Canada, as it is taken for one and the same Province with New France, contains New France, properly so call’d, Nova Scotia, Norumbega, and some adjoyning Islands, as the Canada of Cluverius, lying more North-Westerly, comprehends (as we have already intimated) Estotiland, Laboratoris, and Corterealis, and, according to the most modern Division (for that of Cluverius neither consents with the latest Authors, nor agrees with exact Survey, it being nam’d Canada, in respect the River Canada runs through it) hath on the North Terra Corterealis, on the South New England, and on the East the Ocean, and hath between forty five and fifty two or fifty three Degrees of Northern Latitude. The River Canada is judg’d to be the largest of all the Rivers of America, as those Rivers generally the largest of all in the World besides; it rises in the Western parts of this Province which remain yet undiscover’d, and in some places spreads it self into huge Lakes, some of them a hundred Miles in compass, with many little Islands dispersed up and down in them, and so running from the West about a hundred Leagues, falls at last into the North part of St. Lawrence Bay, being that wide Emboucheure of thirty five Miles breadth already mention’d. This River is extraordinary full of Fish, among which there is one sort more remarkable than the rest, call’d by the Inhabitants Cadhothuis, having Heads resembling the Heads of Hares, and Bodies as white as Snow; they are taken for the most part before the Isle de Lievres. The Countrey on both sides of the River is pleasant and indifferently fertile, especially towards the South-West, where upwards from the River the Ground rises into many little Hills, invested most of them with Vines, with which and several other sorts of Trees this Countrey abounds, being well water’d with a great many lesser Streams, all of them falling into the River Canada.
First discovery.
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.
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 their Heads, or their Dogs backs, which wait for the Scraps.
Strange proof of Valor.
Wonderful opinion of God.