the middle portion of the Atlantic coast came to them in
1604, when, before any rivals had established themselves,
De Monts was at hand for the express purpose of founding
a colony. It is quite probable that even if he had landed
on Manhattan Island, the European preoccupations of France
would have prevented Henry IV from supporting a colony
at that point with sufficient vigour to protect it from
the English. Yet the most striking aspect of De Monts'
attempt in Acadia is the failure to seize a chance which
never came again to the French race. In 1607 Champlain
sailed away from Port Royal and the English founded
Jamestown. In 1608 Champlain founded Quebec, and thenceforth
for over a century the efforts of France were concentrated
on the St Lawrence. When at length she founded Louisbourg
it was too late; by that time the English grasp upon the
coast could not be loosened.

Meanwhile De Monts, to whom the future was veiled, left
Port Mouton and, creeping from point to point, entered
the Bay of Fundy--or, as Champlain calls it, 'the great
Baye Francoise, so named by Sieur de Monts.' The month
was June, but no time could be lost, for at this juncture
the aim of exploration was the discovery of a suitable
site, and after the site had been fixed the colonists
needed what time remained before winter to build their
houses. Hence De Monts' first exploration of the Baye
Francoise was not exhaustive. He entered Annapolis Basin
and glanced at the spot which afterwards was to be Port
Royal. He tried in vain to find a copper-mine of which
he had heard from Prevert of St Malo. He coasted the Bay