ly corrupt, and there is no
possibility of wrong being righted. Besides, the laws against the
Huguenots are in full force, and he can never live with his mother's
enemies. I revere the sacred memory of my Huguenot wife, and curse
the knaves and fanatics who wronged her and cast her out; yet I thank
God that I was able to save her from the horrible fate that awaited
her.
"I wish my son, therefore, to know nothing of France, at least until
he shall be of age, and his own master; and even then I should wish
him never to go there. Let him content himself in the colonies. For
how could he ever redeem the position which is lost? or how could he
hope to face the powerful and unscrupulous enemies who have wrought
my ruin; the false friend who betrayed me; his base and infernal
accomplice; the ungrateful government which did such foul wrong to a
loyal servant? All is lost. The estates are confiscated. The unjust
deed can never be undone. Let my son, therefore, resign himself to
fate, and be content with the position in which he may find himself.
"The property will be sufficient to maintain him in comfort and
independence. Here he will have all that he may want; here the church
will give him her consolations without bigotry, or fanaticism, or
corruption, or persecution. He will be free from the vices and
temptations of the old world, and will have a happier fate than that
of his unhappy father.
"EUGENE DE MONTRESOR."
Another paper was folded up with this. It was written in a different
hand, and was as follows:--
"BOSTON, June 20, 1740.
"Count Eugene de Montresor left on the 2d July, 1725, and has never
since been heard of. I have followed all his instructions, with one
exception. It was from the countess that I first heard the word of
life, and learned the truth. The priests at Quebec gave me no peace;
and so I had to leave and come here, among a people who are of
another nation, but own and hold my faith--the faith of the pure
worship of Christ. The count wished me to bring you up a Catholic;
but I had a higher duty than his will, and I have brought you up not
in your father's religion, but in your mother's faith. Your father
was a good man, though in error. He has, no doubt, long since
rejoined the saint who was his wife on earth; and I know that the
spirits of your father and mother smile approvingly on my acts.
"If I die before I tell you all, dear Claude, you will see this, and
will understand that I did
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