Narrative of a Voyage to the West Indies and Mexico in the Years 1599-1602 — John Shaqi
Narrative of a Voyage to the West Indies and Mexico in the Years 1599-1602Champlain, Samuel de
History
Narrative of a Voyage to the West Indies and Mexico in the Years 1599-1602
Champlain, Samuel de
Mexico -- Description and travel -- Early works to 1800; West Indies -- Description and travel -- Early works to 1800
[1] Extract from "Histoire et Description Générale de la Nouvelle
France, avec le Journal Historique d'un Voyage fait par ordre du
Roi dans l'Amérique Septentrionnale. Par le P. De Charlevoix, de
la Compagnie de Jesus." Tome Premier, 12o., Paris, 1744, p. 172.
"Le Commandeur de CHATTE, governeur de Dieppe, lui succéda, forma
une Compagnie de Marchands de Roüen, avec lesquels plusieurs
Personnes de condition entrerent en société, et fit un Armement,
dont il confia la conduite à Pontgravé, à qui le Roy avoit donné
des Lettres Patentes, pour continuer les découvertes dans le
Fleuve du Canada, et pour y faire des Etablissemens. Dans le même
tems Samuël de CHAMPLAIN, Gentilhomme Saintongeois, Capitaine de
Vaisseau, et en réputation d'Officier brave, habile et expérimenté,
_arriva des Indes Occidentales, où il avoit passé deux ans et
demi._ Le Commandeur de Chatte lui proposa de faire le voyage de
Canada, et il y consentit avec l'agrément du Roy, etc."--ED.
M. Féret obtained this valuable document from a resident in Dieppe,
where it has been for an unknown time; and it is more than probable
that it had been in the possession of M. de Chastes, governor of the
town and castle of Dieppe, who was Champlain's chief friend and
protector, under whose auspices he had been employed in the war in
Brittany against the League, and by whom, after his return from the
West Indies, he was sent to Canada. To him, it is most likely that
Champlain would present a narrative of his voyage. On M. de Chastes'
death, the manuscript probably passed into the possession of the
Convent of the Minimes at Dieppe, to which he was a great benefactor
during his life, and by testament after his death. He was also, by his
desire, buried in the church of the convent. The library of the Minime
fathers was, with the rest of their property, and that of the other
convents of the town, dispersed at the great Revolution; but most of
the books remained at Dieppe, as may be seen by a reference to the
numerous works which have gradually found their way, by gift or
purchase, to the "Public Library" of that town, bearing inscriptions as
having belonged to the convent.
The readers of Champlain's _Voyages in New France,_ will remember the
allusion to the expedition which is the subject of the following
narrative: "Sur ces entrefaites," he says, speaking of the projects of
Monsieur de Chastes for the Canadian voyage, "je me trouvais en cour,
venu fraischement des Indes Occidentales, où j'avois été près de deux
ans et demy après que les Espagnols furent partis de Blavet, et la paix
foict en France, où pendant les guerres j'avais servi sa dicte majesté
(Henry IV) souz Messeigneurs le Mareschal d'Aumont de St. Luc, et le
Mareschal de Brissac."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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