Discovering America Podcast

The ship, the Half Moon, sailed as far up the Hudson River as Waterford, New York. William and four other men rowed off to explore farther up the river to make sure there was enough depth for the ship. Well their findings were that the Half Moon had reached the furthermost point possible. Henry Hudson and the crew were visited by many Indians along their travels. Some were cordial and some were not. The third voyage was financed by the Dutch. Upon his arrival home the English were not too happy about another country exploring “their land.” So how much farther can one travel west?

Men tried to find a shorter distance to the Orient by sailing north and then head east passing above Norway. The greatest obstacle was the ice barrier, a free open sea was not to be found and what about the cold climate? So the eastern direction was out of the question. Hudson headed west after the crew told him that was a good idea. Hudson’s third voyage finds him near Virginia and adding to the discovery of the river that bears his name. So John what’s the weather like?

Nicolet became very familiar with the northwest and not just the land, but its inhabitants. First living with the Algonquins for two years on Allumette Island and then spent 8 to 9 years with the Nipissing tribe located near Lake Nipissing. With so much experience with the Indian’s language, Champlain sent him on an expedition to push father into unknown territory, something Champlain was not able to do. “Hello, my name is Jean Nicolet, how do you do?”

The coasts were becoming quite the busy place and yet France still expected to have a monopoly of the trading business with the Indians at The Three Rivers, Montréal, and Tadoussac. And what about the many ports where the fisherman hung out? The territory was immense. The conflict with France and England didn’t help matters. Here comes the English strength laying claim to New France by the commander David Kirke along with his brothers Thomas and Louis Kirke in 1629. Champlain regained command of Quebec in 1633, although on Christmas day 1635, Champlain passed away. What he left behind was invaluable, volumes of his works, maps and charts.

The company never fulfilled its part of the bargain to supply needed provisions and manpower to keep the fort and settlement strong. Relations with the fathers of the cloth seemed to be progressing. Yet, unrest among the Indian tribes had started up again, not to mention the killings that had occurred without bringing the guilty to justice and discovering why such actions had happened in the first place. Champlain dug in and with his continued commitment used what resources were available to keep the country afloat. The changing of the Viceroy probably didn’t help matters. And then the English show up laying claim to the land of New France.

Champlain was in charge but, he needed the King and his Lord Montmorency to be on his side, once and for all, to set precedence upon the old and new companies involved in the fur trade. New France also needed people who were willing to put their heart and mind into this venture, so far not so well. Champlain now has a new Indian friend, Miristou or Mahigan Aticq, which meant wolf and stag. And with the two Iroquois peace makers, things may be looking up for New France.

A major incident that could have upset the balance of New France was smoothed over with the sight and integrity of Champlain. Now if he could just get the cooperation of the traders and those in France, well he did have the support of the King and Duc de- Montmorency. His wife would now join him in Quebec. If only there was a Nordstrom here, my wife would be very happy.

This trip Champlain sails with 4 friars who start the process of building their new homes and chapels, with the intent of converting the Indians to Christianity. Champlain sets out to fulfill another promise of helping his Indian allies against the Iroquois. This time around he was late and the war party left without him. Along the way, he would visit many Indian villages cementing the friendship and trade that was so important to him. The war or minor engagement was a bust; they headed back with their tails between their legs. Champlain was forced to spend the winter of 1615-16 with the Algonquins, but he made the best of it, taking notes of their life style and customs, along with visiting many surrounding villages. If only I had a camera.

Poutrincourt was having trouble with the aristocrats in France, being forced to allow the Jesuits into his realm and trying to keep Port Royal to himself. Marquise de Guercheville had the means and the desire to save the souls of New France, take the land for herself and of course, profit from the fur trade. Champlain had connections with Count de Soissons, Charles de Bourbon and would stand behind his New France ambitions. He really wanted to witness the Northern Sea. A man by the name of Nicholas de Vignau, expressed that he had been there. So off they went, to bad Nicholas was lying.

Champlain had to make good on his promises so, he set out with the Algonquin, Huron and Montagnais Indian tribes to battle the Iroquois, the firing of the French arquebuses un-nerved the Iroquois, and  the battle was soon over. Once this was behind him, he set out to lay the groundwork for another settlement, La Place Royale - Montreal. Champlain wanted to experience the unknown lands of these Indian tribes, so building a friendship with these people was important, so far so good. Does anyone know the way to San José?

De-Monts’ commission extended his monopoly of the fur trade for one more year, and so two ships were fitted out at the port of Honfleur. Pontgrave’s trading post at Tadoussac was still holding on. The Basque fur traders were trading with the Indians and were not inclined to honor his piece of paper from the king of France about the fur trade. Champlain heads down the St. Lawrence to create a most wonderful colony, Quebec. So how is the fishing here?

Poutrincourt was driven to make sure his little trading post at Port Royal would continue to flourish. Champlain was still on the look-out for that perfect location to start his new colony. He would explore again Nauset Harbor, Cape Cod Bay and a little bit beyond. His crew paid a visit to many Indians, noting their customs and living conditions, not all were friendly. Lescarbot was, may I say, along for the ride to inspire his writings. Is that Plymouth Harbor over there? Yes but, not the spot I was looking for

The fisherman of the world had been sailing across the Atlantic for years, some even trading European wares for firs with the Indians in Canada. Aymar de Chastes would beg from Henry IV a patent to colonize the New World. He formed a company with the more prominent among the merchants. Two small ships set sail one commanded by Francois Grave Du Pont and the other by Samuel de Champlain. Frenchman were again leaving their footprints on the North American continent.

Sir Walter Raleigh wanted to be a part of the colonization of the New World. He had the financial abilities to fund such a venture. And so with a patient in hand from the Queen of England, the voyages began to establish a colony on the shores of what they called Wingandacon, later called Virginia and today is actually the state of North Carolina. The settlement only lasted 10 months; the settlers were picked up by none other than Sir Francis Drake. If there was a Walmart there, we would have stayed.

The battles of Gravelines pushed the Spanish back. Francis tried to pursue the survivors but the weather changed his mind. When Phillip heard that England was cutting the dragon loose, that being Drake, he had many of his sea ports fortified, Francis would soon realize the days of plundering were behind him. In the name of the Queen, I want your gold!

The fire in the eyes of Sir Francis Drake was not dead; he knew Spain was planning to attack England, but when? The Queen wanted a defensive war well; Francis wasn’t a defensive type of guy. He wanted to destroy the Spanish armada once and for all. The fight would come to England and in the age of sails sometimes it came down to the temperament of Mother Nature. “Hold on tight mates, here comes another gale!”

Francis Drake had the abilities to have men flock to his side; they knew action was in their future. He also had the tactics to wage destruction to those who fought against him upon the high seas and had strategies to conquer coastal settlements. Francis was a thorn in the side of King Phillip; these next few assaults would only further his irritation.

While Queen Elizabeth was busy figuring out if a war with Spanish was emanate, Francis slipped away on a mission of his own. The sailors on board were told they were bound for Alexandra but, after a wrong turn, they must have realized this trip was headed for more interesting waters. Francis Drake and his ships would load up on Spanish treasures. This was not all, second on the agenda was a trip around the world. Come one come all! Who is ready for a terror trip through the Magellan straits?

England and Spain are in the middle of deciding whether to go to war or not. Drake had other plans so he slipped down to the Spanish Main to help himself to the treasures sitting in their storehouses. The ex-Spanish African slaves, the Cimarrones or Maroons as called by the sailors would go along with Drake’s schemes. Shipping was not what it used to be; now there was Drake and company. The ships dragging from the weight of their cargo arrived back at England. Only to find out that Spain had a price on his head, time to lay low. To Ireland I go. No ship was safe with Francis Drake at the helm.

This episode mixes in the history of the unsettled affairs in Europe and how a very famous pirate or should I say privateer got involved. Francis Drake is just getting his feet wet with the fight against the Spanish control of the wealth coming out of the Indies and beyond.