The most recent census of the city of Montreal (2021) indicates a population of 1,762,949 for the metropolis. Montreal, the country’s cultural capital, a large university city and the economic heart of Quebec, has not always had this dynamic.
Fort Ville-Marie, located on the island of Montreal and founded in 1642 by Jeanne Mance and Paul de Chomedey de Maisonneuve, had few settlers. At the beginning of the 1650s, the small colony of Montreal numbered around 50 people, and constant conflicts with the Iroquois slowed its development. She is on the verge of death. After nine years of attempts to establish colonial roots, there are only a handful of men left capable of defending the fortress.
Plausible reconstruction of Fort Ville-Marie around 1660, based on archaeological research carried out at the founding site of Montreal from 2002 to 2015. Illustration by Marc Holmes / © Pointe-à-Callière 2017
Many of the early settlers returned to France discouraged. In 1651, fear was so palpable that people did not dare leave their homes and move around the island unarmed. Jeanne Mance even had to leave her Hôtel-Dieu to seek refuge within the fortress walls. The situation was so desperate that Maisonneuve seriously considered packing up all his settlers and sending them back to France.
Almost out of desperation, Jeanne Mance found the financial support necessary for Maisonneuve to lead an emergency expedition to France to recruit new settlers. She entrusted him with £22,000 to be used to found the Hôtel-Dieu, to finance travel and recruitment. Before leaving the colony on his mission, he stated: “I will try to bring 200 men with me […] defend this place; that if I don’t have at least 100, I won’t come back and I’ll have to give up everything because the place wouldn’t be sustainable either. »
Maisonneuve in France
Once he lands on the Old Continent, he quickly gets to work, multiplying his actions to save Ville-Marie. He meets members of the Notre-Dame society and rich and powerful people with deep pockets like Angélique Faure de Bullion. He managed to raise the necessary funds for the recruit.
The Occupations of Recruited Settlers: Recruited settlers often have multiple professions. Almost all of them call themselves harvesters, but also carpenters, pit sawyers, bricklayers, surgeons, millers, locksmiths, bakers, roofers, plowmen, carpenters, gunsmiths, excavators, butchers, hatters, boilermakers, nail makers, shoemakers, gardeners, clog makers, tailors, tailors and excavators. Reconstruction by Francis Back
Accompanied by Monsieur de La Dauversière, he traversed the French provinces to recruit sturdy men capable of defending the young colony. They must know how to handle weapons and pursue a profession that is useful for the development of Montreal. Recruitment takes place mainly around La Flèche, La Dauversière’s hometown. He also did not let this stop him from going to Troyes, where he met a woman who was crucial to the future of the colony: Marguerite Bourgeoys.
The results of this tour show that 153 men signed a enlistment pledge to assist the small colony on the island of Montreal. However, 50 of these people never showed up on boarding day. 103 men will leave the port of Saint-Nazaire for the “New World”. These men signed a contract lasting three to five years with a salary proportional to their experience with the Montreal Company. In return, they receive a guarantee of food and accommodation as well as the opportunity to return to France at the end of their assignment if they wish.
The duration of an Atlantic crossing is currently difficult to estimate. We know that the fastest route was completed in 19 days in 1610 and the longest route was completed in six months in 1752. Note that travel from Europe to America is slower due to the winds. Photo provided by Martin Landry
Crossing
On June 20, 1653, the recruits set sail, but a few days later we discovered that the ship was completely rotten, taking on water from everywhere and even threatening to sink. Marguerite Bourgeoys, who was present on board, said the passengers were scared or angry. Captain Pierre Le Besson has no choice but to turn around more than 1,000 miles (1,600 km) and return to France.
When the European shores were in sight, the recruited colonists were so terribly worried that Maisonneuve decided not to dock the ship in a port on the continent.
“Monsieur de Maisonneuve and all his soldiers were on an island from which no one could escape, otherwise not a single one would have remained. There were even some who threw themselves into swimming to save themselves, because they were like madmen and thought they were being led to destruction. »
During these crossings, passengers primarily drink water; Unfortunately it is poorly preserved. “It’s fine for the first few weeks, but the fluid quickly becomes cloudy. You shouldn’t look too much or smell the thick drink that gives off the smell of rotten eggs. We close our eyes, hold our noses and quench our thirst, and that is the main thing.” (Albert Tessier). During the journey, all passengers are entitled to a daily water ration. Luckily there is also wine, cider and brandy. Photo provided by Martin Landry
Marguerite Bourgeois
Maisonneuve managed to calm his troops and three weeks later, on July 20th, we finally began crossing the Atlantic towards Cap-aux-Diamants. It is an arduous journey, especially because the passengers are struck by a serious epidemic, probably a plague. The second ship chartered by Maisonneuve’s crew was probably already infested with vermin before departure.
Apparently there are many sick people on board and infected passengers crowded between the decks in more than deplorable conditions. In addition, eight men died during this Atlantic crossing.
Arrival of Marguerite Bourgeoys in Ville-Marie. Marguerite Bourgeoy’s Museum
The settlers were welcomed as true saviors
After facing the unenviable situation of promiscuity, difficult sanitary conditions, especially disease, and sea storms, the Grande Recruit settlers finally landed in Quebec on September 22, 1653.
The people of Quebec exploded with joy when they saw these travelers from Europe. Governor Jean de Lauzon even wanted to offer these recruits the opportunity to stay in Quebec, but Maisonneuve categorically refused. To counteract the pressure from Governor Lauzon, he uses as his main argument an official order from the king that calls on him to lead these recruits to save the Ville-Marie colony. Jeanne Mance, who had welcomed them to Quebec, quickly left the capital to inform the Montreal settlers that reinforcements were finally arriving.
Examination of the engagement treaties allows us to speak of 102 men, 8 of whom died during the crossing, making a total of 94 men who arrived safely in Quebec. They have names that are now widely used in Quebec, such as Auger, Baudry, Beaudoin, Boivin, Bouchard, Bouvier, Bouchard, Brossard, Cadet, Cadieux, Chartier, Chauvin, Chevalier, Desautels, Despres, Ducharme, Ducharme, Fontaine, Fruitier , Gaudin, Gendron, Gervais, Guertin, Hardy, Hurtubise, Jetté, Langevin, Lauzon, Lefebvre, Martin, Meunier, Millet, Mousseau, Olivier, Picard, Robin, Roger, Valiquette… Photo provided by Martin Landry
But the governor of Lauzon remained adamant and refused to provide them with boats with which they could travel to Montreal on the St. Lawrence River. After several weeks of obstacles, Maisonneuve managed, against all odds, to find boats and make his way to his destination.
Halfway there, snow and cold hit the settlers, giving them a taste of what awaited them in Canada. On November 16, 1653, during heavy snowfall, they finally came within sight of the island of Montreal. The entire population of the Ville-Marie colony gathered at the foot of the Saint-Pierre river to watch them approach. She then gave the new settlers a triumphant reception. We can say that after two years of continuous efforts, Maisonneuve has won his bet and Ville-Marie is saved.
References: The Great Recruit of 1653 by RJ Auger