THE OHIO VALLEY-GREAT LAKES ETHNOHISTORY
ARCHIVES: THE MIAMI COLLECTION
It is noted that the following work from the Miami Archives should be read and
considered within the historical context in which it was composed and printed.
The opinions expressed and the language used do not reflect the opinions or
standards of the Glenn A. Black Laboratory of Archaeology, but are, rather,
indicative of thought in that historical moment during which the document was
published.
Hennepin's A New Discovery of a Vast Country in America, from 1698
Thwaites, 2nd London Edition, Chicago 1903, pp. 640-643.
This Bay of Puans had been hitherto, as one may say, the Ultima Thuloe of the French, for they never durst advance further into the Country. This Village, as I have intimated, consists of three several Nations, viz. Miamis, Maskoutens, and Kikabeux [Kickapoos]. The first are more civil than the other, and better [200] shap'd, as well as more liberal. They wear long Hair over their Ears, which looks well (page 641) enough. They are accounted valiant Men amongst their Neighbours, but are so cunning, that they seldom return from their warlike Expeditions without Booty. They are apt to learn any thing, for they love to hear the European's Talk; and Father Allouez told me, That they had such a violent desire to be instructed, that they often disturb'd his Rest to ask him Questions about what he had told them the Day before. The Maskoutens and Kikabeux are more Clownish; and there is much difference between the Miamis and them, as between our Boors and Citizens. As the Rind of Birch-Trees are scarce in this Country, they are oblig'd to make their Cabins with Rushes, which serve as well for covering the same, as for Walls. It must be own'd that these Cabins are very convenient; for they take them down when they please, and carry them by small Parcels wherever they will, without any trouble.
When I arriv'd there, I was very glad to see a great Cross set up in the middle of the Village, adorn'd with several White Skins, Red Girdles, Bows and Arrows, which that good People had offer'd to the Great Manitou, to return him their Thanks for the care he had taken of them during the Winter, and that he had granted them a prosperous Hunting. Manitou is the name they give in general to all Spirits whom they think to be above the Nature of Man.(see fn. 1)
Their Village is situated on a Hill, from whence one may (page 642) discover the largest Meadows in the World, adorn'd at certain distance with Groves and Woods. The Soil is very fertile, and produces a great quantity of Indian Corn. They preserve also Plums and Grapes.
[201] As soon as we were arriv'd, M. Joliet and I desir'd the Eldest of the Savages to meet us, and I told them that M. Joliet was sent by the Governor of Canada to discover new Countries, and I from God Almighty to teach them the Knowledge of their Creator, who being absolute Master of all his Creatures, will have all Nations to know him; and that therefore to comply with his Will, I did not value my Life, which I freely expos'd to all manner of Dangers; Concluding, That we wanted two Guides to put us in our Way, which we desir'd them to grant us. We enforc'd our Compliment with some Presents that were kindly accepted by the Savages; who answer'd us likewise with a Present, viz. a Mat, which was our Bed during our Voyage. They granted us also two Guides, to accompany us for some Days. The next Day, being the 10th of June, the Miamis who were to conduct us, embark'd with us in sight of all the Inhabitants of the Village, who could not admire enough that seven Europeans should venture upon so dangerous and extraordinary an Undertaking.
We were inform'd that within three Leagues of the Maskoutens there was a River which runs into the Mississippi, and that we were to go directly to the West-South-West, to find it; but there are so many Morasses and Lakes between it, that had it not been for our Guide, (page 643) we had never been able to find it; and the River upon which we row'd, to find the Place we were to Land and carry our Canow into the other, was so full of Wild-Oats, that it lookt rather like a Corn-Field than a River; insomuch that we cou'd hardly discover its Channel. As the Miamis frequented this Place, they conducted us to the usual Place of Portage, and help'd us to carry our Canow overland into the other River, distant from the former about two Miles and a half; from [202] whence they return'd home, leaving us in an unknown Country, having nothing to rely upon but the Divine Providence. We made a Solemn Vow in this place, and resolv'd to use some particular Prayers every Day to the Blessed Virgin, to recommend our Persons and Enterprize to her Protection, and afterwards embark'd.
This River is call'd Mesconsin
[Wisconsin];
__________________
1 The cross had to these savages a symbolic meaning, long before they saw white men. See W. J. Hoffman's explanation of its use by the Medicine society among the Menominees, in U. S. Bur. Ethnol. Rep., 1885-86, p. 155.-Ed.
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