LETTER OF THE CHIEF MAN
Begins 2020 10 15
from Bill Whelan

The Commercial Bank of Newfoundland failed on the 10th of December of 1894. A notice posted on the bank’s door made that plain:
In consequence of the failure of several
of our mercantile customers to respond to
their liabilities to us, we are compelled
to suspend payment for the present.

Money issued by the Commercial Bank was worthless or nearly so, 20% of face value. The country trudged on after the crash, aided by contributions from Boston, Gloucester, and schoolchildren in Bermuda.
Much aid came from Boston in the first two months of 1895, from the many Newfoundlanders who had gone there in past years to seek work and prosperity. People in Newfoundland were aware of the aid from Boston. Among those people was Selevia Atele, Chief Man of the Micmac people.
In the last week of April, the Evening Telegram received a letter in the Micmac language. This was taken down in writing by the Reverend S O’Flynn from the spoken Micmac and sent on to the Telegram.
LETTER OF THE CHIEF MAN
Of the Micmacs of Hall’s Bay
Placed in Our Hands for
Publication by the Rev S
O’Flynn of Little Bay

The Micmac message:
Sakeman,—Ninen Mikemak uehituck metuek mimahuaken hike tuhui eiemuk istake ektekik mimahuinuk hike ula. Moke kis entuisketuek KoKuei, meta moke uskihink kekunemitk sulieneia, na uhit uehi cuelathihik Mikemak, menueketuk abokenemuan, kelusultihik minahuinuk seesaa mu uentasulineu entinena, abunaneu nuthinal Basteliasel salite, entabokenemakuenena. Nixkam keluhieustata uskithin Bastunka [Boston]. Nixkam usetaniatal ektelekeulskominal.
Selevia Atele
Liteleve, Benademuikus 23, 1895.
The Reverend Father O’Flynn translated the message:
Sir, – We, Micmacs, feel the hard times like other people, as we have not been able to sell anything, no one having any money to spend, hence some of the Micmacs want help. I hope the good people of St John’s will not forget to send our Priest some assistance for us. God bless the people of Boston. God save our Queen!
Levi J Adrie
Little Bay, April 23rd 1895
Father O’Flynn told the Telegram: The writer, usually called Livi Joe, is a noble-hearted fellow, and has been, more than once, the mainstay of the whole tribe. In times of sickness and in the severest winter weather, he has been known to bring venison from the west end of Red Indian Lake, Levi considering all labor light in the cause of suffering humanity.
Levi Adrie’s prayers were answered. The Reverend PJ O’Brien of St John’s sent $190 and 5 barrels of flour to the Micmacs.
O’Flynn also wrote that a previous government, forty-three years before, had given the Indians a concession of three miles of land on the north side of Hall’s Bay. Now this had been invaded by settlers from various parts of Notre Dame Bay. The present government should take greater care of the interests of the Micmac people, was the Reverend S O’Flynn’s opinion.
End
534 words
Note – The Letter of the Chief Man article was in the ET 1895 05 09, page 4. ET = Evening Telegram.
See also Acknowledgement—-from Rev S O’Flynn of Little Bay. Receipt of $190.00 from the Rev P O’Brien and 5 barrels of flour for the relief of his people of Little Bay ET15May1895