MEMORANDUM

To: Tony Max

From: Quillan O'Neill
Date: Thursday 19, 2015
Re: Samuel de Champlain's Portrait
I have been assigned the task of describing Samuel de Champlain's appearance based
on 5 adjectives that describe him. I would like you to paint Champlain's full body portrait
with the features provided throughout this memorandum. Champlain was decisive,
persistent, disciplined, skilled and audacious. Champlain's portrait was never painted so
you may decide upon the smaller details. If you have any further questions you may
contact me via this mail address.
DECISIVE: Champlain was a fast decision maker who seized opportunity.
Champlain recognized Qubec as a strong defensive location. In 1608
Champlain landed his 28 settlers on Qubec and, taking advantage of its natural
defences, began constructing a post. This was a strategical decision as Qubec
was closer to the First Nations than Tadoussac where Jaques Cartier had
settled. The First Nations would first trade with Champlain and then paddle
farther up stream to Tadoussac. This meant Qubec received a wide variety of
furs and many bargains.
In addition, Champlain became allies with the Algonquin, Montagnais and
Huron. These alliances were strong decisions as trade with the First Nations
became very profitable. Unfortunately, the First Nations wanted a military
alliance. Champlain agreed to explore the Iroquois islands along Richelieu River
to battle the Iroquois in 1609. This military alliance resulted in Champlain
becoming enemies with the Iroquois.
To portray Champlain's decisive characteristics, his eyes should be slightly
squinted and his right arm pointing into the distance. Squinted eyes suggests
that he was analytical. Pointing demonstrates that he could come to a conclusion
and keep his people moving forward.

 PERSISTENT: Champlain never gave up on creating a settlement in North

America. Pierre du Gua, the Sieur de Monts, founded Port Royal with his
assistant, Champlain. Champlain eventually realized Port Royal would not be a
successful trading post. He then created the Company of Good Cheer to raise
spirits during the miserable winters. Once he saw that raised spirits could not
turn Port Royal around, Champlain went exploring for a new post location. In
Champlains persistent effort to set up a trading post in North America he
founded Qubec.
Years after founding, Champlain was determined to get additional funding and
settlers to support Qubec. Many trips between Qubec and France were
required to get the necessary funding and settlers. Champlain crossed the
Atlantic Ocean 20 times in order to convince investors to support Qubec.
Champlain was then funded by the most powerful man in France, Cardinal
Richelieu, and started the Company of a Hundred Associates.
After the English Kirke Brothers attacked Qubec, Champlain was forced to
hand Qubec to England. England eventually sold Qubec back to France and
Champlain was sent off to resume his progress. Upon arrival, Champlain
discovered Qubec had been burnt to the ground after being sold. Regardless,
Champlain spent two years rebuilding Qubec. This was his final act of
persistence before passing away on Christmas day, 1635.
Champlain should be angled to the left with his eyes focused on the far horizon
to show his persistence. This demonstrates that Champlain was always
searching for new opportunities to make old projects grow.

DISCIPLINED: Champlain was disciplined and focused on long term benefits.

As a child, Champlain grew up in the town of Brouage. Brouage was the best
fortified harbour in France. The salt trade was substantial as many large ships
came into port. Brouage was also a manufacturing centre. This town was under
constant battle of possession as it was highly valuable. As a result, Champlain
could not get a strong education and was primarily self taught. To teach oneself
today is relatively straight forward as classes and curriculums are offered online.
In the 1500's even books were hard to come across.
Many other explorers believed they had the right to abuse First Nations as they
were infidel. Champlain ignored this policy in order to maintain a strong alliance

with the First Nations. It would have been difficult to avoid the temptation of this
policy as many other explorers lived by this rule.
Champlain should be painted with a straight face with his left fist balled to
portray his discipline. A straight face shows his self control and seriousness. A
balled fist gives a clean look and shows how he is orderly and in control.

SKILLED: Champlain was a skilled explorer. In 1599 Champlain was given

command of a large ship and chartered to voyage to the West Indies. Champlain
was then recognized for his excellent navigational skills. Navigation is a
specialized and difficult task, especially under cloudy conditions. It is a
methodical skill that requires the navigator to locate himself through observing
celestial bodies and referring to an extensive almanac.
Champlain was also a cartographer. Cartography is a practice that requires a
high level of patience and training. Champlain published many of his maps in
Europe. His well known maps were of North America. Cartography allowed him
to be an effective explorer and captain as he was able to visualize his location.
Champlain should have a puffed chest with his shoulders back to portray his
skill. These features make a confident posture. Champlain should be confident
as he was valuable due to his specialized skills.

AUDACIOUS: Champlain took many bold risks while being an explorer. While
sailing to North America for the first time, Champlain had little knowledge of the
land he would arrive to. The mere decision of exploring unknown and faraway
land said a considerable amount about Champlain's personality.
Traveling across the Atlantic Ocean in the early 1600's posed a risk of death.
Champlain captained a large wooden ship across the ocean. His ship could have
capsized if they navigated into an unrelenting storm. The crew would most likely
die under fatal weather conditions.
Champlain's first interactions with the First Nations could have also lead to his
end. Many of First Nations were warlike and hostile to newcomers. The most
dangerous interactions may have been the battles. As mentioned previously,
Champlain battled the Iroquois in order to gain a military alliance with the
Algonquin, Montagnais and Huron during. Luckily Champlain managed to kill all
three Iroquois Chiefs with his arquebus, which scared off the Iroquois before
Champlain was injured.

Due to his successes, Champlain became a well-known man throughout Europe.

His fame made him a wanted man in the eyes of other explorers. In order to
eliminate competition, the Spaniards and Basques sent Jean Duval to
assassinate Champlain. Jean Duval was a locksmith in the Qubec post and
Duval's plan was discovered at the last minute. Champlain asked Duval to come
over for wine and arrested Duval once he arrived.
"To set an example...Jean Duval was hanged, and strangled. His head placed on
the end of a stake to be exhibited in the most prominent part of our fort" (The
Plot against Champlain, Canada: A People's History).
In his portrait, Champlain should have his leg resting on a knee high rock and
have a scar on his left arm to show his audacity. The raised leg shows his ability
to conquer while the scar suggests the conflicts he encountered during his
explorations.
Samuel de Champlain was decisive, persistent, disciplined, skilled and audacious. In his
portrait, Champlain should be pointing with his right arm and squinting to show how he
was decisive. To depict Champlain's persistence his eyes should be looking towards the
horizon. Champlain should have a straight face and balled fist to demonstrate his
discipline. He should appear confident with his chest puffed and shoulders back to show
his skill. Champlain should bear a scar on his left arm and have his leg leaning on a
rock to depict his audacity. Although Champlain shared the same adjectives as many
other historic icons, he is quite different. Champlain was the cutting edge of these
leaders as he succeeded on a whole new level. Capturing this will be up to you, Tony
Max.