172 THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 
take part in this industry. As far back as 1621, a company was formed 
in France by François du Nerps, Sieur de Saint-Martin. It was called 
“The Royal and General Company of Commerce for foreign navigation 
(de longue cours) and for the East Indies.”” It was also intended that 
it should undertake the industry of the whale-fishery, but it failed. 
Again in 1632 another Company for the prosecution of the whale- 
fishery only, was formed by some Basque merchants with whom were 
joined some others from Rouen. They fitted out some ships and placed 
them under the command of a Basque captain, one Joannis Vrolicq, 
but this company also was unsuccessful. Another very large and power- 
ful company called the Company of the North (du Nord) fitted out and 
armed 25 ships, but these also after a few years ceased to exist. The 
Dutchmen still held the field, or rather the ocean, although the naval 
officer Panetié, of Boulogne, in 1674 made a raid on them, penetrating 
as far north as 77° with a fleet of three frigates. He captured three 
Dutch whalers and brought them home as prizes. They were loaded 
with whale fat, whalebone, etc., (fanons). 
Now, in 1693 the French determined to make one final onslaught on 
the Dutch and destroy and completely exterminate their whale-fishery, 
and a large and formidable squadron was formed. It was placed under 
the command of Le Sieur de la Varennes commander of the naval ship 
(vaisseau du Rot) Le Pelican, with him were joined the following frigates: 
—“T) Aigle,” commanded by our hero Svigaraicipi; the Favory under 
Captain de Harismendy; and the Prudent, a corsair of St. Malo cap- 
tained by Le Sieur Jacques Gouin de Beauchesne. They were to 
rendezvous and fit out at Saint Jean-de-Luz. The objective point of 
their voyage was to be Greenland, not Spitzbergen. It is most likely 
that the Dutch carried on their fishery in both these places. In fact 
over all the Arctic Ocean. 
When everything was ready, the ships victualed and watered, ete., 
the King, through the minister, sent to the chief commander de Varenne 
the most particular and specific instructions. It was stated in these 
orders that His Majesty was determined to destroy the Dutch whale- 
fishery at Greenland, and that knowing the valour and prudence of 
M. de Varenne he had chosen him as commander. His Majesty was 
persuaded that M. de Varenne would carry out everything satisfactor- 
ily, but in this His Majesty was mistaken. The Sieur de Boulaye, 
Superintendent of Marine at Bayonne, was to provide pilots, men ex- 
perienced in the navigation of these northern seas, as also officers of 
marine who knew the enemies of the King who were employed in this 
fishery. The squadron was to leave not later than June 20th, 1693, 
and they were to proceed directly to the place that would be indicated 
by the pilots. The commandant was to take measures to conceal his 
