After making two trips to New France as an observer, Champlain quickly obtained a position as a commanding officer, first as a lieutenant for Pierre Dugua de Monts, then as a lieutenant for the viceroy of New France. At that time, he became the official representative of royal power in the colony. However, although Champlain the man of action excelled when it was time to take off on adventures, the daily administration of the little settlement was more difficult for him.
In the first few years, Champlain’s trips to Quebec were very brief. It was only in 1620, that this small outpost became his permanent home, until his death in 1635, with the exception of a two-year trip to France (1624-1626) and the English occupation (1629-1632). When he governed, Champlain did not do so in an authoritarian manner, but rather as the captain of a ship. For important reasons, Champlain listened to the opinions of several people and tried to reach a consensus. In 1621, Champlain easily authorized a general assembly of the inhabitants, which appointed the Récollet priest Le Baillif to go to France to present the colony’s grievances. Quebec’s first ordinances were published shortly after this. Champlain’s men had a great deal of respect for him. Nevertheless, they did not always obey his orders.
During his exploratory expeditions, Champlain identified the best sites for settlements. In Quebec, the first task he was expected to perform was to build a settelment to house supplies, merchandise and colonists. Work to build and repair buildings was a priority for Champlain who spent a great deal of time and resources on this project. Champlain also undertook the construction of a fort at Cap Diamant, a large dwelling and a chapel. Some people criticized him for stubbornly insisting on these projects when the colony had other, more urgent, needs.
Food supplies were a source of constant concern for Champlain, since the colony often experienced shortages. He was responsible for the difficult task of evaluating the quantity of supplies needed and either keeping colonists or sending some of them home. Champlain realized how important agriculture was for the independence of the colony. And he left this matter to others, such as colonist and apothecary Louis Hébert. Agriculture here developed very slowly. In 1628, the first mill was developed following the threat of famine. As for animal husbandry, in 1626 the first structures were built at Cap Tourmente in 1626, allowing the colonists to settle there, harvest and store hay, and raise animals.
In addition to the problems they experienced with respect to food supplies, Champlain also had to deal with scurvy, which ravaged the settlers. In Port-Royal, during the winter of 1606-1607, Champlain came up with a good idea for fighting this disease. Presuming that salted meat was the cause of the problem, he created the Order of Good Cheer, whose members took turns at hunting and fishing to feed the others. That winter, none of the members of the association suffered from scurvy. Unfortunately, the experience was not repeated at Québec.
In addition to his management duties, Champlain was also responsible for justice. Of the actions he took in this field, the most important was, beyond a doubt, sentencing Jean Duval to death and then executing him because Duval had attempted to assassinate Champlain in 1608. Champlain based the trial on a similar case that had occurred in the navy. He had the condemned men, seamen and several other people, including François Gravé Du Pont submit their statements in writing to the ship’s pilot. Then he dealt with the testimony given by the accused men and the witnesses before rendering his verdict.
Some people felt that Champlain did not get involved enough in colonial agriculture. Yet, during his second trop, he took interest in gardening and made several observations. To learn more about Champlain's interest in botany, we invite you to come back on March 18, 2008.
Sources
LITALIEN, Raymonde and Denis Vaugeois (dir). Champlain: la naissance de l'Amérique française. [Paris], Nouveau Monde éditions; Sillery, Septentrion, 2004, 397 pages.
TRUDEL, Marcel. “Samuel de Champlain”, Dictionnaire biographique du Canada, tome 1, [Québec], Presses de l’Université Laval, 1966, pages 192 to 204.
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| Champlain’s mandate In 1612, Champlain’s mandate was explicit. Among other things, he was responsible for designating subordinates, assigning officers to mete our justice and maintain policy, regulations and ordinances, maintaining diplomatic relations with the Native Peoples and arresting those who took part in illegal trade. Close this window |
| Heading the colony Charles de Bourbon, Count of Soissons, who was lieutenant general of the colony for a brief period in 1612, was succeeded by several viceroys in turn: Henri de Bourbon, Prince of Condé (from 1612 to 1620), Henry II, Duke of Montmorency (from 1620 to 1625), and Henri de Lévis, Duke of Ventadour (from 1625 to 1627). The colony was then placed under the supervision of Cardinal Richelieu (from 1629 to 1635). Close this window |
In the first few years, Champlain’s trips to Quebec were very brief. It was only in 1620, that this small outpost became his permanent home, until his death in 1635, with the exception of a two-year trip to France (1624-1626) and the English occupation (1629-1632). When he governed, Champlain did not do so in an authoritarian manner, but rather as the captain of a ship. For important reasons, Champlain listened to the opinions of several people and tried to reach a consensus. In 1621, Champlain easily authorized a general assembly of the inhabitants, which appointed the Récollet priest Le Baillif to go to France to present the colony’s grievances. Quebec’s first ordinances were published shortly after this. Champlain’s men had a great deal of respect for him. Nevertheless, they did not always obey his orders.
| Champlain’s death After returning to Quebec in 1633, Champlain died on December 25, 1635. Jesuit priest Charles Lalemant was on hand to assist him until the end. At his funeral, Father Paul Le Jeune gave the funeral oration, stating that although Champlain “died outside France his name would still go down in glory”. Close this window |
| A good captain In Quebec, the colonists Champlain led were not much more numerous than the crew of a large whaling ship and his leadership style seemed to be based on the navy. In his Traitté (sic) de la marine et du devoir d’un bon marinier, Champlain wrote how the captain had to be gentle and friendly in conversation, absolute with respect to his orders and should never communicate too easily with his companions, unless they were fellow officers (...) and should also punish the wicked severely and reward the good. Close this window |
| Obedience of Champlain’s men After 1633, Champlain forbade the trade of alcohol, subject to corporal and financial punishment. He would not be obeyed in this matter, as was the case of many who followed him. Occasionally, Champlain’s frustration was obvious in his writings such as when he stated that those who give orders for His Majesty were not obeyed, since there was no one to assist them, except when it pleased the company. Close this window |
During his exploratory expeditions, Champlain identified the best sites for settlements. In Quebec, the first task he was expected to perform was to build a settelment to house supplies, merchandise and colonists. Work to build and repair buildings was a priority for Champlain who spent a great deal of time and resources on this project. Champlain also undertook the construction of a fort at Cap Diamant, a large dwelling and a chapel. Some people criticized him for stubbornly insisting on these projects when the colony had other, more urgent, needs.
| Survey work The first time he traveled in the vicinity of Trois-Rivières, Champlain described the site as suitable for settlement. Likewise, when traveling to Montreal 1611, he selected a site, which he named Place Royale, and cleared it for future construction. He decided to erect a wall there and see if it would stand the test of time. Close this window |
| The Quebec settlement Here’s how Champlain described his first few moments when he arrived at Quebec, in July 1608: “As soon as we arrived, I sent some of our workers out to cut down trees so we could build our settlement, and others to saw the lumber, dig a cellar and make ditches.” The Quebec settlement, which was surrounded by palisades, was very similar to that of Port-Royal. It included a fort, a command post and a warehouse. Close this window |
| The Chapel Built in 1633, this chapel was named Notre-Dame-de-la-Recouvrance. Close this window |
Food supplies were a source of constant concern for Champlain, since the colony often experienced shortages. He was responsible for the difficult task of evaluating the quantity of supplies needed and either keeping colonists or sending some of them home. Champlain realized how important agriculture was for the independence of the colony. And he left this matter to others, such as colonist and apothecary Louis Hébert. Agriculture here developed very slowly. In 1628, the first mill was developed following the threat of famine. As for animal husbandry, in 1626 the first structures were built at Cap Tourmente in 1626, allowing the colonists to settle there, harvest and store hay, and raise animals.
In addition to the problems they experienced with respect to food supplies, Champlain also had to deal with scurvy, which ravaged the settlers. In Port-Royal, during the winter of 1606-1607, Champlain came up with a good idea for fighting this disease. Presuming that salted meat was the cause of the problem, he created the Order of Good Cheer, whose members took turns at hunting and fishing to feed the others. That winter, none of the members of the association suffered from scurvy. Unfortunately, the experience was not repeated at Québec.
| Order of Good Cheer This knightly association included fifteen people who were close to the lieutenant-governor of Acadia, Jean de Poutrincourt. With a great deal of ceremony, the participants passed around a necklace that designated the individual who was responsible for hunting and fishing for the others. Marc Lescarbot, poet, was a member and responsible for the ceremonies at meals. It was all very theatrical and festive. Although the fresh meat did little to combat scurvy, the red wine served to the guests did contain tannin which protected their reserves of Vitamin C. Close this window |
In addition to his management duties, Champlain was also responsible for justice. Of the actions he took in this field, the most important was, beyond a doubt, sentencing Jean Duval to death and then executing him because Duval had attempted to assassinate Champlain in 1608. Champlain based the trial on a similar case that had occurred in the navy. He had the condemned men, seamen and several other people, including François Gravé Du Pont submit their statements in writing to the ship’s pilot. Then he dealt with the testimony given by the accused men and the witnesses before rendering his verdict.
Some people felt that Champlain did not get involved enough in colonial agriculture. Yet, during his second trop, he took interest in gardening and made several observations. To learn more about Champlain's interest in botany, we invite you to come back on March 18, 2008.
Sources
LITALIEN, Raymonde and Denis Vaugeois (dir). Champlain: la naissance de l'Amérique française. [Paris], Nouveau Monde éditions; Sillery, Septentrion, 2004, 397 pages.
TRUDEL, Marcel. “Samuel de Champlain”, Dictionnaire biographique du Canada, tome 1, [Québec], Presses de l’Université Laval, 1966, pages 192 to 204.
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