far advanced to ascend the river to Montreal, and if it had been
attempted they would have been compelled to winter at some place where
there was neither human habitation nor fort, and would consequently be
exposed to the attacks of the fierce Iroquois. They therefore concluded
to pass the winter at Quebec as best they could. The Governor, Chevalier
de Montmagni, welcomed them with much cordiality, but had views of his
own in the Quebec colony, which were not favorable to an establishment
at Montreal. He supposed naturally that in a country so weak as Canada
then was, it would be unwise and imprudent to divide their strength, and
that the success of a settlement at Montreal was impossible on account
of its proximity to the Indian camping grounds, and their constant
attacks on the French. He intended asking them to select the isle of
Orleans, which was still unoccupied, and where assistance could more
easily reach them in case of an attack. Like a wise politician, however,
he was slow to reveal his plan, preferring to await the return of the
ships to France, which had scarcely set sail when he convoked a general
assembly in order to disclose his projects. It is not to be doubted that
the garrison were as interested as he was, and so were the other
inhabitants of Quebec. But the firmness of M. de Maisonneuve was a match
for their intrigue, and when his views and opinions were asked during
the debate, he replied with much dignity, that he was surprised the
Governor of Quebec thought it necessary to convoke a public assembly on
a matter which concerned the speaker only--that he made no secret of his
intentions--that the settlement of the isle of Orleans had never been
proposed by the Montreal Association--that he came expressly to found a
_new city_, which was to be dedicated to the Mother of God, on the isle
of Montreal--that he had not the least idea of changing his original
plan--and finally, that unless he lost his life, he would execute his
commission. It was impossible to gainsay him, and the assembly dissolved
without deciding on anything. De Maisonneuve contented himself with