But at the time, France was experiencing a high level of unemployment, so needed a place to relocate some of it's workers, and where better than New France. Out of sight, out of mind, so to speak. Jobs were created and a French outpost was built, without having to worry about either.
Champlain died on Christmas Day, 1635; and was immediately replaced by Marc Antoine Brasdefer de Chateaufort. As a matter of fact, Chateaufort was given the command even before the death of the former leader; further evidence of what little respect the French government had for the man who had done so much for their 'New France'.
Their first order of business was to put the 'Savages' in their place, though they would have to first put the Frenchmen in theirs.
Mind you, many times the various Canadian Nations fought each other for this contol, and were supported by the guns acquired from trade with the Jesuits, French, English or Dutch; but the bottom line was that they had to be wooed (or conned) first; regardless of what external forces were at play.
They did not request, but demanded, that they abandon their religion and culture and adopt the French beliefs and culture, if they had any hope of forming an alliance. They promised to marry their daughters and teach their sons how to make metal goods like hatchets and knives, but regardless, the conclusion of the assembly did not end with an agreement, as the Huron had no intention of honoring these demands. They could trade for the metal goods they needed, and would choose themselves who their daughters married. They did not need the French, as there was always a market for their goods and a European Army ready to help them defend their position.
To further assert their control, on December 29; the Jesuits posted a notice on the pillar in front of the Kebec Church, listing a variety of prohibitions, with penalties against blasphemy, drunkeness, failing to attend mass and divine services on holidays. If they couldn't yet control the Canadians, they were darn sure going to control their own.
This was especially distressing to the Montagnais people when they learned of the deception. Under Champlain they had enjoyed a mutual friendship and respect, but to the newcomers, they were seen as peasants to push around at whim. Though, a promise was made that the two nations would unify, by the exchanging of women, it soon became clear that while the Montagnais were expected to supply their young girls; to be raised with the French so that they would eventually make a good French wives; they did not intend to provide any French girls to be trained in the Canadian culture, and eventually become good Canadian wives.
Marie Rollet and Oliver Letardif , were both raising young Native girls, and they had already adopted the French fashion. There were even a few who had been sent to France to receive the necessary training, but as yet, the Montagnais had received no one; which infuriated them. Even the few Huron who showed up at Trois Rivieres, claiming that a similar deal had been made with Champlain; which would forever unite them with the French; found that it was all one-sided.
The first one, Paul Tisko, the son of Ouanda Koca, a Canadian military Captain; died from blows he had received to the head; and the second; Robert Satouta; a grandson of Tsondechaou Anouan; another military leader, was killed when a Frenchman drew his sword and hit the boy. The priests, fearing reprisal, claimed that the boys had died as a result of overeating, but several witnesses, informed their families otherwise.
The Jesuit claim that 'these young men are barbarians, have the law of wild asses...they are born, live and die in liberty without restraint and do not know what is meant by bridle and bit." But when they tried to 'place the French yoke' on the boys, they rebelled. Fire and Brimstone did little to scare them and when the Jesuit priests threatened to withhold food, the boys simply advised them that just before a hunt, they would often fast for a week at a time; drinking or eating nothing; so this would not affect them much one way or another.
Finally, when the Canadian people learned of the abuse that their children were receiving at the hands of the Jesuits, they demanded their return. When an uncle of one of the youngest, a toddler by the name of Teouatirhon, arrived at the school; several of the residents threw themselves down from the bastion of the fort, in order to escape and return to their families.
The French, under arms, arrested the uncle to prevent the loss of their young pupils, but a compromise was reached where he would be allowed to leave with his own nephew, but none of the others. Sadly, he was later ambushed by 500 Iroquois Warriors, but mysteriously the small boy was returned safely to the Jesuit school. Go figure.
Later at the General Assembly of the Huron Nation, the Council openly debated the execution of the Jesuits for bringing disease to the minds and bodies of the People. The lines were drawn.
Though the Jesuits did honour one of Champlain's promises; the building of a Native village (aka Indian Reserve) at Sillery, they tried to impose their own laws on the residents. When a young man was publicly flogged 'for listening to a pagan suitor', the People soon realized just how intolerant their 'Justice System' was and wanted no part of it. They also drafted a list of demands and conditions, that must be met before they would allow anymore of their daughters to enter into marriage with the Frenchmen:
1. They needed to know what dowry the French would give to the wife, and wife's family
2. Whether the wife would have everything at her disposal.
3. If the husband returned to France, would he take her with him? If not, what compensation would he pay?
4. If a wife failed in her duty and was driven off by her husband, what could she take away with her?
5. If, on her own free will, the fancy seized her to return to her relatives, what could she take with her?
The Jesuits reported that "some Frenchmen were more hesitant in entering into a marriage with a 'savage' upon learning the terms and conditions of marriage to these 'barbarian' girls". Most Coureurs des Bois, however, couldn't care less, since they were more committed to the relationship; but for others, they preferred a way out if it wasn't to their liking.
Chalk one up for the Canadians.
