The Rise of Canada, from Barbarism to Wealth and Civilisation. Volume 1Roger, Charles
History
The Rise of Canada, from Barbarism to Wealth and Civilisation. Volume 1
Roger, Charles
Canada -- History
or Registrar of Births, Marriages, and Deaths had not been instituted.
It is not even in the chronicles that Champlain was at the christening,
nor is the ceremony alluded to at all. This great, and most interesting
event happened on some hour of some unmentioned day in the year 1621.
It is possible the mother was of a distinguished Huron family. It is
certain that the Hurons were about that time in close alliance with the
French, for the Iroquois began to be jealous of the alliance between
the Hurons, Algonquins, and the French, and declared war with the view
of destroying the settlements. The Iroquois succeeded in burning some
Huron villages, but were repulsed by the French both at the Sault St.
Louis and at Quebec. Quebec was now a fortified town. There were
wooden, but not very extensive, walls around the barracks and the huts.
Champlain had, on the whole, great reason to be thankful. His power and
authority seemed to be undisputed. He had seen the first of a new world
generation, and the means of wealth were seemingly at his feet. But he
met with disappointment. The association of merchants who had fitted
out his expedition, and from whom he obtained his supplies, were
suddenly deprived of all their privileges of trade and colonization, by
Montmorenci. The Duke, determined on doing as he pleased with his own,
transferred the supremacy of the colonists to the Sieurs de Caen, uncle
and nephew. The one de Caen was a merchant, the other a sailor. The
sailor was soon at Tadousac. Before Champlain had well known, by a
letter of thanks for past services, that he was re-called, or rather
superseded, his successor had arrived at the head quarters of Nouvelle
France--Tadousac. De Caen solicited an interview with Champlain, which
was conceded. Smarting with indignation, Champlain was too polite. His
courtesy was so excessive, that De Caen became exacting as if to show
who he was. He wanted to seize all Champlain's trading vessels. They
belonged, he said, to a company whose privileges had been transferred
to him as the representative of another company. The furs with which
they were laden belonged to Montmorenci and the De Caens, as his
Grace's agents. Champlain demurred, and Captain De Caen peremptorily
demanded Du Pont's vessel. Champlain, no longer courteous, flew into a
violent passion. Du Pont was the favourite agent of his company, and
his own particular friend. Champlain's rage was of no avail. Nor was
the sympathy of the colonists of any value. De Caen was supreme, and
did as he pleased. The colonists, however, excessively indignant,
resolved to leave in a body, unless their opinions were allowed some
weight, and a number did take their departure. Although De Caen had
brought eighteen new settlers, the colony was reduced to only
forty-eight. Champlain, however, remained in Canada. He felt himself to
be the chief colonist, and only removed to Quebec, where he erected a
stone fort. The fort was partly on that part of the present city on
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account