me that during his residence among our Indians he
had discovered a salt spring, situated fully one hundred leagues from
the sea; and the water was so salt that he had himself boiled excellent
salt from it.(1) 2. There was also another spring which furnished
oil. Oleaginous matter floated on its surface, with which the Indians
anointed their heads. 3. There was another spring of hot sulphurous
water. If paper and dry materials were thrown into it, they became
ignited. Whether all this is true, or a mere Jesuit lie, I will not
decide. I mention the whole on the responsibility and authority of the
Jesuit.

(1) Father Le Moyne made this discovery while sojourning
among the Onondagas in 1654.

He told me that he had lived about twenty years among the Indians. When
he was asked what fruit had resulted from his labors, and whether he had
taught the Indians anything more than to make the sign of the cross, and
such like superstitions, he answered that he was not inclined to debate
with me, but wanted only to chat. He spent eight days here, and examined
everything in our midst. He then liberally dispensed his indulgences,
for he said to the Papists (in the hearing of one of our people who
understood French), that they need not go to Rome; that he had as full
power from the Pope to forgive their sins, as if they were to go to
Rome. He then returned and resided in the country of the Mohawks the
whole winter. In the spring, however, troubles began to arise again
between our Indians and the Canadians. He then packed up his baggage,
and returned to Canada. On his journey, when at Fort Orange, he did not
forget me, but sent me three documents: the first, on the succession
of the Popes; the second, on the Councils; and the third was about
heresies, all written out by himself. He sent with them also, a letter
to me, in which he exhorted me to peruse carefully these documents, and
meditate on them, and that Christ hanging on the Cross was still ready
to receive me, if penitent. I answered him by the letter herewith
forwarded, which was sent by a yacht going from here to the river St.
Lawrence in New France.(1) I know not whether I shall receive an answer.

Valete, Domini Fratres, Vester ex officio,(2)

JOANNES MEGAPOLENSIS 1658, Sept. 28.

(1) One of the fruits of Father Le Moyne's visit to New
Netherland was that the Dutch obtained from the governor of
Canada permission to carry on trade, except the fur tra