Part 21

That this Countrey is term’d _New France_, from having been discover’d by the _French_, at least more fully than before, there needs no question to be made; but whether _Joannes Verrazanus_, under _Francis_ the First of _France_, or _Sebastian Cabot_ before spoken of, were the first in this Discovery, may admit of something of dispute: the _Cabots_ indeed, (for _John_ the Father is by some mention’d to have accompanied his Son) who by all are own’d the first Discoverers of _New-found-Land_ and _Terra de Baccalaos_, are also commonly reputed to have first found out the Province of _New France_, together with some parts adjacent, though perhaps it might be upon this Ground that _Terra de Nova_, or _New-found-Land_, not being known at first to be an Island, _New France_ and that might be taken for one continu’d Province; and it appears so much the more probable, because _Canada_, or _Nova Francia_, is by some call’d _Terra Nova_; however it be, or whoever were the first Adventurers, _Quarteri_ and _Champlain_ are the two _French_-men that have gain’d so much fame by making a more ample and particular search into these parts, that this Province may seem from thence to have sufficient claim to the Title of _New France_, whereof that part more especially so call’d, lies on the North-side of the River _Canada_, and Southward to _Terra Corterealis_. The Winter is here very long, and so much the more severe by reason of a cold North-West Wind which blows most part of the Winter Season, and brings with it so thick a Snow, that it continues upon the Ground most commonly till after _May_. The Countrey is for the most part wooddy, but in the Champain parts thereof very fruitful of Corn, and all sorts of Grain, especially Pulse: It hath also Fish, Fowl, wild Deer, Bears, Marterns, and Foxes in abundance, and of Hares such plenty, that one of the little Islands belonging to this Province, is by the _French_ nam’d _L’Isle des Lievres_, or _The Island of Hares_: But the most peculiar Commodity belonging to this Countrey is the _Esurgnuy_, a kind of Shell-Fish, extraordinary white, and approv’d of singular vertue for the stanching of Blood; to which purpose they make Bracelets of them, not onely for their own use, but also to vend them to others; but _John de Laet_ and others have observ’d no other than a superstitious use of them amongst the Salvages, in their Funeral Rites for the Dead: the manner of their taking it is very remarkable; for when any one is condemn’d to die, or taken Prisoner, they cut off all his fleshy parts in long slices, and then throw him into the River, where they let him lie twelve hours, and at last pulling him out again find his Wounds full of _Esurgnui_. _Quadus_ and _Maginus_ make mention of three ancient Towns, namely _Canada_ (denominated as the Province, from the River) _Hochelai_ and _Hochchelaga_, giving Name to a Territory about it, which Geographers either take no notice of, or make some question of the being of such Towns; however, a late Describer of the _West-Indies_, not mentioning the other two, gives this description of the last, _viz._ _Hochchelaga_:

“This City (saith he) said to be the Seat and Residence of a King of this Country whom the Natives, at least some of them, acknowledge and reverence, carrying him sometimes in great pomp upon their Shoulders sitting upon a Carpet of Beasts Skins, is situate far within Land, at a distance of six or seven Leagues from the River _Canada_, and is a kind of fortifi’d place, encompass’d about with a threefold Range of Timber Ramparts one within another, of about two Rods high from the Ground, with cross Planks, or pieces of Timber jutting out, on purpose to hinder an Enemy’s Scaling or getting up; towards the top there is as it were a Scaffold or Gallery fram’d, from whence they may throw down Stones of which there is always good store ready, or what else to annoy the Assailants: It hath one onely Gate for Entrance, and that likewise well fortifi’d after their manner: There are guess’d to be in it fifty or sixty great Houses, built (as the maner of the _Americans_ that live in Houses usually is) in a square Figure, each side being about fifty Foot long, or more, and sixteen or twenty broad, but not many Stories high; and in the midst of the Court or void space, a place to make their Fire, and do other necessary work about it. Moreover the Territory round about this Town is both rich in Soil, and pleasant in Prospect.”

Besides these three above-mention’d Towns there are several others, which are not untaken notice of in the most modern Descriptions and Maps, _viz._ 1. _Stadac_, or _Stadacone_, somewhat Westward of a small Isle call’d _The Isle d’Orleance_; 2. _Quebeque_, which being made a Colony of the _French_, and the Natives expell’d, came to be Entituled _St. Croix_; 3. _Tadoussac_, which lies in that part of the Countrey denominated from the River _Saguenay_, and by some call’d at this day _Nouvelle Biscaye_, a delightful place, and full of stately Trees, and hath likewise a good and safe Haven, capable of receiving twenty Ships; 4. _Trois Rivieris_, or three Rivers; 5. _Monreal_; 6. _Sillery_; 7. _Richelieu_; besides two strong Castles or Forts, _Franceroy_ and St. _Lewis_; the First built by _Monsieur Robeval_ at his Landing here, about the Year 1540. the other design’d for a Colony, in the Year 1611. by _Monsieur Champlany_, but hinder’d by the Invasion of the _Iroquois_. The smaller Rivers that run out of the Gulph of St. _Lawrence_, and the grand River _Canada_ towards the North, on which side chiefly lies this Province, are, 1. _Chichesedec_, 2. St. _Margarite_, 3. _Lesquemin_, 4. _Saquenay_, before-mention’d, 5. _Montonne_; and on the South side, the River _Mary_. The principal Tribes of the ancient Natives of this Countrey were; on the North side of _Canada_ the _Canadans_, the _Betisiamites_, the _Hurons_, the _Algoniquins_, the _Quenongebins_, the _Algoingequins_, the _Attagopantans_, the _Atticameques_, the _Nipisiriniens_; and on the South side, the _Etechemins_, and the chief Heads or Princes of these Tribes were call’d _Sagamores_.

[Sidenote: Strange Fish nam’d _Chaousarou_.]

_Jaques Quartier_ Complementing their King _Agouthanna_, took up his Quarters a whole Winter at St. _Croix_, a Sandy Promontory, overflow’d by the River _Canada_, into which falls the Lake _de Champlain_, grown round about with Chestnut Trees; in it breeds the strange Fish call’d _Chaousarou_, generally ten Foot long, with Heads like Sharks, and two rows of Teeth in their Mouths, their Skins full of strong Scales, which are sufficient Shields against Swords and Lances, are great devourers of other Fish and Fowls, which they take after this manner, _viz._ they swim amongst Reeds or Canes, and lie still with their Mouths open; whereat the Birds sitting down upon them, are immediately swallow’d.

The Natives of _Nova Francia_ anoint their bodies with Oil; in the Summer they go naked, and in the Winter mantle themselves in Furs. Their Warlike Accoutrements are Darts and Clubs, but chiefly great Shields. They are revengeful, cruel, and fraudulent; their Women common to all Men, from fifteen to twenty, after which, Marrying, they become very Chaste. Their Diet is _Indian_ Corn, fresh and salt Fish, Venison, _Buffalo_’s and Beavers flesh; wiping their Fingers (when greasie) on