The Trail Of Death: Letters Of Benjamin Marie Petit

The Trail of Death: Letters of Benjamin Marie Petit is a non-fiction book that recounts the harrowing journey of a French Jesuit priest named Benjamin Marie Petit, who was sent to the United States in the early 19th century to minister to the Potawatomi Indians. The book is edited by Irving McKee and is based on the letters that Petit wrote to his superiors in France during his time in America.The Trail of Death refers to the forced removal of the Potawatomi Indians from their ancestral lands in Indiana to a reservation in Kansas in 1838. Petit accompanied the Potawatomi on this journey, which became known as the Trail of Death because of the harsh conditions and high mortality rate. Petit's letters provide a firsthand account of the suffering and injustice that the Potawatomi endured during this forced relocation.In addition to documenting the Trail of Death, Petit's letters also provide insights into the daily life and culture of the Potawatomi. He describes their customs, beliefs, and interactions with other tribes and with the American government. He also discusses his own struggles as a missionary, including his efforts to learn the Potawatomi language and his conflicts with other Jesuit priests.Overall, The Trail of Death: Letters of Benjamin Marie Petit offers a unique perspective on a dark chapter in American history and sheds light on the complex relationships between indigenous peoples, missionaries, and the government.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.