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
"Dear and well-beloved:--On the report made to us that there has
hitherto been bad management in the establishment of the families
and workmen sent to the settlement of Quebec, and other places of
New France; We write to you this letter, to declare to you our
desire that all things should proceed better in future; and to tell
you, that it will give us pleasure that you should assist, as much
as you conveniently can, the Sieur Champlain in the things
requisite and necessary for the execution of the commands which he
has received from us, to choose experienced and trusty men to be
employed in the discovery, inhabiting, cultivating, and sowing the
lands; and do all the works which he shall judge necessary for the
establishment of the colonies which we desire to plant in the said
country, for the good of the service and the use of our subjects;
without, however, on account of the said discoveries and
settlements, your factors, clerks, and agents in the traffic of
peltry, being troubled or hindered in any way whatever during the
term which we have granted you. And fail not in this, for such is
our pleasure. Given at Paris the 12th day of March, 1618.
(Signed) "LOUIS.
(And below) "POTIER."
This letter, it might be supposed, would have settled the matter, but
the associates were stiff-necked; so Champlain made his protest and
proceeded to Paris. The vessel sailed without him, and Du Pont-Gravé
commanded, and wintered that year at the settlement, while Champlain
pleaded his rights before the king and the Council of State. "Nous
voilà à chicaner," says he; and with his characteristic activity and
energy, he followed the council to Tours, and, after many and long
debates, obtained a judgment, ordering that he should have the command,
not only at Quebec, but over all other settlements in New France, and
prohibiting the company from troubling or interfering with him in the
functions of his charge, under penalty of damages, fines, expenses,
etc.; "and which judgment," he adds, "I caused to be signified to the
associates in full Exchange at Rouen: they threw the blame on Boyer,
saying they had not consented, but I knew better." About this time
Monseigneur the Prince de Condé, with the king's permission, resigned
the viceroyalty of New France to the Duc de Montmorency, high-admiral
of France, who seems to have paid a round sum for the honour.[19]
Champlain was continued in the lieutenancy of the country, and was
ordered by the new viceroy to proceed to Quebec, to fortify himself
there as well as he could, and to let him know all that should occur,
so that he might take order accordingly. Monsieur Dolu, Grand
Audiencier of France, an able and well-meaning man, was named intendant
of the province, "who," says Champlain, "burned with ardour to do
something for the advancement of the glory of God, the good of the
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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