The Atlantic Coast and Saint Lawrence River 1603 to 1607

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Abstract

Champlain's resource surveys of the Atlantic Coast and Saint Lawrence River between 1603 and1607 were the first exploration in this area since Cartier and Bellenger. This map shows five of Champlain's exploration routes. The map also shows the extent of territory known to Europeans in the period 1497 to 1650; and the navigation of all exploration routes during the period of the penetration of the Eastern Great Lakes and Hudson Bay from 1600 to 1650. The historical names found on the map are derived from contemporaneous maps and written documents of the period.

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The trends that were to lead to the systematic exploration of Canada during the seventeenth century were beginning to be evident late in the sixteenth century. The fur trade had proven to be profitable. In addition the French court had increasingly come to the realization that no lasting benefit could be gained without the establishment of permanent bases for further operations.

In 1599 Henri IV, King of France gave Pierre Chauvin de Tonnetuit, a Huguenot from Dieppe, a trading monopoly for all of New France and orders to "live in the country and build a stronghold". This directive led to the establishment of a trading post at Tadoussac in 1600. In 1603 Chauvin died and was briefly succeeded by Aymar de Chaste. An expedition further up the St. Lawrence River organized by him led to the first geographical survey of the area since Jacques Cartier's visit. This survey was carried out by Samuel de Champlain. In 1604, attention shifted to Acadia under Pierre du Gua Monts, so Champlain undertook a survey of its coast with orders to search for minerals and potential harbours. After a disastrous winter (1604-05) on an island in the Ste Croix River (on the present-day Maine-New Brunswick border), a permanent settlement was built at Port Royal in the Annapolis Valley.

Du Monts attention reverted to the St. Lawrence River in 1608. Champlain was placed in charge by de Monts with orders to establish a base. This decision led to the founding of Québec City. In order to secure the fur trade, the colony and engage in further exploration, de Monts and Champlain were persuaded by local Algonquins and Montagnais to join their alliance with the Huron against the Iroquois tribes south of Lake Ontario. This decision, although unavoidable, led to French-Iroquois hostilities that were to plague New France until the English conquest (1760).

Meanwhile, English exploration came to a temporary halt in 1588 with Spain`s war against England. English interest in a northwest passage was rekindled with the founding of the East India Company in 1600, which sponsored the expeditions of Waymouth (1602) and Knight (1606). Neither expedition found a passage west but Waymouth held out hope for an "inlet" at about 61° 40' N latitude which he had not been able to penetrate due to ice and strong currents.

Voyages of Exploration

An audio description for each voyage of exploration shown on this map can be accessed from the list below or through the map using Get Statistics.

• 1603 to 1607 Samuel de Champlain (of Brouage, France; for France)

The descriptions of the voyages of exploration are based on research by C.E. Heidenreich, Department of Geography, York University. An audio version of each description can be played as the user follows the exploration route made by the explorer on the map.

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