CHAPTER II. CHAMPLAIN AND HIS INFANT COLONY-A PLEASANT WINTER IN THE NEW FORT-CONDITION OF INDIAN AFFAIRS-THE NATIVES-NEW SAMUEL CHAMPLAIN, as already observed, founded the settlement of Quebec in 1608. This was the first permanent foothold of civilization in Canada. The little garrison passed the winter of 1608 without suffering any of those extreme hardships which, during the same period of the year, had distinguished the residence of former adventurers in Canada. Their dwellings being better protected from the cold, their persons more warmly clothed, more abundantly supplied with provisions, and with a greater amount of experience than their predecessors possessed, they discovered that a winter existence among the snows of the North was not only possible, but even had its pleasures. Winter gradually merged towards spring without producing any incident of very great importance to the infant colony. Meanwhile everything had been done to preserve a good understanding with Indians who visited the fort. Champlain wisely perceived that the success of the settlement of the country. depended upon their friendship. Nor were the Indians themselves, who belonged to the Algonquin nation, averse to the cultivation of a friendly understanding with the French. The spring of 1609 seems to have been an early one with the colony, and no sooner had the weather become sufficiently warm to make traveling agreeable, than Champlain prepared to ascend the river, and explore it above Mount Royal. He spent the summer in the vicinity of the St. Lawrence, and made many valuable discoveries. In the autumn a disarrangement in affairs in France caused his return home. In the spring of 1610 he again visited his little colony, and again returned to France in the autumn of that year. In 1611 Champlain returned to America, and determined to establish a settlement further up the river than Quebec. After a careful survey he fixed upon a site near Mount Royal. His choice has been amply justified by the great prosperity to which this place, under the name of Montreal, has subsequently risen. Having cleared a considerable space of ground, he fenced it in by an earthen ditch, and planted grain in the enclosure. Champlain again returned to France with a view of making arrangements for more extensive operations. After meeting with some difficulties, he sailed for Canada from Harfleur in the beginning of March, 1613, and arrived at Quebec on the 7th of May following. He at once commenced the prosecution of discoveries. On the 21st of May he arrived at Lachine Rapids, and proceeded with his crew up the Ottawa. In the latter undertaking he experienced severe hardships, and encountered numerous difficulties. After traversing large tracts of country, and visiting several Indian villages, Champlain, observing the approach of winter, and the need of supplies, returned to France on the 26th of August, 1614. In the following May, Champlain arrived at Quebec with a new expedition. On board of this fleet came out four fathers of the order of the Recollects, whose benevolence induced them to desire the conversion of the Indians to Christianity. These were the first priests who settled in Canada. After adjusting matters in the little colony, Champlain set out for the Indian headquarters at Lachine Rapids. He spent the summer and the following winter among the natives, aiding them in their wars with the Iroquois, and joining them in the hunt. No sooner had the spring of 1616 set in, however, than he returned to Quebec, and shortly afterward sailed for France. Here he remained over two years, endeavoring to secure another expedition. This was delayed by a difficulty between the Protestants and Roman Catholics, and not until July, 1620, did the father of New France return to his charge. Champlain's judicious management soon led to the arrival of additional settlers, and in 1623 the settlement of Quebec alone had fifty inhabitants. Without attempting the details in the early history of Canada, we will push forward in the channel of events, toward the settlement of Michigan. The reader must remember, however, that the early history of this State cannot be made authentic and complete without including much from the records of that country to which our earliest settlements owe their existence. On the first settlement of the French in Canada, three great nations divided the territory-the Algonquins, the Hurons, and the Iroquois or Five Nations. The dominion of the Algonquins extended along the banks of the St. Lawrence about a hundred leagues, and they were once considered as masters of this part of America. They are said to have had a milder aspect and more polished manners than any other tribe. They subsisted entirely by hunting, and looked with disdain on their neighbors who condescended to cultivate the ground. A small remnant of this race is still to be found at the Lake of the Two Mountains, and in the neighborhood of Three Rivers. The Hurons, or Wyandots, were a numerous people, whose very extensive territory reached from the Algonquin frontier to the borders of the great lake bearing their name. They were more industrious, and derived an abundant subsistence from the fine country they possessed, but they were more effeminate, and had less of the proud independence of savage life. When first known they were engaged in a deadly war with their kindred, the Five Nations, by whom they were finally driven from their country. A remnant of this tribe is still to be found in La Jeune Lorrette, near Quebec. The Iroquois, or Five Nations, destined to act the most conspicuous part among all the native tribes, occupied a long range of territory on the southern border of the St. Lawrence, extending from Lake Champlain to the western extremity of Lake Ontario. They were thus beyond the limits of what is now termed Canada, but were so connected with the interests of this country that we must consider them as belonging to it. The Five Nations, found on the southern shore of Lake Ontario, embraced the Mohawks, Oneidas, Onondagas, Senecas and Cayugas. They were the most powerful of all the tribes east of the Mississippi, and were further advanced in the few arts of Indian life than their Algonquin neighbors. They uniformly adhered to the British during the whole of the contest that took place subsequently between the French and English. In 1714 they were joined by the Tuscaroras, since which time the confederacy has been called the Six Nations. After the return of Champlain to France in 1616, the interests of the colony were in great danger from the Prince of Condé, Viceroy of Canada, being not only in disgrace, but in confinement for the share taken by him in the disturbances during the minority of Louis XIII. After a great deal of quarreling amongst the merchants, the Duc de Montmorency made an arrangement with Condé for the purchase of his office of Viceroy, which he obtained upon the payment of 11,000 crowns. Champlain considered this arrangement as every way favorable, as the Duc was better qualified for such functions, and from his situation of High Admiral possessed the best means of forwarding the objects of the colonists. Disputes between Rochelle and the other commercial cities, and between the Catholics and Protestants, prevented the departure of any expedition for several years. During this time attempts were made to degrade Champlain from the high situation in which he had been placed, but by virtue of commissions, both from Montmorency and the king, he succeeded in crushing this opposition; and in May, 1620, set sail with his family and a new expedition, and after a very tedious voyage arrived at Tadoussac. The first child born of French parents at Quebec, was the son of Abraham Martin and Margaret L'Anglois; it was christened "Eustache" on the 24th of May, 1621. The office of Viceroy had been hitherto little more than a name, but at this period it came into the hands of a man of energy and activity. The Duc de Ventadour having entered into holy orders, took charge as Viceroy of the affairs of New France solely with the view of converting the natives. For this purpose he sent three Jesuits and two lay brothers, who were, fortunately, men of exemplary character, to join the four Recollects at Quebec. These nine were the only priests then in Canada. The mercantile company, which had now been intrusted with the affairs of the colony for some time, was by no means active, and was in consequence deprived of its charter, which was given to the Sieurs De Caen, uncle and nephew. On the arrival of the younger De Caen at Tadoussac, Champlain set out to meet him, and was received with the greatest courtesy. The appointment of a superintendent could not have been very agreeable to Champlain, who was certainly the person best fitted for the management of the local affairs of the colony. His amiable disposition and love of peace, however, induced him to use conciliatory measures. The new superintendent, on the contrary, acted in a most violent manner, claimed the right of seizing on the vessels belonging to the associated merchants, and actually took that of De Pont, their favorite agent. Champlain remonstrated with him, but without effect, as he possessed no power that could effectually check the violence of this new dictator. Fortunately he thought proper to return to France, and left with the settlers a good supply of provisions, arms and ammunition. His conduct, however, induced the greater part of the European traders to leave the colony; so that, eventually, instead of its being increased by him, it was considerably lessened, a spirit of discontent diffused, and the settlers were reduced to forty-eight. Having got rid of the troublesome superintendent, Champlain set himself earnestly to terminate the long and desolating war which now raged between the Hurons and the Iroquois. He accompanied some of the chiefs to the headquarters of the Iroquois, where they met with a very kind reception. The treaty between the nations was about to be concluded when it was nearly broken off by the relentless conduct of a savage Huron, who had accompanied the party in the hope of making mischief and preventing peace. This barbarian, meeting one of the detested Iroquois in a lonely place, murdered him. Such a deed in a member of any civilized mission would have terminated all negotiations; but, the deputies having satisfied the Iroquois that it was an indi |