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Voyages of Samuel de Champlain, Vol. 1

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ENDNOTES:

95. The association was a joint-stock company Each corporator was bound to
pay in three thousand livres, and as there were over a hundred, the
quick capital amounted to over 300,000 livres--_Vide Mercure François_,
Paris, 1628, Tome XIV. p 250. For a full statement of the organization
and constitution of the Company of New France, _Vide Mercure Francois_,
Tome XIV pp 232-267 _Vide_ also _Charlevoix's Hist. New France_, Shea's
Trans Vol. II. pp. 39-44.

96. _Vide Sir William Alexander and American Colonization_, Prince Society,
Boston, 1873.

97. _Vide Colonial Papers_, Vol. V. 87, III. We do not find the mention of
any others as belonging to the Company of Merchant Adventurers to
Canada.

98. Sir David Kirke was one of five brothers, the sons of Gervase or
Gervais Kirke, a merchant of London, and his wife, Elizabeth Goudon of
Dieppe in France. The grandfather of Sir David was Thurston Kirke of
Norton, a small town in the northern part of the county of Derby, known
as the birthplace of the sculptor Chantrey. This little hamlet had been
the home of the Kirkes for several generations. Gervase Kirke had, in
1629, resided in Dieppe for the most of the forty years preceding, and
his children were probably born there. Sir David Kirke was married to
Sarah, daughter of Sir Joseph Andrews. In early life he was a wine-
merchant at Bordeaux and Cognac. He was knighted by Charles I in 1633,
in recognition of his services in taking Quebec. On the 13th of
November, 1637, he received a grant of "the whole continent, island, or
region called Newfoundland." In 1638, he took up his residence at
Ferryland, Newfoundland, in the house built by Lord Baltimore. He was a
friend and correspondent of Archbishop Laud, to whom he wrote, in 1639,
"That the ayre of Newfoundland agrees perfectly well with all God's
creatures, except Jesuits and schismatics." He remained in Newfoundland
nearly twenty years, where he died in 1655-56, having experienced many
disappointments occasioned by his loyalty to Charles I.--_Vide Colonial
Papers_, Vol. IX. No. 76; _The First English Conquest of Canada_, by
Henry Kirke, London, 1871, _passim; Les Voyages du Sieur de Champlain_,
Paris ed. 1632, p. 257.

99. Champlain criticises with merited severity the conduct of De Roquemont,
and closes in the following words "Le merite d'un bon Capitaine n'est
pas seulement au courage, mais il doit estre accompagné de prudence,
qui est ce qui les fait estimer, comme estant suiuy de ruses,
stratagesmes, & d'inventions plusieurs auec peu ont beaucoup fait, & se
sont rendus glorieux & redoutables"--_Vide Les Voyages du Sieur de
Champlain_, ed 1632, part II p. 166.

100. On the 13th of March, 1629, letters of marque were issued to Capt.
David Kirke, Thomas Kirke, and others, in favor of the "Abigail," 300
tons, the "William," 200 tons, the "George" of London, and the
"Jarvis."

101. This correspondence is preserved by Champlain.--_Vide Les Voyages par
le Sieur de Champlain_, Paris, 1632, pp. 215-219.

102. _Vide Abstract of the Deposition of Capt. David Kirke and others_.
Calendar of State Papers, Colonial, 1574-1660, p. 103.

103. _Couillard_ Champlain writes _Coulart_ This appears to have been
William Couillard, the son in-law of Madame Hébert and one of the five
families which remained at Quebec after it was taken by the
English--_Vide Laverdière's note, Oeuvres de Champlain_, Quebec ed
Vol. VI p. 249.

104. An English translation of this charter from the Latin original was
published by the Prince Society in 1873 _Vide Sir William Alexander
and American Colonization_, Prince Society, Boston, pp. 239-249.

105. Champlain published, in 1632, a brief argument setting forth the
claims of the French, which he entitles. _Abregé des Descouuertures de
la Nouuelle France, tant de ce que nous auons descouuert comme aussi
les Anglais, depuis les Virgines iusqu'au Freton Dauis, & de cequ'eux
& nous pouuons pretendre suiuant le rapport des Historiens qui en ont
descrit, que ie rapporte cy dessous, qui feront iuger à un chacun du
tout sans passion.--Vide_ ed. 1632, p. 290. In this paper he narrates
succinctly the early discoveries made both by the French and English
navigators, and enforces the doctrine of the superior claims of the
French with clearness and strength. It contains, probably, the
substance of what Champlain placed at this time in the hands of the
French embassador in London.

106. It is difficult to conceive on what ground this ransom was demanded
since the whole proceedings of the English against Quebec were
illegal, and contrary to the articles of peace which had just been
concluded. That such a demand was made would be regarded as
incredible, did not the fact rest upon documentary evidence of
undoubted authority.--_Vide Laverdière's_ citation from State Papers
Office, Vol. V. No. 33. Oeuvres de Champlain, Quebec ed, Vol. VI. p
1413.

107. _Vide Relation du Voyage fait par le Capitaine Daniel de Dieppe, année
1629, Les Voyages du Sieur de Champlain_, Paris, 1632, p. 271. Captain
Daniel was enrolled by Creuxius in the Society of New France or the
Hundred Associates, as _Carolus Daniel, nauticus Capitaneus_. _Vide
Historia Canadensis_ for the names of the Society of the Hundred
Associates.

108. _Cibou_. Sometimes written Chibou. "Cibou means," says Mr. J. Hammond
Trumball, "simply river in all eastern Algonkin languages."--_MS.
letter_. Nicholas Denys, in his very full itinerary of the coast of
the island of Cape Breton speaks also of the _entree du petit Chibou
ou de Labrador_. This _petit Chibou_, according to his description, is
identical with what is now known as the Little Bras d'Or, or smaller
passage to Bras d'Or Lake. It seems probable that the great Cibou of
the Indians was applied originally by them to what we now call the
Great Bras d'Or, or larger passage to Bras d'Or Lake. It is plain,
however, that Captain Daniel and other early writers applied it to an
estuary or bay a little further west than the Great Bras d'Or,
separated from it by Cape Dauphin, and now known as St. Anne's Bay. It
took the name of St. Anne's immediately on the planting of Captain
Daniel's colony, as Champlain calls it, _l'habitation saincte Anne en
l'ile du Cap Breton_ in his relation of what took place in
1631.--_Voyages_, ed. 1632, p. 298. A very good description of it by
Père Perrault may be found in _Jesuit Relations_, 1635, Quebec ed p.
42.--_Vide_, also, _Description de l'Amerique Septentrionale par
Monsieur Denys_, Paris, 1672, p. 155, where is given an elaborate
description of St Anne's Harbor. _Gransibou_ may be seen on
Champlain's map of 1632, but the map is too indefinite to aid us in
fixing its exact location.

109. _Vide Sir William Alexander and American Colonization_, Prince
Society, 1873, pp. 66-72.--_Royal Letters, Charters, and Tracts
relating to the Colonisation of New Scotland_, Bannatyne Club,
Edinburgh, 1867, p. 77 _et passim_.




CHAPTER XI.

ÉMERIC DE CAEN TAKES POSSESSION OF QUEBEC.--CHAMPLAIN PUBLISHES HIS
VOYAGES.--RETURNS TO NEW FRANCE, REPAIRS THE HABITATION, AND ERECTS A
CHAPEL.--HIS LETTER TO CARDINAL DE RICHELIEU.--CHAMPLAIN'S DEATH.

In breaking up the settlement at Quebec, the losses of the De Caens were
considerable, and it was deemed an act of justice to allow them an
opportunity to retrieve them, at least in part; and, to enable them to do
this, the monopoly of the fur-trade in the Gulf of St. Lawrence was granted
to them for one year, and, on the retirement of the English, Émeric de
Caen, as provisional governor for that period, took formal possession of
Quebec on the 13th of July, 1632. In the mean time, Champlain remained in
France, devoting himself with characteristic energy to the interests of New
France. Beside the valuable counsel and aid which he gave regarding the
expedition then fitting out and to be sent to Quebec by the Company of New
France, he prepared and carried through the press an edition of his
Voyages, comprising extended extracts from what he had already published,
and a continuation of the narrative to 1631. He also published in the same
volume a Treatise on Navigation, and a Catechism translated from the French
by one of the Fathers into the language of the Montagnais. [110]

On the 23d of March, 1633, having again been commissioned as governor,
Champlain sailed from Dieppe with a fleet of three vessels, the "Saint
Pierre," the "Saint Jean," and the "Don de Dieu," belonging to the Company
of New France, conveying to Quebec a large number of colonists, together
with the Jesuit fathers, Enemond Massé and Jean de Brébeuf. The three
vessels entered the harbor of Quebec on the 23d of May. On the announcement
of Champlain's arrival, the little colony was all astir. The cannon at the
Fort St. Louis boomed forth their hoarse welcome of his coming. The hearts
of all, particularly of those who had remained at Quebec during the
occupation of the English, were overflowing with joy. The three years'
absence of their now venerable and venerated governor, and the trials,
hardships, and discouragements through which they had in the mean time
passed, had not effaced from their minds the virtues that endeared him to
their hearts. The memory of his tender solicitude in their behalf, his
brave example of endurance in the hour of want and peril, and the sweetness
of his parting counsels, came back afresh to awaken in them new pulsations
of gratitude. Champlain's heart was touched by his warm reception and the
visible proofs of their love and devotion. This was a bright and happy day
in the calendar of the little colony.

Champlain addressed himself with his old zeal and a renewed strength to
every interest that promised immediate or future good results. He at once
directed the renovation and improvement of the habitation and fort, which,
after an occupation of three years by aliens, could not be delayed. He then
instituted means, holding councils and creating a new trading-post, for
winning back the traffic of the allied tribes, which had been of late drawn
away by the English, who continued to steal into the waters of the St.
Lawrence for that purpose. At an early day after his re-establishment of
himself at Quebec, Champlain proceeded to build a memorial chapel in close
proximity to the fort which he had erected some years before on the crest
of the rocky eminence that overlooks the harbor. He gave it the appropriate
and significant name, NOTRE DAME DE RECOUVRANCE, in grateful memory of the
recent return of the French to New France. [111] It had long been an ardent
desire of Champlain to establish a French settlement among the Hurons, and
to plant a mission there for the conversion of this favorite tribe to the
Christian faith. Two missionaries, De Brébeuf and De Nouë, were now ready
for the undertaking. The governor spared no pains to secure for them a
favorable reception, and vigorously urged the importance of their mission
upon the Hurons assembled at Quebec. [112] But at the last, when on the eve
of securing his purpose, complications arose and so much hostility was
displayed by one of the chiefs, that he thought it prudent to advise its
postponement to a more auspicious moment. With these and kindred
occupations growing out of the responsibilities of his charge, two years
soon passed away.

During the summer of 1635, Champlain addressed an interesting and important
letter to Cardinal de Richelieu, whose authority at that time shaped both
the domestic and foreign policy of France. In it the condition and
imperative wants of New France are clearly set forth. This document was
probably the last that Champlain ever penned, and is, perhaps, the only
autograph letter of his now extant. His views of the richness and possible
resources of the country, the vast missionary field which it offered, and
the policy to be pursued, are so clearly stated that we need offer no
apology for giving the following free translation of the letter in these
pages. [113]

LETTER OF CHAMPLAIN TO CARDINAL DE RICHELIEU.

MONSEIGNEUR,--The honor of the commands that I have received from your
Eminence has inspired me with greater courage to render to you every
possible service with all the fidelity and affection that can be desired
from a faithful servant. I shall spare neither my blood nor my life
whenever the occasion shall demand them.

There are subjects enough in these regions, if your Eminence, after
considering the character of the country, shall desire to extend your
authority over them. This territory is more than fifteen hundred leagues in
length, lying between the same parallels of latitude as our own France. It
is watered by one of the finest rivers in the world, into which empty many
tributaries more than four hundred leagues in length, beautifying a country
inhabited by a vast number of tribes. Some of them are sedentary in their
mode of life, possessing, like the Muscovites, towns and villages built of
wood; others are nomadic, hunters and fishermen, all longing to welcome the
French and religious fathers, that they may be instructed in our faith.

The excellence of this country cannot be too highly estimated or praised,
both as to the richness of the soil, the diversity of the timber such as we
have in France, the abundance of wild animals, game, and fish, which are of
extraordinary magnitude. All this invites you, Monseigneur, and makes it
seem as if God had created you above all your predecessors to do a work
here more pleasing to Him than any that has yet been accomplished.

For thirty years I have frequented this country, and have acquired a
thorough knowledge of it, obtained from my own observation and the
information given me by the native inhabitants. Monseigneur, I pray you to
pardon my zeal, if I say that, after your renown has spread throughout the
East, you should end by compelling its recognition in the West.

Expelling the English from Quebec has been a very important beginning, but,
nevertheless, since the treaty of peace between the two crowns, they have
returned to carry on trade and annoy us in this river; declaring that it
was enjoined upon them to withdraw, but not to remain away, and that they
have their king's permission to come for the period of thirty years. But,
if your Eminence wills, you can make them feel the power of your authority.
This can, furthermore, be extended at your pleasure to him who has come
here to bring about a general peace among these peoples, who are at war
with a nation holding more than four hundred leagues in subjection, and who
prevent the free use of the rivers and highways. If this peace were made,
we should be in complete and easy enjoyment of our possessions. Once
established in the country, we could expel our enemies, both English and
Flemings, forcing them to withdraw to the coast, and, by depriving them of
trade with the Iroquois, oblige them to abandon the country entirely. It
requires but one hundred and twenty men, light-armed for avoiding arrows,
by whose aid, together with two or three thousand savage warriors, our
allies, we should be, within a year, absolute masters of all these peoples,
and, by establishing order among them, promote religious worship and secure
an incredible amount of traffic.

The country is rich in mines of copper, iron, steel, brass, silver, and
other minerals which may be found here.

The cost, Monseigneur, of one hundred and twenty men is a trifling one to
his Majesty, the enterprise the most noble that can be imagined.

All for the glory of God, whom I pray with my whole heart to grant you
ever-increasing prosperity, and to make me, all my life, Monseigneur,

Your most humble,
Most faithful,
and Most obedient servant,
CHAMPLAIN.

AT QUEBEC, IN NEW FRANCE, the 15th of August, 1635.

In this letter will be found the key to Champlain's war-policy with the
Iroquois, no where else so fully unfolded. We shall refer to this subject
in the sequel.

Early in October, when the harvest of the year had ripened and been
gathered in, and the leaves had faded and fallen, and the earth was mantled
in the symbols of general decay, in sympathy with all that surrounded him,
in his chamber in the little fort on the crest of the rocky promontory at
Quebec, lay the manly form of Champlain, smitten with disease, which was
daily breaking down the vigor and strength of his iron constitution. From
loving friends he received the ministrations of tender and assiduous care.
But his earthly career was near its end. The bowl had been broken at the
fountain. Life went on ebbing away from week to week. At the end of two
months and a half, on Christmas day, the 25th of December, 1635, his spirit
passed to its final rest.

This otherwise joyous festival was thus clouded with a deep sorrow. No
heart in the little colony was untouched by this event. All had been drawn
to Champlain, so many years their chief magistrate and wise counsellor, by
a spontaneous and irresistible respect, veneration, and love. It was meet,
as it was the universal desire, to crown him, in his burial, with every
honor which, in their circumstances, they could bestow. The whole
population joined in a mournful procession. His spiritual adviser and
friend, Father Charles Lalemant, performed in his behalf the last solemn
service of the church. Father Paul Le Jeune pronounced a funeral discourse,
reciting his virtues, his fidelity to the king and the Company of New
France, his extraordinary love and devotion to the families of the colony,
and his last counsels for their continued happiness and welfare. [114]

When these ceremonies were over his body was piously and tenderly laid to
rest, and soon after a tomb was constructed for its reception expressly in
his honor as the benefactor of New France. [115] The place of his burial
[116] was within the little chapel subsequently erected, and which was
reverently called _La Chapelle de M. de Chiamplain_, in grateful memory of
him whose body reposed beneath its sheltering walls.

ENDNOTES:

110. This catechism, bearing the following title, is contained on fifteen
pages in the ed. of 1632: _Doctrine Chrestienne, du R. P. Ledesme de
la Compagnie de Jesus. Traduîte en Langage Canadois, autre que celuy
des Montagnars, pour la Conversion des habitans dudit pays. Par le R.
P. Breboeuf de la mesme Compagnie_. It is in double columns, one side
Indian and the other French.

111. The following extracts will show that the chapel was erected in 1633,
that it was built by Champlain, and that it was called Notre Dame de
Recouvrance.

Nous les menasmes en nostre petite chapelle, qui a commencé ceste
année à l'embellir.--_Vide Relations des Jésuites_. Québec ed. 1633,
p. 30.

La sage conduitte et la prudence de Monsieur de Champlain Gouuerneur
de Kebec et du fleuve sainct Laurens, qui nous honore de sa bien-
veillance, retenant vn chacun dans son devoir, a fait que nos paroles
et nos prédications ayent esté bien receuens, et la Chapelle qu'il a
fait dresser proche du fort a l'honneur de nostre Dame, &c.--_Idem_,
1634, p. 2.

La troisiéme, que nous allons habiter cette Autome, la Residence de
Nostre-dame de Recouvrance, à Kebec proche du Fort.--_Idem_, 1635, p.
3.

112. According to Père Le Jeune, from five to seven hundred Hurons had
assembled at Quebec in July, 1633, bringing their canoes loaded with
merchandise.--_Vide Relations des Jésuites_, Quebec ed. 1633, p. 34.

113. This letter was printed in oeuvres de Champlain, Quebec ed. Vol. VI.
_Pièces Justificatives_, p 35. The original is at Paris, in the
Archives of Foreign Affairs.

114. _Vide Relations des Jésuites_, Quebec ed. 1636, p. 56. _Creuxius,
Historia Canadensis_, pp. 183-4.

115. Monsieur le Gouverneur, qui estimoit sa vertu, desira qu'il fust
enterré prés du corps de feu Monsieur de Champlain, qui est dans vn
sepulchre particulier, erigé exprés pour honorer la memoire de ce
signalé personnage qui a tant obligé la Nouuelle France.--_Vide
Relations des Jésuites_, Quebec ed. 1643, p. 3.

116. The exact spot where Champlain was buried is at this time unknown.
Historians and antiquaries have been much interested in its discovery.
In 1866, the Abbés Laverdière and Casgrain were encouraged to believe
that their searches had been crowned with success. They published a
statement of their discovery. Their views were controverted in several
critical pamphlets that followed. In the mean time, additional
researches have been made. The theory then broached that his burial
was in the Lower Town, and in the Recollect chapel built in 1615, has
been abandoned. The Abbé Casgrain, in an able discussion of this
subject, in which he cites documents hitherto unpublished, shows that
Champlain was buried in a tomb within the walls of a chapel erected by
his successor in the Upper Town, and that this chapel was situated
somewhere within the court-yard of the present post-office. Père Le
Jeune, who records the death of Champlain in his Relation of 1636,
does not mention the place of his burial; but the Père Vimont, in his
Relation of 1643, in speaking of the burial of Père Charles Raymbault,
says, the "Governor desired that he should be buried near the _body of
the late Monsieur de Champlain_, which is in a particular tomb erected
expressly to honor the memory of that distinguished personage, who had
placed New France under such great obligation." In the Parish Register
of Notre Dame de Quebec, is the following entry: "The 22d of October
(1642), was interred _in the Chapel of M. De Champlain_ the Père
Charles Rimbault." It is plain, therefore, that Champlain was buried
in what was then commonly known as _the Chapel of M. de Champlain_. By
reference to ancient documents or deeds (one bearing date Feb. 10,
1649, and another 22d April, 1652, and in one of which the Chapel of
Champlain is mentioned as contiguous to a piece of land therein
described), the Abbé Casgrain proves that the _Chapel of M. de
Champlain_ was within the square where is situated the present
post-office at Quebec, and, as the tomb of Champlain was within the
chapel, it follows that Champlain was buried somewhere within the
post-office square above mentioned.

Excavations in this square have been made, but no traces of the walls
or foundations of the chapel have been found. In the excavations for
cellars of the houses constructed along the square, the foundations of
the chapel may have been removed. It is possible that when the chapel
was destroyed, which was at a very early period, as no reference to
its existence is found subsequent to 1649, the body of Champlain and
the others buried there may have been removed, and no record made of
the removal. The Abbé Casgrain expresses the hope that other
discoveries may hereafter be made that shall place this interesting
question beyond all doubt.--_Vide Documents Inédits Relatifs au
Tombeau de Champlain_, par l'Abbé H. R. Casgrain, _L'Opinion
Publique_, Montreal, 4 Nov. 1875.




CHAPTER XII.

CHAMPLAIN'S RELIGION.--HIS WAR POLICY.--HIS DOMESTIC AND SOCIAL LIFE.--
CHAMPLAIN AS AN EXPLORER.--HIS LITERARY LABORS.--THE RESULTS OF HIS CAREER.

As Champlain had lived, so he died, a firm and consistent member of the
Roman church. In harmony with his general character, his religious views
were always moderate, never betraying him into excesses, or into any merely
partisan zeal. Born during the profligate, cruel, and perfidious reign of
Charles IX., he was, perhaps, too young to be greatly affected by the evils
characteristic of that period, the massacre of St. Bartholomew's and the
numberless vices that swept along in its train. His youth and early
manhood, covering the plastic and formative period, stretched through the
reign of Henry III., in which the standards of virtue and religion were
little if in any degree improved. Early in the reign of Henry IV., when he
had fairly entered upon his manhood, we find him closely associated with
the moderate party, which encouraged and sustained the broad, generous, and
catholic principles of that distinguished sovereign.

When Champlain became lieutenant-governor of New France, his attention was
naturally turned to the religious wants of his distant domain. Proceeding
cautiously, after patient and prolonged inquiry, he selected missionaries
who were earnest, zealous, and fully consecrated to their work. And all
whom he subsequently invited into the field were men of character and
learning, whose brave endurance of hardship, and manly courage amid
numberless perils, shed glory and lustre upon their holy calling.

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