Since about 200 years past that the mission has been established on our domain of the Seigniory of the Lake of Two Mountains, there were always sisters of the congregation to teach the little girls howto read and write, the missionaries taught the little boys,-later some lay teachers were paid by us to replace the missionaries. At the present time, the

school of the boys of the village is kept by one of the brothers of the Christian schools. For many years past the Indian language has been taught. The Iroquois, Algonquins,, and Canadian children assembled together to read, but read in the French language only, in order that distinction of nationality, which has to-day so many serious inconveniences' may gradually disappear.

The young Jose Onasakenrat, now the grand chief of the Iroquois, has been educated at our own expense, in our college. You see in which manner he makes use of the education we have given him.

We maintain, at our own expense, those schools-two at the village, and the third at the creck-for the children of those Indians who have established themselves upon their lands.

We have also lately established a work-room, to teach the women and young Indian girls to work. Two years ago, the women obtained a prize for cloths manufactured in the mission. They have again, this year, sent some beautiful cloths to the county exhibition, but they did not succeed in getting any prize.

Not including the keeping of the brother, who lodges and boards with our gentlemen, the expense for the three schools amounted to

And for the work-room to....

$817 94 172 761

Forming a total amount of, for this last year, from the 1st October, 1867, to 1st October, 1868

990 70

For the preceding year, the expenses for the work-room and the schools amounted to

918 07

And for repairs to, and contribution at the Nunnery

308 89

From the 1st October, 1866, to 1st October, 1867

$1,226 96

The Indians contribute nothing to the support of these schools, we only ask of them to send their children to these schools, but we have always had a great deal of trouble to obtain that much.

You perceive, by this short statement, that we have not neglected, and do not at present neglect to give the Indians that education most suited to them. Is there another mission where the Indians are more favoured ?

2. In answer to the complaints of the Indians as regards the concession of lands, and the cutting of woods, it will suffice to state that this mission established upon our domain of the Mountain in 1677, was first transferred on our domain of the Sault au Récollet, and from thence, definitely established on our domain of the Lake of Two Mountains in 1777.

The Indians, whom we have always treated as our children, are, therefore, on our own lands; they have, and can only have, but the titles which we think proper to grant them.

What was true, when our domain was seigniorial, is now more incontestable, since by our agreements with the Government in 1859, the domain belongs to us, in franc-alue roturier.

This is the manner in which we deal with our Indians in reference to the cultivation of lands. We allow them the enjoyment of the lands, on condition that they will cultivate them; the enjoyment may pass to their children on the same conditions, and we even allow them to sell out that enjoyment to another Indian who has been established in the said mission for two years. We only reserve for us the wood, the cutting and

cartage of which we pay them for.

If they want any firewood, or timber for building purposes, we allow them to have it, but we only permit them to take what they want for their own use. They are prohibited from selling wood without our permission, otherwise our forests would have been long since ruined.

Were it not for that wise precaution, where would the Indians obtain their firewood? We have but a few pines capable of being converted into canoes; when the Indians require any, we allow them to take them, but on the condition that they will not sell them. This explains the claim made upon the canoe sold by the Indian La-coppre.

In general, we cut wood on the lands reserved for the Indians at their demand only, either to enlarge their fields, or make new ones; and if sometimes we have cut some without consulting them, it was on unoccupied or deserted lands.

As the domain belongs to us, we have no permission to ask.

The keeping up of the mission becoming every day more onerous, the produce of the hunt not being sufficient to supply the wants of the Indians, we created farms around our domain. When these will yield a plentiful crop, they will suffice to meet the expenses of the mission.. In the meantime, the procuracy of the seminary is obliged to advance very large sums of money to keep up, and for the repairs of the establishment of the Lake of Two Mountains.

The following is a statement of the expenses since the 1st October, 1865, to the 1st October, 1868.

When the Indians come to us for assistance, we give it to them in the shape of work, unless they are sick or infirm.

years.

Below is a statement of the assistance we have given them during the last three

I make no allusion here to the other work procured for the Indians, such as the cutting of wood, the construction of a wharf, etc., etc., in which they have been employed, either by us, or our workmen.

What mission would procure them so many advantages, and so much assistance?

3. For the use of the mission and of our farms, and to give work to the Indians who were in want, we had repairs made to a road, on an extent of nearly twelve miles. Every year, for the last seven years, we have spent, and still spend, nearly one thousand dollars on this road; it was during the construction of this road, and to come to the assistance of the poor, that we did cut wood of little value; the price of that wood was converted into provisions to pay the Indians' labour. For we do not pay them, and will not pay them, otherwise than with provisions, so that the proceeds of their work may turn to the benefit of their families. Were we to pay them in cash, notwithstanding the prohibition of selling liquors to the Indians, the vendors of intoxicating drinks would absorb the greatest part of their labours.

4. Finally, as regards that most odious allegation, that of the widow, Petit Cris, Messire Mercier leased the land in question upon the reiterated solicitations of that widow. He had it valued by a farmer. The Canadian who wished to lease the farm could not give any security, and could not establish himself amongst the Indians without our permission, and Mr. Mercier had it cultivated by the teacher of the school which has been established at the Creek, for the children of those Indians who live in the woods. We have given that widow as much as she could reasonably expect.

I doubt if Mr. Mercier receives the amount which he has paid to that poor woman to assist her in her small trade with the Indians. Her land is at her disposal, whenever she wishes to retake it.

5. As regards the tithes and casual church fees, the amount which we receive from the Indians does not meet the expenses of the service of the church.

You perceive by this statement, of the last three years, that the expenses are greater than the receipts; besides, most of the tithes and casual church fees come from our farmers, for they pay rent for church pews, whilst the Indians pay nothing for the pews which they occupy.

I trust, Sir, that this statement, which we have been forced to make, will enlighten the Government as regards the conspiracy which is going on, for the purpose of perverting our Indians.

We only ask, so as to be permitted to continue to do the good we have always done, to see the delusion of the Indians dissipated, by solemnly declaring to them that they are upon our own lands, and that they cannot be allowed to remain on them unless they submit to the wise regulations which we have made for their welfare and that of their children.

Be pleased to accept, etc., etc.,
(Signed,)

T. A. BAILE, Superintendent of the Seminary of St. Sulpice, Montreal.

(Copy.)-(No. 16.)

To ALONSA SAKOKENOIE,
ALONSA RETSITONSENIO,

IGNACE TONNIONTAKOEN,

MICHEL SAKOSENKITA and others,

Iroquois of Lake of Two Mountains.

OTTAWA, 9th December, 1868.

The statements contained in your petition to His Excellency the Governor General having been examined and inquired into, I have to answer them in the following

manner :

The Seigniory of the Lake of Two Mountains was granted in the year 1718, by the King of France, to the gentlemen of the Seminary of St. Sulpice, and the title, which has been recognized by Act of Parliament, is such as gives to that body the absolute ownership thereof, and, consequently, the Indians have no right of property in the seigniory.

With regard to timber, it is found from explanations given by the Superior of the Seminary, that the Indians are allowed to cut such wood as they require for fuel and for building purposes, but are not permitted to cut wood for sale.

It appears, also, that education is bestowed upon the Indians in the required branches, and in the French language, as that spoken generally in that section of Canada; and, that their religious instruction has received continued attention; and that a very great deal has been done to improve the condition and to contribute to the comfort and welfare of the Iroquois of that seigniory. And, further, that the complaint made that the Indians have been refused concessions of land for agricultural purposes is contrary to the facts of the case, the practice, as explained, being to allot lands for agriculture in proportion as the Indians are prepared to clear them.

Having conveyed to you these particulars, it remains to be added, for the information of the Iroquois Indians of that seigniory, that, by an authority of an Order in Council, there were 1,600 acres of land set apart for the Iroquois of the Lake of Two Mountains, and of Caughnawaga, situated in the Township of Duncaster, in rear of the Township of Wexford, and where, provided they become actual settlers and improve the lands, each family may be located on a farm lot of sufficient extent; and, in that case, it would be ascertained what aid could be given to the Indians by the Government.

Should the lands set apart in that township be insufficient, an endeavour would be made to find some other locality, where the Indians might settle, if they so desired.

(Copy.)-(No. 17.)

DEPARTMENT OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE,
OTTAWA, 10th December, 1868.

To Chiefs CLA-KO-MISCI KI, BAZILL, ALGIK, PALL-AK-AN-WANEH,
and other Algonquins of the Lake of Two Mountains,

OKA, P. O., P. Q.

Your letter of the 31st July last was duly received, and enquiry having been made respecting the statements contained therein, the following is the result of those enquiries:

It is found that the titles to the Seigniory of the Lake of Two Mountains, and the Acts of Parliament relating thereto, give to the gentlemen of the Seminary of St. Sulpice, Montreal, the absolute ownership of the said seigniory; and consequently the Algonquin Indians have no right of property therein.

It further appears, from explanations given by the superior of the seminary, that the gentlemen of the seminary allow the Indians such firewood as they require for their own use, and also timber to build with, but the Indians are not allowed to cut cordwood or timber for sale.

It is well to remind the Algonquins that a tract containing 45,750 acres of land, situated upon the Rivers Desert and Gatineau, was set apart in the year 1854 for the Algonquins, Nipissingue and Tètes de Boule Indians, upon which 200 or 300 Indians have become settled, and where each family joining them can, on application to the agent, Mr. John White, obtain a farm lot of about eighty acres, which will be allowed to himself and his family for all time to come, provided they settle and cultivate the same.

With regard to the equipment (alluded to in your letter), as formerly given to the Indians, the fact must apparently have been long ago known to the Indians, that the Imperial Government discontinued annual presents, and only gave to the old and infirm a blanket every year to each such person, and this practice the Government of Canada still follows.

The Indians should likewise know that the Seminary of St. Sulpice has, for several years, been expending, for the benefit of the Indians, a considerably larger sum than they derive from the seigniory; and to assist the Indians, have done much towards providing them with work and employment, and giving help and aid to the poor and infirm.

And, from the information obtained, the conclusion is, that they obtain kindness and consideration from the gentlemen of the seminary.

It is also my duty to point out to you that the Algonquins must respect property, and be content with their present condition, and rest sure that the disposition of the Government is to improve their condition, and elevate them in their social position.

To His Excellency Sir JOHN YOUNG, C. B., C. G. M., Governor General of the Dominion of Canada, &c., &c., &c.

The humble petition of the undersigned chiefs of the Iroquois nation of the Lake of Two Mountains, Province of Quebec, respectfully sheweth:

That among the most important blessings which the Divine Being had conferred upon mankind may be numbered the happy display of the good and charitable dispositions of eminent persons. Your petitioners had left their homes with a heavy heart, driven by the high hand of oppression from a quarter they had been trained to consider infallible, both in earth and in heaven-to seek the protection of those whose sympathy they could not expect to engage, being strangers to them in nationality and religion; however, they could not, in justice, expect a worse treatment than they had been accustomed to receive from their pretended friends, and they might reach Ottawa, the seat of Government, and land upon the high, magnificent, and solid rock in perfect security, and laugh to scorn the frowning, frothy, and angry roars and threats of the "Chaudières" below, mighty indeed in appearance, but as harmless as the breath of the departed.

That your petitioners arrived at the seat of Government, like Bunyan's pilgrim, with their loads of sins and complaints against their relentless oppressors, and scarcely better provided with this world's goods; but they fortunately carried in their appearance the misery and embarrassment they felt upon being informed that Your Excellency was ready to receive them-they had reached Heaven, and beheld the Sun of Justice smiling upon