affairs
at the court of France, which would not renew the former exclusive
privileges.

[2] This nomination of Champlain as lieutenant of the Viceroy of
New France was dated October 15, 1612; hence, in lists of official
functionaries of Canada, this date is frequently put as that on
which the rule of governors commenced, Champlain being set down as
the first.

Early in May, 1613, Champlain arrived at Quebec. The people whom he had
left there in 1611 had passed the two preceding winters without any
notable occurrence and free from suffering or disease. After a short
delay he proceeded up the river to Sault St. Louis, at the foot of the
Rapids, where he expected to find many of his former Indian friends
assembled in readiness for traffic. In fact, his mind was now intent upon
a long journey of exploration westward, in company with some returning
chiefs. But this season few Indians came, which Champlain attributed to
misconduct on the part of the traders the previous year while he was
absent in France. Taking with him two canoes, manned by four Frenchmen
and an Indian guide, he contrived to pass the Rapids and to surmount all
the other difficulties of a first passage up the river Ottawa, until he
arrived at Ile Allumettes, where resided a friendly chief named Tessouat,
who received him with cordial hospitality, and celebrated his unexpected
visit by giving a grand entertainment. Champlain requested canoes and
people to conduct him and his attendants on the way to Lake Nipissing,
whence, according to information of Nicolas du Vignau, who had passed the
previous winter with Tessouat, there was a practicable route to the North
Sea, from which, it was believed, the coveted passage to China would be
found. Champlain's hopes rose with this information, but before he could
act upon it Du Vignau was proved to be an impostor. Champlain, therefore,
with reluctance, sorrowfully commenced his journey homeward to Quebec,
whence, toward the latter part of August, he again sailed for France, in
order to promote the interests of the colony, so much dependent on the
course of events in the mother-country.

In April, 1615, Champlain sailed from Harfleur with several vessels
having on board supplies for the colony--artisans and laborers, together
with four persons of the religious order of Franciscans, called
Recollets. The latter took out with them the appliances and ornaments
that might be required for the