in favour of Montmorency. The admiral, like his predecessor,
accepted a thousand crowns a year and named Champlain as
his lieutenant. He also instituted an inquiry regarding
the alleged neglect of the company to maintain the post
at Quebec. The investigation showed that abundant cause
existed for depriving the company of its monopoly, and
in consequence the grant was transferred, on similar
terms, to William and Emery de Caen. Here complications
at once ensued. The De Caens, who were natives of Rouen,
were also Huguenots, a fact that intensified the ill-feeling
which had already arisen on the St Lawrence between
Catholic and heretic. The dispute between the new
beneficiaries and the company founded by Champlain involved
no change in the policy of the crown towards trade and
colonization. It was a quarrel of persons, which eventually
reached a settlement in 1622. The De Caens then compromised
by reorganizing the company and giving their predecessors
five-twelfths of the shares.

The recital of these intricate events will at least
illustrate the difficulties which beset Champlain in his
endeavour to build up New France. There were problems
enough even had he received loyal support from the crown
and the company. With the English and Dutch in full
rivalry, he saw that an aggressive policy of expansion
and settlement became each year more imperative. Instead,
he was called on to withstand the cabals of self-seeking
traders who shirked their obligations, and to endure the
apathy of a government which was preoccupied with palace
intrigues.