exchanges themselves. Some of them employed the services of interpreters
who were readily found, and were frequently sent among the natives to
induce them to visit the clerks. The duties of the clerks were not
always easily performed. They had many difficulties to encounter, but as
successful trading might lead to future promotion, there were advantages
connected with the office. Thierry-Desdames, one of the underclerks at
Quebec in 1622, was appointed captain of the Island of Miscou, in
recognition of his faithful service. This is not the only instance of
promotion recorded by Champlain. Beauchesne and Loquin are also
mentioned in the Relations of 1618 and 1619.

When Champlain returned from France in 1620, he was accompanied by Jean
Baptiste Guers, the business representative of the Duke of Montmorency,
who rendered good service to Champlain and the settlers. In the same
year Pont-Gravé traded at Three Rivers, and he was assisted by two
clerks called Loquin and Caumont, and an underclerk, Rouvier. Before
leaving for France, Pont-Gravé placed Caumont in charge of his factory.
Rouvier also left for France, under the pretext that the company
refused to increase his wages. The departure of a clerk, however, was of
small importance, when we consider the trouble which had arisen among
the associates.

In the year 1612, Champlain, it appears, had placed too much confidence
in the influence of Henri de Condé, viceroy of New France. This nobleman
proved to be a source of trouble rather than a friend to the new colony.
Two years after, Champlain formed an association of the merchants of St.
Malo and Rouen, who invested a large capital for the development of
trade in Quebec. The chief members of the company were François Porrée,
Lucas Legendre, Louis Vermeulle, Mathieu d'Insterlo, Pierre Eon, Thomas
Cochon, Pierre Trublet, Vincent Gravé, Daniel Boyer and Corneille de