The Founder of New France A Chronicle of Champlain   By: Charles W. (Charles William) Colby (1867-1955)

THE FOUNDER OF

NEW FRANCE

A Chronicle of Champlain

BY

CHARLES W. COLBY

TORONTO

GLASGOW, BROOK & COMPANY

1915

Copyright in all Countries subscribing to the Berne Contention

{v}

CONTENTS

Page

I. CHAMPLAIN'S EARLY YEARS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 II. CHAMPLAIN IN ACADIA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 III. CHAMPLAIN AT QUEBEC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 IV. CHAMPLAIN IN THE WILDERNESS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84 V. CHAMPLAIN'S LAST YEARS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116 VI. CHAMPLAIN'S WRITINGS AND CHARACTER . . . . . . . . . . . . 137 BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152 INDEX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155

{vii}

ILLUSTRATIONS

THE ORDER OF GOOD CHEER PORT ROYAL, 1606 7 . . . . Frontispiece From a colour drawing by C. W. Jefferys.

PORTRAIT OF CHAMPLAIN ASCRIBED TO MONCORNET. (See Bibliographical Note, p. 154) . . . . . . . Facing page 4 From Laverdière's 'Champlain' in M'Gill University Library.

COASTS EXPLORED BY CHAMPLAIN, 1604 7 . . . . . . . . " 36 Map by Bartholomew.

CHAMPLAIN'S DRAWING OF THE HABITATION AT QUEBEC . . " 64 From Laverdière's 'Champlain' in M'Gill University Library.

HENRI DE BOURBON, PRINCE DE CONDÉ, VICEROY OF NEW FRANCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . " 74 From Laverdière's 'Champlain' in M'Gill University Library.

THE DISCOVERY OF LAKE CHAMPLAIN, 1609 . . . . . . . " 86 From a drawing by J. D. Kelly in the Château de Ramezay, Montreal.

CHAMPLAIN'S ROUTE, 1615 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . " 106 Map by Bartholomew.

{1}

CHAPTER I

CHAMPLAIN'S EARLY YEARS

Were there a Who's Who in History its chronicle of Champlain's life and deeds would run as follows:

Champlain, Samuel de. Explorer, geographer, and colonizer. Born in 1567 at Brouage, a village on the Bay of Biscay. Belonged by parentage to the lesser gentry of Saintonge. In boyhood became imbued with a love of the sea, but also served as a soldier in the Wars of the League. Though an enthusiastic Catholic, was loyal to Henry of Navarre. On the Peace of Vervins (1598) returned to the sea, visiting the Spanish West Indies and Mexico. Between 1601 and 1603 wrote his first book the Bref Discours . In 1603 made his first voyage to the St Lawrence, which he ascended as far as the Lachine Rapids. From 1604 to 1607 was actively engaged in the attempt of De Monts to establish a French colony in Acadia, at the same time exploring the seaboard from Cape Breton to Martha's Vineyard. Returned to the St Lawrence in 1608 and founded Quebec. In 1609 discovered Lake Champlain, and fought his first battle with the Iroquois. In 1613 ascended the Ottawa to a point {2} above Lac Coulange. In 1615 reached Georgian Bay and was induced to accompany the Hurons, with their allies, on an unsuccessful expedition into the country of the Iroquois. From 1617 to 1629 occupied chiefly in efforts to strengthen the colony at Quebec and promote trade on the lower St Lawrence. Taken a captive to London by Kirke in 1629 upon the surrender of Quebec, but after its recession to France returned (1633) and remained in Canada until his death, on Christmas Day 1635. Published several important narratives describing his explorations and adventures. An intrepid pioneer and the revered founder of New France.