DEC 29 1892

LIBRARY.

TRANSACTIONS

OF

THE CANADIAN INSTITUTE,

SESSION 1891-92.

SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING.

Special General Meeting, 19th June, 1891, the President in the chair, to consider plans for the enlargement of the building, or the acquisition of a new site and other proposals connected with the extension or change of the buildings and work of the Institute.

After discussion of various proposals the following resolution was carried :—That it be an instruction to refer the question of the alterations, or the selection of another site, to the Council to report to the Institute at a future meeting.

SUMMER SESSION AT PENETANGUISHENE.

First Meeting, 25th September, 1891, at 15.30 o'clock, in the Pavilion of "The Penetanguishene," E. A. Meredith, LL.D., in the chair.

Mr. A. F. Hunter, B.A., read a paper on "Military and Naval Exploits on the Nottawasaga during the War of 1812."

Towards the end of the year 1813 the Americans began to make preparations for the re-capture of Michilimackinac, which had been taken from them the year before. A relief expedition left Kingston in February, 1814, for that northern post, and halted on the Nottawasaga River. Here they constructed batteaux for their transportation across Georgian Bay, and a few weeks later a blockhouse was erected near the mouth of the river. This blockhouse was attacked by American boats on August 14th, 1814, and destroyed, as well as the Northwest Company's schooner Nancy, which was lying in the river at that place Some extracts from books, now become rare, were given to throw light upon the incidents of that skirmish, besides two accounts from pioneers of the county.

It was stated in answer to enquiries that " Michilimackinac" meant "Great Turtle" and was shortened to "Mackinac " by the French, that

Gloucester Bay was on the other side of Tiny peninsula from Matchedash Bay, that the whole bay was called Gloucester Bay by Governor Simcoe in 1793, and that the route to Drummond Island was used till 1841.

Mr. A. C. Osborne read a paper on "The Land of the Wyandots." Mr. O. A. Howland said the reader referred to the Indians offering tobacco to the Chaudiere Falls. It was probably as a propitiation to some presiding spirit, offered to secure a successful journey on the Great River. He had heard from the Indians on the North Shore of Lake Michigan a similar tradition about the cliff called the "Lover's Leap" on Mackinaw Island. The cliff overlooks the Straits of Mackinaw. The island is about midway in what must have seemed to canoemen a “grand traverse." According to the tradition given him, which he believed to be the true one, the Indians used to land and lay their offerings on this natural altar to the good or evil spirit presiding over the spot as thanks for a safe voyage so far and propitiation against the dangers of the remainder of the passage.

Rev. Father Laboureau said the offering of tobacco is not out of date. A practice still exists among many Indians of throwing a bit of tobacco to the "old woman."

Mr. Alan Macdougall read a paper on "The Indians of the Pacific Coast, an Attempt to Define their Artistic Work."

Second Meeting, 25th September, 1891, at 20 o'clock, in the Town Hall, the Mayor in the chair.

The Mayor delivered an address of welcome, to which a reply was made by Dr. Meredith.

Mr. David Boyle read a paper on "The Indian as a Mechanic'

Rev. Father Laboureau read a paper on "The Early History of the the Mission of St. Anne's, Penetanguishene." There was, he said, a naval and military station in Drummond Island at the time of its cession to the United States, and also a considerable number of traders, merchants, and their servants, mostly French Canadians, half-breeds, and Indians. The military and naval post was removed in the fall of 1827 to Penetanguishene. The civilians followed in the spring of the following year, landing at what is now the Reformatory Point. Barracks were then erected, and the civilians, after a year and a half, removed to the present town. The Indians were scattered around at Waubaushene, Coldwater, Beausoleil, Manitoulin, some staying at Penetanguishene. In February, 1832, Bishop Macdonnell, of Kingston, made his first pastoral

visit, accompanied by Father Crevier, the resident missionary on Sandwich Island, in Detroit River. Then clergymen came occasionally until the arrival of a resident priest. The absence of a regular clergyman was made up for partially by the devoted zeal of a Frenchman named D. Revol, who assembled the people for prayer on every Sunday and Church holidays, instructed them in their faith, and was especially successful with the Indians. He spent his time, money, and all that was best in him in their service. A log church was built in 1835 where the town hall now is. It became too small for the increasing congregation, and a new one was erected and blessed in 1861 by Archdeacon (now Archbishop) Walsh Then in 1871 was commenced the memorial church in memory of the martyred Jesuits, De Brebœuf and his companions. The basement has been used for service since 1890. It is still unfinished. In 1835 the Rev. J. Baptiste Proulx came as resident missionary. He was specially interested in the Indians, and, having obtained another priest in 1837, Father Amable Charest, to reside in Penetang, he went with them to Manitoulin Island. In 1845 he transferred the care of them to the Jesuits, who have had remarkable success with them. Father Laboureau then gave an account of the different missionaries who have since laboured among whites and Indians in Penetang and neighbouring districts.

Mr. A. F. Hunter, B.A., read a paper on "National Characteristics and Migrations of the Hurons, as indicated by their remains in North Simcoe."

The Indian name of Lake Simcoe was Ouentaron, meaning "beautiful lake." It was called Lac aux Claies or the lake of the hurdles by the French, which became corrupted into Lac la Clie, and so called for 150 years after the Huron-French period. It is altogether likely that the hurdles referred to in the name were those found at the Narrows. The Huron Indian village of Cahiagua, mentioned by Champlain, was situated three leagues (nine miles) from the Narrows, and not at Orillia as claimed by some writers on the subject. Remains of a Huron village are still to be seen at a place in the Township of North Orillia, corresponding closely with the position of Cahiagua as indicated by Champlain.

Mr. D. B. Read, Q.C., read a paper on "Macbeth, Historical and Dramatic."

Mr. A. C. Osborne presented to the Institute a stone knife and a stake from the "Narrows" at Orillia.

Third Meeting, 26th September, 1891, at 15 o'clock, in the Indian. Council House on Christian Island, Dr. Meredith in the chair.