That which we suppose gives the French so much the more confidence in their claim of this Country, is their presumption upon the Expedition of James Quartier, whom they will have to be the first Discoverer, if not Possessor, not onely of the Isle of Assumption, but also of this Coast of Nova Francia, not taking notice it seems of Sebastian Cabot, under Henry the Seventh.
The chief places of Note in this Countrey, are, 1. Port Royal, a Colony of French, said to have been Planted there by Monsieur de Montz in 1604. by report, capable of receiving a thousand Ships; and in 1613. (the French being driven out by Sir Samuel Argal, Governor of Virginia, who took Prisoners Biard and Masse, and demolish’d the Fort at Port Royal) given by Patent, as aforemention’d, to Sir William Alexander; afterwards by him sold again to the French; then in the time of Oliver Cromwel re-taken by Major Sedgwick; lastly, re-possess’d by the French. 2. St. Luke’s Bay, or Portua Mouton. 3. Gaspe, or Gachepe. 4. The Haven of Passepay. 5. The Bay de Toutes Isles. 6. The Fort de la Heve. 7. The Cape of Sable. Within the Southern Point Forchu, lies the Isle Longu, which boasts of a Silver Mine.
The most noted People of the ancient Inhabitants of Accadie were the Iroquois, lying most South-Westerly upon the Sea Coast, who us’d to drive a great Trade in Beavers and other Commodities.
Westerly before the River Chovacoet lies Bacchus Isle, full of Vineyards.
Remarkable manner of living.
The Inhabitants thereof differ very much from other Salvages, for they shave all the Hair from the Crown of their Head, wear long Locks behind, pleited together, and stuck full of Feathers, Paint their Faces black and red, and go arm’d with Clubs, Bows, Pikes, and Arrows pointed with Fish-bones: They Till their Ground very handsomly, and divide their Fields with Hedges; they Plant Tobacco, Vines, Cabbages, Maiz, and divers Colour’d Beans; the stalks of the Maiz serve in stead of Poles for their Beans to run up upon.
Beyond Cape de Rocher lies the brave Harbor Beauport, which is secur’d from all Winds by an Isle which lies in the midst of it. The Countrey Manur’d in most places, and Fruitful, feeds store of Men and Cattel.
The Haven of Malabar is surrounded in a manner with little Huts, cover’d with Mats, which in the Middle of the Room have a hole for the Smoke to go out at. The Southern shore is Sandy, and very dangerous.
For the more full exemplification of what concerns this part of Nova Francia, we shall conclude with an account of all Material Passages relating to the French, from their own Narrations as followeth.
Quartier’s Expedition.