 This
is the twenty-fourth in a continuing series of entries from the Voyages
of Samuel de Champlain, first published in 1613. To view Part I,
click here. For Champlain's
account of the discovery of the lake that bears his name, click
here...
Original
translation from the French by Charles Pomeroy Otis, Ph.D.
Republished by the Prince Society, Boston: 1878.
The voyages to the great river St.
Lawrence,
made by Sieur de Champlain,
Captain in ordinary to the King in the Marine,
from the year 1608 to that of 1612
CHAPTER VII.
DEPARTURE FROM QUEBEC AND VOYAGE TO THE ÎLE ST. ÉLOI. MEETING THERE
WITH THE ALGONQUINS AND OCHATAIGUINS.
With this purpose, I set out on the 18th of the month. Here the
river begins to widen, in some places to the breadth of a league or
a league and a half. The country becomes more and more beautiful.
There are hills along the river in part, and in part it is a level
country, with but few rocks. The river itself is dangerous in many
places, in consequence of its banks and rocks; and it is not safe
sailing without keeping the lead in hand. The river is very abundant
in many kinds of fish, not only such as we have here, but others
which we have not. The country is thickly covered with massive and
lofty forests, of the same kind of trees as we have about our
habitation. There are also many vines and nut-trees on the bank of
the river, and many small brooks and streams which are only
navigable with canoes. We passed near Point St. Croix, which many
maintain, as I have said elsewhere, is the place where Jacques
Cartier spent the winter. This point is sandy, extending some
distance out into the river, and exposed to the north-west wind,
which beats upon it. There are some meadows, covered however every
full tide, which falls nearly two fathoms and a half. This passage
is very dangerous on account of the large number of rocks stretching
across the river, although there is a good but very winding channel,
where the river runs like a race, rendering it necessary to take the
proper time for passing. This place has deceived many, who thought
they could only pass at high tide from there being no channel: but
we have now found the contrary to be true, for one can go down at
low tide; but it would be difficult to ascend, in consequence of the
strong current, unless there were a good wind. It is consequently
necessary to wait until the tide is a third flood, in order to pass,
when the current in the channel is six, eight, ten, twelve, and
fifteen fathoms deep.
Continuing our course, we reached a very pleasant river, nine
leagues distant from St. Croix and twenty-four from Quebec. This we
named St. Mary's River. [325] The river all the way from St. Croix
is very pleasant.
Pursuing our route, I met some two or three hundred savages, who
were encamped in huts near a little island called St. Éloi, [326] a
league and a half distant from St. Mary. We made a reconnoissance,
and found that they were tribes of savages, called Ochateguins and
Algonquins, [327] on their way to Quebec, to assist us in exploring
the territory of the Iroquois, with whom they are in deadly
hostility, sparing nothing belonging to their enemies.
After reconnoitring, I went on shore to see them, and inquired who
their chief was. They told me there were two, one named Yroquet, and
the other Ochasteguin, whom they pointed out to me. I went to their
cabin, where they gave me a cordial reception, as is their custom.
I proceeded to inform them of the object of my voyage, with which
they were greatly pleased. After some talk, I withdrew. Some time
after, they came to my shallop, and presented me with some peltry,
exhibiting many tokens of pleasure. Then they returned to the shore.
The next day, the two chiefs came to see me, when they remained some
time without saying a word, meditating and smoking all the while.
After due reflection, they began to harangue in a loud voice all
their companions who were on the bank of the river, with their arms
in their hands, and listening very attentively to what their chiefs
said to them, which was as follows: that nearly ten moons ago,
according to their mode of reckoning, the son of Yroquet had seen
me, and that I had given him a good reception, and declared that
Pont Gravé and I desired to assist them against their enemies, with
whom they had for a long time been at warfare, on account of many
cruel acts committed by them against their tribe, under color of
friendship; that, having ever since longed for vengeance, they had
solicited all the savages, whom I saw on the bank of the river, to
come and make an alliance with us, and that their never having seen
Christians also impelled them to come and visit us; that I should do
with them and their companions as I wished; that they had no
children with them, but men versed in war and full of courage,
acquainted with the country and rivers in the land of the Iroquois;
that now they entreated me to return to our settlement, that they
might see our houses, and that, after three days, we should all
together come back to engage in the war; that, as a token of firm
friendship and joy, I should have muskets and arquebuses fired, at
which they would be greatly pleased. This I did, when they uttered
great cries of astonishment, especially those who had never heard
nor seen the like.
After hearing them, I replied that, if they desired, I should be
very glad to return to our settlement, to gratify them still more;
and that they might conclude that I had no other purpose than to
engage in the war, since we carried with us nothing but arms, and
not merchandise for barter, as they had been given to understand;
and that my only desire was to fulfill what I had promised them; and
that, if I had known of any who had made evil reports to them, I
should regard them as enemies more than they did themselves. They
told me that they believed nothing of them, and that they never had
heard any one speak thus. But the contrary was the case; for there
were some savages who told it to ours. I contented myself with
waiting for an opportunity to show them in fact something more than
they could have expected from me.
ENDNOTES:
325. This river is now called the Sainte Anne.
326. A small island near Batiscan, not on the charts.
327. Hurons and Algonquins.
This is
the conclusion of Volume II, Part XXIV, Chapter 7 of Voyages
1608-1612
Click here for Voyages, Volume II, Part XXV, Chapter 8
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