The Makers of Canada: Champlain | Page 5

the only religion,
Catholic, Apostolic and Roman."
After his return to France in the year 1601, Champlain received a
pension, together with the appointment of geographer to the king.
Pierre de Chauvin, Sieur de Tontuit, who had unsuccessfully
endeavoured to establish a settlement at Tadousac, died at this time,
while Champlain was residing in Paris. Here he had the good fortune to
meet Aymar de Chastes, governor of the town and château of Dieppe,
under whose orders he had served during the latter years of the war
with the League.
De Chastes, who had resolved to undertake the colonization of Canada,
obtained a commission from the king, and formed a company,
composed of several gentlemen and the principal merchants of Rouen.
François Gravé, Sieur du Pont, who had already accompanied Chauvin
to Tadousac, was chosen to return there and to examine the Sault St.
Louis and the country beyond.
"Going from time to time to see the Sieur de Chastes," writes
Champlain, "judging that I might serve him in his design, he did me the
honour to communicate something of it to me, and asked me if it would
be agreeable to me to make the voyage, to examine the country, and to
see what those engaged in the undertaking should do. I told him that I
was very much his servant, but that I could not give myself license to
undertake the voyage without the commands of the king, to whom I
was bound, as well by birth as by the pension with which His Majesty
honoured me to enable me to maintain myself near his person, but that,
if it should please him to speak to the king about it, and give me his
commands, that it should be very agreeable to me, which he promised
and did, and received the king's orders for me to make the voyage and
make a faithful report thereof; and for that purpose M. de Gesvres,
secretary of his commandments, sent me with a letter to the said Du
Pont-Gravé, desiring him to take me in his ship and enable me to see

and examine what could be done in the country, giving me every
possible assistance."
"_Me voilà expédié_," says Champlain, "I leave Paris and take passage
on Pont-Gravé's ship in the year 1603, the 15th of the month of March."
The voyage was favourable for the first fifteen days, but on the 30th a
heavy storm arose, "more thunder than wind," which lasted until April
16th. On May 6th the vessel approached Newfoundland, and arrived at
Tadousac[3] on the 24th. Here they met with about one hundred
Indians, under the command of Anadabijou, who were rejoicing on
account of their recent victory over the Iroquois. The chief made a long
harangue, speaking slowly. He congratulated himself upon his
friendship with the French nation, and stated that he was happy to learn
that the king was anxious to send some of his subjects to reside in the
country and to assist them in their wars. Champlain was also informed
that the Etchemins, the Algonquins, and the Montagnais, to the number
of about one thousand, had lately been engaged in warfare with the
Iroquois, whom they had vanquished with the loss of one hundred men.
On June 9th following, Champlain witnessed the spectacle of a grand
feast given by the Indians in commemoration of their victory. The
celebration consisted of dances, songs, speeches and games. Tessoüat,
the sagamo of the Ottawas, was the chief captain, and took a prominent
part in the demonstration.
After a long description of these public festivities, Champlain gives
ample details of the manners and customs of the Indians, especially of
their superstitions. The Indians believed that a God existed who was the
creator of all things, but they had a curious manner of explaining the
creation of man. "When God had made everything," they said, "He took
a quantity of arrows and fixed them in the earth, whence came men and
women, who have increased ever since." The sagamo said they
believed in the existence of a God, a son, a mother and a sun; that God
was the greatest of the four; that the son and the sun were both good;
that the mother was a lesser person, and so was the father, who was less
bad.
The Indians were convinced that their deity had held communication

with their ancestors. One day five Indians ran towards the setting sun
where they met God, who asked them, "Where are you going?" "We
are going to seek our life," they replied. Then God said, "You will find
it here." But they did not hear the divine word, and went away. Then
God took a stone and touched two of them, and they were immediately
turned into stones. Addressing the three