CHAPTER XXV.

French missionaries—First in 1615—Recollets—With Champlain— Jesuits, in 1625—Valuable records—Bishopric of Quebec, 1674— First Bishop of Canada, Laval—Rivalry—Power of Jesuits—Number of missionaries—Their “relations”—First mission field; Bay Quinté region—“Antient mission”—How founded—First missionaries—Kleus, Abbe D’Urfé—La Salle to build a church—The ornaments and sacred vessels—The site of the “Chappel” uncertain—Bald Bluff, Carrying Place—Silver crosses—Mission at Georgian Bay—The “Christian Islands”—Chapel at Michilmicinac, 1679—The natives attracted— Subjects of the French King—Francois Picquet—La Presentation— _Soegasti_—The most important mission—The object—Six Nations—The missionary’s living—“Disagreeable expostulations”—Putting stomach in order—Trout—Picquet’s mode of teaching Indians—The same afterwards adopted by Rev. W. Case—Picquet’s success— Picquet on a voyage—At Fort Toronto—Mississaugas’ request— Picquet’s reply—A slander—At Niagara, Oswego—At Frontenac—Grand reception—Return to La Presentation—Picquet in the last French war—Returns to France—By Mississippi—“Apostles of Peace”— Unseemly strife—Last of the Jesuits in Canada 249