1619 Champlain's company ventured to disagree with its founder, and,
as a consequence, another crisis arose in the affairs of New France.
The cause of dispute was the company's unwillingness to keep its
promises regarding colonization. Champlain protested. The company
replied that Pontgrave should be put in charge at Quebec. Champlain
then said that Pontgrave was his old friend, and he hoped they would
always be friends, but that he was at Quebec as the viceroy's
representative, charged with the duty of defending his interests. The
leader of Champlain's opponents among the shareholders was Boyer, a
trader who had formerly given much trouble to De Monts, but was now one
of the associates. When in the spring of 1619 Champlain attempted to
sail for Quebec as usual, Boyer {79} prevented him from going aboard.
There followed an appeal to the crown, in which Champlain was fully
sustained, and Boyer did penance by offering a public apology before
the Exchange at Rouen.

It was shortly after this incident that Conde abdicated in favour of
Montmorency. The admiral, like his predecessor, accepted a thousand
crowns a year and named Champlain as his lieutenant. He also
instituted an inquiry regarding the alleged neglect of the company to
maintain the post at Quebec. The investigation showed that abundant
cause existed for depriving the company of its monopoly, and in
consequence the grant was transferred, on similar terms, to William and
Emery de Caen. Here complications at once ensued. The De Caens, who
were natives of Rouen, were also Huguenots, a fact that intensified the
ill-feeling which had already arisen on the St Lawrence between
Catholic and heretic. The dispute between the new beneficiaries and
the company founded by Champlain involved no change in the policy of
the crown towards trade and colonization. It was a quarrel of persons,
which eventually reached a settlement in 1622. The De Caens then
compromised by reorganizing the {80} company and giving their
predecessors five-twelfths of the shares.

The recital of these intricate events will at least illustrate the
difficulties which beset Champlain in his endeavour to build up New
France. There were problems enough even had he received loyal support
from the crown and the company. With the English and Dutch in full
rivalry, he saw that an aggressive policy of expansion and settlement
became each year more imperative. Instead, he was called on to
withsta