The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. 7: Quebec, Hurons, Cape Breton, 1634-1635
History
The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. 7: Quebec, Hurons, Cape Breton, 1634-1635
Canada -- History -- To 1763 (New France); Indians of North America -- Canada; Jesuits -- Missions; Jesuits -- North America
18 (p. 257).--Le Jeune's expectations were somewhat too sanguine. The
Company of New France (see vol. iv., _note_ 21) was expending enormous
sums on its Canadian enterprise; but these were directed more to the
extension of its own commerce than to the development of the country.
The reasons for its policy are thus concisely explained by Faillon
(_Col. Fr._, vol. i., pp. 333, 334): "Unfortunately, this Company,
although numbering over one hundred members, taken from the magistrates
and wealthy merchants of the Kingdom, had only about 300,000 livres of
capital,--each of the members being obliged to put in 3,000 livres.
These funds were moreover, diminished not only by the losses that the
company suffered at the hands of the English, in its first equipment,
but by the indemnity demanded by De Caen for the abandonment of his
pretensions to New France. But, as most of these Associates were
unacquainted with business, there was formed, within the company
itself, another and private company, which took charge of the trade,
and established a fund of 100,000 francs for its own interests. Thus
Champlain put 3,000 livres into the funds of the general company, and
800 livres into those of the other. This active association was obliged
to pay the salary of the Governor, and furnish him with provisions; to
support garrisons in the country, and furnish all military supplies;
and to be responsible for keeping the storehouses in repair. In order
to cover its expenses, it had exclusive possession of the trade in
peltries, which had been transferred to it by the larger company, on
condition that the surplus of profits should belong to the general
association. The result was that the entire management of affairs was
in the hands of merchants, who became by this arrangement the prime
movers of all the company's operations; and it was difficult for them
to enter into views so pure and disinterested as those that the other
Associates had entertained in its formation." Cf. _Merc. François_,
vol. xix., pp. 837, 838.
19 (p. 263).--Information regarding the establishment of these missions
(excepting that at Miscou), has been given in notes to preceding
volumes.--See vol. iv., _notes_ 20 (N. D. de Récouvrance), 24 (Three
Rivers), 30 (Ihonatiria), 46 (Ste. Anne); and vol. vi., _note_ 7 (N. D.
des Anges). At the end of the present _Relation_ (1635), Le Jeune gives
Perrault's description of the island and people of Cape Breton. The
mission of St. Charles was established for the benefit of the Frenchmen
who occupied the important post of Miscou, an island at the entrance of
the Bay of Chaleurs, much frequented by fishermen. Turgis and Du Marché
were sent thither in 1634; the latter returned to Quebec at the end of
a year, but Turgis remained until his death, May 4, 1637.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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