Samuel de Champlain

Samuel de Champlain (c. 1570 – 25 December 1635) was a French geographer, draftsman, explorer and founder of Quebec City. He was also integral in opening North America up to French trade, especially the fur trade. His influence is still felt in the presence of French Canadians in Quebec, where he did most of his exploring. Champlain's pattern was to spend several months or years exploring North America and then he would have to head back to France to regain funding. This article covers his travels, as they have had the most lasting importance to World History.

Improving Administration in New France

Champlain returned to New France in 1620 and was to spend the rest of his life focusing on administration of the country rather than exploration.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Champlain spent the winter building Fort Saint-Louis on top of Cap Diamant. By mid-May he learned that the fur trade had been handed over to another company led by the Caen brothers. After some tense negotiations it was decided to merge the two companies under the direction of the Caens. Champlain continued to work on relations with the Indians and managed to impose a chief on them of his choice. He also managed to create a peace treaty with the Iroquois tribes.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Champlain continued to work on improving his fortification around what became Quebec City, laying the first stone on May 6, 1624. On August 15 he once again returned to France where he was encouraged to continue his work as well as to continue to look for a passage to China. At the time, most of the European powers believed that North America included a passage or land to China. By July 5th he was back at Quebec and continued expanding the city.

Related Topics:
May 6 - 1624 - August 15

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Things weren't to continue well for Champlain and his small village. Supplies were low during the summer of 1628 and English merchants had pillaged Cap Tourmente in early July. On July 10 Champlain received a summons from the Kirke Brothers, some English merchants. Champlain refused to deal with them and in response the English cut off supplies from going to the city. By the spring of 1629 supplies were dangerously low and Champlain was forced to send people to Gaspé to conserve rations. On July 19 the Kirke Brothers arrived and Champlain was forced to negotiate the terms of the cities' capitulation. By October 29 Champlain found himself in London.

Related Topics:
Cap Tourmente - July 10 - Kirke - Gaspé - July 19 - October 29

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

During the next several years Champlain wrote 'Voyages de la Nouvelle France' dedicated to Cardinal Richelieu (who had helped him with funding in France) as well as 'Traitté de la marine et du devoir d’un bon marinier'. It wasn't until the treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye in 1632 that Quebec was given back to France and on March 1st, 1633 Champlain reclaimed his role as commander of New France on behalf of Richelieu.

Related Topics:
Cardinal Richelieu - Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye - March 1

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Champlain returned to Quebec on May 22, 1633 after an absence of four years. On August 18, 1634 he send a report to Richelieu stating that he had rebuilt on the ruins of Quebec, enlarged its fortifications, constructed another habitation 15 leagues upstream, as well as another one at Trois-Rivières. He had also begun an offensive against the Iroquois Indians stating he wanted them wiped out or "brought to reason".

Related Topics:
May 22 - 1633 - August 18 - 1634 - Trois-Rivières

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~