Log #1

Capitan's Log

The bishop of Saint-Malo asked the French King, Francois I to sponsor a expedition to the new world and the bishop recommended me to lead the voyages to find a way west to the Pacific and claim new lands for France. I was recommended because I had already been out to Brazil and Newfoundland. I was lucky that the king accepted this and I will set sail from the French port of St. Malo on April 20, 1534 with two ships and 61 men. I am being sent to find specific islands where large amounts of gold are said to be. I am kind of scared of what I will find but exited to find new lands for my country. Before I go I want to write a little about my self just in case anything happens to me. I was born in 1491 CE and my parents are Jamet Cartier and Geseline Jansart. I belong to a respectable family of mariners which improved my social status when I married my beautiful wife Marie Catherine who is a member of a leading ship-owning family. I was born in St. Malo, France a beautiful land that fascinates me. I trained to be a sailor and navigator before I started my voyages. I also trained as a navigator in Dieppe, France. I went along with Giovanni Da Verazzano on his voyage in 1524 along the coast of America. This was while my home land was in war with Spain.

Log #2

April 15, 1534

Today, I was asked by the King of France to go on a voyage and find a western route from France to Asia. My crew and I will leave in April with two ships. On each of the ships there will be thirty men and in total their will be sixty. We will cross the Atlantic Ocean and try to find new land, or islands, to claim for the king of France. While we do this we will also try and find a western route from our home county to Asia. Also, if there are people on the lands that we go to, I will trade with them and try to get more goods for the king. I really hope that if all goes well, I will be rewarded by His Highness. Also, if I find new land, I hope that everyone that hears that I found it, and that they will be very proud of me for doing this for our country. I an very proud to work for the king and help him expand the country that he owns.

Jacques Cartier

Log #3

September 4, 1534

My crew and I are going to arrive back at the home shores of France in a matter of hours. When I was on this voyage to find a western route to Asia I found that it would be very difficult to do because there are these large pieces of ice that in the water and, my crew and I do not want to get close to them because we think that if we do something bad will happen to our ships. So we decided to ignore these large pieces of ice and sail strait so that we could possibly find land. It was very good that we did this because my crew and I found a very largely populated area that had men, women, and children on it. Their was a water way that went in between two lands and I named it the St. Lawrence River: because of the Saints in France. When I got down this river I made trading posts. These trading posts helped us trade with the natives that were living in the land. When we were just about to leave the area I capture two native of the name Dom Aguaya and Talgnoagny. The reason that I capture these two native was because if I had to go back to this area they could help me navigate. When I get to land I hope that the King is very proud of what I have accomplished.

Jacques Cartier

Log # 4

May 18, 1535

Once again, I have been asked by the king to go on another voyage. This time I am not going on the voyage to find a route to Asia; this time I am going to find treasures for our country and my lord, the king. We are leaving on May 19 with three ships with the names the Gonde Hermine, the Petit Hermine and the Emerillion. There will be one hundred-ten men that will go on this voyage including the two captives that were taken from their father, on the first voyage. This time, we will be very prepared for any disaster that may occur on our journey back to the New World. We will get to our destination with ease, ignoring all of the obstacles; icebergs, cold weather. I will bring back treasure for our king and I will get many more items that will be of use. When we get back from the journey our king will be very proud of us. When I talk to the king I hope that he is very proud of me and that he gives me riches for going on these voyages for him.

Jacques Cartier.

Log #5

July 1, 1536

My crew and I are about one week away from the shores of France. We have seen many new exotic animals that include the walrus, the polar bear, and the belugas. On our voyage we got to the St. Lawrence River, once again, and this time we almost got all the way up the river. On my way up the river we set up trading posts, houses, and a fort at Stadacona. As our crew got to the shores of the New World the natives greeted us with open hearts. The natives that I met were under the leadership of Donnacona. When we were just about to leave I decided not to because it was extremely cold and there were many ice bergs in the water. We should have gone for the chance because since we stayed many of my crew got scurvy. When this happened the natives came and showed us a cure for scurvy. Is we left the shores of the New World I was able to get the captives, that I got on the first voyage, back on the ship. And I also got the Leader to come with us. When I see the king I am sure that will be very proud of me.

Jacques Cartier

Log #6

May 23, 1541

I have recently departed from Saint Malo to head across the open waters to the new land. I have along with me 5 ships, each carrying supplies and surplus to trade with the Indians. This has proven to be quite profitable for France, being that we provide the foreigners with goods in exchange for gold and other valuables. My last voyage proved to be very profitable, myself attaining rare stones such as rubies and gold and selling them for a hefty profit. I am concerned for my personal wellbeing. I captured and educated some Indians from my last escapade so that they could serve as guides for our people who are traveling to Canada. The tribes that they were abducted from could retaliate at anytime, so I must be attentive. His royal majesty himself has assigned me the task of colonizing this primitive land, as to further expand and glorify France. I belive his resoning behind this is that of the land which Spain has recently obtained. I have no doubt in our lordship’s decision, but it is evident that jealousy is a factor in his choice. Our king, Frances I, gave the position of leadership to Jean Francois de la Rocque, whist I have been allotted to the Captain-General and the Master Pilot. These arraignments seem to be well suited, I have been to these lands before, and therefore know the terrain more accurately than Mr. de la Rocque. This journey will be proven to be success to France, and will enhance its and my reputation. Haha, next time I arrive at Saint Malo, I will showered with praise and affection for my deeds to our country. It seems we have drifted into a small squall, and so I am needed on deck.

Until next time,

Jacques Cartier

Log #7

June 28, 1542

Retreat was our only option. I was I high sprits about arriving in Canada, my previous exploits having been so successful that I thought that to repeat this was to be a simple task. Such is irony. When my crew and I arrived, the calm and good natured natives were hostile. They inquired about their king; Donnacona, and what has become o him after we took him back to France with us on out last voyage. I told them of his death, but also of his adoration of the country, which sadly I do not think existed. The Indians seemed then to form a façade of kindness, which was a mask for their contempt of us. I established a fort for our people, and then set out for the approval of the local Chieftains. I was able to secure faith with one tribe whom I have had past experiences with, but found it hard to coerce others into the idea of colonization. When I returned to my ships, I discovered there to be roughly 300 Indians surrounding them. I began to become suspicious of the chieftain I had allied with, these assumptions based on the obvious hint that the natives where hiding something. I was right. The natives had decided to betray us, and with only a limited amount of firepower and men, we did not stand too much of a chance. I gave instructions to our base of operations to be ready for an attack at any given time. I made plans to leave, whilst Robertval decided to remain for financial purposes. I think I have made a wise choice leaving, but I pray that those who remain will be in good health. I have an odd feeling that something will go awry quite soon.

Until next time,

Jacques Cartier

Log #8

October 4, 1541

My prediction has become horribly true. The recent update from Canada is that over 50 of our settlers have died from disease, and a few from the Indians revolting as well. I recently appeared before a commission to plead for more money to send a ship to Robertval in Canada. With the current situation in this foreign land, I think that this man is worthy enough and has done enough good for France so that he may be allowed an escape from this hellish environment. Hopefully, he will return in safety. As I wished would happen, I am to say the least, have the popularity of a lord or duke because of my exploits. I have considered sailing again to Canada, but the chance of it is slim. My current medical condition is also conflicting with this. I feel warm and faint, and it is too strenuous to move over long distances or to be active. I believe my time here is soon to end, but I am glad to say that at least I have achieved something.

Until next time,

Jacques Cartier