Later on the Intendant's Palace,
in magnificence rivalled the Chateau St. Louis.
[306] Kahir-Koubat "a meandering stream" Ahatsistari's house (formerly
"Poplar Grove," the homestead of L. T. McPherson, Esq.), on the north bank
of the St. Charles, was called Kahir-Koubat by N. Monpetit. Here
formerly dwelt, we are told, Col. De Salaberry, the hero of Chateauguay,
until 1814.
[307] Beyond the unmistakable vestiges of its having been of early French
construction, there is nothing known of the origin under French rule, of
Bigot's little Chateau. History is replete with details about his
peculations and final punishment in the Bastile of France; possibly the
legends in prose and in verse, which mantle round the time-worn rein, have
no other foundation than the fictions of the poet and the novelist. Thanks
to Amedee Papineau, W. Kirby, Jos. Mannette, Beaumanoir, Bigot's Chateau,
is now immortalized in song.
[308] Ahatsistari, such the name of the former great Huron warrior, which
Mr. Montpetit was allowed to assume when recently elected Honorary Chief
of the Council of Sachems, possibly for the service rendered to the tribe
as their historiographer.
[309] The French named the Wyandats, Hurons, from their style of wearing
their hair - erect and thrown back, giving their head, says the Historian
Ferland, the appearance of a boar's head, "une hure de sanglier."
[310] The Dutch called them Maquas; the English, Mohawks, probably from
the name of the river Mohawk which flows into the Hudson.
[311] The Mission of St. Joseph, composed of 400 Huron families, was
suddenly attacked by the Iroquois on the 4th July, 1648.
[213] St. Ignace was surprised and taken on 16th March, 1649.
[313] Ste. Marie mission-house was given to the flames by the Jesuits
themselves on 15th May, 1649.
[314] St Jean was ravaged on 7th December, 1649.
[315] This parish was called after the celebrated Church of Santa Casa,
of Loretto, in Italy. The Huron Missionary, Father Chaumonot, had arranged
their huts around the church, which he had erected in imitation of the
Loretto Chapel in Italy, where he had seen a vision of angels.
[316] A census of the settlement taken on 19th January, 1879, exhibits the
population as composed of 326 souls, divided as follows: - Adult Males,
94; Adult Females, 137; Boys, 49; Girls, 56. Total, 336. 143 males to 193
females; bachelors must have been at a premium in the settlement. We
understood that a complete history of the tribe is now in course of
preparation by the Rev. Prosper Vincent, a son of Chief Vincent.
[317] An excellent sketch in French has been published of Tahourenche
and his tribe, in the Opinion Publique, under the nom de plume of
Ahatsistari, which we think ourselves warranted in crediting to the
elegant pen of A. N. Montpetit, one of their honorary Chiefs.
[318] Probably the same as alluded to in a quaint old engraving, presented
us by John Neilson, Esq., P.L.S., a son of the Hon. John Neilson, himself
an honorary Chief of the Lorette Hurons. Under the portrait of Chief
Nicholas is printed "Nicholas Vincent Isawanhoni," principal Christian
chief and Captain of the Huron Indians, established at La Jeune Lorette,
near Quebec, habited in the costume of his country, as when presented to
his Majesty George IV. on the 7th of April, 1826, with three other chiefs
of his nation, by Generals Brock and Carpenter; the chief bears in his
hand the wampum or collar, on which is marked the tomahawk given by his
late Majesty George III. The gold medal on his neck was the gift of his
Majesty on this presentation.
"They were accompanied and introduced into England on the 14th December,
1824, by Mr. W. Cooper, who though an Englishman, they state to be a chief
of their nation, and better known to them as chief Tourhaunchi."
N.B. - It may be well to say that from the earliest times the Lorette
Indians have been in the habit of electing as "Honorary Chiefs" Quebecers
of note, who may have rendered service to the tribe. A large oil painting
is now in the possession of William D. Campbell, Esq., of Quebec,
exhibiting the installation as a Chief, in 1837, of the late Robert Symes,
J.P., of Quebec.
[319] Ononthio means the Great Mountain, the name the Indians gave
Governor de Montmagny and his successors.
[320] The 8 is pronounced oui.
[321] May, 1675, Louis XIV and Colbert granted Monsieur le Comte Talon,
Intendant, the Seigniory des Islets, "together with those three
neighboring villages to us belonging the first called Bourg Royal, the
second Bourg La Reine, the third, Bourg Talon, subsequently changed into
the Barony of Orsainville." - (Ferland, Vol. II p 59.)
[322] I am happy to be able to throw some additional light on the early
times of this mysterious ruin, which has much perplexed Quebec
antiquaries. 'Tis probable this stately mansion was built by the great
Intendant Talon as the baronial chateau, permitted by his grant,
(see Seignorial Documents, 1852, - page 444 and 488) according to
which he was empowered to establish gaols, "a four-post gibbet, a post
with an iron collar on which his arms should be engraved." Of all this
redoubtable feudal pomp there are no vestiges now extant. How the
chateau fared from Talon's time to Bigot's, remains a mystery.
After the conquest, the land came by purchase into the possession of the
Stewart family, lately represented by Charles Grey Stewart - a most
interesting and lengthy letter from Charles Stewart, describing the winter
months spent in the Hermitage in 1775-6, whilst Arnold held for Congress
the environs of Quebec, will be given hereafter, Mr. Wm. Crawford the late
owner of the land and ruins, having kindly allowed me the use of his title
deeds.
