I confessed some of our old Huron Christians, and found God every where, and that He pleased to work himself in hearts where faith reigns. He builds himself a temple there, where he is adored in spirit and truth. Be He blessed for ever.

At night our host draws me aside and tells me very affectionately that he always loved us, that finally his heart was satisfied, seeing all the tribes of his nation demanded nothing but peace: that the Seneca had recently come to exhort them to manage this matter well for peace, and that with that view he had made splendid presents: that the Cayuga had brought three belts for that purpose, and that the Oneida was glad to be rid of such a bad affair 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 I bore with me the happiness of the whole land.

7th. A good Christian named Terese, a Huron captive, wishing to pour out her soul to me away from noise and in silence, invited me to visit her in a field cabin where she lived. My God! 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 every where. This good Christian woman had with her a young captive of the neutral nation (de la Nation Neutre), whom she loved as her own daughter. She had so well instructed her in the mysteries of the faith, and in sentiments of piety, in the prayers they made in this holy solitude, that I was much surprised. Eh! sister, I asked, why did you not baptise her, since she has the faith like you, and she is Christian in her morals, and she wishes to die a Christian? Alas, brother, this happy captive replied, I did not think it was allowed me to baptise, except in danger of death. Baptise her now, yourself, since you consider her worthy, and give her my name. This was the first adult baptism at Onondago; we are indebted for it to the piety of a Huron.

GENERAL COUNCIL OF PEACE WITH THE FOUR IROQUOIS NATIONS,

AND THE SUBSEQUENT RETURN OF FATHER SIMON LE MOINE FROM HIS VOYAGE.

[From the Same.]

On the 10th day of August, the deputies of the three neighbouring Nations having arrived, after the usual summons of the Chiefs that all should assemble in Ondessonk's cabin, I opened the proceedings (says the Father, continuing his Journal) 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 of earth to inspire us with what should be for his glory and our good; I cursed all the demons of hell who are spirits of division; I prayed the tutelar 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. I told them I was the bearer of nineteen words to them.

The first That it was Onnonthio, M. de Lauzon, Governor of New France, who spoke by my mouth, and then the Hurons and the Algonquins as well as the French, for all these three nations had Onnonthio for their Great Chief. A large belt of wampum, one hundred little tubes or pipes of red glass, the diamonds of the country, and a caribou's hide being passed these three presents made but one word.

My second word was, to cut the bonds of the eight Seneca prisoners, taken by our allies and brought to Montreal, as already stated.

The third was, to break the bonds of the Mohegans also, captured about the same time.

The fourth; to thank those of Onontago for having brought our prisoner back.

The fifth present was, to thank the Senecas for having saved him from the scaffold.

The sixth for the Cayuga Iroquois, for having also contributed. The seventh, for the Oneidas for having broken the bonds which kept him a prisoner.

The 8th, 9th, 10th and 11th presents to be given to the four Iroquois Nations—a hatchet each-for the new war they were waging against the Cat Nation.

The twelfth present was to heal the head of the Seneca who had lost some of his people.

The thirteenth, to strengthen his palissades; to wit, that he may be in a state of defence against the enemy.

The fourteenth, to ornament his face for it is the custom of warriors here never to go to battle unless with the face painted, some black, some red, others with various other colors, each having herein as if particular liveries to which they cling even unto death.

The fifteenth to concentrate all their thoughts. I made three presents for this occasion; one wampum belt, little glass beads. and an elk hide.

The sixteenth-I opened Annonchiasse's door to all the Nations; that is, they would be welcome among us.

The seventeenth. I exhorted them to become acquainted with the truths of our faith, and made three presents for this object.

The eighteenth. I asked them not to prepare henceforward any ambushes for the Algonquin and Huron Nations, who would come to visit us in our French settlement. I made three presents for this purpose.

Finally, by the nineteenth present I wiped away the tears of all the young warriors for the death of their great Chief Annencraos, a short time prisoner with the Cat Nation.

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 on 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 longer. Finally they called me among them and seated me in an honorable place

The Chief who is the tongue of the country, repeats faithfully 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. He thanked Onnontio for his good disposition towards them, and brought forward for this pur pose 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 belts. Ejaculations from the whole assembly follow each present.

Another Captain of the Oneida Nation rises: Onnontio, said he-speaking of M. de Lauzon our Governor-Onnontio thou art the pillar of the Earth; thy spirit is a spirit of peace and thy words soften the hearts of the most rebellious spirits. After other compliments expressed in a tone animated by love and respect, he produced four large belts to thank Onnontio for having encouraged them to fight bravely against their new enemies of the Cat Nation, and for having exhorted them never again to war against the French. Thy voice, said he, Onnontio is wonderful, to produce in my breast at one time two effects entirely dissimilar; thou animatest me to war, and softenest my heart by the thoughts of peace; thou art great both in peace and war, mild to those whom thou lovest, and terrible to thine enemies. We wish thee to love us, and we will love the French for thy sake.

In concluding these thanks, the Onontaga Chief took up the word. Listen Ondessonk, 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 Onnontio four things, the sum of all our councils.

1. We are willing to acknowledge Him of whom thou hast spoken, who is the master of our lives, who is unknown to us. 2. Our council tree is this day planted at Onnontaga-meaning that that would be, henceforth, the place of their meetings and of their negotiations for peace.

2. 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 hearts. There we shall go for instruction, and from that point you will be able to spread yourself abroad in every direction. Be unto us careful as fathers and we shall be unto you submissive as children.

4. We are engaged in new wars; Onnontio encourages us. We shall entertain no other thought towards him than those of peace.

They reserved their richest presents for these last four words; but I can assure you their countenances told more than their tongues, and expressed joy mingled with so much mildness that my heart was full. What appeared to me most endearing in all this was that all our Huron Christians and the captive women, lighted this fire which melts the hearts of the Iroquois. They told them so much good of us, and spoke so often of the great value of the Faith, that they prize 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 Indians. To return to the Father's Journal: The 11th day of August. There is nothing but feasts and rejoicings every where. A misfortune occurred, however, at night. A cabin catching fire, no one knew how, an impetuous wind drove the flames to the others, and in less than two hours more than twenty were reduced to ashes, and the reinainder of the village was in danger of being burnt. God preserved all hearts however in the joy of the preceding day, and their dispositions as calm towards me as if this misfortune had never happened.

The 12th. Our Christian captives wishing to confess before my departure gave me employment, or rather repose which I wished for. I baptized a little girl of four years who was dying. I recovered from the hands of these barbarians, the New Testament of the late Father Jean de Brebouf, whom they put to a