Letter XXIV.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE PRECIS HISTORIQUES, BRUSSELS.
The Flat-Heads, etc.
UNIVERSITY OF ST. LOUIS, August 4, 1857.
REV. AND DEAR FATHER:
You will find inclosed in this letter a recent letter from Rev. Adrian Hoeken, S. J.
I hope that it will merit a place in your Précis Historiques. In Holland I am sure it will afford pleasure.
The expression of the sentiments of the poor Indians in my regard, fill me with confusion, and I would not have sent the letter entire, but that you insisted on my sending each piece entire. For the rest, we must never forget, that these wretched Indians, deprived of every thing, and neglected by other men, experience an excessive joy for the least benefit, and feel grateful to any one who treats them with a little attention. A great lesson for our fellow-countrymen. Among those whom infidel and revolutionary writers in Belgium style savages and barbarians, you could not find one enough so to figure in the bands of Jemappes, or even in the rioters of Brussels, Antwerp, Ghent, and Mons. Here the Black-gown is respected, loved. The Indians perceive in him the emblem of the happiness that the missionary brings him in presenting him the torch of faith.
Letter of Rev. Father Adrian Hoeken.
MISSION OF THE FLAT-HEADS, April 15, 1857.
REV. AND BELOVED FATHER:
Before entering into a few details, I beg you to excuse the want of order in this letter. Much time has elapsed since I had the pleasure of receiving news from you, who have so many titles to my love and gratitude, and whose name is frequently on the lips, and always in the hearts, of each of the inhabitants of this remote region. Your letter of the 27th and 28th of March reached us towards the end of August, it was read, or rather devoured, with avidity, so dear was it to our hearts. It was remitted to us by our chief, Alexander, who accompanied Mr. R. H. Lansdale to the Coeur-d'Alènes. Scarcely had we cast a glance at the address, and recognized your handwriting, than, not being able to contain our joy, all, with one consent, cried out, "Father de Smet ! Father de Smet !" You cannot imagine the delight your letters afford us and our dear Indians. God be
praised! Your name will be ever held in benediction among these poor children of the Rocky Mountains. Ah ! how often they ask me these questions When, oh when! will
Father de Smet come to us ? Will he ever again ascend the Missouri ? Is it true that he will not come to Fort Benton this fall ?" These, and many other similar questions, show how dear to them is the remembrance of their father in' Christ; of him who first broke to them the bread of eternal life, and showed them the true way to happiness on earth and bliss hereafter. It is not strange, then, that your letters should have been read several times, and that every time they gave us new pleasure and excited new interest.
I can never cease admiring Divine Providence, which presides over all, and which in particular takes care of our beloved missions. Among the unnumbered proofs of its continual protection, your assistance in our late distress, and the liberality of our benefactors, are not less remarkable, nor less worthy of our gratitude. Our storehouses were empty, and the war between the Indians nearest the seaboard' took away all hope of procuring other resources. Never, never was charity more appropriate, nor received with greater joy. May Heaven prolong your days and those of our benefactors ! May you continue to foster the same interest towards us that, until the present moment, you have never ceased to testify ! Yes, beloved father, let the recollection of our missions be ever equally clear to you. They are the fruit of your own heroic zeal, fatigues, and labors. Ah! never forget our clear Indians; they are your children in Christ, the offspring of your boundless charity and your unwearied zeal!
During the months of June, July, and August, disease raged cruelly in our camp, as well as in that of the Flat-Heads. However, there were few victims of its terrible attacks.
Father Ménétrey, my co-laborer, visited the Flat-Heads, where he had been asked for by the chief, Fidelis Teltella (Thunder), whose son was dangerously ill. Later, I visited them myself in their camash prairies. A second time, in the opening of the month of June, I remained some days with them, at Hellgate, and I distributed medicines to all those who had been seized with the epidemic, and a little wheat flour to each family. Victor, the great chief, .Ambrose, Moses, Fidelis, Adolphus, and several others, came here of their own accord, to fulfil their religions duties. Since last spring there has been a notable amelioration in the whole nation. Ambrose has effected the most good. lie had convened several assemblies, in order to arrange and pay off old debts, to repair wrongs, etc. The Indians appear,however, very reluctant to part with their lands; they will scarcely hear of the dispositions to be taken.
Father Ravalli labored as much as he could to pacify the tribes which reside towards the west, namely : the Cayuses, the Yakamans, the Opelouses, etc. As our neophytes hitherto have taken no part in the war, the country is as safe for us as ever. We can go freely wheresoever we desire. No one is ignorant that the Black-gowns are not enemies; those, at least, who are among the Indians. Almost all the Coeur d'Alènes, in order to shield themselves from the hostilities of the Indians, and to avoid all relations with them, are gone bison-hunting. A few clays since, Father Joset wrote me that Father Ravalli had already written to him -several weeks before : "I fear a general rising among the Indians, towards the commencement of spring. Let us pray, and let US engage others to pray with us, in order to avert this calamity. I think that it world be well to add to the ordinary prayers of the mass, the collect for peace."
If the less well-intentioned Indians From the lower lands would keep within their own territory, and if the whites, the number of whom is daily augmenting in St. Mary's valley, could act with moderation, and conduct themselves prudently, I am convinced that soon the whole country would be at peace, and that not a single Indian would henceforward imbrue his hands in the blood of a white stranger. Were I authorized to suggest a plan, I would propose to have all the upper lands evacuated by the whites, and form of it a territory exclusively of Indians; afterwards I would lead there all the Indians of the inferior portion, such as the Nez-Percès, the Cayuses, the Yakomas, the Coeur-d'Alènes, and the Spokans. Well-known facts lead me to believe that this plan, with such superior advantages, might be effected, by means of missions, in the space of two or three years.
Our Indians here are doing well. Last spring we sowed about fifty bushels of wheat, and planted a quantity of potatoes, cabbages, and turnips. God has graciousaly blessed our labors and our fields. Here all generally like agriculture.We give the seeds gratis to everybody. Our ploughs and our tools are also free to be used by them. We even lend our horses and oxen to the poorest among the Indians, and we grind all their grain gratuitously. But our mill, which goes by horse-power, is very small, and we are not able to build another.
Mr. R. H. Lansdale, agent of the government, a very just and upright man, has assumed his functions at the Plumtrees, a place situated quite near the place where we cross the river, a few miles from this. We gave him all the assistance of which we were capable. I bad indulged the hope that the government would come to our aid, at least for the building of a small church; but so far my expectations have been frustrated. Alas! are we never to cease deploring the loss of our little church among the Kalispels ? Several of these latter-named, and among others, Victor, on seeing the chapel, formerly so dear to them, but now forsaken and neglected, shed tears of regret.
When, oh when shall the oppressed Indian find a poor corner of earth on which he may lead a peaceful life, serving and loving his God in tranquillity, and preserving the ashes of his ancestors without fear of beholding them profaned and trampled beneath the feet of an unjust usurper?
Several among the Kalispels, Victor and others, already have possessions here. However, they have Dot yet renounced those which they own in the country lower down. Twelve very poor habitations are the beginning of our town called St. Ignatius. Our little abode, although very modest, is sufficiently comfortable. To any other than you, this word comfortable might sound singular; but you, Reverend Father, who understand perfectly what it means when applied to a poor missionary, will comprehend the relative application of the word. Our community numbers six mem bers. Father Joseph Ménétrey, who is missionary, prefect of our chapel, and inspector in chief of our fields, etc. ; Brother McGean, farmer; Brother Vincent Magri, dispenser, carpenter, and miller; Brother Joseph Spegt, blacksmith, baker, and gardener; Brother Francis Huybrechts, carpenter and sacristan.
I intend going to Colville after the harvest and during the absence of the Indians.
Father Ménétrey, of his own free will, went to Fort Benton with a pair of horses. The distance by the great road is 294 miles. He took horses because we could with difficulty spare our oxen, and also because, according to information received from Mr. Lansdale, the road is impassable to oxen which have not, like horses, iron shoes. Father Ménétrey arrived at the fort on the 17th of September, and was very favorably received by the occupants; but he was obliged to wait sometime for the boats. He speaks with high eulogiums of the Black-Feet, and regrets that he has not jurisdiction in that part of the mountains. He returned on the 12th of November.
How express to you, Rev. Father, the joy that filled our hearts, when we opened your letters and the different cases which you had the charity to send us? We each and all wept with grateful joy! In vain, the night following, I strove to calm the emotions that these missives, as well as the liberality of our benefactors, had produced in my heart; I could not close my eyes. All the community, yes, the whole camp, participated in my delight. In unison we rendered thanks to Divine Providence, and that day was a perfect holiday. The next day, having a little recovered from my excitement, I was ashamed of my weakness. You who know what it is to be a missionary; you who know so well his privations, his trials, his pangs, you will easily forgive my excessive sensibility.
I had agreed with Father Congiato that he would send your Reverence- my lists, as well as the money that lie might allow me. I was bolder in soliciting your charity and your benevolence in our favor, because I knew the love and interest that you bear to our missions; and that, on the other hand, I only executed a plan that yourself had conceived and suggested, when, in consideration of the circumstances, it would have appeared to every one else illusory and incapable of execution.
Scarcely had Father Ménétrey gone than I received a letter from Father Congiato, in which lie said to me : "If you think that your supplies can be furnished at a more reasonable price from Missouri, order them thence, I will pay the cost. Write on this subject to Rev. Father De Smet." Had I received this letter somewhat later, I scarcely know what would have been my decision; for it is very doubtful that we should have been able to find any one who would return to Fort Benton. I entreat you, be so good as to excuse the trouble that we give you; our extraordinary situation is the sole excuse that I can offer in favor of our importunity. A thousand thanks to you, and to all our benefactors who concurred so generously in the support of our missions. I also thank our kind brethren in St. Louis, for the very interesting letters that they had the kindness to write me. Receive too, our grateful sentiments, Rev. Father, for the catalogues of the different provinces, the classical books, Shea's Catholic Missions, the works of controversy, etc., etc. I should never conclude did I attempt to enumerate-all your gifts, which we were so overjoyed to receive. Brother Joseph was beside himself with gladness when his eyes fell on the little packages of seeds, the files, scissors, and other similar objects. Accept, in fine, our thanks for the piece of broadcloth you sent us; by this favor we continue to be "Black-gowns" Ali ! with my whole heart I wish that you could have seen us as we were opening the boxes. Each object excited new cries of joy, and augmented our grateful love*for the donors. All arrived in good order. The snuff had got a little mixed with the clover-seed, but no matter; my nose is not very delicate. It is the first donation sent into these mountains,
at least since I have been here. We bless God, who watches over all of his children with so much care and liberality, even over those who appear to be the most forsaken.
On the following day I sent Father Joset his letters. I found an opportunity that very day.
It would have been very agreeable to me to receive a copy of all your letters published since 1836. The portraits were very dear to me. I could not recognize Father Verdin's, but Brother Joseph knew it at the first glance. Yours was also recognized at once by a great number of the Indians, and on seeing it they shouted "Pikek an!" It made the tour of the village, and yesterday again, an inhabitant of Koetenay came to me with the sole intention of "paying a visit to Father De Smet." This did them an immense good, only seeing the portrait of him who was the first to bear them the light of faith in these regions, still overshadowed with the darkness of moral death ; and who first dissipated the mists in which they and their progenitors during untold ages had been enveloped. Believe me, reverend father, not a day passes, without their prayers ascending to heaven for you.
In what manner can we testify our gratitude in regard to the two benefactors who so generously charged themselves with the care of transporting and delivering to us our eases without consenting to accept the slightest recompense ? Undoubtedly they will reap a large share in the sacrifices and prayers that daily rise to Heaven for all our benefactors, and which are with a grateful heart and the remembrance of their beneficence towards us, the only tokens of our thankfulness that we can offer them. How noble the sentiment which prompted them gratuitously to burden themselves and their boats, with the charitable gifts destined by the faithful, to the destitute missionaries of the Indians! Heaven, who knows our poverty, will reward there with better gifts than we could have imagined suitable to their liberality. .
The package destined for Michael Insula, the "Little Chief," lies here for the present. He has not yet opened it. The good man is abroad on a hunting excursion ; but we expect him back in a few days. I doubt not that he will be very sensible to these marks of friendship, or, as he usually expresses it, "these marks of fraternity." He set out from here, when he had harvested the grain he had sowed. Always equally good, equally happy, a fervent Christian, he is daily advancing in virtue and in perfection. He has a young son, Louis Michael, whom he teaches to call me papa. It is a real pleasure to him to be able to speak of your reverence and of his two adopted brothers, Messrs. Campbell and Fitzpatrick. I will give him the packet directly after his return, and will inform you of the sentiments with which he will have received it, as well as his reply.
Here in our missions, we already observe all the conditions stipulated in the treaty concluded last year by Gov. Stevens, at Hellgate. Our brothers assist the Indians, and teach them bow to cultivate the ground. They distribute the fields and the seeds for sowing and planting, as well as the ploughs and other agricultural instruments. Our blacksmith works for them : he repairs their guns, their axes, their knives; the carpenter renders them greet assistance in constructing their houses, by making the doors and windows; in fine, our little mill is daily in use for grinding their grain, gratis; we distribute some medicines to the sick ;-in a word, all we have and all we are is sacrificed to the welfare of the Indian. The savings that our religious economy enables us to make, we retain solely to relieve their miseries. Whatever we gain by manual labor and by the sweat of the brow, is theirs ! Through love of Jesus Christ, we are ready to sacrifice all, even life itself. Last year we opened our school ; but circumstances forced us to close it. Next spring we shall have a brother capable of teaching, and we intend opening it a second time; but in the interval we shall not earn a cent. During last October, the snow forced Fathers Joset and Ravalli and Brother Saveo to return to the Coeur d'Alènes.
We have done, and shall continue to do, all that lies in our power for the government officers. Still our poor mission has never received a farthing from the government. Do not think, reverend father, that I complain-oh no! you are too well assured no earthly good could ever induce us to work and suffer as we do here. As wealth itself could never recompense our toils, so privations are incapable of leading us to renounce our noble enterprise. Heaven, heaven alone is our aim; and that reward will far exceed our deserts. On the other hand, we are consoled by the reflection that He who provides for the birds of the air will never abandon his tenderly loved children. Yet it is not less true, that, if we had resources (humanly speaking), our missions would be more flourishing ; and that many things that we now accomplish only with great patience and sore privations, and which again frequently depend upon contingencies, could be effected more rapidly and with less uncertainty of success.
In our mission, there are persons of such a variety of nations, that we form, so to speak, a heaven in miniature. First, our community is composed of six members, all of whom are natives of different lands. Then we have creoles: Genetzi, whose wife is Susanna, daughter of the old Ignatius Chaves ; Abraham and Peter Tinsley, sons of old Jacques Boiteux ; Alexander Thibault, a Canadian, and Derpens. There are some Iroquois : old Ignatius is settled here, as well as the family of Iroquois Peter. The death of this venerable old man is a great loss to the mission. Then we have creoles from the Creek nation; Pierrish, and Anson, with his brothers; then some Flat-Heads; Kalispels; two camps of Pends d'Oreilles ; then several Spokans ; some Nez-Percés, Koetenays, Coeur-d'Alènes, and Kettle-Falls Indians ; a few Americans, settled a few miles from here; and some Black-Feet. All, though of different nations, live together like brethren and in perfect harmony. They have, like the primitive Christians, but one heart and one mind.
Last spring, and during the summer following, we had several Black-Feet here. They behaved extremely well. Among others, the Little Dog, chief of the Pegans, with some members of his family. They entered our camp with the American flag unfurled, and marching to the tones of martial music and an innumerable quantity of little bells. The very horses pranced in accordance with the measure, and assumed a stately deportment at the harmony of the national hymn.
We held several conferences with the chief concerning religion. He complained that the whites, who had been in communication with them, had never treated this so important affair. So far the best understanding reigns between us,and it would appear, that all the old-difficulties are. forgotten. May Heaven keep them in these favorable dispositions. Last summer the Crows stole about twenty horses from our nation. A few days after, others visited our camp. The remembrance of this theft so excited the people that, forgetting the law of nations, which secures protection to even the greatest enemy as soon as he puts his foot within the camp, they fell upon the poor guests, and killed two of them ere they had time to escape.
May God bless the government for establishing peace among the Black-Feet ! However, as hitherto the means have not proved very efficacious, I fear that the quiet will not be of very long duration. I trust that our society will one clay effect, a more enduring peace. A mission among them would, I am persuaded, produce this blessed result. And if to bedew this hitherto ungrateful soil requires the blood of some happy missionary, it would bring forth a hundredfold, and the Black-Feet would respect our holy religion.
I am much distressed at learning that an epidemic disease is making terrible ravages among the Black-Feet. According to the last news, about 150 Indians had perished in one camp alone, near Fort Benton., When the malady had ceased scourging men, it fell upon their horses. Many are dead already, and many are dying. We have lost five. Our hunters are forced to go to the chase on foot; for, according to their account, all the horses are sick. If the Nez-Percés lose their horses in the war with government, horses will be very dear here.
Michael, the Little Chief, has arrived. I presented him the gracious gift of Col. Campbell. He was astonished that the colonel should think of him, and was much moved at this mark of attachment. Then he cited a long list of kindred, dead since his last interview with Col. Campbell, and entertained me at length with the great number of Americans that lie had seen annually passing Fort Hall. He told me with what solicitude and anxiety he sought his friend among those successive multitudes, and when -at length he could not discover him, he believed that he was dead.
Our Indians are bison-hunting, and quite successful. Five Spokans have been killed by the Banacs, and six of these last killed by the Spokans and Coeur-d'Alènes. The Flat-
Heads hive had a man killed by the same Banacs. Louis, Ambrose's son, was killed last fall by the Gros-Ventres. All last winter a good understanding prevailed among the Black-Feet. Many of them will come, I think, and reside with us. The Nez-Percés and the Spokans endeavor to spread a bad spirit among the Indians who reside in the country below. They endeavor to communicate their hatred of the Americans; but our chiefs are firm, and will in no wise acquiesce in the desire of their enemies. Victor, the great chief, and Ambrose, are here again, in order to accomplish their spiritual duties. Unfortunately a great antipathy prevails among these tribes.
Mr. McArthur, formerly agent of the Hudson Bay Company, has now settled at Hellgate.
To conclude, Rev. Father, I entreat you- to believe that, notwithstanding your reiterated exhortations to assure me, it is not without a feeling of restraint that I inclose you anew the list of things we need this year. I am aware that you are weighed down with business; but who, as well as yourself, can know and understand our position ?
I entreat you to present, my respects to all my kind friends who are at the university, at St. Charles, and elsewhere.
Your reverence's most respectful servant,
A. HOEKEN, S. J.