themselves for a second time to dwell there and teach
Christian doctrine. I offered myself to them and
was, as their custome is, kindly accepted. I
prepare meselfe for the journey, which was to be in
June, 1657.” Charlevoix [Footnote:
Charlevoix’s History of New France, Shea’s
ed., Vol. II. p. 256.] says: “In 1651
occurred the almost complete destruction of the Huron
nation. Peace was concluded in 1653. Father
Le Moyne went in 1654, to ratify the treaty of peace,
to Onondaga, and told the Indians there he wished
to have his cabin in their canton. His offer
was accepted, and a site marked out of which he took
possession. He left Quebec July 2, 1654, and
returned September 11. In 1655 Fathers Chaumont
and Dablon were sent to Onondaga, and arrived there
November 5, and began at once to build a chapel. [Footnote:
Charlevoix’s Hist.
of New France, Shea’s
ed., Vol. II. p. 263.]
“Father Dablon, having spent some months in
the service of the mission at Onondaga, was sent back
to Montreal, 30 March, 1656, for reinforcements.
He returned with Father Francis le Mercier and other
help. They set out from Quebec 7 May, 1656, with
a force composed of four nations: French, Onondagas,
Senecas, and a few Hurons. About fifty men composed
the party. Sieur Dupuys, an officer of the garrison,
was appointed commandant of the proposed settlement
at Onondaga. On their arrival they at once proceeded
to erect a fort, or block-house, for their defence.
“While these things were passing at Onondaga,
the Hurons on the Isle Orleans, where they had taken
refuge from the Iroquois, no longer deeming themselves
secure, sought an asylum in Quebec, and in a moment
of resentment at having been abandoned by the French,
they sent secretly to propose to the Mohawks to receive
them into their canton so as to form only one people
with them. They had no sooner taken this step
than they repented; but the Mohawks took them at their
word, and seeing that they endeavored to withdraw
their proposition, resorted to secret measures to
compel them to adhere to it.” [Footnote:
Ibid., Vol. II. p.278.] The different
families of the Hurons held a council, and “the
Attignenonhac or Cord family resolved to stay with
the French; the Arendarrhonon, or Rock, to go to Onondaga;
and the Attignaonanton, or Bear, to join the Mohawks.”
[Footnote: Relation Nouvelle France, 1657
and Charlevoix, Shea’s ed., Vol.
II. p 280.] “In 1657 Onondagas had arrived at
Montreal to receive the Hurons and take them to their
canton, as agreed upon the year previous.” [Footnote:
Charlevoix, Shea’s ed., Vol. III.
p. 13.] Some Frenchmen and two Jesuits were to accompany
them. One of the former was Radisson, who had
volunteered; and the two Jesuits were Fathers Paul
Ragueneau and Joseph Inbert Duperon. The party
started on their journey in July, 1657.
