She gave them many valuable items for their future church and all necessary documentation, giving them legal right to establish themselves in 'New France'.
Like it or not, they would have to accept the 'Black Robes', and besides, there were more important matters to deal with. They were running low on supplies and his employees at Port Royal were near starvation Unforunately, most of the provisions that Biencourt had brought from France were used up during the long voyage, so he had little to offer.
The situation was becoming critical, and it was about to become worse. Father Biard, still angry over the deception of Poutrincourt and feeling a sense of power with the support of Marie de Medici and the ladies of the Court, began immediately to show his authority. When it was reported that Pontgrave's son, Robert, had kidnapped a Mi'kmaq girl and was holding her hostage, the governor, Poutrincourt, ordered his arrest, but Biard stepped in; obtained the young man's confession and then absolved him. The young man then fled into the woods to continue his illegal activities.
Naturally, Poitrincourt was furious, and said to Biard: "Father, I know my duty, and I beg you will leave me to do it. I, with my sword, have hopes of paradise, as well as you with your breviary. Show me my path to heaven. I will show you yours on earth." The division of power was firmly being established; not that it did much good.
Realizing this, Poutrincourt and his wife returned to France, to try to get some new financing, leaving Biencourt and his cousin Charles de La Tour, in charge until they returned. His son was given the post of Vice-Admiral in the seas of 'New France', with authority over the trading-vessels of St. Malo and La Rochelle. Again, only French under his control; while he had to abide by the laws of the local Government.
His first collision was with young Pontgrave, who with a handful of men, had built a trading-hut on the St. John, where they were planning to spend the winter. Biencourt visited the band of free traders, demanding that they move on since his father was the only Frenchman allowed to conduct business in the area.
When they refused, he took the whole party prisoners despite the objections of Biard. From there he followed the coastline, demanding tax (pelts) from any Frenchman engaged in trade. At Kennebec he was told that the Abenakis were mistreated by a group of English adventurers, and they had to set their dogs on them. By now, the eighteen year old must have been feeling every bit the 'man in charge', as he recorded the complaints of 'his people'.
But of course, not to be outdone, Biard also used the expedition to exert his spiritual powers. Along the route, the group met up with six canoes full of warriors, descending the Kennebec, and, since neither party trusted the other, they encamped on opposite banks of the river. In the evening the Natives began to sing and dance and the Jesuit priest suspected these proceedings to be a summoning of the Devil
She immediately withdrew her funding, leaving Poutrincourt without a backer. Since he was unable to find others willing to invest, he could not send a supply ship that fall and his employees were left to their own devices. As for Biard and Masse; they had more important things to think about. Membertou, had arrived from Baye Sainte Marie, suffering from Dysentery, and Father Enemonde Masse had him brought him to their cabin, placing him in Father Biard’s bed. From there he took care of the ailing man, carrying wood to keep out the chill and odor, and doing his best to relieve the man’s suffering.
A few days later, he was joined by his wife and daughter and Biencourt had him moved to one of the larger cabins at the fort, where they would be more comfortable. He died on September 18, 1612; surrounded by friends and family. Father Biard had administered last rites and was even able to convince the chief to consent to a Christian burial, though he would have much preferred to be laid to rest with his ancestors. However, if that’s what it took to ensure his family’s protection after his death, than so be it.
That winter would prove to be lean, and with their supplies depleted, the French once again had to depend on the kindness of the local people. However, things were about to get worse. On May 21, 1612; when Biencourt was away, the men spotted a ship, the Fleur de Mai coming up the basin, and assuming that it was their much needed supply ship, ran out to greet the new arrivals. However, it was not to be.
The Captain, Charles Fleury and a courtier, Rene Le Coq de La Saussaye informed them that they were there to pick up the Jesuits and transport them elsewhere, to begin their own mission. The marquise had purchased the Jonas from Sieur de Monts and it was fully loaded with supplies, furnishings, munitions and livestock, including horses and goats; all the things necessary to start a new mission.
After hearing Du Thet's report, Madame De Guercheville had Poitrincourt thrown into prison for not honoring their contract, and she was abandoning Port Royal completely. The Jesuits cleaned out all the valuables given originally by Marie De Medici and left the place for good.
After several days of rough weather, they entered a bay, which would become their 'port in a storm', and named it St. Sauveur (now Frenchman's Bay). However, they chose an attractive stretch of shoreline, which they name Desert Island; planted their cross and got to work.
Under the direction of du Thet, construction of buildings began and after some argument, crops planted in preparation of the upcoming winter. On July 2 they spotted an English ship in Frenchman’s Bay which turned out to be owned by Samuel Argall, a privateer in the employ of the Virginia Company, who claimed that the new colony was infringing on their own. Argall had already made a name for himself, after he kidnapped the infamous Pocahantas, using her as ransom for the return of British colonist being held by her father, Chief Powhaten. Knowing of his daring and ruthlessness, Virginia Governor Thomas Dale commissioned him to destroy French settlements in Acadia and when he happened on the Jesuit Missionary at Desert Island, he and his crew sacked the buildings and set the Fleur de Mai on fire.
As for Biard, he would turn traitor, leading the English first to Ste. Croix, where they looted and then levelled to the ground, any remaining structures; and from there to the big prize: Port Royal. Without the aid of maps, I have no doubt that the priest was the one to pilot the expedition, though he tried to blame it on the locals. This would be his crowning glory after his abuse at the hands of young Biencourt.
When they first approached, the habitation was empty, with only a few men tending the fields. The English pillaged what they could, even removing the bolts and hinges, before setting it ablaze. They then slaughtered the livestock and sent Biard to the farm hands, to recruit their services, but he was driven off with a hatchet.
