Table Of Contents

Table of contents

1. June 14, 1599
Vera Cruz

2. August 12, 1599
Isthmus Idea and Vera Cruz

3. June 12, 1603
Traveling to the St Lawrence River

4. February 28, 1606
Nova Scotia

5. April 6, 1607
Trading post on St Lawrence River and Habitation

6. August 16, 1607
Arriving at Quebec

7. November 24, 1608
Brutal conditions in Quebec

8. July 30, 1609
Iroquois

9. September 22, 1611
La Place Royale

June 14, 1599

-Vera Cruz map by Champlain

My excitement on this ship had greatly worn off, after spending many months sailing to reach this destination. The waves caused a few men seasickness, and the novelty of the beauteous art of sailing is long gone. My crewmen and I were exuberant to set foot on this land called Vera Cruz. It is the loveliest of all the places I have ever seen. The green leaves of the trees flow upland, and the land beyond is mountainous. Vera Cruz is quite humid and warm, which is strange for us, as we are used to cooler temperatures in the summer then this. It looked as though a hurricane had just passed, and I shuddered at the thought of running into such disastrous weather here. I knew it was worth it for me though; I am an explorer, and I am the one that can bring fame and glory to France. Just as my uncle, a pilot general for Spain had done, I can receive glory and honor. My crewmen feel the same way, they are all young lads looking for excitement and who hold much pride. I will sleep tonight, and depart to fulfill my dream to bring honor to my country tomorrow.

August 12, 1599

Panama Isthmus

I have the utmost respect for my uncle, who I find to be incredible. What my uncle has been doing for his life has been my dream since I’ve been a young boy. He is the pilot general of the Spanish fleets, and he gave me the opportunity to fulfill my own dream. I am commanding the St Julien. It was such a stunning ship; I could not believe my uncle was allowing me to lead the expedition. When we first landed at Vera Cruz and went far into this huge land mass that had yet to be claimed, it was an unbelievable sight. When we arrived at Panama from the southeast, I just could not believe that there was such a thin strip of land between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. There, I had the most incredible idea that had just come upon me. I proposed that we create a ship canal across the isthmus to get across to the other oceans. It is my hope that everyone will consider my idea, because I think it is an ingenious idea that will save time and make other voyages much easier.

Champlain's Idea-to sail through Panama's Isthmus--

June 12, 1603

-Fur Trade in Quebec

This voyage with François Gravé Du Pont has been difficult, as I feel quite unappreciated on this ship. As I have no official assignment, I am treated as unimportant. However I know they will soon start to realize my importance and potential as we reach the St. Lawrence River and they will need my help to establish fur trading. I am the master of economy

and furs and know I will be of great assistance in that area. This is why I joined the expedition: I knew my knowledge of furs and trading could bring me money in this new country. I also pray I will have the opportunity to create some well-detailed maps of the river. This will make it easier to plan trading expeditions and future voyages. So far, however, all we have seen is water, and we have a large distance to go as I am told. ’Tis time for supper, but I will continue to hope for land soon.

Bever hats became very popular, increased fur trade

February 28, 1606

King Henry IV

I cannot believe the luck I have encountered on this voyage. I did not know what to think when good king Henry IV asked me (yes, me personally!) to report on more of my discoveries. Pierre Duga, Sieur de Monts led us to New France in the spring of the year before last. He is also very skilled in the art of fur trading and was given a monopoly by Henry IV. We soon reached the Bay of Fundy and created a settlement called Saint Croix Island. The winter weather became more than even we could handle, the wind biting at our heels and snowstorms raining God’s tears. We soon had to leave and in the spring we came to Nova Scotia at Port Royal. This is our new home, and the fur trading is simply growing in profit. Nova Scotia is most definitely a new economic center in this new land, and I feel rewarded for all of my efforts. I think I shall go and take a stroll now, I will write about this excitement more later.

April 6, 1607

Natives Trading-

I have endured an arduous journey for nearly four years now, and I am finally able to say that I am going back to my native land, France. I am bursting though with pride and so many stories that I will tell my king. I wish to gain his respect and have him admire me along with Sieur de Mont. I have created many detailed maps of the Canadian coast I also intend to show along with my other accomplishments. In fact, I have formulated a new idea for establishing a new trading post on the St Lawrence River because I believe it will be very helpful to us if we could conquer some new land, and sell European goods to the natives. This way, they could be useful to us in return. Habitation has been on my mind, because I realized what an accomplishment it has been and hope to start up a settlement like it. The path to success may have been long and difficult, but my reward will be there for me when I return to France. I hope that even if I leave the Habitation to create a new settlement, it can still grow without me.

Champlain's Travels

August 16, 1607

St Croix Island

I have been on this voyage with Sieur de Mont who has been leading our expedition for a while now. We sailed across the Atlantic and we have explored the St Croix Island. They originally chose me to be their geographer and historian on this journey and I drew so many maps with detailed pieces of land we discovered. I am enjoying the new land with our city, Quebec. Quebec is a true sight, with the three main tall forts and others around. I call this place Habitation. We also have a grand, 15 ft wide moat, which I hope to use for more fur trade routes here in Quebec. I have big hopes for Quebec, I feel that this will be the place where I can really be noticed as a trader. Thus far I have only been known as Sieur de Mont’s lieutenant—although some good has come from it. We both share similar goals in this journey: to establish French fur trading colonies that will bloom into permanent settlements like Tadoussac.

Construction on Habitation