Untitled - Libr@rsi

and1645 - 46] RELA TION OF 1644- 45 49countries from the standpoint of human prudence, Icould hardly believe that there is any place in theworld more difficult to subject to the Laws of JESUSCHRIST. Not only because they have no knowledge of letters, no Historical monuments, and no ideaof a Divinity who has created the world and whogoverns it; but, above all, because I do not believethat there isany people on earth freer than they,and less able to allow the subjection of their wills toany power whatever, so much so that Fathers herehave no control over their children, or Captains overtheir subjects, or the Laws of the country over anyof them, except in so far as each is pleased to submitto them. There is no punishment which [144] isinflicted on the guilty, and no criminal who is notsure that his life and property are in no danger, evenif he were convicted of three or four murders, ofhaving received a reward from the enemy for betraying his country, or breaking off by his own act apeace, that is decided upon by the general consentof the whole country. These are crimes that I haveseen committed, the authors whereof have gloried inthem and have boasted that the wars that they hadaroused would make their names immortal. It is notbecause there are no Laws or punishments proportionate to the crimes, but it is not the guilty whosuffer the penalty. It is the public that must makeamends for the offenses of individuals ;so that, if aHuron has killed an Algonquin or another Huron,the whole country assembles; they come to anagreement respecting the number of presents to begiven to the Tribe or to the relatives of him whohas been killed, to stay the vengeance that theymight take. The Captains urge their subjects to