to finish his work, and although there was much to accomplish, the future appeared more favourable than at any other time.  The company had a large capital at its disposal, and this alone seemed to insure the success of the colony.  Three ships were equipped for Quebec in the spring of 1633, the St. Pierre, one hundred and fifty tons burden, carrying twelve cannon; the St. Jean, one hundred and sixty tons, with ten cannon, and the Don de Dieu, eighty tons, with six cannon.  The ships carried about two hundred persons, including two Jesuits, a number of sailors and settlers, and one woman and two girls.  Provisions and ammunition were in abundance.  When the fleet arrived in the St. Lawrence, Champlain saw a number of English trading vessels which were there contrary to the treaty of St. Germain-en-Laye.  From this moment Champlain resolved to establish a fixed post for trading, both for the Indians as well as strangers.  The island selected for this purpose by Champlain was situated in the river St. Lawrence, about ten leagues above Quebec, and was named Richelieu Island.

Champlain caused the island to be fortified as soon as possible, and surrounded it with a platform, upon which cannon were placed pointing in every direction.  Sentinels were placed on guard, and it would have been impossible for vessels to pass unobserved.  The Indians were informed of this new plan, and in the autumn of the same year, the Nipissings and the Algonquins of the Iroquet came to this island for trading.  The Hurons, however, came to Quebec, as they had heard from the Algonquins of Allumette Island that the French would take revenge for the murder of Etienne Brule.  Champlain did not desire to punish them for the death of this traitor, and he therefore did his best to retain the friendship of the Indians, and entertained them at public feasts.  He knew well that their fur trade was of great importance, and, moreover, he wanted them as allies in the event of an attack by the Iroquois, which might be expected at any time, as they were unreliable and always anxious for war.  A league with the Hurons, Algonquins and Montagnais, with one hundred French, would, in the opinion of Champlain, be sufficient to protect the colony, and he wrote to that effect to the cardinal.  This was probably his last letter to the great minister:—­

“Monseigneur:—­The honour of the commands that I have received from your Eminence has inspired me with greater courage to render you every possible service with all the fidelity and affection that can be desired from a faithful servant.  I shall spare neither my blood nor my life whenever the occasion shall demand them.

“There are subjects enough in these regions, if your Eminence, considering the character of the country, shall desire to extend your authority over them.  This territory is more than fifteen hundred leagues in length, lying between the same parallels of latitude