[Ganona] DOCHET (ST. CROIX) ISLAND 141 
de Monts, who, for weeks had been searching in rivers and bays for 
some place of marked individuality as the site of his proposed set- 
tlement. The climate at the time of the discovery was perfect, giving 
no hint of the winter severity. Its situation, moreover, is extremely 
pleasing, more so, as I believe, than that of any place, not excepting 
Port Royal (Annapolis Basin), he had met with in his explorations so 
far, a point of no small importance to the impressionable Frenchman. 
Examined more closely, the island was found large enough for a settle- 
ment, but small enough, and of a nature, to be easily defended from 
an enemy, especially from the Indians, whose hostility was greatly 
but needlessly feared, while its situation commanded an extensive view 
in every direction, making it safe from surprises. Its surface was 
elevated and healthful and nearly flat, affording a good site for dwell- 
ings, while it was covered with the best of timber ready on the ground 
for use in building. The soil was mostly fertile, promising well for 
gardens. Its clean sand beaches afforded good landing places for 
boats, and there was a sheltered harbour for small vessels, while the 
shores supplied an abundance of edible shell-fish always available, and 
the sea around swarmed with the most valuable food fishes. The 
only drawback to the situation visible in the summer was the scarcity 
of water, and perhaps of fuel; but apparently bountiful supplies of 
both could readily be brought from the mainland. It is little wonder 
then, that de Monts chose as the site of his settlement a place which 
promised so well; and, when tempted to criticize his choice in the 
light of subsequent events, as it has been the fashion to do from the 
time of Lescarbot to the present, we should remember that all the 
indications at the time he had to make his decision were most favour- 
able, and that the causes which resulted in the abandonment of the 
settlement only developed later and were not indicated by any facts 
at his command. The settlement was abandoned in 1605, and prac- 
tically as the result of a single phenomenon, namely, the unusually 
severe winter of 1604-1605. Had that winter been as mild as many 
are in this region, the settlers would not have suffered so terribly from 
cold; they could have been more abroad to the great benefit of their 
health, and could have caught fish for the betterment of their diet; 
the ice would not have prevented them from bringing fresh water and 
wood from the mainland, and the scurvy need not have been fatal had 
it appeared at all. Had that first winter been a mild one, the settle- 
ment would not have been removed to Port Royal; and the St. Croix 
valley, if not the island itself, would have become the centre of French 
settlement and power in Acadia. In this case, the subsequent history, 
and in some small degree the present status, of the St. Croix valley 
