The Makers of Canada: ChamplainDionne, N.-E. (Narcisse-Eutrope)
History
The Makers of Canada: Champlain
Dionne, N.-E. (Narcisse-Eutrope)
Canada -- History -- To 1763 (New France); Champlain, Samuel de, 1574-1635
In the factum to the king Champlain explained that France would derive
benefit from the colonization of Canada, provided workmen and labourers
were sent to the country. He also set forth the necessity of improving
the defense of the colony, as an attack might be expected at any time
from the English or Dutch. Champlain pointed out to the king, at the
same time, that by developing New France, he would be propagating the
Catholic faith amongst infidels, and that he would add to his wealth by
reason of the revenue to be derived from the vast forests of Canada. He
also made known to the king some of the projects which he had in view.
Amongst these were certain buildings and works which he proposed to
carry out. Quebec was to be named _Ludovica_, in honour of the king. A
church was to be erected and dedicated under the title of _Redeemer_,
and a fort was to be constructed on the cape of Quebec, flanked with
four bastions, which would command the river St. Lawrence. A second fort
was to be built opposite Quebec, which would complete the defense of the
face of the town, and a third fort would be constructed at Tadousac on a
promontory naturally fortified, to be manned by a garrison which would
be relieved every six months.
These arrangements would provide for the defense of the country.
Champlain also intended to look after the education and the spiritual
wants of the settlement, by sending fifteen friars of the Recollet
order to New France, who were to found a convent near the Church of the
Redeemer. The king was also asked to send one hundred families to the
colony, each composed of a husband and wife and two children or a
servant under twenty years of age. With these provisions Champlain
believed that a settlement might be established in the name of France,
which would remain loyal to her interests, since it would rest upon the
sure foundation of strength, justice, commerce, and agriculture.
In his explanations to the Board of Trade Champlain dwelt upon the
advantages which were to be derived from fishing, from the lumber
industry, agriculture and cattle raising, and from the working of the
mines and from trading. In short he endeavoured to induce the associates
to continue their operations. The members, however, were under the
impression that colonization would place obstacles in the way of
commerce, and that the inhabitants would soon monopolize the trade. Some
of the associates who were Protestants objected to colonization under
Catholic influence, and understanding that Champlain was a staunch
Catholic, they decided to have Pont-Grave appointed as lieutenant of the
viceroy, in his place.
Champlain was much affected on finding that he had a rival in Pont-Grave
whom he had always respected as a father, neither would he accept such a
humiliating position. The king, however, intervened at this time, and
wrote a letter to the associates, requesting them to aid Champlain.
"BY THE KING.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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