Letter 88

From Quebec. to her son, Summer 1644 [a fragment]
The cruelty of the Iroquois

The great progress [of the faith among the Hurons] has not prevented the Iroquois from taking a priest of the company and six Frenchmen, three of whom they killed; two they burned alive and hacked in pieces. Not content with devouring their flesh according as it was cooked, the barbarians took pieces and forced the victims to swallow it themselves. They have also taken and killed several Huron and Algonquin Christians. The French have taken three of theirs, hoping to exchange them for the priest in case he is still alive. Rumour says that he is destined for the fire.

Kelly, Sr M. St. Dominic, O.S.U. Marie of the Incarnation 1599 - 1672 Correspondence, (translated from the French edition by Dom Guy Oury Monk of Solesmes), Irish Ursuline Union, 2000, p. 90.