The Makers of Canada: Champlain | Page 2

the steps of Champlain towards the shores
of the future New France. If the mother country had not completely
forgotten this land of ours, discovered by one of her greatest captains,
she had, at least, neglected it. The honour of bringing the king's
attention to this vast country, which was French by the right of
discovery, was reserved for the modest son of Brouage.
While Pierre du Gua, Sieur de Monts, was wasting his years and
expending large sums of money in his fruitless efforts to colonize the
island of Ste. Croix and Port Royal, Champlain's voyage to Acadia and
his discovery of the New England coast were practically useful, and in
consequence Champlain endeavoured to assure de Monts that his own

efforts would be more advantageously directed to the shores of the St.
Lawrence, for here it was obvious that the development of the country
must commence.
Champlain's next step was to found Quebec. With this act began our
colonial history, the foundation of a Canadian people with its long line
of heroic characters distinguished by their simplicity and by their
adherence to the faith of their fathers. Quebec was founded, but nothing
more was accomplished at the moment owing to the lack of means. The
trials of Champlain now commenced. Day by day he had to contend
against his own countrymen. The attractions of fur trading were too
great for the merchants to induce them to settle down and develop the
country around them, and they were unwilling to fulfil their promises
or to act in accordance with the terms of their patents.
During the next twenty years Champlain crossed the ocean eighteen
times. Each voyage was made in the interest of the colony, and he
sought by every means in his power, by prayers and petitions, to obtain
the control of the commerce of the country so as to make it beneficial
to all. In spite of his extraordinary exertions and the force of his will, he
foresaw the fatal issue of his labours.
The settlers were few in number, bread and provisions were scarce, and
the condition of the infant colony was truly deplorable. At this
distressing period a British fleet arrived in the harbour of Quebec. What
was to be done? The rude fortress of St. Louis could not withstand the
assault of an armed fleet, even if it were well defended. But Champlain
had no ammunition, and he, therefore, adopted the only course open to
him of capitulating and handing over the keys of the fort to the
commander, Kirke. Champlain then left Quebec and returned to France.
Bitter was this journey to him, for it was like passing into exile to see
the familiar heights of Quebec fade into the distance, the city of his
foundation and the country of his adoption.
We have an idea of his sorrow during the three years that England
maintained supremacy in Canada, for he says that the days were as long
as months. During his enforced sojourn in France, Champlain exerted
all his energies to revive interest in the abandoned colony. His plan was

to recover the country by all means. Finally success crowned his efforts,
and the treaty of St. Germain-en-Laye gave back to France the young
settlement. Champlain recrossed the sea and planted the lily banner of
France upon the heights of Cape Diamond.
In the year 1635 Champlain was taken ill, and died on Christmas Day,
after having devoted forty years of his life to the promotion of the
religion and commercial interests of the land of his ancestors, but he
bequeathed to the Canadian people the priceless heritage of Quebec,
and the memory of a pure and honest heart.
Before Champlain's death, however, Quebec had commenced to
develop. On the Beauport coast might be seen the residences of many
of the settlers who arrived from the province of Perche in 1634. On the
shores of the river Lairet, the Jesuits had built a convent, where the
young Indians received instruction; and agriculture had received some
attention. Robert Giffard had established a colony at Beauport which
formed the nucleus of a population in this section of the country. Near
Fort St. Louis the steeple of Notre Dame de la Recouvrance gave
witness that Champlain had fulfilled his promise to build a church at
Quebec if the country was restored to her ancient masters.
The colony was now entering upon an era of prosperity, and that
harmony and happiness which Champlain had longed for in his life,
and which occupied his thoughts even in death, were destined to be
realized.
N.E.D.
CHAPTER I
CHAMPLAIN'S FIRST VOYAGE TO AMERICA
Samuel Champlain, the issue of the marriage of Antoine Champlain
and Marguerite Le Roy, was born at Brouage, now Hiers Brouage, a
small village in the province of