March 15, 1603

I have decided to join Pontgrave, the fur trader’s crew venturing to North America in order to sell and trade furs. I plan to explore new and undiscovered land and territories in North America hoping to strike gold. I have dreamt of an expedition like this ever since I was a young boy growing up in Brouage. I would sit aside the ocean and gaze out for hours on end, contemplating the possibilities of what was on the other side of the water. Although I have no specific job aboard the ship due to the fact that I myself do not trade furs, I believe that I may benefit a great deal from this once in a lifetime opportunity.
When we reach our destination I plan to take full advantage of this opportunity that has presented itself to me. I shall look for a body of water to map that no one has seen before. I will circumnavigate my way on land and by river into concealed provinces to start a new country.

May 24, 1603

We’ve anchored in Tadoussac this morning and I must say I am quite excited. I have talked with Pontgrave (our captain), and a few other fellows about venturing up river to see what lies ahead. I have been told of some rapids further on, but I believe they are far enough up that we can still make some progress whilst not getting ourselves into danger. We have been stocking up on provisions as of late, water and fish mainly. Our miniature voyage should commence shortly, within the week if that. I have been busy since we landed as there is much to do and I do not know when I’ll be able to write again, but I will try.

July 3, 1608

Five years after my discovery of New France I have gone back to build a capital. It will be named Quebec and it is my habitation which I am building with care. Three structures are being constructed which will be the central buildings of the capital, Quebec. They are being built two stories high and I have secured them with a fifteen foot moat.
Having such a firm capital city (Quebec), in New France will assist in trade and commerce. People from New France and other parts of the world alike will come here to make trades and other transactions. Quebec will thrive in these situations, thus the success of New France as a whole. This capital city is going to be very strong and triumphant in the near future.

March 21, 1609

Upon my return to the capital of New France (Quebec) in the spring of this year, I was struck with horrifying news. I was told that the winter had hit hard and was disastrous to Quebec. There was an original total of twenty-eight colonists settled in Quebec in the beginning of winter last year. Only a mere eight of the original twenty-eight colonists survived the brutal first winter in Quebec.
Disease was a huge complication during this time, many deaths coming as a result of scurvy or smallpox disease. In addition to the disease going around the city, the weather, I am told was unbearable cold and atrocious. A few deaths were a direct result of the nasty weather in Quebec during the winter of 1608.

March 14, 1610

I have recently landed back in America and I am quite distressed to find that the Montagnais have started a war with the Iroquois. I have brought with me many mechanics and engineers to further our development; however this progress will be halted until this quarrel can be sorted out. I am allied with the Montagnais peoples, so I must take their side in this war, however I am hoping it will be resolved without too much bloodshed and quickly as possible. Because of all the mechanics I brought with me, I did not have room for more soldiers, as I did not foresee this war. I will take some of my own men but hopefully my allies will be able to handle themselves.

March 30, 1611

I met with the Montagnais chief to discuss the war and I agreed to help him take a fort. I marched my men to it but we were taken by surprise! A wave of arrows came out of nothing to barrage us. Some were lucky enough to leave unscathed….I was not. I was hit with a single arrow which severely wounded me, according to a doctor. This is not the only thing that has happened since I last wrote however. I have married to a beautiful maiden, Helen Boulle. After my injury, I sailed back to France and fell in love. I have not yet had any children, but I do hope to in the future.

June 13, 1613

A few months ago I arrived again in New France with high hopes and expectations coming into this visit. I planned on doing some more exploring, hoping to encounter the Northern Sea. In order to do this I thought it essential to follow along the river which I believe leads into the Northern Sea. Along the way I met with a man by the name of Tessouat, the Algonkian chief from the Island of Allumette. We made a deal that my men would construct a fort for the tribe if they would move there habitat to the Lachine Rapids. Due to the poor condition of the soil in Allumette Island, they agreed willingly and we built a fort for them. In exchange for our help, Tessouat gave me a string necklace with a wooden spearhead at the end. I could tell it was important to him and I appreciated the friendly gesture greatly.

September 10, 1615

Nine days ago on September 1, 1615 I arrived with the plan to have a military expedition through un-charted regions. We followed the bodies of water with the Huron’s to guide us. We stumbled across an Onondaga fort, and the Huron’s were pressuring the military to attack them.
Unfortunately for us, it was no the right call to make and the assault upon the Onondaga fort failed miserably. I was hit with two arrows in the leg (one hit the knee) and I screamed in pain as it pierced through my body. As I was lying on the ground, my leg in searing pain, I could not help but think that taking military action was a premature choice to make. I became very angry only to pass out shortly thereafter.

July 24, 1616

I have experienced a surplus of hardships over the past ten or nine months. It all began after I had been struck with the arrows in September. After the battle, the Huron’s insisted that I spend the winter with them in order to properly recuperate from my injuries. Much to my dismay I realized staying with the Huron’s was the best choice for me at this point.
I summoned up the courage to go on the Huron’s great deer hunt. Unfortunately, when I stopped to sit down and give my leg a rest, I fell asleep. When I woke up I realized I was all alone and I did not know what to do. For three days I had to kill to eat and I was praying that someone would find me, when finally a group of Indians found me and brought me to their village. I stayed with them for the winter; I left their village on May 22, 1616 and I arrived in Quebec on July 11 of the same year. I returned to France on July 20 and could not have been happier that the mayhem was now over.

December 5, 1634

I have recently received word from my physician that I do not have much longer to live. He is not exactly sure what I have, but he says the outlook is grim. I have lived a full life; however I would have liked to have had children. My beloved Helen is at my side at all times and it is very reassuring. I have been hit with three arrows and taken three severe wounds, but when I was recovering from those, I knew I was going to be okay, this time I am not so sure. As a parting gift to Helen, I will give her my favorite piece of jewelry, the necklace that was made for me by Tessouat. I have arranged for it to be given to her on Christmas day…because the odds are against me seeing Christmas day this year.