Vi PREFACE. 



sent, every summer, long and detailed reports, em- 

 bodying or accompanied by the reports of his sub- 

 ordinates, to the Provincial of the Order at Paris, 

 where they were annually published, in duodecimo 

 volumes, forming the remarkable series known as 

 the Jesuit Eelations. Though the productions of 

 men of scholastic training, they are simple and 

 often crude in style, as might be expected of nar- 

 ratives hastily written in Indian lodges or rude 

 mission-houses in the forest, amid annoyances and 

 interruptions of all kinds. In respect to the value 

 of their contents, they are exceedingly unequal. 

 Modest records of marvellous adventures and sacri- 

 fices, and vivid pictures of forest-life, alternate with 

 prolix and monotonous details of the conversion of 

 individual savages, and the praiseworthy deportment 

 of some exemplary, neophyte. With regard to the 

 condition and character of the primitive inhabitants 

 of North America, it is impossible to exaggerate 

 their value as an authority. I should add, that the 

 closest examination has left me no doubt that these 

 missionaries wrote in perfect good faith, and that 

 the Relations hold a high place as authentic and 

 trustworthy historical documents. They are very 

 scarce, and no complete collection of them exists in 

 America. The entire series was, however, repub- 



