Jacques Cartier
By Fallon Nichols
Basic Information
Why he is important
Sources
Voyages to America
2nd voyage: The king sent him back in May of 1535 with 3 ships and 110 men. The 2 Indians he previously captured served as guides, and he navigated the St. Lawrence as far as Quebec. In September, he sailed down the Montreal river and was welcomed by the Iroquois Indians who controlled the area. He was told that there were other rivers nearby that had gold, silver, copper and spices around them. But, before they could continue, winter came and the river became impassable, and they also angered the Iroquois. He than waited until spring, captured some of them, and headed back to France.
3rd voyage: He was again sponsored by the king and left in May of 1541 with 5 ships with colonists following behind them. He set up camp near Quebec and found an abundance of what he thought were gold and diamonds. In spring, he left base, not waiting for the colonists and sailed for France. En route, he stopped at Newfoundland and encountered the colonists. A man named Roberval told him to go back with him, but Cartier refused, since the Indians were no longer friendly. He was again asked to go back, but he didn't listen and sneaked away during the night. The colonists had a harsh winter, especially because Roberval was cruel and whipped anyone who disobeyed him. By spring, more than half of the colonists had died.