The Jesuits in the meantime, through King Henry IV's s confessor, Father Coton, had managed to convince the King that they should be allowed to set up a mission in the 'New World'. Poutrincourt reluctantly agreed, but when his Hugenot investors discovered that the Jesuits would be going along, they threatened to pull out.
Since Poutrincourt never cared for the Jesuits either, he quickly sent off a message to Father Coton, stating that he would have to ready the place for their arrival, and gave the priests the slip; leaving them high and dry in Bordeaux. What he did instead was to take along Father Jesse Fleche, a secular priest, from Langres, France; in hopes of baptizing as many Mi'kmaq people as possible to prove that he cared for their spiritual well-being.
It had taken three years, but finally on February 11, 1610, he was off to start 'his colony' and this time was taking along his family to prove to them that this truly was paradise, but more importantly to prove to the King, that he was serious about starting a permanent settlement and converting the local people.
This time Poitrincourt had along not only his son, Charles, but also his wife; Madame Claudia Pajot de Poutrincourt; and several members of family, including his nephew; Charles De La Tour; a man who would play a very important role in the history of French-Acadia. Introductions were made all round, and everyone was caught up on the latest news. Poutrincourt informed the natives that Champlain was now looking to colonize Kebec and Marc Lescarbot had returned to the practice of law. After examining the fort, he was pleased to see that nothing had been taken or damaged, and thanked his old friend for his diligence.
Now everyone could get down to the business of establishing a colony, or at least a presence. The Catholic priest who had come along on this voyage, Father Jesse Fleche, had his own work to do. He had to convince as many people as possible to be baptized, before the Jesuit contingent arrived. Membertou was the first to volunteer, and on St. John's Day, June 24, 1610, was christened with nineteen members of his family, in the Catholic faith. He encouraged others to join them, even threatening to have any who refused, executed, though Father Fleche soon put a stop to that unseemly gesture.
They were sure to record the event and Charles Biencourt immediately went back to France to show it to the King. If they could prove that they were serious about offering salvation to the Natives, perhaps they wouldn't have to accept the Jesuits afterall.
MEMBERTOU, a great Sagamore, over one hundred years old, has been baptized by Messire Jessé Fleche, a priest; and named Henry, by Monsieur de Poutrincourt, after the king.
Membertoucoichis (called Judas), eldest son of Membertou, over sixty years old, also baptized; and named Louis, by Monsieur de Biencourt, after Monsieur the Dauphin.
The eldest son of Membertoucoichis, now called Louis Membertou, aged five years, baptized; Monsieur de Poutrincourt godfather, and named John, after himself.
The eldest daughter of said Louis, aged thirteen years, also baptized; and named Christine by Sieur de Poutrincourt, after Madame the eldest daughter of France.
The second daughter of the said Louis, eleven years old, also baptized; and named Elizabeth by sieur de Poutrincourt, after Madame, the youngest daughter of France.
The third daughter of said Louis, Sieur de Poutrincourt godfather, also baptized, and named Claude, in honor of his wife.
The fourth daughter of said Louis, Monsieur de Coullogne godfather, was named Catherine, after his mother. (Monsieur de Coullogne, is actually Monsier de Coullanges, Sieur de Livilliers, Poutrincourt's son-in-law)
The fifth daughter of said Louis was named Jeanne, thus named by sieur de Poutrincourt, after one of his daughters. (Wife of Sieur de Livilliers)
The sixth daughter of said Louis, René Maheu godfather, was named Charlotte, after his mother. (Rene Maheu was actually a nephew of Louis Hebert's. The Charlotte was Charlotte Hebert, Louis' sister, who had married Nicolas Auvray Maheu)
Actavdinech, the third son of Henry Membertou, was named Paul by sieur de Poutrincourt, after Pope Paul.
The wife of said Paul was named Renée, after Madame d'Ardanville.
The wife of said Henry, sieur de Poutrincourt sponsor in the name of the Queen, was named MARIE, after her.
The daughter of Henry, sieur de Poutrin court godfather, was named Marguerite, after Queen Marguerite.
One of the wives of Louis, Monsieur de Jouï sponsor in the name of Mme. de Sigogne, was named after her.
The other wife of Louis, sieur de Poutrincourt sponsor in the name of Madame de Dampierre.
Arnest, cousin of Henry, sieur de Poutrincourt godfather in the name of Monsieur the Nuncio, was after him named Robert.
Agovdegoven, also cousin of Henry, was by sieur de Poutrincourt named Nicholas, after Monsieur de Noyers, a Lawyer of the Parliament of Paris.
The wife of said Nicholas, sieur de Poutrincourt godfather in the name of his nephew, was named Philippe.
The eldest daughter of Nicholas, the said Sieur sponsor in the name of Madame de Belloy, his niece, was after her named Louise.
The younger daughter of Nicholas, the said sieur being godfather for Jacques de Salazar, his son, was named Jacqueline. (Jacques inherited the title Sieur de Salazar from his grandmother, while Charles received the Barony of St. Just. When Charles died, Jacques inherited his interests in Acadia and was then the partner of Charles La Tour)
A niece of Henry, Monsieur de Coullongne sponsor in the name of Mademoiselle de Grandmare, was after her named Anne.
PRAISED BE GOD.
It is interesting to note that the arresting officer, at the time of the King’s murder, was none other than the Marquis Francois De Richelieu, father of the famous cardinal who would soon move up the ranks to become the most powerful man in France. Not that I’m implying a conspiracy theory, but it is certainly worth mentioning.
Meanwhile, hoping that Charles would be successful, the new residents at Port Royal were settling in, and the small trading post took on the look of a small French Chateau; but they were not without their problems. Soon after their arrival, one of the Mi'kmaq complained to Poutrincourt that a ship from St. Malo had stolen his wife and was abusing her. The guilty party, turned out to be none other than the son of Pontgrave, Robert, the one who had lost his hand. When caught, he managed to escape into the woods, eventually becoming a Coureur de Bois and enemy of the French.
Still, things were progressing nicely, and trade in beaver and other skins, would net them a profit of more than 8,000 livres.
