To de Monts the visit of Champlain was of great importance, because the fate of Quebec was bound up with him.  After hearing Champlain’s narrative of his voyages in New France, de Monts decided to visit Rouen in order to consult Collier and Legendre, his associates.  After deliberation they resolved to continue their efforts to colonize New France and to further explore the great river St. Lawrence.  In order to realize means for defraying the expenses of the expedition, Pont-Grave was authorized to engage in any traffic that would help to accomplish this end.  In the meantime Lucas Legendre was ordered to purchase merchandise for the expedition, to see to the repairs of the vessels, and to obtain crews.  After these details had been arranged de Monts and Champlain returned to Paris to settle the more important questions.

De Monts’ commission, which had been issued for one year, had expired, but he hoped that it would be renewed.  His requests, which appeared just and reasonable, were, however, refused, owing to protests on the part of merchants of Bretagne and Normandy, who claimed that this monopoly was ruinous to their commerce.  Finally de Monts appealed to his former partners, who decided to furnish two vessels, at their own expense, with supplies and stores necessary for the settlement.  Pont-Grave was given the command of a fur-trading vessel, and the other was laden with provisions and stores necessary for the use of the settlers.  Champlain was informed that his services were dispensed with, but not believing that this news could be true, he saw de Monts and asked him frankly whether such was the case.  De Monts told him that he could accompany the expedition, if he chose to do so.  Champlain therefore set out from Paris on the last day of February, 1610, and proceeded to Rouen, where he remained for two days, and then left for Honfleur, to meet Pont-Grave and Legendre, who informed him that the vessels were ready to sail.

FOOTNOTES: 

[9] Le Testu’s Christian name was Guillaume.  His first voyage to Newfoundland was made in 1601.  He came to Quebec in 1608, 1610, 1611, 1612, 1613, 1614, and 1616.  He was successively captain of the Fleur de Lys, the Trinite and the Nativite.  He was very circumspect in his dealings.

[10] Champlain often speaks of this man.  His true name was Claude Godet, Sieur des Marets.  His father, Cleophas Godet, a lawyer, had three sons, Claude, Jean and Jesse.  Jean was Sieur du Parc, and Jesse parish priest of Chambois in 1634.  Both Claude and Jean came to Canada.  Claude des Marets was married, in 1615, to Jeanne Grave, only daughter of Francois Grave, Sieur du Pont.  He died about the year 1626, leaving one child named Francois, who came to New France with his grandfather, and was present at the capitulation of Quebec in 1629.

[11] This is the river de Fouez of Jacques Cartier, and the Metaberoutin of the Indians, and now the river St. Maurice, to which historians have given the name of Three Rivers, because two islands divide it into three branches at its entrance; these branches are called Les Chenaux, or the narrow channels.