Background Information Samuel

de Champlain set up a small trading post at Quebec, the capital of New

France, in 1608. At this time, there were very few French colonists and their main
goal was fur trade. For this reason, Champlain understood that their success depended on creating and keeping
alliances with the natives. In June 1609, Champlain and nine French soldiers joined the Huron to fight their
enemies, the Iroquois. The French firearms caused widespread death and fear among the Native Americans and
introduced such weapons to native conflicts.

We met the Iroquois on the warpath. Both they and we began to utter loud shouts and each got his
weapons ready... Our Indians (the Huron) kept their canoes close to one another to fight all together in case
of need. They said that as soon as the sun should rise, the Iroquois would attack us.

As soon as we landed, our Indians began to run some two hundred yards towards their enemies, who stood
firm and had not yet noticed my white companions. When I saw them make a move to draw their bows upon
us, I took aim with my gun and shot straight at one of the three chiefs, and with this shot two fell to the
ground. The Iroquois were astonished that two men were killed so quickly... This frightened them greatly. As I
was reloading my gun, one of my companions fired a shot from within the woods, which astonished them
again so much that they lost courage and fled. Our Indians also killed several and took ten or twelve
prisoners.

After we had gained the victory, our Indians took a large quantity of corn belonging to the enemy. Having
feasted, danced, and sung, we set off for home with the prisoners. The place where this attack took place
was named Lake Champlain.

Source: This drawing and journal entry created by Samuel de Champlain from 1609-1613 describe the first
encounter between the French and the Iroquois.