Exploration of New France

Samuel de Champlain · 1603 CE – 1616 CE · Earth

Observe and map the St Lawrence for the fur trade, then found a post on it and push west with Indigenous allies.

Historical context

From 1603 Samuel de Champlain went to the St Lawrence for the merchants who held the fur-trade monopoly, as observer and mapmaker and, from 1608, as commander of the post at Quebec. The French presence rested on alliances with the Innu, Algonquin and Wendat, made at Tadoussac in 1603 and sealed in war against the Mohawk in 1609. Champlain’s own Voyages are the main account of these years; the judgements in them are his, and his dates are Gregorian.

The voyage, step by step

1. First voyage to New France

   15 March 1603

   On 15 March 1603 Champlain sails from Honfleur on François Gravé Du Pont’s Bonne-Renommée, the king’s observer on a voyage for the fur trade.

2. Tadoussac and the great river

   27 May 1603

   At Tadoussac on 27 May 1603 the Innu chief Anadabijou welcomes the French to a feast of alliance; in June Champlain goes up the river to the rapids above the island of Montreal.

3. Quebec founded

   3 July 1608

   On 3 July 1608 Champlain founds Quebec on a narrow point below the cliff, a short way from where Cartier had wintered.

4. Lake Champlain

   30 July 1609

   Guided by Algonquin allies, with Wendat and Innu warriors, he reaches the lake that bears his name and on 30 July 1609, by his own account, fights the Mohawk there.

Outcome

Founded Quebec in 1608; fought the Mohawk beside Wendat, Algonquin and Innu allies in 1609; in 1615–16 reached Lake Huron and wintered among the Wendat after a failed attack on an Onondaga town.

Samuel de Champlain

French explorer and cartographer who founded Quebec and mapped the northeast of North America.

Read on Wikipedia

Sources

• The Works of Samuel de Champlain, vol. 1 (Des Sauvages, 1603, translated by H. H. Langton; the Voyages of 1613, book 1)Edited by H. P. Biggar · The Champlain Society, Toronto · 1922
• The Works of Samuel de Champlain, vol. 2 (the Voyages of 1613, 1608–1612, translated by John Squair)Edited by H. P. Biggar · The Champlain Society, Toronto · 1925
• The Works of Samuel de Champlain, vol. 3 (the Voyages et descouvertures of 1619, 1615–1618, translated by H. H. Langton and W. F. Ganong)Edited by H. P. Biggar · The Champlain Society, Toronto · 1929
• Champlain, Samuel de — Dictionary of Canadian Biography, vol. 1 (revised)Raymonde Litalien · University of Toronto / Université Laval
• Brûlé, Étienne — Dictionary of Canadian Biography, vol. 1 (revised)Olga Jurgens · University of Toronto / Université Laval
• Samuel de Champlain — Wikipedia

Continue exploring

• North American voyagesHenry Hudson · 1609 CE – 1611 CE
• Search for the southern continentAbel Tasman · 1642 CE – 1643 CE
• Kamchatka expeditionsVitus Bering · 1725 CE – 1742 CE
• The first French naval voyage round the worldLouis-Antoine de Bougainville · 1766 CE – 1769 CE