1626 saw Champlain again at his post, working hard to
complete a new factory which he had left unfinished,
while the buildings of the Jesuit establishment made good
progress under the hand of workmen specially brought from
France. What still remained imperfect was the fortification.
The English had destroyed the French settlements at Mount
Desert and Port Royal. What was to hinder them from
bombarding Quebec?

This danger soon clouded the mood of optimism that had
been inspired by the coming of the Jesuits. The De Caens
objected to any outlay on a fort, and would not give
Champlain the men he needed. In reply Champlain sent the
viceroy a report which was unfavourable to the company
and its methods. But even without this representation,
the monopoly of the De Caens was doomed by reason of
events which were taking place in France.

At the court of Louis XIII Richelieu had now gained an
eminence and power such as never before had been possessed
by a minister of the French crown. Gifted with imagination
and covetous of national greatness, he saw the most
desirable portions of other continents in the hands of
the Spaniards, the Portuguese, the English, and the Dutch.
The prospect was not pleasing, and he cast about for a
remedy.

For Hanotaux, [Footnote: Gabriel Hanotaux, member of the
French Academy, is the author of the most authoritative
work on the life and times of Richelieu.] Richelieu is