The Western Indies - SpeedyLook encyclopedia

In 1534, France penetrates the Western Indies

Following the astonishing exploration of Christophe Colomb in the Western Indies, all the countries of Europe woke up with the possibility of joining the Indies by the occident. Especially, all dream to find the treasures which this race could get to them. France very jealous of the richnesses which Spain and Portugal amoncelaient in the Western Indies was then reached same fever. For its part Venice with the catches with the Othoman Turks of Constantinople was strong interested party with many explorations then in progress in these Western Indies. Undoubtedly they would bring answer to their need for a new access to the Indies. Perhaps will the exploration of the France bring answer to their unfavorable position?

Towards 1530, François I {{er}}, king de France, decides to enter the race in the search of a new water way giving access to the products of the Indies. Venice supported exploration. With the invasion of Constantinople in 1453 by the Othoman Turks, this republic had lost an important access road to the Indies. It had to find a new access to the Indies. For France, its explorer will have to come from Brittany, in particular from Saint-Malo, a wearing of sailors and pirates who each year went to make abundant extremely profitable fishings with the accesses of the Western Indies, it in a place called the " Neuves" grounds;. On the council of an abbot of the Mount-Saint-Michel, the father the Huntsman, François Ier chooses the sailor Jacques Cartier. Its mission: just like Christophe Colomb, to penetrate the Western Indies and to find if possible a way leading to the Indies. And especially, there to find the richnesses hoped so much

Under mandate of François I {{er}}, Jacques Cartier undertakes in 1534 to find a way towards the Indies. Native of Saint-Malo, it is familiar with the New Grounds where the Breton fishermen come each year to make extremely advantageous catches. Its mission: to find a way towards the Indies.

Jacques Cartier in Gaspé - 1534

The April 20th 1534, in company of an about sixty sailors, Jacques Cartier leaves Saint-Malo. Party on April 20th, 1534, it arrives at the course of Good-Viste (Bonavista) the May 10th 1535. In some twenty days, it touches theNew ones with the course Bona Vista, then it skirts the coast of Labrador to the Jacques-Cartier harbor. It côtoie some islands of which the Iles-de-la-Madeleine and the northern point of the Island-of-Prince-Edouard. He skirts the northern coast of New Brunswick and enters Bay of Heats. He meets Amerindians there. Retained ten days with Gaspé, it comes into contact with of Iroquoiens de Stadaconé (Quebec) come to fishing. It there plants a cross and takes possession of the territory. The advanced season, it decides to turn over to France bringing back with him two Indians of Stadaconé, Domagaya and Taignoagny. They will be used to him as guides for its future explorations. By this first voyage, Cartier discovered a new country, new territories of fishing and prepared the way with the draft of the fur.

Jacques Cartier in Hochelaga and nomination of the Royal Mount 1535-1536

Leaving Saint-Malo the May 19th 1535 with three boats, Large Hermine, Small Hermine and Hémerillon, the navigator accompanied by 110 men, both Iroquoiens removed the previous year with Gaspé enters the St. Lawrence river until Stadaconé (Quebec). Then, it continues its race inside the Western Indies towards Hochelaga. There, it will be stopped by the 3 “saults” which bars the way to him. Then he undertakes the visit of Hochelaga, a visit which remains still today a memorable page of history of the Canada.

Visit of Hochelaga - the September 19th 1535, Cartier and its troop set sail bound for Hochelaga. Arriving at the lake Saint-Pierre, the not very deep water of the lake bars the road to him. Moreover, many islands cut the passage and “us to him apparessoit no passaige ny left”. It there leaves Hémérillon and takes the boats.

Chemin making, the Amerindians testify a merry reception to him. The news of its arrival with Hochelaga preceded it. October 2nd of the year 1535, it puts foot at ground near Hochelaga. The arrived night, it was withdrawn with its men on board its boats whereas crowd celebrate on the bank “doing all nuict several feuz and dances, while saying to all hours, aguyase, which is to say to them of hello and joye”. Early, the next morning of October 3rd, with its gentlemen and twenty marines, Cartier takes the way of Hochelaga on a road “as beaten as it is possible of veoyr (see)… flat chaisnes… all the covered ground of glan”. Thus traversing two miles (approximately six miles), Jacques Cartier can finally see Hochelaga surrounded by plowed a covered ground mountain full of corn. “And with the parmy icelles champaignes, is scitué (E) and sat ladicte town of Hochelaga, near and uniting vne montaigne, which is, with the entour of icelle, plowed and extremely fertile, of top which one voyt extremely loing”. Jacques Cartier notes that a mountain surrounds the village. He baptizes it Royal Mont. “Us nommasmes icelle montaigne the Royal mount”, it in the honor of François I {{er}}, king of France of which it held the mandate. Then Cartier and its troop are led on one of the three hills of the mountain “distant dudict place of a cart of mile” (three quarters of thousand) of the mountain. “Us nommasmes icelle montaigne the Royal mount”.

Return of Hochelaga - the visit of Hochelaga finished, Cartier and its troop return to their foot to ground, with Stadaconé to winter. But Donnacona is furious that Cartier went in Hochelaga. The Indians show themselves threatening. One does not dare any more to leave the set up fort to haste. The winter and its four feet of snow are terrible soon for our Breton in prey with the scurvy. On a hundred and ten men, twenty-five perish and fifteen only remain valid when Jacques Cartier solemnly beseeches the Sky by a wish with Notre-Dame de Rocamadour. It is not long in being exaucé, because the following days of the Indians show him a remedy: “the herb tea of Year”. It is about an infusion of sheets of thuja or white cedar of Canada. Of return to Saint-Malo, the enthusiasm of Cartier therefore is not reduced of it. It exposes to François 1st the many advantages which France could draw in these remote regions in addition to the evangelization that the Church could achieve there. As a good catholic, Cartier ose to even expose to its king whom it tolerates too easily " these malicious luthériens" who blame the authority of Rome. He quotes to him then as model the catholic king d' Espagne Charles Quint which is opposed to the claims Reformists.

Creation of a viceroyalty: France-Roy - Charlesbourg-Royal

Following the forwarding of Jacques Cartier with Hochelaga in 1535, but especially compared to the immense financial successes gained by Charles Quint more in the south, in the the Western Indies (the Caribbean), François I {{er}} not only decides to establish a first colony (for which it requested Jacques Cartier in 1540) but to found a VICEROYALTY for which it names noble his court, Jean-François of Castling, sior of Roberval. It names this royalty, that of the Canada and Hochelaga, of the name of the two Indian kingdoms, the royalty of the Canada with Stadaconé like center and the royalty of Hochelaga located to crossed great ways of canoeing then of use.

Jean-François of Castling, sior the Roberval one is considered good soldier and expert in fortifications. He is also rich landowner. By the king it is named Duc of Norembèque, a territory of the Western Indies in extreme cases indefinite including/understanding the kingdoms of the Canada and Hochelaga. First project of Jean-François of Castling the Roberval one: to build a squadron of fifteen ships which it will carry out on banks of the Fleuve the St. Lawrence.

Precedent Sieur the Roberval one, in 1541 Jacques Cartier returns to the Canada with 5 ships and some 400 men (the number is dubious). Arrived at Stadaconé, Cartier decides to make build with approximately fifteen kilometers of Quebec (today Cape-Red) a dwelling which he baptizes Charlesbourg-Royal, in the honor of the third wire of the king of France.

Charlesbourg-Royal (today Cape Diamond)

August 23rd 1541, Jacques Cartier with 5 ships and some 400 men (the exact number is generally unknown) of any trade is of return to Canada. He forsakes the site of Holy-Cross (or Stadaconé) established during the preceding voyage for a new establishment. This establishment will be that today that of Cape-Red. It knows whereas the village Hochelaga was destroyed by a warlike forwarding of savages of Stadaconé since his passage to this village in 1535. Of this establishment, Jacques Cartier projects to enter front the Western Indies, in particular to join the Saguenay whose the autochtones country had caused him.

CHOICE Of a NEW SITE (CAP-ROUGE) -… " Jacques Cartier with his two boats in amount of the river beyond the Canada and the wearing of Holy-Cross]] to see there a harbor and a small river which is approximately four miles further which was found better and more convenient to put its navires" at it; … " Ladicte river is small and does not have more than fifty steps broad and the ships drawing three pitch-stirrers from water can enter there to high tide: and with low tide it is there only one channel of a foot or environ" …." the entry of this river is towards the south and is turning towards north while curving… and at the entry towards the east of this one, there is a promontoire" … The selected site is today at Cape-Red.

FORTICATION AT the TOP Of a HEADLAND -…." at the top we made a fort for the guard of the fort which was in bottom, as well as ships and of all that could pass as well by the large river as by this small rivière" …." and with on this hautre cliff, we found a good quantity of stones which we estimate to be diamants" …." and other side of the aforesaid the mountain and with the foot of this one, which towards large the river, is a beautiful mine of the best iron which is with the monde" ..... " and on the edge of water we found certain sheets of a fine gold and thick that the nail….

TRAVEL TOWARDS SAGUENAY …. “The captain (Jacques Cartier) having dispatched two ships to be turned over and carry the news of them, as in had command of the King of it, and as the construction of the fort had been started for the safety of the food and other things, it decided with the Viscount of Bowsprit and the other gentlemen,…. to go on a journey with two boats… to go in Hochelaga in order to see and include/understand laçon water saults that there is to pass to go to the Saguenay”… It knows whereas the Hochelaga village was destroyed by a warlike forwarding of savages of Stadaconé since its passage to this village in 1535.

Return of Jacques Cartier on the island of the Royal Mount

Then Cartier continues its race towards Hochelaga. September 7th 1541, accompanied by Martin de Paimpontet and a continuation, Jacques Cartier takes again his course towards the west, hoping to cross the 3 saults which had barred the road in to him 1535. In court of road, it stops one moment greeting the Lord of Hochelay. They discuss one moment the village Hochelaga, village which was destroyed since its passage to this village in 1535, it by a warlike forwarding of savages of Stadaconé. October 1st 1541, it arrives at the foot of a jump, two miles of Tutonaguy. Then, with 4 guides, he arrives at the second sault. Using sticks, the Indians announce a third sault to him,…." who is before arriving at the Saguenay…." that it cannot cross.

Stop to greet the lord of Hochelay - Together, they discuss one moment the Hochelaga village, village which was destroyed since its passage to this village in 1535. … " and as they went up the river (the St. Lawrence), the captain went to see the lord of Hochelay gift the residence is between Canada and Hochelaga, which in the preceding voyage had given to the captain a little girl and had on several occasions informed it of treasons… and desires to weave against lui'…." it gave him two young boys, and left him to learn their language… Arrival with the first sault… " and we sailed eleventh during the day of the known as month (September) to the first water safety which is with the distance of two miles of the town of Tutonaguy. And after we smoke arrived in this place, we decided to go further with one of the boats than the other would remain at this place…. Visit of a village to the second sault … " And after we had made known that we went towards the jumps and that we wish outward journey with Saguenay, four young people transfer with us to show the way… and we saw at another village where remain good people which remain opposite the second jump, which brought to us of their vivres… Third jump with six miles of the first (approximately 18 miles). … " people of this village showed us…. that we were with the second jump and that there was only another to pass…. and according to their marks… there can be only six miles per ground to pass the jumps… and because the day was advanced and that we neither had drunk nor eaten… we decided to turn over to our boats… The made visit, it turns over to Charlesbourg-Royal. One does not know what occurred during the next winter. Because the report of exploration is abruptly stopped. By other sources, in particular by the English historian Richard Hakluyt, one knows that the colony was struck of a new epidemic of scurvy and that Iroquois held the establishment in constant state of siege, killing more than 35 French. Cartier decides then in June 1542 to give up the places, carrying with him the stones and the ore which one believes extremely invaluable. With the port of Midsummer's Day to Newfoundland, Jacques Cartier meets Jean-François of Rocque Roberval, chief of the forwarding which orders to him to follow it to Canada. Believer whom it has on his board quantity of gold and diamonds and not wanting to make again vis-a-vis the Indians, Cartier contravenes the order the Roberval one and in free middle of the night for the France. Of return in France, gold and diamonds prove to be false. For its part, Roberval is found deprived of labor and men of experiment.

France-Roy - 1542

At July 1542, Sieur the Roberval one arrives at Charlesbourg-Royal. Without the support of some 400 colonists of Jacques Cartier, Jean-François of Rocque Roberval arrives to Charlesbourg-Royal with a team of 200 colonists. Forwarding arrives at point to collect corn sown the previous year by Jacques Cartier. And such is the fertility of the ground that Jean Alfonse, his Master navigator, account a hundred and twenty grains per ear. “… and all these grounds doibvent estre named NEW FRANCE, because they are in a mesme haultor…” that the motherland. The suggestion was to make fortune thereafter. The fortifications left by Cartier are reinforced. The place is then famous FRANCE-ROY and the Fleuve the St. Lawrence is baptized FRANCE-PRIME.

It knows whereas the village Hochelaga was destroyed by a warlike forwarding of savages of Stadaconé since the passage of Jacques Cartier with this village in 1535. It is accompanied by many noble retained by the king to conclude the development of the colony: Mr Healthy-Ground, lieutenant; the Guinecourt captain; Mr Noirefontaine; God Lamont Frote; The Brush; François de Mire; the Room and Royese and Jean Alphonse de Xaintoigne. These noble and 200 people enters out of three ships the roads of the river retained by Jacques Cartier to Bridge-Red.

One extremely difficult winter -… " September 14th 1542, Sieur the Roberval one returns to France]] two ships which had brought its effects… in order to deliver opinion to the king to return the following year with food and other supplies… After the departure of these two ships, one deliberated on what it was necessary to do and in the manner that one would spend the winter in this place… After examination of the provisions and one found that they would be insufficient. The division was made, so that each one did not have that two breads weighing each one a book, and half-delivers to ox… the savages brought a great quantity of alosee to us who are posssions almost as red as salmons… At the end several of our people trombèrent sick… and approximately fifty died.

Exploration towards Hochelaga and the Saguenay -…." June 5th 1543, Sieur the Roberval one, general lieutenant for the King in the countries of Canada, Saguenay and Hochelaga, took its departure to go to the aforementioned province of Saguenay. But because of some circumstances which oversteer, the aforementioned boats remained in the roads….And next Wednesday, around the six hours of the morning, the eight boats, large and small, set sail with 70 people… Then there was a boat of lost and eight people were drowned…

Of return to FRANCE-ROY, the lieutenant-general, titrates that François I {{er}} conferred to him, has difficulty in maintain the good order. A passage of Thévet shows it of a severity any calvinist. It must prevail. The vivres decrease quickly and Roberval is constrained to impose rationing. During the winter, nearly fifty people die of the scurvy. The decision to repatriate everyone in France east then taken. The ices start to melt in April.

Informed of the problems of the colony, François I {{er}} gives to Paul d' Aussillon mission of going back to Canada with two ships charged with food bound for France-Roy. D' Aussillon arrives mid-June, as envisaged, but with letters constituent… " that one remained until the Holy-Madeleine day before, who is the twenty-second of juillet" …. In September 1543, the survivors regain the France, putting an end to the company.

… Then the continuation relation of the exploration of Sieur the Roberval one is lost… A planned failure? Several indices give rise to think that occult mediums contributed to the abortion of this main effort to equip the " The Indies occidentales" of a French colony. Contrary to Jacques Cartier, good roman catholic, Jean-François Rocque, Sieur the Roberval one was of Protestant religion. Moreover it was of Protestant religion like many noble, the people educated and tradesmen of his time. He will die assassinated with other Protestants in 1560 in Paris (close to the church to Innocent).

In 1556, Venice brings back the exploration of Jacques Cartier to Hochelaga

The exploration of Cartier in the Western Indies did not pass unperceived to Venice, in particular near Giovanni Battista Ramusio, statesman of Venice and secretary of the Council of the Ten. This political director of Sérénissime had made question of discovered unknown grounds, the work of his life. Diplomat of career, his function of ambassador had introduced it near many countries of Europe. He was sensitized since strong a long time, with the great question of the hour, that of the discoveries. He was seven years old of age when Génois Christophe Colomb had arrived in 1492 at the Western Indies. Its voyages and its career in the public administration of Venice invited it to be interested actively in explorations of the unknown grounds. More especially as Venice was with the catches with a serious problem of access to the Indies. Because since 1453, the Othoman Turks had monopolized themselves of Constantinople.

In France, Louis XII had wished one moment to retain it. Of return in its country, in 1533 it had been named at the post of secretary of the Senate of Venice, it with dreaded and extremely important Conseil of the Ten of Sérénissime. Returned at the end of its career, G.B Ramusio decided to publish the accounts of these explorers who risked their life in discovered unknown worlds. In order to correctly analyze the accounts which reached him, it applied to them concepts still then unknown in geography, mathematics, anthropology and others. Thanks to its formation and with its experiment, Ramusio at that time became the catalyst of a new design of evaluation of the accounts of the discoverers and visited unknown worlds.

To this question of access to the Indies which confronted Venice was added that of the unknown people. Who and what lived these unknown worlds? Which were their customs and habits? Explorers traversed the paying world of the oddest things, most incredible.

It published these accounts, some fifty, in a work of great scale published in three tome cheeses entitled Delle Navigationi and Viaggi. Still today, the scale of this work is more surprising.

The third volume of this work Delle Navigationi and Viaggi was published in 1556. This volume contains the account of the two voyages of Jacques Cartier beyond the New Grounds: the first forwarding of Cartier]] in News-France, with Gaspé in 1534 and the second forwarding of Cartier with Hochelaga in 1535. This volume contains moreover accounts of several other explorers, Cortez, Verrazano, and others just as four exposed by Ramusio itself on the nature of explorations.

This third volume is a historical document of first importance which today informs us on the spirit of discovered of the 16th century. It constitutes for Montreal, the Quebec and the Canada a patrimonial richness of first importance.

By bringing back the exploration of Jacques Cartier to Hochelaga, Giovanni Battista Ramusio did better than made Cartier in the report that it had earlier gave a few years to king de France, François Ist With BRIEF ACCOUNT, Ramusio added an admirable plan, the plan Terra de Hochelaga by which it illustrated the arrival of Jacques Cartier in Hochelaga, village located in the Royal Mont. More still, Ramusio reproduced the hills of the Royal Mont.

This plan Terra de Hochelaga shown Ci-low was published by three times, initially in 1556, then in 1565 and finally in 1606, is two years before the foundation of Quebec by Samuel de Champlain. The plan shown here Ci-low is a reproduction of this plan by the painter Paul-Emile Borduas. This fabric decorates the walls of the Large Country cottage of the Mount-Royal Parc.

Exact reproduction of the profile of the Royal Mount

An analysis of the plan Terra de Hochelaga reveals its very high conformity with Brief Recit that Jacques Cartier had given to François Ier in 1545. But also, the thing is surprising with the profile of the 3 hills of this Royal Mount. It is particularly with the indications provided by this plan of Venice which one can affirm today that the Hochelaga village was located in the basin of the Royal Mount.

A. Conformity with Brief Account (1545) - In 1545, Jacques Cartier gave to François Ier the report of his exploration carried out in the Western Indies during the years 1535 and 1536. This memory detailed in particular its arrival with Hochelaga. It described whereas the village was circular, that it contained 50 houses, that fields cultivated and that moreover the village was surrounded of the hills, etc Then it described its gone up on the mountain where it named this mountain Royal mount. On which of the three hills Jacques Cartier was then assembled? One does not know.

A checking of the plan Terra de Hochelaga reveals that Venice reproduced description accurately that Jacques Cartier had transmitted to his king. It illustrated a circular village surrounded by hills, composed of 50 houses, showed there cultivated fields, etc the whole drawn with European because ignorant all the customs and habits of the inhabitants of this village located in the Western Indies. Unfortunately, this did not prevent president WD. Ligthall of the McCord museum to declare this plan of forgery because not ethnographiquement conforms to the reality of the place.

B. Reproduction of the 3 hills of this Royal Mount - Thing doubly surprising, an analysis of the profile of the hills shown in the plan reveals that it is in conformity with the present profile of the Royal mount, a mountain made up of three hills. Force to conclude that the received information of France coming from the report Brief Recit was very detailed and could come only from readings taken by Jacques Cartier at the time of his arrival with Hochelaga.

The highest hill was called in the past the LARGE MOUNTAIN. She is usually seen as being the Royal mount. She is in fact only one of the three hills composing the Royal mount. Its rise is 234 meters above the sea level. Although it is most important of the hills, it is in fact only one of the three hills of the Royal mount. She is easily seen downtown area of Montreal and is city. On its slopes is the Mount-Royal park. This park is dominated by the cross of the Royal mount near which two antennas of radio are set up. It is as in this park as is the Large Country cottage of the mountain and the Camillien-Houde view-point. The plan Terra de Hochelaga published by G.B. Ramusio in 1556 highlight the presence of this dominant hill. This hill appears on the left of the illustration above the words ASSEMBLES REAL, words which contributed to the birth of the Montreal toponym.

The second hill called the SMALL MOUNTAIN (or Westmount mount), occupies the western side of the Royal mount. It is on the territory of the town of Westmount. Its rise is 202 meters above the sea level. This hill is almost completely covered with luxurious residences, the majority built at the beginning of the last century. On the northern slope of this hill draws up the St-Joseph Oratory. In the plan Terra de Hochelaga, it appears immediately on the right of the Hochelaga village.

The third hill, the SUGAR LOAF (or Outremont mount) constitutes the northern limit of the Royal mount. This hill is somewhat detached from the principal solid mass. Its rise is 216 meters above the sea level. It is located on the territory of the town of Outremont. On its northern side the University of Montreal is established. In the plan Terra de Hochelaga, this hill appears on the right of the illustration. Jacques Cartier was struck by the imposing site occupied by the Hochelaga village. Located in the basin of the Royal mount, the village was encircled of three hills: the Large Mountain (wrongly called Mount-Royal), the Small Mountain (or Westmount mount) and Sugar loaf (or Outremont mount). Ramusio in its plan Terra de Hochelaga will confirm the thing, 21 years later.

Unfortunately, at the end of the 20th century, English authorities of Montreal, in fact the president of the museum McCord WD. Lighthall, declared this plan a false plan. Reason: this plan contradicted the erroneous assertion by which the Hochelaga village was located with the Dawson site from where Amerindian artefacts had just been found.

The transitional period 1543 with 1603

Tragedy of the wars of religion

Continuations with these first efforts of colonization, it will run out one half-century before other companies of colonization of Canada are not organized. Of 1562 with 1598, the France will be mislaid in the internal convulsions of the wars of religion. Disputing the practice of the worship promoted by Rome, the Réforme will generate a political controversy which will tear the France. In 1589 comes to the capacity the KING FROM PEACE, Henri IV. The royalty finds finally legitimacy and authority. Protesting converted with Catholicism, the new sovereign Henri IV will recognize with the Protestants a legal existence and the freedom of the worship. Extremely tragically, he will be assassinated on May 14th 1610.

France benefits from discovered from Jacques Cartier

Following the discovery of Jacques Cartier, the French explorers undertook to trade with the Amerindians. Moreover, the French and English fishermen usually present at broad of the New Grounds, territory of fishing often disputed, made in the same way. They directed their activity towards the coasts of Nova Scotia and those of the gulf of Saint Laurent. Thereafter, when the wars between England and Spain caused the decline of the Spanish fisheries, a new market of dried cod opened to the French. The contacts with the Amerindians multiplied. As one could make dry cod only on ground, the contacts increased. Thus the Biggar archivist at the time of the many made studies of the beginnings of the News-France, underlined the presence as of 1539 of French ships in the island of the Cape Breton making the trade of the furs. That is to say little time after the arrival of Cartier to the Royal Mount in 1535. Followed the French Basques driving out the whale and the Morse to the islands of the Madeleine at the end of the century. Starting from 1580, Europeans were interested more in the trade of the fur of beaver, it following a request increased by the middle-class men of Western Europe for the felt hats of beaver. The best furs were those trapped in winter. It should be known that the meat of beaver contains a very great number of calories useful for the energy spent by the Amerindians for the trapping. The strong demand in skins of beaver also benefitted the Amerindians.

Thus, after 1540, a considerable number of ships invade the gulf and the Fleuve the St. Lawrence. Tadoussac becomes the first place of draft. Barter of the skins becomes so important that towards 1588, of commercial rich person requests a monopoly. Pierre de Chauvin dispatch to four ships in the gulf. Bridge-engraved goes until Three-Rivers to exchange its brought back goods of France against furs. Champlain affirms that navigators and tradesmen come regularly in Canada. He thinks that others came already quite front 1550 to trade with the Amerindians. All during the 16th century the French fisheries extend along the coasts from the Scotland News to Maine. But they are also the French pirates, ghost of Florida and of the Caribbean, which furrow the coasts and grow rich.

Runners of wood and draft of the fur

Following the arrival of Jacques Cartier in Hochelaga, the tradesmen included/understood very early that rather to wait until the Indian nations come to them, it was of their interest to go to them, to be made runner of wood, and to go to seek themselves the invaluable goods at the Indians. They called these territories " countries of in haut". Followed then all those for which this new country represented one demolished to raise and of the business appropriatenesses to cultivate. This new phenomenon was helped by the long distances which these runners of wood could traverse in little time: some 70 km per day. Their food was frugal: one pint of corn and an ounce of fat per day. Foreseeable thing: several adopted the lifestyle of the Amerindians. In 1680, the Duchesneau intendant estimated at 800 the number of the runners of wood. For the exploration of the unknown territories and the long distances, the boat proved to be the essential means of transport. Thanks to the boat, Of Groseillers, Radisson, Nicollet, Jolliet, Inlay and all the others penetrated increasingly front inside the Western Indies, at the same time for the benefit of the trade of the furs and the research of the sea of the West located for several with step very far.

In 1603, Samuel de Champlain with Sault-with-Récollet

Samuel of Champlain recalls Jacques Cartier - In introduction of its 5th the volume, Samuel of Champlain informs us that…” the aforementioned Cartier went jusques with place which apppeloit of its time Ochelaga, and which now is called Grand Sault holy Louis, which places estoient live Savages, who estans sedentary, cultivoient the grounds. What they do not do now, because of the wars which made them withdraw in deep grounds”… Then Champlain continues… ” the aforementioned Cartier ayan recognu, according to his report/ratio, the difficulty in being able to pass the Jumps, and like estant impossible, was turned over from there where its vessels estoient… hyverner in the river Saincte Croix, where maintennt the Father Jesuits have to them demeure" … (see page 670, WORKS OF CHAMPLAIN by C. - H. Laverdière, 1870)

Agreement with Algonquins

In spring 1603, François Engraved, sior of the Bridge unloads in News-France accompanied by a geographer, Samuel de Champlain under mandate of Aymar de Chaste, governor of Dieppe and holder of the commercial monopoly of News-France (the sior Chauvin of Normandy was deceased some time before). They come in observer on royal will. Of Pure had asked Bridge-Engraved to receive Champlain (then known as geographer) in its vessel and to make known to him these places. They arrive in Tadoussac on May 24th 1603. May 27th, Champlain cross the mouth of Saguenay and go down to the Point to the Larks. Not far from there the hut of the big boss algonquin Anadabijou is. They visit him. This last is then in full feast, in the middle of a hundred warriors. It accommodates the new arrivals. An Amerindian council meets at once. Champlain disfigures these autochtones curiously that he discovers. One of the Amerindians who accompanies Champlain and which returns from France, rises and speaks amply about the country which he visited. He tells the interview which he had with Henri IV king de France. He explains why the king wanted good in all Algonquins and wished to populate their ground. During this time the peace pipe circulates. Samuel de Champlain and Bridge-Engraved aspires in their turn great puffs of grass smoke. The council finishes. But neither Champlain, nor Bridge-Engraved suspect only the policy which has been just worked out will dominate the entire century which opens. It is here that the wars iroquoises have just decided. They will prevail until the Great Peace of Montreal in 1701. The made fateful meeting, on June 18th 1603, they leave for Large Sault Saint-Louis.

The river of the Meadows, sees of entry of Samuel de Champlain

Samuel de Champlain made several visits in Montreal which it then called “Sault” or “Sault Saint-Louis” and still sometimes the “Saint-Louis Mission”. He visited first once the ïle in 1603 as geographer assisting of François Gravé, sior of the Bridge which was the chief of forwarding. Although its general description of the layout of the premises leaves something to be desired, its arrival with the SAULT is surprising and allows us to recognize the place where then it was. He informs us: …. " we arrivasmes cedict day at the entry of the sault… and met a isle which almost in the middle of laditte entered… of a quarter of mile length….where there are only three to four or five feet of water, and no (S) time a pitch-stirrer or two… and suddenly let us find of it that three or four feet… beginning of the aforesaid the isle which in the middle of laditte entered, water starts to come into large force". (WORK OF CHAMPLAIN - p. 101, abbot C. - H. Laverdière, Mr. A.)

This description enables us to foresee where Samuel de Champlain was then: in the ISLAND OF the VISITATION. Then approaching Sault Saint-Louis that Jacques Cartier had not been able to cross, on October 2nd 1535, it informs us that: . ” Have suddenly approached dudict Sault avecq nostre small wherry and the boat, I ensure you that never I did not see a water desborder torrent with such an impetuosity… not being that of a pitch-stirrer or two, and with more than three”… (WORK OF CHAMPLAIN - p. 103, abbot C. - H. Laverdière, Mr. A.)

Let us notice here that Jacques Cartier in his account informs us that three saults of spread out of a distance of a few 6 miles. Samuel de Champlain for its part informs us in his report a length of three or four miles. . ” Smoke Us by ground in wood, to veoir of it the end,… where one does not see any more rocks, ny of saults…. and this current contains some three or four miles”….(WORK OF CHAMPLAIN - p. 104, abbot C. - H. Laverdière, Mr. A.)

This saying, Samuel de Champlain confirmed what the preceding visitors whose Jacques Cartier, Jacques Christmas and others had confirmed.

Let us note here that taking into account the time during which these discoveries were made, one time when the concept of distance did not have a value specifies (although several authors allot a length of 3 miles to one mile) the distances mentioned are of the same order of magnitude. Let us add moreover than the topographic characteristics of a site can largely change with time, in particular those of a river.

Exploration of the island of the Royal Mount

Seek of a site for a colony with the river of the Meadows

Just like in Quebec where Samuel de Champlain had made build a dwelling, it possibly wished duty to make some as much with some share along the river of the Meadows. Maybe close to one or the other of the saults which it mentions in its writings: the SAULT, the SAINT-LOUIS JUMP, the LARGE SAULT. Also without us to say his intention precisely when it left Quebec for Montreal, one can guess that one of its projects was to identify some share on the island of the Royal Mount an exclusive right of way with the construction of a dwelling and/or a colony. Arriving at the river of the Meadows on May 28th 1611, it informs us: " This mesme day I started from Quebecq, and arrivay audit great jump the vingthuitiesme of May, where I trouvay none savages….after having visited of one costé and other, as well in wood as along the shore, to find a place clean for the scituation of a dwelling, and to prepare a place there to bastir, I made a few eight miles per ground cottoyant the great jump by wood which are rather clear, and was jusques with a lake where nostre wild carried out me; where I consideray extremely particularly the pays" … (WORK OF CHAMPLAIN - p. 838, abbot C. - H. Laverdière, Mr. A.) Samuel de Champlain finishes finally his account of search for a site located either along the river of the Meadows, or elsewhere by us informing that after having traversed a few eight miles, it leads to the St. Lawrence river where it found with the mouth of a small river (i.e.la Saint-Pierre river today disappeared) an exclusive right of way with dwellings, a site which it named Royal Place

Great crossing of the island of the Royal Mount

One of the mandates whose Samuel de Champlain was to discharge was among that to find in the area of Montreal, perhaps in Sault Saint-Louis or some other place located on this river of the Meadows, the site of a future colony. It informs us that it visited various places along this river, it until the moment it undertook in 1611 to cross the island and to go some 18 miles for finally succeeding in what today is Old man-Montreal. ….” After having visited of one costé and other, as well in wood, as along the shore, to find a place clean for the scituation of a dwelling, and to prepare a place there to bastir there, I cheminay 8. miles per ground costoyant large the sault by wood which are rather clear, and I was jusques with a lake, where our savage carried out me”… (WORK OF CHAMPLAIN - p. 838, abbot C. - H. Laverdière, Mr. A.) Samuel de Champlain had just identified the site of a new dwelling, of a new colony to which its superior, the duke of Ventadour, viceroy of News-France (and also secret officer of the company, the Company of the Blessed Sacrament of the Furnace bridge) paid great attention. There its attention was held by the presence of a small place at the entry of a river, a river known thereafter under the name of Saint-Pierre river. It named this place, PLACES ROYAL. ” But in all that I veis, trouvay not of place cleaner than a small place, which is jusques where the boats and launches can go up easily,…. named the royal Place, with one mile of the Royal Mount… It is at this place that built later the colony of City-Marie will be thirty years. (WORK OF CHAMPLAIN - p. 838-839, abbot C. - H. Laverdière, Mr. A.) disobedience and to libertinage.

First mass called on the island of Montreal (1615)

The FIRST MASS ON the ISLAND OF MONTREAL - June 24th 1615. The first mass celebrated on the island of Montreal took place on June 24th 1615 with the river of the Meadows, by the father Denis Jamet assisted of the Joseph father Charon. In commemoration of this first mass, the town of Montreal made set up in 1915 in the middle of the park Nicolas Viel a granite stele surmounted by a cross. One of the faces of this stele recalls this first mass celebrated to Montreal on June 24th 1615, on bank of the river of the Meadows, by the Father Denis Jamet. The other face points out the memory of the Viel father and protected sound, Ahuntsic.

This stele of the sculptor J. - C. Picher was the work of the Company Saint-Jean-Baptist of Montreal. Moreover, the visitor will be able to take note of the splendid fabric of the painter Georges Delfosse to the cathedral Marie-Queen of the World, street Rene-Lévesque in Montreal from which the illustration is drawn.

About this first mass called on the island of the Royal Mount, Samuel de Champlain declares… " and day following, I party from there to turn over to river of Meadows, where estant with two channels of Savages, I made meeting of father Joseph, which retournoit with our dwelling, with some ornaments of Church to celebrate saintc Sacrifice of mass, which was chantee on the edge of the aforesaid the river with any devotion, by the Reverend Pere Denis, and Joseph Father, in front of all these people which estoient in admiration, to see the ceremonies which one makes and of the ornaments who sembloient to them so beautiful, as thing which they never swage veuë: because it estoient the first which have celebrates Saincte Messe" …. (WORKS OF CHAMPLAIN - p. 504, abbot C. - H. Laverdière, Mr. A.)

Tragedy of Sault-with-Récollet (1625)

Drowning of Nicolas Viel and his protected Ahuntsic (Auuntsic). Samuel de Champlain in spite of the number of its writings does not describe what one can be the tragedy of Nicolas Viel today, this Récollet which drowned with Sault-with-Récollet. For better knowing this incident, we will refer to the report which Pierre-François-Xavier Charlevoix left us. It describes the tragedy thus: ….” The father Nicolas Viel after having remained nearly two years at the Huron ones, wanted to make a turn in Quebec, to spend some time in the retirement there. Savages, who prepared themselves to make the same voyage, offered a place in their Boat to him, and it accepted it. They followed the river which separates Isle from Montreal of that of Jesus, and which one commonly calls the river of the Meadows. And in the middle of this river there is a Rapid, that the Savages, instead of putting at ground and to make a bearing what is called, wanted to jump with a boat. Either that they had taken their measurements badly, or that they did it purposely, the Boat turned; the Father Viel and a young Neophyte, who it accompagnoit, noyérent himself. And it is this accident which made give to the Rapid the name of Sault-with-Recollet, that it still carries”… (HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION GENERAL Of the NOUVELLE-FRANCE - p. 248 and following, Charlevoix, Pierre-François-Xavier) And Charlevoix finishes its account by adding that then the Huron ones were run away. And since these Huron had appeared badly laid out towards the récollet Viel, one had serious suspicions towards them. Some added that the thing intentional and had been planned. More especially as the luggage of the Viel father had been seized by “these Barbarians”. The incident caused that with Three-Rivers, the Baillon fathers and Brébeuf differed with later from the voyages which they wished to undertake towards the country of the Huron ones. This tragic death of the Viel father will somewhat delay the arrival of the Jesuits who were then on the point of coming to lend strong hand to Récollets in Huronie.

In 1613 and 1615 and 1616, Samuel de Champlain in the Western Indies

The first exploration (1613)

First voyage of Samuel de Champlain in the Countries of in Top - In May 1613, Champlain undertakes the exploration of the river of Outaouais. An interpreter (or " truchement") Nicolas de Vignau, convinced the explorer whom he knows the way which leads to the “North Sea” (Hudson Bay). But let us read the departure of Champlain rather: The 13, I left Quebec to go in Holy Sault Louys where I arrivay the 21. However having only two channels, I pouvois menier with moy only 4. men between whom estoit one named Nicolas de Vigneau, the most impudent liar who is veu of long time, as the continuation of this speech will show it,… it paid to me to its return of Paris in the year 1612. that it avoit veu sea of the nort… Thus our boats charge with some vivres, of our weapons & goods to make present at the Savages, I left the Monday the 27th. May of the isle Saincte-Heleine, with four François and a Savage ..... (Works of Champlain - p. 857, abbot C. - H. Laverdière, Mr. A.)

At the instigation of Nicolas de Vignau, Samuel de Champlain then goes up the river of Outaouais towards the country of the Huron ones. It stops with a camping of a tribe algonquine, Kichesipirinis, on the island with the Matches. To preserve the role of Kichesipirinis like intermediaries between the French and the other Amerindian tribes, the Tessouat chief contradicts Vignau in connection with the road towards Hudson Bay. He also shows himself very reticent in front of the intention of Samuel de Champlain to continue his voyage towards the lake Nipissing. After some diplomatic gifts and exchanges, the explorer turns back and returns to Quebec. According to some, in the course of road Samuel de Champlain loses his astrolabe which will be found only at the 19th century. This instrument is single. It is about smallest of the 35 nautical astrolabes of this period which arrived to us, and the only one of this time which comes from France. This astrolabe could also be used horizontally as surveying instrument.

The second exploration with the Soft Sea (1615 - 1616)

Second voyage of Samuel de Champlain in the Countries of in Top and warlike forwarding. July 9th 1615, Samuel de Champlain leaves Quebec and reaches the Georgienne bay in company of two French. One is probably Etienne Brûlé. Using the main road of the draft (river of Outaouais, Mattawa river, lake Nipissing, river of the French and Georgienne bay) Champlain reaches then in the middle of the country of the Huron ones. It explores the country maintaining its allegiance with allied the autochtones, Algonquins and the Huronones. He travels from village in village until Cahiagué, located on banks of the lake Simcoe and military place of appointment. There a group of warriors autochtones to which Etienne Brûlé is, share in southern direction it to cause the participation of Andastes in the combat against Iroquois. It then decides to continue the war against Iroquois. With an important quota of Huron warriors, Samuel de Champlain accompanied by some French move towards the east then crosses the Eastern end of the current Lake Ontario. They hide the boats and carry on their road with foot skirting the river One (Oneida). Arrived to a fort iroquois located between the lakes Oneida and Onondaga, they fight battle without much success. Champlain is wounded.

1615 - 1616 One hivernement forced

Champlain then wishes to be allocated to the Jump-Saint-Louis. But Autochtones decide some differently. The Huron ones refuse to accompany Samuel de Champlain before next spring, which forces this last to winter in Huronie.

It benefits from its stay in the area to explore south-west, Pétuns and the Hair-Statements (southern of Huronie and the Bruce peninsula). At the time of a great hunting in company the Huron ones, Champlain is lost in forest, wanders during three days in wood before finding his/her companions. It takes also time to write a detailed description of the country, manners, habits and way of living of Autochtones. It is filled with wonder in front of the beauty at the landscape and the fertility at the places. It draws however only from the information limited on the mysterious West, because of the wars which prevail between the various nations, Autochtones travelled little in this direction. At the end of June 1616, it is of return to the Jump-Saint-Louis.

River of the Meadows - not of original development of Montreal

Today, the sector of the river of the Meadows is enormously rich in places of memory. Main road of canoeing of Autochtones before the arrival of Europeans, it is by this way that in 1603 the assisted Bridge-Engraved tradesman of the cartographer of Samuel de Champlain entered on the island of the Royal Mount. In 1615, a first mass was said by the Jamet father assisted of the father Charon, it on banks of this river. In 1625, the récollet Viel drowned in one of the saults, Large Sault. Of this incident, the district found its toponym: Sault-with-Récollet. During more than one century, Sault constituted the main door towards the interior in a territory then called the Western Indies. Missionaries, adventurers, runners of wood, number of them bound for the Mississippi and beyond that, of China and the Indies, passed and there left their traces there. Such: Samuel de Champlain, Etienne Burned, Gabriel Sagard, father Charon, Jean Nicollet, Radisson Pierre-Spirit, Jacques Inlays, Vérendrye and of a multitude other missionaries, explorers and adventurers. In 1650, it Sault-with-Récollet reached its apogee. In 1696, the sulpician Vachon de Belmont built there a fort, Strong Lorette, and equipped it with a vault, the vault of the Visitation of the Happy Virgin Mary. In 1751, a church will replace the vault become too small. But had occurred in 1642 an unexpected event, if not by Samuel de Champlain: that of the foundation of a small colony in Royal place: City-Marie. Then little by little the development of the island moved river of the Meadows with City-Marie.

Montreal-north, place of development first of Montreal

Montreal-north can be to trust of the events of the first hours of News-France occurred on its territory. The river of the Meadows then constituted the main door in the Western Indies. Also, the territories surrounding Montreal-North are rich in places of memory. The historical heritage of these places was unobtrusive little by little of conscious of people. Site of passage in 1535 of Jacques Cartier on the way towards Hochelaga, the river of the Meadows was the witness of the first moments of Canada. Year 1535 with 1642, the river of the Meadows was the main door of the missionaries, the explorers, of the adventurers, towards the interior of a vast territory then unknown, the " The Indies occidentes". Little by little, they penetrated the Big lakes, descended a vast river, the Mississippi, then colonized its entry, the Orleans News. Then they sailed on the vast sea discovered by Christophe Colomb in 1492: the Gulf of Mexico.

The library of the American congress has the plans of the beginnings of Canada, then French: http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/gmdhtml/gmdhome.html

Strong Lorette, works of Vachon de Belmont

One cannot fully appreciate what was the STRONG LORETTE without knowing what was its author, the sulpician Vachon de Belmont. Born in France in 1645 in a family financially easy and advantageously known, it was interested very early in the strong installations, in particular with the military installations. A study of Vachon de Belmont made on the Web (with the http://www.er.uqam.ca/nobel/r14310/DiversPaysages/index.html site reveals that it was interested in its young age in this type of military installation. In 1681 Vachon de Belmont arrived at the island of Montreal, in fact in the island of the Réal Mount as the island was then known. They was some 150 years, makes some 146 years, after the arrival in 1535 of Jacques Cartier in Hochelaga.

Attached to the Mission of the Mountain, mission created towards 1675 and intended for the conversion of the Savages and their Francization, Vachon de Belmont early noted the need to provide the mission with a fortified town. In 1683, the mission counted 210 Savages living in 26 huts. It then covered vast fields in culture. In 1685, it decided to build then, it with its expenses, the FORT OF the MOUNTAIN. Also, for a long time, this fort will be known like Strong Belmont. Four bastions of form pepper plantation constituted the defensive system of the mission. Of this Fort of the Mountain, it remains unfortunately only little of thing. Today, two of the four bastions were preserved and can be admired on Sherbrooke, corner street Of the Fort. Eleven years later, Vachon de Belmont will equip it Sault-with-Récollet similar fort, the STRONG LORETTE.

This man whom Iroquois liked to call " ..... iron dress….". - The site chosen by Vachon de Belmont (sulpician often called by Iroquois CASSOCK OF IRON) aimed on the one hand releasing the Mission and the Fort of the Mountain too occupied, but also at moving away the Indians from the cabarets of City-Marie where too often they left there drunk. In addition the selected site was then in difficult territory, on the axis of canoeing preferred of Iroquois. This river of the Meadows was then known like the river of Iroquois and was then the entrance point of Iroquois from which City-Marie had to suffer so much with her foundation. Also, the selected site was it to have the means of defense against the possible attacks of the enemies. Moreover the fort was to shelter the usual functions with any mission. Such that of lodging and education of the Savages. Particular thing, the selected site was on a highly historical territory. He had known the arrival of the first European, Breton, Jacques Cartier in way for Hochelaga then in the search of a water way towards the Indies. Following the arrival of the explorer, this river became the main door of the thousand runners of wood, the missionaries, the explorers and the tradesmen aiming to discover and exploit the immense territory of the Western Indies, a territory then unknown. June 24th 1615, this river of the Meadows was the site of the first mass called on the island of Montreal, that father Denis Jamet assisted of the Joseph father Charon. In 1625 the site was pilot drowning in one of the saults of the river of the Meadows of the father Nicolas Viel, récollet, and of sound protected Ahuntsic. Right now, the territory surrounding this river took the name of Sault-with-Récollet.

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