Codex Lethbridge
Transcription: 47
Transcription:
{[this is a duplicate of p. 46]
[Left page]
1896 [written on top of the page]
June [written in back/right margin] that this Indian is no other than the son of the
great chief Big Bear, who at the time of Northwest rebellion, caused so much trouble and anxiety in the environs of Fort Pitt and Frog Lake.
The Father takes with him a halfbreed as interpreter and find this Prince, a handsome specimen of humanity, a man in the bloom and force of live… inprisoned [sic] together with a very old man on the border of the grave. It appears that they took a too warm part in that unfortunate rebellion and that they are connected with the horrible Frog Lake Massacre, where our good Father Fafard and Marchand lost their lives in the performance of their Sacred duties.
With the greatest affection this Indian seizes the Fathers hand, and after the preliminary ceremonies, never to be omited [sic] according to the Indian rituel [sic], especially when a Prince beginneth [sic] his speech, Big Bears Son sayth [sic] he has had a revelation or Inspiration from the Great Spirit…. While sitting in attentive recollection, his hands over his eyes, all at once a Voice spoke to him inwardly : : : Send for the man of prayer, the black robe…..give yourself over to him, that is, to God, to the Great Spirit whom he represents: you – your wife – your children – and all the Souls of the camp…. The black robe will speak for you --- show you the trail you must follow – Therefore, Father, I have sent for you … we are shut up here, we dont [sic] know why… at the time of the rebellion my father Big Bear The Chief of the North, said to me and my followers : Depart my son … Flee to South at once…’
[End page]
[Right page]
“across the line there shall be liberty for you … here you could enjoy it no longer … we are surrounded Depart … For Ten years we have lived in the country across the line – to day we are turned out they have forced us back to these regions … We have led good lives … why have they taken me a prisoner ??? why have they closed up this old man He has only a few moons to live now ???
Man of prayer … speak for us … but especially baptize us … baptize us at once … me … my wife .. my children .. the young men of my camp. I had a paper, they have taken it away from my tent now, this paper came from Washington … this paper sayeth [sic] that liberty, pardon, amnesty has been granted to all … why then are we shut up … Father get that paper back for me… I will need it … Speak for us … that they let us return to our own regions, where we will lead good and Industrious lives. etc etc
This speech was delivered with great solemnity … it lasted nearly two hours ….
June 30th [written in front/left margin] When the Son of Big Bear had terminated his discourse, I answered and said that I was glad of his excellent disposition towards embracing our Holy Religion… That I would gladly baptize him and his wife, but that grown up persons must be first instructed in their religion … that however I was ready at any moment to baptize his children. That I would do all I could to help him….
All right, he said, to morrow I shall send my wife with my children to the mission… ask the chief of these soldiers to let me go and
[End page]}
[Left page]
1896 [written on top of the page]
June [written in back/right margin] that this Indian is no other than the son of the
great chief Big Bear, who at the time of Northwest rebellion, caused so much trouble and anxiety in the environs of Fort Pitt and Frog Lake.
The Father takes with him a halfbreed as interpreter and find this Prince, a handsome specimen of humanity, a man in the bloom and force of live… inprisoned [sic] together with a very old man on the border of the grave. It appears that they took a too warm part in that unfortunate rebellion and that they are connected with the horrible Frog Lake Massacre, where our good Father Fafard and Marchand lost their lives in the performance of their Sacred duties.
With the greatest affection this Indian seizes the Fathers hand, and after the preliminary ceremonies, never to be omited [sic] according to the Indian rituel [sic], especially when a Prince beginneth [sic] his speech, Big Bears Son sayth [sic] he has had a revelation or Inspiration from the Great Spirit…. While sitting in attentive recollection, his hands over his eyes, all at once a Voice spoke to him inwardly : : : Send for the man of prayer, the black robe…..give yourself over to him, that is, to God, to the Great Spirit whom he represents: you – your wife – your children – and all the Souls of the camp…. The black robe will speak for you --- show you the trail you must follow – Therefore, Father, I have sent for you … we are shut up here, we dont [sic] know why… at the time of the rebellion my father Big Bear The Chief of the North, said to me and my followers : Depart my son … Flee to South at once…’
[End page]
[Right page]
“across the line there shall be liberty for you … here you could enjoy it no longer … we are surrounded Depart … For Ten years we have lived in the country across the line – to day we are turned out they have forced us back to these regions … We have led good lives … why have they taken me a prisoner ??? why have they closed up this old man He has only a few moons to live now ???
Man of prayer … speak for us … but especially baptize us … baptize us at once … me … my wife .. my children .. the young men of my camp. I had a paper, they have taken it away from my tent now, this paper came from Washington … this paper sayeth [sic] that liberty, pardon, amnesty has been granted to all … why then are we shut up … Father get that paper back for me… I will need it … Speak for us … that they let us return to our own regions, where we will lead good and Industrious lives. etc etc
This speech was delivered with great solemnity … it lasted nearly two hours ….
June 30th [written in front/left margin] When the Son of Big Bear had terminated his discourse, I answered and said that I was glad of his excellent disposition towards embracing our Holy Religion… That I would gladly baptize him and his wife, but that grown up persons must be first instructed in their religion … that however I was ready at any moment to baptize his children. That I would do all I could to help him….
All right, he said, to morrow I shall send my wife with my children to the mission… ask the chief of these soldiers to let me go and
[End page]}
