In the year 1608, trading was conducted with the Indians at Tadousac, but in 1610 it was alternately at Tadousac, and near Cape de la Victoire at the entrance of the Richelieu River.  During the latter period, the fur trade was a failure, although the vessels annually carried from twelve to fifteen thousand skins to France, which were sold at one pistole each.  From the year 1610, Tadousac ceased to be the rendezvous of traders, and the great centre was at Sault St. Louis, until the year 1618.  From this time, for several consecutive years, Three Rivers was the principal trading-post, and finally the Indians went down to Quebec, or to Cape de la Victoire, or du Massacre, and at a still later period the Isle of Richelieu, opposite the parish of Deschambault, some fifteen leagues above Quebec, was chosen as a trading-place.

Champlain was not opposed to the fur trade; on the contrary, he favoured it, provided that it was conducted honestly, as it afforded him opportunities for making new discoveries, and also for maintaining friendly relationship with the Indians.  The Recollets had no connection with the trade, although through their efforts commercial intercourse was often facilitated.

Speaking of the trading of 1618, Champlain mentions a class of men who eventually attained considerable influence in colonial affairs.  These men were the factors or clerks employed and paid by the merchants.  Some of them obtained notoriety on account of their treason and bad conduct, while others were distinguished by their devotedness to Champlain and the missionaries.  The clerks or factors were engaged by the fur trading merchants who had their principal factory at Quebec.  The staff consisted of a chief clerk, of clerks and underclerks; and their functions were to receive merchandise on its arrival, to place it in the store, and when the trading was complete, to exchange the goods for skins, which were then carefully packed for exportation.  The clerks visited the places chosen by the Indians for trading, and generally conducted the exchanges themselves.  Some of them employed the services of interpreters who were readily found, and were frequently sent among the natives to induce them to visit the clerks.  The duties of the clerks were not always easily performed.  They had many difficulties to encounter, but as successful trading might lead to future promotion, there were advantages connected with the office.  Thierry-Desdames, one of the underclerks at Quebec in 1622, was appointed captain of the Island of Miscou, in recognition of his faithful service.  This is not the only instance of promotion recorded by Champlain.  Beauchesne and Loquin are also mentioned in the Relations of 1618 and 1619.

When Champlain returned from France in 1620, he was accompanied by Jean Baptiste Guers, the business representative of the Duke of Montmorency, who rendered good service to Champlain and the settlers.  In the same year Pont-Grave traded at Three Rivers, and he was assisted by two clerks called Loquin and Caumont, and an underclerk, Rouvier.  Before leaving for France, Pont-Grave placed Caumont in charge of his factory.  Rouvier also left for France, under the pretext that the company refused to increase his wages.  The departure of a clerk, however, was of small importance, when we consider the trouble which had arisen among the associates.