Disappointed, but not devastated, De Monts and Champlain decided to continue their plans for Kebec. With additional financing from the Rouen merchants, they left Honfleur on April 8, 1610, with two ships and eleven tradesmen, arriving at Tadoussac on the 28th. News spread fast that trading was once again wide open, but there were far too many ships and too few furs, making it a dreadful year there for business.
At Kebec, Champlain was greeted with some good news at least. Pierre Chauvin reported that the winter had been mild and they always had lots of fresh food, so nobody died from scurvy. Their biggest complaint was boredom and one of the young men, Etienne Brule, had left the post and gone to live with the Huron. He had been an indentured servant of Champlain’s but he didn’t lose any sleep over it. Besides, if the young man learned the language and customs, it could be to their benefit in future dealings.
There were also about sixty Montagnais waiting for him, eager to plan their next move on the Iroquois. Champlain insisted that he would much rather be guided to the “Great Salt Sea” that they had spoken so much of; but they refused; apprehensive to reveal to the French, their biggest source of furs. Besides, they knew their enemies would be looking for revenge after last year’s attack, so wanted to act swiftly.
The Iroquois had built a fortress near the mouth of the Richelieu, and though the allied forces tried to break through, they had been driven back. When Champlain arrived with his arquebusiers, they attacked the fort and again arrows were flying from both directions. The natives were excellent archers and one of their missiles hit Champlain, splitting his earlobe and lodging in his neck. He was able to pull it out himself, but it would seem as though the enemy had recruited a more troubling ally; mosquitoes. They swarmed around so thick you couldn’t open your mouth, and had worked their way inside Champlain’s armor.
Enough was enough. He commanded his men to launch an all out assault, storming the fort, with all the firepower they could muster. They had been joined by an independent trader from Saint Malo; Sieur De Prairies and while Champlain led the attack on the right, De Prairies broke through on the left. Once inside they killed all but a few of the Iroqouis defenders, who had managed to escape down the river. All that remained were 15 women, whom they captured, and took back to camp. They were later tortured and killed by the Montagnais women. Another victory, but also more nails in the coffins of future settlers.
Earlier that summer, John Guy was named the Governor of Newfoundland, and with his brother Phillip, founded an English trading post known as Sea Forest Plantation (Cupid’s Cove), near St. John's. Meanwhile, Peter Easton, a former privateer in Queen Elizabeth 1st's navy who had lost his commission and turned to piracy, built a fort at Harbor Grace, Newfoundland. He recruited local sailors for his private navy and destroyed a Basque fleet, intent on capturing his fort. Also, The Company of Adventurers and Planters of London and Bristol was established to colonize the island, so for now Terra Nouveau was off limits to the French. Marc Lescarbot’s book “The Conversion of the Savages” had just been published, renewing an interest in sending missionaries to New France, and the Jesuits were chafing at the bit to get to the 'New World' and save these lost souls. They had recently been receiving a lot of bad press and wanted to restore their reputation.
As for Champlain, he just wanted to ensure the continuance of his beloved Kebec, and would do whatever it took to achieve that goal. He had already converted to the Catholic faith, but also knew that he would have to settle down and marry if he really wanted to show good faith. His perfect woman must be young, well-connected and come complete with a bountiful dowry. He found just what he was looking for in the twelve-year-old, Helene Bouille; the daughter of Nicolas Bouille, Secretary of the King’s Chamber; and his wife, Marguerite Alix. Her dowry would provide 6000 livres to the Kebec treasury, along with an income of 1800 livres per year for her upkeep. Though not a love match, a contract was drawn up and the wedding took place on December 27, 1610; two days after Champlain’s 40th birthday.
However, she would not be going to Canada right away. The terms of her marriage contract stipulated that there would be no consummation for two years, so she remained at home with her parents in Paris, while her husband went about his business. This arrangement appeared to suit them both just fine.
At Tadoussac, they found several ships waiting to trade. The Canadians had gotten wise, and realizing just how valuable their pelts were, held off any transactions until they had a full house and could auction off their merchandise to the highest bidder. The consignors would no longer settle for a few trinkets, but claimed for their villages; hats, nightshirts, sheets, coverlets, axes, iron arrowheads, knives, swords, tools for breaking the ice, iron pots, dried prunes, raisins, corn, peas, biscuits and tobacco. Business was booming and the people were enjoying the profits of their labor.
Of course these profits came out of the pockets of the European merchants, and as a result, De Monts’ Rouen investors, withdrew from the company. The traders from La Rochelle refused to join, since they were quite capable of looking after themselves, and the Company of Associates was on the verge of bankruptcy. In a desperate attempt to raise funds, De Monts sold his interest in Port Royal to the Jesuits.
When Champlain went ahead to Kebec, he found the men there happy and healthy and immediately put them to work doing repairs and planting some bushes he had brought with him from France. When he learned that one of his competitors, Sieur De Bouvier, had sent one of his men to live with the Algonquins; he sent one of his own boys, Vigneau, to live with the Hurons.
With business taken care of, he now had to make plans for the future. Competition was killing him, and he knew that he would have to begin another trading post, away from the hustle and bustle of Tadoussac and Kebec. Taking along a young Canadian native that he had baptized and given the name Savignon, he set up a meeting with his allies beside the La Chine Rapids, so named by Cartier since he believed that China was just on the other side of them.
While there, he chose Pointe Callieres (near future Montreal), as the best possible site to build his new habitation, and named the small island facing the point, Saint Helene, after his child bride, whose dowry was making the whole thing possible. Before long this would become the scene of the largest annual peltry trade fair between the Europeans and the up-river natives.
His allied forces finally showed up on June 13, and he discussed with them his future plans. By expanding Westward and establishing trading posts in the Ottawa region, they could control the trade in this area and all would profit from it. He also promised to bring back a French Army to police the district and keep out interlopers. His allies agreed and before Champlain returned to Kebec, they treated him to some white water rafting, as he was led over the rapids in a canoe with seven other canoes as guides. It was the thrill of his life.
that year, he set sail for the great Bay of the North aboard the Discovery, but would soon have to contend with a rebellious crew. Led by first mate Robert Juet, quartermaster John King, Henry Greene, William Wilson and haberdasher, turned sailor, Abacuck Prickett; the men made plans to take over the ship. Robert Juet was put in chains, and Robert Bylot promoted to first mate, but he too would join the ranks of the mutineers.
The small group forced Henry Hudson, his son John and six of his loyal sailors into a small boat and cast them off to an unknown fate. They are believed to have perished at James Bay. Meanwhile, the crew went back to England where they were acquitted of their crimes. Score one for the French.
At Tadoussac, Champlain hired Captain Thibaut from La Rochelle, to whisk him back to France. He arrived on September 10, 1611, and his lobbying began.
