Pioneer Laymen of North America (Volume 1) (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1915. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER II Hudson Bay Company Whatever views may be taken of their claims as discoverers of the great inland sea there is no doubt that they were unjustly and cruelly treated, on their return to Quebec, not indeed by their fellow Canadians, who seemed to sympathize with them, but by the mulish and wrong-headed Avaugour. In hope of better things they went to France, but all that could be obtained there, was the promise of a vessel to continue their explorations. It was not full reparation, but at least it would enable them to retrieve their fortunes. Believing what they were told, they returned to America and waited for the vessel at Isle Percee in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. But a Jesuit missionary was sent to inform them that the Government had changed its mind. Of course there was no use going to Quebec after that breach of faith, so they made their way to Cape Breton. There they were mobbed and, in fear of their lives, fled to Port Royal, in Nova Scotia, which was then under English rule. Now begins the accusations of treachery and apostasy. Charlevoix calls them des transfuges, but if they were, then every unfortunate emigrant who leaves his country to improve his fortunes is likewise a fugitive. It is a perversion of truth to call them at this stage of the career " Huguenot adventurers," as Douglas describes them in his "Old France in the New World" (p. 516). Up to that, both of them had been conspicuous as missionary helpers; the Jesuits had been interceding for them at Quebec, and Chouart, who had accompanied Father Menard to the Far West, is called by Dionne "a Jesuit donne or oblate." Whatever may be the truth about Radisson, this the only instance which we know of in which Chouart is accused of leaving the Faith. At Port Royal they succeeded in in...