Voyages of Samuel de Champlain, vol 2 | Page 3

Saintonge, Captain in
ordinary for the King in the Marine, &c._, for the time and limit of six
entire consecutive years, from the day when this book shall have been
printed up to the said time of six years. By the same letters, in like
manner all printers, merchant booksellers, and any others whatever, are
forbidden to print or have printed, to sell or distribute said book during
the aforesaid time, without the special consent of said BERJON, or of
him to whom he shall give permission, on pain of confiscation of so
many of said books as shall be found, and a discretionary fine, as is
more fully set forth in the aforesaid letters.

VOYAGES OF SIEUR DE CHAMPLAIN.
VOYAGE IN THE YEAR 1604.

CHAPTER I.
THE BENEFITS OF COMMERCE HAVE INDUCED SEVERAL
PRINCES TO SEEK AN EASIER ROUTE FOR TRAFFIC WITH
THE PEOPLE OF THE EAST.--SEVERAL UNSUCCESSFUL

VOYAGES.--DETERMINATION OF THE FRENCH FOR THIS
PURPOSE.--UNDERTAKING OF SIEUR DE MONTS: HIS
COMMISSION AND ITS REVOCATION.--NEW COMMISSION TO
SIEUR DE MONTS TO ENABLE HIM TO CONTINUE HIS
UNDERTAKING.
The inclinations of men differ according to their varied dispositions;
and each one in his calling has his particular end in view. Some aim at
gain, some at glory, some at the public weal. The greater number are
engaged in trade, and especially that which is transacted on the sea.
Hence arise the principal support of the people, the opulence and honor
of states. This is what raised ancient Rome to the sovereignty and
mastery over the entire world, and the Venetians to a grandeur equal to
that of powerful kings. It has in all times caused maritime towns to
abound in riches, among which Alexandria and Tyre are distinguished,
and numerous others, which fill up the regions of the interior with the
objects of beauty and rarity obtained from foreign nations. For this
reason, many princes have striven to find a northerly route to China, in
order to facilitate commerce with the Orientals, in the belief that this
route would be shorter and less dangerous.
In the year 1496, the king of England commissioned John Cabot and
his son Sebastian to engage in this search. [1] About the same time,
Don Emanuel, king of Portugal, despatched on the same errand Gaspar
Cortereal, who returned without attaining his object. Resuming his
journeys the year after, he died in the undertaking; as did also his
brother Michel, who was prosecuting it perseveringly. [2] In the years
1534 and 1535, Jacques Cartier received a like commission from King
Francis I., but was arrested in his course. [3] Six years after, Sieur de
Roberval, having renewed it, sent Jean Alfonse of Saintonge farther
northward along the coast of Labrador; [4] but he returned as wise as
the others. In the years 1576, 1577, and 1578, Sir Martin Frobisher, an
Englishman, made three voyages along the northern coasts. Seven years
later, Humphrey Gilbert, also an Englishman, set out with five ships,
but suffered shipwreck on Sable Island, where three of his vessels were
lost. In the same and two following years, John Davis, an Englishman,
made three voyages for the same object; penetrating to the 72d degree,

as far as a strait which is called at the present day by his name. After
him, Captain Georges made also a voyage in 1590, but in consequence
of the ice was compelled to return without having made any discovery.
[5] The Hollanders, on their part, had no more precise knowledge in the
direction of Nova Zembla.
So many voyages and discoveries without result, and attended with so
much hardship and expense, have caused us French in late years to
attempt a permanent settlement in those lands which we call New
France, [6] in the hope of thus realizing more easily this object; since
the voyage in search of the desired passage commences on the other
side of the ocean, and is made along the coast of this region. [7] These
considerations had induced the Marquis de la Roche, in 1598, to take a
commission from the king for making a settlement in the above region.
With this object, he landed men and supplies on Sable Island; [8] but,
as the conditions which had been accorded to him by his Majesty were
not fulfilled, he was obliged to abandon his undertaking, and leave his
men there. A year after, Captain Chauvin accepted another commission
to transport Settlers to the same region; [9] but, as this was shortly after
revoked, he prosecuted the matter no farther.
After the above, [10] notwithstanding all these accidents and
disappointments, Sieur de Monts desired to attempt what had been
given up in despair, and requested a commission for this purpose of his
Majesty, being satisfied that the previous enterprises had failed because
the undertakers of