Samuel De Champlain
Champlain was a respected explorer during his lifetime. Champlain came from France. He was assisted by King Henry the 4th of France. He remained dedicated to establishing France’s presence in North America. He attempted to establish a settlement after settlement and enduring severe, Spartan conditions there. Champlain joined the Morechal d’ Aumont as one of King Henry’s army commanders. Champlain then became a quartermaster of King Henry’s Cavalry. Champlain managed to serve through four years of war unharmed.
When Champlain was in his late twenties he looked forward to other careers such as a sea captain. He first went out sea in 1598. He joined his Uncle, Gaillaume Hellaine who was a seafarer, in Champlain’s first voyage. They sailed together to Spain aboard the Saint Julien. During his first voyage he learned how to speak in Spanish. Near the end of 1598 Champlain was still in the Spanish city of Seville, he was offered a permanent post on the Saint Julien as a commander or navigator. Champlain had to sail to the West Indies and New Spain with his fleet that took goods to the colonies and brought New World goods back to Spain. He first sails on his journey on January 1599.
During his transatlantic crossings he reached his destination. He reached his destination in the West Indies, without any trouble. While in the West Indies he journeyed through the Caribbean Sea, visiting many of its islands on a trip that took two and a half years. After sailing on the Gulf of Mexico, he landed on the Mexican Coast of the main Spanish-controlled port. Champlain was very fascinated by the New World and drew maps of the West Indies and Central America. Champlain returned to his ship by way of Panama. It was then that it was his first time seeing the Isthmus of Panama. The Isthmus was the narrow strip of land that separated the Caribbean Sea from the Pacific Ocean.
Champlain returned from the New World to Spain in March 1601. Champlain kept a journal of his explorations throughout is voyage. Then, he offered it for publication when he returned to Europe. The most valuable price of Champlain’s book was the maps he made from his journey. The map was the beginning of his new career as a writer, mapmaker and explorer. With the success of Champlain’s wonderful maps King Henry was so impressed that he offered Champlain an official position as a royal geographer. When he gained pension by King Henry he was urged by Commander De Chante, governor of Dieppe, to explore territory granted to him in North America by the King. He sailed on 15 March, 1603, in the sip of Pontgrave. They reached the Canadian Coast in early May and anchored the ship at what is now Cape Diamond in Quebec. From there on Pontgrave and Champlain boarded a smaller boat to go on shallow waters. After they went across St. Lawrence they anchored on May 24 at the post of Tadoussac. Tadoussac was a small port at the junction of the St. Lawrence and Saguenay Rivers.
There was an early proposal by Jacques Cartier in 1535 for turning Tadoussac into a permanent settlement. Then, Champlain and Pontgrave dropped anchor and went back to Cape Diamond. Pontgrave came to Tadoussac because of its trading business. But, Champlain‘s relationship with Pontgrave was a good one. So, Champlain persuaded Pontgrave to travel with him, and then disappointment came to Champlain when the power of the St. Lawrence Rapids stopped his search. But, they made it by land. But, again there was more disappointment when there was no other way to go on when they reached the top of the rapids. So they returned to Tadoussac making little progress. But, Champlain made accurate maps of the region. He gained useful information about the Great Lakes, Lake Erie, Lake Ontario, Detroit River, and possibly the Niagara Falls. Soon Champlain and Pontgrave returned to France in year’s end. When he returned to France is patron, Sieur Aymar de Chaste had died. In the end Champlain dies in the year 1635 of a stroke on Christmas Day in the city of Quebec. Champlain died a citizen of New France and born a Frenchman in his heart.
By: Bayani
