Dieppe, lesquels voyans les susdits Iesuites, sçavoir le Pere Biar
homme fort sçavant Gascon de nation duquel Monsieur le premier
President de Bordeaux m'a fait bon recit; & le Pere Nemon prest à
s'embarquer, s'opposerent à cela, & ne voulurent permettre qu'ils
fussent du voyage, disant qu'ils nourriroient volontiers toute autre
forte d'hommes, Capucins, Minimes, Cordeliers, Recollets, &c. mais
quant à ceux-ci qu'ils n'en vouloient point, & ne pouvoient tenir
leur bien-asseuré en leur compagnie. Que si la Royne vouloit qu'ils
y allassent, on leur rendist leur argent, & qu'ils fissent ce que
bon leur sembleroit. Là dessus voila vn retardemẽt. [33] Il faut
écrire en Cour, remontrer à sa Majesté l'occasion de cela, demander de
l'argent pour rembourser lesdits Marchans, faire des allées & venuës:
cependant la saison se passe. La Royne leur ordonna deux mille escus,
outre lesquels ils firent des collectes par les maisons des Princes,
Seigneurs, & personnes devotes, d'où ilz tirent aussi de bon argent.
Bref ilz remboursent lesditz Marchãs de chacũ deux milles livres, &
se mettent en fin à la voile le 26. de Ianvier 1611. Le temps estoit
difficile, la plus rude saison de l'hiver. Ils furent quelque temps en
mer pensans combattre le vent, mais ils furent contraints de relacher
en Angleterre, là où ils furent iusques au 16. de Février. Et le 19.
Avril ils furent sur le grand Banc des Moruës, où il trouverent des
Navires de Dieppe & de Sainct Malo. Et le 29. estans entre ledit
Banc & l'ile de Sable, ils cinglerent l'espace de douze lieuës parmi
des glaces hautes comme montagnes, sur lesquelles ils descendirent
pour faire de l'eau douce avec icelles, laquelle se trouva bonne. Au
sortir desdites glaces, fut rencontré vn Navire du Sieur de Monts,
auquel commandoit le Capitaine Champlein, duquel nous attendons le
retour, pour entendre quelque nouuelle découverte. Depuis lesdites
glaces, ils en rencontrerent d'autres continuellemẽt l'espace de
cinquante lieuës, lesquelles ils eurent beaucoup de peines à doubler.
Et le cinquiéme de May, ils decouvrirent la terre & port de Campseau,
duquel on peut voir l'assiette dant la grande Table geographique
de mõ Histoire. [34] Là ledit Pere Biar chanta la Messe. Et depuis
ils allerent cotoyans la terre, en forte que le 21. de May ils
mouïllerẽt l'ancre à l'entrée du passage du Port Royal.
Sieur de Poutrincourt had gone into partnership with two Dieppe
merchants,[40] who, seeing the two Jesuits,--namely, Father
Biar[d], a very learned man, a native of Gascony, of whom Monsieur
the first President of Bordeaux has given me a high opinion; and
Father Nemon [Ennemond],--ready to embark, they objected, and
did not want them to go upon the voyage, saying that they would
willingly provide for all other kinds of men, Capuchins, Minimes,
Cordeliers, Recollets, etc.;[41] but, as to these, they did not
want them at all, and could not consider themselves safe in their
company; that if the Queen wished them to go there, let their
[the merchants'] money be refunded, and they might do whatever
they wished. Now there is a delay. [33] The Court must be written
to, her Majesty must be informed of the situation, the money to
reimburse the Merchants must be collected, and journeys must be
made: meanwhile, the season is passing away. The Queen granted
them two thousand écus, in addition to which collections were made
from the families of Princes, Nobles, and people devoted to the
cause, whence they obtained a great deal of money. In short, they
reimbursed each of the Merchants two thousand livres, and at last
set sail, the 26th of January, 1611. The weather was disagreeable,
this being the roughest part of the winter. They were some time
upon the sea, thinking they would be able to resist the winds,
but they were compelled to put into port in England, where they
remained until the 16th of February. And the 19th of April they
were upon the great Codfish Banks, where they found some Ships
from Dieppe and Sainct Malo. The 29th, being between these Banks
and the island of Sable, they sailed before the wind a distance
of twelve leagues, in the midst of ice, mountain high, upon which
they disembarked to get some fresh water, which they found good.
In emerging from this ice, they met one of Sieur de Monts' ships,
commanded by Captain Champlein,[42] whose return we are awaiting
to learn of some new discoveries. Afterwards, they continued to
encounter other masses of ice, for a distance of fifty leagues,
which they had much difficulty in outsailing. The fifth of May,
they sighted the land and port of Campseau, the location of which
can be seen in the great geographical Chart in my History.[43] [34]
Father Biar[d] sang Mass there; then they sailed along the coast,
so that the 21st of May they cast anchor at the entrance to the
passage which leads to Port Royal.
Le sieur de Poutrincourt avoit cedit iour fait assembler ses gens pour
prier Dieu, & se preparer à la celebration de la féte de Pentecôte. Et
comme chacun c'estoit rangé a son devoir, voici environ trois heures
apres le coucher vne canonade, & vne trompette, qui reveille les
dormans. On envoye au devant. On trouve que ce sont amis. Là dessus
allegresse & rejouïssance, & actions de graces à Dieu en procession sur
la montagne que i'ay mentionné ci-dessus. La premiere demande que fit
ledit Sieur à son fils, ce fut de la santé du Roy. Il luy fit réponse
qu'il estoit mort. Et interrogé de quelle mort, il lui en fit le recit
selõ qu'il l'avoit entendu en France. Là dessus chacun se print à
pleurer, méme les Sauvages apres avoir entendu ce desastre, dont ils
ont fait le dueil fort long temps, ainsi qu'ils eussent fait d'vn de
leurs plus grands Sagamos.
The same day sieur de Poutrincourt had called his people together
to pray to God, and to prepare themselves for the celebration of
the Pentecostal feast. And, as each one had placed himself at his
post of duty, suddenly, about three hours after bedtime, there is
heard the sound of cannon and trumpet, which awakes the sleepers.
Scouts are sent out; they are found to be friends. Then there is
joy and gladness, and thanksgivings to God in a procession to the
mountain of which I have spoken above. The first question which the
Sieur asked his son, was about the King's health. He answered that
he was dead. In reply to further inquiries, he told the story as he
had heard it in France. Thereupon, they all began to weep, even the
Savages joining in after they had heard about the catastrophe; and
they continued to mourn for a long time, just as they would have
done for one of their greatest Sagamores.
A peine fut arriué ledit sieur de Sainct Iust, que les Sauvages
Etechemins (qui ayment le sieur de Poutrincourt) lui vindrent annoncer
qu'il y avoit en leurs cótes trois Navires, tant Maloins que Rochelois,
lesquels se vantoient de le devorer ainsi que feroit le Gougou vn
pauvre Sauvage. Ce qu'entendu par ledit sieur de Poutrincourt, il n'eut
la patience de faire descharger le vaisseau nouuellemẽt arrivé, ains
à l'instant méme alla ancrer au-devant desdits [35] trois Navires, &
fit venir tous les Capitaines parler à lui, qui preterent obeïssance,
& leur fit ledit sieur reconoitre l'authorité de son fils, comme Vic'
Admiral esdictes terres du Ponant. Vn Navire Maloin voulant faire
quelque rebellion, fut prins, mais ledit sieur selon sa debonnaireté
accoustumée, le relacha, apres lui avoir remontré de ne plus venir
en mer sans sa Charte partie. Là le pere Birat dit la Messe, & fit
ce qu'il peut pour ranger vn chacun à ce qui estoit du devoir. Et
particulierement il fit reconoître sa faute à vn ieune hõme qui avoit
passé l'hiver parmi les hommes & les femmes Sauvages, lequel demanda
pardon à qui il appartenoit, & receut la Communion de sa main. Cela
fait chacun revint au Port Royal en grãde rejouïssance.
Sieur de Sainct Just had hardly arrived, when the Etechemin
Savages (who love sieur de Poutrincourt) came to announce to him
that there were three Ships upon their coasts, from St. Malo
and Rochelle, which were boasting that they would devour him as
the Gougou[44] would a poor Savage. Upon hearing this, sieur
de Poutrincourt would not even wait to have the lately-arrived
ship unloaded; but straightway went and anchored opposite [35]
these three Ships, and summoned all the Captains to come and
speak with him. They obeyed, and the sieur made them acknowledge
the authority of his son, as Vice-Admiral in the said lands of
the West. One of the Malouin Ships, while trying to make some
resistance, was taken, but the sieur, with his usual good-nature,
released it, after having admonished it never again to come to
sea without its Charter-party.[45] There Father Birat [Biard]
said Mass, and did all he could to bring each one to a sense of
his duty. In particular, he caused a young man to acknowledge his
transgressions, who had passed the winter with the men and women
Savages: he [the young man] asked pardon from him [Poutrincourt]
to whom this was due; and received the Communion from his [the
Father's] hand. After this they all returned to Port Royal, with
great rejoicing.
Le retardement susdit est cause que lesditz navires & autres estãs
arrivés devant ledit sieur de S^{ct.} Iust; ils ont enlevé tout ce
qui estoit de bon au païs pour le commerce des Castors & autres
pelleteries, lesquelles fussent venuës és marins du Sieur de
Poutrincourt si son fils fust retourné par-dela au temps qui lui avoit
esté enioint. Et davantage on en eust sauvé pour plus de six mille
escus que les Sauvages ont mangées durant l'hiver, lesquelles ilz
fussent venus troquer audit Port Royal s'il y eust eu les choses qui
leur sont necessaires. Vne faute aussi fut cõmise avant le partement
de Dieppe par l'infidelité du Contre-maistre de navire, lequel ayant
charge d'enruner (c'est à dire mettre dedans) le blé, le détournoit à
son profit. [36] Ce qui ayda à la disette que noz François ont par-dela
soufferte. Et neantmoins Dieu les a tellement sustentés, qu'il n'y a eu
aucun malade: voire ceux qui en sont de retour se plaisent à cela, &
n'y en a pas vn qui ne soit en volonté d'y retourner.
In the delay previously mentioned may be found the reason why
these ships and others, having arrived before sieur de Sainct
Just, took away all that was valuable in the country as regards
the Beaver and other fur trade, which would have reverted to Sieur
de Poutrincourt's sailors if his son had returned from over the
sea at the time stipulated. And besides, more than six thousand
escus [écus] worth of peltries would have been saved which the
Savages devoured during the winter, and which they would have come
to Port Royal to exchange, had they found there what they needed.
A wicked act was also committed before the ship's departure from
Dieppe, by the Overseer of the boat, who, being charged to load
[_enruner_] the wheat, appropriated it to his own profit, [36]
which contributed to the scarcity which our countrymen suffered
over there. And yet God so sustained them, that no one has been
sick; even those who have come back, are fortunate in that respect,
and there is not one of them who would not like to return to that
country.
EFFECTS DE LA GRACE DE DIEU EN LA NOUVELLE-FRANCE.
Nous pouvons mettre ce que ie viens de dire entre les effects de
la grace de Dieu: comme aussi les racines qu'il leur envoya au
besoin, dont nous avons parlé, & sur-ce l'exercice des paresseux
qui ne s'estoient voulu occuper à la terre, lesquels sans y penser
en cultiverent vn beau champ en cherchant desdites racines. Mais
particulierement encore l'exemption de maladies, qui est vn miracle
tres-evident. Car és voyages precedens il ne s'en est iamais passé vn
seul sans mortalité, quoy qu'on fust bien à l'aise. Et en cetui-ci non
seulement les sains ont esté preseruez, mais aussi ceux qui estoient
affligez de maladie en France ont la receu guarison. Tesmoin vn
honéte personnage nommé Bertrand, lequel à Paris estoit journellement
tourmenté de la goutte, de laquelle il a esté totalement exempt par
dela. Mais depuis qu'il est de retour, le méme mal est retourné avec
plus d'effects de douleurs qu'auparauant, quoy qu'il se garde sans
aucun exercice.
EFFECTS OF GOD'S GRACE IN NEW FRANCE.
What I have just related may be attributed to the grace of God; as
also the roots that were sent them in their need, which we have
already mentioned; and furthermore, the exercise given the lazy
ones who would not take part in tilling the soil, and who, without
intending it, prepared for cultivation a fine field, while seeking
for these roots. But more particularly the exemption from sickness;
which is a very evident miracle. For, as to former sojourns,
not one has been passed without some deaths, although they were
well provided for. And in this one not only the healthy remained
well, but also those who were afflicted with ill-health in France
have there recovered. A witness of this is a worthy man named
Bertrand,[29] who, at Paris, was daily tormented with the gout,
from which he was entirely free over there. But, since he came back
here, the same trouble has returned with more severity than ever,
although he takes care not to indulge in excesses.
[37] Mais qui ne recoignoistra vne speciale grace de Dieu en la persone
dudit Sieur de Poutrincourt & ses gens, lors qu'il fut porté par vn
vent de terre à la haute mer en danger d'aller voir la Floride, ou
d'estre accablé des ondes, au retour de la conduite de son fils, ainsi
que nous avons rapporté ci-dessus.
[37] But who will not recognize God's peculiar grace in the case
of Sieur de Poutrincourt and his crew, when, upon his return from
accompanying his son, he was carried by a land breeze out into
the open sea, in danger of making a visit to Florida, or of being
overwhelmed by the billows, as we have stated above.
I'appelle aussi miracle de voir que les pauvres peuples de delà ont
conceu telle opinion de la Religion Chrétienne, que si-tost qu'ilz
sont malades ilz demãdent estre baptizez, voire encore qu'ilz soient
sains, ils y vont avec vne grande Foy, & disent qu'ilz veulent estre
semblables à nous recognoissans fort bien leur defaut en cela.
Membertou grand Sagamos exhorte vn chacũ des Sauvages à se faire
Chretiens. Et tesmoignẽt tous que depuis qu'ils ont receu le baptéme
ils ne craignent plus rien, ilz vont hardiment de nuict, le diable ne
les tourmente plus.
I call it also a miracle that these poor people have conceived such
an opinion of the Christian Religion, that as soon as they are
sick they ask to be baptized; and, even when they are well, they
approach it with great Faith, saying they wish to be like us, fully
recognizing their own shortcomings. Membertou, the great Sagamore,
exhorts every one of the Savages to become Christians. All bear
witness that since they have been baptized they are afraid of
nothing, and go out boldly at night, the devil no longer tormenting
them.
Quand le Sieur de Sainct Iust arriva à Campseau, les Sauvages non
baptizez s'enfuioient de peur. Mais les baptizés en nombre d'environ
cinquante s'approcherent hardiment disans, Nous sommes tes freres
Chretiens comme toy, & tu nous aymes. C'est pourquoy nous ne fuyons
point, & n'avons point de peur: Et porterent ledit Sieur sur leurs bras
& épaules jusques en leurs cabannes.
When Sieur de Sainct Just arrived at Campseau, the Savages who had
not been baptized ran away in fear. But those who were baptized,
about fifty in number, approached boldly, saying, "We are thy
brothers, Christians as thou art, and thou lovest us. Hence we fly
not away and are not afraid:" and they carried the Sieur upon their
arms and shoulders to their wigwams.
Sur la fin du Printemps les enfans de Membertou estans allés à la
chasse, en laquelle ilz firent long seiour, avint que ledit Membertou
fut pressé de necessité de vivres, & en cette disette [38] il se
souvint de ce qu'il avoit autrefois oui dire à noz gẽs que Dieu
qui nourrit les oiseaux du ciel, & les bétes de la terre, ne delaisse
iamais ceux qui ont esperance en lui, selon la parolle de nôtre Sauveur.
Towards the end of Spring, when Membertou's children had gone
hunting, where they remained a long time, it happened that
Membertou was sorely pressed for food; and in this time of need
[38] he remembered that he had formerly heard our people say that
God, who feeds the birds of the air and the beasts of the fields,
never abandons those who have hope in him, according to the words
of our Savior.
En cette necessité donc il se met à prier Dieu, ayant enuoyé sa fille
voir au ruisseau du moulin s'il y auroit point apparence de pouuoir
faire pecherie. Il n'eust esté gueres long temps en prieres que voici
sadite fille arriver criant à haute voix, _Nouchich', Beggin pech'kmok,
Beggin ëta pech'kmok_: c'est à dire: Père, le haren est venu; le haren
certes est venu. Et vit par effect le soin que Dieu a des siens, à son
contentement. Ce qu'il avoit vne autrefois eprouvé, ayant eu (ou les
siens) à tel besoin la rencontre d'un Ellan, & encore vne autrefois vne
Baleine échouée.
So, in this necessity, he began to pray to God, after having
sent his daughter to see if there were any signs of fish in the
mill-creek. He had not been a long time in prayer, when lo, his
daughter comes running back crying in a loud voice, _Nouchich',
Beggin pech'kmok, Beggin ëta pech'kmok_; that is, "Father, the
herring have come; the herring have come indeed." And he saw
effectually, and to his satisfaction, God's care over his own.
He (or some of his family) also had proof of this upon another
occasion, in a like time of need, when he encountered an Elk, and
another time a stranded Whale.
Qui voudra nier que ce ne soit vn special soin de la providence de Dieu
envers les siens, quand il enuoya au Sieur de Poutrincourt le secours
desiré le iour de la Pentecoste derniere, duquel nous avons fait
mention cy-dessus?
Who will deny that it was a special manifestation of the providence
of God towards his own, when he sent to Sieur de Poutrincourt the
desired help upon the day of last Pentecost, of which we have made
mention above?
Ie ne veux rememorer ce que i'ay écrit en mon Histoire de la
Nouvelle-France, livre 4. chap. 4. de la merveille avenuë au premier
voyage du Sieur de Monts en la personne de Maitre Nicolas Aubri Prestre
d'vne bonne famille de Paris, lequel fut se[i]ze iours perdu dans
les bois, & au bout dudit temps trouvé fort extenué, à la verité,
mais encore vivant, & vit encore à present, aymant singulierement les
entreprises qui se font pour ce païs là, où le desit [39] le porte plus
qu'il ne fit iamais, comme aussi tous autres qui y ont fait voyage,
lesquels i'ay préque tous veux desireux d'y hazarder leur fortune,
si Dieu leur ouvroit le chemin pour y faire quelque chose. A quoy
les grans ne veulent point entendre, & les petits n'ont les ailes
assez fortes pour voler iusques là. Neantmoins c'est chose étrange &
incroyable de la resolution tant dudit Sieur de Monts, que dudit Sieur
de Poutrincourt, le premier desquels a toujours continué depuis dix
ans d'envoyer par delà: & le second, nonobstant les difficultez que
nous avons recitées ci-dessus, n'a laissé d'y r'envoyer nouuellement,
attendant ici le renouveau, pour aller revoir les gens. Dieu doint à
l'vn & à l'autre le moyen de faire chose qui reüsisse à la gloire de
son nom, & au bien des pauvres peuples que nous appellons Sauvages.
A DIEV SEVL HONNEVR
ET GLOIRE.
I will not repeat what I have written in my History of New France,
book 4, chap. 4, of the wonderful thing which happened, during
Sieur de Monts' first sojourn, to Master Nicolas Aubry,[46] Priest,
of a good family in Paris, who was sixteen days lost in the woods,
and at the end of that time was found, very much emaciated, in
truth, but still living; and he is living yet, and is singularly
devoted to the enterprises being carried on in behalf of that
country, whither his [39] desires more than ever attract him, as
well as all others who have once made the voyage; these I have
observed are almost all desirous of risking their fortunes there,
if God would open up the way for them to do something. To this
the great do not care to lend their ears, and the small have not
wings strong enough to fly so far. Nevertheless there is something
strange and incredible in the perseverance of both Sieur de Monts
and Sieur de Poutrincourt; the former having continued to send
expeditions over there for ten years; and the latter, in spite
of the difficulties enumerated above, having recently sent over
another one, awaiting here the return of spring, to go again to
see his people. May God grant to both the means of doing something
which may succeed to the glory of his name, and to the welfare of
the poor people whom we call Savages.
TO GOD ALONE THE HONOR
AND GLORY.
[40] Extrait du Priuilege du Roy.
Par grace & Priuilege du Roy, il est permis à Iean Millot Marchant
Libraire en l'Vniversité de Paris, d'imprimer, ou faire imprimer,
vendre & distribuer par tout nostre Royaume tant de fois qu'il luy
plaira, en telle forme ou charactere que bõ luy semblera, vn liure
intitulé _Histoire de la Nouvelle-France contenant les nauigations
faites par les François és Indes Occidentales, & terres-neuves de la
Nouuelle-France, & les decouuertes par eux faites esditz lieux_, A quoy
sont adjoutées _les Muses de la Nouvelle France_. Ensemble plusieurs
Chartes en taille douce, où sont les figures des Provinces, & Ports, &
autres choses seruans a ladicte Histoire, composée par MARC LESCARBOT
Advocat en la Cour de Parlement. Et ce jusques au temps & terme de
six ans finis & accomplis, à cõpter du jour que ledit livre sera
achevé d'imprimer. Pendant lequel tẽps defenses sont faictes à tous
Imprimeurs, Libraires, & autres de quelque estat, qualité ou condition
qu'ils soient, de non imprimer, vendre, contrefaire, ou alterer
ledit liure, ou aucune partie d'iceluy, sur peine de cõfiscation des
exemplaires, & de quinze cens livres d'amende appliquable moitié à
nous, & moitié aux pauvres de l'hostel Dieu de cette ville de Paris, &
despens, dommages, & interests dudit exposant: Nonobstant toute clameur
de Haro, Charte Normande, Privileges, lettres ou autres appellations
& oppositiõs formees à ce contraires faictes ou a faire. Et veut en
outre ledit Seigneur, qu'en mettant vn extraict dudit Privilege au
cōmencement, ou à la fin dudit livre, il soit tenu pour deuëment
signifié, cõme plus amplement est declaré par les patentes de sa
Majesté. Donné à Paris le 27. iour de Novembre, l'an de grace 1608. Et
de nostre regne l'vnziéme.
Par le Roy en son Conseil.
Signé, BRIGARD.
[40] Extract from the Royal License.
By the grace and Prerogative of the King, permission is granted to
Jean Millot, Bookseller in the University of Paris, to print or to
have printed, to sell and distribute throughout all our Kingdom,
as often as he may desire, in such form or character as he may
see fit, a book entitled, _History of New France, containing the
voyages made by the French to the West Indies, and new countries of
New France, and the discoveries made by them in said places_. To
which are added _The Muses of New France_. Also a number of Charts
in copper-plate, which represent the Provinces, Ports, and other
things appertaining to said History, composed by MARC LESCARBOT,
Advocate in the Court of Parliament. And this to remain valid until
the expiration of six full and complete years, counting from the
day upon which said book shall be finished. During said period of
time, all Printers, Booksellers, and other persons of whatsoever
rank, quality, or condition, are prohibited from publishing,
selling, imitating, or changing said book, or any part thereof,
under penalty of confiscation of the copies, and of fifteen hundred
livres fine, one half of which is to be paid to us, and one half
to the poor of the public hospital of this city of Paris, together
with the costs, damages and interests of the aforesaid petitioner.
Notwithstanding all cries of Haro, Norman Charter, Licenses,
letters, or other appeals and counter-claims, opposed to this, now
or in future.[47] And His Majesty also wills that in placing an
extract from said License in the beginning or at the end of said
book, it shall be regarded as a notice duly served, as has been
more fully described in the patents of his Majesty. Given in Paris
the 27th day of November, in the year of grace 1608, and of our
reign the eleventh.
By the King in Council.
Signed, BRIGARD.
[Illustration: [_Facsimile of Champlain's perspective sketch of fort at
Port Royal, from "Les Voyages du Sieur de Champlain"_ (_Paris, 1613_).]