166 THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 
Even this word, asI explained in my article mentioned above, is doubtful 
and was for some time illegible. I think however, I have finally hit upon 
the right solution. In my researches among the “Documents Relatifs 
à la Nouvelle France”, a collection containing all the official despatches 
relating to Newfoundland and Placentia in the XVII Century, I found 
the name of the Frigate L’Envieux; but among the officers that com- 
manded her at different periods, the name of Svigaraicipi does not 
appear. There is, however, in the Records a lacuna, which may have 
béen occupied by our deceased hero. Thus: I find in a letter from M. de 
Frontenac to the Prime Minister or Minister of the Colonies in France, 
dated, Quebec 15th Septr. 1691, that the “Vaisseau L’Envieux” was at 
that date under command of Le Sieur de Bonaventure. In 1692 she 
is still commanded by the same officer. In 1694, the date of our tomb- 
stone, Le Sieur de Bonaventure was transferred to the command of the 
“Bretonne.” Unfortunately the name of the new commander of the 
“Envieux” is not given. But I find that in 1695, the year after Sviga- 
raicipi’s death, Le Sieur de Bonaventure is again in charge of L’Envieux, 
and was at Placentia on August 12 of that year. She convoyed home 
the French Fishing Fleet. In 1694 our poor hero Svigaraicipi was 
in command of the “ Envieux.”” He was sent to sea to protect the return 
of the “Terreneuviers français.” but his career which promised a bril- 
liant future was cut short. He was killed at Terreneuve and his body 
was interred in the cemetery at Placentia. (Htudes Basques Dec. 1907 
D. 312). 
I have since come into possession of a most interesting sketch of 
the life and adventures of this brave old Corsair. It is breezy and full 
of life, and has a nautical flavour that reminds one of Cooper’s or Mar- 
ryat’s fascinating novels. I am indebted for it to the Right Rev. Mon- 
seigneur LeGasse, Prefect Apostolic of St. Pierre Miquelon. In my 
article on the Placentia tombstones I mentioned this distinguished 
prelate, and the assistance I had received from him in deciphering the 
Basque tombstones. He is a Basque by birth and an expert scholar 
in the language and history of that unique people. He has never lost 
his interest in old Placentia lore, and a short time since he sent me from 
France a few copies of a review which is dedicated especially to the in- 
terests of Basque History and folk-lore. In this magazine there is a 
very full sketch by M. Ducéré running through three or four numbers, 
of the life of Svigaraicipi and I have thought it well worthy a place in 
the Annals of our Society. I have therefore decided in this paper to 
give a resumé of this interesting biography. 
During the XVI and XVII centuries, there flourished about the 
western seaboard of France a brilliant array of Corsairs or pirates. 
