Pioneers of France in the New world

Front matter

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PIONEERS r FRANCE

n THE

Preface To The Revised Edition

Since this book first appeared some new documentary evidence touching it has been brought to light, and, during a recent visit to Florida, I have acquired a more exact knowledge of the localities connected with the French occupation of that region. This added information is incorporated in the present edition, which has also received some literary revision.

Boston, September 16, 1885.

Contents

Page Introduction xix

HUGUENOTS IN FLORIDA. pEErATORT Note

EARLY SPANISH ADVENTURE.

Chapter I. 1488-1543

EARLY FRENCH ADVENTURE IN NORTH AMERICA.

Traditions of French Discovery. — Cousin. — Normans, Bretons, Basques. — Legends and Superstitions. — Francis the First. — Verrazzano. — His Voyage to North America. — Jacques Cartier. — His First Voyage. — His Second Voyage. — Anchors at Quebec. — Indian Masquerade. — Visits Hochelaga. — His Reception. — Mont Royal. — Winter at Quebec. — Scurvy. — Wonderful Cures. — Kidnapping. — Return to France. — Roberval. — Spanish Jealousy. — Cartier's Third Voyage. — Cap Rouge. — Roberval sails for New France. — His Meeting with Cartier. — Marguerite and the Isles of Demons. — Roberval at Cap Rouge. — His Severity. — Ruin of the Colony. — His Death 189

LA ROCHE. — CHAMPLAIN. — DE MONTS.

French Fishermen and Fur-Traders. — La Roche. — His Voyage.

— The Convicts of Sable Island. — Pontgrave and Chauvin. — Tadoussac. — Henry the Fourth. — Tranquillity restored in France. — Samuel de Champlain. — He visits the West Indies and Mexico. — His Character. — De Chastes and Champlain.

— Champlain and Pontgrave explore the St. Lawrence. — Death of De Chastes. — De Monts. — His Acadian Schemes.

— His Patent o . , 233

X CONTENTS.

Chapter III. 1604, 1605

acadia occupied.

Page

Catholic and Calvinist. — The Lost Priest. — Port Royal. — The Colony of St. Croix. — Winter Miseries. — Explorations of Champlain. — He visits the Coast of Massachusetts. — De Monts at Port Royal 250

LESCAKBOT AND CHAMPLAIN.

De Monts at Paris. — Marc Lescarbot. — Rochelle. — A New Embarkation. — The Ship aground. — The Outward Voyage.

— Arrival at Port Royal. — Disappointment. — Voyage of Champlain. — Skirmish with Indians. — Masquerade of Lescarbot. — Winter Life at Port Royal. — L'Ordre de Bon-Temps.

— Excursions. — Spring Employments. — Hopes blighted. — Port Royal abandoned. — Membertou. — Return to France . 263

Chapter V. 1610, 1611

THE JESUITS AND THEIR PATRONESS.

Schemes of Poutrincourt. — The Jesuits and the King. — The Jesuits disappointed. — Sudden Conversions. — Indian Proselytes. — Assassination of the King. — Biencourt at Court. — Madame de Guercheville. — She resists the King's Suit. — Becomes a Devotee. — Her Associates at Court. — She aids the Jesuits. — Biard and Masse. — They sail for America . 281

CHAPTER VL

1611, 1612.

JESUITS IN ACADIA.

The Jesuits arrive. — Collision of Powers Temporal and Spiritual. — Excursion of Biencourt. — Father Masse. — His Experience as a Missionary. — Death of Membertou. — Father

CONTENTS. XI

Page Biard's Indian Studies. — Dissension. — Misery at Port Royal. — Grant to Madame de Guercheville. — Gilbert du Thet. — Quarrels. — Anathemas. — Truce 295

CHAPTER Vn. 1613.

LA SAUSSAYE. — ARGALL.

Forlorn Condition of Poutrincourt. — Voyage of La Saussaye. — Mount Desert. — St. Sauveur. — The Jesuit Colony. — Captain Samuel Argall. — He attacks the French. — Death of Du Thet. — Knavery of Argall. — St. Sauveur destroyed. — The Prisoners 306

CHAPTER VIII. 1613-1615.

RUIN OF TRENCH ACADIA.

The Jesuits at Jamestown. — Wrath of Sir Thomas Dale. — Second Expedition of Argall. — Port Royal demolished. — Equivocal Posture of the Jesuits. — Jeopardy of Father Biard. — Biencourt and Argall. — Adventures of Biard and Quentin. — Sequel of Argall's History. — Death of Poutrincourt. — The French will not abandon Acadia 31B

CHAPTER IX.

1608, 1609.

CHAMPLAIN AT QUEBEC.

A New Enterprise. — The St. Lawrence. — Conflict with Basques. — Tadoussac. — The Saguenay. — Quebec founded. — Conspiracy. — The Montagnais. — Winter at Quebec. — Spring. — Projects of Exploration 331

CHAPTER X. 1609.

LAKE CHAMPLAIN.

Champlain joins a War Party. — Preparation. — War-Dance. — Departure. — The River Richelieu. — The Rapids of Chambly.

Xii CONTENTS.

Page

— The Spirits consulted. — Discovery of Lake Champlain. — Battle with the Iroquois. — Fate of Prisoners. — Panic of the Victors 346

CHAPTER XL

1610-1612.

WAR. — TRADE. — DISCOVERT. \.

Champlain at Fontainebleau. — Champlain on the St. Lawrence. — Alarm. — Battle. — Victory, — War Parties. — Rival Traders. — Icebergs. — Adventurers. — Champlain at Montreal. — Return to Prance. — Narrow Escape of Champlain. — The Comte de Soissons. — The Prince de Conde. — Designs of Champlain 361

CHAPTER XIL

1612, 1613.

THE IMPOSTOR VIGNAU.

Illusions. — A Path to the North Sea. — Champlain on the Ottawa.

— Forest Travellers. — The Chaudiere. — Isles des Allumettes.

— Ottav/a Towns. — Tessouat. — Indian Cemetery. — Feast.

— The Impostor exposed. — Return of Champlain. — False Alarm. — Arrival at Montreal 376

CHAPTER XUI. 1615.

DISCOVERT OF LAKE HURON.

Religious Zeal of Champlain. — R^collet Friars. — St. Francis. — The Franciscans. — The Friars in New France. — Dolbeau. — Le Caron. — Policy of Champlain. — Missions. — Trade. — Exploration. — War. — Le Caron on the OttaM'a. — Champlain's Expedition. — He reaches Lake Nipissing. — Embarks on Lake Huron. — The Huron Villages. — Meeting with Le Caron. — Mass in the Wilderness 394

CONTENTS. xiii

CHAPTER XrV.

1615, 1616.

the great war party.

Pags

Muster of Warriors. — Departure. — The River Trent. — Deer Hunt. — Lake Ontario. — The Iroquois Town. — Attack. — Repulse. — Champhun wounded. — Retreat. — Adventures of Etienne :^rule'. — Winter Hunt. — Champlain lost in the Forest. — Returns to the Huron Villages. — Visits the Tobacco NationVnd the Cheveux Releves. — Becomes Umpire of Indian Quarrels. — Returns to Quebec 409

HOSTILE SECTS. — RIVAL INTERESTS.

Quebec. — Condition of the Colonists. — Dissensions. — Montmorency. — Arrival of Madame de Champlain, — Her History and Character. — Indian Hostility. — The Monopoly of William and Emery de Caen. — The Due de Ventadour. — The Jesuits. — Their Arrival at Quebec. — Catholics and Heretics. — Compromises. — The Rival Colonies. — Despotism in New France and in New England. — Richelieu. — The Company of the Hundred Associates 427

THE ENGLISH AT QUEBEC.

Revolt of Rochelle. — War with England. — David Kirke, —The English on the St. Lawrence. — Alarms at Quebec. — Bold Attitude of Champlain. — Naval Battle. — The French Squadron destioyed. — Famine at Quebec. — Return of the English.

— Quebec surrendered. — Another Naval Battle. — Michel. — His Quarrel with Brebeuf . — His Death. — Exploit of Daniel.

— Champlain at London 443

XIV CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XVIL

1632-1635.

death of champlain.

Page New France restored to the Frencli Crown. — Motives for reclaiming it. — Caen takes possession of Quebec. — Return of Jesuits. — Arrival of Champlain. — Daily Life at Quebec. — Policy and Religion. — Death of Champlain. — His Character. — Future of New France 456

INDEX 465