Jacques Cartier

Jacques Cartier was born on December 31, 1491 in Saint-Malo, France. He made three important trips to North America in a fairly short period of time.In 1534, Cartier was given a commission by King Francis 1 to explore the Newfoundland coast and search for the important route to Asia. He was also to "discover certain islands and lands where it is said that a great quantity of gold and other precious things are to be found". Cartier left France on April 20th, 1534 with two ships and a crew of only 20.

The Great Auk

Labrador coast

He explored parts of Newfoundland, the areas now the Canadian Atlantic provinces and the Gulf of St. Lawrence. During one stop at Îles aux Oiseaux (Islands of the Birds), his crew slaughtered around 1 000 birds, most of them great auks which are now extinct (they became extinct in 1844).As Cartier sailed by the rugged coast of Labrador, he was impressed with the rock and lack of vegetation. He nicknamed the area ‘the land God gave to Cain.’ Cartier was referring to the Biblical story of Cain and Abel. In the story, Cain kills his brother, Abel. Cartier figured that if God was to punish Cain for his sin by putting him in a remote and desolate place, the coast of Labrador would do nicely!

Cartier's first encounter with aboriginal people, the Micmac, was brief and some trading occurred.

On another encounter on the first voyage, Cartier later wrote in his journal that he panicked as 50 Micmac canoes surrounded one of his long boats. Despite the Native’s signs of peace, Cartier ordered his men to shoot two warning shots over their heads. The Micmac quickly paddled away.

Cartier's third meeting with the Natives took place at Baie de Gaspé with the St. Lawrence Iroquoians, where on July 24 he planted a ten-meter cross with the words "Long Live the King of France" engraved on it and took possession of the land in the name of the king. The Native chief who was there understood what he was doing and was not impressed.

Cartier wrote in his journal: “When we had returned to our ships, the chief, dressed in an old black bear-skin, arrived in a canoe with three of his sons and his brother....And pointing to the cross he made us a long harangue (scolding), making the sign of the cross with two of his fingers; and then he pointed to the land all around about, as if he wished to say that all this region belonged to him, and that we ought not to have set up this cross without his permission....” Cartier ordered his men to seize the chief and his two sons and to bring them aboard where they were provided with food and drink.

Cartier had a problem: He was given orders to find a route to China or bring back valuable items. As the first voyage concluded, Cartier had not accomplished either goal. Without doing something important on this trip, he may not get another trip to the New Land. So he did something quite daring.

Before leaving for France, Cartier captured the two young Iroquoian men name Domagaya and Taignoagny who were the sons of Chief Donnacona. Cartier indicated that he would bring them back to the chief's village the following summer. Chief Donnacona at last agreed that his sons may be taken under the condition that Cartier return with European goods to trade.

In Paris, the two Natives were a great attraction for the king. They learned French and told many stories of the land in North America, including an area of great wealth. The king thought they meant gold, silver or diamonds. Cartier’s plan worked. The King granted Cartier a second voyage to Canada to search for the treasure as well as to return the two Natives to their home.

The Second VoyageCartier left France with three ships and 110 men. Why so many men? This journey had both sailors and miners on board. The miners were going to find the gold, silver or diamonds and fill the ship!When he reached Canada, he immediately sailed up the St. Lawrence River and reached the Native village of Stadacona (which is now Quebec City) on September 7th 1535. He took the smaller of his three ships and sailed further up the river until he reached the Native village of Hachelaga. Cartier climbed up the hill that overlooked the village and called the hill Mount Royal, in French Montreal.

Even though it was starting to get cooler, Cartier sailed even further up the river until he reached rapids in the river and could go no further. He mistakenly believed that China was just beyond the rapids. He called these rapids LeChine – the China rapids.

Cartier waited too long to return to France. His ships became stuck in the ice with no chance of escape. He would have to spend the winter in Canada. He and his crew would become the first Europeans to winter in Canada.The ordeal was devastating to Cartier and his men. They were not prepared for the harsh winter. Cold and without adequate food, most of the men got scurvy, a disease caused by a lack of vitamin C. Many of his crew died.

It was the sons of Donnacona who eventually taught the French sailors to boil cedar needles which makes a black and bitter tea high in vitamin C. All who drank it began to feel better.In the spring, Cartier had nothing to show for his journey. The tales of riches had been empty. To save the second journey, Cartier tried the same move and kidnapped more natives including Chief Donnacona himself.

The Third JourneySix years later, in 1541, Cartier was given a commission for his third voyage to North America. But this time, things were going to be different. The King decided that Cartier would not be in charge of this voyage. Instead, Jean-Francois Roberval was to be the leader and Cartier would be his guide.The King was no longer interested in exploring; he wanted a settlement. Roberval’s orders were to ‘establish a permanent colony in New France and spread the Roman Catholic faith’.

Cartier was furious. Why was he ordered to be a guide after he had already been the leader of two voyages? To Cartier, it seemed as though he was getting a demotion!! He would not take this! In May of 1541, Cartier disobeyed his orders and left for Canada one year early with sailors he found himself…one year ahead of Roberval’s departure.

He arrived in Stadacona in the early Autumn and endured another harsh winter in Canada. The Natives remembered his kidnapping of their leader and they did not trust Cartier. There was almost no contact between them. As Cartier explored the region, he came upon an area rich in what he thought was gold and diamonds! He loaded his ship full and headed to Newfoundland where he met Roberval and his ships. Roberval ordered Cartier to spend another winter in Canada.

Roberval did not know of Cartier’s riches and Cartier was not willing to share his riches with Roberval. In the middle of the night, Cartier secretly left Newfoundland and sailed back to France. In France, Cartier was expecting to be treated like royalty for all of the riches he had discovered.He was embarrassed to find out that his ‘diamonds’ were worthless quartz and his ‘gold’ was iron pyrite better known as ‘fools gold’. Cartier was humiliated. Roberval returned shortly after, defeated as well. France was humiliated. 50 years would pass before another French king would risk sending another explorer to Canada.