strangers, come fro-m such a distance and the hope of deriving some little profit, created a desire to see them ; but the Christian Hurons and captives among the people, and those who approved their lives and conver- sations, which they sometimes held regarding our be-lief, desired nothing in the world so much, as the coming of preachers of the Gospel, who had brought these Hurons to the faith of Jesus Christ. But, as soon as the Cheif says the dreaded Cat, or Erie nation, subjugated by, their arms, their policy changed.*' The political and commercial intrigues of the day, entrap- ed the Indians to a course which has been their ruin, ami which leaves their sad remnant still pagan. They were missions in Testers sew york. C9 taught to suspect the missionaries, whose death was planned Hut almost by miracle, the missionaries and their com- panions, all escape-l on the 26th Much 1658. Thus ended for a time, after a brief existence, tit 3 mission of Su Marys •of Ganentau, in the Onondagas country, with its dependant missions among the Oneidas, Cat 110a, Senecas, it was now vrushed; but its effect was not lost, many had been brought to the faith, and more were convinced of the truth and beauty of Christian"! ty but for motives of policy, they still hung back. A powerful Indian, Garacontic, though up to their departure, no sign had betrayed his favorable ■opinion of Christianity, now became openly the protector of the Cbritians. Garacontic, by presents and arguments rescued as many Christians as he could, in all the cantons. At Onondaga, morning and night, by a bell, he called twenty four of those rescued Christians to prayer. On Sundays he gave feasts, now in one cabin, now another, to enable the Christians to spend the day in prayer. It is to be hoped that the Cayuga chief JSaonchiogua, the warm friend of Garacontic, did the same for Cayuga; and others, for the Senecas. This friend of Garacontic, injuly 1660 presented him- self with a flag of truce, before the walls of Montreal, and demanded, "That the holy women, (nuns) may come to •see us, both those who take care of the sick, and those who instruct the young. We will build them fine cabins, and the fairest mats in the country are destined for them. Let tbem not fear the currents, or rapids, r^we have removed them all, and rendered tke riper so smooth, that they could ■themselves* without pain or fear, ply the light -paddle. A black-gown must come with me, otherwise no peace; and, on his coming depends the lives of twenty Frenchmen at Onondaga." The returned captives declared that the Indian women were uuanimously for Christianity, &c. The 100 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. intrepid missionary Le Moyne, then nearly sixty years of age, joyfully prepared for a mission which seemed to pro- mise martyrdom, On the 12th August, 1660, Father Le idoYNE was solemnly received at the Mission-hou.se, by tfie sachems of Onondaga, Cayuga, and' Seneca. In his poor chapel, French, Huron and Iroquois- assembled around the same altar, each cbaunting m his own tongue- the words of truth and life. Ever on the march, village after village, received his missionary visks, and everywhere his presence was gladly welcomed. But he passed through many dan- gers. An enraged savage once burst into his chapel, to destroy the crucifix : Father Le Moyxe sprang between the altar and the savage, and bared his own head for the blow ; but the murchever's hand was caught by sachems, who were p resent, as the tomahawk glbtened in the air.'" The simple words of the Jesuit- missionary will here npt be out of place; in 1>66&, the missionary writes: " I am going to finish this letter bv the baptism of a captive brought from the Audastoques, He was about fifty years of age, and he- appeared to have been of consid- erable note among his own nation. They held him for some days in, the uncertainty of death-, during which time,. he thought far more oS making his escape, than of securing the salvation of his soul. At length, being- assured by Father Garnier that there was no chance of their allowing him. to be delivered t'oc any presents, he thanked; the Father with as much ; flection as if he had- given him assurance of life: and he commenced with a goodwill to repeat the instructions which tliey had taught him in the- chapel. Father Millet after having duly prepared), baptized him. The captive was immediately aftei wards carried back to the- same cabin, where he was kept, the rest of the day, fur the amusement of those who came to see him, and who made him. sing according to their custom. Fortunately for him the MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW TORE. 101 Father met him on the way, when they were carrying him to another cabin to burn him. 'T approached him 1 ' said the Father in one of his letters "and after having consoled him, and encouraged him to suffer with constancy, doubted whether I should go "further; but a savage, having told me to go boldly with him, to instruct him, I determined to go, and arrived at the cabin as soon as the captive, and sat down by him. They were already preparing the fires and irons, with which he was to suffer, on seeing this sad preparation, he turned towards me, and asked if he would go to heaven: this question moved me, and I told him he would go to heaven, that he should take courage, that he would only suffer for a short time, and that he would then be eternally happy. He then repeated with me, over and over again : Lord have mercy upon me, until they told me the time for instruction was up, and that I should retire. I left him with regret resolved to return the next day. True enough, I returned the next morning at break of day ; 1 approached the captive, and told him I was sorry to see him in such a state. He assured me that I gave him great pleasure I v speaking so: and when an Iroquois was ready to place a red hot iron upon his toot, I saw him rise it up himself, and keep ir thus raised up against the red hot iron, until it had lost the greatest part of its heat. They had not as vet burnt him any higher than his knees ; but scarcely had the sun rose, when they uttered the cry through the ullage, for every one to assemble; they then conducted him towards the gate, where they had built two fires, and had driven a stake with which to fasten his hands and feet. When this miserable captive saw himself, thus fastened between two fires, he commenced trembling all over his body, and I never saw anything that reminded me more of our Lord, at the pillar, and the fear which caused 102 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. Lis bloody sweat in the garden of Olives; The more I saw him afflicted, the more I endeavored to console and comfort him. During the time of his sufferings, I kept close to him, sometimes throwing- myself on my knees, and praying for the salvation of his soul, sometimes saying some good word to him, when they gave him some relaxation; and encouraging him to turn his eyes to heaven, and to pray for his eternal salvation. He suffered with so much constancy, that he was admired by every one; all believed, that the rain, which fell for some days afterwards, was caused by his death. The savages were edified by the manner in which I assist- ted him in his sufferings, and they asked so many questions as to give me the opportunity of instructing them upon our mysteries. This work of assisting captives, when they are burned alive, and whm they are eaten, in the presence of the mis- sionary, requires a great deal of courage, and for one who has a natural horror of seeing men burnt and eaten, as is the case with a new missionary, there is great need of being well fortified with grace. Besides this captive, there were thirty others baptized this year, in the mission of the Onontagues, the most of them are d^ad and in heaven, praying to God for the salvation of their brethren." Dutch traders soon ii >oded the canton with intoxicating liquors; hence Father Le Movne disgusted, gladly accepted an invitation to visit Cayuga, then ravaged by an epedem- ick. He ministered to the sick, .and saved many. A month was too short for him to confess the Christians, baptise their children, and instruct them all. He then returned to Onon- daga. Garacontic had, during his absence, baffled the war party who had plotted the death of Le Moyne. The fervent missionary returned. He had preached to captive Indians of ten different tribes, baptised two hundred infants, and won several adults to the faith. During his stay at MISSIONS IX WESTERN" NEW YORK. 103 Onondaga, Christian Indians, especially women, came fre- quently from other cantons, nuclei* various pretexts, to profit by his sacred ministry. Some of them, by their piety and virtue, won their mistresses to the faith, and brought them to receive instruction from him. After the departure of Le Moyne the war broke out anew; the Mohawks and Oneidas were defeated by the Chippewas. Near Conestogues, (called by the Hurons, Andastes, Andastogues, and Gandastagues.) pressed hard on the Western Cantons. The scattered Algonquins resumed courage, and cut off Iroquois parties, but being now Christians, they did not perpetrate on their prisoners, the fiendish cruelties usual with them before their conversion. Giving the prisoners a missionary, and time for instruction, they led them out and shot them. The pagan Indians, seeing this exclaimed : "Good, good! when we will become Christians, we shall do so too." In the spring of 1664,- the Indians, especially the Seneeas, asked for missionaries. Le Moyne offered to go, but the French, so often deceived, refused. A Cayuga chief headed a del- egation of his tribe, but he also failed. Le Moyne died November 24, 1665. His death was mourned as a public loss by the French. The Iroquois sent presents to wipe away the tears for his death. His place was soon filled by Fathers James Fkemin and Peter Reffaix. We cannot follow the zealous missionaries in their devoted labors on the Mohawk River. Many are the traits of truly apostolic zeal shown by these missionaries— many the instances of saintly virtue in their neophytes. At Canawago, Montgomery county, the child, Catherine Teaghokuita, already began to develop the high sanctity which has made her name famous. "Fervor pervaded all, and converts were made who never swerved from the faith. The Catholic Indians of the Mohawk were now known and ridiculed by the people of Albany, who had never made G 304 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. an attempt to introduce Christianity there. The burghers of Albany and New York even threatened the squaws for displaying their < beads and popish trumpery' in their vil- lages ; but, far from concealing these marks of their faith, the noble Mohawk women were ready to die for it," Onondaga, the central mission, was now established on a firm basis; the Offices of the Church were celebrated, the sacraments administered, and Christian virtues practiced as regularly and carefully as in the most Catholic parts of Europe. In a short time, two hundred were baptised— among them, five chieftain a, pillars of the Church ; one of whom, in a ^public assembly, advocated the faith as the only hope of saving their country, by restoring morality, and, above all, fidelity in marriage, and in their relations with each other, the want of which had been more destruc- tive than armies. The women, especially listened to the words of truth and the l Relations' of the missionaries dwell with interest on the noble death of Magdalen Tiotonharason,w1io had gone to Quebec to learn the prayer, (Christianity,) and who remained steadfast to her last sigh, amid the seduc- tions and persuasions of her unbelieving relatives. The bold stand of the missionaries against polygamy, had won to their cause all the women, who felt indeed the crimes, to which their actual state often gave rise. The Church was composed of three nations— Onondagas, Hurons and Neutrals — all bound together by the common tie of faith, which made master and slave kneel down side by side. Obstacles were no longer raised by the medicine- men, no sachem opposed the missionaries, and all gloried in the name of Christian. The reader will understand better the cause, not of the failure of the mission, but of its being chased off by men, and transferred by God to another region — by reading the MISSION'S IK WESTERN NEW- XORK-. 105= following letters: one, from a New York Governor, who professed to be a Catholic, but who placed his politics high above his religion, who promised the Indians "English Black-Gowns," (they got Protestant ministers, who would not stay with them ;) and one from a Jesuit priest — both copied from "Documents Relating to the Colonial History of New York," Vol III., pages 438, etc. : " Propositions to the Five Nations westward, viz. : to the cheife Sachems and Captains of the Senekes, Cajouges, Onondages, Onneydes and Maquasse by the Gov r in the Citty Hall of Albany, the fifth day of August, 1687, ic the third year of his Maj ties Reigue: "Brethren: — "I am verry gladd to see you all here in this house and am heartely gladd that you have sustained no greater losse by the French, tho' I beleive there intention was to destroy you all, if they could have surprised you in your castles ; and as soon as I heard of there designe to warr with you, I gave you notice of itt, and came up here my-, selfe that I might bee ready to give you all the assistance and advice, that soe short a time would allow me My advice is, further, to you^ that Messengers goe in, the behalfe of all the Five Nations to- tko Christian Ind ns att Cannada, to persuade them to come home, to their native Country, and to promisse them, s$ protection, which will be another great means to weaken your Enemies, and if they will not be actvised, then you know what to doe with them. I think itt verry necessary for the Brethren's security and assistance, and to the. endamaging the French, to build a Fort upon the Lake, where I may keepe stores and provisions in case of necessity, and therefore I would have the Brethren let me know what place will be most convenient for itt. . . . There, is no advice or proposition that I made to the Brethren, all the while that the Priest 106 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. lived att Onondaga, butt hee writt itt to Cannada, as I have found by one of bis letters tbat hee bad given to an Indyan to carry to Cannada, and was brought here ; there- fore I desire the Brethren not to receive him or any French Priests any more, having sent for English Priests, whom you can be supplyed with, all to content." KEV. DEAN DE LAMBERVILLE TO GOV. DONGA.N. Onontaque 10th Sept. 1685. My Lord " I bad the honor not long since to write to you; it was last month. Since the dispatch of my last letter, the Senecas who were desirous to make trouble and to persuade the Mohawks and other villages to unite with them against Moris. DeLaBarre, have changed their minds; since they were assured that the peace concluded -last year, as you desired, would not be broken by M. De La Barre, as they were maliciously told, and as a hundred false reports which are never ceased being related would persuade them. * * * Since peace, through your care, will apparently last, we shall continue to cany the Christian faith, through this country, and to solicit the Indians, whom your honor with your friendship, to embrace it as you yourself embrace it, tor this is the sole object that has caused us to come here, that the blood of Jesus Christ shed for all men may be useful to them, and that His glory may be great through- out the earth. If you will please to honor me with a line from your hand you can have your letter given to one named Garak- •ontie who is deputed from the Onnontagues to repair to the Diet which you have convoked at Albany. Do him the charity to exhort him to be a good Christian, as he was whose name he bears, and who was his brother. Recom- mend him I beseech you not to get drunk any more, as he promised when he was baptized, and to perform the duties MISSIONS IX WESTERN NEW YORK. 107 of a Christian. , Oue word from you will have a wonderful effect on his mind, an i he will publish throughout that it is not true that the English forbid them to be Christians since you who command them will have exhorted him to per- severe therein/' The border war ended with the peace of Ryswick, in 1697, and the French then hoped as much as the English dreaded, to see the restoration of the Jesuits' missions. The. seed of opposition sown by Dongan had now grown to ripeness, and a new Governor, an Irish peer, of deep-rooted; fanaticism, ruled the destines of New York. One of his first acts was to warn the Indians, against the French priests. Mindful of Dongan's promise- of English Black-gowns, the deputies asked Bellamont to fulfill it, Accordingly, Dellixs, the Dutch pastor at Albany, was appointed missionary to the Mohawks, alt-hough: he never took up his residence among them, and limited his ministry to occasional visits, when he preached by an interpreter, and to the administration of baptism, to such children as were brought to him in Albany. Such a man hardly seemed to the Indians a successor of zealous Catholic priests, whose cabins had so long been seen in their viMages. Dis- appointed in their application to New York, they naturally turned to Canada for religious teachers. Bellai*iont was provoked, and resolved to exclude the Jesuite, unblushingly declaring, "that the Five Nations had earnestly implored him to drive out the Jesuits who oppressed them," although he knew that since 1685 there had been no missionary in the cantons, except Father Milet, and he not an oppressor^ but oppressed, a prisoner and a slave. To carry out his plan, he sent to the Assembly the .draft of a bill against Jesuits and priests. It was not relished : several of the missionaries had, at various times, visited the colonies; they were known and esteemed by the leading l0& MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. men, who had thus been enabled to see Catholicity in its workings, which the infatuated Governor had not. The Council negatived the bill : Bella&ont, voting as a mem- ber, made a tie, and then voting again as Governor, carried his point, and made it the law of the land. Assuming the Iroquois to be subjects of the English monarch, and with still greater disregard of truth, averring that "Jesuit priests and popish missionaries, had lately Come into, and for some time had their residence in remote parts of the province, to excite hostility against the English government," the bill enacts that every priest in the colony, "after the 1st of November, be deemed an incendiary, a disturber of the 'public peace, and an enemy of the Christian religion;" and condemned him to perpetual imprisonment^ and, in case of escape, to death, if retaken. The generous burghers, and their clergy, who had so often showed hospitality to the French missionaries, were, by the same act, threatened with a heavy fine, and with the pillory, should they ever again harbor a priest under their roofs. Bellamont had sought to prevent the Iroquois from making any separate peace with the French; but on Fron- tenac's death, the cantons sent deputies to 'the St. Law- rence to condole with the colony. This was not, however, their only care; they asked that Father Bruyas should be sent among them, and the eider De LaMberville, be re- called from France to resume his old mission. The answer was '-ikferred, but on the coming of a second embassy, Father Bruyas, with Joncaire and Maricourt, adopted Iroquois, set out for Onondaga. Here they were received by Tegamissoran with much solemnity, and all terms having been arranged, peace was signed at Montreal, on the 8th of September, 1700, by deputies of all the nations. To carry out its provisions, Bruyas visited Onondaga MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 109 again in 1 701, and having brought back the French pris- oners, there, a new treaty was signed at Montreal by the French, Iroquois, Abnakis, Huroiis, Ottawas, Illinois, and Algon quins. No mention was made of the missions in this document ; but a deputation sent, at the request of Teoammissoran, in 1702, iuvited the return of the missionaries to their former posts, ? Fathers were accordingly sent everywhere," says Charlevoix, "and a cotemporary list numbers as Iroquois missionaries Father James de Lamberville, Julian Gar- nier and Le Vaillant, who renewed their labors among the Onondagas and Senecas." These missions the cantons bound themselves to maintain; and though a new war be- tween England and France soon broke out, the missionaries won the cantons to neutrality ; so that New York and Can- ada, then escaped all the horrors of Indian war. The missions accordingly continued, but we have no tidings of them. Father James D'Hetj, and Father Peter De Marenil joined the rest, and they labored on till 1708, when the English finally induced all but the Senecas to take up arms. By the extract of a letter from M. De Taudrenil to M. De Pontchaatrain, dated Quebec, 14th November 1709, it will be seen that anti- Catholic diplomacy outwitted the Jesuits; proving what Our Lord said: "the children of this world are wiser in their generations, than the children of light" " Abraham Schuyler having had a long conversation with the Reverend Father De La.mberville, and having likewise expressed to him his regret at being obliged to pre- sent the hatchet to the Indians, managed so well that he persuaded this good Father to come himself to Montreal to give me an account of what was passing; and, as he de- sired nothing better than to send off Father De Lamber- 110 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. tille, of whose influence over the. Onontagues he was aware, lie took advantage of his absence, as soon as he saw him depart, and told the Reverend Father De Marinel, who had remained, that his life was not safe, insinuated to him that the only means of extricating himself from certain danger, to which he was exposed was to accompany them to Orange, which this good father complied with, as appears by a copy of a letter, which he himsalf • addressed to Father D'HeUj Missionary at Seneca, and which I annex hereunto. In order to engage the Onontagues the more to declare war against as, Abraham Schuyler immediately made some drunken Indians set tire to the Father's chapel and house, which he first caused to be pillaged." — Documents, etc., CoJ. Hist, of X. Y., Vol. IX. P . SJO. In 1700 Earl Belmont writes his instructions to Romer, about locating a fort at Onondaga; he concludes thus: '-'You will do well to assure them, (the Indians,) of my kindness, provided they continue faithful to the kino-, and keep no correspondence with the French in Canada, nor receive amy of the priests and Jeviits among them. All which instructions you are carefully to observe and perform for His Majesty. 3d September, 1?00. Signed Belmont." > A fitting close, showing why New York Indians did not become Christians, will be found' in the following dispatch. In the official letter of Secretary Wraxall to Sir William Johnson, of January, 1756, we read: "The French de- bauched many of our five nations to their religion and in- terests, actually drew several off to- go and live in Canada, and laid the foundation of that formidable and fatal seduc- tion, which now forms the Cagnawaga nation. " Still profiting by our supineness, and presuming on the weakness of our Indian management, the French push a ^oint not; less indolent than., alarming, with the consent of MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. Ill some Onondaga Indians whom they had debauched to their interests. They built a fort, and were building a chapel at the Onondaga castle. Our Albany commissioners awoke; Coll Schuyler went up there with a party of men, de- stroyed both the fort and chapel, drove the French away, and strengthened our Indian interest. However we relapsed into our former indolence, and the French, though not so boldly, yet steadily pursued their measures." An unaccountable thirst for large tracts of land, without the design of cultivation, hath prevailed over the inhabi- tants of this and the neighboring provinces, with a singular rage. Patents have been lavishly granted, (to give it no worse term,) upon the pretence of fair Indian purchases, some of which the Indians have alleged were never made, but forged. Others bought of Indians who were no propri- etors; some by making two or three Indians drunk, and giv- ing them a trivial consideration. They say also, the survey- ors have frequently run patents vastly beyond even the pre- tended conditions or limits of sale, But at the same time it appeared, Firstly, That the con- federate nations, at their meeting with Coll Johnson, did with great reluctance take up the hatchet against the French and their Indians. Secondly, That they declined sending any of their people to join General Braddock. Thirdly; That they were not inclined to join General Shirley. He then advises that k ' The soldiers to be encouraged by some gratuities and advantages to marry such Indian women as will embrace Protestant Christianit}-." — Documents relating to Colonial Histoiy, Vol. VII, p. 16, etc. Who can tell what would have been the happy lot of the Indians, and that, still more glorious than at present, of our noble state, had not politics, and cupidity, and frantic hatred of 112 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. the Catholic religion wrested from the New York Indians all means of becoming Catholic Christians; other than that they never will be. In time, through great efforts and sac- rifices, some may be made tolerably decent gentiles; Chris- tians, never, but through the full form our Lord established. It would scarcely be just to pass on ward) without givino- some correct notion of the sanctity to which poor New York Indians had reached, long before their Christianity was placed under penal law* CHAPTER IX . GOSPEL FRUITS— SANCTITY AMONG THE INDIANS. A distinguished feature of the Catholic Church is, that the "good oder of Christ, will ever be found" wherever exterior or interior secular power, does not impede the sa- cred movements of the Christian Priesthood; fetter the di- vine Hierarchy of the Church of the Living God, "which is the body of Christ, and the fulness of Him;" or impede the due action of the Visible Head, on the living but scat- tered numbers. Then, always and everywhere, will be found many who can, in some just and true degree, say with St. Paul: "I live; now not I, but Christ Jesus lives in me." How wonderful a change did not the Jesuits effect in Paraguay ! An infidel combination chased away the Pas- tors ; " and the sheep of the flock were dispersed !" Most touching are the early annals of Mexican Christianity. The innocence and piety of the devoted early Mexican Christian Indians; still linger, with holy freshness, round many secluded spots, to which liberal, (illiberal, almost in- fidel) Christians had no access. Our General Pike, (who during the war of 1812, died heroically, the Patriot's MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 113 death at Fort Erie, opposite Buffalo,) having, before the Mexican revolution, strayed, with a small band of soldiers, into the Mexican territory, was made prisoner, and led to the City of Mexico. Treated with the greatest kindness, led through almost the whole country, abiding long enough to become intimately acquainted with it, he wrote a work on Mexico, in which he praised the general innocence and piety of the people, the estimable character of the priest- hood, and its beneficent action on the Indians. In 1810 the revolution began. More than twelve years of civil war, injured the vineyard of the Lord. But when the so called Liberals, adopted a form of Government for which, neither the traditions, nor the habits of the people were prepared, the Bishops and Spanish Priests, that is nearly all the well instructed clergy of the country were banished. The poor Indians were left with a handful of Priests, each often forced to say six or eight masses, every Sunday, in different and distant churches. In- struction, the frequentation of the Sacraments, &c, became for many, an impossibility. Add to this, that most of the Indian Christians, after having been legally robbed of their lands, by liberal speculators, were driven up the mountains, towards the region of eten^al snow, whither the few, over worked missionaries, could not follow them; strange then would it be, if many were not now sadly different from what they were when General Pike uttered his words of high commendation. It has been seen already, and will be seen yet more clearly, that here, also hostile opposition struggled, from the beginning, against " the grain of mustard seedy Still, almost from the beginning, the fruits of sanctity, gave evidence to the work of God. And that, too, in the very way which Scripture notes, as distinguish- ing God's work, from the work of the Father of lies. If the Redeemer was to be "Emmanuel," "God with 114 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. w*," he was also to be " The Son of David," " The man of sorroivs." He sought not to please himself; he watched ; he fasted; he suffered. David, who had seen the Lord, in distant blessed vision, caught his spirit, and says of himself: " I covered my soul in fasting; and it was made a reproach to me. And I made hair cloth my garment. I have la- bored in my groanings; every night I will wash my bed; 1 will water my couch with my tears. I have watched, and become as a sparrow, all alone on the house top. For 1 did eat ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping !" The holy youth Daniel tells us almost the same. St. Paul is eloquent, when he often alludes to how severely " he chastised the flesh, and brought it into sub- jection. In labor and painfulness, in watehings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. 1 ' Must not a Christian admire, and adore in his work, the Sa- viour God, who is "the same yesterday, to-day and forev- er: 1 ' when he sees the poor Indian, unknown to the Priest, and with an exaggerated zeal, which the Pastor checks as soon as known, practice the penances to which the spirit of God impelled his saints in every age. But it is time to be- gin the life of one, who, we will find, had many imitators. Letter from Father Cfioloneo, Missionary of the Society of Jesus to Father Augustine La Banc, Procurator of Mis.sious in Canada : At Sault de St. Louis, 27th Aug. 1715. My Reverend Father : The peace of our Lord be with you : The marvels which God is working every day through the intercession of a young Iroquois female who has lived and died among us in the order of sanctity, have induced me, to inform you of the particulars of her life. You have yourself been a witness of these wonders, when you dis- charged here, with so much zeal, the duties of a missiona- MISSIONS IN WESTERN SEW YORK. 115 ry, and you know that the exalted Prelate who governs this Church, touched by the prodigies, with which God has deigned to honor the memory of this holy maiden; has, with reason, called her "the Genevieve of ISew France." All the French who are in the colonies, as well as the In- dians, hold her iu singular veneration. They come from a great distance to pray at her tomb, and many, by her in- tercession, have been immediately cured of their maladies, and have received from Heaven other extraordinary favors. 1 will write you nothing, my Reverend Father, which I have not myself seen, during the time she was under my care, or which I have not learned of the missionary, who conferred on her the rite of holy baptism. TeaCtHokuita, (which is the name of this holy woman, about whom I am going to inform you,) was born in the year 1656, at Gandaugue, one of the settlements of the Ijwer Iroquois, who are called Agnez, (Mohawks.) Her lather was an Iroquois and a heathen; her mother, who was a Christian, was an Algonquin; taken prisoner by the Iroquois, she remained a captive in their country. We have since learned that, in the midst of heathens, she pre- served her faith, even to her death. By her marriage she had two children, one son and one daughter — -the latter of whom is the subject of this narrative — but the poor mother died, without having been able to procure for them, the grace of baptism. The small pox which ravaged the Iro- quois country, in a few days removed her husband, her son, and herself,. Teagmgkuita was also attacked like the others, but she did not sink\> as they did", under the violence of the disease. Thus, at the age of four years, she found herself an orphan, under the care of her aunts; and in the power of an uncle, who was the leading man in the settle- ment. When a little older, she occupied herself in rendering to 116 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. her aunt, all those services of which she was capable. She ground the com ;. brought water and wood; for such, among these Indians, are the ordinary employments of fe- males. Any spare time, she spent, in the manufacture of little articles, in which she displayed extraordinary skill. By this means she avoided two rocks which might have been fatal to her innocence — idleness, which is the source of many vices ; and the extreme passion which Indians have for gossipping visits, and for showing themselves in public places, where they can display their finery. The young Teaghokuita had naturally a distaste for all vain display, but she could not oppose the persons who stood to her in the place of father and mother, and to please them, she had sometimes recourse to ornaments. But after she be- came a Christian, she looked back upon this as a sin, and expiated her compliance by severe penance, and almost continual tears. M. De Tracy, having been sent by the government to chastise the Iroquois, who had laid waste our colonies; car- ried the war into their country, and burned three villages of the Mohawks. This expedition spread terror among the Indians, and they acceded to the terms of peace which were offered them. Their deputies were well received by the French, and a peace concluded to the advantage of both nations. We availed ourself of this occasion, which seemed a favo- rable one, to send missionaries to the Iroquois. They had already some smattering of the Gospel which v had been preached to them by Father Joques, and particularly those of the Onontagues, among whom this Father had fixed his residence. It is well known that this missionary received there that recompense of martyrdom which well befitted his zeal. The labors of his two companions were crown- ed with the same holy death of martyrdom, and it is with- MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 117 out doubt, to the blood of these first Apostles of the Iro- quois nation, that we must ascribe the blessings, which God poured out on the zeal of those, who succeeded them. Father Fremin, Father Brugas, and Father Pierron, who knew the language of the country, were chosen to accompany the Iroquois deputies. The missionaries hap- pened to arrive, at a time when these people are accustom- ed to plunge into all kinds of debauchery; hence they found no one in a fit state to receive them. This, how- ever, procured for the youug Teaghokuita the advantage of early knowing those, whom God sent to instruct her in the way of perfection. She was charged with the task of lodging the missionaries, and attending to their wants. The modesty and sweetness with which she acquitted herself of this duty, touched her new guests; while she, on her part, was struck with their affable manners, their regularity in prayer, and their daily pious exercises. God even then, disposed her to the grace of Baptism, which she would have requested, if the missionaries had remained longer in her village. The third day after their arrival they were sent for to Tionnontoquen, where their reception was to take place; it was very pompous. Teaghokuita being now marriageable, her relatives were anxious to find a husband for her; because, according to the custom of the country, the game which the husband kills in the chase, is appropriated to the benefit of his wife, and the other members of his family. But the young Ir- oquois had inclinations, very much opposed to the designs of her relations. She had a great love for purity, even be- fore she knew the excellence of this virtue, and anything which could in the least soil it, impressed her with horror. When, therefore, they proposed to establish her in life, she excused herself, under different pretexts; alleging, above 1 18 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. ali, her extreme youth, and the little inclination she had for marriage. The relations seemed to approve of these reasons; but a little while after they resolved to betroth her, when she least expected it; and, without even allowing her a choice in the person to whom she was to be united. They, there- fore, cast their eyes upon a young- man, whose alliance ap- peared desirable, and made the proposition both to him and to the members of his family. The matter being set- tled on both sides, the young man, in the evening, entered the wigwam, which was destined for him, and seated him- self near her. It is thus that marriages are made among the Indians; and, although these heathens extend their li- centiousness to the greatest excess, yet is there no nation which in public, guards so scrupulously that outward de- corum, which is the attendant of perfect modesty. A young man would be forever dishonored, if he should stop to converse publicly with a young Woman. Whenever marriage is in question, the business is to be settled by the parents and the parties most interested, are not even per- mitted to meet. It is sufficient that they are talking of the marriage of a young Indian with a young woman, to force them to shun seeing each other. When the parents on both sides have agreed, the young man comes by night to the wigwam of his future spouse, and seats himself near her; which is the same as declaring, that he takes her tor his wife, and she takes him for her husband. Tegahkou- ita appeared utterly disconcerted, when she saw the young man seated by her side. She at first blushed, and then ri- sing abruptly*, went forth, indignantly, from the wigwam, nor would she return until the youn'g man left it. This firmness rendered her relatives outrageous. They consid- ered it an insult to them, and resolved not to be disap- pointed. They, therefore, attempted other stratagems; tolSSioSfS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. ll& \vhieh served only to show, more clearly, the firmness of their neice. Artifice not having proved successful, they had recourse to violence. They now treated her as a slave, obliging her to do everything painful and repulsive, and malignantly in- terpreting all her actions, even when most innocent I'hey reproached her, without ceasing, for want of attachment to her relations, and for stupidity. They 'attributed it to a secret hatred of the Iroquois nation, because she was her- self of the Algonquin race. In short, the;p omitted no means of shaking her constancy. The young girl suffered all this ill-treatment with un- wearied patience; and, without ever losing her equanimity of mind, or her natural sweetness, she rendered them all the service they required, with an attention and docility, beyond her years and strength. By degrees her Natives were softened, restored to her their kind feelings, and did not further molest her. At this very time, Father Jacques de LambeRville, was coud noted by Providence, t® the village of our young Iroquois, and received orders from his superiors to remain there, although it seemed most natural that he should go on to join Ms brother, who had charge of the mission to the Iroquois of Onnontague. Teaghokuita did not fail to be present at the instructions, and prayers, which took place every day in the chapel, but she did not dare to dis- close the design, which she had for a long time formed, of becoming a Christian. But at length, the occasion of declaring her desire pre- sented itself, when she least expected it. A wound which she had received in the foot^ detained her in the village) whilst the greater part of the women were in the field-, gathering the harvest of Indian corn. The missionary had selected this time to go his rounds, aud instruct at his leis* 120 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. Tire, those who were remaining ii* the wigwams. He eo- tered that of Teachjokuita. Thi^ good girl, on seeing- him, was not able to restrain her joy. She at once opened her heart to bins, even in the presence of h«r companions; declaring the earnest desire- she had to be admitted into the Christian fold. She disclosed, also, the obstacles on the part of her family } and in this first conversation r showed great courage. The goodness of her temper, the vivacity of her spirit, her simplicity and candor, caused the' missionary to believe, that one day she would make great progress in vir- tue He therefore, applied himself particularly to- instruct her in the truths of Christianity; but he did not judge it proper to yield to her entreaties, for the grace- of Baptism should not be accorded to adults, particularly m this coun- try, but with great care, and after long probation* All the winter, therefore, was employed in her instruction, and in a rigid investigation of her conduct. It is surprising, that, notwithstanding the propensity these Indians have for slander, the missionary found none, that did not give high encomiums to the young catechu- men. Even those who had persecuted her most severely, were not backward in giving their testimony to her virtue. The Priest, therefore, no longer hesitated to administer to her holy Baptism, which she craved so earnestly . She re- ceived it on Easter Day, in the year 1676, and was named Catherine, and it is thus that I shall call her, in the rest of this letter. The only care of the young neophyte, was now to fulfil the engagements she had contracted. She did not wish to restrict herself to usual observances; for she felt that she was called to a more perfect life. Besides the public instructions, at which she was present punctual- ly, she requested particular directions for the regulation of her private aud hidden life. Her prayers, her devotions? and her penances, were arranged with the utmost exact- MISSIONS IS WESTERN SEW YORK. 121 n*ss, ami she was so docile in herself, conforming to the plan of perfection, which had been marked out for her that, in a little time, she became a model of virtue. In this manner several months passed away very peacea- bly. Even her relations did not seem to disapprove of the new course of life, which she *was leading. But the Holy Spirit has warned us, that the faithful soul, which begins to unite itself to God, roust prepare for temptation: this was verified in the case of Catherine. Her extraordinary virtne drew upm her the persecutions, even of those who admired her. They looked upon a life so pure, as a tacit reproach to their own irregularities and with the design of discrediting it, they had recourse to divers artifices. But the confidence which the neophyte had in God, the dis- trict she felt of herself, her oonstancy in prayer, and that delicacy of conscience, which made her dread even the shadow of sin, gave her a perfect victory over the enemies of her innocence. The exactness with which Catherine observe! the festi-. val days in the chapel was the Cause of another storm. The chaplet recited by two choirs, is an exercise of holy clays * this kind of psalmody awakens the attention of the neo- phytes and animates their devotion. They execute the hymns and sacred canticles, which our Indians chant, with much exactness and harmony; for they have a fine ear, a good voice, and a rare taste for music. She never omitted tlrs exercise. But her relations took it ill, that on these days* she abstained from going to work, with the others, in the field. At length, they came to bitter words, cast upon her the reproach, that Christianity had made her effeminate, and nocustomed her to an indolent life. They did not even allow her anything to eat, to oblige her by means of famine,, to follow her relations and to aid in their labor. The neo- phyte bore, with constancy, their reproach and contempt; 122 ttlSStOttS ifc WESTERN NEW tORlt; and preferred on those holy days, to do without nourish* ment, rather than violate the law, which required the obser- vance of festivals, or to omit the ordinary practices of piety ■. This firmness, which nothing could shake, irritated more and more her heathen relatives, Whenever she went to the chapel, they caused her to b£ followed by drunken people, or those who feigned drunkenness; so that, to avoid their insults, she was often obliged to take the most circuitous paths. Even the children pointed their ringers at her* and in derision called her ''The Christian." One day, when she had retired to her wigwam, a young man entered ab- ruptly, his eyes sparkling with rage, and a hatchet in his hand, which he raised as if to strike her. Perhaps he had no other design than to frighten her. But whatever might have been his intentions, Catherine contented herself with modestly bowing her head, without showing the least emo- tion. This intrepidity, so little expected, astonished him to such a degree, that he immediately took to flight, as if terrified by some invisible power. It was in such trials of her patience and piety, that Catherine spent the summer and autumn which followed her baptism. The winter brought her a little more tran- quillity. fStill she had to sutler from one of her aunts. This woman, who was deceitful and dangerous, could not endure the regular life of her niece, and therefore constantly condemned even her most innocent actions and words. It is a custom among these Indians, that uncles give the name of daughters to their nieces, and nieces reciprocally call their uncles by the name of father. It happened) how- ever, once or twice, that Catherine called the husband of her aunt by his proper name, and not by that of father; but it was entirely owing to mistake or want of thought. Yet the evil-minded aunt pretended to believe that this expression, which seemed too famib'* - was an evidence of MISSIONS IN WESTON NEW YORIv. 123 criminal intimacy, and immediately went to seek the mis- sionary to decry Catherine to him. " Well] " she said, " so Catherine, whom you esteem virtuous, is, notwithstanding, a hypocrite who deceives you. Even in my presence, she solicited my husband to sin!" The missionary, who understood the ill-will of this woman, wished to know on what she founded an accusation of this kind, and having- learned what had given occasion to this odious suspicion, he administered to her a severe reprimand, and sent her away utterly confounded,. When he afterwards mentioned it to the neophyte, she answered him with a candor and confidence, which showed the ab- sence of all falsehood. It was on this occasion, that she declared— rw hat perhaps we should not have known, if she had not been placed on this trial— that, by the kindness of the Lord, she could not remember that she had ever sinned against purity, and that she did not fear any reproach on this point, at the Day of Judgment. It was sa 1 for Catherine, to have to sustain, so many conflicts, and to see her innoceuce incessantly exposed to the outrages and railleries of her countrywomen. She had also everything to fear in a country, where so few of the people, "had imbibed a taste for the maxims of the Gospel She, therefore, earnestly desired to be transplanted to some other mission, where she might serve God in peace and liberty. This was the subject of her most fervent prayers, and it was also the advice of the missionary; but it was not easy to bring it about. She was entirely in the power of an uncle, watchful of all her actions, and, through the, aversion which he had for Christians, incapable of appreci? ating her resolution. But God, who listens favorably even to the simple desires of those who place their trust in Him, disposed all things for the repose and consolation of the, ae* 124 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. A colony of Iroquois, bad lately been formed among the French; the peace which existed between the two nations, gave these Indians an opportunity of coming to hunt on our lands. Many of them stopped near the prairie of the Madeleine, where the missionaries of our Society cou- Versed with them, on the necessity of salvation. These Indians were converted, renounced their country, and settled among us. They received baptism, after the usual instruc- tions and probation. The example and devotion of these new converts, drew to them many of their countrymen, and in a few years the Mission of St. Francis Xiokr dn Sanlt, (thus it was named,) became celebrated for tli3 great number of its neo- ophites, and their extraordinary fervor. If an Iroquois made (even a short visit to that mission, he seemed to lose all de- sire of returning to Ids own country. The charity of these neophites, led them even to divide, with the new comers, the fields which, with much labor, they had cleared. Their Christian feeling appeared to the greatest advantage, in their eagerness to instruct pagans in the truths of our faith. To this work they devoted entire days and even a portion of the night. Their conversations, full of unction and piety, made the most lively impression, on the hearts of their guests, and transformed them, so to speak, into different beings. He, who a little while before, thought but of blood and war, became mild, humble, teachable, and obe- dient to the most difficult maxims of religion. This zeal extended, not only to those who came to visit them, but also urged them to make excursions into other settlements, and they always returned accompanied by large numbers of their countrymen. On the very day that Cath- erine had received baptism, one of the most powerful of the Agniez, returned to the mission, in company with thirty of the Iroquois of that tribe, whom he had gained to Jesus Christ, MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. V25 It was not until the following year, tiiat Catherine ob- tained the facilities she wished, for the execution of her design. Her adopted sister, had retired with her husband, to the Mission, Du SaulU The zeal of the recent converts, tin draw their relatives and friends to the new colony, in- spired her with the same thoughts, in regard to Catherine, and disclosing her designs to her husband, be gave his con- sent. He joined himself therefore to an Indian of Loretto, and some other neophytes, who travelled to the villages of the Iroquois, with the intention of engaging their acquaint- ances to follow them, and to share in the Messing* of their conversion. With difficulty he reached the. village in which Cath- erine lived, and informed her geeretSy of the object of his journey, and of his wife's desire, that she should be with her, at the Mission Du Sault. The neo.phite appeared transported with joy at this disclosure; he then warned her to hold herself in readiness, immediately on his return from his journey to the English. The unele was then absent, without having any suspicion of his niece's design, Cath- erine went immediately to take leave of the missionary, And to ask his recommendation to the Fathers, who direct- ed the Mission Du Sa«lt. The missionary could not with- hold his approval of tier resolution, and extorted her to •place her trust in dfod, giving her good counsels. As the journey of her brother-in-law was only a pretext, the better to conceal his design, he almost immediately re- turned to the village; and, the day after his arrival, departed with Catherine, and the Indian of Loretto, who kept him •company. It was soon discovered in the village, that the neophite had disappeared, and they had no -doubt, but that she had followed the two Indians. They immediately, -therefore, dispatched a runner to her uncle, to give him the news. The old chief foamed with rage at the intelligence, 526 missions, 5N wes^ekx ix&yr tori*. and immediately loading his, gun with three balls, set ou\ in pursuit of tl^ose, who had a^compauied his niece. He made such haste, that in a very short time he canae up with them,. The two Indians, who well knew that he w^ould not fail to pursue them, had concealed the neophite in a thick wood, and had stopped, as if to take a little repose. The old man was very much astonished, at not finding his niece with them, and after a moments conversation, coming to. the conclusion tUat he had credited, too easily, the first minor which had been spread, retraced his footsteps to the village. Catherine regarded this sudtfen. retreat of her -uncle, as one effect of the protection of God which she en- joyed; and, continuing the route, arrived at the mission. Dw Sault, in the end of Autumn of the year 1677. She took up her abode with the family of her brother- in-law. The cabin belonged to one of the most fervept Christians in the place, named Anasiasia, whose care it was to instruct such of her own sex as aspired to the grace of Baptism. The zeal, with which she discharged her duty, in this employment, her conversation, and her example charmed Catherine. B.ut what edified her exceedingly',, was the piety of all the converts, composing this numerous mission. Above all, she was struck at seeing men becomo so different from what they were, when they Iked in their own country. She compared their exemplary life, with th*e> licentious course they had been accustomed to lead, and re- cognized the hand of God in so extraordinary a change; and thanked Him for having conducted her into this land of blessings. To, make a suitable return for such $ivors, she felt that she ought to give herself up to God, without reserve,, or thought of self. The chapel became, thenceforth, all her delight. She repaired thither at four o'clock in the morn- Usg» attended, the mass at dawn, of day, an,d afterwards. MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 12? assisted at that of the Indians, which was said at sunrise, During the course of the day she, from time to. time, broke oft' from her works, to go and hold communion with Jesus Christ, at the foot of the altar. In the evening she aorain returned to the Church, and did not leave it until the night was far advanced. When engaged in her prayers, she seem- ed entirely unconscious, of what was passing without, and, in a short time, the Holy Spirit raised her to so sublime a de- votion, that she often spent many hours in intimate com- munion with God. To this inclination for prayer, she joined an almost un- ceasing application to labor. She sustained herself, in her toils, by pious conversations, which she held with Anastasia that fervent Christian of whom I have already spoken, and with whom she bad formed a most intimate friendship. The topics, on which they most generally talked, were, the de-- liodit received in the service of Cod; the means of pleasing Him, and advancing in virtue; the horror we should have for sin; and the care with which we should expiate it, by penitence. She always ended the week, by an exact inves- tigation of her fauks and imperfections, that she might ef- face them by the Sacrament of penance, which she ap- proached every Saturday evening. For this, she prepared herself by different mortifications, with which she- afBicted her body, and when she accused herself of even the light- est faults, it was with such vivid feelings of compunction., that she shed tears, and her words were choked with sobs and sighs. The lofty idea she had of the majesty of God, made her regard the least offence with horror. Virtues so marked, did not permit me long, to refuse her the permission which she so earnestly desired, that on the approaching festival of Christmas, she might receive her first communion. This is a privilege, which is not granted to, those, who come to reside among the Iroquois, until after, 128 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. some years of probation, and many trials: but the piety ■of Catherine, placed her beyond the ordinary rules. She participated, for the first time in her life, in the holy Eu- charist, with a degree of fervor, proportioned to the rever- ence she had for this Sacrament, and the earnestness with which she had desired to receive it. And subsequently whenever she approached the holy Sacrament, it was al- ways with the same disposition. Then her deportment silone, inspired the most lukewarm with devotion, and, when a general communion was about to take place, the most virtuous neophytes strive, with emulation, to be near her, becau.se, said they "the sight alone of Catherine serves as an excellent preparation for communicating wor- thily." After the festival of Christmas, it being the proper season for the chase, she was not able to excuse herself from fol- 1 .wing her sister and brother-in-law into the forests. She, ■however, showed that one can serve God, ?n any place to which His providence -calls. She did not omit any of her ordinary pious exercises, while her fervor even suggested to her holy practices in place of those which were incompati- ble with a residence in the forests. There was a time set apart for everything. In the morning, she applied herself to her prayers, and concluded with those which the Indians make in common, according to their custom; and in the evening she repeated them again, continuing in prayer un- til the night was far advanced. While tbe Indians were taking their repast, to prepare themselves for the day's ■chase, she retired to offer up her devotions. A little before the time when, at the mission, all were accustomed to hear mass, she fixed a cross te. This is a mortification, which she always practiced when she could do so without being seen. The sojourn in the forests was not agreabie to Catherine, although generally pleasant to the Indian women, because, freed from domestic cares, they pass their time in amuse- ments and feasting. She longed without ceasing to return to the village. The church, the presence of Jesus Christ in the august sacrifice of the mass, the frequent exhorta- tions, and the other exercises of the mission, of which she was deprived while engaged in the chase— these were for her the only objects of interest. She therefore formed the determination that, if she lived to return oiTce more to the mission, she would never leave it. She arrived there about Passion W«ek, and for the first time assisted at the ceremo- nies of those holy days. I shall not stop, my Rev. Father, to describe to you here, how deeply she was affected by a spectacle, so touching, as that of the sorrows and death of a God-man, for our salva- tion. She shed tears aimost continually, and formed a resolution to bear, for the rest of her days, in her own body, the cross of Jesus Christ. From that time she sought all occasions of mortification— -pei haps to expatiate those slight faults, which she regarded as outrages against the Divine Majesty; perhaps to trace in herself the image of a God cru- cified for love of us. The conversations of Anastasia, who 130 MISSIONS IN WESTERN SEW YORK. often talked with her of the pnins of hell - , and of the sever- ity which the saints exercised upon themselves, strengthened the desire she had for austerities. She found herself atao, animated to this course, by an accident which placed her in great danger of losing her life. She was cutting a tree in, the woods, which fell sooner than she expected; she had sufficient time, by drawing back, to sh,i\n the body of the tree, which would have crushed her by its fall; but she was not able to escape from one of the branches, which struck her violently on the head, and threw her senseless^o the ground. She recovered from her swoon, and those around heard her softly ejaculating, "I thank thee, Q good Jesus, for having succored me in this danger." She thought that God had preserved her, to give her time to expiate her sins, by repentance. This she declared to a companion, who felt herself, like C.vi mkrink, called to a life of austerity, and with whom so close was the intimacy, that each commune cated to the other the most seeret movements uf their innermost souls. This new association had indeed so much influence on the lite uf Caiukrine, that X cannot refrain from speaking *4" it. TiiiKK-iE, ibis pious Indian, had been baptised by Father BRuvAa, in the Iroquois country; but the licentiousness whieh prevailed among her people, and the evil example she always had before her eyes, caused her shortly to forget the vows of her baptism. Even a subsequent sojourn at the Mission, only produced a partial change in her life. A mo.st strange adventure, however, caused, at last, her con- version. She had gone with her husband and a young nephew to, the chase, near the river of the Outattuacks. Some other Indians joined them, forming a company of eleven persons, four men, and four women, with three children. T be res* was, the onlv Christian. The, snow, which j this year* was Missions in Western neW yoRS. 13 1 Very late, prevented them from having any success in hunt- in ur; they soon consumed their provisions * and they were reduced to eat skins which they had brought with them to make moccasins; they even eat the moccasins; and finally, pressed by hunger^ they sustained life by herbs, and the hark of trees* In the mean time, the husband of Therese fell dangerously ill, and the hunters were obliged to halt* Two among- them, an Agniez and a Tsonnoutouan, asked leave of the party to make an excursion to some distance in search of game, promising to return, at the farthest, in ten days. The Agniez, indeed, returned at the time appointed; but he came alone, and reported that the Tson- noutouan had perished by famine and misery. They sus- pected him of having murdered his companion, and then fed upon his flesh; for, although he declared that he had not found any game, be was nevertheless in full strength and health. A lew days afterwards, the husband of Therese died, expressing, in his last moments, deep regret that he had not received baptism. The rest of the company then resumed their attempt to reach the banks of the river, and gain the French settlements. After two or three days' march, they became so enfeebled by want of nourishment, that they were not able to advance farther. Desperation then inspired them with a strange resolution, which Was to put some of their number to death, that the lives of the rest might be preserved. They therefore selected the wife of the Tsonnoutouan and her two children, who were thus in succession devoured. This spectacle terrified Thersse, for she had good reason to fear the same treatment. Then she reflected on the deplorable state of her conscience; she repented bitterly that she had entered the forest, without having first purified herself by a full confession; she asked pardon of vlod for" the disorders of her life, and promised to confess as soon as 132 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. possible and do penance. Her prayer was heard, aud after incredible fatigues she reached the village with four others* who alone remained of the eleven. She fulfilled one part of her promise — she confessed soon after her return — but she was backward in reforming her life, and in doing penance. One day, while she was looking at the new Church then building at the Snuff, (after they had removed the Mission thither whish before had been at the prairie of the Made- leine ) she met with Catherine, who was also inspecting it. They saluted each other for the first time, and entering into conversation, Catherine asked her which portion of the Church was to be sot apart f«>r the females. Theresk pointed out the place which she thought would be appro? printed to them. < k Alas Y* answered Catherine, with a sigh, "it is not in this material temple that God most loves to dwell. It is within ourselves that lie wishes to take up His abode. Our hearts are the Temple which is most aoreeab'e to Him. But, miserable being that I am, how many times have I forced Him to abandon this heart in which He should reign alone! And do I not deserve that, to punish me for my ingratitude, they should forever ex- clude me from this temple, which they are raising to His glory \ n The humility of these seniments deeply touched the heart of Theresk. At the same time, she felt herself pressed by remorse, to fulfil what she had promised to the Lord; she thought that God hath directed to her this holy woman to support her, by counsel and example, in the new kind of life she wished to embrace. Therese therefore opened her heart to Catherine, on the holy desires with which God had inspired her; and, insensibly, the conversa- tion led them to disclose to each other their most secret thoughts. To converse with greater freedom, they sat down MTSST0N3 IN - WESTERN NEW YORK. 133 at the foot of a cross erected on the banks of the River St. Lawrence. This first interview, which; revealed the uni- formity of their sentiments and inclinations, began to. strengthen the bonds of a holy friendship, which lasted even to the death of Catherine. From this time they were inseparable. They went together to. the- church, to the forest., and to their daily labor. They animated each other to the service of God by their reiigio-us conversations — they mutually communicated their pain* — they disclosed their faults; they encouraged each other to the- practice of austere virtues. It was thus that God prepared Catherine for a new con- test, which her love of celibacy obliged her to undergo. In- terested views inspired her sister, with the design of getting ber married,, she supposed that there was not a young man, then in the Mission dn Sault, who would not wish to marry so virtious a woman, and that thus, having the whole village from which to make her choice, she would be able to select for her brother-in-law, some able hunter, who- would bring abundance to the cabin. She- expected indeet to meet with difficultie son the part of Catherine ; for she- was not ignorant of the persecutions, this generous girl had already suffered, and the constancy with which she had sustained them ; but she persuaded herself that reason would finally vanquish opposition. She selected therefore her time, and, after havings shown Catherine, even more than usual affection she addressed her with that eloquence which is natural to these Indians, when they are engaged in anything that concerns their interest. " I must confess, my dear sister, said she, that we are under great obligations to the Lord for having brought you, as well as ourselves, from our unhappy country, and for having brought you to the Mission du Sault; where every thing is favorable to your piety. If you are rejoiced to be 134 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW tORfc. here, I have no less satisfaction at having you With me. You every day indeed increase our pleasure, by the wisdom •of your conduct, which draws upon your general esteeiti approbation. There only remains one thing for you to do, to complete our happiness $ which is, to think seriously of establishing yourself by a good and judicious marriage. All the young girls among us take this course; you are of an age to act as they do, and you are bound to do so, even more particularly than others, either to shun the oceassions of sin, or to supply the necessities of life. It is true that it is a source of great pleasure to us, both to your brother-in- law, and myself, to furnish you, your wants; but you know that ha is in the decline of life, and that we have the •care of a large family. If you were to be deprived of us; to whom Could you have recourse? Think of these things Catherine; provide for yourself a refuge from the evils which accompany poverty." There was nothing which Catherine less expected than a proposition of this kind} but the kindness and respect which she felt for her sister, induced her to conceal her pain; and she contented herself with merely answering, that 4ie thanked her for this advice, but the step was of great "<>nse([uence, and she would think of it seriously. It was thus that she warded off the first att;tck. She immediately vame to seek m<*, to complain of these importunate solieita-^ f .i >ns of her sister. As 1 did not appear to accede entirely to her reasoning, and, foi the purpose of proving her, dwelt on those considerations which ought to incline her to mar- riage, "Ah, my father," said she, " I am not any longer my own. I have given myself entirely to Jesus Christ, and it is not possible for me to change masters. The poverty with which I am threatened gives me no uneasiness. So little is requisite to supply the necessities of this wretched life, that nv labor can furnish this, and I Can alsvays find MI8SI0NS IN WESTERN NEW TORE. 135 wme miserable rags to cover me. " I sent her away, say- ing that she should think well on the subject, for it was one which merited the most serious attention. Scarcely had she returned to the cabin, when her sister-, impatient to bring her over to her views, pressed her anew to end her wavering by forming an advantageous settle- ment. But finding from the reply of Catherine that it was useless to attempt to change her mind, she determined to enlist Anastasia in her interests; since they both regarded her as their mother. In this she was successful, Anastasia was readily induced to believe that Catherine had, too hastily, formed her resolution, and therefore em- ployed all that influence, which age and virtue gave her over the mind of the young girl, to persuade her that marriage was the step she ought. to take. This effort, however, had no greater success than the other; and Anastasia, who had always until that time found so much docility in Catherine, was extremely sur- prised at the little deference paid to her counsels; She even bitterly reproached her, and threatened to bring her com- plaints to me. Catherine anticipated her in this, and after having related how they made her suffer, to induce her to enter the state of marriage, she prayed me to aid her in consummating the sacrifice which she wished to make of herself to Jesus Christ; and to provide her a refuge from the opposition she had to undergo. I praised her design, but at the same time advised her to take yet three days, to deliberate on an affair of such importance, and, during that time, to offer up extraordinary prayers, that she might know the will of God; after which, if she still persisted in her resolution, I promised her to put an end to the importuni- ties of her relatives. She at first acquiesced in what I pro- posed, but in less than a quarter of an hour came back to ieek me, "It is settled," said she, as she came near me, H 136 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. "it is not a question for deliberation; my part has long since been taken. No, my Father, I can have no other spouse but Jesus Christ." I thought that it would be wrong for me any longer to oppose a resolution which seemed to me inspired by the Holy Spirit, and therefore I exhorted her to perseverance, assuring her that I would undertake her defence against those who might thenceforth disturb her on that subject. This answer restored her former tran- quility of mind, and re-established in her soul that inward peace, which she preserved even to the end of life. Scarcely had she left me, when An astasia came to com- plain, in her turn, that Catherine would not listen to any advice, but followed only her own whims. She was run- ning on in this strain, when I said that I was acquainted with the cause of her dissatisfaction, and was astonished that a Christian, as old as she was, could disapprove of an action which merited the highest praise; and that if she had faith, she ought to know the value of a state so sublime as that of celibacy, which re n de-red feeble men like to the angels themselves, At these words, Anastasia seemed to be in a perfect dream; and as she possessed true devotion, she almost immediately began to turn the blame upon her- self. She admired the courage of this virtuous girl, and, at length, became the first to fortify her in the holy resolu- tion she had taken. Thus Go 1 turned these different con- tradictions, into good for his servant And it also furnished Catherine with a new motive to serve God with greater fervor. She therefore added new practices to her ordinary exercises of piety. Feeble as- she was, she redoubled her diligence in labor, her watchings, fastings, and other aus- terities. It was then the end of autumn* when the Indians are accustomed to form their parties, to hun-t during the winter. The sojourn, which Catherine had already made in the MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 13?' forest, and the pain she had suffered at being deprived of religious privileges, made her form the resolution that she would never more return to it. I thought, however, that the change of air and the diet, which is much, better in the forest, would restore her to health. It was for this reason that I advised her, to, follow the family and others, who went to the hunting grounds. She. answered me, in that deeply devotional manner which was so natural vto her: ''It is true, my Father, that my body is served, most luxuriously, in the forest; but the soul languishes there, and is not able to satisfy its hunger. On the con- trary, in the village the body suffers;; I am contented that it should be so, but the soul finds its delight in being near to Christ. Well,, then, I will willingly abandon, this miser- able body to hunger and suffering, provided fchat my soul may have its sweet nourishment." She remained, therefore, during the winter in the village, where she lived only on Indian corn, and w 7 as subjected indeed to much suffering. Eut, not content with allowing her body only this insipid food',, which could scarcely sus- tain it, she subjected it also to austerities and excessive pen- ances, without taking counsel of any one, persuading herself that while the object was mortification, she was right in giving herself wp to anything, that could increase her fervor.. She was incited to this by the noble examples of mortifica- tion,, which she always had before, her eyes. The spirit of penance reigned among the Christians at the Sault. Fast- ings, discipline, etc., were their most common austerities. A>n 1 some- of them„ by these voluntary macerations, pre- pared; themselves, when the time came, to sutler the most fearful torments for tl^eir religion. The war was once more rekindled between the French and the Iroquois; and the latter invited their countrymen, who were at the Mission du Sault, to return to their own, 138 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW TOttfc country, where they promised them entire liberty, in the exercise of their religion. The refusal with which these offers were met, rendered them furious; and the Christian Indians who remained at the Sault, were immediately declared enemies of their nation; A parly of Iroquois sur- prised some of them, while hunting, and carried them away to their country, where they were burned at a slow fire. But these noble and faithful men, even in the midst of the most excruciating torments, preached jEsrjs Christ to , those who were torturing them 80 cruelly, and conjured them, as soon as possible, to embrace Christianity, to deliver themselves from eternal fire. One, in particular, among them, named Etiennr, signalized his constancy and faith. When environed by the" burning flame?} he did not cease to encourage his wife, who was suffering the same torture, to invoke with him the holy name of Jesus-. B#ig on the point of expiring, he rallied all his strength, and in imitation 1 of his Master, prayed the Lord with a loud v.»i,v, for the conversion of those, who had treated him wiih such inhumanity. Many of the savages, touched by a '•• so new to them, abandoned their country, and tame to the Mission du Sault, t" a>k for baptism, and live there, in accordance with the laws of the Gospel. Tli.- women were not behind their husbands, in the ardor they showed for a life of penance. They even went to such extremes, that, when it came to our knowledge, we were obliged to moderate their zeal. Besides the ordinary instru- ments of mortification, which they employed, they had a thousand new iavenions to inflict sutlering upon themselves* Although those, who inflicted these mortifications on themselves, were careful to conceal them from the knowb edge of the public; yet Catherine, who had a mind quick and penetrating, did not fail, from various appearances, to conjecture that ; which they held so secret, and as she MI8SI0N6 IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 13& studied every means to testify, more and more, her love to, Christ, she applied herself to examine everything that was done, pleasing to the Lord, that she might herself immedi- ately put it in practice. It was for this reason that, while passing some days at Montreal, where, for the first time she aaw the nuns, she was so charmed with their modesty and devotion, that she informed herself, most thoroughly, with regard to the manner in which these holy sisters lived, and the virtues which they practiced. Having learned that they were Christian virgins, who were consecrated to God, by a vow of perpetual continence, she gave me no peace until I had granted her permission, to make the same sac- rifice of herself, not by a simple resolution to guard her virginity, such as she had already made, but by an irrevo- cable engagement, which obliged her to belong to God, without any recall. I would not, however, give my con- sent to this step until I had well proved her, and been anew convinced that it was the Spirit of God, acting in this excellent girl, which had thus inspired her with a de- sign, of which there had never been an example, among the Indians. For this great event she chose the day, on which we cele- brate the Festival, of the Annunciation of the most holy Virgin, for whom she had a most tender devotion; praying her to present to her son the oblation of herself, which she had just made; after which she passed some hours, at the foot of the ajtar, in holy meditation and in perfect union with God, From that time Catherine seemed to be entirely di- vorced from the world. Her- aspirations were continual I v for heaven, where she had fixed all her desires. She seemed even to taste, in anticipation, the sweetness of the heavenly state ; hut her body was not sufficiently strong to sustain the weight of her austerities, and the constant \40 MISSIONS IX WESTERN NEW YORK. effort of her spirit, to maintain itself in the presence of God. She was at length siezed with a violent illuess from which she never entirely recovered. There always remained an affection of the stomach, accompanied by frequent vomiting and a slow fever, which undermined her constitution by degrees, and threw her into a weakness, which insensibly Wasted her away. It was, however, evident that her soul acquired new strength, in proportion as her body decayed. The nearer she approached the termination of her career, the ' more did she shine forth in all virtues. But I need not Msop here to particularize them t<> you, except to mention a lew of those, which made the most impression, and were the iource and spring of all the others. She had a mosl tender love for God. Il>r only pleasure seemed to be t<> keep herself in contemplation of his majes- tv and mercy; to sing His praises, and continually to seek new ways of pleasing Him. It was principally to prevent distraction, that she so often withdrew into solitude* An- astasia and Therese were the only two Christians with Whom she wished much to associate; because they talked roost <>t" God, and their conversations breathed nothing but love. From thence arose the peculiar devotion, she had for the Holy Eucharist, and the passion of our Saviour. These two mysteries of tlielove'of the same God, concealed under the v.-il of the Eucharist, or dying on the cross, ceaselessly occupied her spirit, and kindled in her heart the purest rlames of love. Everyday she was seen to pass whole hours at the foot of the altar, immovable as if transported bevond herself, tier eyes often -explained the sentiments of her breast by the abundance of tears she shed; and in these tears -she found so great a delight, that she was, as it were, insensible to the most severe cold of winter. Often seeing her benumbed wiuh cold, I have seut her to the cabin MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 141 to warm herself; she obeyed immediately, but, the mo- ment after, returned to the Church, and continued there in long communion with Jesus Christ. To keep alive her devotion for the mystery of our Sa- viour's Passion, and to have it always present to her mind, she carried on her breast a little crucifix. She often kissed it, with feeling's of the most tender compassion, for the suf- fering Jesus, and with the most vivid remembrance of the benefits of our redemption. One day, wishing particularly to honor Jesus Christ, in this double mystery of love, after having received the Holy Communion, she made a perpet- ual oblation of her soul to Jesus in the Eucharist, and of her body to Jesus attached to the Cross - ; and thenceforth she was ingenious to imagine every day, new ways of afflict- ing and crucifying her flesh. During the winter, while she was in the forest with her companions, she would follow them at a distance, taking off her shoes, and walking with her naked feet over the ice and snow. Having heard Anastasia say, that of all torments, that of fire was the most frigh'tfal, and that the constancy of the martyrs, who had suffered this torture, would T>e a great merit before the Lord; the following night she burned her feet and limbs with a hot brand, very much in the same way, that the Indians mark their slaves; persuad- ing herself that, by this action, she had declared herself the slave of her Saviour. At another time ishe strewed the -mat on which she slept, with llarge thorns, the points of which were very sharp, and alter the example of the holy and thrice happy Saint Louis de Gonza&ue, she rolled herself for three nights -in succession en these thorns, which caused her the most intense pain. In consequence her countenance was wasted and pale, which those around her attributed to her illness. But Therese, tfie companion whom she had takejs so much into her confidence, having discovered the 142 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. reason of this extraordinary paleness, aroused her scruples }>y declaring that she might offend God, if she inflicted such austerities on herself without the permission of her confessor. Catherine, who trembled at the very appearance of sin, came immediately to find me, to confess her fault and de- mand pardon of God. I blamed her indiscretion, and direct- ed her to throw the thorns into the fire. She did so im- mediately, for she had an implicit submission to the judg- ment of those, who directed her conscience, and, enlightened as she was by that illumination, with which God favored her, she never manifested the least attachment to her own will. Her patience was the proof of her virtues. In the midst of her continual infirmities, she always preserved a peace and serenity of spirit, which charmed us. She never forgot herself, either by uttering a complaint, or giving the slightest sign of impatience. During the last two mouths of her life tier sufferings were extraordinary. She was obliged to remain, night and day, in the same position, and the least movement caused intense pain. .But when these pains were felt with the greatest severity, then she seemed most content, < fog herself happy, as she herself said, to live and to die on ;he Cross, uniting her sufferings, to those of her Saviour. As she was full of faith, she had a high idea of every- thing relating to religion, and this inspired her with a par- ticular respect, for those whom God called to the holy min- istry. Her hope w; as firm, her love disinterested; serving God for His own sake, and influenced only by the desire to please Him. Jler devotion was tender, even to tears; her communion wUh God intimate and uninterrupted, never losing sight of him in all Her actions; this it was that raised her in so short a time, to so sublime a state of piety. Theve was nothing more remarkable in Catherine, than evangelical puritv, of which she was so jealous, and V(h.ic^ MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 143 she preserved even to her latest breath. It was indeed a miracle of grace, that a young Iroquois should have had so stronrr an attachment to a virtue, so little known in her own country, and that she should have lived, in* such innocence of life, during twenty years, that she remained in the very midst of licentiousness. It was this love of purity which produced in her heart so tender an affection for the Queen of Virgins. Catherine could never speak of Our Lady but with transport. She had learned by heart her Litanies, and recited them all, particularly in evening, after the com- mon prayers of the cabin. She always carried with bera|p- sary, which she recited many times in the course of the day. The Saturdays, and other days which are particularly con- secrated to honor Mary, she devoted to extraordinary aus- terities, and devoted herself to the practical imitation of some of her virtues. She redoubled her fervor when they celebrated one of these Festivals, and she selected such holy days, to offer to God some new sacrifice, or to renew those which she had already made. It was to be expected, that so holy a life, would be fol- lowed by a most happy death. And so, it was in the last moments of her life, that she edified us most, by fhe prac- tice of her virtues and above all by her patience and union with God. She found herself very ill about the time when the men are accustomed to go out to the hunting grounds in the forest, and when the women are occupied, from morning until evening, in the fields. Those who are ill, are therefore obliged to remain alone, through the whole day, in their cabins, a plate of Indian coi : n, and a little water having, in the morning, been placed near their mat. It was in this abandonment, that Catherine; passed all the time of her last illness. But what would h,ave overwhelmed an* other person with sadness, contributed rather to increase her joy, by furnishing her with something to increase her merit, 144 ifrSSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. Accustomed to commune aloue with. God, she turned this^ solitude to her profit, and made it serve to attach her more to her Creator, by her prayers and fervent meditations. Nevertheless, the time of her last struggle approached, and her strength, each day, diminished. She failed con- siderably, during the Tuesday of Holy Week, and [ there- fore thought it well to administer to her the Holy Commu- nion, which >!i" received with her usual feelings of devotion. I wished, also, at the same time, to give her Extreme Unction, but Rhe told me; that there was, as vet no pressing \ ; and, from wh.it she said, I thought I would defer it till the iwxt morning. The res! of that day, and the fol- lowing night, she passed in fervent communion with owr Lord. On Wednesday morning, she received Extrem tion, with the Bame feelings of devotion; and at three hours after mid-day, having pronounced the holy names of Jesus and Mary, a Blight Bpasm rani" on, when she entirely l<>-t the power of sj ch. As she preserved a perfect conscious- . ii to her last breath, I perceived that she was striving to perform inwardly all the acts which I suggested to her. After a short half-hour of agony, she peaceably expiredf as it' she wan only falling into a sweet sleep; Thus died Catherine TsAoiioKurfA, in the twenty-fourth iving fille 1 tli-' mission with the odor pf of her sanctity. Her countenance, which had been extreme- ly attenuated, by sickness an 1 eeestaul austerities, appeared so changed, and beautiful, some (moments after her death, that the Indians who wei i ot a Me to restrain the expressi »n of their astonishment, and declared, that a beam of that glory she had gone to possess, even then was reflected hack on her body. Two Frenchmen, who had come^Vom the prairie of the Madeleine, to assist in I vices of Thursday morning, seeing her extended on her mat with her countenance so fresh and sweet, said, one to the MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 145 other, " See Low peaceably that young female sleeps." But they were very much surprised when they heard a moment after, that it was the body of Catherine who had just ex- pired. They immediately retraced their steps, and, casting themselves on their knees, at her feet, recommended them- selves to her prayers. They even wished to give a public evidence, of the veneration $hey had for the deceased, by as- sisting to make the coffin, which w T as to enclose these holy relics. I make use of this expression, my Reverend Father, with the greater confidence, because God did not delay to honor the memory of this virtuous girl, by a great number of mi- raculous cures, which took place after her death, and which still continue to take place daily through her intercession. This is a fact well known, not only to the Indians, but also to the French at Quebec and Montreal, w T ho often make pil- grimages to her' tomb, to fulfill their vows, or to return thanks for favors, which she has obtained for them. I could here relate to you, a great number of these miracu- lous cures, which have been attested by individuals the most enlightened, and whose probity is above suspicion ; but I will content myself with making you acquainted with the testimony of two persons, remarkable for virtue and merit, who having themselves proved the power of this sainted woman before God, felt they were bound to leave a public monument for posterity, to satisfy at the same time their piety and their gratitude. The first testimonial is that of M. De La Colombiere, Canon of the Cathedral of Quebec, Grand Vicar of the Di- ocese. He expresses himself in these terms: "Having been ill at Quebec, during the past year, from the month of January, even to the month of June, of a slow fever, against which all remedies had been tried in vain, and of a diarrhoea, which medicine could not cure, it was thought 146 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YOKE. well that I should make a vow, in case it would plea*a God to relieve me from thw.se two maladies, to make a pil- grimage to the Mission of St. Francis \avier, to pray a,l the tomb of Catherine Teaqhokuita. On the very sam# day the fever ceasca, and the Diarrhoea having become bet- ter, 1 enibarKed some days afterwards to fulfill my vow. Scarcely had I accomplished one-third of mv journ&y when I found myself entirely cured. As my health is something useless, that I should not have dared to ask for it, if I had not felt myself obliged to do so, by d iference for the servants of the Lord, it is impossil > with- hold i : \\ God, in granting me this grace, had n.» oth.-r view than to maka known the credit, -which thi« excellent maiden had with Him. If, I would fear th ■ justly withholding the truth., ..u.'; refus- !ana la the gl >ry which is due to thom, it* 1 'ii.l not testify, as I have done, that I am a debt- or, for roy curei to thii Iroquis virgin. It is t" r tbi thai 1 I ition, with ment of gratitude of which I am capable, to inci - within my power, th< which is felt in ■ imitaliug h--r \ i: : "Given at Yill: Uh 8< pt. 1( J. I '. 1. P. J. Cai I 'athedral of . id from M. D« Luth, < 'aptain in the Marine Corps, and Commander of Fort 1-Y »i I id .■■. It. is tin- ;s: "1, the suj nify to nUl wti'in it may concern, that having been tormented by the. gout, for the space of Iwenty-three years, and with such severe pains that it toe of three- months at a tame, 1 addressed myself to Catherine Tba(*- HOKUITA, an Iroquois virgin, decea&ed- at fclm> Sault S*.- MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 147 Louis, in ihe reputation of sanctity; and I promised her to visit her tomb, if God should give me health through her intercession'. I have been so perfectly cured at the end of ofte novena, which I made in her honor, that, after five nronths, I have not perceived the slightest touch of my gout. Given at Fort Frontenac, this 15th day August, 1696. ic J . Du L.UTH, "Capt. of the Marine Corps, and Com. Fort Frontenac." I have thought that a narrative •of the virtues of this holy female, born thus iu the midst of heathenism and among savages, would serve to edify those, who, having been born in the bosom of Christianity, have also every possible aid for raising themselves to the height of holiness. I have the honor to be, etc. CHAPTER X . SSARLY INDIAN MISSIONS IN THE NOW DIOCESS OF BUFFALO. Though several 'books of the " Relations" are probably k>st, though to others little access can be had; yet, from many statements and frequent allusions, it would seem, that (he first Franciscan missionaries among the Hurons had, almost from the beginning, sown "the grain of mustard freed," among the nations dwelling in the western part of the now diocese of Buffalo. Of the Neutral Nation, many of whom dwelt on the Buffalo side of Niagara River, the old " Relations" say : '" The first village of the Neutral Nation which we reached, in going from the Hurons, is about four days' journey, in a southerly or south-easterly direction from where the celebrated river of that nation empties into Lake Ontarro. On the west, and not on the east side of that river, 148 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. are most of the villages of the Neutral Nation. But there are three or four ou the east side, extending from east to west, towards the Erie or Cat Nation. This river is that, by which the great Lake of the Hurons, or fresh sea, emp- ties first into Lake Erie, and from thence enters the terri- »f the Neutral Nation, and takes the name of Niagara, (• Onquiaahra,') until il discharges into Lake Ontario. It again issues from the latter Lake, and passing before Quebec it is called the St. Lawrence.' 1 The Franciscan Father Dallion, set out from the Huron Missions ou the l£th day of October, 1626, and. after passing five nights in th< \\ Is, arrived in the first village of the Neutral Nation. He wat well received, and. con- tinuing his course southwardly, passed through fifteen villages. In the sixteenth village the p.biefe assembled; Dai. 1. 1' to remain in their country, and teach them the knowledge of the true God. Bii was granted, and ratified with presents. He was aft [opted by the nation, and placed under the protection of the principal chief. He found the number of i twenty-four. The country, he describ I ingly beautiful; the climate npared to that of Quebec; the .country fertile, and abounding in deer, elk. : remainiug in the country three month-, explain- ing the sacred mysteries of faith to the ■ out the middle of January, 10-7. he was forced to return to the Huron Missions. Ten years afterwards; the Jesuit Fathers Rrobbbuv and Chumom again visited the Neuter Nation; a short detail of their sufferings and generous exertions among this people has already been given. In eighteen villages of the Neuter Nation lived about three thousand souls, to whom they preached the gospel. Their Breviaries, ink-horns aud MISSIONS IN WESTERN SEW YORK. 149 manuscripts, after some time, excited suspicions. The Fathers had to return. After undergoing incredible hard- ships, they safely reached the Huron Mission, where they rejoined their brethren, who had almost despaired of their return. About 1642, Father Jogues, the heroic martyr mission- ary, made the first opening for the gospel, in the eastern part of western New York. About the same time, as we learn from the following letter, in the Relations of 1644, blessed fruits of the former missions began to appear in the neighborhood of Buffalo. The "Relations" of the year 1644 give the following, as Chapter VI. "OF THE MISSION OF ANGELS AMONGST THE ATIOUENDAROUK, OR NEUTER NATION, " The fewness of our numbers renders it difficult for us to attend the nearer settlements, and we were obliged to discontinue the mission to the Neuter Nation, where, two years ago, we cast the first rays of the Gospel. Some Huron Christians have been, there, in our stead, perform- ing the duty of apostles, and, perhaps, up to this time, with as much success a3 if we had been there ourselves. "Stephen Totsri, from the mission of St. Joseph, having set out with a lay brother, for the frontier settlements, found the Indians well disposed, and so anxious to hear the truths of faith, that, with difficulty, could they find three or four hours of the night for sleep. They wore their beads around their necks, which caused much curiosity among these barbarians, who immediately asked them? to explain the reason of this wearing the beads. establish the faith, whil even more than h >we^ er, quarrelie I with him, art in their immorality. An 1 when tl ited to him that the yoke of faith was insupport i jing them to break off all iu< marks of fi i depri\ ing them of pleat* u i ; ,.-. 'if 1 km ■■■ a road leading -, I would go headlong, and would h ippy to die on that road. A ;• at any price. 1 •* At length, wl d i to bap- tise his little girL l R said be, 'that v >u j b you will by baptism. \^ of the wicked, tempt you to do wrong, think I and if this is not sufficient to u you, think that that you could inflict on me, your father, is to commit a sin which w-«uld cause you to be separated for ever from me.' " Towards the end of the winter, a band of about on* MISSIONS IN WE8TEKN NEW V6RK. 15l hundred of the Neuter Nation, came to visit us 5n this country. They had seen the church of the Hurons, they were informed of the articles of our faith, from our Chris- tians, and they left, regretting that they could not reniaiu in such company. They even promised that distance should not hinder them from embracing the 'faith*; they also paid that we, having made sufficient impression upon the Hurons, should try to give the same chance to them. God willed that this seed should bear fruit, in its time. " Some Hurons, worthy of credit, who traffic year aftet year with the Algonquin nations, tell us that they have found Christians there, who kneel down like Us, join their hands and look towards heaven, pray to God, night and morning, and also before and after meals; and that the best mark of their Faith is, that they are no longer dishonest or wicked, as they once were. They call them'Ondontaonaher- onnon. These are people ahout a hundred leagues below Saguene towards the North, who having received instruction, the one from Tad osusac, the other, at the Three Rivers, where they came like birds of passage'; carry thence to their woods, their lakes, and their solitary mountains, the faith and fear of Go 1, which finds a sojourn everywhere.'' It would be impossible to say how extensive this early Christian movem-mt was, or how it influenced the vague, al- most Christian ideas that Often mingle with wild Indian traditions. The Q lapeaux. very lately located below Little Hock, in Arkansas, have many striking remembrances of this kind ; and it seems, that they were remnants of the Neu- tre or Cat Nation, that fled south from the victorious Iro- quoi*. Buoebeuf and Chaumont tell us, that in the very early time of the vi«it, to the Eighteen villages of the Neutral Na- tiuu: "The Seneeas lived but a days journey from the east- ermot-t vilrages of the Neutral Nation." Tliis must have I 152 MISSIONS I» WBSTKRN NEW YORK. i>3en near L>ckporL A later Relation tells u* that the Senecas bad a village at Lew istown, on Niagara River, but this must have been nfW 1-643, when tho Senocas had completely vanquished the Neutral Nation. From that time, the Smeea villages extended westward beyond Buffalo, pyet the territory of' tho conquered Cat or Erie Nation; and eastward, till they met the ancient ones on or near •r. Justly then do the Relations, say: "Tin: wisdom of God which draws good from evil made the persecution of the Huron Church become most useful a number of savage Nations. Tho scattered Huron* / to transport nil over Canada, [meaning Canada and i l "i !%,) lli«* light of faith, westward, as wo have "Th ■ goeat a\ ersion which.the [roquois hid, to the preach- ing of • moved by their Huron capi whom they I iptives knew midst of the barbarians. Not only did they ma. jion, but they a) Ivist, assem- bling i . to pray, and to perform all I, without tho as- i priest. I by the Iroquoi* last summer, and who was. sold by them, arid efterwardj irs illustrious wjtn - m and piety »f these In lians; be says that they exhorted him, by signs, to unite his Bufferings, with tho.-.*; which the Saviour endur- ed on t: : i that they waited on him rendering him all the assistance th y could, without any fear of exposing themselves to death. U- was edified by tho con- Stant examples of their admirable charity, patience, piety, and attachment to the true religion. The fruits of the zeal of these poor Ilurons, has extended MI88IONS IN WESTERN NEW- YORE*. lf>C ■till further than the country of the IroquoR It is said- that even among the Cat Nation, five hundred leagues from- Quebec, a Huron preacher has caused- Jesus Christ to be known, and has established a church which is already flour- ishing. Many persons there, are • favorable to -the gospel. This fervent christian is sixty years old, he collected every Sunday all the faithful of his nation, he exhorts them to virtue, instructs them in our mysteries, and causes them to say their prayers, in the same manner, that he hacWbrmer- ly seen the Jesuits practice, at the time of his conversion.. The missions in the eastern part of this diocese- opened with still brighter prospects. The ''Relations,'" speak in high- est commendation of the country forming that eastern part. After describing Onondaga, theyt say :^ "Twenty or thirty leagues still further west, is the village- of the Oiog* uens (Cayugas,) composed of three hundred warriors; here we had a mission which founded a little church, filled with piety, in the midst of these barbarians, in the year 1657. Towards the end of the large Lake which is called On- tario, dwell the Sonontagans, (Senecas,) the most numerous of the five Nations -of- the Iroquois numbering about twelve hundred men. Their towns^lie- partly to the south and partly to the * West at a distance of one hundred; or a hundred and twen- ty leagues fromtthe French settlements. The land ; im general is very fertile, filled with -, beautifut" woods, which yield an abundance- of chesnuts and- walnuts; ; it is intersected" with lakes and rivers* which abound with fish. The climate is temperate;; the seasons as* regular as in •■ France, and the land in many places,, capable of producing,; all the fruits which are produced in B*$6$e*ice or Turin, The snows are neither deep nop lasting; the three winters we have passe-di among the. Iroquois,. Jiave been mild,.iu. 134 MISSION'S IN WE8TBKN NEW YORK. comparison to the winters m Quebec, where the snow is l.bree or four feet deep, covering the ground for rive months in the year. It was tow;rnh these vfHages, that the footsteps of Fathers Uhaumont and M«nard were in 1656, directed, leathers Mknakd and ClfAUaoHl left Onondaga towards the close of August, 16o6, for die residence of the Cayugas, whither they arrived in two Says*, going wmtwird. Mksahd re* inained there, and I 'u»i most proceeded westward, on t lie rii-^t visit of a Jesuit to the Stfuecas. At the time of Obai mont's v ; ^ : t. the Ponecns inhabited that U'v.put'"! and fertile region immediately enst of the r ; \ ••!-, e .s I. ikti < >!it;irio on the North, and the tftrritorre* of th - on the Kast. TheV l : \<;d in fqui principal village*; on*; of the largest was ait iv sted on tin' commanding eminence south of \" i«-t * » r. The liumdrou* graves and Indian remains found in this locality, attest tli.> magnitude of th.- nneieut village. other principal town was situated in the great lend ;\>^'v « Road about live miles North* w.^t of Cauandaigua. The fonrth village was neai a soring which forma of t h ♦- little < onesus, about three miles - Tliey were all destroyed in the expedition of 0a Xo.wiii.k against the Senecas in 1687. ••'I'll.' levelling plough "t" the white man, and the wasting Irand of time, baVe I less than twoj'eiitunrs, Obliterated most of the traces of theve, once flourishing towns, which sustained a pouplxtitn of Itaore than t]mu>and persona, In respect to the existence of th" fir*i three vHhige*, the evidences «ere so i>v»h and abundant, ut MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 1&5 the first advent of the settler, that no great difficulty ha*, been experienced in identifying their position. "The location of the fourth, was pointed out on a map of the Genesee country, by a Seneca chief, residing on th,«- Tonawanda reservation. Although he had not visited the site for more than forty years, he was positive as to the coi> reotness of the tradition, fixing the locality. " In order to test his accuracy, the place lie had indicated was recently visited, and his statements fully verified. The village had been built m a quiet and secluded valley, almost- entirely shut m, by hills of moderate elevation. A copious spring, from which a small stream Sowed 5 ,, had supplied il with water. On one side of the stream, a broad and leveii plateau, had afforded a commodious site for the village. On, the surface of this plateau, there have been ploughed up, from time to time, quantities of hatchets, beads, broken pottery, and other indubitable evidences of' Indian oecu-. pancy. " Higher up the side of the valley, ir>, the- edge t#the for- est, small hillocks and other signs were found,, indicating the last resting place of the Indian. Impressed perhaps with the sanctity of the«s£ofc;, or, it may be, with the ap<- propriateness of the loea&ion^the first settler ehose it also, for his burial place; and the remains of the early pioneers amis their descendants, have been laid side by side, and their dust has commingled, with that of the sachems and war- riors of the proudest and fiercest, tribe of the* Iroquois con r . fed e racy. v — O. H. Marshall. When the Jesuit arrived at Gnnnagoro, on Boughtoiv Hill, the chiefs assembled? in. council; to receive him, and; hear his message.. He told them, the- object of his mission. The desire of" the F reach* tp.ferra a firm? treaty of peaee and alliance; an4 •150 MISSIONS IN WK8TKRN NEW YORK. the intention of the Jesuits, to establish a mission among them. The usual presents were delivered. u In addition to these presents," said the Jesuit, " I offer " myself, as a guauante ■ o( the truths which I utter. And 11 if my life is deemed insufficient, L oiler you, in addition, II the lives of all the French 1 have left at Onondaga. Do '* you distrust these living presents? Will you be so simple, - to believe, that wo have left our native country, the u finest in the wodd, to come so \'.w, and to suffer so many •■ privations in order to bring you a lie ." Thrilling was the effect of this address, CriAUMONT was indeed home up by Heavenly stengfh, for ho had risea '•'p.m a si liver bis address, and a few days after, surrounded by bis companions, who, in dejection, awaited Id He was however spared. Full of coui i- nee in St, P( ter, ho invoked the aid of the Prince his couch, in health, ..'•in- deal i I live all those around 11111)." The Indiana Ciiaumont's appeal; and mn delibei . re ►Ived t > r- insti ucted in lit was followed from the council the i hief, n a rthout deli ttrikiog proof ..♦" ti.- ;■ which the missionary** . t at chief of the tribe, the invalid ANNovniNR.r ;. V Find baptiz- •1 b) C&aumont, his fan h was rewarded by the sudden nwn A a cancer, that had baffled all art. The Jesuit visited the other villages with similar success, III one of which he found the principal sachem of the nation i-no-ga-i da-wi) bed-ridden with disease. He converted MISSI0N8 IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 157 him to the faith, and this distinguished chief, having sub- sequently recovered, became a powerful friend of the French and Jesuits. The name which he bore, and by which the French always mentioned him, is the title of a Sachemship, still preserved among the Senecas, and belongs to a chief now residing among the Tonawandas. Before the Hurons were dispersed by the Iroquois, a little church had been formed by the Jesuits, in one of the Huron villages, upon which they had conferred the name of St. Michael. To save themselves from entire destruction, those composing this church, threw themselves upon the generosity of their conquerors, and were adopted, as a body, into the tribe of the Senecas. On the banks of the Chi-nos-hah-geh (near the present Cnnandaigua) in the third village we have described, these exiles from their country, found a home among their captors. The name of their church, St. Michael, was transferred to this village by the Jesuits, and here, if we may credit their statements, among the surrounding practices of a pagan superstition, they preserved, in purity and faith, the doctrines of the church, unto which they -had been baptized. Here all thronged around the old companion of Broe- ■beuf and Daniel. Not one pagan now held back from baptism, not oae believing Christian 'from confession; now, through misfortune, not one was unconverted. To be thus able to minister to these poor exiles was, in itself, a reward for the toils of the missionary; but his. joy was dashed by the loss of the faithful Le Mc-fne, who sank in death, on the beautiful shores of Lake Taohero, rejoicing that it was given him to die on the 'land of tl>e Iroquois, in the work of the gospel. In these villages were found captives of the Neutral and . Tol-acco Nations, (many of whom became Christians,) living in harmony with the H-urons, under the r>rotecfcien <€ the Senecas, 158 MISSION'S IN" WESTERN NEW YORE. While Father Chavmonot was visiting the Senecas, Mk»- xard, whom he had left at Cayuga, had not been idle. He art conciliated the favor of the people, that, in four days after his arrival among them, they commenced the construc- tion of a chapel, which was completed in two days, and carpeted with mats, woven with rushes, from the Montezuma marshes, Hon- he displayed the symbols of christian faith, mid the pictures of the Saviour, and the Virgin. A crowd of wondering savages thronged around him, and from morning until night, the devoted Jesuit explained to them (he mysteries of his religion. But, after a while Meskajrd, who had been welc >ra i I by the chiefs* was treated coldly by the tribe, and so little regarded, that ho never appeared without being attacked l>v the children, To the day of hi* death, man;. . amid t ; !" forests of Upper Michi- gan, he bore the spars, with which these tormentors covered bw face. S t, however, the simple guilessness of the Father won the hearts of these savages, and, when he had ', his chapel wax rill >d with admiring and listening crowds. <>:i its wall of mats, beside tie- altar, hung picture* iord and his Blessed Mother, aiei explaining these , the missionary told the history of <>ur redemption, ' the children changed, and became his helpers in the missions, leading him to the cabins <>f the sick, and giving him ti. of all, which before some had studiously concealed. The Iroquois women, already moved by the virtues of the Huron female captives, were the first converts f#ey brought their babes to receive baptism; they followed the instructions; and in, almost every cabin, could he found an Indian mother, teaching wayward children to lisp a prayer, to Jesus and Mary. Meskaro meanwhile, was now rapidly acquiring the Cayuga dialect, under the instructions of an excellent MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 159 familv, in whose cabin he was a guest. His mission was advancing, his chapel was crowded with catechumens; however, he baptized few adults, and seldom but in case of danger. The first admitted to the sacrament was an old man on his death-bed ; the second, once a prominent chief, now a cripple, eaten up by a cancer; whose conversion seemed due to the martyred Broebeuf and Lalemand. At their capture he had been struck by their appearance, and bought them with wampum ; yet was he unable to save them, for his belts were returned, and the missionaries put to death. His conversion gave great influence to religion; for his authority always stood very high in the canton : and indeed all protection was needed by Mesnard, who was on several occasions threatened with death. After a stay of two months, he was recalled to Onon- daga; but his converts were inconsolable, and he was soon restored to their entreaties, and renewel hi-; mission with greater success than ever. Everything promised complete success. But in Cayuga and among the Senecaa, as in Onondaga, political artifices, which aroused suspicion and armed the pagan Indians against the missionaries, were, for a time, successful. Many martyrs watered, with their blood, the shores of Cayuga and Seneca Lakes. But, as at Onondaga, so, it is believed, at Cayuga, and in the Seneca country, converted chieftains and devoted Christians kept up " the prayer, until God again lulled the storm, and sent other missionaries to continue the blessed work. Nor was the martyr-laud entirely abandoned by the Jesuit priest. Father Le Moyne, at least, is found at his holy work, until another intrepid band of missionaries, recommenced their apostolic labors. The « Relation" of 1660 says: "Not to. speak of the tipper Iroquois, among whom many missionaries might be 160 MISSIONS IN WESTKRN NEW YORK. employed, if the lower Iroquois were humbled and brought to duty — we have been invited for some years by the inhabitants of the village of St. Michael's (near Canandai- gua,) who are good Hurons, formerly instructed by our fathers in their own land. It is a vineyard that formerly brought forth good fruit for Paradise, and which still brings forth good fruit, but 'in patience.'" Another rela- tion tells U9 of the heroic and Christian death of an Indian of the " Loup Nation." Amidst the most horrid torments, burn-' without groan or murmur, be related that, in hi« youth, he had heard the Huron captives speak of their Christian religion, and believed in it. This was the germ of that precious grace, which, long years after, made him a baptised Christian, before I the scaffold of are. A Cairo] G New York, in the following ihowfl how he deceived, and was deceived, whilst ho persecuted the Church <>!' his Fathers, in order to secure Iiriti-h supremacy, which «\ lost ! »N THK STATE OF THE . INCLUDING HIS TAIN CHAR : HIM. ****** Tip- five 'Indian Nations are the most warlike people in a bulwark between us and the French snd all other Indians. They as the South Sea, the North W t Pa la, to warr. New Eng- land, in lee- lasi war with the Indians, would have been mined, had fcot Sir Edmunb Andros sent some of tho<-e Nation* to : :e. And indeed they are so con- le, that all thf» Indians in the^e parts of America are Trihutareys t" tie in. i puffer no Christians to converse x\ ith them, any where, but at Albany, and that not without my licence. ****** MISSIONS IN WESTERN SEW TORE. 161 If therefore bis Majesty were pleased to have a line run from 41° 40' in Delaware River, lo the Falls upon the Sus- quehanna, and to let Mr. Penn keep all b^low that, it would be sufficient for him, the hounds below it being conjectured to contain more than all England. To preserve the Beaver and Peltry trade for this and Albany, and to be an encouragement to our beaver hunters, ] desire I may have order to erect a Fort, upon Delaware, in 41° 40'; another upon the Susquehana, where his Ma- jesty shall think fit, that Mr. Penn's bounds should termin- ate. And another at Oneigra, (Niagara), near the Great Lake, in the way where our people goe a Beaver hunting, or trading; or anywhere else where I shall think conven- ient; it being very necessary for the support of trade, main- taining a correspondence with the further Indians, and in securing our right to the country; the French making a pretence of owning as far as the Bay of Mexico, for which they have no other argument, than that they have had pos- session this twenty years, by their Fathers living so long among the Indians. They have Fathers still among the Five Nations aforementioned, viz: the Mohawks, the Sinicaes, Cayouges, Oneides, and Onondagues, and have converted many of them to the Christian Faith, and doe their utmost to draw them to Canada, where there are already six or seven hundred, and more are like to goe, to the great pre- judice of this Government, if not prevented. I have done my endeavors, and have gone so far in it, that I have pre- vailed with the Indians to consent to come back from Can- ada, on condition that I procure for them a piece of land called Serachtague, lying upon Hudson's river, about forty miles above Albany, and there furnish them with Priests. "Thereupon, and upon a petition of the people of Albany to mee, setting forth the reasonableness and conveniency of granting to the Indians their requests, I have procured the 162 MISSIONS IK WKSTERM NEW YORK. Unci for them, altho' it hid boon formerly patented t.» tha people at Albany, and have promise! the Indians that they shall have priests, and thai I will build them a ebureh; und have assured th-* people of Albany, that I would ad- dles to hi* Majesty and t-» your Lordships, that care may bee taken to send "\c-r at first, five or my priests, it being a matter of great consequence. These Indians bare about ten or twelve castles, (as they term them.) and those at a jrrc-ot distance, one from another, so that there is an libsrn hue in esM \ of having so many priests, that there bee three, always travelling from Castle to Castle, and the r*>t to live with those that are Christians. "By that mean* the French priests will be obliged to retks lo Canada, whereby the Krencli will be divested of their • to th* country, and th i I enjoy that tiude without anj fear ■ ».rted." 'J'!i<- I • . mid only s in cliai . .v ay, whom God had sent. The British iameot i»f Km dan I, many distinguished •Hnl Kealous Protestants, all combined to aid the Indian Missions, J re built in the Iroquois country, No priei •,:. The unhappy Dongai could not have bis proi • linhed. B ministers were sent; n >me fi >tu Albany, occasionally tii- In liana, u bo no n g >t tired hs their lid of them. The Rev. W'm. An dkews, settled among the [ndians; : but after six yeaiaof lab >yr, toil, and disappointment he left tl making them better. Heat are. and Heathen* they still must be." Clark, Onon daga, Vol. L p. -13. The u Relations*tellusthat the fugitive Ob rjstiau Huron* went, some to St, fcjfrhaels, among the Senecas; some to the Islands north of Lake Huron; some to Lake Michilli- makinac, whence, pursued still by the Iroquois, they entered MISSIONS IK WESTERN NEW YORE. 163 a the bay of Puant," and advanced six days march south west of Lake Superior, and were received by a nation called Abimiwee; they settled on the borders of a great river, as broad and as deep as the St. Lawrence. They afterwards removed to ' Pointe St. Esprit," on a bay soittli of Lake Superior, where Father Allouez first, then Father Mak- quktte became their pastors: with Father Marquette, they finally '< returned to Miehillmacinac, and founded the Mie- »ion of St. Ignatius which subsist? to our time." Huron* from this post subsequently established themselves at San- dusky, Detroit, and Sandwich. The most unhappy of the rfurons, were those who sought refuge with the Cat or Krie Nation, on the Southern Shore of Lake Erie. The Erie or Cat Nation, says Father Ragueneau, speak the Mine language as the Hurons, and have fixed habitations." The refuge they gave to the Hurons provoked a war with the Iroquois. The Eries were defeated, and, together with the Hurons, almost all slaughtered. The most happy were those who went to the French colony near Quebec, after many migrations, they formed the^'Old Lore! to mission," which finally transfered to "the new or youncr Loretto," sub- sists in all Christian faith and practice to this day. See Relations Abreges, by R^v. P. F. J. Brsssani, S. J., A p. x. Catherine Ganneaktenck, the hostess of Bkuyas, at Oneida, where she, a girl of the Erie nation, had been rsdopted, was instructed by Father Rakfaix, and Cath- erine was requested by him, to begin at La Prairie, in Can- ada, a New Reduction. Joined by most of her family, she, on their conversion, came from Loretto, and founded the firxt Iroquois Reduction, about the close. of 1669, 'under the name of F. Xavier des Pres. The Relations of 1661, writing of the dark period between 1658 and 1661, says: "About four hundred league* from here, the Angels 164 MISSIONS IN WESTERN SEW YORK. beheld with admiration a poor fugitive church, which sought some asylum after the Huron disaster, in which it lost every- thing Du t its Faith. A brave old man, was the pastor of this wandering band; he led them far away, across the for- ests towards an infidel Nation, named Kignerounous ; beyond the Tfeach of the Iroquois. This Moses, the conductor of this little flock, performed here all the functions of a Curate, with care, lit to excite the admiration even of A nereis, who beheld a savage, perform the functions of missionary, of bishop, and- of universal pastor of his church, lie. bled them every Sunday, taught them their prayers, instruct- ed them in their catechism; some he reproached, others he encouraged with kind words, according to their wants; but with a z.-al, to which God gave such authority, that theso piod j :<> him \\ ith simplicity, and him, the faults that they had committed during the week, as they had been accustomed to confess i" their Pri< its, before the Iroquois hid beaten and killed the shepherds, and dis- persed the flock. Thus tie- cruel enemy of the Faith, did iid our progress. , We found many other wonders in nil til.--- j r elm .-ith which God softened the pains of I . and the sweetness of devotion, with which he seasoned theii i them almost to triumph in Bufferings. But, although our enemies, on all side, endeavored to hinder us from reaping fruit- I to ripe, we have not let tins year p*ss, without attending to our missions in the four parts of this new world, a . rywhere to ftoek our wandering To the South, Father Simon Lk Moynet has gone towards these same Iroquoi*, to crim- son with his blood, those lands, which have already been bathed with Jesuit labor and blood. To the West, Father Reni Menard is more than three hundred leagues distant from here, either dead or alive ; for it is two years since he MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 165 aet out on his mission, and we have no news from him ; it is likely- that he has been immolated. The coming spring, that is in 1662, we hope to effect much good with the Iroquois chiefs; in at least two grand Missions; that of the Ouontagues, in which Father Le Moyne had employed his winter, in advance; and that of the Sounoutouaerounous, Senecas, which will give us many settlements to cultivate; and, above all that of St. Michael which is composed of Huron christians, who brought their faith with their colony to the conquerors, after the destruc- tion of the old Huron mission. These two missions nlone require more missionaries than we have here; were it pos- gible^that we could divide ourselves, be assured that we would be found, at the same time, in different places, this being impossible. We aid one-an-other in accomplishing this great work. The Relation of 1662 has the following notice "Of the winter spent by Father Le Moyne, among the Upper Iroquois/' (That is the Cayugas and Senecas.) ''Behold here a mission of blood and fire; of labors and of tears; of captives and of Barbarians. It is a country where the earth is still red with the blood of the French, where the stakes yet stand covered with their ashes; where those who have survived their cruelty, bear its fatal marks on their feet and hands; their toes cut off and their finger nails torn out; and where, in fine, Father Simon Le Moyne has been, for one year, to soothe the sighs of this afflicted church, and to take part like a good pastor in all the mis- fortunes of his dear flock. He was occupied chiefly, during the winter, with three churches, one French, one Huron and one Iroquois; he pre- served the piety among the French captives, aud became him- self the sole depositary of all their afflictions; he re-established the Huron Church, formerly so flourishing, in their own JOO MIS8IONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. country; he laid the foundation of the Iroquois church, going from place to place, to baptise the children and the dying, and to instruct those who, in the midst of barbarian- ism, were not far from the Kingdom of God. A little chapel, formed of branches and bark, was the *anctuary where God received, every day, the adoration of of those who composed these three churches. Here the French assemble 1, each morning, half an hour before da\- lijfht. to assist at tlie aU£UBt sacrifice of the Mass; and every evening, to recite, in common, the rosary; and often tut-» during the d iv. io fjeeV consolation from (rod in their mis- fortunes; joining their mangled hands, and lifting tliem to lu-aren, they prayed for those who had thus maltypted them. The Eroqu m of Cavdpaied o\\ wefe cured. This gained the favor of the people, and <»p» ned the doors of every cabin to ihe bather, who found the Indians in the best pcWible disposition. One An hole month scarcely sufficed to baptise all the children, Bud to console a great Hirtmber of Huron OathoJ b'es, in whom a sad captivity of fifteen oV twenty yearn hud not destroyed the faith. They v^re living temples of God, in tlie cabins of llrtrtr masters , n.u ually aiding each uiber, MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORTC. 16? and sanctifying by praise and prayer the woods and fields around, in which Jesus Christ had not before received hommige. "What joy for this little band, so well disposed* to receive again a pastor, in the good Father Le Moyne ! The mute language of the eyes, spoke more than the tongue could say, in this happy moment. Nor could the Father refrain from tears of joy and compassion, seeing these poor Christians weeping with devotion! Certainly, such tears from the eyes of savages, are sufficient to dry the tears, and sweeten all the !abors of those, "who go in search of the poor lost sheep. But the Father was obliged to leave this consoling mission, and return to Onnontage, where Gara- kontie, (under whose protection Were the French captives,) having returned from Montreal, and having published the kind reception he had received, gave an entertainment to the good Father, making him presents, which consist of some pumpkins — which make a veyy delicious food-, when bread is wanting, and when, as generally, the missionaries make but one meal a day of a little saggomet, composed of pure wate» j whitened with a little Indian meal : for such was the ordinary diet of this good Father. Garakontie did not cease to load Father Le Moyne with presents; among others, he gave a necklace made by the hands of the Ursu- line Nuns of Quebec, decorated with ornaments which please and delight these people, most especially when they are told that it is the work of nuns, who had crossed th6 ocean expressly to instruct their little daughters, and that they wait in Quebec for Indian girls to be sent there; and that all who went there would see other holy women, who would receive them, w T hen sick, in a large Hospital, where the sick receive all care and attendance, such as the sick Indians had lately received in the Hospital of Montreal-. This is what we have learned of the labors of the Father, from some savages, who, at the close of the winter, came to 168 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. see us, and who promised to return here in the summer with all their French captives, as a pledge of the sincerity with which they desired to he united with us. By such generous aspirations did the Christian mission- aries requite the unjust suspicions and the barbarous cruel- ty, which now clouded their hopes. Jesuit priests, how- ever, still, either free or as captives, watched over the afflicted Church. Father Jerome Lalemand, from 1059 to ]062, tells us that Father Le Moyne wintered in the country of the superior Iroquois (Senecas, Cayugns,) and relates the cruelties of the Iroquois towards the French, the torture of prisoners, and the persecutions of the Christians and the Church, The Relations of 1667, Bay "Father James Fremin and Fathei Pikhron, are ready for the mission of the Ague of the Iroquois and Father James Bruyae for the Onnecout. And three other fathers, arc all ready for the Onontag yas and Sonontagans (Senecas) r Nations of the Iroquois, as soon as the deputies of nations arrive here for them, as they have already promi The three fathers above mentioned having received the Hon of Bishop I'kikik: each burning with zeal for ration of the Iroquoissel out, from Quebec, during the month of last July, with the ambassador of the Agno and Onnecout tribes. Having arrived at Fort St. Ann, they were surprised by a body of between fifty and Bixty Indians, that we call, the Wolf nation, they were in am- bush, in the lake, waiting to fall upon them. This was a sad drawback, for those who wished for no- thing more than to reach their cities, to plant the faith on the land already crimsoned by the blood of the first of our fathers, who had there been most cruelly tormented, or massacred. MISSIONS lNvWgESTpRNvNEWvYOBK Si ibVi Thev were obliged to remain in this fort, for one month, until the enemy scattered. As yet we haVe learned nothing rasore of them; but if God blesses this undertaking, we. will go to rebuild the Huron , and Iroquois Churches, which we had already raised long be- fore, and we will have nathing nov^to do, but to, reap the fruit of our former labors for the instruction^ of these, poor barbarians. These are some of the new, missions, which ope&themselres on all sides, north,, south, east and west We : pray God that He will assist us and send some noble, souls, and make them worthy to live in such labors, and even to die amidst the flames, and tortures of the Jroquois. This is the only, attraction, that, I present- to apostolic men, who may come, to this new. world, to. shed their tears, and their blood, for the salvation of so many poor.. souls, for which, Jesus Christ shed his blood and laid down his life. During these last years we have received quite an increase.. of chosen men, whose state in France was considerable; but who, in Canada, lead a life, hidden amongst the, woods, the locks, and the snows; ever in hunger and fatigue ; often suf- fering the loss of i their strength ; : and yet feeling now, more consolation iu one day, than they, received before in a. year. Sweet is their joy in a happy privation of nearly all com.-, forts, when thinking of these words of the Apostle :.'' You ; are dead to the world, and your life, is .hidden, with Christ in God." Another ''Relation*' sa3~s: Father. Stephen De Carheil and father Peter Miu.et, who as we have, seen were waiting to enter the Iroquois missions, set out to begin their labors and cares. The Cayugas are quick to acknowledge any act of kindness. We have had good proof .of this; during the ten . years we were with them,; and the late father Mesnarlv who was there pastor, was always praising their docility/' }70 SIMMONS 5N WESfrfclrlN NEW YORK. The Fattier built them *(' them to go and live on tho Northern shores of the Great Lake Ontario. This detach- ment of Oioquens, Cayugas, or rather, this new colony, had need of Pastors to confirm them in the Faith; this was worthily done bv Mk. Dfi FfeNEI.ON and Mi;. TroUVB, two fervent Missionaries, \vho were Bent thither bv the Bishop. But as it was Late in tfie summer, when these two Fathers went, they have not as yet been able t<> send us any account from these ne'w ehan It is more than a year since anything has be^n heard of Father ALtotBZ, who i> now almost two years with the A gonquin chiefs, and who travels with them in tho large forests, that ban five bur. died leagues from Quebec. Perhaps, overcome by the extreme fatigues of bis mission, he has followed Father Rene Mii'SNARD, his predecessor, to heaven. Father Estiekne De Carhiel arrived at Cayuga on the r3th of November, 1668, and there presented to Heaven, as the first fruits of his labors, a female slave of the Andastes. He had come in her Company from Onondarra, and this journey, which they made toov'ther, enabled her to proceed, on her way joyfully, to Paradise; for having been instructed and baptized, during this journey, of two days, as soon as she had arrived at Cayuga, she was burned and eaten by MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 2f3 these barbarians, on the Gth of November. Father Gar- niek accompanied Father Carheil on this mission. They were very assidious in their labors. A chapel was soorj erected; many were invited to the Faith, and a goodly num- ber joyfully accepted the invitation. The mission was again dedicated to God under the invocation of' Saint Joseph. [Without knowing this, taro hundred 1 yearn after, the first Bishop of Buffalo, obtained from His Holiness, Pope Pius. IX., that St. Joseph should be the principal Patron Saint of the diocese..] The mission was ably conducted, and for a long time the church was truly prosperous, Besides the village of Cayuga which is the seat of his mission, there are two others; one, four leagues distant, and the other, nearly six. The two last are situated i*pon a liver, which coming from the side of the Andastoque^ descend^ at four leagues distant, from Onondaga, on its way to empty into Lake Ontario. The great quantity of rushes bordering this river,. (Seneca) has given the name of Thiohero, to the village ' nearest to Cayuga. The people of these great villages are composed in part of C'ayu?gas, Hurons, and Andastes; the two latter being captives of the- Iroquois. It is there that the Father exercises his zeal, at>d asks companions to assist him in his apostolic labors. The great chief G-arakontie. exercised great influence at 'this new mission, as well as at Onondaga- and' Oneida. He encouraged the new converts by exhortations, and strength- ened the bands of the missionaries by his zeal and perse- verance in faith. Father De Carhiej*. wrote, on the day of St. Catherine, that assuredly this great Saint interceded for him, and for his poor barbarians, who came in considerable numbers on that day to learn to pray, and to be instructed : " It was on that day," added he, " that I asked of this great Saii4 that she would obtain for me, to speak in the same mannex, i72 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. that she had formerly spoken, so as to overcome the teach- ing's of the Idolaterous philosophers." From that time the 'chapel has increased, and has never been wanting in visitors who come to pray. When the Father first arrived there were very few men who would come to his instructions, as they were occupied for the most part, either in fishing, or in the chase; but the report of the approach of an army of the Andastoqui turn, and gave the Father an opportunity • ;at many. The report, which was spread, that the enemy to the number of three hun- dred men were coming tu attack the Cayugas, proved false. But it did much for the misssionary Father, by proving to the [roouoia how much he loved them, and how little he thought of hia own lit'", by remaining each night with those who kepi watch. Those who thought that he bad partici- i u. 1 in the general fear were un leceived. Their warriors, their captain*, and theSr ancients, in a public feast, sjave svidence of the esteem which they bad for the Father. : knew bow to profit bj this occasion, going in. ,; Know my brethren,*' said he, "that as, do not fear death. Why 3I1011H we fear! :. we honor Him Him. and we r death of being eternally happy with Him in It is you, my brethren, who ought to fear death 7 for up to the present time, you have neither known or loved i v) |. |fou have yed Him, and 1 1 ^ will punish Vou, it" you die without loving Him, and without keeping His commands, and being baptized." Being invited by a little child into a cabin, "where there were assembled a! out ^twenty warriors, be addressed them tints: "I am rejoiced, my brethren, to find myself in the same danger that you are in. Be assured that I do not fear death, and that I •'.voukl 'much rather die, than to see you die, without MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORE. 173 receiving baptism." He announced to them, that, on the next day, the day as they thought of the battle, they would see him go fearlessly among the wounded, to baptize those, who would be disposed, by a firm belief in our mysteries, and a true sorrow for their sins, to receive it. These warriors showed by their actions that they were well pleased with these remarks, and although this turned out to be only a panic, it did not cease to have all its effects for the. good of the faith. This church soon commenced to mutliply. It counted amongst its faithful, not only chil- dren, and women, but likewise warriors, who are, by fa*T the most numerous. The same Relation speaks of the mis- sion of St. Michael in the country of the Senecas: "This, of all the Iroquois nations in which we have been, is the most distant from us ; being the least frequently seen by us, it is called the superior Iroquois. It is reckoned from us, about one hundred and eighty leagues. This country gives us the greatest hope of a successful mission, which has obliged Father Jaques Fremin, Superior of all the Iroquois missions, to go there to establish a ne'^ church. We have known this through the letters of other missionaries, he having set out from Mohawk, on the 1 3th of October, 1668, He visited other missions on nis way, and on the 1st of No- vember, arrived at the Seneca country, wliere he was re- ceived with all the honors rendered to Ambassadors Extra- ordinary. We have learned also lhat the chiefs have built a chapel, and that every one has shown an inclination towards Christianity. Upwards of sixty persons were baptized with- in four months. Thirty-three are supposed t3 be enjoying a blissful Heaven by a happy death. The "Jongleurs," in many instances, interposed, so that it was difficult to keep up an interest, in proportion to the merit of the work. Cay- uga, we have named St. Joseph; Thiohero, St. Stephen; and Onontare, St. Rene. I 174 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. Father Fremin, also, set out, on the 10th October 1669, for the Seneca country. In three weeks, he was in the Villages of the Western tribes, lleceived roost honorably, he built a chapel, and began his- labours by baptizing chil- dren, and hearing confessions. At Cayuga, Father Carhkil reduced the Cayuga lan- guage to roots or radical words, and composed his valuable works on the Huron and Cayuga languages. The Villages Goiogouen, Kiohero and Onnentare, were under his care, In all ho found Hurons, some of them Christians and eager to profit by hi.- Ministry. Gradually bis Church began to increase in numbers, and sachems, warriors, women and children attended bis catechism classes, and disputed for his little prizes. Baptisms of adults began to reward and I thru he waa attacked by serious illness, and obliged to return to Canada in 1671. Father Petbr ; him ;it Cayuga. The Reverend father Rapfaix, who %s as a missionary, e country, as it was in 1670, 16J1, in the fol- terms : — •• I >untry 1 hat seen in A rica; it is situated in latitude r-'-j s , the needle dips ti. y more than ten degrees, it lies between two lakes, and is no more than four leagues wide, almost continuous plains, and the timber on their borders is rery fine. * * * * * - : More Lbau a thousand d< annually killed in the Deis ' Eja. Fishing, as well of the salmon as of the eel and other fish, is as abundant, as at Onondaga. Four leagues distance from Lore, on the brink of a river, i. saw within a small compass, eight or ten very fine Salt Springs. It is there that num- bers of nets are spread to catch pigeons; seven or eight hundred are often caught in one haul of a net. Lake Tio- hero, which adjoins our village, is fourteen leagues long by one or two wide, it abounds with swans and geese. All MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 1*75 winter and in spring, nothing is seen but continual clouds of all sorts of game. The river Choiquen, which rises in this lake, soon branches into several canals, surrounded by prairies, with occasionally very line and pretty deep bays, where wild fowl Hock. I find the inhabitants of Cayuga more docile and less fierce than the Onondagas and the Oneidas. ****** They reckon over three hundred warriors, and a prodigious swarm of children. Relation 1671, 1672, p. 75. De Carheil, after finding human skill unavailing, had recourse to God, and made a pilgrimage to the celebrated shrine of St. Ann, and obtained his cure. He immediately returned to Cayuga, and Raf- faix proceeded to the Senecas. Soon after the celebrated Chief Saonchiowagan became a Christian, and was baptized. But in 1684, De Carfieil was plundered of everything by the Chief Horchouasse, and driven from the Mission. One of the Seneca towns, Gandougara, or St. Michael's, was composed of II urous, Neutrals and Onnontiogas. ]\\ 1669 Father Garnier went to Gandachiragou ; and Father Fremin remained at Gandougara. In both places- Mass was said daily. The Village Gandougara or St. Michaels was burnt, the Missionary lost his Chapel, and all it con- tained ; but the zeal of the Christians repaired all; a new Chapel was buili ; prayers were now said publicly morning aud evening in all the towns; the Christians firmly refused all participation in superstitious rites; and and many whom pride had kept from professing Christianity, began to yield. The Sachems of Gandachiragou publicly professed their wish to pray; but the rumor of a French invasion, and slanders against the faith, retarded the blessed movement. Father Raffaix reached the Seneca Mission of the Con- ception in July, 1671. A third town, named St. James, contained several Christians, who anxiously r begged a mis- sionary. Father John Pie rron, was sent to it, thus the 170 MISSIONS IN WESTERS NEW YORK. Seneca canton possessed three Missionaries. By their holy eeal, piety soon flourished in these towns, and the Seneca Mission, was ?< arcely inferior to the reductions founded on the hanks of Lhe St Lawrence. Conversions of adults, how- ever, went slowly on, being contested at every step by the Medicine Men. Father Garnier was accused of sorcery, and as accusation and condemnation were nearly pynony- mons, tli-y determined to tomahawk him. Tl xecu- tioner was named and paid, but God averted the blow. The French occupation of Niagara by La S\lle, in 1678,and I ' ility to Fathei Garn*er, contributed to n the influence of the Missionaries, and excite the dis- trust of i!i" French. In 1075, i!>' Senecas burnl the quarters (lodgements) which La Sallk had built two leagues above the great falls ilia 1668. The French marched against them, 1 them, and again took formal possession of the country in the Dame i ch King. 1. \ 9 \i.i s laid • I on our western lakes, at the m ail ' 14 miles below Buf- falo, and -i\ mill - shove Ni ■ ■. The place selected by La Salle for build i«g this Pio l, Griffou," con- tinued I to be u- -I for b ii Is or boats, and continues to be familiarly known In the name of the 0! 1 Ship Yard. The "Griffon" was launched in the Spring of 107:'. Father Hk.vmivin was there. She sailed on her voyage up the lake, on the 7th of August, 107!J. At the close of 107-. F. Hennepin started from Niagara, over the snmvs, and, after five day's march, reached Tega- rondies, a large Village of the Fonnontouns, Sececas and Iroquois, 32 leagues eastward from Niagara. The day after. 1st January, 1G7Q, u After the ordinary service, (the Holy Mass of course,) he preached in a little chapel made MISSIONS IX WESTERN KEW YORK. 1 77 of the bark of trees. Father Garnier and Reffaix, Jesuits, were present." Father Hennepin speaks of his "voyages," east and west of the "Falls" and says: " In all these comings and goings, I liad always my portable Chapel on my shoulders, of course the Holy Mass was then said east and west of Buffalo. '•The twenty-sixth, the keel of the vessel, and the other pieces being ready, M. La Salle sent Master Moses, Car- penter, to beg me to drive the first bolt. My humble re- ligious profession forced me to refuse the honor. He then promised ten Lovis t/'or, for this first bolt, to excite the Master Carpenter to hurry on the vessel During all the winter, which is not half so severe here as in Canada, I had a cabin to myself to celebrate the Divine Office on Sun- days and Festivals. Many of our people understood the Gregorian notes, others could sing by ear." The Iroquois threatened to burn the vessel; some workmen wished to quit a hard service and go to New York; the evil was prevented by the prudence and zeal of Hennepin; "these unhappy men would have debauched our workmen were it not for the exhortations that I made every Sunday and Festival, showdng that our enterprise was solely for the glory of God, and the success of Christian Colonies." 11 Our vessel was soon ready to launch, and after having blessed it according to the Roman Rite, we launched it, though not quite finished, to save it from being burned, as had been menaced. The vessel was called the Griffon, allud- ing to the arms of Count Frontenac, two Griffons as sup- port. The cannon saluted thrice, and we sung "Te Deum." Father Hennepin had much to discourage him; but he per- severed, trusting in God. He ascended Niagara river, sounded the shoals-, and found that he had been misinform- ed, when the savages assured him, that there was not water enough, to float' his great vessel of sixty tons into the Lake . 178 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. Father Hennepin went to Fort Frontenac, be returned with Fathers Gabriel and Zenobius, also Recollects, "they arrived at the mouth of the river of the Tsonnontouans which pours into Lake Ontario, they readied a little cahin in which to celebrate the Divine Office." Hence they could not reach Niagara before the 30th of July — and, in a frail caaof, reach the Griffon than at anchor above Slack Rock. HENNEPIN started from Fort Frontenac, the 18tli Nov., 1687, in a "Brigantine of ten tons burden." Sieur La commanded. On the feast of St. Nicholas, they en- tered the Niagara River, u In which never had such a vessel I." They sung the "Te Deum." The Iroquois, Tsonnontouans, Senecas, of all the little village at the en- of tin- riv«r, took more than three hundred fine fish and presented them to the strangers. They left their boat, and ascend«Ki to the mouth of Cayuga Creek, shovelled off : foot deep, t<> make their fires; returned the next -lav towards the moulh of the river, meeting a great quantity of w ild deer an I turkeys. On the I Mb Dec., 1087, ited n!'- first Mi» that was evei said there. La Motte returned to Canada; Hennepin steered the boat up to the Kails of N iagara. On the Ttli August, 1679, tic- Griffon, with three Francis- can Priests aboard, passed before what i* how Buffalo; in _ 'hey fired their seven cannons, and then Bung the *Te Deum." Indians lined the shores; others who were on aboard joined with them, all crie 1 — " liaunorin," tl Admir- able." When the Relations close, Idolatry was generally discoun- tenanced throughout the Cantons by the Indians, now fully instructed in the mysteries of the faith, but generally not courageous enough to embrace it. The life of the Mission- r some time had been perilous, yet they had built an 1 maintained their Chapels, and worked on patiently in MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 179 hope; gradually gaining all, who were not corrupted by de- bauchery and intoxication; and baptizing all dying children whom they could reach. Now a new obstacle, the war be- tween England and France, impeded all progress. In the ambitious strife for the Indian country, the Indian Missions were sacrificed. Still Father Raffaix labored among the Cayugas and Senecas till 1680, when he had to leave, and died in Quebec in 1703, broken down with years and. toil. In the Spring of 1687, by the departure of Father John De Lamberville, the mission of the French was closed. The Governor of New York had long schemed and plotted for this. The treachery of the French Governor of Canada, hastened what the English had long been preparing. In 16S7, 14th July, the Marquis of Denonville routed the Senecas, cut down the corn around their four greatest villages, destroyed "about 400,000 bushels of Indian corn," killed "a vast quantity of hogs." The French esti- mated the number of Senecas at " fourteen or fifteen thousand souls." Formal possession was taken of the villages of " Totiakton, Gannagaro, Ganandota and Gan- nongarae; and a fort was established at a league's distance from the said village of Gannagaro." On the last of July, 1687, the Marquis executed another act by which he took formal possession of Fort Niagara, "west of the Senecas, and twenty five leagues above them." In the act he recounts; "the taking possession of the said Fort Niagara, several establishments having been formerly made there, many years since, by the King's order, and es- pecially by the Sieur La Salle having spent several years, two leagues above the great Falls of Niagara, where lie had a bark built, of which the stocks are still to be seen. We have resolved to construct a fort there, in which we placed one hundred men of the King's troops to garrison the same, under the command of Sieur De Troyes." Doc. His. 180 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. After the peace of Rysack, in 1697, mis-ionaries again hastened to Cayuga and Seneca. In 1702, Fathers James De Lamberville, Julius Garnier and M. Le Val- liant renewed their labors among the Cayugas and Sene- cas. Fathers Jambs D'Heu, ami, Peter De Marceuil joined the others and labored till 1703, when, "The English sent Abraham Schuyler with four Dutchmen and some Englishmen, to Bing the war song in the villages, and to present the hatchet to the Nations, on the part of the Queen of England." Schufler cunningly induced Fathers De Lamberville and Marceuil, to quit the village of Onontague, and then ejigaged some drunken rndians to fire ihe Catholic chapel, u which he first caused to be pillaged." Doc. His. of N. Y. IX. 829. Father D'Heu, who was then at Seneca, was also urged to fly. Later, "Sieur De Joncairb assured me that forty Senecae ing down, who were bringing with them Father D'Hi rj." I ' [ro [uois not being able to resist the powerful solicitations of n flek, had all finally declared in their ?' a ■ On the 31st Oct., 17 1", V vndriecl \\ rites to Paris: "Si -ur Ghai viqniere, arrives from the [roquoii*, where he bad been well received by tl tes and Cayugas, nor of Manathe could say." 11. "His Majest) has ap- proved of yp.ur having; Joincaire to the Senecas. . . Hh Majesty has also approved of your having, ■ ith >1. Hocquart, sent Sieur Rigau- ville to Niagara, to command that pos In 1731 a mutiny occurred at Niagara; some lay brothel's of the Franciscan order, aided the mutineers to escape; the Supe - - mtenanced their misplaced chiriiv. MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 181 Letters in Doc. Risk of K Y, Vol. IX., show that friendly relations were kept up between the French and the Senecas and Cay«gas> up to 7th November, 1744, during which time it is highly probable that zealous missionaries visited those nations* Under that date we read as follows : any difficulties that liquor might ,. among the Indians, in the work they had to do at the carrying place; but as for the rest, they did not wish to participate in their war with their Father. The Seneeas have likewise sent word to Sieur De Celoron, to assure rae that, whatever proposals and advances ti.' lay cause to be made to them, they will never declare in their favor; that they requested me to MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 183 be at ease on that score, and, when they would recover from the affliction caused by the death of two of their chiefs, they should go to the Onontaques, to light up the council tire, and prevail on that Nation, to be as firm as they, in the resolution of neutrality, which they have adopted, provided always* the Beaver traps at Choueghan and Niagara remain untouched: which are the words they used to me, this summer, at Montreal." Extract from Memoir on the Indians of Canada as far as the rlver mississippi, with remarks on their Manners and Trade. 1718-. The Niagara portage is two leagues and a half to three leagues long, but the roads, over which carts roll two or three times a year* is very fine, with very beautiful and open woods through which a person is visible for a distance of six hundred paces. The trees are all oaks, and very large. The soil along the entire of that road is not very good. From the landing, which is three leagues up the river, four hills are to be ascended. Above the first hill there is a Seneca Village of about ten cabins, where Indian coin, beans, peas, water melons and pumpkins are raised, all which are very fine. These Senecas are employed by the French, from whom they earn money, by carrying the goods of those, who are going to the upper country; some for mitasses, (ie the Algonquin word for stockings or leggings,) others for shirts, some for powder and ball, whilst some others pilfer ^ on the return of the French, they also carry their packs of furs, for some peltry. This Portage is made in order to avoid the Cataract of Niagara, the grandest sheet of water in the world, having a fall of from two to three hundred feet. This fall is the outlet of Lakes Erie, Huron, Michigan, Superior, and consequently of the numberless rivers discharging into these lakes, as K 184 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. ■well as of other lakes, towards the Sioux, with the names of which I am not acquainted. The Niagara portage having been passed, we ascend a river, six leagues in length, and more than a quarter of a league in width, in order to enter Lake Erie which is not very wide at its month. The route by the Southern, is much finer than that along the Northern shore. The reason that few persons take it, is r that it is thirty leagues longer than that along the North. There i- no need of fasting, on either side of this lake, deer are to be found there in such e;iv;>t abnndance; buftaloes Bre t<> be found on the South, hut nol • m the North si ■ r\ . li i- believed fchal missionaries visited, under great risks, 3 aeca and 6th I - almost <>r quite up to the time when, under tin ad minis tration ofth< Rev. .Ions Caki'.oi u priests of the i began to Beefe entrance into this State An enemy attests it: for, in tip year 177i>. the Rev. I - Enqlbs, who, after the Revolution, removed to Nova Scotia and became Bishop there, sent to Lord Hillsborough, a " Memorial Concerning the EroquoW to which was attached a map by CoL Q\ v Johnson, from which it seems that all the present • of Buffalo was inhabit. -I only by Indian-. No :,, of course, i- made of Buffalo. About where Rochester now stands, we Hud the Indian village ** Chen- then, eastward, C -■•_■. : then, Cayuga; theft, Onondaga, Oneida 8ch< i Albany. All the other great names beJoi _ >nt future. Dr. Inolbs admits that "-Many of the Oneidas profess Christianity; being instructed partly by the Jesuits." But in the bounds of the present diocese of Buffalo, he says, of li the Cayugas, amounting to 1 ,0 40, the Seoekas, to 4,000, the Tuscaroras. to 1,000, . . . Very few have any impres- sions of Christianity/' He pleads strongly against the Catholic Priests: and strives to impress on the imnd of the MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 185 Secretary of State that the converts of these Priests cannot be good subjects. He adds: "Under these circumstances, the affection of the Indians will be alienated from us more and more; to which the pomp and ceremonies of the Popish Religion, with which the savages are much capti- vated, will not a little contribute." Alas!' his advice, too well followed, forced away the priest, left many a pagan Indian still savage, and forced the Christian Indian into exile. CHAPTER X JU EARLT INDIAN MISSIONS IN THE NOW BIOCESS OF BUFFALO CONTINUED. Cod prepared for the persecuted Catholic priests, and Indians, Missions whither the Church might, "fly into the desert, to be nourished for a time, and times, and half a time." Along the St. Lawrence many such Missions called '"reductions," arose. The Rev. Francis Picquet, a Sul- pician, left a brilliant career, which Opened before him in France, to devote himself to the Missions of North America, in which he labored thirty years. His austere life, and un~ sparing labors, gave to an enfeebled constitution, extraordin- ary vigor, and robust health, even to the end of a long and highly useful life. God destined this zealous priest to found a "reduction," in which the Christian Indians* of Western New York, might find a refuge. He came to the Indian Mission in 1733, and was the great Chaplin, during the war of 1742. When, in 1748, peace was restored, proposing to remedy evils which he had seen and deplored, he began a settlement 186 Missions w WEsruttw jtew york> or u Reduction," at ll La Presentation," near Lake Ontario-, The establishment, succeeded beyond his hopes, ami ]ias been the most useful of all tbo.se of Canada, (Meaning 1 also Western New York). The Fort of La Presentation, (now Ogde»sburg r ) is situated at 44 s 50' north latitude, on the Presentation River, which the Indians named Soegasti, thirty leagues above Mount Real. Fort Frontenac had been built oear tberp, in 1671, to arrest the increasing power of the English ;md the Ii<'[/iM.-* are aa frequent and as dangerous ■i- .-I, tbe Ocean. Bui tire I'"-: of La Presentation appeared vtill moo- important, because tbe harbor is very good, the river rarely freezes, the barks can leave with northern, east- eru and southern winds, the lands are excellent, and that quarter can be fortified most advantageously. Besides, the Mission was adapted, by its situation to re- concile to us the Iroquois savagesof the Five Nation^ who inhabit between Virginia and Lake Ontario. The Iroquois to the South, and tbe Micissaquis to the North, were within • i. Thus it eventual led in collecting the) Indian- r r distance of one hundred leagues Tlie officer interpreters and traders, however, regarded the establishment as chimerical Knw and »>p- positioD would have effected its failure, had it not been for" the firmness of Abbe Pictw &f. On the 20th October, 1740. be had built a Fort of paUisades, a bouse, a barn, a stable, a redoubt, and an oven. He had lands cleared for thesav- _ . 1 1 >— improvements were estimated to coat thirty to forty thousand livers, but in n)\ he introduced! as much judgment as economy. He so animated tbe workmen that they labored 'from three o'clock in the morning* until nine at night As for himself, his disinterestedness was extreme. He received at that time neither allowance nor preseut-*, MISSIONS IN' WESTERN NEW YORK. 1&7 supporting himself by his industry .and credit. From the King he had but one ration of two pounds of bread and one half pound of pork, which be, and his fellow priests, could scarcely cut, this made the savages say, when they brought him a Buck and some Partridges, "We doubt not, Father, but that there have been disagreealle expostulations in your stomach, because you have nothing but Pork to eat Here is something to put your affairs in order. " After this, the hunting became good ; the hunters furnished him where- withal to support the men. The savages brought him. trout, weighing as much as eighty pound. At first, in 1749, he had only six heads of families; eighty-seven families the year following; three hundred and ninty-seven, in 1751. All these, were most ancient and influential; ihey numbered three thousand. Mr. Picquet took advantage of the peace to increase that settlement. He brought it, in less than four years, to great perfection, despite the contradictions and obstacle which he had to sur- mount, and tiie gibes and unbecoming jokes which he was obliged to bear; but his happiness and glory "suffered no- thing therefrom. People saw with astonishment several villages start up almost at once; a convenient, habitable and pleasantly situated fort- 5 vast clearings coveted with the finest maize. More than five hundred families, still infidels, who congregated there, soon rendered this settlement the most abundant of the colony. Depending on it, were La Present- ation, La Galette, Suegatzi, L'Isleau Galope and L'Isle Pic- quet, in the River Saint Lawrence. The most distinguished of the Iroquois families were dis- tributed at La Presentation, in three villages; that which adjoined the French fort contained, in 1754, forty more bark cabins, some of which were from sixty to eighty feet long, and accommodated three or four families. The loca- tion phased them on account of the abundance of fishing l8S MtssioNs in Western new tore. and hunting. ****** The Bishop o'f Quebec, wishing to witness, and assure himself personally of the won- ders, related to him of the establishment at La Presentation; went thiUwy in 1749, accompanied by some officers, royal interpreters. Priests, from other Missions, and several other clergymen, and spent ten days examining, and Causing the Catechumens to be examined. He himself baptized one hundred and thirty-two, and, during his stay, ceased not to bless Heaven for the Progress of Religion among these In- fidels. Scarcely were tbey baptized, when M. Picquet de- termined to give them a form of government. He estab- lished a council of twelve ancients ; chose the most influential among the Five Nations^ brought them to Mount, Ileal, where, at the hands o\' the Marquis De Quesne, they took the oath of Allegiance, to the great astonishment of the colony, where no person dared to hope for such an event In the month of Juue, 1751, ML Picquet mad.- a * around Lake Ontario, with a king's canoe and one bark, in which be had five I •-. with the design of attracting Bome Indian families, to the new settlement of mentation, memoir among his papers on the Btibject, from which it is purposed to give an extract. At the Bay of Quiate, be visited the site of the ancient n which M. Dollieks De Kleus and Abbe D' - 8 iminary, had established there. The quarter is beautiful, but the land is not goad. He passed thence to Niagara. He examined the situation of that fort, it is well located for defence, not being com- manded from any point The view extends to a great dis- tance. They have the advantage of the landing of all the canoes and barks, which land and are in safety there. But the rain was washing the soil away by degrees, notwith- standing the vast expanse, which the King incurred to bus* tain it. M. Picquet was of opinion that the space between • MISSIONS IN WESTERN KEW YORK. 189 the land and the wharf, might be filled in; so as to support it, and make a glacis there. This place was important as & trading-post, and &s securing possession of the carry ing- 53! ace, Niagara, and Lafee Ontario. From Niagara, M. Picquet went to the carrying- place, which is six leagues from that post. He visited on the same day the famous Falls of Niagara, by w T hich the four great Canada Lakes discharge themselves into Lake Onta- rio. This cascade is as prodigious by its height, and the •quantity of water which falls there, as by the variety of its falls, which are to the number of six principal ones, divided by a small Island, leaving three to North, and three to the South. They produce of themselves a singular symmetry, and wonderful effect He .measured the height of one of those falls from the South side, and found it about one (hundred and forty feet, (these are French feet, longer than English ones.) M. Pecquet negotiated with the Senecas who premised to repair to his mission, and gave him twelve •children as hostages, saying to him, that their parents had nothing dearer to them; they followed him immediately, as well as the chief of the Little Rapid, with all his family. He set out with all those savages, to return to Fort Niagara. M. Chabert i>e Jonca'Ire would not abandon him. At •each place where they encountered camps, cabins and depots they were saluted with mus^uetry by the Indians, who never ceased testifying their consideration for the missionary. $1. Picquet tosk the lead with the savages of the Hills. Messrs. Jgnc&tre and Bjguille, following with the recruits. He -embarked, with, thirty-nine savages, in his large canoe, and was r-eceiv-ed on arriving at fort Niagara, with the -greatest ceremony; even with the discharge of cannon which greatly pleased the Indians, On the morrow he assembled the Seneca's, for the first time, in the chapel of a'Jie Fortg for religious services. M. Picquet returned 190 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. along the South coast of Lake Ontario. Along- side of Choiquen, a young Seneca met her uncle who was coming from his village with his wife and children. This young girl spoke so well to her uncle, though she had but little knowledge of Religion, that he promised to repair to La Presentation, early the following spiling, and that he Imped to gain over also, seven other cabins of Seneca's of which he was chief. Twenty five leagues from Niagara, Father Picquet, visited the River Gasconchagou (Genesee) where he saw a number of Rattlesnakes. The young tndians jumped into the midst of them, and killed forty-two, without having been bitten by any. He next visited the Falls of this River. The first which appear in sight in ascending, lesemble Ihe e>eat cascade at Saint Cloud, except that they have not been ornamented, and do nut seem so high, but they possess natural beauties, which render them very curious. The second, a quarter of r, ha- beauties truly admirable, by its curtains, and falls, which form also, as at Niagara, a charming pro- portion and variety. They may be one hundred and some igh. In the intervals between the falls, there are a hundred lilt:] - which present likewise a curious spectacle; and if the attitudes of each fall were joined t«/- gether, and lUey made but one as at Niagara, the height would, perhaps, be four hundred feet; but there is four times less water than at Niagara Falls, which will canse the hit- ter t<> pass, for ever, as a wonder, perhaps unique^ in the v arid. The English, to throw disorder into the new band, sent them a good deal of brandy. Some savages did, in fact, get drunk, whom M. Picquet could not bring along. He therefore desired much that Choiquen — Oswego — might be destioyed; and proposed erecting a fort near there, at the MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK!. 191 bay of the Cayugas, — Sodus Bay, — which would make a very good harbour and furnish very fine anchorage. M. Picquet next returned to Frontenac. Never was a reception more imposing. The Nipissirigs and Algon< pains, who were going to war in company with M. De Bellestre, drew up in a line of their own accord above Frontenac, where three standards were hoisted. They fired several volleys of mus- ketry and cheered incessantly. They were answered in the same style, from all the little craft of boats. M. De Verchere and M. De La Valtrie, caused the guns of the Fort to be discharged at the same time, and the Indians transported with joy, at the honors paid them, also kept up a Continual fire with shouts and acclamations, which made every one rejoice. The Commandants and Officers received our missionary at the landing. No sooner had he debarked, than all the Algon every post holding over forty men, and the Garrison ai Niagara always exceeded that number; we do not however find any, mentioned by name, except the celebrated Father Emmanuel Gresjpbl, and the register of the Fort is lost, having probabry been carried to Albany after the surrender. Father Emmani hi. (trespel, «>f the Order of St. Francis, came to Canada in 1 723, was chaplain at crown point, and then at Niagara- He also visited Detroit, and attended an expedition against the Fox Indians, in Wisconsin, in 1728. He set sail for Europe in 1742 but was wrecked at the mouth of the St. Lawrence. Tin »-o who reached the shore, almost all per- ished of cold or bunger. Father Gkespel survived, and on his return to Europe, published an account of his travels "which is remarkably interesting. What Bancroft, in his History of the United States, MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 197 says of early missionaries, was true, in some part, or in many parts, of what is now the Diocese of Buffalo, down at least to 1759. Bancroft, Vol. Ill, p. 14, says: "A chapel was built at Onondaga, another on Cayuga Lake, etc. ; and then in the heart of New York, the solemn service of the Roman Church, was chanted as securely as in any part of Christendom." The Jesuit Relations speak of their masses,, their solemn services, their sacred hymns and fervent singing, in various points of their wide missions. The voice of their sacred chant mingled with the roar of Niagara's cataraet The French had a fort at Schlosser; a stockade at the present ferry between Lewiston and Queenstown: and an- other stockade just above the Falls, half a mile above the residence of the late Judge Porter; the place is still known by the name of the " French Landing." In all those ports, regular, or occasional Catholic service was held. ]t is also known that after the events of 1759, the English abandoned the old French military works, and constructed others, where the present cluster of buildings stand, at the end of the road leading to Lewiston. The large chimney around which a small building is erected, belonged to the English messhouse, as it was called; it w r as a large, inconvenient structure, very high between joints: the frame of this buil- ding was prepared at Fort Niagara, while in possession of the French, for a Catholic church at that place, the English .hauled it over to Scblosser, and put it up there. This was the residence of Judge Porter for several years, after ho removed to the Niagara frontier, it was burned down by the British, when they invaded the country, in December, 1813. In tracing the solicitude of the Prelates of the Church, evi- dences are afforded, that, in the succeeding dark interval < f forty or fifty years, missionaries often traversed this country, 198 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. arid, like their Divine Master, it is to be hoped that they were •' doing- good," even if only as in " passing" through the land. This will be seen, in tracing the source of jurisdic- tion for our America. In 1615, the Franciscan Fathers received their jurisdic- tion, in America, from the Tope, through the Nuncio in Paris. In 1G48, F. Vincent arrived at Quebec, with the title of Vicar General of the Archbishop of Rouen: " this /'as not heen approved? Ju February 5, 1654, Pope Innocent X., addressed a Brief, erecting the Confraternity of the Rosary in the Church of Quebec, thus: " Ecclesiae oppidi Quebec, nulliuj dio sis." In June 11, 1658, Alexander VIJ., issued a Brief, giving to Mgr. De Laval, the poweia of Vicar Apostolic of New France- March 31, 1659, Ann of Austria, Queen Regent of France, wrote to command that the Bishops of Petree, whom the Pope had named Vicar Apostolic of New France, should have full jurisdiction through the whole Province. Subsequently jurisdiction passed through the Bishop of ec In 17-7 Mjt. DE8ETLY, Bishop of Quebec, wrote to his grand Vicar, in London, stating. that by the treaty of 1783, the south of the St. Lawrence, from the 45 = of latitude belonged to the "Anglo Americans," and consequently} that since the said treaty, he, the Bishop of Quebec, bad sent no permanent missionary thither or to the country of the Illinois. It seems that then the " Prefect Apostolic" of New England, sent thither M. De La A'alenif.re, and Mi De St. Pierrev The Bishop of Quebec adds: "I do not know the extent of their powers, nor have I a wish to ques- tion them." In October, 1788, Mgr. Hubert, Bishop of Quebec, wrote to Very Rev. John Carroll, Prefect Apos- tolic, regarding the same subject, and adds to the names of "MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 1 9^ the two priests, above noted; a third, Rev. M. Gibeau, requesting Mr. Carroll to continue his care over that district On 13th January, 1791, Pope Pius.yl, issitec! a Brief, confiding the jurisdiction over ail the country, in the limits of the United States, to the Bishop of Baltimore. On the 14th January, 1796, Mgr. Hubert, Bishop of Quebec, wrote to the Right Rev. John Carroll, Bishop of Baltimore, saying that Rev. M. Frechette, pastor of Detroit, but member of the clergy of Quebec, desired to be recalled to Quebec, and requesting Bishop Carroll to provide a pastor in his place. Bishop Hubert also states that the Rev. Mr. Burke, at "Riviere aux Raisins, 1 ' was willing to Continue pastor of the place, even after its approaching surrender to the Americans, and that the Bishop of Quebec left him at the disposal of the Bishop of Baltimore. Bishop Carroll answers, in date of May 2, 1796. Expressing how much he would have been consoled, if both pastors could have been left, and declaring thai he will do ail in his power to 'find a pastor for Detroit, &c. In this hasty, and often interrupted collection, it can only be hoped that provision may be made for future ttiore extended history of this early interesting epoch* Before the removal of the Indian missions, Catholic priests from Europe, Baltimore and Philadelphia-, had begun to penetrate New York., in despite of cruel penal laws. At this period of our history, it becomes a duty to show from authentic documents what remains of good from the heroic apostolic z^al of early Catholic Missionaries, And the reader will be consoled to learn from truthful and zealous Rt. Rev. and Rev. Catholic Missionaries that the number of Catholic Indians, perhaps -Tm-er diminished, cer- tainly is now far greater than ever. 200 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW TORS. A respected missionary in tbe Diocese of Quebec writes: " There are at Montagnais, in tbe Diocese of Quebec, on tbe north shore of tbe River and Gulf of St. Lawrence, two hundred! and eighty fa mi Ires, containing about eleven hundred individuals. Mostly all of the adults are able to read and write. Tbey were taught reading and writing, more than a century ago, by some of the Jesuits; books have been since printed in their language. Each family carefully preserved the knowledge they received from pre- ceding generations, without the aid of schoolmasters. Except the Huron a of Loretre, all the Indians belong to the Algonquin family. I do not think that th.'je is in the ] lebec a single Protestant Indian." In tbe Kocese of Quebec . . . . 2386 " " " Milwaukee, Menoroees . . 2000 * " Sault fete. Marie, over . . 3000 u u u Michigane, Huron 9, Ottawas, Pattowaftamies, Menomees . 4e says: " It is admitted by ail who have travelled extensively a.est tribes believe- that the frauds and outrages whk-h taave been perpetrated upon them was a sequence of missionary establishments, and then-fore wilt have none but Catholics, in whom they have confidence — and, as if to spite tbe poo* Indians for their preference, during the war against them they were driven from the Catholic mission : the Priests' robes were used to decorate the horses of tbe invaders, tbe premises were burnt at a loss - ik er< at*n ■> who Could not make th< put t'» death and theiw bodies Bsed as targets to shoot at; and the life of good (father Pan»ozy vsa> sought after, because Kke a good shepherd he kept with bis flock in it> distress, while in rn Oregon, the Bible was quoted to justify tl termination of the [ndians. N 1 we wonder that they re- gard th-- frible as their death-warrant, and your religion as a curse 1 Geutlemen, I appeal to yo*i as men, not as uiin- eds which many of yon bold, you such, a- effectually sh ,)••! I( f your strength as was Sampson, after Delilah bad .-at upon bis lap with her at hi- beard, The Philistines, in tbe quickened common-sense of the world, are upon you, and unless pon obey the voice ot' God in nature, you will die as be died, a& inglorious death*" MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 207 CHAPTER XII. JNDIAN MISSIONS IN THE DIOCESE OF BUFFALO CONCLUDED. A new era commences. In 1776, our country became independent of England, The penal laws of England Against Catholics, more or less fully established in every State, quailed before true liberty. But with Independence, those laws were not at once abrogated ; the spirit of the people, so far mare kind, so far better, than the laws, made them generally become a dead letter before they were repealed. That law which condemned Catholic Priests to perpetual imprisonment or death, was repealed by the New York Legislature only in 1784, when there was- not a single Catholic congregation in this State. It is curious that the lav* 7 , under which alone Catholics can now incorporate, was enacted in 1781, and, of course, was not intended for them: yet whilst almost all Protestant churches or sects refused to use that act of 1784, because, as the preamable to their petition states, it ivas contrary to Church discipline; yet Catholics are still required by a penal law, enacted in 1855, to incorporate under that very law, not intended for them, and which Protestants generally refused to use, having obtained other laws which suit their disci- pline. In our "Revised Statutes, "it is said, at each revision \ 4t Law passed in 1813 — in 1821, eto., etc. ;" but this is a fiction; no such, law passed at those epochs. The only excuse for the assertion is, that the Revision was com- pleted and presented to the Legislature in those years. In spite of the cruel law. missions had been kept up; for priests would risk their life to visit the sick, or to aid a soul that yearned for truth and for God. But missions eaukl not spread when Catholic or Protestant laymen, were 208 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. liable to a fine of $1000, and three days in the pillory, for giving shelter to a priest, As soon as the Catholic priest could appear, without danger of death, or ruin to his friendly host, the work of God advanced most rapidly, In 1784, there was not a single Catholic church or Catholic congregation in the State of New York. In 1802, they form about one-third of the total population of the State. For many years befue a Priest came to Rochester or Buffalo, the Catholics in this West part of our State, were accustomed to go, al leas! once a year, about Easter, to Albany — a journey of three hundred miles — to accomplish their duties of the Christian Passover, and to get their children baptised. When, with other Commissaries, Da Witt I ncplored, in 1810, the location of the it Erie Canal, Rochester had no existence. In 1 8 1 2, two bousee were built Nathaniel Kochester, William Frrzuuon, and Ciias. 11. Carroll surveyed tin- on.' hun- dred acre tract which they bought in 1802, at seventeen and a half dollars per acre, an ! laid ii out as a bite for a village. Mr, Scrawton built tin first house, occupying the site of the present KagU Hotel, on the corner of State and Buffalo Streets. The increase of inhabitants was at first slow, as may be seen from the fact that the future city, in 1816, numbered only three hundred and sixty-one inhabitants. But emigrants from the Eastern S ates and from Europe, found their way thither, and swelled ihe number of its inhabitants in a few years, to a degree equalled by no city in Europe, and by very few in this country. In 1820, it possessed 1,500 inhabitants; in 1825, 4,27-1; in 183U, they increased to 10.303; in 1836, to 17,100; in MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 209 I83S, to 20,000; in 1840, to 30,000; and now its census shows the respectable figure of above 50,000 inhabitants. The City of Rochester, may boast of having been the first spot, in the present diocese of Buffalo, blessed with regular visits of a Catholic priest. The Rev. Patrick Mc- Cohmack visited it in 1818. The following year the Kev. Francis Kelly made a second visit. In 1708, when the surveys of the Holland Purchase first commenced, all the travel between the Phelps and Gorbam tract, and Buffalo, was along the old Indian trail; but the legislature passed an act, appointing Charles Williamson a commissioner to lay out, and open, a state road from Con- newagus, on Genesee river, to Buffalo Creek, on Lake Erie; ami to Lewiston, on the Niagara River. Buffalo, in October, 1798, consisted of the log house owned by Middaugii and Lane, a double log house — about two squares from Main Street, a little North of the present line of Exchange Street; Captain Johnston's half log ami half framed house, a little east of the main building of the present Mansion House, near' Washington street; a two story hewed log house, owned by Captain Johnston, about Ex- change street, from six to eight ro Is west of Main street, where a tavern was kept by John Palmer; this was the first Tavern in Buffalo. Asa Ransom's log hou«e west of the Western Hotel ; Winne's log house on the bank of little Buffalo, south of the Mansion; Maybee's little Indian store in a loo- building on west side of Main street, about twenty rods north of Exchange street, and a log house occupied by Rgbbins. The flats were open ground; a portion of them had been cultivated. Such was Buffalo — and all of Buffalo— in 1798. David Mather, says "I settled in Buffalo in April 1806, there was then sixteen dwelling houses, principally framed ones; eight of them were scattered along Main Street, three 210 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. of them were on the Terrace, three of them on Seneca, and two on Cayuga Streets. There were two stores, one, the 'Contractor's, ' on corner of Main ami Seneca streets, (east side of Main,) Vincent Grant kept it. The other was the store. of Samuel, Pratt, adjoining ('row's tavern. Mr. Li«: Couteulx kept a el ru y; store in a part of his house on Crow street. David Reese's Indian blacksmith shop, was on Seneca Street ; aud Willi vm Robrins had a blacksmith shop on Ma ; n Street. John ('how kept a tavern where the Man- sion Bouse now stands, and Ju«lge Barker kept one on the site of the market. "I remember very w«ll the arrival of the first public mail that <»ver reached Buffdo. It was brought on horse back by Ezra Mbtoalf, Ih 1 came to my Blacksmith shop and got his horse shod. He told me that he could carry the nts of his bag in his two hands." From 1809 to the commencement of the war, many settlers came into Buffalo ami many buildings were put up. Mr. LbCoi pectx came to reside in Buffalo in the year 1804; ion after employed some Canadians to construct him a frame house opposite Mr, Crows, on the site of the (milling now known a* the "L- Content block," and in which he Hveil until the burning of Buffalo, with his second svife, whom he married a short time after his release from captivity. He was soon after employed by the Holland Company as an agent for the sale of their lands in Buffalo and its vU cinity, and was appointed first Clerk of Niagara County, the 28th of Much. Inks, which office he continued to hold until the war of 1812. In December, 181 3. Buffalo con- tained one hundred houses. All, except two, were burnt clown by the British. Same of the early settlers were Catholics, Louts Stkpiiek Missions I» Westers Sew york\ 211 Le CotJfEUX De CHAfMONT, of a noble family in Norman- dy, Francs was a distinguished benefactor to charitable and religious institutions The first recorded visit of a priest occurred eight years after Buffalo had been burned down by the British. The Bight Rev. Henry Con Well, Bishop of Philadelphia, then passed thro' on his way Westward, and baptized a child of -Patrick O'Rourke, whose pious wife still remembers and relates the facts. The few Catholics of this place, were next visited* in 1821, by the Reverend Mr. Kelly, of Rochester, who said mass in St. Pauls, the Episcopal Church ; onlv five Catholic families being in attendance. From this time oc- casional visits were made by clergymen stationed at Ro- chester. The Catholics of Auburn, then numbering some four or five families, and having several children to baptize, sent to New York for a Catholic priest. The Revered Mr. Gor- man came. This was the first visit, that Auburn had ever received, from a Catholic clergyman. He remained but a few days, having celebrated the Holy sacrifice of the Mass, and preached a sermon, in the court house- be could stay no longer, since he had to visit other scattered children of the church \ nor did the little Catholic family of Auburn see a Catholic priest again, for the space of five 3 ears, when they were visited from . Rochester by the Reverend Francis Kelly. The Rev Michael McNaivIaSa labored to erect a church in the city of Rochester. He collected for it) in New York, Philadelphia and Baltimore, Washington, and divers other places. The Rev. Dr. Farnham of Utiea, then also visited Auburn. Seeing the waist of a church he encouraged the Catholics to build one, Mr John H. Beach, a respectable Protestant, gave a lot for the purpose, between Chapel and Van Aftden streets. The pious Catholics immediately 212 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. commenced the work. The walls of the foundation were built, but Rev. Dr. Farnham came no more, the poor Catholics were discouraged, and gave it up. The Reverend Michael McNam^ra settled in Rochester^ and became the first resident pastor. His mission mint havebeen excessively onerous^ comprising, as if did, Auburn, Ithaca, Owego, Canandaigua, Geneva, Palmyra, the couuties of Monroe, Ontario, Wayne, Tompkins and Steuben, lie had t<> visit them, periodic illy baptizing and administering the sacred riles of the church to bis sen ttered flock ; and, at the same time, directing the building of his church in Rochester. The Rev, Mr. Badtn, the first } >ri. ■- 1 ordained in the United States, visited Buffalo, in L828, remaining six weeks, officiating sometimes in the Court house, and at other times at the residence of Loci- Lb Couteulx, E*q, Mi'. Le Couteulx hid acquired a considerable extent of property while it was yet cheap in Buffalo, and at the solicitation of Father Badix, <>n the 5th of January 1829 he executed a deed of land, in trust for the Catholics of Buffalo, to Rt, Rev. John Dubois, 15;'. of New York, and h - ?, for ;i Catholic church and ••-•me- try, and sent ii to the Bisliop a- a New Year's Gift Bishop Dubois made bis first \i-it to Buffalo in tin- year 132 ; an account of it, may be found in his letter to the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, (annals vol. IV. p. 4"j4) where lie states that he found seven or eight hundred Catholics, instead of the seventy or eighty he had been led to expect. By means of an interpreter he heard the coufessions of some two hundred Swiw; preached in the Courthouse; administered the sacraments of Baptism and Matrimony, proceeded to the above mentioned ground, and dedicated it to the object for wh'ch it was given; this ceremony was the first of the kind, ever performed in MISSIONS IK WESTERS NEW YOBS. 213 Western New York; after the consecration, the Catholics called upon the Bishop and urged him to send them a priest which he promised to do; accordingly in the fall of that year the Revd Mr. Mertz arrived in Buffalo. Father Nicholas M.ektz who had collected upwards of three thousand Dollars in Europe with the intention of building a church elsewhere, erected in 1831, with part of this money, on the consecrated lot, a small wooden church called, " the Lamb of God," the name being suggested by the figure on a bronze tabernacle, which he brought wilh him from Europe and placed in the new church. When first Father Mertz arrived in Buffalo, he resided m a small log hut, on the w T est side of Pearl street, between Court and Eagle streets, and held Divine service in an old Frame house near by, which the Catholics rented and used until their church was finished. Father Mertz visited Lancaster, and Java,, from time to time, consoling the poor Catholics, by administering to them the rites of their holy religion. In 1832, the Rev. J. McGarry, was appointed Pastor of Rochester, In his case, as the records show, there was furnished a proof that the present Archbishop of New York was wise in suppressing the obnoxious Trustee system. The Board would not receive Mr. McGarry. The venerated Bishop Dtbcis, was obliged to interpose his authority; and being disobeyed, finally interdicted tiie Church. The good and holy Bishop wrote letters and issued a pastoral; the answer of the trustees was not respectful. A church incorporation law, which almost all Protestants rejected, because it was contrary to Church discipline, mis- led even good men. Bat whilst defending the sacred disci- pline of the Church, the good Bishop had evidently at heart the interests of St. Patrick's Church. Under date of August 14', 1832, he writes thus to Father McGarry: u As for the 214 MISSIONS IX WESTERN NEW YORK. salary, remember that I will not consent to more than five liiindred dollars being allowed yearly, until the Church is completed, vestments provided, and debts paid, t also wish a house to he built, for the accommodation of the priest, adjoining the Church." The awful scourge of the cholera began* sttdden deaths, that seemed like judgments of G'Ribll1 J, .1. Mc< rABRY " Bern ird O'Riell* M William O'Rielly " Mkiiaei. O'Brien " Martin K.wvxac.m 11 Michael O'Brien " 1800 to the present In 1831, Bishop Dubois, accompanied by Rev. Mr. UuTKiNEK, visited Buffalo. Some German leaders com- plained of the venerable Mr. Mertz. A deputation was sent to the Bishop to complain that the pastor would not allow iheiu to manage the money affairs of the church, giving the usual reason, that it was their own moneys, and that they 1819 1823. 1823 18*5. 1825 1 *:V2. 1833 1833. 1833 1834; 1834 lsj.15. 1835 1849. 1840 1854. 1 B 5 1 1850. 1859 L80O. MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK, 215 tiad a right to see to its disbursments. Rev. F. Raffeixer simply inquired of each deputy, how much he had contrib- uted towards the erection of the church. " Nothing^' was the answer. The complaint, was dismissed, and peace restored. Mr. Raffeixer several times after visited the Germans, and was always joyfully received. Buffalo was incorporated as a city in 1832, with a popu- lation of about eight thousand, nearly one tenth of whom were Catholics; consisting- of nearly equal numbers of Irish and German emigrants, with a few French; all assembling' to hear Mass on Sundays in the same little church of '-The Lamb of God." The demon of discord having, even at this time scattered the seeds of disunion, a small number aspired to be leaders and rulers. They commenced with a pretended desire to promote the interests of the church. At first they did nothing, without consulting the wish of the pastor, but at length, they acted on their own responsibility, often grieving him by their WOrdly and unjust pretensions; even claiming the church as 'jerman-, but the pastor, though himself a German, promptly rebuked their selfishness, de- claring that it was not the church of a nation or of a party but simply a Catholic church, for all the Catholics of Buffalo. In Rochester, in 1833. whilst St. Patrick's Church was un- der interdict, the old church of St. Mary, situated on North St. Paul street, was purchased from the Protestants and open- ed as a place of worship for the English speaking Catholics; and after the interdict had been removed, it was still re- tained by the Catholics who lived on the eastern side of the city, and was attended by the Rev. F. Foley. The Rev, Francis Donoughue stationed at Salena, occasionally at- tended Elruira, Ithaca, Auburn and Greece, and through his encouragement and zeal, a very comfortable frame 216 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. church was, in 1834, purchased m Auburn, from the Meth- odists. Father Donoughue: soon became- the first resident pastor of Auburn. The number of Catholics in Buffalo, increased to such a degree, as to make it necessary to find more church room, to accommodate them. The Irish people, pained also by petty annoyances, to which they were exposed at 8t r^ >u i ^^ Church, resolved to withdraw from ir, and procure, if possi- ble, a pastor of their own,, from whom they mMil . more frequent instruction in English. They accordingly rented a hall, on the Terra <■. for Divine service and, in I887y the Rev. Charlbs S v II my ns their Pastor. A.I first, be said mass in Buffalo, only one Sunday in the month; as Ration was small; and d Lhe res! i f the time I i Java, and other adj As these Catholi : ■ ■ I benofi from the first donation i t for all, Mr. I lo them a sp tcious lot of ground for a church. This the wants of the ! p lople. Bishop I ! . hi n ixi visil tn Buffalo, recommended the pui n the corrcr a effected ' I loth, ! 839. V' i ■ ■ purcliase»m • paid by . 1*852. St. Patrick's Church \ Rev. I Smith, soon Br ioklyn. Man's. Rochester, not being able to eollect I ey in 1 835, ssfpn of the Church, and returned to St. Patricks, thus increasing the already crowded eongregation of that Church. Up feo this time the German Catholics also attended St. Patrick's Church, and tunned with the English speaking portio peaceable congregation. The first German priest, who visit- ed his countrymen, was the Late Vicar Genera] of Brooklyn, MISSIONS IS WESTERN" NEW YORK. 217 i/he Very Rev:. John Raefeiner. Finding so many German. Catholics, lie at once exhorted them to build a Church for themselves, especially as. St. Patrick's was too small even, for the English portion. But most of them being poor, they felt discouraged at such an undertaking. Soon after the Rev. Mr. Prost, of the congregation of the. Most Holy Redeemer, passing through Rochester on his \v;iy to Ohio, addressed his countrymen in their native tongue, and. exhorted them to the above mentioned under- taking. He found, on his return in the fall of the same year, to his great satisfaction, a brick church already pur- chased. With thve consent of Bishop Dubois and of his Superior, Father Prost remained in Rochester, as first Pastor of this Church, which he placed under the protection of St. Joseph. He also opened a school and appointed a male teacher for that purpose.- Father Prost, with a lay brother, began in Rochester, the first regular house of the celebrated and pious Society of the Most Holy Redeemer. The first record found on the book of baptism of that Church, is dated 24th July, 1830; Another entry attests the solemn dedication of St. Mary's Church, in Ely street, in 183 7. In 1838, Father Czackert, from Ohio, came to assist Mr. Prost. But the efforts of a few so discouraged the pious missionary, that he left the city of Rochester, and started for Pittsburg; leaving the Church under the care of Father Czackert, who remained but a few months, and left the. trustees to rule, with full glory, in an empty Church. For one year after this; no German priest celebrated Di- vine service in Rochester. The Revel. Simon; Sandrel, a missionary among the Indians, in upper Michigan, came (with a tribe of Indians, on their way to Lower Canada, where they settled,) to Ro- chester, and, having been frequently invited by the pious 218 MlSStOJfS IN WESfERX" NEW YottK. Germans of Rochester, with the consent of his Superiors, -who o-ave up the Indian MissioHs, he became pastor of St. Joseph's Clinic!", lie, also) came in conflict with the trustees, because, a? he said, they could not give a satisfac- tory account of the Church income and pxpense; and he declared, from the pulpit, that he would no longer acknow- ledge trust The Right Rev. Bishop Hughes, of New York, visited Rochester to I St. Patrick's Cemetery. He called a meeting of the Irish Catholics of the city, in St. Patrick^ Church, to take into consideration the biection of a second Church for the congregation then worshipping there. The was not favorably received by many; but the Prelate" encouraged its friends to proceed in their praise ; and the old Church of St. Mary's whs repurchased in the Fall of 1841. The Right Revd. PreJate al this time, a - rmission to Father Sandrel lohu'nVl a hew Church, a> St. Joseph's congregation had, during the last two or three yea ncreased; and the little church, besides being in a dilapidated condition, was far too small. Father Sandrel i _ of the con- gregation and stated, that, it* tbey would baud over to him the Church treasury, an 1 assist him with their contribu- tions, be would build them a fine large Church. Some difficulty \\a* made, and he determined to quit the Church. ish Catholics who bad just purchased old St. Marys, having no resident-pastor, Father S cepted charge of it, and shut up bis St. Jo>< ph's Ch uch. But at a m -r- ing of tii- St Joseph's congregation the people voted in ,' Mr. Sa nickels proposition; the trustees re and banded over to him the treasury of the Church con- B30 in cash, and a balance of pew rents amount- '. With this money lie purchased a lot and commenced the erection of the New St. Joseph's Church, MISSIONS IN WESTEIlN SEW YORK. 219 who^e title was vested in the congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer. But those members residing in Western Ro- chester were dissatisfied with the selection of the lot, because it was not central for them; and they also opposed the vesting of the title in the congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer! From the year 1S34, to the year 1S4.0, the Rev. Bernard O" Rielly was pastor of St. Patrick's, Rochester, thence he visited occasionally, Java, Canandaigua, and Lock port, until Father Manioast became resident pastor there, and began its first church. Mr. O'Rielly also attended occasionally Mount Morris, and Palmyra. In Buffalo, the very small number, who, perhaps uncon- sciously, tried to sow discord in St. Louis Church, had been frustrated in their first attempt. Yet they only awaited a more favorable time • and in the year 1838, some of them, having gone through the legal forms, incorporated under the above-named o-eneral law of 1?84, which Pro- testants rejected. The Bishop was grieved; for, in sending the Rev. Mr. Pax, he said: "The usurpations of trustees are not there to be fear-ed; for the ground belongs to me." The residuary heir of the donor, P. A. LeCov'teulx. Esq., a man of great honor and probity, also declares that his father never wished such an incorporation. This was an event productive of evil to the pious members of the con- gregation, of annoyance and grief to ecclesiastical superiors; SHid, until lately, of almost incessant discord and embarrass- ment to the Church. The Rev. J. N. Mertz, their Pastor, left that Church, and removed to Eden. The Rev. Alex- ander Pax. by the wish of the Right Rev. Bishop Dubois, undertook the pastoral charge. This worthy clergyman, finding the Church too small, and being assured by the Bishop that, as the ground belonged to him, no annoyance was to be dreaded from trustees, began to build the 2^0 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. present spacious edifice, with the hearty co-operation of the people. About litis tiine, the Female Orphan Asylum of R tor was founded, ami, for the first two years, condufeted by a Matron .-Mi'! Assistants, under the supervision of Rev. I>. O'Ribllt, pastor of St, Patrick's Church. Father 0. D. MWIuliIen, pastor at Lockport, finished th.- Ghu '-v, and purchased ;i Catholic i em ■■. \y. In 182 In 1 329 (lie ' ilo, \ isiied Java, in 181 6 the K-\. B ■ rn \i.:> < I'Hielly vi In 1837 R -\. ( ' n Rev. Mr. ■ Ration and built the Chi Java in 1 543. Fi • vn was I U . suit th • held near I, upon which was built a . \\ here I ractice . The • placed under .-. an i ( Ionnollt, wlio Lev. William Grace; after whose .1 from Auburn attended Geneva, Ithaca, Elmii Tlie Rdvd Theodore Nozthen succeeded the R< fcorist Fathers at Lancaster and became the firs>t resident g astor there* MISSIONS IK WESTERN NEW YORK. 221 •Scarcely had the New Church of St Louis been built by the Rev. Alex. Pax, when the trustees of the congregation •kroke out in opposition to Church discipline, by refusing t» comply with the statutes of the Diocese, and the faction so •harrassed their clergyman, that Lis health became impaired, and he was obliged to return to his native country, to en- deavor to recover it, His letters of this period, to Bishop Hughes, breathe .nothing- but grief and despondency. In that of Dec. 26, 1842, he says.: "This time I write to you, with a broken Leart. . . I read your pastoral letter, that part which treats of the ad mi uist radons of ecclesiastical property, occupied me two Sundays, because I was obliged to correct ■the most malicious interpretations, spread among the people. W. B. Le Cguteulx is the head of the opposition party. Misrepresentations of the worst kind, and lies of every description, were resorted to. Their continued agitation produced a frightful excitement," <$.ic He subsequently narrates how, some persons unknown, thus maddened, attempted his life, by throwing large stones through the window, at which he generally sat. And that placards' were" afterwards posted up, with the words: "We tried you once with stones; if you return we will try you with oalis." The trustees wrote a letter of exculpation, and rented a house, down is the city, in which the Rev. Pastor could remain without danger, because it was stir- mounded -with other habitations. It is well known that, on weak minds, whilst reading liistory a deep impression will 'be made, that almost all in I^fti is evil*, so much being said of war; whilst what regards peace and prosperity, is discussed "m a few brief lines. But the attentive reader knows, that many years of peace, with all its blessings, may be sufficiently said in the two words ef the cheering cry, "Ad&» well*'' whilst to render history 222 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. what it should be, a lesson of experience and wisdom, pages must be employed, to point out the causes, the actions and the consequences of a month's war, so also must be this history; whilst briefly narrating the onward struggle \ Church militant, in this diocese, But we will now i all, that, generally, the pastors rind the flocks, amidst dangers and difficulties, of which extreme poverty I the least, displayed deep piety, di interested seal, a generous spirit of self sacrifice, the Christian virtues which always accompany it, mid, even in poverty, charity like that of I Saviour praised for casting ber last mite, into house. Even ' ich history to be useful I. wa», in evei I in th< ir esti hrfpor- . and of the a church . :. he in- L . submit to the - i«rht Rev. I as _ *e his authority, to save the Church laws, J4e.n uko aeyer approached the MISSIONS IN WESTERN NE.W YORK. 223 against the cruelty of depriving the congregation of I10I7 sacramental helps. W. B. LeCouteui.x. Esq., who seems to have been the master-spirit in opposition to Bishop Hughes, wrote several letters to his Bishop assuredly in no Catholic spirit. In one, dated 4th August, 1811, he says to the Bishop : lk In case that, contrary to our expectations* you should have given your consent to the above proposi- tions, I feel bonnd to inform you that it would be a dero- gation to the clauses specified in his [his father's] act of donation, and would therefore put me under the obligation to claim the property back again." It is. a sacred duty to say the truth, in giving this history to the public, but to say it in such a manner as to give the least possible p^in to the living, or to the friends of the dead. The subject of St. Louis Church would have been passed over, truthfully, yet only in general, hasty views; but this mode of treating it can now no longer be just to the worthy dead, to the living, or to posterity. The worldly-wise and very cunning sometimes overact their part; thus the enemies of the Caiholic Clmrch have already farced into history false and injurious statements on this subject. In the New York Gazetteer for I860, published by J. II, French, page 287, we read : "There are fourteen Roman. Catholic Churches in the City of Buffalo. . . . The Roman Catholic Church of St. Louis, in this oily, has been prominently before the public, from the refusal of its Trustees to convey their church- property to the Bishop, and the extraordinary but ineffectual efforts made by the Roman Pontiff" to induce obedience to this order. In 1853, Cardinal Bedtni visited America, having this as a prominent object of his mission; but the Trustees were inflexible, and still continue the own- ers of the property." No Priest or Bishop ever asked the Trustees to convey the lot to them, nor has there ever been a dispute about the deed ;■ the dispute, from first to las£, was. solely about churcfe discipline* 2 24 MISSION* IX WESTJBRN NEW 70RK. On the 5th of January, 16*20, nearly ten years befoM any Trustee's church existed, the deed of that propei »nade to the Bishop, and he hoik it attfl. On the 3id of August, 1850, when Bh>hop Tij*on forgave the first Beriea of resistance to church discipline, under his administration, the Trustees pi dging themselves to abide for the future, by aciplinc of the church, say: ''On our part we ack- ■ be titles of the tempoi ilitiea of the church h d in the Bishop and Ii ; - - in offi •<•, in trust for the With Bishop J 1 1 ghbs and \'< ih >p Timi h . >ntest has been about the discipline of the Chun h. I hks, no doubt, has said in Bubs ; lid induce . ( >n r< eking • o !. and churd ■ »rding to lav Lo this, >ly and ! was a . . I ■ , v ill-- publication of the G n - ■ . through I , Esq.; Bishop -u.-i.-.l it as follows: I ik, April 5, ] Ml;. I . DeUTHER. EhEAR Sir: — I li.r. your petition and letter yesterday, and lose do time in forwarding my reply. Of course I s knew, 'that there were a great many true and MISSIONS IX WES'TERN' NEW YORE. 2 2~5 'faithful Catholics, in the congregation of St. Louis in Buffalo. Indeed, on my visitation of the Diocese, that congregation Was, by its piety, my joy and my consolation. It was my pride and my boast, on my return to New York. But when a congregation, through its officers, allows its pastors to be thwarted in doing good, to be harrassed, and be made miserable, thee I cannot expect that any priest 'will stay with them. The Trustees of a congregation are •only its servants, and when these servants undertake to reject 'ecclesiastical laws of the Diocese, and to make laws them- selves, as if they were Bishops, in God's Church; then it is time for those, who are Bishops and priests, to withdraw in peace, and leave them also in peace, to oovern those who are satisfied to be governed by them. They say the con- gregation supported them in their proceedings— -if this be so, which I cannot believe, unless they deceived the congre- 'gation by false statements^-then so be it. Much as I feel for the good pious people, I cannot ; alloTv T any priest to officiate in the Church of St. Louis, until I am assured that the Congregation, in its Trustees as well as in its members, are C : atk<>H':s.-^~trite Catholics, in their sou?, as well as by their outward profession. If they choose to have it otherwise, 1 shall not quarrel with them. But, in the meantime, I have no priest to send them; and if I had, I should not expose him in such a situation. Our priests are for Catholic congregations, and no other. Now there are many other good German Congregations without a pastor, and until 1 have German priests enough for them all, it will be my duty to provide for those congregations, who make it their pride to be governed by their pastors, instead of attempting to govern them. When I had written thus far, one of our city papers was brought me containing an article from the "Buffalo Gazette" which is false in almost every particular, and which I have 220 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. answered here. I hope the editor of the "Buffalo G izette" will publish my answer, in order that the jjood and pious people of the Congregation, may see how much they have 1 11 imposed upon, by meai s of falsehood, The People must oblige their Trustees to do right, or else they must be prepared to suffer for what, their Trwters do, i' 1 their nan II h tve no dispute with ■ Trustees to 1 - ■ idly that the Pastor must leave, 1 will *A her. With the same kind feeling towards all, as your true friend and father in Christ, I remain sincerely, f JOHN, i;,.. \. v. The ' hrough In the follow • '■■••■. of April lay you ' " an article purj>ortm" to be h | tht ,-,:,_.•. I in mv hail that the entirely _ , (ll(] i>{ - in conse- ... eoually m was il on him t" stay for tl _ m ,, it j |S or two years, ill treatment of a few worthless men whocall - • _ _- ■ . | ■ ;. • . j t | i(L l!j(; oongregation of St. Patrick's, iu Buffalo, have "complied with MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW TORE. 227 my requisition. " This again is untrue. The trustees and congregation of St. Patrick's will bear me witness that I never made any such requisition* I advised them as a means of putting an end to quarrels among themselves, to dispense with trustees, and to avoid the ruck on which St. Louis is now splitting 1 . These are the principal statements $ and the honorable confidence of the editor of the Buffalo Gazette, has been sadly abused by those, who have employed his authority for statements, which they knew to be un- founded in truth. He should demand proof of them, and if they cannot furnish it, to which I challenge them, he should publish their names, and vindicate his own. He has been deceived. I attach no blame to him. If his deceivers can furnish no proof that i ever made such a demand, I can furnish proof, in their own writing, that 1 never did. It is surmised, says the statement, "that the Bishop lias gone so far as to forbid any priest from performing divine service in St. Louis Church until its congregation shail fully comply with his demands." I forbade only one clergymen, whose inexperience might have been taken advantage of* by the same artifice which trifled so foully with the good faith of the editor of the Gazette. And secondly, what are called my "demands," in the statement, never had any existence in reality." Surely the editors of the Buffalo Gazette will feel a glow of virtuous indignation, when they discover how much they have been imposed on-. The only difference between the congregation of St. Louis and myself, is, that its trustees have thought proper, not to be'governel by the ecclesiastical discipline of the diocess, and expect mo to supply them with priests who shall be governed by a different discipline, of which they shall be the authors. The congregation of that church are pious and exemlary Catholics, to whom their holy faith is dearer 228 MISSIONS IN WES1KRN NEW YORK; than life. Even this may be said of a large number of the- trustees; But it sometimes happens that our trustees may be hon- est and upright in their intentions, ami yet men of simple understanding, and without education. In such oases, only talented) intriguing and irreligious mind get among them, and then, whatever he concocts in his in'i- del mind, he them, under specious pretences to adopt; and then b the depra.ved purposes of his own heart, as the .ml, and this.again* as the act of the he moment tlii> arri\ es, woe once Hi'- : • no < ierman pastor t" - md in his u* renl - 1 iramenta unautho ..'' hi- njoyed it »p- . The neighboring in it witb- £ their ov :i their mini t<> forbi in that church, until it shall be I whether it erned by the _ ions oi > diocess, or by [ trust, W -■ s. E li ors, that y<»u will publish the ab r valuable paj>er, act of reparation which [ may claim on tl I ask an insertion in "the Buffalo Gazette," which I am sure MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORE:* 229 the editor will not refuse. I appeal to the honor of such other editors,, as may have copied the false- and, injurious statement hist published in the Buffalo Gazette, for a similar favor. + JOHN HUGHES, Bishop of New York. New York, April 4^ 1843. The pious portion of the German Catholics, now met for worship in the basement of St. Patrick's church, having a Redemptorist, Father Allick, for their Pastor. Bishop Hughes gave the Order a deed for a lot on Batavia street, where they at once erected a temporary church, residence, and school-house. The Interdict on St. Louis Church in Buffalo continued from 4th April, 1843, to 10th August, 18-14. Dining that epoch, many of the peace-loving, pious Catholics of Saint Louis Church had attached themselves to the rising congre- gation of St. Mary's. The trustees became alarmed, asked forgiveness of the Bishop, and published, in English, in the Commercial Advertiser of August 10th, 1844, the fol- lowing; "A CARD. " We, the undersigned, Trustees of the Church of Saint Louis, Buffalo, having had the honor of an interview with the Kt. Rev. Dr. Hughes, Bishop of New York, in relation to the difficulties which have existed between the congrega- tion and the Bishop for some time past, and havino- received from him, a true explanation of certain parts of his Pastoral Letter, and finding thereby that we have been laboring hitherto under a misunderstanding of the same, hereby express our willingness that the Chinch and congregation of St. Louis be regulated according to the provisions of the said Pastoral Letter, and the true explanation received from the Rt. Piev. Author; and we promise, in our own 230 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. name, and (so far as we can) in the name of our suet that the administration of temporal affaira of our Church and eoi shall be conducted conformably to the Bame. 4 -\V,' further take occasion to say, that if our couuse in this matter has given any scandal <>r offence to our Catholic brethren^ we regret it; adding merely thai our from mistaken impressions, and that we should be the last t.» oppose the authority of our religion, either ini.ii!:, nail; 01 deliberately. T. Dinge> 3, Presd'l Board Tin I III 11 IBER8TRO, i holomy Rink, Haas, M m;i in FlSCHEB, Ciiv S ••'ly." The Bishop nexl day, Sunday, went to their Church, sbsolution and bis ! lessing. Germans then read English newspapers, Borne who still adhered t.» uncatholic usurpations, spread a thai the BUhop had l>een forced to give up, and acknowledge himself in the wronij. Several \\h<> had been reports, mentioned it i<> I -■[.. who most prudently said nothing until he comM ; ] - he found it He had tl into German, and published • •!•, cut out the C'iri/ and posted it up conspicuously i -•. Mary's Church. Ibis f discord. In Rochester duiii g tne ^ii::_ r of 1 -42. twelve men of Sti Joseph • . turnal meeti MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 23* about building another church to be governed according to their own principles. They sent one of their num- ber to Bishop Hughes, to ask permission to build a second German Church, in Rochester. The Bishop thought it strange, that they should require a second church so soon, but, thinking- it might be needed before long, gave permis- sion in writing, but on condition that the Redein'ptorists would not oppose it. They purchased a lot on the Corner of King arid Maple streets, the title was vested in two of their members. The organization of the congregation took place in the Public School No. 2, where sfxty 'three niernbers bounci themselves for the erection of their church, making their property responsible for the payment thereof. They sent an invita- tion to the Redemptorist priest to lay the Cdrner stone*, which he refused. They 'then applied to the Rev. B. O'Rielly, who also declined; therefore, for want of Bishop or priest, they performed 'the ceremony themselves. A document was put in the cavity of the corner stone, reading as follows: "Whereas, we have been much deceived by the Redernp- torist Fathers, we are going to burld in spite of them, a Catholic Church, not to be sold, alienatecl, or transferred or given away to any person, whomsoever as long as the church members, one to three, Oppose it" When the Church was finished, they sent a letter to Bishop Hughes informing 'him that the church was finished and petitioning for a priest. He replied, that he had no German priest to give; auo!, if he had, that he would not Fend him, because they had erected their eel ifrce in the spirit of strife and discord; however, he a'dded, that he would ap- pear personally in Rochester, in a few weeks, and see what was to be done. He kept his word atod arrived there before the end of December. After having heard testimonies on N 28& MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. both sides, the Bishop addressed botli parties, and left the room. With the- unanimous consent of tbe congregation, ono only excepted, Messrs* Zkag and Fogele, on tLe 2Gth of January, 1843, transferred to Bishop Hughes, and his suc- - in ofllce, a deed in trust of the New Church. The Bishop was satisfied, and sent as pastor of St.. Peter's Church, Rochester, tbe Rev. Francis John Levitz, of tbe order of St. Francis, formerly Missionary in Syria, who arrived on tbe 23d «.f April, IS43. The Church was dedicated, on tip- -J'.'lIi of .Inn.-, 1843, by Father Levitz. Tbe Rev, William Whaloh, pastor of tbe English speak- ing Catholics of BuflaLo, held a meeting, May 16, 1 84 L, at St. l'atii.-k's Cliur.h, to urge on the finishing of the Church then building &>i bhe Irish Congregation. Rev. Fatln 3, 3. IL was pastor of Si. Mary's Church, Batavta afreet, which was formed, during the inter- dict ofS • L lie Church, from its faithful members. Tbe Reverend Pathos Bradlbv was stationed at Auburn from which place he attended Geneva. The Reverend Charles D. M< Mi llen, pastor of Lock- port, attended Albion, Lewistown, Niagara Falls and Medina. Reverend Thkoborh N«then, pastor of Williams- ville, attended Lancaster, Batavia, Nortbbusb, Transil and ronawanda, ft r. I'.lknaud (XRielly, pastor of St. Patrick's, Rochee- ; -.> attended Canandaigua and Gri Rev. Laukbncb Cabkol, pastor of St. Mary's Rochester, attended Srxtttsville. The Reverend Rudolph Follenius, pastor of Eden, at- tended Whit-A Comer. The Reverend Thomas McEvov, pastor of Java, attended China, Aurora, Scjo. Greenwood and Portage. MISSIONS IN WESTERS NEW YORK;,, 2S& Rev. Benedict Bayar attended) St. Joseph *s, Rochester* Rev. George Beranck succeeding hirn,. when he was ob- liged to visit Europe, on business, in 1844. On the 10th of August* 1844 the Reverend Nicholas Mertz, departed this life at the advanced age of eighty-one years. He was a native of' Germany, and as a Seminarian, his fervor in devotion, his punctuality in the observance of rules, the ardor with which he applied* himself to his studies,, his humility and sauvity of manners, endeared him to all. lu the year 1791. the twenty -eigfeth year of hjs age, he was ordained priest. With, unfeigned devotion and zeal he. labored for the first twenty years of his ministry, in Europe. In the year 1811, this zeal led him to, cross the Atlantic. He labored in the city of Baltimore for fifteen years, making himself all to all, that he might win all lo Christ In the year 1826 we find him pastor of Conewago, Adams county* Pennsylvania. He remained pastor of that mission for three years, when he became pastor of Buffalo, and Eden. His. zeal led him across the Atlantic for the purpose of collecting means to build a church for the latter place. Having suc- ceeded in collecting some $3,000,, on his return he built,, with a portion of it, the first Church that was ever built for the Catholics in Buffalo, and remained its pastor for eight years. The consolations he had from a pious and faithful people, were greatly diminished by aunoyanoes fgoin a few, who wished to rule the priest, and the Church. He. retired to Eden and became its pastor, and built its oid church and schoolhouses. His life was that or* a true priest of the living Hod, so much so, that the leading Protestants said of him "if ever a man was clothed m Justice,, it was Father Mertz." Shortly before his death, lie lieand ebat febe Bishop was making a visitation of life diocese £ he prayed most earnestly thnt Almighty God w&tikl, in his mercy,, spare his life, until: the Bishop would arrive in Buffalo. On 23-i toi^sioNs ft wfcstjfcfts KfeVr Vrttttt. the forenoon of Saturday, the Bishop arrived, nnd in tin} evening of the same day, having heen consoled by the rites Of par holy religion, he calmly breathed his soul into the hands of his Creator! On Monday his remains were piously conveyed to the tomb, after baring been exposed in the church, during the -"! •inn lv.jitiem Mass, at which the Bishop, and a number • attended. Key. Father Lsvjtz bad to Buffer much in Saint Peter's, Rochester, from the rulers of tbe on; upon which account, lie secretly left litem, duriug the night, nnd tooted himself before bis Bishop in New York. Tbe Bishop sent bis Vicar General, Mr. Raffbisbr, t> make inquiry inl i of affairs, He, calling a public me etr majority were in favor <>f tbeir . and that only a few leading members were Iris o Whereupon tbe Bishop sent father Lavrrz j but be did not succeed) An old man, har- ., (i-,ii. be !■ ft Rochester \>,ir\,-v in May, ■ having served ibis Church for thi i in his nal A ■ R • lemptorisl Fathers served that I months. In August, 1 M ; : • k*i, of Qui charge of this Under him, the CJiurcb wns in a flourishing member increase 1 from 842 to 1676; many debts were paid; • ■••- fi pur- at) organ f.>r the >>itn of |5 0. The con- Baited, peaceable, submissive, and bought for him. as a token of tbeir lovn and gratitude, a ri home, which he, who lived lik^ a hermit, refused to accept; - II, a midnight party, consisting of grocery-men and tare ~. was organized to destroy tbe harmony which prevailed They Went to Father Beresyi, and MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 23S persuaded liim to announce a,n election of seven men, for the purpose of inquiring into the account-books of his Church Committee, alleging that they had reason to Wieye that the Committee had not acted honestly. ]n feality, their ohjeet was to procure a charter for ail incov- tipratioh of trustees. Father Berenyi was ensnared, and Jiad already twice announced the election, when one of the party, in, a state of drunkenness, discovered the secret. father Berenyi then strictly forbade the election; so the evil was for a time postponed. Hew Father W^alon, Pastor of St Patrick's ^ Buffalo,. discharged his duties with zeal, until, wo.ru out by care and sickness, and fortified by the devout reception of the last rites of the Church, he departed this life on the. 27th of April, 1847, to receive the reward of his labors. This teeing the year and about the time that the new Bioeese was farmed, a bird's-eye view may here be taken c4 the state of the Church in the Diocese of Buffalo, when the Rt. Rev. Jans Td*on hegan his administration:; I'u the new Diocese there were then sixteen priests and sixteen churches;- though most of those churches might rather be called huts or shanties. Mar»y of them have since been replaced by brick or stone churches, in plain but good architectural style. There were but four Catholic schools, taught by seculars, generally in a poor state;- no Religious Ladies of any Order or community, for instruction or charity, except one house o.f the Sisters of Charity, in St. Patrick's Orphan Asylum, |toches.ter. The Redemptorists had a bouse in Rochester, and another, poor indeed and miserable, in Buffalo; with a church, that surely did not deserve the name of a church, feat which was ever densely crowded, and in which the jealous Fathers did great good. No other religious hoxliei. af men or women were in the Diocese. $3fc MISSIONS IN WESttSH'N NEW YORK. The Bishop had no house to live in. The pastor with 'whom he lived, and to whom he paid hoard, a tew weeks after his arrival, told him that the trustees wished the !Bishop to seek other lodgings, as they did not like to have the Bishop there. But when the Bishop was about leav- ing, to board wilh the Pastor of St. Patrick's Church, in his rented hoftse, the same trustees sent to oner the Bishop $400 per annum, as BIS salary, if he would remain. Iu St. Patrick's Church, the only one for his!) and Enghsh- ppeaking Catholics, ihe convrannicants were then only three hundred. A Bishop, perhaps, never began under •circumstance a mdre discouraging. C il A PX E li XIII. lis, OPAL BB1. divinely constituted Hierarchy of the Church, con> !i district, by th usee ration of a Bishop with the appoint n pprobation of tlie successor of St slways brings special blessings of progress in the spir- •itu.-il. often too in the temporal order. This has been ex- emplified in Baff*1o and in the wide district, of which Buf- falo then became the c sntre. Tli • ibl'shed on the 23d April, 1 ^ 1 7. by our venerable and saintly Pope I'u rs IX., with the following limits: all that part of the : New Fork which lies west of the eastern limits of Cayuga, Tompkins and Tioga cbunties. The Very U< v. John Tim'jn, then Visitor of tl fthe Mission, in this country, was name 1 the first Bishop. It. w:.> known that his nomination was before the Holy Pee tor < ther bishoprics; but neither had he nor the public ever guessed that he would be appointed to Buffalo. He was enn*e~ crated in the Cathedral of New York, by Bishop Hughes, MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 23? assisted by Dr. Walsh, Bishop of Halifax, and Dr. Mc* Closky, Bishop of Albany; Dr. F. P. Kenrick, Bishop of Baltimore, preached the Consecration Sermon. It will be seen in these annals how the blessing of "Increase and multiply," followed this creative act of the " Great Bishop of souls," through His Vicar on earth. As every drop, too, aids to swell a river; so, for all, but for Buffalo especially, many necessary visits to its Bishop, many, settling down more willingly and more frequently, when religious comforts became abundant, more money spent for many establishments, etc. — all aided to 'increase the prosperity of the city and turn attention towards it. The climate of Buffalo is more agreeable than that of any other American city in the same latitude. The winter and spring months are boisterous; but, in winter, the ther- mometer never sinks as low as it does in other cities muck to the south of Buffalo. The summers are cool and pleasant. Owing to this, and to admirable system of sewerage, Buffiilo is a very healthy city. There are many fine buildings in this city. Of St. Joseph's Cathedral, the "New American Cyclopcedia" says : "This Church contains a stained glass window, lately made at Munich, <(at the Works of the celebrated Mayer,) which is the ; finest speci- men, in this department of art, in the country." The population of Buffalo was, In 1810, 1,508 In 1820, 2,095 In 1830, .8,653 In 1840, 18,213 In 1845, 34,656 In 1850, 49,764 In 1855, £4,214 In 1858, estimated 90,000 On the lfth October, Sunday, Feast of the Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Bishop Timon %^s *cc%seer.ate$' 23-S MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. He immediately named the Rev. Bernard O'Riklly. Ins Vicar General; wrote to Buffalo to the Rev. F. (urn, that the Bishop would be there on the evening of the 22d, and accompanied by Bid-ops Hughes, Walsh and McClobxet, and by the Very Rev. B. 0*Rtelly, started on the 20th for Buffalo, Boats or trains did not run then as now. Thev reached Rochester at 2 A. M. Ou the 22nd Bishop Timor said hi- (fat Mass in the Diocese, in St. Patrick's Chuiao ihester, at 8 that mosning, preached and gave his ! fag to a large assemblage of the faithful, who, at such short notice, had already met bo welcome their Bishop. His Right Rev. Friends, fatigued by the night journey, wished t" remain till mornings particularly as (he weather was unpleasant i though! tjie wish reason- able, invited them to remain, and rejoin him next day, hut desired that, ha woul 1 be in Buffalo r.v the train that l-.a Rochi i\ : si 3 P. M.. of the 22nd, be felt himself strictly hound to • appointment. The othei n then genero isly resolved i<> accompany him. The trains moved slow It : an accident raHher retarded them; so thai they reached Buffalo after Btifiset but an immense crowd awaited them. A proce* wa- formed of, it is bout ten thousand pen hundreds • illuminated the route. The drizzling rain seemed not to check the enthusiasm. It was 10 P. M.. when the processmii entered St Louis Church. The Bish- adore 1 the B lessee] S icra- ment, then ippropriate discourse g, and the crowd joyfully dispersed at 1] P. >L The Bishop had no church to which ho could safely assert a right, nor had he a housa to lodge in. He agreed to board, at a certain fixed price, with the pastor of St. Louis (^ hurt. hj and be f ,oo.k himself to understand the condition of MISSIONS IN WESTERN KEW YORK. 239 the now diocess: he named Rev. Francis Guth, Vicar Gene- ral for the Germans. In a few days, the Trustees of St. Louis Church, called on him, and requested him to consecrate their Church: he answered that it was a fine Church, and weil worthy of being consecrated; but that he was bound by Church dicipline, as decreed in the Council of Baltimore, not 10 consecrate any Church unless the title was in the Bishop. The trustees assured him, that the Church had been deeded to the Bishop, and belonged to him, in trust for the Con- gregation; and, to remove all his scruples, they brought him, in a few days, an authenticated copy of the deed of Louis LeCouteulx de Ciiaumont, Es suffocation. II. iw different from the present noble Church of the pions and zealous Redemptorists! But, now id find difficulty to understand how then, so many who went to Communion, could penetrate the crowd and reach the altar. In that long, narrow gut of a Church, the Bi-diop confirmed 173 persons. The trustees of St. Louis Church, asked his permission to MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 241 enlarge their Church so as to prevent streets being run through their lot. He refused, thinking that it would spoil the Church, which was already the largest in the United States, and shewing them how they could build, tower, priest's house, &c, to suit them better. The first year was thus passed in giving retreats, and in visiting the whole diocese, preaching, saying mass, n 1 Fathers CFlahsrty am) Shkridan began to hear confessions ; the Bishop aided tbem in the sain.* holy function in the evening and pleached at V J > .M., the little chapel bein^ crowded Lo excess. The exercises con tinued till tit" 28tli at mid-day, 53 persons wore (Jonlirined, and 200 received the holy communion. Xhe uan t ofchurebr* room for i>ur po-r CatlnJie* may l>o gathered from the fol- lowing numbers. The ( Shurcli o will not contain more than I be greatly crowded*. During the ilone we li . of Lancaster will not contain mor . prior to the conl communicants; the church of I- • . in it we bad 1 301 1 © |n muni l.urn will c >ntain 30(5, in it we church at Senei a FalU w.ill t 200 comrounieai On the 20tH, th< l»y private conveyance, at ' I ' " I •' l \ ! 1 1 : t : *• v and KIDAN beijan to hear <■ : at 7 P.M., t Ik Bishoi preached to a la Ration, an. I in t 200. ].-:- 1 ihe lio'y coimiisiion. and sifly-: :. confirmed. On the 29th the Bishop arrived at Jefferson , at southern end of Seneca Lake. A, church once used by the Presby- terians had been purchased; it was not yet fitted up. The. Bishop and Fathey Sheridan worked till, near night in, St. Patrick at Buffalo • ;r*»»«, an 1 then it mu>t I- . in it, of that con- municants. Tho Hunch • than 200 , in it during •I. there wore far mor< kpori will contain abma ants; the chuMj of An- i ',.•! nicants .; on lain 200, in it we had MISSIONS ttf WESTERN NEVf f ORE. 243 &\ing tfoe altar, etc. Ami the church, beautifully seated \m an eminence over the lake, was called "St. Mary's of the Lake," At 7 P. M. the Bis Rep preached. On the 30th, the Bisfto? confirmed twelve persons; tawny approached the holy table. A convert, a very respectable lady, remarked that, having been exceedingly terrified fct Methoolst preaching about hell, so that she was afraid to sleep; she felt her terrors removed by a ilream, Or vision in a drea'&t. She saw a bright arm extended as if to kelp and a voice pronounced distinctly the words, u Bo peftaiice, afel you shall be saved." Never feaving heard those words, she knew not where to find £hern Or what they meant, In vain did she read over her Protestant Bible"; after long search, she found in a Catholic Bibie; then examined the Catholic faith, and became an edifying member oT &e Cfaurch. On the 1st Fetfl J uai;y, trie Bishop con finned three persons at Gen. Kernans', thence proceeding to Hammoudsport, preached for a long time to a very crowded audience, and confirmed eighteen persons; starting thence at 4 P. M., he ■Hnived at Jefferson at 9 P.M. After blessing and distribu- ting candles at St. Mary's of the Lake, and confirming one adult, the Bishop started with Father Sheridan for Ithaca. They arrived at V P.M., and drove straight to the town hail, where r tbpy fo&iid a large and respectable congregation ^assembled. IClre Bishop preached. At 9 the service was 'over, father Sheridan then went to hear confessions and administer tiie sacraments of matrimony. At 11 the day's labor was over* On the 3rd, the Bishop and Mr. Sheridan heard confes- sions in a private house; as we have no church in this Iplaee, many went to communion there at the Bishop's mass. -At 11, Father Skekidan said mass at the town hall, the 244 MISSIONS IS WESTERN HEW YORK. Bishop preached on the Holy Mass, and after it on Confirm- ation; twenty-four persons, mostly adults, were confirmed. At 2 P.M., the service was over. At 4, the Bishop an- Bishop preached on tie- Sacrament of Penance; many seemed very much Btruck with the proofs In- adduced. On the Till, after mass, the Bishop and Rev. Mr Sheri- dan started in a s|eigh \>>v E&linira. The sleighing was r a few miles, then gradually failed. Whilst seeking l-side, whe \ remained, the sleigh upset, til.- Bishop was thrown on the hard frozen ground, much ttttinned arid cut, hut aff*r a few moments In- strove to continue his rout.-, tie- Bleigh broke, a wagon was hired, the hois,, than gave out. and after great fatigue the missionaries >ryville. Thd Bishop taught :n and beard confession that night Whilst friends were seeking a wagon and team, next morning the Bishop >aid mass in a private, house, L. r a\ •• instructions to tie- Cath- olics there, preached to a large audience, mostly of Pro- testants, in the school-house, then started forEhnira; beard confessions there the same night, next morning said mass in a private house and preached for the assemhled Catholics. The Rev. Mr. Siiekidax said mass in the court-house, the MISSIONS IX WESTERN NEW YORK. 245 Bishop preached at the Gospel on the Holy Sacrifice, and after mass, on the Sacrament of Penance. The confirma- tion was deferred to the next visit, as those who wished to receive it were not prepared. After the service, the Bishop started for Corning. No place could be found for preaching or Divine service, except the Methodist Church; the people had already begun to assemble in it. The Bishop then repaired thither as soon as he arrived, and preached to a very large audience on general views of the Catholic Church and its holy sacraments. When he had finished, a poor Irishman approached and said, "God bless you! but, och, how good it would have been, if you had said more about confession; they do mock us so much about iV The Bishop immediately cried out, at the top of his voice, " To-morrow morning, at 10 o'clock, I will say mass here and preach on Confession and the pardon of Sin." Wrapped up in his cloak, the morning being very cold, the Bishop was being shaved in the barber's shop, when two gentlemen entered, and said laughingly to the barber, " Well, Tom, ain't you coming up to hear that Bishop, and to get your sins pardoned; better bring plenty of money with you." The conversation went on for a while in this way, no one suspecting that the Bishop was present. As the Bishop began his sermon, he saw the two gentlemen come in, just as he was mentioning this fact, without giving names, which indeed he did not know. The audience seemed quite satisfied, at least that Catholics had been greatly wronged on this point. And, in the Bishop's appeal for help to build a Catholic church, many Protestants came forward to subscribe; three hundred dollars were at once subscribed. A most respectable Protestant company gave the lot, and very soon a Catholic Church was erected. There being then no railroad in that quarter, the Bishop was about entering a carriage for Bath, when he was called 246 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. to a dying man, in a small shanty, some distance off. He started on foot. An ex-Presbyterian Minister, who had assisted at the whole service, asked permission to accom- pany liim, it was easily granted. In a miserable shanty, on a rough straw bed. laid on the ground, the sufferer awaited his final deliverance; the family retired as. far as they could, some went but, the minister stood watching, but distant a^ the others, The dying man's confession whs heard, the holy Viaticum administered, the Extreme Unc- tion given, and a few words of prayer and consolation, all in the simplest manner of such Catholic ministrations, but the Presbyterian ply moved, and as the Bishop left the shanty, be, took bis hand saying; "God bless you, that was very touching." It is to he hoped, that God continued li ; m light and grace, thus perfecting the good work, then begun in him. At 7 A that night, Feb. 10, the Bishop preached to a large audience, mostly P in the Court House of Hath; lie heard coi t and gave communion in n private house; and Rt I 1 A.M., again preached in the Court Rouse; then started in intensely '-"Id weather for Green- w 1 A go I n ' ■ given a large lot, a log church had beer erected, hut not finished. The congregation appeared truly fervent. The Bishop heard confessions! mid in. i. gavecommunion t<» many and eonfirm" ed o5 !••:- n*. On iho 14th. he Parted forScio, 20 miles distant; foui the children, made an .instruction, ti l^ 1 1 pari of the . On the way to hi. loiliogs he met W. li. \a: Cou- Esq., in ihe street, who immediately accost'ed him thus: *• 1 ai i • ■ to !"• able to t.'l! lunch, the work is i am-n »w aboirl another 1 hint' In Here is a petition 1 an I inmon Council, to request them . ,; "- grave yard that lied ali the recoi b, ami 1 find that the >! 1 was never made < ut,so thai it might !"• taken s you the | it Would : ■ on lii'- \ isit ill known in the oiiy. He read the petition, and then told M i i.\ that the p ! things most untrue, and n t, to his intimate know- erly and quiet at tbeir bui for all j . ami, further, that he, the Bishop, held th I, and duly recorded. The Bishop invited the gentleman to come to his house, an-] see the instrument, which he the page of records, and dropped (the matter. The Bishop than went to the Trustees, expostulated with them for having,, after his express prohibition, beguu the: MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 249* walls, which were already two or three , feet out of ground ,> lie required them to demolish the work, and, if they wished to build, to build according to any pilau they might prefer, but for the objects he had' sanctioned, not for the enlargement; of a Church, already very large. He then spoke to the Very Rev. Mr. Gutk-, ; to, whom the trustees had referred' him, as having sanctioned the work. Mr. Guth expressed himself much grieved and very sa(h, acknowledged -that he- had sanctioned the work; and declared that, if now demol- ished, he could never hold up his head again, but would have to withdraw, to hide his shame. The trustees came, they begged pardon, but as so much was- done, they entreat-. ed that they might be permitted to finish the part begun. The Bishop, deeply touched at the grief of Mr. Guth, whom he greatly respected, hesitated. At length he said, that he could not approve, but. he would overlook, and not notice the act, provided no more was attempted, than, the part already begun. The. promise was given, but not, kept About this time, the -.Bishop rented a larger house, much, nearer to St. Patrick's Church, and immediately began, in, it, a Theological 5 Seminary, being himself for some time the. Professor. But he soon-found ajearned priest to perform, that duty, whilst" he' continued to be Professor of Cere- monies. In March, the Bishop- went to Baltimore, and obtained a^ promise of two Communities, three in, each, of Sisters of ' Charity, one for a hospital; the other for an Orphan. Asylum in Buffalo., "Raw, MJr..Wi3£LON.had deeded his house,, next the Church, to the Sisters of Mercy, for a. Charitable, establishment; but the Sisters of Mercy could not think of go-, ing to Buffalo; a deed of the property was. then made to, Bishop Timon, but he found it of no use; actual possession of another party v kept him long out; afterwards the nephew of 2S0 MISSIONS I« WESYKRSJ NEW YORK. JLIr. Whelon instituted a suit against his uncle's estate, for attending him on his death bed. The claim was for $000, iin 1 was con si n the 21 - r June, ight from tl 16 B iff: I ■ and lot which th< y then ted to bufld on a large l"\ which od Catholic, had given for i 'orporation ; hai sequentlj put tu » Orphans tinder therr care, and bav- ~ n< 1 a Priest t-> in-;; them, . he w 1. - drew th was Informed that m . but that i,o I'i lest to them. After getting I \ lie found it difficult •:. i; was known that he had bought it, for the S M I Charity and for a hospital. After fixing v.ii i, and failing, on the ?th .Inly, the Bishop went to the Director, from whom he liad benight it, ar^l >a!h "TMsdelayis a great ineon- x *. etnenee, as -tbe Sfaten for ti»w house have now no place* MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 253 You &ay that you cannot find a suitable house - : I will, then, take all your orphan?, put the girls with the Sisters of Charity, and keep the boys in my own house; and, when you find a suitable place, you can take them back - : onl", I will request you to leave the Catholics with me, and to take back the Protestant orphans only/ The next day, fehev began to move; and, on the 8th July, the Sisters entered into the Hospital, in which, nnder--God 1 s blessing 1 , they have saved many lives, and done an im-tn esse -amount of good. This Charity Hospital had scarcely been opened -over one year when Buffalo was attacked with epidemic cholera. As no Cholera Hospital then existed, the Sisters of 'Charity promptly tendered to the City Council the use of that Institution for cholera patients. All who «ame or were sent, were very kindly received"; and, though the City soon took measures to establish a Cholera Hospital, yet, as the Buffalo Medical Journal says, "The number of patients received - in this, the City Institution, was 243, of which 115 recovered. The Sisters' Hospital, however, received 134 patients, of which 82 recovered. Considering the character of hospital cases," continues the Medical-Journal, "the results of the Charity Hospital, as declared by the, rate of mortality, certainly affords grounds for rauch satisfaction. . . . AVe are free to say that, whatever credit is due to the Institution for the large proportion of recoveries, belongs to those, under whose immediate charge the Institution is placed. .. , , Each patient -admitted to the Hospital was, at o<&ee, placed under the charge of one of the Sisters, and received her lan^easing and assiduous care, as long .sub it wa? requisite. Scrupulous exactness in the execution of all medical directions, and fidelity in the administration .of remedies,, couJd be confidently depended 23"4 MrssroNs i*n western new york. upon, together with all otber attentions and appliances, which the circumstances of the case might suggest. The degree of patience and endurance exhibited by the Sisters ©f Charity, in thefr unwearied labors of mercy, during the period of the epidemic, was a matter of astonishment, not less than of admiration. Night after night, as well-as on successive days, they were at their post, never manifesting weariness or diminished eeal; and during the whole period, nol one was debarred, by illness, from the exercise of her voluntarily assumed duties." — Buffalo Medical Journal, Vol. V.. No •••. ;>]■. £19 and 332, Tin- d - <•;' the Hospital were not the only ones, whose zeal was put to the test by this epidemic. The three Female Orphan Asylum, might be Been receiviog with tenderness and compassion, the poor orphans, whom, un&r the direction of the Bishop-, Che V.-rv Rev. B ' Riblly sought after and coll n itii _ ms of a Vincent Purine this year St. Joseph's College, Buffalo, was establ- ished under the clergy of the Bishop's residence. It mm commenced in iwo brick bouses on Niagara street, near Main. The bouses were rented with privilege ta connect them, by op - in the separating wall. In the basement of this building, owing to the sc inty means «»f the young diocese, St. Joseph's Male Orphan Asylum was begun. The poor boys had been left destitute orphans, \>y the ch< Wbils was rapidly advancing in Catholic spirit and practice, tbe Bishop continued his visits through the diocese, that all might equally progress, for the glory of God, and Balvatii o of souls. On the 17th June, 1848, the Bishop visited Y«>ungstown, preached, said mass, heard confessions, 3lys\dire, and preached in its court- house. In Dunkirk and> Siltee* Creek, no place could be had for Divine semoe;. the j Bishop then went to Fredonia, where 256 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. lie preached, said mass, and baptize 1 some converts. The Hishop and Rev. Mr. McEvoy started in the" carriage of Mr, Devereux for EHicottville: Ihe carnage broke down. The. Bishop took on1 oue of the horses, and rode about some miles, back and forward, through a wild mountainous country, until he found a house, and hired a wagon, the carriage was fixed t<> it, Mr. McEvoy, being much fatigued, was placed in it, the Bishop continuing («• ri!v emotion, - _ lin ih-ir p kneel to rod for his me cy. Ah, who can tell bow many and how glorious, were then ihe triumphs < f faith and duty, over timidity, and the modesl instinct of wishing to hide feeling, from curious • ■;. - ! Through Java, where the Bishop again officiated and preached, »hey proceeded to Akron, and vi.sited the Indians of the Tonawanda Reservation. The principal chief, MISSIONS IN -WESTERN NEW YORK. 257 u Blacksmith/' told the Bishop that only 15 out of GOO had joined the Baptists, who then had charge of the mission and its emoluments. He himself strongly adhered to his " National Religion/' As he described it, it spoke of one Great Spirit, other spirits or subordinate Gods, good and evil, their idea seeming to make them much like our good and Lad angels, a Providence of God, the power of prayer, and sacrifice, their greatest one being that of the white dog, • luring the full moon of February. The dog is immolated, ihe sins of the whole nation being put upon him, the body is burned, the a»hes scattered to the winds, and the nation is purified I The Bishop told the old chief his religion, and requested leave to send a teacher. "Your talk is good," said the old Chief; "but now L will make mine. The Great Spirit make his white and his red child. He put the white Child on the other side of the great waters; He gave tills side to the red child: it was not right for the white child to come on this side, and seize the property of his red brother. The Great Spirit gave a religion to his white child, we will admit that it is xery good for him. He also gave a religion to his red child, it is good for him, and lie will not change it." The Bishop answered: " Brother, you have said much that is true. It is very true, that the Great Spirit made his red and his white child, we are brothers! It is true; that he gave each of them a religion, but that religion, was only a bud, a germ; and it was the same f<>r both. But the white child held it fondly in his open hand, and let the light of heaven, and the summer's sun shine on it, whilst the dews from above moistened it. It grew and produeed leaves and flowers and fruit, and the white child fed on that fruit, and grew strong; but the red child hnld the germ tight in his closed fist, the light could not shine on it, the sun could not warm it, the dew could not moisten it, it remained always only a germ, a bud, it never 258 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW TORE. had fruit, the red child had nothing to eat; and this is the reason why the red man becomes weak before his white brother." The old Chief said that he liked the talk, and would think of it. About this time, greal changes began in the diocese; zealous and pious ]>ri<- furnish them with sacred vessels and neat priestly vestments. It will become a duty, as it i- a pleasure t<> note in detail tin- generous efforts and holy - i irifi ■ a of worthy j>n''>t», and d ivoted !l >cks. To do this properly and fitly, a pause will here 1,.- made. A S Volume will contain interesting details of the holy works •