Libr@rsi

10
PREFACE TO VOL. XLIV
many of her relatives are converted by her example.
Upon the death of a Huron captive, her infant is
buried alive with her corpse, notwithstanding the
efforts of the Fathers to prevent this cruel act. An-
still at the breast, who had never
other little one, ''
before spoken, repeated intelligibly the words, '
Jesus,
have pity on me,' " after the Father. Three con-
among
gregations have been formed at ' '
Onondaga,
three different Nations,— the Hurons, the neutral
Nation, and the Iroquois." In every cabin there
are some praying Indians ; and almost every person
in the tribe, whether an Iroquois or a captive, has
received some Christian instruction. A dictionary
of the Iroquois language has been prepared for the
use of the new missionaries who, it is hoped, will
be sent to this field. The savages are still more
inclined to accept the faith by the courage of the
Fathers, and the piety of the Frenchmen who have
come with them. The location of the mission is
advantageous, and enables the Jesuits to reach with
ease the neighboring tribes. The Jesuits not only
maintain the Frenchmen of their company, but also
give alms to many Huron slaves, their former dis-
ciples in religion. They hear of many Algonkin
nations to the west, who as yet have no acquaintance
with Europeans ; the Fathers long to convert these
heathen, and appeal for aid to carry on that enter-
prise.
A letter from Le Mercier to the French provincial
(dated June 6, 1656) is published in this Relation,
because received in France too late for the preceding
one. He writes on the eve of departure for the new
Iroquois mission; he looks forward to hardships,
persecution, and even martyrdom, but is full of