Carte géographique tirée du tome III des «Oeuvres de Champlain»
Source: ICMH no 26835, de Notre mémoire en ligne, produit par Canadiana.org
The methods Champlain used to draw his maps were simple. Essentially, he estimated distances, calculated latitudes and worked with his compass, without any references to geometry or trigonometry, which would seem to indicate that he did not study surveying. Apparently he learned this trade in the field, when he served as the accomodation marshal, and following that during his trip to the Spanish colonies, and perhaps also with his father’s friend, the geographer Charles Leber Du Carlo. In 1629, when he served time as a prisoner on an English ship he also discovered techniques that he described in one of his works, the Traitté de la marine et du devoir d’un bon marinier. In that work, Champlain stated that it was useful to know the art of “portrait painting” when drawing maps. It is thought that he had learned some notions of painting.
During his expeditions, Champlain questioned the Amerindians and had them draw maps. In this way, he made a broad outline of the territory and filled in the details during his travels, noting distances and several other pieces of information. Champlain occasionally included Amerindian maps in his own. This was the case of a map he drew in 1616, in which an entire section was based on a map drawn in charcoal on bark by an Outaouais chief and traded to Champlain for an iron ax.
When Champlain prepared reports for the king, he often included maps with them. Few of these maps have been preserved. Fortunately, certain travel accounts included maps. Champlain published such works in 1604, 1613, 1620 and 1632. Like the maps, the travel accounts provide information about the territory explored.
The 1613 travel report contains several geographic maps, including sixteen small ones, of which three are more like sketches, and two large ones, one of which was provided in two versions. That last map has a particular history. In 1611 and 1612, Champlain spent his time, in France, working on his second report, drawing a large Carte Géographique de la Nouvelle Franse (sic), which was the most complete map of New France at that time. In fact, along with the information he collected, Champlain added details from a map illustrating the discoveries of Henry Hudson. Champlain then learned that Nicolas de Vignau was boasting that he had traveled to Hudson’s Bay by going up the Ottawa River. When he returned to New France to verify this information, Champlain decided to postpone the publication of his work. During his absence, the printer started printing the map. When he returned in 1613, Champlain re-worked the map on the copper plate, adding the results of his most recent explorations. As a result, the published book includes two versions of the same map.
Champlain’s last account, published in 1632, provides a summary of the explorer’s career as well as a large map. This map was not as accurate as the previous ones since it includes information that Champlain could not verify for himself, resulting in a certain amount of confusion. This account was published at a time when France was fighting to get its colony back, shortly after the English had taken Quebec. In the title of his work, Champlain emphasized the fact that the territories described were discovered by the French, under the king’s authority. In this context, the maps, provided as evidence of French explorations, supported France’s claims.
In keeping with his writings, Champlain showed himself to be an unparalleled communicator, capable of winning people to his cause and surmounting obstacles he encountered on his way. To learn more about Champlain’s work with the rich and the powerful, we invite you to return on January 22, 2008.
Source
LITALIEN, Raymonde et Denis Vaugeois (dir). Champlain: la naissance de l'Amérique française. [Paris], Nouveau Monde éditions; Sillery, Septentrion, 2004. 397 pages.
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| Navigating by estimates Two methods are used to estimate maritime distances. The first involves evaluating the coordinates from the departure point and the arrival point, drawing a triangle and calculating the hypotenuse in order to determine the distance traveled. The other method involves noting the ship’s speed at regular intervals. To do this, the English would drag a weighted rope, in which they tied knots at intervals corresponding to 30 seconds, alongside the ship. Close this window |
| Evaluating latitude The astrolabe and the cross-staff are two instruments that were used to determine latitude based on the position of the sun or the North star. When the horizon was clearly visible, the cross-staff was easier to use. For traveling on land, the astrolabe was preferable. Close this window |
| Getting one’s bearings As the accommodation marshal, Champlain learned get his bearings in order to choose the best site for installing the troops. Close this window |
| Units of measurement borrowed from Spain In Champlain’s case, Spain’s influence can be seen in the unit of measurement he chose for calculating distances in the high seas and for his large maps: the Spanish nautical league. In other cases, he used French units of measurement. Close this window |
| On the enemy’s ship After the Kirke brothers captured Quebec, Champlain returned to Europe on a ship in the English fleet. Close this window |
During his expeditions, Champlain questioned the Amerindians and had them draw maps. In this way, he made a broad outline of the territory and filled in the details during his travels, noting distances and several other pieces of information. Champlain occasionally included Amerindian maps in his own. This was the case of a map he drew in 1616, in which an entire section was based on a map drawn in charcoal on bark by an Outaouais chief and traded to Champlain for an iron ax.When Champlain prepared reports for the king, he often included maps with them. Few of these maps have been preserved. Fortunately, certain travel accounts included maps. Champlain published such works in 1604, 1613, 1620 and 1632. Like the maps, the travel accounts provide information about the territory explored.
| 1607 map A hand-drawn map by Champlain can be found in the American Library of Congress in Washington. It is dated 1607. Another, dated 1616, was only published 20 years after Champlain’s death. Close this window |
| Travel accounts Champlain’s travel accounts use a chronological order, much like ships’ logs. Champlain’s works were published in very limited quantities. They were intended for a well-educated, wealthy audience, with a passion for novelties. His works about New France did, however, have major competitors, such as Marco Polo’s writings. In the 17th century, works about New France were much fewer in number than those about the more exotic continents. Through his works, Champlain wanted, among other things, to convince influential men of the importance of pursuing his work in New France. Close this window |
| First account Champlain's first was work was entitled Des sauvages, ou, Voyage de Samuel Champlain, de Brouage, faict en la France nouvelle, l'an mil six cens trois contenant les moeurs, façon de vivre, mariages, guerres, & habitations des Sauvages de Canadas. Close this window |
| Second account Champlain’s second account was entitled Les Voyages du sieur de Champlain Xaintongeois divisez en deux livres: ou Journal tres-fidele des observations faites és descouvertures de la Nouvelle France: tant en la descriptio des terres costes rivieres ports havres leurs hauteurs & plusieurs declinaisons de la guide-aymant: qu'en la creace des peuples leur superstition façon de vivre & de guerroyer: enrichi de quantité de figures. Close this window |
| Third account Chaplain’s third account was entitled Voyages et descouvertures faites en la Novvelle France, depuis l'année 1615, jusques à la fin de l'année 1618 où sont descrits les moeurs, coustumes, habits, façons de guerroyer, chasses, dances, festins & enterrements de divers peuples sauvages, & de plusieurs choses remarquables qui luy sont arrivées audit païs, avec une description de la beauté, fertilité & temperature d'iceluy. Close this window |
| Fourth account Champlain’s fourth work was entitled Les voyages de la Nouvelle France occidentale, dicte Canada faits par le Sr. de Champlain Xainctongeois, capitaine pour le Roy en la marine du Ponant, & toutes les descouvertes qu'il a faites en ce pais depuis l'an 1603, jusques en l'an 1629, où se voit comme ce pays a esté premièrement descouvert par les François sous l'authorité de nos Roys très-Chrestiens, jusques au règne de Sa Majesté à présent régnante Lovis XIII, Roy de France & de Nauarre. Close this window |
The 1613 travel report contains several geographic maps, including sixteen small ones, of which three are more like sketches, and two large ones, one of which was provided in two versions. That last map has a particular history. In 1611 and 1612, Champlain spent his time, in France, working on his second report, drawing a large Carte Géographique de la Nouvelle Franse (sic), which was the most complete map of New France at that time. In fact, along with the information he collected, Champlain added details from a map illustrating the discoveries of Henry Hudson. Champlain then learned that Nicolas de Vignau was boasting that he had traveled to Hudson’s Bay by going up the Ottawa River. When he returned to New France to verify this information, Champlain decided to postpone the publication of his work. During his absence, the printer started printing the map. When he returned in 1613, Champlain re-worked the map on the copper plate, adding the results of his most recent explorations. As a result, the published book includes two versions of the same map.
| Map of Hudson’s Bay This map was drawn by Dutch cartographer Hessel Gerritsz. |
| Henry Hudson English explorer who, when looking for a northern passage to Asia, discovered Hudson’s Bay in 1610. Close this window |
| Nicolas de Vignau Nicolas de Vignau was a French man who spent the winter of 1611-1612 with the Amerindians on Île aux Allumettes, in the Outaouais region. When he returned to Paris, he wrote an account of his adventures. Close this window |
| Preparing a map for publication In order to be published, Champlain’s maps and drawings were first engraved by an engraver. With a few exceptions, we no longer have Champlain's original drawings. Close this window |
Champlain’s last account, published in 1632, provides a summary of the explorer’s career as well as a large map. This map was not as accurate as the previous ones since it includes information that Champlain could not verify for himself, resulting in a certain amount of confusion. This account was published at a time when France was fighting to get its colony back, shortly after the English had taken Quebec. In the title of his work, Champlain emphasized the fact that the territories described were discovered by the French, under the king’s authority. In this context, the maps, provided as evidence of French explorations, supported France’s claims.
In keeping with his writings, Champlain showed himself to be an unparalleled communicator, capable of winning people to his cause and surmounting obstacles he encountered on his way. To learn more about Champlain’s work with the rich and the powerful, we invite you to return on January 22, 2008.
Source
LITALIEN, Raymonde et Denis Vaugeois (dir). Champlain: la naissance de l'Amérique française. [Paris], Nouveau Monde éditions; Sillery, Septentrion, 2004. 397 pages.
Back