252 NATURAL AND CIVIL 



termixing and mingling together. 



While the court of Spain was carrying its 

 conquests, and advancing its interest in the 

 southern parts of America, the courts of France 

 and England turned their attention to the nor- 

 tliern paits of the continent ; and endeavored iii 

 those regions to find avenues equally favorable 

 to commerce, conquest, wealth, and power. 

 Francis the first, at that time king of France, 

 was one of the most active princes of the age ; 

 and though constantly involved in wars and 

 misfortunes he did not intend that the kings of 

 Spain and England should divide the whole 

 continent of America between themselves. 

 With a view to explore the northern latitudes, 

 and to find a place for a French colony, he fitted 

 out James Cartier on a voyage of discovery, 

 Cartier sailed from St. Malo, on the 20th of 

 April 1534 ; and in the course of the summer 

 entered the mouth of Canada rive;j^ visited the 

 bay of Chaleur, and that of Gaspe ; and from 

 th?hce sailed to the northward, till he discover- 

 ed the land on the opposite side of the river. 

 Having made these discoveries he returned to 

 France, and arrived at St. Malo on the fifth of 

 September. 



The next year he was fitted out with three 

 ships, and arrived at the isle of Orleans, in the 

 beginning of September, and came to anchor 

 between the island and the north shore. To the 

 river he gave the name of St. Lawrence ; and 

 leaving his ships at anchor on September the 

 19th, he set out with his pinnace and two boats 

 upon a voyage up the river to Hochelaga ; where 

 he arrived October the second, and gave to the 



