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JACQUES
CARTIER
Jacques Cartier was born
in 1491 in St. Malo France.
Although historians do not know much about his life
prior to 1534 when he headed out on his first voyage, we do
know that he was in search of a sea passage through or
around North America to East Asia, something many explorers
had done before him, and many would do after him.
Crossing the Atlantic Ocean in just 20 days, he
finally landed on an island close to Newfoundland’s
coast.
From there, Cartier sailed
to the north, entering the Strait of Belle Isle.
Then, he headed into the By of St. Lawrence, as well
as to the west coast of Newfoundland.
He soon crossed the Bay to Magdalen Islands and
Prince Edward Island, which he believed to be connected to
the mainland.
From there, Cartier sailed to Chaleur Bay and Gaspe
peninsula.
Upon arrival, he found 50 canoes, all full f Micmac
Indians.
The Indians appeared very friendly, greeting him with
words of friendship.
The following day, the
Micmac and French traded and joined in celebration.
Although Cartier spent time exploring the bay, he was
disappointed that it was not the passage to China.
While on his travels, he also came across 200 Hurons
fishing, which included the chief, Donnaconna, and his sons
Taignagny and Domagaia, who joined Cartier on his voyage to
France, serving as interpreters.
During that time, Cartier spent time exploring the
Anticosti Island before finally reaching France.
To the west, he came up a
large river, hoping he had finally found the northeast
passage.
The following year, Cartier headed out on a second
voyage, sailing through the Strait of Belle Island once
again.
However, this time he too the west coast, reaching
St. Lawrence.
From there, he sailed upriver to the Huron village of
Stadacona, which is today’s Quebec.
Once he arrived, Cartier was greeted by his friend
Donnacona although the chief refused to sail further west
with him.
In fact, three medicine men approached Cartier.
Dressed like devils, they gave him a warning not to
sail further.
However, Cartier did not take them serious, going
upriver anyway, leaving the Huron Indians behind.
Soon, he reached another
Huron village called Hochelaga.
There, celebration broke out upon his arrival.
Deciding to climb Mount Real, he saw river rapids,
telling him that was also not the passage to China.
Spending the winter in Stadacona, his crew became ill
with scurvy.
Because of this, only 10 of his original 110 men were
strong enough to work.
This left Cartier and the 10 men to gather all the
food and water needed.
Being afraid of the Indians, fearing they would
attack the sick, he ordered his men to make a lot of noise
if they came near.
One of the chief’s sons,
Domagaia also came down with scurvy but in 10 days, the
Indian was well.
The Huron Indian explained that the needles and bark
of the white cedar tree was the reason for his quick
recovery.
In one week, the tree was bare and the men under
Cartier well.
Hearing stories of a faraway place of gold called
Saguenay he decided he wanted to head there next.
However, with war going on in Spain, preparations for
the voyage were difficult, putting things on hold until
1541.
Serving under Jean Francois de la Rocque, they set
sail.
Building a fort near the mouth of Saguenay, the men
gathered what they believed to be gold and diamonds.
Unfortunately, what they had discovered was iron
pyrite or fool’s gold and quartz.
At the fort, he settled in for the winter.
Then in Indian attacks, 35 of his men were
killed.
Roberval was supposed to
show up but never did.
Then in the springtime, Cartier met up with Roberval
in Newfoundland who wanted him to return.
However, Cartier did not want to so he snuck off,
heading back to France.
At that time, Roberval built another fort near
Stadacona where he stayed for the winter.
From there, he headed off to Saguenay, but without
getting far, he also returned to France.
The remaining days of Cartier’s life were spent in
St. Malo, dying in 1557 at the age of 66.
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