1639.] SAINTE MARIE. 139 



ered together, safe from perverting influences ; and 

 here in time a Christian settlement, Hurons min- 

 gled with Frenchmen, might spring up and thrive 

 under the shadow of the cross. 



The site of the new station was admirably chosen. 

 The little river Wye flows from the southward into 

 the Matchedash Bay of Lake Huron, and, at about 

 a mile from its mouth, passes through a small 

 lake. The Jesuits made choice of the right bank 

 of the Wye, where it issues from this lake, — 

 gained permission to build from the Indians, though 

 not without difliculty, — and began their labors with 

 an abundant energy, and ar very deficient supply 

 of workmen and tools. The new establishment 

 was called Sainte Marie. The house at Teanaus- 

 taye, and the house and chapel at Ossossane, were 

 abandoned, and all was concentrated at this spot. 

 On one hand, it had a short water communication 

 with Lake Huron ; and on the other, its central 

 position gave the readiest access to every part of 

 the Huron territory. 



During the summer before, the priests had made 

 a survey of their field of action, visited all the 

 Huron towns, and christened each of them with 

 the name of a saint. This heavy draft on the cal- 

 endar was followed by another, for the designation 

 of the nine towns of the neighboring and kindred 

 people of the Tobacco Nation.^ The Huron towns 

 were portioned into four districts, while those of 

 the Tobacco Nation formed a fifth, and each dis- 

 trict was assigned to the charge of two or more 



1 See Introduction. 



