New Brunswick; with notes for emigrants. Comprehending the early history, an account of the Indians, settlement ... / By Abraham Gesner.
- Abraham Pineo Gesner
- Date:
- 1847
Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: New Brunswick; with notes for emigrants. Comprehending the early history, an account of the Indians, settlement ... / By Abraham Gesner. Source: Wellcome Collection.
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![Chetodel, whe had been a pilot to De la Roche. Only twelve of the number landed were found alive: these were pardoned of their offences, and. each survivor received fifty crowns from the King. They also recovered heavy damages from Chetodel, who had taken from them all the skins of black foxes and other furs they had secured during their exile. The early attempts to establish Colonies upon these shores were un- . successful, and even calamitous; yet the value of the fur-trade, the _ nature of the soil, and the hope that always prevails of finding riches in: unexplored regions, excited the Huguenots and other European mer- chants with the spirit of foreign enterprise. Previous to the year 1609, a mariner named Schavalet is stated to have performed no less than forty voyages to Canseau. In 1578, the number of fishing vessels upon the coast was 330; of these 100 were Spanish, 30 Biscayans, 150 French, and 50 English. The latter had command of the harbours.* Valuable furs were purchased from the savages for mere trinkets, and the teeth of the sea-horse brought high prices in the European markets. The interesting accounts given by those who had visited the country, had also much influence over the minds of the adventurers. The seas were represented as being alive with fish, the forests with black foxes and other animals with rich furs, and the rocks with gold, silver, and precious stones. Al] these circumstances combined, produced a spirit of rivalry among the European Powers, and to create undue emulation and strife among their subjects. During the reign of Henry IV., a gentleman named De Monts, under very favourable auspices, made another attempt at colonisation. He received from his Sovereign almost unlimited powers and privileges, and every encouragement to pursue his arduous undertaking. De Monts had accompanied Chauvin up the St. Lawrence, and had made himself acquainted with a part of the Atlantic coast. His commission embraced all the territory from the 40th to the 46th degree North latitude, or from Hudson’s Bay to Virginia; and he had a monopoly of the fur-trade over that vast tract of country, which was then called . Néw France. The Colony was to be established at the expense of * Wackiuyt, vol. ui. p. 182.](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b29349369_0032.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
