194 ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 
The next year, 1611, came another incident in its history, when 
a trader, Captain Platrier, seated himself there, and passed the fol- 
lowing winter upon it, as recorded in the Relations of Father Biard. 
nous apprinsmes que le capitaine Platrier s’estoit resolu de passer 
Ecities en l’Ile saincte Croix, & qu'il y estoit resté luy cinquiesme. Cette 
nouuelle fit prendre resolution au sieur de Biencourt d’aller à Saincte Croix 
de ceste mesme tirade, auant que le Capitaine Platrier eust moyen de se forti- 
fier; car il vouloit tirer de luy le Quint de toutes ses marchandises, & traicte, 
parce qu'il hyuernoit sur le pays. L’Isle Saincte Croix est à six lieües 
du Port aux Coquilles, au milieu d’vne riuiere. 
Doncques le sieur de Biencourt y vint, accompagné de huict personnes, & 
y entra en armes, ayant laissé le P. Biard en vn bout de l'Isle, sur des roches 
attendant l’euenement, parce que ledict Pere auoit conuenu auec ledict sieur, 
qu'en cas d'aucune inuasion, ou actes de guerre, ou force contre les Francois, 
il seroit delaissé en quelque lieu à l’escart, en telle facon, qu’vn chacun peust 
sçauoir, qu'il estoit amy de tous les deux partys, & qu'il s’entremettroit fort 
volontiers pour accorder les differents, mais nullement pour estre partialiste. 
Dieu mercy, tout passa heureusement: Platrier nous traicta le mieux qu’il 
peut: Et à son ayde le sieur de Biencourt recouura vne barque. 
TRANSLATION. 
. We learned that Captain Platrier had decided to pass the Winter on 
the Island of sainte Croix, and that he [Sieur de Biencourt] would get his 
fifth therefrom. This news made Sieur de Biencourt resolve to go to Sainte 
Croix at once, before Captain Platrier had means of fortifying himself: for he 
wished to collect from him the Fifth of all his merchandise and trade, for 
wintering in the country. The Island of Sainte Croix is six leagues from 
Port aux Coquilles,' in the middle of a river. 
Accordingly sieur de Biencourt went to this place, accompanied by eight 
people, and, well-armed, marched into the place, having left Father Biard in 
one end of the Island upon the rocks, awaiting the outcome; because the 
Father had arranged with the sieur, that in case of any invasion, or warlike 
act or force against the French, he should be left in some place apart, so that 
every one might know that he was a friend of both parties, and that he would 
very willingly interpose to make peace between those at variance, but under 
no circumstances would be take sides with either. 
Thank God, all passed off happily: Platrier treated us as well as he could: 
and with his aid, Sieur de Biencourt recovered a barque. 
(Relations III., 198-201.) 
Biencourt was the son of Poutrincourt and at this time was in 
command in Acadia, and entitled to a fifth share of all trading profits. 
Later in the same year, Father Biard with Sieur de Biencourt 
again visited St. Croix Island: — 
nous repassasmes à l'Isle S. Croix, où Platrier nous donna deux barils de 
pois, ou de febues: l’vn & l’autre nous fut vn bien grand present. 


1 Head Harbour, on Campobello. 
